49 - Dungeon Investigation Practice (7)

Close beta. CBT. From the creator's perspective, it's a testing phase, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there are bound to be plenty of admin interventions and changes. But from a user's standpoint, it's a bug-ridden mess ripe for exploitation. In other words, if the author plays dirty like this, I can just counter right back. That's the hard truth I've learned since possessing this world.

The author doesn't even seem like someone who's properly played through Reincarnated Hero volume 1 anyway.

And right in my field of view, a tantalizing status window lit up.

*Ding!*

*Ding!*

Too many status windows popping up at once—I'll check the rewards later...

I dismissed the reward window and focused on the next system message.

"They actually gave it to me."

According to the original achievement description, it was supposed to be for "helping Edwin defeat" the Flame Oni, but apparently annihilating it still counts. Achievement cleared.

"Whew."

If I hadn't canceled the berserk state, Exorcism would've been impossible. In the end, to hunt stronger demons like that guy, the Execution trait is absolutely essential.

And that means it's damn hard for me to keep playing the supporting role like this.

In Reincarnated Hero, Execution was a trait exclusive to the hero's party—and among them, Edwin's unique trait let him use the superior Sword of Execution skill. It's infuriating that Kaeran His steals that identity skill later.

But that's a problem for future me. Right now, time to check on Aria.

I turned around, and there she was—the azure-eyed girl who's always monitoring me.

At this point, her presence doesn't even surprise me anymore. Her expression was a bit stiff.

As I started toward her—

*Boom!*

'!'

Suddenly, an impulsive urge surged from deep inside me.

I want to savor her scent fully.

I want to hug her tight.

I want to—

Emotions I'd never even consider normally burst forth like a dam breaking.

"Fuck, what's this...?"

My head spun with some whispering temptation, and just then, Aria started approaching me instead.

I backed away step by step, arms limp at my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sides. Right now, I had no idea what I might do to her.

"St-stop... don't come closer..."

*Poof...*

"!!"

Aria hugged me. Or did I hug her? A fresh, floral fragrance tickled my nose, like a bouquet of delicate blossoms.

......

She felt so fragile, like she'd shatter and vanish if I squeezed too hard.

But more than that, the warmth of her curves against my body soothed me, calming my heart.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

*Swoosh.*

My hand moved on its ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠own, stroking her soft hair, and weird words spilled from my mouth.

"Aria has such a nice scent... I knew you were a good person..."

"......"

Like someone under sedation for an endoscopy.

Aria didn't panic and responded firmly.

"Be quiet. And stay still."

"...!"

*Shaa...*

In that instant, Aria's body began emitting a soft glow.

The refreshing light enveloped my body, leaving me languid and relaxed. So much so that I wanted to stay in her arms forever...

......

Eventually, my wandering reason returned.

"......"

No more mysterious impulses. Aria remained expressionless, while I—having savored rare comfort—felt a flush of embarrassment as we faced each other.

"Sorry."

"It's fine."

With my mind cleared, I pieced it together. This was probably due to the Corruption system.

Simple enough. In Reincarnated Hero, characters turn into demons once corruption hits 100, even without a medium.

I recalled the system message from the day I possessed this body, after slaying Andras: [From now on, 'Lev Denek' can undergo demonization.]

Did I overdo it with the Ashen Wings...?

I'd used it without even reading the full description...

Anyway, net positive—Aria's holy power spec'd me up.

But she purified my corruption...? That pretty much torpedoes any demon suspicions she had about me...

"......"

An awkward silence hung between us until I spoke first.

"Aria."

"Don't speak."

"Huh?"

"......Just stay like that."

Aria stared into my eyes and continued quietly.

"Right now, you saved me, and I saved you. That's all."

With that, she stepped back further from me.

"Y-you guys!! Wh-what happened?!"

Edwin's voice echoed from afar.

......

* * *

......

And with that, the Flame Oni arc concluded.

Our party faced a barrage of investigations upon returning to the academy. After that, things unfolded much like the Reincarnated Academy storyline.

First off, the hidden dungeon treasure left by the Flame Oni was packed with magic stones worth guild-level distribution.

By academy rules, spoils from practicums get exchanged for gems per regulations—but this was different. An unforeseen hidden boss ambush that even the academy didn't anticipate. The imperial court took interest in the discovery, inviting us to the capital for both commendation and the subjugation ceremony.

And instead of gems, we got full scholarships as compensation. Roughly a few hundred gold, from what I heard—enough to live modestly even after leaving the academy.

Not that it matters much to me, since leaving means game over.

I dragged my weary body back to my room in Selafi Black Dorm and collapsed onto the bed.

Finally, some alone time.

What greeted me was... the status window tucked in the corner.

"Time to savor these rewards slowly..."

I tapped the window, and unlike last time, a silver-framed status popped up alongside.

'Oh?'

The Flame Oni wasn't named—it was a boss. And bosses come with standard rewards starting at that tier.

"Fixed reward first."

*Ding!*

At the same time, a new line appeared in my status window.

"Filling a gap nicely."

Resistances are always good to stack. Plenty of fire-attribute demons out there.

This'll come in handy.

*Ding!*

[Fixed Reward 2]

"!"

Didn't expect a second one.

......

Blue flames...? Hmm.

The Flame Oni spammed Fireballs like Rapid Fireball, so no surprise it dropped this. Not super appealing.

Fireball's a 1-circle spell. Maxing basic skills has perks—like chantless casting or combos.

But as a 1-circle, power's capped no matter what. No slot benefit either, so pretty useless to me.

Won't use it much, but... extra cards are always good. It'll see play someday.

"Next!"

This is the main event. Selectable reward.

"Hoo..."

Boss-tier lives up to the hype. Acquisition difficulties scream value.

Let's see...

First skill, Flame Oni's Blessing—feels like comfort food after handing Poseidon’s Blessing to the Spirit King. But it pales next to the second: Hierarchy Struggle.

Kill a Great Demon to inherit its power...

Reflects how berserk evolves it to Great Demon level. Fitting for an upstart Flame Oni forever eyeing higher ranks.

The payoff is chef's kiss. Couldn't fully inherit from Andras due to worldline collapse or whatever, but this time? I'll devour a Great Demon's full might.

Even with the pre-inheritance limit, the Exorcism-like effect is clutch right now.

"Hierarchy Struggle it is."

No hesitation—I selected it.

*Ding!*

Just you wait, Great Demons...

The satisfying chime rang out—then,

*Knock knock.*

A neat rap at my door.

"Lev, can I come in for a sec?"

Ah...

That ever-gentle, warm voice. It's Yeriel, but...

Right now, it feels a bit—nah, a lot—colder...

"......"

Time for this supporting role punk to pay dearly for presuming main heroine treatment.

*Jangle!*

*Click!*

"?!"

......

I doubted my ears. The jingle of metal.

She found the spare key...?

"I surrender."

The words slipped out automatically.