Vision 6 - Flipping It Over (2)
With the light slap on the ax, Persephone sent it straight into Silver Lake. She flew back toward me, saw my face, and commented.
"You look happy."
"An honest man is going to get a reward for his hard work. Why wouldn't I be happy?"
Obviously, I'm also a hard-working, honest man, and soon I'll get the reward of my choosing.
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[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars and Candy' is suspicious of your words.]
[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds for the Heartbroken' agrees with your vicarious nature.]
[The Nubecula 'Gumiho' is very excited to watch the remaining progress of the script.]
[The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' is curious about your plan.]
[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' is happily watching the script.]
+
I just ignored the Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars and Candy.' He's weird. It looks like Hwang Jini was the only one suspicious of my actions. She must think of me like herself—someone who always tries to get the benefits. Well, she's right.
The script progressed, and even Bob got caught up in its influence. He ran toward the lake and crouched down with tears in his eyes.
|The woodcutter ran toward the lake. He only had one ax, and without his ax, he could not cut any wood. If that happens, his family will die of starvation.|
As the words from the script resounded throughout the surroundings, I looked toward the ax in my hand—it was the extra ax Bob had brought. I was supposed to be borrowing it. I hid the ax behind the tree I was leaning on. I couldn't let this come out.
|The woodcutter was having negative thoughts. When suddenly, the water started to form ripples, and the woodcutter stood surprised.|
Ooong ooong
The script continued, and the water started to act up. Ripples formed as the words entailed. The ripples turned into waves, and a big wall of water rose from the center of Silver Lake.
Persephone and I watched toward the lake. Now, it's time for a fairy to appear.
The words resounded once more.
|The water rose from the middle of the lake. It was like a wall of water appeared out of nowhere. Once the water cleared, a fairy-like existence stood in front of the woodcutter.|
Just like in the real story, a water wall five to six meters tall rose in the middle of the lake, and a real fairy-like existence appeared. A lady, about 5 feet tall with blue hair and shiny eyes like calm seas, stood there. She wore a loose white dress and some jewelry on her neck, head, and arms. She looked magical.
|"Woah, a sea goddess."|
"Woah, a sea goddess."
Bob said the same words from the script. The fairy-like existence looked toward Bob and started to speak her part.
|"I was resting under the lake when these axes fell into the water."|
"I was resting under the lake when these axes fell into the water."
|"Yes, miss, my ax dropped into the lake by mistake."|
"Y-yeah, my ax dropped into the lake."
This time, Bob's words were different. It seemed he came out of character because he got flustered seeing the fairy-like beauty.
"Men are simple creatures. He got flustered after seeing her, and you don't even blush with me beside you."
Persephone looked toward me and grumbled something. She seemed to be complaining about my attitude toward her. I just ignored her and focused on the scene in front of me.
The fairy-like existence spoke again.
|"I have these three axes with me. Can you tell me which one is yours?"|
"I have these three axes with me. Can you tell me which one is yours?"
|The goddess showed three axes to the woodcutter. One was made of gold, the other of silver, and the last one was made of copper.|
The 5-foot-tall lady also showed three axes made of gold, silver, and copper to Bob. He looked at them, and greed filled his eyes, but perhaps because of the script's influence or his own understanding, his cloudy eyes regained focus. He looked up at the lady and gave the answer we all knew.
|"None of them are mine. I only had a normal ax. None of them are mine."|
"None of them are mine. I only had a normal ax. None of them are mine."
|The goddess was very happy with the honest answer the woodcutter gave, and she rewarded him for his honesty.|
|"You are an honest person. I will give you all three axes. You can have them."|
"You are an honest person. I will give you all three axes. You can have them."
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[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars and Candy' comments, "Honesty is a scam."]
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[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds for the Heartbroken' is nodding her head in acknowledgment.]
[The Nubecula 'Gumiho' is looking at the axes with excitement.]
[The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' is still curious about your plan.]
[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' is happily watching with sentiment.]
+
Bob was a little surprised, but it looked like he had already grasped the situation to a certain extent. It would be weird if he hadn't, but he was still reluctant.
|"Can I really take them?"|
"Can I really?"
The 5-foot-tall lady smiled at him and extended both her hands toward Bob.
|"Yes, you really can."|
"Yes, you really can."
A smile appeared on Bob's face as he tried to take the axes. His hands were shaking as he took all three axes and hugged them.
|"Thank you. I will remember this forever."|
"Thank you."
The 5-foot-tall fairy-like lady smiled at Bob. It was a really sweet smile. After giving the three axes to Bob, she turned toward me.
Now, it was my turn.
This was the time for me to get something. She floated toward me. She was really tall, and when she came close, I felt like a dwarf.
