Winz and I came to a halt. Miranda had brought along some insolent-looking young man. His face alone was enough to reveal him as her son, and it was utterly loathsome.
‘His face is familiar to me as well. Or rather, it’s etched into the original owner’s memories.’
It appeared Miranda was attempting to pressure me, using the recent incident as leverage. Did she truly despise me to such an extent?
As Miranda let out a sneer, her son, Jerome, chuckled with an air of arrogance.
“Mother, is this the woman?”
“Indeed. You’ve encountered her a few times, haven’t you?”
“She doesn’t look half bad, actually. Almost enough to consider her as my personal s*ave! Hmph!”
This brat was even a minor. While it was a common occurrence under the K-Juvenile Protection Act (TL Note: A Korean law that grants leniency to minors who commit crimes.), it was still infuriating.
Infused with the inherent arrogance of nobility and Miranda’s deplorable upbringing, he was yet another individual who refused to acknowledge me as a human being.
Jerome gestured toward me.
“Hey, you recognize me, don’t you?”
“Of course. Jerome Devilienov. The monstrous second son of the Devilienov family, who achieved mana awakening at an exceptionally young age and ascended to the 3rd Circle in less than a month.”
The moment my words concluded, Jerome yawned casually, running a hand through his hair.
“Mother, look. Even this piece of trash recognizes me. Hah, I never knew being a person of renown could be so utterly exhausting.”
“What meaning is there in receiving praise from something even less than an animal?”
“You’re right about that, hehe.”
The mother and son pair sneered, acting as if someone like me barely registered in their existence.
Addressing the sneering duo, I uttered a single phrase.
“You’re both full of it.”
For a brief moment, Miranda’s expression was one of bewilderment. Then, her face contorted in a sneer.
“What? Say that again, you filthy mongrel.”
“Oh, Auntie. No, perhaps ‘Grandma’ would be more fitting? Hey, Old Crone (TL Note: A derogatory Korean slang term, ‘halkaseu’, used to insult older women, implying they are unattractive or past their prime.)!”
“Wh-what?!”
“Are you already going deaf? What are you, Stone Cold Steve Austin? Why do you keep repeating ‘what, what’?”
Miranda stared in utter horror, her pupils visibly trembling. Unable to articulate a proper word, she merely gaped, her mouth opening and closing.
Like a stranded goldfish.
Jerome, who had been standing with his arms crossed, clicked his tongue in disdain.
“Wow, this woman is truly unhinged. Hey, if you’re old and can’t even properly wield mana, you should just stay quiet. Do you have no self-awareness as a noble?”
“Your words hardly sound like those of a child, do they? Shall I rip out your tongue for you?”
“Must I act like a child? Am I not permitted to be mature?”
“It’s not maturity; you’re simply vulgar, a spitting image of your harlot of a mother. Keep your fantastical delusions to yourself, whelp.”
Jerome was momentarily stunned into silence by my retort. He then forced a strained smile.
“Wow, you’re truly insane. Have you decided to just unleash everything now? Like some commoner with absolutely nothing left to lose.”
I flashed a wicked grin. In truth, my next target had already been chosen.
It was none other than this brat, Jerome.
My aunt, who, like some foreign-born black-haired individual (TL Note: ‘Geommeoe’ is a Korean slang term, literally ‘black-haired foreigner’, used to refer to Koreans who grew up abroad and might seem culturally ‘foreign’ despite their appearance.), had married out of the family but still clung to our family name.
I needed to thoroughly crush Jerome, the very child my aunt so proudly flaunted, her supposed right-hand man.
Only by doing so could I utterly eradicate my aunt’s insidious influence within this family.
As if concerned for my well-being, Winz moved closer, speaking in a hushed tone.
“My Lady…”
“It’s alright. Just place your trust in me.”
My gaze returned to Jerome, and I continued.
“What gives you the audacity to act so brazen?”
“Hmph, and what about you? Why are you so brazen, you who tarnish the family name merely by existing? Do you have some wealthy patron backing you?”
He exuded an arrogance befitting one who had tasted success from such a tender age.
Coupled with the fact that his mother was Miranda, it was only natural he would run rampant, showing no regard for anyone in his path.
I intended to exploit this very psychological weakness.
I needed to provoke him further, to ensure he plunged himself into his own trap, allowing his guard to fall.
Jerome, clearly enjoying himself, prattled on.
“A woman whose stature is so diminutive it makes one question if she suffers from a developmental disability—what gives her the confidence to act so bold?”
“Oh, how utterly terrifying. Why? Are you planning to have your mother whip my backside?”
“Th-this woman, she really… I’ll kill…!”
Miranda clenched her fist, her demeanor suggesting she genuinely intended to kill me.
I felt no fear.
