▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
—Whoa! Where am I?!–
When I opened my eyes, I thought I'd see only darkness, or perhaps one of those typical, blindingly white spaces that supposedly come after death. But there was none of that.
As I opened my eyes—after I don't know how long they had been closed—what I saw before me was an alleyway ending in a wall; dark, filthy, and foul-smelling, with the stench of dampness and probably blood and feces.
The only thing I could think was that this was definitely not the paradise religious people promised after death. And while it's true I'm not a believer, I did help people before dying of cancer, so that should count for something, right? But no, I was greeted by this terrible sight instead. My hospital room was a thousand times better; at least I had Olivia's company there.
—Ugh, smells like absolute shit –I say, waving my hand in front of my nose as I catch the horrific odors of this place– But seriously, where the hell am I?–
I slowly pick myself up from the ground; I had been sitting with my back against a wall in this very alley. Using my hands, I use the stone wall as support to haul myself up and look further out, since some trash cans were blocking my view.
—Wait a second –As soon as I stand up, a strange sensation makes my mind race– Why do I feel taller than usual?–
I quickly inspect myself from head to toe, touching my body not with hesitation, but with the frantic speed of someone stunned by the unknown. And when I'm done, I stand there, completely shell-shocked by what my eyes are seeing.
—This isn't my body.–
Exactly. My original body was quite thin and emaciated due to the typical wear and tear of a person with cancer. I didn't have any hair left because of the chemo, unlike this head of hair which, though black, has a healthy shine and is thick and messy. Also, I used to be shorter, around one meter sixty. Now, I feel much taller than normal.
—Isn't there a mirror around here? –I ask myself.–
I turn my head from side to side, searching this gloomy place for something to get a better look at myself. Fortunately, while I didn't find a mirror, I found a puddle of water; it was a bit dirty, but I could see my reflection.
—Heh, not bad... –A mischievous, self-satisfied smirk forms on my face– Who is this handsome guy?–
He wasn't just handsome. He was incredibly attractive. The kind of face a male protagonist in a Romance Manhwa or Manga would have. Seeing myself even in that puddle was like looking at one of those generic, perfectly flawless anime characters.
—Hmm, this body… –I say to myself, running my hands over the toned physique hidden beneath these strange clothes. This six-pack really does feel good– It looks familiar.–
Then, I remember. This body was the same one my character had in that video game. The very same one I had personally configured and chosen to be the Male Protagonist and player of the Heroic Mode. The one I had spent an entire hour customizing to my liking, making him look like a God who stood above everyone else in terms of aesthetics.
—Ah! It's the body of my character, Kai, from Fantasy Isekai Romance Kingdom!–
Fantasy Isekai Romance Kingdom (FIRK). That was the name of my favorite video game. Yes, an extremely generic name, and that's exactly why it had caught my attention. I thought it would be just another typical otome game, since the screenshots only showed the usual scenes of that genre: a beautiful female character, a text box, and romance options with five male characters. However, when I installed and played it, the game slapped me right in the face.
First: The character design. It was exhaustive, with many, many options, such as hair configuration, age, body type, shape, height, eye type and color, skin tone, and more. Even... private parts. Though, of course, that was only available in Heroic Mode.
Second: The game modes. There were two: Heroic Mode and Romance Mode. The first was like an open-world fantasy game; it didn't just cover one location, but the entire world, called Noelle. You were a typical adventurer who occasionally ran into the main protagonists and had to help them with their problems and save the world. If you had the right appearance and age, you could even woo and have a relationship with the Female Protagonist.
The second was the typical otome mode. You were put in the shoes of the "perfect" Crown Prince of the main empire, the Arabella Empire, and you had to conquer the Female Protagonist—who, curiously, was from another world (hence the name)—all while saving the world and defeating the villains. And it wasn't just the Crown Prince's route. There was also the Imperial Guard, the Black Tower Mage, the future Elf King, and the future Dragon Lord. You could choose any of the five, but unlike normal otomes where the Heroine conquers them, here you were the one doing the conquering.
Third: The story. Although the Romance Mode story was typical of otomes, the world-building, the lore, and everything else were excellent and very immersive; it didn't feel forced. And this improved immensely in Heroic Mode. Here, the story and lore expanded so drastically it was incredible.
In my case, I played Romance Mode first to solidify my experience with the game. I started with the Crown Prince and followed through with the other routes. Being an obsessive player, I perfectly completed every route along with their respective achievements.
