The night was cold, the air pierced my skin until every breath hurt. Darkness enveloped the surroundings, so thick and silent that only my own heartbeat could be heard.
I told Eve and Lei beforehand that I wanted to be alone in the tent before dinner. Eve also told me to change my clothes which looked strange in their eyes. Looked at from any angle, my clothes are too modern for this era.
The reason I want to be alone is also because there is something I want to learn.
[The repair session has been completed. You can call the system guide. Would you like to summon the System Guide?]
[Yes / No]
System guide? Is it some kind of NPC that gives quest hints? If true, maybe they will bring up someone?
Honestly, I'm a little curious. Usually NPCs are handsome and beautiful.
Without realizing it, I smiled mischievously.
"Yes."
[Activates the System Guide summoning feature]
[Summoning successful]
[You get System Guide : Bong Bong]
"Huh?"
[Baaaa!]
"AAACK!" I was shocked beyond belief when I was shocked by a strange object that suddenly appeared on the system screen.
A dragon cub?
It was a soft-furred baby dragon, its ruby-red horns and small wings set against the soft white feathers and crown of white flowers adorning its forehead. Her big honey orange eyes stared at him with a cute expression full of innocence.
The dragon child laughed heartily. [Are you surprised? Looks like I succeeded]
I looked at it in astonishment. "W-who are you?"
[I am the system guide you summoned.]
System guide? A dragon?
"You're a system guide? Not a human?"
[Human? How is it possible for humans to be system guides? Their bodies may break under the weight of causality.]
"Causality?"
The dragon child cleared his throat. [Anyway I will be your system guide from now on. My name is Bong Bong.]
Oh my. Actually, what genre of novel am I in? Why is there this super cute dragon cub?
I got closer and poked him a few times. Its body feels very plump and its feathers are also very soft.
[What are you doing?] It looked at me in surprise.
"I'm just curious. Why are you so small?"
[Hmph! I see, I'm strong, you know!] It crossed Its arms while puffing out its cheeks.
[Don't you have anything to ask?]
"About what?" I asked while continuing to press its stomach.
[Stop touching me!] It landed one hard kick on my cheek.
I didn't expect its kick to hurt this much, even though its body is so small. My left cheek was constantly throbbing, it felt like being punched by a human.
[Special skill 'Reader Protection' neutralizes your pain]
Eh? The pain in my cheek suddenly disappeared, it was surprising that this skill had such an effect.
[Your pain is gone, right? That is the ability of your special skill. Your abilities will increase if your level rises.] It said.
"Can my level rise too?"
[Of course. You do this by killing monsters and completing quests. The stronger the monster, the more experience you get.]
Collecting EXP, huh? Really like an RPG game.
"But I don't have fighting skills. I also can't use weapons."
[You can raise your stats, so don't worry.]
"Stats? Like those of other characters?" My eyes widened.
[Other characters? Well, maybe something like that. Here, let me show you.]
Bong Bong stood in front of the system screen and tried to open something, maybe it was trying to show my status like I did to the others.
[System error! You are not included in the character list]
[What..?!] Bong Bong was shocked, and kept trying to do the same thing. But all it get is the same warning.
To be honest, I was surprised too. I remember when I read the function of the 'character analysis' skill, it could only be used on characters. I've only used that skill on three people, and they include the characters from this novel.
I mean I'm not a 'character', right? I had expected that because I came from another world.
But did the system not anticipate this? I'm sure they knew I came from another world, but why did they miss this? Was it intentional?
[Eh? How can it be like this?]
Bong Bong watched my status screen with a confused expression. It shifted restlessly in front of me, its wings flapping rapidly in panic.
[This is my first time seeing something like this. I have to report to the system coordinator first! You can buy weapons or other items in the shop feature. You have gold, right? Use it.]
Bong Bong is getting more and more restless.
[Because there was an error, you cannot raise the stat. It's better if you just buy good items and weapons first. God, why is it like this?]
Bong Bong kept fiddling with my system screen, and the same warnings kept popping up.
[System error! You are not included in the character list]
Bong Bong turned around and looked at me worriedly. [I'll try to fix this. I'll be back again! Bye!]
Bong Bong immediately disappeared like magic without giving me a chance to speak.
