Surviving as a Useless Bard in a Game

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It was hot.

The unfortunate news that the damn curse had begun to activate again had my health status plummeting.

If we’re being technical about it, my health wasn’t at rock bottom thanks to this ring that improves health and strength… but usually, you don’t call something on the brink of being delisted as rock bottom, right? More like on the verge of dying.

The heat was turning into a scorching intensity.

When we first set off from the Gateway City, it didn’t feel this oppressive, but whether it was a psychological factor or the curse kicking in again, my body felt like it was gradually heating up.

“Hang in there, we’re almost there,” Skylar said.

“Yeah…”

I replied weakly, and Skylar looked at me with concern.

I didn’t think I’d make worrying him a habit. When we first met, he just stared at me with half-opened eyes because I was a little late.

I wonder if my past self would freak out if I told him, “That little brat has become my irreplaceable friend.”

“Has she already degenerated into a female? Past me, you should just die—something like that could happen.”

Thinking about it makes me chuckle a bit.

This was definitely not viewed rationally.

The camel didn’t stop moving its legs, and I was sweating like a cat caught in the rain.

And then, a tiny hut caught my eye.

It was much larger than an army camping tent, but still too small to be called a proper house.

It looked somewhat similar in shape and size to the ‘ger’ hut used by Mongolian nomads. One thing’s for sure, it certainly seemed out of place in this desert landscape.

Nearby, there was a long straight waterway. It looked as if the soil had been neatly cut by something.

It seemed to be for bringing water from a very distant source, and I was curious about how it was made; it was long enough that the end wasn’t in sight at all.

–

The hut of the “Star Chasers.”

It was a hut favored by one of the most famous adventurer groups in this continent from a very long time ago.

I sensed two presences inside.

–

“… Two people?”

My eyes gleamed and the Status Window began displaying information.

It seemed to have developed a bit; not only was it listing details I hadn’t even asked for, but it also included information I hadn’t noticed at all.

I turned my gaze from the Status Window to Fura and Skylar.

Both had tense expressions.

It was the first time I’d seen such expressions on them. Or should I say it’s been a long time? Even when I met Osidens, he had a stiff face.

I never expected Fura to have such a serious look on her face.

While we were outdoors, she hadn’t shown any significant emotions unless it was when she was trying to lift my curse.

The camel plodded slowly toward the hut and came to a stop.

“… Let’s walk.”

Not wanting to walk directly on this hot desert, I grabbed the reins to force the camel to move, but it didn’t budge at all.

In the end, I had no choice but to get off the camel.

“This camel won’t listen. You said you rented ones that were properly trained, right?”

“They’ve been trained well. But the person in that hut is a figure significant enough to make them forget commands or training… someone terrifying for the camels.”

“Animal instincts?”

“Yep.”

Skylar began walking slowly ahead. The gray cat closely followed behind him.

Fura was lingering behind me, walking slowly. The way she peeked her head out was a bit cute. Maybe it’s because she’s shorter than me?

I felt like a mom traveling with just two kids.

Although, in reality, the parental role is played by Skylar.

We formed a long line and slowly began to walk toward the hut. A strange tension was in the air. The hut’s door began to creak open.

The sound of someone swallowing, the rustle of Fura’s wings right beside me, and finally, I could even hear myself gulping.

“A warm welcome awaits.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yeah, I’ve been fine. But… it seems like you haven’t been doing too well?”

“… It’s a complicated situation.”

The man realized Skylar was still a child and immediately shifted his gaze towards us. His eyes felt different from the previous people we had encountered; there was warmth in them.

It was a strange feeling.

His overall appearance resembled that of a harmless old man.

A magnificent black cloak swirling with white fur, a longsword wrapped in something, and a simple white outfit—still, he didn’t appear threatening to me.

Even I, who was timid, could look him straight in the eye.

“Two familiar faces. And two unfamiliar ones.”

His gaze fell upon the cat. The cat seemed to sense something and quickly hid behind me.

…Did he just recognize faces right off the bat?

‘Fura couldn’t even recognize him.’

He was not an ordinary person. It was enough to make a judgment in an instant.

Fura spoke up.

