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Gilbert had somewhat given up on the Sub Scenario. With the sudden rise in the Twisted Index or forced acceptances happening frequently in his absence, it had naturally come to that.

Of course, he hadn’t completely abandoned the idea of clearing the scenario, as the world might end if he did. He had a clear goal of returning to his original world, so the world collapsing wasn’t something he desired.

Even if that weren’t the case, Gilbert, who had grown somewhat attached to this world, couldn’t just sit back and watch it fall into ruin. However, he had stopped reacting strongly when things progressed regardless of his will.

He set aside his complaints about the situation and focused on understanding the situation. Seeing the notification about the first Possessor, it likely meant there was some change in Princess Seraphina’s state of mind.

—

**< Sub Scenario - Possessors of Twisted Desire >**

**Type:** Sub

**Clear Condition:** Guide the Possessors to the right path.

**Possessors:** Seraphina, ???, ???

**Reward:** Reward grade determined by progress (F~S)

**Progress:** 20%

**Information:**

– The Possessors have lost their way due to their twisted hearts.

1. **Seraphina – Twisted Index 80%**

– Princess Seraphina’s Desire for Possession has grown excessively, twisting her.

– Her once-clear eyes have become eyes of insatiable desire.

– The first fork has been chosen.

– You rejected becoming the object of her possession. (Twisted Index increased by 30%)

– The second fork has been chosen.

– You proposed that if she becomes the Emperor, you will serve her.

– The third fork has been chosen.

– Seraphina reflected on her heart and realized her feelings. (Twisted Index increased by 10%)

* You must guide her back to the right path to prevent her from straying.

* If the Twisted Index reaches 100%, a ruinous ending will begin.

2. **Briana – Twisted Index 40%**

– Briana’s longing for a companion to walk the Path of the Sword has twisted her.

– The once-cold woman is at risk of breaking if she cannot walk with her only acknowledged companion.

– The first fork has been chosen.

– You agreed to walk the Path of the Sword with her. (Twisted Index did not increase.)

* You must guide her back to the right path to prevent her from straying.

* If the Twisted Index reaches 100%, a massacre ending will begin.

3. **???**

—

Gilbert focused on Seraphina’s third fork. He thought the Twisted Index had increased without warning, but there had been a trigger. Just before her Twisted Index rose, she had met Gilbert.

It was reasonable to assume that his actions had triggered the increase in her Twisted Index. Though it was unclear what specific action caused it, knowing that he was the cause meant he needed to reflect on his actions.

*All I did was try to give her a massage?*

Gilbert had only reported on Horizon and placed his hand on her shoulder for a massage.

It didn’t make sense that reporting on Horizon would increase her Twisted Index, so it must have been the shoulder touch.

But could a simple touch really increase the Twisted Index? If so, he would have to be cautious about physical contact with her in the future.

*Is it really just skin contact that affects the Twisted Index?*

Gilbert shook his head. Even if the Sub Scenario progressed without warning, there was always a reason, even if he didn’t realize it. The Possessors of Twisted Desire were born from people whose desires or obsessions had become excessive.

For Seraphina, it was her Desire for Talent; for Briana, it was her longing for swordsmanship. Both were exceptionally talented in their fields and always thirsted for more. Despite meeting many talented individuals, finding someone who could quench their thirst was difficult.

Then they met Gilbert, who knew this world better than anyone. Though it was a game, he had proven his skills in this world and caught their attention.

In a way, their obsession with him was natural. Even if it could threaten the world.

“Camilla appears!”

“What did you come to report this time?”

Gilbert sighed as Camilla appeared, her hand on her hip. She had a knack for showing up at the most complicated moments.

“Looking so annoyed hurts my feelings.”

“Doesn’t look like you’re here to say something nice with that grin.”

“Ah, you caught me.”

Her giggling was unmistakably childlike. Seeing her like that made him chuckle despite himself.

Was it nostalgia for the past that made him feel comforted by her presence? Or was it her bright energy?

Gilbert decided it didn’t matter. He was grateful to her for lightening his heavy heart, even if just a little.

“Oh, you smiled. Did you solve your worries?”

“Did you know?”

“I just had a feeling. I’m Gilbert’s best friend, after all!”

Her smug laugh annoyed Gilbert, and he lightly flicked her forehead—a habit from his past life as Kang Do-jun, not Gilbert.

“Ouch!”

“Stop exaggerating.”

“Exaggerating? I thought my head was splitting!”

Gilbert chuckled at her dramatic reaction and closed the mission window. Though the Twisted Index had entered dangerous territory, staring at it wouldn’t solve the problem.

“Is it because of Professor Horizon?”

“Huh?”

“I can’t think of anything else that would make you worry.”

“I’m not not thinking about Horizon, but that’s not it.”

“Another reason? Hmm, you’re not going to tell me, are you?”

*Sharp as ever.*

Camilla sometimes acted clueless, but she wasn’t actually oblivious.

She prioritized her own amusement over others’ feelings, living true to her emotions. It was unusual for her to be this considerate.

“Speaking of which, I’m curious. Don’t you usually not care about others’ feelings?”

“Don’t say that, it makes me feel weird.”

“Good that you know.”

“Don’t say that! I just care because I like Gilbert.”

“You like me?”

She often called herself his best friend, but this was the first time she’d said she liked him. Even in the Tactical Combat romance route, it hadn’t started like this, so Gilbert was intrigued.

“Yeah, I really like you.”

“…”

Gilbert studied Camilla’s smiling face, trying to discern the meaning behind her words.

He tried to figure out if her “like” was romantic or platonic, but failed. Camilla just kept smiling up at him.

“I still remember. The time I ran away and left you behind.”

“I told you back then, it wasn’t running away…”

“I know. But that doesn’t change the fact. Objectively, it’s true, and more importantly, that’s how I felt.”

“Camilla.”

“Hear me out. After that, I reflected on myself. How irresponsibly I’d been living. Whether everything I enjoyed was built on someone else’s sacrifices.”

Camilla’s smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.

“And I realized. I can’t stay like this. I finally faced the responsibilities I needed to bear. And it was you, Gilbert, who showed me that.”

“Responsibilities…”

“Remember? After that, you dragged me out when I was obsessively training.”

Gilbert recalled taking her out to eat to guide her in the right direction. That must be what she meant by “dragging her out.”

“That day, you told me. That you took on missions to protect the peaceful streets. That my cowardly actions were for that purpose.”

*An awakening event?*

Gilbert dug into his past-life knowledge. Camilla had an event where she grew into an S-rank companion after a specific trigger.

The context was similar, though the situation wasn’t exactly the same.

Her reflecting on herself and deciding to move forward.

“And finally, Gilbert, you said it. If I’m scared, I can follow you. That’s why I decided.”

Camilla, who had been somewhat stiff, smiled brighter than ever—like the smile she’d show after successfully clearing her romance route.

“I’ll follow you. So how could I not like you? That’s why.”

“Camilla, you…”

“Now, my greatest interest is you, Gilbert. I really like you.”

Her unwavering, honest demeanor left Gilbert speechless as he stared at her.

—

**[Sub Scenario Possessors of Twisted Desire progress has significantly increased.]**

**[Sub Scenario Possessors of Twisted Desire information has been updated.]**

**[Sub Scenario Possessors of Twisted Desire has reached the fourth branch point for the first Possessor.]**

**[Sub Scenario Possessors of Twisted Desire Twisted Index for the first Possessor has significantly increased.]**

**[Warning. Twisted Index has reached dangerous levels.]**

Gilbert could sense Seraphina watching them from afar.

It was the moment he realized the worst possible reason for the increase in the Twisted Index.

 

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