Chapter 12: Chapter 7.1

「You cannot start a new game after reaching a certain point in the story.」

What?!

The words hit me like a landslide, burying me alive. My breath caught in my chest as I stared at the unexpected message. All the frantic thoughts in my head evaporated into smoke.

Why can’t I reset? It worked fine that first day when I was frantically pulling weeds! We were on good terms then! Why are you doing this to me now? No, this can’t be happening, it can’t be…

「You cannot start a new game after reaching a certain point in the story.」

「You cannot start a new game after reaching a certain point in the story.」

「You cannot start a new game after reaching a certain point in the story.」

I clicked the button repeatedly, hoping for a different outcome, but all I received were multiple death sentences in response. The game didn’t reset. I was still mid-level-10 Hilda, and Adrian was still a favor-level-44 demon glaring at me from the window, murderous intent radiating from him.

My mind, now completely blank, recalled the opening line of a bestseller I’d once read:

I am utterly screwed.

"It seems you’ve run out of moves. Shall we discuss what happens next?"

His soft voice pierced my ears and stabbed at my heart.

…I should’ve just fainted earlier.

"Care to explain what you meant by what you said earlier? You said you were leaving. Where exactly were you planning to go?"

I should’ve pressed the button and screamed while the game reset, while I was wrapped in that white light.

Why didn’t I do it first? Why did I open my mouth instead of just clicking? It’s the same as that time in school when I microwaved a triangular rice ball without unwrapping the plastic. Why didn’t I learn? Why…

I sneaked a glance at Adrian. Sitting with one leg crossed and his hand resting on his chin, he looked like an exquisite sculpture carved by a master artist. But in reality, he was a murderous black demon, his glinting eyes fixed entirely on me. He resembled a panther stalking its prey, ready to pounce.

“Uh… my lord, I mentioned earlier that I have narcolepsy, didn’t I?”

“You did.”

“Well, when it gets bad, I sometimes sleep with my eyes open… and I talk in my sleep. It sounds so coherent that people often don’t even realize it’s sleep-talking. Did I say something about leaving? Ha, haha… I must have been talking about dreamland.”

“Oh, so calling me a ‘damn demon’ was sleep-talking?”

“Excuse me? Did I really say that? Oh, my, my terrible, disrespectful mouth! I’ll punish it right now! You don’t need to worry about seeing such an unpleasant sight, my lord. Please, rest here while I—”

“Stop, Hilda.”

“…Please forgive me, my lord. At least I did wish you a long and prosperous life, didn’t I?”

“Weren’t you just claiming you couldn’t remember your sleep-talking?”

Oh no.

“I-I tend to say it out of habit when I sleep-talk… I assumed I said it this time as well. Ha, haha… I guess I guessed right…”

「Adrian has started to doubt you.」

White text swirled into view like scattered sand. Of course, such an excuse wouldn’t fly. I deserved his suspicion, especially after I called him a demon outright. I’d drawn so much aggro that even a tank wouldn’t survive.

At least I hadn’t punched him. If I had, I’d be headless by now for disrespect. As it was, my neck still felt precariously attached. Haha, ha…

「Convince Adrian to lower his murderous intent.」

「If you fail, you will die.」

The message disappeared, but its final words struck me like a hammer.

You will die. You will die…

I had always feared Adrian would kill me, that he might be plotting my murder. But this was the first time the system had outright warned me of certain death.

Die? This time, it wasn’t a joke. Fear gripped me, but a strange sense of exasperation followed. If the system was going to warn me like this, I could’ve skipped all the unnecessary screaming.

“I get the sense, Hilda, that you know things others don’t.”

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent: 67%」

His quiet words, followed by the floating text, struck like a bolt of lightning.

67%?! That was no casual irritation level. At 67%, he wasn’t hesitating because of moral qualms—he just found killing me mildly inconvenient.

I couldn’t think of a single excuse that would lower murderous intent that high. My life motto had always been “Give up, and life gets easier,” but if I gave up now, I’d be giving up my life along with it.

I had no choice but to fight for survival. First, I needed to address what I’d said earlier. Even a thousand-mile journey starts with a single step—or in this case, lowering his intent by just 1%.

