"[Salesman]???" The priest's voice rang out, and everyone in the hall froze in shock.
"The young master of the Gladios Dukedom is… just a [Salesman]?"
"And without even a single common skill?"
"Has anyone ever heard of such a thing in our time? Even the lowest [Farmer] class gets at least one skill."
"Exactly… Even ordinary [Salesman] classes come with common skills like [Sweet Talk] or [Appraisal]. But this? Nothing. Not even one."
"And what about the young master's blessing? [Dark Web]? Has anyone here even heard of such a blessing before?"
"This is the first time I've ever heard of it. Still, since his class is clearly an everyday, low-tier one, I doubt the blessing is worth much."
"[Dark Web]… Just from the name, you can tell it's something unholy."
"A disgrace born to tarnish the Gladios Dukedom and its [Hero] and [Sword God] legacy."
The voices of the crowd seemed distant, as if they were coming from another world. At that moment, the knowledge of my blessing began to pour into my mind—every awakened blessing reveals its nature to its bearer.
When the last piece of information settled into my thoughts, my lips curved into a faint smile.
So… [Dark Web] isn't as bad as I thought.
Suddenly, a powerful hand clamped down on my shoulder, pressing hard enough to make my bones creak. I was yanked backward.
"Ah!" The pain shot through me like lightning, forcing a cry from my mouth. I turned in shock—only to meet the furious, burning eyes of my father.
"F-Father…" I stammered, but his glare silenced me. Lowering my head, I stepped aside without another word.
My cousins were smirking, their faces dripping with mockery. Nolan—my twin—wore a smirk that was colder than ice, as if he were mocking my very existence.
"Nolan Von Gladios," the High Priest called.
That smirk vanished. His eyes darted toward the altar with a flicker of unease. Perhaps my strange reaction earlier had unsettled him.
My mother placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, pulling him close as if to shield him from the world. She guided him forward, her warmth wrapping around him like armor.
That warmth pierced me deeper than any blade—not because I begrudged him her affection, but because she hadn't spared even a glance of compassion for me.
Standing before the crystal orb, Nolan placed his hand upon it just as I had. My father's gaze was locked on him, filled with the silent plea of a man clinging to his last hope. Everyone in the temple was watching him… even me.
"Touch of the rumbling legend; discover the inner mirror of this soul! Heaven's Blessing!" the High Priest intoned, his voice soft yet commanding.
Light engulfed the temple once more. Above Nolan's head, a massive golden sword shimmered into existence, radiating divine power. Gasps rippled through the crowd—including my own.
When the light faded, the High Priest stared at the crystal orb, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"B-Blessing… [Sword God]," he stammered.
Silence blanketed the temple—thick, heavy, absolute.
"Blessing: [Sword God]. Normal skills: 18. Unique skills: 7. Special skills: 5. Rare skills: 5. Divine skills: 2. Class: Pinnacle of the Sword—[Sword God]," his voice rang out.
"My gods… Did I hear that right? [Sword God]?"
"The [Hero] has returned!"
"[Sword God] reborn!"
Cheers erupted, echoing off the sacred walls. My mother pulled Nolan into her arms, tears of joy glistening in her eyes.
"Hahahaha!" My father's laughter thundered through the temple, snapping me out of my daze. I had never seen him laugh like that—not once in eighteen years.
"What else should I expect from my son?!" he boomed, sweeping Nolan up into his arms as if he were still a child. My mother smiled warmly beside them.
A perfect family.
I realized then… I had no place in it.
Slipping out through the crowd, I left the temple and made my way to my carriage.
"Young master, is the ceremony over?" my driver asked, startled to see me so soon.
"Palace. Now." I struggled to keep my voice steady. Sensing my mood, he asked nothing further and set the horses into motion.
Back in my chambers, I collapsed onto my bed, misery pressing down on me. I closed my eyes for a moment, then slowly opened them again.
"[Dark Web]," I whispered.
A series of blue screens flickered into existence before me. As I read through the list of items and their descriptions, the heaviness in my chest began to melt away.
A smile spread across my face.
My blessing… wasn't nearly as worthless as they thought.
[Dark Web – Multidimensional Online Black Market]