Chapter 215
Currently, I hold 100 points.
I earned 20 points through leveling up after completing the fifth main quest recognized by Lucia, along with an extra 50 points awarded for fulfilling a 'startling condition.' Adding the points I already had, I now possess exactly 100 points.
And then there's the 'Weakened Spirit Stone Stele' that boosts my luck stat.
I'm itching to gamble with my potential, but I must resist.
A passive skill that shows externally might develop.
"How about it, can you trust my abilities now?"
"Keke, didn't it take too long? When did I ask for this? About 50 chapters ago in novel terms... I can hardly remember."
"The sarcasm... was unavoidable. Do you have any idea how hard it is to avoid the gazes of Caron and the other rats?"
If what Scarlet says is true, he deserves praise.
And another point of praise.
'He didn't lie.'
Scarlet must have realized that this stone holds mystical powers.
Mysticism, an incomprehensible force that cannot be proven by the science and magic of this world.
It's often said to be a 'relic dropped by a god,' so it’s no surprise that Scarlet was tempted.
'He could have claimed that someone took it before he could bring it to me, but he brought it back honestly.'
Suddenly, I became curious about his thoughts.
"Keke, why didn't you take it for yourself?"
"Because it's not the 'Eternal Snow Flower.'"
The Eternal Snow Flower.
An ingredient needed to cure his younger sister, who suffers from a disease that turns her body rigid as stone—one of the mysteries.
"It sounds like you would have taken it if it were the Eternal Snow Flower... Am I mistaken?"
"Of course. That's our agreement."
He's being honest. It's a situation where he could easily lie to build trust, but he doesn’t.
'Good.'
In fact, the 'Weakened Spirit Stone Stele' that Scarlet brought wasn’t meant for a successful potential gamble.
It was a test to see if he is a reliable entity who could serve as my arms and legs.
His future title, 'Master of All Trades,' and the fame that comes with it, Scarlet. (TL Note: Changed his title.)
But I know very little about him.
That’s why I conducted a simple experiment with an item that wouldn’t be too painful to lose.
The result is a passing grade.
Especially his cautious movements around Caron and the other rats, which I particularly liked.
"May I ask you one thing?"
"Keke, please do."
"How did you know the safe method to obtain the mystic item?"
I was the one who suggested the location of the temple with the mystic item, advising to bow three hundred times before destroying the temple.
There are often 'conditions' required to obtain mystic items, and knowing them precisely is noteworthy.
'In the game, options are given.'
-Bow three hundred times with respect.
-Just smash it.
So, naturally, I knew the conditions.
However, this isn't something I can explain truthfully.
"The stele in front of the temple. That’s what it said."
"...you mean you can interpret the ancient language?"
"Keke, indeed."
It’s not a lie.
Years ago, players collaborated to decode 90% of an ancient language.
And I perfectly know that 90%.
'Now that I think about it... I can complete the remaining 10%.'
I was given the [Translation S] skill at the start of the game.
Even the language of demons can be interpreted, so the ancient language should be no issue.
"Then why didn’t you retrieve it yourself? You could have done it."
At this point, I felt it was time to cut it short.
Scarlet needs to be an extension of my own capabilities. Too many questions would be undesirable.
When limbs start to think on their own.
‘There’s nothing more bothersome than that.’
After activating the [Eye Opening] skill, I lowered my voice to a whisper.
"You ask too many questions."
Scarlet flinched as our eyes met.
Taking a leisurely couple of steps, I positioned myself beside him.
"Focus solely on obtaining the Eternal Snow Flower. Don't concern yourself with why I didn't retrieve it myself, how I discovered the mystic item, or what it's for..."
Gulp.
I heard Scarlet swallow his fear, audible even to me.
Leaning close, I whispered into his ear.
"Is that more important than your sister?"
Scarlet visibly shuddered, his gaze turning solemn.
He decided not to harbor unnecessary curiosity and to focus solely on saving his sister.
As I deactivated the [Eye Opening] skill, I delivered my closing statement.
"Curiosity is one of the innate desires of humans. Well, I won't stop you. But that might mean you'll never obtain the Eternal Snow Flower."
A warning not to cross the line.
Smart as he is, Scarlet surely understood.
"I understand. This won't happen again."
A smile of satisfaction spread across my lips.
‘Looks like I won’t need to engage in a battle of wits with Scarlet anymore.’
Dealing with Caron is enough of a headache.
"Ah, it might not be the right moment... but may I ask just one thing?"
"Keke, how bold of you. What is it?"
"I destroyed the temple to get that stele. Am I not... cursed now?"
Even the lowliest rat fears a ghost, it seems.
Scarlet's eyes flickered with doubt.
"Ah, speaking of which... what's that hanging over your shoulder since earlier? It looks dreadfully like a wraith..."
"Aaaaaaaah!"
Scarlet jumped in fright.
So, a rat can handle humans and demons but not ghosts?
Otherworlders! Never underestimate the South Korean Marine Corps again!
"Don't ever play such pranks again!"
Scarlet shuddered.
Patting his shoulder lightly, I thought to myself.
This won’t do. Maybe I should send him to the renowned 1-night 2-day K-Boot Camp that South Korea prides itself on...
That’s when I was interrupted by my thoughts.
"What are you doing right now?"
It was Luna. She trembled visibly, holding desserts in both hands.
What does it look like? I’m comforting him.
But of course, it was to be expected. Our Luna isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.
I massaged Scarlet's shoulder.
Surely, even Luna could understand the situation now.
