TIRS 10

CHAPTER 10. 

A Bug Occurred!

“Ah, agh…!”

Hegen lay sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain as he clutched his precious region with both hands.

“Ugh… Guh…”

[SYSTEM] The attribute [Eunuch] has been added to your character.
[SYSTEM] Congratulations! You’ve gained 1,200 EXP from your new attribute.
[SYSTEM] EXP has exceeded the maximum limit. Level is capped at 10 during the tutorial stage.

Still writhing in agony, Hegen finally noticed the system window floating in front of his face, his eyes widening in disbelief.

[Seedless Watermelon] Lv.10 Hegen Einshein
Attribute: Eunuch

And then, in utter despair, he screamed.

“No! No way! I’m a eunuch? I’m a EUNUCH?!”

I looked down at the pitiful sight of Hegen rolling around in pain with an indifferent expression.

After all, this was just a game. The real player controlling Hegen wouldn’t be physically affected, so I didn’t feel particularly guilty.

Besides, if I don’t force a breakup like this, I’ll die just so that bastard can awaken.

My death was nothing more than a story event for him.

But for me, it was reality.

If he insisted on maintaining a romantic relationship with me, I had no choice but to drive him away like this.

In fact, it’d be best if he fails to awaken, gives up the scenario, and logs out for good.

[Oh no, poor player! You’ve lost your reproductive ability˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥‧º·˚)]
[Looks like you’re going to fail your awakening too. The eunuch route is just around the corner!!!! (＾0＾)っ✂✂✂]

Wait, is this supposed to be comforting? Sounds more like mockery…

[But don’t worry! Even when the sky falls, there’s always a way!
You haven’t completed the 30-day lover relationship with yet…
But as a newbie benefit, we’re unlocking the awakening scenario early!
If you successfully awaken, you’ll regain your reproductive ability as part of the “Warrior of Light” special bonus♡⁺◟●˙▾˙●)◞⁺♡]

Wait, what?!

My face went stiff at the next alert.

If he succeeds in awakening… what happens then?

[This is a once-in-a-lifetime second chance just for you! We’re sending you the awakening scenario and bonus quests, so be sure to succeed!!! ☆(･ω･*)ゞ]

I wasn’t the only one reacting to the system alerts.

“Awakening…!”

Hegen, who had been wallowing in despair, suddenly jerked his head up, his eyes glowing with manic determination.

The murderous intent in his gaze was directed straight at me.

W-What the hell?

Just then—

[SYSTEM] You’ve maintained your romantic relationship long enough. Awakening conditions met!
[SYSTEM] Tutorial Scenario <Awakening—The Lover’s Death> has been triggered! (▶Preview Scenario)

Dazzling images and intense messages flooded my vision. And what I saw in that preview was…

Me, dying in Hegen’s arms, coughing up blood.

W-What the hell is this?!

[SYSTEM] ’s remaining lifespan has been adjusted.

Sssshh…

A cold fear wrapped around me.

The countdown over my head, previously counting down to six days, blurred out, then changed.

Louivelle Azester, 3rd Princess of the Azester Empire
Attributes: Lover, Terminal Illness (Remaining lifespan: Unknown)

“Unknown.”

My scheduled death six days later had changed, but that didn’t mean I was safe. It now meant I could die anytime.

The terminal illness attribute remained.

Why…?

It didn’t make sense.

I had disrupted Hegen’s gameplay, sabotaged his engagement, and brought the breakup to the brink.

Yet somehow, my fate was slipping out of my hands, as if someone else was writing my story.

Who gave this bastard the newbie benefit?
Who decided to give him a second chance?!

[SYSTEM] New Quest Available!
[Main Quest: Death of the Lover]
Achieve your awakening by witnessing the death of your beloved !
NOTE: Her death must occur in a public setting with at least 100 onlookers. Let everyone witness the birth of a new hero!

▷ Clear Condition: Lover’s death, witnessed by 100+ people
▶ Success Reward: Awakening
▶ Failure Penalty: Bad Ending

[Side Quest: Prevent the Breakup! (2)]
The Emperor suspects your reproductive ability.
Before her physician confirms this, raise ’s affection level to 500 so she will retract her doubts.

▶ Success Reward: Louivelle’s defense, Honor +500
▶ Failure Penalty: Emperor’s wrath, Breakup

“Lou-Lou…”

His voice was soft and moist with fake sentiment.

Hegen fluttered his long lashes.

“Do you smell something burning?”

“…?”

What kind of nonsense—?

As I stared, confused, he suddenly took my hand and placed it on his chest.

