Chapter: 254
<…I just don’t get it. With your skills, there’s no way you could block that, right?>
After bouncing off the sword swung by the skeleton, a moment later, Grandpa mumbled softly.
He was right. Normally, I wouldn’t be able to block that attack.
The only reason I could parry this time was that this was a trial.
If I hadn’t ingrained the timing of the skeleton’s attack into my body…
If it hadn’t given me a chance to adjust my posture every time it attacked…
If it hadn’t shown its preparations ostentatiously…
I would have crumbled helplessly in front of the skeleton.
So this is an extraordinary conduct possible only because it exists within the system.
Even if I could do something similar in real combat, the aftermath would be a girl trembling in fear with her shield shattered.
‘It’s a miracle, isn’t it?’
[Was it the divine protection of God?]
Knowing him, I attributed the achievement of this event to the Shoddy God. No matter how ridiculous it sounds, if the name of a God is involved, it becomes persuasive.
[By the way, young lady, there's one thing I’d like to ask.]
‘Yes?’
[Didn’t you just call me Grandpa?]
‘…Huh? What do you mean?’
Oh come on, Grandpa. How could I call you that? I mean, you’re like my mentor!
[Oh ho. Did you think I didn’t hear that?]
You didn’t seriously hear it, did you?! Wasn’t I overwhelmed by that miraculous scene and blurting things out?!
Damn it! If you heard me, just say so!
‘I’m sorry!’
Maybe it’s because of the Mesugaki Skill making my mind exhilarated, but I blurted that out! I’m so sorry!
Not making some useless excuses, I offered a sincere apology, and Grandpa chuckled.
What’s with that? He’s not mad?
[Well then, it seems this time the young lady made a mistake, right?]
‘Uhh… right?’
[And just a moment ago, I made a mistake?]
Ah. Ahhh.
[So I shouldn’t receive any punishment for that?]
You were actually still worried about that, huh?!
[Recently, it’s called “fair play.” Do you agree?]
‘Fair play is not really a recent term.’
[Anyway!]
Phew. I’m glad I threatened him at the beginning. Thanks to that, I managed to escape the situation successfully.
Otherwise, surely Grandpa would have started an endless lecture or one of those hellish trainings. Maybe both would have come at once.
The mental intrusion from the Mesugaki Skill seems to have intensified. No matter how exhilarated I get, I’ve never made a slip of the tongue in front of Grandpa.
This isn’t a good sign.
If I’m not careful, I might become someone who genuinely says, “Shoddy, trashy loser♡ Did you really think I could win?♡ Did you think I’d cry and say ‘I’m soooo sorry’?♡ Hahaha!♡ What a pity~♡ If I were just a bit stronger, I could have broken a nail or two!♡”
…
Haven’t I said something similar recently?
I think I babbled like that under the pretext of provoking an opponent.
Oh wait.
Am I already at a state where I’ve been thoroughly consumed?
“Outstanding,” came a voice as I nervously bit my lip.
It was the skeleton.
Just a moment ago, he had swung his sword with some sincerity; now, he spoke with a soft tone, as if the trial was nothing more than a trial.
“I cannot overlook your skill. Congratulations. You have passed the trial.”
‘Thank you, Garad-nim.’
“Why the hell are you acting as if you’re better even though you got trounced? Ah, is your pride in tatters that you’re trying to win the mental battle? Sorry, Hero-nim~ I didn’t know better~”
I could see the skeleton’s hand shaking. It wasn’t that he was calmed down; he was desperately trying to hide his anger.
If I push a little further, it feels like he might genuinely swing his sword at me. Better keep quiet.
“…Here’s your reward from the trial. Ankirda.”
I looked at the shield the skeleton presented.
A shield that, despite hundreds of years, still kept its pristine whiteness.
The moment I saw it, my mouth turned upward, and I couldn’t help but smile.
When I first arrived in this world, I was just a little brat who didn’t understand the value of weaponry.
With the knowledge from the game, I could tell it was something impressive, but I lacked the ability to assess the real deal.
I had never touched something that looked like a real weapon in my life back in modern times.
But I’m different now.
After possessing this body for a year, I’ve swung the mace countless times and blocked countless attacks with a shield. Just by looking at it, I could understand the value of the weaponry.
That shield named Ankir is the weapon all wielders of shields hope for and yearn for.
As soon as I took it from the skeleton, I could feel my inner divine essence becoming even purer.
The weapon bestowed by God’s messenger was elevating my worth.
Hmm. A mithril shield. Want to take a short rest in the inventory?
I’ve worked hard up until now, so it deserves a break.
I have absolutely no intentions of abandoning you!
Got that? Just take a short rest, okay?
Though I was fond of the now-lost mithril shield, I casually tossed it into the inventory and tried on Ankir.
Then, the size of the shield automatically adjusted to what I envisioned as an ideal size.
Whoa! Now this is what a divine weapon should feel like! Yes!
It has the right amount of weight.
The feel when holding the grip is excellent.
There’s not a single part that hinders movement.
And above all, the divinity transmits perfectly!
Completely different from when I held that trashy mithril shield!
With this, I should be able to successfully recreate Grandpa’s techniques, right?
Ah. What should I do?
I want to use this in real combat as soon as possible.
I want to face an attack that truly tries to smash me.
As I was overwhelmed by how much I liked Ankir, the skeleton spoke, smiling.
