A month has passed since the banquet, and everything has gone as usual.
Sarien is still the same old Sarien who diligently sends her goodies daily. Eve appreciated the fact that she genuinely hit the jackpot with her death-defying-stunt investment. Her guardian is truly the best source of food. He was even keen enough to send them himself every day. Naturally, Eve embraced all his tributes with open arms. Even after he went somewhere as a representative to a tournament or something, she accepted the delivered sincerity. She sent him her blessings and the teenager, in return, said he'll bring home unique goodies after. Of course, she whole-heartedly supported his decision. Now it's been a week since he left yet remembers to regularly send her messages asking her about different things. As a well-mannered opportunistic life form, she won't ever admit she is, she must reply to her snack provider.
Her parents, on the other hand, were more intimate since their vacation. Though they haven't said anything about getting married yet, their relationship, nonetheless, has leveled up. Halfsie reported spotting them together on dinner dates, but nothing exciting beyond that has happened. Eve is still reassured knowing they have been meeting each other of their own accord in addition to duping her Dad into sending gifts to Iris personally. She finds it amusing how Sylvius sighs as he accepts his fate. At this point, Eve is confident that sooner or later, she will finally have a brother and most importantly, beat that wretch's chance of ever climbing her father's wall.
***
Eve placed her rose-tab down on the nightstand and massaged her eye bags.
[ It has been done.]
[ It is finished.]
Finally, she can move on from this hobby and focus on the other one. She's rather curious about it for a long time now.
( Wow host you're finished watching them all!)
( Piece of cake.) She has a rare smug look on her face. If she was given a chance to cram those films as if she's going to take an exam tomorrow, then it's highly possible to finish it in a month. Still, she can't accomplish that under the watchful eyes of her Dad.
( Halfsie, let's talk.) Eve sat straight and clasped her hands on her lap.
The furball noticed the change of mood and hurriedly closed all the tabs on its mind.
( Yes, host.)
( If there is initially a hero in this world, would it mean there's also a villain counterpart? Aside from this goddess, of course.)
Halfsie almost rolled its eyes when it heard her following words.
( Well host, logically speaking there should be. The host's task may render you a villain status, but that doesn't mean your original vessel body is also considered as such.)
( Can you find him?) Eve is not particular if the villain is a man. Yet thinking she's already present as a villainess and the hero-heroine duo already exists, shouldn't there be also a male counterpart? She has a strong intuition that that being is a male.
( Host, I'm afraid I am only equipped with abilities to locate the heavenly being.)
( Can't you detect the evil value? Just find the person who has the greatest one.)
( I got it, host.) The furball heeded Eve's advice and tried sensing that person's existence.
( Host! Host! I found the one with the highest stats!) Halfsie was thrilled and immediately proclaimed what it discovered.
( Where is he?)
( That host, I, I don't know.) Its eager voice died down and started murmuring like a mosquito.
( Why not? Didn't you say there's nothing you can't do? That aside from your hideousness and incomplete database, you're perfect? ) Eve squinted her eyes and grilled the system guide. The cunning beast has been behaving appropriately for a while that she let it be ugly in peace. It seems she indulged it too much with her altruism that it became overconfident with its life expectancy.
( Ho-host I lied.) It felt the grave coercion in the host's consciousness step up a notch. The sprout of fringe it nurtured almost popped back down to its roots.
( Halfsie, you know damn well I hate deception.) Her biting tone sends shivers down the furball's spine. It's been a while since the host tyrannized itself, somehow, Halfsie kind of missed it. The adrenaline rush brought about by fear of death and at the same time understanding the host's peculiar way of showing her affection made it confused and refreshed at the same time. The depraved creature started twitching due to horror and excitement.
( Host I can locate the villain's exact position as long as we are in the same country! I swear it on my pp! )
( Your oath is invalid for you lack one.)
( Host you've promised me before you'll bestow me one someday.) It's desperate childish voice reverberated in her mind.
( I don't remember.) Contrary to the anguished furball, Eve's tone was torpid, uninterested with its excuses.
( Host! You lie! How can you do this to me! You clearly said on September 13 at 3:36 pm that you will! Don't deny it! I can remember everything! It was cloudy at 19° C, and you were eating your 6th pack of chocolate pretzel sticks while watching xxx , wadlmc, kascnc, bla bla bla bla bla bla blah blah...)
[ Wow, this furball can talk at the speed of light.] Eve mused. She quit listening to Halfsie's rants midway. Though she finds it hilarious how it tried to defend its wishes like a devil's advocate, she isn't fond of listening to its incessant wailing.
( Stop.) The endless nagging made the arteries of her temples pulsate. She originally planned on sleeping after inquiring about the villain but somehow ended up like this. She's exhausted and didn't have enough energy to care about the little donkey. Eve elected not to care anymore as long as that high pitch chattering noise ends.
The yammering Halfsie halted while waiting for Eve to continue. It wanted to resume fighting for its rights, but its imaginary throat felt sore. Halfsie had never squabble like this before but comprehended it must persist. It must secure its future pp at all cost.
( So when you stated earlier that Hemiura is currently hospitalized, she's only out of your radar, is that it?)
( Yes, host.)
Eve is annoyed the system guide played her like that. It was fully aware she won't start with a dying hoe for revenge and took advantage of it. Anyway, it's all good. It can only mean that Hemiura is on a "business trip" and will return intact to accept her heart-wrenching grace.
( Okay. Now tell me if you know the villain's identity.)
( Host, I don't know. I only have information on people who have met the vessel body and the plot's individuals.)
(You're telling me you'll be able to determine his details once we meet him?)
( That seems to be right, host.)
( Can't you guarantee?)
( Host, I'm not omnipotent, you know.)
( Then is there a way to meet him?)
