Seed of Talent
Surprisingly, it wasn't a big deal. I opened the coin shop, and as expected, a lineup of outrageously expensive skills and items popped up. But I had no spare coins for such luxuries.
"Shield... or maybe some armor...!"
"Goddamn it!!"
As expected, any shield or armor with a famous name was ridiculously expensive.
Current Coins: 269
Way too short. With this pathetic amount of coins, all I could afford was two laurel leaves from Apollo.
Now I had three. I scrolled through everything available for 300 coins, but no promising skills caught my eye.
"Nero! Block that somehow!!"
Nero flew off to block the curse, but her curse control was so abysmal she couldn't handle all the wildly flying tendrils. Since she offset curse with curse, even students who avoided direct hits collapsed mid-escape as their legs gave out.
"Kwegh!?"
"If you're gonna tell me to block it, sponsor a ton of coins first!!"
For all her talk, 100 coins was too little. That could barely buy four laurel leaves...
"Skills?"
I didn't remember any worth buying for a measly 400 coins.
"Kyaaah!!!"
No time to hesitate. Following the gods' advice, I scanned the shop and spotted one skill that stood out—a one-time-use for just 100 coins.
◈ 100 Coins
The gods kept chattering, but there was no more time for real talk.
Purchased Seed of Talent!
Right on cue, a window popped up with info on the Seed of Talent, just like any other system panel.
A magical seed that instantly boosts Talent stats, unlocks new skills, and evolves traits upon consumption.
★ WARNING ★ Consuming this seed prevents any further growth in Talent stats.
"What the hell."
It was cheat-level. The warning gave me pause, but since regressing, I'd never seen my Talent stat grow even once—not like my other stats. And if it evolved traits on top of skills, it was more than enough.
I swallowed the seed, and a familiar sensation spread through my body—like the time I'd eaten a dragon egg before.
"Status window."
Skills aside, the trait was the familiar one I knew, so I hurled myself straight at the curse.
"Nero!! Grab me and fling me toward the curse!!"
"I won't die!!"
Nero hesitated a moment, then grabbed me with a massive hand and hurled me precisely toward the bouncing curse's path.
A pillar that holds its ground nobly, even if humanity cannot escape the darkness.
• Demon King slaying is possible.
• Immunity to all curses and demonic energy.
• Spirits follow you obediently.
• Hero's faith can be used.
• Your holy sword awaits somewhere in this world.
• Demonic energy can be absorbed and converted to mana.
• Mental fortitude is enhanced.
This was incomparable to the previous Beacon of Humanity. The description even shifted from casual to formal.
"Nah, it's fine. I can endure it by absorbing as I go. Won't die."
Probably.
Kwaaang!!!
Nero's curse burrowed into my body, but thanks to the enhanced trait, my curse resistance was stronger, keeping the pain manageable.
"Huuu...."
Curled at the curse's core, I began converting it to mana. Impossible to convert it all—Skaya's mana inside me would absorb most anyway—but reducing it was enough.
Tsssh!!!
Resistance formed, but Nero's unusually potent curse blackened my skin slightly. Familiar holy power from within quickly healed it. Attack, defense, recovery—the hero's true face finally shone, blocking Nero's curse.
"Yeah, self-inflicted."
I'd ignored Spear's warning, and I'd underestimated Nero's curse. Despite my chains, its Special Grade quality and volume shattered my shallow knowledge.
The curse shrank slowly, but no dramatic change. Absorbing and tanking it, I could handle 2-3 people's worth at most. But Nero's output was enough for dozens. Tough for me alone?
"Goddess."
As I pondered while sucking in more curse, her loathsome voice made me shudder—but I steadied myself. No running away, Lian Primal.
"Purify the poor lamb once more with light."
With Prin's words, pure white holy power clashed against the jet-black curse, repelling nearly half in an instant.
That's right. If she'd regressed with me, she'd have saintess experience for years... no way she'd be this weak.
"Saintess, in Prin's name, I beseech... cleanse this foul curse."
Trapped in the curse, her face looked comically grave. Knowing how embarrassing her words were, she squeezed her eyes shut. Surrounding students knelt reverently, gazing at her noble struggle.
Noble... noble, huh.
Prin avoided my gaze, head bowed, then summoned holy power to her limit and clashed again.
Kwagagagak!!!
The curse shrank more than before, and her holy power blob vanished soon after. Compression helped, but taking a direct hit and only reducing power? What an excellent curse.
"One more... Goddess."
Prin clasped her hands, kneeling desperately. Not the hero's crimson holy power, but the Goddess of Mercy’s signature pure white erupted.
"Lend your strength to wash away this curse."
A larger holy blob appeared; nearby students, merely touched by it, became devout believers.
Pajijijik... Pung!!
This attack finally matched the curse, both shattering. Prin and I faced each other.
"A-Are... are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine."
Huh? What's this. Easier to talk than expected?
"But you were at the curse's core...! Even if not now, something might happen later..."
"I have holy power too."
I was surprised myself—no snapping like our first chat, no meltdown like against Zenovia. Just calm talk.
"Good work."
But I didn't feel like dragging it out.
"W-Wait...!!!"
Her voice called from behind, but I smiled and left.
"Tell Rain if you have something to say!!"