Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Doll Is Too Delicate to Take Care of Herself (6)

Yes. Even though he was the one being pointed at and scolded, Tu Jin still thought the doll insulting him was absolutely adorable.

He would bet that if he were willing to resell this doll and put her up for auction, even his sworn enemies would humble themselves and beg for an audience with him.

Of course, Tu Jin would never do something as idiotic as killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

After all…

All it took was a touch to mark someone. Once marked, that person could be transformed into a puppet—and the puppet would retain its original strength…

There were rank restrictions, but first, the doll’s initial rank was already A+. Second, her rank could clearly be increased. With both of these factors combined, those rank restrictions were hardly worth mentioning.

It could be said that, apart from the few S-rank beings who stood on the same level as him, this doll was practically unstoppable. In fact, once her rank increased in the future, even S-rank beings would be no match for her.

Even better, this doll was an item—a special item that required its designated owner to mark her. No item had ever betrayed its owner.

What did that mean? Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

It meant that whoever possessed this doll would effectively control every being in the game world, with the exception of the highest-ranking NPCs.

And that included NPCs belonging to his rivals…

Just think about it. At a critical moment, an enemy’s subordinate could be transformed into a puppet by his own doll and ordered to obey him…

Tu Jin’s gaze toward Ye Jiujiu grew positively heated.

Look at that breathtaking face, that slender waist, those perfect proportions… Even the little thing’s voice was so pleasant to listen to…

Why did something so perfect exist in this world?

He absolutely adored her.

“All right. I admit I was wrong.” Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

For once, Tu Jin was in such a good mood that he was willing to lower himself and offer an apology.

“But… allow me to introduce myself. I’m Tu Jin.”

He looked down at the little doll before him with an air of natural superiority.

“I’m your new master.”

The little doll, who had been crying nonstop, suddenly paused mid-sob.

She stared at Tu Jin in disbelief.

Tu Jin thought the earlier unpleasantness had finally been settled and that they could proceed with the pleasant process of marking her and establishing their master-and-doll relationship.

But then— Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

“Waaaaah!”

This time, the little doll simply plopped herself down on the floor and cried as though the world were coming to an end.

“I don’t want to!”

Her voice was incredibly loud. There was not the slightest trace of pretense in her refusal. It was pure, heartfelt rejection.

“You called me garbage! I don’t want you to be my master!”

Tu Jin’s smile froze on his face.

“…?”

Suppressing his temper, he tried to explain. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

“I didn’t call you garbage. I was only making a hypothetical statement. I meant if…”

“You’re still refusing to admit it!”

To his surprise, the little doll became even angrier.

“You’re still making excuses! Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I’m easy to fool?!”

She was so furious that she even started hiccupping between sobs.

“Fine, you called me garbage! But you even think I’m stupid and easy to fool! You’re humiliating me! You’re insulting me!”

Tu Jin, who suddenly felt as though someone had dumped an enormous accusation on his head: “…?”

Wait. When had he ever said the little doll was stupid or easy to fool? Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

When had he humiliated or insulted her?

Tu Jin had never experienced such an infuriating situation before.

With a dark expression, he stared at the little doll who was still crying and making a scene. He raised his hand and began checking her status panel for instructions on how to mark her, intending to establish ownership first and teach her how to behave afterward.

The result—

【Marking Method: Automatic marking will occur once the doll’s favorability toward you reaches 70%.

Note: The doll’s current favorability toward you is -50%.

P.S. The person with the highest current favorability from the doll is her creator, Ye Jiujiu (60%).】

Tu Jin: “…” Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

How should he put it…

Even her creator, Ye Jiujiu, had only managed to get 60% favorability…

He stared at that final line of text, then looked at the little doll still crying and carrying on in front of him. Suddenly, a possibility occurred to him…

Could it be that Ye Jiujiu, the doll’s creator, hadn’t marked her and claimed her for herself because she simply couldn’t meet the requirements?

And perhaps the reason she’d run away wasn’t because she was afraid of him at all. Maybe she’d simply found an opportunity to get rid of a troublesome little nuisance. Afraid he might refuse to accept her, she’d decided to force the deal on him instead?

Tu Jin strongly suspected that his guesses were the truth, but he had no evidence.

Besides, even if his suspicions were correct, would he choose to return the doll?

Obviously not. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Then there was nothing he could do…

Staring at the -50% favorability, Tu Jin considered how precious this doll was and the benefits she could bring him in the future…

His own doll.

His precious little treasure.

I’ll endure it.

Tu Jin forced a smile and crouched down in front of Ye Jiujiu.

“Listen. Let me explain. I…”

“I won’t listen! I won’t listen! I won’t listen!” Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

The little doll covered her ears and shook her head like a rattle drum.

Her attitude was completely unreasonable. After more than ten minutes of patiently humbling himself and speaking gently, all he had gotten in return was the little doll’s stubborn refusal to cooperate.

Tu Jin finally lost his patience.

“Shut up!”

He shouted angrily.

“What kind of doll behaves like you? Just look at yourself! Is this any way for a doll to act?”

The air suddenly fell silent.

The little doll looked up in confusion, meeting Tu Jin’s bewildered gaze. She seemed not to have understood what had just happened. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Seeing how obviously frightened she was…

Before Tu Jin could feel relieved, thinking he’d finally regained control of the situation and preparing to say something gentler to smooth things over—

“Wuu…”

A tiny sound escaped the little doll’s throat as she slowly came back to her senses.

Watching tears begin to fall continuously from her eyes, Tu Jin felt his heart twitch. An ominous premonition suddenly crept over him.

And sure enough—

“WAAAAH!”

The little doll burst into even louder tears. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

“You yelled at me! You scolded me! And you’ve even seen other dolls out there! You actually compared me to other dolls! You’re a heartless scumbag! Wuuuu!”

Tu Jin, who was beginning to feel exhausted: “…”

“I admit I might have raised my voice a little just now, but I absolutely didn’t…”

He took a deep breath, trying to salvage the situation.

“You’re bullying me! Wuuuu! I’ve never been treated so unfairly in my entire life!”

The little doll wasn’t listening to a single word.

One accusation after another piled up against Tu Jin. By the end, he almost felt as though he’d committed some unforgivable offense against the heavens.

Did this doll really think he wouldn’t kill her…? Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Tu Jin, who had never been subjected to such injustice either, clenched his fists.

As his killing intent surged—

The little doll seemed to sense something. Her crying softened slightly. She sniffled and, with her eyes half-raised, looked at him aggrievedly.

Her beautiful eyes were so captivating, almost as though they could speak. They were filled with the kind of reproachful accusation one might expect from someone throwing a tantrum and demanding affection.

That pitiful gaze brought Tu Jin back to his senses. He suddenly remembered just how precious this doll was.

Tu Jin: “…”

His clenched fist loosened immediately.

Unbelievable. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

This doll was fucking unbelievable!

Who could possibly put up with a personality like hers?

Even he wanted to slap himself twice for having thought this doll was adorable earlier.

But if he gave up on her…

This doll was special, rare, precious, and powerful. Her future potential was incomparable, and the benefits she could bring once he successfully claimed her were virtually limitless…

Tu Jin was currently caught in an impossible dilemma.

Giving up the doll was genuinely unbearable. It felt worse than having a piece of his own flesh cut away.

But if he didn’t give her up, he couldn’t help feeling that his future life might turn into a living hell, filled with endless misery… Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

He hadn’t even done anything particularly wicked. Why was he being subjected to this kind of torment?