Chapter 58: One Good Deed a Day

Ron had a dream: to never be a virgin chump again.

Right now, however, that dream was facing a severe challenge.

Because the identity he had hidden for years had finally been exposed...

The intelligence leaked by Dr. Trickery had been exploited by malicious actors and spread far and wide.

Walking down the corridors of the Stardust Society, Ron could practically feel the burning gazes and the hushed, pointing whispers.

"So that's him..."

"He's so pretty, just like a girl, but he's actually a vir..."

"I never would've imagined someone like that existed in our Stardust Society..."

"Do you think, with a face that pretty, he probably handles things himself at night..."

"Oh, wow, that is just too adorable!"

Enough is enough!

The murmurs washed over him like a tide, making Ron feel the despair and helplessness of being bullied.

He glanced up and saw that the people pointing at him were four adult women.

They looked to be in their late twenties, with varying hair and eye colors, attractive features, and shiny silver badges pinned to their chests.

Seeing Ron look over, these logistics members of the Stardust Society even gave him a little wave.

Shameless hussies... Don't you people have jobs to do?

The blonde youth looked on expressionlessly, a profound sense of sorrow welling up inside him.

Had this grand Stardust Society, a massive organization with a history spanning ages, really degenerated to such a state?

He felt things could not go on like this.

The Stardust Society was his second home, and as a confidant of Madam President, how could he stand idly by and let these slackers idle away their days?

At this thought, Ron shook his head in deep heartache, a sudden surge of responsibility filling his heart.

To keep the Stardust Society from turning into a den of lazy layabouts, he had to take action!

The light patter of the youth's footsteps in the corridor quickened, eventually disappearing around a poorly lit corner.

Ron glanced around, confirmed that the area was deserted, and a faint blue glow suddenly emanated from his right hand.

"Metamorphosis!"

Accompanied by the boy's soft murmur, his golden-silk hair rapidly turned pitch black, his height increased slightly, and his figure grew slender and well-proportioned.

***

Afternoon sunlight squeezed through the narrow windows, forming pillars of light that pierced the gloom of the classically decorated corridor.

Suddenly, a rebellious female voice echoed, accompanied by the sharp clack of high-heeled boots against the floorboards.

"You lot, what are you gossiping about instead of working?"

As those words fell, the entire corridor instantly grew dead silent.

The President—why is she here?!

The faces of the four logistics members who had been gossiping shifted dramatically, and they immediately adopted mirrored, clumsy postures to look busy.

To say their coordination was seamless would be a stretch; rather, it was utterly chaotic. Panicking, they lost all sense of direction and crashed straight into one another.

Seeing this, Ron, disguised as Madam President, shook his head inwardly once more.

He was deeply concerned by the wildly inconsistent professional standards of the Stardust Society's members.

He simply couldn't imagine whether these people could be relied upon if real danger struck.

At that moment, Ron resolved to help these seasoned loafers of the Stardust Society rediscover their lost faith and passion for work.

"You four, this is hardly the time for a break. You're from the logistics department, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes, Madam President! I—I'm Lucia from logistics, and I was, I was just discussing with my team members..."

Lucia, the leader, stammered under the oppressive weight of "Olivia's" amber-eyed gaze. She could find no suitable excuse for shirking her duties.

Though they were all part of the Stardust Society, bigwigs like Olivia were figures they had only seen a handful of times, let alone spoken to.

And now, to be reprimanded for slacking off on the job, Lucia felt a buzzing in her head as crushing pressure weighed down upon her like a mountain.

Anyone who has ever worked a job knows that getting caught goofing off by your direct superior is a source of absolute dread for any wage earner.

The sheer terror of it is no less than having your parents suddenly yank the blankets off you while you're taking care of business in the middle of the night.

"This is becoming completely unacceptable. Get back to work!"

"Olivia" commanded in a deep voice.

The four trembling figures standing in place reacted as if granted a royal pardon; some even wore looks of pleasant surprise.

"Yes, Madam President!"

Lucia and her team members hastily stepped aside and hurried off toward the logistics department.

The greatest hurdle for a working stiff had passed. Big shots like President Olivia surely wouldn't waste space in their minds on small-fries like them.

Once she got back to her team's office, she would brew a cup of rich chocolate coffee, grab a freshly baked scone, and take a wonderful, long nap to soothe her frightened little soul.

At that thought, a smile crept unbidden onto Lucia's face.

However, she was still being far too naive.

***

The crisp "clack, clack, clack" of high heels did not fade into the distance; instead, it grew increasingly clear to Lucia's ears.

Her expression tightened. Risking an inadvertent turn and a glance from the corner of her eye, she saw that "Olivia" was following closely behind them at a distance of seven or eight meters, unhurried and unbothered.

Are we just heading the same way?

Sweat beaded on Lucia's forehead, her heart pounding anxiously as she unconsciously quickened her pace.

Yet, as her speed increased, the crisp footsteps behind her sped up as well.

!

On a bright, sunny afternoon, Lucia felt an overwhelming sense of tension and terror.

She sped up again, practically breaking into a jog, completely forgetting about her own team members.

Even so, she couldn't shake the crisp footsteps clinging to her like a shadow.

The President must have an urgent matter in the logistics department and just happens to share my route. It has to be that way, it has to be!

The wage earner comforted herself inwardly, and her eyes finally caught sight of her team's office door.

Hope blossomed in her chest, and a hint of joy involuntarily surfaced on Lucia's face.

Hearing the footsteps closing in right behind her, Lucia sidestepped, yanked the oak door open, and slipped inside.

Looking wild-eyed and desperate, she didn't even bother to wipe the sweat from her brow as she slammed the door shut and threw the deadbolt.

Only upon hearing the crisp click of the lock did Lucia let out a long breath, her body sliding limply down the door until she sat on the floor.

The familiar office, like a warm little nest, gave her an incomparable sense of safety.

That was entirely too terrifying!

Feeling her heart thumping violently against her ribs, Lucia pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the cold sweat from her brow and neck.

Just as her mood began to calm, and she stood up to brew a hot coffee, returning to her desk to lazily enjoy the remainder of the wonderful afternoon,

she suddenly felt a hair-raising gaze fixated on her back.

Lucia gave a violent start, mechanically turning her stiff neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly spotted a ghostly black-haired woman peering through the office window glass, staring at her coldly.

QAQ!!!

[You have successfully performed a good deed in accordance with the Path of Holy Light, helping a slacking Stardust Society employee return to the righteous path. Your proficiency in "Holy Swordsmanship" has increased by 10.]

[Holy Swordsmanship (Master 522/3000) Remarks...]