Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

“Gods be praised! I haven’t seen you in so long!” Gretchen lamented with a blush, her trusty ladle strapped to her apron. “I feared you were struck down by a monster in a dungeon. I’m so relieved you’re—”

“Haxks!” a young girl wearing a similar apron called out excitedly, skidding to a stop in front of the giant innkeeper. She puffed out her chest with bold enthusiasm and beamed. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you!” she said eagerly. “I’m Eena, Cleave’s daughter—the butcher over at the Adventurers’ Guild. Papa’s told me all about your incredible feats and says you’d make an amazing husband.”

In no time flat, the male population turned their collective death stares on Daisuke.

“H-Husband?!” Gretchen gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief, a flash of jealousy flickering behind them. Without warning, she slammed a hefty hand onto Eena’s back, pushing her aside. “What in the gods’ name are you talking about? Go on, get back to work! I don’t pay you to stand around making wild claims—there’s a stew waiting to burn in the kitchen!”

The female patrons, with knowing smirks and twinkling eyes, watched the unfolding spectacle with a mix of amusement and approval. Their attention was as much on the drama as it was on the food and drink before them.

The men, on the other hand, exchanged quick glances, their eyes flickering from the squabbling women to Daisuke. The envy in their glares were almost a physical entity in the room, their resentful whispers just barely audible over the clink of tankards.

Unfortunately, not one soul bothered to glance at Gretchen—her presence barely a blip on their radar. Every gaze was fixed instead on the young girl who had only recently joined the establishment, her presence captivating the room and pulling the attention of every onlooker like a magnet.

“Haxks,” Gretchen called in a voice surprisingly sweet for someone of her orcish stature. “It seems you’ve had quite the day. Let me get some warm water ready for you to bathe, and I’ll have a hearty meal waiting when you’re finished.”

“You’re reaching… well beyond your means, you old hag,” Eena huffed, her voice dripping with defiance as she resisted the woman’s almighty push with all her strength. “I just turned fifteen—Haxks deserves someone young and fertile to bear his children, not a shriveled relic like you! How old are you, anyway? A hundred?”

Gretchen snarled, the verbal attack stinging like a vicious Honeywasp. “And how do you expect to nurse Haxks’s children with that washboard of a chest?” she retorted, slamming one of her ample breasts against the wall to squash a spider. “He needs something with more substance and utility.”

“Eww! Gross!” Eena recoiled, her face turning pale. “Sure, yours might be bigger, but do they even work? You’ll probably need a herd of Minitaur just to feed your kids!”

Both women snarled at one another, deadly static clashing between them.

Daisuke watched the chaos unfold with a poker face. All I wanted was a bath and a hot meal…

“Rawrwu~”

***

Daisuke found himself reluctantly returning to Harrington Threads. Unsurprisingly, the storekeeper failed to recognize his face, offering only the most minimal hospitality based on his customer’s unassuming appearance.

But, as before, the moment a rather morbidly obese Wallet-kun made its appearance, the man’s attitude shifted with remarkable speed. Suddenly, every courtesy was extended, his eyes gleaming with the kind of fervor only gold could ignite.

After purchasing a semi-formal outfit, Daisuke arrived in front of the guild to meet Thalia at the agreed time—and almost didn’t recognize her.

“You’re here,” she murmured barely above a whisper while fidgeting nervously with her fingers. Under Daisuke’s steady gaze, her cheeks flushed, and she felt extremely self-conscious.

“I hardly recognized you without your usual work attire,” he said with a rare smile. “You look stunning.”

For the first time since they’d met, Daisuke took a good, long look at Thalia Misthaven. Her light blonde hair fell in a soft, sleek wave just above her shoulders, framing her face with a natural elegance. Caramel-brown eyes sparkled warmly, giving her an inviting, cheerful expression.

She wore a cozy winter outfit: a high-necked, white knit sweater dress that combined style with warmth. Over this, an open mustard-yellow coat added a touch of color and sophistication. Thigh-high white socks tucked into tall boots completed the ensemble, and a satchel slung over her shoulder added a hint of adventure to her look.

Thalia’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, unable to meet Daisuke’s gaze after his unexpected compliment.

“Th-Thank you,” she murmured. Normally, she’d look him over and find the nerve to compliment him back, but she wasn’t quite brave enough to meet his gaze—not yet. “I-I’ve actually thought about this for a while… you don’t act your age at all, you know?”

Daisuke’s smile deepened a tad, his disposition cool and collected, butterscotch eyes smoldering. “I didn’t exactly have a choice,” he replied, a hint of steel in his tone. “This world isn’t exactly kind to children.”

Thalia pursed her lips coyly and pulled down at the hem of her dress, her stance adorable. “You don’t play fair, do you?”

Daisuke chuckled, his voice velvety soft and smooth, and unexpectedly warm—a striking contrast to the cold monotone she remembered from when they’d first met months ago. “Shall we?”

“Okay,” she murmured with a slight pout, though her face brightened as Zephyr poked his head out from Daisuke’s shirt, a small blue bowtie neatly tied around his neck, perfectly matching his eyes. “Aww! He’s absolutely adorable!”

The pup stuck his tongue out in contentment as the girl’s gentle hand caressed his head. He sensed the importance of the day for her, and with that quiet understanding, he settled into perfect obedience, eager to be on his best behavior.

***

The dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting intricate patterns on the forest floor. Maple and birch trees, their bare branches braving the biting cold of winter, stood alongside the resilient pines, creating a vivid tapestry of colors that blended seamlessly into the tranquil woods.