After finishing them all, I went straight to what I consider the best part of the game: Heroic Mode. This is where I configured this character, with this appearance, and gave him a short, easy-to-remember name: Kai.
I immersed myself even deeper in this mode. I explored every corner of the world, whether it was ugly or beautiful. I explored all the open and closed zones, whether they were unlocked through quests, glitches, or events. I also cleared every single Dungeon, learned each and every one of their mechanics, and with the help of forums, discovered every single secret—including the glitches that helped me so much in my constant runs.
—Wait a minute –I say to myself after remembering all this– So, I'm in FIRK? –I ask, incredulous– But how? I was supposed to die, not end up in some typical cliché about being reincarnated in a fantasy world.–
I mean, I've read plenty of stories like this—Novels, Manga, Manhwa, Manhua—and I've played similar games (like FIRK), but I never thought something like this could actually happen to me. I always thought my fate was just to die of cancer and that was it.
—Hmm, the protagonist of this game's Romance Mode, Karina, is also a reincarnator –Before doing anything else, I continue to analyze this bizarre possibility– No, actually, the correct term would be "Summoned." She didn't die in her original world; she was brought here through a summoning to become the Saint of this country just as it began to be ravaged by a demon horde. Maybe if I go see her and drop some references, she could help me navigate this place. Since I've arrived here in these clothes, it means I'm starting from scratch –Unlike Karina, who had everything handed to her on a silver platter the moment she arrived.–
Then, in that instant, as I realize I've truly been reincarnated into this world, a lightbulb goes off in my head.
—No! –I exclaim– To hell with the original Female Protagonist! I'm going for my Villainess!–
Serafina Noire Delacroix. A very interesting name. "Serafina" clearly alludes to the celestial, while "Noire" means something like darkness, and "Delacroix" is clearly "Of the Cross." If you combine the meanings, she could be seen as a Celestial fallen from the heavens (the cross) into darkness itself. And that is exactly what, unfortunately, happened to her.
Because I played the Romance Mode first, I never knew Serafina's true story. In every single route, she was the final boss you had to defeat. I always did it, and honestly, I didn't care much; I'd even skip her cinematic (after watching it once). However, everything changed when I played Heroic Mode.
In Heroic Mode, you didn't start when the Female Protagonist arrived, but before that. Exactly during the war where Serafina's parents died. You were one of those fighting alongside them, even trying to save them—without success—and ending up severely wounded. Because of that, you'd end up in the Empire's hospital, and that was where your adventure truly began.
Thanks to the open-world mechanics and complete freedom, you could do whatever you wanted. When I played for the first time, I found it curious that people who looked like Serafina appeared, along with a teenage Serafina. So, after finishing the tutorial (yes, that was the tutorial), I started looking for information about them, both in quests and in info provided by fans and developers.
That's how I discovered Serafina's true story. A story full of pain, death, blood, and suffering. From that moment on, I became obsessed with her, to the point that whenever I encountered her, I tried to do everything in my power to keep her from succumbing to the darkness.
Unfortunately, all my attempts were in vain. Demonic magic, the corruption of the Demon Emperor, and the betrayal of her original friends (the Mage, the Elf, the Dragon) and the person she liked (the Crown Prince) were the triggers that caused Serafina to turn dark and become the Final Boss—the last one after the Demon Emperor himself (basically his ultimate weapon).
Fortunately, after much persistence on my part—emails, calls, messages, and social media, constant spamming even at the risk of a ban to let me save her, and even gathering people who sympathized with me and Serafina—the developers created an expansion for Heroic Mode. Here, we could turn Serafina into another romantic interest, developing a relationship with her so her mind would let go of the Crown Prince, allowing for a natural, loving relationship and changing parts of the original lore.
And yes, the story changed, requiring a new save file from scratch. However, there was a difference now. Instead of the game ending with her as the Final Boss, it ended with the Demon Emperor as the final boss to beat—but only if you managed to change Serafina's fate.
When I found out, I was beyond hyped. Like a madman, I set out to complete Heroic Mode for the tenth time, but this time with a clear goal: saving Serafina. And while it's true that the update brought new quests and never-before-seen locations, having a general overview allowed me to use my knowledge to make things easier.
As expected, I succeeded, and in a way that was more than perfect. Unfortunately, just when I had achieved the happy ending—marrying Serafina (thanks to the Empire granting me a Noble Title for eliminating the Demon Emperor) and expecting our first child—I woke up in this world. Yes, I died in my original world, but the good part is... I managed to save her.
