Chapter 1: Pure white snow.

Crunch. Crunch.

The sensation of treading on snow was pleasant.

Leaving footprints in a world bleached white brought back memories of a carefree childhood.

Most of it was blurry from how long ago it was, but one memory stood out clearly.

‘Memories. We used to gather with the neighborhood kids and have snowball fights.’

‘Back then, it was truly…’

“I thought they were crazy bastards.”

It was a battlefield.

Most of them threw snowballs with rocks inside.

There was even one bastard who hid a large rock in the head of a snowman they’d built, just waiting for someone to get hit.

And then, if someone got hurt, they’d act like the victim, pulling off a ‘first strike, then victim cosplay.’

When kids’ fights escalated into parents’ fights, they’d just giggle among themselves as if they’d never cried.

Anyway, the neighborhood was full of wicked sons of bitches who would make Satan weep.

Of course, that included me.

Even I thought I was a lunatic.

I was the one who hid a rock in the snowman’s head.

‘I loved rocks. Hehe.’

“Goleuk. Master, what crazy thoughts are making you laugh like that again?”

A tactless subordinate, interrupting a nostalgic childhood recollection scene, was beside me.

I felt his ugly mug twitching.

‘Ugly as he is, how dare he mock his master?’

My mood soured.

‘Let’s step on him once.’

“Kuek!”

“Stop picking fights and guide us properly, you punk. It’s been snowing for days now. Are we even going the right way? I’m getting sick of it.”

The subordinate, buried in the snow after being stepped on by a leather boot, slowly crawled out and got back on his feet.

A contemptuous glare shot from his long, slanted eyes.

“Goleuk. Is it something to be proud of, not being able to read a map that even a goblin can? Master is too stupid.”

“You’re the stupid one, you idiot. How’s a blind person supposed to read a map?”

“Ah.”

A gasp of realization.

He apologized in a very apologetic voice.

“Goleuk. My apologies. Master moves around so well that I completely forgot you were disabled.”

‘I certainly trained him well.’

‘His attitude of admitting fault and apologizing immediately is excellent.’

‘But what is it? He’s clearly apologizing, so why does my mood feel so foul?’

“I thought you were trying to torment Gobura again. So, I deliberately twisted our path to trick you…”

“What was that, you punk?”

“Kuheek!!”

I kicked him hard.

His dying gasp rolled away like a snowball.

I held my head and sighed.

“No wonder things felt so uneventful.”

“Goleuk. Still, we’re almost there now.”

The subordinate, having returned perfectly fine, chattered beside me.

I almost punched him but held back.

“Kuek!”

Instead, I stepped on him again with my foot.

‘Because my hands are precious.’

‘I don’t want to touch a goblin’s head or anything like that.’

****

Half a day later.

We arrived at a crumbling temple building, standing in the middle of a snow-covered plain.

It was surprising that the destination was close, just as the subordinate had said.

‘I thought he was lying to avoid getting hit.’

“Goleuk. It’s quiet. Seems like no one’s here.”

“Would there be? They either all died long ago or ran away.”

This was the 24th branch of the Ten Saints Guardian Church Organization, a place I’d heard was a gathering point where priests serving the main deity plotted counterattacks during the height of the war.

Still, it seemed they were all crushed without a fight by a single wave of our esteemed Demon King’s hand.

“Goleuk. How does Master know that?”

“My Master told me.”

“Master’s Master, you mean that unpleasant True Ancestor?”

“Yeah. I heard she caught the Heroes here with the Demon King?”

She said it was fun to tear off the limbs of the pleading kids they caught.

Said they were tougher than normal humans, so they were more satisfying to tear apart?

As a former human, it wasn’t a particularly pleasant feeling.

But it wasn’t like I felt sympathy either.

It was more like hearing news of a complete stranger dying in an unfortunate accident.

“But Master.”

“What.”

We were going along fine, but the subordinate showed an annoyed expression.

“If what Master says is true, doesn’t that mean there isn’t even a single bug here right now?”

“Probably?”

“Then why did we even come here? There must be a reason you interrupted Gobura’s training and dragged him along.”

The subordinate grumbled, voicing his complaints.

‘This training-maniac goblin punk always has a lot to complain about.’

‘He’s annoying and ugly, so let’s step on him.’

“Kuek!”

“You punk. Everything your heaven-like Master does has a good reason, you hear? You’re a subordinate, so stop talking back.”

