Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 19: Crude and Shrewd

"You're being too hard on yourself," the girl said with a small smile, shaking her head. "Your quick thinking is what allowed you to get close enough to steal the floor plans."

"She's right," Sylvia chimed in, wiping away the last of her tears. "You've opened up plenty of options for us now, all because you quick on your feet."

"Haxks~" Aldric whined, his tears and snot creating a messy masterpiece on his face as he attempted a glomp. Sheba kept him at arm's length, gripping the waist of his pants. "Please... please save Ruth and Tina! They both need a hero, and you're the only one I can depend on to do it!"

Daisuke cringed.

"Aldric, I know how you feel," Sheba chimed in, fighting the urge to kneel and plead alongside him. "I want Ruth and Tina to be safe too. But don't you think you're being just a little bit unreasonable?"

"I hate to admit it, but she's got a point," the male Beastkin added, scratching his head. "Haxks is just one guy; if he acts rashly then forget those two girls, we're all going to be royally screwed, literally."

The girls flinched back scathingly at the pun.

"Too much?"

They all nodded, poker-faced.

Daisuke scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Assuming things go smoothly, I'll return tomorrow with a well-thought-out plan. But before that, I'll need to get a lay of the land and security, examine the blueprint, and establish a safe off this estate."

"Please take care."

"And keep an eye on Winston; there's something about him that doesn't sit right with me. I just can't quite put my finger on it."

"I've been sensing it too."

Sheba, Sylvia, and the older male Beastkin, offered words of encouragement while Aldric, still disheartened, received a playful hair tousle from Daisuke.

"Hey, don't be too hard on yourself," he reassured. "Just hang tight while I sort things out, alright?"

"Okay..."

"By the way," Daisuke gestured towards the male Beastkin with a questioning look.

"It's Feng."

"Feng, do you know your way around a sword?"

"More or less."

"Great. You look the most capable, so you'll be leading the group as the sole vanguard. Can we count on your senses to steer us clear of monsters?" Daisuke nodded at Feng with a hopeful expression.

"Heh. Consider it done," he replied confidently.

"I don't think we need to worry too much about security," Sylvia chimed in reassuringly. "After being banished by the kingdom, the Percivals lost most of their wealth. They no longer have the finances to hire adequate security or even to cater to the manor's regular upkeep. As you can see, it's mostly slaves who do all the work."

Daisuke's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. "If it's obvious Reginald doesn't have sufficient security, then why haven't the slaves sparked a rebellion?"

"Winston," she responded flatly. "Since he single-handedly made short work out of a powerful Wolfkin among us who had tried to escape, everyone has been relatively docile."

"...You really weren't joking about him being dangerous."

"No, I wasn't. If we can't find a way to stay off his radar, escaping without casualties will be impossible."

"Got it," Daisuke nodded solemnly. "I'll keep that in mind."

***

Daisuke let out a sigh of relief.

After learning about Winston, it became increasingly nerve-wracking to sneak around the estate. But luckily, he made it safely back to his room and a strained smile touched his lips upon noting that both girls were still fast asleep.

His features hardened, however, as he contemplated the next innocent girl who would inevitably become a victim of Reginald's alchemical experiments, or his dark and insatiable desires. Sylvia's story had made it quite clear that he wasn't necessarily safe either.

Daisuke ran his hand through his hair, gripping his head with a grave expression. I need a plan.

***

The aroma of freshly made eggs and sausages didn't hold much appeal while sitting across from a devil.

"Julian, how are your studies progressing?" Reginald inquired, peering over the rim of his tea cup.

"Good so far," Daisuke replied with forced exuberance. "It's a lot to take in all at once, though."

The man chuckled softly. "...There's no need to lie."

Daisuke cleverly kept his expression guarded, but he stopped breathing. Dammit! Did he somehow find out about last night?

"How did you like the gift I prepared? You kept her all night long, so when could you have found the time to sufficiently study?"

Daisuke breathed.

Reginald smiled, evidently amused. "I must admit, I thought you were too young to appreciate the warmth of a companion, but it seems I was mistaken. I took great care to provide you with someone of purity as a gesture of my respect and appreciation for you. I trust this will mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership between us."

Daisuke frowned inwardly. So, he did have someone watching the room, after all. He's shrewd, I'll give him that much. I'll need to be extra cautious in my actions from now on.

Fear of monsters& the unknown: 37%