A click of fingers. A shift in perspective. Then she was in the office—one she recognized as the tavern's.
She glanced at the Guildmaster already seated behind the desk in a plush chair.
The room remained as sparse as she remembered, though now occupied by a world-bending woman instead of a doting father.
"So," Mochi gasped. "Did I do well?"
Better not ask about that father. Too risky. This woman remained too volatile.
"I'd say so. Though not beyond my expectations."
The woman tilted her head, fingers interlacing as she relaxed into the chair.
"How presumptuous." Mochi straightened her spine. "I can think of several improvements. Criticisms."
Many time-savers, in fact.
Most damningly...
"Hehe...Surprised that blonde knight had
That smirk... Mochi's palm curled into a fist.
"I should've known." She squinted. "If you're here, more changes are coming."
No point hiding she knew the future—or at least another version of it.
"I'd applaud your composure, but a hint of satisfaction suits you better." The Guildmaster shook her head. "Makes you more likely to bow. To be controlled."
"Ah, no worries." Mochi craned her neck. "I did promise to be your pet. Not planning to renege anytime soon. Shall I beg for a collar?"
Golden eyes glinted with something sharp. Something...hungry?
Too much sass? The former gamer shuddered, palm ghosting over lips once slapped.
"Come here."
The Guildmaster's finger crooked, beckoning.
"...System..."
<...>
*
A key? No—Mochi shook her head as she stepped forward. SP was all she needed.
I know...
Maddened gold eyes swallowed her whole. She halted as the Guildmaster's shadow enveloped her.
"You've performed exceptionally, my pet."
"Hehe..." A gasp. A laugh. "Of course. I worked hard."
"Yet you've burdened me with extra work."
...Work? Mochi frowned.
"In your haste—or perhaps something else..." Golden eyes flicked, Mochi leaned onto the System UI by instinct. "You returned to our guild drenched in blood. Wearing that mask."
Outfit? Mask? Oh...
The speedrunner paused like reviewing a character menu, suddenly aware of her blood-soaked thief garb and terrifying mask.
Pacifist 101. Her finger twitched like pressing keyboard keys.
"And in your carelessness, you led a Divine Lion Knight—a Faction Leader—to our doorstep."
"In my defense," Mochi gulped, "I didn't expect...you know."
"Now you do." The Guildmaster stood, caressing her cheek. "Surprise."
"...A surprise indeed."
Ah. Throwing my words back at me. Classic.
Her cheek might as well have been gripped by death itself. Every instinct screamed to flee.
"Of course," the Guildmaster purred, leaning close. "Clearing those bandits did expand our influence. For that, I suppose thanks are in order."
Influence...right.
"May I ask something?"
"Hm?"
"Why in the world..." Mochi gritted her teeth. "...are you connected to those royal scum?"
Not surprise—just curiosity laced with anger.
"Does this differ from your memories?"
"The guild's full of idiots, but consorting with royals? That's new."
At least in the original. She barely stopped herself from saying it.
"Little Thief." A nail scraped her neck. "Some curiosities are...unwise."
"Perhaps." Despite her pounding heart, Mochi risked it: "But 'spoilers' hinder my progress. I need information for future routes."
Nothing terrified more than ignorance. Speedrunners couldn't plan blind.
If only a certain system without excuses had sympathized...she wouldn't have tempted this devil.
The Guildmaster's eyes curved. "And?"
"And...please, Mas~ter~" Mochi whimpered, pouring every ounce of performative pity into it. "This disobedient dog needs guidance. We...promised?"
Another test. Another gamble. Another play-pretend.
If she loved the submission, shouldn't Mochi cower a bit more as she hoped?
Then—golden eyes flared like collapsing stars.
Ah—
No sound. No pain.
She looked down. An arm protruded from her chest.
She looked up. A smile sweet as poisoned honey.
Squelch. Her heart was ripped out.
Mochi gasped. Her legs staggered.
Her eyes widened. Her heart...returned.
Then what was that red mass in the Guildmaster's hand?
"Interesting." The Guildmaster studied the lifeless organ. "It stopped. Then replaced. Just as I imagined you would."
What.The.Fuck.
"Shut it!"
Panic. Real panic.
Since when did the system fail to stabilize her?
<...loading...loading...>
<...>
<...>
Heartbeat stilled. Cold sweat frozen.
She stared calmly at her own heart. Indifferent.
Hehe...it wasn't like this even in the explosion...
"See?" The Guildmaster licked the organ.
"This is why you bore me."
"...Yeah." A broken chuckle. "Suppose so."
Without the system, she might've attacked—like a rabid beast.
"I must be...unworthy of being your pet."
"Don't be dramatic." The Guildmaster swallowed the heart whole. "Recklessness makes monsters of us all. Your disobedience...arouses me."
A bloodied hand stroked her lips. "Though as punishment, this heart will suffice."
"How does it taste then? Bitter?"
"Sweet, like it was from the bottomless pit of hell." Her tongue flickered over her lips. "Even the most bountiful gourmet wouldn't compare."
"Haha...hahahahahahahaha..."
Mad laughter. A madder world.
"I've changed my mind."
Mochi grinned. "One day...just one day..."
Screw the reward.
Screw the system.
Screw the meter.
"I don't need even need this stupid bloodlust." Teeth gleamed. "I will kill you, even if I die trying."
"You're welcome to try." The Guildmaster's smile matched her madness. "Or to serve. Though..."
Bloodied fingers snapped. "You've no choice regardless."
Mochi flipped her off.
Then—silence.
The Little Thief vanished.
As always...as always...
The violet-haired woman clutched her own still chest. No heartbeat. Just hollow victory.
"You always slip away, Little Thief..."
Too ignorant. Too knowing.
Blind yet perceptive. A creature of instinct.
She needed more time. More breaking.
Only then could she kill without regret.
"Quite harsh for a first meeting."
A playful voice echoed. The Guildmaster's brow twitched—a rare irritation.
"Beatrice. The capital?"
"Tedious. I see why you sent me."
"Hehe." The Guildmaster reclined. "And I see why you eavesdropped. Amusing?"
"Moderately. You rarely lose composure."
"Then expect more outbursts."
For the first time in decades...or millennia...she sighed.
"I should've killed her."
Yet they still needed her. And...
She grasped her heart.
No pulse, but hesitation lingered.
Hm. Let others exhaust her usefulness first.
"Your plans?"
Golden eyes glinted. "The western plague. Let her solve it for us."
Another scheme. Another wait.
Just another day...
...
...
"Haha..." Her palm covered her eyes. "I must be losing my mind."
The taste of the heart still lingered. Like she was truly one with her.
"I would have liked fear, alas..." A tint of regret washed over her. "You were as unpredictable as I remembered."
Should she gouge out her eyes next time? The Guildmaster squeezed her palms, fueled by a desire she could not recognize.