"It hurts so much, System. Can't you block the pain?"
［Possible, but host lacks sufficient permissions］
I lay face down on a warm bed, wrapped in bandages, unable to move a muscle. Staring hopelessly at the wooden ceiling, I felt utterly defeated.
Great. Just perfect.
"How do I get permissions?"
［Level up］
What a brilliant solution, I thought.
——Flashback——
I never expected the first people I'd run into on the beach would be Kairagi and Treasure Hoarders. And the "stand up and run" strategy from the game didn't work at all—the moment I got up, the shovel-wielding Treasure Hoarder spotted me and threw dirt in my face, blinding me.
I only managed to knock down one Pyro Potioneer.
The Elemental Potioneers hit me with Melt reactions, and the pain immediately sent me tumbling to the ground. Just as I was about to flee in panic, the System suddenly warned me not to run.
"Are you trying to get me killed faster?"
［You will not die］
I glared furiously at the enemies behind me—each labeled Level 20 in red. My leg, injured by an Overloaded reaction, throbbed unbearably, but I had to keep running.
As I tried to stand, a sharp pain shot through my back.
A Kairagi had slashed me, sending me crashing face-first into the ground. Dazed and in agony, I watched my health bar plummet on the status screen.
Seeing I was immobilized, the group approached and began searching me.
"Boss, this girl's dirt poor."
"Not a single Mora on her."
Blood pooled around me, soaking into the sand. I could even taste it in my mouth.
"Hey! Don't touch me!"
I screamed while trying to crawl away. Weren't Treasure Hoarders just petty thieves with weak nerves? Since when did they kill on sight?!
Dying immediately after spawning would be so lame.
As I thought this, I saw the glint of a raised blade and went limp. Was I just waiting for the final blow?
In my fading consciousness, I glimpsed a pair of familiar boots entering my field of vision, followed by a voice I knew all too well. The moment I realized who it was, my tension melted away, and I relaxed into unconsciousness.
——
Somehow, getting slashed a few times actually made me level up—from a Level 10 noob to a Level 11 noob.
"System, if I eat Sweet Madam, will it restore my HP?"
［Yes］
"Do I have an inventory?"
［Yes, accessible at any time］
That's convenient. So I can cook HP-restoring dishes just like in the game. The thought comforted me slightly, easing my panic over nearly dying right after spawning.
"Does the healing effect also close wounds?"
［It accelerates recovery. For example, a wound that would take a week to heal naturally will close in one to two days］
"Tch, not very useful."
While criticizing the unrealistic healing mechanics, I heard movement outside the room. Immediately, I relaxed my breathing, closed my eyes, and pretended to be asleep.
It was the dragging footsteps of an elderly person.
I was fairly certain that in my moment of crisis, I'd encountered that famous oni from Inazuma City, and he'd likely been the one to rescue me and carry me back—if only because of the large, tender bruise on my stomach that definitely hadn't come from any attack. It looked more like the result of being thrown over a shoulder and jostled aggressively.
How like him.
［Arataki Itto Favorability: 15］
The System's blunt notification startled me.
Why is there a favorability system? Is there some kind of romance mechanic too?
If my rescuer was that oni, then the elderly person approaching was likely the one called Granny Oni.
As I thought this, I heard the door slide open.
The blankets were gently lifted, and I heard the old woman sigh—probably checking my injuries—followed by the sound of something being placed on the table.
It smelled like rice porridge.
The details in this simulated world were so realistic. I cracked my eyes open to glance at my hand resting nearby, counting the fine hairs on it as I waited for the elderly woman to leave.
Outside, there was boisterous noise—including a very familiar voice laughing heartily. Based on that distinctively loud tone, it was undoubtedly Inazuma's famous oni.
Wow, what a dorky laugh.
［Host, aligning with Arataki Itto would significantly increase survival rates. Moreover, this character is highly popular among players and has involvement in main story events］
"No thanks. I'm a Kaeya main."
I opted for a futile protest.
This time, the System didn't punish me by deducting HP.
The elderly woman's footsteps faded as she left the room. Once sure she was gone, I immediately sat up. My clothes, cleaned of bloodstains and neatly folded nearby, had even been mended. To avoid irritating my wounds, I wore only bandages and shorts. I quickly cut the bandages with my blade, pulled on my clothes, and gulped down the porridge—watching my HP bar refill rapidly.
