I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 138

Chapter 138: Spring Outing (8)

This episode, Spring Outing, was governed by a set of peculiar rules:

• I couldn't rely on my pre-existing affinity levels. It was a fresh start, as if all my previous efforts had been reset.

• I had to constantly manage the family members' moods, catering to their whims and avoiding any conflict.

• I had to navigate the Danger Zone's choices, making careful decisions to avoid triggering unwanted consequences.

Failing to adhere to these rules meant facing a barrage of choices, each one capable of ending the game prematurely.

But…

Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges, this episode could be cleared quite easily with one simple, yet frustrating, strategy.

Since I couldn’t rely on my existing affinity levels, I had to play along, to appease the family and avoid any conflict.

Staying close to them, minimizing any potential for friction with the other nobles present, was the key. If I had to leave their side, I had to choose the family member whose affinity I was willing to sacrifice. And that damage could be easily repaired by catering to their needs, soothing their bruised egos.

Even just staying within a few meters of them was enough to deter most threats. And sticking to Isabella like glue would render me practically untouchable.

Following their every command, enduring their whims, and simply existing as a passive observer, would allow me to clear this episode effortlessly.

But there was one problem with this approach.

This game, while notoriously unforgiving and challenging, had a certain logic to it, a system that, despite its flaws, possessed a degree of fairness.

The Completion Rate.

It might seem like a simple percentage, a meaningless number, but it represented the player’s performance, their success in navigating the episode's challenges.

And the Completion Rate in this episode never exceeded 50%.

Even after clearing the episode, even after avoiding a bad ending, the highest I had ever achieved was in the 40% range. It was significantly lower than the Completion Rates of other episodes.

Why?

It was a sign that this passive approach wasn’t the intended solution.

The Completion Rate, a dynamic value that fluctuated based on the player's choices and actions, was essentially a scorecard, a reflection of their performance.

And as the Completion Rate increased, the game responded with positive feedback – dangerous choices disappeared, affinity levels rose, restrictions were lifted.

In short…

A 3% Completion Rate meant that my actions were 97% wrong.

A 30% Completion Rate meant that I could achieve a 70% better outcome.

Even a 99% Completion Rate meant that there was still room for improvement.

Which meant…

This complex, ever-changing game was designed to challenge the player, to push them to achieve the best possible outcome.

And that optimal outcome wasn’t about achieving a perfect 100%.

It was about constantly striving for improvement, for a higher score, for a better result.

This realization led me to a conclusion.

The Spring Outing episode, with its consistently low Completion Rate, required a different approach, a solution beyond simply clinging to the family and obeying their every whim.

“Ugh…”

-Thud.

‘That’s the last one.’

▶ HP Remaining: 82% ◀

Hemnon and his cronies had attacked, their movements predictable, their intentions obvious.

I was outnumbered, unarmed, and a few blows had landed, leaving a trail of blood on my cheek and a throbbing pain in my jaw.

But…

‘I’m definitely not the loser here.’

The status window confirmed it.

The status ailments section was empty, and while my HP had taken a hit, it wasn't critical.

My training had paid off.

“H-He… He defeated them all? By himself?”

“It’s… It’s impossible! How…”

“He used to fight back, yes, but he could barely take down one of us, even when we ganged up on him…”

“He’s… He’s completely different.”

The ladies' smug smiles were replaced by expressions of shock and disbelief, as they whispered among themselves, their voices filled with fear and confusion.

Well, I was surprised as well.

I was experiencing this transformation firsthand after all.

They had always seen Carsein as a weak, pathetic target, someone they could easily manipulate and control.

‘But this is the real me.’

The countless hours spent hunting monsters in Lusmire, the sparring sessions with the Yaricans, the relentless training at the Duchy’s training grounds…

I hadn’t stopped, not for a single day.

My stats had increased, my swordsmanship had improved.

It would be strange if there hadn’t been any change.

And then, from among the groaning nobles sprawled across the ground, a laugh, a sharp, bitter sound, filled the air.

“Heh… Hehehe… HAHAHA!”

It was Hemnon, his face bruised, his clothes torn, as he struggled to his feet.

“You think this changes anything? You fool.”

Had the beating driven him mad?

But there was a glint of madness in his eyes, a twisted logic fueling his words.

“You’re still a commoner. A pathetic worm who dares raise his hand against his betters!”

He pointed a finger at me, his laughter echoing through the air.

The other ladies, recovering from their initial shock, smirked, their arrogance returning.

‘Right, it makes sense for you to be confident. I’m just Carsein, after all.’

They had nothing to fear.

The Bagrand family wasn't here.

This wasn’t Carsein Bagrand of the Duchy.

This was the orphan from the slums, the pawn they could manipulate, the jester they could mock.

-Ding!

▶ Caused trouble in a Danger Zone! ◀

▶ Triggering a choice! Proceed with caution! ◀

And this commoner, based on the upcoming choice, would become a target, a scapegoat blamed for ruining their gathering, turning this peaceful outing into a chaotic mess.

This was the complete opposite of the episode’s intended solution.

I had separated myself from my family, walked into a lion’s den, and created a scene, triggering a choice that could easily lead to a bad ending.

