Why Is Everyone in This Dating Sim Trying to Kill Me?!

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: The Affection Meter (4)

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The Ring of Affection and Obsession

An item that, based on the wearer's favorability towards another person, grants a percentage buff to all owned characters.

It was, without a doubt, an overpowered S-tier item, truly deserving of its reputation in *Velvet School Life!*.

It was clear that acquiring this item, or failing to do so, would significantly impact the future of gameplay.

Otherwise, despite all the thorough preparations, they wouldn't have ventured into the dangerous Jukai Forest.

'But… what in the world happened?'

Immediately after putting on the ring.

I couldn't help but feel utterly dumbfounded.

Ding—♬

"You have equipped 'The Ring of Affection and Obsession.' All targets with whom you have favorability will receive a universal stat enhancement."

Because some rather strange people were included in the list of recipients.

"Recipients"

[Lee Yuri] - 4%

[Kang Dohui] - 4%

[Im Gaeul] - 4%

[Sophia] - 4%

[Shin Sehee] - 4%

[Ichika] - 3%

To be honest, I thought it would be a huge success even if it only applied up to Sophia.

However, it went a step further, applying even to Shin Sehee, who wasn't a combat class, and Ichika, who hadn't officially joined yet.

Well, even so, this much wasn't entirely incomprehensible.

After all, Shin Sehee was a founding member of Utopia, even if not a combat class, and if Ichika was saved, she'd automatically be integrated into the party. So, it wasn't completely illogical.

However.

[Baek Seolhee] - 4%

[Lina] - 3%

These two names appearing was a truly unexpected turn of events.

'Huh...? Master, and Director Lina? Why are these two...'

No sooner had I thought that than Director Lina's name began to flicker.

Soon, her name was completely erased from the list.

'…What was that, a bug?'

I could only scratch my head and think that.

With that strange feeling, I submitted the quest completion report to the Japanese Hunter Management Bureau.

By the time I returned to Velvet Academy, it was the middle of the night.

First, I dismissed the exhausted party members and was giving Shin Sehee a brief report when.

"Disciple, I have something important to say."

The Master in question came looking for me.

"Follow me for a moment."

Thump—

Thump—

Walking behind Master in uncomfortable silence, I thought.

'It feels like it's been ages since I last saw her...'

Originally, Master had promised to oversee my training occasionally during the summer vacation, but due to her increased personal workload, that promise couldn't be kept.

So, I was glad to see her, but...

Her gait, as she walked ahead, was different from usual. And her normally quiet breathing felt a little rougher.

'Is she angry...?'

Somehow, her displeasure seemed to be transmitted to me.

'Why is she angry? Oh, surely not...?'

What flashed through my mind then were Kang Dohui's words from earlier, spoken with a complicated expression.

─ Nureongi, this... What happened? My strength suddenly got stronger...

She had asked about the ring that suddenly appeared on her finger and her increased strength.

And I had explained it to her, just as it was.

─ Yeah, it's the artifact's effect. The synergy with me, um, that is. It's an item that gives an overpowered all-stats increase effect to people deeply connected to me. I'm glad it applied to everyone.

I had boasted to the party members like that. But then I recalled their surprisingly complex and subtle reactions.

It was then that I realized once again. This wasn't a game; it was reality.

Clearly, 'The Ring of Affection and Obsession' was an item that a gamer absolutely couldn't miss. One that had to be obtained. But accepting it in reality was another matter entirely.

'I hadn't considered that people might not welcome their stats suddenly being enhanced by an artifact.'

Stats enhanced by an artifact aren't powers gained through one's own efforts.

Therefore, for types like Kang Dohui, who take great pride in the strength they've built themselves, this could be an affront to their pride.

'Of course, even if I were told to choose again, I'd make the same choice...'

Because considering what lay ahead, it was clear that our Utopia needed even greater strength than now.

At any rate, in Kang Dohui's case, it was a little better.

They had conquered the Jukai Forest together, and there was the justification that it was a reward for that conquest.

But what about Master's case?

Strength that suddenly increased without any reason.

Could someone like Master simply accept that as a good thing?

'…No, there's no way.'

Stop.

Baek Seolhee, who had been walking silently for a long time, stopped and turned to look at me.

And abruptly, she extended the hand with the ring on it.

"What is this, then?"

"...Well."

I told her everything as honestly as I could.

About what happened in the Jukai Forest. Meeting Ichika, the new special ability user. Fighting the Incubi's Apostle and obtaining the ring, and so on.

"...So, that demon's item grants power to those deeply connected to you, based on how much you think of them, is that it...?"

"Yes, I believe it happened because I deeply respect you, Master. I'm truly sorry for doing this without your consent."

Flinch—

At the word 'respect,' Baek Seolhee's body trembled for a moment.

But immediately, the atmosphere turned icy cold again.

Jin Yuha thought Baek Seolhee was feeling resistant to the sudden power that came without any cost, but the reality was different.

Because there was a cost.

It was Jin Yuha's feelings.

His disciple was gaining power based on how much she liked him; there was no way she would refuse that.

What was complicating Baek Seolhee's feelings right now was an entirely different reason.

Namely, Director Lina.