[You currently have 40 achievement points and 10,000 gold]
"Hm... it's useless. I can't raise my stats. I don't even know what level I am." I looked at my status screen while touching my chin, thinking for a moment.
"Guess I can only buy items first, huh. Where's the shop feature?" I tried fiddling with the system screen, and somehow by luck, I managed to find the shop feature that Bong Bong mentioned.
The shape is similar to an online shopping application. There are various kinds of items with quite high prices. Its function has also been written in detail.
For examples,
+
[Name] Waterproof Cloak
[Level] B
[Effect] This clothing will protect you from water or attacks that use water. You won't get one bit wet!
[Unique Effect] Poison resistance 10%
[Price] 100 gold
+
Are items like this also for sale? It seemed pretty useless despite the poison resistance effect.
I kept looking for useful items, but there were too many items to make me dizzy. My head was throbbing from constantly looking at the system screen.
Isn't the effect the same as playing on a cell phone?
Among the many useless items, I managed to find several items that I thought were very good.
[You get a new item : Blue Magical Sword]
[You get a new item: Rasaka Pill]
[You get a new item: Lactus Gloves]
[You get a new item: Healing Potion]
[You currently have 1,200 gold]
I almost spent all my gold. Consider it an investment for an uncertain future. The Blue Magical Sword was the most expensive item I bought at 5,600 gold. It is indeed very expensive, but the effect can be said to be very good. Currently I don't have any skills to fight monsters, therefore I need a good weapon.
By the way I've been inside too long. Eve and Lei must be cooking now. Oh yes. I forgot to change my clothes.
.....
...
Eve and Lei sat next to each other in front of a fairly large campfire. They both looked at the deer meat being roasted on the fire.
"Eve, are you seriously going to believe her?" Lei asked, wearing an annoyed expression.
"I don't believe her one hundred percent. It's just that I feel what she said is right. We have to build strength from now on to eradicate the disaster that her meant. We were lucky to be able to defeat the giant monsters earlier. We don't know what kind of monster will appear next."
Lei took a short breath, his lips pursed in annoyance. "Still, I still don't accept it. Especially Captain's attitude which doesn't seem to mind the murderer."
"I still don't believe that Captain knows that man named Kael."
"Kael was his friend when he was at the academy."
Eve and Lei immediately turned around when they heard my voice. I've been watching them for a while now.
"Kim!" Eve stood up, looking at me in shock. "They were friends in the past?"
I approached them and sat opposite each other, in front of the campfire. "That's right. They were very close at first, but separated after graduation."
"How come?" Eve asked, growing enthusiastic.
"Because of differences in principles and goals."
"Is that so," Lei replied while nodding his head.
Look at this guy, now he is very enthusiastic about listening to my story. Even though he was still annoyed and didn't believe me.
"How do you know about their relationship? What is your actual relationship with Kael?" Eve asked.
How about this? Should I exaggerate it a bit?
I smiled bitterly. "Our relationship is hard to explain. I just want to help Kael get back on the right path..."
"God..." Eve put on a sad expression while covering her mouth with both hands. While Lei looked at me in disgust, it was clear he didn't believe my story.
"How do you feel? Do you like Kael?" Eve asked.
Of course I like it! Even as explained in the book, 1000 pages will not be enough. Every aspect of him was perfect! His attitude was outrageous, but his face had covered all his ugly attitude. You know? He is the character I love most in the universe! Long live Kael!!!
I smiled faintly, continuing my dramatic act. "Does it really matter? He doesn't even care about me."
Eve's eyes were filled with tears. "God, what a pity..."
I didn't expect Eve's reaction to be like this, and Lei still looked at me with disdain. I want to punch his ugly face.
"Wow, it smells really good." Liam came and sat between me and Lei. He smiled at me, then turned to Lei and Eve who were wiping their tears. This clearly confused Liam. "Eve, why are you crying?"
"It's okay, Captain," Eve answered quietly, breathlessly.
"She cried after hearing the sad story of unrequited love," Lei chimed in curtly.
"Whose love story?" Liam looked at me in surprise. "Your story?"
I looked away and laughed softly. "Yes, that is so."
Damn, I'm so embarrassed!