Entering the Game with a Cheat Physique

Episode 15 Doll (2)

Episode 15 Doll (2)

An alchemist’s room is pretty much the same everywhere.

The room Berry led me to was overflowing with flasks containing various chemicals.

Even with the stoppers tightly sealed, the acrid scent of chemicals still stung my nose. She mixes chemicals whenever she gets the chance, after all.

And next to the flasks were various pieces of magical engineering equipment.

Things she’d submitted as assignments, yet not a single one lacked a proper finish. The skill of a seasoned alchemist.

“I can’t believe I’m actually bringing a guy to my room. It’s just… unbelievable.”

Berry muttered, still not quite grasping the reality of it.

Then she whipped her head around.

Her eyes, meeting mine, were filled with suspicion.

“You don’t have any ulterior motives, do you? It’s kind of suspicious that you insisted on being brought all the way to my room.”

“You worry too much. Why would I have impure intentions towards you? I’m not an idiot.”

“…That’s the answer I wanted, but it’s kind of annoying.”

You try to reassure her, and she throws a fit.

Berry pouted but ultimately said nothing.

A moment of silence hung in the air, and I was trying to think of some small talk to fill it when…

My eyes landed on the dolls, neatly placed at the far end of the table, away from Berry’s reagent cabinet.

They varied in size, but most had a similar shape.

Bulky muscles, wild-looking faces, and dashing armor with sheathed swords.

The same appearance as “Armored Knight HR3” that I yelled about when those thugs were harassing me.

‘She put a lot of effort into this.’

Back in my past life, guys who were into figures or model kits were always incredibly meticulous about the finish.

Berry must have that same tendency, because the dolls all looked immaculate.

It’s obvious she poured a lot of effort into them.

“The armored knight thing from earlier, and these… you like this kind of thing?”

“…Yeah.”

Berry paused slightly before my question, then openly admitted it.

“Making dolls is my hobby. Or something.”

“Who said anything? I was just askin’.”

“Hmph. You’re gonna say that too, aren’t you? That I’m way past the age for playing with dolls, that I’m not a princess, and what’s with the knight doll anyway? I know it all.”

*This guy’s got some serious paranoia.*

“Why would I say that? It’s their business what hobbies they have.”

“What? …Seriously?”

“Would I be lying?”

Berry’s eyes narrow behind his glasses.

*He really doesn’t trust a word anyone says.*

“Whatever. My point is this. I need you to process this item.”

Anyway, seems like the air’s cleared enough, so I pull the 【Werewolf’s Lung】 from my pocket.

Even though it’s been ages since the werewolf died, it still feels fresh to the touch.

The 【Werewolf’s Lung】 is still full of life and perfectly preserved.

That’s how high quality it is.

“This is…”

Berry cautiously takes the 【Werewolf’s Lung】 from my hand and leans in.

He even pushes his glasses up with his finger – guess those glasses are some sort of magic tool too.

“It’s a 【Werewolf’s Lung】. And a really high-quality one at that.”

“You knew right away?”

“Of course. It’s basic for an alchemist.”

He turns the lung over, touching it here and there, even going closer to smell it.

After going through his various appraisals, Berry finally asks the essential question.

“Where did you get this?”

“…”

“You can’t get this in Olympia. You have to find it by encountering a monster in a dungeon. And the Academy hasn’t even posted any missions about it.”

“You’re pretty sharp.”

“An alchemist can’t just take any item they’re given. …Tell me honestly what your scheme is.”

*Guess he won’t go down easy.*

Berry’s no fool. If he took this item with an unknown origin, he could get a good scolding from the faculty.

Being cautious is only natural, but…

*Not gonna work like that.*

There’s no alchemist I’d trust with the 【Werewolf Lung】 besides Berry, anyway.

So, I need to loosen her guard.

With a tempting carrot.

“First off, I can’t reveal the source. That’s precisely why I came to you.”

“…What am I? I’m nothing.”

“That’s not true.”

Berry Rosemary, second year in the Department of Magic.

In ＜Song of Sword and Magic＞, she’s just an extra with no real role except being Pennel’s friend.

But if you take the magic route, she’s a surprisingly useful character.

Process this item for me? …Well, for you, I’ll make an exception.

In the original, she was a skilled alchemist only the protagonist could utilize.

Significantly lower costs compared to other alchemists, yet exceptional skill.

A character who plays a valuable role every time the protagonist needs to modify items.

That’s Berry.

“You can do it. I know you have that kind of skill.”

“…Who are you to say that?”

“Well, if you’re not feeling it, I can offer other terms.”

I grin and hold the lung in my hand.

I lightly grip it with my fingers, as if wringing out blood.

“The ‘blood’ that comes out in the process of refining the 【Werewolf Lung】. You can have it all.”

“What?”

Berry’s eyes widen like saucers.

Normally, when entrusting an item to an alchemist, all byproducts belong to the client.

The contractor gets the fee they charged the client, that’s it; they can’t touch the item itself.

But I’m offering that as a condition.

It’s natural she’s shocked.

“What are you talking about? That’s nonsense…”

“No, Berry, that’s not important.”

Actually, it’s not a bad deal for me either.

【Werewolf Blood】 has the effect of increasing the drinker’s magic stats.

But see, I’m magic-blind, so no matter how much blood I drink, it’s pointless.

Of course, I could sell it to some other alchemist for cash, though.

