Chapter 77: Approach

Litt narrowed her eyes slightly.

Otto’s words did make some sense.

Although that guy never acts like a decent person, always scheming here and there, sometimes even plotting against her, but… thinking about it carefully, whenever Otto sets his sights on her, it’s either because he’s after the money in her pocket, or the money she might make in the future.

He almost never puts her in a truly desperate situation.

To put it bluntly, he is one of the main reasons why she’s always so miserably broke.

“So, did you have a hand in any of this?”

“As for matters concerning the White Church, I never get involved.”

“So you’re saying, anything outside the White Church, you meddled with?”

…Exposing without pointing it out, huh, Sister Litt.

The man on the other side of the communication crystal remained elegant and composed.

Even after being seen through by Litt, he still maintained a faint smile, giving the impression of an old fox.

Hearing this, the corner of Litt’s mouth twitched.

Just as she expected.

This is exactly why she really didn’t want Red to get involved with Otto.

He’s just too damn rotten.

Worse than she is, even.

“But since you’ve already noticed something, perhaps I can give you a more useful piece of advice.”

Litt didn’t reply, just quietly listened, waiting for Otto’s next words.

“You should know…”

Otto’s voice took on a hint of persuasion, “Why do people flock to the dungeon? To conquer that fiftieth floor, a place no one’s set foot in before, to pile up strength upon strength and become a Half-God or even a True God in mortal flesh.”

“Then, what if I told you, there are other paths—ways to bypass that bloody and lengthy climb to godhood, to avoid mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and… reach that supreme domain in a more ‘convenient’ way?”

By now, Litt already understood.

Demonization…

Those people lurking in the shadows, the ones who captured Tessaia, did it for that so-called Demonization.

It does sound like a way to become a god.

“That’s right, Sister Litt, what you thought of is indeed one of the possibilities.”

On the other end, Otto seemed to be reading her mind.

“As far as I know, there are at least five theoretical ways to become a Half-God, and based on my analysis, Red is the one most likely to succeed in the future. He… might not even need to conquer the dungeon.”

Litt still remained silent.

Sometimes, she really had to admit:

Otto’s intuition… is a bit terrifying.

She needed the script to know Red was the protagonist of this world.

But Otto, he could just say the answer closest to the truth directly.

“So?”

Litt calmed herself down again and spoke evenly, “Telling me all this, are you planning to have me keep an eye on Red? Or what?”

“Watch him?”

Otto chuckled, as if he’d heard something amusing, “No, no, no, dear Sister Litt, I’m just reminding you: someone who could reach Half-God without conquering the dungeon—in the eyes of those crazed for godhood, what do you think Red will be?”

Litt fell into deep thought.

At that moment, Otto continued.

“Protect your toy, Sister Litt. Don’t let anyone snatch it away.”

As soon as he finished, Otto hung up, leaving only the cold beeping sound.

Returning the communication crystal to her pocket, Litt let out a long breath.

Now that things had come to this… may as well eat first.

No matter what, eating is the most important thing—even if there’s a flood outside, what does it have to do with her?

After all, if she wanted to investigate those who took Tessaia, she’d need a full stomach first, right?

“Heh~”

After eating and drinking her fill, Letia returned to the headquarters of Dawn’s Edge.

Like clocking in at work, she had to check in every now and then.

Just to prove she hadn’t gotten lost at the succubus shop.

As soon as she stepped through the door, it was opened again behind her.

Liz and her group returned from their brick-lugging shift at the dungeon.

Letia looked at Liz’s gloomy face, not quite sure what had happened.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just need to rest for a bit.”

Liz didn’t respond further, just kept her head down, exuding a cold aura as she made her way to her room step by step.

“What’s up with her?”

At Letia’s question, Bethany and Jessica exchanged glances, then leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Uh… Liz kinda broke down a little.”

“Huh?”

Letia hadn’t expected that kind of answer.

She got up, a look of righteous indignation on her face.

“What happened?”

Jessica continued, “We ran into Red on the sixth level of the dungeon.”

“…Well, that explains it.”

Letia sat down again.

Getting upstaged by the protagonist in front of old teammates—wasn’t that standard fare in these party-quitting web novels?

She thought it was something juicier.

“No, no, no, that’s not what broke Liz,” Jessica added, “To be precise, she was set off by the Captain of the Winter Guards.”

Bethany chimed in, “But isn’t the real reason still Red?”

“…Well, you’re not wrong.”

With the two of them trading lines, Letia was left scratching her head.

“So could you just explain clearly what happened?”

“Well, here’s what happened…”

Jessica explained everything from start to finish.

After listening to the whole story, Letia rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

Looking at it this way, this Spear Knight named Eliane seems pretty eager to recruit Red.

But thinking about it, it makes sense.

The Winter Kingdom isn’t a major power.

Even just investing in Red would be a deal with nothing to lose.

As for Liz… hmm, she’s still sulking over Red.

Hopeless, really.

No wonder she’s fated to be the tragic one.

If this were the original story, when Red was rolling in bed with someone else, she’d probably still be under her blanket, angrily gnawing on a handkerchief.

It’s a shame, after all the time she spent with Red.

But honestly, none of this had anything to do with Letia.

She was just a regular low-level worker—why bother worrying about the boss’s feelings?

It’s not like she’d get a raise for it.

Letia glanced at Liz’s room and shrugged.

Well… after she broods for a while, she’ll be back to her proud old self.

What’s there to worry about?

Letia decided to brave the rain and head home for a nap.

Just as she pushed open the door, she bumped straight into something soft.

“Mmph?”

“Ah?”