Chapter 47
Chapter 47
47
[Main Story] No.1 Rebellion and Collapse (4)
A day passed.
Most of the Kreuz Assassins who had infiltrated District 0 were eliminated.
One person made a great contribution in the process: Professor Dante Hiacapo.
He went up to the transmission tower and communicated with the professors through the "crystal ball," identifying the trends and forces of the Kreuz Assassination Squad and sharing them with everyone. Even those in [Stealth] could not escape Professor Dante's eyes.
Not only that, but he even found the remnants who had retreated and were hiding, and his instructions were never wrong in the process.
'How did he find them…?'
'I heard he was strong, but this is beyond imagination…'
Everyone put their questions about him aside. The situation was still too urgent.
The Assassination War of the top Assassins in District 2 was not over yet.
It was because Jinxite's arms had increased to four.
Students and faculty alike trembled with fear as they watched.
"It's grown again…?"
"Damn it…. I'm so anxious…."
Now, the number of arms left until the complete summoning was just one.
However, the 'hotfix' schedule had not yet been specified.
In the meantime, the fourth arm that appeared was an arm with a very unique Curse.
It was not an activation-type Curse that only took effect when he used his ability, but a [Totem Curse] that inflicted a debuff on the space simply by existing.
As soon as it appeared, a Curse was cast on the entire District 0.
『 Curse of Weakness 』
Kugugugugugugung …….
A huge, ominous power of Curse that pressed down on the entire ground from the sky.
It was a Curse that weakened the tired, opened the wounds of the injured, and accelerated the aging of the elderly.
-
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"The heart rate is dropping! Nurse! Nurse!!"
"Damn it, the wound is festering…! Inject more medicine!"
The infirmary was in chaos.
In response, the faculty urgently gathered the professors.
-
There will be an emergency meeting regarding the subjugation squad. All professors on standby in District 0 are requested to gather at the Assassin Hall.
Hundreds of professors gathered at the faculty.
"The meeting… will… begin…."
The meeting was presided over by Angela, the chief professor of the Black Path, whose [Petrification] had not been completely resolved and whose upper body was half-paralyzed.
That was the problem. This meeting was held to discuss how to attack Jinxite. Every time Angela spoke, the uncomfortable wheezing… terrified everyone.
The strong Angela, ranked 700th, the sky-like chief professor, had ended up like that after cutting off two of Jinxite's arms.
In this situation, who would try to catch Jinxite?
"Please, someone… wheeze… volunteer…. We need about 30 people…."
Chief Professor Angela was aware of this fact, and as an elder of the faculty, she promised high research grants and full support from the faculty to those who would participate in the subjugation squad.
"I volunteer."
"Me too."
Some volunteered.
Professors with a sense of purpose, including Leo and Vaiper.
But the number was only 15.
Only fifteen out of hundreds.
"It will be much better than last time…. We will open the academy's armory…."
"If you join us…. we can subjugate him more safely…."
"Please…. just fifteen more volunteers…. If fifteen more of you volunteer here…."
“…Is it true that only these people are… volunteering….”
No matter how many times she urged them.
No one else raised their hand.
Even after that, Chief Professor Angela encouraged the professors.
Still, no one responded.
"Professors…."
Chief Professor Angela, a woman in her 40s on the outside, but in her 80s, sighed deeply.
She knew that her very existence was a burden to everyone.
Nevertheless, she could not help but criticize the Assassins of this day and age, who only thought about their own safety.
“…I am utterly disappointed. Professors….”
A soft voice.
But it contained a murderous aura that weighed down the air.
“…There are less than seven hours left… until that monster's… arm comes out… and the summoning is completed…. And yet you…. Claiming to be professors of…. the Royal prestigious Hiaka…. Are you turning tail in this situation…?”
Despite her labored breathing.
She was furious.
"What on earth… are the Students… supposed to learn from you…?"
The professors lowered their heads. It was difficult to make eye contact with her.
Chief Professor Angela felt miserable.
That was why.
This damn academy.
Must have been ambiguous even when a traitor appeared.
Since when had they forgotten their sharpness? Just money in front of them, self-preservation, material gain……. Even if that was the foundation of an Assassin, it had become like this even in military and educational institutions.
