“Lady Joo-yeon! It’s an emergency!”
Despite having radios, the knights flew all the way to the transport ship.
Joo-yeon calmed the flustered knights and received their report with composure.
“A large number of sea monsters are crawling onto land…!”
“So that’s what I’ve been sensing since earlier. What’s the level of the monsters?”
Joo-yeon wasn’t surprised by the report from the Paradise Knights.
She had already observed abnormal phenomena.
Rather than shock, it felt more like confirmation of an ominous feeling that had been lingering all along. So she remained calm.
“Most of them are beyond the students’ capabilities. They’re not even species that normally inhabit the area around this deserted island.”
“Any other unusual traits?”
“…The monsters are in an abnormal state.”
“If you’ve observed anything specific, report it all.”
The members of the Paradise Knights were handpicked elites.
They understood that time was a resource that could not be replaced.
So they condensed the information and began a concise explanation for Joo-yeon.
“First, all the monsters’ eyes are red without exception.”
Perhaps as a result of that, they’re exhibiting abnormal aggression that ignores pain.
Even when their weak points are struck or they’re dealt heavy blows, they don’t react.
They charge in recklessly until death, making it far more difficult to subdue them than usual.
“And all electronic devices are completely unresponsive.”
Joo-yeon immediately picked up two radios.
One was used to communicate with the academy instructors. The other included contact with the Paradise Knights.
“This is Transport Ship 1, Joo-yeon. All personnel who can hear me, respond.”
There was no answer. Even switching to the emergency channel didn’t bring any voices through.
The radio between transport ships hanging beside her was also dead.
A signal jammer? Judging by the range of neutralization, could it be a skill of that type?
Either way, there was no need to panic.
There was nothing to do but remain calm and act accordingly.
So subtle and thorough…
The way all devices were rendered useless without anyone noticing was suspicious.
If the abnormal state of the monsters was also due to someone’s skill, then there had to be a clear reason why it had gone undetected, even though the deserted island had been under surveillance.
Whoever made a move, knowing that academy instructors and the Paradise Knights were present, must have made thorough preparations.
“I can feel a clear sense of malice.”
At her words, the knights steeled themselves.
Even if they weren’t on par with the commander standing before them, they had still joined the Paradise Knights and fought through countless battlefields.
With that experience, their instincts had sharpened.
“Lady Joo-yeon. If you have a course of action in mind, please let us know. We’ll fly out ourselves to spread the word.”
“Thank you. For the students’ safety, we’ll end the practical exam here.”
“Understood!”
They could easily score the students based on everything that had happened so far.
If necessary, they could convert the scores to reflect an in-academy test and combine them.
Even if complaints arose, there was no helping it.
From the academy’s perspective, the students’ safety took absolute priority.
“First, I’d like the Paradise Knights to inform the instructors of the situation and gather the students in a safe location.”
“Yes!”
“And I’d like one of you to leave the island and measure the range of device neutralization. If you reach an area where the radio starts working, connect to the emergency channel and report the situation to the academy.”
“I’ll do it!”
A female squad member, who seemed confident in her speed, spoke up.
“I’ll go around the transport ship and ask them to lower it to the lowest altitude possible. After that, I will immediately—.”
Joo-yeon quickly began assigning tasks.
The commander of the Paradise Knights Lancelot was absent. There was no help to be had from him.
It wasn’t the time to feel regret. Surely the enemy had anticipated that very gap.
Who are they targeting? It’s hard to pinpoint the objective.
There were plenty of potential targets on this deserted island, people worth risking everything for, even if it meant death.
Even among the students, many were children of famous figures, and as for the Paradise Knights, they were a renowned combat unit of the Sepia Archipelago with a long history of punishing countless villains.
The academy instructors too were all highly capable individuals with impressive records.
Or maybe…
More than any of the above, it could be that the true target was none other than Joo-yeon herself who was having this very thought.
She was aware of that possibility.
“…….”
Flames burned fiercely in Joo-yeon’s eyes.
***
Sling!
Rohan drew his sword and, with detached focus, sliced two Honbirds clean in half.
– Kiiipyaa!
– Kreeee!
Heavy chunks of meat thudded to the dirt floor.
With their lifelines severed, their bloodshot eyes slowly lost their light.
“Tch.”
His thoughts grew heavier.
I thought for sure they’d come on the final day…
Now that he thought about it, there hadn’t been any mention of a date even in Abyss City.
Rohan lifted his head and looked up at the transport ship stationed in the sky.
The instructor must have realized the situation by now.
Even if she had only just assessed the situation, it wasn’t too late.
It was simply the expected outcome.
Hex’s factors repeatedly underwent manufacturing in the form of skills through magical power.
But once the magical power was released and poured out, they were nothing more than mere drugs easily swayed by even weak magical power.
Hex’s skills, techniques, and artifacts.
The harmony of these three, which were worthy of being called divine relics, was so subtle that even someone with a wide range of perception like Joo-yeon couldn’t easily detect it.
That was especially true now, as her attention was focused on the students of the deserted island.
In addition, Hex had mixed in a tactic of releasing some of his weakest monsters, ones that were barely at the Gero Eye level, onto the island and into the sea.
There were even reports that he had spread pheromones which induced the status ailment known as “frenzy” and lured sea monsters onto land.
Annoying bastards.
Rohan kicked a torn-up Honbird, sending it flying somewhere into the underbrush.
Drugs created through Hex’s skills would disintegrate once their lifeline was cut.
