Lysette is infamous for her cunning.
She delights in bending others to her will.
Her beauty is a weapon—one she wields without hesitation.
He knows all this. After all, he's the one who wrote her that way.
He designed her personality to perfectly match her stunning appearance.
And yet, despite knowing all this—he'll still go along.
He'll allow himself to be used and thrown away, just so he won't ever have to deal with her again.
But he won't play the fool for free.
He wants compensation.
He's no pawn.
He's Hastora.
"So, what's the problem?"
He pulled his hand away from Lysette's grasp.
"Spit it out. I hate small talk."
Beating around the bush is a waste of time.
Even though he knows he can't beat Lysette for now, he still has to act a little cold.
It's for his pride.
Seeing Lysette's character seem different from the novel makes him a little more confident.
He doesn't know why.
But Lysette is truly different.
"Did something happen to you?"
Hastora stared at her with a flat expression.
He has to stay calm.
"Not me… But… My younger sister."
Hastora's eyes widened at Lysette's words.
Not her? But her younger sister?
That means…
Valeska!
Suddenly, a voice rang out in his head.
Ding!
[A quest]
[Save Valeska von Asterea from the curse]
[Reward]
— Flamma Infernus: level 3 (max)
— Control over Darkness: level 3 (max)
— +5 to all stats
[Penalty]
— -10 to all stats
— The gates of hell
[Do you want to accept this mission? Y/N]
"...!!!"
His body tensed as his eyes snapped to the screen.
What the hell is this?
The one thing he'd been trying to avoid… was here.
Damn it!
This is murder!
'Does this system want to kill me?'
His situation was already difficult, but now it's even harder.
Even the reward for completing this quest isn't worth the mission itself.
He's weak.
Valeska could easily kill him anytime she wants.
He wants to refuse this quest.
However, the penalty itself is still unclear.
He might know one, but the gates of hell?
What kind of punishment is that?
He never wrote this in the novel.
However, one thing is certain.
This must be the effect of the plot change.
Seeing Hastora biting his lip, Lysette tilted her head.
"..You… What's wrong with you?"
She's curious.
The man suddenly flinched and looked worried.
There's no danger, but he looks like he's trying to avoid something.
She doesn't know who he's avoiding.
However, there's a high chance it's her.
He might feel disturbed by their presence.
She knows she's disturbed his sleep.
However, she has no ill intentions whatsoever.
She just wants to find the plant that cures the curse.
"I… I'm fine."
Hastora took a step back, bowing his head.
He has to make a decision.
Accept the quest or refuse it.
It's a difficult choice.
If he accepts it, it's the same as suicide.
But if he refuses, he has to accept the consequences.
He already knows the answer.
But he can't use it.
In the novel, Valeska is cold and heartless.
She doesn't hesitate to kill others if they get involved with her.
The chance of him surviving after going to Glazareth is only 60%.
"So... may I speak plainly?" Lysette asked, a hint of awkwardness in her voice.
Hastora's silence was beginning to unnerve her.
"...Yes."
Hastora turned his head.
He seems to be having a problem.
It shows on his face.
"So… This is it… Do you know where to get the plant that cures the curse?"
Lysette approached.
"Please tell me if you know. If… Not… Then my younger sister…"
He knows Valeska is cursed.
But, a plant that cures the curse?
He never wrote that in the novel.
Maybe…
It's a kind of plant born from the plot change?
Now he remembers.
The plant wasn't born from the plot change.
The plant really exists.
And he also knows where it is.
He got an idea.
And he wants to use it.
"I know the plant," he said. "If you really want it, I can tell you where it is."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"So, where is it? Please tell me!"
"..."
He's been waiting for her to say this.
He plans to profit from Glazareth without risking his life.
To do that, he has to manipulate Lysette.
Even though Lysette is intelligent in the novel, he doesn't want to lose.
This is a battle between geniuses.
And he has to win this battle.
"I can't tell you. But…"
He smiled faintly.
"I can take you both there. How about that?"
He knows the place.
But it's quite far.
"Then… Okay."
She took a pouch containing 100 gold coins from her dimensional storage pouch.
"This is your payment. I won't ask for help for free."
He didn't expect her to do this.
However, he also has no reason to refuse.
"Thank you. I won't disappoint you."
He took the pouch and put it in his pocket.
He can't store it in the shadows in front of them both.
It's too conspicuous.
Now the beginning of his plan is going smoothly.
Now there's only one thing left to do.
'I'll accept this quest.'
Ding!
[Quest accepted]
[Save Valeska von Asterea from the curse (incomplete)]
[Reward]
— Flamma Infernus: level 3 (max)
— Control over Darkness: level 3 (max)
— +5 to all stats
[Penalty]
— -10 to all stats
— The gates of hell
[Time remaining: 2 days 59 minutes 56 seconds]
[Note: This mission will be a little difficult due to Valeska von Asterea's nature, which might be a little complicated for you to handle. I hope your mission goes smoothly.]
The reward means little to him.
He doesn't care.
Because that's not what he's truly after.
There's something far more precious… far more powerful.
The Eidolith Crystal.
He must claim it.
The Plan Begins.