Chapter 85: NukEncore’s Past
NukEncore logged into the game early that afternoon. A few responsibilities had landed on her that morning, but she dealt with them quickly and logged in eagerly. When she appeared near the Light Tree, she drew in a long breath of the unbelievably fresh, almost sweet air.
As she did, she lifted both arms over her head and stretched, arching her back and pushing up her absurdly large chest. A few players and NPCs noticed how tightly her robes pulled across it and could not help wondering how much weight the fabric was holding. Of course, NukEncore noticed the stares at once. She quickly pulled up her hood and moved away from the crowd.
She had never been insecure about her chest. Size alone would never reveal her real identity. Her voice was the real danger. That was what could expose her peaceful life in the Forest Hidden Monster Hunter Academy and her place in Martin’s party all too easily.
As she passed a few players, she caught parts of their conversation.
"Did you watch Emperoar versus Thorn’Shield?"
"I missed it. But I heard they pulled a few tricks. Thorn’Shield avoided Emperoar’s taunt by dropping his sword, which forced the shield up into a guard instead."
"Yeah, and Emperoar figured out Death Jaw’s weakness fast. He didn’t let Thorn’Shield land that wolf attack either."
"So Emperoar just outplayed him."
"Pretty much. Thorn’Shield wanted Emperoar’s spot in that party."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. He wanted to replace him. So Emperoar put his place on the line and took the sword when he won. People are going crazy over it."
NukEncore stopped dead.
Put his place on the line?
The words hit her all wrong. Worse than wrong.
For one sickening instant, she was no longer standing near the Light Tree. She was back in those offices again, with polished tables, smiling executives, and contracts spread open in front of her while people discussed her future, her image, her voice, her value, as if she were something to be managed instead of someone to be asked.
She was not a person to them, but an asset.
Her fingers curled.
Martin... was that what I was to you? Something you could put on the table?
Heat rushed into her face, but her stomach turned cold. By the time she opened the message window, anger had already wrapped itself around the hurt.
[NukEncore: where are you?!]
[Emperoar: Samu’s restaurant.]
A few minutes later, NukEncore burst into the restaurant with a loud bang that made the door slam against the wall. Several heads turned toward her, only to turn away just as quickly. Her expression said enough, but it was not only her face. Her shoulders were drawn tight, her breathing came a little too fast, and one of her hands was clenched so hard that the sleeve around her wrist had wrinkled. She looked like someone holding herself together by force alone. Even Buracchu lowered his head and slipped off to his safe spot behind the restaurant.
NukEncore knew exactly where the kitchen was, and she headed straight for it.
Inside, Martin stood with a few players. He had been cooking for Angel and Crimson Halo. Even while busy, he wore a faint smile, partly because he was learning a new dish to suit Crimson Halo’s tastes. She liked spicy food, so he was making a spicy meat dish.
The kitchen was still warm with motion. Meat sizzled in the pan. Steam curled up through the scent of spice and oil. A knife, a cutting board, and half-prepared ingredients all spoke of ordinary work continuing as usual. Then NukEncore stepped in, and the whole room seemed to go still around her.
The moment he saw NukEncore’s expression, he froze.
Her eyes were glowing gold, which usually only happened when her emotions ran high.
She’s fucking mad!
For a second, Martin thought she was only angry. Then he noticed the tightness in her breathing and the way her gaze locked onto him without wavering. This was not the sharp, passing anger of an argument. Something underneath it was shaking.
He shot a quick glance at Crimson Halo, who sat at the counter sipping tea. She had already sized NukEncore up.
Elisebeth in person indeed. The only singer in the world who can call herself a goddess and have no one think she is joking. Her popularity is higher than mine, Alex’s, and Cassandra’s combined.
You could have any man in the world, yet here you are, looking at Martin like that. You care far too much, Elisebeth. Amusing.
Alexandra is one matter. Elisebeth is another. One is my sister. The other is a woman the world throws itself at without being asked.
And yet here she sits, shaken over Martin of all men.
Crimson Halo looked up at NukEncore again and understood it at once.
That is not simple anger. That is panic wearing anger’s face.
Then she shifted her gaze to Martin.
His face said everything. You said she would like it.
Her lips curved into a faint sneer as she let the chaos unfold.
Martin swallowed hard. "Encore, stop. I didn’t bet you."
"And I’m supposed to believe that?" NukEncore shouted. "Then why are people out there talking like being beside me was something you could gamble with? Do you have any idea how that sounds? You used me, Martin."
Martin shivered as if someone had thrown him straight into Antarctica. "You’ve got the wrong idea, Encore. That’s not what happened. Just... give me one minute and let me say it straight."
"No, forget it. I’m done here," NukEncore spat, then turned away, too overwhelmed by her emotions to stay.
Never in her life had she imagined that old trauma and those old hardships would hit her again like this.
Just as she was about to leave, a message suddenly appeared in front of her.
[Crimson Halo: Calm down, Elisebeth. You’re much too vulnerable right now. Anyone could take advantage of you in this state. Don’t you want to stand your ground?]
She turned and saw a woman with ordinary features, her real identity neatly hidden beneath in-game cosmetics. Yet the long crimson hair and drill-like curls at the ends reminded NukEncore of someone all too familiar.
Alexandra’s older sister, Katherine. Rias told me never to interact with you, but that’s already too late.