Her tone was friendly, contrasting her cautious demeanor. It felt really odd.

“It’s been a while, Uncle.”

“Yeah.”

“But… why do you seem older?”

The old man fell silent at Fura’s question.

Those with a physical form do not age. Just like Skylar could turn into a child by reversing time with magic, the opposite wasn’t possible.

Thus, if he had aged… that means he doesn’t currently possess a physical body.

“Me? I look older? Is that how it appears?”

The air shifted.

Wind began to gather around the hilt of the sword.

The cloth that had been wrapped around it unraveled.

An individual who had surpassed a certain realm could alter the environment with their very existence.

An unreasonable world.

At the same time… a romantic one.

The warm, harmless old man vanished, and a finely sharpened sword sprang forth. A chill ran down my spine.

Even though it was noon in the desert, my body trembled. My body sensed a chill. It had mistaken the situation.

“If you have a mouth, try saying it again. Whether this ‘Scipio’ has aged.”

“…Seems you’re still quite spry. My apologies.”

“Yeah, you should have been careful with your words.”

Fura immediately tucked her tail between her legs. The man, who introduced himself as Scipio, sheathed the sword again. The shivers ceased.

The feeling I had just moments ago melted away and disappeared at the pace of snow falling in the desert.

“Is everyone’s conversation done?”

“Yeah. But more importantly, Skylar, I think we need to discuss those two people you brought.”

“One is the ‘Eye’ and the other is the ‘Face’.”

“Do you think I’m unaware of that? Don’t try to excuse yourself as if you don’t understand what question I just asked. I know you’re not that kind of person.”

“… We’re gathering people.”

“For what purpose?”

“To kill the Mad King and recover the bodies of our comrades.”

“Utter nonsense. It’s to regain your own body, isn’t it?”

Skylar fell silent. Scipio’s sharp gaze turned toward us.

Without realizing it, my feet started to move.

I took a step back.

I was scared.

The cat slowly stepped forward. It seemed to be trying to protect me.

Skylar attempted to negotiate and speak once again.

I already knew his words would be in vain.

Eyes and words were whispering to one another.

“Scipio, I need your help.”

“Help? You? My help?”

“Yes.”

“I still remember what your damn sister did to my exploration team. She almost killed more of my comrades than the Mad King or his subordinates.”

“She didn’t end up killing anyone in the end.”

“It’s not that she didn’t. It’s that she couldn’t! Because I stopped her—!”

“……”

“Your party… the ‘Face’ is clearly not an ordinary presence, but the ‘Eye’ is practically on the level of a regular person. Have you explained the side effects of the body?”

Skylar remains silent.

And glares.

It’s as though he’s saying he wouldn’t forgive me if I mentioned the side effects.

Scipio merely laughed it off.

And then he spoke.

“The body is a part of the divine. It was human arrogance to think one could implant a part of the divine into a human body and wield power without any side effects.”

“Scipio.”

“I won’t ask why the Eye is in such a fragile woman. I merely intend to speak the truth. Wouldn’t it be necessary for you to explain the side effects you’ve been hiding?”

“I didn’t come here to fight.”

“Yeah. I’m not looking to fight either. I just want to share the truth you’ve been hiding with the poor victim you’ve entangled in your circumstances.”

The conversation continued.

Skylar was hiding something from me.

That something was the side effect of the body.

…‘Eye’ has a side effect.

Yet, I—

“I don’t blame him.”

It’s true that Skylar got me caught up with the Mad King. Yet considering that our bodies were intertwined, it would’ve happened one day regardless.

So, I didn’t really mind it.

…However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Skylar didn’t trust me, and that he had hidden something from me. It gnawed at my heart. It hurt.

Still, I didn’t want to confront him or ask.

The moment I confirm the suspicion that he might have betrayed me.

It felt like something would snap.

And then, at the peak of an escalating tension.

Suddenly, without any sign, the tent’s door swung open.

A little girl appeared, her eyes wide, alternating her gaze between the battle-ready Skylar and Scipio.

Everyone froze, lost in the moment.

“Grandpa, who are these people?”

My body resonated.

It was a pull.

That was, the owner.