Chapter 27 : Never Too Old to Be Horrified

After showing her skill, Teresa steadied her rough breathing. 

There’s a saying that old soldiers never die, but age is something you can’t hide. 

She could feel her body weakening by the day. 

After retiring as a hero, she hadn’t used her skills for years. 

But recently, in trying to teach Iris, she had used her skills intensively for the first time in a long while, and it took a toll on her body. 

Even with potions, her recovery was noticeably slower, and using skills left her breathless. 

‘This is tough. Not impossible, though. Running is a survival essential for the elderly in Gyodam City, so I’m still fine there, but using skills consumes both stamina and mana. Still, I can’t just leave Iris alone. I have to help her as long as I’m able.’ 

Teresa turned her head toward Iris. 

She had demonstrated the skill to keep the girl’s passion from fading, but she was skeptical whether Iris could learn a skill from a different type of hero. 

“You think you can learn it?” 

“Ah… y-yes, I think I can… maybe.” 

Iris nodded with a hesitant and darkened expression. 

Misunderstanding that look, Teresa felt pity spread across her face. 

Of course, learning another type of hero’s skill might be too much. 

After all, there wasn’t a shred of similarity between an eagle and a chastity belt. 

Her willingness to learn was admirable. 

But knowing one’s limits was also essential for a hero. 

Recklessness could lead to painful failure. 

Concluding that this was just a mishap caused by Iris’s overwhelming enthusiasm, Teresa was searching for some comforting, encouraging words. 

But then, her jaw slackened on its own, mouth gaping open. 

“Uh…” 

Iris’s skirt rustled, and out peeked the now all-too-familiar chain. 

It was the sign of a skill being activated. 

‘Oh my god. She saw my skill once and already mastered it?  That’s terrifying learning ability! But… does she have to activate it with a chastity belt?’ 

Iris was a hero with an item-based awakening. 

Her power source and skill-casting weapon was an ancient chastity belt. 

Teresa had known that, and if Iris was going to learn her skill, it had to be with that… thing. 

But still, imagining what sort of absurd sight might unfold next was terrifying. 

‘No. She must already be embarrassed. I need to act like it’s nothing, so she can grow confidently. 

The one who wears the crown must bear its weight.’ 

That quote about the crown might as well have been made for Iris. 

Teresa clasped her hands behind her back, hiding her shock as best she could. 

Though she took excellent care of her teeth in old age, at this moment, she had no choice but to grit her molars hard—just to keep her expression in check. 

The chain poking out of the skirt raised its head confidently and then, without warning, transformed into a long cylindrical flute. 

Iris had successfully acquired the skill. 

As she let out a sigh and muttered in a voice barely above a whisper, “Feather Scatter,” a burst of hair-like projectiles shot out from the chain flute like poison darts. 

“Gooo—” 

The stretched-out voice slipped past her lips. 

Her target was a wooden practice dummy. 

Honestly, it wasn’t about aiming—she just reflexively thrust her hips. 

Thunk—thud! 

Yellow strands shot at the wooden dummy with fierce momentum, embedding themselves into the one covered in Teresa’s feathers. 

Since her vision improved when transformed, Iris could see clearly even from afar. 

Seeing the curly yellow hairs stuck in the dummy, she jumped in place. 

‘Goddamn! What is that? Is that… real hair? Don’t tell me it’s actually that hair?’ 

The skill’s name had changed, so she was already suspicious! 

She rushed over and plucked one out. 

Relieved by the metallic texture, she examined it closely. 

Thankfully, it wasn’t real hair—just a gold chain transformed into a hair shape. 

It was wavy overall, and only the tip that pierced the target was sharp. 

As Iris stood dazed, holding the… well, to avoid misunderstanding, the hair-shaped chain, a timid round of applause broke the silence. 

“Br- Bravo…  Ah, I mean—no, I can’t believe it… It’s amazing. Incredible.” 

“Seriously. I really can’t believe it. I mean… ha.” 

Even Teresa’s lifetime of diplomacy couldn’t fully hide her inner turmoil. 

It got harder still when Iris turned around, still holding the chain flute. 

Each time Iris moved, the gold chain flute jingled between her legs. 

Seeing the serious look in Teresa’s eyes, Iris let out a sigh deep enough to sink the ground. 

‘Ugh, why do I have to activate skills like this?!  You thief of my self-esteem!’ 

Annoyed, she smacked the chain flute with her palm. 

It unraveled and slithered back into her skirt. 

Iris’s honey-brown eyes blinked weakly, the visual shock leaving her wanting to fall asleep on the spot. 

Seeing her so downcast, Teresa quickly changed her expression and waved her hands. 

“Ahem, no, I was just shocked by how powerful it was, Iris. I truly want to praise your ability to learn.” 

“I see…  phew…” 

Iris lifted her head again, only to notice Teresa’s eyes glued to the chain in her hand and sighed repeatedly. 

Flustered, Teresa quickly looked away. 

No matter how long she’d lived or how many sights she’d seen, she’d never encountered something this absurd—skills emerging from between someone’s legs. 

And the grotesque display was only getting more elaborate over time. 

Her praise of Iris’s strength and ability to learn had been sincere. 

It was just the method of casting the skill through a chastity belt that made it so hard to keep a straight face. 

Seeing Iris so deflated, Teresa composed her expression and gave her a heartfelt compliment again. 

“To learn my skill just by watching once—you really are incredible.” 

“Incredible in more ways than one, I guess…” 

“Phew, yes, it startled me, but it’s still an amazing feat. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. To instantly acquire another hero’s skill upon seeing it… you’re incredibly lucky.” 

“Am I…?” 

“Of course. From the moment most people awaken, they’re given a set container for their abilities. Some get a soy sauce dish, others a rice bowl… In terms of vessels, you have something like a horn of plenty. Be proud.” 

With continued encouragement, light returned to Iris’s eyes. 

Every time she gained a new skill—and showed it to Teresa—she wished it were just a dream. 

But no more negative thoughts! 

Just as Teresa said, the chastity belt was a cornucopia: an unbeatable item with endless potential and treasure. 

As Iris’s expression brightened, Teresa sighed in relief. 

Now she understood why Iris seemed to improve so rapidly. 

She had thought Iris was just learning fast, but looking back, maybe she was learning monsters’ skills. 

Teresa cast a skill at a stone Buddha statue. 

After confirming the feather had embedded in the statue’s face, she turned to Iris. 

“So you don’t steal the skill—you copy it.” 

“Yes, yes. If I stole someone’s skill, I’d never have dared ask you to teach me.” 

“Heh, no need to worry. Even if you did, I’d gladly hand it over. What skills are used by a retired hero?” 

“But… isn’t it basically the same as me copying your skills exactly? Doesn’t that feel uncomfortable?” 

Iris asked cautiously. 

Teresa smiled and shook her head. 

In fact, she’d been disappointed it wasn’t a theft skill. 

She didn’t know how the chastity belt learned skills, but if it had been a stealing-type ability, it might’ve been possible to rob villains in Gyodam City of their powers and render them harmless. 

Still, she chose her words carefully, not wanting to burden Iris. 

“Why would I be upset? We’re not competitors. 

I thought I couldn’t contribute to Gyodam City anymore as a retired hero, but helping a junior like this makes me feel fulfilled.” 

“I’m glad to hear that.” 

“Of course. I just want to be helpful to you in any way I can. Hmm, now that you’ve completely acquired that skill, should I show you another?” 

At Teresa’s words, Iris clasped her hands and her eyes sparkled.