—You know, it's funny. Before I went to sleep, never to wake up again, I heard a strange female voice in my mind. She asked me, "Would you like to save the real Serafina?"–
Yeah, I know—it's another huge cliché. But at that moment, I didn't care. Of course I accepted. After that, the voice spoke again: "Then, please, save my little girl. Break the chains that bind her, give her the freedom no one else ever did, and... make her happy." After that, I didn't hear from her again. The rest, well, I just showed up in this place, in this alley.
—Wait a second. I've decided I'm going for Sera, and I'll do everything possible to save her, but… how do I actually do it?–
I pat my pockets and start searching them to see if there's anything that might help. And… there's nothing. No money—Oblecen, as the currency is called here—no powerful items, and no super-cheat pulled out from where the sun doesn't shine. So, how the hell am I going to do this?
—Sigh... –I let out a deep breath, heavy with resignation– I don't know who brought me here, but they should have at least given me something to start with. Most Isekai protagonists get something, like superpowers, incredible weapons, the ability to kill in one hit, or sometimes a harem of beautiful women... though I definitely need that last one.–
Then, my mind lights up again. An idea that might seem silly or even funny begins to flood my thoughts like water, filling them gradually.
—If this world is a video game, then… –I say to myself, a smirk forming on my face– System. Show me the Virtual Interface.–
Instantly, just as I suspected, an electric-blue, semi-transparent window materializes right before my eyes. Looking closer, I can see my current body in full, along with my equipment (basically, what I'm wearing), as well as info like my level, name, how much money I have, where I am, and the date and time.
—Whoa! –I exclaim, incredulous at the sight of the typical game interface– It worked! I'm officially a generic Isekai character! This is awesome!–
Fortunately, although the window was bright, it seemed like only my eyes could perceive it, as the alley remained just as dark as before. Besides, it's not like anyone was around, which was a relief; otherwise, they'd probably think I was crazy for talking to myself.
—Let's see. –Once I make sure everything is in order, I inspect the window– Name: Kai. Money: Infinite? Time: 6:00 AM. Location: Arabella Empire, Grand Duchy of Noire, Surken Village. Level… hmm, why are there two question marks?–
Exactly. There were basically two "??" written on the screen. It didn't show any number other than those two question marks. And no, before you ask if it's a bug or a glitch—it's not. This only happens when you exceed the level limit, which is 100. Anything above that shows these symbols because the game System itself, at least for the player, has this feature enabled by default. To actually see the number, one would need to go to the Holy Church of Noelle, located in the Central Country called the Republic of Centria (curiously, the only Republic, and neutral... at least for the moment).
—Hmm… –I say, while staring at the information.–
In the case of money, something similar happens. As soon as you reach 100 million Oblecen, an infinity symbol appears. Checking the exact amount is similar to the Level process; in this case, you have to go to the Central Bank, located in Centria, and verify it in their System.
—If I remember correctly, one of my problems during my Expansion Mode run was competing against the wealth of those rich Nobles. So, I started farming and selling like crazy until I amassed a huge fortune –I tell myself as I stare at the infinity symbol– I must have at least 100 billion. I basically have double what this entire country, Arabella, possesses.–
I remember it perfectly. In the beginning, before I had a title for defeating the Demon Emperor, they mocked Sera for having a commoner as a partner—someone from the slums, since my character originally came from there. So, after that incident—where more than just wounding my pride, they dared to speak ill of my girl—I headed to a bunch of Divine Rank Dungeons. When we met again a year later, I showed them a bank account with numbers so high their jaws simply hit the floor. I achieved all this thanks to a Divine Trading System, where items could be exchanged with Celestials—those who live in the highest heavens and possess wealth that surpasses all nations.
So, after their humiliation, those same Nobles never said another word to us; in fact, they became our little lapdogs, heh heh. Actually, I still remember Sera's scolding for disappearing out of nowhere and worrying her... and her reward that night for shutting those guys up and, in her words, looking "very sexy" while confronting them, hue hue.
—Right. I don't have to worry about money or level anymore –I say again, still looking at the interface– I have a practically unlimited fortune. I could even buy this country if I wanted to. However…–
I shake my head. Despite having all the money in the world, it's better to carry myself as a commoner from the slums rather than a Noble. Serafina has too many traumas and horrors associated with them. Not only would it not help a potential relationship, but it would distance me from her—and besides, it could cause her even more trauma.
