As a Reincarnated NPC, I Want to Live a Peaceful Life

Stepping into the narrow alley paved with dark tiles, I noted how the meticulously laid stones were marred by grime along the edges. Tall, imposing buildings flanked both sides, their thick wooden walls adorned only with a few dust-covered, intricately carved windows.

I didn’t linger on the details. Instead, I treated this like a sprint, charging forward like a crazed horse with two “pine trees” slung over my shoulders. Later, I’d wonder—Was I an idiot? Why run? The alley wasn’t crowded, nor was it particularly long. A little further, and we’d reach another street.

“Mmm… Hah—Huh? Miss Hazuki? Woah—!” Nats, jostled awake by the violent movement, let out a confused yelp. I pinched her hard—not out of spite, just to make sure she was fully conscious.

Once she’d gathered her bearings, she blinked at our new surroundings, then relaxed upon seeing me. Had she thought it was all a dream? What kind of dream? I set her down and scanned the alley silently.

The narrow passage branched into smaller paths between rows of buildings. By day, it was a spot for locals to chat; by night, it likely transformed into a black market—or so the system hinted.

“Miss Hazu—cough… Hazuki, are we… here?” Nats asked, her pleading eyes begging for reassurance. Hey, I didn’t kidnap you!

When I confirmed we were in [Malletus], she exhaled in relief, as if home were now within reach. Not wanting to crush her hope, I kept the bad news to myself: stranded on [Central Avenue], we had no transportation, no money. Nats might’ve had status, but her pockets were empty.

I glanced at her sister’s corpse. Undeniably, it was dead weight—

But Nats insisted on bringing it back for a proper burial. Seriously, I’m human, not a god. I can’t lug around a corpse and a liability forever.

“Nats, do you have any money?” Even knowing the answer, I asked. Worth a shot, right?

“Yes! I always tuck away spare coins in my dress—you know, the ones that seem useless.” She immediately began patting herself down, occasionally lifting her clothes. Flustered, I looked away.

Soon, she produced seven or eight gold coins.

My eyes widened. After counting them twice—eight gold pieces—relief washed over me. Gold was the second-highest currency after magic stones. Even with meals accounted for, this could cover two nights at an inn… maybe.

Unbelievable. Who just stuffs spare gold into their clothes? Still, thank goodness for Nats’ quirks—they’d saved us.

I took two coins and handed the rest back to her. Better she kept them; she’d guard them more carefully.

“Nats, stay here with your sister. Don’t move. I’ll find someone to take us to [Cloverot]. Once we’re there, it’s smooth sailing.”

She nodded, clutching her sister’s body tightly at the alley’s end, like a kitten guarding its meal. I told myself I didn’t care, yet glanced back multiple times as I left.

Was I… worried about her? Me, worrying about someone who’d been a stranger barely a day ago?

Shaking my head, I pushed the thought aside—

The next alley was different—packed with NPCs and players chatting, though their conversations reeked of shady deals. My sudden appearance drew stares from all directions: balconies, windows, even the next street over.

Unnerved, I ignored them and strode forward—

“Hey there, little girl. You’re adorable.” A player—a unle—called out. Instinct screamed danger. I pretended not to hear… until a hand gripped my left shoulder.

“Eek—!” The sound escaped before I could stop it, my cheeks burning. Turning, I saw a masked man in black leather, exuding a faux-gentleman vibe.

“Ooooh!” The crowd erupted, as if I were some exotic pet.

“Such a cute voice!” “Wish my wife sounded like that.” “How old are you, sweetie?” “Come to my place?”

Overwhelmed, I twisted free and bolted—

If I weren’t so patient, everyone here—no, the entire alley—would’ve been reduced to rubble. Sure, the knights would hunt me down, but by then, I wouldn’t care. Bloodshed would be inevitable—

But alas, I wasn’t that heartless. Then, a hand hooked my shoulder again.

“Don’t rush off, little girl. We’re not done.” The uncle leaned in, his face uncomfortably close.

“I’m 13, sir. And I’m in a hurry—mmph?!”* Before I could sidestep, he shoved me against the wall, hands pinning my shoulders.

Shock morphed into terror. My limbs trembled; my earlier bloodlust vanished. What’s wrong with me? Was this… fear?

“Ooooh!” The crowd cheered him on. Emboldened, his hands wandered from my head to my back—

“S-Stop it, you creep!”

“Heh! The more you resist, the more fun this is!”

My vision blurred. Was this a nightmare? Is this how girls in those comics felt—helpless, terrified? My chest tightened; my arms went limp—

…..

Precision: B ▶▶ F
Willpower: A ▶▶ F
Companion: Princess of Cloverot—Nats S. Laura | Status: Waiting
Debuff Acquired: [Mental Fatigue LV.2]—1h 32m

…..

