Chapter: 365
Before the commotion could escalate, I successfully slipped out of the arena and returned to my accommodation.
I needed to change my armor and take my time to check the rewards I received.
Status window. What a magnificent resonance it is.
If someone possessed by a game were to see it, they’d surely feel entitled to check their growth through the status window, so why must I feel grateful just to look at mine once?
A complicated feeling emerged, but thinking about how rare it was to have access to the status window, I took a deep breath and closed the door.
Phew. I wonder how much I’ve grown. Considering the physical abilities I’m feeling right now, it should be pretty significant.
Trying to calm my racing heart, I sat down at my desk, unfolded some paper to jot down what I had in mind, and opened the status window.
Bang!
“Lucy! Our baaaaaby! This papa totally knew you’d win!”
Benedict burst through the door just before it could close, wrapping me in his massive arms.
He went on and on about how proud he was, how he didn’t know how to express it, and then worried aloud about what would happen if I ever left his embrace. He even insisted that I should toast to this.
Watching Benedict rambling non-stop, complaints bubbled up inside me, but sadly, I couldn’t get a word out. I was physically being smothered, and my voice just wouldn’t cooperate.
Feeling like I might genuinely suffocate, I desperately tapped his arm, and only then did he loosen his grip.
“Sorry! Lucy! I was just so happy!”
Despite apologizing, Benedict couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. Was he really that happy about my win?
I could spit at that beaming face of his, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything bad against him now.
So, I stayed silent, and to my surprise, he hoisted me onto his shoulder.
“Let’s go for a toast, Lucy!”
‘But isn’t it a bad idea to step outside right now?!’
“Come on, silly father. I really don’t want to hear the dumb trash talk from those losers!”
We’d just caused a ruckus moments ago, and now you want to go out? How do you think people are going to look at me!?
I tried my best to shout in protest, but Benedict was having none of it.
“Haha! Don’t you worry about it!”
What’s up with this guy today! He just dealt with the chaos at the arena and now he’s acting clueless about the crowd’s mood!
Did he literally “solve” the problem by smashing it physically?! Is he planning to make me unable to speak!?
That just makes me want to go out even less! The looks from the crowd are gonna be unbearable!
I flailed about on Benedict’s shoulder, but there was no escaping his grip. Even now, having grown somewhat, I couldn’t hope to escape his vice-like grasp.
Ugh. Just you wait, Benedict. I’ll be stronger than you one day, and then you’ll have a taste of my recklessness!
Of course, there were ways. Just like last time, I could sink him with my words.
But, you know, considering how hard he worked to clean up the arena’s atmosphere, it felt wrong to just lash out at him.
But then again, I couldn’t help but recall how he’d looked so miserable and teary-eyed not long ago.
Anyway, dragged by Benedict onto the street, I prepared for the hostile gazes from the crowd, but surprisingly, the atmosphere outside was rather warm.
Strange. Given my earlier antics, it would be normal for even Benedict to get some murmurs of discontent, especially with him beside me.
But why is everyone looking at me with such cheerful expressions?
[Gah ha ha, this country really isn’t normal.]
‘…Why are you suddenly laughing?’
[Just listen to what the people around you are saying. You’ll get it naturally.]
The surroundings? Although I was puzzled by the old man’s words, I focused my divine senses towards my ears. Soon, the whispers of the crowd reached my ears.
“Did the angel deliver harsh words today again?”
“He’s a total perv who lost to a girl and couldn’t even retort!”
“Ha ha, typical angel comment right there.”
“This kid, and how they left without even listening to the crowd…”
“Is it true? Hah, such a shame with the mouth, but a whole lot of embarrassment.”
“Childish, but cute, huh?”
…What? What’s going on? Why are they laughing instead of cursing me after I caused mayhem? Are they the same type as that Clumsy Fox or the perverted Apostle?!
I hoped they were just weirdos, but when I turned my ear to another side, the reactions didn’t differ much.
“They’re nothing like the guys from Soladin. Clearly the daughter of Alrn.”
“A strong person should have that level of hubris. Uhm.”
“If she won in the arena at that age, then she should have that kind of spirit, right?”
That’s when I began to understand the benevolent looks directed at me. The prevalent culture of strong admiration in this Tersha Empire turned my arrogant attitude into the audacity of a strong person.
“I kind of wished she’d scolded them more, you know?”
“What kind of crazy talk is that?”
“I know it sounds weird! But…”
“Shut it. The Alrn Count will come after you, you know!”
…Not everyone thought that way, but so what?
Actually, it was significant. Hearing their gazes fixed on me, I couldn’t help but feel irritation swell up inside me.
“Lucy.”
Caught up in my thoughts, I was snapped back when Benedict called me with a smile.
“This city doesn’t know what you did before. They only judge based on what you showed in the arena.”
Only then did I realize what Benedict wanted to show me.
A world ignorant of past Lucy. People who evaluate me solely as I am.
Benedict must have wished for me to see this and move beyond my past. It was clear he hoped I would realize that if the road I walk now is right, the gazes of others could also reflect favor.
In his eyes, I might just be a child crushed by my past.
His wish strangely aligned with my own.
