“Congratulations, Brother Hans.”
A bow from the white-haired head.
“Indeed, ordinary human beings could never beat demons.”
“Stop making such a fuss.”
A demeanor incomparably more polite than the one shown in front of the saintess.
I waved my hands dismissively amidst the endless praise of Oparn that flowed along.
“If it were as you say, my name would have been in first place.”
Yet, looking at the results, there were two names above mine.
Saint Rine, and Luciana.
Let’s set the saint aside.
With the cheat-like buff skills she possessed, and having Oparn among other male leads as allies, she was the strongest in terms of compatibility, capable of using golems as mere tutorial material.
But Luciana?
“Congratulations, Lady Luciana Speda. I never imagined you would defeat it alone without anyone’s help.”
Luciana, who represented everyone with the highest score in the entrance exam, boldly stepped onto the stage.
I was dumbfounded by the dean’s praise as he presented her with a commendation certificate.
‘Come on, make sense. How could she defeat it alone in that time?’
During gameplay, even when the best dealers were recruited for the challenge, the golem could not be taken down without the cooperation of at least three.
Thinking about it, the golem’s gimmick was not invincibility but damage reduction.
In theory, it’s possible.
Just nearly impossible.
‘It seems that sword is better than I thought.’
Of course, Luciana herself had grown enough to defeat the high demon Bathory, but the regret of not seeing my favorite’s majestic appearance was fleeting.
An achievement is an achievement, naturally drawing attention to that tool.
Faithful to the MacGuffin, the Speda family’s sword, whose performance remains undisclosed even in the status window.
‘Magic ignore? Or is it fixed damage? That would be a jackpot.’
“Brother?”
“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“No, it seems you’re pondering over something you wish to entrust to me. Take your time.”
Given that he was presented as a commoner by the identity forged by the Thieves Guild, I was in a different dorm from Oparn.
Why did I call him to my room?
“Right. There are many things to ask through a letter, and since it’s confidential. Take this first.”
“This is…”
“Do you recognize it? It’s the trophy of the one who was after you.”
The hefty weight of Lexton’s horn settled in his hand.
A gleam sparked in Oparn’s red eyes upon seeing it.
‘It’s worth coveting.’
The horn of a high demon is a precious polishing material, and for Oparn, a blacksmith and jeweler, it would be filled with the desire to handle it himself.
-Rine, I didn’t know you were interested in this kind of thing. Good. I’ll do my best to make the best staff for you.
Moreover, the condition for raising affection was ‘giving an opportunity to handle materials’.
Just provide the materials, and he’d readily produce weapons for the female lead.
Truly an example of a generously giving male lead.
“Here, these are my daggers. Can you use one horn each to enhance them?”
“Of course. I will do my best to meet your expectations.”
The daggers, interwoven with black and gold.
And Oparn, receiving the neatly laid horns of Lexton, bowed his head.
‘I should be able to catch up somewhat with this.’
Who said cheat items were exclusively Luciana’s? I was the original purveyor of item reliance, and closing the gap with her through weaponry was simply a matter of course.
“However, it’s a bit regrettable. If there had been enough materials, I could have enhanced it to perfection.”
…What’s he talking about now?
“Materials? Wasn’t the horn enough?”
“Of course, this alone will be a deadly poison to the Levains, but given such a top-grade material, I can’t help but want more.”
He examined the horn from base to pointed end as he spoke.
“If it were combined with something that contained holy power, its effects could be greatly amplified.”
[Quest Initiated!]
[Demons have researched the most efficient ways to kill each other throughout their long internal conflicts.]
[A high demon’s horn imbuing the attribute of Pama, refined silver forged under starlight that brings burning pain…]
[Above all, the most supreme is the holy power only those with deep faith possess.]
[To enhance the perfect weapon, bring an item infused with holy power to the blacksmith.]
[Reward: ???]
[Penalty: ???]
I suppressed a sigh that rose to my throat at the sudden appearance of the system message.
“Oparn, do you know how relics are managed in this country?”
“I’m sorry, brother. I haven’t been in the human world long enough to know well…”
Oparn blinked his eyes innocently and responded.
Right, that’s why he said that.
