Chapter 127
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 127: How to Set a Goal (1)
“—And so, some of the students will be going to the field.”
Yggdrasil, who had been absent from morning classes, saying she had business, dropped a bombshell on the students as soon as class ended.
“Conscription? But we’re still just first-years?” “I heard it was chaos because of the unusual situation... I guess it’s true.” “Can we... do it?”
The classroom was instantly plunged into a serious atmosphere. Undisguised tension rose to everyone's faces. It was understandable to be worried. In their own minds, first-years were still fledglings who had a lot to learn. Even the second-years, who go on full-fledged practical training, were coming back badly injured this time, so for first-years, it might be even worse.
“Maybe I shouldn't have majored as a Hunter…” “Should I change my major now?” “Then, I will announce the roster!”
Silence fell in an instant as Yggdrasil’s command cut through the negative reactions. Yggdrasil skimmed her device, then began to read the names one by one. “Kang Nahyun, Na Yuri, Na Yuhan, Min Jaeyun, Shin Baran, Park Siwoo, Lee Hana, Choi Sujeong! That is all!” “What, it’s that party? Won’t they be okay?” “Still, they’re first-years too… Won't it be dangerous?”
Even among the kids showing various reactions, our group maintained calm expressions. It was thanks to Yggdrasil giving us a heads-up a few days ago. But we couldn't hide the slight tension that came from the fact that we were going to the field. I was tense as well. And for good reason… this was the last episode I remembered. I looked up at my Meta System window.
[Metapoints: 39112]
I had solidified my position as the main heroine, and the impact of revealing the 'Meta System' had also increased the attention on me. Accordingly, the increase in Metapoints was quite high. ...Well, there was no denying that some had been shaved off by that stupid ‘non-virgin controversy’.
“Be careful! Stay safe!” “Don’t worry.”
Kang Yu was one of the strong ones in Class A, but he was also very young and hadn't been enrolled for long, so he was reportedly deemed unsuitable. It seemed Yggdrasil had steered the conversation that way to keep her promise to me. I calmed the worried Kang Yu, and in doing so, calmed myself. However, there was one thing that weighed on my mind. Before we went to the field, would Lee Hana’s curse be successfully cleansed as per the ‘original novel’?
‘…A problem has arisen.’ ‘It is my fault.’ ‘Raise your head, Mihail. It is due to my own inadequacy. The Wild Hunt attacked our transport plane that was moving the materials. Therefore, the cleansing ritual attempt will have to be delayed.’ ‘No….’ ‘We may have to proceed with the cleansing with insufficient preparations.’
Unlike the novel, an incident where the Wild Hunt attacked a Balder Family transport plane had occurred.
"Then is the cleansing completely impossible?"
Inside Nika's room. Having received the urgent summons, we all gathered here. Various materials, seemingly gathered for the cleansing, were scattered around the room.
"Hmm… No, it's not that we can't do it."
"Speak clearly."
"Mihail. Bring the mana stone box."
Choi Sujeong, who had been on edge since she arrived, pressed sharply. But Nika paid her no mind and examined the mana stone box Mihail brought over. Then she took out one of the boxes, brought it before us, and opened it. Inside the box were blue gems the size of a fist, but for some reason, they were all cracked or broken.
"Look. This is aquamarine, imbued with the magic of water. This was the key item that was to act as the most important pressing stone in this cleansing ritual. Its role was to suppress the curse with overwhelming water magic, squeeze it out, and trap it inside. But it was broken due to the Wild Hunt's surprise attack."
"Can't you get a new one?"
"This was difficult to obtain, so there's no telling how long it would take to get a new one."
"Then what should we do? You said earlier, ‘it’s not that we can’t do it.’ Does that mean there's another way, even if it's difficult?"
"Right. What do you need? I'll do anything, so if there's something you need, tell us quickly."
Nika nodded silently at my and Choi Sujeong's questions.
“A person must act as the pressing stone instead of the aquamarine.”
“A person?”
"First… Nahyun's brother."
"Uh, yeah?"
"I need your help."
"Me?!"
"Yes. You possess powerful water attribute mana, so you can replace the aquamarine to some extent. Of course, a complete replacement is impossible. And so…"
Nika glanced over us, looking worried, then covered her mouth slightly with her fan.
"A Raid is necessary."
"Raid? You mean a monsterraid?"
"Correct. With Kang Yu, it has become possible to suppress the curse with water magic, at least in a simplified form, but it is not the standard method. Therefore, a gap in space will surely form, and a monster created from the curse will burst out and try to harm both the cursed person and the cleanser."
"And we have to block it."
"No, you must kill it. The time limit is 3 minutes. If the curse manifests in the world for more than 3 minutes, the cursed person will become a cripple, so you must dispose of it as quickly as possible. And during that time, Lee Hana herself will be completely defenseless."
Nika, with a slight sneer, asked Lee Hana.
"It means you must give up everything and entrust your life entirely to these things you call your friends. Is that still acceptable? Can you not resent it, even if you lose your life at your friends' hands while they try to break your curse?"
At her question, Lee Hana was silent for a moment, then readily nodded.
"Of course."
Watching her answer without a shred of hesitation, I felt a strange emotion. Right. This is the kind of person Lee Hana was. A person who trusts people, relies on people, and ultimately shines. That's why she looked even more dazzling to me. I am always suspecting people and pushing them away, so I could never do that, but she readily can. …Perhaps she is the one closest to the name 'sunshine'.
At Lee Hana's answer, Nika burst into a hearty laugh.
"Hoho, my, my. What a fool!"
"You think so?"
"I do. But I am rather fond of such people. You. Do not worry. I will do my best."
