I Reincarnated into a Game Filled with Mods

The recent atmosphere of the Silver Dawn Knights was unbearably gloomy.

Even during the three daily meals, minimal conversation took place, and the usual vibrancy and noise were nowhere to be found.

The cause, of course, was the recent newbie.

Claudia, even, had been seriously injured and returned from a failed subjugation because the newbie, in a reckless act, decided to confront a monster all on his own and left without saying a word, dampening everyone’s mood with worry.

Lize, who usually could spark some vibrancy, was the first to go silent, and Erica, perhaps influenced by her sister, grew even quieter than her already calm demeanor.

Iris occasionally held her head and berated herself. With three out of the four people in the castle in such a situation, it was no wonder the overall atmosphere was a complete mess.

Except for one person—Claudia.

Claudia went about her day as if nothing had changed. She had no personal relationship with that newbie and didn’t know him well in the slightest.

While there was, of course, some worry that he might not return, that was merely the concern of a commander for a newbie.

The other three, especially Lize, seemed to regard the man as more than just a rookie.

Above all, he had insisted on going even though he had said he wouldn’t; no one had pushed him to go, and everyone had opposed him, yet he stubbornly insisted on leaving after forcing their consent.

If he charged out recklessly and ended up dying after a failed subjugation, then he would just be a lost cause. They had seen enough of how such reckless bravado usually ended.

Who knew, though? If by some miracle he succeeded and returned, maybe that’d be a different story.

Thanks to these thoughts, Claudia seemed to be the only one maintaining her usual demeanor, but since she hadn’t stirred from her bed all day, she wasn’t of much help in improving the atmosphere.

“Claudia, do you think the newbie can make it back alive?”

“That question again? Do you even know how many times you’ve asked?”

Claudia grimaced at Iris’s gloomy inquiry.

“…Right now, I can’t assess the situation objectively. The other two are the same. The only one here who could remain calm is you, Claudia.”

Claudia shook her head internally.

What on earth had that newbie done to make everyone so restless just a few days after he left? She couldn’t understand it at all.

“I’m not sure, but if that newbie can produce destructive power that far exceeds my greatsword, he might be able to subjugate it and make it back.”

“That’s essentially saying he’s guaranteed to die.”

“Though I’m saying this, who knows? Maybe he’ll find a way out that I haven’t thought of using that incredible skill of his. After all, I almost got killed when the greatsword didn’t work at all.”

Her voice was surprisingly calm for someone who had just returned from death.

Of course, people don’t die easily. Even superficial wounds heal in minutes, and despite suffering serious injuries from broken bones, twisted limbs, and torn skin, as long as they stay alive, they’ll eventually recover.

Especially when potions and magic are applied promptly, even severed arms and legs can be reattached, making human lives surprisingly resilient.

Claudia was among the exceptional ones.

In fact, she could have easily left the hospital and discharged herself immediately, but Erica had advised her not to think about leaving until after treatment was complete, so she was just obediently staying put.

After all, she had endured two days on horseback with injuries that could’ve easily killed her, treated only with hastily wrapped bandages. There was no way her body wouldn’t recover here.

“Having left with that much confidence, let’s trust him. He probably has something in mind. And honestly, doubting him is more disrespectful towards the newbie. You know? Your actions imply that you think he’s untrustworthy.”

“……”

“Iris, you can roughly read people’s expressions, so you must have already noticed if that guy showed hesitation or fear, right?”

Iris shook her head. No, absolutely not. There was not an ounce of fear or hesitation; he even seemed a bit excited. Why he was excited was beyond her understanding.

He was a man she just couldn’t comprehend. What was he so confident about? How could he feel so uplifted about going to face the monster that had utterly defeated Claudia?

“I still can’t be sure if we should have sent the newbie there alone. Wasn’t there a way to keep our distance and follow him?”

“Weren’t we told not to even think about following him? What’s going to happen if we’re discovered?”

“Do you really think the newbie can sense our presence, Claudia?”

“Oh, that’s true. I heard he’s cursed with a level of 1, right?”

“I’m just uneasy for another reason. You’ve heard about that newbie, haven’t you?”

Claudia rolled her eyes.

“Yeah. I’ve heard endlessly. How he’s cursed by a witch, how he took down a monster with a makeshift steel sword from prison, how he fared during the entrance exams with Lize, everything. I’m practically sick of it.”

