Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: True Sincerity
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When people interact with one another, there are moments when you realize just how genuine they are—even without any special traits.
In truth, that's how it is. If someone just says sweet words that sound good to your ears, that's all you'll hear.
Especially for young students still attending the academy. They're barely in their early twenties at most.
They've been at the academy since before they were even ten, only returning to their families during breaks, and the people they meet at social teas or banquets are mostly fellow nobles their age living similar lives.
No matter how intelligent or impressive their traits are, they inevitably lack real-world social experience.
On top of that, the only ones who might give them harsh truths are the academy instructors, since everyone else treats them as nobles.
So, many nobles were arrogant and condescending in how they treated others, looking down on everyone—which ironically meant they had no one to confide their deepest thoughts to.
Most interactions were just about weighing gains and losses, ranking families.
Even their closest companions were merely their attendants, so how could they voice feelings of hardship or loneliness?
That's why so many followed Vert.
She seemed like she'd dropped into this noble world out of nowhere.
Being a fellow noble, you could vent a little without bruising your pride, and her demeanor and character assured you she wouldn't spread it around.
Plus, she always whispered that things would work out, with such tenderness.
Vert was lively and lovable, kind and sweet.
The girl everyone adored. Vert.
Everyone adored her.
"But things are different now."
"There were always people who disliked her just as much as she was popular, for no reason."
"But now it's not dislike."
"It's just... a lack of interest?"
That tenderness. That sweetness.
They'd realized how shallow and superficial it all was.
How could she? Really? It's okay. Everything will be fine. It's our little secret. Tell it to me. I'm just like you. We really click. I'm only telling you this. I'm always on your side.
Vert, Vert. We thought you were the only one who understood and cared for us. Sometimes, we even thought you cared more than our own families.
Even when she canceled promises with us because she was "busy," whispering to someone else.
Even when she didn't carry the gifts we gave her but wore jewels from others.
Even when you brought up stories she said she'd never forget, and she just smiled briefly before changing the subject.
You're such a kind, sweet, gentle girl.
We never once suspected that none of it was sincere.
When Vert was the only one accepting our true feelings, everyone thought that way.
Until Violet appeared.
A woman with long pale purple hair loosely braided over one shoulder, lavender scent wafting from her body, slightly drooping eyebrows and a tear mole under her eye that made her look gentle.
Holding her close filled you with the comforting smell of sunlight on her clothes and her unique lavender fragrance.
At first, everyone was the same. Who would open their heart to some lowly commoner?
But strangely, in a secluded corner of the garden where few people passed. In a corner of an empty classroom. Behind the dormitory late at night. Places where no one wanted to be seen crying alone—that's where they met Violet.
When pride was wounded, self-esteem shattered, grades lagged behind others, popularity waned, and even knowing what you lacked, you couldn't fill it—trapped in frustration and anger with nowhere to go.
That's when they met Violet.
Some slapped her out of frustration, some ignored her, some mocked her as "that Gardia attendant," some tried to use her for their own greed.
"Get lost, you lowly thing."
"Let me wipe those tears for you."
"I don't want to eat anything..."
"Would you like to try the cookies I made?"
"Why not just walk away?"
"How could I? Not when you're making such a face, miss."
"You still remember what I said back then?"
"How could I forget? Here, take this. I made time just to give it to you."
Before Violet came, they'd believed every word from Vert was true.
That on days when Vert was in a bad mood, you had to watch her closely, and to even speak, you needed to bring cookies from the capital's most famous shop.
That after spilling your heart out, she'd share one or two secrets from others or something fun or useful, and only if she was satisfied would the next meeting come sooner.
That if your hard-won worry seemed trivial to others, she'd brush it off with "Isn't it fine now?"
They thought it all normal.
But Violet was different. Even while working as an attendant, helping in the kitchens, the gardens, cleaning the stables—despite being so busy, at a word that you wanted to see her.
Violet would rub her sleepy eyes and sneak out to the dormitory rooftop, sharing cookies and chatting softly because you said you needed her.
She'd give ribbons or handkerchiefs handmade to match your hair or eyes.
When she stroked a noble's head saying "Lean on me if you're tired," it didn't even spark anger.
When she offered information to help, saying it was for your sake, she'd get upset instead, insisting she wasn't there for that—the only tantrum Violet ever threw.
To those needing a friend, she was a friend. To those needing a sister, she became family. Even when others smiled unknowingly, Violet could tell who was crying inside.
'No helping it. She's everyone's Violet.'
Unlike the old days of covert rivalries, gifting to monopolize Vert more.
