110. Deadline Approaching! A Date with the Administrator
After finishing my conversation with Perwin, I hurried back to my quarters.
I told myself it was because it was late and I wanted to rest, but in truth, there was another reason.
I was dying to check the mission rewards.
【SYSTEM: Partial mission success rewards are being distributed!】
[Kaien’s Memory Fragment, Kaien’s Affection +30, 1x Lucky Roulette Ticket.]
【SYSTEM: ‘#SchemingHeroine’ compatibility has increased! (2/3)】
[Keyword synergy effect has been activated.]
[Some items in the Lucky Point Shop have been unlocked.]
As I read through the cascade of rewards, the Administrator butted in.
【Unknown: Wow, amazing, amazing!】
【Unknown: (๑>◡<๑)b】
【Unknown: You actually succeeded in this mission too?】
【Unknown: My precious possessor, you’re just too brilliant.】
【Unknown: (ˊᗜˋ)/】
“Uh, thanks.”
Honestly, with the way the Administrator fired off over-the-top reactions at the mere fact I was breathing, I couldn’t help but feel my self-esteem rise.
【Unknown: Well then, let’s get right to claiming your rewards!】
【Unknown: ♪( ‘ω’ )】
He gave me a nudge forward.
Should I spin the Lucky Roulette first, or check Kaien’s Memory Fragment?
As I mulled it over happily, my eyes caught on the increased compatibility notice.
[Keyword synergy effect has been activated.]
“What exactly is a keyword synergy effect?”
【Unknown: If you ask that…!】
【Unknown: Of course, it’s my duty to answer!】
【Unknown: ⸜(ˊᗜˋ)⸝】
“?”
【Unknown: Keyword synergy means—】
【Unknown: As your Scheming Heroine compatibility rises, the affection of characters paired with that keyword also increases!】
【Unknown: On top of that, exclusive events are triggered! An absolutely incredible perk!】
【Unknown: ( •⌄• )✧】
Why did it sound like one of those cheesy home-shopping “almost sold out” pitches?
【Unknown: What’s with that face?】
【Unknown: Do I look like I’m making exaggerated false claims?】
【Unknown: ( ¯⌓¯)】
“No, no.”
(Though… it’s kind of true.)
“Then who’s paired with my keyword? Don’t be vague—just say it clearly.”
【Unknown: Well, you know.】
【Unknown: Each keyword has its natural matches.】
【Unknown: For example, if it’s ‘#SunshineHeroine’?】
【Unknown: Naturally, ‘#WoundedMaleLead’ and ‘#ObsessiveMaleLead’ follow along!】
【Unknown: So, if it’s Scheming Heroine…?!】
【Unknown: ( •⌄• )✧】
“If it’s Scheming Heroine?”
At that moment, the Lucky Point Shop popped open in front of me.
“……?”
What was this now?
【Unknown: For details, please purchase the <Character Keyword Peek> item.】
【Unknown: (๑^⩊^๑)】
“You little…”
So it’s a paid service after all.
This guy toyed with me as easily as breathing.
“Hm.”
I did want to test this new function… and there was one character I was particularly curious about.
“Oh, I know just the one.”
Kaien.
As the mastermind of the original story, he was shrouded in mystery.
Since Seraphine turned out to have keywords I didn’t know about, it would definitely be worth checking Kaien’s too.
【Unknown: For reference, this Admin—】
【Unknown: Is the perfect match for you, regardless of keyword!】
【Unknown: Normally it’s a secret, but I’ll share it only with you.】
【Unknown: smooch smooch ( ´ 3 `)♥】
“Sure, thanks.”
【Unknown: Cold… so cold.】
【Unknown: That was my killer flirting move, you know.】
“Yeah, yeah.”
I brushed it off and closed the Lucky Point Shop.
The Keyword Peek might cost points, but I had a Lucky Roulette Ticket on hand.
Time to cash in.
[You have received 1x ‘Lucky Roulette Ticket’.]
[☞ Spin the Roulette Now ☜]
The moment I selected it, a translucent roulette wheel appeared before me.
“The classic gambling roulette, huh.”
A black disc glittered with gold, silver, and bronze sections, beckoning me to spin.
“Roulette, spi—”
Just as I was about to spin, the Administrator slipped in a comment.
【Unknown: I hope you get something groundbreaking.】
【Unknown: Like, say… a Date with the Administrator ticket?】
【Unknown: Hehe. ( ´▽` )>】
“Date? Isn’t that just something we can do anyway? You have an avatar now.”
【Unknown: Oh?! (°Д°)】
【Unknown: You’ll go on a date with me? Really???】
He was the one who brought it up, but with his overreaction, I was the one feeling embarrassed.
“A date’s nothing special. It just means hanging out together, right?”
No reason I couldn’t.
【Unknown: What! (꒪⌓꒪)】
【Unknown: What kind of barren, soulless date is that?】
【Unknown: A proper date has to be heart-thumping and fluttery!】
【Unknown: (╥﹏╥) Boo.】
【Unknown: Still, a date’s a date…】
Muttering to himself—or maybe just reacting—he suddenly pressed me again.
【Unknown: Anyway, it’s a promise now, right?】
【Unknown: You absolutely have to go on a date with me next time!】
“Fine. Just think of what we’re doing then. I’m spinning now, okay?”
【Unknown: Okay, okay. Let’s go!】
【Unknown: (´∀｀)/】
He was back to his cheerful self in no time.
“Spin the roulette.”
The massive wheel began to turn.
Clack, clack, clack, clack—
As I watched the pointer snap past each section, tension rose inside me.
I wasn’t hoping for some ultra-rare hidden item.
With the Hunt Festival coming up, I just wanted something useful.
The wheel spun furiously, then began to slow.
Even though I tried not to expect much, a sliver of anticipation inevitably crept in.
The pointer wavered between a bronze slot and a gold one.
‘Don’t tell me it’ll stop on the border again?’
Clack—
The wheel stopped.
No miraculous 0.0001% jackpot this time.
‘Still… it’s not bad.’
【Unknown: Oh my, oh my!】
【Unknown: A golden item!】
【Unknown: ヘ(°◇ °)ノ】
The wheel had landed on gold.
A golden glow filled my vision as the reward appeared.
[Congratulations! You’ve won ‘Invitation into a Dream (Single Use)’
: You are invited into a dream.
This item allows you to peek into the unconscious mind of a chosen male lead.
A perfect opportunity to discover his hidden, intimate side you could never see otherwise!
TIP! Who knows, it might even trigger a special event? ♥]
“Oh?”
An item that lets me peek into someone’s unconscious?
I stared in surprise, but the Administrator was even more thrilled.
【Unknown: This is the thing!!!】
“What thing?”
【Unknown: Y’know… that thing. My absolute favorite kind of thing.】
【Unknown: (๑^⩊^๑)】
“You realize there are two ways to piss someone off? One is by stopping mid-sentence. And the other… is also stopping mid-sentence.”
“Finish what you’re saying already.”
Especially when he was grinning so suspiciously.
【Unknown: Come on, doesn’t ‘entering dreams’ ring a bell?】
“What’s that supposed to mean? Stop being cryptic.”
【Unknown: Succubus.】
“…Huh?”
【Unknown: Also called a ‘nightmare.’】
【Unknown: A demon that digs into human hearts through dreams.】
【Unknown: After all, even the coldest person is defenseless in a dream.】
【Unknown: You slip into his unconscious, and then…】
【Unknown: (details omitted)】
“……”
The item only said <Invitation into a Dream>, but thanks to the Administrator it suddenly sounded sinister.
“If I enter his dream, wouldn’t that just give him a nightmare?”
【Unknown: Nah, nah.】
【Unknown: (๑^⩊^๑)】
【Unknown: On the contrary…】
【Unknown: (details omitted)】
“Why do you keep cutting yourself off?”
He was clearly having the time of his life.
I doubted anything dramatic would actually happen, but his words left me flustered.
As I tried to cool my cheeks, a message arrived—perfect timing.
[Master, where are you?]
[I just got back to the mansion.]
[Want to meet up for a bit?]
【Unknown: Perfect.】
【Unknown: The ideal test subject for your new item just walked right in.】
【Unknown: ✧(`꒳´)↝】
XD
Admin is too excited for this