009 - Crazed Swordsman #2

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The plan was perfect.

No matter how much Elfante decked out their security, they don't know of players who could treat the 'supply room' like their front yard.

Although if you get greedy and take too much, it's very likely that you'll get caught and punished. But even so, taking a few necessary items is essential for progress.

It is said that you can navigate through a route even with your eyes closed.

And if you can use the 'point shop' like me and have plenty of points to spend, this is the easiest way to break through.

◎ Haste Potion

[ Item: Consumable ]

[ Price: 100pts ]

[ Speeds up the user's movements within a certain amount of time. ]

◎ Shadow Mask

[ Equipment: Accessory ]

[ Price: 100pts ]

[ Hides the wearer's face and modulates the voice. ]

◎ Catwalk Shoes

[ Equipment: Shoes ]

[ Price: 200pts ]

[ Eliminates noise in footsteps! ]

Taking the potion allowed me to quickly weave through the various security nets, while the mask hides my identity from the video recording magic set up everywhere. Finally, the Catwalk Shoes block any signs of my infiltration.

It was a cost-effective combination of stealth and speed. With this, I was able to evade many of the security in the academy.

'…Having points is nice.'

Just by using only a few hundred points, I quickly infiltrated the supply room which normally take days of preparation. In terms of performance, it could compare to an Assassin's C Class Stealth skill.

The only flaw it had is that it disappears after usage. Still, it's a big advantage to be able to access all kinds of items.

Items that cost more than a few thousand points could even turn a disaster around.

"Whew…"

Exhaling, I climbed out of a window and jumped down in a half-exhausted state.

The Haste Potion temporarily gave me some speed. However, my stamina is still hot F trash. Even a simple exercise like this was hard.

'I'm dying…'

Thinking so, I rummaged through my pockets.

I happen to have the right thing for a situation like this.

◎ Rejuvenating Biscuits x2

[ Item: Consumable ]

[ Price: 50pts ] x2

[ Is your body tired? Recover your stamina with these biscuits! Peanut flavor, 10 pieces per bag! ]

[ Remaining Points: 2,000pts ]

"…"

The description had a weird advertising tone, but it is a legit product.

I have been taking advantage of its effects.

I feel my body getting energized as I munch down on the biscuits. At the same time, I scanned the piled up things around.

What I was looking for was quickly found.

'Right.'

I could see a palm-sized incense burner, which was small for a ceremonial item. But that's why it stands out.

"Eum."

The supply room has a bunch of items that are often not properly organized.

With a huff, I pulled out the incense burner embedded in the bottom of the pile that had almost reached the ceiling.

Divine's Ultima, a thousand-year-old incense burner said to contain ancient power.

However, compared to such a grandiose description, it only had one simple function.

It is, so to speak, a 'phone'.

Specifically, the receiver is quite… formidable.

'Secured the most important thing…'

I turned my gaze to look for something extra to take.

Originally, all kinds of rare items are needed to activate this, but where am I?

This is the players' official rare item farm. It's not that difficult to obtain them here.

I grabbed the necessary items one by one and put them in my arms.

Powder made by grinding the horn of a unicorn for fuel, a phoenix feather to ignite it, a coral fan to control the flames…

However, I can't take too much, otherwise it'll be biting me in the future. Taking these few things I picked should be fine.

"Oops."

Engrossed in my selection, the things piled up on top collapsed. But it didn't really matter since it wasn't loud.

"…?"

At least, that's what I thought.

Until a 'person' buried among the collapsing items appeared.

"…!"

I unwittingly caught them who were descending directly towards me.

I did so because I had a hunch that if I let them hit the floor, there would be a bigger commotion.

However, as soon as I saw the person's face, I immediately regretted everything.

"…"

A small girl is soundly sleeping, while clutching a chained sword.

She looked like a kitten.

But from my point of view, as soon as I confirmed her identity, goose bumps immediately ran through my body.

Seriously, who could imagine that this peacefully sleeping little girl is a human butcher that has reaped lives numbering triple digits?