But why then? Luna's mouth dropped open in shock.
Strange thing is, everyone in the dining hall reacted just like Luna.
"You, you pervert!"
"Excuse me?"
"You're even extending your reach to ladies now? I thought I could trust you...!"
I looked at Scarlet.
Oh, the very picture of a kind old lady. Her makeup caked on heavily.
Then I realized the situation.
To everyone else, it looked like some thug was molesting an elderly lady.
Calling me a pervert was almost a compliment at that point.
"It's a misunderstanding."
Right, Scarlet?
Scarlet whispered in my ear.
"Just so you know, this is an act. Not because you're annoying, but because we need to avoid public attention. I trust you understand. It's definitely not because you're making fun of me."
"...?"
Scarlet flashed a meaningful smile. This guy, could it be...
"Kyaaaah! Pervert!"
A shrill scream escaped from Scarlet.
And at that moment.
Luna's shoe filled my entire field of vision.
That was my last memory in the dining hall.
*
Rubbing an egg against my cheek, I tried to soothe the fresh bruise. The imprint of Luna's shoe was a bonus.
"Kekeke..."
Despite everything, I wasn't in a bad mood.
The dazzling 100 points greeted me enthusiastically.
Even managed to shake off the pesky Luna under the pretext of being hurt!
'No need to hold back anymore.'
Who could stop me now that I've returned to the dormitory!
I retrieved the 'Weakened Spirit Stone Stele' from my pocket dimension.
'Though I intended to test if Scarlet was trustworthy...'
Luck +3.
A truly modest increase in luck, akin to Rezé's physical strength.
...Yes, it's practically insignificant.
However.
'The skills obtained through potential gambling are all S-grade.'
But even among S-grade skills, there are levels, and the probability of acquiring them varies.
[Sky Splitter], for example, is top-tier, with about a 0.1% chance of acquisition.
[Clean], on the other hand, is bottom-tier, with about a 3% chance.
'Considering the number of skills available in this game, 3% is a remarkably high probability.'
Meaning, without the 'Luck' stat, I'd likely end up with garbage skills like [Clean].
Yes. Potential gambling is influenced by the 'Luck' stat.
That's why I refrained from gambling on my potential until I had the Spirit Stone.
'Well, I'll probably get another trash skill this time too.'
What do I mean? Just look at the skills I've gotten from potential gambling so far.
[Clean], [Hyper Sense].
Skills that are heartbreakingly weak.
Think about it—20 levels' worth of stat points wasted on these.
'Let's see what kind of trash I get this time.'
Currently, my potential stat is 7.
I invested 93 points into my potential, clutching the Weakened Spirit Stone Stele tightly in my hand.
And the skill I obtained was...
[Your Potential Stat has reached 100.]
[Hidden powers are being unlocked.]
[You have acquired the skill 'Darkness (S)'.]
[Your Potential Stat has been reset to 0.]
[Darkness: S]
-A power used by the ancient legion commanders.
Final damage increased by 100%.
Damage against Holy Entities reduced by 50%.
Darkness affects all powers you use.
Can be activated/deactivated.
Current status: Active
"...This is huge."
Indeed, a jackpot.
100%—a skill that always doubles the final damage.
It applies at the final damage calculation stage.
Yes, it's a broken skill.
Ranked among the most broken, like [Divine Imitation], and the number one skill players desire to acquire.
Of course, it's not without drawbacks.
There are two downsides.
First, it only does half the damage to opponents with Holy Power attributes.
But that's irrelevant. I can just deactivate it when necessary.
The real problem is the second downside.
Namely...
'It can't be used in front of people.'
In this world, black symbolizes ominousness.
And Darkness is even darker than the darkest night. It could easily lead to misunderstandings.
'Plus, imagine me, with my slit eyes and ominous aura, using it?'
Perfect scenario to be skewered and burned at the stake.
In the game, using the [Darkness] skill would decrease party members' affection and even lead to them leaving the party.
'It’s fine if I've built a trust relationship...'
But establishing trust with all party members is impossible.
Consequently, using the [Darkness] skill was difficult even once per battle.
'But it's definitely not a bad skill.'
It shows tremendous power when used at crucial moments.
Above all...
Zero's first original technique.
Sincere Downward Strike.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Ordinary swings were the same.
Dark flames darker than the deepest night trailed my wooden sword.
Indeed, the greatest advantage of [Darkness], and the reason users most coveted it.
'It's cool, isn’t it...'
What more reason do you need?
Seeing something from the game with my own eyes was a whole new experience.
After thoroughly enjoying the power of [Darkness], I switched it to 'deactivated' mode.
Being burned at the stake for drawing too much attention was a real possibility.
The potential gambling was a success.
Now, it's time to move on to the next plan.
"Keke, time to proceed to the next plan."
Now that I know the [Fleur Family Style] training can be applied to the people here, there's no reason to hesitate.
I'll disseminate the training methods to not only knights and students but also to ordinary people to enhance their strength.
'To build a force capable of opposing demons.'
The time has come to implement the 'Zero Style Human Modification Plan'—my grand scheme to strengthen all humans on the continent.
It won't be easy, of course.
Many claim that their family’s training methods are the best, but to train in the secret techniques of a virtually unknown family?
Logically, it seems impossible.
However.
With 'his' help, the story changes.
The principal of Annwood Academy, and the continent’s biggest sucker.
Principal Dwener.
"Kekekekeke..."
An ominous laugh filled the room.
--TL Notes--
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