If she dared to attack me in this manner, I had countless narratives I could spin.
I could endure the beating and play the part of a tragic heroine.
Alternatively, I could retaliate and lawfully commit murder.
As this was not South Korea, the criteria for self-defense were considerably looser.
Jerome, however, restrained Miranda.
He then flashed a sly grin.
“Alright, enough. A pseudo-noble dares to challenge a true noble without an ounce of fear. How do you intend to compensate for this transgression?”
“Do you even comprehend the word ‘compensation’? With that mongrel brain of yours?”
“Hmph, a mongrel? If you’re so confident, if you wish to be treated like an adult, then prove it. A woman who lacks the ability to prove anything…”
“Even without it, I daresay I’d perform better than you.”
“Then let’s spar at this exact time tomorrow. What do you say?”
I intentionally adopted a flustered expression. Inwardly, however, I was smirking.
He was uttering the very words I had been patiently awaiting.
“A sp-spar?”
“Oh, don’t tremble, you worthless woman. Am I threatening to kill you? You claimed you’d perform better than me, didn’t you? You’re not intimidated by a minor, are you?”
“…V-very well.”
“That’s more like it! I’ll see you tomorrow at this time at the family’s training grounds. Then, I’ll utterly demolish you and take you in as a mere plaything, perhaps even one to be used by my dogs!”
Jerome continued to provoke me with every word. Yet, paradoxically, I felt a surge of satisfaction.
This fool had just challenged me to a spar of his own volition. This meant that even if I were to strike first, he would be considered the aggressor.
Furthermore, it was a duel that would legally allow me to utterly cripple him.
Typically, the nature of a duel between nobles was dictated by the relationship between the participants.
While friendly bouts were common among acquaintances, if animosity ran deep or intentions were malicious, fatalities were not uncommon.
“Jerome, does it not cross your mind that you might lose?”
“Nonsense. Mother, let’s depart.”
He turned away with Miranda, only to pivot his head back towards me.
“Nobles are nobles precisely because they are stronger and more elegant than commoners. I will prove that you are nothing more than a worthless woman incapable of such stature. You will pay the price for defying my mother, you wretched b*tch.”
“Don’t utter such overly aggressive words. It only makes you seem weak.”
As the deplorable mother and son departed, Winz hastily clutched my arm.
Her face was etched with urgency.
“My Lady, why on earth did you do that? Young Master Jerome, despite his appearance, is the youngest 3rd Circle practitioner…!”
“I intend to prove myself now. And as a first target, he is perfectly suitable.”
I simply returned to my room. There, I made a request to Winz, who had followed me.
“Winz, please make some preparations for me.”
“What kind of preparations, My Lady?”
I paused, recalling a detail from the original story.
Around this period, a rogue individual had been causing a ruckus on the outskirts of the forest bordering our domain.
He was a low-ranking soldier of the Kroz Tribe, a people renowned as a warrior race.
True to his heritage, he was a lunatic, nigh impossible for anyone to contend with.
Capturing him would yield a hidden piece.
‘The protagonist had learned of this from the Prophet and utilized it as an early-game build-up.’
But now, it was mine for the taking.
I offered a guileless smile before speaking.
“I’ve only heard whispers, but apparently, there’s a Kroz Tribe residing near our domain?”
“That renowned warrior race? Impossible! You barely step outside the mansion; where could you have possibly heard such a thing?”
“Oh, uh…? No, the servants were merely gossiping amongst themselves. Hahahaha.”
I found myself momentarily flustered.
Winz was surprisingly sharp, I mused. Perhaps it was due to her elven heritage.
Ultimately, Winz and I set off towards the suspected location of the Kroz Tribe.
Upon reaching the forest’s edge, Winz, clearly worried, surged ahead of me.
“My Lady, I will fight in your stead.”
“Why would you do that?”
“It’s far too perilous. If you were to suffer a serious injury…!”
“It’s fine. Move aside.”
“But, My Lady…! I, I cannot…!”
It wasn’t that I was unaware of Winz’s concern. In fact, her inexplicable devotion to my well-being felt almost endearing.
It simply underscored her inherent goodness.
She sought to protect me without demanding any recompense.
I approached her, my hands clasped behind my back, and offered a gentle smile.
“Are you truly so distrustful of me?”
“Th-that’s not…”
“I suppose I’ll have to demonstrate to my sole ally that I’ve become a woman worthy of trust, anytime, anywhere. Please, wait for me; I promise to prove it.”
I then stepped into the forest. From behind me, I heard Winz’s voice.
“I’ll wait, My Lady. Please, be careful…”
A pleasant sensation bloomed within me. The feeling of having someone who would wait for me, no matter what, was truly comforting.
I had always been alone. Or rather, I had always felt alone.
