Chapter 13
Entry to <Mirabilis>! (4)
After registering a save point, Deus began guiding me through various parts of the cathedral’s main hall.
And while doing so—
“Are there no other bishops, priests, or deacons here?”
“There are. But strangely, I don’t see them today. They must be praying.”
“Can I touch this?”
“There are many dangerous things inside the cathedral. If you don’t understand them, it’s better not to touch them.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If you get into trouble, you can ask Vermin for help.”
“How do I contact him? Do you know?”
“If you knock on the leftmost window, he’ll come to meet you.”
“Any room is fine?”
“Yes. But… be careful when dealing with him. As you probably know, that miser never does anything without a price. If you offer something valuable, he’ll provide help worth it.”
—
He continued explaining the game system like that.
Now that I thought about it calmly, Deus was genuinely helpful. An NPC acting as a guide—how grateful I was.
I nodded occasionally, following a few steps behind him.
The sound of two sets of footsteps echoed through the vast space.
Columns so tall and intricately patterned that it seemed impossible for humans of this era to have built them. The pointed arches above bounced sound back in reverberations.
I subtly scratched Ferret’s back again, seeking comfort, and quickened my pace slightly.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but the white stone statues placed throughout the corridor felt like they were mocking me.
‘…No, I’ve seen those on asset sites.’
I fixed my gaze forward, trying to reassure myself with a sense of artificial familiarity.
Deus’s gaze seemed to linger on me for a moment, but it didn’t seem important.
Soon, our steps stopped.
‘A communal prayer hall?’
A particularly ornate hall.
Stained glass covered the walls, casting a deep blue light over a massive statue.
The flowing light made the white figure appear so sacred that I almost felt compelled to kneel.
‘Of course, that doesn’t include a modern person like me with shallow faith.’
As I looked around, I noticed something and froze. At the edge of a seat near the altar sat someone.
Even to someone like me, who knew nothing about fashion, his outfit looked refined. He sat with his hands quietly folded, bathed in falling light that soaked into his veil, making the scene strangely orderly.
At first glance, he looked extremely devout.
However, his clothing was entirely black. Tiny red floral embroidery was stitched densely along the sleeves.
Most notably, the deep veil he wore like a funeral shroud was a dark, blood-like red.
It was not an appropriate outfit for a cathedral visitor.
Since I had already played the game, I knew who he was, but I watched him with curiosity.
It was slightly unsettling—but still better than a monster with dozens of eyes.
While I continued observing him—
“…?”
The moment his veil shifted as if he was lifting his head.
‘Ah…!’
Deus suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me straight across the prayer hall into the next room.
The action felt unusually urgent, so I raised an eyebrow.
‘Why suddenly?’
But there was no reason to resist, and I had enough strength to break free if needed, so I followed him into a narrow corridor.
Creeeeak—
Thud!
With a small sound, the door closed.
In the narrow hallway, Deus turned sharply toward me.
Seeing him like that, my eyes widened.
‘He’s more expressive than I thought?’
His tense mouth stood out even in the darkness.
Of course, I couldn’t call him expressive or lively, but he was still more human than before.
As I stared at his stiff face, he exhaled briefly, brushed his long hair back, and spoke in a mildly reproachful tone.
“Don’t stare too much.”
“W-what?”
“That… is a demon. And demons are beings that ‘seek you out,’ not things to observe. Some of them might get irritated by your gaze. They might even try to tear out your eyes. Be careful.”
At that, I froze in place, eyes widening.
‘…That wasn’t in the script.’
Of course, I knew that the creature I had just looked at—and the monsters around here—were likely demons or their servants.
That much was in the game script.
But Deus never said anything like that.
‘Wait… is this the real Deus outside the game story?’
I had previously confirmed that “Peritas” and “the Peritas inside the game” were different.
Their attitudes, even their thoughts, were different.
Like characters possessed in movies acting completely differently from their normal selves.
Maybe Deus was like that too?
Was there a side of him I didn’t know?
If so, that would actually make things easier.