An item with holy power? As if acquiring one was an easy task.
Under the strict control of the church, even holy water with a slight amount of holy power was difficult to obtain, let alone anything more significant.
“It’s regrettable, but enhance it with just the horn.”
“If it’s your request, brother… Understood. However, if the balance of power is off, the weapon could be damaged by the horn’s power.”
[Penalty: Increased chance of weapon destruction during enhancement]
The system window appeared promptly, narrowing my brows.
‘No wonder, things were blowing up left and right in the original game.’
[Argh! Who told me to spin the Lexton roulette? Come out!]
[My precious Garon’s greatsword turned to dust!!!]
[How could you fail that? I succeeded in enhancing both the protagonist and the allies’ weapons.]
[Did you not read the guide thoroughly? Didn’t you see it said there’s a chance of destruction, so only enhance the protagonist’s weapon?]
[You reap what you sow, right?]
[If only someone had told me sooner… Going back to spin the roulette…]
The ‘enhancement destruction probability’ that caused countless players’ screams in the community.
Though it never happened when enhancing the protagonist’s weapon, who was holy power incarnate, it solved the mystery of why allies’ weapons sometimes shattered during enhancement.
…Gritting my teeth. At this rate, the gap with Luciana might widen even further.
The weapons I’m using now are the Speda ancestral dagger and the mole’s jewel dagger.
Relics that are hard to come by, no matter where you look or how much money you throw at them.
I seemed to have unwittingly embraced the risk to its fullest.
‘Should I buy holy water in bulk now? Or should I hastily airlift some low-quality relics?’
But it was impossible.
No one knew my financial situation better than I did. After spending everything on information procurement and gifts related to Bathory, I was left penniless, courtesy of Wolbaek.
With the funds I had, acquiring even a modest relic, let alone holy water, was out of reach.
…No, what am I thinking? ‘Buying’ with money?
An object imbued with holy power. Upon reflection, it wasn’t that I lacked options.
“Understood. Just give me a moment. I’ll procure it shortly.”
“Of course! If anyone can adapt perfectly to the human world, it’s you, brother. I had faith.”
Avoiding the daunting gaze of trust, I shifted my eyes away.
“Alright, let’s conclude the weapon enhancement matter with this. The next request might be a bit challenging.”
“Leave it to me!”
A bitter smile crept up at the sight of him thumping his chest confidently.
‘Well, I’m sure you’ll manage.’
Despite hiding his demon identity and being an anonymous commoner, wasn’t he the ‘Mercenary King’ Oparn, who had risen to a position comparable to the other male leads?
[Do you think I am of no help? To bow and live submissively, how can one be called a mercenary? If you’ve taken the money, stand up proudly! Earn your gold with blood! That is our right and duty as mercenaries!]
Facing the impending war against demons, Oparn rallied mercenaries with his speech, seizing control of the mercenary industry. I watched that speech countless times through the screen, confident he would exceed my expectations.
With that anticipation, I entrusted Oparn with a mission only he could undertake.
***
Jearne Dormitory.
A space at the academy reserved for commoners.
Returning to his room, Oparn closed the door and let out a deep sigh.
‘Can I truly fulfill what brother has asked of me?’
He slowly reviewed the conversation they had in his room.
“Rank 8. Among the commoners, you achieved the highest score.”
“That’s too kind of you.”
“It’s not kindness. It’s reality.”
The cold, blade-like dark pupils peered out through half-closed eyes.
A high demon, no, a charisma befitting a being far superior, made Oparn inadvertently tremble.
“That means, among mercenaries and adventurers, your influence is not to be underestimated.”
“……”
“You’ve understood by now, haven’t you?”
A chilling hand landed on his shoulder.
“Take control of the Jearne Dormitory.”
His lips curled up in a grin.
“A small society of humans led by a demon at the helm. Doesn’t the thought alone thrill you?”
Whether it stemmed from the pure pleasure of a doppelganger or a nature inclined to dominate others,
“Let’s stand at the pinnacle of humans, you among the commoners, and I among the nobles.”
“My dull mind struggles to grasp this. What benefits do we gain from this?”
Why would brother want to dominate not just the nobility but also the commoners?
Oparn was puzzled.