"…Umm."

And unfortunately for me, it seems that I woke her up.

The little girl stretched herself in my arms.

"Haaa...ah…?"

And as she stretched out her arms, her yawns gradually subsided, sensing something strange.

Her yellow eyes stared blankly at the surroundings. And soon, our eyes meet.

"…"

"…"

Let's put her down...

I held the girl with both hands and made her stand.

For a few seconds, we were just silently staring into each other's eyes.

Then finally.

The girl realizes that she has been 'held' by a man she has never seen before.

Her immediate lightning-like reaction was grabbing the handle of the sword she was clutching.

[ A moment of danger has been detected. ]

[ Determined the situation as life-threatening. ]

[ Skill: Desperation raised to EX Class. ]

Yep.

I'm f*cked.

●

There are many reasons why a character is classified as evil in Sera, but one of the criteria for classification is 'Karma'.

To put it simply, it's the 'number of kills'.

Depending on how many people you killed, your affinity would lean more towards the bad side.

In that context, one's Karma could easily get corrupted.

Hence the devil, a key villain throughout the entire scenario, usually approaches people with high karma first.

And a person who is at the extreme of such system is currently right in front of me.

She's normally not harmful.

Unless you get close.

"…"

What happens when you get close? Well...

Let's just say that this person's Karma dunks on Elnore, who is known to kill people, with an overwhelming number.

The one who killed the most people in this academy right now is this little girl.

"…!"

And looking at the sword flying towards me, I can fully understand how that was possible.

The main character Elijah couldn't even react to the EX Class Desperation and was blown away in a single punch.

And yet, now, I could only react to the trajectory of Yuria's sword.

"-…!"

Realizing that it's a true life-or-death situation, my concentration heightened to the point where the world seems to have slowed down.

.

Unlike the spar with Elijah, this attack had the intention to kill.

I parried the first blow to my neck using the incense burner I was holding in my hand. It's a relic and won't be easily destroyed just from a few attacks, making it a good substitute for a shield.

Zeng-! Sparks flew with a sound.

'What a monster…!'

Despite having enhanced strength with enough power to blow away a human like a feather, my body felt numb.

It was absurdly powerful for an attack done without proper stance and right after waking up.

Fortunately, I know how to avoid being beaten.

I threw my body backwards and rolled.

This is a s†upid move if you're in combat.

It has no meaning other than keeping a distance from the opponent.

However, against this girl, this was a good move.

As soon as my body touched the floor, I instinctively measured the distance between us.

'Three and a half steps.'

It's a distance where I can reach her without the risk of getting sliced.

Meanwhile, Yuria remained rooted on her spot.

She exhibits near invincible combat power against opponents who entered within a 'three steps' range from her. Inversely, she cannot invade within 'three steps' of the opponent.

A human being forced to distance herself from everyone.

The 'curse' on this person was designed that way.

[Can you please stay still?]

Of course, seeing that sentence floating in the air with that teary eyes, it was clear that she wasn't too happy about me not being within range.

"…So it's easier to slice?"

[Yes.]

I expected that much.

Though I'm stuck in quite a bit of a dilemma.

A wall at the back and Yuria's sword in front.

I am safe as long as I'm more than three steps away, but I have no way of escaping in this situation.

I could risk it for the biscuit and pass through her, but with such intense hostility, that's the last thing I want to do. I'd rather try negotiating first…

"…?"

Wait a minute.

Negotiate.

I can negotiate.

Some ideas started to come to mind.

As someone who's forced to keep a distance from everyone, Yuria's life was solitary.

This was all an unexpected encounter. So considering that she prefers an environment where there are 'few people' and with a 'constant state', assuming that is not too far off.

The faculty members have their own residence and would not come here unless it's for business.

People in such an environment always suffer chronically.

"…"

And so, I slowly put my hand in my pocket, making it very clear that I have no malicious intentions.

Then, with a solemn gesture, I take out the biscuits I was eating earlier.

