Chapter 57: Katya’s Dilemma

“Sorry…This is strange…Hahahaha…Maybe I’m just too nervous.”

Watching Cass cry, Siloque felt a bit irritated.

He couldn’t stand seeing women cry, but it was even worse when men did.

“All right, all right, here’s another cup of hot cocoa for you.”

“Mm…Thank you. It’s delicious…”

Was it because he thought of his sister lying in the hospital bed and felt sad, so he cried?

Though I’m also curious about his sister’s condition, I don’t want to interact with Vitoris right now.

Whenever Cass visits his sister, that person shows up out of worry for her daughter.

I really don’t want to become a toy for that long-legged office lady to kill time with.

“You jumped out to fight a LV32 Myut without hesitation—so why get emotional over a name?”

“Sorry, I’ve realized lately I’m not very good at controlling my emotions…Um, Siloque, how did you…know this name…?”

Did he see through my true identity?

What do I do? If I can’t finish this game…

On my brother’s side…

But…there was also a trace of anticipation.

This is an emotion that shouldn’t be allowed.

Mother is absolutely someone who means what she says.

If she finds out I didn’t keep my promise, she really will pull my brother’s oxygen tube.

Conflicting feelings churned in Cassia’s heart like a whirlpool.

“Isn’t Cassia your sister?”

“…Eh?”

Cassia hesitated for a moment.

“Me? Ah, no, that’s right! Mm, Cassia is my sister.”

Cassia—Cass’s voice got stuck.

“She’s lying in the ICU at home now, unable to move. Poor child…”

Siloque walked over to Cass, pressed his shoulder, and spoke earnestly.

“As her brother, you have to protect her, Cass. She can only rely on you now.”

The sudden closeness made Cass’s heart race.

He could feel the other’s breath.

The firelight illuminated Siloque’s face, delicate as a young girl’s, and even a few white hairs could be seen.

Protect…myself?

Siloque knows about me, but he hasn’t touched the truth.

And why does he think I’m the one lying in the hospital bed?

But, he hasn’t discovered my real identity.

That’s a relief…

“Mm…Of course I’ll protect him, we’re siblings.”

Anyone who understood would hear the loneliness in that tone.

“Him?”

“Sorry, I misspoke, hehe.”

Cass scratched his face awkwardly.

***

“You worked as an animal keeper in elementary school?”

Siloque tilted his head in confusion.

It was the first time he’d heard about Cass’s elementary school days.

Another addition not in the game.

“Yeah…I raised hamsters and rabbits in elementary school. Every day I carefully prepared their food and cleaned their cages. Every time I entered the hut, the rabbits would gather around me. They were so cute I couldn’t even pet them all.”

“.When I used to see rabbits, they’d always huddle in the corner in panic, trembling together.”

“How could that be? I thought animals would like Siloque.”

That’s because I went near the meat market.

Siloque was multitasking—chatting with Beiren on LINE while talking with Cass.

Whether it was the suspension bridge effect or not, Cass became more lively and started sharing memories with Siloque.

The problem was, Siloque didn’t want any suspension bridge effect with a man at all.

Siloque glanced at the position of the statue.

Quiet.

Why hasn’t the quest triggered yet…

“Haa…”

Siloque yawned, covering his mouth, feeling sleepy.

It was only 11:03 PM.

“Cass, aren’t you tired?”

“Not at all.”

That healthy smile made Siloque suspect Cass was used to staying up late and thus so energetic.

Though Siloque wasn’t exactly tired, he was bored from waiting, and Beiren had already logged off and said goodnight.

Since you’re so energetic, Cass, this is perfect.

Siloque brought up a file on the Ring Chart window and sent it to Cass.

“Mm?”

Noticing new activity on the Ring Chart, Cass checked the file.

“Siloque, this is…”

“It’s the data for entering the Hidden Labyrinth later. I’ve marked everything that needs marking. Remember it well.”

Cass opened it, and his brain instantly buzzed.

The locations of treasure chests, optimal solution paths, monster types, attributes, levels, weaknesses, ambush spots, what can and cannot be touched, trap ranges and effects, even the color of the torches illuminating the labyrinth—all meticulously marked.

Though densely written, every key point was highlighted with illustrations and brightly colored notes.

Not a single detail was spared.

“Siloque…Did you copy this from the internet?”

“You can’t find this info online—it’s all typed by me.”

“When did you write it?”

“Last night.”

So much…Are you some kind of humanoid AI?

Cass looked utterly incredulous.

“If you follow the path I marked, you’ll be fine. Grabbing that sword will be as easy as picking it up from a bag.”

