Volume 1 Chapter 53: Got Killed?

Volume 1 Chapter 53: Got Killed?

[Author's Note: I have decided to use ChatGPT to improve the grammar and spelling of my novel. While reading other fanfics, I came across an author who mentioned using ChatGPT to edit their chapters. I noticed that their novel was enjoyable to read, which prompted me to give it a try. If you appreciate the changes made in terms of word usage and overall improvements, please leave a comment below to let me know. Your feedback will help me determine whether I should continue using ChatGPT for editing purposes. Thank you!]

Seeing the significant improvement in my stats, thanks to the "improve multiplier" skill, I was thoroughly satisfied. Now, I hope that my other stats could possess similar skills, allowing them to experience substantial growth with each level gained in a specific skill. Just like that, my stats would undergo a tremendous improvement, in a snap!

As the proficiency points required to level up skills have increased, I find myself in a situation where certain skills remain stuck at level 1 or 2. Due to various circumstances, some skills are currently unusable, while others are rarely employed. For instance, the skill [Analyze Lv:1] has yet to see much application, and [Automatic Mana Recovery Lv: 2] still requires half of the proficiency points needed to reach level 3. It appears that my focus and efforts will need to be redirected towards acquiring more proficiency points and strategizing on how best to train with my number of skill.

Carmilla: "Hey Eve, Pepper, both of you, come here, and you can still spam the blood arrows for now."

Both Eve and Pepper looked in Carmilla's direction, momentarily pausing their use of blood magic. However, they quickly resumed their actions, continuing to cast spells. Despite this, they made sure to reply to Carmilla.

Eve responded, her tone slightly rigid.

Eve: "Okay, Master"

Pepper chimed in with a playful tone,

Pepper: "Okay dokey, Master!"

In contrast to Eve's rigid response, Pepper's reply carried a lighthearted and cheerful demeanor.

Upon hearing Eve's response, I felt the need to reprimand her.

Carmilla: "Once again, Eve, there's no need to be overly formal. You should take a page out of Pepper's book and loosen up a bit. However, I don't want you to imitate her too much"

Pepper nodded in agreement with Carmilla's advice. However, as soon as she heard the last part of Carmilla's statement, she quickly retorted, eager to express her disagreement.

Pepper, with a downcast tone, interjected.

Pepper: "Hey, Master, what's wrong with me?"

Her words carried a hint of confusion and perhaps a touch of sadness, wondering why there might be an issue with her behavior.

Observing Pepper's downcast demeanor, I scanned her from top to bottom not once, but twice, and even thrice before finally averting my gaze. With a shift in focus, I turned to address Eve, emphasizing that she must never attempt to imitate or resemble Pepper in any way, under any circumstances.

Pepper, who had been patiently awaiting Carmilla's attention, became increasingly bewildered as Carmilla began scrutinizing her appearance from top to bottom, repeating the process multiple times. Uncertain of the intent behind this intense gaze, Pepper awaited Carmilla's subsequent words, curious to understand the reason for such a thorough examination.

Carmilla's eyes appeared ordinary during the first and second glances, but a sudden shift occurred during the third examination, as her gaze transformed into one filled with disdain. Abruptly, Carmilla ceased looking at Pepper without uttering a word, instead choosing to resume the conversation with Eve, directing her attention solely towards her. The absence of any acknowledgment or explanation from Carmilla left Pepper feeling perplexed and uncertain about the cause behind the disdainful expression.

Confused by Carmilla's disdainful gaze, Pepper mustered the courage to ask her directly.

Pepper: "Master, why did you look at me with disdain?"

In response, Carmilla replied with a teasing tone, leaving room for Pepper to speculate.

Carmilla: "Well, what do you think?"

Pepper, perceiving Carmilla's teasing tone, realized she was being playfully provoked. Cooperatively, she sulked, moving towards the side of the cave wall and settling down. With a mysterious blood-red shaped stick in her possession, whose origin remained unknown, she began sketching random shapes and lines on the ground, using it as her canvas for creative expression.

Observing Pepper's cooperative response, Carmilla acknowledged her willingness to play along. Recognizing that she had no immediate task for Pepper, Carmilla allowed her to continue her creative endeavors, engrossed in drawing with the blood-red shaped stick. Content with Pepper's engagement, Carmilla resumed her lecture to Eve, focusing on providing guidance and instruction.

While sulking on the ground, Pepper found herself with nothing to do and began to engage in a quiet conversation with herself, speaking in a low voice.

Pepper: "Why does Master regard me with disdain? I was simply asking, there's no need to be rude. What's wrong with me? I'm not that annoying, you know. I just..."

The rest of Pepper's self-reflection trailed off, her thoughts left incomplete as she contemplated the reasons behind Carmilla's disapproving gaze and questioned her own behavior, seeking understanding and reassurance.

Pepper fell silent, deep in thought, as she began to reflect on all the actions she had taken since being summoned.

