Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Endless Human Malice
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After returning from the sea, I immediately went looking for Eve.
The reason was simple.
Eve von Loengrin was trying to kill me.
In the face of that 【precise】【cold】【absolute】 reality, my entire body trembled.
What would happen if Stamina 2 Wolfram went on expeditions every two weeks?
I headed straight to the student council president's office for a private audience with Eve.
Are you serious?
Do you really intend to kill me?
Answer me, Eve von Loengrin!
"Your death doesn't really matter to me."
"......"
Oof.
Don't you think that's a bit too harsh?
We flipped each other off, and Eve scowled before letting out a sigh.
"Well, half of it was a joke."
"Only half?"
"Half is still half a joke, isn't it?"
I see. Our Eve really is such a positive girl. Sorry, but I'm on the negative side, so be grateful for my low stats—otherwise, one of us would've died today.
"What's with that dissatisfied glare?"
"...No, it's nothing."
"Wolfram von Loengrin. I don't know what you're after, but right now, I'm quite—no, extremely—rating your adventurous spirit very highly."
"A guy like you..."
"Wolfram. This is the honest truth. I felt a lot during this sea voyage."
"......Go on."
What did you feel?
I'm the one feeling humanity's endless malice right now.
"The fact that we really know nothing about Jefrin."
"......"
"Simply put, I have no idea what's in the Eastern Forest, the Sleeping Mountains, the scorching deserts, or the snowfields. Especially the sea we went to this time... I couldn't even imagine it. Do you know how shocked I was?"
If you're shocked enough to dunk your big bro, you should never go back to the sea.
"I have to admit it. You're on equal footing with me now. Well, not quite above... but."
"Ah, um."
Yeah. Got it.
"But I'm swamped with student council duties right now, so there's nothing I can do. You get my position, right?"
"No, I don't."
"So! I'm actually, very rarely, acknowledging you!"
"Hmm. And?"
"Argh, seriously!"
Eve's face flushed beet red as she slammed the desk. Doesn't that hurt your palms?
As I tilted my head, Eve took a deep breath and answered my unspoken question.
"Your group's balance is excellent. A solid frontline with Nefti. Aila Trista, who can maneuver front, mid, and backlines freely. Rudika for those sneaky one-shots. That's why I'm recognizing you all and officially commissioning your faction for Jefrin explorations."
"I see."
"But understand this is a huge burden for me too. Not Stamina 2—Intelligence 2!"
Whoa, shots fired!
Setting that aside, Eve's point made perfect sense.
"Got it. If word gets out that you're giving me special privileges..."
"Exactly. Think about my position."
"The overwhelming proof to shut that down would be..."
"The sincerity in the reports you turn in. The speed. Ideally speaking..."
"Two weeks sounds fair. So, the PR plan?"
"I'll order a dedicated corner in the school paper for you all, review the content, and run it as articles..."
"Ha. Right. Then we come off as jolly adventurers."
"......Now do you get it?"
I do.
Honestly, I was a little surprised once the truth came out.
Eve had grasped the situation, judged it, and reached a conclusion in an instant.
And remarkably so.
As she said, it was a thoughtful measure.
"So, for my sake... and yours, keep up regular explorations and reports from now on! That gives me ammo against the other execs. And... it'll change your reputation too!"
Yeah.
You're right, Eve.
This bloodline princess has nothing but praise.
But.
Isn't your tongue a little too slick?
"However, don't you think this piles excessive duties on me?"
"......Pardon?"
"Think it through, Eve von Loengrin."
"Think what?"
"Suppose I raid outside Jefrin and deliver a report in two weeks. Student council edits it for the paper. How do regular students react?"
"...Th-they'd reevaluate you?"
"No. Wrong. The real answer: Under the current student council prez's term, they reformed delinquent Wolfram von Loengrin until he turned a new leaf."
"......"
"Backed by full student council support, he's unveiling Jefrin's secrets. Isn't that it?"
"Tch."
Did you just tsk?
Hey.
Why turn away?
Why that frustrated pout?
Hey.
Look at me.
Hey!
Eve finally let out a deep sigh and confessed the truth.
"Fine. You used me, so I was gonna use you a little too. What's the big deal?!"
"......"
"You used me plenty! Lately, you even threw Filtia sis under the bus as bait!"