No matter how I tried to spin this, no matter what excuse I offered, my family would be disappointed, their affinity plummeting.

It was a disaster.

But it could also be the key to clearing this episode.

“That commotion… Don’t tell me…!”

She had arrived.

The countless retries, the gathered information, hadn’t steered me wrong.

-Ding!

▶ Arina Bagrand has witnessed this scene! ◀

▶ Choice trigger confirmed! ◀

***

Based on the information I had gathered, every time Carsein clashed with nobles, it always led to a bad ending.

There were several factors involved – the Danger Zone, the choices, the potential for violence. But the common denominator had always been…

Arina Bagrand.

“Lady Arina…!”

“You arrived just in time. Young Master Carsein… Haa…”

“Ugh, I don’t understand why he keeps doing this…”

The nobles, their faces a mixture of feigned concern and barely concealed malice, welcomed her arrival.

They twisted the narrative, painting Carsein as the aggressor, the instigator.

And then, dropping their act, they revealed their true intentions.

They smirked, miming slitting their throats, their eyes filled with smug satisfaction.

A bad ending was inevitable.

Arina Bagrand, with her rigid adherence to noble decorum and her unwavering loyalty to the Duchy, was here.

“Explain yourself, Carsein.”

[ 1. Can’t you see? They started it! ]

[ 2. They destroyed my things! I was just defending myself! ]

[ 3. Look at my clothes! They’re stained! That bastard Hemnon deliberately spilled tea on me to ruin my outfit for the portrait! ]

…

…

The choices appeared, accompanied by Arina’s cold, disapproving voice.

‘These are all dead ends.’

Protesting my innocence, claiming I was the victim, revealing their transgressions…

No matter what I chose, it would backfire.

But I wasn't acting impulsively.

I had a plan.

Based on my countless retries, whenever Carsein was separated from his family, he encountered nobles 90% of the time, and only 10% involved accidents or natural disasters.

And even those “accidents” were usually orchestrated by nobles.

The key was location.

‘The conditions are perfect. There’s no way to erase the evidence.’

All that remained was to ensure Hemnon couldn’t escape and to create a legitimate excuse to leave this place.

And to do that…

I had to do something crazy.

[ 1. Can’t you see? They started it! ]☑

“Can’t you see? They started it.”

“Haa, started it?”

▶ Arina’s Affinity decreased! ◀

▶ Current affinity: -5% ◀

“Lord Hemnon simply offered to share a table with you. He invited you to join his group, offered you tea and refreshments, and engaged in a friendly conversation. Is that what you call starting a fight?”

The moment I chose the option, her affinity dropped.

But I didn't care.

[ 2. They destroyed my things! I was just defending myself! ]☑

“They destroyed my belongings! I was just defending myself!”

“Destroyed your belongings?”

“Yes! I bought a beautiful Turmus Flower hairpin at the market, and they… they dropped it and broke it!”

“I told you, it was an accident! I didn’t do it on purpose. It was just a… a slip of my hand.”

▶ Arina Bagrand’s Affinity decreased! ◀

▶ Current affinity: -10% ◀

“Don’t lie, Carsein. Lord Hemnon already explained that it was an accident.”

My words, echoing the contents of the disappearing choice window, triggered another drop in affinity.

My suspicions were confirmed.

I didn’t hesitate, immediately choosing the third option.

[ 3. Look at my clothes! They’re stained! That bastard Hemnon deliberately spilled tea on me to ruin my outfit for the portrait! ]☑

“And look at my clothes! They’re stained! He heard me talking about the portrait, so he deliberately spilled tea on me to ruin my outfit!”

“Haa, Carsein, you’re making a scene again…!”

▶ Arina Bagrand’s Affinity decreased! ◀

▶ Current affinity: -15% ◀

“Are you seriously asking me to believe these ridiculous accusations?!”

The third strike.

Her eyes blazed with anger, ready to incinerate me.

But…

-Ding!

▶ Perfect Clear conditions met! ◀

▶ Choose the following option. ◀

Success.

‘So that was it.’

If I was going to be targeted by these nobles, I had to do it in a way that would generate undeniable evidence.

I had to eliminate their escape routes, to ensure they wouldn’t be able to deny their actions.

The solution wasn’t about maximizing affinity. It was about eliminating the threat, even if it meant temporarily lowering their affinity.

And if this led to their downfall…

I could finally leave this place.

“Apologize to Hemnon and everyone else. Right now. Or I’ll make sure you all regret this.”

[ P. You’ve really changed, Arina. ] ☑

“You’ve really changed, Arina.”

“What?!”

“Look closely. Look at what they destroyed. Look at Hemnon’s shoe.”

“You’re still using that vulgar language… I’ve reached my limit. I’m going back to Mother and— ”

And then…

Another guest arrived.

“Haa… haa… Sister!”

Claire, out of breath, her face flushed, rushed towards them.

“Don’t you think you should at least listen to Carsein’s side of the story?”

Her arrival triggered a notification.

-Ding!

▶ Episode IV: Spring Outing cleared with maximum completion rate! ◀

▶ Danger Zone penalties nullified! ◀

▶ Affinity penalties nullified! ◀

▶ Perfect Clear reward granted! ◀

So that was the solution.

‘Not that I care.’

I turned and walked away.

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