“I can’t believe I’m really going to have to do this…”
It wasn’t like I’d never considered using my knowledge of the game to mow down enemies before. I was just usually too busy…living. Modest meals with my family, training with my dad, then farm work. Before I knew it, the sun would be setting and I’d have to get back home for my studies.
As a border barony, we were poor. At least, compared to those on the mainland or in the capital. In my estimation, we were further impoverished due to Zola. Without our rank, and without her, we would’ve had more.
If only, if only.
As I walked to the edge of Bartfort House’s floating island, I ran into a creepy flying-fish creature. I raised my bolt-action rifle, pulling the trigger. These were the kinds of monsters in this game’s frivolous story. They were pure, absolute evil, so I didn’t hesitate to dispatch them. I didn’t even need to feel remorse for ending a living creature’s existence—the moment you beat them, their bodies just dissolved. And of course they were hostile and attacked people on sight, so it was better to finish them off.
Plus, defeating them meant you earned invisible experience points.
“Crap! I missed.”
I loaded the next shot, readied my weapon, and aimed. My target was about one meter wide. And each bullet was expensive.
In the game, the best course of action was to draw the monster closer before shooting. Unfortunately, if you got locked in close combat, the worst-case scenario was death, which was one thing with a virtual body and another thing entirely with a real one.
The monster pressed close, cracking its jaws open to take a chunk out of me. I could see lines of sharp, jagged teeth inside, and a ripple of fear ran through me.
But if I ran away from this, my life was basically forfeit.
Up until this point, I’d told myself I would eventually go out and farm experience points. I would eventually become an adventurer, search for an island, go exploring… I would eventually earn money. Yeah, eventually. The idle thoughts of an idle kid.
Now, I didn’t have any more time to procrastinate.
I pulled the trigger, and the bullet ripped through the monster’s mouth, blasting out through the back of its skull. The beast lost momentum just short of where I stood and collapsed.
I watched its body fall over the edge of the island then disappear in a puff of black smoke before it hit the ocean’s surface.
“That should have given me experience, right?” I glanced at my left hand, but I didn’t feel like anything had changed. Maybe reality wasn’t the same as the game. Still, that didn’t mean I could quit. For now, I needed to improve my marksmanship.
Besides working with my rifle, I also had to learn how to maneuver the airship I was going to travel in. I wouldn’t be able to reach my destination otherwise.
My plan was to retrieve what was, in game terms, a cheat item. It would be nice if the in-game items I’d paid real money for were there as well, but regardless, I would be locating the stockpile of treasures intended for the protagonist’s use. I felt bad depriving the main character like this, but my life was on the line. She was going to have to share.
I shifted my rifle in both hands. “It’ll work out. According to my calculations, she and I will be in the same year at the academy. I’ll find some way to pay her back, and then we’ll be even.”
I still felt guilty, but my desire to be free was stronger than my guilt. My chastity was in danger here.
“Is this how young girls who get married off to perverted old dudes feel? Damn! This world is insane.” I scowled, surveying the area for monsters. I had a very limited time frame to work with. “I should have put in some effort sooner.”