I Level Up With In-app Purchases

I Level Up With In-app Purchases – 53

EP.53 The Letter (1)

“You can’t do that!”

With her tiny arms crossed and speaking in a cute yet firm manner, Ariane’s words were quite resolute.

The students, having lost their will, looked at Ariane.

Who could argue with Ariane’s stern words?

In the face of Ariane’s cuteness, everyone bowed their heads equally.

“Our words must have bothered you. Sorry, Ariane.”

“When the country calls, we go! We are brave nobles!”

Hadn’t they studied and trained for years to protect humanity?

When everyone was eager to join the military and make a difference, why were they now trembling in fear when the time had come?

Ariane didn’t like that at all.

Ariane.

Small stature with an adorable appearance.

Everything about her was small and cute, but that didn’t mean one should underestimate her.

This small girl boasted overwhelming skills at the academy, maintaining the top position as an S-rank student.

‘How can she exert such strength with that small body?’

Her specialness wasn’t just about her skills.

She was a distant relative of the royal family.

The third daughter of a duke’s family, the noblest of nobles.

Who among the students would dare raise their voice in front of Ariane, who was perfect in both lineage and ability?

No matter what they compared, they would only see their own shortcomings.

“The Monster Wave can be scary. But you mustn’t show it.”

Moreover, Ariane’s words made the students reflect solemnly.

Everything Ariane said was right.

How could nobles show fear of monsters?

As heroes who must fight for humanity, it was the worst behavior they could exhibit.

“We’ll reflect on it.”

A mood of reflection spread among everyone.

They were all busy trying to make up for their shortcomings, explaining that they were just too shocked by Fran’s conscription news.

“Fran!”

“Y-yes?”

By the time everyone had calmed down thanks to Ariane, she stood in front of Fran.

“Take care. Just wait a little. I’ll come and protect you there too!”

It was quite a splendid declaration.

And surprisingly, it seemed to work as Fran blushed.

“T-thank you. I’ll trust and wait for you.”

Her shy expression made it seem like she had fallen for Ariane at first sight.

I realized anew that Ariane’s charm worked on both men and women.

‘Am I being too indifferent?’

Even I, who had never thought much about Ariane, found her impressive enough to make my heart race.

Fran wasn’t the only one excited by Ariane’s splendid declaration.

“Ariane is so cute…!”

“Ariane is so cool!”

“That coolness coming from such a tiny body….”

“As expected of Ariane. Her charm is unmatched.”

The atmosphere in the class changed in an instant.

Since when did our class become so warm and friendly?

These were the same kids who wouldn’t even properly greet each other.

I tilted my head at the strange sense of déjà vu, then shrugged it off.

There was no need to overthink it.

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[ Name: Ariane (SSR) ]

[ Rank: S-Class ]

[ Skills: ]

[ Stats: Power (S), Stamina (B), Agility (S), Magic (A), Charm (S) ]

A Tier 1 character, Ariane.

A precious third daughter of a duke’s family, a distant relative of the royal family.

One could easily guess that she grew up without any lack.

Despite being an assassin character, she had a very bright personality and pursued justice.

Contrary to her cute appearance, she was full of passion and had a very strong will.

She was also a charming and popular character who naturally attracted people’s attention.

Why she was given assassin abilities despite being such a social character, I didn’t know.

Maybe the developers got tired of making cliché characters?

Anyway, Ariane’s performance was outstanding.

She was a character that needed to be carefully nurtured.

‘Ariane. She grew up in luxury and, unlike other characters, didn’t have a tragic backstory.’

Maybe because of her cute appearance, she was quite favored by the developers?

The trials given to her were relatively easy.

‘That’s why she could become the hope for free-to-play players.’

Her biggest hardship was when her sister returned from the battlefield with a severe injury and was honorably discharged.

Ariane, who hurried back home, was deeply shocked to see her sister in despair after losing a leg.

At this point, a choice appeared, whether to enter the room to comfort her sister or not.

‘If you enter, your relationship with her sister deteriorates, causing stress but granting bonus stats. If you don’t enter, you miss out on the stat bonus.’

Most players chose to enter the room and receive the bonus stats.

