Unlike the spar with Elize, this attack actually wanted to end me.
I parried the first blow to my neck with the incense burner I was holding. It's a relic, not some cheap souvenir—perfect as a shield.
Zeng—! Sparks flew.
'What a monster…'
Even with my body enhanced enough to toss a regular human like a paper doll, my arms felt like jelly. And all this, from someone just waking up and swinging without even standing properly.
Lucky for me, I know the basics of staying alive: move backward, roll, and pray a little.
It's a stupid move if you're in combat. Seriously, I'm practically doing interpretive dance at this point.
It has no meaning other than keeping a distance from the opponent.
However, against this girl, it actually worked. Go figure.
As soon as my body touched the floor, I instinctively measured the distance between us.
'Three and a half steps.'
A distance where I can reach her without turning into a human kebab. Always wanted to try that look: slightly charred and screaming.
Meanwhile, Yseria remained rooted on her spot.
She exhibits near-invincible combat power against anyone who enters within three steps of her. Inversely, she cannot close the distance within three steps of the opponent. Conveniently specific.
A human being forced to keep her distance. Fantastic.
[Can you please stay still?]
Of course, seeing that sentence floating in the air with her teary eyes, it was obvious she wasn't thrilled about me keeping my safe distance.
"…So it's easier to slice?"
[Yes.]
Figures. That's helpful. Really reassuring.
Though I'm stuck in quite the dilemma.
A wall at my back and Yseria's sword in front. Great. My two options: die slowly or die quickly.
I'm safe as long as I stay more than three steps away, but escaping this situation? Not looking great.
I could risk it for the biscuit and pass through her, but with such intense hostility, that's the last thing I want to do. Better try negotiating first… because apparently, biscuits are my best life insurance.
"…?"
Wait a minute.
Negotiate.
I can negotiate.
Some ideas started to form. Yseria's life is basically "don't get close to anyone, or they die." Lucky me, I'm the first uninvited guest in decades.
This encounter was completely unexpected. Considering she prefers environments with 'few people' and a 'constant state,' maybe—just maybe—offering food might work. Not exactly a solid plan, but it's all I've got.
"…"
I slowly put my hand in my pocket, making it clear I have zero hostile intent. Because nothing screams "I come in peace" like holding snacks in front of a child-sized death machine.
Then, with all the solemnity of someone defusing a bomb, I pull out the biscuits I was eating earlier.
"…"
Her gaze immediately latched onto the biscuits. I swear she might have forgotten how to blink. Honestly, if she weren't dangerous, I'd probably be taking notes on her technique.
"Psspsspss."
I tossed the biscuits one by one, hoping to distract her from my escape path. Hansel and Gretel? More like Adrian and the Tiny But Lethal.
[Are you trying to entice a human with food?]
Yeah, her words said no, but her actions said clearly yes. She was devouring them like she hadn't seen a snack in years.
[I'm not an animal. How can anyone fall for something like this!]
Right… because stealing biscuits from a stranger never works. Sure, keep telling yourself that while your tiny claws snatch them midair.
Every time she ate one, she noticeably became happier.
If she were a puppy, her tail would be wagging like it just won the lottery while munching away.
Then, she must have realized I was watching and immediately got defensive.
[I won't fall for these primitive tricks! I am human!]
Oh, really? Sure. Totally human. You're just thrilled about biscuits, that's all.
"I got some more. Want them?" I asked, pretending to offer a peace treaty.
[…]
After a while, Yseria was munching through a whole bag of biscuits with pure, unfiltered joy.
She actually looked… cute. In a deadly, slicing-people-in-half kind of way, but cute nonetheless.
[By the way, who are you? Why are you here?]
Ah, finally. Civilization has arrived… sort of.
'…But I can't tell her the truth,' I thought.
Yeah, saying "I'm here to steal stuff" would probably not improve our relationship.
Regardless of Yseria living her half-wild, beast-like solitary life, she's not completely feral. That said, if faculty members knew I was here, it would be a very, very bad day.
Now, what's a plausible excuse…
Ah, right. I glanced at the incense burner lying nearby. If I grab it now, it will be like ringing the school alarm. Better stall a bit.
"I came to give you food because of someone," I said, making up a story on the fly.
Naturally, her attention sharpened.
[…Yes?]
Seeing dozens of floating question marks, I could tell she was mildly impressed by my storytelling skills.
"Someone I know said to take care of you."
[Someone you know…?]
Technically, that person doesn't exist. But hey, a little white lie now saves me from a lot of potential slicing later.
Honestly, this would've been impossible in the original game. But then again, if it were the original game, I wouldn't be here trying to hand-feed a tiny assassin in the supply room.
Still… I figure I might as well take advantage of the situation. Playing nice now could save me from future chaos. And let's be honest—anything that keeps me from becoming a pincushion is worth a little fib.
With that said, shouldn't I take advantage of the opportunity of meeting her here? This would make things run more smoothly for me in the future.
"Don't worry, your sister is doing well in the Holy Land."
The trick is to drop this info just enough to be noticed but not enough to start a philosophical debate.
Yseria's body visibly stiffened.
"The Emperor won't pay you or your sister any attention for the time being. He still has to deal with those hidden at the academy."
The girl clutched her chain-wrapped sword like it was the last chocolate on Earth. Tiny action, massive emotional ripple.
All because of that someone, Yseria ended up at Caldwell Academy, far from her home in the Holy Land, living this… unique lifestyle.
Normally, this would be explained in detail in Chapter 2, but she at least deserves a little good news about her only family.
"…"
My eyes drifted to the sword she was holding.
It looked unassuming, but in reality, it was a top-tier item in Sera. Yseria herself is basically a walking seal keeping its power in check. That three-step curse? Yep, comes from that sword.
She's probably under more mental stress than anyone I've met, including Elize.
Shouldn't we toss her a bone of hope while we can?
[You… who are you? Where did you come from…]
"I'll get going now."
No way I'm explaining the messy details.
'Because there's literally no such thing as a "safe story" here.'
If a lie drags on too long, it becomes a trap. Best to make a clean, mysterious exit.
I grabbed the incense burner from the floor—after all, leaving evidence behind is amateur hour.
Someone from the Holy Land would recognize the value, but Yseria was too busy processing my words to notice.
Thank… goodness.
It's almost worth the conversation.
"…I'll come again."
I left her with a farewell message—short, mysterious, and hopefully enough to plant a tiny seed of curiosity.
Even if the supply room heists end here, I'm sure our paths will cross again.
Look out for me next time. Eung?