“My heart’s on fire. From the moment I saw you.”

“…You’re insane.”

Disgusted, I yanked my hand away.

What the hell was this guy doing?

I stared at him like he was vermin.

“Oh, I can’t let this go. I’ll report you to the palace knights immediately—for arson… on my heart!”

He shamelessly continued spouting cringe-worthy lines despite my growing horror.

My expression grew darker by the second.

Was he seriously trying to raise my affection level by flirting?

As if charmless, cheesy lines would work when his charm stat was in the negative—

[SYSTEM] Using item .
[SYSTEM] Charm +500. (Charm: 499)
[SYSTEM] Using item .
[SYSTEM] Charm +500. (Charm: 999)

…And just like that, his charm stat maxed out again.

That damn pay-to-win item!

[SYSTEM] Activating special skill <Lovebird’s Serenade>. Please choose a target.
“Louivelle Azester.”
[SYSTEM] is now in a Charmed state.
[SYSTEM] Affection will now rise more easily.

Thump.

My heart thudded without my consent, and a flush crept up my cheeks.

What…?!

This was absurd.

But I knew exactly what had happened.

[SYSTEM] ’s affection +100. (Affection: -899)
[SYSTEM] ’s affection +200. (Affection: -699)
[SYSTEM] ’s affection +140. (Affection: -559)

The alerts rang like crazy as Hegen’s smug smile widened.

Rage surged through me.

“You… what did you just do?!”

I grabbed his collar.

My fury was still maxed out, and so was my strength.

But strangely, I couldn’t hit him.

Every time my hand brushed his, my heart skipped a beat.

Damn it! This affection system!

I instantly realized what was happening.

That damn skill had placed me under a Charmed effect, and now the affection system was interfering with my will.

It was horrifying.

My own body wasn’t listening to me.

“But my sweet little arsonist Lou-Lou… If you become my partner for Her Majesty’s birthday ball, I might overlook your crime of setting fire to my heart. What do you say?”

No! Absolutely not!

The Emperor’s birthday ball was the most public event of the year. Hegen clearly intended to use it to fulfill his “lover’s death” scenario.

And becoming his partner would only help him raise my affection score further.

I had to refuse immediately.

But just as my unwilling body began to nod—

Whoosh!

A strong force pulled me away from Hegen.

The non-stop affection alerts vanished, and a white cloak fluttered before me.

“You again?!”

That was Hegen, shouting in frustration.

I looked up.

There it was—that silver-white hair glowing under the moonlight.

I didn’t need to see his face to know.

“I am Ancelot, Your Highness.”
‘Why do you keep avoiding me like a rat, when you said I could stay by your side?’

It was that prince. The psycho. The killer. Ancelot.

“Tch. Disgusting worm, trying to steal my adorable little mouse.”

He clicked his tongue in irritation at Hegen.

“What did you just say?”

Hegen bristled, but Ancelot only smirked mockingly.

“Her Highness Louivelle has already promised to be my partner for this entire ball.”

What?! I did?

I blinked in confusion at the unknown promise he was boldly declaring.

He turned and gave me a sweet smile.

“You promised, remember, Your Highness? That while I’m staying in the Empire, I could stay by your side.”

“Ah… oh…!”

And then it clicked.

So that’s how it could be interpreted…

It made sense.

To stay ‘closest’ to me, he’d have to be my partner for the ball.

“Is it true, Lou-Lou?”

Hegen’s eyes wavered. He seemed a bit shaken.

“Yes.”

A firmer voice escaped my lips.

The system’s influence is gone.

Because I had already promised Ancelot first, Hegen’s partner request was naturally invalidated.

Realizing this, I felt an odd mix of relief and satisfaction.

“I’m sorry, Hegen. I can’t accept your partner request.”

“That’s impossible…!”

Hegen cried out, stunned.

“When did…?! Wait—was your affection score in the negatives because of him? You were cheating on me with him?!”

“What the hell? You were the one cheating.”

I was just about to throw it back at him when—

[SYSTEM] A bug has occurred!
[SYSTEM] A bug has occurred!

Shrill alarms blared, and system windows popped up.

A bug…?

The familiar yet ominous word made me freeze.

[SYSTEM] A sudden bug has triggered a system adjustment!
[SYSTEM] A sudden bug has triggered a system adjustment!
[SYSTEM] Removing bug…
[SYSTEM] Eliminating bug…!

But the system alerts didn’t last long.

Tch.

A cold clicking sound cut through the air.

“Got exposed again.”

Ancelot had destroyed the system window.

“Such a nuisance.”

He gave a crooked smile as he glanced between me and Hegen.