We just met, and she already knows about Tsukihime-san? Does that mean… she also knows about my Gacha Skill?
"Mime-san, how did you know that Tsukihime-san is my summon?"
Instead of answering immediately, she casually slid beside me, resting her head on my shoulder while poking my cheek.
"Hmm… okay, I'll tell you. But in exchange, you have to tell me more about yourself~"
AHH NO! TWO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN SITTING BESIDE ME!
SORRY, TENKA-SAMA, OUR TRUE CREATOR!
"Idiot! You're grinning!" Tsukihime snapped, panting slightly. "Don't act like some lucky bastard surrounded by beautiful women!"
I blinked. "Tsukihime-san, are you… not feeling well?"
Before she could answer, Mime intercepted with a knowing smile.
"Ara, that's the greatest proof that Tsukihime is your summon."
She opened her status screen and tilted it toward me.
"Look. Unique Passive: Hunter's Instincts. This ability lets me see anyone's life force. Although it's passive, I can deactivate it when I want. When I first saw you two together, I noticed that your life forces are linked… meaning, you summoned her."
Her gaze sharpened, as if she had just hit the jackpot.
"Summoning an entity is already a complex skill. But sharing the same life force with your summon? That's unheard of. That means…"
She smirked, her blue eyes glinting.
"Tsukihime isn't just a summon. She was created by you."
Tsukihime sighed and shrugged. "Yeah, you're right. And I need life force to sustain my physical body. Come on, Shun, just tell her everything. She's too sharp for us to keep secrets from."
Before I could protest, a white magic circle appeared beneath Tsukihime. A bright light enveloped her, and the next moment—she was gone.
I glanced at my hand and saw the same magic circle glowing faintly on my palm.
Mime chuckled. "It looks like your summon needs to replenish its life force and mana."
"You're really knowledgeable about this, Mime-san…"
She gave me a teasing smile. "Ara, you're making me blush, Shun-chan~"
I sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. I'll tell you."
Since Tsukihime had already given me the go-ahead, I explained everything—my Gacha Skill, how I ended up here, my past as a Japanese NEET.
But I left out one thing.
My mission to slay the Evil God.
After I finished, Mime's expression shifted. Her teasing grin widened into something even more intense.
"Ara ara~ so you're stronger than I thought, Shun-chan!" She leaned in closer, eyes practically sparkling. "A skill that gives you the chance to obtain even the strongest and unknown powers in the world… AHH, there's no way I'm letting you go now~"
Her stare was getting a little too heated.
I cleared my throat. "B-But you know, I don't think I'm strong enough to help you defend your people…"
She waved a hand dismissively. "Hahaha, you saw those two big elf guards outside, right? They're the only ones who can rival that elite orc you killed. Aside from them, I only have a handful of warriors, and they're around E-rank at best."
That bad, huh?
"Having you here significantly increases our chances of victory. I plan to raid their base."
That caught my attention. "Wait, this world has its own ranking system?"
"No, actually." Mime tapped her chin. "Your Gacha Skill's ranking system just happens to match our world's power scale."
Oh. Convenient.
After a moment of silence, I asked, "Mime-san, how did you end up here? How did you become an elf chief?"
The question caught her off guard.
She turned her face away slightly, but I noticed the tears welling up in her eyes. Before they could fall, she quickly wiped them away.
"My parents… the original chiefs of this village… were killed two years ago, during the orcs' first invasion."
Her voice was calm, but I could feel the weight of her words.
"They gave their lives to protect this village. That's why…" Her hands clenched into fists. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vain."
So that's why she's so desperate.
I exhaled slowly. "Alright, Mime-san. I'll help you."
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"But," I continued, "please keep our conversation secret. I'd rather not attract unnecessary attention."
For a brief moment, she simply stared at me. Then—
She smirked and pressed a single finger against my lips.
"Ara~ like you, I also want your attention to be mine only~"
"WHAT?!" My face burned at her sudden words.
Mime giggled, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Aww, your flustered face is so adorable, Shun-chan~"
"Stop teasing me, Mime-san!"
She grinned mischievously. "I'm not teasing. If you ever fall in love with me, and don't mind an older woman as your wife, just tell me~ I'll gladly marry you!"
"W-What?! Hold on—!"
"After all," she continued, "having a strong, young husband makes me—"
I immediately covered her mouth. "Stop! Too much information!"
She licked my palm.
"GH—?! WHAT THE HELL?!"
Mime just laughed.
I groaned. "By the way, how old are you?"
She tilted her head playfully. "I'm 87 years old, dear. But don't worry~ I'm still a virgin."
"…You could be my granny."
She gasped, looking genuinely offended. "Ara? Calling me granny, even with this body? How cruel, Shun-chan~"
I regret everything.
"Anyway," she said, suddenly grabbing my hand. "Come with me. I'll teach you more about this world."
She led me upstairs.
"For now, we should head to my personal library. I have several books that might help you."
The moment we arrived, I was stunned.
The library entrance was as grand as the mansion's main hall.
By the way, my room is just across the hall~" she added with a wink.
"...I wasn't planning to ask, but thanks."
She invited me to sit at the desk and pulled several books from the shelves.
Then—it hit me.
"Mime-san… I'm so sorry, but… I can't read."
She blinked. "Ah. Of course, you're from another world."
I sighed. "So, uh… how do you plan to teach me?"
She paused, then clapped her hands together.
"Oh, I know! Let's hunt some monsters!"
"...What?"
"Think about it! I'll teach you about monsters, world systems, and combat mechanics while you farm pulls and gain new skills! Two birds with one stone!"
She was way too enthusiastic about this.
I exhaled. "Fine. When do we start?"
"Hmm… tomorrow!"
"Alright. So what now?"
She grinned.
"For now, I'll tour you around my village to break the ice~"
"…After everything you just said?!"
STATS SUMMARY
Shun Kirisaki
Pull counts remaining: 62
Skill: Unique Passive: Physical ability boost. (E) ~ Night vision (E)
Summons: Tsukihime (Null)
Skill: Unique Passive: Physical ability boost. (E) ~ Roaring beast (D)