The Babysitter Wants to Stop Dying

Chapter 13. The End of the Tutorial (3)

"Professor is a devil worshipper?"

Devils.

Just as the strange phenomenon of Gates existed, devils also existed in this world.

In the first place, there was a hypothesis that the other side of the Gate was hell. Surprisingly, it was accepted quite plausibly.

Although rare, articles about devil subjugations or incidents caused by them occasionally appeared in the newspapers I read from time to time.

So if you ask if devils are just another ordinary phenomenon, that's not quite right.

Devils were different from monsters. Most were intelligent, cunning, and their abilities were basically B-rank or higher.

They were rare, but very troublesome individuals when they appeared. Moreover, beings called archdevils were literally disasters.

Devil worshippers were the servants of those very archdevils.

From what is known, they offer humans to the archdevil and receive a corresponding reward in return.

Wealth, power, honor, abilities....

But to think Camila is a devil worshipper.

The mountains just keep getting higher and higher.

But the Center Director, panting with bloodshot eyes in front of me. At least I knew well that he wasn't joking.

"Be careful. You might become a sacrifice if you're not careful."

So that's why he was talking about living sacrifices and whatnot earlier.

The Center Director, with an anxious face, was still looking around. I need more information.

"Is this a story I can believe? It's too out of the blue."

"Out of the blue? It can't be explained otherwise."

The Center Director, who had hunched over even more, began to rattle off words.

"You know the Professor is making ridiculous achievements in the field of Gate destruction, right? The Association guys are all crawling on their bellies in front of that woman. Besides, no matter how much of a genius she is, how can a person with no abilities cook up that great man and use him like a limb? Everyone keeps it quiet, but they can't help but be suspicious!"

"A great man? Who is that?"

"Who else! You should know if you've talked to each other! It's a bit burdensome for me to say his name! Anyway!"

The Center Director pounded his chest in frustration. No, I don't know, so what is there to know.

Even after that, the Center Director made a fuss for a long time, saying things like Camila's purple eyes were ominous, and that there were rumors of Camila having unknown conversations with someone.

'Hmm....'

But what is this feeling? It doesn't quite resonate with me.

The Professor being a devil worshipper.

I soon realized why that story felt unconvincing.

The third clue I got after receiving the proposal from Camila.

[Acquired a Key Clue!]

[You have been chosen by the protagonist's second most precious person!]

[The ‘Power of a Name’ is strong!]

She is an important axis of the quest. A shining key to finding the protagonist.

There's no way a person like that would be.

"So what you're saying, Center Director, is that it's just what people say. Is there any other evidence?"

When I asked calmly, the Center Director was slightly flustered and his eyes widened.

"I don't know much more either. But this is almost certain! Because that man is head over heels for the Professor's words!"

No, if there's no evidence, it's just a ghost story. Who on earth is this great man?

'Ah. Is he talking about the protagonist?'

The goosebumps that had risen for a moment disappeared cleanly as if they had never been there. The rapidly beating heart also calmed down.

"It's obviously a story made up by people who are just jealous of the Professor. Anyway, successful people are always tired."

I shook my head and took a step back from the Center Director. He looked at me with a somewhat wronged expression.

"Besides, isn't it a bit ironic for a devil worshipper to be working hard on Gate destruction? They should be protecting them, why would they destroy them?"

"That's true, but...."

The bearded man's bushy beard drooped. It was his own advice, but my reaction seemed to have disappointed him.

"I've said my piece. I don't care what happens."

The Center Director, who had turned away as if sulking, walked away with heavy steps. Something suddenly came to mind.

"W-wait! Center Director, I have something to ask."

"You don't even believe me when I tell you, what's the use."

"I believe you, I believe you. I'll be careful. I'll be really careful with the Professor. Just one thing before that. Do you happen to know the relationship between the Professor and Lottie?"

The Center Director's face contorted strangely.

"You... don't know?"

"Know what?"

"She's taking you, but she didn't tell you?"

Why is he dragging this out so much. Just hurry up and confirm that they're mother and child....

"Mr. Neroro."

"Keok!"

The saliva both of us were about to swallow shot up our noses. Speak of the devil. I pressed down my standing hair with my hand and turned around.

A beauty, beautiful whenever I see her, but one who I could never approach, was staring at us intently.

"What's the matter? As if you've done something wrong."

When did the person who had clearly gone to Masimo a moment ago come back?

I drew a smile on my lips with all my might. My tongue, which usually wagged so well, was frozen and wouldn't move.

"Haha! Hahahaha! W-wrong? No, what is it, an employee is leaving this place, so we were just having a little chat, hmm? You're taking him, right?"

That's more suspicious. Just stay still, Center Director.

I closed my eyes tightly at him, who was laughing exaggeratedly and patting my shoulder. It was clear that even if we weren't going to get caught, with the Center Director, we would be.

"Is that so. Come to think of it, I didn't tell the Center Director. I'm sorry."

Fortunately, Camila didn't seem to have much interest in me and the Center Director being together. After looking back and forth between us with an uninterested gaze, she bowed her head slightly towards the Center Director.

Then the Center Director started to jump up and down, waving his hands enthusiastically.

