I Possessed The Worst Character In The Hellish Game

Chapter 5: Cursed from the Start [2]

Zen’s fingers were just about to unlock the door, but before he could.

It unlocked on its own.

The figure was standing there blocking the doorway.

She was a stunningly beautiful woman with long black hair cascading like silk over her shoulders, with sharp emerald eyes.

She wore a smile so beautiful that it could stop the world and have it admire her.

"Going somewhere.... Mikael?"

’Who’s she? From her tone and body language, I can’t tell if she’s friendly or an enem--’

At that moment, as if the scattered fragments of memories in his mind clicked on their own within him.

A sense of familiarity washed over.

She was Mikael’s older sister.

Jeanne Morwell.

And also a third year at Astralspire Academy.

’She must be a newly added NPC from the DLC.’

He didn’t remember her from any of the routes in the base game.

’She should be at the academy right now. What is she doing here?’

He was already running late.

Jeanne tilted her head, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Well? Aren’t you going to invite me in? Or have your manners gotten even worse since you left home?"

Zen blinked, trying to process all that, and stepped aside without saying anything.

From her tone, it seemed like Mikael had left his home long ago.

But he could also be wrong; he was just making his own assumptions.

"...."

He didn’t know how to talk to her, what tone to use, or how their relationship was.

Mikael’s memories only offered him glimpses.

She swept past him into the room.

Her eyes wandered around the inn.

"Humble. I half expected you to find a cave somewhere. You always did like brooding in tight spaces."

’Brooding?’

Zen almost scoffed at that.

He didn’t know what Mikael had been like, but right now he was just an unfortunate soul trying to survive the first arc of hellish game as the worst character.

The first arc, which he knew nothing about, as he sighed internally.

He closed the door and turned to face her.

"How did you know I was here, and more importantly, why are you here?" fгeewebnovёl.com

He asked in a flat tone, his patience already running thin.

Jeanne removed her long coat and hung it on the backrest of the single wooden chair she found.

She lowered herself into the same chair, crossing her legs, taking her whole time to make herself comfortable before answering the question.

"You’re my little brother, can’t I come to see you? And of course, I would know where you are."

She smiled a little

"A few coins here and there, and it’s not like you’re using any fake name. It’s not hard to find Mikael Morwell."

She turned towards him as her smirk faded into something softer.

"You still angry with me?"

’Angry?’

"Look, I wasn’t trying to crush your dreams for opposing you to join the academy. I was just... worried. You know your condition better than anyone else."

’Oh.’

Looks like she knows about Mikael’s curse.

People rarely shared anything about their curses.

Not even with their family members.

It meant exposing a weakness and handing someone the blade to hold against your throat.

So it was quite surprising.

A dozen possible responses flickered through his mind for her question.

Ultimately, he settled for a vague, neutral one.

"It’s in the past."

"Quite surprising that you’re not holding any grudges."

Jeanne studied his face for a moment before her emerald eyes paused on his ghostly grey eyes.

She frowned a little. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

"Did your eyes always look that grey? They seem... darker."

"Get to the point, Jeanne. Why are you here?"

"Ah, right -- I almost forgot. Tomorrow is Princess Elara’s eighteenth birthday, and there’s a grand celebration at the royal palace. Father is busy, so as the heir to the Morwell family, naturally I’m expected to attend."

’Princess Elara?’

He remembered her from the game.

She was also one of the playable characters in "Eclipsed Realms".

"So? What does that have to do with me?"

"So... You’re coming with me."

Jeanne said, leaning forward, resting both her elbows on her knees.

"I have things to do."

"You have brooding to do, you mean." She shook her head, her eyes softening.

"I know you hate social events. But you can’t avoid this forever. And frankly...."

She paused, choosing her next words ---

"I think you need to be there. And maybe, who knows, you can finally make things right with her."

’Her? as in princess Elara?’

At the exact moment, a fragment of memory stirred.

He saw a little girl with white hair and sapphire eyes, extending her small hand forward with a cute smile as she held her summer hat against the wind.

’Looks like Mikael and Elara were childhood friends with some history.’

That was probably the last thing he wanted right now.

’Eclipsed Realms’ wasn’t just famous for its branching storyline, but also for its romance system, where you could pursue a cast of breathtakingly beautiful female leads.

Each of them had their own personality, hidden vulnerabilities, and a favorability meter that rises depending on your actions.

You could unlock secret backstories, trigger intimate side quests, and collect multiple heart-racing moments.

The game practically dared you to fall in love.

But right now.

The mere thought of navigating all those simulated heartstrings felt like a chore he didn’t have the energy for.

He caught Jeanne watching him intently, trying to gauge his reaction.

"Still the same poker face as ever, huh?"

’What? She wants me to blush like a little girl or something?’

He was quite experienced in keeping a straight face from his previous corporate life.

"Send her my regards."

"No."

She crossed her arms.

"You’re coming with me... and no, I’m not leaving until you agree. So you can either say yes now, or we can sit here glaring at each other. Your choice."

They both stared at each other.

Zen felt a massive headache building up.

’How long will this childish argument last?’

He didn’t have much time. He needed to get to that location before midnight.

If he missed tonight’s twin full moons, he would have to wait two months for the next full twin moon.

And he absolutely can’t afford that.

Every second he wasted was a minute closer to his death.

"Fine. I’ll go. Happy now?"

Jeanne’s expression bloomed with surprise.

"Ecstatic."

She laughed as her shoulders relaxed.

"Oh, this is wonderful. You’ll need proper attire, of course... I can have something sent up—"

"It’s just one evening."

"It’s one evening with the royal court."

A comfortable silence stretched between them for some time.

"You know... It’s been a long time since we talked like this."

’We barely exchanged pleasantries, miss.’

"By the way... where were you yesterday? I came looking for you. Stayed almost three hours waiting."

Her emerald eyes narrowed, no longer playful.

"You weren’t in the city at all. So tell me, little brother.... what exactly were you doing?"

*****