I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 65

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

“I hope the kingdom is peaceful, unlike the Empire. They say it’s as beautiful and abundant as an oasis on the desert…”

“…….”

“And they said the climate is warm and mild even in autumn and winter… that the kingdom’s specialty fruits are really delicious…”

“…….”

“And there, just until… right before next year… I hope I can live safely without anything happening.”

Sitting next of the unresponsive Kazan, she hugged her knees and murmured her wish for a peaceful passing of winter, burying her face in her knees.

Kazan glanced at her briefly, then added more wood to the fire and poked at it with a stick.

“…Why specifically until next year?”

“Huh? Ah, I have to get through this year safely to return home.”

“Then you’re leaving again next year?”

“That’s right…?”

She hadn’t said it expecting an answer, but startled by Kazan’s sudden response, she raised her head and looked at him as she replied.

The fire’s red light reflected on his silver hair, creating an enigmatic color. His profile as he looked into the fire, with its high, straight nose, thick eyebrows, and long silver lashes cast in shadow, was beautiful and imposing.

She thought her standards had become high from being around the handsome and beautiful main characters, but Kazan’s appearance drew her gaze with its exotic appeal.

“The kingdom’s agriculture is developed thanks to water springing from underground. It’s called abundant because of water and plentiful food.”

“Ah, I see…”

“And the fruit you mentioned is the Sunlight Berry. It grows absorbing the intense desert sun during the day, so it gives off a faint glow even at night.”

“That’s fascinating, I’ve never heard of it…”

“…But is there a reason you can’t go home right away?”

Had he been holding back his responses all this time, only to finally let them spill out after her soliloquy? He began speaking in a stream.

Then, a question that felt almost like he was curious about her made her heart flutter and itch with a strange feeling.

But his question was one she couldn’t answer easily.

Of course, it was the game’s story and system, but…

Enduring everything from now until winter—the tyrant-like actions of the Crown Prince, the suffering inflicted by the other male leads, and accepting her existence as something created to substitute for the Saintess beside her—was overwhelmingly difficult.

She thought she could endure it if she just lived peacefully somewhere out of their sight.

‘Even just thinking about it now builds up stress…’

Thinking about the matters with the main characters, the weak headache that had been creeping in grew more severe, throbbing. Edith grabbed her head.

‘My headache gets worse every time I get stressed lately.’

The headache, which she thought would soon fade, began to bring increasing pain until it was dizzying enough to drive her mad.

She felt Kazan’s gaze on her as she staggered, clutching her head.

Within her dangerously flickering mind, the flickers began to spread into a reddish hue.

[Warning! The Melancholy Level has exceeded 50% and been maintained for a period! Entering Penalty State!]

Seeing a guidance window with a different message than usual flash in her vision—something she hadn’t felt melancholy about recently—Edith immediately opened her status window and panicked.

[Status: Melancholy (58%)]

‘When did the level get that high…? And what’s this about a penalty?!’

Through her dizzying, flickering vision, she seemed to see Kazan looking at her with a startled expression.

Unable to comprehend what was happening, the game system window appeared before Edith.

[From now on, until the level stabilizes, you will act according to your primal consciousness.]

If “primal consciousness” meant the Panic State, then falling into a penalty in front of Kazan was something she absolutely had to prevent.

These were the travelers she’d managed to find. If things went sour, they might abandon her in the middle of this monster-infested forest.

Trying with all her might to stop it, her body began to move less and less according to her will, like a puppet with its strings cut.

Amidst it all, it felt as if her self was receding. Gradually, she couldn’t control her words, her expression, anything.

Only the game system window kept appearing before her, explaining the situation with more information than before, perhaps because the vow was lifted.

[Panic State: An instinctive protective mechanism arising from Edith’s subconscious.]

She had experienced it several times herself. The behaviors the love-starved Edith had craved from others. So, it seemed she was about to act that way toward Kazan, as expected.

She absolutely had to stop that, but she could no longer control her movements. In this state where only sensation remained, she felt despair. As if knowing this, the system window continued.

[Penalty: A protective instinct arising from your subconscious. Having assimilated somewhat with Edith, it reflects the subconscious of you, who is now both not-Edith and Edith. And some system explanations have been altered to suit you.]

The words that passed by were quite difficult to understand.

‘A protective instinct arising from my subconscious…?’

She didn’t know what her own subconscious was like, but if it wasn’t those previous behaviors, she thought it might be okay. Watching her situation, she felt a little relieved.

‘Nooo, no!!’

But defying expectations, she saw her body wrap its arms around Kazan’s neck and bring its lips to his for a kiss. The self watching from behind screamed.