Chapter 6
I stared blankly at the status window, dumbfounded.
Silvester, Gabriella, and Astina—those names were all familiar.
They were the saint NPCs from the game Demon Realm Great Subjugation.
While I played that game in my previous life, they would show up from time to time to offer advice.
Along with that advice, they also gifted players with cash items and rare items, so they were very popular characters.
Especially Silvester—he was a former Pope and a legendary saint, so he rarely appeared for lower-level players.
But what was this?
They were saying they had been desperately waiting for me to just finish the tutorial?
“Are you kidding me? You erased my memory and let a child suffer through all that? You should’ve at least told me I was inside a game!”
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ says he did tell you, but erased your memory afterward.>
“Why would you do that?!”
<‘Yuri Druid Gabriella’ says it’s more immersive if you suffer without knowing anything.>
<‘From Maid to Saint—Astina’ says deleting your memory was the best method to make you truly become Crescent Delight. She sends her condolences.>
“Wow! You psychopaths!”
Despite my outburst, the status window remained silent.
Now that I thought about it, I did vaguely remember agreeing to have my memory erased—but so what?
It wasn’t really a choice; it was practically forced upon me.
Now I even felt betrayed by myself.
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ says he’s sorry, but insists you need to experience things vividly for stronger motivation.>
How much had I suffered after losing my dad?
The supporters within the system seemed to sense my gloom and looked a little sheepish.
If erasing my memory had been their way of making me into the real Crescent, then… surprisingly, it had worked.
Because my mind was now completely focused on saving my father.
Thanks to the system, it was clear—I was the daughter of the Demon King Baal. And just before he died, he had longed for me.
There had to be a piece of my real father’s soul still inside him.
So let’s meet him again. Let’s find him and bring him back to who he really was.
Let’s save Dad—and the world.
That thought calmed my heart a little.
But that wasn’t how the original story went. It was an absurd direction for this world.
I wiped my tears and stood up, glaring at the status window.
“I’m really angry, you know. I suffered as a child for twelve years. How could you give me a dad, then take him away? So… give me compensation!”
Make it good, you so-called saints!
<……>
<……>
“Why are you quiet? I didn’t even know it was a tutorial and went through child abuse! And I was branded the daughter of the Demon King by everyone in the village, pelted with stones! I lost count of how many days I went hungry! If I had just died then, the tutorial would’ve ended sooner!”
I had survived through it all just to live—so I could see Dad again.
Even though I ended up dying after trying to save the male lead who killed him.
“And also—!”
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ breaks into a cold sweat.>
<‘Yuri Druid Gabriella’ says since you agreed to everything, there’s no reason to give anything beyond the basic tutorial rewards.>
“What did you say—?!”
<‘Yuri Druid Gabriella’ adds that since you endured better than expected, she’s willing to consider an additional reward.>
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester,’ ‘Yuri Druid Gabriella,’ and ‘From Maid to Saint—Astina’ put their heads together!>
Yes! That’s what I’m talking about!
“And don’t you dare try to fob me off with something lame…”
Tears welled up in my eyes again as I sniffled in frustration.
Eventually, the system window reappeared.
<Tutorial completion rewards are being distributed!>
<You have received 500 million cash!>
<You have received 10 teleportation scrolls!>
<You have received 1 Wish Ticket from your sponsors!>
Those were the basic rewards I was supposed to get…
<Additional rewards for surviving the tutorial are being distributed!>
<An additional 2 billion cash has been granted!>
“What? Two billion?”
I rubbed my eyes and stared harder.
<An additional 10 teleportation scrolls have been granted!>
<300 more job classes have been added to your class list!>
<When taking job change quests, selecting a class will automatically boost your level by 10 tiers!>
“Wh-what the heck?!”
The extravagant bonus rewards made my head spin.
Having played the game countless times in my past life, I knew just how generous this package was.
Even if you were the CEO’s daughter, you wouldn’t get perks like this.
And it didn’t stop there.
<As a special exception, your inventory has been unlocked! You can now easily store your items!>
<The map of the Sientry Empire has been revealed!>
<For the next 3 years, your stamina and nutrition levels will not deteriorate!>
<Tutorial basic and bonus rewards have all been granted!>
“Wow…”
At last, the reward parade ended.
My jaw hung open in awe.
I hadn’t expected the saints to be this generous.
Even the three-year immunity to fatigue and malnutrition meant I could now survive without much worry.
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ puffs up proudly and asks if you like it.>
<‘Yuri Druid Gabriella’ says it’s all thanks to you surviving those 12 years.>
<‘Yuri Druid Gabriella’ adds that rescuing the male lead unexpectedly was also considered in the reward.>
<‘From Maid to Saint—Astina’ applauds the unprecedented bonus reward!>
“Th-thank you. Truly, you’re guardian saints.”
I folded my hands and smiled politely.
Just seeing the number 2.5 billion cash made me feel full. I was practically a tycoon now. Probably the youngest billionaire in the world.
Whatever I decided to do, money wouldn’t be an obstacle anymore.
As I scanned the reward list again, something came to mind.
“By the way, dear saints…”
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ looks at you curiously.>
“This sponsor wish ticket—can I use it right now? Please… bring my dad back. That’s my only wish…”
<‘Yuri Druid Gabriella’ regretfully says that’s not possible.>
<‘From Maid to Saint—Astina’ says they could give you more cash instead.>
“……”
I knew it.
I murmured awkwardly.
“Oh, I didn’t really expect it to work or anything. Still… thank you.”
I forced a smile. At least the hefty reward package was some consolation.
* * *
After that reward shower—practically a soda shower—I enjoyed my satisfaction.
Even though the 2.5 billion cash felt like some sort of death benefit, it didn’t wash away the years of hardship I had endured.
But at least, now the journey to get Dad back felt a little easier.
And that alone was a huge comfort to me.
Leaving behind the gaping hole in the wall, I headed upstairs.
Has it been four years since I was last in this house?
It had been a long time.
Just moments ago, I could still see traces of the happy life Dad and I had lived together, still lingering in every corner.
Eventually, I entered Dad’s room.
Compared to mine, it was far simpler and smaller. Just like him, the space was neat and clean.
When I once asked why there was so little in his room, what had he said?
“I don’t need anything else as long as I have my little Crescent.”
Yes, that was it.
He always used to say things like that.
I bit my lip to hold back tears as I opened the wardrobe.
Only about five sets of clothes hung inside.
When I was younger, I thought Dad just didn’t like clothes. But that wasn’t it. He had chosen not to spend anything on himself so he could spend more on me.
“Dad…”
And finally, the tears fell.
I clutched one of his coats and buried my face in it.