The subordinate, who had been lying face down, got up.

He dusted off his armor, which was dirty with dust, and then a rather solemn voice came.

“Goleuk. That’s a lie. Since when did Master’s actions have plausible reasons? You just live as you please. It’s a known fact, even to the subordinate next door, that Master’s actions are like an animal’s.”

“What, you punk?”

‘This beast dares to call me a beast?’

“Gobura only speaks the truth.”

“Yeah. Only words that get you hit.”

“Kuhuk!”

I gave him a satisfying kick and moved on.

After only a few steps, the subordinate, who had been sent flying, calmly returned and asked.

“Goleuk. So why did we come here? Gobura still hasn’t heard the answer.”

“Bura.”

“It’s not Bura. It’s Gobura.”

“Whether it’s Bura or a bra, could you just shut up? I can’t concentrate.”

“Understood.”

When I sharpened my nails, the subordinate quieted down.

‘Indeed, this punk needs to be ruled by fist rather than words.’

The space became much quieter.

I calmly spread my magic, covering the surroundings.

I had lost my sight when I fell into this world, but now I could perceive my surroundings even more clearly than when I could see.

I could sense not only the terrain but even the subordinate beside me rolling his eyes with a sulky expression.

Magic was another sense for me, replacing my sight.

‘Nothing above.’

‘Is it underground?’

I expanded my magic’s range beneath my feet.

“Bingo. Found it.”

“Goleuk. What did you find?”

“Just follow quietly.”

As I walked with a wide grin, a sullen gaze came from behind me.

‘I’m in a good mood now, so I’ll let it slide this once.’

Entering further into the temple, I discovered a narrow room.

I pushed aside the half-torn-off door and went inside.

“Sniff sniff.”

“Master. Have you truly decided to become an animal?”

I completely ignored the subordinate’s disgusted words as he followed.

My sensitive sense of smell picked up an old scent lingering in the room.

“Ah, is this the scent of the Saintess?”

“Goleuk?”

“Damn. It’s incredibly fragrant.”

‘I almost wet myself a little.’

‘It’s genuinely the kind of scent I could smell all day without getting tired of it.’

‘It’s such a waste that she died with the Hero.’

‘If she were alive, I would have hugged her while sleeping.’

“Master. Please do such perverted things where Gobura isn’t present. Why is the shame always Gobura’s burden?”

“Shut up. If your senses were as sensitive as mine, you’d develop fetishes you never knew you had.”

“That’s a lie. Master was just a pervert from the beginning, weren’t you? Be honest.”

‘This goblin punk. He knows me too well.’

‘Have we been together too long?’

“Hey, enough. Dig here.”

“When things get unfavorable, you always change the subject.”

“Wanna die?”

The subordinate grumbled as he approached.

“Why do you always make Gobura do things like this?”

“Then should I, your Master, do it while my subordinate is perfectly capable?”

“Goleuk. That’s not wrong.”

“If you know that, hurry up and dig, you punk.”

‘He always has to say something extra, even though he’s going to do it anyway.’

‘Is it a racial trait of these goblin punks?’

I folded my arms and watched the subordinate standing by a wall.

He took out the crude greatsword slung on his back and swung it smoothly.

A sword strike, neither fast nor slow.

Not even a small sound was made.

“I’m done.”

The subordinate turned back, slinging the greatsword onto his back again.

Just then, the stone wall crumbled down.

Beyond the collapsed wall, stairs leading down appeared.

It was a secret passage.

“Hey, your swordsmanship has improved?”

“Of course. Gobura is a goblin who never neglects his training.”

As he said that, he cast a glance at my side.

“Because I don’t want to be as lazy as Master. Master is an excellent example of what not to be.”

“You punk. I’m not a swordsman, you know?”

“Then why do you always carry a sword?”

“This is for style. It’s for show.”

When I thrust forward the longsword at my hip, the subordinate looked at me with deep dissatisfaction.

His face looked as if he’d been insulted.

“Master should reflect. Gobura doesn’t understand why you’re letting such good talent go to waste.”

“Enough. As long as I don’t go around getting beaten up, it’s fine. Stop spouting nonsense and lead the way.”

When I nudged him with my foot, the subordinate turned and protested.

“Goleuk. Why does Gobura have to lead the way?”

“I looked around earlier and found quite a few traps.”

“You mean…?”

“To be a meat shield.”

“I thought so.”

“If you understand, then go on.”

