Chapter 3: Tiamat

A decaying civilization, filthy streets, a somber atmosphere hanging low, and people who resembled Westerners more than Easterners.

The world, so drastically changed, was foreign to my everyday life, and the list of differences could go on endlessly.

Initially, it hit me with immense shock, but after several days of being here, I wasn’t particularly despairing anymore.

Or, perhaps, that’s a bit of a misstatement.

It was more accurate to say that despair had become the default, so there was nothing worse to come.

Even so, it was strangely quick for me to adapt, considering the former, weak me. I assumed it was because of my characteristics.

Characteristics. Special powers that I possessed.

In other words, passive skills.

Even excluding the five authorities, Tiamat had ‘four characteristics.’

“I was just guessing, but I didn’t expect to prove it so quickly.”

Around me lay the corpses of the men who had tried to attack me.

Even considering it was self-defense, it was my first murder.

Nevertheless, my emotions didn’t stir particularly. A bit of sentiment, that was all.

I could only conclude that I was under the influence of something.

• Krr-krr.

Three monsters nearby cried out.

They seemed happy. Were they perhaps able to vaguely understand my feelings as their master?

I let them be happy.

Their contributions in this battle were significant. It would have been dangerous if it were just me.

‘The Bizarre Strength’ characteristic allowed me to surpass the physical limits of an average person, but it was still only at Lv. 1.

Tiamat’s level was the same.

I never expected to encounter a group of enemies, including a swordsman who could manipulate magic, right from the start.

Truly, this world was insane.

I enjoyed creating it so much, but for the first time, I began to resent everyone.

“Did everyone end up in the same situation as me?”

I’d thought about it several times, but honestly, I was skeptical.

I was the only one who pressed the play button, and, above all, such a bizarre phenomenon couldn’t happen multiple times.

Still, I didn’t completely deny the possibility.

Because it was also a faint hope, along with my goal of returning to my original world someday.

I shook my head.

Thinking deeply about it was meaningless for now.

The situation was so uncertain that whether I could even survive was unclear.

Even though I’d moved as inconspicuously as possible, dangerous gnats hadn’t stopped swarming me.

I could see a white, delicate hand.

A hand quite different from my original one.

I brushed my small face with Tiamat’s hand. This appearance must have been the cause.

I understood.

She was a woman created to enchant anyone.

I hadn’t realized it would be me.

I steeled my sinking heart.

Let’s examine my current state rather than despairing.

“First, these guys.”

When I pointed, the guys tilted their heads.

The identities of these children were the ‘Gapsan Monsters.’

They have bizarre forms and wield bows and fire. They are said to have appeared once in Gapsan, located in South Hamgyong Province.

Of course, I didn’t truly believe this nonsense.

I just did research in that direction because I thought it would be interesting to mix the ‘monsters of the East’ into a medieval fantasy.

They were included in the ‘Yogoe’ among the five authorities.

After much deliberation, I invested the meager skill points there.

“It was a good choice. It’s a shame there are only three for now.”

Summoned beasts couldn’t be used indefinitely.

All the activities, such as summoning and maintaining them, put a burden on the user. With my current level, three Gapsan Monsters were my limit.

Even that would be beyond the reach of the ordinary residents of this world, but what did it matter?

The enemies I would face were far beyond ordinary.

And then, the four characteristics.

Although all were in their initial state, they were much better than nothing.

Finally, when my thoughts reached my meager savings, I glanced at the corpses.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t yet gathered the spoils.

The reward for the victor, which I took legitimately, was a considerable amount of money and the weapons the men had used.

Though not a large sum, I wouldn’t have to worry about being homeless for a while.

I gave the equipment to the Gapsan Monsters.

They already had bows and fire, so it wouldn’t be of much use, but I could sell them later if I had them.

I gathered the corpses and incinerated them with the Gapsan Monsters’ fire.

The firepower wasn’t so strong that it could completely eliminate the traces, but unless they investigated properly, there wouldn’t be any chance of being caught.

‘They were just thugs or bandits, so there’s nothing to worry about.’

I sent back one Gapsan Monster and was currently maintaining the summons of the other two.

Summoned beasts couldn’t be freely removed or created. Once you send one back, time is needed before the next summoning, and the next one summoned will be different from the previous.

The experiences and knowledge accumulated by a single summoned beast are also reset.

Therefore, it is ideal for the user to continuously maintain the summoning to create a strong army.

I needed to leave at least minimal bodyguards, not knowing what kind of threats might come, and the two Gapsan Monsters would be protecting me from an inconspicuous location.

If I were discovered by someone, I would be inevitably exterminated as a monster, and as the user, I would be labeled a black mage or a witch.

