This Lady is an NPC

Chapter 1: Arrival (1)

[The system has discovered a change in your status. Please check.]

Just as I recalled something, another message popped up and interrupted my chain of thoughts.

"System check?"

The moment I read the word out loud, another screen appeared out of thin air.

[A new contract has been formed]

[<!>You have been allowed to open a secret tab<!>]

[ <!>Profile<!>

Name: Sei An

Age: 17

Role: <!> NPC <!>

Occupation: Ono Performer

Attributes: <!> Keen Senses.<!>

Skills: <!> Language Proficiency Lv.S, Instrument mastery Lv.8. <!>

Element: <!> Ice <!>=

Overall Grade: <!>C<!> ]

....

It was just a quick glimpse before the screen disappeared from my vision, but I definitely saw the word [NPC] before the tab closes.

and pfft... How did my age reduce to seventeen?

"Um? What are you laughing about?"

"Uwoa—-??"

It hurts!

Wait...it hurts? And who the hell was that—

"Pfft! That was a great way to fall off while sitting".

As I look upward, I engraved a particular image of a bishoujo in my mind.

Milky white skin with blushes of pink hovering near her long lashes, she was like a fairy. Her smile seems to glisten as she draws her olive-colored hair back behind her ears.

Dear God, or anyone, thank you so much for blessing me with this sight. I have never thought that my imagination could conjure such an ethereal being.

"Are you all right?" Said the jade eyed beauty as she extended her hand to me.

"Are you a goddess?"

"Wha-? Ahahaha!"

Gosh. Did I just say that out loud? That's embarrassing...

Yet, even though I could feel the heat stuck in the back of my neck, I couldn't help but sneak glances at her. This appearance that she had is a cheat!

To be honest, I thought people considered me a pretty girl, but comparing me to her is like comparing a rock to a diamond.

Look at the corners of that pink lip! She is still smiling at me with that pretty face of hers.

Was my expression that weird to look at?

"Sorry for my rudeness, but can you stop staring at me?"

"Eh?! Sorry, I didn't mean to. It's just that your expression was kind of cute for a moment there."

"You're cute. Not me."

Ah. She blushed. This is weird. I never say my thoughts out loud for the past 20 years. Was this the effect of dreaming? It's highly possible, but it didn't feel natural to me to behave like this.

"Here, take my hand."

"Ah. Thank you."

"No problem."

After helping me get up, the green-haired beauty stared at me for a while, her gaze as though she was trying to gauge something out of me.

"Are you all right?" She asked again with that bishoujo face of hers.

"Yeah, I'm all right."

"My name is An. 20 years old. What's your name?"

"Ah, that's surprising, My surname is An', but you can just call me 'Sei.' I'm 17."

"... So Sei-chan is three years younger... And don't mind about the name, I know that 'An' is a common name for Ono citizens." The green-haired pondered for a short while and shot me a reserved smile.

Ono, again, this word sounds familiar.

Where have I heard of this word?

"Aren't you going to enter the city, Sei?"

"Ah, yes, I need to go back home..."

Hm? Back where?

To my surprise, An-san opening the hidden passage behind the seat I was sitting on didn't startle me.

Again, this weird feeling. This is my first time here in this cave, yet why do I feel as if I know the way around here? Was it because I created this world?

I don't know, but my body keeps moving on by itself.

On the way, An and I talked for a bit. My unconscious self told her I just went out for a quick breeze, and she told me bits about herself and the various herbs she went out to gather.

Apparently, An-san works as a traveling doctor and stays in the vicinity to rest for a short time.

We finally reached the gate of the underground city, Yulas, and now we are in front of a shop named "La Reverie."

"Uwahhh! Sei is back with a pretty girl!" A little boy ran to me with a big hug at my legs.

"I'm back, Take-kun," I said, stroking the head of the little blue-haired boy in front of me. Taku was staring at the pretty An for a moment before he quickly turned back to me.

"I'll go play with others for now! I'll be back before 7!"

Are?...Was he waiting for my "free time" to be over soon so he could go out to play?

"Have fun!" I said as I waved goodbye to the cute child.

It was a strange feeling to know that I'm taking care of a child.

Unknown word keeps flowing out of my mouth, but I rolled along with it. I can't do any of these things once I'm back for a while, anyway.

"Woah, Sei, how did you find a beauty like this?" A lady dressed in an extravagant kimono called me and throws me a red pocket from the second floor of the shop.

"Sei. Who's that?"

"Ah, don't mind her, she's the Ono bondservant that owns this shop. Her personality is a bit particular."

"Hmm...?"

An-san had that pondering look from before again while looking at me. I doubt that I had shown any expressions of being surprised. I mentioned the word 'bondservant' myself, yet An-san kept staring at me.

"... That's right, Yulas is the city of bondservants. Everyone here is so nice that I have a hard time recalling that fact."

An was right. Like her, who's wearing a cute one-piece dress with smooth skin, many people here still live a peaceful life. That included the "me" inside this dream.

I couldn't help but ponder at An and this dream of mine. Even though I've been acting as how I am inside this image, I couldn't shake off the uneasiness I have.

"SEI, can you go grab me some ingredients in Main street before starting your job? I left the money and buying list inside that pocket!"

With a wave and a nod, the lady quickly returned to the room.

"Ah. Sei-chan, can I go with you as well?"

"Eh? But aren't you tired from your outing trip earlier, An-san?"

"It's okay, I want to get to know you and the city more, so it'll be very nice if I can tag-along." And with that said, An-san tugged my left arm, and we both went to the Main street.

Who would have known that...

... Contrary to what we imagined the streets would be like, filled with joy and happiness, the scene that An and I witnessed was dyed red with a bloodbath image.