Yet, Winz’s very presence had significantly eased that profound loneliness.
‘The protagonist first encountered the Kroz Tribe near the abandoned house in the early chapters.’
I wandered through the forest, relying on memory to guide my steps.
After climbing over a fallen log, the abandoned house finally came into view.
Kiiii-hii-ik, Thud!
Just then, a figure emerged from it. He was a visually striking individual.
His two eyes glowed crimson, one of them featuring an inverted cross pupil.
He was a burly, muscular man with wild, reddish-orange hair.
He glared at me for a moment, and then a quest notification appeared.
[Side Quest]
◆Unofficial Proof
-Objective: Defeat the Kroz Fanatic.
-Reward: 5000 SP, Random Item x2
I focused on his solar plexus. A faint halo of light shimmered there.
His stage was ‘Early Runner.’
‘Despite his appearance, he’s only a Fanatic, the lowest rank of the Kroz Tribe. A good dummy.’
This was the moment to prove my skill. Not to anyone else, but to myself.
“Khuh, you, what are you?”
“I have a request.”
“R-request?”
He spoke clumsily. I advanced toward him, replying,
“Please, die for me. That’s how I’ll obtain the hidden piece.”
“Ha, hah? This woman… I’ll crush your limbs and violate you!”
Whoosh, Tatatatat!
The Kroz Fanatic charged, frothing at the mouth.
I watched him, a smile playing on my lips.
“Right, you’ve made your bet, haven’t you? Let’s do this.”
I rushed forward to meet him. He immediately launched a punch.
I merely tilted my head slightly, evading it.
Whoosh, Pahaang!
The wind pressure was immense. I whistled softly.
“Hiyah, my eardrums almost burst! It would’ve been dangerous if I’d taken that head-on.”
“I am a Kroz, you hear me! Aaaaargh!”
Like a berserker, he unleashed a barrage of punches.
I retreated swiftly, planning to dodge and counterattack.
But he instantly circled behind me. His agility and cunning truly evinced the traits of a warrior race.
‘His movements are indeed exceptional, but…’
“This is the end!”
Having maneuvered behind me, he delivered a front kick.
I spun around, using the rotational force to parry it.
[Origin Divine Art – Parry]
Whoooong!
“Ugh!”
His leg was deflected in an unexpected direction. Seizing the opening, I imbued my entire body with a faint energy and unleashed a strike.
[Origin Divine Art – Ascension]
The energy enveloping my body exploded, launching him into the air.
As he floated helplessly in mid-air, I leaped towards him, offering a cheerful farewell.
“Farewell, then?”
Energy surged through my limbs. My breathing grew ragged, and the muscles throughout my body convulsed.
I saw the Kroz tribesman, suspended in mid-air, wearing an expression of utter despair.
It was a look ill-suited for a member of a warrior race, one who had dedicated their life to combat.
How must I appear to him?
[Origin Divine Art – Torrential Palm]
The energy swirling around my limbs intensified. With that very energy, I unleashed a relentless barrage upon the Kroz tribesman.
With my fists, with my feet, and even with headbutts if necessary!
“Oraoraoraoraoraora!”
Pababababababak!
The Kroz tribesman was instantly drenched in blood.
His face was caved in, his nose twisted, and his jaw dislocated and torn.
His upper chest turned into minced meat as he plummeted downwards.
He fell, his neck snapping as he hit the ground, dead.
[Enemy defeated!]
[Acquired 3000 Slayer Points (SP)!]
I obtained points for defeating him. Points that were rightfully earned when an enemy was slain.
I could raise my stats again.
“It doesn’t matter how tough he was; with half of my damage ignoring defense, what could he do?”
[Side Quest ‘Unofficial Proof’ cleared!]
[Reward 5000 SP acquired!]
[Hidden Piece evaluation in progress… Evaluation complete!]
[Acquired ‘Nameless Fighter’s Gloves’!]
[Acquired ‘Moth-Eaten’!]
A pair of thin, white glowing gloves and a platinum-colored metal ring appeared before my eyes. Finally, I had obtained the hidden pieces!
[Nameless Fighter’s Gloves]
Rarity: Exalted
*Unique Effect ‘One Punch’: When a critical hit is triggered with a punch, the opponent is stunned for 1 second.
*Unique Passive Effect ‘Fighting Copy’: Copies and uses up to one fighting style.
“These are spandex gloves said to have been used by a bald fighter.”
[Moth-Eaten]
Rarity: Cosmic Artifact
*Unique Passive Effect ‘Subspace Storage’: Activates a subspace storage capable of holding weight equal to your highest stat + 10kg.
“The moth-eating of the soul shall begin! Come, you lowly dogs and swine!”
These items were incredibly necessary and useful to me.
This… made me look forward to tomorrow’s spar!
