HPDBC Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
It was Rodelin de Lucid.
Her clothes were torn here and there, to the point where it seemed better to take off her stockings.
I took out a coat from the pocket dimension and handed it to her.
"...Thank you."
The coat was large enough to cover Rodelin's thighs.
She buttoned up the coat all the way.
"I've taken care of the wounds. The exit is over there."
"Keke, are you alright?"
"It was nothing compared to the real erosion. It's highly likely it was a prototype, just like you said. There was also a place that looked like a laboratory over there."
I nodded in agreement.
Rodelin, who had been watching me intently, spoke.
"Zero, would you mind coming with me for a moment? I have something to discuss."
But the emotion in her eyes was strange for such a request.
Could it be a confession?
I am an attractive man, but that would be problematic.
The place Rodelin led me to was where the remains of the Demon's Shard lay.
Hmm, it's neatly split in half.
Not just it, the ground was also split in half.
'Is this the Sky Splitter technique? It's worthy of being called the Lucid family's greatest skill.'
If [Sky Splitter] comes up during a Potential gamble, I won't need another attack skill until the final boss.
According to the information window, Rodelin's family swordsmanship is Class C.
A Class C [Sky Splitter] is this powerful, so Class S needs no further words.
'I didn't expect Sky Splitter, which is unlocked after Episode 5, to be used here.'
"That's impressive power. Why didn't you use it from the start?"
"I wasn't confident I could control it. It's a skill I learned by observation, and... I didn't have permission."
Rodelin's arms and legs trembled slightly.
It must be a skill that puts a lot of strain on the user.
'Oh, I almost forgot.'
I approached the Demon's Shard and reached out my hand.
A hidden piece obtained from the transparent slime. It was to use [Predation].
The skills the Demon's Shard possessed were [Spatial Dominance], [Erosion], [Demon Magic], and [Corrosion].
Luckily, they were all useful skills.
Which skill would I get this time?
'[Through the power of Predation, you acquire the 'Spatial Dominance' skill. Its grade is lowered to F.]
'Not bad.'
A skill that inflates stats and increases the efficiency and power of other skills.
Though it's Class F, so the space I can dominate is limited and the efficiency isn't great.
But it's a good skill for me who can see the future.
I was smiling pleasantly when it happened.
Swoosh-.
A cold blade touched my neck.
It was Rodelin's sword. I naturally raised my hands above my head.
"What did you just do?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Didn't you just do something to the corpse of the demon? I saw it all. The black fragment entering your body."
Was there an effect to [Predation]?
Or was it a unique effect when stealing a skill from a demon?
Of course, now wasn't the time to ponder over that.
"Keke, it's a secret."
"Don't try to gloss over it. You've been suspicious from the start."
"What do you mean?"
"The way you effortlessly solved the demon's trial, and the conversation you had with it was too natural. As if you knew it all beforehand."
She was referring to the conversation I had with the Demon's Shard before the battle.
"Keke, it was an act to extract information, you know that, right?"
"...You used the term 'that person.' That implies there's someone both of you know."
"What does a prototype of erosion imply? It means someone artificially created it. That's why I used the term 'that person.'"
"Hmm. But you seemed quite familiar with it. The way you instantly proposed strategies, and how you involved me in the process. You..."
Rodelin's eyes shone coldly.
"What exactly are you?"
Rodelin's gaze and presence were quite formidable.
'Is this why I was summoned here.'
Not a confession. Disappointing, yet a relief.
There's a risk of losing my head, but I wasn't nervous.
Convincing Rodelin... no.
'Deceiving her isn't so difficult.'
To persuade Rodelin, logic is important, but emotional persuasion is more critical.
After all, she's a typical tough on the outside, soft on the inside character.
"Keke, senior. Do you remember when we first met?"
"I do."
The way people looked at me from a distance, like I was an animal in a zoo.
The wound Rodelin had just made on my neck.
Though it was a deep cut enough to bleed, it had healed very cleanly.
It must have been treated with a high-grade potion.
Given Rodelin's personality, it's highly likely she used the same on the parrot.
Meaning, the reason for the parrot's poor condition isn't just a simple injury.
Aging, stress from physical shock, the sense of loss after achieving its life's goal of revenge.
All these factors have combined.
Or else.
'This is the role given to the parrot.'
This was the most likely scenario.
A developer's trick to end the story emotionally.
"Friend... friend..."
The parrot struggled to speak.
But it wasn't me who answered.
Luna pushed me aside and said,
"Yes, Parrot! Sob sob... I'm here!"
"..."
The parrot sharply turned its head to the other side.
Even in its near-death state, it refused to acknowledge Luna as a friend.
It deserved a statue in its honor.
"Parrottttttt!"
Of course, Luna was clueless.
She hugged the parrot and buried her face in it, crying.
I worried it might die sooner like this.
"Luna, please calm down. This will lead to trouble."
"How can I calm down when my friend is dying!"
"...I don't think the parrot sees it that way."
"What?"
Luna's eyes widened, then she stared straight at the parrot.
As if asking if that was true.
"..."
The parrot pretended to be in pain and avoided her gaze.
Then Luna muttered,
"I have to ask directly."
"Directly? Ask whom?"
"I'll have to meet Hades and ask."
Meet the god of death?
It's difficult enough to meet him, but she wants to ask if 'Parrot considered me a friend?'
She's lost her mind.
"...What will you do when you meet him?"
"Ask him to revive Parrot. If he refuses, I'll cut off his head."
Ah, I see?
So, she thinks she can revive the parrot?
Is she serious right now?
"Parrot has to consider me a friend! It protected me! Even sacrificed itself!"
No, the parrot protected me, not you.
What on earth is happening in your mind?
"You must let go when it's time. That's being an adult..."
"No! I'm going! I'll bring my friend Parrot back!"
She really seems determined. Did the parrot sense the same thing?
The parrot cried out urgently.
"Friend! Friend!"
"Sob... Parrot!"
The parrot declared Luna its friend.
Is it just my misconception that it's pleading to be let go?
'...Did I befriend someone dangerous?'
Both Raymon's reaction when I called him best friend and now.
Luna's obsession with 'friends' is terrifying.
"My friend... you mustn't be in pain..."
Luna hugged the parrot tightly and sobbed.
Seeing that, even Rodelin sniffled.
Her eyes were red, trying to hold back tears.
"Hmm, such a beautiful friendship."
...Really?
If that's the case, I'm the strange one.
It was time for a serious consideration on whether my [Mental Defense] skill blocks even the emotion of being moved.
"Keheuk!"
The parrot coughed up black blood.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading