Chapter 53…
Finally.
The moment I had been waiting for had arrived.
If I just use this item… I could finally get rid of this damn status ailment.
“I absolutely refuse a fate that ends in a countdown to death.”
In this life, I will definitely be happy.
I’ll live well and prosper, just to spite all those enemies.
“Just wait and see! I’ll live healthily to 100 years old, mark my words!”
“Do you want to use Fate Distortion – Atropos’ Scissors?”
Without hesitation, I pressed YES.
Then, the hand holding the scissors moved on its own―
“…!”
A long, thin red thread appeared in the air.
This strange thread emerged from around my heart and stretched somewhere else.
Where it led― I couldn’t tell.
Thump. Thump.
My heart fluttered unsteadily.
Was it fear?
I had a premonition that if I cut it, there would be no turning back.
But right now, it wasn’t my will controlling me—it was the scissors.
The blades, opened wide like a crocodile’s jaw, gleamed ominously.
The red thread placed between them looked incredibly fragile.
With just a little force, it would snap easily.
But I had to want it. Even if I was scared.
The blades slowly closed, moving in what felt like slow motion.
And finally…
Snip.
The red thread connecting me to someone snapped.
At that moment…
“…!”
A vision unfolded in my mind.
The cut end of the red thread vanished instantly, like fireworks igniting.
And at the other end… there was Raul.
The completely burned red thread left only ash-like remnants over his heart as it disappeared.
Fate Distortion item applied successfully!
Status ailments cleared.
D-day deleted.
From now on, the power of fate will lead you to new connections.
As the system notification appeared, Raul’s vision dispersed like mist.
I blinked several times to refocus my vision on reality.
I stared down quietly.
The red thread that had come from my heart was now connected elsewhere.
Following the loosely hanging thread, I slowly moved my gaze.
At the end…
“…!”
“…Muriel?”
I moved my lips in surprise, and suddenly my right hand felt empty.
Looking down, the scissors I had been holding had crumbled into silvery dust.
“What…? Were they single-use?”
Before I could dwell on it, a worried voice made me lift my head again.
“Muriel? Are you really okay?”
“Uh… yeah.”
I averted my eyes slightly as I answered, and Lissian grabbed my chin and pulled me close.
“You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”
“I-I’m totally fine! Nothing happened!”
His face was so close I could feel his breath.
Flustered and unsure what to do, I hurriedly pushed him away, then shouted as I increased the distance.
“Task complete! Now we just need to head back!”
“Want me to guide you out?”
“Yes, please!”
I followed Neru with hurried steps, taking deep breaths. My heart was still pounding.
Lissian chased closely, but I deliberately ignored him and pretended to consult the “Revelation.”
In other words, I called the system.
“Status ailments, really gone? D-day deleted too?”
Status ailments successfully removed!
D-day now gone!
Muriel is now free!
ϵ(っꈍ~ꈍς)϶3
But be careful not to get tangled with Raul again!
※ Connection with Raul Winterberg: 0.01%
The system replied that way, then displayed my profile, as if urging me to check for myself.
Name: Muriel Terny
Age: 21
Race: Human
Titles: Sacrifice of the Terny family, Atonement, Pretty decent farm owner, Intermediate Apothecary
Traits: ■■■ ■■■ ■■’s blessing (□□ modifier)
Stats: ▶Click!
Skills Owned: Purification (Lv.6), Cultivation (Lv.8), Breeding (Lv.4), Cooking (Lv.5), Pharmacology (Lv.7)…
“Status ailments… really gone. D-day is gone too.”
Even so, the formal divorce procedure remained.
However, the system seemed to already consider Raul and I as “divorced.”
Why was that?
Perhaps the fate determined by the gods outweighed human law.
“Hmm…”
I wasn’t sure, but at least I had escaped a life with a ticking clock—something to celebrate.
“Now I just need to meet Raul and settle things.”
I should start preparing the divorce documents. Dante would probably help.
“Finally… truly liberated…”
After checking the profile, it finally hit me—I was no longer living on borrowed time.
“Sigh… I deserve a drink today!”
But since the divorce procedure remained, I decided to hold off on the celebration.
Connection with Raul is 0.01%… not quite zero, which bothers me.
“If we just meet and talk, it won’t suddenly jump to 10%, right…?”
Please… let that not happen.
The thought alone was terrifying.
Escaping a life with a countdown was exhilarating, but one problem remained.
Two days had passed while I was in the hidden shop.
“Muriel! Do you know how worried I was? Where did you go? You just come back now, without a word~!”
“Really… I was so worried… I’m glad you’re safe.”
“I thought you’d gone missing…”
Daphne, Allen, Mikhail.
“Where on earth have you been?”
And Dante too.
They all piled on with concern, a sentence or ten each.
Even other guild members came running in panic.
“Muriel! So you weren’t running away!”
“I thought only crazy people were in our guild, so I assumed you ran away…”
Feeling guilty for worrying the guild, I awkwardly smiled and came up with a plausible excuse.
“I went nearby to gather some herbs I needed. They’re essential, but no herb shops in this city carry them…”
Dante looked skeptical but ultimately accepted it with a resigned nod.
“Next time, please inform us before leaving. Lissian will follow like a persistent cursed doll, so no big danger, but I tend to worry about the safety of guild members.”
Why a cursed doll, of all things?
Still, it was thoughtful of him to care, so I smiled brightly and thanked him.
“Dante, if you ever go broke from gambling, I’ll lend you money next time.”
He seemed deeply moved, his eyes glistening.
“Muriel…!”
When he firmly held my hand, Lissian suddenly kicked Dante mercilessly.
“Argh!”
Dante’s scream cut through the room as he rolled three times on the floor before jumping up.
“That temper of yours!”
“Don’t touch him.”
“I was just saying thanks! Saying thanks!”
“Say it with words.”
“You maniac! Can’t Muriel even hold someone’s hand?!”
“No, not you.”
“I have no ulterior motives!”
Regardless of Dante’s protests, Lissian took out a handkerchief from his pocket and vigorously wiped my hands.
I could only laugh quietly.
“Ah… tomorrow morning I’ll just lounge around doing nothing and rest properly.”
“Please do.”
After lunch with the guild members, I went back to my room.
Collapsing onto the bed, I stole a glance at Lissian.
He was preparing a soothing drink because I had eaten too much greasy food.
Watching him stir the liquid in the glass with a muddler made me laugh.
I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“Lissian, you’re like a mother.”
“…….”
He looked at me with a baffled expression, then let out a light snort of laughter.
“Can you call me your husband instead?”
“Husband…?”
That playful title instantly brought back memories of the red thread I had tried so hard to forget.
I felt my face flush hotly and buried myself under the blanket.
Unable to contain myself any longer, I started punching the pillow in frustration.
“…? Muriel… am I that upsetting? Did I hurt you that much?”
“No!”
Panicked by the absurd misunderstanding, I jumped up and shouted.
Suddenly, my eyes met Lissian’s, who had quietly moved close.
“…!!”
Startled, I tried to hide under the blanket again.
But Lissian grabbed my waist, lifted me gently, and placed me on his lap.
Picking up the glass from the bedside table, he coaxed me in a whispering voice.
“Now, ah—do it.”
“…?”
If you want, I can also do a polished, natural English novel-style version next, which will read more smoothly while keeping all emotions and nuances intact.
Do you want me to do that.
