Herding Humans
Ah. Right, Adria’s a princess too.
I remembered that the princesses didn’t get along all that well.
They were sisters, sure, but first and foremost rivals competing to become emperor.
And right now, Adria was one of the princesses pushed out of the running. She might not get along with the frontrunner for heir, the 1st Princess.
She seems scared, though…
But prying into that would be rude.
“Alright, everyone gather up. Eodukshini, keep watch. If any of them try to bolt, beat the shit outta them.”
“But I don’t have hands?!”
“If even one of these fuckers slips away, you know what happens, right?”
“……”
I called over Ash and Adria.
Adria’s face had gone a bit pale, but I pretended not to notice and just draped a spare cloak over her shoulders before sketching on a spare sheet of paper with a pen.
“The ones gunning for us aren’t just one group. Probably after the princesses too—and a few more besides.”
“We’re the juiciest targets right now. Perfect chance to distract the professors too. But some won’t make a move.”
Ash wrote reward on the paper and drew a line through it.
“They’ve got zero gains so far. Best they can hope for is drawing eyes? That idiot probably thought that was enough and charged in…”
Ash’s pen kept scribbling without pause. Now she wrote points and circled it.
“But that’s only good till today. Things change tomorrow.”
“?”
“They’ll think we’re adjusted by now and roll out the point system. Hunt monsters, take out or recruit students from other factions—you get points for it all.”
“…Those profs are nuts, right?”
“I… kinda think so too, but from their angle, it’s normal. This whole thing is the evaluation.”
So now we had to worry about points too.
…Hold up. Does that mean the stuff we took out before doesn’t count?
That’d be bullshit.
Unaware of my thoughts, Ash scanned the captured students.
“Weird, though—why just these guys? They got wrecked by me last time; they know the skill gap.”
“Ah, about that.”
After hearing my explanation, Ash nodded with a strange look on her face.
“…They probably spotted the boss. Scouting it out by now—or gathering more forces.”
“Right?”
I asked seriously.
“Think those assholes can take it down?”
There’s a reason they call it a zerg rush.
Plenty of students, and some with real talent. Seemed doable.
“…Probably not.”
Adria spoke up. Her face still pale, I asked with concern.
“You okay?”
“Of course.”
She put on a bold front, but cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
She wiped it with the back of her hand and continued.
“…My sister’s strong. But not enough for mid-knight level. She won’t have many knights to cover her easy casting, or elites on her level either.”
“Zerg rush, though.”
“That takes skill too. Look at these guys—they dogpiled you and still lost.”
I nodded, convinced.
Doesn’t mean you win just ‘cause you dogpile someone unbeatable.
At best, you tire them out… wait.
“…Herd ‘em in and swarm… if it’s just to wear it down… doesn’t have to be beasts, right?”
“…What’re you saying?”
“What’s that mean?”
They both looked blank, so I added,
“Human herding.”
“?”
“Drag these fuckers—and others—right to the boss.”
“…What?!”
We’d already herded a bull. Humans were smarter—should charge even better.
And plenty would come gunning for me.
Round ‘em all up at once, drain the boss, then finish it. Talented guys like these would wear it down decently.
“…Good idea, but.”
“Good enough. So first, rack up points, yeah?”
I eyed the students like fresh meat.
They shuddered, chills running through them.
A day passed, and a notice appeared in the forest.
Point system now active.
Monster hunt: 1p | Survival skills: 1p | Leading party: 3p…
*Steal points from non-party students.
*Points vary by monster level.
Continues until tomorrow. Boss Descent event tomorrow—huge points for slaying boss.
Top point holders get high class assignment scores.
Like a game: form parties, earn points per action, steal from others.
Now the real law of the jungle kicked off.
Parties formed naturally from prior groups, wariness toward others thickening.
Then current rankings dropped.
Top 1 Eugene 100p
Top 2 Ash Blue 13p
Top 3 Banasi Madcond 9p
…
…
Luckily, pre-system monster kills counted retroactively. Thanks to launching that absurd nature golem, Eugene sat at a ridiculous 100!
Students started plotting against him. Strong or not, he was just a student—dogpile and drain him!
But sharp ones existed.
“I’m out.”
“What?”
“Don’t wanna fight someone where I can see the outcome.”
> Andeman has left the party.
> Andeman points: 3p
“No way…”
Entrance rank 2, Andeman, bailed without warning.
“I’ll bow out too.”
“What? But!”
“Eugene… hope he’s someone worth knowing.”
