Avoid Yandere Constellation

[The Goddess of Fate declares it's pathetic.]

I've talked too much.

But I can't stop myself. I'm in such high spirits right now, I could start dancing on the spot.

And there's a great reason for that.

David Von Cain.

Age: 20.

Abilities: Game settings capability, death regression.

Talent: None.

Points: 1,000.

This time, I collected an impressive 1,000 points for dodging death.

Typically, I would earn just 500 points, but I managed to complete a surprise hidden quest too.

The quest itself was nothing extraordinary. In simple terms, I would get an extra 500 points if I caught the villain while also escaping death.

It seems that counterattacking, not just avoiding, brings in bonus points.

It may be a coincidence, but it's worth remembering. It seems I have nothing to lose.

Regardless, this is excellent.

To be honest, I was a bit upset when I lost my valuable 500 points to a mere villain. But it seems the system read my thoughts and generously granted me more.

And there's more.

A new quest has just appeared before me.

[Quest Activated - Earn Money!]

[Description: You've been severed from all family support. If you remain this way, another death flag could rise. Do your best to establish a stable income.]

[Time Limit: 48 hours.]

[Reward: 500 points]

How could I not be overjoyed seeing this?

Of course, if I fumble this, I might trigger another dreadful death flag like yesterday. But frankly, for an experienced player like me, this kind of quest is easy.

Basically, the quest is offering me 500 points for free.

Kyah! This quest excites me.

So, it's time to plan for the business. I closed my eyes and remembered everything I knew about the game.

30 minutes have passed.

I'm in trouble.

Plenty of ideas cross my mind. I can imagine countless ways to earn a fortune if I put my mind to it.

But.

All of them require some starting capital. Blast.

I quickly rummaged through my pocket.

My pocket contained only air. Nothing else.

Still, just in case, I searched through the drawers of the desk in my room, under the bed, my pillow, even my clothes, thoroughly.

But I only found items like fountain pens, alcohol, and nothing else of use. Of course, there was no money either.

Damn it! Curse you, Cain!

Typically, a wastrel like him would have a lot of money, but all he has is alcohol.

Couldn't this man save at least a little money? Such a cursed man.

What should I do?

If I remain this way, another death flag will definitely be raised two days from now.

I don't want to get stabbed in the stomach again!!

I don't know why everyone who wants to kill me aims for my stomach, but I don't want to go through that a third time.

If I'm destined to die, at least let it be painless.

Come to think of it, both of the guys who killed me didn't do it swiftly. It seemed like they relished my suffering.

Hoo... let's take a moment to calm down.

Getting worked up like this isn't going to solve anything.

"Hoo..."

Maybe I should sell that alcohol?

That could be a solution.

No... that's too risky.

Sure, selling it could give me some starting capital. But Thomas explicitly stated that all family support has been cut off. That likely means I can't even sell items belonging to the family. It's basically forbidden.

With a bitter look, I glanced at the stash of alcohol.

...Hold on, what's that?

It's certainly a bottle of alcohol, but it seems a bit more sacred than the others.

Curious, I picked up the holy-looking bottle.

Could this be Holy Water?

This is a specialized topic. I shouldn't take a casual interest, but asking this level of question shouldn't be a problem.

"Seong-Jwa."

[The Goddess of Fate cheers with joy as you call her for the first time!]

She sends such a message just because I called her once. I must have hurt her feelings by ignoring her.

But what can I do? I need to keep this feeling real.

Anyway, back to the point. I almost got distracted.

"Could this possibly be Holy Water?"

[The Goddess of Fate wonders why on earth you would store Holy Water there.]

I don't know, even if you ask me.

Anyway, judging by the constellation's reaction, it's clear that what I'm holding is holy water.

Holy Water.

It sounds incredibly powerful just by its name, but in truth, it's utterly useless.

It just sounds powerful. The content is just ordinary water with a hint of sacredness.

Moreover, it doesn't do anything, does it?

But given its name 'holy water,' you might think, 'Isn't it hard to obtain?'

I can confidently answer that question.

Nope~ Not at all~

Honestly, there's nothing easier to get. No joke, I could get holy water within 10 minutes even if I'm kicked out of the family. It's that simple.

To give a specific example, it's as easy as going to a church on Earth in my previous life and receiving bread and gift cards.

In fact, you can get it for free in the game just by praying.

There's truly nothing as utterly useless as that.

What can I do with that?

I may not be allowed to sell alcohol, but holy water is something even Thomas would let slide.

Or should I just earn it with points?

That's another option. Buying cash items with points and selling them. There's probably nothing simpler than that.

But honestly... it feels like a waste.

Points can only be obtained by completing quests. Selling them just to get starting capital seems crazy.

