Chapter 177: Men Fall for It
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 177: Men Fall for It
“Whoa… You’ve already mastered it?”
Meeting Natsume’s dumbfounded expression, I gave a smug, short reply.
“Next.”
“Wow, how obnoxious… but seriously, that’s incredible.”
It was a fairly high-level spell, but it had taken me less than thirty minutes to learn.
It took about ten minutes to explain the theory, another ten for her to demonstrate it and show me the flow of mana, so technically, I had mastered a high-level spell in just ten minutes of actual training.
I think I’m even faster than before?
Frey’s subordinates, who had seen me back when I was struggling with perception issues and slow acquisition, were all staring at me with looks of pure disbelief. It felt so good that I tilted my chin up in an arrogant pose.
Ah, this is the life. This is what it feels like to play a game with cheats.
The sense of omnipotence and superiority washed over me, turning into pure pleasure.
Just as I was savoring that irresistible thrill, Frey shot me a murderous look that told me to stop acting out, and I immediately reverted to a polite posture.
I’ve been through so much lately; I should be allowed to enjoy myself a little. Why is she only picking on me?
“So, what exactly is this?”
Frey asked, waving the ‘No Image’ in her hand.
It didn’t radiate any magic, nor did it have the aura of an Authority or a Supernatural Ability. To her, it must look like nothing more than a ridiculous board with large letters printed on it.
“It’s written right there. No Image.”
“I can read. That’s not what I’m asking.”
But I can’t tell you. Even if I did, you wouldn’t believe me.
‘Actually, this world is a game, and what’s in your hand is a bug that the shitty developers still haven’t fixed even years after release.’ I couldn’t exactly say that, could I?
It was a useless item that lacked not only an image but also any stats, yet it was the miracle bug item that had reversed my aging curve and rejuvenated my talents.
Lacking a proper excuse, I thought for a moment before flashing my most charming smile.
“Faith?”
“… …”
Given the situation, wasn’t that a pretty appropriate answer?
Not only Frey, but even Turk and Selby looked at me like I was a lunatic. Even the usually stoic Sunwoo was looking at me with pity, so I could tell just how pathetic my answer sounded.
“Sigh… fine. I was the idiot for trying to understand.”
Frey sighed, shaking the No Image like it was a piece of trash and tapping it against the table.
Hey, don’t handle someone’s faith so recklessly. How rude.
As I watched her, Frey tossed it back to me and spoke.
“Don’t throw that away. Carry it with you.”
“Why? This useless board?”
I mean, sure, it was my ‘faith,’ but aside from restoring my perception, it was a piece of junk with no other effects. Carrying it around was just a chore.
Wait, is she expecting it to have some other effect since it cured my aging curve so instantly?
To an outsider, an item that suddenly turns someone into a magic genius must look incredible.
How cute. I should just play along instead of making excuses.
“Yes, I’ll keep it safe at home.”
“Carry it. On. Your. Person.”
“…Why?”
Seeing her serious expression, I watched as she snatched the No Image back and placed it against a training sandbag.
Then she took a stance… Wait, Magnum?
An immense amount of mana erupted into the surroundings before being sucked into Frey’s body like water down a drain. With an explosion of power, her loaded fist slammed into the No Image.
BOOM—!
The sandbag was blown to smithereens, and something was propelled in a straight line, embedding itself into the reinforced wall.
Frey trudged over, pulled the object out of the wall, and tossed it into my hands.
The No Image was perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened…
“I’ve investigated it, and nothing can even scratch it. Not physical force, elements, curses, or even Authorities.”
…Indestructible property?
You incompetent developers, what on earth did you create?
Though it was only about the size of a hand with fingers spread, a literal invincible shield had been born.
“I couldn’t figure out how it was made or what material it is. If I had to guess, maybe a metal from outer space or another dimension? Perhaps it really is ‘faith,’ like you said. Neither science nor magic can explain it.”