That’s why, in fact, it was a card that involved a risk just by using it.

“Damn it. I should have made something more normal.”

If I had summoned something like an angel instead of these hideous monsters, I would have been immediately revered as a noble being.

Even so, there were still many dangers.

Danger. That gave me my immediate goal.

“I have to get stronger.”

The urgent matter was growth.

In this world, the weak could do nothing.

According to the information I got from the inn, this place was Juleng Village, located on the edge of the Oormin Kingdom.

The nearest major city is Bihelm.

There would be tempting quests there.

Of course, I couldn’t carry them out right now.

In my current state, I wouldn’t even make it there before dying a dog’s death. Fortunately, there was one more piece of tantalizing information.

“A priest is coming?”

A priest would be visiting within the next few days.

The power of the religion in this world, where gods exist, is formidable. High-ranking clergy receive treatment equivalent to nobles, and an ordinary priest would be a baron at least.

There must be some reason for such a person to come to such a small village.

In other words, I got a premonition of a quest.

It’s worth checking out at least.

After finishing my thoughts, I headed to the clothing store first. It was to buy something to cover my face.

“Welcome… who, who are you?”

“Do you have a robe? Something that covers the whole body.”

I could tell the necessity just from the owner’s reaction. He probably thought I was a noble or some special figure.

Ignoring him intentionally, he quickly brought out the requested item.

“Here, it is. The price is-“

“Take it.”

“Thank you. Please, take a look.”

I handed over a part of the spoils and walked out.

It was still informal to the end. I couldn’t imagine Tiamat using honorifics when I created her, and it seemed I was influenced by that.

It was better that way. This world should never be underestimated.

I was already in the appearance of a delicate woman, so I had to be strong in my attitude, at least.

“…Next is.”

I put on the robe and walked to the nearby inn.

It’s the only inn in the village.

Actually, Tiamat doesn’t need to sleep. Nor does she need to eat.

It’s another function of the ‘Bizarre Strength’ characteristic.

So, using the inn was a waste of money, but I decided it was necessary.

A village with a small population is sensitive to outsiders.

My existence had already spread.

This barbaric world, based on the Middle Ages, tends to label you a heretic or a devil worshiper for just a little suspicious behavior.

If you don’t have a place to stay, it’s easy to be suspected.

“It’s annoying, but I can’t help it.”

That was when I entered the inn.

Several pairs of eyes were fixed on me.

Eyes filled with wariness and curiosity.

Since I was completely covered, it was something I had to expect. It’s not an uncommon outfit in this world, so they wouldn’t be too suspicious.

Feigning indifference, I approached the counter.

“…Wh-What can I do for you?”

The innkeeper flinched at the sight of the red eyes inside the hood, but the familiar words came out instinctively.

Pointing upwards, I said.

“A room. A quiet one.”

“Alright. Do you need food?”

“No. I’ve already eaten.”

There was no need to worry about getting caught in a lie.

The innkeeper nodded without any doubt.

It was when I paid the fee and received the room key.

“Hey, where did you come from?”

Though the target wasn’t specified, I naturally knew the words were aimed at me.

Turning around, I saw a man and several other men. In their eyes, there was a different kind of interest than before.

Well, even if my face was covered, my voice would be heard. Even if that wasn’t the case, word would have spread through those who had seen me.

“None of your business.”

Annoyance and irritation came at the same time.

My cold voice naturally burst out, and they frowned.

“Your attitude is rude. Are you from the barbarian tribe?”

“Or maybe not even from the kingdom.”

“Hmph. Why the fuss? Sorry. Outsiders are rare in Juleng…”

I will avoid unnecessary conflicts, but I don’t want to go out of my way to accommodate such people.

“If you’re sorry, mind your own business.”

A provocateur, one who pretends to mediate.

In any case, they were all in cahoots. There was no reason to get along with them, whatever they thought.

I went upstairs as I was.

I could hear the sound of their tongues clicking behind me, but no one stood up.

I wasn’t a murderer or a psychopath.

If I went along like this, no misfortune would happen.

The discomfort was exacerbated the moment I entered the designated room. It was damp and dirty.

It was difficult to tell whether the musty smell was caused by mold on the walls or another cause.

“Haa.”

A deep sigh. That was all I could do.

It was something I had prepared for when I realized I had fallen into this crazy world. It was a fairly decent inn for a village like this.

At least, the fact that I didn’t have to sleep and the fact that I was unlikely to catch a disease thanks to the ‘Bizarre Strength’ gave me some comfort.

To escape this kind of life, I would have to earn money or get stronger. Suddenly, the motivation for the quest welled up.

There was a window in the room.

