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It was an intense battle. In terms of time, it only lasted a few minutes. But to someone engaged in high-speed combat, it felt like several tens of minutes had passed.

“We don’t have time to rest. Get up and retreat immediately. Deception isn’t that difficult, but if they find out you’re still alive, they’ll send even more enemy soldiers than last time.”

“Deception, huh? You provide good service. If you don’t pocket the stuff lying on the floor, I’ll be sure to give you proper words of appreciation.” (Lanpeach)

The black rabbit-chan busily gathered up the spirit crystals from the defeated enemies and began putting them into a small bag.

Lanpeach chuckled wryly as he stood up…but a sharp pain ran through his body, causing him to stumble. It seemed the damage he’d taken was greater than he’d anticipated.

“Kuh, I’ve taken a fair bit of damage… They shouldn’t let underlings use grand magic. Hey, can you lend me a shoulder?” (Lanpeach)

“I’ll give up on the spirit crystals, so if you let me keep the other items, I’ll help you. I can count it as support fees, so I’ll still come out on top.” 

The black rabbit handed Lanpeach a spirit crystal while offering her shoulder for support. Unlike regular spirit stones, these crystals held a deep, luminous light within. They were rare items, incomparable to spirit stones. <Low quality ones will be called stones now and high will be crystals to distinguish them.>

“A spirit crystal… In the game, this was the core stone held by the final boss. You could use it to craft legendary items, but there was only one of them. How come a mob had one?” (Lanpeach)

“In gaming terms, you’ve entered the true route, which is only unlocked on the highest difficulty setting.”

“Thanks for the easy-to-understand explanation. I’ve seen games like that before. So Powder of Elements had something similar.” (Lanpeach)

There were games like that, where the higher the difficulty, the better the item drops. Lanpeach sighed, his gamer brain accepting it as logical.

“The difficulty exists to kill off players who surpass Nightmare mode. Moreover, you’re playing as THE weak, petty, and foolish minor villain. The fact you’ve made it this far is surprising…or maybe not.”

“I can only feel malice in that way of putting it! But I guess it’s not surprising since there’s me -a transmigrated genius- inside, huh?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach puffed out his chest with a smug look, convinced of his exceptional status. 

The black rabbit only responded with a pitiful look. The eyes of pity from a pretty girl stung, but…he thought it was better than being ignored.

“No, it’s just calculated… Anyway, we should hurry.” 

They walked briskly together with her shoulder supporting him, almost like they were in a three-legged race. She probably didn’t know the word mercy, or that the danger they were in was real. 

It is true that if five more enemies like the last ones appeared, he would be done for. There is no reload unlike games.

“Aren’t these guys way too strong? The Round Table Knights were level 6, but they weren’t this unreasonable. A game where mobs that use grand magic keep appearing is a trash game, you know?” (Lanpeach)

“Didn’t you know? Spirits are several times stronger than regular monsters of the same level. Also, you keep saying ‘grand’ but, for spirits, that’s just basic magic. They have stronger magic.” 

“…Are you serious? Is this like when you think Choko Nazun is the strongest explosive magic, but then Choko Grande shows up?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach’s face twisted in disbelief, imagining it like a game series where stronger magic gets introduced over time. 

The black rabbit, seeing his disturbed expression, nodded seriously with a stern face.

“When the quest to learn Choko Grande magic appears, I’ll join you. But if you leave me out, I’ll make sure you get a ‘support-style’ payback, so don’t forget.”

She is apparently serious because of the rewards. The black rabbit was unnecessarily enthusiastic.

“I think they sell it at Spacebucks or something. Maybe they have Frappuccinos too. I never really understood it, though. Is ‘Grande’ supposed to mean ‘Large’?” (Lanpeach)

He wanted them to be words that are kind to beginners. Back in his previous life, he had always hesitated to order from places with confusing jargon, like long incantations for toppings and unclear size names. It might become a problem for him to master the ‘Grande’ series here as well.

“My allowance is too small. I only got 18 points today. Don’t you think that’s child abuse? I want to live a life where I can have one Frappuccino a day.” 

“Hey, isn’t that the stuff I risked my life to get by sacrificing Excalibur just now?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach walked forward, pondering about how the black rabbit might be doing some nasty extortion here, and finally spotted the bulkhead ahead. 

Mimi was hanging off the lever. It feels as if the bulkhead would lower at any moment. Oh, it is lowering.

“We’re almost at the exit. Hang in there!” 

The black rabbit quickened her pace, a serious expression on her face.

“I don’t need a game-like event right now!” (Lanpeach)

“As a player, it’s natural to slide under the bulkhead just as it’s closing. Now hurry!”

The bulkhead started closing with a loud rumble. At this rate, they’d barely make it through by sliding in just in time. It was exactly like something out of a game, and Lanpeach was starting to feel like this was all staged.

“Can’t be helped… Geez.” (Lanpeach)

Even though his body was in agony, Lanpeach resigned himself to sprinting and sliding under the closing bulkhead. He and the black rabbit managed to slip through the narrow gap and make it inside.

“Kyuu, good work, Boss~.” (Mimi)

“Thanks, Mimi.” (Lanpeach)

“Kyuu~” (Mimi)

Lanpeach patted Mimi’s fluffy head, thanking her. 

