Even though the ssage said my reward would be increased, I didn’t feel happy at all. I had seen similar ssages before, and what I got last ti was an upgrade to the sugaki skill.
Thinking back on it still makes cringe. "Pathetic Dog," "Perverted Saint,"—the sugaki skill made spew all sorts of things I should never have said to people I actually had so fondness for. It was nothing short of a nightmare.
And now, the situation was starting to feel eerily similar. After overcoming a tough challenge and completing the Pathetic God’s quest, I was about to receive a reward, all while cursing the god in the process.
Of course, I didn’t insult him as much this ti. Back then, I had barely escaped a deadly situation, and the reward I got was so underwhelming that I went into a fit. This ti, I was just grumbling a bit.
But honestly, do you think the Pathetic God would care about that distinction?
This petty, spiteful god—who seems far too flawed in character to be called "great"—probably wouldn’t bother differentiating between small insults and big ones. He likely only thinks of as the insolent girl who dared to mock him.
When I think about it, I realize my history with this god isn’t exactly clean. How many different nas have I called him?
I thought about it for a while but quickly stopped. The mories were too painful.
Ugh. Maybe I was a bit blasphemous? Judge! This wasn’t my fault! It was Lucy inside who kept talking on her own!
I was about to speak of Armadie’s glory, but Lucy cut in and called him "Pathetic God!" Doesn’t that make sense to you?
Co on! Let’s be honest, Judge—you would’ve cursed the Pathetic, Sadomasochistic, Perverted God in the sa situation, wouldn’t you?
[...]
Is this how a prisoner on death row feels, waiting for their punishnt? The waiting is worse than the actual punishnt. Ugh, damn it. Just sitting here is useless. I might as well put my armor back on. The others must be waiting for by now.
—Ding!
The mont I reached for the armor lying on my bed, I heard a notification sound.
It’s just a coincidence, right? You’re not ssing with on purpose, are you? I’m going to believe it was just a coincidence, okay? Even though the ssage will tell whether it was a coincidence or not, I’m going to believe it was accidental for now.
The ssage appeared before , but I couldn’t bring myself to look at it. I had a bad feeling about it.
Could it be another upgrade to the sugaki skill? Sothing that makes my speech even worse? Maybe it forces to act out things or gets into fights every ti I speak? What if I end up constantly getting challenged to duels because of it?
And if it’s not that, what could it be? I don’t know. I can’t even guess. Maybe because I’m a re mortal, I can’t fathom the great Pathetic God’s divine sches.
Ugh. Whatever. Let’s just get it over with. It’s probably just so form of tornt. After all, I’m just the Pathetic God’s amusing toy right now. There’s no way he’d go easy on .
Resigned to my fate, I glanced at the ssage, reading only a few words before imdiately lowering my head again.
[...Skill enhancent...]
F***?! It’s exactly what I feared?! Is the Pathetic God really so unimaginative that his idea of tornt aligns perfectly with a re mortal’s expectations?!
Wait, no. Calm down. I haven’t checked the full ssage yet. It might not even be about the sugaki skill. Who knows? Maybe the first part isn’t even talking about that.
Gathering my courage, I cautiously raised my head again to read the entire ssage. And then I forgot how to blink.
["Iron Wall" skill enhancent.]
[When blocking at the precise mont, incoming damage will be reduced.]
Parry.
The ability that exists in pretty much every ga that emphasizes skill-based chanics.
Soul Academy had parrying as well. It was notoriously difficult to ti, so only seasoned veterans could use it effectively.
But for those players, it was a vital technique. Without mastering it, they couldn’t even hope to survive boss fights without getting wrecked.
I used to rely on parrying all the ti back when this world was just a ga. But once this world beca reality, parrying, along with other in-ga chanics, had disappeared.
But now, it’s back as an enhancent to my Iron Wall skill. Technically, it’s a weaker version of parrying, but who cares?
Parrying is back!
I couldn’t believe it. I kept reading the words in the ssage over and over.
It was like the ti I first started playing Soul Academy and found a top-tier item by sheer luck—I just couldn’t stop staring at it in disbelief.
“Pfft. Puhahaha!”
Laughter bubbled out of . The kind that ca from deep within and made it feel like the word “stop” had vanished from existence. I couldn’t help it—I laughed for what felt like ages.
Eventually, I managed to pull myself together and clasped my hands together in prayer.
Oh, noble and great Lord Armadie, thank you. By granting this sinner a gift instead of punishnt, you have shown how rciful and grand you truly are.
From now on, I’ll offer my thanks to you every night before bed, facing wherever you may reside.
Kya-hoo! Parry! The parry is back! That sweet, satisfying feeling of perfectly tid defense is back!
Ahhh, I want to fight. I want to parry!
Co to think of it, this forest is full of perfect test dummies for my newly enhanced skill, right?
Heh. Those first-year academy students are going down today, no doubt about it.
Hehehe. Hehahaha!
“So, Lady Alrn did all that just to save ...”
“Do you think Lady Alrn would wear that kind of outfit for no reason?”