—Alright. We already know my Level and monetary amount are the same as my original character. Now… –Slowly, nervously, I move my finger toward the "Stats" tab.–
My hand, once eager while moving through the provided interface, now turns shaky. If I have this amount of money and a level with two symbols, it means I practically have everything from the start of the Expansion. In other words, my current self is an exact copy of my video game character. And if that's true, then… it means the Stats themselves are, too.
—Let's see… –My hand trembles harder. But still, I muster my courage and decide to tap that tab.–
Tap. In an instant, after tapping, the interface changes from my basic data to the standard Stats profile—the one that doesn't contain specific information (like damage types against enemies vs. me, evasion types, speed, defense, etc.), but simplifies it into: Attack, Defense, Evasion, Speed, Intelligence, Resistance, Precision, Energy Points (Mana, Aura, Divine Power, Qi, and Spiritual Energy), and Health Points.
And upon seeing it—seeing each and every one of these stats in their full glory, in the highest resolution possible—an ironic, sad smile stretches across my current, handsome face.
—Haa… –I sigh with amusement, then shake my head, eyes closed.–
Yes. It was just as I expected. The Stats were at "??". In other words, these weren't the stats of a character beginning his adventure, but those of my character right before I passed away in that hospital. And yes, it's the same as the previous two. The Stats are locked for the player. The game's own System is incapable of registering such high stats. The only way to see them is by going to the Holy Church of Noelle, located in the Central Country called the Republic of Centria.
—Nooo! –I scream inside– I wanted to level up with my Sera!–
Basically, I wanted to show off my knowledge of this world to Serafina, which, since it's based on FIRK, should probably be identical. Since I know so many things, I wanted to show her secrets, tell her stories, and even teach her techniques never seen before that suited her. But of course, all of that while we leveled up together.
BUT NO. I am basically A FUCKING GARY STU. AAAAHHHHHH.
—I don't want to be a Gary Stu –I murmur in a plaintive voice, sitting back on the ground, sliding down the wall– I hate that Gary Stu cliché. The guy who basically has all the power in the world and zero character development –I sigh sadly, eyes reddening.–
But then, something occurs to me.
—Wait. Being a Gary Stu has its benefits –I lift my head instantly, my eyes coming back to life– First off, I'm incredibly strong. I'm hyper-cheated. Nothing, probably not even the Creator Goddess of this world herself, could defeat me. Thanks to this power, I'll be able to protect her from the shadows. Besides, techniques and all that will be easier to teach. I can teach her while I deflect danger for her, and once she understands them, I can give her the go-ahead to learn. Also, I have infinite Skills, Knowledge, Techniques, and so on, not just magical, but also from the 5 Primordial Energies: Mana, Aura, Divine Power, Qi, and Spiritual Energy. The original Kai has a trait I chose myself: Photographic Memory. Since I've already beaten the whole game, and this is the same character from FIRK, he has all the knowledge of the world in his mind. And if I add that I also had the same capacity in my previous life, and it seems that even though I changed bodies, I still keep all my memories intact… well, all of this will help even more.–
Then, I start trying to recall skills, secrets, traps, unknown locations, parts of the lore, and so on. And as I confirm that I truly remember everything to perfection, my pessimistic attitude is erased when I discover that not all is lost just because I'm a Gary Stu or a Deus Ex Machina.
—Yes! Who cares about being a Gary Stu or a walking Deus Ex Machina! If it's for Sera, I'll endure it!–
But before any of that, there is something very, very important that I have to make clear. Something that my body, my soul, and my mind all need to understand.
—If this world really is the world of FIRK, and I am here in the flesh, it means it is completely real. The people I interact with are no longer NPCs with predetermined dialogue and movement. Free will exists, and everyone is technically human –I tell myself– Even the Wesnaf, Wesen, Wesion, Dungeon Bosses, mobs, and even Demons are no longer just NPCs. So…–
Yes. This world is now my new world. I am no longer on Earth; I am here, on this planet, Noelle. This is my new home, which means I can no longer treat the inhabitants here as soulless NPCs that I can do anything to without consequence, knowing they'll just respawn when I reload the save or change maps.
And the same applies to Serafina.
Serafina, even without the expansion, was one of the most human characters known. This trait only increased with the new content, making her the character with the most advanced "human programming" in existence—even more so than other Triple-A games. But even then, she was still an NPC in the sense that you couldn't play as her. And although she felt very human, she still had mechanical behaviors, like the fact that she usually forgave you for everything when you messed up, and she rarely got angry with your character unless you did something truly grave. Even her own traumas with demons and monsters were mere tools to be used and didn't affect her character all that much.
