Chapter 50 : The Curse of the Fluffy Ball
"The... the previous era?"
Lonis was stunned, while Elucia casually walked forward, seemingly not worried at all about dangers that might emerge from the darkness:
"That's right, Lonis. Before you became a hero, you were an ordinary human, right? The world you lived in was completely different from the current world, so modern society calls your civilization the previous era."
"Eh?"
"In fact, your era wasn't the first era either. Even earlier there was an era called 'Atlantis.' Human civilization is like tides, cyclically changing over and over."
"......"
Lonis fell silent. Actually, the possibility Elucia described was something she had speculated about earlier... Simply put, the world in her memories had been destroyed, and humanity had started a new civilization again.
That's why this world had so many technological trees she had never seen, and the monsters and ecological environment seemed to have changed drastically.
Then...
"Elucia, the Snow Kingdom was also from the previous era..."
"The Snow Kingdom certainly wasn't—it only perished 100 years ago. Heh heh, Lonis, don't misunderstand. There are many ruins like the one we're currently in throughout this world."
"Eh?!"
"After all, for modern people like us, this place is an 'ancient people's tomb.' If we encounter the right opportunity and pass the trials, we might be able to obtain 'ancient people's inheritance,' or even awaken 'ancient people's souls (heroic spirits).'"
"Ancient people's souls!"
Lonis was stunned.
If she understood correctly, what Elucia meant was...
"That's right, you should have originally counted as an 'ancient person's soul,' reborn in this world together with me as a world-saving hero... But I never expected you to be so masochistic that despite being a hero, you'd choose such a cute body~"
"I... I told you, that was an accident..."
Lonis's pretty face turned red as she unconsciously remembered the mobile games she had played in her previous life.
In those game worlds, certain legendary heroes and generals would often be resurrected in girls' bodies... Although those appearances really were eye-catching, when such things happened to herself, it wasn't fun at all.
......
"Elucia, you mean... there are many existences like me in this world?"
"Yes and no."
"Eh?"
"The 'Land of Ends' where we were born is one of a kind. You'll gradually understand this in the future."
"Oh..."
Lonis nodded as if she understood. Anyway, as long as she was unique, that was good~
As expected of a hero—she still needed to be the only one to have prestige!
That kind of common heroes would be just like online game players... too degrading~
......
Lonis secretly smiled, and this expression didn't escape Elucia's notice:
"Hmph, are you so happy just because of this little thing?"
"Eh?"
"Ha, you really are an idiot."
"Wuu..."
Lonis knew that her specialness as a hero lay not only in herself, but also in her companion.
Elucia—the former princess of the Snow Kingdom.
She was undoubtedly not a system-generated simulation, but how did Elucia become a companion? And how did she come to the underground ruins?
These matters had actually troubled Lonis for a long time, but because she was constantly being teased and bullied, she didn't dare ask.
And now, this seemed to be the only opportunity to clarify this question...
"Elu... Master Elucia, may I ask you a question?"
Because she really wanted to know, Lonis's tone became much more respectful.
"Mm, go ahead and ask."
"Um, may I ask how you... became a companion?"
"Hmph, didn't I already tell you about this... For revenge, to put all those annoying guys to sleep."
"Eh?!"
"So I made an agreement with the system, also called a contract based on 'equivalent exchange.'"
"Oh..."
Lonis remembered that Elucia had indeed told her about such things.
However... what Lonis was most concerned about was still Elucia's personality.
Was this her true nature, or was it because of her own settings that caused Elucia to become this scheming, sadistic personality to complement her?
But although Lonis really wanted to ask this question, the words got stuck at her lips and she couldn't say them.
......
But don't forget, Elucia's ability was to detect others' emotions... Combined with Lonis's evasive gaze, the black-haired girl almost immediately guessed what she was thinking:
"Hmph, you masochistic maid, you want to ask why I bully you, right?"
"No, I..."
"I'll tell you the truth—you can't even think about escaping... Because bullying you is not only my subjective desire, but also something that must be done objectively?"
"Eh?!"
"Because this is a 'fundamental rule' that was decided from the moment the contract was born. I must keep bullying you in order to receive magical power replenishment and maintain my combat abilities?"
While saying this, Elucia smiled as she admired Lonis's legs, scaring the silver-haired girl into stepping back:
"What... what does this mean?"
"It means the more severely you're bullied, the more magical power your body will produce. And this magical power can be transmitted to me through the contract. So... Lonis, thanks to that embarrassed mood you just had? I feel my magical power is very abundant now—I can casually crush that monster hiding in the darkness."
"Ah?!!"
......
Suddenly, Lonis understood many things.
The system revived her as a hero and equipped her with a companion. Naturally, it needed to ensure the companion would be loyal to the hero.
Otherwise, if the companion developed murderous intent halfway and betrayed the hero... wouldn't that be too ridiculous?
So the companion's power would definitely come from the hero, ensuring the stability of their relationship.
It's just that,
Even the system probably never imagined there would be a hero in this world who didn't want to be a warrior but preferred to be a masochistic soft girl, right?
So her settings were this strange—even if Elucia wasn't a sadist, she would still have to bully and torment her every day, because only this way could she ensure abundant magical power.
......
Understanding this point, Lonis stood there dumbfounded.
And Elucia smiled coldly, taking out a remote control from her pocket:
"Lonis, it seems you also understand how you can 'be useful' next?"
"Eh?"
"When we go deeper into the ruins later, I'll turn the switch to level 3~ I hope you can hold on and not make a fool of yourself in the ruins?"
"No... no!"
"It's too late to beg for mercy. Level 1, activate!"
The black-haired girl smiled wickedly and pressed the remote control switch.
......