"When the mask is no longer a shackle from the past, but a trump card you can wield,"
"then this time, it is up to you to decide."
"Whether to defend or attack, it all depends on you."
"No longer constrained by form, loyal only to the sword in your hand."
"As long as you make the choice you believe is most suitable for you, that is the most suitable sword path for you."
Seeing Rin looking somewhat distracted, Heimdall then reminded her softly.
Thus,
only one person in the entire room remained who had not yet received the blessing.
Everyone's gaze instantly, like searchlights, focused uniformly on the figure trying to shrink behind the Black Bear.
—Hanazake Warabi.
"Huh?"
Hanazake Warabi was trying her hardest to curl herself into a ball.
However,
it seemed she sensed the focus of everyone's gaze.
As Hanazake Warabi's closest comrade-in-arms, a partner who grew up with her since childhood,
the Black Bear being used as a shield rolled its beady eyes, looking at all those stares—especially the terrifying man's gaze—and then at its own master's cowardly appearance.
Thus,
this Black Bear, having mingled among humans for many years and deeply understood the ways of survival,
made a decision that betrayed its ancestors!
—Better the friend dies than the poor Taoist (sacrifice the friend, not oneself)!
Without any hesitation!
The Fierce Person immediately made its choice, its massive body suddenly shifting to the side!
And then—
"Off you go!"
Even to clear itself of any association,
it even, very conveniently, used its broad, sturdy rear end to give Hanazake Warabi's body a forceful push.
This backstab from a teammate!
came fast and vicious!
...
"Ow!"
Hanazake Warabi was completely unprepared.
Sent flying by this sudden [Bear Butt Impact], she was launched out like a bowling ball.
"Wahhhh—!"
Hanazake Warabi let out a shriek.
Staggering, she tumbled out.
To avoid falling flat on her face in public, putting on a public falling performance,
she had to stumble forward several steps before barely managing to steady herself.
As a result,
when she looked up,
she found herself stopped right at Heimdall's knees!
Less than ten centimeters away!
"..."
The air froze for a second.
Hanazake Warabi stiffly turned her neck to look at the Black Bear, her face twisted with anger.
"Fierce Person!!!"
"You actually sold me out!"
"And I even shared a piece of steak with you at dinner earlier!"
"You traitor!"
"Awoo..."
The Black Bear Fierce Person covered its eyes with its paws, letting out a pitiful cry, putting on an act of "I didn't see anything".
Seeing this, Heimdall helplessly beckoned.
"Alright, enough acting."
"Since you're already over here, hurry up."
"Everyone else is still waiting to sleep, don't waste time."
"Tomorrow I still have to take you all to the Guild to register as Adventurers."
"Oh..."
Hearing this, Hanazake Warabi's momentum instantly deflated.
Her head drooped.
Since that stupid bear had already pushed her into the spotlight, backing down now would be truly embarrassing.
"Hmph... who, who's afraid of who!"
Thinking this, Hanazake Warabi snorted through her nose, trying to salvage a bit of face.
Then,
dragging her feet, she walked to the bedside.
Looking at the large bed that seemed a bit too tall for her petite frame, she somewhat awkwardly climbed onto it using both hands and feet.
After finally managing to climb onto the bed,
Hanazake Warabi knelt on the bed.
Her eyes darted around, looking at Heimdall one moment and at the bedsheet the next, just not daring to look directly at anyone.
"Um... that..."
"Could you... be gentle?"
Hanazake Warabi's voice was as small as a mosquito's buzz.
"..."
After hearing this, the corner of Heimdall's eye twitched involuntarily.
"Don't say things that are easily misunderstood."
"Hurry up and undress."
"Mmm..."
Hanazake Warabi flinched when scolded by the Fierce Person.
She had no choice but to close her eyes, adopting an expression of utter resignation as if heading to the execution ground.
"Swish—"
Her sleeping robe was pulled down.
Her petite body was exposed.
Although she was a legal loli,
There truly wasn't much in the way of curves...