"Oh my! Not at all. I am in a position to follow you, am I not."

"Thank you for your understanding. Mr. Neroro, have you finished packing your things?"

"Yes. I've finished preparing for departure. Is there a reason you were looking for me?"

Thanks to the Center Director buying some useless time, my frozen tongue started to move safely.

"I intend to move up the departure time. We will depart at 6 AM, so please say your goodbyes to the others in advance."

"Understood."

"Then please continue your conversation."

Watching the retreating Camila, we both let out a sigh at the same time.

"No, how can a Ranker not even know the Professor is coming? Phew, my heart was pounding."

"You think a Ranker is some kind of almighty being...."

The Center Director, who had stuck out his lip, quickly left, perhaps in case Camila came back. I wondered if I should get an answer to what I asked earlier, but I remembered something more important.

The Center Director was at a certain distance. There was no one around me.

Swish, I waved my hand.

Tiring-

With a light notification sound, the ability window unfolded.

[Perfect Immortal / Unlocked 76%]

[You will surely revive no matter how you die.]

[There is no perfection in the world.]

[Ardent Protect* / Unlocked 49%]

[Empathy with the protected target is amplified with the increase in unlock rate.]

[Current Protected Target - Lottie]

[Your presence affects the protected target's sleep.]

[Detailed abilities are unlocked with the increase in unlock rate.]

[Detailed Ability 1. Control of the protected target's negative emotions.

- Your voice is imbued with authority. If you say it's okay, it will be okay. However, please note that this is limited to a certain level of negative emotions depending on the unlock rate.]

[Nat*** No* Wea** / Unlocked 24%]

[When in contact, abilities can be used within the limits of the activator.]

[However, please note that exceeding the effective range may cause a strain on the body. Death is a common occurrence in Astava.]

[The current activatable range is a subject of empathy.]

[Penalty due to low unlock rate: Short duration activation / Random activation]

[Detailed abilities need to be unlocked!]

[tip. Remember that all abilities become stronger the more they are honed!]

The ability window I was checking for the first time since the terror attack.

A lot had certainly changed.

‘New letters have appeared, and most importantly, the third ability has been opened.’

A big gain. I learned for sure in this terror attack. The third ability can be used in combat.

However, what bothers me are the short duration activation and random activation. It was random?

But it's not a point of concern. The unlock rate is still 24%.

I don't know how the details will change if I raise it further. In the future, I might be able to use others' abilities without contact.

‘Then it's really at a cheat level.’

If my current predictions are correct, this is ability copying. Just as I used it on Lottie and Cobe, if I raise the unlock rate and use it well, I could become the strongest in the world....

‘No, no. Every ability has its limits and side effects. Arsen, let's not be complacent.’

I calmed my floating heart again. This vicious world is not that easy.

Astava is a world of thorough equivalent exchange.

This was a truth even ordinary people knew very well.

The most famous case is the S-rank Ranker named Rhum Rumpelt.

Rhum Rumpelt, who was said to be one of the living legends about twenty years ago. A man whose ranking always fluctuated between 4th and 5th.

His alias, Diamond Body.

It was said that his sturdy body could not be injured by any weapon or ability. Moreover, he could destroy a mountain with a single punch, so in a way, wasn't he the scariest man, Gate or whatever?

As an aside, there was talk that he might be related to the currently most popular Ranker and so-called strongest, Romero Rodeo, who has a similar ability, but it seemed they were completely unrelated.

So why am I mentioning such a person here?

He died. About twenty years ago.

Rhum Rumpelt, who was said to have been almost white-haired from his thirties, died at the young age of not even forty. And the side effect of his ability that was revealed was a shortened lifespan.

His lifespan was shortened in inverse proportion to his powerful strength. In other words, he saved the world by burning his lifespan as fuel.

A representative case showing that great power comes with great responsibility.

I absolutely don't want that. I want to find the protagonist quickly, and although I don't know how I'll help, I'll just stay by his side, and as soon as I see him save the world well, I'll turn back immediately. And living a smooth, happy life is my goal.

I was dead set against dying from some strange side effect by overusing my ability.

"But what does this mean. Subject of empathy?"

I found a strange word while chewing over the other words in the ability window one by one.

Does it mean we have to be close?

Then that means I was close to Cobe. It gives me the creeps a little.

"The Protection detailed ability seems useful, but emotional control. The nuance is a bit...."

Anyway, the unlock rate was 35%, and now it's 49%.

The phrase that popped up as I died protecting Lottie came to mind.

[Achievement - First accomplishment of ‘Great Sacrifice for Others’!]

Ehem. I did think it was a bit cool of me. To think I would take care of the kid so unhesitatingly.

But it wasn't a change to be entirely happy about. With this death, the immortal rate only went up by 1%.

"It seems the revival time shortens as that goes up."

My revival cycle is still too long. For the quest, and for my life, I definitely have to secure immortality first.

But I really hate to keep dying. To think I have to die a lot to be able to revive quickly.

"Haa."

It was when a groaning sound escaped me. The Center Director shouted from afar.

"Hey, Arsen! Lottie keeps crying!"

"...Yes! I'm coming!"

What a grateful world. It didn't give me time to get lost in my worries.