Chapter: 365
Before the commotion got out of hand, I successfully slipped out of the arena and immediately returned to my lodging.
I needed to change out of my armor and take my time checking the rewards I had received.
Ding! The status window. What a wonderful echo it has.
If someone possessed by a spirit were to look at their status window, they should rightfully see their growth, so why should I be grateful just to open mine once?
A complicated feeling arose, but thinking about how rare it was to be able to view my status window, I took a deep breath and closed the door.
Hoo. I wonder how much I’ve grown. Considering the physical capabilities I feel right now, it should be quite high.
Trying to calm my pounding heart, I sat at my desk, unfolded a piece of paper to jot down what I saw, and opened the status window.
Bang!
“Lucy! Our darling! This Papa knew you would win!”
Benedict burst through the door right before I opened it, wrapping me in his gigantic arms.
He said he was so proud of me he didn’t know how to express it. On the other hand, he was worried about what would happen once I left his embrace. He insisted I should raise a toast instead of making a fuss.
Watching Benedict babble on and on, I felt a surge of complaints rise up, but sadly, I couldn’t voice them. I was physically being squeezed so tightly that I couldn’t produce any sound.
Feeling like I might actually die, I desperately tapped his arm, and only then did he loosen his grip.
“I’m sorry! Lucy! This Papa is just so happy!”
Even as he apologized, he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. Was he really that happy that I had won?
I could spit on that smiling face any time, but for some reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to say anything bad to Benedict right now.
So, I kept my mouth shut, and he grinned as he hoisted me onto his shoulder.
“To celebrate, we shall go out, Lucy!”
Wait, I shouldn’t go out right now!?
“Foolish father! I really don’t want to go listen to those sloppy idiots blabbering nonsense!”
Just a moment ago, I caused a catastrophe, and now he wants me to go outside? What would people think!
I desperately tried to shout, but Benedict was relentless.
“Ha ha! No need to worry about that!”
What’s with this guy today? He must have just dealt with the commotion in the arena, so he can’t be unaware of the people’s mood!
Could it be that he physically subdued the chaos?! Did he make it so I couldn’t say a word!?
In that case, I definitely don’t want to go out! It’s obvious that the stares from outside would be uncomfortable!
I struggled on Benedict’s shoulder, but there was no hope of escaping his grip. Even now, having grown significantly, I still couldn’t match Benedict’s strength.
Ugh! Just you wait, Benedict! Later, when I become stronger than you, I’ll make you pay back this nonsense!
Of course, there’s no absolute way to do this. Just like before, I could always sink him with my words.
But you know, thinking about how hard he must have worked to calm the arena’s atmosphere makes it hard to just hurl insults at him.
…And I couldn’t help but recall the sight of Benedict drooping his head while shedding tears not too long ago.
Anyway, as I was dragged out onto the street by Benedict, I had braced myself to receive hostile glares from the people, but the atmosphere outside was surprisingly gentle.
How strange. Considering the mess I made, it should be normal for there to be some grumbling, even with Benedict by my side.
If not that, at the very least, there should be hostility smeared into their gazes, but why is everyone looking at me with such warm eyes?
Heh heh. This country isn’t normal at all.
‘…Why are you suddenly laughing?’
Listen closely to what those looking at you are saying. You’ll naturally come to understand.
The surroundings? Even while pondering the old man’s words, I focused my senses on the divine aspect. Then, faint whispers from a distance reached my ears.
“Did the angel deliver harsh words again today?”
“They say he’s just a pervert who lost to a girl and can’t even open his mouth!”
“Ha! That’s such an angel-like remark!”
“This fellow. Why omit the fact that you left without listening to what was said around you?”
“Is that true? Haha. For someone with a filthy mouth, you’re awfully shy.”
“Isn’t that just cute, like a child?”
…What? What’s going on? Even with them discussing my actions, they’re laughing instead of saying anything harsh? Are they a similar breed to the sloppy fox or the perverted apostle!?
I hoped they were just being peculiar and turned my ear to another side, but the reactions there weren’t much different.
“They’re entirely unlike Soladin’s peers. Truly, the daughter of House Allen.”
“A strong person needs a bit of arrogance, yeah.”
“To win in the arena at such a young age, that attitude is only natural.”
Only then did I understand the favorable glances directed at me. The prevalent custom of idolizing the strong in the Tersha Empire. It transformed my arrogant demeanor into the arrogance of a powerful individual.
“I secretly hoped that you’d throw a bit more shade at that person.”
“What kind of madness is that?”
“I know it sounds strange! But…”
“Please shut up. If Lord Allen hears, he’ll want to kill you.”
…Not everyone was like that, but who cares.
Actually, it is important, but as I listened to them staring blankly at me, a wave of displeasure rose up within me.
“Lucy.”
As various thoughts crossed my mind, I was pacifying my swirling head when Benedict called out to me with a smile.
“This city doesn’t know about the things you’ve done in the past. So they will only judge you by what you’ve shown in the arena.”
Only then did I realize what Benedict wanted to show me.
A world where people didn’t know the old Lucy. A world where I was purely evaluated for who I am now.
