Chapter: 78
Additional rewards, huh?
This kind of thing never happened in the Soul Academy game.
The very fact that Agra’s intervention creates new farming opportunities means there shouldn’t be any extra rewards, right?
So, this has to be our incapable god’s doing.
How nice it would have been if this had happened earlier.
If it had, I wouldn’t have called you a pathetic, incompetent, perverted trash god, Armodi.
Sorry about that! Very sorry, Armodi!
Your karma can’t be ignored, so please be gracious!
[Divinity Strengthened.]
[Function of the Cross Necklace Enhanced.]
Wow, he’s actually giving something normal for once?
I half-expected the useless god to pull a fast one on me.
The strengthening of divinity means the holy magic I’m using will be even more effective—that’s definitely something to cheer about!
And an enhanced necklace function means what exactly?
It’s increasing luck, right?
Considering I got a pretty good score by guessing on my magic studies exam last time, my luck definitely seems to be up, but I wonder if that translates to any lucky breaks in daily life.
Anyway, there’s no need to refuse what they’re handing out, so I’ll gladly accept it.
It might seem small compared to all the tricks Agra has played, but I’m sure our incapable god finds even this taxing.
I understand.
What can I say? You’re the god of trash!
As I poked fun at Armodi in my head, another message box popped up.
Ha! What’s this? Looks like even an incapable god stands no chance against my Mesugaki skills, huh?
[One random skill you possess will be enhanced.]
…Wait, what? Random?
Hold on, hold on.
Not the trash, or rather—not the incapable one. No, not that either. Anyway, Armodi!
Hang on a second, please.
I’ve been rude!
You’re giving me rewards and I’m complaining about them!
I’ll go to church myself to repent for my ungratefulness!
So please, just leave out the word “random!”
The moment I saw that, an unhappy future flashed in my mind that I couldn’t shake off!
I’d rather you just didn’t give me a reward!
I was frantically wishing with the desperation of a madman, but the god was oblivious to mortal fears.
[Mesugaki Skill Enhanced.]
Gyaaaaaaaaah!
This is ridiculous!
I have so many skills, and you’re telling me that the Mesugaki skill gets enhanced?!
This is rigged! Totally rigged!
Hey! Armodi! Show me the probability chart!
Is it just packed with the Mesugaki skill or what?!
No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t make sense.
I’m lucky, right?
You even say you’ll boost that luck!
But then why is the worst option the one I got?! You little…
Calm down. Calm down.
Could it be?
The meaning of enhancement doesn’t always just mean an increase in numbers.
Sometimes, it can also mean a penalty can be considered enhancement, too.
So maybe the translation of the Mesugaki skill just becomes smoother!
Yeah. That must be it.
[Provocation ability enhanced. The rate of body ability increase according to provocation rises.]
Nope, that’s not it.
Armodi, you pathetic, incompetent, perverted trash god!
Is it normal for a god to mess with their apostle like this? Huh?!
Just you wait.
I’ll make sure to stomp your head in while spouting that you’re the trash god who gets his apostle into trouble!
“Lucy Alrn? Are you feeling unwell?”
As I was boiling over with anger, Arthur was looking at me with concern, having followed closely behind.
Given that he doesn’t know the whole situation, it must have seemed like I was just standing there blankly the moment we entered the safe zone.
But how could I explain my situation to Arthur?
How could I tell him that the trash god just messed with me?
So, I just nodded instead.
Thanks to the trash god’s mercy, I was actually feeling pretty good, but to outsiders, I probably looked like a mess.
“Let’s rest until help arrives. I’ll keep watch in the meantime.”
With no reason to refuse Arthur’s kindness, I leaned against the wall and let out a deep sigh.
*
After that, things started to go smoothly.
While Arthur and I were in the safe zone, nothing troublesome happened.
As I tried to take a break, Karl and the professors showed up to join us.
Karl, seeing my sorry state, kept asking if I was alright with obvious concern.
He was so clingy that he wouldn’t even let me walk on my own.
But, despite that, we were rescued like that, and I mentioned that the dungeon’s boss couldn’t be tackled in a normal way, so we decided to exit through the first floor entrance.
Luca?
That bastard had somehow joined the group of teachers.
The moment he saw Arthur, he was blubbering with relief at his safety; honestly, I felt he would’ve made a great actor if he were born in the modern age.
On top of that, his tail-cutting skills were top-notch.
The guy who had handed the magical tools to Arthur was already dead by the time we returned.
Thanks to that, all the blame landed on the teacher who had passed the magical tools to Arthur, leaving Luca as just a poor victim.
If it were up to me, I’d shout, “That was all his doing!” but given how my trash reputation paled compared to Luca’s stellar one, I had to let it go.
In a situation where there was no evidence, any word from me would just be dismissed as nonsense.
For now, it was time to wait for the opportunity when I could truly sink my teeth into him.
A big branch, indeed.
It was said that they won’t be able to enter the dungeon for a few days due to magic inspections.
