67 - Item Farming (4)

In the Revenant Empire, the distinction between major guilds and mid-to-small guilds ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠could be exemplified by their possession of magic towers. The empire boasted over forty such towers, meaning a guild headquarters with its own tower signified easy mobility anywhere in the realm. Especially as the demon clan's advance continued unabated, guilds capable of deploying support to even the empire's frontier towers were proactively slaying monsters and expanding their influence.

"Mid-level manager Sera Serbantes requests an audience with Lord Regillus."

"Send her in."

Guild Crow Pay strictly barred entry to the general public. Amid its vast grounds, the most uniquely designed building housed Regillus's private office.

Click-clack. Click-clack.

A woman with jet-black bobbed hair approached Regillus with heavy footsteps.

"My apologies."

Regillus merely gazed out the window, but she bowed at a perfect ninety degrees.

"Report first."

Regillus's icy tone made Sera's heart pound.

"Rank B cadet Lev Denek has rejected our recruitment offer."

"I see."

"...?"

Regillus showed no great agitation, and Sera glimpsed a thread of hope. Maybe today will pass without incident...

"Keep eyes on him."

"Yes, sir."

Of course, Regillus harbored a fragmentary interest in Lev Denek—nothing more. The recruitment bid had been a mere probe. The rejection piqued his curiosity somewhat, but that was it.

"How's Kaeran?"

The prime catch among this freshman batch was undoubtedly Kaeran His. Innate genius, brilliant mind, unmatched in both swordsmanship and magic—a true prodigy of civil and martial arts. Yet he was unpredictable, prone to veering off course. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Numerous guilds vied for him, but Crow Pay had secured a temporary contract over the vacation period, granting mid-manager authority and full behavioral freedom from the start.

Yet the ever-reliable Kaeran was showing signs of poor condition. Crucial events where he could prove his worth lay ahead in droves.

"Well... our on-site evaluator reports unstable fluctuations."

"He's in bad shape?"

"Yes. He recovers temporarily during training, but declines during rest. The swings are too pronounced for mere conditioning issues..."

"Your take?"

"It's trending downward overall, so we should monitor longer..."

"Ha!"

Regillus let out a single scoff of disbelief. He'd long since pulled strings on the Kaeran front. His rise to this position stemmed not from benevolence, but from a cautious nature that always heard out subordinates—earning him leadership acclaim. Now, like a master discarding a worn hound, he spoke curtly and coldly.

"Incompetent."

"...Pardon?"

"Sera, you're all flash, no substance. You recite data without solutions or accountability."

"..."

"That's why your origins and rank are your ceiling. Does it make sense that a Crow Pay officer fails to snag a single B-rank?"

"...My apologies..."

"If you get it, get out. Now."

"..."

Grind... Sera's teeth gnashed. It all traced back to that first misstep. Even without Lev Denek's rejection, she wouldn't deserve such scorn.

"I won't disappoint again."

"Just do your dog work properly."

"...Understood."

Her core duty was monopolizing spoils from low-tier monster raids where grunts participated. Textbook execution made it straightforward.

But first...

—You're drawing a line between work and personal matters, right?

—No thanks.

'Insolent brat... I'll make you pay.' Perfect timing—an ideal candidate lurked in the academy.

* * *

The final day of Clarice Academy's ranking tournament. With my item farming plans set, I'd registered anonymously as a mercenary for Crow Pay's raid. Merc gigs allowed same-day sign-ups sans personal details.

Now, I headed alone to the Arena of Strife to witness Edwin and Kaeran's duel. From the entrance, excited cadets' chatter drifted in.

—You here for this too?

—Duh.

—Big match? More like the match...

Typically, S-rank vs. S-rank drew the biggest crowds. Melissa, Lily, Selena, Abelin had each notched one or two wins against their foes. They were likely mulling guild offers now.

Last up: Kaeran vs. Edwin.

Per canon, Kaeran dominated the flow until cornered Edwin unleashed Executioner's Blade for a comeback. Kaeran then copy-catted for the reverse-turnaround—a legendary self-insert flop and harem poison arc.

But not this time.

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

Yesterday, during Edwin's final training session, I'd said:

—Win this.

—Huh...?

—Charge!

I'd used Black Armor Dragon's orb on him, massively boosting stats and granting Iron Veil and Black Dragon's Blessing. A tad wasteful, perhaps, but blessing skills max at one per character—I'd just snag better ones later.

