Chapter 47: Deva’s Fairy Tale Storybook

"Although I am not greatly talented with the sword, our family once produced excellent knights. As the head of the family, I wish to pass on a part of our swordsmanship to you. Please, accept this."

"I... I see...." Kai rose from his seat and respectfully extended both hands to receive the book, which had a gentle blue glow.

A skill book!

After his fruitless attempt in the Trial of Hanox, his mood, which had been somewhat down, instantly got better.

Kai swallowed hard and then checked the skill book’s description.

[

Skill Book - Flood of Blades

]

Grade: Rare

Rapidly spin your sword while targeting the opponent's weak point.

Requirements: Ability to use swordsmanship skills, receive skill book from the Glendale royal family.

It was a Rare-grade. Rare-grade skill books traded for high prices in the auction house!

Of course, with the money Kai currently had, he could afford one or two Rare-grade skill books.

But this is a unique skill book exclusive to the Glendale family.

This book couldn’t be found in any market! The fact that it was free pleased him the most, too.

Doing good deeds is the best, after all!

With a broad smile, Kai hugged the skill book and bowed respectfully. "Thank you!"

"

Haha

. Although late, it is I who should say thank you. Thank you for saving my people." Baron Arsen patted Kai on the shoulder with his thick but warm hand. "That's all for my business here. Oh! If you have time now, why not visit the people you saved? They're practically begging for a chance to see you again."

"Is that so? Then I'll go see them right away."

Apart from the reward he was due to receive from Deva, he was also curious about how the others were doing.

"The expedition will gather in the square and depart three days from now."

"I'll be careful not to be late."

***

Kai left the mansion and went to Deva's house using the address that he had received from Baron Arsen. It was a modest family home, not particularly large or small compared to the neighboring houses.

Perhaps because it was evening, the warm voices of all of Rody’s family could be heard even from outside the house.

“Mom! What's for dinner?”

“Meat and potato soup. Your favorite, right?”

“Yeah! I love the food you make!”

“You know, I only married your mother for her cooking skills.”

“What did you just say?!”

Listening to the conversation, Kai smiled gently. The familial love in their conversation warmed his heart.

He carefully knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Mom! Someone's at the door.”

“At this hour? Who could it be?”

“Stay here. I'll go check.”

Creak.

The wooden door opened, and Rody's father, Redy, peeked out.

"Who.... Oh!"

Seeing Kai, who had a smile on his face, Redy's eyes widened. He immediately flung the door open and held Kai against his broad chest.

"Our savior has come!"

"Yes, yes... but a hug is a bit...."

Kai tried to wriggle away from Redy's chest, from which he could smell a manly scent, but Redy was so strong that Kai couldn't escape.

Redy only released Kai after he was satisfied.

"Honey! Who is it?"

"Oh, silly me. Please, come in," Redy offered.

"I wouldn’t want to interrupt your dinner...." Kai replied.

"Nonsense! Please don't say that. If you haven’t eaten yet, we would be delighted to host you."

Eventually pushed into entering the house, Kai greeted the rest of the family awkwardly. "How is everyone?"

"Oh, it’s the saint!" Tanya exclaimed.

"Mister... no, Cleric, sir!" Rody ran over and clung to Kai's thigh tightly.

After patting the boy's head a few times, Kai received a grand welcome from the family. He then took a seat at the table.

"Please, have a taste. My wife is an excellent cook."

"All my friends say my mom's cooking is the best!"

"Oh, how embarrassing! Not in front of the saint...."

"Thank you for the meal."

Kai's bowl had significantly more meat and potatoes than the others, clearly showing how much they cared about him. Before he could even taste the soup, his heart already felt warm.

He picked up his spoon and scooped up some of the soup, full of appetizing meat and potatoes, into his mouth.

Kai's eyes widened. "

Mmm

!"

Their praise was certainly not empty words.

It’s delicious!

He began eating more quickly.

As Kai enjoyed the soup, a sense of pride filled the eyes of the family watching him.

Afterward, he let out an embarrassed chuckle. "That was a very good meal, thank you."

Seeing how quickly Kai emptied his bowl, Tanya took his bowl and asked, "Would you like another bowl? We have plenty of soup."

"Then... just one more bowl, please."

The soup was addictively delicious, far surpassing any tasty

kimbap

or

tteokbokki!

Eventually, after downing three bowls of soup, Kai finally got up.

"Do you have a moment?" Deva asked.

Kai nodded energetically. "Of course. What is it?"

"It's about the reward I promised," Deva said. She then put twenty-three silver coins in Kai's hand and closed his hand.

With tears streaming down her face, she bowed her head. "Thank you so much. Really... really, thank you."