The stress didn’t significantly impact the scenario, and a strained relationship with her sister didn’t affect performance.

‘But now?’

What impact would a strained relationship with her sister have on Ariane?

It was uncertain how that bright child would change.

After passing the first scenario, the second scenario involved running away.

To kill the monster that injured her sister with her own hands.

She hires mercenaries and heads to a dangerous area where the monster resides.

“At this point, I need to intervene.”

To take care of the runaway young lady.

The most dangerous moment in Ariane’s scenario was the second chapter.

Whether she succeeded or failed in killing the monster that took her sister’s leg determined the stat bonuses.

The third scenario was about returning home without being caught by the knights sent to find her.

Successfully returning home without being caught granted an additional bonus to her main stat, Agility.

‘Taking up mercenary work again to help Ariane….’

It wouldn’t be an easy task, but it was necessary.

Joining the party as a mercenary was essential to successfully completing the second and third scenarios.

“Although it doesn’t seem like the scenario will progress immediately….”

Preparing in advance was crucial so that when Ariane came to hire a mercenary, I could step forward and take the job.

As soon as the regular operating hours of the general store ended, I closed the shop and headed to the mercenary guild.

Even in the academy city, there was a mercenary guild.

In fact, the guild was essential here because students often hired mercenaries to travel to the academy.

That way, I could receive the commission fee.

When I retired, I thought I’d never set foot in the mercenary guild again, but here I was, less than a year later.

“Already done with business?”

As I entered the mercenary guild, I saw familiar muscular figures drinking and chatting.

I approached the counter and spoke to the man there. He glanced at me and said,

“What’s your business?”

“Registering as a mercenary.”

Isn’t the counter usually manned by young women?

I didn’t understand why a bearded man was at the counter.

He extended his hand as if asking for my mercenary badge, so I took it out and placed it in his hand.

After checking my badge, the counter man said,

“Is this real?”

“Does it look fake to you?”

“…We don’t have any requests for someone of your level. Most are pretty basic. There’s demand during the vacation season when nobles return to their families. But now, with school in session, there’s nothing.”

Most of the requests here were for guarding noble young masters and ladies.

Since the contaminated zones were far away, someone like me, who had upgraded his mercenary badge significantly, was unnecessary.

“Just register me. When a suitable request comes in, I’ll be ready to take it.”

“Well… that’s good for us. Got it.”

It was natural for the mercenary guild to be happy to have a skilled mercenary on their roster.

The only issue was that they couldn’t provide suitable jobs for me.

“So, will you keep your requests open?”

“Send any requests I can handle to this address. I’ll decide whether to take them.”

“So, you’ll only take the ones you feel like. I got excited for nothing.”

For the mercenary guild to make money, mercenaries needed to take on jobs frequently.

But it was clear to anyone that I didn’t seem eager to take on many requests right now.

Grumbling, the counter man registered me, and I took back my mercenary badge, giving him a word.

“But are you going to keep manning the counter?”

“…There’s usually a young lady at the counter, but she had to leave early today. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, that’s fine then. I thought you were the permanent counter guy.”

“Hell no, I don’t want to ruin the business.”

Fortunately, it seemed the mercenary guild I chose wasn’t on the verge of going under.

I finished my business quickly and left the mercenary guild.

When I returned to the general store,

Bzzzzzz—

I sensed that someone suspicious was watching the front of store.

“…….”

At first, I felt their presence, but then it completely disappeared, making it impossible to locate them.

I stood there blankly, unable to process it.

‘Why is she here?’

The sudden disappearance of the presence was likely due to the use of stealth.

Ariane.

A child who shouldn’t be here suddenly appeared.

Why she came looking for me and how she found out about my store filled my mind with questions.

‘Will she stay if I keep standing here?’

Trying to act as naturally as possible, I opened the store door.

Then, a presence suddenly emerged behind me, and I heard Ariane’s voice.

“Hello!”

Should I pretend to be surprised?

Or should I act like it’s no big deal?

“You startled me. Are you a customer? The store is closed. Come back tomorrow if you want to buy something.”

“I’m not a customer. I came here because I was asked to.”

Huh? She came because she was asked to?