Trapped in a Game That Flopped

Chapter 27

Episode 27

Returning to my room, I scrubbed my smelly body hard.

And I washed the dirty robe as cleanly as I could.

Although the robe became a rag, thanks to it, the precious costume I wore underneath was fine.

After rinsing it several times until the water was no longer cloudy, I buried my nose in the robe and sniffed it.

Sniff, sniff.

"Ah, I can't tell."

I don't know if games have a sensory threshold, but I smelled the disgusting odor so much I couldn't tell if it was still there or not.

It would have been more reliable and convenient to entrust the laundry to a maid, but it contained too many important things, so I couldn't.

They say no one but an operator can touch an NPC's inventory, but just in case.

I spread the damp robe, soaked with water, wide on the bathroom floor.

And.

"Annihilate."

Lv.999 Annihilate skill has been activated.

Fwhoosh!

Fierce flames shot up over the robe.

Anyone watching would think I was doing something crazy, but in this game, your own attacks don't work on your items.

Therefore, the fire-starting Annihilate skill could be used as the best dryer to dry wet clothes in seconds!

The flames died down only after scorching the bathroom ceiling a little.

'After all the hell I went through, they can fix the ceiling themselves.'

I quickly put the now-dry robe on over my short costume.

I checked the time. About five hours had passed since I left Kassel alone in the prison.

I'd given him enough potions to last for 10 hours, so nothing should have happened, but...

'Still, it's probably best to go check once.'

It was the moment I was about to leave the room.

Knock, knock.

Suddenly, a knocking sound rang out.

Fortunately, unlike yesterday, the thoughtless act of bursting the door open right after knocking didn't happen.

"Come in."

As I gave a short word of permission, the door opened, and a maid entered, pulling a tray.

"The Head Maid asked me to bring the Apothecary's lunch."

"Ah."

I'd been measuring time based on Kassel, so I didn't even realize it was noon.

Once the piercing stench faded, the smell of quite delicious food filled my nose.

'Come to think of it... did that bastard Kassel eat?'

No matter that he came as a prisoner, as long as Adam knew his noble birth, he wouldn't let him starve.

But I didn't think I'd ever seen him eat while I was with him.

Tilting my head, I hurriedly stopped the maid who was starting to set the pre-meal bread and soup on the table.

"No need to set everything. Just one piece of bread is fine."

"Will you be alright with just that one? The Head Maid told me to take good care of you, saying you didn't eat breakfast either..."

"Yes, well."

It's not like I'm the one who's going to eat it.

I quickly tucked one loaf of warm, freshly baked bread into my pocket.

I had to go check on that Male Lead bastard's condition right away, so I had no time to spare for an elegant meal.

That's why I'd already finished a short, high-efficiency meal of a High-Grade Health Potion and a Mana Potion before my bath.

A normal user or game character would have long since suffered from potion addiction due to excessive potion abuse, but I'm an exception.

'Strong NPCs don't eat things like meals.'

I tossed out a badass line fitting for the moment, and just as I was about to leave the room.

Kuuuurururung!

Suddenly, a loud roar that shook the heavens and earth rang out, and the surroundings grew dark.

"Is it going to rain? Why are there dark clouds all of a sudden..."

The maid clearing the table muttered to herself, looking out the window.

'...A shower?'

Ever since I got trapped in the game, the weather had been sunny every single day.

It was so bad that even when I was zoned out, living and growing herbs, I went through all sorts of hardships from drought because it never rained...

'...Don't tell me.'

I, who had been nonchalantly recalling my herb-grinding days, stopped dead in my tracks at a premonition that struck my head like a thunderbolt.

What reason could there be for ominous dark clouds to suddenly cast a shadow over a game world that had been sunny for years, to the point of worrying about drought?

And so suddenly, so fast there was no time to react.

'This... this is a sign of the Disaster!'

"No!"

From that moment, I started running like crazy.

Drinking the potions in advance was a brilliant move.

Thanks to that, I had stamina to spare.

Not dragging my feet like usual, I reached the top of the Tower in one go. Seeing the open prison door, I felt my heart drop to my toes.

At that moment, harsh voices leaked through the crack in the door.

