Chapter 14: EP-14 Monster Trouble
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The Berkeley Hall, where the freshmen welcome party is held, is one of the largest and most complex buildings in Elfante.
In order to receive and control the influx of freshmen from all over the continent at once, there is no other way than a building of this size.
In other words, unlike the enticing name of 'Freshmen Welcome Party', the atmosphere of the actual event was no different than being in the middle of a market.
So much so that I pity the faculty members shouting their throats off, and trying to control the students in any way possible.
This is good news as it significantly reduces the chances of me being 'caught'. People don't have time to care about other people.
So now it's time for this.
◎ Clone Walker
[ Item: Special ]
[ Price: 1,000pts ]
[ Creates an alter ego that mimics the main body's personality and behavior. You're able to use buffs! ]
[ Remaining Points: 1,000pts ]
An alter-ego that feels almost no different from my real body. It can even learn my usual behavior and conversation patterns, and move on its own.
Of course, it's not perfect, but I am able to add to it.
◎ Buff: Enhanced Charisma
[ Item: Special ]
[ Give it some personality! You can add various properties. Two options currently available! ]
Option: Cool Gentleman
[ You're not smooth and you're clumsy! Why don't you wrap it up with some coolness? ]
[ Price: 500pts ]
Option: Pheromone
[ Become a playboy! Your every move has an added point that makes it easier for the opposite sex to like you! ]
[ Price: 500pt ]
[ Remaining Points: 1,000pts ]
I can apply the cool gentleman option to the clone. So that even if I control the clone a little loosely, they'll just wrongly assume that I'm doing cool shi†!
As for the pheromone.
"…"
I will not buy it.
I will never buy it!
Not for Elijah, and especially, not for Elnore. Her favorability is rising faster than a h0rny rabbit's thrusts.
No matter how fatal my charm skill is, it's still growing way too fast.
To the point where I start to doubt whether or not this person was actually easily seduced.
'I'll have to eventually deal with it someday.'
I smiled bitterly at that thought.
I know that running away will not solve the problem.
After all, that person is the most important character in the scenario related to the Gray Devil. There are many scattered problems that must be solved in order to reach the ending.
As long as I have my gift, I will inevitably be involved.
'…But still.'
There is such a thing as degree.
I haven't taken a single class at the academy right now. Isn't it too soon to get involved with something more than this?
'Let's start with what needs to be done first.'
Sighing inwardly, I pulled another status window.
[Event: Double Date]
-Great! Seducing two key characters at the same time!
-Don't get caught until the end of the event!
-Failure will result in a penalty for scenario progress!
[ Remaining time: 20 minutes ]
"…"
I don't know what it meant by seducing since that's not it at all.
In the first place, the plan itself is a mess. I'll get caught if someone says that they saw me in different places at the same time.
However, I think it's possible to hold on until the end of the time limit.
So let's set aside the penalty for now. Even if I get caught after, I'll deal with it by then…!
"Ah, you! This way!"
I see Elnore, who spotted me in the distance, waving her hands at me.
She was raising her arm above her head.
It's a mess here so if she doesn't do that, I won't be able to see her.
Alright, I'll apply the option to the clone and then meet with Elnore…
-!
-!!!
Just as I was about to press my option on the screen, a sudden scream from nearby startled me, making my body jump.
I was so surprised that I accidentally tapped the shop window in front of me.
"Get out of the way!"
"It's dangerous, all students stay back!"
When I looked outside the hall, I saw a huge bear-shaped monster chained behind bars being escorted by several knights.
Sometimes, monsters captured outside are brought inside the academy as test subjects or research material.
It is definitely dangerous, but some professors vehemently argue that there is no better research subject than a living specimen.
"…"
Of course, because of that, an accident will happen at the freshman welcome party.
There is a reason why I chose the Ultima first among all the other items.
'Well, at any rate…'
Since the main character and the final boss are in the same place, the suppression itself shouldn't be too hard.
I just need to get those two in the right place at the right time.
With this thought, I turned my gaze back to the window.