Violet gave to each in their own way, so to ease the burden, they banded together instead.
Not everyone at the academy loved Violet, but everyone who knew her did.
And yet.
That Violet died.
* * *
[Kane Reiners―The Leader]
Main Traits: [Unforgetting (SS)] [Perfect (B+)]
Hidden Traits: [Longing (S)] [Miracle (A)]
'Is that a person?'
Truthfully, Kane hadn't expected much while using the User's Eye.
Maybe just that it would change from "The Leader" to something else, like last time?
'But why's there an upgrade to Perfect?'
Kane's traits were practically complete as is. That Perfect trait of his was exactly that kind of thing.
Even if he powered up further here to the level of beating a living god like in the original ending, no other traits beyond Perfect would attach—that much was certain.
What did Perfect mean, anyway?
Simply by dictionary, it's a flawless pearl, free of defects. But this is a world with traits, and Perfect as a trait means something slightly different.
When do you call an ordinary person perfect?
When they're handsome, capable in everything, and have a great personality, right?
Of course, Kane has personality flaws, so B+ is fair. Cold assessment.
In the end, it's a catch-all for all positive talents a person has—basically a summary of traits. That's the Perfect trait.
And now it had an upgrade?
Stronger than before, obviously, but it also meant growth in mental aspects.
'In conclusion, protagonist things.'
[Adelian Suho Kruger―The Beater]
Main Traits: [Wealth Supremacy (SSS)] [Arrogance (S+)]
Hidden Traits: [Sense of Detachment (B-)] [User's Eye (SSS)]
'Relative deprivation is no joke.'
At least my caution seemed effective; Sense of Detachment hadn't dropped further.
After meeting Celia and others in the capital and puffing up a bit, Arrogance had upgraded again, but otherwise no changes.
Some rack up upgrades on superhuman traits, while others get just one Arrogance—I've given up expecting new traits.
I turned off the User's Eye and sat on the sofa.
'I'd love to scan who else besides Elise has good traits.'
But that's not something you can check easily.
Among my traits, Wealth Supremacy fluctuated early on with Kaiman's big investments or the family merchants raking in profits.
Arrogance dipped if I was careful, rose when I used it cleverly.
Rachel's User's Eye? Fixed rank—never changed once.
'Why only Sense of Detachment?'
Not just fluctuating, steadily declining.
Wealth Supremacy and Arrogance could be variable as original Adelian's—my bonus character's perks.
But User's Eye and Sense of Detachment aren't Adelian's innate traits, nor reflections of Kang Suho.
These are definitely traits Rachel bestowed. So why does User's Eye stay fixed no matter how I use it, but Sense of Detachment changes?
'And I'm pretty sure using User's Eye tanks it, but are there no other variables?'
Sense of Detachment literally means floating in the air—a drifting feeling.
Never appeared in the original or Innocent Saga, so its meaning isn't clear.
'It's both poison and medicine, this thing.'
Even now, digging deep scatters my focus subtly.
The only time concentration holds is when recalling the original.
Trying to remember Kang Suho's daily life or taking this world's seriously triggers a sudden 'Eh, does it matter?' pulling me back.
Like it's not really my problem. Detached from reality, leaving me isolated.
Definitely Sense of Detachment's fault—a constant poison.
But ditching it entirely? Too risky.
It acts like a mental shield for me. If it vanishes, could I handle the burden of this world's end or the fear of true death?
When Sense of Detachment was high at first—right after arriving—the game immersion felt unreal, emotional distance making Luna and Kane seem like monitor figures despite being right there.
If it stayed high, I'd still treat them as flat characters—like the novel ones I read, the ones I played. Luna, Kane, Zero, Leaf, even Rachel.
More objects than living people.
Now that it's dropped, unrelated to growing attached, they're far more precious.
What if it drops further? They're this precious already—what then?
Just as the question arose, noise outside.
"Kyahaha! Ah, this is too fun!"
Peering out the window, I saw Rachel—contracted with a water spirit, teasing a pirate to catch the spirit and skim across the sea like waterskiing.
Real Rachel, what were you thinking rigging my traits like this?
I'd grab her collar and demand answers if I could.
'Honestly, even as a dragon, Brainless Rachel's image is too strong.'
Surely Dragon Lord Red Dragon Rachel isn't just dumb, brutal violence-lover—there must be reason for attaching Sense of Detachment.
But thinking of her as a warrior at play stirs inexplicable unease...
Pressing my throbbing head, turning back to the window.
"Huh?"
"Rachel!"
In my eyes, Rachel soared into the air, then crashed into the sea.