DBOFS 25

Chapter 25

I unconsciously clutched the stone around my neck—Adrian (the pebble).

“World’s strongest guide protagonist, if you’re watching, give me strength!”

Of course, no answer came. Clearly, he wasn’t watching.

Sigh… What should I do?

I couldn’t rely on Adrian’s (pebble) aura-guiding forever.

I need a tranquilizer. If not a human one (a Guide), then at least a potion…

I sighed internally. No matter how much I pondered, no answer would come.

To be blunt, Harris would probably survive no matter what. It was my life, the life of an extra, that was at risk.

I need information. That’s the only way I can prepare.

If this was two years before the main plot of <Divine Evil>, and this was the unknown dungeon from two years prior…

Could it be that one?

The dungeon that was only cleared after another S-rank ability user showed up—just before Harris and Adrian escaped?

The one who cleared it had fire abilities, right?

My eyes widened.

If this really was that dungeon…

It could be the jackpot!

I wouldn’t even have to go through the pain of finding Haesoo, putting Harris in position as Duke, and standing before the Emperor. The item that could break Adrian’s magical seal dropped in this dungeon!

If this really is that dungeon, there won’t be a better chance than this.

Still, I couldn’t be completely certain.

Even though I knew it well, my heart pounded like crazy.

Stay calm. Even if it’s not the dungeon I think, any unknown dungeon still has great rewards.

I took a deep breath to calm my excitement.

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“…!”

The former Duke expressing gratitude caught me off guard.

Wait—did that stuffy, status-obsessed old man just thank someone?

What’s going on? Did he finally remember that Harris is his biological grandson?

“I almost disgraced the name of Godwin, not to mention suffering a great loss.”

Ah. Never mind. He was talking about the “Tears of the Black Mermaid,” not the dungeon.

“It wasn’t me. My bonded Guide took care of it. Please extend your thanks to her.”

Unlike me, who was surprised, Harris remained expressionless.

“Do you think she did it for no reason? She did it for you.”

“Regardless, I’m not the one to receive the thanks.”

“I wasn’t only referring to that.”

The former Duke slowly lifted his head and met Harris’ gaze.

“I won’t make excuses for not knowing about your circumstances.”

“……”

“I’d understand if you resented me or wanted revenge.”

…Wait a second. That’s one of those apologies that are worse than no apology at all!

Some people might be relieved to finally hear an apology.

But Harris isn’t one of them.

He’d spent too long in isolation, and in such a lonely, imprisoned state, there’s no room for forgiveness—only resentment and hatred.

An apology, after all, implies asking for forgiveness.

But for Harris, forgiveness is impossible—especially for a grandfather who had abandoned him long ago and only now tries to act when it’s convenient.

I quickly glanced at Harris. Under the table, his hand was clenched tightly into a fist.

As if saying: I didn’t crawl out of hell to hear this pathetic excuse of an apology.

The veins bulging from his hand radiated pure hatred.

No, no, no!

We agreed to play along until everything was resolved—no rampaging now! No violence allowed!

I quickly reached over and gently patted the back of Harris’s clenched hand.

Calm down. Calm down!

“…!”

His hand flinched at the sudden touch, but I ignored it and kept stroking it.

“So, your Guide—”

“My bonded Guide.”

“…Your bonded Guide.”

Harris immediately corrected him, showing his patience was wearing thin.

After a moment’s silence, the former Duke continued.

“I’m grateful that she was willing to act for the Godwin household and allowed us to benefit from it.”

For someone who previously treated me like a nobody, it was a surprisingly sincere statement.

The only problem was that the more he spoke, the more prominent the veins on Harris’s hand became.

He’s furious!

Harris had promised me.

And since he’s someone who keeps promises, he would do everything he could to reclaim his position and become the head of the Godwin family.

But some things are just emotionally unforgivable.

“…I.”

Harris finally spoke, his voice choked and forced.

“Your Excellency… I mean, Grandfather…”

I want to kill you. I hate you.

His red lips trembled, trying to hold back the fury.

I could feel the air grow tense with sharp hostility.

And the former Duke’s violet eyes were still fixed on Harris, observing him carefully.

…This is a test.

I got chills.

God. Even this so-called apology was just another one of this crusty old bastard’s tests!

No wonder he brought up the dungeon so quickly!

