Is It Wrong to Abusing Cartoon Tropes in Dungeon?

Presence is a unique attribute. Those with a strong presence will be noticed by others, even if they're just standing still. On the other hand, people with a weak presence may accomplish many things, but others will subconsciously overlook them.

Altair gained this kind of ability, which left him a bit speechless. It was just like that nameless high school girl—how rude! Not speaking could lower one's presence... This skill...

Upon reading the skill description, Altair immediately thought of one of his other abilities.

[See, I Told You!]

Unable to speak during combat. So, doesn't this mean that during battle, his presence would continuously decrease because he couldn't talk? Wouldn't that put him in assassination mode?

Imagine it; normally, Altair could talk, but once in battle mode, he would be forcibly silenced by his passive skill. And because of that, his lower presence would activate. He could literally sneak up on enemies, right in front of them, and deliver a clean backstab of justice!

This... this scene was too perfect!

However, one thing worried Altair, the skill description mentioned that if he remained silent, his presence would decrease. Would this mean that even his allies might not notice him? What if, while fighting monsters alongside him, Saeko couldn't see him anymore?

That would make for an odd scene...

Lying in bed, Altair stared at the skill screen, pondering how to solve this problem. Wait... he had Professional Commentator. Although he couldn't speak during combat, he could direct his attention to narrating his allies' battles, breaking the silence, and stopping the passive from activating. Problem solved!

As Altair was deep in thought, Hestia, who was sitting on his back, was baffled.

"Huh? Why am I sitting on the bed?"

Even though Hestia was busy upgrading Altair's level, sitting right on his back, with her legs pressing into his waist, it seemed she suddenly couldn't see him anymore and was confused.

"This is so strange. I feel like I'm forgetting something. I should've been waiting for Altair-kun in the living room. How did I end up in the bedroom? Is it because I miss his scent too much?"

Altair overheard every word of Hestia's muttering and was shocked.

'Wow, even though you're sitting on my back and your legs are wrapped around me, you can't see me?'

Altair was certain Hestia wasn't pretending. She had no reason to act like this... they'd never played that kind of game before. So, this must be real.

This skill is really that strong!?

Altair was astonished. It hadn't even been ten seconds since he'd gotten the skill, and it had already activated just because he wasn't speaking? Even physical contact didn't stop his presence from fading!

This isn't just lowering presence; this is making someone completely invisible!

"Well, maybe I'm just half-asleep."

Altair was still in shock, while Hestia, as usual, simply shrugged it off after briefly thinking about it, lying down completely.

She laid down on top of Altair, her ample breast pressing into his back, giving him that familiar, soft comfort.

Altair enjoyed it, smiling as he patted her head.

"Hm... it smells like Altair-kun everywhere, and it even feels like he's patting my head." 

Watching Hestia cuddle up to him, touching him as though she could feel him, Altair's expression grew strange.

'I'm actively moving, and she still can't sense me? And it doesn't affect her memory... she hasn't forgotten me, just can't see me? This skill... it's really overpowered. But with how Hestia's acting now, it's kind of... inappropriate.'

Even with movement, if no words are spoken, he wouldn't be noticed. The only thing that would reveal him is speaking. If he wanted to do something... sneaky... it would be too easy...

Just imagining it, combined with Hestia's current behavior, made Altair... a little excited. Thankfully, he was lying down, so it wasn't too obvious, but a sly smile spread across his face.

'Well, I'm still a healthy man, after all. Nothing wrong with that, right? Hehehe...'

Despite the potential to use this passive ability for some mischievous things, Altair had no desire to. First, he wasn't that type of person. Second, Hestia was his wife, the one he loved. There was no need to sneak around... being with her openly was enough. No secrets here.

With a quick move, he flipped over, pulling Hestia into his arms.

"Hestia, what are you doing?" 

Altair's sudden reappearance startled Hestia.

"Altair-kun! When did you get here!?"

"I've been waiting for you!"

In Hestia's surprised exclamation, Altair rolled her beneath him, pinning her down, and their laughter soon filled the room.

Don't misunderstand... it was just tickling.

After some playful roughhousing, Altair brought Hestia downstairs to the main hall, where they found Saeko. He explained his new skill to both of them.

Upon reaching level 3, Altair's skills had refreshed, just like when he leveled up to 2. Naturally, he shared his newest ability with Saeko.

"So, Altair-kun, during your training in the dungeon, you gained two skills. Now that you've leveled up to Level 3, you've gained another skill. And this new skill lowers your presence whenever you don't speak, to the point where even if you're right next to us, we won't be able to notice you."

Hestia recalled the scene on the bed as she explained, finding the situation incredibly odd. Altair's abilities were becoming stranger and stranger.

"That's right. So in the future, this might happen often... like, if I don't speak overnight, you might wake up in the morning and completely forget I'm there. Then, when I talk, I might end up startling you. Just don't worry too much about it."

"I see. I'll keep that in mind."

Saeko nodded gently, understanding his explanation.

Hestia, however, blushed at the thought of what had happened earlier.

"Wait, doesn't that mean Altair-kun could spy on us without us noticing?"

Altair paused, confused, and looked at her.

"Hestia, why would I need to spy on you?"

That stumped Hestia and her face grew even redder.

Oh, right. We sleep together every night, so it's not like he needs to sneak around. But then again...

"Wait, doesn't that mean you could spy on other people!?" 

Altair continued to stare at her in confusion.

"Hestia, I already have you. Why would I need to spy on anyone else?"

Hestia's face turned beet red, and she dove into Altair's arms.

"Oh, Altair-kun, you're too much, saying things like that!"

And that's how the day went for Hestia... still her usual, bashful self.

___

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