章 15: EP-15 Monster Trouble #2
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Elijah Krisanax's impression of Dowd Campbell can be summed up in one word.
Weird.
His whole person is completely elusive.
He acts differently, like an onion where the more layers you peel, the more questions pop up.
'…Is he angry?'
He had not said anything at this freshman welcome party.
He accepted the partner request without complaints, so I thought we could talk about things while walking around today.
He had said not a word of his own accord. At best, he'll reply with an, 'En' or 'OK.'
Normally, she would feel a bit out of place, but she could never have known that there's an 'option' hindering her perception.
'…How should I deal with an angry man?'
And fortunately for Dowd, she boasted the social capabilities of an ape when it came to dealing with the opposite sex.
If it was work, she could slap some steel on her face and manage, but friends in equal footing? Her brain lags.
Even if he's really angry, she can't do anything. After all, didn't she try to beat him up on their first meeting?
It is a little strange that we would be angry about it at this time, but she also can't deny that it's a possibility.
'But if I dig a little deeper here, I might be able to get information about Duke Tristan…'
Walking around with that thought in mind, she unknowingly arrived at the basement of Berkeley Hall at some point in time.
They accidentally walked into a deserted place. They were the only ones around here right now.
"Uwa…"
Elijah couldn't help but frown as she looked at the cages lying around.
Inside were live monsters. They were obviously brought to the academy as research materials.
'There's even a medium-sized monster. Oh my gosh.'
At least a squad of regular knights must be dispatched to be able to deal with a medium-sized monster. It's not something you can just keep inside an academy full of students.
"The faculty are also very irresponsible. No matter how special we are, this isn't worth it…"
She clicked her tongue and moved closer to the cage, bowing her head.
Maybe it was because of that.
The discovery of a monster caged in a location that would never be seen from the outside.
"…"
Even before being fully aware of it, her brain, which had seen countless similar creatures in combat, had already completed its calculations.
This.
Exploded within seconds.
"Sir, you have to avoid-!"
As soon as she said that, a heat wave rose in front of her eyes.
Elijah's body froze at the same time as the brightly approaching flames engulfed her vision.
She normally would have been able to nimbly dodge.
However, the pure white flame triggered something deep inside her memory.
-Elijah, hide here, here! Never come out!
-Damned devil followers, this way! Try killing me, you f*cking bi†ches!
Explosions. Flames. Screams. Stomps. Fishy smell. Burning family photo. The reflection of the blade flashing in the pool of stagnant blood. Dead bodies.
"…!"
But before she could shake off those images, the flames were already inches away from her.
'Danger…!'
As that thought passed through her head.
Someone ran into her.
What followed is a violent collision with the floor. A groan came out of Elijah's mouth as she rolled several times.
"Ah, aya…"
Fortunately or unfortunately, thanks to the intense pain, she was knocked off that dreamy state and regained normal thinking.
It was thanks to Dowd Campbell, who was a mess, on top of her.
"…"
He had unsightly burns all over his back, a broken limb and stab wounds all over the body caused by shrapnels.
It was a serious injury sustained from protecting her from the explosion. He could die if he's not treated immediately.
"Si, sir. Hold, hold on. Why, why did you do that?"
Recognizing that fact, she said in a trembling voice.
Why, why the heII did he do that?
Wasn't he acting angry at her just a while ago?
Above all, didn't he say he liked Princess Tristan?
He had no reason to do this for her, who's basically his pseudo-enemy.
"…"
Dowd Campbell, or rather the clone, lifted his head with difficulty and looked at her.
If the clone wasn't equipped with an option, its existence was to just get the attention of the enemy and taking the blow.
Clones purchased from the point shop are programmed with that intention.
However, the clone with the 'Cold Gentleman' option applied decided that that's not a very cool thing to say.
And so, what he said instead was...
"Because that's what I have to do."
"…"
While Elijah's eyes widened and was at a loss. Then, Dowd's clone was spread eagled on the floor, smiling contentedly.
He must have thought to himself, just how cool and gentlemanly that exit was…
-!
-!!
However, Elijah's expression stiffened as she heard a series of not-so-gentle screams.
The cages were destroyed by the explosion just now, so all the monsters inside them got released.
"…I don't know what that means."
Elijah stood up while muttering.
Checking her condition...
She had several swollen joints, which would hinder her movements. She also had no weapon. At most, she could use the rebars from the debris.
However, this was not a mock battle nor sparring, the opponents are real monsters. Not to mention that there's 6 of them.
Considering that even one small monster could tear apart several adult men with ease, this is a number that could send even a regular knight running in fright.
