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#33 Episode: Variables Arise (2)

Do you want to describe a superhuman?

Then go ahead and smash a building.

People won’t really grasp it even if you say the speed of their sword is superluminal or the energy they hold is planet-sized. It’s hard to depict that in any video.

But breaking a wall with a punch? Shattering a statue with a kick?

That can intuitively convey to anyone watching, “Ah, if I fight that guy, I’m done for!”

My older brother and I were people who had no hesitation in using good things, and the destruction system was also applied in BE.

Originally, this wasn’t that important of information at this point. Players not even reaching the average level 50 would likely only be able to break or burn something like wooden buildings. They wouldn’t even dream of destroying dungeons.

It seemed like unimportant information, but…

“Hey! Get it together! Don’t lose your head!! A rock is coming this way!!”

My older brother’s words snapped me back to reality, and I quickly stepped aside.

A large stone, bigger than my torso, rushed past the spot where I had just been.

The stone, characterized by a long beard, tattered clothes, and a single eye, was Odin’s crystal statue, which would have originally been placed on top of the castle.

Now, it could no longer withstand the impact with the ground and had split in two.

I turned my gaze forward once again.

There stood a superhuman.

Brynhildr of Lust.

Level 90.

Apart from the gods, she was the unequivocal highest-level magician active on the surface.

Every time she cast a fire spell, the walls of the crystal castle broke apart, the ceiling flew away, and the ground exploded.

Surely, while she was demolishing the castle interior, the reason I could see it from the outside was simple.

The castle itself was already half-destroyed, so the inside was fully visible.

A malevolent trap meant to bring deep anger and despair to those who entered, the crystal castle was nonetheless defenseless against being physically demolished from within.

Various monsters existing inside the crystal castle desperately charged at Brynhildr to stop her, yet even they were turned to crispy critters by her fireballs.

Older brother, what do you think about this situation? Have you ever set up an event like this?

“No, I haven’t. Originally, Brynhildr should have been asleep until someone triggers the first crystal castle intruder.”

Is there a possibility that someone broke through the crystal castle before me and woke Brynhildr up?

“You managed to come here because you secured an overwhelming level with Aurelian’s support early on, and afterward, you specialized in hunting mobs with unique skills to snowball your growth. In normal circumstances, even if you formed a party, you wouldn’t be at a sufficient level to challenge this place.”

Well then, the conclusion is clear.

Something different from the originally set conditions has occurred.

Whether it’s just a simple bug, Luneira’s manipulation, or another cause, it’s unclear, but my plan to conquer the crystal castle and earn a reward from Brynhildr has gone awry at this point.

Brynhildr has become a waking destructive goddess, not a sleeping princess.

“First, run away. If you rely on NPC support, there are still other candidates. If you get caught up in a level 90 battle, no matter how strong you are, you’ll be instantly killed!”

Hmm, that’s certainly a wise statement.

Unfortunately, it seems to be too late already.

And why? That lady has been glancing at me continuously since earlier.

Boom!

The head of a giant made entirely of crystal exploded upon being struck by a fireball.

Due to the basic level being 70, it’s impossible to take the dungeon head-on based on the entry level standards, and one would have to execute several predefined mechanics in the crystal castle to have any chance of taking down its final boss.

However, no matter how strong the final boss is, they can’t be stronger than a hidden boss.

After neatly defeating the last guardian of the seal, Brynhildr soared into the sky and approached me.

Should I flee? I briefly considered it, but I decided to greet her confidently right there.

Based on my experience with Brynhildr’s personality during the alpha test, that seemed like it would be a better survival rate.

Brynhildr and I locked eyes.

Her glorious red hair and purple eyes, along with her bright dress that exposes her shoulders.

She looked like the stereotypical fire-type sorceress, but her expression was surprisingly cold. It seemed like if I made a single mistake, she’d slice me in two.

She stared at my face intensely, then suddenly conjured a fire arrow and shot it towards me.

I didn’t dodge. I would die if I did.

As expected, the sharp fire arrow extinguished just before it reached me.

“What business does a puppet of the reaper have here?”

A sudden question. Without any apology for her earlier attack, she immediately threw a question at me, showcasing the kind of personality that would easily fit into the top three psychopathic characters voted by users.

But I actually felt relieved.

I had worried that her character itself had changed due to the sudden shift, but it was still the Brynhildr I knew.

“Is that something to be relieved about…?”

Of course. What’s important in a visual novel isn’t the other’s personality but how well I understand them.

Even if the heroine is normal and unremarkable, if I don’t know them well, I could hit a landmine. Whereas a clearly deranged person can be clearer to攻略 if I’m well-informed.

