"So, you're the one... the one who wishes to become my master?"
Who was that...?
"Ah, I suppose you could call me the True Form of Puppeteer."
The speaker was a being that could only be described as a monster. Perhaps "a mass of shadows" was a better term, for scattered across that darkness were mismatched eyes and mouths.
"The True Form of Puppeteer, then. Where are we?"
The surrounding scenery was equally bizarre. Flickering flames dotted the absolute darkness like stars.
"This? This is your Inner World."
"My Inner World..."
I took that to mean I was inside my own mind. Well, where we were was a trivial matter. More importantly—
"I have a favor to ask. I want you to lend me your strength."
Right now, I was powerless. If it meant gaining the strength I needed, I would take it from anyone or anything.
"Sure."
The answer was incredibly anticlimactic.
"You're agreeing just like that?"
"What a strange thing to say. You're the one who asked, aren't you?"
"Well, yes, but..."
I had been so certain I would be rejected that I couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"You see, there is a certain nostalgic scent clinging to your soul. Because of that, I decided I wouldn't mind serving you."
"A nostalgic scent..."
I had used Return by Death countless times, and in many of those loops, I had been completely overtaken by Puppeteer. Perhaps that was the source of this "nostalgic scent."
"Regardless, I shall be in your care, Master."
The moment those words were spoken, my consciousness snapped back to reality. When I opened my eyes, I found the Vampire Eudite sitting in her chair.
"Oh? I must say, I didn't actually expect you to succeed."
Eudite’s eyes were wide with genuine surprise. Apparently, she hadn't held much hope for my survival, even though I had only been following her instructions.
"Very well. Follow me."
She stood up and began to walk away.
"Um, what are we doing?"
"I told you, didn't I? If you passed the test, I would take you as my apprentice. I shall begin your training at once."
◆
"Tell me, how many Skills do you possess?"
"One."
To be precise, I had two: Provocation and Save & Reset. However, I knew better than to reveal the existence of Save & Reset.
"And may I ask what that Skill is?"
"It’s Provocation."
"That is... quite unreliable, isn't it?"
"I'm well aware of that."
"In that case, shall we go and acquire a new Skill?"
"What? Is that even possible?"
"Oh? Just who do you think I am?"
"The great Lady Eudite."
"Indeed. But more importantly, I have lived in this Dungeon for nearly a thousand years. Its entire layout is etched into my mind."
She tapped her temple with a slender finger.
"Naturally, I am aware of every Treasure Chest containing a Skill."