But now, the Serafina of this world is no longer like that. She is now completely human. She has no predetermined dialogue. She has no programmed traits. She has feelings, she has emotions, she has total free will. She is completely free from her original programming. And above all, her traumas are real and affect her deeply. That is exactly why I cannot allow myself to see her as just the Serafina from the game.
Furthermore, there's the matter of our relationship. In the game, before I died, I managed to make her my wife. And while I love her dearly, if I were to go right now and try to see her as my in-game wife—interacting with her that way—I'd probably end up at the stake for trying to touch the current fiancée of the Crown Prince and a sitting Grand Duchess. Besides, I'd end up scaring her, and all my chances would go down the drain.
That is precisely why I must not have the same attitude and behavior I had with the Serafina from the game. Most importantly, I must not look at her as the character version, but as someone completely new. I'm already a Gary Stu and a Deus Ex Machina; I couldn't bear it if she ended up believing I'm some kind of creep, pervert, or religious fanatic.
—It'll be hard –I sigh– It'll definitely be very hard.–
I spent several uninterrupted years playing this game, and two years with Serafina, so yes, it will be very difficult not to see her as my favorite character. But I will try with all my might. Although… I can't promise I won't still look at her with devotion, heh, heh~.
__________________ >> 1 minute >> __________________
—Alright. Level, check. Power, check. Money, check. Now, exactly what year is it?–
After pressing the back arrow button, I return to the basic information interface where the time is displayed. There, in that box, I tap again to show the full information.
—The 31st of Ende, year 999 –I say to myself.–
The 31st of Ende. Ende here is the equivalent of December in my world. And just like in my world, the month also has 31 days. In other words, we are on the last day of the last month. Furthermore, it is the year 999, so we are also about to enter a new millennium.
—Wait. The 31st of Ende, 999 –In an instant, my eyes widen– Ah! –I exclaim, swiping left to go back.–
After that, I quickly tap the Virtual Interface box that shows my location (Arabella Empire, Grand Duchy of Noire, Surken Village) and place my finger on that virtual box once more. Instantly, the map of my surroundings unfolds completely.
The settlement displays itself like a rustic jewel embedded in the heart of a deep forest. The first thing I notice is its organic design; there are no straight streets or imposing stone walls, but rather a labyrinth of dirt paths winding between fifty or so thatched-roof houses. A floating text at the top confirms what I see: "Surken Village: 250 Inhabitants."
To the left, a river of blueish water flows sluggishly, bordering the edge of the town. A single wooden bridge connects the village to the rest of the world, acting as the main entry artery. The air on the map seems to vibrate; I can see small, carefully plotted farming patches at the north and south ends, where the green of the vegetables contrasts with the ochre tone of the soil.
—I remember now! This is where the irreversible turning point in Sera's fall to darkness takes place!–
Before Serafina's expansion, I discovered that here, very soon (considering it's already past 6:00 AM), a crucial event would occur that would define Sera's life. Originally, she was supposed to be attacked by a monster—a Dungeon Boss that had escaped from a nearby Dungeon. She'd end up severely wounded but wouldn't die, as the Grand Duchy's Guards would eventually arrive to subdue the creature. In general, it wasn't even that strong, just massive, but to Sera, it was like seeing a monster from the end of the world.
According to the plot, Serafina was touring her entire Grand Duchy, inspecting various issues. At first, she intended to come alone, but due to the intervention of the Crown Prince, Leonard, she ended up with company. Initially, she thought she'd be alone with the person she liked, hoping for a chance to improve their relationship. But to her disappointment, Saint Karina, the Dragon, the Imperial Guard, the Elf Prince, and the Black Tower Mage all tagged along. Five guys in a carriage with Serafina.
When they arrived here to stop and rest, they split up. Serafina continued her inspection, while the other six went elsewhere to enjoy a picnic behind her back—all because Karina had asked them to, and they, like the bootlickers they are, couldn't resist. That would have been fine, IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE FACT THAT THE DAMN PRINCE WENT TOO, AND HE IS HER FIANCÉ. Of course, Serafina felt terrible about this, especially since the Prince had promised to stay by her side and protect her, but as always, she suppressed her own feelings for the sake of her duty.
And then, what was meant to happen, happened. A Dungeon Boss escaped and headed straight for Surken Village. But it wasn't a coincidence. A Demon had guided its path from the shadows, directing it toward Serafina. By this point, her corruption was already underway, catching the Demon Emperor's attention. The demon, seizing the situation, decided to accelerate her Corruption; he took advantage of the fact that Serafina was far from her Guard and those five guys to strike. His purpose, of course, was not to kill her.
