Popular NPC in a Gender-Reversed Game – Chapter 70

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Similar incidents followed.

“Stay strong.”

Thump.

Otherworlders, having somehow bypassed the goblin perimeter, would offer me items like they were giving alms to a beggar.

“Excuse me, I was wondering if you could show us your tattoo? Ah… you’d rather not?”

Thump, thump.

The items were mostly things you could only find in the city center. From small pastries to utensils like knives and forks.

“Have you really been living in this forest all this time? Then, what about… you know… Never mind.”

Click.

Some even took pictures after giving me gifts. I was used to being photographed without my permission, so I didn’t mind. But this time, it felt different.

They weren’t focusing on me, but on the act of giving me gifts, as if to prove they’d done it.

Like they needed to show it to someone…

I couldn’t see their world, but I could guess. They were probably posting it on online communities. Giving gifts to the forest hermit had become a trend.

I wished Player’s Eye could show me their online communities. Now that my identity as a Carrier was revealed, there were bound to be discussions online. But I couldn’t see them.

“Uh, hmm… thanks.”

I accepted all the gifts. There was no reason to refuse, and more possessions were always welcome. Though it did make moving even more complicated…

I still felt strange about the whole thing. They were looking at me like I was some kind of stray puppy.

Their gazes were warm, yet… unsettling. I was doing fine now. Well, things had gotten a bit hectic lately, but still.

Time passed.

I was constantly on the move, barely resting. While the otherworlders were currently showering me with gifts, I knew it wouldn’t last. Now that my secret was out, a subjugation force could arrive at any moment.

The otherworlders wouldn’t all stay silent. Someone would talk, and the news would eventually reach the Empire. They might already be organizing a subjugation force.

I couldn’t afford to hesitate. I was busy organizing my belongings, searching for a new home, and even digging a secret escape route from the depths of my cave, just in case it was surrounded.

‘What a hassle, in the middle of winter…’

At least I had stockpiled enough food for the winter. Otherwise, I would have been completely overwhelmed. But even so, I was pushing myself too hard.

After a long day of work, I would collapse into a restless sleep, constantly on alert.

The forest was safe at night, but I couldn’t let my guard down. Sleep was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Fatigue accumulated steadily.

Six days after Dantalion’s retreat, I finally saw a familiar face.

“Mr. Yor!”

It was Yoo Chae-rin.

A friendly face, after six long days. Considering the magnitude of the incident, she’d arrived rather late.

“Ha… ha… I’m sorry I’m late. I was on a mission far away…”

She quickly explained, as if sensing my question.

I nodded.

“It’s okay. No one could have predicted this. Let’s go inside.”

I was just glad she’d come. I had a lot of questions for her.

I led her back to my cave.

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“The cave… looks a bit empty, doesn’t it?”

That was Chae-rin’s first observation upon entering.

She was right. I’d been organizing the clutter I’d accumulated over the years.

“Yeah, I’m getting ready to leave.”

“Wait, leave? Where are you going?”

She looked visibly startled, a flicker of anxiety in her violet eyes. It was shocking news. She’d finally become friendly with a male NPC, and now he was leaving?

She was worried she wouldn’t be able to see me again if I moved.

I chuckled inwardly and reassured her.

“Don’t worry. I’m not leaving right away. I actually have a lot of questions for you about that.”

I understood her feelings. I didn’t want to leave my home either. Despite some unpleasant memories, I had many fond memories of this place.

She sighed in relief.

“Phew, that’s good to hear. Do you know how worried I was when I first heard the news?”

She recalled the initial reports.

A demon invading Yor’s home, his identity as a Carrier revealed, and a mysterious man interrupting the livestream and forcing it to end.

Chae-rin, who had been on a long-term guild mission, had been terrified.

She knew how dangerous it was for a Carrier to be exposed. She was relieved to see me safe and sound.

“Anyway, I have a question. What’s going on with the otherworlders? They’re suddenly giving me gifts.”

“Ah, that…”

Chae-rin explained the online community’s reaction to my situation.

Fortunately, most players were sympathetic. I’d built up some goodwill through my appearances on streams, and many pitied me for having to hide in the forest because of my demon blood.

That was why they were bringing me gifts.

“Phew…”

I sighed in relief. This was good. I felt strange being pitied, but it was better than being hated.

But I couldn’t relax completely. She’d said most players were sympathetic. Which meant there were dissenting opinions.

“Of course, some people aren’t happy.”

Chae-rin continued.

“Some say that Carriers are criminals and should be arrested. Some are worried that their favorite NPCs will die if a demon is summoned. And some players are even trying to find out if there’s a bounty on your head.”

She then clicked her tongue and muttered,

“Those damn gold farmers…”

I nodded calmly.

I’d expected some backlash. With so many otherworlders, it was impossible for everyone to be on the same page. It was better than I’d anticipated, though.

Most players were still on my side.

But that wasn’t my main concern. I could handle the otherworlders, even if they turned hostile. The real problem was the Gaians, who would have also heard the news.

I asked cautiously,

“What about the knights? What are they doing?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure…”

She trailed off. She could see what the players were saying online, but other information was harder to come by. She’d come straight to me after finishing her mission, so she hadn’t had time to gather intel.

But she had heard rumors.

“But I think you’ll be okay for now. With the Dantalion incident and the Lemegeton situation, the knights seem incredibly busy.”

She didn’t think they had the time to deal with me right now.

‘So I have some time…’

I thought, relieved. I’d been prepared for an immediate attack. It was just a guess, but it eased my mind.

I’d heard everything I needed to know.

I relaxed slightly and was about to return to organizing my storage when…

‘Oh.’

I suddenly remembered something. I had one more question.

I went into my storage and retrieved something, showing it to Chae-rin.

She frowned.

“Eww, what is that?”

It was Dantalion’s severed ear. Harold had been too busy running away to retrieve it.

Squirm.

Even detached from his body, the ear continued to morph and shift. It retained its ear-like shape, but the flesh squirmed and rearranged itself, a grotesque yet fascinating display of regeneration.

I’d kept it because it was a demon’s body part, and it was… entertaining to watch. And based on past experience, it might even be an item.

“Can you appraise this for me?”

I handed it to her. She made a face but complied, activating Player’s Eye. The appraisal window appeared before me.

[Severed Ear of the Two-Faced Demon]

As I’d suspected, it was an item. The Two-Faced Demon… that must be Dantalion’s nickname.

“It’s an item. Here you go.”

She quickly returned it, as if she couldn’t bear to hold it any longer. She seemed to have a low tolerance for squirming things.

I took it and pondered.

‘So it is an item…’

What was its ability?

I recalled using Seere’s arm. Severed body parts of demons seemed to retain some of their power. This one would be no different. I wasn’t sure if it was magic or something else.

As I was thinking this…

Sizzle…

A part of the ear disintegrated, and a voice echoed in my mind. Or rather, it felt like it was directly implanted into my brain.

-Wow… doesn’t he think that’s gross?

It was Chae-rin’s voice.

‘Aha.’

I think I understood this item’s ability.

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