“Wasn’t it agreed that we wouldn’t talk about anything related to the dream?”

“Huh? I don’t recall any unspoken agreement like that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“What about what happened in the valley?”

“......”

I instantly remembered how I had silenced his mouth. I flinched and missed the chance to answer.

[‘Scales Judging the Soul’ is intently listening to your conversation in hyper-focus mode.]

[‘The Balancing Cynic’ clicks his tongue, puzzled how you have only 9.9 billion cash left but still such nerve.]

[‘Creation Economy Manager’ is nagging the development team to release the Genre Change Voucher trial version.]

[‘Language That Builds Worlds’ is rushing to get things done!]

<What happened between you guys......?>

“Well... uh, that is...”

<Ah, right. Seems like now’s not the time to tell. Tell me later.>

Reid gave me a look that said, ‘See?’ and slightly tilted his head.

There was plenty of room for misunderstanding. But explaining now was too risky in this genre.

Then Reid muttered resignedly, making me even more uncomfortable.

“Honestly, the weak and foolish 17th round was no good even in my eyes, so I understand.”

“No, what are you saying...?”

“There wasn’t a single redeeming quality besides the face.”

“Hey, that’s not true.”

I couldn’t help but object, but Reid gave up acting pitiful. His eyes narrowed, sizing me up.

“Or else?”

“......”

“You liked the 17th round?”

“......”

I had to hold my breath in response to his blunt question.

A storm of words swirled inside my head. But nothing could pass my throat.

When I failed to answer, Reid changed his question.

“Then what about me?”

“......”

“Not the 17th round, but me now?”

“......”

If his previous question was a surprise attack, this one was a declaration of full-on war.

Of course, I still couldn’t answer. But Reid had endless patience.

He stared at me as if he could wait an hour, a whole day, or even a month.

Ah, so this moment had come after all.

Sensing that I could no longer avoid it, I took a deep breath to fill my chest.

Reid, quick to notice, sprinkled stars in his red eyes as if scattering constellations. That constellation was probably named Expectation.

We both forgot to blink, continuing our gaze. Amid the heavy tension, I finally spoke.

“Reid.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have any money?”

“......”

The sparkle left Reid’s eyes and they darkened. Before he could misunderstand, I quickly added.

“I’m not trying to change the subject. I seriously need money to continue this conversation.”

A little light returned to Reid’s eyes. But it was unlikely he could easily accept the idea of paid content.

“I don’t quite get it.”

“Yeah, I thought so......”

“And you just recently looted a treasure ship, right? Yet you’re short on funds?”

“Ahem.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I looked away.

“I’m not exactly interrogating, just curious. It doesn’t seem like you wasted your previous funds anywhere...”

Now it was my turn to make him understand. I straightened my back and stretched my neck into the most proper posture I could manage.

I didn’t forget to pour all my trust into my voice, drawing it from my soul.

“I have a confession, Reid. Actually, I’m under a terrible curse. To lift it, I need to make an offering.”

He reacted immediately to one word.

“...A curse?”

[ World destruction rate 75% (▲50%p)]

Why is this skyrocketing!?

“Calm down and listen.”

“Okay.”

“It might be hard to believe, but everything I say is true, so don’t doubt me.”

“Okay.”

“The curse is that anyone who falls in love with me or I fall in love with is killed by the world’s compulsion. It’s called the Curse of Parting.”

“......”

Despite receiving two ‘okay’ answers, Reid didn’t look convinced. Expressionless, he crossed his arms and spoke.

“Is that a polite refusal?”

“No! It’s real! I swear on the name of ‘Language That Builds Worlds.’”

“Oh, I see.”

This method seemed to be the best way to gain Reid’s trust. He no longer believed in gods but believed in those who did.

“I guess it’s possible, but you wouldn’t lie swearing on a god’s name.”

“Of course not.”

“So? How does the curse activate?”

“The moment a confession is made, both lives are threatened. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) At minimum, a dragon appears and breathes fire, but back then I don’t know what would show up. Surely something worse than a dragon.”

“The stronger the power, the bigger the threat?”