“If… if it’s about calling you a ‘demon,’ I deeply apologize. I’ve got no excuse. It’s just… well, working for the lady of the house, I hear that word thrown around a lot. It’s almost a term of endearment, really! Why, I even called another servant that as a joke today. ‘Hey, you little demon,’ I said.”

“Hmm.”

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent has increased.」

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent: 71%」

Damn it, why did I even bother? It went up 4%!

“You believed that nonsense? How disappointing.”

“It’s not that I believe it… It’s just… your appearance, my lord, is so extraordinary. No mere human could be so beautiful. I often thought you must be a demon who captivates others with your looks. I guess those thoughts unconsciously slipped out.”

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent has increased.」

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent: 76%」

Even the flattery I usually relied on failed miserably. When his intent hits 100%, I’m dead, aren’t I? With only 24% left to go, I was already as good as finished.

What’s the point of trying to reduce it now? I might as well start drafting my will.

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent has increased.」

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent: 80%」

Now it’s climbing even when I do nothing. Just existing is enough to provoke him. I racked my brain for self-defense techniques I’d learned before. While this healthy, sturdy body might stand a chance against the frail young master, I knew I couldn’t survive if he was truly determined to kill me.

Should I just run? That’s probably my best option. There’s no way he’d chase me outside his room. I have better stamina; I could outrun him and hope he tires himself out, reducing his murderous intent.

“I’d love to kill you right now, but I still have some questions,” he said.

He said it. He said he wanted to kill me! And to think he once claimed that sparing an enemy was beneficial. That had all been a ploy to lull me into a false sense of security!

Still, the fact that he had questions left was my only saving grace. Without them, I’d already be dead.

“Why now? Why did you steal only a few items when you’ve cleaned my room hundreds of times before?”

Only two excuses came to mind.

One: “I have kleptomania.” That would get me fired, leaving me jobless and starving.

Two: “I know you were going to use those items to kill people.” That would get me killed immediately, with Adrian testing the tools himself.

I needed a better excuse—one that would lower his murderous intent and perfectly explain my actions.

“Hmm. It’s curious, but not essential,” Adrian said.

Before I could even finish my thought, Adrian moved. Rising from his seat, he began striding toward me.

Wait, what? Just like that? Didn’t he say he was curious?!

Panic-stricken, I backed away, step by step. My mind flashed to a nightmare I’d had after meeting Countess Priscilla—a bloody goat’s head chasing me until I woke, drenched in sweat.

This was worse.

I backed into the wall as Adrian closed the distance. He stopped just short of me, and a heavy silence filled the air between us. I couldn’t breathe, as though an invisible hand was squeezing my throat.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze. From his perfectly tailored clothes to his unnervingly still chest, Adrian looked more like a statue than a living being. His eerie, glowing eyes met mine, and a chill ran down my spine.

Somebody help me. Please, I’m going to die here.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Hilda? Didn’t you already know what I was planning to do?”

A sinister smile tugged at his lips.

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent has increased.」

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent: 87%」

Some thoughts should never leave your head.

“Are you scared? Should I cover your eyes for you?”

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent has increased.」

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent: 89%」

The text, now glowing an alarming red, flashed urgently like a danger alarm. It was as if the system itself was screaming at me to run for my life.

Oh, so now you care? If you’re that worried, how about letting me reset the game? Instead, it’s like pushing someone into the ocean and yelling at them to swim faster just before they drown.

At 89%, it was over. No excuse would work now. Or… maybe one might. It was a wild, desperate idea. The risks were obvious, and the consequences severe.

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent has increased.」

「Adrian’s Murderous Intent: 91%」

Even the thought of what I was about to do made me cringe, but I wasn’t in a position to be picky. Desperate times called for desperate measures. I exhaled sharply, as if being pushed into action, and glared fiercely at Adrian, whose hand twitched as though ready to strangle me.

“If you keep acting like this, my lord, I won’t hold back either.”

“What do you mean by ‘won’t hold back’?”

“I mean… if you keep pushing me like this…!”