“…Are you giving something this precious to me?”
“Giving? You found it. It’s yours.”
Well… that was true.
But wouldn’t anyone go crazy for an invincible shield that can block anything? If it were Frey, with all her combat experience, she could probably take down the 12 Zodiacs or those Mastermind bastards with this.
Even against an opponent of equal or higher skill, this item would guarantee victory, yet Frey showed no greed whatsoever.
If I were in her shoes, I would have considered stealing it and disappearing at least three times.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you used it, Master? It might save your life in a crisis.”
At my words, Frey let out a small smirk and leaned her face close to mine.
“How sweet of you to worry about your master. But I am much stronger than you think.”
“… …”
Damn, she really is a pro at making men fall for her.
Being patted on the cheek like a cute pet should have felt annoying, but maybe because I was so charmed, even that touch felt good. How could I not fall for her when she tells me to worry about myself while flashing such a captivating smile?
Wait, come to think of it, is this the first time she’s called herself ‘Master’?
As I stared blankly, Frey laughed as if amused and stepped away.
Don’t go changing your attitude and making my heart flutter like that.
Turning her back, Frey’s voice returned to its usual cold tone.
“The schedule for that job we talked about hasn’t changed, right?”
“Yes. Please have everything ready.”
Fortunately, I had returned just in time after securing the bug item.
Time to go watch Akito make a fool of himself.
*
Akito sat alone on the veranda, looking out at the garden and recalling his conversation with Logard.
Through meeting Lilia, Akito had learned much about the demons—no, the world of Zboni—from Logard. He now knew they were not much different from humans.
The Zboni, whom he had once thought of only as enemies; his perspective had changed after living with Lilia.
Though confused, Akito had accepted it all. He wanted to create a world where humans and Zboni could coexist.
“Brother, have some tea.”
Shiori sat beside him, placing a teacup down with elegant movements.
She sat naturally and drank her tea with a relaxed air, but Akito already knew she was walking on eggshells around him.
Ever since she had fallen into the ‘Zone’ with Yeon-woo, she had been noticeably cautious of his reactions. He had heard they made it out after some twists and turns, so what was bothering her so much that she felt the need to watch him like this?
He didn’t know, but Akito didn’t press her. Had he not hurt Chika by meddling half-heartedly when she was struggling?
‘…Come to think of it, Yeon-woo was involved back then, too…’
It was the same with Chika, and now again with Shiori.
Yeon-woo was clearly a righteous and good person, yet he constantly weighed on Akito’s mind, and they kept clashing.
Taking a lesson from the past, Akito didn’t pry into Chika, Shiori, or Lena’s business, but waiting quietly for them to speak was difficult for the hot-blooded youth.
Suppressing the urge to ask, Akito focused on the problem at hand.
The Zboni attack Logard had warned him about.
The Zboni, like humans, had diverse opinions and beliefs. Among them, a faction that hated humans had planned an attack.
Occupying a broadcasting station to declare war while pretending to represent all Zboni… It was a horrific method that would drag everyone, both humans and innocent Zboni, into a war.
He had to stop it.
He felt sorry for Lilia, but he couldn’t let such people—such Zboni—live.
Logard had requested their elimination before the broadcast could go out, and Akito intended to kill them.
Their numbers weren’t great, but Akito braced himself, expecting a difficult fight.
‘We can do this.’
There was Ailee and Kurumi, who reliably protected everyone; Shiori, who solved difficult problems with her brilliant intellect; Chika, who could sweep through enemy lines; and Justina, Shunya, Lena, Kaira, and Redick.
They were comrades he could trust with his life, and Akito believed that together, they could overcome any hardship.
A few days later, on the date Logard had specified, Akito and his team waited near the broadcasting station.
Everyone had already heard from Akito what was about to happen and was fully prepared. No one asked where the information came from or if it was reliable.
Akito was a leader they could trust, and everyone followed his word.