And the priciest reward, Black Armor Dragon's tendon, was mine. Replacing my bowstring with it would synergize perfectly with dark demon weapons like Gray Mountain Wolf, unlocking special effects.

One more crucial fact.

'So it came to this.'

Crow Pay had sniffed something off about Kaeran and implanted something in him. As his recruiters, heavy scrutiny was expected—but I'd banked on him becoming dead weight, disrupting their schedule.

Yet they'd acted boldly.

'Kaeran gains demon powers in Chapter 5...'

Demon Circuit to turn humans into demons. Demon Brand for beasts. Demon Kin for full demons. Like Lilith tried on me, they'd embedded a Demon Circuit in Kaeran.

In canon, Crow Pay mass-produced demon-granted powers via contracts late-game. Shifting the prototype to Kaeran was a massive variable. The circuit hadn't fully activated, and his vast mana pool delayed madness or explosion. Still, he was a walking time bomb, blackening at any moment.

'Him keeping Copy is worse for me...'

Self-insert nerfed, but plot accelerated. Fine by me. Crow Pay's demon ties would haste too—no need to hold back dismantling their foundation.

—Rank S, Kaeran His, vs. Rank C, Edwin Gwynz, step forward.

Regardless of my thoughts, Clarice Academy's sacred duel began.

—Match start in 5 seconds.

—Woooaaah!!

—Underdog gooo!!

—Show us!!

—Match start.

—Whoosh!!

The battle unfolded just like in fanfics I'd read. Kaeran, leveraging dual-wield, pressured relentlessly with taunts.

Clang! Edwin parried with one or both hands, silent as ever.

With no instant finish, the crowd buzzed.

—What? It's even?

—Nah, C-rank's clearly losing.

—Yeah, early luck. Then it'll...

As predicted, Edwin yielded ground with each exchange. No clean hits, but he teetered on the brink, barely standing.

—No good.

—Underdog bettors are done.

—R.I.P.

Thud! Driven to a blind spot, Edwin fell one clash shy.

And then... 'Props for guts. Farewell.' Kaeran's lips formed the exact fanfic line.

'Right on script.'

—Raaagh!!

Edwin's roar echoed. Heroes awaken in corners...

Cliché as it gets. Witnessing Edwin fully claim Execution:

—Ooh?? Kaeran's falling back?

—Impossible!

—What the??

Kaeran tried copying, but alas—Copy was gone.

—?!

Kaeran's panic, unseen even in fanfic, was palpable from afar. Victory was sealed ages ago.

No need to watch; I slipped out of the coliseum.

* * *

Canon fanfic had Kaeran blocking demon invasions from Chapters 1-4, earning heroine favor while Edwin held him back. True blackening signs hit Chapter 5 with the demon sword.

'Not full demonization—just wielding demon weapons like me...'

But his state now diverged sharply. Meaning Edwin—no, I—had to repel demons through Chapter 4 in his stead.

So these were the objectives... Seemingly simple, yet intertwined. No author meddling or cheat Copy skill—doable.

First: Join the raid, snag the Imprint Ring no matter what. Payouts would swell my coffers past 2000 gold.

Regillus exploited that item heavily; I'd preempt Crow Pay's grab to indirectly nerf him.

As I steeled myself—

"Long time no see."

"...!"

A familiar voice, truly ages past. Cool, slender timbre with a chilling ring. Selena Windforce, the half-elf who'd taught me Wind Archery.

"...Out already? Like you knew the outcome."

Selena's archer instincts and elven wariness toward humans made her sharp.

"......"

—Woooaaah!!

Cheers erupted from C Coliseum behind. Deafening roars meant... Edwin won.

"Royal class circle's gone. Kaeran's fully bound to Crow Pay."

Selena fixed her sleek, beautiful eyes on me.

"...All per your plan?"

"No clue what you're on about."

I brushed past. Ignoring stares, I needed strength. Chapter 3 pitted me directly against demons.

"Thanks for now, anyway. Kaeran stirred drama among the girls."

"......"

"Heard you looked out for Lily in the dungeon survey too—counting that."

Was Selena this sociable? She was a Chapter 3 target.

'Selena, you...' Caution rose to my lips.

She was my favorite reincarnator hero character. Gratitude from her? Priceless.

"Makes me wonder your true motives..."

"No mystery. Just graduate quietly."

Selena offered only a faint smile.

. . .

Thus, my first academy vacation loomed.