I shouted, my face red with agitation. Adrian’s lips curved into a faint smile, his expression betraying curiosity about the foolish act of defiance I might attempt. Fine. Whatever happens, happens!

I clenched my eyes shut and took a step forward. The short distance between us vanished as I suddenly charged at him like a bull. Adrian instinctively stepped back in surprise, but I didn’t let up. I threw myself at him and quite literally wrapped him in an embrace.

As he reflexively tried to escape, I tightened my grip around him and buried my face in his chest. Even in this ridiculous moment, I noticed his chest was firm and smelled wonderful—like roses blooming faintly in a cool breeze.

As I took in his scent with an exaggerated sniff, I felt his body stiffen like a board.

Moments later, he shoved me away with a forceful motion. Perhaps because he was so flustered, his shove wasn’t precise, and I used the momentum to stumble backward dramatically. Adding a pained yelp for effect, I crumpled to the floor, pretending to be hurt. Adrian’s shoulders jerked in visible discomfort.

“…Sorry. I didn’t mean to push you that hard.”

“It’s okay. It’s my fault for suddenly lunging at you.”

“But… what exactly was that just now?”

He sounded truly shaken, his previously flawless composure cracked. His voice was nothing like the smooth apology he’d offered when I first entered the room. Sensing my opportunity, I covered my face with both hands and sniffled like a dog catching a scent. Then, reluctantly, I uttered the words I dreaded.

“Hah… my lord, your scent… it’s just… too good. Like roses…”

“……”

“It’s so unfair, my lord. You heard everything this morning. I was finally starting to let go of my feelings for you, but then you come close with those piercing eyes. It’s too much. Seeing such a devilishly handsome face up close—I swear, my heart might burst.”

Shame? Never heard of it. Dignity? What’s that? Pride? Completely gone.

「Adrian’s illness, ‘Asthma,’ has been triggered.」

“Cough, cough!”

「Adrian’s murderous intent decreases.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent: 85%」

“The scent on my hands is fading! My lord, please, may I… may I hug you just one more time? Just once! I promise I won’t ask again!”

“Stop. Don’t come any closer.”

「Adrian’s illness, ‘Migraine,’ has been triggered.」

“Ugh…”

「Adrian’s murderous intent decreases.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent: 72%」

「Adrian’s illness, ‘Asthma,’ persists.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent decreases.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent: 60%」

“Cough, cough… Hilda, get me… that device…”

Adrian’s violent coughing fit became so severe it almost seemed as though he’d choke. It wasn’t just a casual cough—his entire body convulsed as though his lungs were being wrung dry, his bronchial tubes scraped raw.

Knowing how agonizing asthma attacks could be, I quickly retrieved the inhaler from his bedside table and handed it to him.

Adrian held the inhaler to his mouth, inhaling shakily several times. While he tried to recover, I feigned concern, watching as more white text floated into view like a calming mist.

「Adrian’s illness, ‘Asthma,’ persists.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent decreases.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent: 51%」

「Adrian’s illness, ‘Asthma,’ improves.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent decreases.」

「Adrian’s murderous intent: 42%」

「You have escaped danger. You are now in a survival state.」

The system, which had been blaring red warnings, finally quieted. Though a faint alarm still hummed in the background, the visual threat level had significantly decreased. It seemed that as long as his murderous intent dropped below a certain threshold, I’d be considered safe—at least temporarily.

With the shadow of death lifted, exhaustion washed over me. Was survival worth all this effort?

“So… why did you steal those items?”

Adrian, now breathing steadily, slumped back into his chair with a weary expression. Looking at him, I realized he, too, was pitiful in his own way. Once a powerful demon who could have ruled his world, Adrian had been cursed by Lilith and trapped in this frail human body.

The once-mighty ruler of demons now needed a small device just to breathe. If I were in his position, I’d want to destroy everything, Lilith included. He couldn’t openly kill humans in this world, so he resorted to clandestine murders. In a way, Adrian was also a victim of Lilith’s cruelty.

That didn’t mean he had the right to kill me, though.

