The Player’s Hundred Deaths

Mila's grip tightened around my wrist, her tone sterner as she demanded, "Who is Yvie?!"

Having no other answer in mind, I had no choice but to lie. "It's just this celebrity I used to like… I somehow dreamed of her."

It was a crude lie, but Mila was silent for seconds, clearly buying it.

After all, she knew that I loved her so much that I was willing to die ninety-nine times for her. Why would I love someone else?

"How frivolous."

No longer suspicious, her expression was cool again as she released me.

That was when we heard footsteps as Julian entered, his expression stiff when he saw me and Mila together.

Still, he soon smiled. "Hey, Ben. Mila told me you passed out from overwork because of me. Sorry, it's all my fault."

As Julian lowered his gaze guiltily, Mila promptly took his side, her tone mocking as she snorted. "It's not your fault. Ben made a promise, and he should fulfil his promise. And it's also his fault for being born such a loser that he's only fit to lick your shoes. Heck, he wouldn't hesitate if I told him to die. "

I listened to her gloat without feeling anything inside, but I pursed my lips as if I were miserable but doing my best to hide it.

"Yes, I'll do anything you say, Mila," I said. "I came to this world for you."

Mila's eyes widened, her pupils dilating as if in panic.

She left with Julian and said, "You could've just managed your workload. Or did you have a death wish?"

How curious—she never cared about me at all before.

Still, I shook my head, not caring to dwell on the issue.

Either way, I needed to die soon, though I was sure Julian would be happy to offer opportunities.

Despite his cheery personality, he was vile and self-centered, claiming that he wanted to be Mila's 'brother' but would torment anyone who got too close.

-

When I got up, I realized I was on Mila's yacht.

I stepped out, strolling around and eventually stumbling on Mila partying with her clique.

I stood at the bow and watched the moon, missing Yvie all the more.

"Oh, you're here." Julian smiled as he came to me, but that smile was filled with sinister intent. "The way you're improving, it's like Mila has really been nicer to you. Shame you're giving yourself too much credit trying to steal her from me… What, did you think she'd really fall for you? I just need a beckon, and she'd dump you without hesitation."

As he spoke, he was slowly walking toward the taffrail and laughing evilly at me. "Have you ever wondered if she would tear you to shreds if she finds out that you pushed me into the sea out of jealousy?"

Then, before I realized what was happening, he yelped out loud before falling over the taffrail.

Mila promptly ran over, jumping into the sea to save Julian.

Others on the deck quickly lowered a lifeboat and quickly got both of them out of the sea.

It took Julian a while to wake up, and he was shaking violently as he grabbed Mila's sleeve. "Don't blame Ben. He just loves you too much, and I understand that. It's all my fault."

At those words, everyone turned toward me.

"I thought he's just lovesick, but as it turns out, he's vile and lovesick."

"He pushed Julian off the boat! Everyone knows that Mila is obsessed with him!"

"Who does he think he is?"

Hearing that, Mila turned toward me with a glare.

I knew that look—it was the same look she had in her eyes every time she killed me.

Snapping coolly at her men, she told them to restrain me and threw me where the water was ten feet deep.

I splashed violently as I didn't know how to swim, but Mila kept glaring at me murderously. "It's your fault for hurting Julian—I've been too nice lately, haven't I?"

Even as the water rushed through my nostrils, my survival instincts kept driving me as Mila told her men to make sure I sank.

My ears were ringing even as everyone laughed out loud.

Right, I was supposed to die.

Because if I died, I'd see Yvie again.

As such, I stopped struggling and allowed myself to sink to the bottom.

Seeing that, Mila thought I was pretending. "Stop pretending. Did you think I'd spare you with just that… Ben? Ben?! Get him out!"

Even as I stayed motionless in the water, I had a very long dream.

In that dream, Yvie and I never had an accident and had a child together, living happily as a family of three through the seasons.

As I slowly stirred, I found myself staring at Mila, who appeared to be restraining her concern.

I lowered my gaze in disappointment—so I wasn't dead.

"How devious, Ben." Mila gloated just then. "Pushing Julian into the sea and then pretending to be dying? Are you trying to make me care?"

I shook my head. "No, I just don't know what I should do."

My response was enfeebled, but in Mila's mind, I loved her too much to argue.

"Julian said he can forgive you, but only if you help him with an experiment. You're going to stay in the same house as a deranged man just for a day. Don't worry—all the necessary safety precautions have been made, so you'll be fine."

Seeing that I was silent, Mila thought I was refusing and frowned impatiently. "Listen. You hurt Julian—"

"I'll do it. I'll do anything for you, Mila."

I had always been a complete sucker since I met Mila, like she was the only person who existed in the world.

But she had always doubted me, so she kept hurting me.

Even so, I stayed with her, single-mindedly intent on proving that I loved her.

Suddenly, she reached out to touch my cheek. "I'll marry you after this. I promise."

"Uh-huh." I kept my head down as I answered, but I'd already thought about how I was going to die.

And this time, no one was going to stop me.

There were observers outside the house even as I went in, and I smiled at Mila before I entered the house.

For some reason, her heart skipped a beat when she saw that, and she looked like she would stop me.

However, she saw the look in Julian's eyes and resolved herself.

'It's alright,' she thought.

It would be over soon, and she would marry me to make amends.

But that was fine—it was all going to be all over soon.

In reality, there was a reason why she would want to marry me and make amends.

After so much time had passed, Mila had suddenly realized that it might be a good idea to stay with me.

Nonetheless, after I entered the house, I fended off the deviant for a while to avoid arousing suspicion.

But within hours, he cornered me into a room.

And when his axe came swinging, I didn't run and was even smiling as I met it, my blood splattering all over the floor.

[Beep! Player's 100th death confirmed. Rewards will be given, and the player will be teleported back to the real world!]

"Ben!"

Just before I died, I saw Mila charging into my room toward my body.

But this time, she wasn't getting a response.