“If he at least had the stats of a regular knight, I wouldn’t be worried at all. You know what being cursed by a witch means, Claudia.”

“I know. I know, Iris.”

Leaning against the bed’s backrest, her pink eyes turned towards Iris.

“That’s the path he chose. If he captures that monster and returns, he’ll be a talent we must nurture. If he doesn’t return, then he’s just an idiot who couldn’t recognize his own limits. That’s not our place to interfere, and it shouldn’t be. If he foolishly got himself killed but we helped him survive, do you think his character would improve? Absolutely not.”

“……”

“And honestly, I don’t get you either, Iris. Why are you overprotective of that newbie? The Human Butcher took down monsters with just a sword, Lize figured out his parrying, and he passed the entrance exam! What’s the problem? I’m not expecting much, but neither am I worried. He left confidently, so we should trust him.”

“……Is that so?”

“Not Is that so, but yes, it is. What you’re doing is pointless worrying. What exactly did that newbie do to have Lize and you all losing your minds with concern? Does he have some kind of charm that seduces women?”

He did have a rather handsome face and body, though. Claudia thought to herself while stretching. Being in bed for too long was starting to annoy her.

“I’m not obsessed! It’s just that I’m worried about the newbie—”

“NEWBIE!!!!!!”

In that moment, Lize’s booming voice rang from outside, cutting off Iris’s words.

Iris and Claudia exchanged stunned glances, and before either of them could react, they both sprang into action.

“……What’s the situation, Lize? Did I do something wrong?”

“Something wrong? You did something huge. Do you have any idea how much we worried while you were gone?”

As I returned with the head of the monster and the gigantic spear he had used, I was met with an incredibly awkward atmosphere. For a moment, I thought maybe I had done something wrong upon returning.

“No, I promised I would come back.”

“You think promises are easily kept?!”

Lize looked at me incredulously. Well, in fictional works, promising to return usually served as a death flag.

“But I did keep my promise, didn’t I?”

I asserted confidently, but Lize was looking at me with a face full of disbelief. It seemed she had no words to refute the fact I had indeed kept my word.

“Honestly…”

Lize made a complicated expression, then brightly smiled and hugged me tightly. Her soft chest pressed against my abdomen. I struggled to maintain control over my rising lower half.

While I was desperately trying not to react to the sensation of her body against my bare arms, Erica approached with a smile.

“Newbie.”

“Ah, Erica.”

“You really have a knack for surprising people, newbie.”

Her tone hinted at being somewhat annoyed. However, relief was evident in her expression, and there wasn’t a trace of negativity in the smile that appeared.

“Congratulations on your successful subjugation. Personal subjugation of a large monster within just a week of joining is truly a new record. It’s likely a record that will never be broken.”

“Thanks. I guess it would take pretty exceptional talent to break my record.”

“Pretty exceptional? Isn’t that too humble?”

While Erica and I conversed, Iris and Claudia, who had been examining the monster’s head on the floor, stood up.

“……Is it real?”

“Oh my goodness, you really captured this.”

Iris gasped in disbelief at the sight of the head, while Claudia chuckled lightly.

“I told you I would catch it. Do you believe me now?”

“Honestly… You are…”

Claudia stepped forward, bewildered, wrapped her arm around my shoulder. With our heights nearly the same, it created a very natural posture.

“Congratulations, newbie. This is truly impressive! I have to ask this one thing: Where did you find such a guy like you?”

“Thank you, Claudia Commander.”

“Do you drink well?”

“Huh?”

The moment I replied with a thank you for the congratulations, the sudden question about drinking caught me off guard. I responded with confusion.

Claudia laughed heartily, tightening her arm around my shoulders. With her still hugging me, Lize’s grip around me also tightened, seemingly annoyed.

“I asked if you drink well. Normally, we should celebrate with a drink at times like this. There’s no right to refuse, so just follow me later. I’ll be treating you tonight.”

“Um… I can’t today.”

“You can’t today? Why not?”

Her neutral expression twisted into one of confusion. I glanced down at the pocket firmly secured at my waist, holding the book inhabited by a demon.

“I still have things to do.”

My declaration that I had things to do raised four simultaneous eyebrows of confusion among the commanders.

“What do you mean you still have things to do?”

I smiled slyly and responded.

“You’ll know soon enough.”

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