"…"
Perhaps Marquis Kendride, who imparted her combat skills, would be angry if he saw such a cowardly act.
However, unfavorable fights should be avoided. There is no shame in retreating. This is something that needs to be emphasized again and again.
However.
"Ha."
Her gaze returned to the man lying on the floor.
Does he have some obsessive-compulsive disorder that compels him to dive right in when he sees someone in danger?
It's not even funny as a joke.
Elijah then took a potion from her belt.
This was a high quality potion given by Marquis Kendride to be used in an emergency. It's so precious that even getting one a year is difficult.
Normally, it's best to use it on herself and move forward from there.
"…"
But she unhesitatingly splashed it onto Dowd Campbell instead.
"Isn't it the hero's job to save people?"
So.
She can't let him die here.
"Eueum…"
Now, an injured body, 6 monsters.
"This is nothing."
Especially so, when it comes to protecting someone.
It really was this way for her.
●
<System Message>
[ Main Quest Renewed! ]
[ Main Quest ]
[ Monster trouble! Keep the situation under control! ]
[ Heavy penalty will be imposed if there's too many casualties! ]
[ Reward: Exclusive Equipment Materials ]
Why not just kiII me then?
You unleash a bunch of monsters in a crowd of newbie freshmen and you want me to keep the casualties as low as possible?
"Wait, where are we going!?"
"I need to do something! President, please inform the priests!"
I replied to Elnore, who shouted when she saw me move in haste.
"We need to protect the students!"
I shouted while moving.
'Priority first.'
While Elnore would bring the priests to treat the injured and reduce casualties, the most important thing is still the initial response. In the first place, we need to reduce the number of injured by reducing the number of monsters before they could get out of the basement.
With that thought in mind, I hurriedly ran into the basement and saw an appalling scene.
"…Uh."
Elijah was currently fighting. Surrounding her were monsters and my clone laying on the floor.
Five of the six monsters had already been defeated, with the last one only needing the final blow.
"…"
These are not artificial monsters in a mock battle, but 5 real monsters and yet she dealt with all of them with just a piece of rebar?
Is she still human?
Well, in the first place, Elijah was not a character who will directly participate in battles. Before she awakens as a full-fledged hero, she's always on the somewhat calculated side.
If she's fighting like this even before that, that means that there is someone she really wants to protect.
"…"
But wasn't there only my clone here?
And why do I have an ominous feeling about this?
'…Ahh, I don't know!'
I first retrieved the clone before she notices that there's two identical people.
In the meantime, Elijah had delivered the finishing blow to the last monster. She let out a sigh, as she wiped the sweat off her forehead.
"Whew…"
With the clone now retrieved, our eyes meet as I sit idly by.
"…!"
Elijah's expression suddenly turned bright. Even though she was exhausted and unable to even lift an arm, she was proudly smiling.
"…That's a relief."
[ Favorability level of the target 'Elijah Krisanax' has changed! ]
[ Favorability level has been upgraded from 'Curiosity' to 'Interest'! ]
[ Redeemable rewards will be added! ]
[ Chances of awakening the second gift has increased! ]
[She is an important character. Main scenario has been changed! ]
"…"
I didn't want to see this notification.
I don't know what the heII happened for this to appear out of the blue.
"Are these all the monsters?"
I asked such a question.
But the reply I got was bewilderment.
"Sir, this is the first thing you ask as soon as you wake up?"
"…?"
But I just arrived though.
"If any monster escapes, people will die! Quick!"
The main quest comes first. I don't know how severe the penalty imposed in the scenario is, but I definitely want to avoid getting to that situation.
When I urged her, Elijah helplessly patted her forehead in stupor.
"You're really... Is this really just how you are?"
With a sigh, she plopped on to the floor. Her stamina has reached its limit after defeating 6 monsters in a row with an injured body.
"I missed a medium rank monster. It's probably going to the first floor by now. If you go as fast as you can, you can probably catc…"
She was dozing off mid way through her sentence.
"Thanks!"
She probably didn't hear that. Anyways, I quickly dashed towards the first floor.
With this cursed stamina, even just going up and down the stairs was difficult as heII. But I managed to push through with heavy breaths.
Elfante had an 'isolation barrier' that's activated in the case of emergency.
Currently, the nearby faculty and staff had evacuated the students inside and was barely maintaining the barrier.
This was a wise decision.
Since the combat personnel in the academy are probably already coming this way after hearing the chaos, staying put is much better than fighting. Rather, the latter would just lead to casualties.
The problem is.
-!
-!!
-!!!
The barrier would constantly shake every time the medium rank, bear-like monster would smash it with its paws.
And this is despite using all current means to reinforce the barrier.