Although the transfer students harbored a slight distrust, some strange force seemed to be at work, making them forget they even had such doubts whenever they were by his side.
Calmly watching the people passing by the station, Akito received a radio transmission from Kaira.
— Found them. Two for now.
Since the transmission came from Kaira, who was waiting inside the station, Akito led his members inside.
If they were already inside, there was a high probability they would set up a barrier to cut off the outside.
The moment Akito’s group entered the station, an immense amount of mana surged from the outside, and a black veil covered the area.
Simultaneously, the Zboni in the first-floor lobby revealed their true forms and began attacking the humans.
“Die! You despicable humans!”
“Kyaaaaah!”
As a woman was about to be killed, Akito rushed forward, transforming his stick into a sword.
However, someone else was faster.
BOOM—!
With a loud crash, the head of the Zboni attacking the woman vanished without a trace, and the headless body slumped to the floor.
Stunned by the overwhelming mana, Akito stared blankly. The red-haired woman, Frey, gave him a cold look as if asking what he was looking at before moving to attack another Zboni.
She wasn’t alone.
The Greyhound mercenaries began suppressing the Zboni in an instant, and from another side, a foul-mouthed old man appeared and bound the Zboni in barriers.
“Are these goddamn horn-heads’ brains as empty as their horns? If it weren’t for my granddaughter, I wouldn’t have listened to that brat’s nonsense.”
“Old man, stop flapping your gums and get to work.”
“Hah! The fledgling’s grown a bit and now he’s acting all high and mighty. I’ve changed your shitty diapers more times than I can count!”
Frey and Master Chen talked as if they knew each other well while striking down the Zboni.
Master Chen, who had been shouting noisily, spotted Akito standing dazed and yelled at him.
“You green little brat! Are you already planning to slack off? Hey! Can’t you see my old bones suffering?”
“Pardon?”
“When your elders are working this hard, you should be quick to lend a hand! Tsk, this is why young people these days…”
“The only ‘elder’ here is you, old man.”
“You’re getting up there too, girl. Your time is coming soon. What are you doing?! You with the pretty face! Get fighting already!!”
Startled by Master Chen’s boisterous shouting, Akito regained his senses and began attacking the Zboni.
They had come here thinking they were the only ones stopping this disaster, but what was this force?
Though he couldn’t understand it, Akito soon pushed the question aside as he fought the Zboni.
*
Outside the barrier, on the rooftop of a building near the massive hemispherical veil covering the broadcasting station.
“Ugh, that kid with the protagonist syndrome. They really did come by themselves.”
Yeon-woo sat on the railing, watching the scene and cursing Akito.
Beside him were Rio and Masayoshi, and all the members who usually went on requests were on the rooftop.
“Seriously, what is it with people with protagonist syndrome? Why do they try to solve everything alone? Does the world end if they talk a little? Are they the only ones who are special? Do they have to save the world by themselves? Will someone kill them if they speak up? Does asking for help hurt their pride?”
Yeon-woo had been venting his frustrations for a while now. Rio looked fed up, and Masayoshi was letting it go in one ear and out the other.
After his passionate speech about how frustrating it was for a ‘good’ protagonist to solve things alone, Yeon-woo sighed and stood up.
“Let’s go.”
“We’re not going into the station?”
Rio asked as Yeon-woo turned in the opposite direction. Yeon-woo shook his head.
“We have our own work to do. It’s a bit far, so we have to go now.”
“Then why did we even come here?”
“To be the group of experts watching the scene of the incident from afar.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It looks cool.”
“…You stayed here just for that? Hah… I should just stop talking. Fine, you’re very cool.”
Rio grumbled as he stood up to follow Yeon-woo.
Despite their complaints, everyone trusted and followed Yeon-woo.
“Let’s go stop a war.”
The others had no idea why he was suddenly talking about war, but Yeon-woo headed toward his destination with a confident smirk.