This was what Heimer valued most.
" Not blindly following trends, nor underestimating oneself."
" Knowing when to compromise and recognizing one's own path."
" This is the action of a wise person."
" Blindly imitating others often results in failing to imitate even a dog, let alone a tiger."
" After all, everyone's constitution, personality, and fighting style are different."
" Zanzan's path is the Asura Path; it is the limit achieved by trading life for power, and it is not suitable for everyone."
" As for Rin,"
" Since you have made your choice,"
" Then have it your way."
Heimer slowly extended his hand.
" Are you ready to receive new power?"
" Yes!"
Rin nodded vigorously without any hesitation.
At that moment,
The conflict in her eyes completely dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented firmness.
Her exquisite and cute doll-like face no longer held any hint of hesitation.
" Come on, Deity!"
" No matter what the future holds, I will accept it!"
" Even if I can't catch up to that violent woman right now, I absolutely won't fall behind!"
" Good."
Heimer nodded.
With that,
He spoke no more.
He extended his finger again.
Divine power, even more dazzling than the drop of blood from before, gathered at his fingertip.
As Heimer moved,
His fingertip descended.
Once again,
It touched the sacred characters on Rin's smooth back.
" Buzz—"
Instantly,
Divine blood surged in.
It was like a single spark falling into a barrel overflowing with oil.
The sacred characters on Rin's back lit up with a blinding radiance!
—The SS and S values that Rin had earned through desperate fighting and recklessly testing the limits on the edge of life and death in the Dungeon over the past two days, at this moment.
The values reset to zero.
A moment later,
The light on Rin's back finally faded.
The previously dense characters rearranged themselves and finally settled into a brand new appearance.
[Level]: Lv.1 → Lv.2.
The moment the level increased,
Three brand new options, accompanied by the surge of divine power, clearly appeared before Heimer.
—The [Development Abilities] Rin could choose for this level-up.
Heimer glanced over them.
The three options were:
[Abnormal Resistance]: In a Dungeon filled with poisons, paralysis, and various abnormal conditions, this is absolutely a divine skill that provides extremely high fault tolerance.
[Swordsman]: Significantly increases the power of sword-type weapons; a purely offensive ability.
[Mending]: Speeds up the recovery rate of mental power, serving as a guarantee of stamina for skills with high consumption.
Considering Rin was clearly different from Kirukiru Amou and Inaba Tsukuyo.
Kirukiru Amou was a thorough physical weapon, characterized by the stronger her body, the stronger her power, not even needing a weapon.
Inaba Tsukuyo possessed the rare awakened Development Ability [Mind's Eye], maximizing her perception.
As for Rin...
Heimer thought for a moment, then looked at the three options and read them out truthfully.
" The current options are these three."
" First is [Abnormal Resistance], which will give you stronger resistance when facing poison."
" Second is [Swordsman], as the name suggests, it makes the blade in your hand sharper."
" Third is [Mending], which speeds up mental recovery."
"..."
Hearing these three options,
Rin, who had been immersed in the joy of leveling up, suddenly froze.
Lying on the futon, she bit her lip somewhat conflictedly.
Although Rin was usually boisterous,
When it came to this crucial moment deciding the future direction, she was a bit indecisive.
After all, every Development Ability her Deity mentioned sounded quite useful.
[Abnormal Resistance] seemed very stable, and [Mending] could also complement her mask skill.
But...
" What is the Deity's suggestion?"
In the end, Rin couldn't help but turn her head, looking at Heimer with her big eyes full of trust.
" Which one does the Deity think suits me best?"
" My suggestion?"
Heimer heard this but didn't give an answer immediately. Instead, he first looked at Rin's expectant face, then thought about the famous sword she wielded that swept through the Dungeon.
" If it were me,"
Heimer stroked his chin, his tone firm.
" I would choose [Swordsman]."
" Why did the Deity choose that?"
Rin was slightly surprised.
" Don't you already have a fine sword?"
" Moreover,"
Heimer extended his finger and tapped Rin's back.
" Your skills [Sword Heart: Clear Mirror] and [Sword Soul: Sealed Heart] are fundamentally designed for striking."
" [Sword Heart: Clear Mirror] pursues ultimate focus."
" [Sword Soul: Sealed Heart] pursues an explosion after removing the mask."
" Since you possess such pure offensive talent,"
" Rather than being distracted by adding defense to guard against dangers that haven't happened yet,"
" It's better to sharpen the blade in your hand a bit more."
" For me, the best defense,"
" Is always to cut the opponent down."
" As long as the opponent's head is severed first."
"The danger will cease to exist."
"..."
Hearing these words,
Rin's eyes suddenly lit up.
It was as if she had been enlightened.
That's right.
Since she wanted to catch up to that crazy woman,
she couldn't win by relying on defense!
"Alright!"
"I choose [Swordsman]!"
Hearing Heimer's words, Rin did not hesitate at all. She nodded firmly and made her decision immediately.
"I'll listen to Lord God!"
"Very good."
Upon hearing this, Heimer smiled slightly. He tapped his finger lightly and carved it in.
Light flowed.
Selection locked.
The sacred script on Rin's back solidified completely, and the new ability was engraved into her soul.
This level up was declared complete.
——
[Name]: Rin.
