Chapter 171: Traffic Accident
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 171: Traffic Accident
Finally, it’s over.
The festival? That ended ages ago. To torment the students still basking in the festival's afterglow, the teachers had unleashed a hellish set of exams.
I’d already taken exams twice before, so I should have been used to it, but this midterm was still a nightmare.
“Ahahaha! Everyone, fail! Just fail!”
“Looks like today’s lunatic is that guy. It’s a happy day now that exams are over; why is he acting like that?”
Rio clicked his tongue as he looked out the hallway window.
In the middle of the plaza, a boy driven mad by the exams had made chocolate pour out of the fountain before being caught and dragged away by the teachers.
Chocolate instead of blood? That’s a strangely romantic brand of crazy.
It was quite entertaining to watch the students perform various antics every day during the exam period.
That aside, the exams themselves were absolute shit.
“So, how were your exams?”
“...Grades aren't important to a Black.”
“They were alright, I guess?”
The Comedy Duo—these bastards' grades have returned to their original state.
According to the game, their grades were usually so borderline that they barely passed to get their licenses. I wondered if I’d changed their fates too much.
Well, it’s not like I had a negative influence, so it shouldn't matter.
“Hey, Pauper, how did you do?”
“Ah! I-I’m not a pauper. I’m Lena.”
I had a brief conversation with the Pauper as she passed through the hallway.
Since she’d joined Akito’s harem, I had no intention of hitting on her, but seeing her constantly struggling because she had no money really bothered me.
Honestly, it was pitiful.
No matter how hard she worked, she was destined to be poor.
I knew it was used as a gag in the game, but because of a single setting by the creator, her life was ruined.
It was bad enough when she was a kid, but being broke as an adult is even more sorrowful. I couldn't help but feel concerned that she was forced to live such a life.
What made it even more tragic was that despite her pitiful setting, she was pointlessly diligent.
Well, it’s not like the game creator had a personal vendetta and wanted to screw over a fictional girl. They probably just wanted to add some lighthearted humor while making the game.
As I was thinking about the creator I couldn't even curse at, I felt Rio’s gaze and looked at him.
“What?”
“What’s the deal between you and Lena?”
“What deal? We just know each other’s faces.”
“You two seemed a bit too close to be just acquaintances.”
“It’s because I’m handsome. When you look like me, that’s just how it goes when talking to women.”
“……”
Faced with such perfect logic, Rio could only gape, unable to say a word.
Anyway, there were two important events about to happen.
One was dealing with the radical extremists, the Zboni. The other was Akito resolving the situation with Zone.
Actually, I didn't really need to worry about Zone.
It wasn't a life-threatening Zone; it was more of an H-event for Akito, so it wouldn't matter if I left it alone.
However, since I’d caught the attention of the Masterminds, I couldn't just ignore it.
According to the game’s story, the Masterminds were all supposed to head to the Zboni world—another dimension—to wreak havoc, leaving one executive behind to create Zone before crossing over.
Because of this, I thought the Masterminds had already crossed over to the Zboni world, but then one of them suddenly tracked me down after consuming my semen.
It was my fault for leaving a trace, but how do you find someone by the taste of their semen? It’s seriously unbelievable.
Regardless, things had already become complicated, so I had to check if the story was still proceeding as planned.
While I was at it, if I could help manage the chaos when Zone appeared, fewer people would die.
“You remember I told you to keep Sunday free, right?”
“Yeon-woo!”
As I was talking to the Comedy Duo, Mary ran up and hugged me.
“The 2nd place prize is the best after all! I think my exam scores went up because of it! It’s all thanks to you, Yeon-woo!”
Mary’s eyes sparkled as she gave a bright smile.
Because I was tied up with investigations throughout the festival, we couldn't sell Magic Coffee on the third day, but apparently, our sales from the first two days were so massive that we still took 2nd place.
1st place was Akito, as expected. The 2nd place prize we received was a bracelet that slightly increases Intelligence.
It was as if the prizes were divided by rank, alternating between items helpful for Blacks and Whites.
Odd-numbered ranks got combat-related items, while even-numbered ranks got intelligence-related items.
