Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: The Second Trial (4)
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“...Let’s see.”
First, I need to sort out the situation.
Even while everyone else is sound asleep, I’m the only one awake, poking at the dying embers of the campfire and cradling my throbbing head.
There’s a lot to think about.
‘...Status check first.’
Since the second trial has just begun, compiling information on the situation isn’t too hard.
My current location is the Beast Forest near the Crucible of Struggle, and the immediate goal is to survive in here for three days.
Given that I’ve already taken down the rulers of the Demon Realm around here, it’s hard to imagine anything too threatening.
But that’s assuming the trial proceeds ‘normally.’
“...”
I grimace and stir the fire with the poker as I continue thinking.
The Hero Selection isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Considering it’s an event focused on ‘ranking,’ it’s even more certain it won’t unfold in some soft environment.
‘From the start...’
The goal of ‘survive for three days’ is just empty words.
More accurately, it should be interpreted as ‘hold out as long as you can.’
The announcement that the difficulty ramps up starting tomorrow means they’re aiming to eliminate everyone participating from the get-go. How long you last is what this trial is about.
‘The main focus isn’t me.’
That’s the key point I mustn’t forget.
In the end, for this trial, my role is limited to supporting Eliya. I can’t stand out like before.
The first trial was fine since it was just about racking up points, but this second trial—the bridge to the final one—is where they seriously evaluate if you can wield the holy sword properly.
It’s the point where not just doing well matters, but ‘how’ you do it.
Therefore, in this trial, it’s Eliya’s abilities that need validation, not mine.
That means I have to double down on my previous guidelines.
Deliberately putting my life in danger to boost her stats.
Fine, I’ll do it. Not a big deal.
The problem is, to do that in this situation, Eliya and I would probably have to split up with high probability.
If that happens, Eliya and Feynol would be left alone together without me as the mediator.
“...”
On the surface, no issue.
Feynol is one of the more rational vessels of the devil, and Eliya isn’t the type to pick fights without reason.
But.
There’s one massive reason Eliya might start a fight with her.
“...What do you think, Kaliban?”
I direct a hoarse voice at Kaliban, who’s clearly regaining his senses.
[What about?]
“Eliya’s chances of staying sane if she runs into the Red Devil.”
[...]
Kaliban falls silent for a long while before responding with a wry smile.
[...Zero. You think that’s possible?]
“Yeah, figured.”
A similar bitter smile crosses my face. It’s not just anything—it’s her family’s enemy.
Even this guy flat-out refused to draw his sword when he first faced her, no questions asked.
“...You seem a bit softer toward her lately, though.”
For some reason, his attitude toward Feynol has felt less hostile recently.
Sure, he tolerated cooperating with her before because I asked, but lately, even the grumbling when they interacted has decreased.
[No.]
Kaliban speaks in a calm voice after hearing me.
[She seems to have some story behind her.]
“...”
[Watching from the sidelines, that’s the vibe I get.]
“What vibe?”
[Doesn’t seem like someone drunk on power who’d harm others recklessly. Doesn’t seem evil either.]
“...”
[She’s singing about wanting to die quickly once her emotions are fully awakened, and she’s urging us to hurry because if we don’t, the Red Devil’s power will break loose. In many ways, it feels like she’s actually wary of it.]
As I mull that over, Kaliban chuckles and continues.
[If anything, doesn’t she have strong self-loathing?]
“...”
Spot-on analysis.
Feynol’s psyche is built on the belief that someone like her should vanish from the world as soon as possible.
Even after I declared I’d make her happy, that fundamental mindset probably hasn’t changed much.
“...She’s had some rough circumstances in the past.”
I say that while gazing at the soundly sleeping Feynol.
Among the devil’s vessels, none are without tragedy, but Feynol’s past is uniquely bleak.
“...”
A few keywords come to mind. Background settings from the game flash by.
Village maiden. Mage of the Magic Tower. Inquisitor of the Heresy Tribunal.
Feynol has the most diverse backstory among all the vessels.
And that came with the unspeakable circumstance that everything around her was utterly destroyed.
She probably believes ‘because of her,’ everyone around her suffered.
So she thinks someone like her should disappear from the world quickly.
[Yeah, looks that way. Makes sense when you think about it.]
“Yes?”
[Back during the Night Raid incident when we faced off, we didn’t exchange a single word. Even when I went for her neck, she’d completely lost her reason.]
“...”
This is the first time he’s spoken so directly about his past like this.
Especially mentioning Feynol outright.
Proof that he’s greatly lowered his psychological barriers toward her.
[Come to think of it, I never heard a word about ‘how’ the Red Devil inside her went berserk.]
“...”
[Looking at the vessels around you, it’s not something that just erupts easily. Without you as a variable, plenty of them might not even know they had it.]
Kaliban continues in a steady voice.
[So naturally, you can infer she didn’t cause the Night Raid alone with the devil berserking for no reason.]