But I wasn’t sure, so after a long pause, I asked cautiously.
“…Are you really my brother?”
“Am I… your brother? David, have you forgotten me?”
“…Then do you remember what we were just talking about?”
Deus narrowed his eyes and pressed a hand to his forehead, like someone hit by a sudden headache.
After a moment, he answered slowly.
“…Sorry. I don’t remember well. Ever since I came here, this happens sometimes. My thoughts get… strange.”
At that moment, I became certain.
‘It really is Deus!’
To confirm whether this “real Deus outside the story” was friend or enemy, I looked around.
Ferret also began scanning the surroundings nervously.
“There’s nothing here… why are you acting like that?”
“Just stay still.”
After scanning briefly, I pointed toward a large, worn door.
“What happens if we go in there?”
It led to a room where a semi-boss-like monster would be waiting.
The place where, in the story, Deus would later turn on me and escape.
If he said it was safe, then he was likely an enemy. If he warned me, then maybe not.
Deus slowly turned his head.
His dull eyes landed on the door—and for a moment—
‘…What.’
A wave of discomfort rose sharply.
That expression I saw for an instant wasn’t normal.
Even I could tell. It wasn’t simple surprise.
It was more like—
‘Like he’s thinking, “Oh, so that’s how it is?”’
Ferret tugged at my hair, clearly sensing the same thing.
A cold sensation brushed my neck, and something heavy inside me rippled.
And yet—
‘Why is this so unpleasant?’
Before I could process it, Deus covered his mouth with one hand and tilted his head, speaking calmly.
“David. You’re a holy knight too… I believe you can sense it. That place is dangerous. Something like that exists there. I don’t want you going.”
“……”
“Even if you don’t want to listen to me right now… I’m saying this because I’m worried. Even if we haven’t seen each other much, you’re still my brother…”
His voice trembled faintly, almost pleading.
No—it wasn’t just his voice. His shoulders were shaking too.
Seeing that, I briefly thought: if this was acting, Deus should be a stage actor, not a priest.
But I also wondered.
Wasn’t it said they grew up separately and weren’t that close?
Yet he’s extremely affectionate.
Then again… their parents are missing in the setting. Each other is their only blood relative.
Maybe that kind of bond was possible.
As I thought this, I pushed down the unease.
Then I asked the most important question.
“How did you end up here, brother?”
Deus.
What exactly are you, and why are you here?
What can you do for me?
The moment I finished speaking, I looked up—
“……!”
His dim eyes locked onto me as if piercing through.
The surrounding darkness made his violet eyes even deeper. It felt like staring into an abyss, drying my mouth instantly.
A creeping chill crawled up my spine again.
For reasons I couldn’t explain, I felt uneasy.
And then—
A smile.
Deus smiled.
Not a normal expression, but something so perfect it looked as if it had been drawn.
He began walking slowly, almost gracefully, his coat brushing the floor with a soft rustle.
The sound felt strangely uncomfortable, like sand in my ears.
I covered one ear with my hand.
With the other, I fidgeted with Ferret to steady myself.
After a moment—
He turned back toward me.
And then—
THUD!
“…?”
From the door—
TAP TAP TAP TAP—
Hands sprouted and grabbed him.
Crack.
They seized his body—including his neck—and dragged him into the room.
And at that moment—
THUMP!
I rushed in after him.
It was instinctive, even though I knew it was dangerous.
And then—
DING!
Tick, tick, tick, tick…
First stage. Tutorial boss: <The Puppeteer> has appeared…
Time limit: 10:00
Tick…
MAP #002. Mobill’s Room
A 999-year-old spider who loves playing with dolls, Charlotte’s room. Everywhere are cross-shaped decorations—no, spider webs.
Charlotte’s friendly note:
“One thing is yours, the rest are mine!”
[Warning!]
[Those who touch what is mine]
[Will be made soft and delicious!]
AVOID THE SPIDER’S LIMBS
AND FIND WHAT IS YOURS
WATCH OUT FOR THE WEB
Time limit: 09:44…
Tick…