Just in case, let's check the status window.

As I opened the status window, I immediately moved into the game setting ability.

Game setting ability: Volume control, Effect quality adjustment, Color setting, Map viewing, Inventory, Cash shop...

And after seeing that, an idea hit me like a bolt of lightning.

I never thought I'd need this!!

For a moment, I wanted to smack my past self who had overlooked this.

Anyway, that's settled.

If I'm going to conduct the business I just thought of, I need to hide my identity.

There are several reasons, but the main one is my face.

My face is too well known in this territory. The moment I start a business with this face, I'll be lucky if people don't shun me, let alone have customers approaching.

Is there anything to cover my face?

While I was pondering that, someone knocked on the door.

-Knock! Knock! Knock!

"It's Liche. Sir, may I come in?"

"Yeah, come in."

Liche slowly opens the door and bows her head.

Looking at her for a moment, I was suddenly reminded of the time when I first took possession of this body.

"Liche, do you have anything I could use to cover my face?"

"Huh?"

At my sudden question, she tilts her head with a 'What are you talking about all of a sudden?' expression.

"Um... I've been cut off from the allowance and support from my father, so I'm planning to start a business-"

Just as I was about to continue, Liche nodded, her face indicating complete understanding.

Judging by her reaction, it seems she knows what I'm about to say.

"Hmm... there's a mask we used last time. How about that one?"

Hmm... That might not be bad.

Just as I was about to say, 'Alright, let's use that.', Liche twisted her lips into a strange smile for some reason.

... She's not a yandere too, is she?

I had a strange thought but surely that's not it.

A yandere isn't just a random person on the street, and it's impossible to have two in the same place, right?

Yes, that can't be it.

But, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious. For some reason, I feel like I'll uncover an unwelcome truth if I use that mask.

"A mask might make me sweat too much. Don't you have something like a masquerade mask?"

"Ah... a masquerade mask... Yes, we do have one."

At my question, her expression momentarily showed a tinge of regret.

Let's pretend I didn't see that. Yes, let's do that.

"Then, lend me that mask."

"Yes, understood."

Upon hearing my request, she took out a pure white masquerade mask from her interdimensional ring.

Come to think of it... I might need that ring as well.

This body of mine isn't particularly strong. Carrying stuff around is sure to be a hassle.

Having that would be convenient.

Sensing my gaze, Liche alternated between looking at the interdimensional ring and me, eventually hiding the ring behind her back.

No, who said I'm going to snatch it? Why are you hiding it?!

Anyone who didn't know better would definitely think I'm trying to rip her off.

[The goddess who sees fate asks if you really want to steal it.]

Look, I knew this would happen.

I feel wronged. I only thought of wanting it, I didn't plan on taking it.

Yeah, let's just borrow it since it has come to this.

Strictly speaking, borrowing and stealing are different. Of course, from the victim's perspective, they might be the same, but I'm not planning on keeping it, so it's different.

"Liche."

"Yes..."

Her pupils flickered for a moment, as if she had a bad premonition.

"Could I... borrow that ring?"

"Yes... alright. But could you wait a moment?"

Liche surprisingly agreed to my request readily.

But why is she asking me to wait?

I don't know why yet, but it's only natural to wait a bit as the borrower.

"How long do I have to wait?"

"10 minutes. It will be ready in 10 minutes."

"Alright. Got it."

"I will return shortly from my room."

With that, she quickly left the room.

I wonder what's going on.

I could probably find out by volume control, but I didn't want to be rude to Lishe, so I just sat quietly.

After 10 minutes, she walked back into the room with an emotionless expression, as if the persona she had shown before wasn't hers.

She removed the ring from her finger and handed it to me.

"Here you go, young master."

"Thanks. I'll return it by tomorrow."

Without hesitation, I accepted the ring she handed me and slipped it onto my index finger.

But how do I activate this?

I used it naturally in the game by pressing a button, but now that I am the character, I have no idea how to use it.

As I was looking at the ring, perplexed, Lishe explained at just the right time.

"Young master, you can use that item by imagining placing the object inside the ring. To take it out, you imagine the opposite."

"I see. Got it."

Upon hearing her explanation, I imagined putting the mask inside the ring. As I did so, the mask was absorbed into the ring as if sucked up by a vacuum.

Okay, that's good enough for now.

"By the way, Lishe, didn't you have something to do when you came in?"

"Oh! That. I was planning to clean your room for a bit."

She seemed to have forgotten her errand and only just remembered.

"It's fine for today. Just do it tomorrow."

"Yes... Understood."

At my words, she nodded her head with a somewhat regretful expression.

[The goddess of destiny is interested in what you are up to.]