Chapter: 31
Anti-rule. A somewhat divisive system that extracts rewards from the loser.
Originally, bets had to be placed before the start.
Given that I’m a monster and applying my personal traits, I slightly modified the penalties for dying to mobs and imposed them here.
– Random items in possession
– 10% of total experience
– 10% of total HP
– 10% of total MP
– 10% of total STR
– 10% of total INT
– 10% of total VIT
·
·
·
‘You can just automatically get experience points by hunting anyway.’
The choice is definitely among the stats.
Since I have to choose two, items catch my eye as well. However, there’s a high chance they’ll be job-restricted gear, and even if they aren’t, since they were stolen in the first place, using or disposing of them is a hassle.
They’ll just rot away in my inventory window. Essentially, that’s me throwing away an option.
“Why… isn’t this ending…?”
Ah!
I was so caught up in my delightful thoughts that I forgot Derek was lying right next to me.
The onlookers were all wondering why he hadn’t come out yet. If this dragged on any longer, I’d surely draw suspicion.
‘Select MP and AGI (Movement Speed).’
I did have my doubts, but the answer had practically been decided from the outset.
INT is a stat for magicians that I don’t use, so I excluded it. Next, I picked the highest MP and the speed that would drink up the most stats.
‘I hope the next victim is a warrior.’
I had to move quickly before rumors spread.
*
It was a very rewarding event.
Since my original stats were so pathetic, my STR shot up by more than three times, and the rest of the results were sufficiently satisfying.
It’s not just about my growth; it’s more enjoyable because I get to take from the people I find obnoxious first. It felt like the soul of a fallen gamer was being revived.
“Oh, hello. Child…!”
“Oh, yes. Hello. I’d like to participate in the S-rank promotion exam.”
The day after the event ended and the cleanup was finished, I visited the guild to apply for participation.
The title of S-rank adventurer isn’t just about having the right to enter the imperial palace for personal business; it’s also a sweet deal with special privileges, including priority access to newly created dungeons.
The timing couldn’t be better. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that this incident wasn’t a mere coincidence.
“Ohhh… A party made entirely of A-rank members, all taking the S-rank exam at the same time.”
“Isn’t this the first time something like this has happened?”
The recent activities have been so impactful that, even aside from the S-rank promotion exam itself, interest was running high.
Even when rumors circulated that Maria was accompanying some suspicious fellow, the buzz didn’t reach this level.
“Y-yes! Just fill out this application form for me, please!”
On the flip side, our now-perturbed receptionist, Sally, looked like a bundle of nerves.
Because she’s not an adventurer, she likely doesn’t care whether you thrashed an academy professor or schooled a troublesome adventurer.
Moreover, since she was the one who clued me into becoming an object last time, it’s understandable she’s finding this uncomfortable. Her face was practically dripping with guilt.
“Oh, my child.”
“Yes?”
“The S-rank promotion exam hasn’t changed much since 100 years ago…!”
“Uhh… Thank you…?”
I wanted to confirm this anyway, but what’s with the sudden revelation?
Could it be I caused a mess on a quiz show filled with only ancient questions? Did you think my knowledge has stagnated since then?
I’m not sure why, but I feel grateful for the customer service.
“More importantly, Ms. Sally, I have something important to share. If it’s not too much trouble, could I have a word with you…?”
“You two, don’t stick too close now…!”
Ah! Ahem! “The master lacks a mouth, so he can’t even blow air into his ears!”
I was wrestling with a desire to sneak in a request while riding this wave. I should’ve given a heads up, but now I seemed to be drawing more attention.
I had no choice but to hug Maria in front of me and whisper my request.
“Hmph.”
“Ms. Sally, this branch handles the exam’s preliminary events, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. We’ll pick one.”
“Isn’t it you, Ms. Sally, attending with the Master? You seem to be the most senior receptionist here.”
“Yes. I will be going.”
As expected. I figured this out long before when I happened to notice her barging into conversations with the Master or sneaking off during events to rest.
It’s definitely not the vibe of someone slacking off. It’s the fruit of hard work poured over many hours.
“That’s great. So, could I maybe ask for a small favor?”
“Yes, of course…!”
“When it’s Sally’s turn, if number 8 hasn’t been picked yet, could you choose that?”
“Number 8…? Not number 10?”
Sally, who was ready to say yes right away, responded with surprise.
Event number 8 in the preliminary round was famously notorious for being the elimination point for the S-rank promotion exam.
“Yes, number 8.”
But the S-rank promotion exam isn’t like a mere certificate you can pass by just showing up.
