[So what you're saying is, you'll destroy the Green Zone to drag Gong Pildu out?]
[Exactly.]
[Shouldn't you have told me in advance? This isn't exactly a simple matter.]
I felt like I'd need several lives just to keep up with Kim Dokja.
She startled me so often that I felt my heart might actually stop.
[There isn't a place for you in this plan, Oppa.]
[What?! What is that supposed to mean?]
No place for me?
It meant she didn't think I was necessary for this particular operation.
But if I stepped in, no matter what the plan was, I could finish it faster.
I suspected this was an extension of her "let's grow stronger together" philosophy.
[I want to help our companions grow.]
[If you destroy the Green Zone, they'll inevitably clash. You want to use that conflict to force them to evolve?]
[Exactly.]
[They are precious companions to me too, but I can't let you be put in danger for their sake.]
[Don't worry... what you're afraid of won't happen. I promise.]
[I can't entrust your life to a mere promise.]
Lee Hyunsung was undoubtedly an excellent tanker with both the skill and the rationality to back it up.
However, his kindness was directed toward everyone.
He wouldn't focus on protecting only Dokja, which was exactly what I wanted.
[By that logic, my word is just a verbal promise too, not a sworn oath.]
[....]
[The two of us alone cannot navigate the Scenarios.]
[What are you trying to say?]
[When I said 'together,' that included Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung. Even Gilyoung, whom you dote on so much, needs to get stronger.]
Right. Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't an idiot either.
If two people could have survived everything alone, why would Yoo Joonghyuk have bothered gathering companions in the first place?
Especially when more people meant having to divide limited resources.
The answer was simple.
One person cannot handle everything.
Take Lee Jihye, for example.
Her true value shone in naval combat.
While movement is generally restricted in water, Lee Jihye actually became stronger in that environment.
As for Jung Heewon, provided her skills activated properly, she might be weaker than me in raw stats, but she could unleash far greater firepower.
Even if Dokja didn't grow in combat power, she already served as the group's focal point and held the vital information.
Gilyoung couldn't fight on the front lines, but his specialty was gathering intelligence using insects.
And since Yoo Sangah was presumed to have a powerful Constellation as her Sponsor, having her by our side would eventually prove beneficial.
As for Lee Hyunsung, he was someone who should have originally been Joonghyuk's companion, so...
I'll spare the further explanation.
The point was that they were all essential because they complemented each other's weaknesses.
[This is giving me a headache.]
[Sorry. But even without me explaining, you know why I'm doing this.]
[That's exactly why it's giving me a headache.]
Right now, I seemed quite powerful.
No, I was powerful. I could face Yoo Joonghyuk head-on in a one-on-one fight.
But that was simply because I had earned a massive amount of Coins early in the Scenario; it was essentially a victory of raw stats over everything else.
The problem was that the Scenarios weren't that forgiving.
The first Scenario demanded a sacrifice.
Combat power had nothing to do with it.
Even in battle, as long as there was a Scenario stat cap, I couldn't increase my strength indefinitely.
And even if I could, dumping every single Coin into raw stats wasn't a sustainable strategy.
Fundamentally, I would eventually run out of ways to supply Coins.
Before long, those with superior skills and attributes would catch up to me.
'So, raising the combat power of the party before that happens is the right move.'
The only one currently capable of real combat was Jung Heewon.
It would be best to give her a push.
[Have you sorted your thoughts out?]
[Yeah. Fine, let's give it a try.]
.
.
.
"Even I can't deal with this."
"Really?"
"Really? Reeeally?! You've practically painted the entire floor with monster blood, and you're asking if it's really that bad?"
"Ahem. I told you, I'm sorry."
By the time Dokja spoke to me, it seemed she had already briefed the others on the plan.
It was a bit of a shock to realize I was the last to know...
She probably did it because she knew I'd object violently, but I couldn't help feeling a little slighted.
"The smell of blood is overwhelming. Can't you see even Gilyoung is frowning?"
Gilyoung, who was always so stoic, was frowning?
No way.
"G-Gilyoung?"
"I'm sorry, hyung. Please stay a little further away."
No!
This cannot be happening!!!
"Emergency! Emergeeency!! EMERGENCY!!! EMERGENCY!!!! All Constellations, assemble!!!!!"
I didn't care how pathetic I looked; this was the time to lean on the Constellations.
