Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 245: The Blessing Stat

Aeliana dropped to her knees, her hands trembling as she covered her mouth. Silent sobs shook her frame.

Daisuke stood calmly, watching as the mound of gold kept rising. Of the vast fortune of gold seized from Casimir, he'd given Reeza forty percent, which was equivalent to sixty-two thousand four hundred. Now, another forty percent glimmered before them. The last twenty percent would remain with him.

"Use this," he said softly. "Feed them. Clothe them. Renovate and expand the orphanage. Make this place more than just a shelter. Make it a home."

Theo, Ryo, Lio, Mina, and Alia rushed him with tearful gratitude. Their arms wrapped around him in a group hug. Daisuke held them tightly with a warm smile.

Brek looked away, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "...Thanks," he muttered under his breath.

Garrett raised a brow as he glanced at the Wolfkin. Wait. Is he... secretly a tsundere?

Ribbit grinned.

Sister Aeliana finally stood with the boys' help, her eyes wet with tears. "I...I can't possibly accept this, Haxks. It's far too generous."

"You have to," Daisuke replied. "Those children deserve warmth, food, and love. I know what it's like to be cold and starving. I don't want any of them to go through that again."

Ribbit had started counting on his fingers while staring at the chest. "Forty-four a month... times twelve... carry the one..." He scrunched his nose, his fingers twitching. "Uh... a lot of years?"

"Haxks, please... at least keep some of it," Aeliana pleaded. "It's dangerous to have so much in one place. What if we're robbed?"

Brek nodded. "She's got a point."

"Fine," Daisuke agreed. "Then find out how much the renovations will cost. I'll send Midnight with monthly funds after that."

The nun nodded earnestly. "Yes, I'll get a quote right away."

He sighed and looked toward the horizon through the window. Honestly, I'm already making more than enough gold from monster corpses, he said mentally. This much is nothing. Speaking of which... I need to deal with the ones clogging my inventory before I run out of space. Maybe I should try the butcher at the guild? He frowned. Wonder if he's anything like Cleave...

DING!

[Goddess Seraphina's smile widens, delighted by your empathy, and pleased by your selfless act of charity.]

DING!

[The Blessing stat has been unlocked.]

Huh? Daisuke's forehead quirked in confusion. Blessing stat?

[Name: Haxks

Species: Human

Gender: Male

Level: 49 | EXP: 322,336/375,156 (85.92%)

Class: Dual Blader [!]

Affiliation: Adventurers' Guild | Merchants' Guild

Title: Lone Wolf, Pathfinder, Unwavering Spirit, Congenial Denizen, Master of Divine Beast [Expand to see more]

HP: 20944/20944 | MP: 6303/6303

Strength: 114 (+91) | Stamina: 180 (+47) | Agility: 224 (+68) | Intelligence: 59 (+22) | Dexterity: 65 (+95) | Composure: 42 | Indomitable: 25 | Perception: 14 | Stealth: 9 | Juggernaut: 2 | Insight: 2 | Blessing: 3

Stat Points: 0

Gold: 443,489]

[Blessing]

[An unseen grace whispered into existence by the Goddess of Light, Seraphina. This sacred favor radiates from within, shielding the soul and subtly guiding fate itself.

▪︎ Higher values enhance the influence of divine intervention.

▪︎ Stat Points cannot be manually allocated.]

Divine favor? Daisuke thought with a befuddled expression. What does that even mean in the context of a virtual world?

"Look at this guy," Brek scoffed, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. "Selfishly internalizing his thoughts again. Guess old habits cling harder than dried blood."

Daisuke scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "My bad."

Lumielle stepped closer, her jade-green eyes gentle. "Are you alright?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Just... thinking."

Sister Aeliana wiped her eyes and stood tall. "Well, I'm off to tell Tiphanna the wonderful news. She'll be overjoyed. After that, I'll stop by the builders and get a quote for renovations—and maybe pick up some groceries while I'm at it."

Daisuke handed her a pouch filled with gold coins. "Here. This should cover this month."

Her fingers closed around it, still hesitant. "Thank you... truly."

"Garrett, Ribbit—you're going with her," Brek ordered.

Garrett blinked. "Huh? Why us?"

"Because Casper and the others are still out hunting and someone needs to stay back and watch the place. You both know it would be dumb to let Sister Aeliana wander around alone with all those pickpockets lurking."

Garrett nodded. "Good point."

Ribbit gave a clumsy salute. "Aye-aye!" Then he promptly tripped over his cloak.

Lyndoria turned to Lumielle. "In that case, we should return to the palace and prepare for the memorial ceremony."

Lumielle nodded. "Yes, you're absolutely right."

Daisuke looked to the children—Theo, Ryo, Lio, Alia, and Mina—who had gathered around him with sad eyes. He was surprised they were still so affectionate and trusting considering the fact that he wore a completely different face up until a few minutes ago.

"Master... are you leaving?" Alia asked, clutching Daisuke's coat.

"Will we ever see you again?" Theo added, voice trembling.

Mina hugged him tightly. "I don't want you to go..."

He crouched down, arms wrapping around them all. "I'll be back soon," he promised softly. "You can count on it."

They stayed like that a moment longer before he finally stood, giving each of them a final pat on the head.