Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Episode 6
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EP3 - Hidden Dragon Society (2)
Gray's expression hardened.
"Seriously...?"
There was no answer, only a hand extended.
"Really, truly serious? That wasn't even an assassination attempt...?"
Then came an unexpected reaction.
A smile graced her face.
"This is insane... Fine. I have plenty of knives."
Gray tossed the sheathed blade aside and turned away.
【 Gray, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'So, that's his style?' 】
What does 'that style' even mean?
Anyway, it was a relief she left so easily, against expectations.
First, I headed to my lab. My own little base.
Afterward, I examined the confiscated dagger.
＊ Dagger of Swiftness [Rare] │ Confiscated
A masterpiece.
Its grade was [Rare]. Mid-tier among them.
Both its attack power and durability were excellent. As a special option, it had 『Swift Slash』 imbued. The one that cut my bangs.
In terms of value, this was at least 300,000 Hica... a high-end masterpiece worth 30 million won.
'I'll use it for now, and sell it if I need money.'
A professor extorting Students for a living... the image is a bit strange, but what can I do? It's that kind of game.
There are many places to spend money to survive. Because there are many specs that can be raised by spending pure cash.
I was satisfied.
'I almost died again just now...'
It was absurd.
Meanwhile, I had to write a lesson log, but I hadn't actually taught anything, so I struggled.
Still, using the skills I developed writing self-introductions, I filled it in somehow. Then someone knocked on the door.
It was Adele.
"Professor. You haven't left work yet?"
"I'm about to."
"Ah, this is an interview request form."
"Interview request form?"
"Yes, yes. Student Gray submitted it on her way by."
Wait a minute. She didn't just return after giving me the knife?
Sure enough, looking outside the door, Gray was wiggling her fingers in a V sign. Showing off her snaggletooth. With a playful, cat-like expression.
"Hi, Professor~"
This was unexpected.
"You told me to submit it, right? Does this mean you'll come with me?"
"......"
"But Professor, you're amazing. No other professor has ever said that to me."
This was driving me crazy.
Was there no way to avoid going?
I thought about it, but nothing came to mind.
"Will you come to Hidden Dragon Hall with me? Huh??"
"...Alright."
Afraid of dying if I went alone, I took Adele with me and headed to Hidden Dragon Hall with Gray.
On the way, Gray stuck close to me, subtly pushing Adele away.
While glancing up at me every now and then.
【 Gray, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'Hmm. He's handsome.' 】
【 Gray, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'I wonder how strong he is? He doesn't seem like a pushover.' 】
I just hoped she wouldn't talk to me.
"Professor. Professor."
"......"
"By any chance, are you from the Black Path?"
Assassins are divided into the White Path and the Black Path. And the two factions don't get along very well.
To put it simply,
The White Path does work like intelligence agents for the state or nobles.
The Black Path is the assassin we think of. They do dirty work like assassination and kidnapping.
"Why are you curious about that?"
"Can't I just be curious? Do you perhaps know me?"
"I don't belong to any faction."
"Is that so?"
Suddenly, Gray walked ahead and blocked my path.
Then she stared intently into my eyes.
【Script】 said she was contemplating trying another assassination attempt.
"Gray."
Around that time, other Students from the Hidden Dragon Society came out to greet us.
Elise and a boy.
● Elise, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student
● Balmung, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student
The boy bowed his head.
"Nice to meet you. Professor."
Gray seemed to have softened her attitude, at least acknowledging me as a professor.
Balmung, a guy with stylish horn-rimmed glasses and a sharp, Doberman-like impression, seemed to overwhelm the entire space with his presence as soon as he stood close.
'This guy is the son of the high-ranker 「Dark Star Constellation⚉」...'
His energy was immense as we shook hands.
Then Balmung complimented me.
"Professor. Your ability to conceal your energy is artistic. I can't feel it at all, even at this distance."
It's because I don't have any energy to conceal...
"Please, come inside. Our Hidden Dragon Society doesn't usually gather everyone, but they all wanted to meet you, Professor. Except for one person."
"One person?"
"Yes. Princess Rebecca is busy with royal affairs right now. But the team leader is here."
Then he bowed to Adele.
"I'm sorry, but would the teaching assistant please wait outside? Hidden Dragon Hall is the Princess's residence, so it's a secure area."
Adele looked at me.
Well, she wouldn't be of much help even if she came along.
"Stay here. I'll be back."
"Okay~ I'll get the car ready."
"Alright."
And so, I left Adele behind and followed the Students into Hidden Dragon Hall.
Hidden Dragon Hall.
The most antique dormitory in Hiaka Academy.
Because the Hidden Dragon Society's 'Rebecca' is the daughter of Hiaka's King, the owner of the Academy.
Perhaps that's why.
As soon as I entered the building, a classic living room unfolded before me. Sofas and tables that would cost hundreds of thousands of Hica each. And a chandelier that shattered the light into a million pieces.
