Chapter 16: Temptation? Capture? Play Hard to Get?

—At Hundred Leaves Clinic, stealing is forbidden bad-girl behavior.

Facing this situation for the first time, Linux’s expression turned solemn as he carefully examined the system’s selection box.

The three options A, B, and C essentially represent three entirely different educational approaches.

As for their corresponding rewards, they all seem quite impressive—at least there are no cheap trinkets worth just a few dozen yen.

Option A’s [Millennium Eye] possesses a bug-level ability to see into people’s hearts.

Whether used to win over naive magical girls or to test the loyalty of one’s own kaijin, it has an unpretentiously miraculous effect.

Since Orange Sky City is a metropolis drowning in materialism, mastering the power of mind-reading equates to unlocking the true code to wealth. Even without committing any misdeeds, one could live an exceedingly affluent life.

It’s just that the mission requirement to “attack the magical girl until she’s covered in wounds” is far too harsh…

—Even if she’s a bad kid who steals, Linux doesn’t want her to suffer any harm.

In contrast, Option B seems much more feasible.

By capturing footage of the magical girl stealing with a phone and using it as blackmail, one could obtain the genuine [gargoyle mask].

After all, humans have their limits.

Even though his current identity is the Villain Boss, up to this point, he remains a fragile human being.

Just imagining wearing the gargoyle mask is thrilling enough.

As for Option C…

To be honest, the reward tied to this one is a bit perplexing to Linux.

“Demon Lair expansion—System, what exactly is my Demon Lair?”

[It’s this Hundred Leaves Clinic.]

[Any place where a Villain Boss resides becomes their exclusive Evil Demon Lair.]

[Small hint—Building your own Evil Demon Lair is a mandatory course for all Villain Bosses and can significantly increase survival time!]

“Oh, I see.”

With the [Evil Deeds Reward System]’s explanation, Linux clicked his tongue slightly.

In other words, as long as he makes the magical girl tearfully confess after being caught red-handed, the unlicensed black clinic he currently runs would magically gain a dungeon.

Although Linux has no intention of imprisoning anyone in it, a free underground space is, to be honest, incredibly tempting.

All things considered, the choice to make is already glaringly obvious.

“System, I choose C—catch the magical girl red-handed and make her tearfully reflect on her actions!”

Taking a deep breath, Linux responded with unwavering resolve in his heart.

“Silver White-chan… Did I misjudge you…?”

Watching the retreating figure of [Magical Girl Silver White], a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes.

—She could have just asked him for the Healing Elixir.

But instead, she chose the most pathetic option—theft.

Without a doubt, [Magical Girl Silver White], who dared to steal in the Demon Lair, was a complete and utter fool!

[Hey, let’s catch her red-handed right now~]

—The system girl eagerly egged him on, clearly relishing the drama.

However, Linux calmly shook his head and rejected the suggestion.

“My verdict? Better to play the long game.”

Instead of confronting her directly, he silently retreated, waiting outside the small storage room for the little mouse to walk right into his trap.

Sure enough—about three minutes later, Tachibana Asuka, finally mustering her resolve, stumbled out in a fluster.

“Eh… Eh?!!!”

The moment she stepped out, she came face-to-face with the Villain Boss.

Guilt-ridden, [Magical Girl Silver White] let out a startled squeak from the depths of her throat.

She immediately froze in place.

Panicking, she hid her hands behind her back, clutching the stolen elixir tightly, trying to conceal it with her petite frame.

—Her clumsy acting was practically a confession.

“U-U-U-Um… I-I’ve cleaned up the medicine prep station…! I-I’m clocking out now…!”

This was her first time being a bad girl, and the pure-hearted [Magical Girl Silver White] had zero experience lying.

Her words came out stuttered and unnatural to the extreme.

Trembling like a mouse cornered by a cat, her delicate body shivered uncontrollably.

Beneath her pink nurse uniform, her soft, snow-white skin was now slick with nervous sweat.

The sticky moisture gathered rapidly, fermenting at an unbelievable speed.

In the blink of an eye, the entire Hundred Leaves Clinic was filled with the scent of her flustered distress.

“V-Villain Boss… What are you planning to do to me… Ugh!!!”

As Linux suddenly leaned in, Tachibana Asuka was at a complete loss.

Standing stiffly, she allowed his nose to brush against her neck, inhaling deeply as if savoring her scent.

The warm, steamy fragrance that had been wafting around now concentrated in his nostrils, rushing straight to the depths of his brain.

“Hah, delicious~”

Linux closed his eyes, savoring the moment for a full minute.

—The scent of [Magical Girl Silver White] lying was utterly intoxicating.

“I-I’m ignoring you! I… I’m leaving now…!”

Utterly humiliated, Tachibana Asuka bit her lower lip, ready to bolt with the stolen elixir.

But Linux had no intention of letting her escape.

“Nurse Tachibana, you haven’t collected your wages for today’s shift yet.”

Pretending to be oblivious to her theft, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope, offering it to her solemnly.

“Here’s your 2,000 yen for today’s work. Take it.”

“Eh…?”

Tachibana Asuka blinked in surprise.

Even though she’d slept in until 3 PM, she was still getting 2,000 yen—almost as much as she’d earn in a full day at a convenience store.

As the righteous and flawless [Magical Girl Silver White], she wanted to refuse.

But the Villain Boss was offering too much!

—With this money, she could at least cover food for herself and her sister for the next three days.

After a moment of hesitation, she freed her right hand and timidly accepted the envelope.

There was no doubt—once again, she was being spoiled by the Villain Boss!

“Thank you…”

Tachibana Asuka lowered her head, too ashamed to meet his gaze.

The guilt of still clutching the stolen elixir in her left hand weighed heavily on her.

But there was no turning back now.

For her sister, she had to see this through to the end.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

Playing his long game, Linux picked up a shopping bag by the wall and held it out to the flustered girl.

—The elegant pink lettering of [White Rose Bride] adorned the bag, exuding undeniable class.

“I dug this out of the trash myself. Believe it or not.”

“Ah…!”

At this point, the girl’s expression was pure shock.

In truth, both of them knew exactly where this [White Rose Bride] set had come from.

But Tachibana Asuka never expected him to return it to her this quickly.

The same gift, given twice in just one day.

—This was downright cheating!

“Anyway, don’t throw away my gifts again, [Magical Girl Silver White], or you’ll regret it.”

As punishment for secretly returning it, Linux flicked her forehead lightly—just enough to sting, not hurt.

“Nya~”

The petite girl let out an involuntary, kitten-like squeak, unbearably adorable.

—The same frilly lolita dress, gifted twice by the Villain Boss.

The surprise hadn’t dulled—if anything, it hit even harder.

Her heart was now overflowing with flustered sweetness.

“O-Okay… Next time we go out… I’ll wear it for you… Just for you…”

Having fully accepted the Villain Boss’s kindness, the supposedly righteous [Magical Girl Silver White] turned her face away shyly.

But Linux’s next words sent a tremor through her body.

“—Then you should accept gifts with both hands. That’s basic manners, you know~”

“Eh?!”

The stolen elixir was still clutched in her left hand behind her back—Tachibana Asuka had walked right into his trap.

And now, it was time to spring it.