"Thank you."
“Hm. By the way, you. Do you have any interest in an engagement?”
“Sorry. None.”
“...Don't hit on Hana.”
Choi Sujeong growled, but it seemed Nika had already taken a liking to Lee Hana.... Um, good luck, Sunbae.
After that, we helped Nika and her servants prepare the magic circle for the cleansing. Nika said she had something to do before the main ritual and took Lee Hana with her. After Lee Hana left, Choi Sujeong began to tremble with even more anxiety.
“Will it be okay?”
“It will be. If it doesn't work... you know. My ability.”
“...Yeah. Thank you.”
But she continued to bite her lip, agonizing. Deciding this wouldn't do, I stayed by the trembling Choi Sujeong's side and reassured her. The Meta System. My ability. If the cleansing ritual fails, or if it even shows a sign of failing, I will pour my Metapoints into Lee Hana, into my sunbae, without hesitation. That's why I've been saving points. That's why I've been struggling and fighting to become strong—to protect my precious people.
“Don't worry.”
So I smiled.
“I will protect you all, no matter what.”
With the resolve that I would protect them.
Seeing my smile, Choi Sujeong looked like she was about to cry, then said in a small voice. “...Hana is my first friend, and the benefactor who helped me escape from those twins.”
“...Benefactor?”
I was surprised, as I never expected Choi Sujeong to tell me her secret. Does she trust me enough now to reveal some of her secrets? Considering she almost killed Na Yuhan when he forcibly reminded her of her past and blackmailed her, that memory must still be a huge wound for her. It must be that hard and painful to speak of, yet she willingly shared her secret with me.
“She risked her life for me. She willingly swallowed the curse. To get me out.”
“……”
“So... I can do anything for Hana. What couldn't I do? Hana was the first... the first believable person I could ever have.”
“Sunbae….”
“Sorry. I suddenly got sidetracked. Let's hurry and prepare.”
I shook my head and grasped her hand.
“No. Let’s definitely save Hana-sunbae.”
“...Yeah.”
Choi Sujeong, sniffling slightly, answered faithfully. After that, we prepared for the cleansing in silence.
Once the preparations were complete, Nika personally selected the few who would act as pressing stones. Then she immediately began to issue orders.
"Direct contact with the curse is dangerous, so all melee classes are excluded. Furthermore, Hero! There is no telling what effect your power will have on this delicate work, so you are excluded all the more!"
“...Sorry I can't be of help.”
“I’m sorry….”
Park Siwoo and Na Yuri were naturally excluded, as they were melee classes. Park Siwoo, in particular, having been born as a Hero who saves people, seemed to feel extremely apologetic that he couldn't participate.
“I-I have a curse absorption skill…”
“You actually think of absorbing that hideous curse! If you don't want to die, don't!”
“Yes….”
Min Jaeyun, who had stepped forward quite confidently, thinking her curse absorption skill would be helpful, was instead rejected because of it and drooped.
“And my fiancé… Hm… Ummm… It's subtle… but… um….”
“...What, why.”
“You ask because you don't know?”
“I'm asking because I don't know, why!”
“I see… How unfortunate. You are weak. It would be best for you to face reality.”
“...Ha, th-no, it's nothing…”
“You. Are you any good at dodging attacks? There will be occasional ranged attacks.”
“I am.”
“Then, participate. We are short on people. And Nahyun's brother!”
“Ah, ung! Yes!”
“You will come to the center of the magic circle with me! Pour out all the power you have and suppress the curse's energy!”
“Okay!”
As a result of the discussion, the friends whose attributes didn't match were excluded, and Choi Sujeong, Shin Baran, Na Yuhan, and I were added to act as pressing stones.
Nika, having received permission, led us to a suitable classroom. The classroom, which looked like it hadn't been used in a long time, was quite spacious, but it was still barely enough to fit the magic circle Nika intended to draw. The cleansingmagic circle, when it finally revealed itself, was incredibly complex and intricate. A very large circular formation formed the outline, and in the very center was a small but densely inscribed central magic circle. The empty space between the outline and the central magic circle was filled in by medium-sized magic circles. The four people acting as additional pressing stones each entered one of the medium-sized magic circles. Nika, along with Lee Hana and Kang Yu, stepped into the central magic circle. Lee Hana lay down in the center of the magic circle without a word. She looked overly calm, as if she wasn't even anxious. …Or maybe, she really, simply... trusts. Nika and Kang Yu lightly placed their hands on Lee Hana's stomach.
“Beginning!”
“Yes!”
Finally, the magic circle slowly began to glow. It began to shine with a blue light, emitting a cool air and lowering the surrounding temperature. Nika, her brow furrowed, cautiously began to move her hands. Before long, the blue light slowly began to dye a blood-red.
“It's hot…!”
I felt the power of the unidentified mana... or curse... that was instantly heating the room. But, as if this was just the beginning, the room's temperature rose rapidly. The magic circle glowed with an intense red light like heated steel, and finally began to vomit a pitch-black color, like hardened lava. Gulp, gulp. A pitch-black something began to slowly seep out of the magic circle from Lee Hana's center, like slime. So that's the curse that was eroding Lee Hana. How on earth had she endured it? Just looking at it from the side was enough to give me goosebumps. Lee Hana let out a pained groan, and Kang Yu also made a 'kngh-' sound, as if he was struggling. The something, which had been seeping out slowly, gradually increased its speed and became a pitch-black mass. Kwadk, kwadk— A bizarre sound came from the mass.
“Prepare for battle!”
Hearing Na Yuhan's voice, I quietly gripped my gun. I had to keep my wits about me. Because the key to this battle was me.