Petting cats, training, sleeping. My life as Muels is that simple and ordinary. As a player focused on retirement, I don't find this life boring. This is how life is, unless I choose to set sail and chase distant lands and maidens.
No, the distant lands are too far, and I'm tired. If possible, I wish to lie flat forever—dead people are much more comfortable than living ones.
Enough.
I shook my head, untied the hair tie from my ponytail, and walked into the bathroom. I washed off the sweat and dirt from training, then lay down in the bathtub.
Bathing is so comfortable, I feel light and airy, every pore relaxed.
With the moisture of this small happiness, I can endure for one more day, one more day, and another. I don't care how many days are left until the end of my life; I'm just accumulating the days I've lived, day after day. This is how I live, waiting for the day my soil dries out.
I buried my head in the bathtub water. Enveloped by the warm water, it felt like returning to the origin of life. I’ve always thought, I wish I had never been born. Whether in the "real world" or here, I am an accident. My mother in the "real world" was too young at the time and couldn't handle this accident, almost deciding to abort me.
She should have aborted me, then I wouldn't have had to endure all the subsequent pain. The second child might have been excellent, and better yet if it were a boy, making it easier for her to rely on, and she would have had an easier life.
A child who is both poor and stupid is a burden. There's no need to suffer unnecessarily in the world.
"..."
At least I have money now, the money I've always dreamed of, lots and lots of money.
With my dream come true, freedom can temporarily take a backseat.
I dried myself, blew my hair dry, put on my clothes, and stepped out of my room, strolling through the corridor.
During the day, Kikyo told me that the comprehensive inspection and rule orientation for the "toy" were complete, and it could be put into use with confidence.
Kikyo specifically reminded me that the "toy" had been handled by the previous owner and would not result in death without special measures.
I know that the degree of damage to a "toy" is related to its use. Unless it's a minority with peculiar tastes, most people still need a "toy" with intact appearances to have any interest.
It was ruined early this morning. Kikyo didn't care about my reputation at all, only my trial experience. I felt like she wouldn't mind coming to the scene herself to provide real-time guidance... No, I can't handle that kind of care.
I can be very "free" and yet not free.
Fine, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I get it. The path I chose, I must walk even if I have to crawl.
At least I managed to get permission to remove the surveillance cameras near that guest room, so my comings and goings are not recorded, making "freedom" more freeing.
According to the game rules, the "toy" can only stay in the room. The landline in the room is the only communication channel, used to contact the butler in charge.
I [took out] the key and opened the "toy's" locked room.
Oh, from now on, I'll call this the "toy room."
The faint click of the lock was very clear in the quiet main house. Immediately, I heard hurried footsteps from inside the door. When I opened it, as expected, I saw the "toy" waiting at the door, bowing to me. "Welcome back, Master."
"..." Too much, the maid cafe vibe (not!) is too strong.
Ignoring the "toy," I closed the door and walked straight in. I meticulously checked every corner to ensure there were no cameras or listening devices, then [put on] the voice-emitting device and turned to ask the "toy" following me, "What tasks were you assigned, and what are the precautions? Tell me everything, without omission."
"Yes." He knelt down and began to recount, "My task is to obey your every command and do my best to please you. The precautions are the same. Lastly, I am forbidden from leaving this room."
That's it? It's truly concise.
"You're just changing places to continue being imprisoned. Do you find this life interesting?" I asked provocatively.
"Everything is decided by you. I have no thoughts, nor will I ever have any thoughts," he replied humbly, in a posture of submitting to fate.
"Really? Were you not given any additional tasks?" I sat down on a chair. "For example, surveillance and reporting."
Although I personally selected the "toy," the educational work was held by Kikyo, by the Zoldycks. Between family and individual, any discerning person would choose to stand with the stronger party. This "toy" is merely an informant for the Zoldycks, untrustworthy, and requires caution.
"There were indeed similar instructions, but..." he looked up, "my life is also in your hands. If possible, I wish to live a little longer."
His eyes were honey-colored, his expression soft, as if he might melt and drip from his eye sockets at any moment.
Not being crippled by the previous owner who played with him too roughly. As expected, he's an interesting type.
His implication is that he intends to play both sides and be a mediator, willing to cooperate within his capabilities to deceive the Zoldycks. Whether it's true or not, time will tell. It's just a minor issue concerning the "toy," and the Zoldycks probably won't do anything to me.
"Mm, live a little longer. And then?" I asked. "Do you have any wishes?" https:/
"Very ordinary wishes," he seemed to think there was no need to lie. "I wish to gain freedom."
Reasonable, but saying it at this time is undoubtedly a ridiculous delusion.
