Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Trait Confirmation
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The texture of the silk wrapping around me was incredibly soft.
The cushioning felt like it was embracing my body while firmly supporting it—utterly insane.
By now, I should be used to it, but every time I sleep, this bed uncovers something new. Isn't it an artifact?
'Could be.'
Today, I woke up before Luna could clap her little hands to rouse me. I stretched languidly and stepped out of bed.
"Taking the bed into a subspace would be a bit much, huh?"
What a shame. Traveling with Cain's party, I'd probably regret it big time over food and beds.
"Y-Young master... you're already... up?"
"My eyes just popped open on their own."
I waved to Luna as she brought the washbasin, then took the towel and wiped my face while adding a slur to my speech.
"It's that kind of day today."
"I'm kinda curious too... Oh, and while we're there, could you check my trait as well?"
[Luna Index - Rabbitkin Maid]
Representative Traits: [Timidity (A)] [Cuteness (A)]
Hidden Traits: [Leg Strength (A)] [Frenzy (D)] [Beast Affinity (F)]
"Sure, why not. I'll cover the cost."
She'd even lost the "crybaby" title, and her Timidity trait had dropped a rank.
Even timid Luna could gain a bit of confidence from that, all around.
And the hidden traits only I could see had changed too.
'I can guess why Frenzy dropped... but Beast Affinity? What's that?'
Beast Affinity? What the hell is Beast Affinity?
No way it's childcare swapped for that?
I pictured Luna lately, living her healing life in the stables.
She must've loved it that much.
I took the towel, wiped my face, eyed the lavish breakfast spread, then turned back to Luna.
"Green juice?"
"...Drinking green juice until my birthday feels a bit much, doesn't it?"
No, it's good for you?
I sighed with the exasperation of a parent's whose kid is cramming for exams.
"Fine, two cups at dinner then."
"I refuse."
Cain strolled in, looking like he'd only had a light sausage or something, and answered in her place. I clicked my tongue.
"Fine, birthday pass."
I waved my fork, speared some lightly blanched veggies tossed in olive oil and spices, and chewed slowly.
* * *
"Dust yourself off, dust."
"But... it doesn't look like it hurts..."
Thwack! Thwack!
Did they have birthday beatings here too?
Before heading to the temple, we stopped by the knight order, and now Cain was surrounded and getting thoroughly thrashed.
"Draw a good trait!"
"Toughness better pop, you punk."
They seemed a bit excited. The hands slapping his back were downright lively.
"We can head out now."
After a good beating, Cain dusted off his clothes and approached. I scanned him slowly from head to toe.
'The clothes Luna picked out are all wrinkled now. Hair's a mess too.'
And yet that scruffiness looked like fashion on him. Talent, protagonist.
"Let's tidy up roughly and go."
I could send Cain alone, but it was the protagonist's trait-check day. Why skip the fun of watching with my own eyes?
Going to the temple drew more eyes than an auction house or village trip, so today we took the family carriage pulled by four horses instead of riding.
"No regrets?"
The Kruger carriage screamed money—riding in it felt no worse than a modern car. Midway through marveling at the smooth ride, Cain tossed out the question, and I replied.
"About sponsoring you?"
"Yeah. Might not happen, but you could just get mediocre traits."
His face showed zero worry as he flatly said it wouldn't happen. Then why ask?
Crunch!
Luna crunched on the carrot she'd brought as a snack. Felt just like watching someone munch popcorn.
"I trust my eye for talent. You're the one."
"That's your only basis?"
"What else do you need? Or are you getting cold feet now?"
"Not at all."
"Worry about growing strong enough to repay the favor."
He snorted and turned away at my words. For a second, it reminded me of that princess-raising game.
If you overworked her with odd jobs, she'd turn rebellious and run away.
Was Cain-raising the same? Too much training and he'd go off the rails?
But even if he did, Cain was the type to keep training.
'And the ending I need to see is the marriage ending, which is similar.'
Wait. Didn't that game have dragon and fairy endings... and a rabbit one too?
I felt like I'd stepped closer to a chilling truth.
'Innocent Saga. It was a rip-off!'
"You getting out or what?"
"Oh, right."
Nothing like comfort to breed stray thoughts.
I halted my spiraling mind, stepped out of the carriage—and saw it had stopped short of the temple, not at the main gate. I glanced at the coachman.
"It's custom to walk from the main gate to the temple as a sign of respect... Sorry, young master."
He jumped down from his seat and bowed deeply. Passersby shot glances our way.
All the more reason to act bold.
I'm a delinquent noble. This is my daily life.
No shame at all.
Not embarrassing...
"Got it. Wait nearby."
My face didn't flush, did it?
Thank the buoyancy trait for making it feel like someone else's problem.
If it felt real, I'd be hunting for a rat hole right now.
Murmurs from afar—something about total delinquent or my name or the Kruger family.
Whatever. Can't hear 'em.
"Let's go."
I nodded to Luna and Cain, then slowly headed toward the pristine white building standing aloof in the distance.
