"When the mask is no longer a shackle of your past, but the trump card you can choose to wield."
"This time, the decision is yours."
"As long as you make the choice you believe suits you best, that will be the path that truly belongs to you."
Seeing that Rin still looked somewhat absent-minded, Haimer gently reminded her.
At this point, only one person in the room had yet to receive the blessing.
Everyone's gaze shifted in unison, like beams of light sweeping across the room before locking onto the figure hiding behind the black bear.
Hanasaka Warabi.
"Grr?"
Warabi was doing her best to shrink herself into the smallest possible ball.
But clearly sensing the weight of everyone's attention, the black bear she was using as cover slowly rolled its small green-bean-like eyes. It looked at the many stares fixed upon them, especially that terrifying man's, then glanced back at its own master's cowardly posture.
A black bear that had lived among humans for years and thoroughly understood the way of survival made a decisive choice.
Better you than me.
Without hesitation, Kyoubou shifted its massive body sharply to the side.
"Off you go!"
And as if to completely absolve itself, it even gave Warabi a solid shove with its broad, sturdy backside.
The betrayal came fast and ruthless.
"Ow!"
Caught completely off guard, Warabi was launched forward by the sudden bear-butt impact like a bowling ball.
"Waaah!"
She stumbled wildly, nearly face-planting in front of everyone. After several frantic steps, she barely managed to steady herself.
Then she looked up. She had stopped directly in front of Haimer's knees.
Less than ten centimeters away.
The air seemed to freeze for a heartbeat.
Warabi slowly twisted her neck toward the black bear, her face twisted in fury.
"Kyoubou!!!"
"You actually sold me out!"
"I even shared my steak with you at dinner!"
"You traitor!"
Kyoubou covered its eyes with its paws and let out a pitiful whimper, pretending it had seen nothing.
Haimer waved helplessly.
"Enough acting."
"You're already here, so hurry up. The others still want to sleep. Don't waste time."
"We're going to the Guild tomorrow to register as adventurers."
"Okay…"
Warabi's momentum instantly deflated. Since she had already been shoved into the spotlight, backing out now would only make her look even more ridiculous.
"Hmph… W-Who's scared?"
She snorted, trying to salvage some dignity, then shuffled toward the bed.
For someone her size, the bed looked a little too tall. She had to climb up awkwardly using both hands and feet.
After finally getting on top, she knelt stiffly, her eyes darting between Haimer and the bedsheets, not daring to meet his gaze.
"Um… c-could you… be gentle?"
Her voice was barely audible.
Haimer's eye twitched.
"I'm engraving a blessing, not beating you."
"Don't say things that invite misunderstanding."
"Take it off."
"Uu…"
Scolded, Warabi shrank back slightly, then shut her eyes with the solemn expression of someone heading toward execution.
With a swift motion, she pulled off her robe.
Her petite body was revealed. Though technically of age, she was still slender, with little in the way of curves. Her smooth back looked delicate, her shoulder blades slightly pronounced beneath the skin.
Haimer did not waste words.
He moved behind her, gathered divine blood at his fingertip, and pressed it against her back.
A low hum resonated as crimson light flared.
Intricate patterns spread across her small back, the glowing lines weaving together before finally settling.
Moments later, the engraving was complete.
Haimer picked up the parchment and copied the data down.
[Name: Hanasaka Warabi]
[Race: Human]
[Level: Lv.1]
[Abilities:]
[Strength: I-0]
[Endurance: I-0]
[Dexterity: I-0]
[Agility: I-0]
[Magic: I-0]
[Development Abilities: None]
[Magic: None]
[Skills:]
『Fangs of Coordination』
『Pathfinding Instinct』
Skill: 『Fangs of Coordination』
When coordinating attacks with a tamed beast, both parties gain bonuses to Strength and Agility.
If both attack the same target, additional damage is applied.
Skill: 『Pathfinding Instinct』
Borrow the senses of beasts.
Exceptional intuition toward traps and hostile intent.
Greatly enhanced detection of hidden enemies.
Significantly improved pathfinding ability.
"Not bad."
Haimer gave a simple evaluation and handed the parchment to Warabi.
She held it carefully, reading the lines once.
Then again.
The hesitation in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a growing brightness.
Suddenly, she turned toward the black bear still lying on the floor pretending to be dead.
"Heh…"
A chilling smile slowly spread across her face.
The next moment,
"Hyaa!"
She leapt from the bed in a clean arc and crashed squarely onto Kyoubou's soft belly.
"Bang!"
Her knees drove down with extra force from the fall.
"ROAAAR!!!"
Kyoubou howled in agony, paws flying away from its face.
"Hmph!"
"Quit screaming!"
Standing triumphantly atop its stomach with her hands on her hips, Warabi declared, "That's what betrayers get! Let's see if you dare sell me out again!"
Kyoubou could only whimper pitifully.
Haimer clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back.
"All right. The blessings are complete for tonight."
"Having a blessing is only the beginning."
"Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to the Guild to formally register as adventurers."
"That's when things truly begin."
"So for now, get some sleep."
"Tomorrow won't be easy."
"Yes!"
The girls answered in unison.
Haimer nodded lightly.
"Good night, everyone."
"Good night, Lord Haimer!"
The door creaked open, then shut with a soft click.
But just as it closed, a voice sounded in the hallway.
"Finished?"
Haimer turned.
A figure leaned against the wall, short crimson hair and an eyepatch over one eye.
Hephaestus.
"I thought you'd take longer."
"But since you're done… shouldn't we settle the promise between us?"
"I've been waiting here for quite a while because of that 'something worthy' you mentioned."
"You're not planning to stand me up now, are you?"
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