Chapter 76: Villain No, you shouldn't be the one there.
You're a heroine. On top of that, you're Akito's childhood friend, which means your stats are supposed to be top-tier.
If it were Emma, whose stats are abysmal, I'd understand. But you, Chika? You're the representative power-type character. Even if your utility is low, you shouldn't be getting caught by something like tentacles.
And yet, here was Chika, whimpering as she was bound by tentacles.
Normally, she should have been able to tear through them with raw strength alone, but she was either unlucky or caught in such an awkward position that she couldn't exert any force.
Her hands were tied behind her back, and her legs were pulled up from a kneeling position so that her thighs and calves were pressed tight against each other, preventing her from getting any leverage.
At least she's keeping her legs closed.
The tentacles, seemingly able to exert full force regardless of the posture, trembled as they tried to pull them apart, but she didn't budge an inch.
"Stop staring and help me!"
"Oh? Aren't you on the White team, Chika?"
"…Then just kill me…"
Whether she found it humiliating to be seen by me in such a state, Chika bit her lip hard.
There's something incredibly sexy about a strong-willed character making a face of pure humiliation.
"Ugh, just kill me." Seeing her throw out lines like that, she definitely would have been a female knight if this were a medieval fantasy setting.
"Hey now~ you shouldn't talk about dying so recklessly."
"Stop being annoying and either kill me or save me! Just do something!"
"Anything?"
"Not that kind of 'anything'! Don't you dare imagine something weird."
As if reading my perverted thoughts, Chika frowned and thrashed her body around.
Hey, if you shake like that while tied up, your defenseless chest bounces all over the place. I appreciate the view, but still.
Was Chika's chest always that big?
Because the tentacles were squeezing her tight, her breasts were pushed forward, looking incredibly tempting.
Get a grip! The teachers are all watching this!
The moment I give in to my desires and touch Chika, my reputation will hit rock bottom. And later, Chika would probably beat the living daylights out of me.
It was sorrowful to be surrounded by sexy women caught in ero-traps and only be allowed to look.
It's a shame, but I have to restrain myself until I get my license.
"I have a condition before I let you go."
"…What is it?"
"I'm the one who made this trap."
"…I knew it was you. You want me to promise not to kill you once I'm out?"
If you glare at me with that much bloodlust while gritting your teeth, it makes me want to leave you there out of fear.
"I'm going to let you go, so don't hit me. Anyway, the condition is that you have to exit the dungeon immediately once you're free."
"Exit?"
"Yeah. The goal isn't far from here."
"Why haven't you gone in yet?"
"I stayed behind to mess with the other teams."
Chika stared at me blankly, looking utterly appalled, before shaking her head.
"You haven't changed a bit. Are the rumors true?"
"What rumors?"
"That everyone except Blue Lagoon is your enemy—including your own Red team. There's even a rumor that Willas… that Senior Willas made a backroom deal with you, though he doesn't seem like the type."
That's already a rumor? And what's this about a backroom deal?
Well, considering what I've done so far, I guess it makes sense.
Still, I haven't really done anything to the White team yet, so I wondered how Chika knew.
"Shall we talk while we walk? Or are you not embarrassed by your current state?"
Only then did Chika realize her situation again and began to squirm.
I sliced through the tentacles to free her. After staring at the severed pieces on the ground for a moment, Chika turned her gaze toward me.
Don't attack me.
I was nervously watching her, intimidated by the lingering anger in her eyes, when Chika let out a long sigh.
"Where do I go?"
"You're not going to hit me?"
"I promised. I keep my word."
That's right. Our Chika might be a mad dog, but she's reliable like that.
As I led her toward the door, Chika's eyes widened.
Countless people, both men and women, were bound by tentacles.
While they weren't naked, the erotic poses they were forced into were both suggestive and vulgar.
"What is that?"
"People like you?"
When I informed her that she would have been displayed right alongside them if I hadn't released her, Chika stared blankly at her fellow Whiterim teammates.
Because of the barrier, no sound could be heard, but it was clear they were all screaming with their mouths wide open.
Were they asking for help? Or telling her to beat me to death?
I couldn't read lips, so I didn't know for sure, but Chika watched their mouths for a long time before turning back to me.
"We had a promise."
"I know. But are you just going to leave them like that?"
"No, I'm leaving with you now."
