The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 138

138. Spring Outing (8)

I couldn’t rely on the power of familiarity, and it seemed like I had to start from scratch, examining the family’s emotions and avoiding the danger zone. Those absurd conditions were the restrictions of the Spring Outing episode.

If I didn’t progress through the episode while keeping all these conditions in mind, the choices would threaten me at any moment, with the possibility of a bad ending looming.

However, compared to obtaining information through retries, this episode was a bit lackluster. If I used the method of relying on the family’s emotions, I could quickly overcome the danger zone.

Since the risk was high, I maintained a close distance with the family before clashing with the nobles. Even if I had to separate from them, I would stick to one person’s familiarity, which would roughly resolve the issue.

It was simple, and especially with Isabella, I wouldn’t receive threats from the nobles.

By dragging out time and sticking to the family as much as possible, I could finally clear the episode.

But there was something strange about this method.

This game was cruel, unfair, and didn’t make sense, but it did have a rational aspect – the achievement rate.

It was a number displayed in percentage units, but it didn’t just stop at a minimum requirement. The lower it was, the worse I did. The higher it was, the better I did.

It was a gauge that measured how well the player performed in the episode.

However, I had never achieved an achievement rate of over 50% in the Spring Outing episode.

Even when I cleared the episode, it was still low, stuck in the 40% range. Compared to other episodes, the number was significantly lower.

Why was this happening?

It was proof that this method wasn’t the correct answer.

The achievement rate, which changed as the episode progressed, evaluated the player’s results, like a grade.

When I filled in the lacking parts and cleared the episode, the threatening choices disappeared, and my familiarity with the family increased, along with Karcein’s restrictions being lifted, resulting in a beneficial outcome.

In other words, if I achieved 3% of the achievement rate, I still had 97% left to fill. If I achieved 30%, I could create a better outcome by 70%. Even with a 99% achievement rate, there was still 1% left to fulfill.

If I interpreted this differently…

It meant that in this complex and varied game, the player was told how much more they could achieve a correct result. Unless they reached a perfect 100% achievement rate.

By this reasoning, I finally reached a conclusion.

The Spring Outing episode, which I couldn’t clear with an achievement rate of over 50%, must have had a different solution that wasn’t just sticking to the family.

“Ugh…”

*Thud.*

‘Is this the last one?’

▶Remaining HP: 82%◀

Those noble bastards, including Hemnon, tried to gang up on me at once, but their movements were easily predictable.

Of course, I was outnumbered and unarmed, so it was inevitable that I’d take a few hits. As a result, a streak of blood flowed from the corner of my mouth.

“It doesn’t seem like I’m the one who’s lost.”

The status window was displaying it, after all.

The danger indicator was empty, and my health was dwindling, but it hadn’t reached a critical level yet.

It was a moment where my past achievements were laid bare.

“What, did you all fall down? To one person?”

“This is impossible. How could this…!”

“In the past, I would grit my teeth and charge forward, but I could only take down one person at most…”

“Has the person changed too much?”

The young ladies who had been laughing and chatting just a moment ago were now whispering among themselves, bewildered by the situation.

Well, I thought so too.

After all, I was the one who felt it the most.

From their perspective, they must have been flabbergasted to see Karcein, who had always been easily defeated, suddenly change like this.

“But this is extremely normal.”

In Rusmayier, I used to go out and catch thieves, and I even sparred with the Yarik people from the Aifelos Duchy to keep my skills sharp.

Even after returning to the training hall, my training didn’t stop.

I didn’t take a single day off, steadily building up my stats and even picking up a sword.

If there was no change despite all that, it would be strange.

As I accepted this result, a laughter echoed from among the nobles crawling on the ground.

“Heh, heh heh. Hahaha!”

It was Hemnon, who had gotten back up, his body still battered.

“What’s changed? You’re still just a foolish noble.”

I thought he might have learned his lesson, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“You’re still a commoner, after all. You’re just a commoner who dares to challenge the noble class with your fists!”

The guy who had been laughing was now grinning like a fool again.

The other young ladies also stopped looking flustered and began to show confident expressions.

“That’s right. It’s understandable to be confident. After all, the opponent is me.”

What’s there to be afraid of?

There’s no one here with the surname of Bagrand.

It’s not Karcein Bagrand, but a clown from the slums who’s being toyed with by the nobles.

And…

– Ding!

▶You have caused trouble in a dangerous zone!◀

▶A selection will appear in response! Be cautious!◀

That commoner will soon become the main culprit, causing chaos and mayhem among the nobles.

In a way, this situation was the complete opposite of how to clear this episode.

I had separated from my family and entered a dangerous area where nobles were gathered, making myself prey.

I had caused an incident in a high-risk area, and the selection would soon be upon me, threatening my life.

This situation would instantly plummet the intimacy level with anyone from the Bagrand Duchy.

It was, in one word, the worst situation.

But because of that, this could become another clear method.

“Huh, I heard a loud noise, and I thought maybe…!”

Everything was ruined.

The information obtained through numerous retries was not wrong.

– Ding!

▶Ariana Bagrand has witnessed this scene!◀

▶The selection has been definitively triggered!◀

***

According to the information obtained through retries, if Karsein clashed with the nobles, he would inevitably face a bad ending.

