Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Netori or Die
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Netori or die, pick one. Get going lol
To an Outsider like me, talk of heroes didn't really hit home no matter what.
I tilted my head, a question mark practically floating above it as I stared.
The witch wore an ambiguous expression.
She soon flashed a smile that felt forced.
"Anyway, I've told you what I know. How you use this info is up to you. Unless they come looking for you themselves, that is. Even the Holy Kingdom and the authorities can't track down the hero—it's not like some random individual could manage it."
"......"
"Oh, and just in case—there's no way Laiyes is involved in this. That girl's too sharp to botch something so sloppily."
The witch vanished in a puff.
Teleportation...?
Whoa... that's badass.
Seeing it for real made me gasp in admiration.
Probably. I could learn it myself someday.
Back in the old game, I'd been a grand archmage once.
So yeah, plenty of potential to pick up teleportation.
Because I've got that "Incomprehensible Sense" skill.
"Does Drain like all girls or something?"
"?"
Asita, pouting with a sulky look.
Even that was so damn cute it made the exasperation feel ridiculous.
What bullshit is this? Beats me.
But more pressing than Asita was Repelt.
She still seemed miffed, making it tough to strike up a conversation.
Good thing I've got a cheat code.
I gently scooped up the kitty dozing against my hand and held it out to Repelt.
"Pet her."
"Huh? But we're on duty..."
"It's fine."
I grabbed Repelt's hand and pulled it over—Asita let out a shriek.
"Playboy! Pervert!"
"?"
What the hell's she on about?
Right then, Repelt's hand touched the cat.
“......”
Repelt cautiously wiggled her fingers.
Rub rub.
Massaging the kitty's paw made Her Feline Majesty yawn.
Soon enough, proud knight Repelt's face melted into blissful relaxation.
Perfect. Mission accomplished.
Sweets and cats can melt any woman's anger.
She said we could stay as long as we wanted, so maybe heal up with some kitty time, then tour the floating island some more.
***
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Inside a building chilled with cold energy.
Clarit entered the family head's chamber—practically a king's audience hall—and bowed her head.
"You're back."
"Yes, Father. Mother."
Four days had already passed, yet only now did her parents welcome their daughter's return.
It could've felt resentful, but Clarit's expression didn't change.
Father remained indifferent as ever, and while Mother smiled sweetly, Clarit knew better.
That smile was as hollow as a doll's. Mother cared even less about her than Father did—maybe less.
The only interest Mother showed Clarit was one thing.
How to mold her into a proper heir.
The Blizha family head spoke to his bowed daughter in a languid voice.
"So, off to the floating island?"
"There's been a minor issue with academy affiliates. Since you went to the trouble of making those connections, Father, I'll handle it myself."
"Do that, then..."
Permission closer to apathy than approval.
Better than nothing—Clarit bowed again.
That's when...
"Oh? Our little sis heading to the academy? Take me with you!"
A bright, bubbly voice.
Father's eyes lit up, and Mother smiled genuinely.
From behind Clarit came a pattering rush, arms wrapping around her in a hug.
A bust so voluptuous it threatened to burst pressed against her back.
"Sis..."
Clarit tried shrugging her off in annoyance, but the hug tightened—from girl-next-door goddess to mature temptress.
It was Clarit's older sister, Kalarir.
"C'mon~ Let's go together!"
Sis nuzzled her cheek against Clarit's neck like a spoiled kid.
Annoying as hell, but Clarit couldn't be too harsh.
Ironically, in this family, the one treating her closest was the sister she hated most.
Besides, refusing wouldn't matter—Kalarir would steamroll her wishes anyway.
She had the power to.
"Fine. Get ready."
"Yay~"
Kalarir clapped her hands in delight.
'She was out schmoozing everywhere yesterday, even hit a social gala last night—where does she get the energy?'
Clarit had to admire her sister's stamina.
No, not just stamina.
Kalarir was superhuman.
Clarit bit her lower lip.
She herself was exceptional.
Not just her opinion—objectively, by others' judgments too.
Her political instincts might still need honing, but her talents sparkled like ice crystals.
But her sister shone even brighter.
Blazed, maybe—that's how radiant her gifts were.
Politics, talent, connections, charisma. All outshone Clarit's own excellence...
A true superhuman. That was Kalarir.
For Clarit, whose social graces faltered, she couldn't help but marvel at Sis's effortless networking.
Yeah. Clarit admitted Kalarir outclassed her.
Never hid it, either.
Yet here they were, locked in a shadow war for Blizha succession.
Unlike top clans like Hart or Graize with clear heirs, Blizha seethed under the surface.