That low level. It was revealed like a bare face in a crisis.
“…That's why the royal family, the enemy country, the continent, despise us.”
What about Kreuz?
Although they were an enemy country, the Assassins threw themselves away and came to Hiaka, risking death, which was a situation that was too different.
“…Let's drop it. I will step up….”
"C, Chief Professor."
“…It's not necessary. And, when this situation is over, I will also quit the academy….”
Bang-!
It was then.
The door to the conference room opened wide, and a man appeared.
The eyes of all the professors turned to him.
"Who is this who is late for an emergency meeting…!"
A senior professor, who was embarrassed, tried to scold him, but soon closed his mouth.
It was Professor Dante Hiacapo.
"I'm sorry for being late. Chief Angela."
He also looked unwell, as if he had been hit by the aftermath of the 『Curse of Weakness』.
Well, he had been running around without sleep from the initial search for Jinxite to the subjugation of the Assassination Squad in District 0.
"It's okay…. Please sit down…."
Angela, who had been pouring out her anger on everyone, gave him a warm smile. But Dante did not sit down.
"I will also participate in the attack squad."
Chief Professor Angela's eyes, her one eye that was not [Petrified], widened.
“…A professor, you say…?”
At the same time, the corners of all the professors' eyes twitched.
* * *
I had no intention of participating in the meeting. From the moment the 『Curse of Weakness』 broke out, I was gradually losing sensation in my eyes.
I had an excuse to rest. I had done everything I needed to do. So, from now on, I was innocent even if I sat down and rested.
But just now. An additional announcement popped up.
───
⧉ Hotfix Schedule Announcement
Hello. This is 「Systematicity⧉」.
The hotfix schedule has been confirmed, so we are posting an announcement.
-
Schedule: October 17, 501, 9:00 PM ~
Compensation and *adjustments* will be announced in a later announcement after the hotfix is completed.
Thank you.
───
It's finally up. The schedule.
The calculator in my head was spinning.
If it was 9 PM, it was 5 hours later.
The estimated time for Jinxite's summoning to be completed was 11 PM.
That meant.
'Jinxite will disappear without completing the summoning.'
Great!
The main story will end safely!
I was as good as guaranteed a peaceful conclusion to this situation.
But.
The millstone in my head was spinning.
I knew exactly when the giant monster that everyone was hoping for would disappear. Only I knew.
Wasn't this too much information to simply let go?
I felt like I could use it somehow. What should I do?
As a player, not a professor, what choice should I make now?
'Ah!'
Lightning struck in my head.
So, I dragged my aching body into the Assassin Hall professor's conference room.
And I said in front of everyone's eyes.
"Yes. I will also participate in the attack squad."
“…Thank you, but even so, the number is still far short…. We need about thirty people….”
"No. Thirty people are not necessary."
"Then…?"
At this time, I found the professors who had stood up on one side.
It seemed that they were the ones who had decided to participate in the attack.
But there were quite a few injured people.
"I'm sorry to say this, but those 15 people are not necessary either. Please leave this attack to me."
"Does that mean…. Could it be…."
Chief Professor Angela's eyes narrowed.
At the same time, the other professors held their breath and tried to confirm my intentions.
What I had come up with, what I had to do in this situation.
There was only one thing.
"I will kill Jinxite alone and come back."
It was a bombshell.
Not only Angela, but also the professors were in an uproar.
“…A professor, directly, you say…?”
"That's right."
Among the hundreds of professors, a murmur began to be heard.
"Can you catch him…?"
"Yes. As you know from the joint attack, I have a high understanding of Jinxite. It is difficult for me to catch that monster 1:1 in my current situation, but if I receive support from the faculty, I can catch him perfectly. Without the sacrifice of other professors."
The murmur grew a little louder.
Did I get a little backlash?
At first, I thought I was being too forward. It sounded ridiculous even to me. I thought people around me were saying something.
But looking at the 【Script】, it didn't seem to be the case.
【 White Path Professor Hodrigu: 'Professor Dante. That man is really….' 】
【 White Path Professor Eugene: 'Why is he going so far? That person's body is not even healthy right now….' 】
【 Black Path Professor Curten: 'I'm going crazy, that human.' 】
What are these thoughts?
