Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Academy Failing Girl (2)
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Choi Seo-hyun's heart began to pound wildly.
I have an attribute...!
'Hmm...'
But it didn't quite feel like an attribute.
It wasn't about transforming mana into an attribute; it seemed more like an ability to steal warmth...
"Trait...!"
Mana transforming to exhibit a unique trait.
That was precisely what a trait was.
Choi Seo-hyun's hands and feet trembled uncontrollably.
This felt just like becoming the protagonist in a novel!
Academy Failing Girl.
A great title.
'Hehe.'
Now all that was left was to get a cheat trait and become an overpowered munchkin.
.
.
.
.
'Hee hee hee.'
Choi Seo-hyun buried her face in the bed.
She wanted to sleep, but sleep wouldn't come no matter what.
A trait had suddenly awakened in her.
'...'
Though she sensed some questions and something off about it, Choi Seo-hyun decided not to dwell on it.
After all, right now she just wanted to bask in the joy...!
Thud!
"...?"
Choi Seo-hyun blinked, and suddenly she was in some strange place.
"Huh?"
Just moments ago, she had been in her pajamas, but now she was fully geared up.
The surroundings were pitch black.
'Where is...'
That was when she felt it.
An overwhelming presence emanated from beside her.
If she was a tiny candle flame, this aura felt like a blaze that could scorch the world.
Choi Seo-hyun swallowed hard without realizing it.
She cautiously turned her head and saw a man.
He wore a red mask that evoked images of a vengeful demon.
A sword hung at his waist, looking incredibly sharp.
'Wh... who...'
"?"
Just as I was about to get some sweet sleep, my surroundings suddenly changed.
[Entering the Prayer Space.]
Do I really have to keep getting dragged here forcibly?
In a game, it would just be a minor annoyance, but in reality, it's inconvenient.
And if it pulls me in suddenly while I'm doing something important later, that'd be a huge problem.
"Um... excuse me..."
A small voice came from beside me. I turned to look and saw a short, chubby girl.
Her hair fell to her shoulders, and her eyes were droopy.
She had this pitiful vibe.
Like seeing a dog wandering sadly in the pouring rain.
Who was she?
If she had such a standout feature, I wouldn't forget her.
"Um... is this place..."
She seemed to have a speech impediment, unable to continue.
But I instantly knew what she wanted to ask.
Where this place was, and who I was.
She wasn't a Light Priesthood member or a newbie priestess, apparently.
'...'
Hmm.
I looked at the chubby girl and opened my mouth.
"Hello, I'm a god."
"G... Go, god...!"
The chubby girl jumped in shock, her body trembling.
It was kinda funny how she fumbled, glancing at me nervously.
-What a moron.
What the hell.
Tirbing could come here too?
"Um... God, sir, am I... dead by any chance...?"
The chubby girl asked in a quivering voice.
I lightly shook my head, and her face brightened.
"Phew... That's a relief..."
Then her eyes started sparkling.
"Is the reason I was summoned here because you, God, are granting me an SSS-grade ability or an isekai reincarnation...!"
Her eyes glittering with expectation made it feel a bit much.
Honestly, she looked so pitiful that pranking her felt bad...
Just as I was about to say it was a joke, footsteps echoed from afar.
Step, step...
A masked man in white robes with red accents was approaching from the distance.
His golden prosthetic arm gleamed with every step, drawing my eyes involuntarily.
It looked flashy, but that was a genuine 2nd Grade relic.
And the mask he wore was also a high-grade relic.
This is why villains are great.
Heroes have restrictions on relics, but villains carry whatever they want.
Of course, more isn't always better, but it's still preferable to none.
"Wh... who?"
The chubby girl asked in panic, but no answer came.
The masked man was staring straight at me.
"Put on your attire. Didn't you receive it?"
"..."
I silently pulled out the priestess robe and necklace from my subspace ring.
"Ah! That's...!"
I threw on the robe.
It was called a robe, but it felt more like draping a cape.
And the necklace...
"..."
It looked heavy, and I didn't want to wear it, but with the masked man watching, I put it on anyway.
It was very heavy.
"Then follow me."
Just as the masked man turned to leave, the chubby girl shouted.
"Um... excuse me! Do I have to go too...?"
But no reply came.
"Um... excuse me!! Waaah! Don't leave me alone...!"
.
.
.
"Lord Allstain has arrived. Lord Chad, come on in."
While some greeted warmly, others glared daggers at me.
"You bastard...!"
He seemed thoroughly pissed.