For Mary, who held a White license, this was actually a better prize than the 1st place one.
Even when I wore it, I couldn't really tell if my intelligence had increased, but as long as she was happy, that was all that mattered.
For the record, despite her playful appearance, Mary is incredibly smart and has great grades.
I might be neck-and-neck with Akito’s group in terms of grades, but if we’re talking strictly about theory and written exams, neither Akito nor I make the top three.
The undisputed top three are Shiori, Mary, and Angelica.
I patted Mary’s head as she buried her face in my chest, demanding praise, and looked at Yukina, who had arrived with her.
“How were the exams?”
“Similar to last time.”
Yukina is also at the top of the class, so she’s probably in the same boat as me.
Actually, no. Since I’ve been going out on requests, my study time has decreased, so my rank might drop.
“You kept Sunday free, right?”
“Yeah. Somi-san agreed to look after Haruna.”
“Oh—are we all going together?”
Look at these Comedy Duo bastards. They were indifferent when I told them to clear their schedules, but now that girls are involved, they’re all for it.
“Are we having a party to celebrate the end of exams?”
Before I knew it, Bukgeuk-jwa, who had squeezed in between Yukina and Jade, flashed a smile.
Then Akane, who had come along, hugged me just like Mary did.
You definitely put that bubblegum in your mouth before hugging me, didn't you? My house is gone and I barely have any clothes left; you’re in big trouble if you get gum on this.
“Angelica, come here.”
“Huh? Oh... okay...”
Angelica, who had been timidly watching from a distance, scurried over and joined the group when I beckoned her.
I realized that quite a lot of people had gathered around me before I knew it.
“Um... can I join too?”
Ah, right. The Thug was here too.
This guy used to act so tough, but he’s changed so much.
Watching Angelica’s lead, the Thug stood next to the Comedy Duo.
“Now that we’re all gathered like this, it feels like we’re going out on a request.”
“Hey—Jade and I feel left out~”
“A-Ah, no, it’s just that you two aren't Blacks...”
“Ahaha, I was just joking, but you’re reacting so seriously.”
Mary laughed heartily while teasing Rio.
And while they weren't going on a request, they would have to do some work.
Though I couldn't tell them that yet.
*
Two days later. We gathered on a street in Central City.
“Why did you ask us to meet here? Is there something here?”
Masayoshi looked around and expressed his dissatisfaction with the meeting spot.
His complaint was understandable; this wasn't a bustling downtown area, but a street lined with corporate buildings.
It wasn't a good place to hang out, nor were there any hidden famous restaurants.
“Is everyone here?”
“Rio is... coming over there. Then everyone’s here.”
That guy is late again.
While the habitually late Rio apologized and explained his excuse to the others, I checked the time.
I’d intentionally set the meeting time thirty minutes early, but thanks to Rio, we were cutting it close.
Mary and Jade were chatting about some trendy shop that had opened in the downtown area just down the street.
As expected of girls, they were quick to catch onto such news.
Akito’s group would also be hanging out there before ‘coincidentally’ getting caught up in a Zone appearing nearby.
He’s the protagonist, so the story has to progress, but he really is like a magnet for trouble.
Just as Masayoshi was asking where we were going, everyone’s smartphone let out an alarm.
Beeeeeeeeeeeee—!
The alarm, too loud to ignore, rang not just on our phones but on the phones of everyone on the street. I checked the disaster message sent by the government.
“A Zone appeared?”
“It’s not far from here! And it’s right in the middle of the highway!”
Seeing the others panic as they checked the location, I stood up.
“Everyone, you have your Sticks, right? Let’s go.”
“...Do you know something?”
“No, I don't. But if you have a Black license, rescue operations are mandatory.”
“...You’re way too calm.”
Masayoshi didn't drop his suspicion, but the situation was too urgent, so we started running toward the scene.
Even if some things are cringeworthy, this part always looks cool.
The sight of my companions’ backs as they summoned their Sticks into their hands, held diagonally toward the ground, was like something out of a hero movie or manga.
In reality, they were heroes who saved people.
“Seo Yeon-woo?”
You’re here, so why can’t I be?