Benedict probably hoped that as I witnessed this, I would break free from my past and move forward. No matter what the past Lucy had done, if the path I walk now is right, then the gazes of others can turn kind as well. In Benedict’s eyes, I would be just a child crushed by my past.
His wish coincided with the vision I had desired.
Because of all the various troubles Lucy caused, I had borne the hatred of many. I had lived in the midst of all kinds of hostile glares for things I hadn’t even done.
So, this street where I was being regarded purely for who I am should have been a world I desired, but oddly enough, I found it hard to embrace.
Why? I thought quietly from behind Benedict’s shoulder, but no answer came easily.
All I knew for certain was that my chest felt a tingle.
Just like that moment, when someone insulted Lucy’s mother.
*
Visiting the most famous restaurant in the Bardronel territory, I enjoyed a meal, receiving congratulations from the customers, wait staff, and chefs alike.
Nah, scratch that, “enjoyed” is an understatement. I realized I couldn’t handle the compliments I received while demonstrating strategies for the final exam dungeon. Even with Benedict ordering all sorts of expensive dishes, I couldn’t taste any of it.
Anyway, amidst that atmosphere, after finishing my meal, I returned to my lodging and settled at my desk.
I was going to do the things I couldn’t do because Benedict barged in. And, the line that someone who was possessed in a game world must say.
“Status window.”
– Ding!
Seeing the familiar notification sound and the blue window appear made me smile without realizing it.
Back when I first set foot in this world, I had struggled to open this thing, and now, over a year has passed, and I could finally see my status window.
[Name: Lucy Allen]
[Level: 72]
72, huh? The consequences of being lazy on leveling up during the second semester show up here.
It’s true the required experience increases significantly after level 50, so it’s hard to level up, but still being at level 72 feels a bit off. It scratches my pride as a veteran gamer.
Alright! I needed to share my dungeon strategy experiences with my friends anyway, so let’s level up at the same time. At least by the time the new semester starts, I need to be over level 80.
Thinking this, I wrote down the current level on the paper when the old man asked in a puzzled voice.
[What is this level thing?]
‘…Um. Grandpa, are you awake?’
[When have you ever seen me sleep?]
‘That’s true.’
I got so excited about finally being able to view the status window that I forgot about the old man for a moment.
Ugh! If I try to put the old man in my inventory now, I’ll definitely get interrogated later. There’s no choice; I’ll have to explain.
“It’s simply a measure of the experience gained from defeating enemies. The higher this number, the more you can do.”
[This is the first time I’ve heard such a concept. Is it something only you, as an Apostle of God, possess?]
‘No. Everyone living in this world has a level. It’s generally common knowledge.’
It’s common knowledge among people living in this world that fighting strengthens you. They may not know the term “level,” but the concept itself is probably widespread.
<...You can quantify that sense as a level?>
“Well, usually you can’t, but I’m an Apostle of God. I borrowed that divinity.”
[Oh, how interesting. So, girl, what level is decent at around 72?]
“Among knights of ordinary families, that’s mid-tier; if you’re talking about adventurers, it’s about A to B rank.”
With 72 levels, I can be recognized as strong wherever I go, but it’s unclear if I’ve truly entered the ranks of the strong.
Of course, strength can differ vastly depending on proficiency and skills, but generally, this is how it goes.
[Still a long way to go, huh.]
“That’s right.”
Ordinary folks would be satisfied at this point, but I can’t be. There are too many trials ahead that I need to surpass to stop here.
“However, you don’t need to worry. I’ll be rolling around like crazy during this vacation.”
I’m gonna train while also beefing up my friends. I shifted my gaze downward.
[Occupation: Apostle of God / Holy Knight]
That’s something I expected. No need for description.
I imagined the next one to be the same; there couldn’t be a significant nickname for someone like me.
[Nickname: Lucy Allen’s Disgrace [Negative] / The Filthy-Mouthed Angel [Positive] / The Beauty Praised Even by Goddesses [Positive]]
Pfft!… Cough! Cough!
The moment I saw what was below them, I was choked with disbelief.
I can understand “the disgrace of the Allen family.” That’s the kind of thing you hear in social circles.
I also get why “the filthy-mouthed angel” is attached. I heard that constantly, both in the arena and while walking through the streets today.
But what the heck is “the beauty praised even by goddesses”?! Why is there a nickname I’ve never heard of attached bustlingly!?
Is it the influence of the perverted apostle’s song? Or, if not, did the Crow Goddess do something out of selfishness?
[Why the sudden change in tone?]
‘…Ah, it’s nothing.’
Amid the confusion, I skipped over the nickname section without jotting it down on paper. But one negative and two positives mean my reputation should be on the plus side.
Now, to the most important part.
Stats.
I need to check the stats written there and fill in any gaps with the stored potions I’ve saved up.
To perform in the upcoming events, I need to have at least four stats exceeding 100.
Originally, I planned to hit and miss later, but if I can see my stats window, things would be different.
Feeling both anticipation and worry, I looked down and was left speechless by the figures written there.
[Strength: 105]
[Agility: 91]
[Stamina: 121]
[Intelligence: 58]
[Magic Power: 75]
[Divine: 192]
[Luck: ???]
…Hmm. There are quite a few strange aspects, but I at least must mention one thing.
Why is my intelligence so low?!
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