No matter how open ended this game was, receiving a quest from a demon was impossible.
The journey towards being a 'hero'. That was the motto of this game. After all, the game's name was 'Hero of the Academy'.
So, if one's 'evil' alignment went above a certain level, someone would come and execute the player.
Becoming nourishment for someone dreaming of being a 'hero'. That was the ultimate fate of players who chose evil.
But that wasn't the issue right now.
In the game system, the only interactions possible with demons were contracts, possessions, and curses.
Receiving a quest was impossible. But...
'Is it true that you could receive a quest from a demon?'
If that were true, then the developer's statement about there being thousands of undiscovered hidden pieces made sense.
The limitless possibilities of the game were arbitrarily constrained by the players.'Of course, it might just be a special privilege for my character...'
What's important was that it was happening to me right now.
The new information that you could receive quests from demons.
I made sure to carefully piece that puzzle into my mind.
"Why do you ask? Ah, are you busy with a mission? If that's the case, it can't be helped..."
Mabelga noticeably pouted.
Well, since the genre had changed to a dating sim(?), I should act accordingly.
"Keke, how could that be. It's Mabelga's request. I must help even if it costs my life."
"Huh? There's no need to go that far..."
"No! Being able to help Mabelga is an infinite honor! If you try to take this chance away, I'll just die!"
"T-Then it can't be helped! I'll have to leave it to you. I wouldn't feel good if you died."
Tsundere!
Mabelga turned his head sharply, acting as if he had no choice.
Unlike Luna, who was a 'tsuntsun-tsundere', Mabelga was a classic 'tsundere' type, making him quite easy to deal with. (TL Note: A reminder that Tsundere basically means Hate(Tsun)/Love(Dere). It comes from the sentences Tsun tsun (ツンツン) which means “to turn away”, and dere dere (デレデレ) means to become “lovey dovey”. Why is there Japanese culture in a Korean novel? Because the author is a massive weeb)
[You have accepted Sub Quest#1, 'Find the Escaped Black Mages'.]
100exp, 10 gold, 1 Demon Contract.
Honestly, the rewards are pretty meager. But.
'I have a feeling.'
A feeling that this would open up a series of quests, 'Linked Quests'.
Linked Quests usually span at least three to a maximum of ten steps, with increasing rewards.
'I might get to hear a hidden story.'
For a veteran gamer like me, such rewards were invaluable.
It was also appealing that I could receive rewards without killing Mabelga.
Of course, helping a demon could get me killed by those dreaming of being heroes...
'Anyway, balancing between good and evil is crucial for my character. There's no reason to refuse this.'
Just as I was smiling with satisfaction.
I heard murmuring from behind.
"This conversation is getting long. It's suspicious."
"He's probably trying to lull him into a false sense of security. I believe in Zero."
"You never know. He might be planning to sell us out."
Hmm, I should start the fight soon.
The kids were starting to give me suspicious looks. Especially Victoria, who had the qualifications of an inquisitor.
"Mabelga, unfortunately, we must end our conversation here."
"Since it's a stealth mission, I suppose so. Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't die."
"Thank you for your consideration... I can't let this stand."
"Hmm?"
As I spoke with a slightly teary tone, Mabelga tilted his head.
Feigning emotion, I lightly bit my lip and spoke.
"I'll betray at the right moment."
"Betray? Can you do that?"
"I've been entrusted with command, so it's possible. I'm trusted greatly by the human side."
"But didn't you say you were on a mission from the corps commander? Wouldn't that make things difficult for you?"
"Keke, for Mabelga, I can abandon such a trivial mission."
"Zero...!"
"Mabelga!"
Mabelga's eyes became teary.
If no one had been watching, Mabelga would have hugged me tightly.
"So, what I mean is... I need you to allow my attack. After making those cunning humans lower their guard, we can take them out in one fell swoop."
"That's easy. Keke, I'm already looking forward to the panicked expressions of those humans."
"Then please, give a convincing performance."
"Acting is my specialty. Don't worry."
Mabelga turned his body with a grin. As if he had noticed the kids approaching.
Naturally, Mabelga's back was now positioned in front of me.
Currently, it's turn 25.
Mabelga has a counter skill [Water Dragon Bullet] that activates once per turn, but it won't activate this turn.
That's because it's the turn where Yuridia's event scene, where she drops the [Ragnarok Blade], is triggered.
In other words, Mabelga has no means of defense right now.
Stomping the ground hard, I cast the skill.
First secret technique of the Vyuern family.
Explosive Force.
Bang!
"Kuaaaah!!"
Mabelga's body, which was about to be propelled forward by inertia, struggled to stay in place.
At the same time, he desperately tried to suppress a groan, covering his mouth with his hand.
For obvious reasons, because of me.
"D-Damn! I hit too hard. Are you alright?"
"C-Cough! Of course, I'm fine. It was just... acting. Acting is essential for a successful operation."
"That's right. Mabelga wouldn't be hurt by such a low-level attack. Right?"
"O-Of course. Hit me as much as you want."
It would be just as bad not to comply with such a request.
"The demon seems immobilized! Everyone, attack!"
The kids started to come out one by one and attacked Mabelga.
Helping a demon, indeed. I am kind, aren't I?