After reinforcing my body with magic and arriving at the scene, I saw Akito’s group already controlling the situation and performing rescue operations, just as expected.
Shiori frowned the moment she saw me, and Masayoshi looked at me as soon as he spotted them.
Look all you want, I have nothing to say. Let’s just save people.
“Aaaaaagh!!”
“H-Help over here, please!”
The highway was a mess due to the two Zones that had suddenly appeared.
People were being sucked into the Zones, and multiple collisions had occurred as drivers slammed on their brakes upon seeing the Zones.
The area in front of the Zones occupying the road was a disaster zone of major accidents, and the sound of cars further back failing to stop in time and crashing could be heard.
“Angelica! Fire one big spell in a straight line along the road! Rio, run along the road and set up stone pillars at 10-meter intervals as high as possible!”
“You want me to attack the civilians?!”
“No! If they see conspicuous magic, they’ll realize something is wrong and slow down!”
You can’t suddenly stop cars speeding down a highway.
The moment one stops, the driver behind has to react and slow down, but if you force a stop, you just create another massive pile-up like the one in front of the Zone.
Understanding my intent, Angelica jumped onto a signpost and fired a massive spell into the air.
Rio also ran along the road, raising high pillars on the side so that oncoming drivers could see them.
“Yukina! Bukgeuk-jwa! Akane! Rescue the people in the accident in front of the Zone first! Thug and Mary, handle rescues at the midpoint! Masayoshi, Jade. Control the end of the accident site!”
“Got it!”
“...Why aren't you going?”
Even though everyone else had left, Bukgeuk-jwa stood still, staring at me.
“Me?”
“Then who else? Who are you looking at?”
“Was 'Bukgeuk-jwa' referring to me?”
Damn, I must have called her Bukgeuk-jwa because I was in a hurry.
Fei looked curious about what 'Bukgeuk-jwa' meant, but since the situation was so urgent, she ran toward the scene for now.
Akito’s group seemed to be doing fine on their own...
I looked around again to assess the situation.
Fortunately, the Zones had appeared consecutively on only one side, so the opposite lanes were safe.
Dammit, I should have sent one person over there to control traffic.
As cars began to stall at the sight of two Zones appearing right next to them, a traffic jam started to form.
The Zone might get bigger, and you’re just sitting there watching and taking pictures while driving?
It seems the government controls the Zones too much, and the Barrier has made people lose their sense of danger.
Akito’s group wasn't paying any attention to the other side either.
I’ll have to handle it until the official agents arrive.
Since two Zones were blocking one side of the road in succession, no one had been caught in the second Zone yet.
I didn't know much about the first Zone since the agents would handle it, but I knew the second Zone well because Akito was supposed to enter it.
People were dying out here in accidents and chaos, but thinking about Akito having a wild sex session in there made me angry all over again.
“Are you Seo Yeon-woo?”
“What are you doing?! Don't block the cars, move through quickly... Who the hell are you?”
I flinched and stopped at the aura emanating from the man who had stepped out of a car.
“C sends his regards.”
“Shit, I told you I don't have the bead!!”
“That is none of my concern.”
A bright light erupted from the man’s hand and was fired toward me.
“Yeon-woo!!”
—K-BOOM!
Yukina rushed over and hugged me, pulling me aside, but we couldn't completely evade the man’s magic and were caught in a massive explosion.
Dammit, interfering again?!
I gathered mana as I was blown back by the impact.
Frey told me to cherish and hide it, but now wasn't the time.
I have to land at least one hit with the Magnum...
The power of the man’s magic was immense; Yukina and I weren't the only ones caught in the explosion.
Shiori, Bukgeuk-jwa... and even Yukina, who were all caught in the shockwave spreading in all directions, were sucked into the rear Zone.
No.
I struggled, but I couldn't stop myself from being pushed back by the force, and I eventually touched the Zone.
As I was being sucked in, I saw civilians caught in the explosion falling toward the Zone, but only the women entered; the men were bounced off the boundary of the Zone as if they’d hit a wall.
A Zone that only a single male could enter... The last thing I saw before my head submerged into the Zone was the face of a man falling with a look of agony, and then I lost consciousness.