I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 69

The public opinion flipped like the turn of a hand. The audience, who had cheered for Tricia, now booed her as she stood idly by while I faced danger.

Even as the crowd shouted for her to save the Saintess, she watched me like a statue, her lifeless, cloudy eyes fixed on me. Among the audience’s voices, I thought I could faintly hear Dahlia’s cries.

What should I do…?

Without Tricia’s help, it was obvious that the beast in front of me would tear my throat and leave me lying lifeless on the ground. Fighting it with my clumsy swordsmanship would be foolish.

Although I had drawn my sword, I didn’t dare swing it. The bead on the decoration of the scabbard jingled faintly. As the clear sound of the bead rang, the beast’s body trembled noticeably.

Is it reacting to this sound?

Seeing the beast flinch, I deliberately shook the bead again. Once more, the beast made a significant movement.

It was certain—the beast was reacting to the sound of the bead. Only now did I understand why all the beasts released so far had targeted me. Adrian must have noticed this and suggested removing the decoration.

Although the sound seemed identical to other decorations others carried, Adrian must have detected something different.

Now that I understood why I was being targeted, the problem was finding a solution. Even if I removed the bead, the beast that had already marked me as its target wouldn’t just turn away peacefully.

It was a shame to have come this far, but perhaps it was time to face a Dead Ending. If I couldn’t officially survive this, it might be better to end it myself rather than let Gillian take advantage of me.

Better to die than to be used by a character like Gillian. If it’s a Dead Ending, I might even be able to log out…

<A hint for achieving the second objective has been provided.>

As soon as I resolved myself, the system window urgently appeared.

<Follow the system’s guidance.>

The system window flickered before transforming into a small arrow. The arrow pointed to the horse I had been riding, which had cautiously returned to circle near me after running off.

Narrowing my eyes, I observed the horse. Was its approach also orchestrated by the system?

Though I couldn’t be sure, it seemed the system didn’t want me to die.

<Charge in 5 seconds.>

The system even kindly provided the timing to act. There wasn’t much time to decide whether to follow its guidance.

4, 3, 2, 1… Watching the countdown, I threw aside the cumbersome sword and ran the moment the timer hit zero.

The system was designed to protect ‘Haniel’s’ body, so it must intend to save me for now.

Following the arrow, I leapt onto the horse. The horse immediately began moving on its own, clearly under the system’s control.

Balancing precariously atop the galloping horse as it charged toward Tricia, I saw a new system window appear against the blurred scenery.

<Throw the decorative bead.>

Where am I supposed to throw it?

Grabbing the jangling bead roughly and holding it in my hand, I questioned the system. It provided a natural response.

<Character ‘Tricia’>

A small arrow appeared over Tricia’s head.

Is it really okay to throw it…?

If I threw the bead in this situation, the beast targeting me would go after Tricia instead, but she seemed dazed and out of it. After hesitating briefly, I followed the system’s command and threw the bead. Tricia reflexively caught the bead as it fell toward her.

“Why are you giving me this…?”

Muttering in disbelief, Tricia spoke as she stared at the bead she had instinctively caught. Even after I threw the bead to Tricia, the system continued guiding me with its arrows. Ignoring her muttering, I moved past her, following the system’s direction.

<Guidance has ended.>

“Ugh!”

Arriving at the location indicated by the arrow, the system’s guidance concluded. Turning back toward Tricia, I saw her gripping her spear tightly as she dodged the attacking beast. Watching her agile movements, I realized my concern had been unnecessary.

Though momentarily startled by the sudden attack, Tricia quickly regained her composure and dealt with the beast in an instant.

“Saintess! Why did you throw this at me?”

Dismounting her horse and driving her spear into the beast, Tricia shouted at me after confirming its death.

<Hunting Festival Progress>

• 90%

Despite one box remaining, Tricia acted as though the festival had ended, lowering her weapon. Silently observing her panting figure, I noticed her scowl as she spoke.

“There are no more beasts left. What comes out of the final box is…”

As Tricia protested, a low growl echoed through the arena. The sound came from the box being brought into the center of the arena.

The box that appeared in the center of the arena was opening very slowly. Tricia’s face hardened as she watched the box’s opening gap. Even I could see the glint of the beast’s fierce eyes that had been locked in the box.