“Blessed one. If it’s you, you, my friend, Karon’s various trials, you will certainly surpass. If you find me, do make an attempt. It may not be as good as the so-called Holy Knight’s weapon you’re holding, but it should still be valuable items.”
I know that too. So-called Holy Knight? You’re talking about Grandpa, right?
[You bastard with only talent for seducing women, what are you saying now? Even though I guarded your dark history as a friend, it seems I can’t have mercy! Young lady! Provocations! You must provoke!]
‘…I don’t really want to die, you know.’
I don’t know what that dark history is, but mentioning it feels like I might actually get stabbed!
“I hope blessings accompany your journey.”
The skeleton, believing himself to be Garad, gave a neat farewell before turning again.
Just as soon as he sat down, the skeleton crumbled alongside him, and the creaking sound made the door open again.
Thus, the trial was over.
– Ding!
[You have cleared the trial left by the hero!]
[You have succeeded in achieving a great feat!]
[Rewards will be provided!]
When I heard the sound of the incoming message, I tensed up for a moment, but thankfully, it wasn’t from the Evil God.
Phew. Shoddy God! If you’re gonna give me a reward, can you do it after I get out of here?!
Do you have any idea how scary it is when that dinging sound goes off?!
I can’t complain about getting a reward, but can you be more careful next time?!
By the way, a reward? Just having Ankir in my hands is already a sufficient reward. Are they giving me something else on top of that?
It can’t be anything huge. Just a stat boost like when I overcame Luca’s trial.
[Reward: s#^#^#$%@!$%%]
…Huh?
Wait.
Hold on.
I’ve seen this before.
I’ve definitely seen this before.
When I was tackling Menestel last time.
Right at that moment when the Evil God was blocking my escape from the dungeon.
The message window got corrupted back then.
So, what this means now is…
A warning that the Evil God will intervene.
My guess wasn’t wrong.
As the strange text emerged once again, suddenly black text appeared in the message window.
[The night is the hour of darkness. The underground shall be a place of darkness.]
[You shall be consumed by darkness.]
The message window scattered, and soon after, the dim light remaining in the underground space was plunged into a complete darkness that not even a step ahead could be seen.
A laugh escaped my lips.
Did you know I was onto the truth of the Burrow Ducal family? I thought I’d done a pretty good job, but it seems I was wrong.
[Young lady.]
The voice of Grandpa calling me was different from before, now filled with seriousness.
This wasn’t an absurd Grandpa but rather a serious talk from the hero, Ruel.
A seriousness seeped into my heart as well.
[Light, shine.]
‘Yes.’
I infused my divine essence into Ankir.
Having further enriched my Apostle’s divinity as I overcame the trial.
Immediately, a light emanated from the pristine shield, radiating warmth like the sun around me.
One step.
And then another step.
As the light pushed back the retreating darkness, I realized this was the power held by Ankir.
A force that drives away corruption.
With the room undergoing the trial brightening up like midday, I regained the senses the world had lost.
“…Oh.”
“Have you finally come to your senses, sloppy junior?”
The revealed sight showed Luca, who was about to swing a dagger at us, and Karl, who was blocking him.
This was one of the annoying aspects of tackling a dungeon related to the God of Darkness. If you fail to resist, you get devoured just like that.
As the corruption fled, the recovering Luca blinked rapidly and hastily sheathed his weapon.
“What’s going on?”
‘It’s a plot by the Evil God of Darkness.’
“An insidious pervert plotted this. Controlling a girl’s body to do who knows what. It’s disgusting and bad for my health.”
But that’s strange. Considering the meager power Tariki possesses and Luca is at a considerable strength level, it should be normal for him to resist against this.
What kind of sins is that guy carrying around?
If I leave him alone, he might go berserk again, so I took Luca’s hand and invoked Armadi’s touch.
With Ankir in my possession now, I could drive out the energy that hadn’t seeped in.
Did he feel the divinity transmitted through my hand? Luca gazed at me blankly before deeply bowing his head.
“Thank you, young lady.”
I couldn’t respond to that. The moment I tried to reply, a new message popped up in front of me.
[A new quest has been issued!]
[Escape!]
[The Evil God has seized control of the dungeon using his powers! Escape from here!]
[Reward: ???]
He didn’t just do his usual antics. He actually seized control of the dungeon?!
Was I that displeasing to him?
Using whatever meager power he had to carry out such mischief.
But still, you know, if you’re gonna do this, you should have done it earlier. You dumbass.
Trying to pull off a scheme after I’ve got Ankir in my hands makes no sense at all!
Oh. Could it be that you heard me say I wanted a place to use my shield and made a wish?
Whoa! So the God of Darkness isn’t just some Evil God, huh? How gracious of you!
In return for my gratitude, let me show you something fun.
It’ll be a circus where all your prepared traps shatter easily!
You’ll be so entertained you’ll be grumbling without realizing it. Look forward to it!
As I recalled the map of this maze and drew my spear, suddenly, Karl clutched his chest.
“Ugh! Young lady! I think I’ve been infected by the Evil God’s energy!”
My gaze toward him narrowed.
His tone wasn’t rigid.
His gestures weren’t awkward.
It was clear to anyone that he was just putting on an act.
What’s more grim is that it’s obvious what his intentions were.
Was he that jealous of the fact that I purified Luca’s hand, you perverted trash?!
‘I feel seriously disgusted.’
“Seriously disgusted.”
“That is!”
At my earnest remark, Karl’s body toppled forward.
Hah. I really have no idea what to do with him.
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