‘But then Berry would refuse.’

Berry’s gotta get a little something out of it, for her to even consider opening up.

So, basically, if it’s a necessary expense, I’m willing to pay it.

“The important thing is why you should accept my offer. You’re already getting pushed around by these thugs. Shouldn’t you build up some strength?”

“……”

“Drink the blood. Get stronger. If you don’t want to, then sell it for cash. Do whatever.”

After all, Berry probably won’t ever get the chance to acquire a valuable item like 【Werewolf Blood】.

If she takes this deal, it’s a clear benefit for her.

It’s even a chance for her to practice her alchemy.

“Fine.”

Berry, after considering it,

Nodded her head and accepted the offer.

“I have a lot of questions, but I’ll let it go. Digging into a client’s secrets isn’t an alchemist’s way.”

“Smart thinking.”

Is that it?

If I take the processed 【Werewolf Lung】 to prepare for the first boss battle, it’ll definitely help.

I entrusted it to a skilled and honest person, so there’s no worry about getting scammed.

“Alright, I’m heading out. That’s the main thing settled.”

“……Wait.”

After telling her what kind of item to make.

I figured we were pretty much done, and went to leave the room, but Berry’s slender hand grabbed my sleeve.

“?”

What’s up?

Why is she doing this suddenly?

Where did the woman who said she had no ulterior motives go?

Berry’s dark eyes are looking up at me.

With an expression like she really wants to ask me something.

“Why did you help me?”

“What?”

“Why did you protect me from those b*tches? You didn’t have to.”

“You wanted me to *not* help?”

“That’s not it.”

She shakes her head.

She seemed ashamed even to be saying it, but the question was clear.

“…If you just wanted to keep the item safe, you could have ignored them. You didn’t have to make enemies with those cunts.”

“……”

“Why did you stand up for me there? There was…no benefit for you.”

‘So, that’s it.’

That was the question, huh?

I’m starting to get a read on this Berry girl’s personality.

Falling short on skill, the resulting self-loathing.

Yet, the pride she holds onto, making her reluctant to rely on help.

She’s quite a stubborn girl.

‘Hiding it from Penel is probably for that reason too.’

Whatever it is, Berry’s trying to do it without Penel.

To be able to handle the thugs herself.

“And that’s not the only weird thing.”

Berry’s questions kept coming.

The ultimate question that people watching me now would have.

“How…how can someone change so much in just a little over a month?”

“……”

She was pointing out what caused Herak Leonhardt to change 180 degrees.

‘Hmm.’

I did think someone would wonder about it someday.

But now that the moment has arrived, I don’t have a good answer.

What should I say?

That I possessed this body?

That I gained a body cheat?

It’s all stuff that can’t be laid bare and satisfying, either way.

“…I, you seem amazing. And I’m jealous.”

“….”

“You, who gets Penelope’s favor. You, who was in the same position as me but completely changed. I… I’m envious.”

“…Hmm.”

Isn’t this suddenly revealing a really deep feeling?

I hadn’t intended to dig into this girl, Berry’s, heart this far.

But having come this far, there’s no going back.

I feel like I need to give her a serious answer in my own way.

Berry’s ultimate questions are as follows:

‘Why did you help me?’

‘How did you change?’

…Honestly, a proper answer is difficult.

Because there isn’t a single person in this world who could fully understand my circumstances.

So, I decided to give her the most appropriate and plausible answer.

“There doesn’t need to be a reason.”

“…!”

“Does there need to be a reason for helping someone? Does there need to be a reason for someone to change their mind? No, there isn’t.”

That’s the truth.

There doesn’t need to be a reason.

Me suddenly being possessed by this game, and needing to go all out to survive because of it.

It’s not something that can be explained by reason.

What’s important is.

“I, have to do it. Because I want to.”

“…Ah.”

“That’s all.”

To survive, I have to do it.

If it’s necessary in that process, I can just go ahead and do it.

It’s hard to call it the perfect answer… but, well, I guess this will do.

In the first place, it’s not like she was asking a question she expected to be convinced by.

“Alright? Then I’m going.”

“……”

“Don’t just take it, and if you’re frustrated, talk to me, or something. I’m leaving the items with you, so take care of them.”

He gave a rough wave and stepped out the door.

Unaware of what expression Berry was wearing beyond the door.

Nor could he know that she was staring intently after him.

The room Heraque had left.

In the quieted room once again, Berry slowly walked towards the edge of the reagent cabinet.

Towards the place where the dolls she’d made stood in a row.

“……”

She picked up her cherished “Armored Knight HR3” and held it close.

Its powerful muscles, its wild face, the stylish armor and scabbard.

The image of a ‘hero’ she always pictured deep in her heart.

As she gazed quietly at it.

The words that guy had just spoken came to mind.

I don’t need a reason.

Because I have to. Because I want to.

Those lines, they were things she’d seen so much in storybooks.

And like the hero she’d always longed for.

“……Strange.”

The more she knew him, the stranger he seemed.

That feeling came over her, and she fidgeted with the doll for no reason.

*

As days passed.

Early morning, in the lecture hall of the Olympia Academy.

A notice plastered across the wall of the administration office was drawing the attention of the students.

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[Notice of Grade Exchange Tournament]

The Grade Exchange Tournament will be held starting today.

Students who have applied to participate are required to check.

…

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It was the start of the Inter-Grade Tournament.