Chapter 82
Chapter 82
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Maritime Train
-----------------------------------------------------------------
●
One fortunate thing, at least.
On the train heading to the Tribal Alliance, Elnor and Yuria are riding in separate cars.
Since they won't run into each other, I can at least breathe easy until we step into the furnace of strife itself—no immediate risk of getting killed.
'...I'm alive...!'
Relief wells up so strong tears threaten to spill, but it's too soon to get complacent.
Instead, let's check what needs checking first.
[System Log]
[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ has activated! ]
[ Target ‘Yuria Grayhauncher’s favorability has risen sharply from ‘Interest Stage 4’ to ‘Trust Stage 5’! ]
[ A special reward is available for collection! ]
I can't even tell how many stages it jumped at once.
I let out a silent sigh and turn to the window.
[ Collecting ‘Yuria Grayhauncher’s gift reward. ]
[ Acquired 1 ‘Skill Copy Ticket’. ]
Just as expected.
At this level, I can count on getting that Skill Copy Ticket for sure.
Yuria already had one stashed away, so now I have two.
Whoa, Skill Copy Tickets can be copied too.
“...”
Feels like a gloomy spoil of war.
It's something I got in exchange for handing over the key to all the threats I'll face from here on out, so yeah, it leaves a bit of a bad taste.
But the timing on the reward itself is spot-on.
‘Now I can finally snag it.’
There was a skill of Yuria's I'd been eyeing for a while, but the conditions never lined up until now.
[ Unique Skill: Anti-Demon ]
[ Those who have long contended with curses naturally learn ways to resist them. ]
[ ◆ Unlocks the ‘Anti-Demon’ stat specialized against curse-related stats. ]
Exactly.
Unique skills are ones only that character in the entire world setting can learn.
This ‘Anti-Demon’ stat is unique to Yuria too.
Her character is so heavily influenced by the curse erosion from the Disconnected Ones that she has a dedicated ‘stat’ for resisting it.
But if I have the skill that unlocks something like that...
[ Skill: Desperate Situation ] [ Grade: ??? ]
[ Applies stat enhancement in moments of crisis. The lower the survival odds, the stronger the effect. ]
...it means I can reap the full benefits straight to the point.
Considering the trait that pumps stats like crazy in ‘crisis situations,’ it’s a safe bet I’ll gain natural resistance to curse-based threats.
‘...Should come in pretty handy this chapter.’
Chapter 3’s main enemies are the ‘magical beasts.’
The Apostles of the Inverted Tsunami. The tamers wielding the horrific powers slumbering beneath the sea.
Fighting them means facing ‘curses’ more than anything else, and the Anti-Demon stat will be a huge help against that.
And the remaining Skill Copy Ticket...
“...”
Insurance.
Better to always have one ready against Yuria.
Especially considering what kind of reaction the White Devil might have if I accidentally show her my ‘face.’
That’s why I’ve been holding onto it all this time.
As those grim thoughts swirl in my head...
A window pops up out of nowhere.
[System Message]
[ Confirmed 2 vessels have reached ‘Trust Stage 5’ or higher! ]
[ Confirmed main scenario progression difficulty has risen sharply! ]
[ Searching for elements to facilitate smoother progression! ]
What’s this?
First time since possession that the system’s thrown up a phrase like ‘smoother progression’ at me.
Was it always this conscientious?
[System Message]
[ Checking target ‘Eliya Chrisanax’s current status! ]
[ Assessing target’s ‘favorability status.’ ]
[ Condition met! ]
[ Assessing target’s ‘personality’ and ‘interpersonal relationships.’ ]
[ Condition met! ]
[ Assessing target’s ‘demon response capability.’ ]
[ Condition met! ]
[ Congratulations! Target will soon be assigned the role of ‘?? Ally’! ]
“...?”
Well.
If it just told me what role Eliya’s getting, I could celebrate along with it in good faith.
‘...Ally?’
Since it’s for smoother progression, it probably isn’t bad for me.
No clue what it’s planning with all that checking conditions left and right.
The demon response bit suggests it’s related to that, though.
“What’ve you been staring at the air so intently for a while now?”
