“Ahh, let me go!”
A warm, gentle sensation, carrying a strange magical force, instantly enveloped Nuo Ai’er’s belly. These tentacles had no intention of letting her go…
Such a bizarre situation.
Nuo Ai’er: Bad news.
As an experienced otaku who had watched countless anime, countless horrifying plot scenes flashed through her mind in an instant. This sudden spatial anomaly, the strange tentacles, the appearance of a mysterious high-ranking being…
Was the next development going to be crushing her heart, tearing her soul apart or something? Nuo Ai’er was about to be obliterated (sad)
“Mmm”
Nuo Ai’er closed her eyes, bracing herself for the worst—being mercilessly crushed and erased the next second.
…But none of that came.
The pink tentacles coiled around her waist and belly didn’t make any aggressive tearing motions. Instead, they pressed against her soft belly with extreme gentleness and tenderness.
“…Eh?”
Was this right?
What was with this pampering touch…?
It made her whole body go weak. Nuo Ai’er’s tense body unconsciously relaxed.
Was the punishment… not to kill her?
“Hehe, you let your guard down in a daze, didn’t you? I was waiting for this moment~” The sweet female voice sounded again.
Then, before Nuo Ai’er could finish letting out that breath—
“Mmph—!”
The originally gentle tentacles suddenly exerted force! Tightened instantly! An extreme sense of restraint crashed down, binding Nuo Ai’er’s slender waist tightly!
“Ahhh”
The sudden intense squeeze made Nuo Ai’er let out a soft, pitiful cry of pain. The delicate flesh of her belly was ruthlessly cinched, causing her to curl up her small body, instinctively trying to push the tentacles away with her hands.
But these seemingly soft tentacles seemed to contain power beyond the world’s rules. No matter how hard Nuo Ai’er pushed, struggled, or twisted her belly, they remained motionless, locked tightly around her.
No use, can’t break free…
“Nngh… it hurts… my stomach… hurts so much…”
Nuo Ai’er’s eyes were slightly reddened from the pressure, trembling lightly.
“Next time, don’t try anything rash, okay~” The syrupy female voice sounded again. She was warning Nuo Ai’er not to scheme anymore.
“The secret of the forbidden talent is an absolute bottom line that cannot be revealed.”
“Considering this is Nuo Ai’er-chan’s first offense, I’ll just give your belly a light squeeze as a small punishment.” Nuo Ai’er: Where is the ‘light’ in this?
“If there’s a next time… it won’t be such a gentle little lesson, Nuo Ai’er-chan.”
“Ugh… who the hell are you?”
Nuo Ai’er was well aware that the other party was absolutely not bluffing. But who was she…? Could she be the one who gave her this power?
“Instead of asking who I am, shouldn’t you apologize first? Nuo Ai’er-chan~” The voice chuckled, then tightened the tentacles around Nuo Ai’er’s belly again.
“Oh ho ho~ I know I’m wrong! I really know I’m wrong!” Nuo Ai’er hurriedly nodded vigorously, speaking softly in a plea for forgiveness.
“I won’t say anything reckless anymore! I won’t test anything! I’ll keep it secret! From now on, I’ll shut up obediently! Please… let me go… my stomach hurts so much… waaah”
Her small hands pressed tightly against the tentacles, her soft voice making anyone’s heart clench.
“Aah~ Nuo Ai’er-chan like this is really cute.”
The mysterious being deep in the spatial rift seemed satisfied with her attitude.
Then the pink tentacles around Nuo Ai’er’s waist finally loosened their grip, slowly relaxing. The sense of restraint faded layer by layer.
“Huff… that was terrifying…”
Nuo Ai’er quickly covered her reddened belly with both hands. On her skin were faint pink marks. Either way… she was saved.
“It’s good that you know fear.”
“Who are you, anyway?” Nuo Ai’er asked the voice.
“Nuo Ai’er-chan, instead of that question, why don’t you ask me why I didn’t let you tell anyone?”
“Huh?”
Nuo Ai’er was a bit confused. But that was also what she wanted to know: “Wh-why… why can’t I tell anyone about my talent…”
Her time rewind was just a passive survival talent.
“Because your talent is too special.”
“Special?”
“Is that hard to understand? A power that can rewrite bad endings is enough to make countless people in the shadows want to get you at any cost… You don’t think this is just a simple survival talent, do you? Think back—has anyone ever set their sights on you?”
Nuo Ai’er’s heart jolted. A figure flashed through her mind—the green-haired witch girl who appeared when the Third Instance [Sister’s Room] reached its perfect ending!
Back then, she plainly said that she had noticed Nuo Ai’er’s logic for clearing was unreasonable and suspected she had a special unknown talent, deliberately setting up a trap to observe her.
“Was it her…?” Nuo Ai’er bit her lower lip.
“Seeing your expression, it seems you understand. Since that’s the case, my mission is done. One last thing: the punishment just now was both the rules protecting you and warning you.”
Nuo Ai’er lowered her head, acknowledging softly, with no trace of curiosity or wishful thinking left in her eyes. This kind of talent really couldn’t be known by others…
“Good girl. Then see you… well, it’d be best if we don’t meet again~” The slender pink tentacle on her belly released her, then gently brushed her fair, soft cheek.
After comforting the frightened little girl with the tentacle, it withdrew into the rift. The shattered spatial crack healed quickly and returned to normal. Everything was as if it never happened.
The next second. The paused time fully resumed. The world started moving again.
“Sister Nuo Ai’er? Why did you stop talking all of a sudden?” Hui Mei looked at Nuo Ai’er, who had stopped mid-sentence, tilting her head.
“Uh, well” Nuo Ai’er stammered.
“Your talent is…?” Hui Mei’s childish, soft voice was full of confusion, staring straight at Nuo Ai’er.
Sht… Nuo Ai’er: Stopped mid-sentence, what excuse do I come up with now?
For a moment, Nuo Ai’er’s brain raced, frantically trying to think of how to bluff her way out. Just as she had no idea how to explain—
Emilia stepped forward first: “Oh, Nuo Ai’er doesn’t have a talent at all.”
“Miss here has played many rounds of the game, and occasionally there are ordinary players who haven’t awakened a unique talent.” Emilia explained, directly assigning Nuo Ai’er the setting of a [Talentless Player].
“Uh, y-yeah… sorry to disappoint you, Hui Mei.” Nuo Ai’er rubbed her head, taking over the conversation. Nuo Ai’er: Nice, Young Miss!
“I see…”
Hui Mei paused for a moment. Though she felt a slight subtle wrongness deep inside, she didn’t dwell on it and obediently nodded.
“Don’t worry if you don’t have a talent. I’ll protect Nuo Ai’er.” Leinata said.
Nuo Ai’er responded softly: “Ahaha, thank you, Leinata. You’re too good to me.”
“No need to thank me.” Leinata held Nuo Ai’er’s small hand.
“Eh?”
“Because Nuo Ai’er is my hero.”
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