NOVEL NEXT chapter 41
41. time bomb
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“…Are you serious?”
Elnor asked a question in a puzzled voice, but the person who made her respond like that just nodded casually.
“sure. This is what has already been agreed between Seonghwangguk and Elfante.”
Elnor looked through the contents of the document handed to him with a look of bewilderment.
Apparently, what is written at the end is Atalanta’s signature.
‘The president isn’t the kind of person who would agree to such a crazy thing.’
As she was thinking about that, a voice came back from the other side.
“Are there any problems?”
Cline Garrison. The combat priest of the Seonghwangguk wearing such a nameplate smiled and said so.
The combat priest wearing purple epaulettes is a human with power and power comparable to that of a platoon leader among regular knights of the Empire.
It’s embarrassingly high-quality manpower to be dispatched as a mere representative of a delegation.
So, it would be natural that the topic that such a person brought up would be more embarrassing.
“Are you saying that the saintess would do such a thing? This is too-”
Inhumane.
It is hard to believe that it was first proposed by a religious group.
“Student president.”
Obviously, the tone was polite.
What lies at the base of it is an insidious aura that feels poisonous.
“This is a ‘volunteer’ work by the Holy Lady herself. Isn’t it?”
“…”
Where in the world is there anyone who would volunteer for something like this?
Rather than that, it would be much more persuasive to say ‘I made them volunteer’.
Suddenly, what Daud had said earlier flashed through her mind.
‘The Seonghwangguk will probably make ridiculous demands. I don’t know the specifics, but it’s a place full of crazy people, starting with the emperor?’
When I first heard it, I wondered what kind of disrespect this was.
Doesn’t it feel like the continent’s largest religious group is being treated as a complete villain?
However, I wonder if it’s really like that when I actually put it in front of my eyes.
This is something that only crazy people can’t possibly ask for.
“…”
“Student president? This is a matter that has already been decided, so hurry up-”
“Yes.”
Elnor, who had closed his eyes and recalled Dawood’s words, slammed his stamp and returned the documents when the other person urged him to say something.
Rather, it was to the point where the other person who was preparing to threaten something was embarrassed if he did not listen.
“What are you doing? I have handled it as you wished.”
“…thank you.”
The combat priest, who looked this way up and down once with a suspicious look, soon left the student council office with a tilt of his head.
Even though it was the people who made the request, ‘Can this pass this easily?’ In the same way, Elnor smiled and got up from his seat.
Testing is coming soon. As the student council president, she also serves as the moderator, so she should go to the test center as soon as possible.
“…”
Things were just floating around in my head.
Of course, it’s an odd proposition. If it were me, I would never have accepted it.
maybe.
‘Let it pass. Whatever you ask for.’
It would have been if no one had said so.
‘So I can have an accident without feeling guilty?’
Recalling that point, Elnor laughed again and picked up the sword.
The man is clearly up to something else.
In a state where he had already seen through the fact that the Seonghwangguk would do something in Elfante.
then.
what she will do
-Because I have a relationship with you. It’s family.
“…”
Suddenly, when she remembered those words, she stopped moving.
“…If you hear those words, you can’t help but follow them.”
Anyway, he’s a mean man.
family, family
that, too.
That must be it.
Hmm.
I’m not sure, but that’s all that comes to mind.
‘…This side might have to make their own preparations.’
While she thought of that, her eyes met Beatrix’s as she entered the office.
“What, are you going to prepare for the test supervisor?”
“right.”
The moment they said that and were about to pass each other, Elnor looked back at Beatrix as if he had suddenly remembered something.
“Oh. Beatrix.”
“uh? What?”
“To match the ring, where should I go?”
“ring? what ring?”
“…The things that a man and a woman leave behind as a token of their promise.”
Beatrix, who was carrying the papers, collapsed as it were.
●
Yuria Greyhounder’s yesterday was literally hell itself.
‘Why didn’t you come today?’
It was the first thing I thought of when I woke up in the morning and there was no one beside me.
weird. Apparently, he was the one who came every morning and went sword-to-sword.
‘…He must have been busy.’
If it was a reasonable option, it would be that way no matter what anyone says. He wouldn’t be a person who lives in isolation somewhere like himself, wouldn’t he have a life of his own?
It would be even more so if the president of Atalanta is talented enough to care and manage it himself.
“…”
That it was reasonable to think that way, she herself knew better than anyone else.
However, if the human mind were so easily controlled, no one in the world would live without worry.
‘…if it wasn’t busy?’
An ominous thought comes so suddenly, it firmly takes root in the mind and takes its place.
‘What if he’s just tired of me?’
The hand that was washing clothes in the nearby stream stopped abruptly.
Even in summer, her face was reflected through the cold water of the valley.
A scruffy woman was there.
A shabby person who was far removed from the glamorous and sparkling students of the academy who could sometimes be seen outside the window.
“…”
The corners of her eyes drooped. A sullen expression spread across his face.
The negative circuit, once started running, had no intention of stopping.
‘…I’m sure he’s fed up.’