Unable to hide her alarm, Tricia glanced toward the audience. Locking eyes with Gillian, she quickly regained her composure and gripped her spear. Despite struggling to retrieve her spear, embedded deep in the beast’s body, she finally managed to free it with a groan.

As Tricia moved to pull out her spear, the sound of the bead grew louder. From the half-open box, a vicious maw emerged. The beast, twisted and ready to leap, clung close to the entrance of the box.

Tricia’s spear seemed fixed to the ground, refusing to budge.

<To protect the player ‘Haniel,’ a penalty has been applied to Character ‘Tricia.’>

To protect me?

I frowned as I read the system message. Meanwhile, Tricia gave up on pulling out the spear and scanned her surroundings. There were no usable weapons nearby.

I disliked how the system casually mentioned protecting me. If that was its intention, it should have provided hints from the start of the hunting festival.

The system only began protecting me after I resolved to face a Dead Ending.

As the box fully opened, the beast bolted straight for Tricia. Watching her from the position the system had guided me to, I tightened my grip on the reins and moved the horse. Despite the practice, maintaining balance on the horse while holding a sword wasn’t easy.

Tricia, having abandoned her search for a weapon, stood bare-handed in front of the charging beast. Clenching her fists tightly, her eyes blazed with determination.

What? Is she planning to punch it?

The sight of Tricia readying her fists instead of running away made me chuckle incredulously. Who in their right mind would take on a beast with bare hands?

Dietrich had mentioned that Tricia had won the hunting festival for the past three years. At the time, I thought the other participants must have herded prey toward her to secure her victory.

But I was completely wrong. Without the system’s interference, Tricia had earned her victories through her own strength. Watching her clench her fists in the absence of a weapon, I couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh.

Seeing Tricia actually prepare to punch the charging beast, I hurried toward her.

Tricia, who had been dodging the beast’s attacks, suddenly stumbled and fell backward.

<A penalty has been applied to Character ‘Tricia.’>

Closing the system window that obstructed my view, I approached the beast advancing on the fallen Tricia. She clenched her teeth and extended her arm toward the creature’s open maw.

Judging by her outstretched left hand, it seemed she intended to sacrifice one arm to escape the situation.

Could the system’s penalty on Tricia be an injury to one arm…?

“Tricia!”

Before her hand entered the beast’s mouth, I shouted. Startled, Tricia flinched and glanced at me.

Meeting my eyes, she raised both hands and grabbed the beast by the neck. Her arms trembled violently under the strain. Turning toward me, she shouted, “Saintess, strike its neck!”

Hearing her cry, I released the reins. Screams erupted from the audience.

Ignoring the horrified screams, I leapt off the horse.

***

“Waaaaah!”

The audience erupted into cheers at the unfolding scene.

I had jumped off the horse to add force to my sword strike and pierce the beast’s neck. Haniel’s athletic body moved perfectly according to my will.

The sword pierced the beast’s neck and lodged in the ground next to Tricia’s face. As Tricia lay on the ground, looking drained of energy, she and I locked eyes. Blood dripped onto her face, bringing light back to her previously dazed eyes.

Looking up at me blankly, Tricia met my gaze. I spoke playfully, “It turns out what comes out of the final box is also prey, Lady Tricia.”

“Ah…”

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

As the system window above Tricia announced the end of the hunting festival, I checked her condition.

<Hunting Festival Progress>

• 100%
• The hunting festival has concluded.

<Event ‘Gillian’s Trap (2)’ has been completed.>

• Dietrich’s affection has slightly increased.

<Dietrich’s Capture Event ‘The Source of Fear’>

<Second Objective Completed>

• Proceeds to Dietrich’s Capture Event (2) ‘Overcoming Fear.’

<Character ‘Tricia’ has escaped the system’s control.>

• The capture route for ‘Dietrich’ has been reset.

<‘Tricia’ cannot be controlled.>

<Essential character cannot be controlled.>

<Due to the absence of an essential character, Dietrich’s Capture Event (2) ‘Overcoming Fear’ has been destroyed.>

Entry into the capture route for ‘Dietrich’ is no longer possible.

<Searching for new routes…>

.

.

.

<No routes available at the current time.>

Checking the system windows one by one, I turned to Tricia and smiled. Although the system ominously flashed warnings about its inability to control Tricia, I reassured her with a smile.

“You seem fine.”