His purpose was for her to fall into darkness on her own, realizing that those who were once close to her had abandoned her for someone else. Even the person she loved.
Thus, thanks to this attack—and because Leonard never showed up to save her, despite being her final thought—her corruption increased to a point where there was no turning back. From that moment on, she would continue to fall without the possibility of redemption.
Fortunately, in the expansion, this zone was unlocked—it was inaccessible before—and thanks to that, the Player Character could save Serafina and prevent the original plot from unfolding. And of course, that's exactly what I did. It also helped with the favorability ratings. Negative for Leonard. Positive for the Player.
—Well then. Since that moron Leonard clearly won't do a thing when that moment comes, I'll take full advantage of the situation –Don't blame me, kid. It's your own fault for not valuing a Goddess like Serafina, heh, heh~–
Still, I need to evaluate my strategy. In the game, I simply killed the Dragon before it reached her. Afterward, I revealed myself to Sera with a grand entrance and plenty of showing off. But I'm no longer in the virtual world. This is the real world. The grand entrance and showing off were necessary in FIRK to catch Sera's attention—a commoner slaying a rampaging Dungeon Boss—and everyone else's in general, like a typical Isekai cliché. It worked there, but there's no guarantee it will work here.
As I said, Serafina's feelings count for a lot now. She's no longer a program. She's a human being, flesh and blood, with completely real and unpredictable feelings and emotions. If I do the same thing as before, I'll end up terrifying her and driving her away. And that's the last thing I want.
—Time to plan –I say to myself– I need to take my time.–
________________ >> 15 minutes >> _________________
—Alright. I've got it.–
After planning for who knows how many minutes, I've finally come up with the perfect strategy. Goodbye grand entrances and showing off. Hello caution.
—First. At this moment, Sera should already be arriving, or she might be here already, since I think they arrived at dawn... Dammit. I should have checked the in-game time –In my defense, I was focused on the fact that I arrived in this world somehow and now I'm a Gary Stu– Anyway. What I'll do first is approach her, not as some overpowered being, but as a Commoner, just another villager. Then, near her, I'll pretend to talk to myself, mentioning rumors of a Dark Mage in this area trying to release a Dungeon Boss using some unknown method. This will surely catch the attention of Sera, who, considering how much she cares about her people and their safety, will likely go to the Village Chief after hearing more details from me. –Step one, check– Once she leaves, I'll head toward the Dungeon. When the beast emerges, I'll wait for it to advance a few meters and then kill it. That way, when Sera, the Imperial Guards, the Village Chief, and probably more people arrive, they'll realize that the Dungeon Boss had indeed escaped. However, seeing that it's been slain will make Sera wonder who did it, which will likely lead her to come looking for me since I was the only one who knew about this monster. And by then, I should be far away from her, watching from a distance without intervening too much, so she won't be able to find me. Since everyone here knows each other in such a small place, the Village Chief will tell her she doesn't know anyone like me. Thanks to that, she'll surely wonder who I am, how I knew, and so on. In short, her curiosity about me will grow. And since I'll let her see me clearly, my appearance will be burned into her memory.–
Exactly. A more than perfect plan. Besides, it will give me the opportunity to show up later, help her subtly, and increase her curiosity toward me. Eventually, it will reach a point where she'll want to know me better, and thanks to that, we can begin to build a proper relationship.
—Man. I am definitely a genius –I congratulate myself. I wish I had a folding fan to cool myself off– Not only am I handsome, but I'm also extremely intelligent. Hueh, hueh –I smile haughtily in the middle of this foul-smelling alley– Anyway. Let's get rea…–
—GRAWWWR! –Then, a powerful roar echoes, followed by light tremors in the earth and the sound of trees being destroyed.–
—Eh?–
They say that plans usually don't turn out the way you envisioned them. That sometimes, when you plan one thing, something completely different happens. At first, I thought this was ridiculous, since everything I ever planned in FIRK always went perfectly. However…
—Wait. Isn't that the Draken's roar? The one from the Dungeon Boss near this village? The very same one that was going to attack Serafina?–
—GRAAHH!–
—Oh, for fuck's sake! It is!–
Indeed. There goes my carefully crafted plan of several minutes. My beautiful, perfect plan to not draw attention to myself T_T.
—I definitely should have checked the damn time this event started! –I scream piteously while taking a massive leap to land on the roof of the house near the alley where I am.–