Chapter 2.6

After taking about two pills, she lay back down on the soft bed, murmuring a faint word of thanks to Ray. Finally, she felt like she could live. 

“Thank you, Master…” 

“Doesn’t sound very grateful.” 

“Why do you always have to twist your words like that…” 

Oops, a slip of the tongue. 

“I misspoke…” 

“Do you think I twist my words?” 

“Well, I did… but not really?” 

What was this now?  

The unusual phenomenon caused her sleep to completely disappear, and she opened her eyes wide, realizing why her mouth was moving on its own. 

〈 Truth Serum 〉 

– Suddenly, it became impossible to lie. 

“This is quite a serious drug.” 

Ray smirked and placed the container full of medicine beside her. One was indeed a painkiller, but the other was a truth serum. 

The man lay down next to her again, as he had done before stepping out. For a moment, he stared silently at the ceiling before turning to his side. She met his gaze indifferently. 

“How did you know what kind of medicine it was?” 

“I saw it…” 

What on earth should I do? Was it okay to say this? 

“Specifically?” 

“I saw it. It said truth serum…” 

Was it alright to talk about the game system like this? Was this a bug? What kind of game was this? 

“Do you mean you can see the words?” 

“Yes.” 

Thanks to that, her body no longer hurt, but now her head felt like it was going to explode. 

Usually, in games like this, no matter how much the player communicates with the characters, they cannot comprehend anything about the player’s original world. That’s how the settings are designed. 

But to have a game where truth serum forces confessions—that was a first for her. 

“How do I appear to you?” 

“Uh, you look like an extremely handsome person.” 

“…” 

Even with a highly effective truth serum, if the listener misinterprets the words, the answers can become nonsensical. 

It was something she had wanted to say for a long time, so her mouth moved first. In the peculiar silence, she belatedly recalled his question and corrected her answer. 

“Oh, it says Ray Mott…” 

Ray responded with a face tinged in pink, pretending to be calm. But it wasn’t enough to completely deceive her—his affection level was rising steadily. 

〈 Ray’s affection level increases. (Current affection level: 42%) 〉 

“You possess mysterious magic.” 

“This is magic too?” 

In this world, they considered things like this as magic? 

“Then what else could it be?” 

“It’s the system.” 

Whether it was right or wrong, she felt incredibly frustrated as words spilled out against her will. She buried her face in the pillow in anguish. Ray chuckled. 

“Pfft, is the situation really that bad?” 

“The truth serum… feels unpleasant.” 

“Because you have many secrets to hide from me?” 

“No.” 

“…” 

With that, Ray fell silent for a while. Then, he soon raised his affection level and enveloped her in his arms. He seemed to finally relax after prolonged tension. 

〈 Ray’s affection level increases. (Current affection level: 43%) 〉 

“Do you enjoy being with me?” 

“Yes, Master, I like you because you’re handsome.” 

“That’s unfortunate.” 

“Huh?” 

“Because it’s only for one year.” 

The Earl had sold his daughter for money and wouldn’t take her back. Even if such a thing were to happen, she wouldn’t feel particularly regretful. After all, it was just a game. If she wanted to see him again, she could always restart the game. 

“Go to sleep now. Your voice is hoarse from forcing answers.” 

“I wasn’t forcing answers. I enjoy talking with you, Master.” 

Even in this situation, the truth serum worked well. She poked her head out and chatted away, only for him to cover her body with a blanket and press his lips to her forehead. 

No reply came. In the space filled with the peculiar sound of her heartbeat, Ray patted her back, sending her off to dreamland. 

***

〈 Sensitivity settings have been completed. 〉 

〈 Would you like to end the tutorial? 〉 

– Ending the tutorial will remove Deliwood’s blessing effect. 

– Continuing without ending the tutorial will prevent additional rewards for Ray’s affection level. 

The tutorial-ending window had been displayed for some time. Perhaps because it was a part of the storyless section. She spent her time in the room idly, while Ray adhered to a repetitive schedule like a hamster on a wheel. 

The character she played was remarkably sleepy. Despite doing nothing, she would grow tired after staying awake for three to four hours, likely due to the settings. Meanwhile, Ray’s affection level would rise simply by watching her spend most of the day sleeping. 