Casa Garda, who’d been sitting across from me chuckling at my expression, puffs on his pipe and speaks up.
Picked him since he’s someone best kept glued to me and Liru throughout the chapter.
He should be in the priority seating for the elderly and infirm, but he stubbornly refused.
Said he’s just a bit unsteady on his feet—not an ‘old man’ or a ‘weakling’ by any means.
‘...Ridiculous, but...’
The world’s top-tier powerhouses actually back up that nonsense.
This guy supports his whole body with one arm and moves around like it’s nothing.
Fast enough to keep up with a running adult male, no joke.
“Just had something to check.”
“Then check on Liru while you’re at it.”
“She’ll be back soon enough, right? She looked upset, no need to poke at her...”
Liru hadn’t said a word the whole ride with me, then suddenly stepped out for some air.
Can’t blame her for being tense heading back to her homeland she was chased from.
“Why not go soothe her a bit?”
“...Soothe? Her?”
“Yep.”
Casa smirks and continues.
“She’s got a much softer heart than she lets on. She’ll pretend otherwise, but she’ll listen to anything her ‘first friend’ says.”
“...First friend?”
“You think someone with that personality’s had any friends besides you up till now?”
“...”
That’s some depressing news—give a heads-up next time.
“So while you’re at it, take all her firsts from first friend onward—”
“...I’ll go find where she is.”
Especially talk like that.
Casa nods, chuckling again at my cold-sweat stammer.
“Good. As your first training assignment from your combat instructor, find her and bring her back here.”
“...?”
Training for something that minor?
I tilt my head at his words and step out into the corridor.
The train linking the three academies of the Golden Triangle isn’t just transport—it’s luxurious enough to live in. One of the continent’s largest, they say.
Even if she went for air, finding her won’t be easy.
Guess I’ll wander a bit.
“Ugh—”
I crack my stiff joints from sitting too long and stretch.
As I stretch toward the ceiling, a vent opens right on cue for ventilation. Fancy train’s got all the bells and whistles.
The Crucible of Strife is a structure built on an island ringed by sea on all sides, and this train’s barreling along the ‘maritime tracks’ leading there. Crisp seaside sky greets me.
That’s how I noticed the ‘anomaly’ so quick.
“...?”
Like I said, crisp seaside sky should be greeting me.
But.
The sky’s pitch black.
Not even evening.
And the blackness is ‘descending.’
Something massive is plunging straight down at the entire train.
“...”
Seeing it, I finally get what Casa meant by ‘training’ earlier.
Why Liru left her seat too.
“...Every time I board a train to the academy...”
Last time with Elnor, we got hit by rocks. Now it’s way worse.
Muttering that, I grab a nearby handhold quick as I can.
Then.
[ Assault! Assault! Giant magical beast assault! ]
[ All students, calmly evacuate per emergency procedures—! ]
Before that frantic announcement blares through the cars.
-!!
-!!!!!!!
A colossal ‘giant magical beast’ roars loud enough to flip heaven and earth.
And the whole train starts shaking violently.
●
Pandemonium. Screams mix and echo everywhere.
But.
Let’s be honest.
‘...No sense of danger at all.’
Even as the train flips and bucks wildly, that’s my first thought.
I’ve been through worse than this plenty of times now— this feels too tame to faze me.
And above all.
‘Desperate Situation isn’t triggering?’
I’ve got a ghost-like knack for sensing threats to my life.
Which means this probably isn’t real combat.
Sorting it out coolly like that sharpens my view of the surroundings.
Amid the train’s mad rocking, I steady myself and peer out the window.
Safety nets laid along the tracks for if the train derails and rolls.
Meaning elements prepped to prevent ‘casualties.’
“...”
And yeah, the giant magical beast just walloped one car hard.
But looking up at the ceiling, the next assault isn’t coming—it’s just circling overhead.
Not something a ‘real magical beast’ would do.
Spotting that, I realize what this is right away.
‘Entrance exam.’
Unlike the Empire’s Elpante, the Crucible of Strife is infamous for hitting hard from the get-go, no mercy.
Probably a virtual reality emergency cooked up out of nowhere to test students’ mettle, no prior notice.
