kscans

Chapter 243 - The Diva's Seriousness

In front of Noat’s room, Hayato, Esha, and Rose were each calling out to her.

"Noat-san, could you at least listen to what we have to say?"

"If you don’t unlock the door, I’ll shoot it with my Beelzebub."

"Even if you hold a siege, there will be no reinforcements, and you lack provisions to begin with. Let us stop this pointless resistance, Noat-sama."

"I work when I run out of money. Until then, I don’t work."

Their three different approaches seemed to have little effect on Noat. If anything, Hayato could feel her strong resolve to absolutely not work. He didn’t know what drove her to this, but he thought this would be a struggle.

However, he didn't have time to waste on this. He wanted to make products for the shop, and he wanted to ask Esha to buy materials and Rose to handle shopkeeping.

Besides, Esha was counting down, saying "Three." It felt like she would fire her Beelzebub after getting annoyed three more times.

"In that case, Noat-san, could you tell me your conditions for going to the dungeon? If possible, I’ll meet them."

"No matter the conditions, I will not work. Besides, you have Ivan, so there's no problem. I'm sure he'll conquer the dungeon while I'm sleeping. ‘Good things come to those who sleep and wait,’ that's my motto."

"Two."

Esha readied her Beelzebub. Even with Destroy, it shouldn’t be able to destroy the house, but Hayato was on edge.

"I don’t know why you’re refusing with such strong conviction, but please. We want to clear the Necropolis as soon as possible. To raise the party’s firepower, having a support class like you join is the best way."

"That may be true, but I don’t see why you’re in such a hurry to clear it in the first place. I think you should take your time and do it slowly."

Hayato tilted his head at her words, but then he remembered that he hadn’t explained to Noat why they were trying to clear the Necropolis.

"I didn’t explain, did I? The thing is, Mist-san is under a status effect called undying sleep, and she’s still asleep. Apparently, there’s an item in the Necropolis that can cure it, so we want to get it as soon as possible."

"...Mist-san? The vampire?"

"Yes. Before you came here, you sang at the soiree at Mist-san’s mansion, right? For that matter, didn’t you know she’s sleeping in one of the rooms on the second floor?"

During the Stampede event, a soiree was held at Mist's mansion in the demon world. The host was, of course, Mist, and the one who performed was Noat.

There was no response from Noat to Hayato's answer. A few seconds of silence followed, as if she were thinking about something.

"Um, Noat-san? You are listening, right?"

As Hayato asked, the sound of a key turning came from the room’s door, and Noat, dressed in light pink pajamas, emerged. However, she had a blanket over her head, and her half-lidded eyes looked sleepy.

"...Fine. For this one time, I’ll settle for a Donut Castle."

"Eh, really? I appreciate it, but what’s with the sudden change of heart?"

"Mist-san is a fan who praises my singing. I have to take care of my fans. That said, I also want you to prepare a full set of adventurer’s gear for me, Hayato-san. All I have right now is my singing dress and pajamas."

"I can get that ready right away. Anything else?"

"Nothing for now. But I haven’t moved in a while, so my body is a bit stiff. I want you to prepare an opponent I can fight to get my senses back."

Hayato and Rose were shocked to hear such words from Noat. Considering her usual behavior, it was enough to make them seriously wonder if someone else had taken her place.

Only Esha didn’t seem very surprised. She just looked at Noat with a slightly exasperated expression.

"You’re unusually serious. It’s going to pour rain tomorrow."

"Well, once in a while. Besides, Mist-san has helped me a lot, so I’ll be punished if I don’t at least repay the favor. But I won’t compromise on the Donut Castle, so I want you to make it properly."

"You can leave that to me. But an opponent to fight…"

"Hayato-san will do. Let’s have a match."

"Excuse me?"

Hayato had previously heard from Rose that Noat had repelled the Ten Holy Demonic Swords member, Simon.