Clarit had no desire for the seat; Kalarir showed no ambition.
Still, factions backed them anyway, maneuvering in secret.
Even Father—the head—watched idly.
'Disgusting.'
If Sis was superior, she should inherit. Obvious.
'I don't even want to be head...'
So why was she still chasing parental approval?
If she yielded succession to Sis—or if parents named Kalarir outright—that'd be ideal.
The two girls finished prepping and headed to the waiting carriage outside the gates.
Then Anna—Clarit's direct knight—approached.
The only one among neutrals or Kalarir sympathizers blindly loyal to Clarit.
"Um..."
Seeing Anna glance warily at Kalarir, she beamed innocently.
"What is it? Spill it here."
"......"
What business with someone else's retainer?
"Sis."
"Aw, just kidding."
Kalarir hopped into the carriage first.
Anna sighed in relief.
This knight, fearless against giant monsters, dreaded only one: her sister.
Kalarir was ruthless.
Clarit didn't know her behind-closed-doors dealings, but she wasn't the warm family facade to outsiders.
Clarit shook her head, rubbing her temple against the headache.
"So? What's up, Anna?"
"Well..."
Anna leaned close, whispering in her ear.
The gist:
"The hero who vanished from the Holy Kingdom months ago is on the floating island now. Traced his movements—he arrived about a week back."
"...How? Floating island requires warp gates. We'd have known if he passed one."
Hero's entry should've been flagged ages ago.
"No clue on the method yet—needs more digging. But this hero gravely wounded a Monster King. Plausible he slipped our nets with some unknown power."
"I see. But why tell me?"
This was for the family heads.
Blizha's lord tested his heir daughters, sure—but not with Holy Kingdom Narnia's hero dropping in.
Hero entry? Father would handle personally.
"That's just info. The real issue is..."
"What?"
"That Outsider, Dré."
"...Why him?"
Why's his name popping up?
"He's on the floating island too."
"Causing trouble again?"
"Seems like a mess. Clashed with Lady Laiyes Fleur of Fleur Clan, even physical scuffles with her entourage..."
"...Hah."
Does that guy stir shit everywhere?
No, she knew better.
He didn't start it—others picked fights.
Not the easygoing type, but rumors of dragon-slaying hadn't spread right, plus backlash from his powerhouse status as Prynar Academy student-slash-instructor.
Longstanding noble-Outsider grudge too.
"And? Dré being here—what's that got to do with the hero?"
"Nothing direct, but it feels off."
"Off?"
"He attracts trouble wherever. Worried he might tangle with the hero. Lacks common sense compared to other Outsiders too."
Even Anna's take.
Pure speculation, yet oddly convincing to Clarit.
She swallowed a near-laugh and said,
"We were heading there anyway. Let's go."
"Yes."
Anna tilted her head.
Her liege, usually temple-rubbing from headaches, looked... pleased?
***
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Krunch.
"Rawrgh."
We'd hopped on the stone giant's hand to move zones, hitting a button.
Elevator-style: pick your floor, barrier snaps up, giant lifts hand.
Like an elevator, but the thrill was next-level.
Rollercoaster vibes.
Not just up—full spin service too. Fun as hell.
"This golem randomizes lift patterns every time."
"Random, you say?"
"Yup. We've ridden it tons though, memorized 'em all."
Sounds entertaining for a while.
The girls smiled warmly at my country-bumpkin glee.
Hand lowered at our floor; barrier dropped forward. We stepped through.
Heading to the floating island's park now.
Asita promised scenic spots—said one day wouldn't cut it.
That vast, huh.
Expectations rising.
She wasn't wrong—the park was stunning.
Like the sky lake before: petal waves rippling midair, trees massive.
30m baseline.
Guinness material back home.
"Lots of shows here too—plenty to see. Flowers pretty, shade under trees nice and cool~"
"Nature lover, eh."
"Not always, but come sometimes."
Words said one thing, eyes another.
Peaceful, like home...
Makes sense.
This park brimmed with Prynar energy, dunno why.
But Asita—skipping home okay?
Hey, I'm thrilled.
Deal was just paperwork help; guiding's a bonus. Grateful.
Gotta repay somehow.
"Asita."
"Yeah? What?"
"Mind if I touch you briefly?"
She blinked, then flushed beet red.
"W-what, you perv! Actually switching classes to pervert?!"
"Lord Dré?"
Repelt's icy tone stung, but no choice.
I spoke dead serious.
"Promise no funny business."
Asita eyed me, then nodded.
"......Okay."
She offered her hand shyly.
