Chapter 67: Bitter Memory

TINK!

I placed the white teacup back into its saucer after taking a small sip of its contents. The delicate sound echoed softly through the quiet room, but my expression contorted with immediate disgust.

"Eww... it's so bitter...", I muttered, wrinkling my nose. Without hesitation, I pushed the cup and saucer farther away, placing them precariously close to the edge of the wooden desk, as if banishing them from my sight.

I stared at the offending beverage for a moment, contemplating whether I should give it another chance. Ultimately, I decided against it and turned my attention back to the book resting on my lap. Its ancient, leather-bound cover exuded a faint musty scent, a reminder of countless years spent gathering dust on a shelf.

HA...

With a soft sigh, I sank deeper into the comfort of the rocking chair, letting its gentle swaying motion ease my thoughts. My eyes wandered across the room, taking in the surroundings once more.

This study, nestled within the old cottage I had stumbled upon, was nothing short of enchanting. Shelves upon shelves of books stretched up to the ceiling, their spines worn but dignified. The finely crafted wooden desk and matching chair radiated an air of understated elegance. Sunlight streamed through the beautifully designed window panes, casting a warm glow that gave the room an almost dreamlike quality.

The entire scene felt as if it had been plucked from the pages of a fantasy novel. A quaint, peaceful study—a stark contrast to the chaos of the world outside.

Then again... we're in a game, aren't we?

I chuckled softly at the thought. The absurdity of it all wasn't lost on me, but this tranquil moment was a rare reprieve I intended to savor.

Just as I was about to delve back into the book, the system interrupted my thoughts with a familiar chime.

[You have felled Level 5. Stray Ogre.]

[You have gained 10 EXP.]

"So, another foolish beast..." I mused aloud, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice.

This occurrence had become routine by now. During my stay here, I had discovered that the old cottage was surrounded by an ancient stone wall. The wall wasn't just a decorative feature—it acted as a formidable barrier. Any creature that dared approach it would emit a blood-curdling shriek before spontaneously bursting into pieces.

It was... disturbing, to say the least.

At first, I had been horrified by the gruesome sight. Watching monsters explode into gory fragments wasn't exactly something one could get used to overnight. Yet, over time, I had grown desensitized to the grotesque spectacle. It helped that the system generously credited me with each kill, registering them as my victories despite my complete lack of effort.

It was, without a doubt, a ridiculous exploit. A fucking cheat.

With a soft smile, I whispered, "Stats."

[Name:] Vicki

[Epithet:]???

[Level:] 4

[EXP:] 52/100

[Skills:] Saturation, Ease of Learning, Parallel Processing, Seduction, Total Assimilation, Air Affinity, General Knowledge (depreciated)

[Aliases:] Little Devil, Dr. Vicki, Tiny Girl

[Debuffs:] Myopic Vision, Weakness, Naivete, Lolita

In just a few weeks, I had climbed several levels, reaching Level 4 without breaking a sweat. The passive EXP gain from the barrier was absurdly efficient. If things continued at this rate, I'd hit Level 5 in no time.

"Not bad... not bad at all," I murmured, my gaze lingering on my list of skills.

Several of them remained mysterious, their full potential yet to be realized. [Saturation] and [Ease of Learning] seemed straightforward enough...ish. [Saturation] gave me the power to absorb and store the World Energy as well as perform miracles. [Ease of Learning] was simply a status that qualified that I was literate and learned. [Parallel Processing] allowed me to multitask with eerie precision, while [Seduction] was... well, self-explanatory. It was an odd skill to have, but considering the nature of this world, I supposed it had its uses.

"General Knowledge (depreciated)... Hmph," I muttered before turning away from it. I had no idea what the depreciated behind it meant though.

The debuffs, on the other hand, were a source of mild irritation. [Myopic Vision] made it difficult to see clearly at long distances, while [Weakness] and [Naivete] spoke for themselves. As for [Lolita], well... let's just say it wasn't exactly flattering.

I leaned back in the rocking chair, staring at the ceiling as I pondered my next move. This cottage was safe for now, but I couldn't stay here forever. Eventually, I would have to venture beyond the barrier and face the dangers lurking in the world outside.

After all, out there was my classmates and... Da-

I stopped my train of thought, refusing to complete it. My gaze growing dark as I lowered my head, I wanted to berate myself for feeling happy, I felt extreme guilt at the thought of being comfortable at the expense of a friend...but...

I bit my lip.

"I-it's not my fault...am weak...I couldn't do anything...besides...he...he...consented...I... I didn't leave him...he told me to go..."

I muttered weakly under my breath, trying to justify my actions yet, I still felt a sharp pain in my heart.

The guilt clawed at me, twisting my stomach into knots. Each time I thought I was over it, that I had forgiven myself, the memory resurfaced—uninvited and cruel. I had left him behind. The image of him, fighting the Tree Troll, wounded and desperate while telling me to run while the enemy closed in, haunted me.

I had ran.

And in that moment, I knew I was a coward.

But he told me to leave. He said it was the only way.

He said it was... for my safety.

But the nagging voice in the back of my mind wouldn't let me forget the truth. I had chosen survival.

"N-no... stop...", I dropped the book in my hand and grabbed my hair, tears threatening to flow out of my eyes. I tried to push it down, the ugly emotion that threatened to spill out of my heart.

It was the harsh truth.

I had betrayed Dave.

The moment I admitted that, the once peaceful study was engulfed by the sounds of furious sobbing.