Chapter 77 Huh . . . Humans?

Looking through my window in a daze, I found myself hypnotized by the scarlet rain.

If it were any other day, this moment would have been a peaceful afternoon, with me drinking a hot choco and enjoying the cold atmosphere.

Unfortunately, I was well aware of the death this rain could bring.

The System being noisy didn't help either. Every time it talked, my mood would go unstable.

Like now.

<Aren't you going to check your rewards, Host?>

I won't. Not until I know for sure what happened to Roselake Town.

<Those Tokens will go to waste.>

I don't care.

<But what if Roselake was no more?>

". . ."

"My Lord," Florin said, and I barely glanced at her reflection in the glass window.

"Yeah?"

"Is something the matter? You've been there in a daze since morning."

". . . Just . . . a little worried."

"Teeheehee. My lord has really changed." She giggled, and, unlike before, I didn't have the energy to be worried about whether she knew about my split personality or not.

"My cooking proficiency has gone up, my lord," she said after a few seconds of silence. "Want me to cook you something?"

"Nah . . . we must conserve food as much as we can."

Florin beamed and swung her arms to her back. "We have plenty of stored food that could last us an entire month. Besides, we can just go out and get more in the nearby farm if we run low on supply."

She then pointed a finger over her chin, and her gaze went over the ceiling. "My Lord said that the Blood Rain isn't lethal unless one is exposed to it for four hours, right? A ten-minute walk wouldn't do us any harm."

I sighed, too unmotivated to argue. "Suit yourself."

Florin laughed and went to the kitchen. Not before long, I heard the sound of the knife against the chopping board.

<If Host is unmotivated, you could always go hunt players.>

NO!

I took a deep breath and released it in one go. I was worried about Roselake, but I was too scared to go out and travel under this blood-colored rain.

Skin blotching and dying with your flesh melting wasn't exactly my idea of fun.

At least the rain wasn't that strong. The breakwater would surely hold the waves at bay as long as the rain was consistently at this level.

Maybe I should check . . . after I mustered the courage.

<Or you could always activate Evil Heart and have your other self take over.>

Not a chance! I would not let that Psycho out ever again! I'll stay here, away from the trouble!

<But the System thought that Host wanted to go to Roselake?>

". . ." I grumbled under my breath. Then I would go check Roselake later . . . AFTER this Blood Rain ended.

<That's quite a long time before that after. In the end, Host wouldn't go anymore.>

Shut up!

"My Lord."

Athena's soft voice disrupted our argument.

I jumped off of the couch and immediately opened the door, and my sight was instantly welcomed by the goddess's drenched figure with a thin dress clinging to her gorgeous frame.

Seeing the two pinkish tips showing through the thin fabric of her dress, I redirected my eyes to her beautiful face framed by her golden hair.

I read about gods and goddesses being naked most of the time, but this was not ancient Greece!

"D-do you have anything to cover yourself?"

"Sorry, I forgot that you're bothered about a woman's naked body," she said with a dead voice and blank face.

If you know, then put on something!

She was probably doing it on purpose. After all, how long had it been raining these past days, yet she still hadn't covered herself? Also, Athena was very intelligent. It was simply impossible that she had forgotten about it.

Athena's pastime was probably seeing me flustered and acting like an idiot around her.

<Seems like it.>

She was not like this with my other self.

<It's because your other self isn't easily rattled and flustered. He is no fun to tease.>

You don't say?

I was sure that Athena had already noticed my change in personality. Her smarts weren't just for show.

She just wasn't asking about it.

"Anyway, my Lord. My nakedness isn't important."

Yes, it IS! I wanted to scream out loud.

"There are . . . humans outside our walls."

". . . huh?" All sinful thoughts inside my head disappeared at her announcement.

"It's best if you go and take a look for yourself."

Humans!

Players?!

I immediately checked their stat using Evil Eyes and based on what I saw. They were newbies.

There was someone who stood out from the rest, but I didn't really care. I was more excited at the prospect of finally having company in this desolate place that I didn't think too much about their stats.

Florin was sweet and nice and all, but oftentimes, I would catch her talking to herself and mentioning my name while holding a knife in hand. From time to time, she would even giggle to herself.

I wanted to seek the company of normal humans for once.

<Remember that guy in the pub?>

I met him at a pub! And he was working in Roselake!

These people were far from any town, and they were newbies. What danger could they possibly pose?

< . . . >

Anyway, I should see what they want first.

<Shelter for sure.>

If so, then my house was big enough to shelter them. Besides, I wanted to know what happened to them and how they arrived here.

Maybe they have information about my family. Who knows?

"Lead the way," I told Athena as I flung my makeshift umbrella over my head.

Tokens weren't affected by the Blood Rain, apparently. Sickness and death didn't affect them.

<You better hide your Tokens, Host.>

I know. You didn't have to remind me.

"Did they see you?" I asked Athena.

"I, Daedalus, and Ulysses are safe from their prying eyes. But I feared they saw the other workers foraging in the mountains and forest. That's why they were led here."

"It doesn't matter. Make sure to tell Daedalus and Ulysses to hide in the meantime while I entertain our guests."

Athena abruptly stopped and faced me. "Guests? You're planning to welcome them?"

I nodded. "Yes. I'm just going to ask them a few questions. Besides, we're not even sure what they want."

"Shelter, for sure."

Are you and the System in cahoots or something?

"If so, then there is nothing wrong in helping out," I said.

"It might not be the best course of action considering the circumstances and place you are in."

"Relax. It's just temporary, if ever. And their ATPs are low. What threat could they possibly pose?"

". . . If that is your wish, my lord."

I didn't hear what Athena said as I already hurried to the gates.

Weeks!

That was how long I hadn't spoken to a normal human being!

I was too happy and excited to see and converse with humans again to even care about anything else right now.