TCBUP 10

Chapter 10. The New Protagonist

[SYSTEM]
The fourth romance scenario with male lead Damian Ortiz, the Duke, has been completed.

Please leave your honest review!

Your valuable feedback is the foundation for improving the game.

They deleted my last review saying it exceeded the character limit, and now they want me to write another one?

They’re asking me to write a review for an episode I don’t even remember. Even if I write one, nothing ever changes, so I doubt they even read them.

“Um, my lady… did I do something wrong?”

“Huh?”

Sitting across from me, Mary looked like a scolded puppy, nervously watching my face. Since she couldn’t see the status window, she must’ve thought I was glaring at her.

“No, no. I was just thinking.”

I smiled nonchalantly and subtly put a period at the end of the status window text.

Resolving never to write another review again.

“It’s just that… now that I’m really preparing to move out, there’s a lot on my mind.”

“Well, I suppose so.”

Mary sighed deeply and began pouring out her concerns.

How would I manage meals, laundry, cleaning? Could I even sleep alone when I flinched at the slightest noise? Her worries seemed endless.

“All you’ve ever done is use a fork and knife, my lady. How will you manage…?”

“Then just stop by now and then to check if I’m dead or alive.”

I answered playfully, and Mary held her head in disbelief.

“Sometimes I think you’re just too carefree, my lady.”

“Me?”

“Either that, or you’re incredibly optimistic. You’re practically walking out with nothing. Aren’t you scared? Maybe you should reconsider and talk to the Count…”

“Ugh, no thanks. That’s all over and done with. And Mary, I actually know how to do quite a lot.”

I smiled confidently.

Mary just didn’t know—but in the real world, I had serious solo-living experience.

Some even said I could survive being stranded on a deserted island.

Besides, I had no intention of living under the Count and Countess’s abuse any longer. Even if they begged me to stay, I’d leave.

So, while I appreciated Mary’s concern, it wasn’t necessary.

A few days later, as I was finishing packing, Count Hargreaves summoned me.

It worked out perfectly, since I’d been meaning to ask him about the dowry.

I rushed to the drawing room like a bullet.

He was already there, and I quickly took a seat before him.

I waited for him to speak first, but the Count had his eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought, and said nothing for a while.

“You seem to have made up your mind. You’ve packed everything already.”

“I even signed a contract.”

I replied casually, but the Count narrowed one eye, surprised.

He seemed baffled that I could be so calm while preparing to move out from a luxurious, safe life in a grand mansion, embarking on my first-ever independent life.

“Speaking of which, when will the dowry be given? I need to pay my deposit.”

“You’ve already found a place?”

“Yes. I asked Mr. Knox for help—somewhere relatively safe for a woman living alone.”

“……”

His brows twitched at the words ‘a woman living alone.’

According to Mary, the Countess had sobbed to him just yesterday, begging him not to let me go alone—what if something happened to me?

Wouldn’t that shame the family?

And apparently, the Count had remained silent at the time. Judging by his expression now, he seemed anxious after all.

“Here, take this.”

After much deliberation, the Count finally handed me a stack of promissory notes.

I grabbed them at once.

“……”

But they weren’t what I expected.

The payment dates were later than I anticipated, and the sum was split into multiple payments spread over time.

Are you kidding me? I have a deposit to pay and investments to make. I need a lump sum!

This was a major issue. My future depended on it—I couldn’t just let it slide.

I lifted my head to confront him, but then—

Ding-dong—

A status window popped up.

The interruption at such a critical moment made my irritation boil over. But something was wrong.

Unlike usual, the window flickered, making odd static noises, going blurry and clear repeatedly.

<SYSTEM> To our dedicated player striving for the game’s betterment—thank you so much.

Your passionate interest and support have deeply moved us.

We’ve actively reflected your feedback into the game.

Get ready for a new update just for you.

Updating… Please wait.
[…Uploading 27%]

What? When did I ever show passion or support?

And what feedback? What exactly did you reflect?

I scoured my memory in confusion but came up blank.

Still, the upload continued steadily, reaching 100%, and a new pink-tinted status window appeared.

<SYSTEM> Siena Hargreaves has become a Hidden Heroine.

A new scenario just for you is beginning.

My mind blanked for a moment, then snapped back.

Hidden Heroine? A scenario just for me?

I didn’t understand a word, but my instincts screamed that accepting this would be a disaster.

Decline—how do I decline? End? Exit? Isn’t there any button I can press?!

…There wasn’t.

No matter how wide I opened my eyes or how frantically I looked, there was nothing.

If I become the protagonist… if the scenario begins… what happens to me?

Would I, like before as Siena, lose control over my actions and speech?

If I was forced to choose from pre-set dialogue and actions again, that would be even worse.

There was so much I didn’t know, and this damn system gave no explanations and was horribly unfriendly.

What is this?

I spotted a small question mark symbol under the window.

Clicking it immediately opened a new window, scrolling out tiny text.

<HELP> The *Siena Hargreaves* scenario is a newly created Hidden Track, exclusive to VIP players.

The goal remains the same: to romance the male lead.

Increase his affection to clear the game.

The male lead’s profile has been updated to match your preferences.

Tap the silver lock icon to check his status.

(etc.)

Like a typical game manual—useless unless you’re already stuck.

Completely irrelevant to my current crisis.

I stared blankly, then clutched my head and curled up.

“This is insane. How can they do this?”

“What? Are you saying the amount isn’t enough?”

The Count’s voice sounded distant, like it was echoing from far away.

But I couldn’t even respond.

“Still, there’s nothing we can do. Even if Mr. Knox is helping you…”

“Ugh… I’m screwed.”

“How much were you expecting, exactly?”

Just then, the status window blinked and began updating with new content.

Maybe—just maybe—it would have something useful.

Fueled by desperate hope, I snapped my head up.

The Count flinched at my sudden movement, but whatever he thought, I didn’t have the mental space to care.

<HELP_Addition>

This scenario was made solely for you, incorporating your direct feedback.

First: Dialogue and action freedom has been guaranteed.

We’ve listened to complaints about childish lines and unrealistic actions. This new system allows full autonomy.

Now, all your words and actions will affect the male lead’s affection level. Choose wisely.

Second: Various missions have been added.

You will now encounter the male lead in different situations and spend time with him. Explore new locations and enjoy rich event content.

Fun up! Danger up!

Ha. I hadn’t even finished reading it, and it already made me feel sick.

So they made me the protagonist, based on everything I just said?

And I’m supposed to feel grateful?

Even I could feel how my eyes were blazing, glaring straight through the screen.

What I really wanted… was to get out of this game.

Why won’t you acknowledge that? Are you messing with me?!

As fury surged and I clenched my fists tightly—

The status window flipped to the next page.