episode_0026

A candidate for hero.

That is determined by one’s Gifts.

Skills and techniques can be learned, but Gifts cannot.

A pure blessing bestowed by the heavens, a talent granted only to those chosen by the skies.

However, a Gift does not always align with one’s disposition.

It matches the talent, but disposition is a different matter.

In any case, a hero candidate must possess at least two A-rank Gifts.

If one has a single S-rank, they qualify as a candidate.

“For reference, someone with one S-rank is valued higher than someone with two A-ranks.”

Elme tapped the ground a few times before laying down a small cloth-like sheet and speaking.

Then, she neatly sat down, crossing her legs.

“An S-rank is usually an evolved form of an A-rank.”

“Gifts can evolve?”

“Normally, there’s a type called a Growth-type Gift, but its value is lower than standard ranks. Ah, but if you feed it experience to grow, it can surpass most others. It gets a plus modifier.”

“I have one question.”

“Yes.”

“What do the plus and minus signs next to Gifts mean?”

“Hmm……”

Elme made a thoughtful expression before showing a nearby wild berry.

“Here’s an ordinary wild berry. But this one is freshly picked, so it’s sour, astringent, and tastes bad. This would usually be a minus rank, but it’s still a wild berry, right?”

“Right.”

“But when this berry ripens, it becomes delicious. That’s usually called a plus rank.”

“So, a minus means it has some disadvantage compared to others of the same rank?”

“Correct.”

But why is Whisper of the Wind ranked lower than Bloody Dagger?

‘They said it was good when I picked it up.’

I don’t get it.

On the other hand, Champion’s Sword had a minus for a clear reason—it drained mana like crazy.

Leaning against a tree, I pondered.

Currently, we were at the clearing where I had previously trained in swordsmanship.

The place had become too ominous, and I could sense someone suspicious lurking around.

‘That’s why the topic of Rosante, the saint candidate, came up.’

We also brought along Selie, the magic hero candidate Elme had tried to save.

Perhaps because she was a child, she had dozed off beside me, murmuring softly.

“Anyway, S-rank holders are individuals closely watched by nations, empires, and other races.”

“And those are usually the hero candidates?”

“In the past, they pitted them against each other to create four heroes who would slay the Demon King. But nowadays, most try to nurture them.”

“Once you become a hero candidate, the support you receive changes drastically. Even orphanages get massive funding.”

“But why…?”

“Because my abilities aren’t that great.”

“Huh?”

Elme reacted to Rosante’s words.

How could an S-rank and A-rank be bad?

“That’s still strange. You said you have at least two A-ranks—any kind would be welcomed anywhere.”

“That’s true, but… my abilities have some issues…”

“What kind of issues?”

Elme sounded unconvinced.

“It’s not widely known, but the healing priests use comes with pain.”

“Right? That’s why most priests are half-mad.”

“But my pain is a bit different. That glasses-wearing guy mentioned it, right? That a priest who doesn’t use drugs is valuable. Priests say the pain is unbearable without drugs.”

“So, priests consider a Gift like Pain Nullification a jackpot.”

“Even that isn’t perfect, but… anyway, I have a Gift related to it.”

“A Gift related to Pain Nullification, but why…?”

“…It’s called Ecstasy of Pain…”

“…Ah… Aah…”

As Rosante spoke sheepishly, Elme’s eyes widened in realization.

Ecstasy of Pain?

Just from the name, I could guess what it meant.

‘Surely it doesn’t mean she feels pleasure instead of pain…’

When I glanced at Rosante, she buried her face in her hands.

“Y-yes… Unlike other priests, I don’t feel pain—I feel pleasure… And my other Gifts are related to that.”

“…What are your other Gifts?”

Rosante sighed deeply before answering.

“W-well, I normally wouldn’t say this, but since you saved Selie… I have Dancer, Martial Arts Prodigy… and a skill called Holy Water Creation.”

“Dancer and Martial Arts Prodigy are combat-related, but Holy Water Creation? Just from the description, it sounds good.”

“…M-my saliva becomes holy water.”

“…….”

Elme’s pupils trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

Then, she grinned.

“…That’s, uh, pretty weird.”

“It is strange, but they’re useful abilities, so it’s fine, right?”

“I think it’s great.”

“Huh?”

Elme’s words sounded foolish.

“Whatever the case, the most important thing for a priest is nullifying pain, right?”

“Y-yes…”

“You don’t need drugs, and even if it’s saliva, you can create holy water. That’s incredibly valuable. If anything, you’ve been hiding it well.”

“…True.”

“In terms of value alone, this is a net gain. You’re an outstanding priest who can also frontline. Not bad at all.”

“Yeah, we can switch between front and back as needed. It’s not bad.”

“More like highly capable. A priest who can defend herself.”

“H-huh?”

Rosante seemed convinced by my words.

‘Thinking about it, it’s obvious.’

Maybe she couldn’t see it because of her priest class and the Gift that turns pain into pleasure.

But one question remained.

‘She’s a saint candidate, no matter what.’

Could someone like that really stay under the radar?