“It’s truly disheartening that I have to explain myself after everything I’ve already said. You’re not seriously asking because you don’t know, are you?”

“…You mean your feelings?”

“Even though I’ve let go of those feelings, I wanted to keep a few cherished memories. I only took the items most imbued with your… scent. I really didn’t want to get caught.”

“…Hah.”

He sighed heavily, resting his arm over his forehead. Clearly, his headache hadn’t subsided yet. While I understood my actions had startled him, I was just as mortified. The sheer embarrassment of this ordeal made me wonder if I’d ever recover my dignity.

“Hilda, I understand your sentiment, but return the items you took.”

“Yes, my lord… but, um, about the gloves. Could you let me keep those?”

The cursed, ancient magical gloves were too dangerous to leave in his possession. Adrian’s sharp gaze peeked out from beneath his arm, striking me like a physical blow. I quickly averted my eyes.

“They’re particularly… fragrant…”

“…Go to the closet and fetch my robe.”

What does a robe have to do with gloves? Grumbling internally, I walked across the room to the ornate closet behind the gilded partition. Grabbing a neatly folded robe embroidered with golden thread, I returned to Adrian. Without even glancing at me, he said:

“You can have that instead.”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s what I wear after every bath. It should serve you better than the gloves.”

What?! How is this even remotely equivalent? What am I supposed to do with a bathrobe? Use it as a keepsake? As ridiculous as it was, I clutched the robe tightly to my chest, my face twitching in mortification.

“Thank you, my lord. This is… more than enough. I’ll treasure it as a family heirloom.”@@novelbin@@

“Good. Now return the gloves.”

“…Yes, my lord.”

Reluctantly, I admitted defeat. Any further argument would only reignite his suspicion. Though I managed to defuse the situation, I wasn’t entirely confident I’d fully convinced him. After all, his murderous intent had been over 50% when the system first flagged the danger.

“I’ll accept whatever punishment you see fit, my lord.”

“Hilda, are you asking for punishment?”

His faint smile sent a chill down my spine.

“I violated my duties as a servant by touching my master’s belongings. However, please don’t expel me from the estate. I have no money and won’t receive any severance pay. If I’m cast out, I’ll surely starve to death. I’m willing to do any menial task—pulling weeds, cleaning the stables—anything to avoid facing you each morning, which would be the greatest punishment of all.”

Though it was impossible to avoid him entirely as the estate’s master, I desperately wanted to minimize my interactions with him—especially now that I knew his murderous intent wasn’t entirely gone.

“…Fine. I can’t impose harsh duties on you when I can’t reciprocate your feelings. But from now on, you’ll attend to me personally. Not just bringing my medicine—everything. Until I’m convinced your feelings are completely gone.”

My jaw dropped. This was a disaster. Seeing him in the mornings already shaved years off my life, and now I’d have to face him all day?! Essentially, he was sentencing me to 24/7 surveillance under his gaze.

“P-Please, my lord, I swear I’ve moved on! I’ll cherish the robe you gave me and pour all my longing into it. I’ll do anything—anything but this!”

“Do as I say.”

His voice was like a guillotine blade. Having dealt with Adrian several times now, I’d learned to recognize when further resistance was futile.

…Now I’d have to endure the demon’s presence day and night. It felt like escaping a swamp only to stumble off a cliff. Even if he didn’t kill me directly, I’d surely wither away from sheer exhaustion. Hugging the robe tightly, I sighed deeply.

That’s when the system decided to mock me with a new notification:

「Title updated: ‘The Demon’s Diligent Minion.’」

Back in my room, I unpacked Adrian’s items one by one, regret swirling in my chest. I’d taken them boldly, thinking I could save the in-game characters, but now it all seemed pitifully pointless. Still, I managed to swap the cursed gloves with a decoy from my wardrobe before returning the original.

I’d planned to keep the gloves hidden, but Adrian had noticed immediately, his murderous aura flaring. In the end, I returned them with a heavy heart.

I’d have to revise my strategy. From now on, I’d wait until he tried to use the cursed items and act then. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best I could do for now.

「Income received: 30G.」

「Bonus gold from ‘Emily’s Favor’: 20G.」