"Get up, you bastard!"

"You've got it good, man. Just scarfing down the food they bring you and dozing off. For a prisoner, you're living the high life, aren't you!"

"Ugh..."

I wanted to eavesdrop and assess the situation, but at the faint groan that followed, I kicked open the door and ran in.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

"Uh..."

"Wh-What. Who are you!"

At my loud shout, the two men who had been crouching in front of Kassel and snickering stood up with surprised faces.

Seeing their armor, they seemed to be knights belonging to the Count's estate.

I quickly looked between Kassel and them, assessing the situation.

The scene before my eyes was even more serious than I'd thought.

A bowl and utensils were rolling around on the floor, as if they'd brought food.

But they hadn't just quietly brought food. Kassel was covered in a murky liquid, all over his head and face.

It looked like soup.

His eyelids were half-closed, looking very dazed.

Perhaps not forgetting that the prisoner must not be allowed to sleep, the bastards were poking Kassel's bare torso with the tip of a dagger.

Drip.

Suddenly, a trickle of blood flowed from near his shoulder, and my vision went white.

"Are you... crazy? Whose life do you bastards think you're shortening..."

They weren't Darkness-Eating Centipedes.

If they were, they would have encouraged Kassel to fall asleep.

As proof, their eyes weren't clouded over; they were clear.

It meant they were the kind of bastards who did this sort of thing normally.

They were even worse than the humans who had become hosts.

"Pfft! Hey, what's that one saying?"

Laughter suddenly erupted in the prison, which had fallen silent for a moment at my appearance.

"Dunno. The Count hired an apothecary, must be them."

"Hey. Don't go spouting nonsense anywhere, and act sharp. We're the ones in charge of this bastard prisoner's meals..."

"Onslaught."

Lv.999 Onslaught skill has been activated.

I didn't want to use a skill in front of a main character like Kassel if I could help it, but I had no choice.

"What... Urk!"

"W-Wait... Ack! Ugh!"

Pow, pow.

With just two punches, the bastards collapsed pitifully.

I wanted to beat them to a pulp like the servants I took care of this morning, but I didn't have time.

Kuuuurururung!

Because outside the Tower's window opening, which was just a hole without any glass, an even louder roar than before was echoing.

"Ah, fuck! Sir! You can't sleep!"

I looked at the ominously churning sky, left the unconscious bastards behind, and ran to Kassel, my face pale.

He didn't budge at my shout, as if he'd entered a state of light sleep.

I immediately pulled a potion from my pocket.

I didn't even have the presence of mind to find and equip the Monster Tranquilizer Gun.

"I'm absolutely not doing this because I have feelings for you! It's just first aid, so please don't misunderstand, please!"

...

"I don't like you! I'm telling you clearly, I don't like you. I really, truly don't like you!"

Pop!

I popped the cap and, as if chanting a spell, rapid-fired the fact that I didn't like him several times, then poured the potion into my mouth.

"Mmph..."

And then I lifted his face and pressed my lips to his.

I skillfully parted his lips and passed the potion I was holding in my mouth into his.

It was definitely a faster method than taking out the tranquilizer gun, loading the potion, laying him down, and shoving the muzzle down his throat to fire.

Gulp.

Thankfully, Kassel swallowed the potion as soon as I passed it over.

"Ha..."

Finally, having passed all of the Insomnia Potion to him, I slowly pulled my lips away with a low sigh.

I glanced back at the open window. To my immense relief, the dark, gloomy clouds that had covered the sky were slowly disappearing.

My heart had sunk, afraid the Disaster would still happen despite such extreme first aid, so it was a huge relief.

Except for the fact that this was my first kiss.

'Dammit... to have my first kiss in a game.'

On top of that, the feeling of his lips against mine had been just rough, so it didn't even feel good.

It was when I raised my sleeve to wipe my lips roughly.

"Just now..."

A gloomy, low voice landed near my head.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Flinch. I lifted my head. Kassel was right in front of me, glaring at me with eyes that burned like hellfire.

Thinking of the anger about to pour from him, my eyes squeezed shut on their own.

'God, no, Mr. Developer...'

If you're watching me, tell me the right answer.