Chapter 154: Drug Incident at the Academy (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 154: Drug Incident at the Academy (9)
Despite the incident, the ranking tournament proceeded as scheduled.
Unusual measures were taken, such as banning mid-match doping and inviting experts to screen the competitors for any traces of demonic energy.
Had there been any fatalities the previous day, the situation might have escalated and forced a cancellation, but since it hadn’t turned into a catastrophe of that magnitude, this level of caution seemed appropriate.
…I suspect that if I visited the Chairperson’s office, I’d be greeted by her haggard face as she struggles to clean up the mess, but that’s not exactly my fault, is it?
In truth, even though it was the end-of-semester ranking tournament, it wasn’t much different from the inter-class matches held at the start of the term.
While people certainly put in the effort to close the gap, those at the top hadn’t exactly been sitting idle either.
Perhaps I was the one who had undergone the most significant change.
In the previous tournament, I had a mediocre record of two wins and three losses. This time, however, I crushed everyone who challenged me out of blind jealousy, and I even took down the guy ranked just above me for good measure.
Five wins, zero losses.
None of my opponents were ranked exceptionally high, but this should still give my ranking a decent boost.
So, basically, that’s that. I failed last time, but I did great this time.
“You can just do better next time, right, Ga-eul?”
“I don’t know… I totally blew it…”
There stood a girl named Kim Ga-eul, who had met a rather pitiful result of one win and four losses—a record even more disastrous than my previous one.
I wondered why she had such dark circles under her eyes this morning; as it turned out, she hadn’t been able to focus on her matches at all.
“You’re going to do ranking tournaments until you’re sick of them, Ga-eul! Why worry about it already? You’ll do better next time.”
Ha-ni tried to comfort her, but since Ha-ni hadn’t been matched against Lilac or Cheon Yu-hak this time, she—like me—had recorded five straight wins.
Moreover, she had fought fairly high-ranked opponents, so her points likely saw a significant jump.
“Han-hee, you won all your matches! Winners like you and So-hyun will never understand how a loser like me feels!”
In other words, to the person receiving it, Ha-ni’s comfort could easily sound like a humblebrag.
“Why did everyone else win while I’m the only one like this…! I can’t stand it. You have to buy me something delicious!”
After huffing and puffing to herself, Ga-eul suddenly made that demand of me.
…I mean, she was so confident about it that for a second, I thought a new law had been passed while I wasn’t looking: ‘If Kim Ga-eul fails an exam, Kang So-hyun must buy her delicious food.’
Why is she asking me when Ha-ni was the one who stepped on the landmine?
Still, I didn’t think much of it at first.
I could offer her some comfort. It wasn’t like I was the one paying every day; in fact, Ga-eul was usually the one sharing snacks and various treats with me.
“Sure. What do you want to eat? Tteokbokki and sundae? Or should we go get tonkatsu?”
I sensed something was off the moment my friends started exchanging glances right in front of me.
I smelled a rat.
Come to think of it, it was strange.
It was unlike Lilac, the ghost of after-parties, to let this pass without a word. It was also strange that Ha-ni and Cheon Yu-hak, both incarnations of competitive spirit, had finished their matches without facing Lilac.
They were even awkwardly checking each other’s reactions.
“…Are you guys coming too?”
“A-Ah, no!? I have someone to meet today.”
…Lilac. Do you honestly call that acting?
“Um, I should probably do some solo training today. It’s been a while. If I want to take the top spot, I need to work harder.”
Ha-ni, your acting is usually decent because it’s so integrated into your daily life, but why can’t you look me in the eye?
Hello? Ms. Kang Ha-ni? I’m telling you to look me in the eye. Why can’t you do it?
When I shifted my gaze toward Cheon Yu-hak, he let out a short, “Hmph,” then turned his head to stare intensely into the distance.
Right, I’m sure the girls who like you let it slide when you do that because you have nothing to say, don’t they? Well, I’m not one of them, you bastard.
I scanned the group, but since no one could meet my eyes, I pretty much had the gist of it.
They said they’d officially join the investigation tomorrow, but in reality, they probably intended to join today.
The reason they lied to me was likely because they thought I’d break my promise and show up at the scene by any means necessary.
Seriously, don’t any of you ever try to con anyone. You’re all too honest.
