Gacha Addict in a Matriarchal World

Many people are mistaken, and sometimes even the authors themselves get confused…

In reality, a novelist is no different from a storyteller.

I am not a person who writes, but one who unravels characters and narratives.

Writing is merely a medium to convey my story. Essentially, it is no different from speech, song, or painting.

At least, that’s what I think, even if others don’t.

As I ruminated over a conclusion I reached long ago, I gently stroked Benny’s purple hair, which lay on my thigh.

“Since I’ve heard Benny’s story, would you like to hear mine next?”

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

Benny, struggling to get up. No matter how much of a mage she is, as a high-ranking adventurer who has built her specs in the Labyrinth, her strength surpasses mine.

However, when I firmly pressed on her forehead, Benny eventually quieted down, blushing furiously.

“It’s okay. I won’t do anything strange.”

“Th-that’s what I should be saying…”

“Then it just means Benny shouldn’t do anything strange.”

“Oh…right?”

“Yes. Even though we are without underwear, as long as nothing happens, it’s fine.”

“What is that supposed to…ugh!”

“Putting the underwear aside, Benny’s dress seems too revealing, but anyway, it’s okay!”

“Do you think I wear these clothes because I like them?! Look at this frail body! If I don’t dress like this, I look too much like a child! Who would see me as a woman?”

“Wow! That body!”

“Are you making fun of me?!”

“No, it’s just a reaction. But there’s something I need to correct. Look, Benny.”

“Look at what? …Huh?”

Benny, who tilted her head in curiosity, suddenly froze. It must have been because I pressed her head down, making her cheek rub against my thigh.

“How is it? Benny and I look about the same age… Doesn’t Benny see me as a man?”

“Th-that is…”

“Aha? So this isn’t enough. Then, would you like to come up a bit higher?”

The upper part of the thigh. We call that the groin or the crotch.

“Eek?!”

I don’t know what she was imagining, but Benny flinched in surprise. I calmly restrained her short limbs and whispered softly.

“Benny.”

“Hmm?”

“Benny’s body is plenty seductive.”

“Wh-what are you talking about?! A man shouldn’t say things like that!”

“Don’t worry. I don’t say this to just anyone.”

“…Really?”

“Yes! At most, only to Ellie, Miss Lydia, and Benny!”

“……”

I chuckled at the pallor of Benny’s face and continued speaking.

“Well, since Benny seems to have calmed down, shall we get to the main topic now?”

“…Main topic? What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you remember? Just now. I asked you to listen to my story this time, didn’t I?”

“Ah.”

Benny covered her mouth as if she had truly forgotten. Despite that, she started to compose herself, seemingly preparing to listen.

Since Benny seemed ready to listen, it was time to begin.

With a broad smile, I asked,

“Do you know the story of a human who fell in love with a vampire?”

“What?”

I continued to stroke Benny’s head, who blinked blankly.

Like reading a fairy tale to a child. Or perhaps like the scenery in my oldest memories.

I began to speak, filled with the hope that Benny could feel the same comfort I once did.

“Once upon a time, a smooth-talking wanderer arrived at a small village.”

Thus, I started the story. A tale of someone else. A story of fiction.

In truth, it might not be a very realistic story. It doesn’t even have a grand twist.

But one thing is certain, it is the story I most wanted to convey.

A story where a braggart turns his boasts into reality for the vampire sisters he fell for.

A story where, without knowing the reason, one saves the world for a half-elf who accepts him in a game-like world he fell into.

A story where an untalented fool, for the lover he found by the river, repeatedly faces death until he finally splits the sky and cleaves the mountains.

A story of a person who trusts no one and a slave who has no choice but to cling to such a person, becoming each other’s support.

A story of counting stars alone for a thousand years for those one loves and who love oneself.

A story of a disciple who holds on to his master freed after 300 years of revenge, and a master who willingly puts a collar on their own neck for such a disciple.

A story of a half-dwarf denied by everyone, who creates a miracle for the one person who recognized him.

A story of a greedy dragon who, after numerous losses, comes to cherish the entire world as if it was its own treasure.

A story of a saint praying to god while watching the crumbling walls, and a god who answers the saint’s empty prayers for the sake of their apostle.

At the end of being betrayed by everything in the world, the story of someone who hated the world but ultimately spoke of love as he faded away.

