Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Ambush (4)
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"...?"
Everyone here doubted their own eyes. It really was an incredible speed, just as she had said.
Amelia charged forward like a flash of light, her golden hair whipping dramatically down to her waist.
But that wasn't what surprised the villains and Siu.
No, of course they were startled by that insane speed too...
Amelia had clearly stabbed the villain with her weapon.
...She stabbed him.
So why wasn't there a wound?
"Ah, you're tougher than I thought. Why are you so thick-skinned?"
"Dieeee!"
"Kyaaak?!"
-Kwaaaang!
The villain swung his massive arm down at Amelia, making full use of his bulky frame.
But Amelia had already screamed and dodged away, leaving only a gouged chunk of earth and a cloud of dust behind.
She was definitely fast.
...Fast, but why wasn't her attack landing?
"This is so frustrating! Why is he so damn tough?!"
"...I see. You need a price for that speed."
"Y-You figured it out from just that one try? You're pretty smart, huh?"
A price for speed?
What on earth...?
"Speed should come with power behind the attacks, but there's no impact. The more you use your ability, the faster you get, but the weaker your strikes become. Now I understand why your father couldn't catch you. The cost is too high."
"Haa. Yeah, you're right."
Weaker?
Looking at her after hearing that, I finally noticed.
The spear in her hand was trembling faintly. Was it too heavy?
She always held it straight despite the strain.
Yet now...
The tip of the spear was shaking.
"But it's strange. Why aren't you running? Your ability isn't suited for prolonged fights, contrary to what you claimed. It was all bravado."
"Ah, ahaha. You saw through my bluff too? Am I that bad at acting? ...Hmm, not sure."
"I might not catch you, but you can't take me down either. If you run, we're done for since we can't pursue. So why aren't you fleeing?"
"No, scratch that. You're a dumber villain than I thought."
"What do you mean? I don't think I said anything wrong."
At the executive's puzzled words, Amelia grinned at me and shouted.
"How could someone who abandons their friend and runs aspire to be a hero, you idiot?!"
"..."
"If I did that, Dad would beat me senseless, and I'd have no excuse!"
Siu stared blankly at her proud, smiling face.
A hero. The very hero Siu aspired to be.
He could see glimpses of that hero in Amelia.
She definitely favored aggressive methods.
He'd felt it clearly while getting dragged into her ridiculous plans. But she was undeniably an aspiring hero.
Amelia had enrolled in the Academy with her own convictions to become one.
I need to help her.
Just like she said—heroes don't abandon friends.
But how? No, don't think.
No time to debate if I can or can't. I just have to do it.
Protecting my senior meant taking hits I could've dodged, leaving my whole body numb.
Maybe because I'd avoided everything dodgeable until now? My body wasn't used to pain and was screaming.
Doesn't matter.
Can't wait for the Association or police who might never show. Have to keep protecting senior. Facing an unknown executive and minions who look stronger than before.
Doesn't matter.
Amelia's overused her ability and weakened to where she can't deal real damage. Might need to protect her too.
Doesn't matter.
None of it mattered.
Abandoning comrades in danger is something a hero must never do.
I have to... somehow...!
"...Hah. Students with such a strong sense of justice. Let me teach you something good. That's just recklessness. Dead men have no friends."
"Doesn't matter. Running away now would just make me a loser. I hate that. I'll save my friend by any means necessary. That's my resolve."
"Is that so? Then die. Sorry about this. It's for my survival too."
But I'm too far.
Way too far.
I need to take down all these villains and help Amelia.
But I'm too far away. Not impossible. Just takes too much time.
I can win. I'm sure. They can't hurt me.
All wounds so far came from shielding my immobile senior.
Even if I beat them all, time's short.
Siu's ability is Intuition. Evasion-focused, defensive.
That's why fights against groups inevitably drag on.
I never saw it as a flaw before. But now...
If only it was reinforcement like Amelia's, even a little. Then...
"Ugh, why do I have to... Ah, I get it. I know. My mistake."
Thud, thud.
Even amid the fighting, cheerful footsteps echoed.
...A voice I'd completely forgotten.
"Ah, Arte...?"
"Yes, Siu-kun. Arte Isis here. Don't try solving everything alone when it's tough—call a friend!"
She appeared as casually as if strolling in the park near home.