Arthur insisted he should face punishment for his mistakes, so he was confined to the dorm for a week.
There were trivial matters like this that somewhat blurred the judgment between Arthur and me, but they were really not worth worrying about.
Ah, there are two important things left.
Let’s start with the positive news.
The underdogs always win, right?
“Here you go, Young Lady.”
The moment I received a pouch containing ten gold coins from Karl, I was overjoyed.
Thanks to the daughter fool, Benedict, I didn’t have to worry about money at all, and now I won’t have to worry even more.
At this rate, I could indulge in a good life without any problem for a while.
What should I spend all this money on?
Maybe talk to Alsetin about getting a decent shield.
That sounds good.
The shield I’m currently using is just a regular supply item.
I need a proper one, not something that breaks each time I face a strong enemy.
I should think about what the best shield I can get right now is.
This one’ll require some serious thought.
“And about that.”
‘What now?’
“Why? You trashy beast?”
And also one more.
This time it’s the bad news.
After escaping the dungeon and returning to the academy, I wanted to test how the Mesugaki skill had changed with Karl.
This damn skill directly affects me negatively, so I couldn’t just let it go unchecked to see what sort of accidents it might induce.
There weren’t any major changes in the translation of the Mesugaki skill itself.
It felt a bit more casual, but it was just the same old cheeky brat.
The boost to provocation effects was definitely tangible.
I didn’t even need to seriously provoke, and Karl seemed to think he should stop there.
If Karl, who is used to my taunts, felt like this, how would others or even monsters react?
The increase in physical abilities was also quite noticeable.
I managed to take some hits from Karl’s serious sword strikes.
The problem was that the characteristic feeling of the Mesugaki skill also intensified.
Ugh. Seriously, I need to get a mental skill somehow.
If I keep provoking like I did yesterday, I’m likely to end up in trouble sooner or later.
Having been treated like trash since our first meeting in the dungeon, Karl continued with a grim smile.
“Lady Partran came to find you.”
Hearing that, I turned my head to see Joy’s figure.
Whoa. When did she get there?
“Hello, Lady Alrn.”
‘Hi, Joy.’
“Hello, you clueless lady.”
???
Hey, Mesugaki skill!
Why are you suddenly dropping the honorifics?
You used to be polite when it mattered!
Why the sudden shift to casual talk with Joy?!
Look! Now she’s glaring at me!
Thinking about Joy’s personality, I know she’s just surprised, but it still creeps me out!
“Lady Alrn, why did you suddenly drop the honorifics?”
Joy squinted her eyes, letting them flutter open again as she asked me that.
But I couldn’t even provide an answer.
I have no idea! The incompetent god made me stronger, and now I’m suddenly like this, how should I know!
If I blame anyone, it should be that incompetent trash god!
‘I don’t know!’
“Just why? Are you so stingy that you can’t even accept casual talk from someone who saved your life? A towering height but a narrow heart? How odd.”
As I was staring at Joy, who was laughing at my expense because of the Mesugaki skill, I felt my lips freeze into a grimace.
Wow. I’m in deep here.
I should’ve invited Joy to the cafe, but now, forget about that special Stopé ticket or whatever!
Can I even fix this?
“Ugh.”
I winced at the sight of Joy letting out a defeated sigh, causing me to shrink internally.
Meanwhile, the Mesugaki skill had made my shoulders rise instead.
Just what made you so bold?!
“Lady Alrn.”
‘Yes!’
“Why? Clueless lady?”
I awaited her answer like a prisoner expecting a verdict.
After all the struggle to boost my likability during the entrance exam, now I’m slumping down into despair?!
It’s not fair! So unfair!
Damn you, Armodi!
You’re clearly trying to sabotage my quest clearing, aren’t you?!
“Today, I’ve come to convey the words of the Third Prince.”
Joy’s message was more or less like this.
Thank you for saving my life.
When the confinement is lifted, I’ll publicly acknowledge my defeat.
It’s still upsetting to be called a worthless prince, but I won’t make it an issue.
Instead, I will become someone who cannot be viewed as pathetic.
“That’s all. Congratulations, Lady Alrn. You won’t be hated by the Third Prince anymore.”
Joy congratulated in her usual tone, but I couldn’t help but feel that it didn’t sound much like a congratulation, given my previous actions.
So, is this resolved and for the better? Right?
“Well, I’ll take my leave then. I have an appointment.”
As soon as she wrapped up the conversation, Joy got ready to leave.
What should I do?
If she leaves like this, it feels like I won’t get another chance to invite her.
But would it be appropriate to invite someone who looks so displeased?
Oh man. Whatever! Just go for it.
If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just take Frey with me, I guess.
I don’t know if she even knows how a cake tastes, but whatever.
“Wait!”
“Clueless Lady, stop.”
“What is it?”
I pulled out the Stopé Special Ticket from my pocket and showed it to Joy.
‘It’s the Stopé Special Ticket!’
“Do you know what this is?”
At the sight of it, Joy’s eyes were alight with excitement.
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