Kai, unable to say anything, knelt on one knee and gently wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

"Please don't cry, ma’am. Happy days are ahead of you."

His comforting presence and gentle smile were truly exemplary of a saint.

"Ah, truly a saint."

"

Sniff

. Rody, when you grow up, you must become a great person like him."

"Yes, Father."

Watching the heartwarming scene, Rody's family members dabbed at their moist eyes.

After composing herself, Deva turned to Rody. "Rody, could you bring me the book I cherish the most?"

"Huh? But you always said I couldn't touch that book."

At her grandson's cute question, Deva smiled. "It seems I have finally found someone worthy of the book."

A book? Oh, now that I think of it....

Listening to their conversation, Kai remembered that Deva's quest reward included twenty-three silver coins and one of Deva's old fairy tale books.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Here it is!" Rody exclaimed.

Deva took the book from him. She then stared at it for a moment before offering it to Kai.

"I believe you are deserving of this book."

"Oh, yes. Thank you so much."

It was a dusty, worn fairy tale book. Although not a skill book, Deva undoubtedly cherished it. Refusing such a gift would be impolite.

Kai put on a smile and carefully put away the fairy tale book. "I was actually thinking of buying a book to read when I am bored. You've just saved me some money.

Haha

."

"Make sure to read it at least once. Do make sure."

"I will."

Having completed his business, Kai left the house. Rody's family came out to see him off.

"It's chilly out here. Please go back in,” Kai said.

"We’ll go back in after seeing you off."

"Thank you very much!"

"I will become a great person like you when I grow up!" Rody exclaimed.

Watching Rody's family bid him farewell warmed a part of Kai's heart. At the same time, he realized that he had to leave quickly so they could finally go back inside.

"I’ll be going now,” he said.

Rody's family waved him goodbye until he had completely disappeared around the corner.

"... Benevolence, huh," Kai muttered to himself as he looked up at the twinkling stars in the clear night sky.

Right, this is what benevolence is.

Benevolence wasn't about helping someone just to increase his Benevolence stat. It was about genuinely caring for someone and wanting to help them with all his heart.

Helping with the heart rather than the mind.

Choosing with emotions over logic. That was what benevolence was about.

"The air feels so refreshing."

Knowing that his act of kindness had preserved the peace of Rody’s family, Kai walked through the streets with light steps.

***

Kai summoned a full-length mirror and examined his appearance from various angles. "Is this good enough?"

He was wearing new Normal-grade armor, which he had bought for a simple reason. "Being popular is such a hassle."

After the video of him putting the Crimson Fist in check went viral, people began recognizing him when he walked around the city to the point where he couldn't wear the Armor of the Undead seat without 'flies' swarming around him. However, he didn't become delusion or full of himself. Instead, he decided to wear a different armor.

"Hm. Guess I'll have to wear this for a while."

Right now, Kai looked like a Warrior to anyone who saw him. Moreover, since his armor was just Normal-grade equipment, it looked quite unremarkable. Its design was incomparably lacking compared to the imposing Armor of the Undead set.

Fortunately, Kai was quite pleased with his current appearance.

No one will be able to recognize me as the person from the video.

The online community was still curious about the identity of the video's protagonist. Needless to say, Kai had no intention whatsoever of revealing his identity.

It's better this way. Operating as Unknown is easier.

Since Kai—the owner of the video—had not disclosed any information, not even his job, gender, age, or level, the online community had given him the nickname Unknown.

"If it had been someone else in that video, they'd probably have taken X-ray photos for verification by now."

Most people wouldn't turn down the chance for money, fame, and popularity. However, as a Solaris Cleric, Kai thought his personal information was more precious than a bit of money. Hence, he kept all his information private! This led to him being perceived as employing a mystique marketing strategy.

"Mystique marketing is nonsense."

Having been forced to buy armor he didn’t even need, he shook his head and frowned.

Well, now's not the time to be thinking about this.

Kai looked at the long line of people.

Glendale’s Expedition.

The expedition formed to annihilate the Orc Sorcerer consisted of ten knights, two hundred local soldiers, and three hundred players.

"This is my first time joining an expedition. I’m feeling a bit nervous."

"We're just going to hunt orcs. What's there to be nervous about?"

"The orcs’ numbers have been rising lately. That's why Glendale's hunting fields have become popular."

"Do you think we can get Unique items with the expedition contribution points?"

Unlike the knights and local soldiers, who were bound by a sense of family, players were motivated by their own benefits. Kai’s task was to ensure that the expedition wouldn't fall apart amid these two forces.

"I hope nothing bad happens."

For some reason, he felt as if they would soon find themselves in a troublesome situation.

Kai looked up at the sky, which was covered with dark clouds. Soon after, the expedition boasted its grandeur and marched out of Glendale's city gates.