I always found myself at odds with people because of all the trouble Lucy had caused. I had to endure all kinds of ugly glances for things I didn’t even do.
So, this street that sees me purely as me should be a dream come true, and yet, oddly enough, I felt uncomfortable.
Why? I pondered from my spot on Benedict’s shoulder, but an answer didn’t come easily.
All I felt was a strange itch in my heart. Like that moment when someone insulted Lucy’s mother.
*
While visiting the most famous restaurant in Bardron Territory, I enjoyed meals with congratulatory wishes from both the staff and other customers.
No, enjoy is too strong a word. I had to cancel that. I realized this again when I demonstrated the strategy for the final exam dungeon: receiving praise from others makes my body twist awkwardly, and I don’t know what to do with myself. Thanks to that, Benedict ordered all sorts of expensive food, but I couldn’t truly enjoy any of it.
Anyway, after finishing the meal in that kind of atmosphere, I returned to my accommodation and settled at my desk.
I had some things to do that I hadn’t been able to because of Benedict barging in earlier. Also, there was a line I absolutely needed to deliver as someone who’s now possessed by a game.
“Status window.”
– Ding!
Seeing the familiar notification sound and the blue window pop up made me smile instinctively.
Back when I had just stepped into this world, I’d gone through all sorts of trouble just to see this one thing, and now, after more than a year, I finally got a glimpse of my status window.
[Name: Lucy Alrn]
[Level: 72]
Ah, level 72. This is the result of my slacking in leveling up during the second semester.
It’s true that the required amount of experience grows significantly after level 50, making it tougher to level up, but still, being stuck at 72 feels like a scratch on the pride of a veteran.
Alright. I needed to impart my dungeon-clearing experience to my friends anyway, so let’s do some leveling while I’m at it. I need to hit at least 80 before entering the next semester.
With that thought in mind, as I intended to jot my current level down on paper, the grandpa’s question broke my concentration.
[What’s this level all about?]
‘…Uh. Grandpa, you’ve been awake this whole time?’
[When have you ever seen me sleep?]
‘That’s true, I suppose?’
I almost forgot about his existence in my excitement over finally seeing the status window.
Ugh. If I put him in my inventory now, I’ll just get grilled later. I might as well explain it.
‘Simply put, a level is a measure of experience gained from defeating enemies. The higher it is, the more you can do.’
[That’s a new concept to me. Is it something particularly special to you as an apostle of the Great One?]
‘No, everyone living in this world has levels. It’s something roughly known by everyone.’
The idea that one grows stronger through battles is common knowledge among those living in this world. So while they might not know the term “level,” the concept is generally understood.
[…So you can quantify that sense into a level?]
‘Usually, that’s not possible, but as an apostle of the Great One, I borrowed that blessing.’
[Oh, that’s interesting. So, young lady, what level is 72 considered?]
‘Among knights from normal families, that’s mid-tier; for adventurers, it’s equivalent to A–B grade.’
At level 72, you’d be acknowledged as strong pretty much anywhere, but it’s still somewhat ambiguous to call yourself among the truly strong.
Of course, strength can vary widely based on proficiency and skills, but generally speaking, that’s the idea.
[So, you still have quite a way to go, huh?]
‘That’s right.’
Ordinary people would likely be satisfied with this level, but I couldn’t afford that. There were too many trials ahead that I needed to overcome.
‘But don’t worry. This vacation, I’ll be rolling up my sleeves!’
I need to train myself while strengthening my friends too. After declaring this, I shifted my gaze downwards.
[Occupation: Apostle of the Great One / Holy Knight]
That was as expected. No need to comment on that.
The next one would be similar. There couldn’t be a decent title for my current self.
[Titles: Alrn’s Shame [Negative] / Harsh-tongued Angel [Positive] / A Beauty Praised Even by Goddesses [Positive]]
“Pfft!… cough! cough cough!”
The moment I read the line under those titles, I almost choked.
I can understand Alrn’s Shame; I’ve heard stories like that in high society.
I get the ‘Harsh-tongued Angel’ title too. It was something I kept hearing from the arena today while wandering around.
But what on earth is this last title, ‘A Beauty Praised Even by Goddesses’?! Why is it suddenly stuck there, a title I’ve never heard before!?
Is it the influence of that perverted Apostle’s song? Or does it mean the Crow Goddess has done something scandalous for her own selfish reasons?
[Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?]
‘…It’s nothing, really.’
Amid the confusion and shaking eyes, I skipped over the title part without jotting it down on the paper. Either way, with one negative and two positives, my reputation should be on the plus side anyway.
Now, for the most important part.
Stats.
I needed to check the stats listed there and fill in any shortcomings with the elixirs I had on hand.
For the event yet to come, I needed four stats to exceed 100.
Originally, I’d planned to just wing it at the last moment, but with the ability to see my stats window, that changes everything.
Feeling the coexistence of expectation and anxiety, I looked down and was rendered speechless by the numbers I saw.
[Strength: 105]
[Dexterity: 91]
[Stamina: 121]
[Intelligence: 58]
[Magic Power: 75]
[Divinity: 192]
[Luck: ???]
…Hmm. There are definitely some strange bits, but I’ve got to mention this one thing.
Why is my intelligence so low?!
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