[ Option: Enhanced Charisma has been purchased! ]
[ Option: Pheromone has been purchased! ]
[ Option Allocation Completed. ]
[ Body – Option: Applied Pheromone! ]
[ Clone – Option: Applied Charisma! ]
"…"
What the f*ck?!
Why was pheromone purchased, and it's even applied to me?
In the first place, can this be put in the main body?
'…Come to think of it.'
I got startled earlier and tapped the shop window.
But how in the heII it resulted with this?
"Why are you spacing out…"
Elnore, who had come closer, stopped mid sentence as soon as our eyes met.
[ Pheromone effect is applied to the target 'Elnore'! ]
No. Don't do that.
Please!
Elnore's eyes widened and her breathing gradually became ragged.
An alarm immediately goes off in my head.
I've already seen this before…!
[Skill: Fatal Charm has been Activated…]
[… Skill ineffective! ]
[ The target forcefully resisted the feeling of affection! ]
"…"
Yes. I have indeed seen this pattern before.
Though, the system prompt is a bit strange.
I don't know how and why she's suppressing it, but I guess this is good for me?
As I mulled over such thoughts, Elnore had regained her expressionless look and was muttering something while patting her chest.
"Calm down. It's noisy."
"…Yes?"
"I didn't mean it for you."
Then who did you say that to?
"I was talking to my heart."
"…"
"It was noisy."
I didn't even know how to respond to that. Elnore just said that without a change in expression.
This woman, as in the original work, is seriously sometimes in the 4th Dimension.
"…Let's go."
After saying so, she began moving.
By now, the clone would have made contact with Elijah. We need to move anyway to run into them.
But I'm a little worried about the pheromone effect.
It will be fine, right…?
It was, quite frankly, a series of crises.
"Oh, there's a place that sells some snack over there. Shall we go eat a bit?"
[ Skill: Fatal Charm has been Activated…]
[ …Skill ineffective! ]
"…I quite like that… What a coincidence."
Oh. Truly a coincidence.
In the first place, I don't even know your taste in food.
"This button is nice. Do you want it?"
[ Skill: Fatal Charm has been Activated…]
[ …Skill ineffective! ]
"Just in time, one just fell off and needed a replacement. You're always so attentive of... me. Um."
"…"
I'm intentionally giving her strange things like a button, but she's somehow finding meanings behind them.
It is to the point that even I am fascinated by the way she interprets each and every trivial action I make. It's driving me nuts.
'My head hurts…'
Still, I'm glad I'm accompanying her without much problem. The clone on Elijah's side also seems to be getting along well.
If it's like this, it won't be a big deal if I just proceed as it is now.
With some free time, I was able to scout the landscape in the reception hall.
Overall, it's just groups of students socializing with the seniors of their chosen major.
I am not officially assigned to any class yet, so I don't receive that kind of guidance.
"By the way, have you decided on a major?"
"Ah, I did."
This is actually a matter of considerable concern.
In the world of Sera, choosing a 'major' means deciding on your main 'build'.
"I'm thinking of the Theology Faculty."
Hearing this, Elnore's expression instantly darkened.
"…It's a waste of your talent if you don't enter the Knights Faculty. How about you reconsider?"
Well, that's definitely a fair thing to say.
I mean, I've experienced the power of the Tristan Style Swordsmanship, paired with the Desperation skill.
But I chose this path for a reason.
"There is something I want to learn in the Theology Faculty."
"What do you want to learn?"
"There's something I've been meaning to protect."
Uh.
Mainly my life.
Divinity-related skills are the most 'survival' specialized builds among all the builds that exist in Sera. You can tell just by looking at the blessings that have been put into the Ultima.
Especially if I am able to obtain high-level skills such as 'miracle' later on. I could be rest assured.
Anyway, it must be a build that complements my goal of surviving till the end.
'And…'
What follows immediately after this freshman welcome party is the 'Secret Society Storm', which is Chapter 1.
So taking a major in sacred studies gives me a higher chance of receiving advantageous benefits. The chapter boss is particularly vulnerable to divinity.
Currently, I have Percy's one-time 'request', the item to be obtained from the Vision Warehouse, and the skills inside the Ultima.