"Do you know where this is?" I raised my hand to block the mocking smile escaping my lips. "This is the lair of a group of professional assassins. We don't keep you locked up because we're afraid you'll escape; it's to prevent you from dying senselessly. There are beasts outside. To protect you, we must keep you in a cage."
A cage created to protect you.
The difference between "pets" and "toys" isn't that great, is it?
"I am very lucky," he said. "I didn't die under my previous owner, and then I was fortunate enough to be chosen by you, avoiding death once more. Such luck is rare."
"..."
"Perhaps, the next stroke of luck will be freedom," he said. "Thinking about it this way, isn't life full of hope?"
"Just deceive yourself." Using "Nen" to exert pressure, I watched his face turn pale and his lips tremble. "Not leaving witnesses is a basic rule for professional assassins. As a witness, you are already dead. You will never get out."
There's no need to embellish; the cruel truth itself is the most vicious language.
"Everything, is decided... by you," as if placed in a world of ice and snow, he shivered and barely managed to form words.
[Kill him.]
Killing him is easy, it doesn't even take a finger. Using more "Nen" can kill an ordinary person.
No, abusing power is a foolish act. I'm not a mad dog biting everyone I see. I should consider his usefulness and weigh the pros and cons of killing him.
Killing him is akin to discarding an unsatisfactory toy. The Zoldycks won't blame me; they'll probably give me a new "toy." I don't have any expectations for a new "toy." I never wanted a "toy" in the first place; this was forced upon me by the Zoldycks, who thought I needed one.
I'd better not refuse this "kindness."
Obeying the Zoldycks' wishes can make them relax their vigilance and control over me, allowing me to gain more freedom.
Removing the "Nen" pressure, I observed his appearance carefully for the first time. His hair was as deep blue as the sea, his nose bridge was high, and his honey-colored eyes, when moist, shimmered like the reflection of the setting sun on the sea. After talking and building some familiarity, these features no longer felt cheap and plastic; they had a more settled texture.
I probably understand his ability to survive intact under his previous owner now, because he's quite good-looking, a quality pretty boy.
It's a pity he's an arranged partner by the Zoldycks. Oh, Killua, who didn't want to be an assassin in the original work, I understand you. Walking a path arranged by others is truly unpleasant. I also want to find game partners myself, without others interfering.
I got up and walked to the bedroom, lifted the covers, took out a syringe from my game backpack, drew a tube of blood from my arm, and dripped it onto the bedsheet.
I have no choice. To fool the Zoldycks, to persist in my rebellion (ha!), I have to adopt this ancient style, carefully creating a scene.
After I finished, the "toy," who had collapsed on the floor, remained on the floor. The blood drained from his face did not return at all. I don't know if it's because he's too weak, or if the people on the Zoldyck side are monsters.
"It's your turn." I walked up to him and pointed to the bed. "When you can move, get up and add the necessary traces to the bed. You know what to do, right?"
"...Yes." He supported himself on the floor with both hands and managed to sit up, but his legs still seemed to be disobedient. He struggled for a while but couldn't stand up.
"..." Having seen how awesome the protagonist group was in the original work, seeing such an ordinary person now feels like they're not even the same species.
I watched him struggle, like when I was a child watching ants trapped in circles I drew with water, futilely trying along the edges of the circles again and again.
If you climb a tall building and look down at the crowd, people actually look similar to ants.
Without any intention to help, I sat on a chair, watching him struggle indifferently.
[A toy, right? One should give them a little entertainment.]
And entertainment comes in many forms.
Before, you couldn't refuse others.
Now, someone cannot refuse you.
You can do anything.
This game is not good; it constantly tempts my evil thoughts. It's not that my bottom line as a "player" is high, but I just don't want to get caught up so easily and be led into a state of losing control by the game.
So I chose to be an observer. When the "toy" finally managed to climb onto the bed, I looked away.
"I'm done," he reported to me.
It took less time than I expected. I opened my eyes and followed him to inspect his work.
The messy bed, the suspicious traces, it looked quite convincing. As expected of a "toy" who has long been exposed to such scenes, he is exceptionally experienced.
"Do you want to stay tonight?" he asked. "There are spare bedsheets in the wardrobe, and I can change them."
"..." I observed his expression.
It wasn't flattering or seductive; he was making a serious suggestion for cooperation.
Should I stay?
This would indeed make it more believable.
The only annoyance is that the bed here is not as soft as the one in my room. It's hard to go from luxury to austerity; I've become pampered too.
I have no choice. For the sake of the bigger picture, I stayed and kicked the "toy" into the bathroom, locking the door. This would allow me to sleep a little more soundly.
Years of professional training have made me overly sensitive; my sleep is easily interrupted.