"…"

[...]

I can feel Yuria's gaze locking on to the biscuits I'm holding.

Her gaze moves along the direction of the food.

I think I heard a dry swallow and something like a grumbling stomach.

"Psspsspss."

I began tossing the biscuits one by one as if I'm feeding a cat.

I'm using this to lure her away from my escape escape path, just like in the story of Hansel and Gretel.

[Are you trying to entice a human with food?]

The advantage of communicating with levitating text is that you can clearly distinguish between speaking and what their mouth is doing.

She may have asked that question, but she was currently eating a biscuit with great vigor.

[I'm not an animal. How can anyone fall for something like this!]

Her words may not be honest, but her actions are.

Every time she ate one, she noticeably became happier.

If she was a puppy, her tail would've been wagging furiously by now as she munch on.

Then, she must have realized that I was watching and heavily denied.

[I won't fall for these primitive tricks! I am human!]

Is that so?

"I got some more, you want them?"

[...]

After a while.

Yuria was munching on a whole bag of biscuits with glee.

She looked like a cute animal.

[By the way, who are you? Why are you here?]

"…"

People need to open themselves up first before we can attempt any sort of civilized communication.

And finally getting this question.

'…But I can't tell her the truth.'

I can't just say, I'm here to steal, can I?

Regardless of how much Yuria is leading a half-wild beast-like solitary life, she's not incapable of communication.

It would be difficult if this gets known by faculty members.

Now, what's a good excuse…

Ah, right.

I glanced at the incense burner lying on the floor.

If I try to grab it now, it will attract Yuria's attention. So let's talk a bit more.

"I came to give you food because of someone."

Such a topic naturally grabbed Yuria's attention.

[…Yes?]

Yuria asked blankly.

Seeing dozens of floating question marks, she must have been quite taken aback.

"Someone I know said to take care of you."

[Someone you know…?]

Actually, that person doesn't exist. However, saying this BS will help later.

It would've been impossible to create a variable like this in the original game. But at the same time, if it was the original game, I wouldn't have encountered Yuria in the supply room.

With that said, shouldn't I take advantage of the opportunity of meeting her here? This would make things run more smoothly for me in the future.

"Don't worry, your sister is doing well in the Holy Land."

The key is to deliver this information in advance.

Yuria's body visibly stiffened hearing this.

"The Emperor won't pay you or your sister any attention for the time being. He still has to deal with those hidden at the academy."

The girl tightly embraced her chain-wrapped sword that never once left her side.

Although it was a small action, the swirl of emotions it brought was terrifyingly intense.

It's all because of that person that Yuria has come to Elfante Academy, far away from her hometown Holy Land, and living a life like this.

Originally, this would be covered in detail in Chapter 2.

But she at least deserves to know some general information about her one and only family.

"…"

My eyes couldn't help but linger on the sword that Yuria was holding.

It didn't look like it had any special features on the outside, but it's actually a terrifying high rank item in Sera.

Yuria actually plays the role of a kind of 'seal' that suppresses its fangs. The curse associated with the three steps also comes from that thing.

She's probably under constant threat of mental corruption even worse than Elnore.

Shouldn't we give her some hopeful news to ease her suffering?

[You, who are you? Where did you come from…]

"I'll get going now."

I can't possibly tell her that in detail.

'Because there is no such thing in the first place.'

Uh.

If a lie is too long, its tail will easily get stomped on.

It would be better to mysteriously exit while I still can.

On the way, I made sure to pick up the incense burner that's on the floor due to the aftermath of the previous collision.

Someone from the Holy Land would know the value of this item, but Yuria seemed too shocked by what I said and didn't to pay any attention to this.

Thank god…!

It's worth the talk…!

"…I'll come again."

Still, I left her with a farewell message.

Even if I can no longer go to the supply room and steal in the future, I'm sure there will be one more time.

Look out for me then. Eung?

You can read 255 chapters for $20. p.atreon.com/casca02