“...”
[Of course, I still despise that Red Devil. It has to pay for the innocents swept up and killed back then. But we distinguish what needs distinguishing.]
Still that even tone.
To the point of absurdity, considering the nobility embedded in his words.
[The devil’s the bad one. Not that girl Feynol.]
I stare at the soul linker in stunned silence.
Words that make me doubt my ears.
Something no ordinary person could say.
An evaluation you couldn’t give someone who caused a disaster that killed you and your family.
Even understanding the circumstances, how many could say this without getting swept up in emotion?
“...You really are a true guardian, Kaliban.”
The humans once called symbols of nobility and justice.
The ideal template of a ‘knight.’
[...So what did you think I was before?]
“Dunno. Neighborhood idiot bro?”
[...]
“Or clown?”
[Shut up.]
I chuckle at Kaliban’s reaction when suddenly a window pops up before my eyes.
[System Message]
[You have induced a mental change in the soul residing in the ‘Soul Linker.’ ]
[ ‘Synchronization rate’ with the target soul increases! ]
[ ‘Second Memory’ is unlocked! You can synchronize with the soul and view it anytime you wish!]
[ If you unlock up to the final ‘Third Memory,’ a special event will occur! ]
I furrow my brow at the sight.
This... has to be it.
Kaliban’s memory I glimpsed briefly when upgrading the Soul Linker before.
“...”
Special event, huh.
I don’t know the details, but my gut—call it a veteran’s instinct—tells me this is key to the main quest. Especially since this quest heavily features stuff related to him.
As I think that, I silently gaze at the sleeping Feynol’s face.
She’s fast asleep, pressed right up against Eliya. Close enough to mistake them for friends.
“...Wish Eliya thought the same.”
High chance those two will end up alone this time.
For Eliya to shine, I need to draw aggro solo.
My only hope is no emergencies crop up then.
[You always jinx it, you know?]
“...”
[Has anything you hoped for like that ever not blown up?]
“...”
Don’t hit me with facts like a coward.
I sigh and scratch my head.
‘Still...’
At least with Feynol there, we can prevent ‘incidents’ like the surprise attack from Yuria in the first trial.
I can focus purely on the main quest.
“...Well, at least the trial itself should be manageable enough. Lucky us.”
The moment I say that...
-!!
-!!!!
“...”
One thing’s for sure.
My mouth really is a jinx.
‘Vicious timing.’
Yeah, they said difficulty ramps up ‘starting today.’
But I didn’t expect them to unleash this at dawn, full of malice, instead of broad daylight when people can function.
Hero Selection or not, did they forget most participants are students?
“Pack... They’re using headache beasts. Do the trial organizers all have sadistic tendencies?”
Packs are large beasts specialized in hunting and tracking.
As I think that and stand...
“...”
Something odd catches my eye.
A blue ‘curtain’ descending from the sky.
“...”
At first, I think I’m seeing things.
But no, it’s clear.
Definitely ‘that.’
“...Fuck.”
The moment I see it.
All leisure vanishes from my face.
Then, I bellow at the top of my lungs.
“Wake up—!”
“W-Wha, wh-what is it, Teacher?!”
“...Brother?”
“Dawood...?”
The soundly sleeping group jolts awake in panic at my shout.
“Grab your gear now! One second late and you’re dead!”
They sense the urgency in my voice and, despite their confusion, snatch up their weapons and equipment.
Impressive reflexes given the situation, but my insides are still burning with anxiety watching them.
[What’s this all of a sudden? What is that?]
‘...Nullification Field.’
The ultra-high spell users call a magnetic field.
It nullifies every ‘ability’ inside it wholesale.
A insane technique.
[...What?]
Kaliban lets out a disbelieving voice.
[How is that even possible?!]
In the Cera worldview, all power stems from abilities.
Even devils or angels—off-spec beings—have their powers bound as abilities in the material world, and that field ‘erases’ them all.
Normally a gimmick in hell-mode challenge content, not something popping up in chapter 4.
“...”
My teeth grind.
Releasing large beasts in a no-abilities zone is literally just telling them to die.
[So why release something like that?! This is a Hero Selection trial, not an execution ground!]
‘I don’t know either.’
If someone’s deploying that artificially, only one person I know can.
The Empire’s Emperor. And the Sword Saint at his side.
In other words.
The Empire’s ruler is personally pulling this insane stunt.
‘...Think later.’
Why the Emperor’s doing this can wait.
Right now, the released beasts are hunting nearby humans.
We need to move.
That’s the only way to save everyone here.
“T-Teacher, what’s going on!”
“Stay calm and listen up first.”
I grab a visibly panicking Eliya’s shoulder tight and speak.
“Not everyone here’s gonna survive.”
“...”
“So I’ll die once.”
“...”
“Don’t worry. I’ve done it plenty.”
Unfortunately, her panic doesn’t subside.
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