"K-Kuaaah! You damned humans! Come at me one by one!"
Mabelga's groan was filled with pain, unlike the previous turn.
Naturally. Currently, Mabelga's defense was reduced due to my [Explosive Force].
Since [Divine Imitation] grants an A-rank evaluation, [Explosive Force] must have reduced his defense by at least 25%.
'So far, twice.'
In fact, the defense reduction effect of [Explosive Force] does not stack. The effect of [Explosive Force] lasts for 3 turns, so the [Explosive Force] I used in the previous turn is sufficient.
The reason I used [Explosive Force] instead of more powerful attacks like [Sky Splitter] or [One Flash].
It was to apply the 'Destruction' effect.
'Destruction' is a status ailment that reduces defense to 0, and [Explosive Force] has a special option that activates 'Destruction' status if hit three times.
'The Destruction status lasts for 3 turns.'
That's right. After applying the destruction effect with [Explosive Force], we pour all our attacks on Mabelga to break his shield.
That was the final plan for this battle.
[‘Explosive Force’ has blocked the flow of mana.]
[Mabelga’s skill, ‘Water Breathing,’ is sealed for 3 turns.]
Being able to seal skills was a bonus.
But I couldn't be sure of success.
This was the first time I attempted such a play, having acquired [Divine Imitation] in chapter 1 instead of the usual chapter 3.
"Die!"
As everyone completed their actions, Mabelga's turn began.
He swung his fist powerfully, but luck was not on his side.
"Eeek!"
"You little...!"
Because his target was Raymon, the dodge genius. So we managed to pass the turn without much damage.
[Turn 26]
"Kuuuuh! I didn't expect to have to use this power!"
Mabelga's second gimmick began. It meant his HP had fallen below 50%.
Scree-!
Kyaaa-!
Water bugs appeared everywhere, and the water level rose rapidly.
It reached up to my thighs, with my height being around 180cm.
"Argh! Save me!"
"Hey! Get off! Die! Just drown!"
Maybe because he was short, Raymon clung tightly to Luna, and Luna, in turn, kept dunking Raymon's head into the water.
Kids playing in the water, happy as can be. Let's let them play for now.
'The number of water bugs doesn't matter.'
We were already all close to Mabelga.
Some might get blocked by the water bugs, but not all of us.
"Zero! The water level is rising! What will you do? Retreating is also an option!"
No, retreating is not an option. Only turns 26, 27, and 28 are left.
More importantly, our movement range has drastically reduced.
If we could move 10 squares normally, now we could only move about 5.
And the higher the water level, the less we could move.
'One turn, one attack is crucial. I guess... there's no other choice.'
No one had ever tried it, but according to my calculations, it was worth a shot.
I charged at Mabelga through the water.
Mabelga saw me but deliberately turned his back.
He still believed I was on his side and thought [Water Dragon Bullet] would block my attack.
He had no idea that complacency would lead to a devastating blow.
As I cast the skill, my foot stomped deep into the watery ground.
First secret technique of the Vyuern family.
Explosive Force.
Splash!
Immediately, [Water Dragon Bullet] shot toward me. Simultaneously.
Splash!
From my body, another [Water Dragon Bullet] fired. A larger and thicker water stream than Mabelga's.
"What is this...!"
My [Water Dragon Bullet] pierced through Mabelga's and hit his body.
Mabelga's body froze due to the counter judgment. And then.
Boom!
My fist pierced through Mabelga's back.
Literally pierced. Because the 'Destruction' effect from hitting [Explosive Force] three times had activated.
"K-Kuaaaah!"
Mabelga's back bent like a bow and then collapsed.
'Counter to a counter.'
I had mimicked [Water Dragon Bullet] using [Divine Imitation], countering his counter skill with another counter.
It was my first time trying it with [Water Dragon Bullet], but it worked as expected.
"Zero... why you!"
Mabelga looked at me with disbelief.
Finally, he realized I wasn't on his side.
My hand felt hot. My fist was covered in black blood.
Well, in scenes like this, licking the blood off would usually have a greater impact, but...
Being someone who values hygiene, that's impossible.
So instead, I lifted my bloodied fist and used the [Eye Opening] skill.
"Keke, turning your back on me. Should I call this bravery or foolishness?"
"You bastard! Betraying me?"
"Betrayal? That's unfair. I was on this side from the beginning."
"T-That can't be! What about the love we've shared!"
Hey, Mabelga. Sorry, but the dating sim ended earlier.
Now it's time for a cruel fantasy with no dreams or hopes.
"Keke, a demon crying about being deceived. How pathetic."
"T-This... I was fooled..."
Mabelga hung his head, like someone betrayed by a lover.
Then I heard murmurs from behind the kids.
"Hmm, were they talking about that earlier?"
"Haha! He literally cheated the demon."
"Even for Zero, that's a bit..."
"Whispering sweet nothings even to a demon... Is love that easy for Zero?"
"Well, as expected of my subordinate. A bit ruthless, though..."
"Promising betrayal verbally and then betraying again... This needs to be reported to the Holy Kingdom."
The words varied, but the opinion was the same.
- Boo! Trash!
...Guys, I'm on your side.
Another misunderstanding piled up.
--TL Notes--
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