That being said, honesty is one thing, but this is a bit annoying. They don’t trust me? Just how much trouble do they think I’ve caused?
Of course, I was actually planning to go out, but even in a game of Mafia, it feels a bit unfair when you get caught being the Mafia.
Honestly, I felt like asking them if I looked like a total chump to them, but since I was going to head out anyway, there was no point in making them more guarded.
“Is that so? That’s a shame. I guess it’ll just be me and Ga-eul then. Tell me what you want to eat.”
“Huh? Um. Then… should we eat something that takes a long time today?”
…Seriously. You guys could never do an undercover mission.
“What are you talking about? Let’s just go get tonkatsu.”
Based on the situation, Ga-eul is the lookout, right? Since she can’t participate in combat, she’s the perfect choice for the role. But do you guys realize I’m already ten steps ahead of you?
After saying goodbye to the others, I turned to Ga-eul.
“Hey, those guys are joining the investigation right away today, aren’t they?”
“Huh!?”
I appreciate the concern, I really do. But since you guys tried to trick me, we’re even now, right?
I’m really not going to hold back anymore.
“W-What are you talking about, So-hyun! Ah, I’m hungry! Let’s go eat, fast!”
“Why are you so flustered, Ga-eul? It’s not like I’m scolding you.”
“Ugh, I don’t know! No! I can’t say anything! I promised the others!”
“Why are you making such a fuss? Who’s saying anything? I’m just asking if they’re investigating the case starting today.”
“If I answer, you’re going to say you’ll go too!”
“…I won’t?”
When I spoke after a deliberate pause, Ga-eul’s eyes widened as if she’d caught me red-handed.
“See! You just took a moment to think about it.”
Ah, seriously. Why is she so cute?
My dear Ga-eul, you basically just confirmed that they’re starting the investigation today.
“Ga-eul, I’m hurt. You guys don’t even believe me.”
“Huh? Uh…”
“My heart is wounded. I don’t think I’ll have any motivation left at this rate.”
Ga-eul peered at my face, worried if I was actually serious.
But I have the Acting trait. How are you going to see through this?
“Ugh…”
“So, Ga-eul, if you don’t want me to be even more disappointed, why don’t you just let me join the others quietly?”
“Huh? Uh…? Ah! You’re doing it again!”
“Pfft… Ah, seriously. Ga-eul, what am I going to do with you? You’re too cute.”
“Compliments won’t work! I won’t fall for such temptations!”
“Really?”
“Huh?”
“Are you sure you can keep quiet?”
As I stepped closer and spoke in a soft voice, Ga-eul’s face flushed red as she began to panic.
“Uh…? Uh…? So-hyun…?”
Back in the day, the kids at the orphanage would give up immediately if I did this. Seo-ha, who witnessed it, told me never to do it to anyone else.
“I’m joking. Let’s just go get tonkatsu.”
“Huh?”
“Why do you keep saying ‘huh’? You guys are doing this because you’re worried about me, so I can’t exactly force my way there. Instead, you have to play with me all day today, Ga-eul.”
Ga-eul’s face had been strangely red for a while now.
…I’m starting to get seriously worried that she’s the type who’d end up buying a ‘Talent-Enhancing Jade Mat’ or something later.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I-I’m coming! I’m definitely coming! I don’t care if I have to pay for the tonkatsu, so let’s just go!”
“What are you talking about? It’s my treat. Since it’s a consolation party, I’m not letting you go home until late, okay?”
Ga-eul turned bright red again.
She looks like an apple. Why is she so red? It makes me want to take a bite out of her.
Well, this should be enough of a smokescreen. Does it look like I gave up too easily? Not a chance, guys.
You might think Ga-eul is monitoring me, but she’s actually going to be my alibi and my witness.
While the ‘me’ over here is busy eating delicious food and hanging out with Ga-eul, shall I start moving?
* * *
I doubt they suspect the masked villain is me, but for the sake of a perfect crime, I’ve attached a clone to Ga-eul. Even if an accident occurs, there’s no risk of my identity being exposed.
“I’m standing right on top of your heads. Where do you think you’re going?”
— Don’t you feel at least a little sorry for the kids who are worrying about you?
‘Honestly, I do feel a bit bad, but what if they get into danger? I’ll just watch from a distance, as long as it doesn’t take me too far out of my way or get too risky.’
