Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Her

First of all, before we jump into the full story, let me clarify one thing.

I wasn't always a ratling. Instead of being a half-man half-rat monster living in a sewer, I was a human like you. A very average one.

Hmm, no, let me correct that. Come to think of it, my life was actually below average.

It wasnt my family or my parents who were to blame. The problem was me.

Lacking any semblance of motivation, dreams, or passion, I studied randomly, entered the first university that had a spot open, and lived a colourless life.

I had no drive to go out and get a job, and I had no ambition.

As I spent time like that, I was nearing thirty before I knew it.

The job market was tough, so I still lived at my mother's, earning some pocket money from playing video games.

Ah, now that Im remembering it again, my life sure was pathetic.

It was after my mother collapsed that I came face-to-face with reality.

A woman who raised her son by herself, had to keep supporting him even after he became an adult, was it any wonder that shed fall ill?

Because she didnt have any money saved up, she didnt even go to the hospital at the start.

I was able to put a lid on the fire somehow thanks to the help of my kind-hearted relatives, but still, it was at that time that I finally saw myself properly in the mirror.

A useless human being who couldnt even take care of his sick mother.

The only thing he knew how to do was to earn some money from playing games.

I was drowning in self-loathing, and the fear of living all alone in the world hounded my every breath.

That was when I met her'.

She was a beauty that would turn any mans head, and it was my luck that she was a fan of mine.

Id once uploaded a lets play video with a camera view of my face. This was when I had a delusion of becoming a famous streamer. Of course, I didn't have the kind of guts that required, so Id quickly dropped the matter, but she said she recognized me from that. She was one of the few subscribers to my channel, apparently.

Your taste is really unique.

Exhausted in both body and mind, that was the only way I could respond.

It was nothing but the truth. Because I always chose to play as monsters or villain characters in games, and as all sorts of perverts, too, my subscribers often left malicious comments under my videos. For example

He always makes the games feel weird. I bet this bastards some kind of a NEET shut-in.'

But she only laughed.

Well, everyone has their own preferences, dont they? Anyway, nice to meet you. Whatre you doing here at the hospital?

Then, as if possessed by something, I started telling her my life story.

About my sick mother. About my uselessness, belated regrets, self-loathing, fear of the future, and above all, about my anger at the world.

Why are you angry?

"Thats"

I was reluctant to say it, but in the end my words poured out. Now that I think about it, I really mustve been possessed.

Because this world neglected me, and abandoned me.

This world?

"I know. Im talking nonsense. But I can't help but be angry, yknow? This world never gave me any attention, and thanks to that, Ive lived my life without paying any attention to myself. If anyone had found my talent or had enough interest in me to give some guidance, I wouldn't have ended up like this.

Oh? Bullshit as that is, it sounds quite novel.

"I know. I know already how ugly it all sounds. You don't have to remind me.

But it is impressive. In a way. It's not easy to open up like that, even to your friends. I think I have an inkling of how hard it is, and how desperate you feel.

How desperate I feel? Just the hospital bills no, if I could get even a single chance to be a good son or a useful human being once again, I could trade my soul to a demon for it. Im serious."

Oh, is that enough? Then would you like to work for my company?

My head went blank for a moment at the suggestion that popped out without any sense of reality.

Are you a demon?

"Oh dear me. Have you ever heard of a demon this pretty? And honestly, your soul isn't even worth trading, right? Ah, sorry. I didnt mean to insult you. I was just telling the truth.

Harsh words. However, they happened to be true.

"Fffuck then are you some kind of an organ trafficker? A dating scammer? Or a con artist?"

Arent you just imagining things?

But it fits. A job offer out of the blue let me be clear, I'm poor as dirt, so stop thinking about scamming me. I already have enough problems on my plate right now.

She giggled and said something incomprehensible.

To be honest, Id never laid eyes on an employment contract before, so I had no idea what was what.

But even at a glance, the conditions looked excellent.

All the more so for somebody like me, who had no relevant prior job experience or related skills. A question came to mind.

I remember from the elevator, that this is the 66th floor.

"Yes. Are you uncomfortable with heights?

I noticed quite a few foreigners along the way.

This is the era of globalization. Are you a racist, by any chance?

Everyone greeted you politely.

I might be a woman, but Im a high-ranking executive. What, are you a male chauvinist?

"No. No I'm just curious. Youre a high-ranking executive at such a great company, why the hell would you offer a job like this to someone like me?

Ill be honest. I dont deserve this. Honestly speaking, this is all so unrealistic that it feels like youre setting me up for a joke.

She smiled. It was a smile that could bewitch anyone who saw it.

I told you. I'm your fan, so I'm here to help. Also, I need you, too.

It wasn't a convincing answer, but I couldn't ask any more questions because of that bright smile.

Her pure charisma was hard to resist.

Well, then what do you want to do now? Would you like to try it? Or would you like to quit? Youre free to choose. Just in case youre wondering, the money I gave you is yours, so don't worry about it. Even if you refuse, I wont ask for it back.

I hesitated. Would I go back like this? Or would I give it a try?

Common sense was telling me to just go back.

Didnt this whole setup smell dodgy? But I couldn't.

Because she needed me. Because someone acknowledged me, and expected something from me. It wasnt an offer I could refuse.

Because I yearned to be needed. By somebody. Anybody.

No, I'll do it. But I have a question about this part here, about the character. Its been decided by this A'. The provision that the character must be a ratling'. What does that mean?"

Just as it sounds. You literally have to play the game as a ratling.

"And? Whats a ratling?

Lets just say that theyre monster rats that live in the sewers. A mutant race created by the goddess Derubo, who loves the cursed and the marginalized.

Is this a game setting?

Ah of course. Do you have any concerns?

No, no, it sounds a bit disgusting, but thats just fine with me. Hmm. By the way, can you tell me why I have to play as a ratling character?

Its a race I designed. So I guess Im fond of them? Anyway, right. Make sure to also check out the main storyline.

"Hmm, I see. Then, how should I play the game?

Just go as hardcore as you want.

Her words sounded like a riddle. But I just nodded and signed the contract.

Then, shall we try it right now?

"Right Now?"

"No time like the present, as they say. Or, you dont want to?"

"No. No, Im ready.

As expected! I have a good eye for people, you know. Just sit on that chair over there and relax. It should be pretty comfy, it certainly costs enough.

It was true. As I sat on the chair, my body relaxed as if I was lying on a fluffy cloud.

Now then, wear this.

As I was about to put on the VR console that looked just like sunglasses, I paused as a question suddenly came to my mind.

By the way, whats the name of this game?

Oh, the name of the game? I haven't decided yet how about M&A'?

Like, merger/acquisition?

Yes, or rather a hostile takeover, to be precise.

What do you

I tried to ask, but she forcibly put the console on me. She was so strong that I couldn't even resist.

After a while, I managed to open my eyes and there was a goblin standing right in front of me.

Editor's Notes:

None for this chapter.