Descending Into A Novel

Chapter 189: 189:If I was...

"Raymond. What’s up with your mood today?"

Lily looked at him with a concerned expression, with how often the two spent time together in their clubs. She had been able to easily spot whenever there was something up with him.

"Ellen’s a meanie."

"..."

And nine times out of ten, the reason for said mood change would be Ellen.

"What did she do this time?"

Last time it was forcing him to go to class, then forcing him to get up and do basic human functions, followed up by not letting him sleep for the whole day, and then it was not letting him eat ice cream three times in a day. Lily was already preparing herself to hear some more nonsense. Because his life only ever seemed to be filled with nonsense.

"They’re traitors that’s why. There’s nothing else you need to know."

So it was definitely Raymond’s fault, or at least partially.

She sighed, "Honestly Raymond, isn’t Ellen already treating you pretty well?"

Lily felt that if she had to live with someone like Raymond, it would be near impossible for her. The only thing that could keep her going was his looks, but even that had its limits.

Constantly messy, a sleep schedule more suitable for owls then humans, a laziness that could match demons from the clan of sloth and a diet so unhealthy it was unfair how he looked like that. It was a miracle Ellen could continue living in the same apartment as the gremlin that was Raymond. That as well as taking care of another one at the same time.

"You should see what your fans would do to you...you would probably start feeling a lot more grateful to Ellen."

He raised an eyebrow,"What do you mean what my fans would do to me?"

Raymond was more then aware that he had fans, not many compared to the high ranks but considering he was only a D-rank, he had a lot.

Lily pulled out her phone, featuring a white casing with floral designs that matched her hair near perfectly.

After a series of rapid typing, she handed it over to Raymond.

Rays of Light

OliviaFodri:One of my uncles runs a prison, I had to tell him to reserve a room for me just in case if I ever see Raymond in public. If I was Ellen, the things I would do to him...he better watch out.

Raymond was speechless.

"...what the heck."

First of all, setting aside the message itself. Who in their right minds would use their full name and then say something like this? What happened to caring about digital footprint?! The vague ominous aura of the last four words practically implied crimes that made Raymond shiver.

:If he ever appeared in my city. That would have to be his new burial grounds because I wouldn’t ever let him leave. If I was Ellen, I’d make sure that he has a wonderful time so he wouldn’t ever leave me.

This one was even more messed up, were they seriously planning on committing murder just so he wouldn’t leave?!

:I’ve already prepared a room in my basement for him. Honestly if I was Ellen, I would constantly dehumanize him. That way, he would always be constantly relying on me for everything. I would feed him via mouth-to-mouth, give him praises every once in a while, and...

Raymond didn’t even finish reading this last message.

He handed the phone back to Lily, still speechless. Was it the mana in this dimension that made people cuckoo? Earth also had the internet, but people there weren’t nearly this crazy...

After a lot of searching for alternative words, Raymond finally gave up. Quietly muttering, "People can be...really creative."

"You see?" She said, "You should be glad she doesn’t abuse her authority over you."

Lily saying that brought up several images in Raymond’s head. Each of an incident in which she did in fact use her authority over him.

But then his mind also conjured up images of each of the three listed situations, since he didn’t know their appearance however. He just assumed Ellen as the default again.

It was clear which situation was worse.

"...just because it could be worse, doesn’t mean it couldn’t be better."

That was all he could say.

"It’s already pretty good for you though?"

"I wasn’t denying that."

Raymond let out a heavy sigh. His mind having successfully been distracted by Lily.

He asked, "How did you even find these messages?"

"I just searched for messages that contain ’If I was Ellen’ and those turned out. Imagine how many more there are."

Dammit this whole world was crazy.

Raymond would have been fine knowing that was only a small minority, but knowing that it wasn’t as small as he had thought was certainly one way to make him feel unsafe.

While pondering this, Raymond suddenly realized another pressing issue. According to the brief glimpse he had just seen, Lily was also...

He suddenly called her, "Lily."

"Hm?"

"Why are you also in my fanclub?"

"..."

She paused mid-scroll, the smile on her face disappearing as she realized she had been caught.

Lily let out a small cough, trying to come up with an excuse. "Well, it’s quite entertaining to read isn’t it? All these fantasies that have no chance of coming true."

"..."

Raymond quietly moved away from Lily, a gesture which didn’t go unnoticed by her. Leading to a wronged expression on her face.

She tried to defend herself, but it was too late. Her mental image in Raymond’s head had already deteriorated even further. Gone was the old Lily, in came the new deviant with morally questionable likes/fetishes?

