WE TRIED TLS

Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer

Chapter 257 | If (5)

「[Disguise] | When activated, alters the body’s composition to mimic that of an ordinary person.

Effect: Nullifies all Demonic Energy detection and tracking while skill is active.

Overall HP reduced by 50% (Max reduction 90%).

Overall MP reduced by 70%.

HP Recovery slowed by 50% (Max reduction 90%).

Physical Defense reduced by 20% (Max reduction 50%).

Magic Resistance reduced by 40% (Max reduction 80%).

Incoming Physical Damage increased by 30% (Max increase 100%).

Incoming Arcane Damage increased by 90% (Max increase 200%).

Incoming Divine Damage increased by 500% (Max increase 1,000%).

HP decreased by 1/sec (Max reduction 999/sec).

Inflicts abnormal status (Arcane Power Circulation Disorder).

※All effects, except Demonic Energy detection and tracking nullification, gradually intensify in proportion to the duration of skill use.

※When skill is deactivated, all effects, except for Demonic Energy detection and tracking nullification, will gradually subside over time.

The time required for full recovery is proportional to the skill’s duration.」

「(Arcane Power Circulation Disorder) │ The Arcane Power within your body becomes tangled and cannot be properly controlled.

Arcane Power Recovery Rate reduced by 30%.

Skill: [Arcane Power Control] is nullified.

When using Arcane Power, there is a chance of Arcane Power Backflow, causing damage to the user.」

While the Mountain Lord was off creating food for me to consume, this skill suddenly popped up. It was just like when [Life Force Conversion] appeared while fighting the Sea Dragon.

“My apologies. I’m still inexperienced.”

I had no idea why they were giving this to me now.

Maybe it was some twisted form of charity, where they gave me poison along with medicine in one go? But since we’d already discovered those two, why couldn’t they just come out and hand it over directly? Were they just providing me with some conveniences, but didn’t intend to meet me?

…Did they know that by giving me this, they’d made it easier for me to track them down?

“I won’t fail again.”

It was true that I’d now been provided with a way to survive thanks to their help, but I couldn’t even guess at their true intentions with this. On what basis did they actually act?

With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I tried to focus on my body. I couldn’t afford to pass out again while using this skill.

After some careful adjustments, the Demonic Energy transformed into Arcane Power, and a wave of sharp pain tore through me. My body felt incredibly sluggish.

“How is it? Is the Demonic Energy hidden?”

Still, despite the pain, the effect was clear. My right hand, which I’d exposed to confirm it with my own eyes, began returning to its original color. It was no longer black.

“Did I succeed?”

Of course, the debuffs that came with this [Disguise] were hellish. The HP and MP reduction was one thing, but the increase in incoming damage was just too much.

In particular, the amount I’d receive from Divine Damage was so great that you might assume I’d die the moment I took a single hit from it. Not to mention the DoT per second.

If I got caught in an ambush, I’d be as good as dead.

“…?”

And now that I was really looking at it, this (Arcane Power Circulation Disorder) was no small penalty either.

Originally, using Arcane Power felt like spraying water from a fire hose, but it was now more like trying to squirt it through a crushed straw. At this rate, I’d better give up on fighting while [Disguise] was active.

“…Does it still feel like there’s Demonic Energy–”

Well, that was my quick review of the [Disguise] skill.

More importantly, why was the Land Turtle so quiet? I stared at it, wondering if something was wrong.

> [Let me correct myself. You truly are a selfish bastard.]

And shortly after, that nonsensical accusation was thrown at me.

“What?”

> [And me too… I really…]

It really came out of nowhere, that invisible attack. The Land Turtle then suddenly covered its face with its flippers, which made things even weirder. I was just seriously confused.

“…What’s wrong with you?”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment as I kept trying to get the Land Turtle to talk. But of course, I didn’t receive a single answer.

“Why…?”

Why was it acting like that all of a sudden? Was it upset about me passing out?

I began to reflect on their suspicious behavior, tossing around all sorts of guesses. I wasn’t even sure if any of them were right, though.

> [I’m here… Did you two have a fight?]

“…No.”

At least… I didn’t think we’d one? Probably…?

I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck as the Mountain Lord arrived just in time. I had no idea what was going on here either. Perhaps it could do something about this? My eyes were practically pleading with the Mountain Lord to help.

> [Ancestor?]

> [Don’t talk to me. I’m currently wallowing in self-loathing.]

> [I see.]

But even the Mountain Lord’s attempt went nowhere. Our eyes met again. The herbs still dangling from its mouth added a bit of humor to this awkward atmosphere.

> [What’s wrong?]

“…I have no idea.”

If I did, I wouldn’t have tried appeasing it either. The Mountain Lord and I whispered, both of us keeping an eye on the Land Turtle.

> [Oh wow. Hey, Knight, your Demonic Energy is completely gone.]

