*POV SUBARU*
The demon dog moved stealthily among the shadows of the garden, its red eyes glowing with an evil light. My Danger Sense screamed, a deafening alarm in my mind. It was a lethal enemy, and I was alone. I knew that calling Rem and Ram would alert the entire mansion, and Roswaal. My luck had been good so far, but would it be enough?
I decided to take the risk. If I could eliminate it quietly, I would avoid panic and additional questions from Roswaal. It was a chance to prove myself without relying on others.
"Here we go!" I muttered, activating my Basic Strike and Quick Dodge. I lunged at the dog, with the Vision of Return guiding me to anticipate its movements.
The demon dog was faster than I expected. Its first attack was a bite aimed at my throat. I dodged by a hair's breadth, feeling its putrid breath on my skin. I managed to land a Basic Strike on its side, and the beast howled, not in pain, but in rage.
My Danger Sense went off. The dog backed away, its eyes fixed on me, and then, with a movement that defied its size, lunged again. This time, it was a multiple attack: claws and teeth. I tried to dodge, but one of its attacks was faster than my reaction.
A sharp claw dug into my chest, just below my shoulder. The pain was instant, searing. I felt a tearing sensation, and a sharp chill spread through my body. It wasn't just physical damage; the demon dog's curse was entering my system.
The dog opened its jaws, bringing its fangs closer to my neck. I struggled to push it away, but my strength was quickly fading. The curse was consuming me, my vision blurring.
The last thing I saw was the gleam in the beast's red eyes, a gleam of triumph.
[You're dead!]
[Returning to the last save point...]
I was back in my bed, morning light filtering through the curtains. The same morning as the demon dog attack in the garden. My chest ached, a phantom sensation of the actual attack.
"Damn it," I muttered, frustration boiling inside me. I had failed. My arrogance had cost me a life but it had also given me valuable information: the demon dog was there, in the garden, and its attack was lethal and cursed.
[Level up]
[Level: 7 -> 8]
[You have received 5 (AP) to distribute]
The notification appeared. An extra level. The failure, at least, had not been in vain.
I activated my Status Window. I had 5 Attribute Points and 11 SP. My Luck was at 6, but it hadn't been enough, i decided to distribute them to increase my survivability.
* Strength: 12 -> 13 (1 AP)
* Agility: 13 -> 14 (1 AP)
* Stamina: 10 -> 12 (2 AP)
* Luck: 6 -> 7 (1 AP)
[Attribute Points available: 0]
Stamina was vital against curses, and one more point in Luck wouldn't hurt. I couldn't risk another reckless encounter. I had to seek help.
I got out of bed, my mind already devising a new plan. The demon dog was in the garden. I couldn't face it alone. I needed Rem and Ram.
I quickly got dressed and left the room, heading for the kitchen, where I knew I would find them at this hour. My Danger Sense was active, but this time, it didn't detect the demon dog's threat so close by. Some time had passed.
Just as I was about to reach the hallway leading to the kitchen, a childish, monotonous voice stopped me.
"Ah, how unexpected. An intruder in my domain, I suppose."
I turned around, surprised. There she was, floating in the air, her enormous skirt filled with books that didn't exist, with a bow sticking out of her head. Her butterfly-shaped eyes looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and clear disinterest. It was Beatrice. The guardian of the Forbidden Library.
It was the first time I had seen her. Her sudden appearance in a hallway where no one was supposed to pass without her permission left me frozen. My Danger Sense had not detected her presence, which meant she was not a threat to me. However, her aura was imposing.
"Um... hello. I'm Natsuki Subaru," I stammered, a little nervous. "I'm a guest of the Roswaal Mansion. And you are..."
"I am Beatrice. The guardian of Roswaal's library, I suppose," she replied, her tone monotone. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And I smell something... unusual about you. Something that shouldn't be here, I suppose. It's a stench I only know from my... books."
I felt a chill. The stench of the witch. If Beatrice could sense it, had Roswaal felt it too? She was even more perceptive than I remembered. This was an unexpected obstacle, and a very dangerous one for my secret.
"I don't know what you mean, Beatrice," I tried to sound casual, even though my heart was still pounding. "I'm just a normal guy who got lost in the mansion."
Beatrice tilted her head, a small smile forming on her lips. "A normal guy doesn't give off such a... persistent stench, I suppose. It seems that the hateful Roswaal has been snooping around you. But don't worry, I'm not one to ask questions. Not without a compelling reason, I suppose."
She floated a little closer, her eyes fixed on mine. Her closeness made me feel vulnerable.
"But yes. It's urgent," I continued, trying to change the subject. "I need to find Rem and Ram. There's a problem in the gardens. A... a demon animal."
Beatrice frowned. "A demon animal in the gardens. Interesting, I suppose. And why would a mere human like you care about such a trivial matter?"
[Charisma Obstacle: Dealing with Indifference and Suspicion.]
[No reward. A strategic approach is required.]
Beatrice's face showed a complete lack of empathy or interest in my situation, direct persuasion wouldn't work with her, I needed another strategy to get her help.