His eyebrows were raised so high it was questionable if they could go further.
Tirbing heard Narkhan speak and suddenly burst into mad laughter.
-Keke, a talking beast. Interesting stuff here.
From a demon's view, it must feel like seeing a talking pig.
I enjoyed David too.
"Eek...!"
A whimper came from behind. The chubby girl was trembling.
Well, everyone here was at least 3rd Grade.
Then Narkhan spotted the chubby girl and strode over.
"Why'd you bring this? Snack for later? Kekeke."
Narkhan chuckled, but sadly, no one laughed at his joke.
-Kuhuhu, hilarious.
Well, one did.
"Eek...!"
And he kept approaching the chubby girl...
I glanced around.
As expected, no one was stepping in.
I looked at the puppeteer sitting far off.
She smiled at me and waved.
'...'
"Who are you? This is a place only for those chosen by the flames. Not for trash barely touched by embers like you."
Narkhan growled.
The chubby girl was on the verge of tears.
-Hey, stop that beast. Not funny anymore.
But blocking Narkhan myself was impossible.
Fuck, how am I supposed to stop a 2nd Grade?
I bluffed a bit at first, thinking he was 3rd Grade.
If I'd known it was Narkhan, I might've groveled.
And honestly, I couldn't beat a 3rd Grade either.
-I'll help.
Then an immense aura began to rise from my body.
All eyes turned to me.
'What the fuck.'
"Hoo..."
"Lord Chad, not bad, hehe."
"Impressive."
Narkhan stared at me too.
"You...!"
But surprisingly, Narkhan's body trembled faintly.
What the hell was with him?
"Keke... So that's it! That's why the puppeteer protected you!"
He strode right up to me and cautiously scanned around.
"We'll leave it at this today. No next time."
And then he strutted off with his pride intact?
No way...!
-That's the best for beasts like him.
Hearing Tirbing, I whispered quietly.
'How strong is the effect?'
-Forgot who I am? Even a smart mutt scavenging scraps won't dare defy. That's the demon-monster dynamic.
That much?
Is this why demons are born?
I recalled my first meeting with Narkhan.
[Chad, was it? I'll make you a sacrifice too.]
[This fucker!]
Countless threats and insults.
Thinking I'd have to clean up his future shit made heat rise in my body.
I carefully opened my mouth.
"Scared, huh."
"...!"
Got a problem? Then come at me. I'll end you in two minutes."
"..."
But Narkhan just glared, unable to act.
"You know nothing. I have a greater cause. I'll avoid needless fights."
Then he went to a corner, crossed his arms, and leaned against the wall.
Prick holding his ego to the end.
"Um... thank you for helping me..."
The chubby girl cautiously approached and thanked me.
Then hid behind me.
"Hehe, quite the entertaining scene. Now, to the main topic."
The puppeteer, who had been watching from afar, spoke up.
"An 'Ember Beast' has appeared in Egypt. Anyone willing to 'collect' it?"
An Ember Beast was a Light Priest who couldn't handle the flames, lost their mind, and kept burning uncontrollably.
"Can't you do it?"
A bald guy with two long spears on his back said to the puppeteer.
He looked like a monk but wore priest robes, which was odd.
Even baldies came here.
The Light Priesthood must be short-staffed.
"Ah, unfortunately, I have other matters. By the way, I sent 'Number 10' who was nearby, but the connection cut off."
"Hm... then I'll do it."
"Understood. Next..."
.
.
.
The boring, pretentious meeting finally ended.
Having been to the [Prayer Space] a couple times, I knew it was time to dip.
"Hey."
Someone put a hand on my shoulder.
It was the baldy.
"Not bad. Chad, right? I like strong ones."
He said that and left.
Dumping his words and bouncing lowered the baldy average today too.
"Um... excuse me..."
As I was about to leave, the chubby girl called me.
"Chad? Thank you so much for today... I don't know why I suddenly ended up here... Do you know how to get back...?"
Yeah, I do.
I nodded lightly.
And left.
"..."
.
.
.
"Eek!"
Choi Seo-hyun shot up in bed.
Her whole body was drenched in sweat.
"A d... dream...!"
So it was just a dream.
What a weird one...
As she got up to wash her sweat-soaked body, she noticed an unfamiliar item on the desk.
"Huh... what's this?"
It was a white garment with red patterns.
"Gasp!"
Thud!
Choi Seo-hyun tripped and fell.
She examined the priest robe again in disbelief.
For the record, the necklace was missing.