So, I looked at the Script a little more.
【 Black Path Professor Ludenbach: 'No matter how strong he is, he can't catch a monster that has shaken off two chief professors alone…. Even so, what is his intention in stepping up alone….' 】
What kind of intention are you talking about?
I'm just trying to make the situation bigger for my own fun.
【 Black Path Professor Ludenbach: '…A sense of duty.' 】
What?
【 Black Path Professor Ludenbach: 'Even a neutral professor who moves according to money has such a sense of duty…. I am ashamed of myself….' 】
【 White Path Professor Eugene: 'That's what a real professor is…. I applied to be a professor because I wanted to be that kind of person….' 】
I was in trouble.
It wasn't a noble heart like a sense of duty at all.
It was because of the subsequent change in atmosphere.
【 White Path Professor Eugene: 'I should volunteer too.' 】
【 Black Path Professor Curten: 'Tsk…. Still, I have to do what I have to do as a professor.' 】
No way.
It's getting more difficult.
I didn't incite them, so why are they being incited?
They were free to misunderstand, but I had to reduce the number of professors receiving faculty support.
"Professors, please be quiet."
I stood up and took a big step forward.
Then, I turned to the professors and said.
"Everyone seems to be misunderstanding me. It's not like I'm stepping up like this out of a pure heart, patriotism, or a sense of duty as a professor to protect the school."
“…Then?”
"As an Assassin, I have strictly calculated and stood here. I will perfectly attack Jinxite alone. The faculty should fully support me."
“…If there are no problems with the attack… of course. We will support you. What does the professor want…?”
I raised my finger.
"Give me Hiaka's National Treasure No. 17."
It was another bombshell.
In an instant, the quiet conference room became noisy.
"What?!"
“…National Treasure No. 17?”
"Huh…! Professor Dante!"
"H, how dare you ask for a national treasure…!"
This time, the reaction was definitely big.
National Treasure No. 17.
A long sword named 「Colossus Soldier's Sword○」…… 80cm in length.
A national tactical weapon with an enormous value of [LegendⅡ] grade.
A weapon that cannot be traded, cannot be bought no matter how much money you have, and decorates the threshold of the celestial realm.
It was here at the academy. Its use was permitted only in times of war, and now it was wartime.
And unlike the rigid image that we have when we think of national treasures, such as being owned by the state, in reality, about half of the national treasures and treasures in this world are lent to individuals or groups.
I also wanted to be one of them.
It's different when others use it and when I use it. I know the hidden secrets of that weapon and its true use.
“…Professor Dante. That is….”
But this time, even Chief Professor Angela frowned.
She had been looking at me like a beloved grandson until just now, but now she was looking at me like a grandson asking for the house deed. The request was a bit too much.
“…Do you know what that is…?”
"Of course, Chief. I am fully aware of National Treasure No. 17. 「Colossus Soldier's Sword○」 is essential for me to face Jinxite alone."
A professor shouted.
"Professor Dante. Isn't your request too much considering the situation? Not just one or two people have been sacrificed in this Assassination War!"
At that time, blood began to flow from my left eye and drip down.
Most of the people in the audience, who were healthier than me, suddenly became quiet.
"I'm sorry. What did you just say?"
"Ah, no…."
The person who was talking also closed his mouth when he received attention.
Okay.
I've gone too far twice.
It was time to fold once.
I wiped the blood from my eyes and said.
"Of course, I'm not saying that I want ownership. I know that I can't dare to covet such a thing."
“…Then?”
"I only mean that I want a two-year loan in the name of research support. I don't need any other support."
Then the murmur subsided slightly.
Chief Professor Angela's expression also relaxed.
But this was not a loss for me either.
Presumably, even if I only used 「Colossus Soldier's Sword○」 for two years, it would be enough time to obtain a weapon of the next level.
"I ask you once again to consider it positively. If I kill Jinxite alone, none of the professors here will have to shed blood."
“…….”
The expressions of the faculty elders, including Chief Professor Angela, became serious. They would now have to make a difficult choice.
On the other hand, there was also a difficult thought.
【 Black Path Professor Ludenbach: 'I knew it. A sense of duty…!!' 】
That's not it.