I didn’t know what he’d done, but in those ten seconds, I could’ve killed him a thousand times over… yet I couldn’t move. My will crumbled; my struggles were futile.

I wanted to scream, but no sound came—

Then, blood splattered. The uncle collapsed, half his skull caved in. I knew I should stand, but my body refused.

My ears rang. Every sound amplified into a deafening roar. Nausea and pain surged—

“You… okay…?” A voice, distant and garbled.

Through the haze, I glimpsed a figure—long black hair, an archer’s garb, an iron bow strapped to her back. I gagged, though my empty stomach offered nothing. Then, I collapsed into her arms. The two gold coins slipped from my grip, my fingers twitching weakly toward them.

Nats… the carriage… the coins… What do I do? I tried to rally, but my mind was mush—

Footsteps thudded away. Relief flickered. I tried to push free from my rescuer, but my weak squirm barely moved me an inch before she pulled me back.

Wait, if she’s a good Samaritan, shouldn’t she set me down to recover?

“Told you not to run ahead. Now look at you.” A glasses-wearing girl rushed over, handing the archer a bandage roll. “Use this to stop the bleeding and restore HP.”

“Pfft. If I hadn’t acted, this cutie would’ve been violated. She should thank me.” The black-haired archer smirked, saliva nearly dripping as she stared at me.

“You two—wait up! This isn’t a safe area. Pissing off those guys just tanked our NPC reputation! …Wait, isn’t this that girl from earlier? What’re you planning?”

“Don’t look at me. Ask Beatrice. I’m not handing her to the guards—look how pitiful she is.”

“Me? Hehe… I’ll just turn her into my pet~ Kidding! …Mostly.”

They carried me to another street in [Malletus]—quieter, patrolled by silver guards. A residential area. The trio shared a place; frugality knew no bounds.

By their words, they were good people. But where were they taking me? Too drained to think, I succumbed to darkness.

Only one sensation remained: absolute relaxation…

……

Brown ceiling. Elegant wallpaper. A room straight out of a cozy home. Curtains fluttered gently in my blurry vision.

What… happened? The alley. The uncle. Then—blackout. Not a dream?

Confirming my body had recovered, I sat up. The room was modest, unmistakably feminine—purple shelves, a desk, the bed I’d been lying on. Books crammed every surface.

I picked one up. The title nearly knocked me out cold: Claim Her Entirely. Others followed: My Affairs With the Girl Next Door, Lust X Domain. I flung it away, hugging myself, heart pounding.

What kind of pervert lives here?! Just as one crisis ended, another began. Maybe I’m overreacting. I’ll just peek outside—

The door burst open. The black-haired archer—Beatrice—lunged onto the bed, pinning me down. Her hands roamed under my clothes, tickling mercilessly until I giggled, cheeks flushed.

“Oh? You’re awake!” She abruptly stopped, sitting primly as if she hadn’t just molested me. Where’d that audacity go?

Straightening my clothes, I bowed deeply. No matter how creepy, she saved me.

“Thank you for saving me. I’m deeply grateful.”

[Affection Calculation: 0 ▶▶ 0]

Like any proper NPC, I expressed thanks, then turned to leave—all in ten seconds. Beatrice sat frozen, barely managing a dumbfounded “Oh.”

Guess she didn’t expect her prey to walk out so easily.

“Wait, no— Ugh! She just left? I was gonna gift her stuff for affection points!” Her frustrated groan followed me out.

Listening from the hallway, I confirmed they were good Samaritans. Relieved, I stepped outside—

Wait, where am I? *[Baker Street]? Not *[Central Avenue]?

Panicking at the street sign, I realized this was a different area—patrolled heavily by silver guards. With few pedestrians around, a squad spotted me instantly.

“Hey, kid. Get home. There’s been a riot. We can’t protect you if you get hurt.”

Shoved aside, I retreated to the building’s edge, scowling at the guard-infested street.

“Little one~ Stuck because of the guards? Come hide with me!”

A sickly sweet voice called from behind. I didn’t even turn—just bolted across the road into another alley. Another dashed hope for Beatrice.

“She’s gone, Beatrice. Give up.”

“…Tch. Should’ve branded her with a [Oath Contract]—OW!”

“Don’t even think about it. Get inside.”

…..

“When will Miss Hazuki return…? Her skin, her face—so perfect. If only I could be like her… kind and strong.” Nats rolled on the ground, murmuring to herself before turning to her sister’s body. “Right, Sister? I’ll bring you home… let you rest… If only Miss Hazuki would help… She didn’t hesitate to save strangers like us…”

She had such power, yet hid it to spare my fear. Hazuki Jurin—so gentle, so selfless. She could’ve abandoned me, returned to her quiet life.

But to her, I was just dead weight. Maybe… leaving would be better. Alone, she could make it back to her village.

I’m just a burden. I should go.