Then, the Mountain Lord noticed the change in me, its eyes opening wide. So the Land Turtle hadn’t remained silent because I’d failed, huh.

I fiddled with my right hand, feeling a bit weird about this.

> [No wait… Is it really gone? Did you actually succeed…?]

“Yes.”

If the Mountain Lord was saying that, I figured it was safe to assume I needn’t worry about others detecting me anymore.

I was secretly feeling quite pleased with the Mountain Lord’s reaction. Sure, the penalties were brutal, but I’d finally found a way to walk through cities again. I’d cleared my biggest obstacle.

> [Then…]

“…?”

At that, the Mountain Lord lowered its head, speaking in a gloomy voice. Thud. The bellflower root and ginseng in its mouth dropped to the ground and scattered.

> [Are you leaving now?]

So it was already imagining me leaving. I mean, I did say I’d only stay until I found a solution to the Demonic Energy problem, so it technically wasn’t wrong, but seeing it so droopy like that was actually kind of funny.

> [I worked so hard to grow all those crops… I really worked hard, okay…?]

I barely held back a chuckle and kept my expression firm. Even though I’d dropped some aspects of my character settings, I absolutely had to maintain my signature expression at least.

“I’ll be staying a little longer.”

> [Oh, really?]

“Yeah.”

And for the record, this wasn’t just something I said to cheer it up. I actually did need to stay here for a few more days.

“Also, tell the Warchief this. I have a favor to ask of him.”

After all, hiding my Demonic Energy wasn’t the only thing I needed to do. I still needed to investigate this [Disguise] skill more thoroughly.

* * *

WE TRIED TLS

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“You’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

Deathbringer was caught entirely off guard by those words. Words he never expected Berserk, of all people, to say, especially now.

“There’s no more reason for me to stay.”

But was that really true? Had he truly not seen this coming?

Deathbringer looked at the fighter, who’d grown more and more subdued ever since that incident. Now, she exuded the same heavy, suffocating air that the Demon Knight once did, like she was trapped in the depths of the sea.

“…Where are you going?”

“North.”

“Where in the north?”

“I’m going back to my hometown.”

“Ah…”

The Inquisitor had received an oracle, and it said to head north. So they’d suggested traveling together.

They needed someone strong if they were going to find and confront the Demon Knight—not to capture him, but at least have a conversation, even for a moment—so wouldn’t it be good if she could come with them, just until then?

But all those words were stopped short by that single word: “hometown.” It might not matter to someone like him, but Deathbringer knew how much meaning most people attached to their home.

His lips twitched, and his ears drooped.

“Yeah, maybe that’s for the best.”

It depended on how you interpreted it, but to Deathbringer, the latter part of the oracle surely pointed to the Demon Knight. After all, someone who’d lost their memories and was wandering aimlessly could certainly be called “one who is lost,” right?

Though he wasn’t all too certain whether the right way was to kill, save, or send him back.

“Are you not leaving?”

“I don’t know. I thought about it at first…”

But there was one thing he did know for sure: the Temple would definitely choose the first option.

“I think it’s better if I stay, at least for Mister’s sake.”

However, did he really have the power to stop it? If the Inquisitor chose the first option, did he have the strength to save the Demon Knight from her?

“Staying here probably gives me the best chance of running into Mister again as well.”

No, he didn’t. But what he did have was confidence he could get the message across faster than anyone else in the group. That’s why Deathbringer decided to stay.

“…So, when are you leaving?”

“Today.”

“Right away?”

“Yes.”

“…Alright.”

But was this really the right choice?

He forced an awkward smile toward the fighter bidding him farewell.

“Take care.”

Also, would they ever meet again?

The question he never managed to ask made him choke.

* * *

About ten days had passed since the Land Turtle started acting weird. I’d spent the entire time focusing solely on understanding my newly gained skill, [Disguise].

I researched how the effects (debuffs) increased the longer the skill was active.

Considered how long the debuffs would linger after deactivating the skill.

Thought about how long I could keep the skill active, considering the escalating DoT.

Regarding the status abnormalities, I investigated my drop in combat power due to (Arcane Power Circulation Disorder) and how much damage I’d take from Arcane Power backflow, and so on.

It was all preparation so I could move around more freely in the outside world.

Driiip.

“…Ah.”

But the result gave me one absolute certainty.

Trying to fight and channel Arcane Power while [Disguise] was active was basically a one-way ticket to the afterlife.

“Getting a nosebleed is a given, huh…”

Of course, just because the Arcane Power backflow dealt damage didn’t mean it cancelled skills outright—though I might end up cancelling them because I couldn’t endure the pain—so fighting wasn’t entirely impossible.

However, if the fight dragged on, I’d be completely screwed. Unless it was an emergency, I planned to avoid fighting at all costs.

That much, I was certain of.

