I was Reincarnated as an Incompetent Leader with Zero Popularity who met his downfall early on. Instead of banishing the hidden cheat Protagonist, I decided to embrace him, and somehow, I ended up being treated like a Hero instead. - Chapter 9

When I agreed to receive the goddess’s blessing, she smiled as radiantly as a blooming flower.

Her expression was truly beautiful, but I couldn’t understand why she was so overjoyed.

If Elena had still been wearing her suit, she might have looked like a cheerful insurance agent thrilled about finalizing a contract.

Whether she noticed my confusion or not, she gestured for me to approach the lectern, which had now transformed into a marble desk.

“First, please try reading this book,” she said.
The goddess pointed to a thick book that had appeared without me noticing.

I obediently opened the cover. The pages were densely filled with what seemed to be a mix of symbols and letters, though I couldn’t determine which.

“I can’t read it,” I admitted honestly.
The situation made me feel as though I were undergoing an eye test.

“Then, please close your eyes for about ten seconds,” the goddess instructed.

I followed her guidance and shut my eyes. The next moment, a sweet fragrance accompanied the soft warmth that brushed against my eyelids.
Caught between a comforting sense of drowsiness and a sudden surge of excitement, I struggled to endure those ten seconds.

When the promised time was up, I opened my eyes to find Elena gazing at me, her ears faintly flushed for some reason.

“I have now bestowed my blessing upon you,” she announced.

“Try looking at the text you couldn’t read earlier.”

Following her suggestion, I lowered my gaze back to the book I had left open.

“Huh…?”

The squiggly lines that had seemed indecipherable before now formed coherent sentences in my mind.

Written prominently across the page were the words “List of Advanced Skills.”

“You’re able to understand what it says now, aren’t you? That’s the blessing of the Goddess of Knowledge,” Elena explained.

“You now have the ability to comprehend various languages to a certain extent—including ancient ones.”

I couldn’t help but be impressed. This ability was incredible.

If only I’d had it back in my corporate days.

Even in my current life as an adventurer, it would be an invaluable skill, never going to waste. And when my time as an adventurer eventually ended, it would undoubtedly be helpful for finding new work.
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“Thank you so much!”

I bowed my head sincerely to the Goddess of Knowledge.

Then, I turned my attention back to the contents of the book and nodded to myself.

The mysterious voice had mentioned several high-level skills that could be unlocked.

This thick book appeared to be a catalog detailing those very skills.

It was to help me read this that the Goddess of Knowledge had granted me her blessing.

Now, which skill should I choose?

Anticipation and anxiety set my heart racing.