Thanks to this method of destroying evidence, eating these Hornbirds wouldn’t be harmful. But it still felt too unpleasant to try.
“….…”
Rohan sheathed his longsword and closed his eyes.
He searched. He pondered. He considered every possible measure.
The head of the Reversed Reverence Society is coming.
A force of overwhelming evil. Something he couldn’t handle in his current state was approaching.
Unless it was Joo-yeon, there was no one else on this deserted island who could stand against him.
In that case, I’ll need to get ready.
Rohan immediately opened the shop.
Everything was for the sake of the “what ifs”. He hated the idea of regretting not having acted.
Let’s discard any complacent thoughts.
Since he remembered the text stating that the monsters had become fiercer and more frenzied,
There were many unstable factors of concern besides Omega. He couldn’t afford to sit back and do nothing for the sake of safety.
[You have bought a large amount of battle rations.]
[You have bought a water bottle.]
He bought four of each.
Thanks to that, his arms were now full of supplies.
Feels like I’ve really become a dad.
Since he had prepared in bulk, if he gave a good portion to Noah, the glutton, she would regain her strength properly.
Ichinose and Corin would also be able to eat just enough to feel full without slowing down.
··
··
When Rohan returned to their shelter, he calmly laid out the battle rations and water bottles without so much as a change in his expression.
The girls, who had been struggling with the campfire, widened their eyes.
“Rohan. What on earth did you bring back…?”
“Battle rations mean food, right? And there’s even water!”
Noah’s tail buzzed like a propeller.
A strong gust of wind blew from her tail, making the campfire flicker and dance.
“These must be supplies hidden somewhere on the island. I just got lucky. Let’s all eat together.”
“S-Still, is it really okay…?”
Corin glanced around. She felt visibly guilty.
Thinking it was the perfect moment to explain, Rohan sat down and began preparing the self-heating battle rations.
“We need to eat. I saw something strange earlier.”
“Something strange?”
The monsters were acting abnormally. Their aggression was excessive.
After exaggerating the explanation that not only the Honbird but other monsters had also started acting strangely,
Rohan told Corin to eat comfortably, saying they needed to maintain their condition just in case.
Once the light persuasion ended,
Ichinose was the first to show confusion.
“It’s definitely strange. I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”
“Werewolves become ferocious under a full moon, right? Could it be something like that?”
At Corin’s suggestion, Ichinose tilted her head in doubt.
Noah, meanwhile, paid no attention to their serious conversation and instead stared at the battle rations Rohan was preparing, as if she were about to bore a hole through them.
“Those cases only apply to specific monsters. I’ve never heard of anything like that happening with a Honbird or an Iron Turtle.”
“What about the possibility that the Academy did something for the sake of the exam?”
“Hmm… If it were related to safety, there would have been a prior explanation…”
As long as Rohan kept his mouth shut,
Even with the students putting their heads together, no clear answer was going to come out.
“For now, let’s eat.”
Rohan finished preparing the curry and mapo tofu and took them out.
The girls couldn’t help but swallow their drool.
Even Ichinose, who had shared a single pack of ramen with Corin, was no exception.
··
··
After finishing a satisfying meal,
Rohan asked the girls to tend the fire, then gathered firewood while surveying the area around the shelter.
Of course, the worry didn’t stop.
Omega intruded using Hex’s ability. That place happened to be empty, so he released his mana to lure the instructor out.
Back in Abyss City, a grand and intense battle had broken out the moment they arrived.
But what mattered now was how things were different.
What on earth was that method of intrusion, and where exactly was the location?
The chances were high that the entrance and exit points were in different places.
Whatever the case, that location had to be avoided.
If there were any students at the site where Omega was expected to appear, they had to be driven away.
Considering his cruel nature, the best scenario would be for him to arrive and come face to face with Joo-yeon in an empty area. Just like in the original story.
“Hmmm…”
Rohan gathered the firewood one by one in his arms.
He looked back, wondering if he had overlooked something trivial.
Just as he had finished collecting the firewood to his satisfaction and was about to return—
The ground began to shake, as if an earthquake had struck.
“!!!”
—Rumbbblee!!
The tremors grew louder and stronger.
Something was approaching from that direction. The shaking was so intense, it was hard to stay balanced.
Whooosh!!!
A worm burst out of the damp earth.
Its body was a mix of purple and pink and it measured roughly three meters just in the visible portion.
It was no small creature.
What the hell!
Of course, a deserted island wasn’t supposed to be a worm’s natural habitat.
But still, it had appeared right in front of him. What else could he do but respond?
Click!
Rohan immediately dropped the firewood and drew his longsword.
“Hoooo…”
Rohan exhaled slowly and took his stance.
But the worm didn’t show any signs of attacking. It just stood there, motionless.
Is it safe to move?
There was no sense of relief. Only unease.
All he could think about was getting away from this place and escaping to his companions at the shelter.
– Guluk!
The worm’s thick body began to squirm and writhe.
– Guweeeeegh!
The huge worm vomited out a human.
A huge man landed on the ground with a heavy thud!
A face marred by burn scars. A jaw covered entirely in pitch-black machinery.
The moment Rohan locked eyes with him, his body froze.
“An academy student, huh? Kuhahaha!!! Looks like I came to the right place.”
Out of all the possibilities he could have imagined, this was the worst-case scenario.
The only thing that came to Rohan’s mind was the thought: “I’m screwed.”
[You have encountered Omega, the traitor of humanity. Achievement unlocked.]
[You have received 40P as an achievement reward.]
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