-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Orientation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
●
The laws of the Backworld operate differently from those of the material world.
Just offering up a single serving of food through sacrifice is enough to get the folks here drumming and dancing up a storm.
"Ah... nicely buzzed..."
"Tipsy feels so good..."
"..."
As a result, I swallow a sigh that's trying to creep up while staring at the angels sprawled on the floor, their faces flushed with heavy intoxication.
They might look like this now, but once they're back in the material world, each one is a legion-level powerhouse. No need to do anything disrespectful.
That said, the sight of every single one of them giving off temp agency squad leader vibes is its own kind of impressive spectacle.
"Hey, thanks for the grub."
With that, the angel with the reddest face among the sprawled bunch hauls himself up and speaks.
Definitely... the Archangel, right? He's clearly the highest-ranking one among those present.
"Thanks to you, we got to live it up during work. No idea how long it's been since I last ate something."
"You grind us like this and don't even feed us?"
"What food in the Backworld? We don't even have physiological needs to begin with."
"...Do you at least give us something else?"
"Look at our state. What do you think?"
"..."
Good lord.
So basically, they're stuck in eternal unpaid overtime for military service.
According to lore, this race is practically immortal in the Backworld.
What kind of angels are these? They're just slaves with wings.
"Quit overthinking and hand that over already."
As I shoot the guy a pitying look, the Archangel smirks and points at something.
The Ultrim still puffing incense thickly beside me.
"Pardon?"
"You're here to get something from us anyway. We'll give it to you, so ask for that."
Cheers erupt from the surroundings—~Whoa, Captain's so generous~ Still got it~ stuff like that.
Hearing angels talk with their tongues all slurred is a bit disorienting.
"..."
Well, he's not wrong.
Even though the Ultrim's only purpose is to reveal presences from this side, it's classified as a "survival item" in the game because encountering one guarantees a blessing infused into it.
"Tell me what you want. We'll pack it in as best we can."
But I hadn't expected them to hand it over voluntarily before I even started negotiating.
I'd prepared dozens of bargaining chips that might work on them.
I'm blinking blankly at this unexpectedly smooth development when the Archangel continues, face still beet-red.
"You're wondering why a nobody like me, with jack shit to my name, is handing out favors like this, right? You seem to know about angelic rules and laws too, judging by the vibe."
"...Honestly, yeah."
"I can see it all."
As he says that, the Archangel's eyes sparkle, brimming with every color imaginable.
I know that ability.
Insight Eye.
A power that lets you grasp the "essence" of a target just by looking. Like reading their status window in extreme detail.
"You're definitely gonna make it big. Consider this an early investment. It'll all come back eventually."
"..."
"I can see the potential. You've got the sprout. None of your abilities are awakened even a speck yet, though."
Murmurs rise from the nearby angels—~Aw, why spill even that much~ and so on.
For me, this level of high praise is almost burdensome.
'This has to be...'
About the Gift.
The ability tied to the trait "Loved by Villains."
If it's about my potential, nothing else comes to mind.
"That's a talent way stronger than you think. How you wield it is up to you."
The angel chuckles as he says that.
But the next words aren't light at all.
"Not all good, though."
"Pardon?"
"You've gotten tangled with something vicious. Can't even see its form, but I know it's fucking nasty. Seems drawn to your ability."
What the hell is this?
As I blink, the Archangel scratches his head and continues.
"Funny part is, it's nasty as hell but doesn't seem harmful."
"...What do you mean?"
"It gives off an oddly friendly vibe. Not out to hurt you, at least. More like it wants to help."
"..."
What?
"Won't see its form right away, so no direct effects yet. Brace for it to show up soon, though."
He adds that as I keep blinking.
"Here's some advice. You'll grab anything to survive, even if it's not yours, right? That censer was meant for someone else originally."
"...You knew?"
"Told you. I see everything."
The angel smirks again in response.
"Not gonna interfere. Hell, I recommend it. Anyone else, maybe not, but you? I approve."
"Pardon?"
"Grab it all. Hoard every means at your disposal. With that abomination tangled up, surviving ain't easy otherwise."
The words carry heavy weight.
The follow-up is lighter in tone, though.
"But I'm not too worried, honestly."
"What? You were dropping heavy bombs just now."
"Your face says it all. Most humans I see freak out at words like that."
A fierce grin spreads across his face.
"But a guy like you, who stays cool and starts planning survival right away? Those types have long lifespans."
"..."
"Trust me. Normies can't pull that off. You've got the makings of greatness, kid."
I keep saying it, but this is just uncomfortably high praise.
I'm just working hard because I don't want to die.
An angel's warning, though—gotta take it seriously. Pretty important—
"Captain, you got your good stuff and you're still yapping?"
"Come grab a shovel already."
"Look at these fuckers? Hey, I'll ascend and shit on you bastards—"
"..."
Important.
Probably.
●
'This is solid, at least.'
I think that as I gaze at the censer in my hand.
The blessing from the angels slumbers prettily within.
