Chapter 13: Kidnapping
THUD!
When Largo stamped his foot on the ground.
The earth shook as if a small earthquake had occurred.
A dozen students were swept away by that shockwave.
“What the hell is that bastard!”
“Gasp! Isn’t that Largo?”
“Wait, why is he protecting Jace?”
If this is the dignity of a top 20 ranker.
Then how strong must the power of the Hero candidates be?
Jace once stood shoulder to shoulder with them.
I was newly impressed by the potential of this body.
I’ll try my best not to become pearls before swine.
Anyway.
The students who had been targeting me were utterly bewildered.
Since my ranking is 666th.
Plus or minus 100, so the range is from 766th to 566th.
These guys are mid-tier at best.
They’re being one-sidedly overwhelmed by the merciless violence of a top 20 ranker.
Hehe, what a spectacular sight indeed.
It reminds me of the pastoral scene of a sheepdog herding sheep.
I felt dizzy, but aside from that.
From my perspective, I couldn’t help but feel refreshed.
Yes, drive them harder!
Break their limbs so they can’t touch me!
I thought at most a dozen or so would swarm me.
But a hundred people was crossing the line by far.
Don’t these guys have working brains?
According to the Academy’s regulations, any fight must be one-on-one in principle.
In the case of rank battles, you must mandatorily fill ten fights per month.
Depending on your ability, you can fight up to thirty times, but.
Due to complex reasons like condition management and time to find opponents, it’s very rare to fill the maximum.
Simply put, even if they swarm like a pack of dogs.
You just need to face one person every three days.
Well, I think they were going to challenge me in practice duel format.
“ARGH! Someone please stop that bastard!”
“Hey! Are you going to let a top 20 ranker rampage like that?”
Is there anything as accurate as first impressions?
Largo was no different from a wild beast.
Complaints poured in from students bitten by the beast.
The target was the men in black suits scattered around the area.
I find that the most ridiculous…
The identity of the men in black suits is none other than faculty members.
They don’t teach students, but they referee when fights break out.
They only intervene briefly when it looks dangerous.
They basically maintain a stance of non-interference.
What’s even more maddening is that they judge the current situation as problem-free.
Shaking their heads or waving their hands.
They leave the students to resolve things among themselves.
Right, what could be unreasonable about a one-versus-hundred situation?
Foolish ones.
Since you brought this upon yourselves, just accept it sweetly!
At that moment, some guy stepped in front of Largo.
His weapon was a spear, and just from his stance, he seemed to be a strong fighter.
“I’ll be your opponent.”
“You keep running away and now you’re interfering!”
I don’t know the details, but I assume they’re of the same level.
From the circumstances, it seemed he was preparing for any possible variables.
Thus, my reliable friend got his feet tied…
“Now’s our chance!”
“Let’s finish this quickly!”
The students rush forward.
They were no different from untamed colts.
Although the numbers decreased somewhat due to Largo’s activities, it was still troublesome.
Seria quietly looked at my face.
She seemed to be waiting for me to ask for help.
Whether out of respect for me, she refrained from rash actions.
“You don’t need to get involved. I’ll handle it myself.”
That’s how a real man should act!
With that feeling, I smiled brightly and created distance.
“……”
Unfortunately, I had no other choice.
Even though she’s a top 50 ranker, she’s still a girl.
Moreover, since she was my fiancée, it was right to keep her away.
Jace would surely have acted exactly the same way.
I looked straight ahead with a miserable feeling.
The ninety students seemed like a 900,000-strong army.
Actually, I could have just avoided it.
Saying I wasn’t feeling well, or today just wasn’t my day.
I could exercise my right to refuse a couple of times with excuses.
But that won’t do.
It’s just a temporary measure, nothing would be fundamentally resolved.
Rather, it would lead to the misfortune of being looked down upon even more.
In all fights, seizing the initiative is the most important.
There might be slight differences.
But Jace would have faced them head-on too.
