Chapter 40
Chapter 40
40
EP14 - Small Error Space (1)
I must protect Hiaka Academy.
The Demons' goal is the extinction of humanity. Fleeing from their offensive is meaningless. Because no matter where I go, I'll eventually die.
So, I have to fight them off, but the moment Hiaka Academy collapses, my means of earning ‘Star Fragments’ as a professor is cut in half.
── Star Fragment Acquisition Routes ──
1.
Assassination requests, spy missions as part of Hiaka Academy.
2.
Research, papers, classes, etc., as a Hiaka Academy professor.
3.
Killing Demons.
4.
Increasing Relationship Stat with the Hidden Dragon Society.
──────────
As such, the system strongly tied me and Hiaka Academy together. Even without patriotism. I had to stay here longer than any patriot.
For the reasons above…
After confirming the outline of the main story.
A month has passed, and the great event is right around the corner.
“Aww, so cute!”
I was at a ‘cat cafe’ with Adele.
“Ah, so cute. So soft. Calico.”
While Adele was satisfying her personal desires, I sat on a chair at a distance.
Then, a gray cat appeared in front of me and wagged its tail.
I ignored it at first.
The thing lifted its body and leaned against my leg.
As if demanding something.
“What.”
“……”
“Get lost.”
I gently pushed it away.
But the cat jumped up and stood on my lap, eventually burrowing into my blazer and starting to sleep.
Anyway, these cats always lie down and sleep anywhere like this.
“But, Professor, why do we come here every day these days?”
“Because cats are cute.”
“Unexpected. I didn’t think you’d say something like that, Professor…”
“……”
Of course, it was a lie.
To be honest, I don't care about cats.
The reason I came here was because this was the Head Professor Building.
I had been eavesdropping on the conversations and thoughts of the Head Professors here for the past few days.
And I was still listening to the conversations on the second and third floors.
【 Head Professor Toy: “Professor! Why are you so calm?” 】
【 Head Professor Wilhelm: “Why are you getting angry again?” 】
The two Head Professors of the White Path were fighting.
【 Head Professor Toy: “You have no sense of crisis! We can’t contact Professor Battalion at all! Doesn’t that mean those guys are finally abandoning Hiaka and going to Kreutz?” 】
【 Head Professor Wilhelm: “Ahem! Your problem is that you jump to conclusions. We can’t know for sure yet, can we? It could be a special mission that even the higher-ups are hiding… What does Professor Baekwa say?” 】
【 No, Professor! How is this a mission! All three neutral Head Professors have deserted! 】
【 Where do you think you’re raising your voice…! What! Are you saying this is treason!? 】
【 Of course, it’s treason!! 】
The Head Professors, in a state of confusion, were shouting and not knowing what to do.
‘Finally, what was coming has come.’
Rapidly changing situation.
The end of peace.
The professors' arguments will gradually intensify, and the internal chaos will accelerate.
Meanwhile, on the other side, a very quiet <Communication> Script popped up.
【 Dean of Assassination Shaman: <So, you’re really going to go, huh?> 】
The one who oversees Area 0 and the Hiaka Assassination Department.
The Dean of Assassination with thick jowls, Shaman Kreutz.
【 Dean of Assassination Shaman: <Professor Battalion. You’re calling that a ‘job change’?> 】
He is contacting a traitor.
【 What job change involves stealing the former workplace’s technology and personnel? Even abandoning the country? That’s treason. Betrayal. 】
【 How much did Kreutz offer? Did they offer you 5 billion Hica if you betrayed Hiaka? Right, you bastard? I know everything. 】
The cost of betrayal: 5 billion Hica.
A huge sum amounting to 500 billion won.
【 5 billion is good. No taxes either. It’ll be sweeter than honey. But what you’re trying to do is turn a country and a people into enemies. This weight is by no means light. 】
Looking at the Dean’s surname here, one can understand the weight of these words.
Shaman Kreutz.
He is a descendant of the ‘Kreutz Royal Family’ of the enemy country.
The one who betrayed Kreutz, the former enemy country, and came to Hiaka.