Understanding my implication, Chika gave up on them and stepped toward the door.
The ero-trap was great and all, but I couldn't do much with the teachers watching.
Next time, I should come up with an idea that allows for more freedom. Like a way to block the teachers' view.
In the game, there was a demon who forcibly invaded or interfered with the Illusion Space.
Vowing to do better next time, I deactivated the sound-blocking barrier. Immediately, a torrent of curses and insults poured out.
"Untie this right now!"
"Everyone is watching…!"
"I'm seriously going to kill you!"
"Just you wait! I'll definitely get my revenge!"
I thought I heard some excited moans mixed in there, but whatever.
Ignoring the shouting, I opened the door and stood beside the waiting Chika.
"Well, everyone. I'll be going now."
As I spoke with a smile before leaving, another chorus of curses and insults erupted.
Even Chika, who isn't exactly the brightest, understood me immediately. Was it because they were too agitated? They didn't seem to get it.
"I don't think you understand. Me exiting means my magic will disappear as well."
"… …"
The people who had been shouting in a frenzy fell silent instantly.
There were about twenty people captured here. And right in front of them was the wide-open door.
the moment I vanished, the tentacles would disappear, and a death race would begin among the newly freed students.
"Well then, I look forward to seeing who takes 11th place. Good luck."
Leaving behind the people whose eyes had suddenly changed, I exited with Chika.
With the slight dizziness that always comes when leaving the Illusion Space, I opened my eyes and stepped out of the capsule. Sara greeted me with a complicated expression.
"You're back?"
Why the face? I just handed us first place.
Ah.
Of course. "Not watching," my ass.
A large monitor on the wall was showing the absolute chaos unfolding in front of the door.
"Haha, it's a mess."
"You really have a nasty personality."
"Why? It's not like I told them to fight."
"You created the situation for it."
Chika, who had also emerged from her capsule, spoke with an expression not much different from Sara's.
Hey, if I hadn't helped you, you would've been part of that mess too. Isn't that a bit much?
It seemed everyone who had finished early was waiting here, as we weren't allowed to leave until the match was officially over.
Um…
Am I screwed?
The people currently fighting over the door are going to come out one by one, and I have to wait here?
You guys are on my side, right?
I looked at them expectantly, but Chika and Sara remained expressionless.
"You brought this on yourself."
"It's karma."
Ungrateful brats.
Looking at the expressions of the others I had sent out early, it seemed they felt the same way.
While I was grumbling to myself, the door opened and the "True Mentor," August, walked in.
"Chika Fraser."
"Yes."
"You have a match scheduled, don't you? You may leave first. You'll need time to prepare."
Why is only Chika allowed to leave early?
After Chika left, August looked at me.
"Seo Yeon-woo."
"Yes. Can I go too?"
"You are going, but you're coming with me. I have items to distribute to the teams. I need your help."
"I'll go too."
"No. I only need Seo Yeon-woo."
When Sara offered to come along, August flatly refused.
Was the "items" thing just an excuse? Did he have something to say to me?
Given what I had just done, it sounded ominous.
Which is worse: getting scolded by August, or getting cursed out by the people who were just caught in the tentacles?
Which one would be better…?
After a moment of deliberation, I scurried after August.
As we walked down the hallway, he spoke calmly.
"You went quite wild again this time."
"Ahaha… well, it was a strategy…"
"I'm not trying to scold you. The intent of the exam and your intentions overlapped, so it actually worked out well."
Even as I looked at him, August didn't meet my eyes. He continued walking forward as he spoke.
"Lately, both monsters and demons have been quiet, so peace has been lasting for a while."
I knew that well. It was a classic trope of these kinds of stories.
The longer the peace, the more incidents would suddenly explode all at once for the protagonist to solve.
It had been peaceful for several years, but by the time Akito reached his second year, chaos would break out everywhere.
"Peace is valuable beyond comparison. However, everything has its drawbacks. What do you think is the drawback of peace?"
"…Complacency?"
"Yes, complacency is one. And what else?"
"Uh… people acting like entitled shits?"
"Your phrasing is poor, but that is the correct answer. Yes, people like us. Because it is peaceful, because they think there are no enemies, the number of trash who try to satisfy their own greed increases. Ah, I misspoke. Trash doesn't increase; it's always there. The proportion of active trash increases."
