Home/The Male Lead, Whom I Thought Was the Villain, Is Acting Strange/ch 6

Chapter 6.

I shot Rainer a look full of discontent.

After returning home yesterday, I'd soaked in the bathtub until my skin pruned, thinking things over.

And I'd reached the conclusion that there was no better way to monitor the male lead and gather information than this.

Joining the very unit he was in!

Enlisting, of all things… I wanted to applaud myself for coming up with such a brilliant and desperate plan.

I never imagined my life would take such an unexpected and twist-filled turn, but no matter how I looked at it, this was the fastest and surest method.

To catch a tiger, you must enter the tiger's den. And the thirsty must dig their own well.

It was better for me to struggle a bit than for all of us to get cut down together and dip our feet into the River Styx. That's what I wanted to believe...

Unaware of my resolve and inner torment, Rainer clicked his tongue and asked.

"Let me hear your reason. Why the sudden urge to join the monster combat unit?"

"It's just—it's about time I thought about my career path. I want to get some field experience in your unit, that's all."

I shrugged and brushed it off.

In this world, everyone was born with an aura affinity, and they found jobs that utilized their unique traits.

That applied not only to specialized professions like swordsmen or mages, but to ordinary occupations as well.

For instance, the designer at my regular tailor shop could sharpen aura like a needle, allowing her to sew faster and more precisely than a sewing machine.

Some became cooks or blacksmiths using fire-attributed aura, while others became painters or musicians with aura that affected the senses.

But my barrier-type aura was so rare that there were no concrete precedents.

It was a versatile ability, so I could do almost anything if I set my mind to it—but my goal was solely to get close to the male lead.

And I'd already proven multiple times that my aura was useful in monster combat. Even Rainer couldn't deny that.

I began to apply some leverage.

"Your unit is seriously understaffed, isn't it? Don't you feel sorry for your subordinates, working overtime and sleeping at the base for days on end?"

"That's true, but…"

The monster combat unit had a high mortality rate, so overwork was a constant issue.

Even if there were plenty of applicants, it took time for them to train and be deployed to the field.

And monsters didn't care about such circumstances. The remaining personnel had no choice but to cover for each other.

As a result, the unit members were always suffering from overtime and chronic fatigue.

I wasn't much help in direct combat, but I was a versatile support who could handle just about every other situation.

A truly mouthwatering asset in many ways.

"Besides, if I'm there, you won't have to grovel to mages or alchemists for support."

"....."

When I whispered like a devil, Rainer's eyes wavered for a moment.

To purify monster remains, you either needed a mage's purification ritual or potions made by alchemists.

Both were less effective than my purification and doubled the workload.

Those professions were also understaffed, and every official cooperation request required tedious paperwork.

"......Still, it's not going to work."

Rainer let out a hollow laugh and shook his head with a troubled look.

"If Father finds out I let you join, I'll be a dead man."

"Exactly why I'm saying this."

Gotcha. I smiled triumphantly and put an end to the conversation.

"If you don't let me into your unit, I'll tell Father everything—about how I've been going to the field to help you all this time."

"What? Ah! Roo, you…!"

"So let's help each other out. O. Ra. Beo. Ni."

I blew a kiss at Rainer, who had turned pale in an instant, and leisurely walked away.

It was a week later that I met Azeint again—assigned as a temporary auxiliary member of the 4th Monster Combat Unit.

---

---

"No way."

"You've got to be kidding."

"He must have gone crazy from night shifts and confused delusion with reality."

The unit members eyed me with a mix of shock and horror, whispering among themselves.

It felt like being surrounded by giant wild bears that had just discovered a honey pot.

I'd expected a grim, deathly atmosphere, given that this was a high-mortality combat unit.

But the unexpectedly lively vibe left me a bit bewildered.

Blinking, I faced the wild bears—I mean, the unit members—and saluted as I introduced myself.

"Rutesia Espello. Though I'm a temporary member, I'll do my best. Feel free to ask me for anything."

After my greeting, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. No "Welcome aboard" or "Nice to meet you" came back.

What's this? Why is the atmosphere so weird? Are they discriminating against me because I'm a woman?

Or maybe they're sneering at a sheltered noble girl who came to rough it.

Feeling awkward, I flashed a bright smile. First impressions are always the most important.

But the effect of my smile was anything but expected.

"Damn, she's cute!"

"See! I told you she was different!"

"There's no way someone like Rainer could have a little sister!"

