DARLO 06

Chapter  06

It was only natural—her body had been trained that way since she was very young.

A bitter smile lingered at the corner of her lips.

The pain that felt like her insides were being twisted, the ringing in her ears, the horribly colored blood—all of it was telling her the same thing.

That she didn’t have much time left.

“…Chelsea?”

At the low voice spreading through the dark room, Chelsea flinched and shrank back.

It’s okay. I’ve cleaned everything up properly.

She quietly closed the bathroom door and turned around.

Under the faint moonlight, the Marquis—his expression drowsy as if he had just woken—was looking at her.

“Is something wrong?”

“My stomach… feels a bit off.”

“I’ll have someone bring medicine.”

As the Marquis tried to call a maid, Chelsea stopped him.

“I feel better after throwing up. There’s no need.”

“But…”

“I don’t want to take any medicine.”

At Chelsea’s firm attitude, the Marquis gazed at her silently.

“Have the physician come tomorrow and examine you.”

Reluctantly stepping back, he whispered.

His unbelievably gentle tone almost brought her to tears.

Even though she knew it was nothing more than affection for a treasured toy, she kept wanting to rely on it.

“Please hold me.”

Stretching out her cold arms, Chelsea dared to wish for something she shouldn’t.

His wide eyes turned toward her.

“Please hold me, Marquis.”

“…”

The Marquis simply looked at her without saying anything.

Was that too presumptuous?

“…How foolish.”

With hurried steps, the Marquis suddenly stood in front of her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Held within his strong arms, it felt like she could hardly breathe.

“Come here.”

You’re the one who came first.

Smiling to herself, she buried her face in his broad chest.

The full moon shone down on the two of them.

On the next full moon night, at Laford Port.

That would be the last day Chelsea would completely leave this country.

So until then… would it be okay to stay like this? Would she be forgiven for at least that much?

Savoring the warmth against her skin, she wished and wished again.

“So the fruit sent by the Viscount’s family was actually a type of poison. They’re completely insane.”

While reading <계.후.이> using cash, I paused to think.

I had guessed that a family that abused her wouldn’t give her anything good, but this was far worse than I imagined.

From the novel, it seemed that once she stopped taking it, her body would gradually deteriorate…

Were they planning to make her dependent on the fruit so they could keep Chelsea under their control?

Becoming terminally ill because of the poison, and misunderstanding her husband’s feelings, Chelsea ended up leaving the Marquis’ household.

Misunderstandings can be resolved—but what about poison?

First, I’ll have to catch her somehow…

‘Wait, she said she’d leave on the night of the full moon.’

What did the moon look like today?

Before I knew it, night had completely fallen.

With an ominous feeling, I got up and walked to the window.

Bright moonlight streamed in from outside.

In other words—a perfect full moon.

“Isn’t that today?!”

A sudden mission has appeared!

You have learned that Chelsea will leave for a distant foreign country tonight.

You must stop her!

Go to Laford Port and prevent Chelsea’s departure!

• Completion Reward: 2000 Cash, ???

Laford Port is currently an S-rank danger zone. Extreme caution is advised.

Staring at the red flashing mission window, I pressed my temples.

An S-rank danger zone? And I have to go right now?

‘But it’s already deep into the night.’

If I inform others and wait for support, it’ll be too late. Chelsea will have already left the country.

With no other choice, I quickly got dressed and called for a carriage.

To think I’d be heading alone into an S-rank danger zone at this hour.

At least I have some means to deal with it thanks to cheat-like abilities.

Welcome, customer! Welcome to the Stat Enhancement Shop!

As I opened the shop, a message dripping with capitalist politeness greeted me.

It was a system unlocked when my job rank rose from D- to D.

Here, I could use the cash I had accumulated to enhance various abilities.

The more money you invest, the stronger you become. How materialistic. I love it.

“Let’s see… what would be useful right now? This, probably.”

[Opening Sale!] Limited-time stat enhancement

• Temporarily raises a specific stat to a very high level for 3 hours.