[All the Constellations in the channel rush over at your call!]
As expected, they came running the moment I called.
Maybe it's because I've never made this much of a fuss before?
[One Constellation comes running over completely naked in the middle of bathing.]
'Uh, now I actually feel a bit bad...?'
[The Constellation 'Lily Blooming in Aquarius' shouts, asking what happened!]
"This is a disaster."
[The Constellations swallow nervously and wait for your words.]
"Gilyoung says I smell and told me to stay away from him."
There was no matter in the world more critical than this!
[Most of the Constellations are dumbfounded by your statement.]
[A few Constellations protest your call.]
"Do you have any idea how important this is?! Wow... I'm disappointed in you all."
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' screams in despair!]
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' wails that her 'reverse-raising' romance is collapsing!]
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' begs you to wait, claiming she is searching for a skill related to cleanliness!]
That's our Uriel.
Sometimes, when she gets like this, I feel like the title of 'Lust' would suit her better than Asmodeus...
Still, the fact that Uriel was the only one who understood the gravity of this situation...
What a pack of fools they are.
Fine. You're my favorite Constellation now.
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' has sponsored the skill [Cleanliness].]
"...Isn't this a skill that has nothing to do with Eden?"
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' says she ran and ripped... no, purchased it.]
Well, the source didn't really matter.
It wasn't a combat skill, so it wouldn't have a major impact on the Scenario anyway.
'Use skill, [Cleanliness].'
"...Oh!"
The moment I activated the skill, a refreshing sensation washed over me.
The dried blood on my clothes and skin vanished, and as promised, cleanliness returned.
I felt so clean I could practically hear my skin squeaking.
Thinking about it, [Cleanliness] might be one of the most important skills in this world.
In a world where water and electricity are cut off, the ability to stay clean is synonymous with maintaining basic hygiene.
"You suddenly got clean."
"I begged for a skill."
"Must be nice—!"
[The Demon King 'Demon King of Wrath and Lust' has sponsored the attribute [Pheromone].]
Pheromone?
Is that related to scent?
I already have Uriel's skill, so I don't really need this...?
"...."
"What's wrong?"
"You suddenly smell really good."
"What?"
A good smell? Is this the effect of the Pheromone?
"Sniff, sniff."
"Gilyoung, what are you doing?"
"Hyung."
"Yeah?"
"You smell really nice."
Even Gilyoung?
Wait, is Pheromone not a skill?
Looking at the notification, it's listed as an attribute.
Wait, what? What the fuck?
"That crazy Constellation... no, Demon King gave me an attribute?"
"Is he insane?"
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is horrified!]
What exactly does this attribute do?
[Pheromone]
[Emits a scent that seduces the target.]
[Pheromone activates regardless of species.]
[Pheromone activates regardless of gender.]
What in the world is this?
So you're telling me that just by walking, I'm automatically flirting with everyone, regardless of their race or gender?
What am I, some kind of living aphrodisiac?
So that's why I smell good.
And since it's an attribute, I can't even turn it off.
Step.
Step.
"...Dokja?"
"What?"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"We're all covered in blood and can't wash, but you're suddenly sparkling clean and smell amazing."
"It's because of an attribute I got from a Demon King."
"Really?"
"Yeah. So... could everyone please just stay back?"
It wasn't just Gilyoung and Dokja. Yoo Sangah and Jung Heewon were also gradually closing in on me.
Even Lee Hyunsung!!!
My popularity shouldn't be this high!
Dun-dun.
What is this?
Why do I hear music in my head?
Dun-dun, dda-ra dda-raddara-dun-dun.
Why does this melody sound so familiar?
Ah, I know this.
"Fuck, it's the Trap Card theme song."
Grab!
"—?!"
"I'm sorry, Oppa."
The party began pouncing on me!
"Asmodeus, you son of a—!"
"Gyaaaaaaah!!!"
[Most of the Constellations look at you with pity.]
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is torn between shipping Gilyoung♡Dokyun or Hyunsung♡Dokyun.]
[The Constellation 'Lily Blooming in Aquarius' shouts, 'Stop it, you ■■■!!']
[The Constellation 'Heavenly Scribe' facepalms at the sight of the two archangels.]
[The Demon King 'Demon King of Wrath and Lust' smiles darkly, noting that everything is going according to plan!]
[You have received 15,000 Coins in consolation money....]
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