Chapter 100: The Seducers’ Dilemma
Time flew by in a flash. It was now the start of the fourth month inside the Ascension Trial, leaving only eight months before it would end and the survivors would ascend to Rank 1.
Yuki spent that time relentlessly growing stronger and refining his skills with the blade. He was now adept enough to go toe-to-toe with a Rank 1 in pure martial combat. In terms of physical strength, however, he was still at a disadvantage; without a branch ability, having given his up—fighting them head-on wasn’t always the smartest idea.
During those months of training, Sky Terror finally hatched. The former Rank 7 Calamity was now a small, cute, fluffy dragon.
However, since Yuki had decided to turn his brain off every so often, embracing his desire to live like an idiot, he ended up overfeeding Terror for weeks. Eventually, he had to take the dragon out for extra flight training just to burn off the weight before Vee could scold him.
Although Terror’s growth was soft-capped because his raw power was tied to Yuki’s current rank, he was still noticeably larger—big enough for Yuki to comfortably climb onto his back and ride through the sky.
Sky Terror boasted a thirty-five-foot wingspan. Having two primary front wings and two secondary rear wings gave him double the lifting power without requiring an awkwardly long, single-wing layout. Yuki could only imagine how massive his familiar would become once he reached a higher ascension rank, considering Terror’s original adult form had possessed four massive primary wings without the smaller secondary set.
High above the clouds atop Terror’s back, Yuki glided through the sky, watching the golden landscape slowly drift by underneath. The crisp wind whistled through his hair and whipped against his brand-new cloak.
Yuki was now a Grand Inquisitor.
He had deliberately taken as many high-level missions as possible to reach the maximum rank quickly, ensuring he would never have to worry about mandatory game-system quests again. While that part was true, he still couldn’t simply ignore direct orders from the Saint herself.
Right now, he was on his way to the Grand Cathedral of the Snow Kingdom.
He had been summoned for a private meeting with the Saint and another Grand Inquisitor, a woman he learned was a native of this world rather than a fellow player. His exact task hadn’t been fully detailed, only that he was being assigned to assist in a high-priority operation. What that actually entailed, Yuki didn’t have the faintest clue.
Arriving at the Grand Cathedral, Yuki dismounted and dismissed Sky Terror back into his pocket dimension. He walked up to the towering front entrance, presenting his name and business to the Holy Knights on guard. Once his identity was verified, he was promptly escorted inside.
The sheer scale of the architecture was breathtaking. Heavy crimson drapes framed the entryway, parted just enough to reveal the dizzying expanse of the Grand Cathedral. Massive, bone-white arches soared toward a vaulted ceiling lost in light, casting long, solemn shadows across the polished marble floor.
Yuki stepped forward, his boots echoing sharply against the stone, flanked on either side by two elite Holy Knights. Their armor shimmered under the ambient light—a striking fusion of ice-blue plates trimmed with gleaming silver. With every synchronized step, the faint clinking of their steel echoed through the vast hall, their broadswords resting heavily at their hips.
Far below the grand overlook, rows of spectators and lower-ranking clergy lined the central nave, appearing almost miniature against the cathedral’s monumental scale. Beams of pale morning light cut through the towering arched windows, illuminating drifting motes of dust and turning the polished floor into a mirror.
Despite the overwhelming majesty pressing in from every angle, Yuki walked with quiet, measured composure. His eyes stayed locked straight ahead on the distant altar, his shadow stretching behind him under the watchful gaze of the silent guards.
Upon reaching the altar, he saw the Saint standing before him. Her figure was ethereal, resembling a living goddess in human form.
The accompanying knights dropped to one knee to pay their respects, and Yuki quickly followed suit, not wanting to appear rude. With a gentle gesture of her hand, the Saint bade them rise.
"Yuki, correct?" she spoke, her voice soft, soothing, and warm like a mother’s embrace.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Come with me."
Yuki followed closely behind her as the two knights remained at the altar, watching the pair slowly descend into the subterranean levels of the Grand Cathedral.
They reached a winding spiral staircase that plunged down through three full subterranean floors. The Saint placed her palm against the stone wall and uttered a quiet incantation. Instantly, the surrounding masonry began to glow with stylized, seven-pointed silver stars encircled by rings of icy blue light—the exact same holy crest marked on Yuki’s hand.
As they descended deeper underground, the illuminated runes behind them dimmed and faded back into stone, while the path ahead lit up step by step.