It wasn't a one-on-one fight, she had fought alongside Gil who was trapped here at the time, and it was more of a strategy that caught Simon off guard, but Rose had passionately recounted it as a near-complete victory.

Now, being singled out by that very Noat, Hayato panicked.

"I don’t think I’d be of any use. My skills are all for a production class, and I can’t move my legs well, so I don’t think I’d be any help at all."

"That’s plenty. Even if I say we’re fighting, I’m just going to focus on dodging your attacks. Besides, your attacks would deal minimum damage even if they hit, so it’s perfect."

"Just dodging?"

"Of course. I’m a support class. I don’t attack, and we have Gil-san next door as a tank, so it’s not really necessary, but since I said I’d do it, I’ll get myself into top condition. So please."

"Well, if that’s the case. But I’m a little reluctant to attack a woman."

Even if it didn’t hurt, he was still hesitant to attack a woman. It might be different in a simple game, but this was a virtual reality almost indistinguishable from the real world. Many other male players felt the same way as Hayato.

"You can worry about that after you land a single hit. For the most part, I don’t think you’ll be able to hit Noat."

"You mean that not as a taunt, but as in it’s genuinely impossible, right?"

"Yes, that’s right. Noat doesn’t usually move, but she has a good sense of rhythm. If she gets serious, I think even Ivan would have a hard time landing a hit."

"I’m a little moved that Esha-chan is praising me. You’ve grown up so much…"

"I told you before, you’re the younger one, Noat. Why do you act like an older sister?"

While Esha and Noat’s exchange continued, Hayato decided to get things ready. First, he created Noat’s adventurer equipment, then made a massive amount of donuts. He also prepared potions just in case he took damage.

Esha and Rose wanted to watch, so they all moved to the hall on the third floor.

Noat had changed into her adventurer’s clothes, a light brown cloth long-sleeved shirt and black half-pants that showed her shins, and was swaying her body from side to side.

Can she really dodge attacks with that metronome-like movement?

Despite his doubts, Hayato decided to give it a proper try and gripped a wooden sword, taking a stance.

The wooden sword was a weapon that even Hayato could barely equip. However, it was for training and weak. Since Hayato had no combat skills, there was no attack power bonus, and swinging it would only inflict minimal damage.

Still, he was swinging a sword at a woman, and Hayato was hesitant.

"Are you really sure about this?"

"It’s fine, so come at me seriously. If I’m joining from tomorrow, I want to be ready to move right away."

Normally, he should be happy, but seeing Noat so motivated, so different from her usual self, made Hayato worry instead. He didn’t know what had brought her to this point, but some strange switch had been flipped.

Realizing that just standing there would be a waste of time, Hayato raised the wooden sword he held and attacked Noat. It was an attack that even an amateur would see as clumsy, but if nothing happened, it would definitely hit Noat.

But the wooden sword cut through the air and hit the floor.

Noat had dodged Hayato’s attack with a backstep.

Just a moment ago, Noat had only been swaying from side to side, but now she was humming a tune and moving as if she were lightly stepping.

Seeing Hayato's surprise, Noat grinned.

"Actually, I’m good at dancing, not just singing. I’ll support everyone as a singing and dancing artist, so leave the Necropolis conquest to me. In return, I want a gorgeous meal and a Donut Castle. Oh, and add a top-quality bed to that. When this job is done, I’m going to sleep a lot."

"If you can do that, you should just be serious all the time."

"That’s tiring, so only once in a while is fine. After this, I’m going to live lazily for another few years. You’ll take care of me that whole time, right?"

"Haven’t your demands been increasing lately?"

"That’s what it means to request work from me. Now, come at me. Oh, right, after a while, Esha-chan and Rose-chan can attack too. I think I’ll get my senses back faster that way."

"Understood. I will definitely land a hit."

"It seems we can attack in earnest. Noat-sama, prepare yourself."

Esha and Rose readied their respective weapons.

And so began the battle to restore Noat’s senses.