No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

Something smelled fishy.

“So then…”

“Why don’t you join our party next time?”

“Right, our party is pretty open. We’ve got a stoic berserker, a glasses-wearing mage, and me and Yuseong.”

“T-then, I’ll be in your care…”

Rosante spoke shyly.

“Kheh… hic… So, take care of me from now on.”

“…So, the thing I feared has come to pass.”

Marcel adjusted his glasses and let out a faint sigh.

“Well, she’s joined the party now. Can’t change it. Take care of us.”

“Yeah, Glasses.”

Hic.

Rosante, who had seemed bashful last night, was now downing drinks like it was nothing.

We were currently at the adventurer’s guild.

The reason was simple.

We had a lot of loot to process, which kept us out late.

‘I had a good feeling from the start, but…’

I couldn’t expect this to last forever. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

‘Looks like I’ll get a decent payout this time.’

No matter how I looked at it, I was the one who benefited the most from this dungeon.

I got the largest share of gold from the loot distribution, and I also acquired bow-related Gifts and skills.

‘And the priest’s favor.’

I stared blankly at the spear floating in the air.

[Sub-quest completed.]

The sub-quest I received yesterday.

[Encounter quest completed.]

And the encounter quest I got from meeting Rosante was still active.

I was truly blessed.

My current status window looked like this:

▼

Name: Han Yuseong (Lv.1)

Strength: 8 | Agility: 13 (10+3) | Stamina: 8 Magic: 8 | Spirit: 8 | Perception: 8

◈Gifts – [Thief’s Pinnacle (S)], [Absolute Combat (S)], [Sword Master (A+)], [Fatal Constitution (A)], [Sharpshooter (B)]

◈Skills – [Hidden Space (B)], [Charging Shot (B)]

◈Techniques – [Swordsmanship (Lv.15, 10+5)], [Archery (Lv.6, 3+3)], [Martial Arts (Lv.2)]

Compared to the beginning, my stats had grown tremendously.

The difference between then and now was like night and day.

Feeling proud as I checked my status, I turned my gaze to the Gift card.

A blank white piece of paper.

‘They said using this would reveal my Gifts, right?’

Others use this to “appraise” their Gifts.

But I’ve never done it. I was just dropped into this world.

In this world, by age 12, you’re forced to have your Gifts appraised. Refusing means punishment.

Narrowing my eyes, I stared at the Gift card.

‘I should try it, but…’

Even I could tell my Gifts weren’t normal.

Just look at Rosante—she had three Gifts, and Elme made a huge fuss about it.

‘Elme seems to have even more, though.’

Before that, I should check my rewards.

I glanced at the guild counter. Elme’s line was long, so it’d take a while.

‘Quest completion.’

[Sub-quest, Chapter 2, completed!] [Encounter quest, Rosante, completed!] [Rewards: Aura Control (B), Mana Control (B) acquired!]

I stared blankly at the blue window.

‘…I completed two quests, and all I get are two B-ranks?’

I felt hollow. Did I go through all that trouble just for this?

Meanwhile, knowledge flooded my mind, and I realized why I only got two.

‘…This is…’

It felt like my body was already full.

Like a vessel completely filled—no room for more.

‘This is unsettling.’

It felt like it might overflow. If I added anything else, it could be dangerous.

In a way, getting only two was a relief.

‘What should I do about this?’

One thought came to mind.

Instinct, perhaps.

‘Level up.’

I felt like leveling up would solve this.

‘But it’ll be tough today.’

Terisa looked dazed, and Marcel seemed exhausted.

After observing Terisa, I realized she was also worn out.

We’d been pushing hard, so it made sense.

‘First, let’s check the rewards.’

I started with Aura Control (B).

I briefly recalled Risiel’s explanation.

Aura.

It’s a force that intimidates opponents. Even lowly grunts tremble in fear before someone with aura.

When we fought the Hobgoblin Champion, Marcel couldn’t move properly.

‘This’ll be useful against mages.’

That was my first thought.

If I keep exploring this dungeon, I’ll eventually face archers or mages.

In a direct fight, this would be handy.

Next, Mana Control.

‘…I don’t quite get it yet.’

Closing my eyes, I could feel the mana inside me.

But I hadn’t been using it properly.

‘Like in a game.’

Using skills until my mana ran out.

But now it was different.

I could reinforce my body with mana and control it at will.

-You, what are you?

‘What do you mean?’

-…Your mana manipulation has changed.

The response was immediate.

Risiel looked at me and asked, as if something was different.

‘How has it changed?’

-If before you were like a monkey fumbling with tools, now you’re using them like a human.

‘…A monkey?’

I bristled unintentionally.

I pulled out Risiel’s soulstone from Hidden Space and squeezed it.

A threat, of sorts.

-Eeek…!

Risiel’s reaction was strange. Her face turned red, so I put the stone back.

-W-what was that…? What did you just do to me?!

‘Nothing.’

This perverted elf…

I glared coldly at Risiel before pondering.

The whole party was exhausted.

So then…

‘Either recruit new members or go solo.’

That might be fun too.