“It’s only 500 cash per stat. This is the best option.”

Well, I only had 1600 cash left anyway.

Because I spent most of it reading the novel.

It’s all because of that library system that lets you read the next chapter without skipping.

Not because I wasted it carelessly. Definitely not.

“I’ll think about the details after I get there.”

The carriage, now near Laford Port, began to slow down.

The dark sea outside the window felt ominous.

‘Is Chelsea really trying to cross that sea alone in her condition?’

Thinking about everything she must have endured made my chest heavy.

So no matter what, I have to stop her.

Firming my resolve, I slowly stepped out of the carriage.

Laford Port was closer to a fishing port than a trade harbor.

Even now, large and small fishing boats were docked there.

‘There’s no way a proper international ship would depart from a place like this. Chelsea must be planning to stow away.’

Since it’s geographically close to other countries, it’s perfect for illegal activities.

That’s probably what the system meant by “S-rank danger.”

You have purchased Limited-Time Stat Enhancement (Observation).

After enhancing my observation, I scanned the port again.

Things I hadn’t noticed before began to stand out clearly.

‘People behaving awkwardly and suspiciously, unlike ordinary fishermen.’

They kept looking around nervously or pretended to work clumsily.

At the same time, they repeatedly glanced toward the shoreline as if waiting for something.

‘The ship hasn’t arrived yet.’

I withdrew my gaze and thought.

To get Chelsea out, I need to infiltrate them…

Should I choose stealth or disguise?

Disguise makes infiltration easier, but without knowing the group well, I could be exposed quickly.

Stealth is best if successful, but difficult.

So my choice is…

[You have purchased Limited-Time Stat Enhancement (Stealth, Disguise).]

Yeah—buy both. Just flex.

I’m about to die here; I don’t have the luxury to choose.

‘Let’s start with disguise.’

I took some fisherman’s clothes hanging on a line and left money worth far more in return.

Of course, I’d charge this expense to the Marquis.

The owner earns money, I get clothes, and the Marquis gets his wife back—everyone wins.

After changing, I blended naturally into the group.

Thanks to stealth, I didn’t draw much attention.

Those unaware of my presence whispered among themselves.

“Lots of unfamiliar faces. Why are there suddenly so many people?”

“I heard ‘Shark’ is coming today, so they gathered everyone in a hurry.”

“What? Why is he coming?”

“Not sure, but probably…”

Huh? What’s ‘Shark’?

Curious, I listened more carefully.

“…It’s dangerous. Let’s move quickly and finish.”

“Don’t get noticed by those guys. We need to warn the ‘clients’ properly…”

It seemed ‘Shark’ referred to a more dangerous group than the ones currently gathered.

Is that why the danger level is higher?

While I was thinking, several boats entered the port.

At the same time, the hidden people revealed themselves.

‘Chelsea!’

Among them was the face I had been searching for.

Wrapped in a robe, Chelsea looked far thinner than in her portrait.

A man who seemed like the leader gathered the stowaways, including Chelsea.

“Alright. Everyone’s here, let’s move. Be especially careful tonight.”

He glanced sideways at a nearby fishing boat.

Following his gaze, I saw workers carrying crates out of the ship.

Are those people the ‘Sharks’?

‘At this distance, it should be fine. I’ll approach Chelsea quietly.’

I blended in with the stowaways and approached the “clients.”

Chelsea was staggering pitifully, clearly unwell.

Because of that, she was slightly separated from the others.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

When I spoke calmly, Chelsea flinched in surprise.

“I-I’m fine. I think I’m just sleepy. It won’t be a problem for boarding.”

Her voice trembled with fear—perhaps worried I’d abandon her.

I continued casually to test her.

“It’ll take a long time. And it won’t be easy to come back.”

“I know…”

“Is there anything you’ve left behind?”

“That…”

Her cracked lips trembled.

After hesitating for a moment, Chelsea shook her head as if making up her mind.

“…No.”