The subordinate, shoulders slumped, trudged toward the stairs.

‘Don’t pretend to be pitiful, you goblin punk. Do you think I haven’t seen you enough times?’

‘Have I seen you just once or twice?’

And so, we descended underground.

It was much deeper and had many more traps than I expected.

Sharp projectiles like arrows or fireballs flew at us.

Suddenly, the floor would collapse, or a large rock would roll down from behind.

But none of them harmed us at all.

I was there, already aware of all the traps, and a subordinate with the power to overcome them was by my side.

We chatted and bickered as we advanced, as if we were on a picnic.

“Goleuk. Elixir?”

“Yeah.”

“Such a precious item exists in a place like this?”

“I’m not certain. But there’s a possibility.”

This was a place where the Hero and his companions once stayed.

Among his companions was said to be the world’s only Saintess.

I heard that later, they were crushed by the Demon King and my Master, and the Hero and Saintess fled. When I heard that story, a thought suddenly struck me.

‘Perhaps an elixir might still be here?’

The Elixir, a panacea that only the Saintess could create.

With the Saintess dead and the continent now in the Demon King’s grasp, it was a precious item that couldn’t be obtained anywhere.

“Master. What do you plan to do after obtaining such a thing?”

“Why ask the obvious? I’m going to drink it.”

“Goleuk. Have you finally gone mad?”

“Hey, it seems you don’t know, but Elixir is different from Holy Water, okay? Just because the Saintess made it doesn’t mean it’s all bad for our bodies. You idiot.”

‘If even I took a shot of Saintess-brand Holy Water, I’d be done for.’

But Elixir is a healing potion that is equal for all, so it’s fine.

“How can you be so sure?”

“My Master said she drank it? She said the effects were good, aside from the terrible taste.”

“Goleuk. That True Ancestor seems quite eccentric too.”

“Right?”

“Why are you nodding? Master is similarly eccentric.”

“Me, like my Master? Pfft, what a joke.”

“…..”

“Hey, why aren’t you answering?”

“Goleuk. I see a door ahead. It seems we’ve arrived.”

‘This goblin punk is changing the subject because it’s unfavorable for him, isn’t he?’

The subordinate scurried ahead, opened the door, and went inside.

‘He’s an annoying fellow, anyway.’

“Did you find anything?”

“Master.”

“What.”

“Isn’t this an Elixir?”

“What?!”

The subordinate held something out to me as I followed him inside.

From the outline and shape I felt, it was a small glass bottle, and a pure energy was emanating from the liquid inside.

“Why is this real?”

“Why are you surprised? Weren’t we here to find this?”

“No. Well, yes, but.”

‘Honestly, I hadn’t expected much.’

‘And rightly so, hadn’t the Saintess died quite a while ago?’

‘Even if an Elixir remained here, I thought its medicinal properties would have oxidized long ago.’

“Holy shit. I hit the jackpot.”

“But Master. Why are you drinking this? You’re not sick or anything.”

“Not sick, my ass, you punk. Can’t you see these closed eyes of mine?”

“Gorureuk? No way. Can it cure your disability?”

The subordinate asked, startled.

‘It was understandable. After all, the woman who had kept her eyelids closed since their first meeting was suddenly opening her eyes.’

“I don’t know either. That’s why I have to try it myself.”

I uncorked the glass bottle.

The saintess’s powdery scent, which I had smelled moments ago, flowed into my sensitive nostrils.

‘Seeing as it doesn’t have that damn unpleasant feeling unique to Holy Water, this is definitely an Elixir.’

“Master. Drink it quickly. I’m curious to see what Master’s eyes look like.”

“Don’t rush me. I’m going to drink it anyway.”

I brought the Elixir to my mouth and gulped it down.

“Uwaaaaaaagh-!”

“Kaak! What are you doing!”

“Goddamn it. It tastes awful.”

“But why are you spitting up blood!”

“You try drinking it. Ugh. It’s nauseating.”

‘I heard from Master that it tasted bad, but I never imagined it would be this bad.’

‘Is it because my taste buds are too sensitive?’

“So, how are your eyes?”

“Huh? Hey, I just drank it, there’s no way the effects would appear this quickly.”

‘Besides, I even threw it up right after drinking it, so there’s no way I could see—’

“Huh?”

It was the moment I put strength into my eyelids, which had been closed for decades, and lifted them.

“What’s wrong?”

“….I can see.”

“Goleuk?”

