TN: Title explanation after chapter.
"Meow? They're... fighting among themselves, meow?"
The adventurer's backstab was truly unexpected. The atmosphere among the group of nearly a hundred adventurers suddenly became strange.
They warily pulled apart from each other, with one adventurer angrily questioning the backstabbing adventurer.
"What's the meaning of this? If you don't want the reward, go stand aside!"
"Anna... she's on Amaryllis's side... If I attack Amaryllis, I'll definitely lose Anna's affection..."
"You're sick."
The adventurer laughed mockingly.
"Exclusive NPCs are guild property. How many individual players actually have exclusive NPCs as followers? You can't seriously think you can actually win over Anna? I'm already tired of the tedious process of never gaining affection no matter what I do. The Duke's reward won't lie to me."
"Yeah..."
"I heard no one has gained any affection..."
"Giving gifts doesn't work, charm doesn't work either."
"The Duke's reward is still more cost-effective."
"Anna will belong to a guild sooner or later anyway..."
The adventurers' words seemed to solidify a group of players' stance. On one side was throwing money down the drain with no visible return, on the other was a real, tangible reward. Which would be more tempting?
I could only respond with a bitter smile. I truly wasn't very interested in the gifts they gave, and though I had indicated they could come ask for them back at any time and I was willing to return them, almost no adventurers came to retrieve them.
Even that backstabbing adventurer wavered for a moment, but he didn't abandon his position.
"You talk like the Duke's reward is easy to get... The record proof of killing Amaryllis can only be achieved by one person. Both sides have the same number of spots!"
The Duke's time-limited quest completion reward was for capturing Lily alive or proof of killing Lily.
So how does one prove they killed Lily? In the adventurers' interface, there's a section called [Statistics] that records personal data, such as damage dealt, damage taken, etc. Among these statistics is [Kill Count].
Adventurers and NPCs killed are recorded in document form. The Duke's so-called proof of killing Amaryllis was precisely showing him this record in the statistics panel.
If a guild member achieved the kill, the reward would naturally be reported to the guild, but for individuals, it would all go into their own pockets.
For guildless adventurers, this was a great opportunity to get rich overnight.
"At least it's much easier than grinding Anna's affection..."
That adventurer seemed impatient. He had no need to continue talking here. They weren't related, and one less person meant one less competitor, especially with more adventurers continuously heading this way.
The adventurers confirmed their choice. Perhaps I should have stubbornly refused the adventurers' gifts from the beginning.
I prepared for battle, though I was sincerely grateful to that adventurer who stood up for me.
[Anastasia's affection toward "I Will Always Love the Saint" +1]
"Anna’s affection?!"
The adventurer with the ID "I Will Always Love the Saint" blurted out instinctively. But speaking of that ID... so he's a follower of the Saint?
His words caused an uproar among the adventurer group.
"What did you just say? Anna's affection increased?"
"Could it be... this is that special type of quest that increases bond with followers? Participating gets you Anna's affection?"
"But Anna is protecting Amaryllis, doesn't that contradict the Duke's quest?"
"Wait, helping Anna can increase Anna's affection, right?"
"I don't play games much, don't lie to me."
The adventurer with ID "I Will Always Love the Saint" was questioned, and he immediately patted his chest in guarantee.
"I can screenshot and post it on the forums!"
The gathered adventurers, who had finally united with a common goal, once again showed division.
"Anna, I have an idea, meow..."
"Carol Cat?"
"Everyone~~~"
Carol Cat's crisp voice was enhanced with voice transmission magic, ensuring every adventurer could hear.
"Anna needs your help, meow! Here's your chance to be heroes saving a beauty!"
After Carol Cat shouted, she actually went ahead and pulled off Lily's hood.
The moment they confirmed it was Amaryllis, the adventurer who had been constantly challenging "I Will Always Love the Saint" struck first. His weapon was a bow, and during the conversation, he had already nocked an arrow with long-planned intent.
But another adventurer wielding a shield came from behind, getting in front of me to block the fire-enhanced arrow.
I couldn't understand why Carol Cat would voluntarily expose Lily's identity.
"Carol Cat, why did you..."
"Believe in your own charm, meow! Anna!"
[Anastasia's affection toward "Late but Inevitable" +1]
"Affection really increased!"
The shield-wielding player cried out in wild joy, becoming the complete fuse among the adventurers. Realizing the plot was taking an unexpected turn, adventurers hurriedly tried to approach Lily, but not a single one made it to us. They were all intercepted by other adventurers nearby.
"Don't you all want the crystal stones anymore? That's 500,000 crystal stones!"
"Crystal stones, bah! Just help the big shots move some bricks and you'll have enough! There's only one Anna!"
"Are you giving up the flying mount griffon too?!"
"Stop talking nonsense! You can ride a griffon, but can't you ride Anna?"
"Anna can't give you noble titles!"
"Can the Duke give us big-breasted maids?!"
The originally menacing adventurer group instantly split into two factions and erupted into infighting. The adventurers on both sides fell into chaotic battle, while we few were left standing on the sidelines, wide-eyed.
"I have a screenshot of Anna increasing affection just now...! Anna, I'm logging off for a few minutes, protect me, meow!"
"Eh? O-okay..."
Translator’s Corner
Been a while, ay? Title comes from a meme, Our universe is full of protons, neutrons, electrons, and tits. I had to of course verify, and I found this under moegirl.org.cn:
-Ruminas