Just a moment ago, Director Lina had extended her finger with a smug expression and uttered words that wouldn't leave Baek Seolhee's mind.

'…7%'

That meant Director Lina held a whopping 3% higher share in Jin Yuha's affections than she did!

Baek Seolhee gritted her teeth.

'…Director Lina hasn't really done anything for you, has she?'

For some reason, she felt wronged.

To take so much of her disciple's affection without even showing her face much, what kind of trickery was this?

Was it because her own personality wasn't particularly amiable?

No.

Come to think of it, Director Lina was far from amiable herself.

If anything, she was closer to being sharp-tongued and irritable.

Then, a single word surfaced in Baek Seolhee's mind.

'…Could it be, money?'

Money.

Right.

Come to think of it, whenever Jin Yuha needed money or items, he didn't ask her for help. He always went to Director Lina.

'The subspace tattoo, the mansion, and even the Haeundae Festival tickets recently...!'

Tremble—

Her clenched fist trembled slightly.

'That damned fox. To win over my disciple's favor with money...'

In an instant, Lina's title changed from Director to 'damned fox,' but since she didn't utter it aloud, no one knew.

"Is there anything you need?"

Baek Seolhee asked Jin Yuha in a voice she struggled to keep calm.

In her desire to claim a higher share than Lina's.

"...Huh? Ne-need something?"

"Yes, I have received a gift from you so great it's difficult to measure, so should I not offer something in return?"

"N-no, it's fine! I did something unilateral in a way Master didn't even want; I'm not so shameless as to expect a reward for it."

Jin Yuha said that, but in Baek Seolhee's eyes, he was merely a pitiful disciple who had unwittingly fallen for Director Lina's financial power.

"...Is that so."

"Yes, it's truly fine."

Clench.

Baek Seolhee bit her lip firmly and spun around.

"We'll see each other in class soon."

At her words, which sounded like a promise of 'just you wait,' Jin Yuha, who didn't understand the meaning, could only gulp.

'Is she telling me to brace myself for hell in the next class...?'

***

The next day,

Ichika, having replenished her insufficient sleep and recovered her energy thanks to Velvet Hunter Academy's technology, now had a fresh and vibrant face.

She met Shin Sehee separately, one-on-one.

It was to conclude the unfinished conversation from the previous day.

"Ms. Ichika."

Sip.

Shin Sehee sipped her coffee, looking at Ichika over the rim of her teacup.

"Mm."

"I heard you'll be joining Utopia."

"That's right."

"Before you join Utopia, we first need to change your affiliation to Velvet Hunter Academy. Do you agree to that?"

"Yes, I agree."

Shin Sehee took out a few documents and laid them before her.

"Then, there are a few things we need to confirm first. Are you currently affiliated with the Japanese Hunter Management Bureau? Or have you ever been?"

Ichika shook her head.

"No, after I awakened, I only lived in the Jukai Forest."

"Hmm, then the Japanese Hunter Management Bureau probably doesn't even know you're an awakened person?"

"...Probably not?"

"In that case, things will be easier. If you were affiliated with the Japanese Hunter Bureau, there would be a lot we'd have to give up, but since you're not, and they don't even know about your awakening... Hmm, it's feasible. ...Would it be alright for you to assume the identity of a Japanese expatriate who returned to Korea this year?"

"Yes, I don't mind."

Nod.

Ichika nodded quietly.

'I expected this to be a difficult conversation at first...'

Surprisingly, her willingness to accept everything made things easier.

'What kind of person is she?'

For now, I've obtained information that she shows obsession towards Jin Yuha.

'Then, should I probe her...?'

If I test the waters and see her reaction, I can determine how to deal with her in the future.

Shin Sehee pushed the documents aside as if all work-related discussions were over and leaned forward.

"Excuse me, Ms. Ichika."

"Mm."

"Could you, perhaps, tell me what percentage it is?"

A direct hit.

She probably couldn't possibly not know what this question implied.

'Indeed, what will she answer?'

"Three."

Ichika's answer was immediate.

Shin Sehee stared intently at Ichika.

In response, Ichika looked back at Shin Sehee with the same expressionless face as before.

'…It doesn't seem like a lie. That's a relief. Still, I'm higher than Ms. Ichika.'

Shin Sehee, like the other party members, let out a sigh of relief internally.

"Hmm, now I'm curious about how much it is for others..."

It was a whisper so soft that even the person right in front of her couldn't hear it, but Ichika reacted immediately.

"Do you want to know?"

"...Huh?"

"How much others went up."

"...Oh, you know?"

"Yes, I already know everything. These children told me."

Shhhhwip—

Shadows suddenly surged up from beneath Ichika's feet.

"...!"

Shin Sehee's eyes, seeing Ichika's ability for the first time, widened into circles.

"I think I should probably get along with you."

"...Huh?"

"The type that would be tiresome to have as an enemy."

"...You have good instincts, don't you?"

"Yes. So, a bribe."

And that bribe was indeed effective for Shin Sehee.

Smirk—

Shin Sehee curled her lips into a smile and extended her hand.

"It's a deal, Ms. Ichika. I think we can be good friends from now on."

"Good."

Ichika and Shin Sehee shook hands.