The Students of the Hidden Dragon Society were sitting there.
I had a feeling.
They were all in a [Hell Difficulty] buffed state. At or above Balmung's level...
Every single one of them was a young genius.
【 Elise, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'He's cool.' 】
【 Kendrake, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'Who is that human?' 】
【 Quan, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: '...Wow. What is with this professor? He's not even nervous coming here? Even the Dean was nervous!' 】
Thoughts intertwined complexly, directed at me.
I didn't care who was who.
However, the fact that all of them could kill me at any moment was a terrifying situation.
"Welcome."
"......Yeah."
I accepted the greeting casually and went to an empty seat.
My mind was blank, so I just sat down anywhere.
【 Quan, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'Gasp! He sat in the seat of honor in the royal family's home? That's the Princess's seat...!' 】
【 Kendrake, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'Does this professor not even realize he's in someone else's house?' 】
Oh, shit. I sat in the wrong place.
But I had already sat down, so I couldn't get up.
At this point, I didn't care anymore. I even crossed my legs and leaned back.
What are you gonna do about it, you little punks?
【 Balmung, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student: 'The new professor is surprisingly relaxed. Is he that confident?' 】
I just stayed still.
Inside, I was crying at the reality of being afraid of children.
"......I just don't understand."
That's when a huge Student, almost 2.2 meters tall, opened his mouth.
It was Kendrake.
"Why did you bring that professor here?"
"Hey. Watch your mouth. What kind of disrespect is that to the professor's face?"
Surprisingly, it was Gray who scolded him.
"Gray. You had your dagger stolen, so why are you taking his side?"
"Dagger or no dagger, you should still show respect, you blockhead."
"Don't call me a blockhead. And respect or no respect, I don't understand. Even the Dean refused to assign anyone as our advisor. Why bring a new professor?"
"Kendrake. Calm down. The team leader will be here soon."
Even Balmung, the glasses guy, said something, and the giant shut his mouth. But the way he looked at me was still unpleasant.
That's when three servants from Hidden Dragon Hall approached and offered tea to everyone.
＊ Five-Colored Black Tea [Common, Deadly Poison]
Only my black tea was poisoned.
For me, who had no [Resistance], it was a poison that could kill me in one sip.
While everyone else casually sipped their tea, I remained still.
"This is a rare tea."
That's when the door at the far end of the living room opened.
A boy with a cane limped out.
It seemed to be the boy called the team leader.
"Perhaps you don't like black tea."
Black long hair. Vertically split pupils.
An ominous aura emanating from his entire body.
A male Student with an impression that screamed mastermind.
● Kaiser, 1st Year Hidden Dragon Society Student
I had learned about him when I was investigating the Hidden Dragon Society.
This guy was the Hidden Dragon Society's No. 2.
And a whopping four professors had been killed by his hand alone.
A person who should not be regarded as a simple Student.
More like a serial killer.
"Do you see it as black tea?"
Having come this far, it was impossible to back down.
The only option left for me was to straighten my shoulders.
Then Kaiser's eyes narrowed.
The others didn't understand what he and I were talking about. It seemed like he had planned this alone.
He limped to the seat of honor opposite me and sat down.
"......It's just as I've heard. Professor."
"What is?"
"You saw through Elise's Stealth. You judged the exact distance from Gray's ambush. You hid your magic from Balmung. And now, you can even distinguish my 『Formless Poison』, which has no smell, taste, aroma, or magic..."
How am I even alive?
"......Professor must be at least a [Grandmaster] level assassin, on par with the head professors."
[Grandmaster].
A rank badge given to martial artists ranked 999th or higher on the continent.
It was an incredible feat. The number of martial artists registered on the continent was over 10 million.
Right now, I didn't even have an [Iron] rank badge.
"It's an honor to have you here."
Kaiser bowed his head.
"If you've called a busy professor here, it would be good to skip the small talk and get straight to the point."
Anyway, I shouldn't stay here long.
"What is the reason the Hidden Dragon Society wanted to see me, the new professor?"
"Yes. I'll get straight to the point. As you may know, Professor, a great storm will blow through the era."
"......"
He was probably referring to the war between the demons and humans.
"The world flows under The Way of Heaven. The whole world is moving as if manipulated by something. The fact that geniuses like us have gathered in one class, in one Academy, in one department is all part of The Way of Heaven's plan."
He seemed to be talking about the artificiality of the game.
Do they recognize such things at [Hell Difficulty]?
"At this point, we are talented but still lacking in many ways. We need to learn from a 'true professor,' not professors who try to exploit us."
"......"
"Until now, many professors have only tried to use us. But, at least from what I dare to feel, you seem different, Professor... Therefore, I ask."
Kaiser narrowed his vertically split eyes.
"Professor Dante Hiacapo."
Then he said subtly.
"Will you become our advisor?"