Hey, your phrasing isn't exactly great either, you know?
Since August was usually calm and emotionless, the hatred he showed when describing "trash" was palpable.
But from the perspective of a mage on the front lines, it was bound to be irritating.
They risk their lives fighting monsters and demons to protect humanity, and just when things get a bit more comfortable and safe, the very humans they protected start causing trouble.
"In the future, the enemies mages face on the front lines will increasingly be humans. And we cannot stop preparing for monsters and demons just because things are quiet."
"That's a good trend."
"Yes. So, unfortunately, Yggdrasil must teach how to be wary of people and how to respond to malice. Right now, everyone is… untainted, so they lack caution."
Whether he found it sad to teach students such things, August's expressionless face looked stiff.
Or maybe not? I think he always looked like that.
"I find myself venting only in front of you. Thank you for gifting the students a box full of tentacles. The proposal to place traps in item boxes was rejected by many, but it was finally implemented because of you."
Since August was likely on the side that supported it, I guess he was praising me?
"I just acted on my own whims."
"Yes, and since your actions are having a significant impact, I am simply praising you. Please continue to do as you please."
I was learning about the teachers' struggles that weren't shown in the game.
It was cool to see them anticipating future situations and constantly worrying about educational goals.
The teachers were always sidelined to make Akito look good, but Yggdrasil wasn't a total dumpster fire of a school after all.
Arriving at the warehouse, August picked up a box from the corner and handed it to me.
So they actually use this place.
In the game, since no one was ever here, Akito would bring heroines here to have sex.
"Distribute four to each team. You know where the team bases are, right?"
"Yes, I've visited them often."
Usually to mock them, though.
August told me he was counting on me and left first.
Was that really all he wanted to say?
I appreciated the praise, but there didn't seem to be a specific purpose. August wasn't the type to make up an excuse just to give a compliment.
I watched August's back as he walked away, but since thinking about it wouldn't give me an answer, I turned around to finish the task.
First, Black Dragon.
Thud—
"Aigo, did you enjoy the match? You should've given your team some advice about being careful with treasure chests~ What was the great Senior Clyde doing, failing to prepare for something like that? You know the Team Leader position isn't just for looking cool, right? Don't blame your teammates too much when they get back. It's the leader's fault for not preparing, not the members'."
"Get this brat out of here."
"Uh-oh? Teacher August told me to hand these out. You want me to just leave?"
Using August as an excuse, I pulled the items out one by one as slowly as possible while continuing to roast Clyde.
Yukina, Jessica, and Mary were also on the Black team.
It was cute how Yukina gave me a small smile when our eyes met.
After dawdling as much as possible to humiliate Clyde, I headed to Blue Lagoon.
Creeeeeak—
"What? Why are you sneaking in like a thief?"
"Whoa, you startled me!"
"Oh! Yeon-woo! I saw your performance! It was incredible!"
I had planned to just leave the items and run, but the sharp-eyed Park Yu-jeong clung to me, and I was caught by Willas.
Akito also approached happily, and I was surrounded by the three people I wanted to avoid most, forced to listen to them talk for a long time.
Blue Lagoon had too many Akito followers like Shiori, Samurai, and Emma, which made me hate coming here even more.
While I was heading to Whiterim, the rankings for the match I participated in were finalized.
Red was 1st, Blue Lagoon was 2nd, and perfectly timed, Whiterim was in last place.
Thud—
"Aigo~ Just like their invisible Team Leader, their rank is invisible too~"
"Kill him."
Mer welcomed me even more "warmly" than Clyde had.
Just as I did with the Black team, I used August as a shield to drag out the time and mock them relentlessly before returning to the Red base.
When I opened the door and walked in, the Red team fell silent at the sight of my face.
Under the quiet gazes of the people who had been noisy just a moment ago, I tossed the box down and smirked.
"I told you I'd win, didn't I?"
"Y-Y-Yeon-woo… y-y-you did well… but… that was too much…"
Scarlet was the only one who praised me.
Even though she said it while hiding behind her spokesperson, Miyuki, unable to even meet my eyes.
I don't know why she's acting like that, but it's cute to see the usually dignified and confident Scarlet being so flustered.
Anyway, I've shown you the results, so now it's your turn to show me yours, right?
You'd better not lose. If you do, I'll mock you for a whole week.
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