* * *

As Jerome raised his sword, the slimes scattered in a panic.

Standing firm, I blocked his path.

“Wait…”

If we hunted these Diamond Slimes, I’d easily pass the test.

Joining an elite circle would silence all the rumors and put me back on top.

But the sight of the trembling slime family stopped me cold.

With a sigh, I spoke.

“This isn’t right.”

Jerome echoed me at the same moment. “This isn’t right.”

He grinned knowingly, as if he had expected my response all along.

His smug smile made me frown.

“Stop predicting what I’m going to say!”

“But you’re so easy to read. Let’s see… Next, you’ll say…”

Feeling exposed, I clenched my fists in frustration.

“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

“Seriously, how do you know what I’m going to say? Is this some kind of magic?”

“Jeanne, those slimes over there are probably less transparent than you are,” Jerome teased, gesturing toward the slimes.

I had no comeback.

Finally, Jerome sheathed his sword, pressing a finger to my nose with a smirk.

“Let me guess—you feel sorry for this innocent slime family, right?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“I… I can’t explain right now. But needless slaughter isn’t right. Life’s worth far outweighs any material value.”

Even if Luke mocked me for my naivety, I couldn’t change who I was.

My ideals might have been shallow, fragmented, and unrealistic, but they were mine.

Staring firmly at Jerome, I made my stance clear.

“Luke’s logic and insight are brilliant, sure. But I think the world still needs idealists like me. Imagine if everyone abandoned their ideals just to avoid being hypocritical—what a grim world that would be.”

“…”

“So…”

As I spoke, I felt as if a weight I’d been carrying all along had finally lifted.

There was no need to become like Luke.

All I had to do was continue asserting my own worth in my own way.

Taking a deep breath with a noticeably more relaxed expression, I continued in a firm voice.

“There must be a better way.”

“There must be a better way.”

Almost simultaneously, Jerome repeated my words, then muttered, “So predictable.”

I glared at him and snapped with an indignant expression, “Stop jumping to conclusions already!”

Jerome shrugged nonchalantly.

“It’s boring anyway. Whatever happens to me doesn’t matter. My goal was never to attend this frivolous social gathering but to restore your tarnished reputation.”

With that, Jerome approached the family of slimes.

The slimes, who had been merely wary, now began exuding a more hostile aura.

The tension between us and the slimes reached a standstill until suddenly, a baby slime broke away from the group and bounded toward me.

Startled, I caught it in my arms.

“Beep! Beep-beep!”

The baby slime wriggled in my arms as the larger slimes began “beeping” among themselves, as if having a serious discussion.

Still holding the baby, I leaned toward Jerome and muttered, “What are they saying?”

“Beats me. I can’t speak slime.”

“You? The linguistics expert? You can’t understand one language?”

“Slime language is different. It’s implanted and transmitted to those accepted into their community. Only humans who gain their favor can understand it.”

Slimes even had their own language—almost like humans.

As their discussion continued, the largest slime stepped forward.

Judging by its size, it was likely the leader.

It stared up at me before shaking its body.

Was it asking me to bow?

I leaned forward, unsure.

“Beep!”

Without warning, the slime stuffed something into my mouth.

I recoiled, startled, as a strange, viscous substance slid down my throat.

The moment I involuntarily swallowed, a peculiar sound filled my mind.

[Thank you for saving one of our own. We welcome you as part of us. From this moment, you are one of us.]

The voice wasn’t heard through my ears but resonated directly in my head.

The leader slime turned and left, while the baby slime wriggled out of my arms and hopped back to its group, frequently glancing back at me as if reluctant to part.

I waved goodbye with a soft smile. Jerome clicked his tongue beside me.

“You’ll regret this. That was a diamond slime, an incredibly rare kind. You just passed up enough money to live in luxury for centuries.”

“…”

“You can still change your mind. It’s not too late.”

I won’t lie; the mention of wealth was tempting.

But I steadied my resolve, grimacing at the sour taste still lingering in my mouth.

“I’ve just become a member of their family. How could I betray them? Besides… true worth only holds power when recognized by the right people.”

“…”

“Today, I gained something truly valuable. Something money can’t buy.”

When we left the cave, the storm had already passed, and the sky was clear.

Jerome glanced up with a faint smile.

“Too bad you failed the test.”

---

In the end, I didn’t join the Value social club.

To be precise, I wasn’t allowed to.

As Jerome predicted, public opinion split into two camps regarding me, Jeanne.

Some whispered:

“Did you hear? Jeanne is the calamity prophesied by the divine dragon.”

“They say Jeanne is the ‘Witch of Sacre’ who murdered men in cold blood. How shameless, walking around like that. Jeanne’s bound to bring ruin to the empire.”

Others argued:

“But wasn’t Jeanne the one who sealed the rampaging divine beast, Parak?”

“My cousin from the North said Jeanne is the only hero officially recognized by the Saintess Freya. I believe Jeanne’s a hero.”

Listening to the gossiping nobles while sipping my tea, I remained expressionless.

Across from me, Jerome lowered his newspaper and spoke without looking at me.

“How does it feel?”

“How does what feel?”

“To have everyone talking about you no matter where you go. You know, if you’d joined the club, you could’ve been a hero without any controversy.”

Jerome seemed keen on seeing me regret my decision.

Placing my teacup down, I glanced at the chattering ladies across the room, making them flinch and quickly scatter.

As I sliced the cake in half, I answered calmly.

“Which side are you on? Calamity or hero?”

“You’re oddly composed. I thought you’d be more dejected. Weren’t you desperately seeking validation to fill that emptiness before?”

I shot Jerome a sharp look.

How did he always know my thoughts so precisely?

He even predicted what I’d say.

Suppressing the surge of emotion, I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Labels like hero or calamity are just constructs others place on you.

They hold no real value.

And even if they did, such value is fleeting.”

“Fake Value, huh?”

Jerome smiled faintly, intertwining his fingers beneath his chin.

“Then what’s true value to you?”

“I’ll figure that out for myself, slowly but surely.”

“…”

“Jerome, I won’t be a hero or a calamity.”

Since the slime incident, I had grown.

The uncertainty that used to plague me was gone.

Taking a deep breath, I declared with determination.

“I’ll follow the values I believe in, no matter what anyone says.”

Finishing my words, I noticed Jerome staring at me with a slightly stunned expression.

After a pause, his face twisted uncomfortably as he clutched his chest.

“What’s wrong?”

“My chest feels tight. Why now of all times? This has never happened before.”

“Wait, seriously? Could it be…?”

The clock tower struck, its chimes echoing.

Jerome met my eyes briefly before looking away.

A wild thought flashed through my mind, and I murmured with a trembling voice.

“A… parasite?”

“…”

“It has to be a parasite. Definitely a parasite. Don’t touch my cake.”

I grabbed my plate, but Jerome snatched the cake with his bare hands and shoved it into his mouth.

Dumbfounded by his savage behavior, I stared in disbelief.

‘Can I really teach this barbarian what love is?’

Watching him smear cream all over his face, I sighed heavily.

This would take effort.

But I wouldn’t give up.

Clenching my fists on my lap, I smiled faintly.

‘Just wait. I’ll make you fall for me, no matter what.’

* * *