[Skill: Fatal Charm has been Activated…]
[… Skill ineffective! ]
"…"
Why are you still going?!
As I was staring in bewilderment, Elnore quietly muttered next to me.
"…So, don't do that."
"Yes?"
"I can't tell... Whether you're serious or not. Were you born this way?"
Elnore brushed her hair as she spoke.
The atmosphere is heavy.
"Do you know of the curse that resides in the Tristan Family?"
The topic suddenly turned serious. As I was feeling a bit panicked, Elnore continued in a calm voice.
"It's a type of madness that takes over everyone in the family, rendering them unable to live even half of the life they were given. The only way to control it is to suppress it through mental training. Do you know what's the only solution to such a terrible curse?"
I know.
An angel's blessing.
But it's not just the same humble blessing that the Ultima received. No, it would need a miracle-class blessing given by multiple archangels at the same time.
That's something straight out of the creation myth. It's practically impossible.
"It is that difficult. That's why, despite his achievements and prestige, Duke Tristan is never respected. Rather, he's just an object of fear where he can go mad and go on a slaughter."
"…"
"So why are you coming to me? What is your intention?"
There is a slight chill in her voice. She's showing a lot more emotions than usual.
She was suppressing her feelings because she doesn't know why I'm approaching her.
"Even though I don't know you, I'm strangely conscious of you. When I heard that 'there's something you've been meaning to protect' which drove you to enter the Theology Faculty, I subconsciously wondered if it was me. You, who the heII are you? Just what are your intentions and what do you want from me-"
Seeing Elnore mutter sent chills down my spine.
This was done by Fatal Charm and Pheromones. This got her all worked up.
"…"
Doesn't this look a little dangerous?
If left alone, it might crack her psyche and worsen the effects of madness.
It's clear that my existence is having more influence on this person than I thought.
"My intention is obvious."
"…"
My words snapped Elnore out a bit.
"…What do you mean obvious?"
"I am trying to protect you. There's no need to think too hard."
For the situation, it's better to reveal my intention.
Because my survival is directly related in protecting her psyche, and making sure that her mentality wouldn't collapse.
It's technically not wrong.
"…So what is the reason-"
"If I don't do that, I will die."
"What?"
"Like really. If I don't protect you, I will die. There is no other reason."
"…"
It's pure straight fact without any exaggeration.
This is all I can say for now.
Elnore blankly blinked her eyes with a dumbfounded expression.
"…I felt it from the first time we met, but you are a very strange person."
"Haven't I told you? I hear that often."
With that reply, I stood up.
Fortunately, it doesn't seem like Elnore is having any signs of mental collapse. I'm satisfied with the result-
[ Skill: Fatal Charm has been conditionally Activated! ]
[ Great timing! You have planted foreshadowing that will make you explosively liked in the future! ]
[ The next time the skill is successfully activated, the effect will be tripled! ]
[ The possibility of awakening a second gift increased! ]
"…"
–I did something.
What 'planted foreshadowing'?
Why do these types of things keep popping up?
It was fine not long ago, but now it's being weird again.
I couldn't help but sigh inwardly, when...
-!
-!!
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Out of the blue, a huge explosion suddenly occurred.
"…?"
No, like it really is without warning.
What is this?
In an instant, heII let loose. The entire floor collapsed due to an explosion that erupted from the basement, and a huge hole appeared in the Berkeley Hall.
"In the basement…!"
"What in the world?!"
Screams and shouts were coming from every direction.
It was a somewhat familiar sight. At the same time, my body went cold.
'This…!'
The explosion was an intentional sabotage. The basement is where the monsters were being kept.
Monsters were running rampant. Obviously, the 'main quest' event that takes place at the freshman welcome party is now underway. However, it's much bigger and more terrifying than I remember.
In the first place, there was no huge explosion. At most, it was just a few monsters being released and going wild!
I quickly checked the clone's location. My plan is definitely…
[ Clone Location: Floor B1 ]
[ Status: Seriously Injured ]
[ Companion: Elijah Krisanax ]
"…"
Well, f*ck.
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