I deliberately showed displeasure and spoke to everyone.
“It seems you want to challenge me.”
“That’s right. If we just defeat you…”
“First, shut up and listen carefully to what I have to say.”
“……”
People who are too outstanding are definitely different.
This body passively exudes high-class dignity.
If I tell you to shut up, you should shut up. What can you do as a B-grade?
Perhaps recalling that I used to be S-grade.
I could clearly feel their momentum being dampened.
“In the future, you’re scheduled to fight the Demon King’s army representing humanity. But your behavior is truly laughable. Even considering that you’re still children, it’s excessively childish. No, I should say vulgar.”
“───!!”
I delivered a magnificent rebuke.
While some kids got angry, there were also some who felt ashamed.
The latter are at least better.
What’s the difference between humans and animals?
Even if they did wrong, if they can’t feel shame, they’re no different from beasts.
“I won’t avoid anyone’s challenge. However, the numbers are too many. At least organize yourselves before coming.”
“What?”
“I’m telling you to decide the order among yourselves.”
Don’t you get it yet? Jace’s name value is expensive!
Like the saying ‘even a rotten fish is still a fish,’ I declared that I was still going strong.
“……”
A completely subdued atmosphere.
They start gauging each other.
Belatedly, they realized I wasn’t to be taken lightly.
I waited calmly.
Just watching them hesitate, I could gauge them.
B-grades are just pathetic! You’re all extras!
From A-grade onwards, there’s some significance.
Someone like Chloe belongs to the named characters.
Seria will become a main supporting character to the extent of defeating one of the Demon King’s army’s Four Heavenly Kings in the future.
Anyway.
I didn’t want to bicker with guys whose names I don’t even know.
“I’m giving up…”
“I don’t know what happened, but it seems like he’s already regained quite a bit of strength.”
“Tsk, then there’s no chance of winning. I can’t afford to lose the points I’ve worked hard to accumulate.”
To steal someone’s points.
You should also be prepared to have your points stolen.
Jace was originally an S-grade Hero candidate.
Even if he became weaker, his essence doesn’t disappear.
Including basics and overall swordsmanship sense, etc.
They realize he’s not someone to be judged by ranking alone.
‘The reality is a bit different though…’
This body’s performance is so excellent.
My efforts can’t keep up with the physical capabilities.
I can barely close that gap thanks to Achievement Points.
Half the students immediately withdraw.
In other words, half still remained.
It seems they’re holding on due to orders from the factions they belong to.
“Monday, Wednesday, Friday… I’ll face you three times a week. I’ll gladly accept any challenges, but think carefully about what it means to compete with Jace Crodaine.”
I’m not dead yet, you know?
I scolded them with that nuance, like giving a lecture.
As if their earlier high spirits were a lie, only silence continued.
This is the limit of B-grade.
The reality of not being able to even make eye contact with S-grade.
-Even if he’s much weaker, wouldn’t he just crush B-grades?
Once a doubt arises, it doesn’t easily disappear.
While they were conflicted, I took a step forward.
Flinch.
Their bodies react unconsciously and step back.
After giving them an indifferent look, I continued walking.
Like Moses’ miracle, the crowd parted left and right.
The dignity of a nobleman.
They’re lowering their tails to this body’s intimidating presence.
In the end.
Until I left that place, no one could block my path.
*****
Wow, this actually worked?
I was half-doubtful, but the result was a great success.
Even if I wasn’t sweating coldly, I had been quite nervous.
[Achievement Unlocked: Wisely Overcome Crisis]
[Reward: Achievement Points +10,000]
You, tell me honestly.
Were you eagerly waiting for a chance to give out points?
As if you had finally caught an opportunity, your reaction was really swift.
Anyway, how long will this bluff work?
The expected outlook wasn’t very hopeful.
It only worked because they were B-grade; from A-grade onwards, it would definitely be different.
“……”
I sighed involuntarily.