In the first place, even regular Knights need a good amount of preparation when facing medium rank monsters. Being able to hold out like this is already good.
'The priest…!'
It would be ideal if Elnore managed to bring a priest with her.
Due to the nature of their field, priests can reliably reinforce barriers. Even if there's only one priest, we can drag out the situation for time as long as we like.
Breathlessly scouting the area, I finally spotted Elnore at the corner of my eyes.
Seeing that she's with someone in a robe, she must have succeeded. She's indeed capable.
"What do you mean you can't reinforce the barrier…!?"
"I already told you. It takes an angel's blessing to prevent that, and it's su¡cide to use it with your bare body."
"But if it continues like this, people will…!"
"Then are you saying that I should go and kiII myself?"
However, judging from the bickering, it seems that things aren't going so well.
'…So they aren't able to maintain the barrier?'
An academy professor level priest is able to conjure a similar level of blessing through prayer, even if it wasn't blessed by an angel.
But in exchange, they have to pay the 'price'. This is probably why that priest is arguing it's su¡cidaI.
This is also the reason why I purposely put the blessings I received on the Ultima and not on my body.
If you put the blessing in an 'item', its effect might get reduced, but there would be no worry of repercussions. At this point in time, this is still a relatively unknown trick.
'But what's with his attitude?'
With that thought, I glared at the priest who continued the scuffle.
In the first place, it makes no sense for a priest to not bring a Holy Relic, which is basically their heart, with them in an emergency like this.
He's clearly making an excuse to not do it.
Even with Elnore visibly angry, the priest remained still with his arms crossed. In fact, he was even sneering.
'In any case.'
This academy is a breeding ground for madmen. Thinking so, I approached the priest.
"Don't bring your political interests here! This is an emergency, people's lives are at stake!"
"Ha, this is why the Tristan Family…"
"Then give it to me."
I said, interrupting his buIIshi†.
At this time, both Elnore and the priest looked at me.
"…What?"
"You're the type of person who highly values their life. Even without a Holy Relic, I know you have something prepared. If you won't activate the blessing, I will."
There was a moment of silence.
"…Hey. Student, do you know what a divine blessing is…"
Annoyed to hear anything more, I roughly ripped off the small rosario from the priest. If I drag this out any longer, the barrier will break. Every minute, every second cannot be wasted.
And before he can say anything, I had already turned around and dashed towards the Berkeley Hall.
Meanwhile, Elnore was looking at me with wide eyes.
However, I can't lie. I am a bit nervous.
<System Message>
[ Imminent favorability status change on target 'Elnore'. ]
[ You cannot abandon what you're trying to do! ]
[ Prepare yourself! ]
"…"
I break out in a cold sweat. This message just doubled my anxiety.
'Ahh, I don't know! I'll think about it later!'
I already have a lot of things to take care of. Right now, if I don't focus on the main quest, I'll be in big trouble!
I prepared the Ultima then slashed the Rosario on my left arm, drawing out blood.
A bluish light enveloped the Rosario along with a burning pain. This was an emergency tool that all priests have in case of an emergency. After mixing it with blood, it can used as a small magic power battery.
"Alright."
I let out a sigh and put the Rosario into the incense burner. The magic incense burner immediately reacted to it and began to emit blue light as well.
[ Skill 'Penance' is available! ]
[ Skill 'Guardian Shield' is available! ]
Right after checking the windows that popped out one after the other, I immediately threw myself between the medium rank monster and the barrier.
"Wha-, what?"
"Student! What are you doing!? Get away right now!"
I could hear the panicked voices of the faculty behind the barrier.
For anyone, this was just outright crazy.
[ A moment of danger has been detected. ]
[ Determined the situation as life-threatening. ]
[ Skill: Desperation raised to EX Class. ]
The other skills also started to kick in.
[ Skill: Penance Activated. ]
[ Converting all additional stat to Endurance. ]
[ Skill: Guardian Shield Activated. ]
[ Creating shield. ]
A translucent blue shield appeared before my eyes.
A shield that was the result of Penance and Desperation combo. I don't know how strong it is, but even a medium rank monster shouldn't be able to break it easily.
"Student! What are you doing!? Run away now! Leave this to us…!"
"…I can't run away, that's why I'm here."
"…What?"
"Keep the students safe. I'll stall for time."
Yes, this is it.
My purpose is to buy time, not to kill the monster.
This should work, somehow.
"…"
The murderous yellow eyes of the bear-like monster were ferociously glaring at me.
I took a deep breath as we saw each other eye to eye.
Let's calm down.
If I make a mistake, I will die. That's why..
"Bring it, bear!"
I can't make mistakes.
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