Honestly, she wasn’t sure if it was love. He kept her confined and treated her like a pretty doll. Since using the truth serum, he had become slightly more tender. However, she wasn’t sure if it was good that he had become kind enough to refrain from giving her trouble. 

Even though it wasn’t stimulating, it felt like an ordinary romance, and she didn’t dislike it. It was a relationship confined to the room, but she hesitated to leave. If she left now, the next time she started the game, she would have to begin anew with Ray. So, she decided to enjoy life in the tutorial for a little while longer. 

As she sat by the window, the man she had been waiting for appeared in the distance. Seeing the stimulating figure of the man entering the dull space naturally brought a smile to her lips. 

〈 Ray’s affection level increases. (Current affection level: 80%) 〉 

Before he arrived at the room, she knelt by the door, placing her hands on the ground between her thighs. 

‘I am a puppy. I am a puppy.’

She hypnotized herself and looked brightly at Ray’s face as it appeared through the crack of the opening door. 

“…What is it?” 

“Master! I’m not wearing any underwear!” 

Bang! 

“Huh?” 

The door shut quickly. However, his status was clearly visible through the system window. 

〈 Ray’s affection level increases. (Current affection level: 81%) 〉 

One point immediately. Then, another after three seconds. 

〈 Ray’s affection level increases. (Current affection level: 82%) 〉 

About ten seconds later, one more point. 

〈 Ray’s affection level increases. (Current affection level: 83%) 〉 

Anticipating the door to open again, she bit down on the chain connected to her choker and waited. As expected, Ray opened the door and asked her, 

“Did you pee on the blanket or something?” 

At this age, pee? 

“Nope! I’m just not wearing anything because I want your attention, Master!” 

“What does getting attention mean?” 

“I’d like you to hurt me again, Master!” 

“…” 

Teasing a man whose affection level had skyrocketed was another form of entertainment. Honestly, aside from the times they hit and pierced each other, what impactful moments had there been? 

As she began to miss the pain that left bruises, she boldly made her request. Ray, clearly flustered, brushed her hair back and first pulled the chain from her mouth. 

“Stand up.” 

“Aw… Not today either? I want to have passionate love with you, Master.” 

“If you can’t even listen to me when I tell you to stand up, why should I listen to what you want?” 

Why does it have to be like that? 

With a resentful expression, she stood up. Ray shortened the chain he was holding, and for once, he forcibly dragged her. Though the destination was still the bed, the brief treatment as a pet was enjoyable. 

“So, you’re not actually not wearing underwear because of some mistake, right?” 

He asked suspiciously, reaching into the crumpled blanket to feel around. She couldn’t understand what he took her for. 

“It’s because I want to have s*x with you, Master.” 

She shouted boldly once more. Ray’s face turned bright red in an instant. Now, he couldn’t shut the door and leave, nor could he hide; instead, his Adam’s apple bobbed roughly in front of her. He was unbearably adorable, to the point where she wanted to tease him even more. 

“Can’t we do it? I’m wet…” 

She gently lifted her skirt while kneeling on the bed. At that moment, Ray couldn’t hold back and turned his trembling gaze away, his ears burning red. 

〈 Ray’s affection level increases. (Current affection level: 84%) 〉 

Even though he appeared to be holding back, the bulge in his groin betrayed his excitement. 

But his affection level was rising too quickly. She was deliberately avoiding ending the tutorial to enjoy herself, but she started worrying that if the affection level maxed out, the game might forcibly transition to another story. 

“Master, please hate me a little.” 

“Hating someone is something you do for someone you like.” 

The words spoken from his handsome face were the worst. Her expression twisted in frustration. No matter how much she could see his affection level, if he outright said, ‘I don’t like you,’ there was no way she could enjoy it. Feeling sulky, she hid under the blanket. Ray stood still for a moment before yanking the blanket away. 

“Why do you think I’d like you? You’ll go back in a year anyway.” 

“Even if you dislike me, you could still say you like me a little. My life’s joy is spending all day thinking about how to make you smile, Master.” 

“…” 

He really didn’t believe she would return after a year. 

Though she stayed here because she didn’t want to lose Ray after ending the tutorial, his cold response made her think it might be time to start the game properly.