Best reaction from hand-holding before, solid choice... but her blush embarrassed me too.
Not grabbing the hand, though.
She remembered my sex skill via mana resonance—no public arousal planned.
I took her wrist instead.
Asita let out an "Ah...", Repelt glared like I'd grabbed a lady's wrist!
I closed my eyes, probing her body's state.
How exactly does one merge with air and vanish?
Feel it.
I can do this.
Sensing foes' power, mimicking attacks perfectly to nullify—I've pulled that nonsense plenty.
Impossible? Nah.
And...
......
......
Damn, not working.
Messed up somewhere.
World ain't that easy.
Scratched my head, about to let go—
"Ahhn...!"
Asita moaned erotically, like pent-up release.
Huge shift hit then.
Prynar in her veins whirled wildly.
Speed ramped up, bursting vessels to flood her body.
Expanding, it spilled outside.
Body-trapped Prynar met overflowing ambient Prynar.
Then transformation.
Say body Prynar's angular circles, air's smooth—angles smoothed to circles.
Issue: it reshaped her flesh—material alien to Prynar—into same stuff.
TL;DR:
Her blood and meat turning Prynar.
Fascinating.
Why this? Why different shapes?
If everyone's Prynar varies, what's mine?
Never seen shapes before, but this sense sharpened it.
Impromptu check on mine.
......Whoa.
Insanely cool shape.
Flame-like, if I had to describe.
Figures—fire loves me!
Half-joking aside.
Asita's Prynar too akin to ambient.
Like her core was Prynar from the start...
To counter: two ways.
One, alter her body structure—Prynar shape.
Or...
"Dominate."
!!
What the—
No presence at all.
I dropped her wrist, eyes wide, looked aside.
She reached out with a sad "Ah...", like a chick losing warmth, then coughed and recovered.
Turned—and there: ultimate pretty boy!!
Not me, duh.
The dude beside me.
Repelt and Asita froze in shock—he was kingly, godly handsome. Fuckin' super general tier.
Flat or Gold were peak before; updated today.
No, unprecedented.
The more you look, the more you gawk.
Fuse America's hottest actors? Maybe.
Manga golden suns or uncle otakus like that? I'd get the NTR victims' side.
Not blond pretty boy tho—solid, upright vibe. Manga, esp. NTR, pure delusional crap.
Anyway. Bishie.
My impression of the guy.
"Wow..."
Asita and Repelt gasped unwittingly.
Twisted my guts with jealousy.
Jealousy's ugly? Fuck off.
Man scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hey. Uh, saw you doing something intriguing. Sorry for barging in, haha."
Simple outfit.
Casual tee and pants like me. Difference: mine sloppy, his vintage chic.
Fuckin' hell...
Rage at world's unfairness.
"Yes. Pleasure to meet you."
Grumpy reply—he tilted his head.
"You know me?"
Sounded like I did, so pretty boy's puzzled.
Actually, yeah.
Piled on flowery BS, but how could I forget this face?
The mug from game start.
Yeah, impossible.
Once I knew this world's a game, there he was in the art-mixed lorebook: protagonist.
That's right.
This guy's the world's protagonist.
The envy-inducing bastard who'd normally harem up and bang everything.
Lead role vibes—strong too. No presence despite being right there.
Clearly above me.
"Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy" might work... but gut says he's hiding power.
Meeting the protag here outta nowhere...
...But looks deliberate. What's his deal?
And Asita tugging my hem nonstop.
"What?"
"Dré! Him! That!"
"...?"
Why freak?
You know him too?
Hated her fangirl act.
Not even my girl... pissed me off.
Wanna sock the guy.
First time wanting to punch an innocent.
But Asita wasn't fangirling his looks.
She bounced frustratedly, blurting it.
"Duh?! Don't you know? Teacher mentioned earlier!"
"Huh?"
"Holy Kingdom of zealots, Narnia’s hero..."
Repelt muttered.
...Hero?
That guy?
Protagonist—Kaitsu Hiro—smiled bashfully at the title.
"Overkill for my skills, embarrassing... but yes, I've inherited the hero name."
Hero grinned shyly as I asked,
"Excuse me, but what's a teacher do?"
"?"
Why skip the beauties for me?
I'd glue eyes to Repelt or Asita—pretty boys different?
...Ah, got it.
Play cool, feign interest in dude first? Avoid tryhard on girls?
Fine, let's see.
As I went to give my name—
"There you are, Dré. Where the hell you wandering...?"
Sudden Clarit appearance.
Then froze.
"Hero... sir?"
.....
Where're these kids popping from?