Chapter 42: A World of NPCs

While the physical constitution of an ordinary Arcanist was far superior to that of a typical adult, Bai Yu was no ordinary human—she was a Witch.

Her identity as a Witch granted her a constitution that was significantly more robust.

Still, fighting Shadow Beasts bare-handed felt far too risky.

She needed to find a decent weapon.

Her previous encounter with the vampire had taught her a harsh lesson; her lack of a proper weapon had put her at a severe disadvantage.

She was determined not to make the same mistake twice, so she immediately began to scour the entire imperial city.

Her first stop was a weapon shop, which in this Western fantasy world resembled a blacksmith’s forge.

She even hoped to find a magic staff or something similar, given that magic clearly existed here.

‘Since an Outer God created this world,’ she mused, ‘it should be possible to learn a few spells, right?’

She might even be able to bring them back to her own world and give everyone a little magical shock.

After all, naturally acquiring Arcane Arts was incredibly difficult, and obtaining a Primal Arcanum felt like a matter of pure luck.

The alternative was to buy a General Arcanum, but they were prohibitively expensive; her first one had even been a free gift.

She considered waiting until nightfall to hunt the Shadow Beasts, as she could then take advantage of the tenfold power boost from her Kin of the Night ability.

[Absolutely not. At night, the number and strength of Shadow Beasts increase exponentially. Even with your boost, you would be no match for them.]

“Ah, alright then.”

Bai Yu nodded.

She was eager to grow stronger and reach the battlefield where the demonkind were, especially since Cecilia was still there.

She had no idea how her friend was faring.

All she could do was hope Cecilia could hold back the demon assault for now.

There were no reinforcements to speak of—because they simply hadn’t spawned yet.

Worrying was pointless.

Even if she went now, she would be powerless to help and would only be throwing her life away.

Still, she had faith in Cecilia.

Her exquisite swordsmanship was proof enough that, even with her memories gone, she remained a formidable figure in this world.

Bai Yu rushed into the blacksmith’s shop, only to find it just as deserted as everywhere else.

The furniture inside was only half-generated, with some objects clipping through one another.

…

‘Does it have to be this careless?’ she thought. ‘It’s one thing not to have any weapons, but this is just insulting.’

Bai Yu went from one shop to the next, finding them either completely empty or filled with the same half-rendered furniture.

After searching in a full circle and growing increasingly frustrated, she finally gave up and returned to the imperial palace.

Watching the servants and maids bustling about, Bai Yu wondered if she could control them.

She felt a faint, latent sense of control within her, a deep connection to this world.

However, her own weakness prevented her from making any significant changes.

But it still felt possible to exert some influence.

Bai Yu focused on a young-looking maid, and as she reached inward, she instantly felt a connection form with the girl.

The maid, who had been cleaning a window, trembled for a moment before freezing in place.

Her eyes went vacant, like a puppet’s.

“It worked!”

She could control the life forms originally generated by this world.

Bai Yu walked over and met the young maid’s gaze, taking in her rather pretty face.

‘Of course, she’s no match for me,’ Bai Yu thought smugly. ‘I’m the cutest in the world, after all.’

Bai Yu mentally commanded the girl to wave.

The maid immediately raised her hand and waved back.

‘Not bad.’

Bai Yu thought to herself, a wicked idea suddenly taking root in her mind.

‘If this is possible, then doesn’t that mean… this is a world where NPCs can’t resist?’

Ahem. Bai Yu quickly shook her head.

This was a time of crisis. Cecilia was in danger.

How could she allow herself to be lost in desire and pleasure?

She immediately snapped out of it, banishing the lewd thoughts from her mind.

“Why do I feel a little mentally exhausted?”

Bai Yu realized that controlling the maid was draining her.

In her current state, she could probably manage five people at most.

[Of course. These are not your creations, after all. Controlling them requires mental energy.]

“There’s such a thing as mental energy?”

[Naturally. This power is even more difficult to enhance than spirituality and can only be trained through a few specific methods.]

[However, you need not worry. The Shadow Beasts you defeat can be controlled without any mental energy cost, and there is no limit to their number.]

“That’s a relief.”

Bai Yu finally felt at ease.

If there were a limit, she would never be able to stand against an army of thousands.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but look forward to how terrifying her control over this world might become once her mental energy grew stronger.

She could probably reshape the land with a mere wave of her hand.

‘Though I guess that wouldn’t be very useful…’

[Not so. If you successfully escape this place and return to your own world, this realm will become a source of power for you, accompanying you in another form.]

“Is that how it works?”

Bai Yu was stunned.

Why would Lili entrust her with something so terrifying?

What was her true purpose?

Deciding not to dwell on it, Bai Yu released her control over the maid, allowing her to resume her duties.

Once freed, the maid’s expression returned to normal, but her behavior remained that of an NPC, as she robotically resumed wiping the glass.

Bai Yu paid her no more mind and continued her search for a weapon within the palace.

Logically, a palace should be filled with treasures, right?

Legendary weapons and divine artifacts ought to be here somewhere.

The palace likely had the most complete set of spawned items; after all, she had found food in the outer palace grounds.

Otherwise, even survival would have been a challenge.

Bai Yu pulled a servant aside and asked her a question.

“Where is the armory in the palace? Or are there any weapons here at all?”

Hearing Bai Yu’s question, the servant stopped in her tracks and replied in a flat, exaggerated tone.

“Oh, my dearest Princess, what are you doing here? With the demon invasion upon us, you should be staying safely within the palace walls…”

“Stop, stop! Skip, skip!”

Bai Yu’s head was starting to ache.

Why did she have to listen to this classic NPC exposition?

“Princess… you…”

“Oh… I see…”

After Bai Yu’s frantic skipping, the maid finally revealed the location of a weapon in the palace.

“My lady Princess, if you seek an invincible weapon, you must go to the very top of the palace. Legend says the holy sword of the first hero rests there, a blade that only a true hero can draw. But as the princess, it is impossible for you…”

“Skip, skip…”

Bai Yu had no patience for this useless chatter.

Why was there so much filler dialogue?

“Oh, well then, I wish you fortune in battle…”

Before the servant could finish, Bai Yu zipped away, leaving the woman standing there in a daze.

Finally, seeing that no one was around, the servant returned to her post and resumed her repetitive task.