What is the reason to stay close to someone who, when approached, cuts them down without question and answer, and who lives a life like a savage every day without being able to speak properly?
okay. Obviously it is.
“…”
However, even right before falling asleep, she couldn’t completely let go of the anticipation that she might not know.
anyhow, anyhow
Maybe you’ll come tomorrow morning.
“…”
However.
The next day the man was nowhere to be seen.
‘…Look at that.’
It’s true that you’re tired
It meant that there was nothing more to see for the insignificant human named Yuria Greyhounder.
“…”
Even though I never expected that we would become friends from the beginning.
It was supposed to be like this from the beginning. Like an idiot, I was excited about something until now.
He will be alone until he dies.
And as soon as you realize that.
“…right.”
Beads of tears flowed down her eyes.
“Ooh, ooh, ooh…”
Due to the curse of severance, proper sentences cannot be formed.
However, an uncontrollable sob escaped her clenched mouth.
hurt.
Strangely enough, it hurt.
I wanted to share even a nonsensical conversation with someone. It’s because I’ve been isolated for so long.
If it hurts like this, I’d rather not come to you.
What is the point of giving and then taking away from the world?
I don’t know if I didn’t even know that feeling from the beginning.
so suddenly.
If you come suddenly, if you suddenly take a place in her heart, if you suddenly disappear like this.
‘…I’ll do better.’
Such oaths that she didn’t even know who they were uttering to were muttered from her.
‘I won’t bother you. I’ll do anything you ask.’
She didn’t even know what the hell was going on.
However, even in the midst of sobbing endlessly, only such sentences come to mind in my head.
‘Please show up one more time.’
then, never.
because you won’t miss it
please.
Anybody, help me.
-okay.
It was then that the giggling voice resonated in my head.
-Is it you who called first?
It was an ominous voice that gave me goosebumps.
At this, Yuria stopped crying for a while and hesitated.
‘…just, what was it?’
clearly.
With just that, something has changed in you. I feel that way.
But I’m not sure what it is.
while thinking so.
“…What are you doing?”
Hearing such a question from the side, YuRia twisted in surprise.
“Why are you crying? Did anything happen while I was gone?”
And there.
There was a masked man who said that as if nothing was wrong.
“-…-!!!”
She couldn’t help but cry louder than before.
It had a slightly different meaning than before.
●
In fact, taking Yuria to midterm exams is a job that requires a lot of risk.
First of all, since you are not allowed to let anyone within three steps, and you are in the position of ‘stealing away’ the national treasure of the Seonghwangguk, if you take it to a midterm event where it is half-certain that a saint and a person related to the Seonghwangguk will appear, it will cause friction in some way. because this happens
So, this is something I didn’t even say to Atalanta, who would listen to anything I said. I’m sure you’ll be against it That sounds dangerous.
“…”
Still, there are reasons why you should definitely take this guy.
First of all, clearing Chapter 2 is mostly focused on curing this guy’s Curse of Severance.
It’s no exaggeration to say that how fast you do it actually determines whether you clear the chapter or not.
The time limit is at most about 5 days from today.
‘and…’
If only I could somehow make contact with the saintess even once before Chapter 2 starts in earnest.
The difficulty level can be drastically lowered.
‘Sister Greyhounder.’
Sisters who were artificially created under the leadership of the emperor to ward off evil. Instead of castrating all other abilities, humans forcibly manipulated to draw out only the divine power enormously.
The national treasure of the Holy Empire that that guy had was also something that should have gone back to the saintess.
The reason why he stole and ran away was related to that.
‘…Anyway, it’s certain that the saintess and Yuria must come into contact at least once.’
And the timing for that is almost only midterm exams.
As befits her reputation, the saintess will always be surrounded by people related to the Holy Kingdom, and for one reason or another, this is the only time when those things become lax.
If I remember correctly, it certainly is.
Probably, it would be if there were no worst variables I think.
“…”
albeit a low probability.
If that variable pops out, it’s safe to say that the difficulty of Chapter 2 literally soars to the ceiling.
Because the way we treat Yuria has to be completely different.
But without that, it’s a pretty solid plan.
＜System Message＞
[‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ activates! ]
[The favorability of the target ‘Yuria Greyhounder’ has skyrocketed! ]
[The affinity level is upgraded from ‘Interest Level 1’ to ‘Interest Level 2’! ]
[ Receiveable rewards are added! ]
“…”
As soon as I came to see this guy, I felt like my expectations were wrong.
I break out in a cold sweat as I scan the window floating in front of me with my eyes.
No, unlike Elnor, who was certain that I had made a mistake the other day. He really has no idea how something rolls and something like this pops up.
“…uh. okay. blow your nose huh.”
Hang a piece of cloth on a wooden stick and push it towards the other side. If I go and try to clean it, I’ll get stabbed on the spot.
“therefore. Not really what happened. Did you just cry because you were happy to see me?”
“…”
YuRia just nodded without saying a word.
It is a movement so violent that it makes a buzzing sound.