【 I was called a traitor at 50 when I first taught you, right? Now, at 100 years old, I’m still called a traitor and separated from my family, why is that? Think carefully about the reason. 】
【 This is my last teaching. 】
Click.
The <Communication> was cut off.
I sighed.
Up to this point, it was as I expected.
‘…There are no problems yet.’
The critical problem for me is ‘whether things go as I expect or not.’ Only that.
Because as a seasoned player, I know the solution to any situation. If it’s a problem I know, I don’t care about any crisis.
And so far, it’s been fine. Even with [DLC], the outline of the story is the same. The same goes for what will happen in the future.
▷ Battalion runs away with what he stole.
▷ In the meantime, assassins from the enemy country Kreutz raid the academy. (Preparations have already been made)
▶ Fight. (Assassination War)
Originally, just a 3-minute cutscene for the introduction.
Hiaka will somehow protect the academy.
However, a part of it will collapse.
If it goes according to the flow, that’s how it should be…
…The time was midday.
“Huh?”
Adele raised her head.
The inside of the cafe suddenly darkened.
Something was blocking the light source.
In other words, the sun.
“Huh? What’s that outside the window?”
“…I know, right? What is it…?”
The customers were taken aback after witnessing something. ‘Waaah!!’ ‘Kyaaak!!’ The cats began to flee into the distance as if having a seizure. ‘What, what’s wrong!’ ‘What’s wrong with them?!’ The people were also flustered.
“Oh my? Hey! Where are you going…!”
Finally, the one in my arms also jumped out.
“Ouch!”
A staff member carrying drinks tripped.
The glass fell and broke.
Clang-!
With that clear sound, silence spread.
Adele, who slowly got up, felt the gazes around her and turned her head in the same direction as them.
I also looked there.
Around 4,000m above the ground.
A black sphere had appeared.
Even though it was a place where the midday sun was shining brightly, a black sphere that completely hid the inside.
“Professor… what is that…?”
“……”
What I see is different from what they see.
They must be seeing ‘what’s inside’ that black sphere.
In other words, only I am seeing that ‘black sphere’ and fully recognizing the suddenness of this situation.
‘That is…….’
The same as the giant Black Dome that covered Star Gazing Mountain where Eve resides.
It was an [Error Space].
* * *
“What is that!?”
“How would I know!”
“Why all of a sudden…….”
Confusion spreads among the Students.
- Students and professors, please refrain from approaching or attacking the object. We have not yet identified the strange object.
- I repeat. Students and professors….
An announcement was broadcast.
After that, an emergency faculty meeting was scheduled.
A meeting about the unidentified black [strange object] that appeared in the sky above Area 0.
The professors tried to explain it with their respective majors and strengths. But no one gave a satisfactory answer.
Even after bringing in specialized professors from the Magic Department and the Warrior Department, it was the same.
No one knew what it was.
After three or four hours of meaningless discussion, the Assassination Department decided to form an exploration team.
Until then, I had been quiet, mainly because only the senior professors and Head Professors were excitedly talking. There was no place for a regular professor like me to join in.
But as the story of the exploration team came up, I received everyone’s attention.
“Professor Dante Hiacapo. Let’s go together.”
It was Leo, a senior professor of the White Path, who said that.
Because I was the only professor who had recently fought against an ‘alien enemy’.
Then someone objected.
“That won’t do.”
It was Collider, a neutral senior professor who showed his fangs whenever he saw me.
“Why won’t it do?”
“Professor Dante is an impulsive and violent person. He can’t control his emotions. He’s not a suitable person for exploring an unfamiliar object.”
Some neutral professors added their voices. Saying, ‘I agree.’
Well, I didn’t care because I was planning to go separately even if I couldn’t go now.
Then someone took my side.
“No. It’s okay! I approve!”
It was Baekwa, the head of the White Path branch and Head Professor.
Professor Collider was flustered.
“Head Professor….”
“Ah, I know. I understand! Professor Dante has some eccentricities. But he’s not the kind of friend who would do something stupid in this situation. I guarantee it.”
“……”
“I also agree.”
This time, even Betelgeuse, the head of the Black Path branch, said so, and Collider had to close his mouth and sit down.
My cheeks stung from time to time.