It’s like this from the first day, so I’m deeply worried.
One person alone cannot stand against many.
Even Jace in his prime would have been in trouble.
I’m getting stronger day by day, so if I just had time, it would work out, but the key was whether I could endure until then.
No matter how I think about it, I’m skeptical.
Since they’re kids in their prime, they have energy to spare.
Being fearless, I can picture them recklessly charging in.
I humbly acknowledged my limits.
Since it was absolutely impossible alone, I should try to make allies.
I don’t need a huge faction.
I’ll try to entice some strong kids like a small elite group.
Suddenly, the A-grade students who used to be close with Jace came to mind.
The distance grew after he became a scoundrel, but now the situation is different again.
I think at least one or two might support me.
That alone wouldn’t be enough, so I needed to look further ahead.
If my memory is correct.
Among the 10 Hero candidates, there are a few who are neutral, not really neutral.
‘I should also consider the direction of joining hands with them…’
It wouldn’t have been difficult before.
But now my status has dropped significantly, so I don’t know what will happen.
“That was totally cool!”
A girl who approached without any sign.
Chloe circled around me, chattering excitedly.
“I thought there was no way out, but to solve it without swinging your sword even once…”
“Slow.”
“Huh?”
“I’m saying you’re slow at noticing their movements.”
You should have informed me in advance.
I thought you were a reliable informant, but I’m disappointed with this.
Chloe hung her head as if she was ashamed, then raised it up again.
“I never imagined they’d cause such a ruckus from the first day.”
That’s true.
Who would have known they’d mobilize a million-strong army?
I understand her circumstances, but I scolded her once out of unjustified resentment.
“Well, it’s in the past, so you don’t need to worry about it. Instead, I’d like you to do some investigation.”
“Yes. Leave anything to me!”
“The 10 Hero candidates, organize information about them.”
“To what extent do you want?”
“Everything, without missing a single detail.”
“Hmm, it’ll take some time. About a week?”
A week would be incredibly fast.
Her ability is definitely solid.
Indeed, Chloe was worth using for a long time.
“I’ll visit occasionally. Please tell me immediately if you need anything.”
She disappears stealthily as if nothing happened.
She’s refreshingly straightforward, but it seems a bit excessive.
Why is she taking such a humble attitude?
I don’t know what she’ll ask for later, but I had a feeling it would be difficult to handle.
****
I spent each day steadily.
In the morning, classes were held, but they weren’t very important.
Since we can’t just make kids fight all the time.
It was just conducting minimal theoretical education.
Since practical skills are 90% anyway, most students ignore it.
Like in the forest, I invested all my remaining time in training.
Meanwhile, I accepted challenges from B-grade students and showed them what’s what.
After a week passed.
By crushing three challengers, my ranking rose quite a bit.
From 666th to 617th.
There was still a long way to go, but it was a decent start.
That’s why I’m even more anxious…
Why is it so quiet? No matter how I think about it, they can’t just stay still.
Strangely, nothing happens at all.
On the other hand, this body’s senses were clearly ringing alarm bells.
My anxiety grew in that gap.
Should I hide in the Student Council building? That place is safe…
While I was thinking of various ideas, my anxiety finally struck in a terrible form.
“───??”
Male students who suddenly appeared.
They swiftly grabbed my arms and legs without giving me any opening.
I tried to enhance my body with all my might, but the opponents were doing the same.
Since they rushed from all directions, I was helplessly captured.
“───!!”
They even gagged my mouth.
What, I’m being kidnapped in broad daylight?
This kind of full-scale approach is cheating, isn’t it?
While being forcibly dragged away, I confirmed that a man in a black suit was chasing after us.
I thought he might rescue me, but disappointingly, he just followed.
Just watching the progress.
An attitude that it doesn’t matter unless multiple people are beating up one person.
“……”
I growled fiercely inside.
I hate the man in black suit more than these unidentified kidnappers!