The story of someone who, in the face of unprepared trials, sacrifices everything to grasp a happy ending.

These stories I wrote before entering this world.

There are different stories, and there are the same stories, but the message within is the same.

We can be happy.

Even if the heavy reality weighs down on your shoulders, and you seem as insignificant as an ant, and the trials before you tower like a mountain.

One day, we can be happy.

If it is people who bring others down, then it is also people who lift others up.

Even if you are a broken person, no matter how desperate your situation, it’s okay.

I am your salvation, and you are mine.

This has always been the one and only thing I wanted to say.

“I like stories of salvation.”

“……”

Benny called Shadow her shackle. A shackle that binds her to the nightmares of the past, preventing her from moving forward into the future for eternity.

But I think differently.

Shadow was Benny’s salvation. Thanks to it, she could escape the lab, exact revenge on the fanatics, and gather her fragile mind to act as an adventurer.

Probably the opposite was true as well. For the newly born Shadow, who had nothing, Benny must have been an excellent guide in life.

Without anyone stepping in, Benny and Shadow saved each other.

Nevertheless, if Benny doesn’t think much of the present, then… I might be able to help a little.

“I’m not trying to criticize you, Benny. It’s perfectly reasonable to feel that way. After all, emotions don’t always go as we think they should.”

“I, I…”

I lightly pinched Benny’s cheek. Her stretchy cheek was unbelievably soft.

“Benny. You want to become an adult, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Then, would you like to become an adult with me?”

“…Huh?”

Benny’s eyes, adorned with heart patterns, widened as if she couldn’t believe what she had heard.

I lowered my head close to Benny’s face.

Our eyes drew nearer, and our foreheads were almost touching.

“I’m a bit sorry to Ellie, but no one will know what happens in here anyway.”

“Uhh? Huh?”

Benny lost her ability to speak human language. After observing her flustered state for a while, I finally pulled my head away.

“Ta-da! It was a joke~”

“…Ugh! Why do you keep making such jokes?!”

“Because Benny keeps looking all sullen, like someone who got scolded. Didn’t I say earlier? I understand the feeling of wanting to distance yourself from Shadow because it’s tough.”

“Before, you were criticizing me for hating Shadow too much when I owe my life to it.”

“So, I was saying that what I said earlier didn’t mean that at all.”

Shaking her head, she continued speaking.

“Benny, you said it yourself. Magic is a miracle. In fact, you’ve already performed a miracle. Even if Shadow was there, how could a kid who never properly learned even basic magic defeat an officer of One Who Devours the Twilight?”

“…I inherited the succubus’s magical talent.”

“You’re aware that untapped talent holds little meaning, right?”

“…….”

Benny, with a pout, kept her mouth shut. I gently rubbed her lips to relax her and said,

“Can’t you do it a second time if you’ve done it once?”

“It hasn’t worked so far.”

“So what if it doesn’t work? At that time, I’ll just turn you into an adult, Benny.”

“What?”

I gave Benny, who had widened her eyes, a sly smile.

“Oh, this is serious. I don’t know how Ellie will react, though.”

“…!”

Benny’s face turned pale.

Of course, it’s unlikely that Ellie, who has recently developed an NTR fetish, would react so extremely… But Benny doesn’t know this.

“Benny. Salvation comes to everyone. Maybe I am your salvation.”

“That’s absolutely not the case! Save me! I don’t want to be beaten to death by Ellie…!”

“Hehe. You talk like that, but your body is being honest. You’ve been subtly rubbing against my leg for a while now.”

“Di-did you notice?”

“Yes. I noticed a long time ago.”

I continued with a chuckle.

“Can the weakened Benny really resist my temptation? Oh, by the way, I have a dagger made from a Unicorn Horn, so I can always check for virginity.”

“Why on earth would you have such a weapon…!”

Even while grinding her teeth, Benny kept sniffing the upper part of my thigh…that is, near the groin. It’s something she could never have done if she were in her right mind.

“Now! Make your choice! Either join forces with Shadow like before and try again, or accept the salvation offered by me, the Prospective Saint! Which do you prefer?”

“Why are the choices like that?!”

Benny, looking tearful, stomped her feet and yelled.

“Alright! Once I get out of here, I’ll try to merge with Shadow like I did back then! I won’t be scared anymore and I’ll face it properly!”

Hmm. That’s the right attitude.