It had been a while since I’d worn it, but the tuxedo made of Ruyi was size-adjustable, so it always felt like a perfect fit.
And then, the main event: the mask.
I looked at the sinister, pure white demon mask, which made me seriously wonder if it had some kind of mental erosion function.
It felt as if it were tempting me, whispering for me to put it on right this instant.
— I don’t feel even a hint of such an aura, though?
To be honest, I did have some concerns.
Was it right for me, who lived such a grueling life before my regression, to play the villain again, even if it was just an act? It was true that I’d had such thoughts.
— …Now you’re not even pretending to listen.
But my hesitation didn’t last long.
It was for their sake, and for the sake of this world.
And above all…
A fake villain with a backstory is always more popular than a plain old villain…!
It was the perfect setup to make this world just a little more entertaining.
I put on the mask, and the effect of Perception Interference took hold.
I slowly adjusted my voice, accepting my persona as a villain, which felt even more natural thanks to my Acting trait.
[Now, it is time to execute evil.]
It’s a villain drift, you punks! You should have just taken me with you! Who told you to leave me out?
— Hmm, I’d like to join in occasionally, so find me a mask similar to the one I used in the Dream World.
…Uh, I’ll think about that.
* * *
The investigation itself didn’t involve much.
They had already secured evidence and testimony regarding the distribution, and they had confirmed that delinquents within the Academy were spreading the drugs.
Chairperson Leilan Claudia, who had personally joined the operation to take responsibility for the situation, felt the weight of her failure.
She had told herself she would leave things to the cadets’ autonomy. She had reasoned that as long as rankings had to be determined, there would always be those who fell behind in any group.
Perhaps this had happened because she focused on minimizing their numbers rather than caring for them.
That thought continued to haunt her.
With a heavy heart, she looked toward their hideout and prayed.
She prayed that they wouldn’t resist fiercely, that they would be compliant—no, if possible, that they would simply surrender.
She hoped it could end with demerits or simple community service.
She desperately hoped she wouldn’t have to define them as villains and punish them.
However, those hopes faded as they drew closer to the building known to be their hideout.
The expert brought along to detect demonic energy issued a warning.
“The concentration of demonic energy beyond this point is quite severe.”
She knew.
Thanks to the long life she had lived as a High Elf, she possessed at least some knowledge of demonic energy and the means to sense it.
Her ears tingled strangely, and her stomach felt bloated and nauseous.
The fact that the spirits were angry, revolted by the low-grade demonic energy, was further proof of its presence nearby.
Perhaps it was already too late.
There was regret, but no hesitation.
As one of the few individuals in the world holding the title of S-rank Hero, she could not afford to spend time on what could not be undone.
“Chairperson. You must prepare.”
Cathy approached, her tone strangely businesslike given they were in the field.
“We will restrain those who surrender, but if the resistance is severe, I will authorize lethal force.”
“…Lethal force?”
“We must avoid it if possible, but once someone is completely consumed by demonic energy, it is best to stop thinking of them as cadets.”
…Since there’s no way to turn them back anyway.
The Chairperson swallowed the final words she couldn’t bring herself to say.
Strictly speaking, there was a way to restore someone completely consumed by demonic energy.
If a much higher-ranking devil appeared and removed all the mana while taking care not to damage the soul, or if a monster capable of usurping the contract appeared, it wouldn’t be impossible.
‘A foolish delusion.’
But that was a hollow hope.
For what reason would such a high-dimensional devil ever come here to help humans?
It was right to harden her heart.
From this moment on, those inside were not cadets, but villains.
She shifted her consciousness, cutting off the warmth in her heart.
The person standing there now was not an elf who loved humanity, but a hero who was infinitely cruel to villains.
“If you intend to surrender, open the door and disarm yourselves within thirty seconds.”
Naturally, there was no answer.
It was a common delusion among villains—the belief that the inside of a building was safer than the outside, a piece of common sense for ordinary people that did not apply to superhumans.
“I see.”
A perfected superhuman was no different from a natural disaster.
Would one be safe inside a house during an earthquake?
The flow of the atmosphere. Her talent for manipulating the wind manifested, and the building began to heave from the outside.
“I shall assume there is no intent to surrender. Commencing elimination.”
The surrounding atmosphere compressed, and the crushed building collapsed inward.