“No, it’s not that I don’t trust you, Siloque, I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

Cass rubbed his temples.

The flood of information was so much, he felt a bit dizzy, unable to digest it all.

“Once you’re inside, remember to share half the money with me.”

“Money doesn’t matter. If you want it, Siloque, I’ll give it all to you.”

Siloque’s eyelid twitched.

Those words were infuriating—damn, so rich and privileged.

“Ah, fine, fine. If you manage to get out, I’ll happily take it. Take your time reading. I’ve said all I needed to. Haa…I’ll lie down for a bit. I also included responses for when NPCs show up.”

“Ah! Siloque!”

“Also, here. These are materials you’ll need to open the door later. Take them.”

“Uh, okay.”

Siloque pulled a bag of fresh organs from the Ring Chart, along with several bunches of green bananas with 50% off tags.

“By the way, Siloque, you’re really handy, aren’t you.”

“Huh?”

“No, I mean, you seem to know everything. Should I call you a caretaker or a butler? The Dungeon is so dangerous, but to you, it’s like your backyard—there’s nothing you don’t know. Having you around is reassuring…Eh? Siloque, don’t make that disgusted face, please, it hurts!”

“Lying down, lying down. Call me if anything happens.”

Siloque took a sleeping bag from the Ring Chart.

He tied up his long hair, slipped into the sleeping bag, hugged the Greatsword, zipped up to his chest, put on his sleep mask, and within a minute, steady and relaxed breathing filled the air.

“Siloque…Does he dislike talking with me?”

The atmosphere felt pretty good just now.

Could it be that Siloque doesn’t like small animals?

No, this file is packed with so much. Siloque must be exhausted from writing.

Besides, Siloque had been on guard (?) against Myut the whole time—his nerves might have been stretched thin.

Staring at Siloque’s peaceful sleeping face, Cass confirmed his own reasoning.

With that, Cass steeled his resolve to let Siloque sleep comfortably and began studying the data seriously.

More than an hour passed.

“Hoo…”

Cass closed the Ring Chart window.

He’d memorized most of the content.

A nostalgic feeling washed over him.

Perhaps it was because, while memorizing the data, he remembered cramming before junior high exams.

Cass glanced at Siloque.

Still asleep, the sleeping bag rising and falling gently with each breath.

Every delicate feature of that innocent, peaceful face was clear to see.

Soft white skin, slender neck…tiny, charmingly pink lips.

“…….”

Cass licked his dry lips.

Desire drove Cass to slowly, quietly move closer to Siloque.

Like a bee drawn to nectar, he reached out his right hand toward Siloque’s pale cheek.

There was only a centimeter left—he could feel the faint warmth radiating from the skin.

And stopped.

He pulled his hand back.

Wouldn’t that make me just like that Myut guy?

Taking advantage of someone who’s unaware, doing such shameless things…!

Cass clenched his teeth and fists.

No, I can’t, I mustn’t do this.

The devil in his heart: But there’s no one around.

Even if you secretly do something, no one will notice.

“Ugh.”

Cass closed his eyes, struggling inside.

No, if I get too impatient, I’ll be hated!

That’s right. I need to be careful—step by step…slowly.

The angel in his heart: Did you bring protection?

What are you thinking, ahhhhhh!!!!!!

Why are the angel and devil inside me forming an alliance?!

Cass let out a strangled groan beside the sleeping Siloque, ashamed of his own actions.

But, but, those lips…look so soft, like jelly…

No, if Siloque found out he’d been kissed by a guy (though I’m not a guy), he’d never speak to me again.

Yet his body moved closer against his will.

30 centimeters, 20, 10…

His heartbeat pounded loudly.

There were still two years until graduation.

For a guy like Siloque, there’d probably be plenty of pretty, cute girls around him by then.

By that time, would I ever have a chance to be this close to you again?

I’m sorry, Siloque.

I really am not…

A “shuaa-kakaa” sound of wooden boards rubbing came from ahead.

“!!!”

Cass drew his sword and sprang up, combat instincts taking over as he locked onto a moving figure in his field of vision.

Ghosts were still drifting about.

From the door on the right side of the chapel statue, a small figure slowly emerged.

This person wore a pure white, bloodstained hooded cloak, face hidden, barefoot, with unnaturally long hands and feet.

In the left hand was a large goblet-shaped vessel; in the right, a candelabrum with four burning candles.

But what drew the most attention was the orange exclamation mark “!” floating above their head.

Cass knew who it was.

It was the NPC described in Siloque’s data!