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Chapter 298 – Countdown starts
Inside the mansion’s salon at night.
Neptune came to visit during near midnight.
Then, I rolled my sleeves up and showed him my arm.
There were 11「☆」 perfectly lined up.
He mentioned that there was a maximum of 12.
And right now, I’m only left with 11 because I recently defeated one.
“You’re honestly just surprising me each and every time.” (Neptune)
Neptune was unusually praising me with a serious tone.
Usually when he asks for help, or when he would strike up a conversation with me, he would give this dignified look.
But right now, he’s genuinely admiring me.
“Really?” (Ryouta)
“I wasn’t surprised when you’ve defeated my fake, but to be able to defeat your own fake is a feat. Was it powerful?” (Neptune)
“Yeah, he was incredibly strong. There was a tad difference between our abilities.” (Ryouta)
Which was true.
I had to dive into acceleration world just to be able to keep up with his speed.
“Ahaha, of course he’ll be stronger. It’s always a paper thin chance of facing someone that is way higher level than you.” (Neptune)
“I know right.” (Ryouta)
I totally agreed.
“Just to be clear, I’ve fought with Ran and Ril once as well.” (Ryouta)
“I know, don’t worry about it. But did you notice something else?” (Neptune)
“They’re both strong, that’s for sure.” (Ryouta)
“That as well, but don’t you think that that’s because they have the ability to achieve it, hence why they’re that strong?” (Neptune)
“What do you mean by that?” (Ryouta)
Neptune happily smiled.
“When I was fighting with my doppelganger, it was around 100 to 90 scale.” (Neptune)
That’s about right.
“For Ril and Ran, it was around 100 to 1.” (Neptune)
“Why would you assume as such?” (Ryouta)
“As I said, it’s their innate talent. Since they’ve both threw away their abilities to fight head on, and instead chose to support me. Even for you, if you didn’t become an adventurer, I’m sure you would obtain some other talent right?” (Neptune)
“


. You’re right.” (Ryouta)
I bitterly smiled.
If I didn’t become an adventurer
.. No wait.
If I didn’t come to this other world.
I’ll probably still be overworking for the company, and await my death march.
Eating would just be a chore, and my eyes would form black circles because of the lack of sleep.


 To put it simply.
I’ve maxed out on my physical strength, as that is my main way of fighting, but I could still use magic to improve myself.
“Basically what they have there is.” (Ryouta)
“Yes, if they focus more on fighting—- That’s what they would become.” (Neptune)
“I see now.” (Ryouta)
“Are you going to follow me tomorrow?” (Neptune)
“Yeah, I want to climb another 2 to 3 stairs. Also I’m using the Transportation Room to go so I won’t have to face all the monsters below.” (Ryouta)
“Ahaha, I’m glad I asked for your help. You really give me a sense of relief. Now I’m starting to feel what others felt when they were saved by you.” (Neptune)
“I wonder.” (Ryouta)
That I wouldn’t know.
Gon!—– A huge bell sound resonated from outside the mansion.
It’s to signify that the day has changed.
“Well then, it’s getting late, so I should head home as well.” (Neptune)
“If there’s anything you need help, just call me.” (Ryouta)
“Alright, likewise.” (Neptune)
“Don’t worry, I’ll call you when I need it.” (Ryouta)
“Ahaha, you’re starting to act like my boss. Roger boss.” (Neptune)
“My family doesn’t operate like that okay.” (Ryouta)
“Seems that way.” (Neptune)
Exchanging handshakes, Neptune left from the back of my mansion.
Knock knock.
Before he left, someone knocked on the door.
The door opened, and Emily entered——-and she was pushed behind.
“Emily!?” (Ryouta)
“Awawa!” (Emily)
The two that pushed Emily aside was Ril and Ran.
“Are you alright Emily?” (Ryouta)
“Something terrible has happened Ne-kun!” (Ril)
“What’s wrong Ril, Ran?” (Neptune)
“Look at this.” (Ril)
Ril said as she rolled her sleeves and showed her her arm.
Similar to us, she has the stairs lined up perfectly.
What was important was after this.
“It’s lesser than before?” (Neptune)
“Yeah.” (Ril)
“Even mine as well, look.” (Ran)
Ran too showed her arm.
“What’s going on
..Mu.” (Neptune)
“What’s wrong Neptune?” (Ryouta)
“Even mine is lessening.” (Neptune)
“What the!?” (Ryouta)
We looked at Neptune’s arm.
“All of the doppelganger were defeated
..once?” (Ryouta)
“Yeah, same with Ril and Ran.” (Neptune)
“However——Mine didn’t decrease.” (Ryouta)
In a hurry, I checked mine as well, but it didn’t decrease.
Both of us started thinking.
And both of us lifted our heads up in perfect sync.
“It decreased because the days have changed?” (Ryouta)
“Is it because the day has changed?” (Neptune)
Both of us answered in unison.
Since we both have lots of experience with these kinds of things, we came to a conclusion at the same time.
“The problem now is, would it continue to decrease
.” (Neptune)
“Or does it start from now, where every day it would decrease by one.” (Ryouta)
We both agreed.
To answer our theory, we waited for another day, when the clock strikes 12.
And all 3 of Neptune and his partner automatically decreased by 1 star.
Unknowingly, it started counting down without us doing anything.