013. They say it's a tragedy up close and a comedy from afar. Sepine Alavad.

Sepine Alavad. The young lady born into the Alavad family, one of the top three magic clans in the world. Her name was renowned as a promising genius summoner destined to one day take the family helm, but in truth, she had little ambition for the family's power or wealth. She preferred to just go with the flow. Moderately so.

Why not just coast through life with decent skills, chilling and living off easy street? That was her vague mindset, dreaming of a laid-back future. Her mother, the family head, would preach in a rather matriarchal tone, "A woman must carry on the line!" But Sepine Alavad simply yearned for a life of buying a few buildings and lounging around idly. Without greed for money, fame, or anything else—a true slacker at heart. That personality meshed perfectly with being a summoner, where her talent shone exceptionally bright, yet she lacked any drive in navigating life.

"Whoa, jackpot. Another 6. The goblin's just rolling with the dice and blasting through the maze already? You must have some insane luck."

Ugh, the light...! Sepine Alavad instinctively recoiled, momentarily dazzled. Right before her eyes, a brilliant glow emanated from the hero's dragon-like gaze. How could even his voice sound so beautifully melodic, like jade beads rolling, and so gentle? Towering stature on another level, personality sweet as pie. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Even up close, she couldn't spot a single flaw.

Was I blind this whole time? Meeting celebrities on TV or top awakeners worldwide had never stirred her, but apparently her standards were sky-high. Only now, facing otherworldly beauty, did her eyes truly open. Every glimpse of that radiant face made her heart skip, but as a proper lady, she couldn't let her jaw drop. Deliberately averting her gaze, she cleared her throat and adopted a haughty expression.

"Ahem. I do have a knack for luck."

In truth, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠drawing goblin for race and class was rotten luck, but Sepine genuinely believed her fortune wasn't bad. Not when she was alone with the hero like this. Yeah, if anything, it was great.

"It really seems that way. How many sixes have come up on these dice already?"

At the hero's sincere praise, Sepine's nose and shoulders lifted proudly.

"Hold on, let me roll once more."

In this sudden burst of happiness, she rolled the dice with a beaming smile.

Roll, roll...

Goddess of Order and Balance of Causality. Having restored peace to the world under her charge, the goddess mostly watched over the hero. One might wonder why bother tailing a hero who'd already saved the world and was off enjoying his freedom, but "When you've got downtime, you branch out." She'd rebuilt the world, heeded her followers' prayers, and voyeured the hero. Not just any follower, but a top-tier one—the hero himself. Didn't he deserve extra attention? Shin Yuseong would snap back not to be ridiculous if he heard, but the goddess meant it sincerely.

She spent her leisure observing her most vital familiar's life, offering nitpicky advice when issues arose. But sometimes, just watching made her blood boil.

"Should we go this way?"

"Kirik (Yeah, that's what I figured)."

"Oh, found some moonlit herb—could use it as potion stock or sell high?"

"Kirik, kirik (Hmm, smooth sailing again)."

The affable hero Shin Yuseong smiling warmly, the goblin trailing him with a coy grin. No, more precisely, the golden goblin battle mage (lol) sneaking peeks at his profile with a bashful smile. The goddess instinctively smacked her forehead at the sight.

"Kirik, kiririk (Ugh, this hyacinth here's pretty... want it?)?"

"Oh, you're giving it to me? Thanks."

"Ki, kirik (N-no problem)."

The goblin handing over the flower, a bit tense. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The oblivious hero accepting the pink bloom with a grin. From her third-person heavenly vantage, it was comically absurd.

Life looks tragic up close, comedic from afar, or so they say.

No, this is tragic even from afar.

She'd wanted rom-com, not this black comedy...!

"...Oh, God."

Clutching her face, the goddess desperately wished for anyone to fix this mess.

"No, hero. That's not it."

What kind of thoughts are you having about a lady? Unable to watch further, she prayed fervently for a miracle. Perhaps her plea as the goddess of causality rippled beyond the world.

"Whoa, jackpot. Finally...!"

The goddess clenched her fist, watching intently.

This is it. Like the goddess above, Sepine Alavad thought the same. Traveling together was fun enough, but human form would be better. Personally, she preferred it, and as someone with a crush, goblin wasn't ideal.

Even with me as a monster, he's so unfazed and kind. A heart-fluttering point in its own way. But Sepine was ready to shed the golden goblin guise. Pop that Truth Elixir and revert to human! Then they could walk as equals. Gripping her staff from the aptitude selection, she burned with resolve.

...Rumble!

Their magic board game was ridiculously realistic. Treasures of legend naturally had guardians.

A beautiful lake by the treasure chest. As they approached, a green troll emerged from the woods. Twice a human's size, easily over 4 meters—not a juvenile, but a full-grown adult. Sepine frowned, gripping her staff tightly.

No, even in a game, a troll?

In level tests, goblin packs were E-rank hunter fodder. Orcs were D to C. Trolls? B-rank behemoths. Nicknamed newbie-shredders. Immense size and strength, plus insane regen—sub-C-rank teams couldn't take one down. Needed frontline brawn or overwhelming firepower.

Summon... but no familiar here. She was golden goblin battle mage now, specialties sealed. Victory uncertain, but I'll manage. A woman couldn't flee leaving a man behind. Sepine steeled herself, powering her arm, thrusting her staff forward. Protect the hero! The troll eyeing the handsome hero irked her, fueling her fire!

As she geared for battle, Shin Yuseong stepped forward with a smile.

"Eh?"

"Positions seem off."

"St-still."

"I'm the frontliner anyway. Got experience with trolls."

Unfazed by the hulking troll, his confident poise and gentle voice made Sepine's heart pound again.

...I'll definitely turn human.

Resolve ignited, she gathered mana for a swift cast.

Whoosh—fwoosh!

A marble-sized fireball formed at her wooden staff's tip. Elemental magic, Fireball. Obvious, but too small for a troll. Bigger, bigger—much bigger. At least head-sized.

...Takes time, as expected. Unused to elemental spells as a specialist mage, her Fireball lagged. Ideally 1-2 seconds, but near 10 for target power. If the hero's in danger, fire early and recharge. As she pushed the cast—

"Troll, huh? Been a while."

Shin Yuseong approached like greeting an old pal, casual and relaxed. No trace of worry or fear. Gripping his waist sword, an aura of dominance emanated from his back. She stared, entranced. He drew the blade.

"Holy Sword, deploy."

Rumble—blazing radiance poured from the sword in waves. The hero wielding it was a natural, breathtaking masterpiece of art.