I stood straight from the tree I was leaning on. I looked at her with a calm gaze and straight posture.
"I was resting when a sword fell into the lake."
She started talking to me. This time, words didn't resound throughout the surroundings. I wasn't part of the story, and the script was treating me as an extra.
I wasn't dejected. On the contrary, this was the time I'd get something for the sword with rusty keys. The tall fairy-like lady opened her hands, and a majestic sword appeared in front of my eyes. Its handle was shaped like a big key.
She looked at me with a smile and asked.
"Is this your sword?"
I had to follow the original script. I calmly looked into the deep blue eyes of the tall figure. I shook my head and presented myself as if I had no greed at all.
"No, miss, my sword was a normal sword with a rusty key."
Persephone looked at me and spoke.
"Wow, you're very good at this. Although it might be easy for you since you're like that at heart."
What the hell is she talking about? I may be acting like I have no greed, but I'll be taking everything.
I ignored her as usual and continued looking at the fairy-like woman with a calm gaze. The five-foot-tall lady smiled at me.
"You are an honest person. Please take this sword as a reward for your honesty."
Without hesitation, I confidently took the sword as if it were something that belonged to me.
The sword was of normal length and silver in color.
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[Laevateinn-Replica
Grade: A
Description: A replica of Laevateinn, the mythological sword forged by Loki. Contains partial skills of the true Laevateinn. Due to incomplete fragments, this item can only be used once.]
+
A huge smile spread across my face. It had materialized as a replica of Laevateinn—and a Grade A one at that. If not for the single-use restriction, right now it would rank among the greatest swords on the planet.
This outcome was only possible because Dionysus had revealed how to obtain the replica from the Silver Lake. As his close confidant, he'd explained the method to Hermes.
<..."It was known as the Silver Lake in the city."
Hermes stared at Dionysus, confusion etched on his face. "You're claiming the lake can upgrade items?"
"Yes."
Hermes paused, then pressed further. "What's the best item one could obtain?"
"Unclear. Perhaps a replica of a sentient weapon."
"Truly?"
Dionysus sipped from his wine glass. "If you submerge a holy sword with 100 keys, it may yield a replica of Laevateinn."
"Hmm… A holy sword and 100 keys— it symbolizes divinity and mischief. Loki's sword, Laevateinn."
Dionysus glanced at his friend, inwardly doubting. 'But obtaining it won't be so simple.'...>
It had been a gamble, but the result matched my hopes. I swung the sword leisurely, as though playing with a toy. After a few practice arcs, I casually uttered words that stunned two beings to their core:
"Midas' Hand is a formidable skill. It amplifies everything magnificently."
"Wha—?"
"Midas' Hand?!"
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[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' has dropped his wine glass.]
+
Dionysus and the towering fairy-like woman gaped in shock, while Persephone fixed me with an expectant stare.
"Wh-what did you say?" The five-foot-tall beauty stammered, her wide eyes trembling. She'd intended to deliver an upgraded item, not confront someone exposing the lake's secrets.
+
[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' is shocked to see his wine glass shattered.]
+
This idiot's fretting over a glass in this situation? I glanced at Bob, who couldn't hear me but noticed the tall woman's stunned expression. Given her height, hiding her face without submerging was impossible.
I called to him firmly. "You should go back."
"Y-yes," he stammered, clutching the three axes to his chest. He retreated, glancing over his shoulder repeatedly until he vanished beyond the forest's edge.
Turning back, I faced the tall woman. She'd regained composure, but her gaze now bore into me like she would devour me into the lake with her. A chill crept down my spine; her stature magnified her menace.
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[Active Skill 'Intimidate Lvl.5' has been used.]
[Exclusive Skill 'False Awakening' has nullified the skill's effect.]
+
I see. The sudden chill made me confused. So she'd activated a high-level skill—though only B-grade. Even with my low stats, False Awakening neutralized it entirely.
I strolled along the lakeshore, studying the water. Its clarity held an opaque blue hue, deepening toward the abyss.
"No need for intimidation," I remarked, eyes still on the lake.
"It seems ineffective against you," she replied, her voice icy yet wary, melodious as a hymn.
"Apparently so."
She narrowed her eyes. "You mentioned Midas' Hand. Why?"
"Isn't that the truth? Your truth?"
Her eyes clouded, pupils quivering. I resumed pacing, scanning the ground. "I expected at least one marigold here. A pity."
"Y-you… How—?"
Halting, I met her gaze unflinching. "Marigold—no, that's what your people called you. Your true name is… Zoe."
Zoe. Daughter of Midas. Known to mortals as Marigold.
Now, it was time to unravel the hidden script and claim every reward.