NPC? What's That?

<The Next Day>

"Master, wake up."

I gently opened my eyes as sunlight streamed in where the beautiful day awaited me.I stepped into the hallway and greeted Kerfern whom I meet as his room was opposite of my room, just another ordinary day in this male dormitory. Other nobles had maids accompanying them and here me who was just a commoner having a maid. Imeki, my maid, was actually a lich, my former summon and currently my familiar. Everyone thought she dyed her hair white as a fashion statement. She became quite popular for her looks and strength, while I, a commoner, was treated as usual.

Hmm, so this is what normalcy in life looks like, still I miss my prison days.

"Hoh...Master, you’ll win today, right?"

"I’ve never lost before." I smirked confidentially.
 That’s true. In prison, I fought and won against other inmates. Even during mage battles, I prevailed. Only those few from the prison know who I am—a cursed necromancer.

"Sigh, Imeki, let’s get ready. It’s our turn today for match."

"But, Master, don’t mistakenly order me to transform into a sword it’ll be problematic."

"Yeah, don’t worry. I’m not foolish enough to reveal you’re my familiar. Plus, we need to kiss for the transformation, right? It’s not like I can just kiss you..."

"Master, you’re such a coward."

D-Damn it, when did she become so cheeky?

Only the Principal, Rebecca, Tsuki, Kerfern, Iris, and Vikasha know Imeki is my familiar. In the academy, she acts as my maid. The more attention I draw, the greater the risk of exposing my necromancy, so it’s better to keep it hidden. Thankfully, those I trust won’t reveal this secret. Even my friends Kerfern and Tsuki don’t know I’m a necromancer.

"Master, are you deep in thought again?" Imeki frowned, showing emotions unlike her usual stoic lich persona.

"No, not really. Anyway, let’s win our first match together. Also, Imeki, try to hold back a little. I don’t want you to kill my opponent."

"Well...I was excited to kill, but understood, Master."

She looked disappointed and annoyed.

"Anyway, let’s get ready so our carriage doesn’t have to wait. Tsuki, Arnes, Iris, and Vikasha is joining us."

Imeki smiled. She enjoyed mingling with humans. After all, she was human 300 years ago and hadn’t lost her humanity yet.

***


I wonder if I’ll meet the person I bumped into yesterday. There are many contestants, so I shouldn’t worry.

"Master, why didn’t you meet with the Principal before entering the colosseum?"

She’d probably have advice since she’s my caretaker. But today, I’m here so my master can witness my progress. My master entrusted me to the Principal, and I can’t let them down. My master she will definitely arrive.

"Imeki, it’s alright. I’m just excited to meet my master."

"I recall the Principal saying your master will be a guest."

"Well yeah, she’s a prestigious knight afterall."

I met with Iris before leaving the academy. She cast her illusion magic on my dragon and griffin’s corpse. We didn’t want to risk exposure, as it takes 42 hours to dispel the magic. If the illusion falters and the real corpses are seen, I’d be in serious trouble and possibly executed as a criminal due to my curse right away without wasting time.

Kerfern, Tsuki, and Vikasha were already seated in the audience, waiting for our turn.

"Master, this room feels like a cell. I hate it."

We waited in the rest room, each holding two people in bunks. It was cramped and old, but not terrible like while I used to stay in confinement.

"Seriously? It’s much bigger than the cell I was in, this is rather like a normal room to me."

"I actually want to know how my master lived during confinement."

"Haha, Imeki, you’ll learn soon. Make sure to entertain my master today. She’ll be watching from afar."

I fist-bumped her, and she smiled gently. Imeki would be my duo partner today. I couldn’t turn her into a sword, so I had to rely on my sword skills and summoned corpses, controlled by necromancy. I was excited.

"Master, take a nap here. Use my lap."

"L-lap? Well, I can just use the bunk."

"Ho-ho, you’re blushing?"

"Shut up. Fine, just wake me up before it’s our turn."

"Alright, Master."

I calmed myself down and put my head on her lap. Somehow it fells refreshing. Even though she is just a spirit, a lich, she got warmth on her body just as normal human. I felt relaxed and sank into the softness and comfy with ecstasy.

***


"Master, Master, wake up."

"Mm...ugh, it’s our turn, isn’t it?"

"You look disgustingly relaxed master."

"I’m not underestimating my opponent, but it’s my win anyway. Even if I lose, I know you can handle one versus two, haha."

"Naive, I’ll intentionally lose then, too, Master." Imeki smirked, giving a thumbs-up and sticking her tongue out.

I really like this side of her personality but it's annoying sometimes.


***


We passed through the tunnel leading to the ring.

"And we have a commoner with his maid as a duo. Can he win against the nobles? Will this disgusting shameful pair be defeated?"

"..."

The referee was biased, and the crowd barely cheered lowly for us.

"Master, can I kill that guy?"

"Umm...no, please. I don't want that kind of attention and might get kicked out of the tournament."