"No—! I just think that it’s funny? In like a d-disgusting way you know?!"

"..."

He moved away slightly further again.

Well, everyone could be weird in their own way. Raymond wouldn’t judge them (publicly). As long as it wasn’t too weird (depending).

"It’s fine, everyone has their own quirks. I understand."

"No, you don’t understand. Please."

"Not everyone can be Thomas."

"Please just listen to me!!"

Thomas, who had also been in the room this whole time. Turned his head at the unexpected stray (compliment?).

In his hands was two long needles, and a bundle of bright red yarn.

"Did you call for me?"

"Nothing, why in the world are you knitting?"

He turned back to what he was knitting, the sound of needles clicking together filling the room again.

"A friend of mine recommended it to me. She said that handmade gifts tended to be received better then merely purchased items."

"So you learned knitting purely to make a present?"

He nodded, "Indeed. It was a very difficult yet enlightening endeavor. I believe that traditional artisans nowadays truly deserve to be more respected."

"...good for you."

In terms of doing the most random things possible, the first answer was always Arthur. Yet the second answer was somehow Thomas.

It didn’t even feel strange anymore, one time he had witnessed Thomas fishing in the morning. Only to find him making origami the next hour, followed up with laying on the dirt alongside a few others. Raymond had even joined in on the last one—and while he had to admit, having the warm afternoon sun shine on you definitely felt nice. Getting scolded by Ellen and Erin for dragging in dirt into the apartment wasn’t as nice.

"Who’s the gift for then?"

In other words, which lucky ’friend’ was it this time?

"It’s for Audrina."

"Audrina..?"

Messing up several times in succession, Thomas calmly unraveled the last few layers before answering him. Completely absorbed in his work.

"I noticed that due to her often modified clothing, she seems to be more susceptible to colds."

Her clothing was modified in order to fit her horns through, but sure.

"I thought she might be cold, so I’m making a scarf for her."

There was still a few months before the winter season hit them but sure.

"She also said that she prefers practical gifts rather then ceremonial ones with no use."

"Audrina told you that?"

"Indeed."

---

"Isn’t it cold?"

She glared at him, her eyes glowing as some of her killing intent leaked out.

"...no."

All of it just brushed off against Thomas however, despite it being intimidating enough to paralyze grown men. For someone who couldn’t even associate the words ’friend’ and ’scary’ together, it was useless.

Ever since that last mission, where Audrina had lashed out at him. The two of them had been spending a lot more time together, much to the absolute dismay of Audrina—who only wanted to be left alone. His constant chattiness and brightness like an irritating itch that just couldn’t be scratched. Constantly following her around in an attempt to be helpful to her.

Whether it was making sure she ate healthy, had a good rest, or even bringing her candy. He tried his absolute best to make her life more comfortable as recompense.

Each time he would ask the same, are you comfortable yet?

At first she had tried to lie, hoping that he would be quickly satisfied and move on. Only for him to see through it and work even harder. Ruining her perfect day every day.

In other words, if Ellen had become Raymond’s caretaker over the last year. Then Thomas had now become Audrina’s.

The only good part was the candy...but that was it.

Thomas stared at her exposed collar bones, a side effect of the modifications made to her uniform.

Despite Audrina’s extremely alluring body, his head was filled with only concern for her.

"It’s going to get colder soon, why don’t you wear a scarf or something to cover it up?"

"...i don’t have one."

"Then, do you want me to make one for you?"

"...no."

"I promise it will be good, you can keep warm and it will be nice and comfortable."

"...no."

"Do you want blue or red?"

Seeing Thomas wasn’t going to listen, Audrina just gave up. Which was unfortunately, something she had been doing a lot of recently.

"...red."

---

"That doesn’t sound lik-

Raymond put a hand on Lily’s shoulder, who was about to interrupt Thomas and ruin it.

Thomas’s overbearing caring personality could be a hindrance at times, but at the end of the day. He really did care for them all, despite living in the human world for many years now. He was still as naive and dense as when he started. Which could be a bad thing or good thing depending on how you saw it.

Like how children would feel annoyed at a parent’s love while young. Yet gradually grow to accept it when older, and even learn to be grateful.

Explaining this concept to Lily, she only stared back at him with a skeptical expression.

The irony was truly rich here. He didn’t even think to apply this logic to himself!

What about you?

Although Raymond was still in his own stage one of being annoyed at Ellen, so did he really have the right to say anything here?