Chapter 1
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Reincarnation
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I've been obsessed with webtoons and webnovels ever since I was a kid.
Among them, the genre I devoured the most was swordmaster tales.
There are countless fantasy genres out there, but I can confidently say none come close to swords.
Just hearing the name and exchanging a single clash—that's the true romance.
Formal swordsmen who grow through meditation and sweat are the pinnacle.
Power-inflated wizards tossing around suns? They're just flashy, nothing more!
"The world I'm sending you to now is one of swords and magic."
Was that why?
I couldn't contain my excitement.
"I'm sorry... It was our mistake, so we'll provide compensation too."
"No, it's fine. These things happen in life. I understand completely."
"R-Really? You're so cool, Yujin."
The woman chatting with me right now was a goddess, apparently.
She said it was their screw-up that got me killed prematurely, but honestly, it felt like hitting the jackpot.
The world she was reincarnating me into? From the description, it sounded like pure romance fantasy gold.
'But I shouldn't let on how thrilled I am.'
Strictly speaking, I'm the victim here.
If they skimp on the compensation, that's a disaster.
"So, what kind of compensation?"
"I'll give you a blessing. A real treasure. Just having it makes you stronger than any ordinary mortal could dream."
"Ooh. Can I pick it myself, by chance?"
"Of course. Just say the word. Sword, magic, spirits, martial arts—which one..."
"Sword!!!!!"
"Gasp."
Oh no.
I slipped up.
The goddess looked startled by my unhesitating shout.
Still, my stance didn't waver.
"Make it a sword, no question."
"Ahaha... Your life records show you loved webtoons. Guess you're a sword fanatic."
"Yeah. Crazy about them."
"Got it! Right away... Huh?"
The goddess, fiddling with something in the air, tilted her head.
It looked suspicious, so I was about to speak up.
"Yujin. Would something else work?"
"Problem?"
"The sword blessing belongs to that world's hero. If type doesn't matter, there's something sword-like..."
"Sword-like?"
Sword-like? What could that be?
Besides longsword, katana, or greatsword?
"Rapier maybe?"
"No. A different sword."
"Then it's fine. Anything sword-shaped works."
"...Understood."
Dragging it out when they're just handing it over.
Swords are probably the most broken, so maybe they're scared of what I'll do.
Don't worry.
No world-conquering ambitions here.
I'll just quietly train the sword.
'Dojo-hopping for some fun?'
After a short wait, the goddess—still busily tapping away—spoke up.
"One last time: it has to be a sword—"
"Yes. Anything else is pointless."
"...Blessing granted. Reincarnating you now."
"I don't feel a thing."
"It's applied to your new body. Age set to 19. A guide will help until you adjust—no worries."
She cut me off, frantically worked something, and my body started dissolving into light particles.
"Good luck then."
"......"
Something felt fishy, but probably fine.
She mentioned she's like a civil servant—if she screws up again, she's toast.
...That's what I thought.
[Cutter Knife Blessing]
Until after reincarnation, when I saw this absurd blessing.
"Fuck, what the hell is this!"
I was aghast the moment I spawned in some palace-like place.
[Cutter Knife Blessing]
No way a blessing like this even exists?
Even more rage-inducing that it's categorized as a sword.
And here I am, preferring scissors over craft knives to avoid injury...
'No wonder she rushed me through reincarnation!'
Betrayal had my teeth grinding.
Then the door flew open, and someone entered.
Long silver-white hair cascading to her waist.
A black lace ribbon tied in her hair, tired eyes giving off a decadent vibe.
"Greetings. I'm Adel, the guide handling chores for Goddess Altria."
"...Guide?"
"Yes. I've been briefed. Nice to meet you, Yujin."
Ah, right.
She said they'd stick a guide on me until I adjusted to this world.
I protested right away.
"Hey! Cutter Knife Blessing? What is this crap? Why handle it like this?!"
"...Cutter Knife? What are you talking about?"
Her expression grew grave as I explained.
Looked like that damn goddess hadn't passed on how she'd botched it.
Soon, she bowed repeatedly.
"I'm sorry. Reincarnated due to our error, and now botched compensation—you have every right to be furious."
"......"
She's nice, at least.
Incompetent bosses are the real issue.
Her speech reeks of ingrained politeness—clear signs of burnout.
I softened and apologized.