Even if you make it to the end, if you didn’t perform, you fail. Conversely, if you disqualify early but show aptitude, you pass.
Of course, everyone would wish for an easy number 10, expecting it to be safe, given that if you fail the preliminaries, it means nothing. It seems most people hope for number 10 to be selected.
But if I’m set to pass regardless, it’s only right to aim to leave with some kind of impact.
“Yes… I’ll go with number 8.”
“Thank you.”
Having the most senior receptionist pull strings made everything so much easier.
Maria nodded her head in approval, a little shy-like.
“We’ll be heading out now.”
“Oh, by the way, my lord.”
“Yes?”
“I heard some adventurers have been experiencing a peculiar phenomenon where their stats have been dropping since yesterday…”
“Goodness, that sounds like a big deal. It’s likely tied to their livelihoods.”
“Well, it’s been reported that everyone who trained with you has ended up like that…”
“Who knows? Maria and Astrea didn’t have any issues.”
“Yeah, Maria’s all good!”
“Maybe those guys ate something weird?”
Um…?
With Sally’s questioning coming to a stop, I confidently stepped out of the guild building. No need to worry about this blowing up into a major issue.
They’re all just sore losers who tried to pick on me and got their comeuppance. Meanwhile, my reputation is on the rise!
Whispers of grudge-holding or behaving ugly in defeat? The folks around will surely keep things quiet for me. Time to head home.
*
Thus, the plan was set in motion.
Sally’s gonna captivate everyone’s attention as she triumphantly overcomes the colorful event she selected.
Should they attempt to hamstring her in the first round of the subjugation battle, it’d be a good opportunity for me to show off some extra skills. If not, it’s a free pass, so that’s good too.
In the final round—the individual martial arts match—I trust my party will do well. No need to worry just yet; it’s best for me to take the first step.
’One of us just has to make it through!’
What’s needed is not the position itself, but the byproducts that follow.
We trust each other and participated in this exam out of loyalty, but let’s not pile unnecessary pressure on them.
“Finally, just Maria and my brother. Just the two of us, being all lovey-dovey…”
“Am I not even counted?”
“My sister’s outside pulling weeds.”
Instead of rushing straight into leveling up, I thought it best to take a short break.
Although I had fun just recently, there’s a difference in relaxing like this.
Ding dong— Ding dong—
“Oof…”
“Was someone coming?”
“No idea. Maria made sure the peddler wouldn’t come.”
“Did she really convince him well?”
“Brother, let’s head down with Maria!”
“Did she REALLY convince him well?”
Since this world lacks any system that would classify minors as delinquents, I figured it’d be best to trust Maria and headed downstairs with her.
Huh? That person?
As I stepped outside, a familiar pink ponytail caught my eye between the iron bars of the front gate.
The purpose of their visit was unclear. Given that she came alone and didn’t break in, it didn’t seem like she was here to seize anything. That made it all the more mysterious.
Creeeak—
“Hello, it’s been a while…! I’m sorry for dropping in so suddenly. I didn’t know where else to go…”
“…Who are you?”
I must’ve mistaken her for someone else. To be fair, it was odd for that knight-like girl to be in regular clothes.
Is there a pink-haired girl out there around Astrea’s age and with a similar bust size?
Could she be a sister or an older sibling? If I let go of my biases and intellect, there’s even a chance she could be a male sibling.
“It’s me, Izuri! Captain of the Imperial 4th Knights! We met once before, remember?”
“Impersonating a Knight Commander is a serious crime that could lead to execution. Right now, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that, so be honest…”
“Seriously, it’s me! Here, I have the royal knight’s seal, only possessed by the captain!”
What I had half-heartedly conspicuously suspected got chucked into the trash can by solid proof. Yet, at the same time, my gaze narrowed.
So she’s that girl? The one so dedicated to upholding imperial etiquette that even I stumbled over?
“You’ve changed quite a bit since last time…”
“No, a lot has changed, actually.”
As I observed Izuri scratching her neck and chuckling, I felt a strange cognitive dissonance wash over me, making me a bit dizzy.
Astrea wasn’t even a concept fool; there was a true concept fool here.
Wait, does this gap even make sense when speaking of the distinction between public and private? It felt like a completely different person.
“…First, please come inside.”
“Thanks~”
I couldn’t even think of denying her entry.
If I kicked her out and she suddenly flipped back to Knight Izuri, I wouldn’t even know how to deal with that!
“Long time no see, Maria!”
“Yeah, long time, indeed.”
Meanwhile, Maria, showing no signs of unease, appeared completely unconcerned. I figured it was pretty much the same for Astrea, as this was their first encounter.
Today felt oddly lonely too.
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