(Chapter 21) Where’s my achievement?
Anna has always felt that this simulator might have some form of autonomous consciousness, but she has never had any direct evidence to prove it.
This time, the excessive description of the fine steel longsword has made Anna even more suspicious that the simulator might indeed have its own consciousness.
However, without definitive evidence, suspicion remains just that, suspicion.
Since Helga has made a rare appearance in the simulation, as long as they don't get caught up in some chaotic situations, these issues should be resolvable. Moreover, the envoy sent by the Duke Latimir is expected to arrive in about ten days.
[The insignificant Threadworm poses no challenge for you, so you and Louise swiftly make your way toward the source of the commotion.]
[You encounter Helga Bartham, who is fighting two demon boars.]
[You have defeated Demon Boars × 2]
[You used your longsword to help Helga defeat the two demon boars and recognized each other. Helga was also pleasantly surprised.]
[At the same time, you notice that Louise seems a bit off after meeting Helga, so you introduce Helga to Louise.]
‘...Although this is indeed something I would do, seeing this part in the simulator feels a bit strange.’
[After a brief inspection of the two demon boars' corpses, you take Helga back to the town.]
[After a brief chat with Helga, she mentions that she has no place to stay.]
[You want to let Helga stay at your home, but Louise interrupts and arranges for the best inn in town for Helga.]
‘This is just like last time. Next, I must reject Helga's sudden emotional advances!’
[That night, just before you go to sleep, you hear a knock on your door.]
[Opening the door, it's Helga, whom you just reunited with today.]
[Her appearance is different from the tired look she had when you met earlier. Now, as soon as she sees you, her breathing quickens, seeming very excited.]
[Fortunately, you were prepared before going out, and you subdued Helga!]
[After regaining consciousness, Helga apologizes to you, saying it was her fault, caused by her blood rage leading to impulsiveness.]
Blood rage... Anna remembers that there really is such a thing.
This is a trait of the Bartham family. When their blood rage happens, it makes their brain less rational, and whether it's the desire to fight, eat, or... sexual desires, they all become particularly strong, and their physical abilities also improve by a grade.
It is because of this trait that every generation of the Bartham family has been powerful warriors, and every generation of the Bartham family has only chosen to become warriors.
That's why Anna was so surprised that Helga became a mage.
Although every time she thinks about Helga's ideal of being "the most powerful mage in close combat"... it doesn't seem so surprising.
[This incident made both you and Helga feel awkward, so after sending Helga away, you kept thinking about her and didn't sleep well.]
Not to that extent, really not.
[Day 11: Just as you are about to go on patrol, you met Helga, who was registering at the adventurer's guild. Helga seems to have completely forgotten about last night's incident and greets you.]
[Helga says she will stay in this town for a while.]
[Today, you patrolled several streets, and nothing happened.]
Ah... it feels like we're back to the daily routine, doesn't it?
[Day 12: You patrolled several streets, and nothing happened.]
[When you were off duty, you saw Helga, Louise, and a stranger discussing something, heading towards the knight's headquarters.]
[You are surprised at how well they seem to get along when they see you.]
[Then, you learn that today, while Helga was on a mission to eliminate a magical beast, not only did the beast become more ferocious, but she was also attacked by an unknown enemy.]
[Helga and this stranger are representatives from the adventurer's association, and came to request the knight's cooperation in the investigation. They met Louise on her way back from patrol and came together.]
[After reporting to Philsey, Philsey thinks the matter can be investigated tomorrow and dismisses you.]
[Day 13: The mission to investigate the forest beasts is officially assigned. You, Louise, and Helga set out to carry it out together.]
[Upon reaching the outskirts of the forest, you were immediately ambushed by magical beasts.]
[You have defeated Ferocious Demon Boars × 3]
[You have defeated Ferocious Slime]
[You have defeated Ferocious Demon Wolves × 5]
[You have defeated Ferocious Demon Boar]
...
The number of these ferocious magical beasts being defeated is increasing, to the point where it's making Anna, in reality, a bit nervous.
Even though she defeated the Thread Worm and those two demon boars before, the simulation didn't have this "ferocious" prefix.
‘Moreover, during previous patrols in the forest, I have been attacked by magical beasts, but they were always just a few small, low-level creatures without much intelligence. They were easy to deal with and never in large numbers.’
But according to the simulation, the probability of these ferocious magical beasts actively attacking has greatly increased in just over ten days. They’ve killed almost thirty magical beasts...
[Because there are too many ferocious magical beasts, although the three of you are strong enough to handle them, the numbers have gradually dispersed your positions.]
[When you start to feel a bit exhausted, you notice someone standing on a tree not far away.]
[Before you can see what this person looks like, you only see him raising a longbow, drawing an arrow—]
[You hear the sound of the arrow cutting through the air.]
[Your armor is pierced by the arrow!]
[Your abdomen is pierced!]
[The arrow explodes, and you are blown away.]
[You remain conscious, Helga and Louise tried to save you.]
[Due to severe injuries, you died.]
[Simulation ends, calculating results...]
What?
How is it this explosive arrow again?
She hadn’t been followed by anyone before, so why are they appearing now?
Although this simulation was unexpectedly quite normal, seeing herself die again from this explosive arrow still gives Anna a surge of blood pressure not less than in previous simulations.
It seemed like the simulation was progressing quite smoothly this time. How did this explosive arrow show up again?
Forget it, let's see if there are any achievements this time...
[No achievements obtained as conditions were not met.]
...
Wait, what? Where are my achievements!? Where are my achievement points?
Even a bronze achievement would be fine!
Still calculating? Where are my achievements? Ah!!! Achievements! Simulator, I'm not done with you!!!