Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Became the Gallery's Only Reptile
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Huh? This guy's more talented than I thought.]
Who would've thought he'd have Exemplar of Assassins.
Exemplar of Assassins is top-tier among thief achievements due to its difficulty, boasting uniquely overpowering effects.
'But in the current situation, it's not exactly a great achievement.'
However, it's not one that would be welcomed right now.
The reason was one of the penalties attached to it: players with Exemplar of Assassins have their starting favorability fixed at 0 with all job classes except Thief.
Some don't even see it as a penalty. They argue it's better than starting with negative favorability like elves or other heteroraces, making it easier to befriend them compared to others.
I agree with that.
A starting favorability of 0 isn't that bad.
'The problem is that for this newbie's situation right now, even 1 favorability point is crucial.'
He missed the exam because he was late.
That alone risks dropping favorability, potentially pushing it into negative territory.
'When you need to max out favorability and show your best side just to have a shot, dropping to negative means your chances of getting into the academy plummet exponentially.'
But who am I?
Lately, with all the ancient era info I don't know flooding in, I haven't stood out, but I'm still a veteran of Jijiyong.
Solutions to that situation had already popped into my head.
Yeah, Alkatern's Jewelers is just misleadingly named—it's really a plain antique shop.
'Well, it does have jewels, but not the ordinary kind.'
To be precise, it holds a jewel of a different sort, slumbering there.
'It wouldn't help him even if he got it now, so no need to buy it.'
He said he has almost no money anyway.
Considering its value, he'd have to slave away the entire first semester just to afford it.
Fast!
How long has it been since I replied, and he's already there?
Thief job, Exemplar of Assassins achievement—the synergy is impressive.
[Alright. Time to drop some real info.]
Just follow me.
I'll make sure you get into the academy.
"Ugh, I'm here!"
The gallery user nicknamed 'SparkleSparkle' was at a loss in front of the shop called Alkatern's Jewelers.
Should she go in? Or wait here?
"W-what do I dooo?!"
A petite girl, draped in a burlap sack from who-knows-where, stomped her feet in front of the sparkling clean shop—clearly meticulously maintained, sign and all.
Her actions naturally drew eyes, but strangely, no one paid her any attention.
"If someone sees me like this, I'm done forrr!"
The reason was the miracle of her job, achievement, and innately sub-human presence combining.
As long as she willed herself not to be noticed while doing anything on the street, no one would spot her.
"W-what do I do? Reply quick, senpaiii!"
Unaware of this, she feared someone might glance her way at any moment, desperately praying for a gallery reply.
'Please please please please please please!'
Why was the response so slow?
To her, it felt like hours had passed.
Yet the gallery screen before her still had no new comments.
'N-no way, I got baited, right?!'
Then the worst possibility flashed through her mind, sparking delusions.
The talk of a way into the academy was just a lie to trick her.
She'd end up scammed, broke, wandering destitute!
'In the end, I can't get into the academy, and this world perishes... All because I'm such a timid idiot who can't even speak properly...'
The gallery said she just overslept and missed the exam, but actually, she arrived earlier than any other applicant.
But she still couldn't take it.
Because the examiner overlooked her presence entirely!
'Ugh... If only I'd spoken up louder back then, I could've taken the exam.'
When her name was called, she definitely answered.
Right in front of the examiner, even.
But her faint presence, like a curse, combined with her assassin passive for muffling presence and sound, plus the achievement, caused the issue.
Extreme stealth—even answering right in front of him went unnoticed.
Few in the world could pull that off.
Maybe no one at all.
'Please replyyy.'
Ignored by passersby, she knelt on the street, staring at the gallery screen endlessly.
1 minute. 2. 3. 10. 30. 1 hour. 2 hours.
'Uwaaaaa.'
In reality, barely a minute had passed, but her brain miraculously stretched it to 2 hours.
Another hour in her head—3 total—later.
The long-awaited comment appeared before her eyes.
'H-he didn't ditch me!'
How many betrayals had she imagined while waiting!
Delusions of world-ending betrayal over a dozen times—she took a deep breath, quietly opened the shop door, and stepped in.
'Ugh... N-no one's around...'
She unconsciously performed near-miraculous stealth, silencing even the shop bell as she entered.
Unlike the sparkling exterior, the interior felt eerily empty and cold, devoid of customers.
"Kinda... cozy in here..."
No people, quiet.
It reminded her of the comfort of her old home before coming here—her lips relaxed naturally.
"But didn't he say go to the shopkeeper?"
She looked around, tilting her head.
Where was the shopkeeper anyway?
"H-hey? Anyone thereee...?"
This was El's mistake.
He'd underestimated her abilities.
Normally, opening the door triggers signals to the shopkeeper: bell, creaky floor, alarm spells everywhere.
"Sh-shopkeeper? Where are youuu?"
But she bypassed every single safeguard.
Bell, floor, all the alarm magic—ignored entirely.
Did the place go bust or something?
As she started moping internally, her senpai calmly provided the fix as if it were nothing.
Touch a weapon?
She tilted her head but obediently followed, stepping forward.
"Said any weapon's fine, right?"
They all looked cool and ornate—better not smudge one.
She picked the least appealing dagger, one that looked on the verge of breaking, and grabbed it.
-Yawwwn. Hm? What the—how'd that old lizard break through the security spells and grab me...
"Eek?! A t-ta-talking sword!!!"
-Wh-what?! My body's being lifted with no one around! Who's there? A ghost?!