> Mosik Karma has left the party.
> Mosik Karma points: 4p
“…I wanna dip too.”
One newbie wanted out but lacked the guts or status to choose.
Jenella: 6p
And then.
“…What? Who’s here?”
“…Eugene’s come calling.”
Judging bossing more efficient than tangling with Eugene, Banasi—who’d been building forces—got a visit.
She carefully reapplied skin cream to prevent dryness, then rose.
Eugene was real.
Black hair to his shoulders, red eyes, celebrity looks, priest robes sans crest despite being a knight.
Amid waves of hostility and suspicion, he waited casually for the princess.
“Damn, this place is set up nice. Could call it a temp base.”
Observing casually, he spotted her and grinned.
“Hey.”
“…We’re both students—no need for formalities. I’m not ‘princess’ right now, just another student.”
“Cool. Banmal it is then. Hmm…”
“What’re you scheming?”
Eugene grinned wider.
“Huh? Oh, just thought you’re uglier than expected. Adria’s prettier.”
“…Get to the point.”
Here to provoke?
“Aw, no bite. Don’t take it bad—I just wanted to rile you up.”
“Point. Now.”
“I’ll give you a shot at me.”
“!”
Eugene’s 100 points. Nab him, reverse the game, ace class assignment.
“Gather whoever you can. Other parties fine too.”
“Why sudden?”
“Dunno?”
Unfathomable guy.
Knight in priest robes, ‘no religion’ on app, commoner sole special admit…
But not a bad offer.
“Fine. Stay put there.”
“Oh, trusting me, huh.”
Still smiling, Banasi eyed him closely.
No visible weapon, came solo.
What confidence? What stunt?
Wish I could recruit him.
“Came alone?”
“Yeah. Still single.”
“…Not what I meant.”
“Know. Anyway, solo.”
“Join my party then?”
The attendant-like student didn’t flinch at the princess’s abrupt offer.
To rise as heir, stupidity wasn’t an option.
You had to flip enemies to allies.
But Eugene showed zero interest.
“Nah.”
“…Not a bad deal for you.”
“I’m a bit crazy. Or hand over party lead. Then I’ll join.”
Fucking lunatic.
The student cursed inwardly.
Talent got him special status—thinks he’s hot shit.
Power crushes that…
World’s vast, geniuses abound.
Why do they flame out? Arrogance, ignoring power.
What, God’s apostle or some shit?
No solid backing? Pure idiocy.
Banasi’s fist clenched subtly. Imperceptible to most, but her longtime attendant knew.
She’s pissed.
Already irked by her sister bond, now rejecting her offer.
Not just rejection—insolent.
No wonder she’s mad. ‘Imperial blood runs cold’? Kid stuff to her.
“Princess. Gathered all contactables. Still trickling in real-time. Lots gunning for Eugene.”
“…Good.”
Her imperial gaze flashed as she glared at him.
Did he grasp his peril? His red eyes and face wore a bratty smirk.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll kill you.”
“Aw, kill? Such cruel words… Anyway, won’t die. Profs let a student get killed?”
“Only if you’re lucky. One death? No issue.”
“For real?”
“Yes.”
“Whoa, that imperial confidence! Murder threat! So brutal~.”
Pop!
A vein throbbed on her forehead.
“P-Princess! Your skin!”
“…Hoo. All set.”
Swish, swish.
Students after Eugene surrounded him.
He whistled at the circular mob.
“Damn, big crowd.”
“Not all yet.”
“How so many idiots flock?”
Instead of rage, curiosity piqued her.
What gave him that gall?
“…Seriously, no brain? Or helmet rack?”
“Hey! Helmet rack? Watch it. Seen a handsome one like this?”
“…Smash his face first.”
The student gnashed teeth as they gripped weapons, glaring.
Eugene raised a hand.
“Hold up. One word?”
“?”
“Last words? Spill. Last sight of that pretty mug.”
“Last, yeah. Gonna get handsomer.”
This psycho.
Every word grated perfectly.
Bragging real assets? Worse.
“Guys! My greeting!”
His hand twitched.
Middle finger shot up, fearless of heaven.
In summary: Screw you.
“…”
“…”
Middle finger to 100+ people?
What maniac?
As they gawked, Eugene crouched to sprint.
And bolted.
“Haha! Scared, huh? Running from me!”
Backward.
“…Grab that psycho!”
“Waaaaaah!”
“Why so many! Who’s this popular—aaaaah!”
The enraged horde crashed toward him like a tsunami.