Chapter 2

– Dinging!

▶ The tutorial is currently in progress! ◀

■ Clear the game and receive a special reward! ■

▶ Special Reward: Choose anything you desire.

“…”

Frustration leaked out as I cursed under my breath.

As if to mock me, the UI that I had only ever seen in games appeared before my eyes. Pinching my cheek, I felt an overwhelmingly real pain.

It can’t be real. Right?

I am Kim Min-hyuk, a fresh college student who just took the university entrance exam. There’s no way this could be happening.

Even if someone called me Carsein, it couldn’t possibly be me.

This has to be a nightmare. Just one more nap, and I’ll wake up in my studio room.

“Alright. One more snooze, and everything will be back to normal…”

-Ding!

▶ The duchess is arriving soon. ◀

▶ Please select your action. ◀

[1. Go to the bathroom.]

[2. Change clothes and leave immediately.]

[3. Don’t go.]

First things first, this must be the tutorial.

Carsein Bargrand, the protagonist of this game, wakes up in bed after hearing from a maid that the duchess has returned. Should he go meet her or not? This is what the tutorial is asking.

The status window displays:

■ Carsein Bargrand ■

▶ Current Condition: Hungry, Fatigued, Sleep Deprived ▶

▶ Cannot be viewed yet! ▶

Should I really go out when I’m so tired? Mother would probably understand. With such thoughts, I pressed 3.

“Yep. Like a proper game character, I’ll die right away. They’ll say I’m an ungrateful child for not going to greet the mother who worked hard.”

But selecting 3 isn’t an option. It means I have no choice but to go meet her. The other options seem less risky.

But why is there a choice here?

-Splash!

When the cold water hit my fingertips, the reason for the choice became clear.

-Ding!

▶ The bathwater is extremely cold. If you take a bath, you might catch a status ailment. ◀

▶ Are you sure you want to bathe? ◀

[1. Take a bath.]

[2. Don’t bathe, just change clothes.]

This is the cruelty of the choices in this game.

The cold water was prepared to give me a status ailment. In the cold winter, this was nothing short of cruel.

In the luxurious Bargrand household, where I’m supposed to be treated like a young master, this was beyond unreasonable.

If I bathe, I’ll get a status ailment due to the cold water. But if I don’t bathe, the stench will make me look unfit to greet anyone.

In the tutorial, not bathing resulted in bad endings where I was scolded for being rude.

So, there’s only one answer.

I have to accept getting a status ailment and take a bath, even though it’s unfair.

“Man, what a miserable memory.”

I remembered being forced to take a cold shower by a younger sister who spilled soup on me.

Similarly, in this game, Carsein is in the same predicament. The third sister likely prepared the cold water.

They planned for me to not be able to bathe, forcing me to miss the meeting or delay it, leading to punishment.

But…

-Splash!

“Ahhh! This feels great!”

I’ve been through this countless times.

As I stepped into the cold water-filled tub, the sound echoed as the water overflowed.

Although it had been a while, I was used to it. Despite the pain, I poured the cold water over my head.

“Damn it, let’s see how you handle this.”

With cold water, shampoo didn’t foam well, but I gritted my teeth and washed my hair.

***

After finishing the cold shower and changing clothes, I felt refreshed.

If I were to guess correctly, I should quickly put on some clothes.

-Knock knock!

“Carsein. How long do you plan to keep sleeping? We’re supposed to welcome the duchess, yet you’re making us wait?”

The voice sounded like the eldest sister, Arina. The door was knocked again.

Time had passed, and in the tutorial, staying too long after the timer started would result in a bad ending.

▶ Timer activated. ◀

▶ Change clothes within 1 minute. ◀

[Failure results in death!]

I had only a minute. Unlike the game, I didn’t need to search for hidden clothes.

Quickly gathering clothes from around the room, I managed to finish with about 20 seconds left.

“Hey, Carsein. How long are you planning to sleep?”

A second warning.

Judging from the voice, it was the second sister, Claire.

If I didn’t hurry, the door would be opened forcefully.

But now, I could open it myself.

-Creak.

Carefully opening the door, I saw Arina, with her cold expression, and Claire, with a teasing smile.

“Why are you so late? Didn’t I tell you to inform us ahead of time?”

“You must have been lazy. Camila wouldn’t be so careless.”

Lazy? It’s because of the youngest sister, who made a teasing face behind their backs.

“…No. It’s not just her.”

White boxes appeared above everyone’s heads, confirming it.

Most of the servants probably found this situation disappointing.

“Let’s go. Mother will arrive soon.”

Following Arina, Claire, and Flora, I walked out. Though whispers from the maids could be heard, I was too preoccupied with my condition to notice.

Exiting the mansion, we reached the courtyard. Waiting by the gate, we saw the duchess’s carriage approaching.

Had I not matched the timer, I would have been late for the welcoming.

The carriage stopped, and the duchess stepped down. The three sisters rushed forward to greet her.

“Why are you all still outside in the cold?”

“It’s not about the cold. Mother, you’ve been working hard.”

“Of course. Mom works the hardest.”

“Really, you kids.”

“Mommy~”

“Oh, what’s gotten into our youngest today?”

“Just missed you so much. Hehe.”

Flora nuzzled against her, and the duchess affectionately stroked her blonde hair.

The scene between mother and daughter was heartwarming.

She showed deep concern for the other two daughters as well. Despite the cold, she warmly greeted them.

Meanwhile, a new choice appeared for me.

▶ Welcome the duchess. What will you do?

[1. (angrily) “Mother, I’m here too. Can’t you see me?”]

[2. (shivering) “Ugh… it’s too cold. I’ll go back first.”]

[3. (bowing) “You’ve worked hard, Mother.”]

[4. (pointing at a maid) “She made me wash with cold water. I just showered with cold water today! Isn’t that absurd?”]

Since I had properly showered and changed within the time limit, this choice was easier. The answer was clearly option 3.

Had I not bathed or delayed, I would have complained about being mistreated, leading to a bad ending.

“Actually, I don’t know much about Duchess Isabella…”

But this was my chance to change things.

The UI displayed the status window and choices, indicating other game elements existed. White boxes above people’s heads confirmed this.

These values fluctuated based on actions, affecting outcomes. Most importantly, Carsein’s actions influenced these values.

This was the sole lifeline in this messed-up game.

Affinity, represented by white bars, was key.

Initially, affinity levels depended on choices, but building it could change dialogue and actions.

Crucially, affinity affected choices. In a hostile environment, it was the only way to form allies.

Looking at the current affinity levels, empty or slightly shaded boxes appeared above others, except for Isabella’s.

[■■■□□□□□□□]

Three filled bars out of ten. Thirty percent.

At this point, Isabella was the only one who could become an ally and help clear the game.

“Honestly, I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”

Bowing slightly, I greeted the duchess, who had returned from the territory.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Before I finished, a response came back.

But it was too brief. Even though we’re siblings, the reaction was cold. Why such a cold response compared to the others?

Suddenly, a painful memory surfaced.

After a long business trip, I welcomed my mother despite taking a cold shower. She responded with the same brevity.

The issue wasn’t the cold shower; it was the entire situation.

-Thanks for understanding.

Seeing my mother’s warm response to my sisters but cold response to me, I felt Isabella’s reaction mirrored that moment.

“Thanks for your hard work, Mom. Let’s go inside. Dinner is ready.”

“Alright.”

No. No, it shouldn’t be like this.

You shouldn’t treat me differently.

I sincerely hoped this wasn’t the case.

Following the family, I continued onward, hoping for a different outcome.