Then I slipped out through the window.
Granny Oni's house was located on Yashiori Island. The clear skies suggested this was after Inazuma's main storyline. I jogged uphill, snatching a few Violetgrass fruits from trees along the way and devouring them.
My HP bar refilled further, and the itching in my back signaled healing. I ate all three Violetgrass fruits on the tree, restoring most of my HP. Moving no longer caused much pain.
"Have I left their line of sight yet?"
［You are now at a safe distance］
I'll remember their kindness, I thought, standing up to gaze at the distant wooden cabin. I could even make out a tall, white-haired oni with red horns playing with a group of children.
"I don't plan on relying on anyone just yet."
I told the System, taking one last look at them.
"Being with them would make me too complacent."
Although Arataki Itto was a brave and good-hearted fool in the story, I didn't want to depend on others—especially someone like him—right from the start. I also wasn't prepared to handle the shock of seeing these characters transition from pixels to real people. Finding out I'm a coward when faced with the real thing was a bit too much to handle.
Arataki Itto was so tall—he could probably crush me with one hand.
"Good thing this isn't Inazuma before the main story, or I'd have been fried into a bloody crisp by lightning."
"System, what's the current main story timeline?"
［Enkanomiya has recently been unlocked］
I pondered this, then noticed a legendary Level 10 Pyro Hilichurl Shaker tottering toward me. Gritting my teeth, I raised my blade and charged.
"Time to level up—"
——
After successfully defeating several dozen small Hilichurls, I watched excitedly as my level rose to 14, letting out a triumphant "whoo!" despite my half-depleted HP bar.
There were many theories about the Hilichurls' origins. My hands even shook the first time I beheaded one to collect its mask—a hesitation that nearly got me ambushed. The blood splattered on me soon vanished, but by the second and third kill, I'd grown numb. As long as I didn't see them as equals, the guilt was manageable—
After all, killing is something you get used to.
Munching on Violetgrass, I listened as the System seemed pleased with my efficiency.
［The highest-level Hilichurl camps nearby range between Levels 15–20. Lawachurls, Mages, and Shamans rarely appear here］
"So you're saying I should clear them out?"
［Clearing them will likely bring you to Level 15. You will gain 5 allocatable points］
"4 points into Attack, 1 into Defense."
The difference was immediately noticeable. I hefted the Debate Club with one hand, swinging it in an arc before slamming it into the ground. The surge of power in my body was undeniable compared to when I'd struggled to wield it single-handedly before.
From the eastern side of the island, I could just make out the silhouette of Inazuma City in the distance.
As I stood up to pick another fruit, my hand closed around a large purple bug. I wasn't afraid of insects—in fact, I quite liked them—so I calmly examined the palm-sized creature.
It was a large Onikabuto.
Watching it flutter lazily in my hand, I remembered Arataki Itto, who'd saved my life.
"Will it stay alive if I store it?"
［Yes］
I was about to tuck it into my inventory when another thought occurred to me.
"What's the inventory capacity?"
［60］
"Tch, so small."
I placed the large beetle into my inventory. If I got the chance, I'd give it to Arataki Itto as a thank-you gift.
——
Arataki Itto had lost two rounds of beetle sumo in a row. With a sulky expression, he let the kids draw turtles all over his face. The large oni crouched there, muttering to himself before rallying with determination.
"Just you wait—next time I'll definitely beat you! Don't get too cocky!"
His voice was so loud that he only heard Granny Oni's call after his outburst. He hurried inside to find the woman who'd raised him sighing worriedly in the room.
"...That girl's wounds haven't healed yet. How could she just leave?"
The futon in the inner room had been thrown aside, folded haphazardly. Scattered on the floor were cut, bloodstained bandages. The window swung open, creaking in the wind.
The girl he'd found on the beach that morning was gone.
When he first saw her, she'd been face-down on the ground with a long gash on her back, surrounded by thieves, blood everywhere—the metallic scent thick in the air. She was small and delicate, making the injury seem even more horrifying, as if she'd been nearly split in half.
Her jade-green eyes had been dull and lifeless.
The tall oni rubbed his nose thoughtfully.
"Don't worry, Granny!" he boasted cheerfully. "I'll definitely find her!"
The elderly woman took one look at his ink-covered face and sighed in amusement, going to fetch a towel for him—