( Host, as I've stated I'm not omnipotent.)
Halfsie was interested why the host became engrossed with the plane's villain instead. She's typically so slothful she might as well propagate mushrooms for staying stagnant on her bed for too long, and now she desires to go out and find someone? How miraculous, it thought.
To think it can counter her with a valid argument, Eve discerned she's genuinely drained. Her brain cells won't cooperate. Could it be she's not consuming enough sweets to support her brain? She assumed it's highly possible.
( Host, why do you want to see him anyway? )
( I wish to meet him because I think he's the perfect partner to fulfill my curiosity.)
Halfsie: ?
( Let's continue tomorrow. ) She must rest for now because soon her casted limb will be finally free.
Eve buried herself within the comforts of her fluffy beddings and let the God of Slumber lull her to sleep. However, before she dozes away, light knocking sounds beckoned her back. Fortunately, Bastian's voice sounded before she goes batshit energy-deprive crazy.
" Young Miss, it's time to prepare. "
Eve: ...
( That better be my funeral because I'm dying to sleep.)
The door opened, and a group of maids followed Bastian's lead.
" My goodness, Young Miss! Are you okay?" The old man's worried cry made the attendants raise their heads. They were horrified by their Miss' condition.
Although still beautiful, she is now gloomy with a disturbing black hue below her eyes. She also appeared too feeble as if she'll close her orbs for good. Their little Miss was still energetic yesterday, how come she'd fallen to this degree? They regretted following her words of leaving her be and not bothering her after lunch yesterday. Good thing she is scheduled for her hospital visit today and must go early. If ever this was on regular days, they won't knock until 10 in the morning when she usually arises.
" Hurry! Dress the young lady and send her to the hospital quick!" Bastain roared and woke the maids from stagnation. They speedily served Eve who was unresponsive during the uproar. Maybe she fell asleep unknowing because when her awareness was back, she found herself in the back of a van on the way to the hospital.
In any case, the comforter they've wrapped her with and the specialized seat is still cosy. Also, she's indeed scheduled for a follow-up today. Eve can only reprove herself for losing track of time. She got excited when she discerned she's nearing the end of the video list and resolved to finish them all in one go. Anyway, she can sleep on the way and be done with the procedure after arriving.
" Take a long cut." Her voice filled the solemn air inside the vehicle.
" But Young Miss." One of her bodyguards objected.
" Just do it." Her aura didn't allow any opposition; hence, they can only follow.
" Yes, Young Miss."
***
Half an hour later, Eve's stomach started clamoring. One of her bodyguards volunteered to buy her a meal. She stated she would rather sleep instead, but they heavily opposed it. They said she was already unwell and must not starve herself too. She can't refute their sincerity and opted to roll with it. In the end, they waited in a peaceful location while she slept.
***
( Host! Host! Wake up!)
Eve curled up, determined on ignoring the creature disrupting her slumber.
( Host!)
( Host!)
( Host!)
The furball who didn't fear death started howling in her mind.
( Halfsie, if you want to die, you must at least wait until we get back to the system space.) A frosty voice finally responded.
( But host! It's an emergency! You are kidnapped!) Halfsie can't help but freak out over the host's current predicament. It's almost an hour since the carjackers have seized the car. It had been barking non-stop within Eve's consciousness, but she won't even budge.
The unexpected news woke Eve's drowsy mind. Still, she remained motionless while interrogating Halfsie about the events that have unfolded.
( So it turns out they are carjackers.)
( Yes, host. They didn't notice you were inside. They swiftly took the car after knocking down your bodyguards.)
( Did they mention anything that may pertain to where they will go?)
( Host, they said something about delivering a package and must accomplish the task at all cost.)
( What of the other bodyguards in the dark?)
( They lost track of your vehicle half an hour ago, host.)
[ It seems like they were only desperate to send something. ]
Eve infers that after finishing the job, the thieves will abandon the car and escape. After all, they have committed a crime and knew people are searching for them. Therefore, as long as she remains unnoticed, she'll survive this ordeal unscathed. Contemplating a particular uncertainty, she narrowed her eyes.
( How evil are they?) She inquired the system guide.
There's a high chance of near-death experience if these guys are jackals who tend to slaughter or perform other fiendish acts. Currently, she lacks strength and is unarmed. She will certainly be tormented one way or another if ever she's found.
[ Ughh. I should have hoarded poisons or something.] Eve criticized herself for being too careless. She must find a way to escape later on.
( Well, host, one is 50% and the other one was 60%.)
[That doesn't sound too nefarious.] She naively assumed.
( At that current state what is the probability of killing someone?)
( They have a low-risk tendency of committing murder but if provoked they won't hesitate to kill, host.)
A beautiful smile formed on Eve's lips.
[ Good, they won't kill me at least.] That fact soothed her almost perturbed heart.
( But, they have a high-risk chance of perpetrating battery and assault, rape, and arson. Mischief is also usual like breathing for them.) The system guide added as if giving an educational trivia.
( Son of a [bleep]!)
***
ESSENTIAL DRAMATURGY ACT 2
Eve: Dad, I was fumbling over your phone and noticed that Grappa blocked you? Did you fight?
Syl: We fought, and I won. * Chuckles.
Eve: Dad, you should make up. ( Come on, what happens to my side tasks if these two ruin themselves instead?)
Syl: Don't worry, my child, your Grappa, will come around sooner or later. He's just acting out as always. * Pats her head
He can still remember when that rascal dad of his began flooding him with pictures of himself and Eve. And he should add how it was pathetically photoshopped. Did he seriously think he'd fall for it? He had planned of ignoring his taunts, but he kept at it. Then he got annoyed and sent him the photograph from the banquet. What happened next was that the codger blocked him like a kid. He found it hilarious.