Even in the game, random encounter event every time entering the Crucible.
“...”
Compared to other nations still fighting with cold steel, these guys are playing in another league tech-wise.
A nation that boasts no other country can touch their heels in science—magic towers aside.
Thinking that, I look to the train roof.
Given Liru’s personality, odds are high she bolted outside to ‘fight’ the second she saw that giant magical beast.
“...”
Casa wants me to fetch her.
From this train that’s hard to even stand on.
A wry smile creeps up.
I get why he called this ‘training’ now.
You’d feel it the moment you climb the ladder to the roof.
‘...I’m, dead...!’
Just moving while keeping balance is no joke.
Legs wobble, inner ear screams, nausea racks my whole body.
But all those daily death-defying workouts with Talion weren’t for nothing. I can barely ‘move’ even without Desperate Situation.
Back then, I’d probably just flop on the floor puking nonstop.
“...Hup.”
I somehow haul myself to the roof, stagger along, crawl across the train top.
After an eternity of crawling, I finally spot the figure I’d been hunting far off.
“Liru—!”
Cracking my neck and knuckles, Liru preps to charge the giant bird-shaped magical beast circling the train.
How is she that steady in this mess?
Winds whipping everywhere, massive waves slamming the train—hard to even stand.
“Over here, ugh, come on! We gotta—!”
“...What?”
Liru shoots back in disbelief at my words.
“What do you mean go back? How’d you even find me?”
From her view, this is prime time to shine—why butt in? But I’m under orders from Casa to drag her inside.
With her personality, if I drop ‘training,’ she’ll stick to it to the letter.
Or she’ll make me pay later with hell far worse for not following through.
“...And worry about yourself first, yeah? You’ll die like that.”
Your face is past pale—yellowish now.
I scream internally at Liru as she says that.
‘That’s what I’m saying, I know it’s not dangerous!’
If we don’t head back now, Casa’ll chew me out like a dog later.
Look at me and come inside together, at least.
Let’s try conveying that.
“Ah, the danger is—cough, hack, if we don’t—pffft—! go back right—argh—!”
Winds and waves keep slamming my face, so I can’t even finish sentences—ugly sputtering. Liru’s eyes narrow at the sight.
“...”
Shit.
Even I know I look pathetic.
No room to complain if she mocks me...
[System Message]
[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ is activating! ]
[ Target ‘Liru’s favorability has increased from ‘Interest Stage 1’ to ‘Interest Stage 2’! ]
[ Collectible reward added! ]
Huh?
“...What, coming to save me with that level of skill? Danger my ass. It’s not even real.”
“...”
“Worry about yourself first. Can’t even handle your own body, rushing to me like that? Nosy much?”
Liru scratches her head sheepishly as she says it.
Rough words, but she can’t meet my eyes straight.
Her cheeks look a bit flushed, maybe my imagination.
“...Still, thanks. I get the sentiment.”
“...”
No.
I don’t know why you’re saying it like that.
It’s not whatever you’re thinking.
Don’t get weird ideas—just come back to Casa with me...!
The thought hits me, but this time retching keeps me from spitting it out.
Meanwhile, Liru draws up mana from her body.
In raw combat power, Liru could take Elnor even after one fragment—once she taps mana, she could really fly right at that giant magical beast here.
Mana gathers in her legs. A fierce smile crosses Liru’s face.
Sensing a threat maybe, the bird beast turns to her.
[ Crisis detected. ]
[ Judged as direct threat to life. ]
[ Applying Skill: Desperate Situation at EX grade. ]
“...”
I realize something’s off right then.
Sudden vitality surges through my body.
A chill omen crawls down my spine.
“Wait, Liru—!”
Something’s wrong.
The premonition hits hard.
But before my shout can land, Liru’s already rocketed into the air.
I whip my gaze to the giant magical beast—yellow energy’s swelling on its body.
I know what that is. From my position, the future’s plain as day.
This girl.
If she charges in like that, she dies.
Unless I do something.
“...!”
I scramble up, Ultrim of Divinity in hand.
-!!!
The giant magical beast unleashes a massive bolt of lightning at Liru.
●