Conquest Complete, So Why Is the Affection Dropping? - Chapter 34
The places I visited in my dream were only the temple of Shangrila’s Holy City, the outer village surrounded by walls, and the dark city of Niflheim.
I did at least see Naval Admiral Kaint’s face during a temple event invitation, but I have no memory of meeting a mage. There weren’t even any events where we could have crossed paths.
From the start, I resolved everything with divine power, so I’m just now learning that magic exists separately.
But why does this face feel familiar?
“Black long hair, blue eyes, mage… Well, it’s not exactly a rare character design.”
Since the character design isn’t particularly unique, maybe it feels familiar because I’ve seen similar appearances while playing other games.
Though such pretty and sparkling faces aren’t my type, these doll-like pretty boys with jet-black straight hair and fair skin have been icons of first love throughout history. In other words, it’s a cliché among clichés, always included when trying to appeal to different tastes.
‘I used to prefer faces like this when I was younger, but my taste has changed with age.’
I skimmed through the tutorial guide before closing it again. It didn’t look interesting.
“If the male character modeling is the only decent thing about it, this title seems destined to fail too.”
The previous work was banned mid-sale, and now the sequel’s heading for failure.
Female-oriented games really should remain just a hobby. You either make it well to break even, or get criticized and failed works that can’t even serve as troll bait disappear as if they never existed.
‘I wonder what happened to the game I made back then?’
Suddenly remembering the game I made when I was young, I searched for it. Perhaps because it was a failed work that briefly appeared and vanished seven years ago, despite being free, I couldn’t find it anywhere to download.
‘I was really obsessed with making games back then.’
I remember writing as many as 1,000 pages of A4 scripts. If I had put that effort into studying, I could have gone to a prestigious university.
And still would have faced limited job prospects being in humanities.
‘Even I can’t remember what it was about… I wonder if Soo-young still has the files.’
I opened the messenger and searched for my friend’s name on the list.
[Won Soo-young (Working overtime) Disturb at your own risk.]
Seems they can’t leave work because of bug fixes. It wasn’t the right time to suddenly message asking “How are you? Do you still have the files from the game we made back then?”
Well, it’s not like I particularly wanted to play that old game anyway, so I closed the messenger and turned on my computer.
“Huh?”
The computer was already on. I hadn’t noticed because the screen was in sleep mode.
Clicking the blinking icon in the taskbar, the game settings window popped up.
“8 and a half hours of playtime?”
I thought I just made the payment yesterday and fell asleep, but did I download and play until I dozed off? But why can’t I remember? I remember the dream content though.
Going to the main screen, there was a blinking notification icon in the notice window.
“Let’s see. Save bug and data corruption error patch… Hm? App synchronization required?”
Now that I think about it, I remember they recruited pre-registrations with the slogan that the game could be played on both PC and mobile. Probably to increase the user pool since mobile apps have more users.
By the time I installed the app and finished updating, the sky had already turned dark.
‘I’m too tired to start now… Since tomorrow’s a holiday anyway, I’ll try the game after I wake up.’
After roughly tidying up and taking a shower, I lay in bed. I left my phone on the desk.
When I was working at the company, I always kept my phone in hand until I fell asleep, but since I don’t need to wake up early tomorrow, my sleep habits are actually improving. A silver lining.
I closed my eyes, hoping tomorrow would be better than today.
***
When I woke up, an unfamiliar handsome man was looking down at me.
“Are you awake, Shin Joo?”
Let me correct that. He’s not unfamiliar. I know both this handsome man’s face and name.
Naval Admiral Kaint.
The man who flatly rejected my tea time invitation because his initial affection was only 10. Yet his smile was so bewitching. This dangerous younger man who seduced me with just a smile despite having no intention to marry was standing beside my bed.
To be precise, it wasn’t my bed. This wasn’t the temple after all.
An unfamiliar high ceiling and elaborate wall decorations. The cool breeze flowing through the window carried a salty tang.
I can guess where this is. The admiral’s castle was supposed to be by the southern sea. But I don’t know why I’m here.
‘Don’t tell me I slept with him?’
Before even thinking ‘Is this another transmigration?’, my last memory with Hexion came to mind. I quickly lifted the blanket to check my clothes.
Pure white priest robes. Given that I was wearing proper priest robes rather than sleepwear, it seemed unlikely anything censurable had occurred between us.
“Why am I here?”
“You don’t remember.”
That’s right. I had no memory. How did I end up waking up in the bed of a man who might as well be a stranger, when I hadn’t even drunk enough to black out?
If it had been Marvis’s mansion, I could at least have guessed I was caught for theft.
“The temple no longer has the ability to protect you, Divine Master.”
Well, according to the setting, it’s not so much the temple protecting the Divine Master as the Divine Master protecting the temple.
No, more precisely, not just protecting the temple but preventing this world’s destruction altogether.
“The temple not only allowed the demon race’s invasion but stood by while you were kidnapped by them. They couldn’t even properly care for your body and mind after you barely escaped from the demons’ lair and returned.”
I can roughly tell this is after the point where I was kidnapped by Marvis and returned. But how did I end up here?
“I’d like to say that entrusting yourself to me was a wise decision.”
That wise decision was probably not made by me, but it seemed odd to argue against his praise, so I kept my mouth shut.
“Is there anything you need from me?”
“Admiral.”
I wish he would explain in detail what has happened, and how the temple and Hexion are doing, following the five W’s and one H.
T/n: “Following the five W’s and one H” refers to the fundamental questions used in information gathering and basic reporting: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
…but I couldn’t quite say that.
‘System ding!’
Let’s check the affection level first.
[Kaint]’s current affection: 0
I clearly remember the starting affection was 10. It had gone up to 11, but now it was completely zero.
Didn’t he just say it was a wise decision?
Was that actually sarcasm?
Even Hexion, whose affection had skyrocketed beyond limits, had his affection reset because we weren’t compatible. It was hard to gauge what might happen if I mishandled this man who maintained such an inflexibly cold affection level just because an unfamiliar woman came to seek refuge in his castle.
“I’m hungry.”
“……”
So let’s focus on basic needs first.
“I’ll have a meal prepared.”
Thankfully, having zero affection didn’t lead him to commit the atrocious mistake of starving me. He has the basic qualities of a K-male lead.
“Shin Joo. Can you eat seafood?”
“Yes. I can eat anything.”
Don’t underestimate Koreans who have the tenacity to find ways to remove poison from pufferfish just to eat it. Don’t treat me like those weak Westerners who don’t even know how to eat seaweed or kelp.
“I hope you’ll find the chef’s skills to your liking.”
Kaint’s lips curved into a gentle smile. My heart started racing inappropriately at that single smile.
‘How can anyone smile like that?’
Seducing people with such a smile when he has no intention of marriage – his crimes are so severe he should be put in handcuffs and a collar and trained as a slave who only looks at me.
“Shin Joo. Have I committed some grave offense?”
“…Pardon?”
“You’re looking at me as if I’m a criminal who needs immediate judgment.”
Perhaps because he’s in a position where he must make instant decisions to protect countless lives on the battlefield, his perception is extraordinary. If I underestimate him, I’ll be the one getting exposed instead.
“No. The Admiral is kind and courteous.”
It wasn’t just flattery. Looking at his faintly smiling face, he still maintained the appearance of politely treating an honored guest.
In his pristine naval uniform, he still looked neat and proper like a prince, and his straight back made his already large frame appear even more reliable.
If I couldn’t see the affection level, I might have given him titles like ‘Number One Man to Depend On For Life.’ I want to get legally entangled with him by stamping our marriage registration.