But was it a foolish question?
He tilted his head slightly.
“Hmm. Before long, the Demon King will aim even for human territories. Isn’t it better to have a sword for your revenge and as many forces under you as possible?”
It was as brother said.
Though he was of the ruby rank, now he had no gargoyles by his side.
No trusted friends, comrades, or subordinates.
‘Like brother, I must build a new force.’
Among the nobles of the West.
The core personnel of the northern ducal houses. A symbol of lesser nobility. The name Hans Byron was already solidifying its influence, carrying numerous tags with it. Oparn’s eyes gleamed with determination. Rising from his seat, the young man bowed respectfully, expressing his gratitude. “Thank you for the advice. As expected of you, brother.”
“Ah, and keep a close watch on the saintess, be wary of her every move.”
What did he mean by that?
“Didn’t you advise me to get close to her just a while ago?”
“Teach you one thing and you only follow that… Keep that as it is.”
With a click of his tongue, he continued in a low voice, a brief feeling of guilt for possibly upsetting his brother’s mood passing quickly. Soon, Oparn blinked in surprise at the precious advice that followed.
“Don’t forget that the saintess is also a commoner. The size of her influence is limited. There’s no need to share that pie, is there?”
So, maintain a personal, close relationship, but don’t concede the leadership position of your forces.
“I understand perfectly. However, I’m not sure if that’s possible. In the end, won’t there be a conflict?”
“It’s the same as in Evildon. You’re a Ruby rank, so you know, right? Even among nobles, they laugh and smile to each other’s faces but hold knives behind their backs.”
Indeed. Brother’s insight was something he couldn’t easily comprehend on his own. But,
“I wonder if I can do well.”
“You’re allowed to doubt. Otherwise, Diamond wouldn’t have entrusted you with that seal.”
A pat on the shoulder reinvigorated him, as if to say, ‘Cheer up.’
“If you can’t trust yourself, trust in the eyes of Diamond. Ah, and though I may be lacking, trust in my judgment as well.”
Reinvigorated by his encouragement, Oparn clenched his fist tightly.
“Understood, brother.”
His goal was to become a leader admired by all residents of the Jearne Dormitory. Determination filled Oparn’s eyes, which sparkled with a blue hue, resonating with the seal that also emitted a faint light.
***
“Alright, that’s one thing taken care of.”
Even if they are currently undervalued, simply having their names listed at the academy signifies their talent.
It wouldn’t do to leave these ‘talents’ who managed to break through the narrow path to admission lying in the dirt.
I might not be able to meddle with the commoner’s side without any connection, but since I’ve entrusted it to Oparn adequately, he, being a male lead, will handle it well on his own.
Now, onto the second matter.
I took out the familiar communication crystal.
“Ah, can you hear me?”
-What’s this, a joke?
The sharp voice that immediately responded through the crystal pricked my ears.
“Why so sensitive? Ah, of course! With a rank of A class 21st place, the lowest score, and Lady Elizabeth being the farthest away from Luciana, it’s understandable.”
Ah, the envy and jealousy palpable in a moment of silence! Imagining her seething form vividly, I struggled to suppress my snickers.
“Well, at least be thankful you’re in the same class. Originally, it’s a privilege only for the top four teams. I heard the dean raised it specially after seeing you struggle alone.”
-Ugh… If you’re going to mock me, just hang up already, you jerk!
“To resort to such coarse language, abandoning all decorum. That’s not very ladylike of you. You haven’t forgotten about the wish grant, have you?”
The wish grant. At that word, a shallow sigh flowed through the crystal.
-…So you’re contacting me because of that, huh. Get to the point.
“Hehe. Still, taking responsibility for the words you’ve uttered is befitting of an heir to an earldom. Whether it’s ladylike is another matter entirely.”
-Hey!
“Let’s meet in my room, then. That’s all for now.”
Okay, an experienced assistant secured.
“It’s time for the auction house combo to reunite.”
A relic? If there isn’t one, just steal it.
“It’s been a while since I’ve used this.”
I pulled out a golden mask that had been lying dormant within the depths of my trunk.
The Phantom Thief Frost Mane.
It was time for a debut at the academy.
Cliche Novel 