“Look who’s talking, you’ve never even played visual novels.”

Ahem, the local broadcasting is rather noisy.

I need to deal with this crazy girl for a moment, so please be quiet.

I responded simply to Brynhildr’s question.

“Of course, I came to meet you.”

“Me? Why?”

“To free you from that ridiculous seal and, in return, utilize your power.”

I openly declared that I came to swindle her.

Logically, that should create a feeling of displeasure, and indeed, Brynhildr’s face was extremely cold.

But I must not be deceived by that face.

Realistically, I probably raised her affection for me by at least 3 points with that statement.

Plus one for being straightforward without any pretense.

Another point for bashing the palace made by Odin in front of Brynhildr, who despises Odin.

And the last point for acknowledging her abilities, meaning I recognized her magical prowess.

However, Brynhildr showed no signs of such feelings, her cold face distorted as she spoke.

“Do you think I’d associate with a puppet of the reaper?”

“I’d appreciate it if you corrected the term puppet. I offer many deaths to the reaper, and in return, the reaper grants me strength. It’s a proper business relationship.”

“You dare claim to be equal to a god? Such arrogance. You don’t know your place.”

“Is it that great to be a god? They cry, laugh, get angry, insist on their pride; honestly, they aren’t all that different from humans. Well, I must admit their strength.”

“Do you speak knowing that I, who stands before you, was once a god?”

“Should I kneel and worship you? If you want worship through forceful coercion, I’m more than willing as I don’t want to die.”

“…….”

Brynhildr fell silent and lowered her head.

After a moment…

She began to chuckle, breaking her ice-cold facade.

And I too, while I had been maintaining a steely expression, secretly let out a sigh of relief.

In my mind, I thought it was about 70% okay, but knowing there’s still a 30% chance I could lose my neck, it was still nerve-wracking.

“That you’d call it ‘nerve-wracking’ at this point just shows you’re not normal…”

Shut it. An example of abnormality.

Brynhildr swept back her disheveled bangs from the fight and fixed her gaze on me.

“A coerced worship wouldn’t hold any meaning. But I’m curious; what is that daring child like you asking of me?”

“I don’t mind sharing, but may I also ask a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“How did you break the seal? Who woke you up from magical slumber before me?”

“I did awaken, but disregarding the proper procedures, someone sneaked into the palace.”

“Who?”

“A man named Sisyphus. He seemed to hide in the palace to demand a reward from me, but Odin’s enforced rules only apply to those who break through the crystal castle through the regular route. He didn’t meet the conditions, and I drove him away.”

“A notorious thief named Sisyphus? Why is he popping up here?”

My older brother seemed quite flustered.

And rightly so, Sisyphus is an NPC.

A thief, or rather classified as a bandit, he roams freely across BE, but he shouldn’t possess the autonomy to barge into a dungeon meant for players to clear and snatch away rewards.

“So, why did you destroy the palace?”

“Well, if the palace remains intact, those who conquer it would need to be rewarded repeatedly. I can’t ignore the constraints placed by Odin, but if I destroy the premise conditions, I gain my freedom. Why wouldn’t I do that?”

Brynhildr’s words were logical.

And yet, it was unreasonable because it meant she, as an NPC, destroyed a map just because she didn’t want to reward PCs.

The NPCs in BE, although very human-like, had to abide by certain foundational lines to maintain the game.

But from Brynhildr now, such a sense isn’t felt.

The guiding principles and mindset itself haven’t changed.

Yet, she’s become more ‘active’ and ‘proactive.’

Brother seemed to pick up on that too, holding his breath as he stared intently at Brynhildr.

Unaware of my older brother’s presence, Brynhildr locked eyes with me.

“Well then, it’s your turn to answer. What were you asking for?”

After a moment’s thought, I responded in a way I felt would suit her taste.

“There are those who toy with people’s lives and destinies, and I’m here to deal a blow to them.”

“Hmm. Are you talking about gods?”

“Worse than gods. At least the gods take responsibility for their actions, but those guys want rights without accountability.”

“That’s… truly vile.”

Brynhildr was silent for a moment.

She seemed to contemplate something for a while, and then handed me one of the earrings she was wearing.

“When those vile ones move, if you need my help, contact me. Whether I help or not will depend on the situation, so don’t get your hopes too high.”

Having said what she needed to, Brynhildr summoned a fiery steed and chariot from thin air, mounted it, and flew away.

Left behind, I stared blankly at her, then quietly tucked the earring away.

Looks like I’ll have a lot to investigate going forward.