“I can see, what’s in front of me.”

A gray light swirled in the darkness that had always been uniform.

Very thin streaks of light seeped in, gradually thickening, then slowly began to take on color.

Red. Yellow. Orange. Beyond the spreading colors, faint outlines slowly took shape.

I raised my hand in front of my eyes.

My pale, delicate hand and my sharp, black-stained nails gradually became clearer.

Trickle.

“Ma-Master? Are you crying?”

Tears flowed from my eyes.

It had been a full hundred years.

Since I was abandoned as a blind person in this unfamiliar world.

The streaks of light that swept away those pitch-black years were so warm.

“Holy f*ck. This is amazing.”

‘I’m happy.’

‘I’m so happy I feel like dancing right now.’

‘Such intense emotion was something I hadn’t felt since being saved by my Master.’

My vision, distorted by tears, was sweet.

‘To think that being able to see would be so ecstatic.’

I couldn’t hide my spreading smile and grinned foolishly, so the subordinate approached and examined me.

“Master. Are you alright?”

“Yeah. Completely.”

“Gobura thinks otherwise. Perhaps that Elixir was spoiled?”

“Is Elixir milk? To spoil just because it’s old?”

I chuckled and looked at the subordinate.

In my rapidly clearing vision, the ugly goblin had an expression as if he’d seen something bizarre.

‘This, instead of congratulating his Master for overcoming a disability…’

It was the moment I was about to kick him for being insolent.

“Huh?”

As my sight returned almost perfectly, many things became visible.

For instance, the appearance of this narrow room, or the subordinate beside me.

And.

“Uh…?”

Or rather, translucent texts haphazardly arranged and densely lined up in a corner of my vision.

“Master?”

“……”

“Master. What’s wrong?”

“….What the f*ck?”

“Goleuk?”

The subordinate’s words didn’t register in my ears.

Instantly, a flush of heat rushed to my head.

My pupils beneath my raised eyelids trembled incessantly.

—–

User Info

– Name: Cynthia

– Gender: Female

– Level: 724

– Race: Vampire

– Traits

[Blindness (Deactivated)]

[Insomnia (Deactivated)]

[Super Senses]

[Super Regeneration]

[Indomitable Will]

[Peerless Beauty]

[Pervert]

[Abnormal]

[Extreme Bipolar Disorder]

[Mutant]

[Madness]

[Blood Flow Manipulation]

——

The shimmering thing before my eyes was unfamiliar, yet it was definitely something I knew.

It was the screen I had continuously seen inside a monitor before falling into this world.

—It was a game Status Window.

“Ma-Master?”

“Haha, f*ck.”

“What’s suddenly wrong! Blood! Blood is flowing!”

“Status Window? There’s a Status Window now? For me?”

Kwaang!!

I couldn’t possibly control the surging rage.

“It’s been 100 years. You motherfucker. Not 10 years, not 20 years, but over 100 years.”

“Kaak kaak! C-calm down, Master!”

“Calm down? How do I do that? Huh!?”

It felt like all the blood in my body was boiling backward.

“So what? Because of one goddamn f*cking [Blindness] trait, I didn’t know there was system assistance? For 100 years?”

The translucent windows reflected in my vision weren’t just the Status Window.

Things like my race changing, or what achievements I had accomplished, were continuously listed and overlapped.

These were system messages that had accumulated over more than a hundred years of not being able to see.

“Stop spouting nonsense! Don’t make me laugh!”

‘What do you think I’ve been through all this time?!’

‘I’ve clawed my way up, desperate to survive, and now I’m standing here!!’

‘I even abandoned my humanity and survived uglily, and now what? A system, now?’

Thick blood oozed from my nails that dug into my flesh.

I felt so unfairly treated I thought I’d go crazy.

My eyes, distorted by rage, rapidly scanned the floating system texts.

Besides the Status Window, various other entries like Inventory and Shop were visible.

Hundreds of millions of Karma Points, or whatever they were, had accumulated.

I felt like I’d lose my mind if I kept looking, so I was about to tightly close my eyes, but.

I saw it.

“Hey. Hey, this isn’t right. No matter what, this just isn’t right.”

My voice trembled.

I couldn’t help it.

Because.

[All tests have concluded.]

[Congratulations. You are the last remaining tester.]

[Would you like to return to Earth?]

Before my eyes.

There was a Return button.

“Aaaaargh!!! You, motherfucker!!!”