Thalia strolled beside Daisuke—a quiet and nerve-racking stroll on her part—her heart racing with every breath of the crisp air. The cold nipped at her rosy cheeks, prompting her to tug her scarf tighter, but her gaze couldn’t help but wander to the man beside her. Even in silence, his drop-dead gorgeous looks were as captivating as ever, his presence effortlessly drawing her in, even when his eyes weren’t on her.

He was wearing a navy-blue coat with silver embroidery along the chest and shoulders, paired with silver-metal pauldrons for light protection. Underneath, he had on a simple white shirt, open at the collar, showing a pendant around his neck. A brown leather belt held small pouches at his waist, and his grey-brown pants were tucked into knee-high leather boots. The coat’s tail flowed behind him as he moved, giving him a sleek, practical look.

All of a sudden, Thalia felt a shiver run down her spine, settling into places she wouldn’t even dare to mention. Without warning, Daisuke had taken ahold of her hand, his butterscotch eyes narrowed as he glanced around.

“I-Is something wrong?” she squeaked, her voice tinged with concern as she tried to follow his troubled gaze.

“Just a few nuisances,” Daisuke murmured back nonchalantly, his right hand moving in a blur sporadically as he sent dark projectiles flying in several directions.

Since leaving Wonderelle, he had noticed a few players quietly tailing them from a distance, no doubt hoping to be led to rare monsters or Hidden Dungeons. Some had sent familiars to follow them, while others had deployed invisible tracking spells along the path. However, the Eye of Verity had the vultures’ tactics sticking out like phosphorescent paint on a dark canvas.

With each swift flick of his hand, Daisuke sent a kunai or shuriken flying, expertly eliminating the familiars one by one until none remained. Once the immediate danger was dealt with, he gently tightened his grip on Thalia’s hand, leading her through the treacherous minefield of magic circles with the grace of a dancer.

Completely unaware of the peril surrounding them, the captivated guild clerk let herself be led by his steady hand. Her heart hammered in her ears as she took in the handsome angle of his jaw, the smooth curve of his lips, and the mesmerizing flick of his silver hair. When his piercing eyes finally met hers, her bones did a quick melt.

“Hold on tight.”

Thalia’s breath caught in her throat, nearly making her faint, as Daisuke swept her off her feet and pressed her against the hard wall of his chest. In an instant, the forest around them blurred, the world distorting as he became one with the wind. The frustrated players who had been closing in on their position were left far behind, their efforts futile against his overwhelming speed.

Thalia buried her face in his chest, her scream barely audible against the rush of wind as she held on for dear life. Meanwhile, Zephyr was perched atop Daisuke’s head, his tongue flapping wildly in the breeze as they zipped down the dimly lit path. But as they surged forward, it quickly became clear: they hadn’t escaped danger—they had merely traded one threat for another.

Time slowed to a crawl, each heartbeat dragging as Daisuke shifted into a forward flip, his eyes narrowing just as an arrow shot out from the undergrowth. It wasn’t until the projectile embedded itself into Thalia’s satchel, sending it careening into a nearby tree trunk, that Daisuke realized the arrow wasn’t aimed at either of them.

They were caught off guard as a slender figure swooped in, snatching the bag from its perch.

“Wh-Who are you?” Thalia asked nervously.

Before Daisuke could react, a group of scrappy men emerged from the trees, grinning widely. Their leader, a man with a flamboyant feathered hat and a crooked smile, stepped forward, flourishing his hands as if about to put on a grand show.

The man cleared his throat and snapped his fingers to cue the others who launched into a lively, syncopated beat. “Lads, it’s time we showed these fine folks our noble cause!”

With an exaggerated bow, the man began to sing, his voice bouncing with an almost comically overdone bravado. Then the others joined in:

Oh, we take from the wealthy and give to the poor,

‘Cause the orphans and demi-folk deserve something more!

We swoop from the trees, we dance in the night,

Making lives fair with all of our might!

One of the bandits, juggling a handful of stolen trinkets, chimed in with a mischievous grin.

A bracelet, a coin, a gemstone or three—

We give ‘em away, just as good men should be!

They executed a haphazard twirl with the leader striding forward as if he’d just completed an impressive feat. He flashed Thalia a grin, mischievous yet endearing, and began singing again.

Fear not, dear lass, for your bag will serve well,

As we fund a good cause with a grand tale to tell!

Daisuke looked unimpressed, fingers ready to brandish his daggers as he watched the troupe’s antics with disbelief.

“You see, fair maiden,” said the bandit leader with a wink, “we’ve got a reputation to uphold—a noble purpose, if you will! Who could deny the orphans and our fellow demi-humans their fair share of comfort, aye?”

Thalia glared. “Maybe start with your own pockets, then,” she muttered under her breath, shooting a wary look at Daisuke.

The leader laughed, apparently taking no offense as he leaned in, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial tone.

For it’s us noble heroes, so gallant and free,

Doing justice, good deeds, and helping those in need!

As he spun around for a dramatic finish, an orcish-looking man who could easily pass for Gretchen’s older brother seized him by the collar, yanked him off the ground, and twisted him around like a helpless toddler. The man’s fierce countenance was unmistakably that of a true hardened bandit—a scoundrel whose vile deeds had undoubtedly drawn the disapproval of the goddess Seraphina at some point.

Without a word, the fiend delivered a crushing punch to the gut of the Robin Hood wannabe that had the man curling up like a folding screen before slumping unconscious.

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