1. The first memory that came to Pepper's mind was when she had persistently pestered Master to give her and Eve a more fitting and pleasant-sounding name. Frustrated with being referred to as "clone 2" every time Carmilla arrived or departed, she had expressed her desire for a proper name.

Pepper continued to contemplate her journey, ready to delve into more recollections and self-reflection.

Pepper:'Ugh'

Pepper let out an exasperated sigh as she recalled more instances from her past actions.

2. Another memory emerged, reminding her of the time when she incessantly bothered her Master to give her a single Bronze Coin. It took persistent annoyance before Master finally relented and granted her request.

Pepper: 'Ugh'

3. The recollection of her exploration choices followed. Pepper realized that she had been quite unlucky in her selection of entrances to explore, often encountering dead ends and unfruitful paths.

Pepper: 'Ugh'

With each memory resurfacing, Pepper's self-reflection continued, prompting her to consider the consequences of her past actions and the impact they may have had on her relationship with her Master.

As Pepper listed her reflections one by one, an invisible arrow abruptly struck her, causing her to collapse onto the ground, motionless.

Pepper, lying still, whispered with a mix of resignation and self-deprecating humor.

Pepper: "That's all I can think of... and it seems that I deserve to be regarded with disdain. Hahaha..."

Her words carried a hint of melancholy acceptance, as she contemplated the consequences of her past actions, entertaining the notion that her behavior might have warranted the disapproving gaze she had received.

Carmilla's attention shifted from her conversation with Eve to the motionless form of Pepper on the ground. Observing Pepper's stillness, she made a decision.

Carmilla: "Let's bring this conversation to a close. No need to be so rigid anymore; it's time to relax. But remember, don't become too relaxed like Pepper, who can be quite bothersome."

Carmilla's voice carried, intentionally loud enough for Pepper to hear, emphasizing her point about striking a balance between being too rigid and too carefree.

As Pepper heard herself being called annoying once again, an invisible arrow struck her, causing her to express her frustration with an exasperated sigh.

Pepper: "Ugh..."

Observing Pepper's reaction, Carmilla walked over to where Pepper lay motionless. Kneeling down beside her, she began playfully poking Pepper's body with a blood-shaped stick, the origin of which remained a mystery.

Carmilla's actions displayed a mix of lightheartedness and curiosity as she engaged with Pepper, possibly aiming to elicit a reaction or response from her.

*Poked*

*Poked*

*Poked*

Carmilla, while playfully poking Pepper with the blood-shaped stick, inquired about her current state.

Carmilla: "Hey Pepper whatcha doin' there?"

*Poked*

*Poked*

*Poked*

Pepper, weakly lying on the ground with a pool of blood beneath her, mustered the energy to speak as Carmilla was poking her.

Pepper: "Hey, Master. I'm glad you arrived just in time. I don't have much time left."

Her words carried a sense of urgency and hint of distress, suggesting that Pepper may be facing a dire situation.

Carmilla, realizing Pepper's desire to banter, played along while expressing concern.

Carmilla: "Hey, what's wrong with you? You can't die!"

Pepper, in a weakened state, replied with a sense of urgency.

Pepper: "I don't have much time... I can only say... don't miss me too much... ugh..."

Carmilla, startled by Pepper's words, called out to her with a mix of worry and urgency.

Carmilla: "Pepper!"

Carmilla, alarmed by Pepper's condition, began shaking her body vigorously, desperately calling out her name.

Carmilla: "Pepper! Pepper! Pepper! You can't die! We still have to finish exploring this cave, and there's so much more to discover. No, you can't leave us, Pepper! Noooo!"

Her voice filled with anguish and disbelief, Carmilla pleaded with Pepper to stay alive.

Eve, who had received a lecture from Carmilla about not emulating Pepper's behavior, observed the current situation with a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. Seeing Carmilla playfully interacting with Pepper, who was pretending to be lifeless, Eve questioned the validity of the earlier lecture.

Eve found herself unsure whether the seriousness of Carmilla's words still held true in this lighthearted moment, as it seemed both Carmilla and Pepper were engaging in playful silliness. Perplexed, Eve contemplated how to interpret and reconcile this apparent contradiction in their actions.

As Carmilla continued to playfully mourn and cry while shaking Pepper's body, it became apparent that she was fully immersed in the act. However, after three minutes, Carmilla abruptly ceased her performance, standing up and ending the charade.

The sudden shift in Carmilla's behavior signaled the conclusion of the playful display, leaving the atmosphere more somber and uncertain.

Carmilla called out to Pepper, urging her to stop playing, as she noticed Eve observing them with a perplexed expression. However, Pepper remained unresponsive, still lying on the ground.

Even for someone as typically patient as Carmilla, there are limits to one's patience. In this moment, Carmilla's tolerance with Pepper's behavior was reaching its breaking point, straining her patience to its very limit.