“Seems so.”

Reid rested his chin thoughtfully.

“So to sum up, it has to be mutual love.”

“Yeah.”

“The confession is the trigger.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“A great disaster occurs, threatening to kill you or your loved one.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

I nodded vigorously with joy that he understood. Then—

“So that’s it......”

His lips drew a strange curve in a low murmur. I flinched unconsciously.

[ World destruction rate 98% (▲23%p)]

What! Why now!?

I thought the system was broken, but it was a misunderstanding. Reid was the one broken.

“Trying to kill me won’t work with ordinary disasters. Want to try now?”

“Wh-what?”

“What do you think?”

“......”

Unable to answer, Reid said with eyes wandering like in a dream.

“Isn’t it romantic that destruction is the proof? It’s enchanting.”

“...Ha, please stop. I’m starting to miss the 17th round.”

I sighed, and unexpectedly Reid calmed down quickly.

[ World destruction rate 48% (▼50%p)]

But I couldn’t just be happy at the dramatic drop.

“...Yeah, I guess.”

His murmuring expression was subtle. It looked like he’d been pricked by a thorn. But it didn’t last long.

“How much?”

“Huh?”

“You said I have to make an offering. How much? I’ll give it.”

Reid said generously. Exchanging 10 billion cash to Serentra continent’s currency meant 1 million gold.

Mentioning an astronomical amount enough to spin the Genre Change Voucher three times made me feel guilty.

Uncharacteristically hesitant, I barely managed to say,

“I wish it was about 3 million... but I only have 990,000 gold right now...”

“Ah, that’s too much...”

Yeah, probably too big...

“I only have 1.2 million. How about this for now?”

“Really?! You’ll give it?!”

“Of course.”

Reid readily offered his pocket.

“Thank you, Reid!”

“Don’t mention it.”

Thinking it over, it wasn’t just my problem—it was ours!

From the magic space pouch I had received earlier at the demon realm black market service, gold coins poured out. Of course, I quickly paid.

[ 12 billion cash payment completed. Refund possible within one week...]

[Current cash balance: 21,900,000,000 cash]

Now my balance was 2.19 billion cash. Enough to do two random pulls of the Genre Change Voucher.

‘I want to try now...! Ah, no! If I get an epic losing streak, it will be a disaster. I really need to try at least three times...!’

I scraped up all my willpower to resist the impulse.

Then—

[ An emergency patch for ‘Possessed-User-Only Cash Shop’ to release new products has been applied.]

[ You can now purchase the ‘Genre Change Voucher Trial Version’ and ‘Trial Genre Fixation Voucher’.]

Seriously? At this timing?

[‘Language That Builds Worlds’ stretches with satisfaction after finishing work.]

[‘Creation Economy Manager’ pats on the shoulder, saying good job.]

Being a wise consumer, I carefully checked the product descriptions.

[ ‘Genre Change Voucher Trial Version’

A product allowing you to try the ultimate ‘Genre Change Voucher’ for 15 days. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Note 1: The changed genre is randomly selected among Fantasy, Romance, Adult Romance, GL/BL, and others.

Note 2: For unlucky possessed users who fail to get the desired genre even after buying this product 10 times, a ‘Genre Confirmation Selection Voucher’ will be granted to choose the genre directly.

Price: 2,000,000,000 cash]

It was a huge discount from the original price, down to 2 billion. I liked that after 10 failures, you could pick the genre yourself.

At least I wouldn’t end up like some martial arts possessed user who spent 30 billion cash and only got threatened with chastity.

[ ‘Trial Genre Fixation Voucher’

A necessary product paired with the Genre Change Voucher Trial Version. If you like the genre you get during the trial, this makes it permanent after 15 days.

Price: 10,000,000,000 cash]

This one was 10 billion cash!

The price was disgustingly high, but thinking carefully, it wasn’t bad as the cost for a risky random genre change at one-fifth the price.

Yeah, even the Possession Management Bureau needs to make money. Yeah, that’s right.

I concluded that I no longer needed to control my impulses.

“I’m going for the draw now!”