Chapter 58
"Keke, I also wondered about that. So I did a little research."
"Research?"
"Yes. Well, I didn't find much information. Just something about them studying divine power?"
"A black mage researching divine power?"
It's a ridiculous situation.
It's like a scientist studying shamanistic beliefs.
The problem is, this scientist is a mad one.
"Yes, they are researching and experimenting on divine power, hearts, demons, and humans."
"Hmm... hearts..."
It's not a big deal. Divine power, demons, and humans.
These three are closely related.
Hearts are a bit unusual, but it wasn't a significant problem.
That would be the case under normal circumstances.
"But after putting the puzzle together, I have a hunch. Hus did a bigger job than he thought."
"Don't beat around the bush. What hunch?"
"What's the weakness of a demon?"
"Divine power."
"Does that work on humans?"
"No, it actually heals them. Wait, don't tell me...!"
Fear flickered in Caron's eyes.
His face showed disbelief.
But what he's thinking now is correct.
"Yes. What if... divine power doesn't work on a demon fused with a human?"
"That's the worst."
He nodded in agreement.
Demons are never weak, and those that have descended are even less so.
It's tough to fight them even with weapons surrounded by divine power, but what if divine power doesn't work?
Or worse, what if it heals them?
"It would be a descent into hell."
Just as Caron said.
The Galeta region suffers near-annihilation because of those Chimeras.
'A Chimera is immune to divine power.'
That's exactly the research and madness of the Creator of Madness.
"Keke, well, it's just a hypothesis for now. Surely such a thing won't happen?"
"Confirmed bias isn't good. If you want to live like a sewer rat, change that attitude immediately."
I'm not a sewer rat, but a baby rat.
-I didn't say that.
I wanted to send Caron away quickly.
'I'm reaching my limit.'
Continuing this conversation any longer might age my cute face drastically!?
...That's how difficult it is, to the point of such crazy talk.
'There's also the fact that I'm facing Caron unprepared...'
It's not good to prolong the conversation.
Conflicting information can lead to errors.
'Caron won't miss even the slightest error in information.'
Especially now that I've provided major information about the Creator of Madness and the Chimera.
Calculations about the changing future had to be made.
"Things will get busy. I'll pay you the artifacts as I acquire them."
"Keke, I look forward to it."
"If you remember anything else, contact me. There are cuckoos everywhere. This month's contact code is ‘scorched earth’. Remember it well."
Mixing the word 'scorched earth' in a conversation would alert nearby sewer rats to inform Caron.
And Caron would make contact.
‘Scorched earth, what's that. How do I mix that into a conversation?’
Keke, Miss Luna. Shall I scorch the earth for you?
-If I said that, it wouldn't be strange if my own body got scorched.
"Keke, what an attractive code."
"Impudent. Change that roundabout way of speaking. It's not a good habit."
"I'll try."
"Tsk."
With a click of his tongue, Caron disappeared out the window.
And this is the third floor.
I peered out the window, but there was no sign of Caron's hair or anything similar.
The [Hyper Sense] that had been ringing incessantly also quieted down.
It meant I was alone in the room.
"Phew... One problem solved."
I leaned against the wall and my body slid down.
From dealing with the principal to playing with Luna and the trade with Caron.
Ah, there were just too many things.
But I couldn't go to bed yet.
I had to organize the information, sort out the new things he learned, and delete the useless information.
Rustle-.
I pulled out a bundle of papers from the drawer.
A bundle of papers with various information about the game.
Ah, that reminds me.
'This must have been seen by Caron.'
Caron is a master of espionage.
He wouldn't have missed the opportunity while I was away.
He must have checked everything in my room one by one.
This is serious.
The information about the game has completely fallen into Caron's hands.
But.
"Keke, you've wasted your time on something useless."
There was no problem at all.
* * *
Rustle-.
Caron, having left Zero's room.
In his hand, he held a bundle of papers.
Different in material, but inscribed with the same characters as those in Zero's room.
'Copying is easy.'
He meticulously replicated the papers, cutting them to the exact size, the arrangement, and even the size of the letters and small dots.
All sorts of information about this world, characters, hidden pieces, and upcoming events written by Zero.
All of it now in Caron's possession.
But.
'What's this?'
Papers that could change the fate of the world.
But Caron couldn't read them.
Because all the information was written in Korean.
'It's too long and chaotic to be a letter meant for someone.'
It's ambiguous to consider it as a cipher for sharing information.
If it were, it should be shorter and more concise, and could have easily fit on a smaller piece of paper.
So, the conclusion is one.
'Has he encrypted the information he knows?'
The mysterious characters, round yet angular.
At a glance, they look like pictures, cute enough to feel so.
'...I don't understand any of it.'
Caron, who lived as an empire's rat and encountered various characters.
Even he had never seen such characters.
'Did he create these characters himself? Impressive.'
Pure admiration for Zero.
