Chapter 308: This Looks Cool

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“So, I want to understand… what exactly caused all of this—and of course, I firmly believe that by solving it, I’ll overcome that death flag.”

It sounded simple, but truthfully, it had taken Will four years to reach this conclusion.

To truly learn to think like a person living in this world.

If anything, the old him had been too much of a spectator, too detached—pretending he didn’t care about life or death.

“Hmm…”

Shuna rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

“Wh-What’s wrong? Is there a problem with my reasoning?”

“I’m wondering if I missed something—some variable or precondition we haven’t considered yet.”

“But isn’t that obvious? Of course something happens because of its causes! Little Will’s been overcomplicating things~”

She seized the chance to ruffle his hair again, like an older sister teasing her younger brother.

“I appreciate how quickly you accepted it, but… stop petting my head.”

“So, what does your beloved Shuna-nee need to do? Beat up that… uh… slime that’ll kill you? Or just murder whoever’s behind this? Or—I get it—maybe you just need a hug and someone to say ‘Good job’?”

This… this was what it meant to have a true partner. A reliable teammate.

“No, first… uh… Step One is—”

“Is?”

“Finding the dungeon where I die, right?”

“Actually, I kinda forgot… what it’s called.”

Will scratched his head awkwardly.

“Not completely forgotten—blame the name being a mouthful.”

He was thinking.

On one hand, the dungeon had only been mentioned once in the entire novel, with no further details—remembering that at all after transmigrating into a cannon fodder villain was impressive!

On the other hand…

Will covered one eye.

He was still afraid of death. He couldn’t just brush it off, which was why his mind subconsciously suppressed the memory.

But it lingered—a knot in his heart.

“Still, I’m sure… if I see the name again, I’ll recognize it.”

“Fine.” Shuna sighed, as if she’d expected this. “Even in your memories, I couldn’t see the dungeon’s name.”

But both of them knew another way to find it.

They exchanged glances.

“Of course, you already know. The best method is to return to Novis Town and check the Quest System I wrote. That definitely records the dungeon’s name.”

Shuna shook her head.

“…That place is too risky. The three of them might be waiting for you.”

“Right. Unlike this forgotten dungeon, everyone knows I might go back there.”

Will fell silent.

“Scared? If it’s just one of them, the two of us could escape.”

“No, not scared.”

“Then what?”

Will glanced up sheepishly.

“If I say it… will you get mad?”

Shuna wore a “I already see through you” face but folded her arms anyway.

“Talk.”

“Promise you won’t get angry first.”

“Fine. I won’t get angry… Now speak?”

(The twitching eyebrow said otherwise.)

“I was thinking… next time we meet, I can’t run. I need to… make sure they’re all satisfied staying with me.”

He said it with conviction.

“That’s why I have to clear my death flag first. Because… you were right. The you from that world without me… looked terrible. I don’t want the people who love me to end up like that. In short—I want to reach an ending where none of them are ‘failed heroines.’ But to do that, I have to survive first.”

“……”

Shuna just stared at him.

“You’re mad?”

“The first half did make me want to call you a harem protagonist.”

“Ahahaha…”

“But… the second half…”

Shuna snapped her fingers.

“Alright, I’ll admit—your nonsense kinda does sound cool.”

“Right?! Doesn’t it? I do look cool like this!”

Will felt it.

He’d found his soulmate.

Though…

Given that even Carver had multiple wives in this world, as long as he avoided getting stabbed, maybe it was fine…?

“Of course, this doesn’t mean I… don’t love you enough or don’t want you to myself. Rationally speaking, what I need from you is different from them. It could coexist.”

“Hah?!”

“We’ll discuss that after dark.”

“Wh-What kind of topic is ‘after dark’—”

“If we’re not going back to Novis, how else do you plan to find that dungeon and face your death?”

Shuna cut him off.

“Stop thinking.”

“Huh?”

Will knocked on his head—like he was trying to dumb himself down.

“If I’m fated to die there, then I just need to ask—where would I go naturally? Since I’ll recognize the name, isn’t that enough?”

Shuna paused.

“…Wait. Is that why you had me sneak into the Adventurer’s Guild to cross-reference dungeons linked to the Verdant Stone?”

“Exactly.”

Will snapped his fingers.

“I’d definitely go to those dungeons. So… my death must be at one of them.”

“……”

Shuna still hesitated.

Will had given many reasons—especially for intentionally walking into danger.

And…

She did want to uncover the truth behind the Verdant Stone—and the conspiracy lurking in the dungeon’s depths.

“Of course, this is also a clue… to why I die. Could the dungeon that kills me and the ones tied to the Verdant Stone… be connected?”

Will yawned, glancing outside.

Suddenly, the “demon-controlled lighting” shifted—day turned to night.

The Tenth Demon Castle, being underground, simulated day and night with magic.

They both watched as tiny night-active imps fluttered along the ceiling.

No stars. No clouds. Just an endless artificial sky.

The unlit room grew dim, the kind of dimness that lulled you to sleep.

“If you’re set on going, the five cities are listed here. Sent by Hysterm in an envelope.”

Shuna handed him the letter—only to find Will already collapsed onto the bed, breathing softly, fast asleep.

…Guess he’s tired.

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