[Ron
Level: Lv1
Strength: G267 → E420
Endurance: G280 → E457
Dexterity: G259 → F378
Agility: G260 → E401
Magic: I0 → I0]
...
The increase in ability values was extremely exaggerated.
Ron seemed to have no bottleneck phase that ordinary adventurers possessed, but when Hestia thought about it, it felt entirely natural—
the talent he possessed had already surpassed that of the vast majority of adventurers in Orario.
The girl's eyes filled with astonishment, and she could not help murmuring, "Really… in such a short amount of time—his ability values have risen to such an exaggerated degree."
"I think, you're absolutely a genius!"
Then...
Hestia saw the skill and magic panels that had undergone changes.
Holding a heart full of anticipation, she carefully finished reading the translation of the divine-era script. The surprise on the girl's face gradually became enveloped by disbelief.
...
[Skills:]
Character Save Slot:
[1. Can consume Soul Shards to draw character cards, obtaining different abilities]
[2. Only one character card can be used at the same time]
[3. The number and strength of character cards increase along with personal level]
Current character card:
[The Tarnished]
[1. Weapon Mastery: More rapidly master the usage techniques of all weapon types; can wield different types of weapons in both hands simultaneously during combat.]
[2. Combat Technique - Seppuku: A forbidden ultimate art mastered by a swordsman from a distant foreign land. After deeply stabbing the weapon into one's own abdomen and continuously drawing blood, it can effectively increase attack power and enhance the effects of the bleeding abnormal status.]
Magic:
[Heal: Can cover nearby allied characters and restore HP. Requires no chanting. During combat, it can maintain a prayer state; even when injured and on the brink of death, one will not completely collapse, and will continue fighting for the sake of what matters most.]
...
An unprecedented skill.
It allowed Ron to master various weapons more quickly; placed into future dungeon exploration, it would absolutely provide a tremendous boost.
As for the so-called "combat technique,"
Hestia found it somewhat difficult to evaluate. She had never seen such a special ability—exchanging self-harm for stronger combat power.
It was very sinister!
And what surprised her the most was the magic Ron had mastered: "Heal."
A magic that required no chanting, that would not allow one to completely fall even when injured and on the verge of death—it seemed to exist purely to pair with "Combat Technique · Seppuku."
—even though this young goddess had spent countless years in the heavens, she still could not see through why such a complex panel would exist.
After taking a deep breath, Hestia spoke with a firm tone.
"I take back what I said earlier."
"Those so-called geniuses of Orario are merely at the threshold of meeting you!!"
"Is that for real?"
Looks like I really am a master!
Being able to receive such high praise from a god, the "The Tarnished" character save slot would surely bring comprehensive improvements to one's overall strength.
Ron slipped the tattered shirt over his shoulders.
But when he picked up the parchment and carefully looked it over, the increase in ability values was actually fine, worthy of the high-intensity exploration he had undergone in the dungeon.
It was just—
When his gaze stopped on the skill panel, the twitching of his cheek already explained his mood.
[Weapon Mastery]
This was something Ron could understand: reducing training time, and dual-wielding different weapons—strictly speaking—was also a classic feature of Soulslike.
'Shouldn't my faith be in gentle girls and goddesses?'
'What the hell is this blood-soaked build!'
[Combat Technique - Seppuku]
Placed in Elden Ring–type games, it was a method players used frequently. Compared to truly outrageous gimmicks, this combat technique could only be considered an appetizer.
But this was reality.
Ron did not dare imagine the combat scene at all.
Facing an invincible enemy, shouting about friendship and bonds and the like, then picking up a weapon and giving himself a seppuku first—trying to scare the opponent to death?
Upon taking fatal damage, the [Revival] skill would be triggered.
There was no way he could just start a fight by killing himself, right?
However, when he noticed the [Heal] magic and the specific effects of this magic, the strange look on Ron's face gradually eased.
That said—
Activating a "HP-lock" state through prayer, then pairing it with [Combat Technique - Seppuku], really could produce unexpected results during dungeon exploration.
'A bit ridiculous…'
'But seriously, it does help with improving strength at the current stage!'
His magic value remained zero.
For Ron, who wanted to become an all-around stat monster, this was absolutely unacceptable. Fortunately, drawing a character card resolved this problem.
All in all:
It was insane—but very Soulslike.
He placed the parchment that recorded his ability values beside the sofa. Just as he was about to say something, he saw the girl pick up the parchment and light it with a flint.
Only after the traces were completely erased did Hestia raise her head to explain, "Just to be safe, parchment that has been read must be disposed of promptly. This is also to ensure your safety."
"Because—"
"I can't imagine just how crazy it would get if the other gods were to learn about your uniqueness!"
If her own familia member was too outstanding, what would happen if those powerful familias found out?
The girl could not think of any solution. Although gods could not forcibly make Ron change familias, they could still seize him through a [War Game].
The method Hestia could think of
was to immediately burn the parchment every time the ability values were updated. In front of other gods, absolutely no information about Ron could be leaked.
"I hope I can stay with Lady Hestia forever."
Thinking only of you.
And being willing to help in everyday life—she would even be willing to work part-time to support you, this beautiful, petite girl.
In Ron's view, there were simply no other options. Moreover, this kind of family-like familia atmosphere without any restraints was exactly what he needed.
But just as the words fell—the girl slightly turned her head, yet a crimson blush still spread along her neck to the tips of her ears.
There was something she had actually not told Ron—the birth of magic is based on what lies within an adventurer's heart, and within the detailed description of the [Heal] magic—
[Even when injured and on the brink of death, one will not completely collapse, and will continue fighting for the sake of what matters most.]
What matters most.
At present, there were only herself and Ron in the familia, so the implication of this line was exceedingly obvious.
Hestia murmured softly, yet the pleasure in her heart still seeped into her tone.
"How can you throw such a straight ball like that? That's totally unfair!"
"Alright."
"The ability values have been updated. I still have to go back to work." After clapping her hands, the girl stood up. She needed time to steady her emotions.
She also knew clearly that Ron, who had just returned to Orario, needed to eat and rest.
Her brows curved into crescent moons, yet the words she spoke were urging him on: "Go eat quickly, then return to the familia residence and get a proper rest."
"You've already done… enough!"
"And one more thing—Ron, don't keep treating the development of the familia as your personal mission at every turn. That will really be exhausting."
"The destination of a journey isn't the goal; it's the scenery along the way. I hope your future path as an adventurer will be the same."
"…"
What on earth was she rambling on about?
Ron looked at the unusually behaved Hestia. Just as he was about to ask carefully what was going on, Hestia took hold of his wrist and led him outside the shop, onto the bustling street.
Sunlight poured over the girl's exquisitely crafted face, washing away the childishness lingering in her eyes and brows.
Her tone was light as she said, "So..."
"Now—immediately, right this moment—go look for the scenery along your path after becoming an adventurer!"
Hmm…
If beautiful girls could also count as scenery, then Ron felt that he had already found it.
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