Even though the message said my reward would be increased, I didn’t feel happy at all. I had seen similar messages before, and what I got last time was an upgrade to the Mesugaki skill.
Thinking back on it still makes me cringe. "Pathetic Dog," "Perverted Saint,"—the Mesugaki skill made me spew all sorts of things I should never have said to people I actually had some 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 time. Back then, I had barely escaped a deadly situation, and the reward I got was so underwhelming that I went into a fit. This time, 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 me 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 names have I called him?
I thought about it for a while but quickly stopped. The memories were too painful.
Ugh. Maybe I was a bit blasphemous? Judge! This wasn’t my fault! It was Lucy inside me 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?
Come on! Let’s be honest, Judge—you would’ve cursed the Pathetic, Sadomasochistic, Perverted God in the same situation, wouldn’t you?
[...]
Is this how a prisoner on death row feels, waiting for their punishment? The waiting is worse than the actual punishment. Ugh, damn it. Just sitting here is useless. I might as well put my armor back on. The others must be waiting for me by now.
—Ding!
The moment I reached for the armor lying on my bed, I heard a notification sound.
It’s just a coincidence, right? You’re not messing with me on purpose, are you? I’m going to believe it was just a coincidence, okay? Even though the message will tell me whether it was a coincidence or not, I’m going to believe it was accidental for now.
The message appeared before me, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at it. I had a bad feeling about it.
Could it be another upgrade to the Mesugaki skill? Something that makes my speech even worse? Maybe it forces me to act out things or gets me into fights every time 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 mere mortal, I can’t fathom the great Pathetic God’s divine schemes.
Ugh. Whatever. Let’s just get it over with. It’s probably just some form of torment. After all, I’m just the Pathetic God’s amusing toy right now. There’s no way he’d go easy on me.
Resigned to my fate, I glanced at the message, reading only a few words before immediately lowering my head again.
[...Skill enhancement...]
F***?! It’s exactly what I feared?! Is the Pathetic God really so unimaginative that his idea of torment aligns perfectly with a mere mortal’s expectations?!
Wait, no. Calm down. I haven’t checked the full message yet. It might not even be about the Mesugaki 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 message. And then I forgot how to blink.
["Iron Wall" skill enhancement.]
The most uptodate nove𝙡s are published on frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓.
[When blocking at the precise moment, incoming damage will be reduced.]
Parry.
The ability that exists in pretty much every game that emphasizes skill-based mechanics.
Soul Academy had parrying as well. It was notoriously difficult to time, 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 time back when this world was just a game. But once this world became reality, parrying, along with other in-game mechanics, had disappeared.
But now, it’s back as an enhancement 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 message over and over.
It was like the time 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 me. The kind that came 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 punishment, you have shown me how merciful 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 timed defense is back!
Ahhh, I want to fight. I want to parry!
Come 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!
“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 something 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 something so shameful, 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 me 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 something else?
As Faybi approached the door, ready to knock, she noticed it was slightly ajar. Maybe she’s changing somewhere 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 me, who had to listen to a false voice in a dream, she’s hearing the true voice of Armadie, isn’t she?
At that moment, 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 same mistakes again.
When you do something 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 come in?”
“Ah, the pathetic saint? Give me a moment. You’re good at waiting, aren’t you?”
“...Yes.”
My whole life has been a long wait, after all.
She said she was sorry for falling into the illusion despite my warning, and she thanked me 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 mental resilience, the reward would likely be related to that.
It was simple: a blessing that increases resistance to mental 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 Mesugaki skill’s debuff, it’s game over for me. So, a skill that reduces that risk? Always welcome.
I waited with excitement for my reward, but the foolish fox cleared her throat and added something 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 game, I wouldn’t be worried, but the Faybi standing next to me 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 comes to shove, I could always kick her ass while wearing the bunny girl outfit.
Alright, I’ll take this opportunity to get some 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 me 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 me♡ 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 Mesugaki skill’s provocations.
I was about to consider whether I should go back to wearing the bunny girl outfit to clean up this mess 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.