God knows how much I miss the feeling of sleeping until dawn in the "real world."
No wonder the overall atmosphere of the Zoldyck household is always so quiet. This does allow a killer's sensitive nerves a little relaxation.
Before leaving the next day, I instructed the "toy" on how to report the situation to the Zoldycks. "You have to say I was good."
I might need to cooperate with him long-term, so I have to show that I "fancy" him.
"Yes. If they ask for details..." he said cautiously, "just in case."
"..." Kikyo might indeed care about details. Her concern for me is almost boundless.
However, I still underestimated Kikyo. Good heavens, she directly asked me about my usage experience, as if discussing the taste of afternoon tea.
Kikyo was so open that it made me, who was unprepared, somewhat awkward. I couldn't even swallow my red bean rice.
Don't forget other possibilities. The scene I faked last night has been exposed. Kikyo is testing me, or it hasn't been fully exposed, and Kikyo has doubts in her heart.
I calmly replied, "It's okay." Kikyo then said, "If you're not satisfied, we can switch to another one."
Heh, I guessed correctly. There's indeed a backup plan.
I'm a little curious about what the backup plan would be like. Since the topic is directly heading towards freedom, only children make choices. Why shouldn't I, as an adult, have them all? Using and owning are two different things, right?
Kikyo apologetically stated that at least within the boundaries of Kukuroo Mountain, I should restrain myself and not corrupt the younger brothers.
Alright, I get it. "Minor (the next head of the Zoldyck family) protection mode," right?
New clothes are better than old, but old companions are better than new. I'll stick with the current "toy." Mom, you know I've always cherished my things and wouldn't discard them casually.
"Muels, you are most skilled at enduring," Kikyo's fingertips traced the pattern on the teacup. "It's okay to be a little playful. You don't have to wait until it's broken. As soon as you get tired of it, you can have a new one. Mom wants to give you better, hasn't it always been like this?"
Yes, it has always been like this.
When styles are opposite, one party must compromise.
Not wanting to waste extra effort dealing with a new "toy" from scratch, I have to spend the night in the "toy room" every few days. Kikyo's conversation reminded me of another matter, so I bought a litter of kittens and had the "toy" help me raise them, giving the "toy" the guise of a "cat keeper" as a safeguard, to maintain my persona in front of Killua.
Moreover, I genuinely prefer cats to dogs. With the Zoldyck family's excellent financial conditions, building a cat cafe wouldn't that be wonderful?
Common cat care books were packed into boxes and given to the "toy" to study cat-raising techniques. Being able to read is so important. It was a wise decision to screen out illiterate people during my interview.
After providing the necessary resources, I washed my hands of it. Anyway, as long as I bring delicious cat food, the kittens, who are like babies, will swarm over me. Once you give them enough treats, absent parenting has little impact on the absent party. In the end, I also became a scumbag.
"Meow, meow, meow," "Meow, meow, meow," "Meow, meow, meow," "Meow, meow, meow," "Meow, meow, meow," "Meow, meow, meow," "Meow, meow, meow." A pile of variously colored little balls crowded around my feet, so round that I could barely see their tiny tails.
Patting their heads, ears, backs, and bellies, petting cats without the hardship of raising them is incredibly satisfying. I don't have to worry about cat hair sticking to my clothes; the butler will handle it, or I'll just throw them away and buy new clothes. In short, the essence of everything is—having money is truly awesome.
Cats and humans are not the same species, so there's no issue of projecting specific characters. I can boldly pet white-haired, blue-eyed cats and even sleep in the same bed. That's almost like sleeping with Killua! I've achieved a route that's impossible in this game!
My enthusiasm for the cat cafe might have been misinterpreted by Kikyo. She encouraged me to go out and complete missions after a long time.
The time has come, and she's going to meddle with my belongings again out of her own good intentions.
Before leaving, I put the white-haired, blue-eyed cat into the "pet" slot of my game backpack.
The "pet" slot in the game backpack can still only hold one pet, but I'm gradually understanding that the creatures that can be placed in the "pet" slot are determined by my affection. Pets that cannot be placed are those I don't cherish enough.
I remember that not long ago, Killua asked for my praise, saying he had independently learned lip-reading, and I no longer needed to use paper and pen to write. He didn't ask why I rarely used the voice-emitting device in front of him. He probably sensed that I don't really like the voice-emitting device. Don't underestimate children; they are sometimes more perceptive than adults.
With the lesson from the sponge cake last time, I said I might not be able to produce what he wanted. He said it was no problem, as long as I patted his head and praised him.
Who could resist this!
Muels' affection for Killua +5
Yabao, my spiritual pillar!