“So that’s why the body’s original owner insisted on fighting solo in isolated places…”

I couldn’t help but groan loudly as I slumped onto a nearby tree. No joke, every part of my body ached. I felt like I was back in my frail, real-world body.

“I’m seriously dying here…”

Meanwhile, the nosebleed caused by the Arcane Power backflow showed no sign of stopping. I pinched my nose with a handkerchief and bent forward.

Swoooosh. A breeze swept through from afar, rustling my clothes with a sound characteristic of the forest. It sent a chill down my body.

“…I guess I’ve gathered enough data for now.”

Maybe because I’d been pinching my nose, my voice came out pretty nasally.

It was just one of those things you couldn’t avoid as a person, but this seriously clashed so much with my character setting that it was almost hilarious.

If Deathbringer or the Inquisitor had heard me speak like this, they would’ve probably doubted their ears, jaws dropping in disbelief.

Since no one was watching, I could laugh as much as I wanted. But cutting through that fleeting moment was the image of those two young kids bowing their heads over the place I’d left behind.

The corners of my lips, which had started to curl up slightly, immediately crashed back down.

Gurrrrgle.

“Hmm…”

…Right. Until I left the Great Forest, I still had to keep up my character. I had to straighten out my expression. With that resolve, I reached into my Inventory.

Rustle.

Calling this a lunch box would be too grand, but I didn’t really have another name for it. When I pulled on it, the lunch I’d packed myself came out in a flash.

“Whew.”

Luckily, my nosebleed stopped around that time. In other words, I didn’t have to shove the food into my mouth while pinching my nose with a handkerchief.

I comfortably opened the lid of the lunch box.

> [Uwaaaaaaagh!!]

But the moment I scooped up a spoonful of the thin porridge, a loud voice echoed through the forest.

It was the Mountain Lord’s usual tactic to let me know it was here, since he couldn’t call out to me directly. My heart, startled for a moment, settled back into its usual pace.

> [Uwaaaargh.]

It was good and all if it wanted to call me, but if it kept doing this, wouldn’t the priests come running to check on it?

I closed my lunch box with that slight worry in mind. I hadn’t gone far from where I was staying, and the Mountain Lord was probably already there, so I might as well go back to eat.

> [Uwargh!]

More than anything, if I didn’t stop it soon, it would just keep acting like that. So I should hurry.

I found myself smiling unconsciously at this uninvited guest who’d show up whenever I started feeling lonely.

“Noisy.”

> [Oh, Sir Knight.]

Still, it was incredibly noisy. I gave the Mountain Lord a slight slap with my scabbard. Only then did it notice my presence and turn its head. Its massive head hovered just above me, nostrils flaring, tongue flicking in and out.

> [Oh, jeez. Now that your Demonic Energy’s gone, you’re really hard to find. By the way, what’s with this smell of blood? You did that again, didn’t you? Come on, take care of your body a little…]

“None of your business. Your purpose?”

The Land Turtle, who’d been feeling somewhat unwell, didn’t show up again today… So why had the Mountain Lord come here this time? Just a visit, maybe? But four days in a row was a bit much, right?

> [Ah, right. The Warchief said what you asked for arrived today, so I came to deliver it right away.]

Apparently, it didn’t just come to hang out. Part of the Mountain Lord’s body moved, and it held out the tip of its tail to me. Dangling from it was a small bundle.

“…I didn’t think it’d arrive so soon.”

I carefully accepted it. Considering the time it took to travel between the Great Forest and the outside, plus the effort to acquire the item, I thought it’d at least take three weeks. I didn’t expect it to arrive here sooner. I felt a mix of surprise and relief.

> [So, what is it? I can’t read these letters, so…]

“…None of your concern.”

But I didn’t really want to say this with my own mouth. It wasn’t like it was anything embarrassing, but mentioning these kinds of things just didn’t fit my character setting.

> [Hnnnng.]

Acting cute wouldn’t work here. You’re supposed to be the Mountain Lord, so you should act like it.

I shoved the bundle into my Inventory, leaving the Mountain Lord, who was acting more and more like a clingy brat, behind. I’d check the contents after it left.

> [So stingy.]

“If you’ve got nothing else, then go.”

> [You think I can’t find out just because you won’t tell me? I’ll just ask the Warchief.]

Whatever. I brushed off the sulking Mountain Lord. I just didn’t want to say it myself, so whether it heard from the Warchief or not wasn’t my problem.

On the other hand, the Mountain Lord made an extremely sullen expression. Despite lacking facial muscles, it sure was good at conveying emotions.

“Ah.”

> [Hah. Are you going to tell me after all?]

“I’m leaving within the week. Just know that.”

> [Hnnnnng.]

No, I mean, I’d already figured out everything I needed to. I’d prepared a way to hide my identity outside. It really was time for me to leave now.

In the end, I had to physically push away the Mountain Lord as it started whining again for a completely different reason.

> [Uwaaaah.]

Tsk, get off me already!

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