Mimi closed her eyes and started nodding off, as though setting sail on a dream voyage. Seeing her usual, carefree self, Lanpeach finally relaxed, his tension easing.

“Alright, I’ll disable the deception spell now.” 

[Powder Control]

The black rabbit moved her hand through the air as the bulkhead finished closing. The air shimmered like a mirage for a few seconds before she nodded, satisfied, and lowered her hand.

“What were you doing?” (Lanpeach)

“I used the Element Powder floating in the air to leave behind magically and electronically altered data. According to the record, the minor villain died while crying pitifully, saying, ‘T-This can’t be! I leave all my fortune to Mira!’ and then perished alongside the spirits. There won’t be any traces left behind for them to track.”

The black rabbit theatrically reenacted the minor villain’s tragic demise, screaming ‘uhyaa!’, collapsing, and shakingly raised a hand while convulsing in her final moments. 

Lanpeach wondered if it was okay to stomp on her after such a dramatic performance.

“That death scream was a bit off, don’t you think? Well, whatever. So support characters can do that, huh?” (Lanpeach)

“My base abilities are quite high. That’s why my hiring fee is expensive. Unlike a certain someone with battle power of 3 who is content with just being fed occasionally, I demand three meals, naps, 40 days of paid leave, a month of summer vacation, and three bonuses a year. Hazard pay is extra.” 

“Libra’s weaker than the average villager after all… But you, black rabbit, have ridiculous demands. For now, I’ll stick to on-the-spot support, okay?” (Lanpeach)

“Spot support is expensive in the long run. Companies that skip on annual maintenance contracts because they think it’s costly always regret it when the exorbitant spot support fees pile up, and then they sign up for annual contracts the following year.”

Spot support refers to hiring help only when needed, as opposed to having an ongoing contract. In mechanical failures, companies typically have annual maintenance contracts that cover repair costs, but when they decide against the contract due to high fees, they pay for repairs on a case-by-case basis, which is often ridiculously expensive. One hour with an engineer could cost as much as staying in a luxury hotel. If two engineers were required for several hours, it would amount to the cost of a suite room.

The black rabbit certainly did seem expensive… But since Lanpeach didn’t have enough money (experience) right now, he had no choice but to rely on her service support.

“I also need to unlock the research facility for Libra… I want more experience points~. Oh, speaking of which, since I’m wearing sunglasses, I won’t get recognized, but what about you guys? Wouldn’t people recognize me easily with Mimi walking beside me?” (Lanpeach)

“Don’t worry. As explained, regardless of the process, the result becomes chaos. Even if they see me or Mimi, thanks to the sunglasses, they’ll perceive us as completely different rabbits.”

“I see. That’s a relief. Alright, let’s retreat.” (Lanpeach)

“Just to remind you, don’t pull a typical gamer move by killing one enemy near the entrance and retreating. If you act like a villainous thug, the enemy might notice and destroy the portal.”

“R-Roger that…” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach turned away, cold sweat running down his face.

(That was close… I almost went through with it. So, I can’t do that… What a shame.) (Lanpeach)

He had been thinking about slowly defeating enemies to collect items. In other games, crossing a bridge would lead to stronger enemies with better experience points, so he used to grind near the bridge’s entrance for that reason. But it seems that strategy won’t work here. He was disappointed.

“If you want to do that, you’d need a sacrifice. Something fluffy and white as a decoy to trick the enemy into thinking the intruder had been defeated.” 

“Kyu… You girl don’t have the heart of a rabbit.” (Mimi)

“There’s no way I can sacrifice one rabbit for every single enemy I defeat. Their loyalty would drop like a rock.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach couldn’t bring himself to offer the crying, sniffling rabbit clinging onto his leg as a sacrifice. The guilt would crush him.

He reluctantly gave up on the idea, realizing this part was also based on reality.

“Alright, I guess it’s time to head back.” (Lanpeach)

“Please come to the colony next time. There’s a terminal for teleportation portals.”

“Got it~” (Lanpeach)

The black rabbit waved cheerfully and teleported away with a smile.

“She still helps out despite all the complaints, so she is kind.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach stepped through the portal and returned to his hotel -only to find a man lying unconscious in nothing but his underwear.

“Scratch that, let’s stop thinking that she’s acting out of goodwill.” (Lanpeach)

The hotel manager had passed out in his underwear in a guest room… This was a social disaster waiting to happen.

“I’m back~ Hey, old man, I couldn’t find the merchant, so can I have another one~?” 

And, right on cue, Touka’s voice echoed through the room. She had given up looking way too fast.

“T-This is…compensation.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach gently placed a wind spirit crystal on Muramasa’s head, then activated his villainous skill, Dark Bug Crawl, muttering ‘George Washington’ as he scurried out of the room.

“Aaah! Dad’s lying here in his underwear! Is this cattle mutilation?! Wake up, Dad! What kind of aliens kidnapped you?!” (Touka)

Touka’s scream echoed out, though it wasn’t the kind of scream Lanpeach had been expecting. 

Lanpeach planned to reappear later by saying he had just been in the bathroom.

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