Imeki goes off with Arnes's warning.

We stepped into the ring, and our opponents were introduced after our entrance.

"Respected Noble Kate Felroid and from another world, Itsuka Kurokami, a summoned hero from the Chreftien Kingdom. We already know who will win now I really feel bad for our commoner partners."

Summoned hero? So the rumors were true. Looks like I’m really cursed to even get shipped into a fight with someone like them -sigh.

The colosseum's cheers made the ground shake, and the crowd was eager for the hero—a heavenly being sent from another to save this world.

"Master, this tournament feels rigged. Why put a commoner like us against a hero? Do they know you’re—"

"Shhh—don’t say anything private here. Someone might have sound magic."

Imeki nodded.

"Oi, commoner."

Huh? The hero was talking to me?

"Y-yes?"

"Tch, I hate the look in your eyes."

"..." What’s he talking about?

"Master, I’ll take the hero. Your opponent is her."

"No, Imeki, leave him to me. He’s the one who bumped into me yesterday probably. That earlier killing intent was from him, it's possible."

Imeki nodded in agreement.

"KEKEKEKE, seriously? A commoner like you can sense my presence? Nawh, this is a joke. There’s no way you’re a commoner if you could do that shit."

"I thought heroes were different. Looks like you’re something else."

"Hero? Aw, my hero! Please marry me! Hero, save this world! Hero, let me have your baby! Hero, time for experiments! Hero, join the tournament! Give me a break! I was living peacefully in my world. Why was I brought here? There isn’t even a demon lord."

What a foul mouth. People say a god summoned him as a hero.

"If you’re a hero, then I guess I’m the villain."

"What the hell? I’m here for a guy with a curse, not a commoner like you. You’re not even worth being a villain. You’re an NPC, though I thought your aura was powerful. It was just your maid, right? Keke."

"NPC? What’s that?"

Wait so he is here to hunt a cursed user... cursed user...Is he talking about me?"

"Shut up, NPC. You’re going to die anyway. Say your prayers."

This guy from another world is really pushing my buttons. I am in tough position, he doesn't know that I am the cursed user yet looking his reaction. The hero was probably sent to hunt me. My hideout was leaked afterall huh.

***


<Kate Felroid & Hero Itsuka Kurokami vs. Arnes Hyouki & Imeki, a maid>

"AND THE BATTLE BEGINS!" The referee’s amplified voice echoed as the crowd cheered for the hero and noble duo.

I created a magic circle and summoned my griffin corpse. It was looking real as Iris's illusion magic helped.

"Hoh? Not bad for an NPC, a summoner, I see."

Thanks to Iris, her illusion magic is working perfectly. Now they think I’m just a summoner.

"Itsuka, can you stop provoking and kill him already?"

"Shut up, mind your own battle ugoo."

Kate Felroid, with long blonde hair and freckles, wielded a fencing sword. She charged at high speed, separating Imeki from me, targeting the hero.

Tch, she really pulled Imeki away. I was looking for the cursed user but got this hero instead. Why is my luck so bad?

I directed my griffin at the hero flying towards him, but he punched it back several feet showing his inhuman brute strength.

He’s strong, but I’m saving my dragon for later. Let’s try a weapon at close range.I drew the sword from my hip. Thanks to Imeki, I’m confident on my swordmanship.

I dashed toward the hero, aiming for his chest.

Huh? Why isn’t he moving?

*Gushung*

"W-what?" I was shocked.

"Guhaa—khaff khaff, a sword, seriously?" Blood poured from his mouth as my sword pierced his heart. I released my grip from the sword.

He grinned menacingly. "...Seriously, a sword? Do you think it’s enough to kill me?" Grinning, he pulled the sword from his chest.

"Regeneration magic...I’m in trouble haha."

I watched as he healed himself completely, standing before me as if nothing happened. His outfit ripped but his skin showed no mark on his chest.

"NPC, here’s your sword back. Show me something else, that's no fun."

He throws my sword towards me. I grabbed it putting my stance on I knew he is going to attack now.

      Itsuka, the hero raised his hand, grabs his left hands and pulls it gently as it kept ripping his own flesh until his own hand rips out completely detached from his own body. Then he put a stance and throws it towards me he threw an arrow at high speed. Instantly I used my Griffin's body to shield it myself. Even though it was his own detached hand it was able to rip little flesh of the Griffin. The hero's shoulder started growing a new hand as he used regeneration magic on himself.

Damn, if not for the griffin, my head would’ve been blown off.

"Hero, how the hell am I supposed to win against an immortal like you?" I pulled out a serious question.

"NPC, please find it out yourself KEKEKEKE dumbass~."

Hah that's just the regeneration magic you got, It will be difficult but he is indeed a worthy opponent. I made a grin in excitement.

I will show my true self, but not my real power. And I can't let him know that I am the cursed user who he is searching for.


To Be Continued...