Of course, there was the issue of danger, and there was also the issue of selection, but they had one thing in common.

That was Ariana Bagrand’s appearance.

“Ariana, young lady…!”

“Ah, you’ve arrived just in time. Karsein, the lord… uh…!”

“Ugh… I still can’t understand why you’re acting like this.”

When Ariana appeared, the nobles sent her expectant glances and began to act.

After spreading various rumors and misunderstandings, they revealed their true, dirty intentions as if they were saying, “Now it’s over.”

Some of them even made gestures as if they were cutting their throats, while others showed cruel expressions without hiding them.

It was clear that a bad ending was imminent.

Especially since Ariana, who prioritized the etiquette and dignity of the nobles, as well as the prestige of the ducal family, had arrived at this scene.

“Explain this situation right now, Karsein.”

[ 1. You know, don’t you? These kids are picking a fight with me! ]

[ 2. They broke my stuff on their own! I just got revenge, that’s all! ]

[ 3. Don’t you see this stain on my clothes? It’s all over the place. It’s obvious that this kid intentionally made a stain on my clothes to prevent me from taking a portrait! ]

…

…

Along with Ariana’s calm voice, the selection appeared.

“These are predictable selections.”

Ariana argued that she was wronged, claiming that she had been unfairly treated, and explained their crimes without a single mistake.

No matter what choice was made, it seemed like the disadvantage was unavoidable, as if all the bad options were gathered in one place.

But.

I didn’t do this without thinking.

According to the information obtained through retries, if Karsein distanced himself from his family, he would meet the nobles 90% of the time and get into trouble 10% of the time.

Moreover, considering that even getting into trouble was often due to the nobles’ schemes, it was practically true that he would always meet the nobles.

The important point here was where he would meet the nobles.

“In that sense, the condition is complete. It’s an impossible situation, after all.”

What was left was to prevent him from escaping and to create a justifiable right to refuse.

For that, I had to do something a little crazy.

[ 1. You know, don’t you? These kids are picking a fight with me! ]☑

“You know, right? These kids are picking a fight with me.”

“Yeah, they’re picking a fight.”

▶Ariana’s intimacy level has decreased!◀

▶Current -5% decrease!◀

“Heumnon Youngsik only suggested having a meal with you, and coincidentally, he invited you here and offered you tea and snacks, exchanging conversations. Is that a provocation to you?”

As soon as I chose an option, my intimacy level dropped immediately.

But I don’t care.

[2. Those guys broke my stuff! So I just got revenge!]☑

“Those guys broke my stuff, so I just got revenge, that’s all.”

“Breaking your stuff?”

“Yeah. I bought a Turmerus hairpin that looked nice at the market, but it fell and broke, what’s the big deal.”

“Look, I didn’t break it on purpose. I… just made a mistake.”

▶Ariana Bagrand’s intimacy level has decreased!◀

▶Current -10% decrease!◀

“Stop lying, Karsein. Heumnon himself explained that he accidentally dropped the item.”

The contents of the selection window that was about to disappear continued to recite, causing my intimacy level to drop.

It was just speculation, but now it’s certain.

I didn’t miss the third option either.

[3. Can’t you see this stain on my clothes? Heumnon, this kid, must have deliberately made a stain on my clothes to prevent me from taking a selfie!]☑

From noble mtl dot com

“Can’t you see this stain on my clothes? Heumnon, this kid, must have deliberately made a stain on my clothes to prevent me from taking a selfie, right?”

“Yeah, Karsein, you’re doing this again…!”

▶Ariana Bagrand’s intimacy level has decreased!◀

▶Current -15% decrease!◀

“Do you believe such ridiculous lies now?”

This is the third time.

The blue flames burning in his eyes seemed like they would burn me to death right then and there.

But.

– Ding!

▶The perfect clear condition for the episode has been met!◀

▶Please select the option below!◀

I have confirmed my success.

“Yeah, it was like that.”

Anyway, if I was going to receive threats from the nobles, I had to create solid evidence in a place where I could proceed.

If I was going to create solid evidence, I had to take some risks and make it impossible for them to back down, even if it meant dropping my intimacy level.

It wasn’t about increasing my intimacy level that was the right answer, but rather, even if it meant dropping it, I had to eliminate the threats decisively.

And if this clears my name…

I can logically escape from this place.

“Get down on your knees and apologize to Heumnon Youngsik and the people here right now. If not, I won’t stay quiet either.”

[ P. You’re still the same, Ariana. ]☑

“You’re still the same, Ariana.”

“What?”

“What I bought and what’s stuck to that kid’s foot, take a closer look.”

“You still have that cheap mouth…! That’s it. You must be crazy. I’ve already exceeded my limits just by tolerating you this far. Go back to your mother right now—”

Just then.

Another customer appeared.

“Hey, hey! Unnie!”

Claire rushed in, out of breath.

“Shouldn’t we listen to what Carsein has to say?”

With her appearance, the episode progress window in front of me lit up.

– Ding!

▶Episode IV. Spring Outing cleared with maximum achievement!◀

▶All danger penalties cancelled!◀

▶All intimacy penalties cancelled!◀

▶Perfect clear reward calculated and paid to the player!◀

I wondered how it would proceed, and it turned out like that.

“It’s not my problem anyway.”

I left the building without hesitation.