“…I couldn’t come yesterday because I was busy with other things. It’s not like that for any other reason.”
“…”
He sobbed again, wiping away his tears with a piece of cloth.
What is contained in the eyes is the expression of asking ‘Really?’
“really.”
“…”
Only then did Yuria stop sobbing. Watching him blow his nose at the piece of cloth he handed over and take a deep breath, he finally sees his real true self.
How can a child go to this point just because he didn’t come for a day?
I know I’ve been living alone for so long that the loneliness is going to be crazy.
“…”
And I’m sorry to ask you right in front of a kid like this.
Time is a bit tight.
Because the exam starts tomorrow.
“…Hey, I have a favor to ask-“
[I’ll do it!]
When I saw the letters of divine power floating in front of my eyes, I was speechless.
I’m sure he’s insisting intensely, almost to the point of shouting.
[I’ll do anything, anything! Just leave it to me!]
Even I am taken aback by the fact that I feel almost desperate.
no.
Hey, was this a character?
Originally, I was a bit timid, paying attention to others, and being afraid of losing contact.
Now, what is this?
He looks like he’s worried about being abandoned by me.
“…It’s about going outside. Are you okay?”
[it’s okay!]
Even more so, even though it is an ‘outside event’ where you can clearly feel fear, you accept it without any hesitation.
Obviously, something is wrong.
The words that followed were so, but I brought them out to calm down a little.
“No, don’t push yourself too hard. It’s okay to do it with someone other than you-“
And the moment you say so.
Cold air slides all the way down the spine.
Even though my sentence wasn’t finished yet, the light in YuRia’s eyes disappeared.
[…Have you hated me now?]
Right now I’m keeping a safe distance from this guy. More than 4 feet.
[Any reason, can I know? I, really, well, I’ll do anything-]
By the way.
[ A crisis situation is detected. ]
[ It is judged as a level that poses a direct threat to life. ]
[Skill: Applies Desperation to EX grade. ]
If something like this could come out of nowhere, I can only think of one thing.
Seeing the ‘white’ aura rising from this guy’s ‘sword’ makes it all the more certain.
In general, the common color for all objects related to curses is ‘black’.
The same goes for this guy’s sword that creates the curse of severance. It’s normal for this guy to emit black energy when he starts handling it in earnest.
By the way, if that is the number of cases that can radiate white color, there is only one.
‘…Devil.’
As I said before, where and how the devil’s fragments permeate is a purely random variable.
It can permeate people, and it can permeate things.
By the way, there are a number of cases where ‘Devil’s Sculpture’ is infiltrated into the national treasure of the Seonghwang-guk.
Sculpture of the White Devil.
A demon known for having the strongest ‘obsession’ among all demons.
And the situation where YuRia wakes up with that ‘bowl’ as the fucking ‘condition’ explodes.
‘…fucked up.’
If this happens, the clearing method becomes extremely narrow.
There were quite a few people who advised to reset the game if the route got twisted like this while playing the game.
Why?
‘Those who awaken as vessels begin to be affected by the devil.’
As you can tell just by looking at Elnor, those who have awakened once as a vessel are bound to be influenced by that side somehow.
It’s only obvious that your physical ability is getting stronger right now, but there will be various effects right away.
The problem is that the ‘influence’ that the white devil’s bowl receives is very fast and powerfully spreads to the target.
[Why aren’t you answering me?]
＜System Message＞
[The favorability of the target ‘Yuria Greyhounder’ changes! ]
[The affinity level is upgraded from ‘interest level 2’ to ‘interest level 3’! ]
[ Receiveable rewards are added! ]
The fatal charm skill did not explode. I didn’t do anything to this guy.
Even so, the favorability of this guy suddenly skyrocketed. For no reason.
The curse of obsession imposed by the ‘white devil’ is of that kind. It makes the other person throw all of himself without end.
Emotions, rationality, everything.
Until you completely own the other person.
Even with all the ‘twisted methods’, until it does.
With shaky eyes, I look at the guy who is walking in front of me.
It is normal for this guy to be extremely reluctant to come into the public space. Because you know you can hurt others.
But, for now.
The pupils are untied. It is clear that he is not acting rationally.
If I hadn’t backed away, I would have crossed three steps and entered it.
Of course, even now, the curse of severance is working properly. If I get closer than three steps, that guy throws a sword at me.
In other words.
[…why are you trying to leave me?]
＜System Message＞
[The favorability of the target ‘Yuria Greyhounder’ changes! ]
[The affinity level is upgraded from ‘interest level 3’ to ‘interest level 4’! ]
[ Receiveable rewards are added! ]
A woman who slices anything that comes within these three steps.
It is said that from now on, he will try to ‘get closer’ to me, even if he does everything.
either psychologically or physically.
‘ah.’
As I said earlier, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the main premise of clearing Chapter 2 was whether or not the curse of severing that fell on this guy could be lifted within 5 days.
That is, I
within 5 days from now.
We must break the curse that hangs on this ticking time bomb.
really.
‘…That’s fucking crazy.’
Really, it was.
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