Eventually, Yuki reached the bottom, stepping into a vast underground chamber bathed in the same soft, magical radiance.
"Come," the Saint requested, gesturing for him to follow.
Yuki obeyed, keeping pace with her until they reached the far end of the room. Suddenly, the solid wall before them parted, opening directly into a blinding white void.
Yuki narrowed his eyes, feeling a spike of suspicion. Why were there so many secretive countermeasures in place, and why was he of all people being brought into this?
Stepping through the threshold behind the Saint, the blinding light cleared, and Yuki was instantly struck by a refreshing wave of salty sea breeze.
"Have a seat," the Saint said, gesturing toward a pair of outdoor chairs before taking a seat herself.
Once Yuki sat down, she continued, "Thank you for traveling all this way. I know this must seem quite unusual, but I need your assistance with a rather delicate matter."
"Of course. I’m happy to help in any way I can, provided it falls within my abilities."
"There is a undercover mission to investigate the elven town of Blue Oak," the Saint explained. "However, due to the natural beauty of the elven inhabitants, many of our previous Inquisitors and soldiers have succumbed to temptation, failing to carry out their duties or outright fabricating their reports. Therefore, I am dispatching you and Aurora to the village to conduct a proper investigation."
"I see..." Yuki paused, raising an eyebrow. "Saint, if I may ask... why choose me? I’m hardly a holy man. Aren’t you worried I might turn out to be another failure?"
"Not at all," she replied with a gentle smile. "From everything I’ve gathered about you, you aren’t the type of man to stray or fall for cheap tricks. In fact, rumors suggest you’re usually the reason other women are tempted to cheat."
"...Oh. I see."
"I mean no offense by this," she added, "but Aurora is an extraordinarily striking woman. I need a partner for her who won’t try to... well, take advantage of her. Furthermore, you remain remarkably composed around women—you don’t panic or get flustered at the sight of a bare lady."
"Well, I’ve seen plenty of ladies in my time, and I already have my own, so I’ll be fine," Yuki offered casually.
"Thank goodness," the Saint let out a sigh of relief. "Because you will also need to help Aurora dress. She is utterly dreadful at choosing clothes and refuses to wear anything charming or feminine, which would instantly blow your cover. Feel free to use whatever force necessary to ensure she doesn’t do anything foolish."
"I’ll do my absolute best, my lady."
"Thank you, I truly appreciate this," the Saint said, offering a courteous bow. "I shall take my leave now. Aurora will be joining you shortly."
Yuki sat back, leaning against his chair as he enjoyed the cool ocean breeze while waiting for his new partner to arrive.
This mission is going to be a walk in the park, Yuki chuckled to himself. I’m a man of many talents. I know how to make clothes and dress a woman. No matter who she is, I’ll handle it fine.
However, Yuki’s supreme confidence shattered the moment Aurora actually walked into view.
She was the stunning beauty who occasionally dropped by his workplace alongside other Inquisitors—the very woman those men were constantly bending over backward to impress.
Those guys never stood a chance with her...
She was entirely consumed by her work and nothing else. But looking at her now, Yuki realized a glaring problem: trying to make this woman blend in discreetly was going to be completely impossible. She was simply too gorgeous.
Even Yuki had to admit she was exceptionally attractive. She was tall, with rich dark-tanned skin, elegant pointed ears, and a long, slender white tail tipped with a spade. She possessed a lavish bust paired with an insanely curvaceous, hourglass figure.
Unlike Yuki, most of the elven men in Blue Oak wouldn’t possess a shred of self-control around her.
"Ah, hello, Sir Yuki," she said, offering a polite, stiff bow.
Yuki let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "Hello again, Aurora."
It suddenly dawned on him. They had placed two complete idiots on the exact same mission. Sure, neither of them was in any danger of getting seduced by the locals—but both of them were absolute eye-magnets who gathered helpless admirers everywhere they walked.
Wait... maybe that’s the whole point, Yuki thought, his face brightening for a split second. We’re the seducers! It’s a brilliant reverse-psychology play!
"Hey, Aurora?" Yuki asked, leaning forward. "Are you any good at seduction?"
"Um... no..." she murmured, rubbing her arm and staring awkwardly at the floor.
"..."
Yuki buried his face in his hands, letting out a bitter, hopeless chuckle.
Ugh... I am so screwed.