◈ Episode 150

Echidna Roussano's life was not smooth.

A special environment of a mafia family. A childhood of oppression. A distorted set of values ​​that were naturally formed. From the day he came into the world and burst into tears, he was a person who could not hope for a normal life.

When she had just become an adult, Echidna, who was treated as a decoration, killed her father and brother. By getting the blood of her family on her hands, she broke the chains herself.

The past, filled with blood, gave me confidence, not guilt. I was eventually driven out of my hometown, but I didn't regret it for a moment. Because I was sure that I wouldn't fall apart like this.

Echidna was far from incompetent. She was young, beautiful, and intelligent. She even had a sense of ruthlessness. These were all enough conditions to achieve success.

In just a few years, the Trapani outcast has become a mafia boss in the lawless lands. In Timorta, she had the composure of a powerful person.

The downfall was instantaneous.

Echidna, who lost Nuova Era, lived in despair for a while. And just a little while ago, a new goal sprouted in her heart. She wanted to watch Kim Yi-Hyeon's ending.

But now, she was wavering once again.

"So, to summarize."

After waiting in the hallway for about 20 minutes, Echidna, who had entered Kim I-hyeon's room with difficulty, confessed her worries. The somewhat disjointed story was condensed into one sentence.

"Are you saying that you are so useless that you are being ignored?"

"Don't twist it, I never said it like that."

"What about distortion? It's too late to take care of your pride."

I couldn't bring myself to refute him and just kept biting my lips. I felt ashamed of myself for whining, so I tried to beat around the bush. But he hit me with a straight ball and sank right into my skull.

"You don't know what consideration is, do you?"

"Don't you know? I'm a normal member of society too."

I looked at him as if to say, 'You?' but he completely ignored me.

"It just discriminates people."

Echidna let out a self-deprecating laugh at the words that followed.

"Honestly, I still don't understand. Why did you save me? I thought you were hungry, but you don't seem to care at all. If you hated me that much, you should have just let me die."

"There seems to be some misunderstanding."

Kim Yi-hyeon's attitude was completely indifferent.

"I don't hate it. If I had to rate it as a like or dislike, I'd say I like it."

"Ha. Just spit it out and speak."

"Why would you lie?"

From the listener's perspective, there has never been such nonsense.

What has Kim Yi-hyeon done so far? The warning I heard before still rings in my ears. If you hurt someone you care about, you should commit suicide gracefully.

Just now, I was treated rudely and told not to interrupt my meal. And you say you're close to a friend? You treat someone you like like this, and you think you're a reasonable person…?

'Is he really crazy?'

I thought about it for a moment and then realized, "Oh no. He really is a crazy guy."

"But what? It's not like we're the type of people who can encourage each other."

"...Yeah, that's right. I screwed up."

"I don't mean to blame you. As you know, it was just a matter of order anyway."

The difference was who betrayed first. Echidna's guilt was much greater in that she actually took action. Kim Yi-hyun didn't bother to argue. This wasn't a courtroom.

The point was different.

"That's kind of it. There's no reason for me to take care of your mental health. There may be people who need to be dragged along by coaxing and cajoling, but you're not one of them."

Echidna clenched her fists at his straightforward words. She knew it herself. How useless she had been in the last battle. She was a worthless presence there.

That's why I put my pride aside and came to see Kim I-Hyeon. Because I didn't want to suffer from helplessness. Because I wanted to give value to the human named Echidna Rusano.

However, it was judged to be worthless, let alone a solution.

"…Okay, I'm sorry for bothering you."

His voice trembled with guilt and resentment.

She was about to get up from her chair, biting her lower lip without anyone knowing.

"Listen to what people say until the end."

Kim Yi-hyeon sighed, resting his chin on his hand.

"It means that it's not to the extent of taking you by force, but it's not to the extent of holding you back either. The comparison was wrong from the beginning. Do you think you can compete with Edwin or Asterike?"

"That's not it, but…."

"Then did you think you could do it as well as Chelsea?"

It was a perfect fit. I felt ashamed that my thoughts had been read so clearly.

"I don't know why you underestimated me, but Chelsea is the same. She's too good. And the premise is weird. I never expected anything from you in terms of combat."

It's true. Kim Yi-Hyeon was confident that he could gain an advantage over Echidna even if his agent rank dropped to 2 stars. He thought that one [Ivory] would be enough.

but.

"That doesn't mean I have no expectations. Have you already forgotten? I gave you a job in Cilicia. I don't give work to people I consider incompetent. We all have different ways of being helpful."

Asterike is a bit of a tough guy, so he's not very reliable in terms of strategy. Chelsea and Edwin are also quite unstable. Although he's not a member of Dustborn, the Professor is terrible at fighting.

"I don't know why I have to tell you all this, when your head is working so well."

He clicked his tongue.

"If you want to increase your value, think carefully about it. I'll grant most of your requests. Also, just in case there's any misunderstanding, I'm telling you this. I'm not giving you special treatment. I do this to all my people."

My person.

Echidna's red eyes fluttered again. For a different reason than before. She opened her mouth. There were so many words coming out of her chest that it was hard to choose just one.

At the same time, several options were floating around in his head. He could use the skills and knowledge he had gained from living a turbulent life to establish his own position in Dustborn.

"...."