[Item Info]
[ Ultrim of Divinity ] [ Item Grade: C+ ]
[ A censer used in rituals for ages. Infused with power from divine beings of the Backworld. ]
◎ Embedded Skills ◎
■ [ Asceticism ] [ Skill Grade: C ]
[ Temporarily converts all stat bonuses to 'Endurance.' ]
[ Consumes a small amount of mana. ]
※ [ Skill can evolve! ]
Evolves into [ Proof of Faith ]!
■ [ Guardian Shield ] [ Skill Grade: C ]
[ Generates a barrier that deflects one enemy attack. ]
[ Consumes a small amount of mana. ]
[ Barrier strength influenced by 'Endurance' stat. ]
[ 20-second cooldown. ]
※ [ Skill can evolve! ]
Evolves into [ Stigmata ]!
Even just the immediate effects are pretty useful.
Among stats, 'Endurance' mainly covers health-related stuff. Think recovery power, stamina, endurance. Directly impacts survival.
The higher it is, the more it amplifies gear or abilities in the defense category—squared, even.
And for someone like me who can balloon stats with Desperate Situation, having a skill to redirect it all to 'Endurance' plus a barrier boosted by that? Perfect for staying alive right now.
'And...'
The real kicker is that it can evolve.
Only way is grinding usage for proficiency, so it'll take time, but growing these powers step by step is pure merit.
In the Sera world, anything that can "grow" skyrockets in performance with each stage.
Snagging something like this in the story's ultra-early phase? Huge boon.
Archangel's blessing lives up to the hype. Good call taking it.
'With this performance, isn't it something you'd get way later?'
Sure, meeting angels is post-Chapter 2 at earliest, and direct dealings with Archangel-tier? Much later.
Getting a free blessing from one is massive in itself.
Problem is this, though.
[ Consumes a small amount of mana. ]
I eye the line in the skill description glumly.
Mana, spell power, divinity—these supernatural forces require related traits to wield.
With zero such traits, even gems like these are pie in the sky for now.
Worse, by Elpante student age, everyone's picked them up since childhood, so the academy doesn't even teach basics.
"..."
That's why I'm here. If I can't learn mana right away, I need a workaround to use this.
Won't snag it immediately, but I can grab a 'lead.'
"Come on, folks! Fresh mana rifles forged by the Engineering Faculty's Gunsmithing Department! First-timers get 10 free shots with spirit stone-ground bullets! Hit well, win prizes!"
"Magic Faculty's Alchemy Division recruiting freshmen! Self-made reagents free during orientation—come one, come all!"
Bustling pitches echo around.
Orientation means departments hustling before the freshman welcome where kids pick majors.
Selling how fun and educational their department is.
Classic event trait: trivial tasks for big "Great job!" rewards.
Desperate ploy to lure freshmen—er, slaves for grunt work.
Those smiling seniors dangling carrots? Hiding pitch-black malice inside.
Naive chicks fall for it, chirping right into the jaws.
"..."
What I'm after is one of those handouts.
I'm at the Knight Faculty's Monster Exploration Department's booth.
Unusually empty compared to others, but that's because the task is brutally strict for orientation.
Mock battles in a grueling dungeon course they prepped, against dummy dolls with 100% realism via mana-tech fiber bundles mimicking monster vibes.
Who'd want that kinda grind during orientation?
'One guy's here.'
Tough job means killer rewards.
Considering acquisition difficulty, it's absurdly easy pickings.
Other freshmen missing this goldmine? Poor saps.
"You good at tuning out?"
"No. Heard everything."
"Yeah? Then what'd I say?"
"You said pair up in twos and wait."
"..."
My answer makes the guide senior cross arms with an annoyed look.
"You know what 'pairs of two' means. Where's your partner?"
"Coming soon."
"Who'd come to this dead department? You're lying."
Her self-deprecating tone shows she knows her department's the black sheep of Knight Faculty.
Empire's top legions are knight orders, so regular knights get massive prestige—true.
But Monster Exploration? Near-zero shot at regular knight. Desk job's the best outcome.
'Get friendly, though—no one's more chill.'
Work fits the name: monster weaknesses, ecology surveys, overall "攻略" guides.
Not flashy, so overlooked, but their intel makes huge scenario differences later.
They help massively from Chapter 1.
Right now, though? Non-mainstream, zero recruits, total gloom. Maybe cheer 'em up.
"Not lying about the partner. Booth'll be packed soon."
"...Huh?"
"She's no ordinary celeb."
I check my mana-tech wristwatch as I say it.
About time.
A "seasoned" freshman who knows this unglam subject is combat gold.
"Hi! Is this the Monster Exploration Depart...ment...?"
The voice entering by lifting the tent flap trails off.
Probably spotted me.
I wave casually her way.
"Hey."
Truth is, I'd rather avoid her normally.
Lately, though, I've reconsidered.
Especially after the angel uncles' advice—total policy shift.
"Offer to get to know each other still stand?"
Eliya Chrisanax looks utterly flustered at my words.
●