2-1. Sure, you have skills now, but nobody ever said you can use them as you please.

Translated by Yonnee

This morning, for the first time ever since I was dragged into this game, I woke up refreshed. Oh, how the sun was shining brightly, how the birds were singing wonderfully.

The world is so beautiful! I’m so happy! Not even my meager savings of six gold and that conscious-less system would be able to ruin my good mood.

“Well, aren’t you in a good mood, Hilda?”

“Emily! Good morning! Did you sleep well?”

I also greeted the terribly hardworking Emily happily for the first time this morning. Emily wrinkled her nose and smiled in a lovely way.

“Yup. And I feel much better already just seeing your bright smile in the morning.”

“It’s been a long time since I slept so comfortably with my legs stretched out. I guess that’s why.”

Though my situation hasn’t improved much—no, well, it’s only getting worse—but I can’t believe I’m feeling so refreshed. I dare to think that my life in this game could be divided into two eras: B.S.P. and A.S.P. Before Stealing a Pillow, and After Stealing a Pillow.

With a smile on her lips, Emily added, ‘I’m glad to hear that,’ then she went on her way.

As she descended the stairs, she braided her hair skillfully. When she carried herself in that manner, even the plain gray uniform she had on seemed to look so good on her. Despite her modest clothing, Emily was shining beautifully.

“Then, Hilda, let’s do our best today, too!”

“Yeah, you also…”

Take care. Especially around Adrian. He’s actually a devil. All he thinks about is killing people. I, myself, almost died one too many times. But I survived!

“…See you at lunch.”

I forced myself to gulp down these words that threatened to burst out of my lips and instead waved goodbye. A clear laugh rang out.

“Come on, you were acting like you’re gonna say something big just now, but what’s with the flat goodbye. I’ll come help you later after this morning’s tasks, so don’t overwork yourself!”

Emily’s really nice. She’s the only one who worried about me and took care of me like this in the game. I know she’s only acting according to her programming, but I’m still hoping that her life won’t end in pain. Wouldn’t it be fairer if a good person could get a happy ending?

Looking at her retreating figure as she went into the mansion, I turned around and looked at the garden. Yesterday, this workplace of mine was like the devil’s garden itself, but right now, I could see only a treasure trove of EXP.

It’s only 1 EXP per weed pulled, but if it’s all piled up, then it’s not such an insignificant amount. From the EXP I’ll gain here, I plan to raise my level and become the last player standing in this world.

「 Gained 1 EXP from removing weeds. 」

「 Gained 1 EXP from removing weeds. 」

「 Work is going smoothly because your fatigue is low. 」

「 Work is going extremely smoothly because your fatigue is low. 」

「 The success rate for weed pulling has risen significantly. 」

「 Your daily wage has increased. 」

「 The amount of EXP acquired has increased significantly. 」

「 Gained 5 EXP from removing weeds. 」

Wow, one weed became 5 EXP, you say? When I thought about what happened yesterday, when the system wouldn’t give me even 1 EXP, this was an unprecedented increase.

I can’t believe that my experience points and daily wage are influenced by my physical condition. This was one more reason why, from now on, I must go as far as to risk my life for the sake of protecting my dear pillow.

Surprisingly, this game’s essential item was a pillow? It would be good if I could buy some more in case the one I have now suddenly lowered in durability again.

「 Gained 5 EXP from removing weeds. 」

「 Gained 5 EXP from removing weeds. 」

「 Critical Hit! Gained 10 EXP from removing weeds. 」

I was mechanically pulling weeds with my hands when these white letters suddenly popped up.

What ‘critical hit’ are you talking about now, it’s not like this is a rhythm game.

Well, this was what I thought, but it’s still rather fun so I continued moving my hands in earnest.

「 Gained 5 EXP from removing weeds. 」

「 Critical Hit! Gained 10 EXP from removing weeds. 」

「 Critical Hit! Gained 10 EXP from removing weeds. 」

What the hell, this is really fun. When the EXP bar, which was previously filled with as little as ant piss, rose evidently, my heart was also filled with this strange pride.

Did you know that I like RPGs, that’s why you came up with this kind of system? And perhaps because the weed pulling was either ‘success’ or ‘great success,’ all the areas where my hands swept through became noticeably neat. It’s not just a matter of weed whacking—it’s like a brand new garden was being created.

It’s not like I’m just praising myself or being narcissistic. When Emily came around by noon, her admiration was proof enough that I really was doing a good job.

“Wow, Hilda… Did you really clean up everything here? Oh my gosh, it’s perfect.”

“Perfect, psh. You’re making me blush.”

“You made a complete mess yesterday, but how did you make everything so neat this time? Mister Ancier didn’t come and secretly help you, right? No, he should be busy tending to the Madam’s garden and planting flowers right about now. Miss Leticia’s seriously going to faint from shock after seeing this.”

“Oh you, to go that far…”

“Hilda, I’m so proud of you.”

Emily looked at me with her eyes shining brightly, glistening with tears. She was the proudest and most supportive friend there ever could be when it came to the great endeavor of weed pulling. It sounded ridiculous even to me, but the corners of my lips went up for no reason.

Wasn’t there a saying that compliments made whales dance? As if to show off, I pulled the last weed there was and— another critical hit!

Emily burst out in tears of admiration, praising me again about how perfectly I pulled out the weed. Then, we went together to the dining hall for lunch.

As we walked side by side while talking about what we did this morning, the sudden sound of shattering plates could be heard from a distance. It wasn’t just a single plate—it sounded like dozens upon dozens of plates were getting shattered all at once.

“Let’s hurry.”