Chapter 15
The long-dreaded seventh day.
A full week had passed since Paula dumped that surprise quest on me—which meant today was the final deadline.
“Haha… ha…”
If this were a novel!
If this were a kind-hearted webtoon!
Or maybe even one of those anime where the protagonist gets just enough hardship to grow!
Then by now, I’d have miraculously evolved from dolphin-level IQ to human genius, and my clumsy dancing would’ve transformed me into a top-tier contestant on Street Fighter Dancer.
But sadly, I’d been reborn inside The Adelheid Chronicle, a game infamous for making players cry blood.
And I was stuck with a character known for being a bottom-tier villainess with garbage stats.
“I hate to say this, Lady Ulmer, but I’ve reached the limit of what I can teach you…”
Lady Karin’s words might sound noble—like a wise mentor humbly sending off her student.
But no. What she really meant was: I give up. Your skull is impenetrable.
I even heard from the head maid that she’d begged not to be paid—just to be released from this hell.
At that point, I figured if I kept her here any longer, I might end up with a death on my hands. So, I tearfully let her go.
Even after she left, trying to self-study with the etiquette book did nothing. My Intelligence stat just wouldn’t budge.
That’s when I truly sympathized with Lady Karin.
I’m sorry, ma’am…
“Status window…”
I mumbled weakly, and the system popped up cheerfully, mocking my despair.
Name: Adelheid Ulmer
Age: 19
Occupation: Adopted Daughter of Duke Ulmer
Titles: Elder Beater, Devil’s Smile
[Base Stats]
· Core Power: 15/100 (↑3)
· Intelligence: 10/100 (↑6)
· Grace: 15/100 (↑2)
· Charm: 4/100 (↑3)
· Stress: 90/100
[Special Stats]
· Infamy: 195/999 (↑15)
· Karma: 25/999
· Persuasion: 6/100
· Sucker Score: 75/100 (↑10)
Hah… my stats were still garbage.
Seriously, these numbers looked like something from the earliest tutorial stage. And even then, they’d be considered bad.
Barely any progress in base stats. My Infamy went up by just 15 because I’d been holed up studying etiquette. And the Intelligence stat… thanks to my endless blunders, it kept nudging my Sucker Score closer to the ceiling.
It’s not like none of the stats were improving. It’s just… every time I looked at them, my self-esteem took a nosedive.
How was I ever supposed to win this quest?
Maybe the whole thing was rigged from the start.
The only way to avoid it was to not be home when Paula showed up. But when she cornered me that day, I didn’t stand a chance.
No… I just forgot.
If I were the type to play the social route, I might have remembered. But I usually spent my playthroughs out adventuring, so this kind of Paula quest only triggered on rare occasions. I didn’t even think about it.
“Sigh…”
I didn’t know how I ended up here, but if that’s how this world worked, then I’d just have to accept it.
Maybe with more time, things could’ve gone differently.
But—
Time Remaining: 00:09:32
There really was no time left.
I wished that meant nine hours—but no, it meant nine minutes.
And nine minutes meant…
SLAM!
“You ready?”
Of course not. She couldn’t even wait until the clock hit zero.
Paula barged into my room with her entourage of smug maids in tow.
“P-Paula…”
“Still getting ready? Hohoho. Well, it’s not like it’ll change anything. I’ll give you your nine minutes.”
She tried to play it cool, but I could tell she just wanted to savor my downfall.
“How should we begin? If it’s dancing, I can have Lady Doringer play the partner. As for etiquette, I’ve prepared a written test. I stayed up all night creating it—almost ruined my perfect skin, hoho~!”
Pretty sure her skin looked even glossier than usual…
Her tone was upbeat, eyes sparkling with malicious glee. She knew I was screwed.
“If you’re really worried about losing, you could just forfeit now. Might save you some dignity. O~hohohohohoho!”
Paula giggled like a peacock in heat, and her maids followed suit in perfect chorus:
“Ohohoho~!”
“Aha, my sides hurt!”
“Our witty Miss Paula, hohoho!”
I wanted to jam pencils into my ears.
And the worst part? I couldn’t stop them.
If only I had more than dolphin-level IQ. No—worse than a dolphin. Ant-level.
“Why so quiet, Adelheid? Cat got your tongue? Where’s all that arrogant strutting from before…?”
“I forfeit.”
“…What?”
Her eyes widened. Her smirk vanished.
But honestly, if you’ve got even a scrap of logic in your brain, it’s better to surrender now than suffer nine minutes of public humiliation.
Because with these stats, pulling off a miracle was simply impossible.
Especially in this cruel game called The Adelheid Chronicle.
“You’re giving up without even trying? Are you serious?”
“Mm.”
“If you win, you get the First Daughter’s rights! All the privileges that come with it!”
She sounded almost… disappointed.
Figures. Apparently people had been watching me study etiquette like vultures waiting to feast.
Even the head maid had told me:
“Lately, the maids under Miss Paula have been requesting transfers to your wing. How should we handle it?”
“Do whatever. Just give me the money.”
“Sniff… yes, ma’am…”
Yeah… Mrs. Bier’s hush money was still my primary income.
Anyway, I had to shut this circus down.
The social debut was a lost cause. The First Daughter title? Whatever. The penalty for failure was a done deal.
And the system never cut you any slack. Better to take the hit now than be dragged through the dirt later.
“It’s fine. I’m forfeiting.”
Whew. Finally done with this trash quest.
I stared confidently at Paula’s stunned face.
Not because I was satisfied—but because I kept thinking of all the mining I’d missed while chasing this nonsense.
Still, I forced myself to endure and waited for her reaction.
“…You’re serious?”
“Yeah.”
Let’s be real. With my IQ, showing up at a noble ball would only result in public disgrace.
Besides, not every noble daughter debuted in high society. It wasn’t some sacred rule.
I’d just be one of the ones who didn’t.
And now that I thought about it, I had even less reason to cling to this quest.
Sure, I’d never done the social route. But I had entered the imperial palace several times.
Meaning… debuting in a frilly dress wasn’t the only way into the palace.
The palace was a core hub in Ark—huge, full of intertwined quests, and basically mandatory for a smooth playthrough.
Sneaking in through other routes? I could do that in my sleep.
So—
“Do your best going forward, First Daughter of House Ulmer.”
I smiled with sincere goodwill, and Paula’s face turned all shades of red and blue.
She clearly thought I was mocking her.
And honestly, maybe I was. But I wasn’t going to clarify.
“…Then why aren’t you leaving?”
“I’m going!”
Red with fury, Paula spun around and stormed out.
Her entourage of maids scurried after her like ducklings following a hen.
Once the room was empty, the system delivered its final blow.
[SYSTEM] You have failed your first surprise quest!
Failure Penalties Applied:
-
Formal debut into high society: Locked
-
Sucker Score +15
· Sucker Score: 90/100
…Goddammit.