"......"
Oof.
Can't argue that.
Sorry about that. Haha.
"Your notoriety's blown up lately—it's even buzzing in student council! Black Flag's off wreaking havoc their way, some mystery curse shows up! So I figured I'd leverage you to pump student council prestige first! It's considerate if you think about it—can't I get a little mileage outta you!?"
"......"
Guess I flipped her rage switch.
"So. What's it gonna be? No deal, no official permit."
"......"
"Don't call it stingy. If you won't play ball with student council, it's like handing restricted zone passes to shady groups en masse."
Hmm.
Put like that, Eve's got a point.
"Your call, Wolfram? This is my offer."
"Deals need mutual benefit, Eve von Loengrin."
"......What do you want?"
"Simple."
Why even ask?
I stared at Eve and flashed a sly grin.
Seated alone, Eve replayed her recent talk with Wolfram.
In short,
Wolfram's demands boiled down to: Autonomy. No meddling. Mutual friendliness. Full support both ways.
"...Hmm. I see."
Eve greenlit all his terms. Thus, the 【Wolfram Crew】 and 【Current Jefrin Student Council】 forged a pact.
Alone afterward, Eve jotted notes in the council room, nodding to herself.
"Right... Fiancée Aila Trista. Royal Guard Nepthelian. Abyss Dagger Rudika. Iron Fist Milmyu... Then Blue Dragon Filtia Bluebreeze sis, magitech trader Regina Cielra. Princess Emily Haimelody. Fairy Queen El Pirane. Ariel, daughter of the Southern Dragon King. Plus... Milmyu's two pals, and Sylphia...?"
She listed them out, clutching her pounding head.
"How'd I end up with this crew...? Wait, no—why's the gender ratio so skewed? Jefrin's co-ed... How?!"
Eve's dilemma lingered.
Unlikely to resolve anytime soon.
Jackpot.
Student council vault isn't elite-tier, but still.
Bigger win: Official recognition as an independent unit.
And...
Obviously.
Couldn't pass this up.
3rd Act rewards differ from 2nd or 1st Acts.
2nd gave stats you could chain-farm, but 3rd blocks exploits.
System upgrade + guaranteed skill.
Phew. Nice.
Next up...
Yes. This.
Exactly what I wanted.
"From 6T on, this one's core-worthy."
No pure 6T+ partyciels exist—instead, it fuses with cooking into stuff like 【Dining Master】.
And mine's this one.
【Magic Tailor】 【6T】
【Craft magic-infused cloth/leather armor.】
【No prior armor crafting skill. Auto-acquiring.】
"...Acquiring."
Long ago, heading to the Sleeping Mountains with Nefti and Rudika for the first time.
Even with skill points, skipped armor crafting.
I knew 'higher-tier versions' existed and held off.
D/Z SAGA trait.
Grab a superior skill? Auto-unlocks prerequisites.
Like 7T Shining Partyciel auto-adding Magical Partyciel underneath.
No prior cases, but 6T Magic Tailor is armor crafting's direct upgrade.
Why pick it so eagerly?
【Handy one, aren't ya!】
【Dexterity +1】
【Dexterity reached 15. Reward granted!】
【Magic Thimble】 【7T】
【Boosts all crafting positively.】
【Once daily: Guarantee best outcome on any 8T-or-lower craft.】
This.
What I wanted.
Dexterity maxed at 15.
Options just exploded.
Hit it at 4th Act.
Now, time to stock the convenience store with way more fun, thrilling goodies!
Next day.
I tinkered late into the night, mixing accessories, tailoring, handiwork—hoping for fun combos.
Slept straight through, fatigue lingering. Then the convenience store door swung open.
Had "closed today" sign up. Who...
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Milmyu, huh."
"Yup. Hehe. Hi, senpai."
"What brings you?"
"......?"
Milmyu cocked her head. What? Total confusion.
"Sign says closed today, no?"
"Yeah. That's why I came. We promised a date—just us—before closing ceremony, right?"
Oh.
"No way you forgot? Nah, senpai wouldn't. Closing ceremony's tomorrow? Today's our only shot?"
"......Like I'd forget."
"Hehe. Knew it. Senpai through and through."
Milmyu.
That usual dazzling smile...
But today, you look downright terrifying.