Trait checks weren't cheap, so fewer people did it on their birthday. Plus, folks came periodically to see if theirs had changed. This crowd made sense.
'But...'
Why were eyes constantly drilling into me?
"So cute..."
That was about Luna.
"Sis, look over there. He's hot, for real."
That was me. Obviously.
"Um... sorry, but after your trait check today, got time? Maybe grab a meal..."
"Is it your birthday? Mine too. Same birthday's fate, right?"
"Pass."
Tch. No chance! And just like that, my confidence shattered.
A couple girls who'd been whispering to Cain, a few steps behind me, scattered with weird squeaks the moment I turned.
If this weren't the city where Adelian ran wild, I'd match Cain's pull.
"What the hell have you been up to?"
"Pleash forgive me..."
"I-It's all misunderstandings, so don't mind it, young master... You don't lay a hand on anyone anymore... or puke anywhere drunk or pee in the streets..."
"Ah, I see."
"Pleash forgive..."
I forced a smile, urged them on, and walked faster.
'Need to check and bail ASAP. Stay longer and my mental stat...'
Hustling along, more people started streaming out from the temple.
"Haa... what do I do..."
"Hey, you're nuts. Look at my trait. Guess I got talent. Gonna go for it."
"I really tried, why isn't it there, why..."
"Thought it'd changed!"
"Still the same? You always disappoint me."
Cheers and despair. Hope and letdowns.
Faces of all kinds brushed past our group.
"I hope mine changed too..."
Luna mumbled anxiously in the mood. Instead of saying her Timid trait had, I patted her head and tugged her ears.
"Cain, you tense at all?"
I glanced sideways. His blank face showed no nerves, but I asked anyway.
"After chugging that vicious stuff every time, something's bound to come up."
What'd you say?
As I glared, we reached the temple.
"Unified temple, huh."
"Big city means diverse gods."
No supreme god here. Even humans, beastkin, and such varied by region.
Like Japan or India back with Kang Su-ho?
Few dominant faiths meant fewer holy wars.
'But they happen eventually.'
I shook my head, passed a beaming guy with a good trait, and entered.
"Hello. Here for a trait check?"
Ivory hair, green eyes. A kind, busty big-sis vibe.
Big sis. Nice. I consciously flattened my rising smile, pushed Luna and Cain forward.
"Check theirs."
Cain's face was stiffer than usual—nerves, maybe.
Luna looked earnest too.
I watched them get checked, then eyed the priestess beyond.
'Might as well peek at big sis's traits.'
She clasped her hands, eyes closed. I opened her trait window.
[Leina Smith - Little Pray-er]
Representative Traits: [Observer's Gaze (A)] [Kindness (B)]
Hidden Traits: [Miracle (F)] [Pastry-making (E)]
Observer's Gaze the trait-reader trait?
Miracle too. Underrated one.
On combat units, it'd trigger insta-kills instead of crits or max heals post-group heal.
Not luck—impossible effects popping up.
Physical hits landing on spirits, neutral units countering elemental dungeons.
'Fun times. Innocent Saga's best played with NPC parties...'
I sighed thinking of the hopeless main party. Then Leina finished, scribbled on wooden plaques, and handed them over.
"Impressive. See for yourselves—by the gods, my lips are sealed."
Her soft, smiling whisper lost its point as the plaques shoved in my face.
"Young master... here."
"Take 'em."
"You can't just show others like that..."
No, big sis... I'm not gripping their weaknesses or anything. Don't look at me like a thief...
'Ah... I kinda am...'
I grinned awkwardly. Was it arrogance trait?
Her eyes turned to garbage-worse-than-thief. I grabbed the plaques and bolted.
"Hmm. Let's see."
"How is it... young master?"
"Does it meet expectations?"
[Timidity (A) and Cuteness (A). Timidity means avoiding danger too, right? A great strength, I think.]
Luna's matched last time—Timidity down a rank.
Temples explain like this, huh.
Hidden traits and titles must be game-only; only I with player eyes see 'em.
"Check yours, Luna. Looks decent."
She saw the rank drop, face softening.
"Hehe..."
"And yours... let's head to the carriage?"
"Why?"
"Lottery's gotta have that scratch thrill."
Cain looked puzzled. I hurried ahead.
'Wonder if it's not Tenacity... what came up?'
No "Tenacity's better, why this?" tag, I hope.
A bit antsy, tense, I breathed deep.
Coachman spotted me, hopped down to open the door—but I yanked it first and sat.
"Here goes..."
"You're more nervous than me."
"Obviously."
Kang Su-ho's savings, time, sanity. Adelian's cash. Results incoming—who wouldn't tense?
'Traits... window!'
[Cain Reyners - The Awakener]
Representative Traits: [Indelible (SS)] [Genius (S)] [Appearance (A)] [Physique (S)]
Hidden Traits: [Bad Luck (F)] [Resilience (A)]
'What the hell.'
I read the trait window over the plaque and blanked out.
'Something like this existed?'
Indelible? What even is that.
I hurriedly closed the window and read the plaque.