The villain's ending is only death Chapter 35
My affection had risen significantly. However, I walked towards the entrance without any hesitation.
With this, my debt to him was all settled.
'I need to get back to my room and start marking Xs on the paper.'
Just as I was about to open the door, it slammed shut again.
As I tried to turn the doorknob again, I was startled to see an arm suddenly stretch out above my head.
A man who had approached me from behind was blocking the entrance with his hand.
I quickly turned around to find a rabbit mask right in front of my nose.
I was now trapped under his large frame.
A low, deep voice echoed from above.
Caught off guard by the unexpected position, I was visibly flustered.
"What, what is it? Do you still have something to say?"
Bunter paused for a moment before speaking.
"...I want to thank you for taking care of the children today."
"Never mind. I entered a place I shouldn't have, so..."
"I can't live with a debt."
As he said this, he slowly lowered his head towards me. The distance between our masks grew closer.
'Is he going to threaten me to keep my mouth shut?'
My throat felt dry. Even without such pressure, I had no intention of getting further entangled with him and would keep my mouth shut.
I pressed my body against the door, trying to avoid him, and shrugged my shoulders as if I were calm.
"I don't really need anything?"
What thanks? If I leave here, you won't even look back, and I'll just mark an X.
After a brief silence, Bunter said something unexpected.
"I have the ability to do things that ordinary people cannot."
I was confused and flustered by his words.
'So, you're saying that while ordinary people can't kill me, you can?'
Just as I was at a loss for words due to this new form of intimidation, a white rectangular window appeared behind me.
〈SYSTEM〉 Hidden Quest [Reveal the Magician's Secret!] completed!
〈SYSTEM〉 You have successfully obtained the magician's secret from his hidden chamber. As a reward, you receive [One-time Assistance from the Magician].
〈SYSTEM〉 Do you wish to claim your reward?
I burst out laughing at the absurdity of the reward.
Given the fear, intense deliberation, and decision I had to make due to this unexpected quest, it seemed utterly ridiculous to receive such a reward as I fled, determined never to see him again.
"...This is really too much."
Bunter echoed my words, which I had muttered under my breath, with a puzzled look.
I shook my head and gently pushed his chest, which was blocking me.
It was a weak gesture, but surprisingly, he stepped back without resistance.
While pretending to remove my hand from him, I pressed [Yes.]
"If I need anything, I'll come back."
I had no choice but to accept the absurd reward, given my precarious situation and the uncertainty of where and how I might use it.
"There won't be any such occasion."
Of course, I hoped it wouldn't come to that.
〈SYSTEM〉 You have obtained [One-time Assistance from the Magician].
After confirming the final system window, I turned and opened the entrance door wide.
When I finally escaped Bunter's guild, the alley was bathed in the setting sun, and a long, dark shadow had fallen over the ground.
As I stumbled down the steps in front of the entrance, I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of self-loathing.
"How could I forget to call for a carriage, you idiot..."
I had completely forgotten, in the chaos, that I couldn't use the teleportation function to return.
'Should I go back and ask for help?'
I glanced back at the closed door, pondering for a moment.
But I quickly dismissed the idea.
How absurd would it be to declare that I don't need his help and then go back to ask for a carriage?
I had already used up all my credibility for the day and couldn't bear any more embarrassment.
'...When should I go back? It has to be before the Duke finishes work.'
I looked down the straight alley, hoping to find a way out.
Fortunately, the end of the alley led directly to a main street, which was brightly lit.
The festive noise still echoed, as the celebration hadn't ended yet.
'I'll head to the main street first. There should be a place to catch a carriage.'
Grateful that the alley wasn't as twisted and maze-like as when I saved Eclis, I hurried along.
I quickly crossed the short alley, and as expected, the main street appeared.
The street was filled with a scene similar to the one I had seen with the Duke's sons during the festival.
I needed to catch a carriage, but there wasn't a single one in sight, only a crowd of people.
I frowned and looked around.
Then, I noticed a familiar emblem on a suit of armor.
"Show me your identity badge."
Not far away, two silver-armored knights were questioning a man with a sour expression.
"Why do you want to see my identity badge?"
"We have orders to thoroughly crack down on criminals who might have sneaked into the capital during the festival. Show it quickly."
A small scuffle broke out between the knights and the man.
'That armor looks familiar.'
As I watched, I suddenly realized.
'Holy crap! That's the Ecart emblem!'
Looking around again, I saw that the Duke's knights were stationed at regular intervals.
'Why are the knights here? Could they have already noticed I'm missing and are looking for me...?'
I felt my pupils dilate in panic.
This was bad. Derek, who was currently in charge of the family's knights, could be nearby.
'If I'm caught sneaking out, I'm dead.'
Although I had promised to stay in, the official order to do so hadn't been rescinded.
I quickly looked around, determined to get home without being spotted by Derek.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the direction of the scuffle.
The knights greeted someone with formal postures.
I looked over, hoping against hope.
Jet-black hair. A man wearing a splendid black cloak over silver armor with the Ecart emblem engraved on it.
He was already close by. My heart pounded with fear of being discovered.
Fortunately, my face was completely hidden by the robe hood and mask.
'He can't possibly recognize the mask, can he?'
It had been a week since the incident.
Derek, who despised me, wasn't the type to remember the mask I had bought.
The crowd around me prevented him from noticing me.
I tried to make myself as small as possible, planning to hide in the crowd and move.
A group of people, similarly masked, was approaching.
Just as I was about to join them, Derek, who had been listening to his subordinate, suddenly lifted his head.
And he was staring directly at me.
I took a step back in shock.
At that moment, our eyes met.
His face, which had been filled with suspicion, slowly twisted into a different expression.
I turned and ran into the alley before he could fully recognize me.
But the alley ended in a dead-end, lined with buildings including Bunter's guild.
If Derek chased me, I would be caught for sure.
With no other choice, I climbed the stairs with tears in my eyes. And then,