Chapter 9
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Scene 009 Trial (1)
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Among the game elements of Another World Online, Traits determine the personality and abilities of NPCsthat is, the characters.
Think of them as basic stats.
However, Traits are given only to characters who appeared in the original story.
Naturally, characters with more good Traits tend to be closer to the main roles.
In particular, the Traits belonging to the Seven VirtuesHumility, Charity, Kindness, Patience, Chastity, Temperance, Diligenceare special Traits that only the chosen ones can possess.
Bella Izarkhel and other good, noble characters like her are endowed with these.
From that perspective, Tristan was clearly a discarded character.
Character Profile.
Name: Tristan Ruelverta.
Age: 20.
Occupation: Count Ruelverta.
Traits: Tycoon, Calculation, Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath.
The opposites of the Seven Virtues, the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath.
He was a villain of the century who possessed as many as four of them.
This isnt something I can fix on my own.
Traits influence not only oneself but also those around them.
Around characters with good Traits, everything is filled with positive events.
They are blessed with luck and fortune, and talented people gather nearby.
In contrast, the futures of characters with bad Traits are fraught with hardship.
Devious people gather for their own gain.
They distrust, scheme against, and criticize one another.
In the end, they all become villains and are thoroughly punished.
The world pushing one person to become the villain.
That is the fate of evil.
..
!..
...
Its no wonder Tristan alone has 526 miserable endings.
Because he has so many evil Traits, his ruin is predetermined.
No matter how hard I try, Tristan will meet his fated destruction, whether soon or late.
Thats why I chose the Trial.
According to the lore, a Trial is a divine task and test.
Trials make humans stronger.
A grueling Trial that can even change a humans Traits.
That was exactly what I was aiming for.
With a blinding light, a voice rang out.
You have entered the Trial Space!
I stood in a pure white space.
Probably something like a grand hall.
I hadnt heard much detail about the Trials.
But usually, Trials were given to heroes.
If I pass it, I might become comparable to a hero.
No, even if not that far, I just hoped to become at least a bit more ordinary.
Implementing the Trial from Tristan Ruelvertas life.
The Forgotten Story is now open.
Ah, now I get it from the explanation.
Its essentially a characters hidden story.
As a avid reader, knowing a characters hidden backstory would normally be thrilling.
But the subject is Tristan.
I had zero expectations.
If anything, I had a bad feeling this Trial would be an unpleasant experience for me.
Sigh No helping it
I steeled myself and closed my eyes.
Then a message sounded.
The Trial begins!
Trial Difficulty: A-Rank or higher
A-Rank
Correct.
!
At that response, I opened my eyes.
Everything around me had changed.
The pure white space was now filled with antique furniture.
I was sitting at a dining table.
To know the rank without even eating the meatimpressive.
Before me was a mouthwateringly grilled steak.
Then, do you also know its value?
I looked at the appraisal result briefly attached to the steak.
It was the ability of the Traits Tycoon and Calculation.
Name: Premium Sirloin Steak
Description: A steak made from an A-rank cow raised in the south of the Meikahel Empire.
Appraised Value: Approximately 170,000 Kaels.
About 170,000 Kaels
Correct.
I looked straight ahead.
Across from the table where I sat was a beautiful young man with long hair tied back.
Tristan.
Yes.
I answered reflexively.
Because I knew I couldnt defy that man.
Appraise the value of everything.
I felt fear toward that man.
This was the emotion Tristan had felt.
Compelled by that irresistible feeling, I answered.
Yes, Father.
Count Millium Ruelverta.
Tristans father spoke as if satisfied.
Eat.
Ding.
The grandfather clock chimed.
It was exactly 7 oclock.
At the same time, an ominous message whispered in my ear.
Infiltration by Traits has begun.
Your current infiltration level is 5.
In Michaelas Trial, I was experiencing Tristans past. And it was a continuous shock to me.
Huh
In the mirror was a boy of about ten years old.
His skin was pale white, and obsidian-black hair fell to his shoulders.
Thanks to the fairly long hair, the mirror reflected a pretty boy who could pass for a girl.
You had a cute phase too, huh
If not for that distinctive sinister gaze, no one would have recognized him.
I never imagined child Tristan would be an absolute pretty boy.
If he just loses the weight and takes care of himself, he could be pretty decent?
The foundation is good, so its worth a shot.
After finishing this Trial, I should start with a diet.
Even trash characters can become god-tier depending on how you raise them.
Anyway, first things first
I had ended up in Tristans childhood.
Here, I needed to find the condition to clear the Trial.
The time limit was probably until the Traits fully infiltrated me.
If I got completely infiltrated by the Traits, itd be game over.
Or something like that.
But I didnt know much about Tristans childhood either.
It was behind-the-scenes backstory that didnt appear in the original work.
All I could do was dive in headfirst.
I didnt want to know about the villainous pig counts childhood, but no choice.
Knock knock.
Young Master. Its almost time to depart. Is there anything I can assist you with?
Looks like theres some schedule.
I hurriedly got dressed.
Im fine. Lets head out right away.
When I opened the door, the valet looked surprised.
Young Master?
What is it?
Oh, nothing. We should go down right away. The Count is waiting below.
The valet hurried ahead.
Something seemed urgent.
As I exited the entrance, Millium was waiting in front of the carriage.
In his hand was a silver watch.
Youre 24 seconds late.
S-Sorry
The valet bowed deeply.
Millium ignored her as if even getting angry was a waste of time and boarded the carriage.
Get in. Thats within the margin of error.
I followed Millium into the carriage.
As befitting the Ruelverta family of tycoons, it was luxurious and spacious.
The ride was comfortable too.
Truly a masterpiece crafted with care by the Empires artisans.
As I was thinking that, I sensed something off.
For some reason, the valet next to me had been glancing at me nervously since earlier.
Because of the lateness from before?
In that suspicious silence, Millium spoke first.
Tristan.
Yes.
Why is your hair like that?
Ah
It must be because I didnt tie up the long hairstyle properly for the first time.
The carriage window reflected my sloppily done ponytail.
That must be why the valet kept trying to say something.
This is awkward.
Feeling like I couldnt give a wrong answer to Millium, I responded suitably.
This is more comfortable and saves time.
Wrinkles formed on Milliums brow.
This might be a bit much
I felt cold sweat trickling down my spine.
Unable to read Milliums thoughts, I had no choice but to tense up.
So his response was outside my expectations too.
Indeed.
Millium nodded as if convinced.
He fiddled with his own long hair and said.
Butler. Starting tomorrow, tie my hair like that too.
Yes? But
Its more efficient.
Ah, understood
Millium took a small watch from his pocket and checked it.
Not even in such trivial actions was there any disarray.
No, he had no unnecessary frills.
Definitely a unique man.
A decadent beauty with a subtly weary impression.
Count Millium Ruelverta, Tristans father and the previous family head.
All I knew was that Count Millium had died young.
In fact, not just Millium, but all the Ruelverta family heads had died young, passing the position on at an early age.
Tristan became the Ruelverta family head at a young age too.
But its hard to believe
The known reason for Milliums early death was suicide.
However, no matter how I looked at him, the man before me didnt seem like someone who would commit suicide.
What happened?
The hidden past of the Ruelverta family, obscured by history.
If I could learn that, it might be the key to getting through this Trial.
I carefully asked.
By the waywhere are we going today?
At that, Millium tilted his head.
Youre saying strange things too. Didnt I say were going to the Izarkhel Duke family?
He added.
I heard today is the Duke family ladys birthday. Didnt you prepare a gift?
...Me?