"What the hell happened to House Espello after Rainer was born?!"

The unit members clapped their hands over their mouths in disbelief, making a huge fuss.

Is this really the reaction you get when you bring a female sibling into an all-male group?

Watching them carry on as if they'd witnessed the apocalypse, I actually felt a little more sorry for Rainer.

"If you don't want your heads smashed in, shut your mouths."

When Rainer growled like a beast, the unit members all pursed their lips in unison, as if by prior agreement.

"Rutesia will assist the main unit as a rear support soldier."

"Yes, sir!"

"Her aura affinity is barriers. You'll see it in action soon enough, so I'll skip the details."

Despite his curt explanation—practically shutting down any questions—no one dared to object.

As if that still bothered him, Rainer added with a grim expression,

"Anyone who tries any funny business will deal with me personally."

"....."

Thanks to my brother's unnecessary intervention, my social life was already off to a disastrous start.

Save that kind of authority for the female lead!

After leaving behind a threatening warning and forcibly disbanding the group, Rainer gestured over my shoulder.

Someone quietly approached and stood beside me. It was none other than Azeint.

"Jen, you'll show Roo what she needs to know. Report anything to me."

"Yes."

"Good."

Rainer patted Azeint's shoulder a couple of times.

Hey, this guy is the villain who's going to kill my brother! How can you place so much trust in the very person you should be most wary of?

Regardless, Rainer entrusted me to Azeint and hurried off, saying he had reports to submit to headquarters.

---

Left alone with Azeint in an instant, I let out a small sigh.

For some reason, just standing next to him made it feel like the temperature around me had dropped below freezing.

But I'd achieved my goal. Since Azeint had been assigned as my guide, I'd be able to stay close to him from now on.

"Hey, long time no see. Sorry about the other day."

I brought up the incident when I'd pulled away from him. Azeint, who had been staring at me with an indifferent gaze, finally spoke.

"Over here."

"....."

Ignoring my apology entirely, he pointed with his finger to where I should sit.

‘Damn fledgling male lead. He really doesn't give an inch.’

As when we first met, Azeint's timing and style of speech were unique.

It felt slow and full of pauses, yet it was hard to keep up with him.

‘Something seems subtly different from the original, though…’

In the original, Azeint had been described as cold and ruthless—without blood or tears.

But seeing him in person, he just seemed guarded and slow to express emotion.

‘Maybe it's because he hasn't met the female lead yet?’

Either way, it was clear he was a difficult person to get close to. I had no choice but to follow Azeint around like a duckling.

He led me around the base, showing me various places.

Though "showing around" was generous—he only explained the bare essentials in a clipped, monotone manner.

For example: "This is the mess hall. You eat here." "That's the barracks. You sleep there." Just the obvious, over and over.

Listening quietly was starting to feel like my soul was leaking out of my body.

How could they entrust new employee orientation to someone with such poor social skills?

Finally, unable to bear the boredom any longer, I spoke first.

"Hey, Jen. Why did you join the monster combat unit?"

"Because it's the only thing I know how to do."

---

Azeint answered in a flat, monotonous tone.

I gave him a baffled sidelong glance. Weren't male leads supposed to be overpowered characters with maxed-out stats?

Sure, his personality seemed flawed—but that was just a minor handicap for a male lead.

And yet he said he was here because it was the only thing he could do.

If he'd given some excuse like "I'm sending money to my family back home," I'd have laughed and told him not to make me cringe. But this was unexpected.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said."

Azeint, still walking beside me with his eyes fixed forward, added casually.

"Besides killing, there's nothing I'm good at."

"....."

His chilling reply shut my mouth like a clam.

He'd merely omitted the object, but it turned into an ominous statement.

I mean, all I wanted was some ice-breaking small talk—so why did he have to respond so seriously and murderously?

More importantly, how was I supposed to reply to that?

I was caught in severe internal conflict.

I couldn't exactly say, "That's not true! You have plenty of great qualities besides killing!" just to lighten the mood.

That would be like encouraging him to kill, not giving him courage!

"Y-you mean you joined because you're skilled with a sword and wanted to make use of it, right?"

In the end, I decided on the most optimistic interpretation possible.

As if even answering was a bother, Azeint gave a half-hearted nod.

At the same time, an awkward silence fell between us again.

Ugh, I'm at a loss.

Even if the god of socializing descended, there was no way to keep this conversation going!

But then, surprisingly, Azeint asked me a question first.

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