『Master, this one reeks of danger.』
"Yeah, I know."
A cold sweat broke out across my brow.
The Vampire Eudite had killed me many times in the past. She was extraordinarily aggressive, but the "me" from other timelines had proven that as long as I didn't mismanage the interaction, I would be fine.
"A pleasure to meet you, Great True Ancestor Vampire Eudite."
I offered her a respectful, deep bow.
"My, my. Shall I assume you possess at least a modicum of etiquette?"
She narrowed her eyes as she spoke. I took that as a sign that I’d managed to make a decent first impression.
"So, what exactly are you doing in a place like this?"
"I am clearing the dungeon."
"And what, might I ask, is that thing you are holding?"
"This is the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer."
"Hmm. You seem to be carrying quite a treacherous object."
A bellicose glint entered her eyes, and blades of blood manifested from her wrists. This was bad. At this rate, it looked like we were going to end up in a fight—something I wanted to avoid at all costs.
"Please, wait! As you can see, I have the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer under my command. I have no intention of letting it attack you indiscriminately. I ask that you let me pass. I believe it would be in both our best interests to avoid a conflict."
I pleaded with her desperately. I really needed her to accept this.
"Under your command? That is somewhat difficult to believe."
"B-but... the very fact that I can hold it as a sword like this is proof of my control, isn't it?"
"Well, I will admit your state is quite different from the other adventurers I have seen consumed by the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer."
She placed a hand to her chin, adopting a thoughtful pose. After a moment of deep deliberation, she finally spoke.
"Very well. I shall let you pass this time."
I let out a long breath of relief. From the bottom of my heart, I was glad I didn't have to fight her.
Vampire Eudite stepped aside to clear the path, and I began to walk past her. At that exact moment, the unthinkable happened.
『What an arrogant woman. She’s definitely got a rotten personality.』
Puppeteer spoke the insult at a volume loud enough for even Eudite to hear clearly.
"What are you saying!?"
The moment the words left my mouth, something came whistling through the air.
Clang! I managed to parry the projectile with my sword. It was a knife fashioned from blood.
『Ah, she's seriously pissed now.』
Puppeteer let out a "Kyahaha" laugh, egging her on even more.
"What a remarkably ill-mannered sword."
As Vampire Eudite spoke, the veins on her forehead were bulging. She was clearly beyond furious.
"I-I am so sorry!"
I screamed the apology and immediately took off running.
◆
"Haa... haa... haa... haa..."
Once I’d safely shaken off the Vampire Eudite, I stopped to catch my breath, gasping for air.
『Man, that was fun.』
In stark contrast to my exhaustion, Puppeteer sounded absolutely delighted.
"You... damn it..."
I was utterly fed up. It was lucky that we’d managed to escape, but I didn't want to imagine what would have happened if we’d been forced into a real battle.
『Is Master angry, perhaps?』
"A little, yeah."
『Why, though? If a vampire like that picks a fight, Yours Truly and Master could have easily beaten her into the dirt if we combined our strength.』
Puppeteer spoke with total confidence. In truth, I was a little curious about who was stronger now between me and Eudite, but even if I were sure of victory, I didn't want to fight her.
"Even if that’s true, I just don’t want to fight her."
『And why is that?』
"Why? Because..."
When asked directly, I found myself at a loss for words. I certainly couldn't tell it that we’d had a good relationship in another timeline.
『Could it be that she's Master's type?』
"N-no, that's not it."
『You were definitely blushing just now, weren't you?』
"I was not."
『Ahaha! Teasing Master is so much fun.』
"Don't tease your own master so much."
『Hmm, I'll think about it.』
While engaging in such banter, we continued our trek toward the Dungeon Deep Floors.
◆
"It was around here, if I recall..."
『Master, what on earth are you looking for?』
We had arrived just outside the Boss Room.
"There's a hidden room somewhere around here."
『And what's inside this hidden room?』
"The <Crystal of Brilliance>. It’s an item that lets you obtain a Skill."
『To know about a hidden room with an item like that... Master, aren't you quite the catch!』
"That's right. So show me more respect."
『Amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing. Satisfied?』
"You didn't mean a word of that, did you?"
Normally, the <Crystal of Brilliance> granted the skill <Attribute Enchantment>. While <Attribute Enchantment> was a niche skill, it was better than nothing.
Ah, there it is. The hidden switch.
I pressed the switch, and a passage leading to a hidden room ground open. I stepped inside and found myself in a small chamber with a single treasure chest sitting in the center.
▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽▽
You have obtained the <Crystal of Brilliance>.
The effect will activate forcibly.
△△△△△△△△△△△△△△△
The familiar system message appeared before my eyes.
"Eh...?"
I froze in shock. There was a very good reason for my surprise.
The skill I had just obtained was not <Attribute Enchantment>.