"I shouldn't have snapped at you. Sorry. Just refund this blessing quick."
"Once reincarnation is locked in, that's impossible."
"What? Then what can I do?"
"I can help file a complaint."
Heat surged to my forehead again.
"Your screw-up killed me, and now 'file a complaint'? Pissing me off on purpose?"
"A complaint strips Altria of her divine seat. Ultimate revenge, no more victims. But... personally, please don't. If she gets fired, I'm screwed too..."
"Then what? Forget me, the victim? You know you'd flip shit if roles reversed."
"I'd be pissed enough to kill everyone."
"You know, so why—"
"How about a maid as alternative compensation?"
...Maid out of nowhere?
I blanked, missing the thread, but she continued.
"This palace is yours, Yujin. Too big to manage solo, and you just lost family and friends—gotta be lonely."
"Well, yeah."
"Blessing's unchangeable anyway. So, at my personal expense, a lifelong maid to tend to you?"
"Because goddess fired means you're in trouble?"
"Spot on."
Mind-reeling offer, but damn tempting.
Stranded alone in a foreign world—someone in the know sounds good.
"Honestly, that blessing's world-top-tier. Huge win, right?"
True enough.
Heard it's insanely OP.
Disappointing as hell, but ditching sword dreams still leaves top 1% life.
Plus a divine-vetted, betrayal-proof servant? Worth sacrificing some romance—solid deal.
Feels salesy, though.
"Anyone volunteering? Or non-human?"
"Don't worry about that. Take it or leave it?"
"...Pass, and I lose out."
"Acceptance noted."
She smirked and mechanically tapped the air a few times.
Like the goddess—some status screen invisible to normies, huh.
Flash!
Dazzling light particles enveloped her.
'Argh, my eyes!'
Reflexively shielded them, clueless why.
Light faded; her outfit had totally changed.
"......Huh?"
Black jacket, frilly crisp white shirt.
Typical butler getup replaced her old clothes.
She swept back her tousled silver hair and spoke.
"Please take care of me."
"...Pardon? The maid?"
"From moments ago, I've lost all divine authority."
"......"
Felt punched in the head; stared blankly.
Dizzy premonition hit.
She stepped closer.
Butler fit amplified her decadent aura.
"Proper introduction: Adel."
Adel smirked, eyes gleaming oddly.
"First time cohabitating, by chance?"
Clink, clink.
Rhythmic dish clatter echoed through the kitchen.
She focused on washing, back turned.
I sank deep into the sofa, replaying events.
Adel casually asked if I was hungry, fetched ingredients from who-knows-where, whipped up a meal.
Starving, I ate—honestly delicious.
Emptied the plate in a daze.
Cooking hobby? Skill was unreal.
Post-meal: massage, bath drawn, fruit peeled.
Butler clothes, full maid service.
"...Hey, Adel."
But this is too much.
"Yes?"
"Where you sleeping... Wait, you living here ongoing?"
"Why ask the obvious? Got nowhere else."
Flat reply.
I sat up, eyed her back.
Silver hair swayed gently down her back.
"Dunno details, but divine work means elite... Why this choice—"
"Sick of it."
Her low voice mingled with running water.
"Boss goddess pulls daily stunts, system's rigid. Been itching to quit."
"Still, reckless... What if I'm scum? Could toss you out anytime."
Finally, she paused, glanced back.
Her signature tired gaze fixed on me.
"You don't seem the type."
"When'd you see me..."
"Felt it chatting earlier. Scammed stupidly, rage-inducing, yet you reined it in. Even pitied a grunt like me."
"......"
"Thought: pretty decent guy."
Praise didn't flush me.
Calculated that in a blink... Chills.
Scary woman.
"Ah, still... Not reason for cohabitation..."
I trailed off; she finished dishes, added softly.
"Know this? Divine civil servants: no dating. Zero private life."
Clang.
Last plate on rack, cheery note.
Rough-dried hands on apron, she approached slowly.
One step, two.
Distance shrank; she leaned in, knees-close.
"...But I just quit that life?"
Startled gasp.
Cool dawn fragrance wafted.
Breaths-touching range.
Way too close.
"Yujin."
Snow-white silver hair tousled, tickling my ear.
Averted instinctively; decadent eyes pursued mine relentlessly.
"......"
"......"
She smiled mysteriously in silence.
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