Bathed in the stench of blood wafting from her entire body.
"Who are you? Don't tell me..."
"Ahh. Does it have to end like this? ...Hmm, what should I say? Ah, this works."
Where the hell had she been until now?
Did you orchestrate this?
Mountains of questions, but now wasn't the time.
Relief spread across Siu's face.
She clearly didn't want us dying here.
"It's Arte Chance time—not every day, you know!"
"Attack her quick! Now!"
Crack.
With that sound, the villains' necks snapped in an instant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Haa, I expected too much.
Yoo Siu dodged all my threads in our last spar, but these guys couldn't.
So I thought they'd be fine.
Senior was the variable.
Or did I underestimate the puppets' desperate struggles for survival?
Perfect ambush: Yoo Siu reacted, Amelia didn't.
Senior wrapped around her and retired instantly.
With baggage, Yoo Siu couldn't evade and got hurt charging into danger.
Thought Amelia was a complete heroine, but she's loaded with penalties like me. Felt a weird kinship.
I knew her ability but skipped details—my fault. Acceleration sounded like just getting faster.
What did Writer-nim say when asked if it defies physics?
"Mana and abilities exist, who cares!" or something. Can't argue.
But still, attacks weaken as fight drags, yet speed ramps up?...
Equivalent exchange? Heard speed gain outpaces power loss, but no damage means nothing.
Yoo Siu and Amelia both: monsters with base stats, but now they're flailing like hidden talents waiting to bloom.
Not like coin hoarders betting on moonshots. What is this?
Writer-nim loves penalties too much.
And Yoo Siu has none? Protagonist buff? Infuriating.
"You bitch! From the start, I'll kill—Gurk?!"
"Oh? Suddenly stopping mid-sentence. ...Something wrong?"
Tsk.
Daring to spout nonsense in front of the protagonist.
You know that stinking mouth shouldn't say weird stuff?
Wanted to snap his neck, but yielded to protagonist this time.
"There, Siu-kun. Your turn."
"M-Me...?"
"Yes. I don't steal kills from others' prey. You almost had them, right?"
Lies.
They couldn't even approach; Amelia was near death.
Even if Yoo Siu wins, two main/side characters dying is a big issue.
That's why I intervened.
But taking the executive too? Nah.
Protagonist needs to nab these for flair.
Arte Chance has limits.
"...Fine. I'll hear what you were doing later, but thanks."
"No big deal. Suit yourself."
Ah.
Hoped he'd forget.
Guess not.
Always overthinking.
How to excuse it? Think slowly.
"...Huu, here I go!"
[Ooh, Intuition! The best! Legal chance to watch protagonist shine!]
Yeah, true.
Imagined Writer-nim's delighted face; laughter slipped out.
Not a total loss.
Seemed inspired by Amelia.
If he grasped even a bit of hero mindset, good.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Fuck, fuck...! Talk about shitty luck!"
He descended the mountain at a speed that felt slippery.
His whole body bloodied, not a spot unscathed—total wreck.
No time to care.
Didn't know when that crazy bitch might catch up!
"Huff, huff...!"
Lucky.
Dunno why, but she didn't kill me—pitted me against that boy instead.
Completely incomprehensible.
Maybe that's why she attacked us?
But it worked out.
Gave me time for Marmo's specialty.
Pretended to follow quietly since she didn't want students knowing her deeds.
Then, in her lapse, shoved neck into student's sword tip, snapping necklace.
Finally escaped, leaving dead minions. Her flustered look drew a sneer.
Survivors are the strong.
And I survived again today.
"Thought I was dead. What kinda bitch is she?"
Head to another branch, gather intel on her.
Face fuzzy, but etched students' faces clear.
Perp hangs around them.
Watch night roads from now.
"...? Huh, a survivor? Hey, you okay?"
Near mountain entrance, a woman with wolf ears and tail sat on stairs.
One of the minions.
Glad someone's alive.
That ruthless bastard was sloppier than thought.
"You look fine. Orders: Get transport quick—Gurk?!"
"Don't know who you are, sorry. Orders say no one leaves this place."
Only then did Marmo see her neck, hidden by clothes.
...Sloppy my ass.
Never planned to let anyone live.
"Ha, today my luck is, fucking, awful."
The end of a rat that crawled through dirt to survive.