Not just for creating his own characters.
'He noticed my presence.'
If Caron wished, he could deceive even an 8-star knight.
Yet he was relaxed enough to show his back.
He must have a special way to detect stealth.
'Wait, then he knew about my presence back then too?'
The queen of the ant nest.
If he knew about his presence back then too.
'He deliberately showed me One Flash. To talk to me.'
He induced that situation to tie a knot with him and make a deal.
Throwing the bait of the Lester family so he would have to approach first.
Though it wasn't true, Caron couldn't help but be mistaken.
It's impossible for the puzzle pieces to fit together so perfectly otherwise.
"...Arrogant brat."
A slip of the tongue would have led to immediate death.
Yet he dared to do that.
'He must have been confident.'
Daring to engage in psychological warfare with himself, an empire's rat, and confident he would win.
Such an impudent brat.
But.
Smirk-.
"That arrogant kid. Next time, I'll teach him a lesson."
Contrary to his gruff words, Caron's lips were smiling.
To think at that age, he has such a mind.
It's not just about being smart.
It means his experience backs it up.
'He seems to have had a rough life.'
He wanted to take him, nurture him carefully, and give him various teachings before handing over the position of the next rat.
Isn't that just a fancy way of saying kidnapping, imprisonment, indoctrination?
...It's a misconception.
'If it weren't for Luna, I would have kidnapped... I mean, taken him right away.'
An enigmatic character, but at least he seems better than the others.
For the time being, it seemed fine to trust and leave matters to him.
'Well, that's not what's important right now.'
Caron's eyes changed.
A Chimera immune to divine power.
It's still a speculation, but it's a plausible one.
And finding information to support this speculation is exactly.
What he... no, 'we' do best.
Swoosh-.
Dozens of shadows cast behind Caron.
"Pass the message."
To the Galeta region.
"Deploy all sewer rats."
* * *
So, even if the same swordsmanship is used, the muscles developed differ according to the family's swordsmanship, hence the difference...
Yawn-.
During the morning class.
I yawned involuntarily.
It was because I had stayed up all night organizing information.
Revisiting the conversation I had with Caron was important, but more than that...
'I’ve done something that changes the future for the first time since entering this game.'
Aren't all the actions I've taken so far similar?
Not at all.
Welcoming Luna as a companion, restoring Luterus’s honor, receiving the award.
These were merely trivial matters.
'This game is vast.'
The world is not so frail as to be influenced by my actions so far.
But the information I provided to Caron yesterday is different.
'The future will change significantly.'
Knowing what will happen in this world.
That's my greatest strength and weapon.
Meaning, if I change the impending future, it’s like losing my advantage.
But.
'If I can weaken the enemy's power, it's not a bad deal.'
The destruction of the Galeta region.
The first reason the empire starts walking the path of ruin.
A strategic point where all the roads of the empire converge.
If Galeta had remained intact, half of the future events could have been prevented.
'Chimeras are also an annoying existence.'
Divine power inflicts at least double damage on 'evil' aligned enemies.
But the chimeras created by the Creator of Madness are not harmed by divine power.
They even recover from it.
'In the game, I had to carry a weapon without divine power.'
When attacking chimeras, use a regular weapon, and when facing others, use a weapon filled with divine power.
Switching weapons consumes a turn, which is a significant loss.
'But what if I prevent the creation of chimeras?'
I could gain an advantage in future battles.
'The Four Heavenly Kings and the Six Legion Commanders.'
Four black mages who, despite being human, spread disaster.
And the great demon who commands demons, the 6th-ranked Legion Commander.
The final mastermind of this game, and our enemy to defeat.
'I have to deal with as much as possible before reaching the final boss.'
But it's impossible for me, trapped in the Academy.
That's why I tipped off Caron.
There's a saying that goes like this, to kill barbarians you must control barbarians. (TL Note: This is a Chinese idiom)
Like using a killing machine to defeat a mad black mage.
'Keke, as expected of me.'
I'm not sure about Caron's strength, but I know he’s capable enough to confront the Four Heavenly Kings.
What if Caron dies in the process?
'That's not my problem.'
The brat who strangled my neck and made bad endings.
What do I care if he lives or dies?
'Well, in truth, it's unlikely they'll even meet.'
The Creator of Madness is very cautious by nature.
He'll send subordinates, not come out personally.
After all, Caron is tied to the Academy.
"Zero."
"..."
"Hey, I'm calling you."
Luna poked my ribs.
Ah, I was so focused I didn’t hear anyone calling me.
The one who called me was the teacher in charge of 'Basics of Swordsmanship' class, Lérang de Fleur.
"It seems my class was boring for you. I'll give you 1 demerit point."
"Teacher! A demerit point! That's too harsh for just dozing off for a moment..."
"Luna, do you also want to receive a demerit point?"
"Yes, give it to me. Not him."
--TL Notes--
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