[Race]: Human.
[Level]: Lv.2.
[status]: Strength: I0, Endurance: I0, dexterity: I0, agility: I0, Magic: I0.
[Development Ability]: [Swordsman] I: Significantly increases the power of sword-type weapons.
[Magic]: None.
[Skills]: [Sword Heart: Clear Mirror], [Sword Soul: Sealed Heart]
Skills:
[Sword Heart: Clear Mirror]
The sword heart is clear and untainted by dust.
In battle, the calmer and more focused the state of mind, the higher the bonus to [dexterity] and [agility].
When the state of mind reaches the ultimate realm of emptiness, the power of slashes increases significantly.
[Sword Soul: Sealed Heart]
The mask is both a seal and a switch.
[Mask Worn State]:
Heart closed, self-suggestion.
[Strength] and [Endurance] significantly increased, gaining [Mental Immunity] effect.
[Mask Removed State]:
Seal released, senses fully opened.
[agility] and [dexterity] significantly increased, gaining [Hyper-perception] effect, doubling the ability to track attack trajectories.
——
"Is this what it feels like to be Lv.2?"
As Heimer's hand left her back,
Rin jumped off the couch, flexed her wrists, and even spun around lightly on the spot.
At this moment.
The elevation from the level of life itself.
That expansion of her [vessel] made Rin clearly feel that her current self could easily defeat her Lv.1 self even using only half her strength.
"Alright."
"Go to the side and get used to it."
"Don't get too excited and run into a wall."
Heimer smiled and patted Rin's head, signaling for her to make room for the next person.
"Yes——!"
Upon hearing this, Rin immediately put on her clothes happily and ran to stand next to Inaba Tsukuyo.
One could even see her making a "V" sign at Inaba Tsukuyo.
Inaba Tsukuyo responded with a faint smile.
Immediately after.
"Then..."
"I'll go next."
Kikakujuo Mary walked out.
Her golden wavy hair swayed slightly with her steps, and she radiated an innate noble young lady aura——although there was no one else in this mansion besides Heimer to appreciate it.
However.
Kikakujuo Mary couldn't help but glance at the foolishly happy Rin, a hint of competitiveness flashing in her eyes.
After all.
She didn't want to be like Rin, shouting and screaming in front of her own God; it was simply too rude.
Thinking of this, Kikakujuo Mary walked with light steps to stand in front of Heimer.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Lord God."
Having said that,
Kikakujuo Mary placed her long, fair fingers on the buttons of her collar.
"Click."
With a soft sound.
The first button was undone.
Then the second one.
Although it wasn't very noticeable when wearing her usually modest uniform.
But as the clothing slid down, the constrained scenery was instantly exposed to the air.
It must be said.
Compared to the still-developing, youthful figures of Rin and the others.
Kikakujuo Mary was truly exceptionally well-endowed among the Five Swords.
That highly impactful visual effect, paired with her expression that always carried a hint of arrogance, was indeed very lethal.
"Please be gentle, Lord God~"
After lying down on the couch, Kikakujuo Mary turned her head slightly, those sapphire-like eyes looking at Heimer, a subtle smile curling at the corners of her lips, her voice carrying an indescribable anticipation.
After all.
As a standard Sadist (S), deep down, she often hid an unknown Masochist (M) side.
She had actually always been looking forward to seeing this seemingly gentle and refined Lord God show a different expression, or treat her in a slightly rougher manner.
However.
"Relax, don't tense your muscles."
Heimer just said that indifferently, then skillfully pricked his fingertip, and his divine blood fell.
"..."
The anticipation in Kikakujuo Mary's eyes immediately froze, then transformed into a faint trace of disappointment.
"This guy..."
"He's really infuriating..."
Rin gritted her teeth, clearly noticing Kikakujuo Mary's very obvious reaction.
Hanasaka Warabi was also crossing her arms, looking displeased.
Heimer, however, completely ignored the subtle gunpowder smell between his girls.
At this moment.
His attention was completely focused on the revealed sacred script.
As the divine blood soaked in, Kikakujuo Mary's status data was displayed simultaneously.
——
[Name]: Kikakujuo Mary.
[Level]: Lv.1.
[status]:
Strength: H162 → S988.
Endurance: I85 → S900.
dexterity: I82 → SS1025.
agility: I88 → S975.
Magic: I0 → I0.
——
Compared to Kikakujuo Mary last time.
—— [dexterity]: H162.
The current Kikakujuo Mary.
—— [dexterity] has broken through to the SS boundary.
The other attributes also steadily crossed the S threshold.
"Very good."
Heimer nodded slightly, branded the status values onto the parchment, and showed it to Kikakujuo Mary.
"Although [Endurance] just reached the S boundary, it is already an extremely high level."
"Especially [dexterity], which broke through the SS boundary."
"So, Marie, what is your choice?"
Heimer looked at Kikakujuo Mary, who had put on her clothes and sat up, and gave the choice to her as well.
"Although I would also like to compete with Amou."
"But I also have self-awareness."
"Making myself look disheveled and miserable has never been my strong suit."
Kikakujuo Mary took the parchment recording her status, gently brushed back her golden wavy hair, and wore that elegant and composed smile on her face once again.
"So..."
-------------------------
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