VIP Chapter 153: Interview
Reporters swarmed around Will like a tide.
“Hello, hello! Did you two save those two Adventuring Teams?”
“We’ve already heard everything Mr. Ribel said!”
“Shining Star, is it? Is that the name of your team?!”
“Mr. Ribel mentioned you’re a couple Adventuring Team, could you introduce yourselves?”
“It’s truly astonishing. The people you rescued highly praised your firepower!”
“What’s it like inside the Dungeon?!”
“What do you think about rescuing the Adventuring Teams?! You’re heroes, after all!”
“How do you two usually cooperate?”
“Is it alright to tell us what kind of positions you two like at night?”
The reporters’ questions were a chaotic mix. Will even saw some reporters boldly using cameras, snapping a few photos of them. Was the last question a bit too much? Wait, it was asked by a reporter from “Notable Figures.” That was the magazine Will used to love as a child, formerly a street stall booklet. Now Will understood; it was a street blanket that featured Carver’s stories in every issue.
“Mhm, we’re a couple,” Shuna answered directly, without any pretense.
“Wait, Shuna, what did you just say…”
Shuna quickly nudged Will with her elbow. “Ribel said so. But he’s not sure if he has an audience. At least, if he’s not watching, we can pretend.”
“Ah? Okay… okay.” Shuna is indeed Shuna; what she said made perfect sense. Since she felt that kid was up to no good, the best method was to not arouse his suspicion. Will turned to the reporters.
“Yes, we… we’re a couple.”
Though… Will thought he saw a fleeting smile cross Shuna’s face after he spoke?
“Try to look a little happier,” Shuna nudged him with her elbow again. Their intimate gesture seemed to cause the reporters below to erupt even more—
“Wow!”
“Quick! Write it down! Couple Adventurers are rare, and they’re this strong.”
“Then—can you explain who defeated Cerberus? We heard it was a new Monster that appeared for the first time in the Dungeon.”
“Yes, yes! How did you fight it during your first encounter with a new Monster?”
Will looked at Shuna and pointed. “She did it.” He didn’t dare claim that credit. Because… others saw it too! It was a feat with witnesses, so he would pass.
“Yes, it was me. A mere Cerberus is nothing to fear. After all, you just need to blast off its main head.” Shuna’s words were as simple as saying, “Open the refrigerator and you can put an elephant inside.” This was indeed the thought process of a top student.
“Great! Next, the Dungeon’s BOSS is…”
Just as Will was about to answer, Shuna’s arm looped around his and she poked his cheek. “It’s him.”
Alright! He would take this credit!
“He’s super powerful! Just standing there, he shot a few ice balls, and that terrifying old man was gone in an instant!”
Shuna! Didn’t she omit a tiny bit of detail? Being pulled close, facing the camera, and being so praised, Will’s face flushed.
“…That’s right. But… but…” Will remembered when Shuna placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him her blessing… He looked at Shuna’s current expression as she faced the camera. Since they weren’t really a couple, her smile seemed a little too acted, though there was genuine joy within the pretense. Being stared at by cameras… And being questioned by so many reporters… Especially as a great hero who “saved many lives.” And to top it off, accompanied by a beauty.
Could he really be experiencing this? It wasn’t just about being a Cannon Fodder antagonist for too long, but from the perspective of “someone observing the Story.” He had participated in This World this time, and was even “writing his own Story.” Outside of Fate, he had carved out this small patch of blue sky and written his own heroic tale.
He wondered where the newspapers reporting this would end up, who would see them, how long they would last, and how many people would remember them. But at least, it was his Story. While this wasn’t the first time he felt a connection with the characters in a Story, it was probably the first time he was so willing to be the same Individual as “Will.” The Cannon Fodder antagonist finally had a day like this, receiving recognition. Thanks to S… No. Thanks to Shuna. He had a lot of fun with this trial card!
Will looked at Shuna like this and continued speaking, “But… I must thank her. After all, I can be this strong also thanks to her…” Thinking about it, wasn’t Shuna behind him, watching him do all this? Just like before, when Will turned his head and saw his own brown hair reflected in Shuna’s eyes.
“…her attention.” It sounded like an award acceptance speech! As soon as he finished, Shuna turned her head and looked up at him. Her eyes now reflected only his image.
Shuna spoke softly, “You really know how to talk, Little Will~? What, do you think because I blessed you from behind, you could only look at me?” Will was indeed referring to that, but Shuna thought of the same thing? This was probably the默契 (telepathy) they had developed from corresponding for years.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“However, the current you…” Shuna smirked. “You’ve actually been looking at me the whole time, haven’t you?”
“After all, our Line of sight…”
“It’s mutual.”
“I can also see yourself in your eyes?”
That statement… was so flirtatious. Will took two steps back, causing Shuna to cover her mouth and laugh again.
“Are there any other Loot from the Dungeon?”
“Right, right! After clearing this Dungeon, what else is there?!” This was a common question from reporters. Dungeon exploration was like treasure hunting, so naturally, they would ask about the discovered treasures. In fact, telling them was a good thing; treasures photographed by reporters could often fetch a better price.
“Uh… this…” Will thought for a moment. There was the Iron Stone block he carried in his backpack, but calling that Loot would be too unimpressive. Anything else… A souvenir box from the neighboring city? No, no, that would be too strange. If worse comes to worst, he could just use the red Gem dropped by Cerberus.
“Yes, there is!” Shuna tiptoed and pulled out the red Gem from Will’s backpack. Then… she took out the silk from the box she was holding and placed it on top of the silk that originally wrapped the box. One could say, even though both were red, they didn’t clash; they went quite well together. It was as if this silk was specifically made to match Fire attribute items. The flash of the cameras went off, capturing the item.
“Then, will you two continue your Adventures? Where are you heading next?”
“Well… it’s not like we can’t say.” Shuna proudly raised her head. “Next, we’re heading to Yamik City. I heard the Ice Queen in that Dungeon is quite interesting, and we plan to meet her.”