He was trying to catch us off guard!

That’s probably why he summoned both me and Harris at once too.

I didn’t know what Harris had requested, but the way the Duke instantly rejected it and set up conflicting expectations—it was all likely part of his test.

This unknown dungeon as well.

He could leave it to Harris—but that’s not his only option.

He probably already had other methods lined up. That’s how it went in <Divine Evil>, too.

How long does he plan to keep testing him?

Sure, Harris was suspicious and wary of me too—but he had every right.

But you, the actual grandfather, shouldn’t be doing this!

We’re total strangers. You are his family!

Even if paranoia is in the Godwin genes, this is too much!

“Your Excellency, that last comment…”

Stop fishing. We can all tell you’re baiting him.

—Or so I was about to say, damn the social hierarchy—

GRRROOOOWL—

My stomach suddenly let out a loud, thundering growl.

“……”

“……”

“……”

Awkward silence descended over the room.

A breeze seemed to blow, scattering imaginary leaves at my feet. The once-heavy atmosphere turned painfully awkward.

So embarrassing.

My righteous anger immediately morphed into unbearable shame.

Even Harris and the former Duke were staring at me in stunned silence.

“S-Sorry, I’m just hungry.”

“…Hungry? Why?”

The one who snapped out of the daze first was Harris.

Why? That’s obvious.

“Because I haven’t eaten anything since I woke up today…?”

“What?!”

The voice came from the Duke’s side. His face hardened into a fearsome scowl.

“You haven’t eaten? When was your last meal?!”

I tried to recall and muttered blankly.

“…The dungeon prison?”

“What? That was ages ago!”

The Duke looked genuinely shocked.

“Why haven’t you eaten until now?!”

“Well, as soon as I woke up, I was summoned by Your Excellency…”

The Duke’s face contorted at my words.

Wait… why are you acting like this? I thought you didn’t even like me?

Why do you care if I’ve eaten or not?

—Was what I wanted to say, but the Duke’s face had become terrifying.

“I told them to prepare at least some porridge when you woke…!”

Even Harris didn’t hold back.

Porridge? Ah, right. Since I was unconscious for a while, I should eat something easy to digest.

Our Harris really is a caring, detail-oriented person…

I was just about to smile from the sweet consideration when Harris’s gaze sharpened and I quickly looked away.

Why are they mad when I’m the one who’s been starving?

Are they upset about poor hospitality? Or embarrassed that I wasn’t treated well?

Whatever it is, calm down, both of you!

I raised my hands in surrender.

“W-Well, I didn’t receive any food…”

“Why?!”

“P-Probably because they were busy?”

“Busy?! What could be so important that they let you go hungry?!”

Weird. The more I try to explain, the further we drift from calmness.

It feels like I’m waving a red flag at angry bulls.

“Jade!”

“Y-Yes?!”

Before I could think further, their sharp stares bore into me.

“A-Anyway, I didn’t want to keep His Excellency waiting, so I rushed and forgot to—”

“Forgot?”

Scoffing, Harris slammed his fist onto the table.

BANG—!

With that one blow, the finely crafted marble table—undoubtedly passed down through the Godwin family—shattered.

“……”

I looked at the crack extending toward my side of the table.

No abilities, just pure strength. S-rank physical stats were no joke.

If that punch even grazed me, I’d be dead, haha…

Spare this pitiful extra.

Harris might’ve once tried to kill me, but now I realized he’d really been holding back.

Probably because I worked hard as his doormat.

He saved me from prison and even humiliated his jerk grandfather for me.

I must continue to improve and become an even better doormat!

Pride? What pride? Survival comes first!

As I stealthily edged away, Harris muttered coldly.

“Even the servants in this castle treat me with contempt.”

“Uh, I wouldn’t go that far…”

“Don’t you agree, Your Excellency?”

His crimson eyes flared with rage. His clenched fist throbbed with veined fury—ready to strike, grandfather or not.

No! No more patricide, please!

“D-Don’t get so worked up over something minor!”

“……”

Ironically, the one who could’ve yelled “Who’s being disrespectful now?!” was the quietest of all.

The former Duke wouldn’t meet anyone’s gaze, his neck flushed red with shame.

Seriously… why are you acting like this? This isn’t like you, Duke!

Please stop obsessing over the fake tranquilizer, Mr. Villain.