Kim Yi-hyun waited silently until everything was sorted out. Echidna knew that it was a consideration. After a long silence, she spoke immediately.

"I guess I'll have to take it from now on?"

"뭘?"

"I'm talking about conservatism."

A cool smile appeared.

"I trust you won't hit me."

"As long as you do your job well."

Kim Lee-hyun, who was smiling, pointed to the door.

"The end. Get out."

"He's crazy, really."

Today, Echidna has decided. She will become the backbone of the organization and make sure that she can no longer be treated like this. Instead, she will turn the tables and make Kim I-Hyun depend on her.

It was a future that was enjoyable just to imagine.

* * *

The next day.

I slept late for the first time in a long time. The time of waking up varies greatly during operations, but I usually wake up at 7 AM. My body clock is quite efficient, so I have hardly ever had any errors.

'7:15…'

Today, I overslept for a whopping 15 minutes. I came to my senses in time, but I ended up like this after rolling around in bed. This must be proof that I'm enjoying my vacation.

It is just a one-day deviation. If it is repeated, there is a risk that it will become a bad habit. A small carelessness can snowball and ruin your life.

After getting ready, I went down to the lounge and had breakfast. After dinner, I had a cup of coffee and leisurely thought about the rest of my schedule.

'I've almost finished what I had to do.'

Since all the interactions with the Ivory Tower were left to the rap, there was nothing for Kim Yi-hyun to do. The episode ended successfully, and Kamael, who would have run away otherwise, was able to be killed.

I have no particular interest in the truth about the disaster that Kamael left behind in his will.

'I knew it from the beginning, so what?'

At first sight, Kushan said that Shalem was destroyed by his own will, but that was a lie. He lives only by a sense of responsibility and mission. The purpose of leading the lab is to atone for sins.

He is like the leader of the legion.

Although the methods chosen were extremely different from each other and the ideas were distorted by the godmother and several executives, Markus Dresner founded the Legion to atone for his sins and prepare for the future.

This is something that will be revealed in detail in the latter half. There are still some plot holes that haven't been resolved even after the final chapter, but at least they've been mentioned. So that users can at least make guesses.

From the perspective of someone who knows almost all the facts, it was just a new experience.

'Anyway, I don't have a schedule anymore.'

It seems that the request for parole of Noctane, which I asked the professor and his party, is also progressing well. Noctane's spells are useful. It goes well with [Special Weapon Production].

The guy will become a worker for Dustborne. With a neck restraint.

'The promise was kept.'

If I bring Noctane with me when I return, that's it. I can't go back first, so I'll have to wait until the lab schedule is over. I've decided to enjoy this rare free time.

What will Asterike do today? Should we go out together?

"Ah, Hyun!"

They say even a tiger will come if you call it.

At that moment, he appeared and suddenly brought up a topic.

"Spell development program?"

"Yeah, yeah. What did you say? Was it accredited by some academic society? Anyway, I heard it's famous here. I'm going to go get it with Chelsea this afternoon, but if you have time, let's go together."

An explanation that sounded like nothing but a scam. Normally, I would have been suspicious, but this time, things were different. That was because I had an idea.

'It must be IS-TR.'

As is typical with mobile games, users are forced to grind. They go around the stages, collecting various materials and farming experience points.

Among them, there are places that are particularly efficient for farming. The IS-TR, which opens after clearing the Ishrad episode, is one of them.

'It's rare, even precious, in Polaris.'

It's a peaceful stage where neither monsters nor legions appear. It's a mock training under the name of 'Spell Development Program'. It's a concept of a bonus stage.

As the name suggests, it increases skill proficiency.

At first glance, this may seem unfair.

'Spells' and 'skills' are different concepts. Even incompetent agents have skills. For example, 'Raise morale to strengthen the next attack'.

However, since it is not a spell in the settings, it cannot participate in IS-TR. However, on the other hand, there is a training place for the incompetents. At that time, the ability users are restricted from joining the team.

It seems to be the game company's own concern for balance.

Needless to say, things are different in reality.

'To be honest, I don't have high expectations... ... .'

Of course, I don't deny the effectiveness itself. It's because it's a training that was designed with great care in the ivory tower. However, it's impossible to build up skill by going around and around like a game.

Well, I'm not saying I won't go.

"Okay. This will be fun."

I'm a little curious.

* * *

Ishrad has strict laws regarding spellcasters.

Those with the ability must report to the association and complete training. Those without a license who use spells without permission will be severely punished.

Of course, there are not only unreasonable points. Awakening is rather considered good luck. Each ability user's spell is classified into grades from 5th grade to special grade through several stages.

Naturally, those with outstanding abilities are treated well. They can use spells to develop the city, and they are also of great help in subduing the monsters that appear intermittently.

It goes without saying that it is excellent as research material.

Human experimentation on regular ability users is prohibited by law, but blood collection is allowed. In other words, from level 2 and above, you can live off of your blood for the rest of your life just by occasionally selling it.

The various programs related to grade evaluation and spells are hosted by the Ishrad National Ability Association. That is why there is a constant stream of visitors every day.

And today.

"What brings you here?"

"I think you made a reservation under the name Asterike."

"Asterique… Oh, there it is. First, could you please fill out the documents on this side? Before you enter the program, you will first undergo a grade evaluation…."

4-star, 5-star, and 6-star agents have crossed the threshold of the Association.

To destroy the stage.