Chapter 38: Compensation + [Character Points Awarded]!

"Yes, yes, of course!" the chief replied quickly. "We already prepared the first installment exactly as promised. One hundred gold. Take it or leave it, the choice is yours."

One of the nearby servants carefully placed a heavy pouch onto the table before untying it. The sound of coins shifting inside immediately filled the room.

Ren’s eyes widened. "That’s... actually a lot of gold."

Aiysha crossed her arms. "Almost died for it too."

The chief’s daughter awkwardly looked away. "About earlier... I apologize for how we acted. Please forgive us."

Cassien shrugged lazily. "Doesn’t really matter anymore."

Honestly, after everything that happened inside those caverns, arguing over money barely felt important now.

"So... what do you say?" the chief asked politely before suddenly remembering something. "Ah, right. There’s also additional compensation."

Cassien raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For bringing closure to the families of the adventurers who died inside the cavern."

The farmer from earlier stood quietly near the doorway, still clutching the glass jar containing his brother’s ashes tightly against his chest.

Then suddenly, he lowered his head deeply toward Cassien.

"...Thank you."

Cassien froze slightly.

That word still felt strangely unfamiliar whenever it was genuine.

Aiysha smirked from the side. "Careful. At this rate, people might actually start thinking you’re a decent person."

"Terrible outcome, honestly," Cassien replied immediately. "Who would want something like that?"

Victoria quietly laughed for the first time since leaving the cavern.

And finally, the tension in the room eased slightly.

------------------------

[Sync Percentage: 110%]

[+178 Character Points Received]

└ Story Divergence Increased.

└ Logic During Combat.

------------------------

Cassien’s expression shifted slightly.

The story had officially gone off track now.

Two transmigrators were dead.

Jameson Sparrow no longer existed. Adam Shrill was gone too. Ren’s original progression through this arc had completely collapsed.

And somehow... the system rewarded him for it.

’So changing the plot actually increases synchronization...?’

That made absolutely no sense.

Unless the story itself wanted chaos.

Cassien leaned back slightly while staring at the ceiling.

’This game is way more messed up than I thought.’

"Cassien?" Victoria called out. "You good?"

He blinked once before looking back toward everyone. Then casually smiled as if nothing happened.

"Yeah," he answered. "Just thinking about how horrible this academy’s security system is."

Ren immediately nodded. "R-right?! I got kidnapped way too easily!"

Aiysha looked at him blankly. "You also failed to notice someone pretending to be you."

Ren lowered his head. "...Please stop bringing that up."

Cassien quietly laughed under his breath.

...

And just like that, the adventure finally came to an end.

Another hour passed before both sides reached a final agreement. Three hundred gold would be paid over three months through installments. Just as promised, Cassien would receive half of it, making him the one paid the most out of the group.

Honestly, considering everything he did, he probably deserved even more.

But there was already something else making him far happier than gold.

Adam’s Demon Core.

And Cassien already had plans for it.

...

The four of them eventually traveled back together inside a carriage. Ren rested near the opposite side while Victoria quietly read through papers related to the incident report. Aiysha sat closest to Cassien with her arms crossed while staring outside the window silently.

Meanwhile, Cassien focused entirely on allocating his newly earned Character Points.

And more importantly... the points tied to the Transmigration Games themselves.

------------------------

[Status]

Level: 10 → 35

[Attributes]

Strength: 66 → 110

Agility: 68 → 110

Endurance: 65 → 110

Intelligence: 70 → 90

Perception: 71 → 91

Luck: 94 → 101

[Weapon Mastery: Pistol]

Accuracy: C → B-

Reload Speed: C- → C+

Handling: C+ → B

Critical Aim: C- → B+

[Skills]

Basic Firearm Handling Lv. 10 → 15

Quick Draw Lv. 13 → 20

Observation Lv. 23 → 26

Sniper Lv. 3 → 4

[Weapon Mastery: Metal Knife]

Accuracy: D- → D+

Cuts: D → D+

Handling: E+ → D-

Critical Aim: D- → D+

[Skills]

Quick-Stab Lv. 6 → 10

[Weapon Mastery: Duel-Knives]

Accuracy: E- → E

Cuts: E+ → D-

Handling: E- → E+

Critical Aim: E+ → D+

[Skills]

Flow State Lv. 1 → 3

Mana Threading LV. 1 → 5

Precision Counter Lv. 1 → 2

[Mana Updated]

Current Mana: 100 → 200

Maximum Mana: 100 → 230

Mana Recovery: 1.2 per minute

------------------------

Cassien quietly stared at the updated screen.

His overall status looked far better now. The mana exhaustion from earlier had also strengthened his core significantly more than expected.

Then suddenly—

"New Rank Determined!"

The academy card attached to his jacket emitted that same artificial voice before projecting updated information outward.

———————→

Photo: [___________]

[Academy Rank: 97/1000]

[Rank: D+]

[Family Status: Third Degree]

[Specialty: Mana Distributor]

←————————

’Interesting...’

His rank had risen tremendously already. There honestly weren’t many first-years stronger than him anymore.

Aiysha suddenly tapped his shoulder lightly.

"How are you feeling?" she asked while still staring ahead seriously.

"Better than ever."

"Unfortunate," she replied instantly.

Cassien sighed. "You really look for any excuse to hate."

"That was a joke," Aiysha muttered. "Though, I wouldn’t mind hating when given the opportunity."

"Everyone say hello to Ms. Silver over here."

For the first time, Aiysha let out a quiet laugh. A genuine one.

Cassien immediately looked toward her in surprise.

"Wait... did you just laugh?"

"Nope." Her face instantly returned to normal.

"You literally smiled just now."

"No I didn’t."

"Yes you did."

"Nope."

Cassien eventually gave up. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

He leaned his head against the carriage window afterward while Aiysha quietly looked away.

’He definitely made me laugh.’

...

December 10th. 7:00 PM.

Cassien finally returned to his dorm room.

Still no roommate.

Victoria had taken responsibility for explaining why Jameson Sparrow and Adam Shrill would never be returning to the academy. Since she belonged to the Vanguards, neither family really had the authority to question the official explanation too deeply.

Even then... it was still sad.

Cassien rested quietly against his bed before leaning back into the pillow comfortably.

’Alright then... how should I phrase this?’

He stared upward calmly before finally deciding.

’Right. Got it.’

Then, slowly, the words left his mouth.

"Send me to the Transmigration Games Shop."