Chapter 4: The Hunter Sister’s Invitation

As a defenseless little girl without any items, it’s impossible to free herself from the vines.

As for C, only a pervert would choose that (〃д〃).

So asking for help from the surroundings is the most logical way to survive, mmhm.

Noelle chose A, however…

“Someone help, save me—mmph?!”

Her voice was halfway out when it was roughly cut off.

The vine that had been wriggling beside her face suddenly and precisely slipped into Noelle’s mouth, pressing against her tongue.

“Waaah—QAQ”

Noelle’s red eyes widened, and tears instantly welled up at the corners.

‘Not good, there’s no way now…’

Before she could adjust, her body suddenly felt light.

The vines tightened, dragging her upside down like a rag doll.

“Mmph! (Let me go!)”

Noelle struggled desperately, but couldn’t escape at all. She was dragged through the bushes, the scenery spinning before her eyes.

After a few minutes, the dragging finally slowed.

A colorful sea of flowers appeared ahead, and in the center stood a huge, entirely pinkish-purple monster.

It was a flower monster.

So those vines earlier were all from this monster.

“Mmmph!!”

‘Noelle: Don’t come over! (๑˃ಐ˂৭)’

Noelle was thrown directly toward the giant maw.

The next second, darkness fell.

…

…

“Ahh, no… I got eaten…”

Accompanied by a nauseating sweet metallic smell and slimy sensation, Noelle felt herself fall into a warm, acidic space.

She had been eaten.

“Oh no… my clothes…”

She noticed in horror that her red dress was visibly dissolving.

Even the sandwich in her basket dissolved instantly upon contact with the gastric juices.

That burning sensation seeped into her bones through her skin. Her vision began to blur, her consciousness fading.

‘Is this… death?’

‘We’ve barely been in the game for five minutes.’

‘Ugh X﹏X’

Noelle closed her eyes in despair, her small body curling into a ball in the slime, completely ceasing to struggle, becoming the flower monster’s lunch.

…

[Host death confirmed.]

[Innate talent ‘Time Rewind’ has been triggered.]

[Loading save…]

…

“Eeek—!!”

Noelle gasped a huge breath of air, clutching her chest with both hands, collapsing onto the ground and heaving violently.

She had returned to the starting forest before the game began.

She looked down, saw her intact hands and the undissolved dress, her heart still pounding wildly in her chest as if it would burst out.

“Which jerk designed this stage? ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅”

Noelle complained with a tearful voice, soft and trembling.

…

‘Well, even though the first death was gross, at least now I have information.’

“Let’s try again…”

Noelle got up from the ground, dusted off her dress, and her eyes became serious.

‘I absolutely cannot go that way from earlier.’

‘That ambush vine is right two meters in front of the spawn point.’

Noelle carefully took a step.

This time, instead of going straight, she hugged the tree trunk on the left, made a wide detour, avoiding the seemingly calm grass.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Safe passage.

“Whew… I need to be more careful from now on.”

Noelle wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and continued deeper into the forest, carrying her wicker basket.

With the experience of her first death, she became much more cautious.

Along the way, she avoided all brightly colored mushrooms and bushes that looked too quiet.

Time passed without her noticing, and the shadows in the forest began to lengthen.

Before she knew it, Noelle came to a fork in the road.

There were two paths ahead.

The right path was wide and flat, bathed in sunlight, looking warm and peaceful.

The left path was a pitch-black dense forest, exuding an eerie, sinister atmosphere that sent a chill down one’s spine just by looking.

“Hmm, definitely the right, meow (ฅ´ω`ฅ)”

Noelle trotted on her short legs toward the right.

After walking along the main road for about half an hour, the sky had grown darker.

Just as Noelle was getting tired, the path opened up ahead, and a cozy wooden cabin came into view.

Warm yellow light shone through the windows, and the aroma of grilled meat drifted from the chimney.

In front of the cabin stood a woman.

Noelle focused her eyes…

“Wow, so pretty…”

She was a very beautiful older sister.

She had long, straight black hair smooth as a waterfall, reaching her waist.

Her figure was tall and impressive, wearing tight leather hunting gear that outlined breathtaking curves.

Noelle was a bit mesmerized.

After all, for a socially awkward homebody like Noelle, this type of older sister was a critical hit times ten!

Most striking was the coldly gleaming hunting rifle she casually held in her hand.

Hearing footsteps, the long black-haired older sister turned around, her gentle eyes falling on the petite Noelle.

“Oh my, whose little kitten is this?”

Seeming interested in Noelle, the older sister’s voice was husky, with a charm unique to a mature woman.

“Umm…”

Noelle was stunned, blushing a little at being addressed that way by the older sister.

‘But it seems she’s the hunter from this Little Red Riding Hood dungeon?’

‘Didn’t expect it to be not a traditional old man, but a beautiful older sister.’

“Little cutie, where are you going?” the older sister asked with a smile.

Just then…

[Decision Time!]

[A. Tell the truth.]

[B. Lie.]

‘Noelle: ? There are options here too?’

‘Could it be that this older sister…’

Noelle had a moment of doubt, then… saw the older sister’s impressive chest.

‘Noelle: Oh my, the hunter is the hero who kills the Big Bad Wolf in the original, and such a hot older sister too. Double confirmed good, what’s there to worry about? (ฅ\’ω\’ฅ)’

Little Noelle defeated Big Noelle ()

Chose A.

“Um… hello, big sister.” Noelle clutched her basket shyly and said in a babyish voice, “I’m going to Grandma’s house to deliver food to her.”

“Hehe, what a filial child.” The older sister raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over the basket in Noelle’s hand. “But it’s not safe to be running around in the forest this late.”

She put away her rifle, walked over to Noelle with elegant steps, and crouched down to be at eye level with her.

Such close proximity made Noelle’s heart race a little.

“What’s your name?” the older sister asked.

“No, Noelle…”

“Noelle, what a nice name. I’m a professional hunter from nearby, no need to be afraid.” The older sister reached out and gently smoothed Noelle’s messy bangs, her movements as tender as petting a kitten. “The sun has already set, and there are big bad wolves in the forest.”

When she mentioned the Big Bad Wolf, Noelle gulped.

‘That major antagonist from the original, in this dungeon, would be a boss at least.’

‘If I met it, I’d definitely die, mm.’

“How about this, why don’t Little Noelle stay at my place for the night? I’ll take you there tomorrow after sunrise.” The older sister showed an impeccable, gentle smile, pointing to the cabin behind her. “What do you think? I have a hot dinner ready too.”

Noelle blinked.

‘Sounds reasonable…’

‘It’s dark, dangerous outside. Staying the night is indeed a wise choice. And she looks so gentle and pretty, she can’t be a bad person, right?’

‘Probably…’

Just then, that mechanical voice rang in her mind again.

[Decision Time!]

[Facing the Hunter Sister’s invitation, you choose…]

[A. Stay overnight at the big sister’s house.]

[B. Refuse the big sister.]

Noelle’s heart skipped a beat.

‘Here it comes again.’

The older sister remained crouched, her beautiful eyes quietly watching Noelle, waiting for her answer.

“What’s wrong? Don’t want to?” she asked softly.

“I… I ( ๑ŏ ﹏ ŏ๑ )”

Noelle chooses…