I was considering leaving from there and returning naturally in the morning, but I gave up on it today.

Fatigue from battle and mental fatigue.

I had to rest, even if I forced myself. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.

Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes as if meditating.

Beyond the black world, the atrocities of the nine high-ranking players were repeated.

I opened my eyes.

Morning sunlight shining through the window. After briefly checking my body and belongings, I went downstairs.

I was going to gather detailed information today.

As the creator, I know a lot about this world. The problem was that most of it was fragmentary, like pieces of a puzzle.

The reason was my low participation frequency and the fact that the scenario of the world was unfinished.

So, there would be something to gain from gathering information.

“We don’t know anything.”

“Really? It’s said that Calvin and his subordinates often visited this inn.”

“We really don’t know. We don’t bother to find out about individual guests.”

The characteristic sounds of the conversation pierced my sensitive ears. I sat nearby and opened my ears.

“Also, they were a dangerous group. It wouldn’t be strange if they got into trouble somewhere.”

It was the story of the men I had dealt with yesterday.

The innkeeper’s appeal was judged to be true, and a soldier, seemingly a member of the guard, nodded slightly. He turned his back after looking inside once.

He must have thought there wouldn’t be any further gains.

‘They didn’t find any traces.’

It was good news.

I didn’t expect a mere soldier to find out, but this was one danger averted.

It was then that I had made that hasty judgment.

“Please wait a moment, Sir Guard!”

“What is it?”

It was the voice from last night.

The one who had asked where I came from. A sudden sense of foreboding welled up.

“There’s a suspicious person here!”

The end of a dirty fingernail pointed at me.

The look of gloating was annoying. With that, they intended to make me troublesome by using the fact that I was an outsider.

They didn’t really think I had anything to do with it.

The guard’s gaze turned towards me.

“Why is she suspicious? Who is this person?”

“Well, we don’t know. She’s an outsider.”

“An outsider?”

“Yes. And she hasn’t been here for long. We don’t know the details of what happened, but wouldn’t we have to be suspicious if there was a change during that time?”

“Hmm…”

He stroked his chin and stared at me intently.

He seemed to think it was reasonable. The guard nodded his chin with the gaze of someone who held the decision-making power.

“Take off the robe and show your face.”

I was in a dilemma.

If I was suspected, he would investigate my detailed identity, and I couldn’t present an acceptable identity. It would be even more difficult if they were to try to restrain me.

The fact that I was different from ordinary humans would be revealed quickly. I didn’t have the strength to escape then.

But running away from this place would be the same as confessing.

The guard would pursue me immediately.

“Hey, can’t you hear me?”

With the brief hesitation, his suspicion seemed to lean towards certainty. He put his hand on his sword and approached me step by step.

I braced myself, murmuring a single groan.

The top priority was my survival.

Regardless of the means and methods, I would protect it.

‘The Gapsan Monsters can intervene at any time.’

The summoned beasts and the user are connected by their souls.

Even if that wasn’t the case, dealing with the guard alone wasn’t a problem. I wouldn’t kill him.

I didn’t want to incur hatred.

“I think that man is right. You’ll have to come with me.”

“That won’t be possible.”

“…A woman? Well, whatever. Unfortunately, I don’t accept the opinions of the vagrant. We have been ordered to take responsibility for the safety of the village.”

I snorted.

Safety of the village? Since when did he fulfill that mission so well? According to his words, I wouldn’t have been attacked.

“What’s that smile?”

Did he feel insulted? The guard’s temples throbbed. As he slowly drew his sword, and the moment I clenched my fist.

The level voice that didn’t match the imminent situation intervened.

“How absurd. The investigation method in Juleng is quite barbaric.”

The heads of those present reflexively turned.

At the entrance of the inn, a golden-haired man in a white robe embroidered with gold thread was standing.

I realized at first sight that he was not an ordinary person.

Smooth skin, clean clothes, and even well-groomed hair. Such common characteristics were very rare in this world.

Just the people here couldn’t hide their dirty appearances. Adornment was a luxury.

In other words, that man was in a position to afford luxury.

“Trying to draw a sword without anything certain. And against a woman, at that.”

“Who are you…?”

The guard was stunned by the unexpected development.

The shout came from another guard standing next to the man.

“Everyone, show respect! This is the chosen priest who serves El Seneca, the goddess of order and law, Lord Naelun!”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

It wasn’t just the reaction.

The guard, who had been glaring at me just moments ago, assumed a fixed posture like a soldier who had met his superior, and the man who had reported me also lowered his eyes.

I watched him quietly.

The rumored priest. When did he arrive?

Did he feel my gaze? His gaze intertwined with mine in the air.