Thus, a team of 6 was dispatched.
Leo, Vaiper, me, Collider…….
Along with two Head Professors.
“Professor Collider.”
I said to him on the way.
“Behave yourself.”
Collider frowned as if he had been hit in the head by a sign while walking.
“What are you talking about? I just thought you weren’t needed for the exploration.”
“If you act like a worm even in this emergency situation, it could be dangerous for each other.”
“Who doesn’t know that? But where did this young punk learn to teach? Damn it….”
I thought I would have to punch him if he started a useless fight.
Perhaps realizing it was an emergency, Collider kept his mouth shut and kept his distance.
Conversely, the timing of the incident was so delicate that even that idiot was serious.
Collider thinks it’s strange now.
The point in time when his superior, the Head Professor, suddenly disappeared.
At the same time, an unidentified phenomenon appeared.
Is this really a coincidence?
He is feeling fear as he looks at ‘something’ inside the black sphere.
“……”
It’s not just the emotions of that senior professor.
Even the Head Professors who were present, even though they themselves were assassins of [Grandmaster] rank, and among the top 30 strongest in the country, were nervous.
Because it was unknown.
“Professors. Let’s go. To the airship room.”
“Yes.”
To safely explore 4,000 meters above the ground, we had to board an airship.
An airship that was rarely called in Area 0 was urgently summoned. We boarded the large airship one by one.
“We’re departing!”
The winged ship soared into the sky.
Then, it flew for about 10 minutes towards its destination.
On the way, everyone silently built up tension.
Only the sound of Professor Leo sharpening his sword on a whetstone continued.
Swish, swish—
Soon, the airship reached the giant [Error Space]. From my point of view, I was nervous because a giant wall was approaching. Fortunately, this time too, we were able to enter it without any problems.
Without any hindrance, just like when I went to meet Eve.
───
⧉ Tip: This is an [Error Space]. It is a space where an error has occurred and will be patched in a future update. We will inform you of the detailed information when a schedule is set.
───
A familiar status window appeared.
Finally, we faced the ‘monster’.
“What the heck is that……. Is that like a hand…?”
“It looks even more bizarre up close….”
A huge crack was drawn horizontally in the air.
The half-torn end was attached to the air as if the graphics had been blurred.
A huge arm was protruding from within. A black arm with a texture like rock or steel. Red blood vessels were protruding and connected to the back of the hand.
As many as three such hideous arms.
‘That is….’
My jaw tightened.
The identity of that giant monster is a Demon with one horn.
‘…Jinxite.’
● One-Horned Demon Jinxite
The strength of a Demon is determined by the number of horns it has.
Professor Toxin, whom I killed, was a ‘Hornless Demon’. An individual with no horns.
On the other hand, that Demon has one horn. On the head that hasn’t come out of the crack.
He is a [Totem] type Demon.
Occupying a wide area, spreading Curses with seven arms, and worsening the battlefield.
Even though it’s just a difference of one horn.
It possesses an indescribable gap in power.
He was a boss who was too strong and overwhelming to appear in the academy at this point.
The moment it was recognized as a Demon, the inner revulsion began to surge. But perhaps because I had gone through Professor Toxin last time. This time, I was able to forcibly suppress the emotions that were trying to turn over.
Then a question arose.
‘Why, is that thing here at this time…….’
Originally, ‘Jinxite’ is.
It should only come out around the time Main Story 3 starts.
After ‘Treason and Collapse’ breaks out, Hiaka succeeds in recovering to some extent. After progressing the next story.
In other words, it’s a monster that should only appear at least half a year later, but it has now revealed its appearance.
Is that why it’s an ‘Error Space’…….
‘It’s still okay.’
Jinxite is a monster with arms attached to its head.
The [Summon] is completed when all seven arms come out.
But only three have come out so far.
“O, oh!?”
Then Professor Leo shouted.
“The monster is moving!!”
Indeed, it was. The three huge arms, each about 20m long, and the six fingers were bent. At angles that human hands could not bend.
As if trying to dig through the narrow gap. It thrashed through the air.
The movement was quite slow, but the size and weight of it could be felt from that slowness.
……A ‘disaster’ was trying to crawl out.