Her smooth back looked completely like that of an undeveloped child, with her scapulae slightly protruding, making her appear exceptionally fragile.
Heimdall didn't waste time either.
He straddled her directly, condensing blood on his fingertips.
He placed his hand down.
He dripped blood.
"Buzz—"
Light flared up.
Complex patterns appeared strikingly prominent on Hanazake Warabi's small back.
A moment later.
The imprint was complete.
Heimdall glanced at the skill description above, and his eyebrows twitched slightly.
[Name]: Hanazake Warabi
[Race]: Human
[Level]: Lv.1
[Ability Stats]: Strength: I0 / Endurance: I0 / Dexterity: I0 / Agility: I0 / Magic: I0
[Development Abilities]: None
[Magic]: None
[Skills]: Fanged Linkage, [Scent of the Path Ahead]
Skills:
Fanged Linkage
When performing a coordinated attack with a tamed beast, both parties gain an enhancement to [Strength] and [Agility]. If attacking the same target, damage receives an additional bonus.
[Scent of the Path Ahead]
Borrows the senses of the beast. Possesses extraordinary intuition regarding traps and hostility. Perception checks against enemies hidden in the dark are greatly modified. Pathfinding ability is greatly improved.
...
"Not bad,"
Heimdall gave a simple evaluation and handed the parchment to Hanazake Warabi.
"..."
Hanazake Warabi held the parchment.
Her gaze swept over those two lines of text repeatedly.
Once.
Twice.
Her originally anxious eyes were slowly lighting up as she continued to read.
Then—
Hanazake Warabi suddenly turned her head.
She looked at the Black Bear still on the floor, covering its eyes with its two paws and playing dead.
"Heh..."
Hanazake Warabi's mouth spread into a grin.
She let out a chilling laugh.
The next second—
"Hah!"
The petite loli suddenly leaped off the bed.
She traced a parabola through the air.
And then—
"Bang!"
She landed heavily.
She landed precisely and accurately on the Black Bear's soft, thick belly.
Her knees even used the force of the descent to deliver a hard thrust.
"Awoooo—!!!"
The Black Bear cried out in pain, immediately opening its mouth wide and letting out a mournful shriek.
The bear paws that were covering its eyes flew open violently, its eyeballs nearly popping out of its sockets.
"Hmph!"
"What are you yelling about!"
Hanazake Warabi stood with both feet on the bear's stomach, hands on her hips, speaking down at it.
"This is the fate of a traitor!"
"See if you dare betray me next time!"
"Awoo..."
The Fierce Person dared not disobey, only letting out a wronged whine.
At this point.
Watching this pair of clowns make a scene.
"Pat! Pat!"
Heimdall clapped his hands, unilaterally interrupting Hanazake Warabi's assault, and drew everyone's attention back.
"That's enough."
"Since the Favors have all been bestowed, let's stop here for tonight."
"Although you have Favors now, this is just the beginning."
"Tomorrow morning, I will take you to the Guild to officially register as Adventurers."
"That will be the true beginning."
"So now,"
"Go to sleep."
"Rest up well, tomorrow won't be this easy."
"Yes!"
The women responded in unison when they heard this.
Even Hanazake Warabi, who was ecstatic about obtaining the Divine Skill, obediently jumped down from the bear's stomach.
Seeing this, Heimdall nodded slightly.
"Good night, everyone."
"Good night—Lord God!"
"Creeeeak—"
"Click."
Heimdall walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Shutting out the chattering discussion of the girls inside.
However.
As soon as the door closed.
A voice came.
"Are you done dealing with it?"
Heimdall turned his head.
A figure was leaning against the wall.
Crimson short hair, a single eye covered by an eyepatch.
—It was Hephaestus.
"I thought you would take a bit longer to handle things."
"But now it seems,"
"You've finished your business over here, so shouldn't it be time to deal with the agreement between you and me?"
"After all, I've been waiting here for half a day for that presentable item you mentioned."
"You wouldn't want to stand me up at a time like this, would you?"
-------------------------------
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