After hearing from Joy why Lucy had been dressed as a bunny girl, Faybi could only gape in disbelief before looking down and clenching her hands near her chest.
Of course. Anyone with common sense wouldn’t willingly wear sothing so embarrassing.
While Lady Alrn might do all sorts of strange things, she always maintains her dignity. Her speech may be harsh, and she may criticize others, but she’s never done anything inappropriate with her actions or appearance.
If she’s wearing sothing so shaful, there must have been a reason for it. Yet, all I did was wonder why Lady Alrn would do such a thing. I even let myself think it was vulgar.
While Lady Alrn endured humiliation to save from my illusion, what was I doing?
...I should go apologize.
Faybi made up her mind, stood up from her chair, and spoke.
“I’m going to see Lady Alrn.”
Thinking about what she would say, Faybi made her way to Lucy’s room.
She said she was changing her clothes, right? But if she’s putting on armor, it’s awfully quiet. Is she doing sothing else?
As Faybi approached the door, ready to knock, she noticed it was slightly ajar. Maybe she’s changing sowhere else?
Without thinking, Faybi peeked through the crack, only to see Lucy in the middle of a prayer.
Stripped of her armor, with bare skin exposed between the pieces lying scattered on the floor, Lucy knelt in silent reverence, facing the great god. She looked divine.
It was like watching one of the religious paintings that hung at the center of the church.
Who could see her like this and think that Lucy was an arrogant person, constantly looking down on others with that mocking smile?
Faybi stared at her in awe.
Is Lady Alrn speaking with Armadie right now? Is she hearing the god’s voice?
Unlike , who had to listen to a false voice in a dream, she’s hearing the true voice of Armadie, isn’t she?
At that mont, Lucy smiled—a genuine, solemn smile, different from her usual smirks.
Faybi took an unconscious step back before catching herself.
I can’t run away from this. Faybi, if you turn back now, you’ll only repeat the sa mistakes again.
When you do sothing wrong, the most important thing is to recognize it and correct it. Don’t retreat. Move forward.
Taking a deep breath, Faybi raised her hand and knocked gently on the door.
“Lady Alrn, may I co in?”
“Ah, the pathetic saint? Give a mont. You’re good at waiting, aren’t you?”
“...Yes.”
My whole life has been a long wait, after all.
Faybi had co to to apologize and express her gratitude.
She said she was sorry for falling into the illusion despite my warning, and she thanked for enduring the humiliation to save her.
I told her I had simply taken responsibility because I was the one who had involved her in this trial, but she was adamant.
So, in the end, I just accepted her apology. Faybi’s stubbornness made it impossible to refuse.
After that, we returned to the reception room, where the foolish fox gathered us together.
“Now, I shall grant you the reward for passing the trial.”
Finally.
While the foolish fox may be an unbearable pervert, the blessings she bestows are actually quite useful.
Considering her trial was focused on ntal resilience, the reward would likely be related to that.
It was simple: a blessing that increases resistance to ntal debuffs. In other words, it reduces the chance of falling victim to illusions or mind tricks.
As you can imagine, this blessing is exactly what I need right now.
If I ever fall under the influence of the sugaki skill’s debuff, it’s ga over for . So, a skill that reduces that risk? Always welco.
I waited with excitent for my reward, but the foolish fox cleared her throat and added sothing else.
“However, little saint who follows the god, you are an exception. You were devoured by the illusion.”
Well, that’s true. Faybi didn’t pass the trial. But considering how unsteady she’s been lately, she probably needs this blessing more than anyone.
If this were the Faybi from the ga, I wouldn’t be worried, but the Faybi standing next to now is so shaky that I’m constantly afraid she’ll collapse.
Hmm. Is there a way around this?
“Yes, I understand,” Faybi said, nodding as though she agreed with the fox’s reasoning.
Seeing her acceptance, I racked my brain for a solution.
If I think about it, the foolish fox is both an airhead and a masochist. So, if I insult her sincerely, won’t she be happy?
Since I’ve already completed Armadie’s quest, there’s no need to hold back anymore, right? And if push cos to shove, I could always kick her ass while wearing the bunny girl outfit.
Alright, I’ll take this opportunity to get so revenge for all the humiliation and give her a good verbal lashing.
“You pervy fox♡ Why are you being so stingy?♡ Ahaha♡ Are you spouting nonsense because you want to be insulted?♡ Pervert♡ Just looking at you makes sick♡”
“Beautiful child, that is not the reason for this part—”
“Liar♡ You filthy masochistic pervert♡ Tell the truth♡ You want to be stepped on by ♡ Foxes are part of the dog family, right?♡ Woof woof, you pathetic dog♡”
The foolish fox blushed, her lips trembling in response to my taunting. Hmm. No matter how serious of a masochist she is, it seems even she can’t handle the full power of the sugaki skill’s provocations.
I was about to consider whether I should go back to wearing the bunny girl outfit to clean up this ss when, all of a sudden, the foolish fox dropped to her knees.
“Woof! Woof woof!”
She then proceeded to crawl around on all fours, barking like a dog.
Sigh. This is the ruler of the forest?
...
I really hate her.
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