Chapter 29

Chapter 29

The puzzle before us was a sliding puzzle.

Using the empty space to move the puzzle pieces, matching shapes or numbers.

It's a basic puzzle, also known as the essence of puzzles.

I moved the puzzle pieces quickly.

"Zero, you shouldn't move it randomly. In times like this, you need to stay calm..."

"Keke, isn't this a fun puzzle? I couldn't let you have all the fun by yourself, senior."

"This isn't something you can enjoy... Uh...?"

Rodelin couldn't finish her sentence.

Probably because the completion of the puzzle was steadily increasing.

After completing about 90%, I muttered with my arms crossed.

"Hmm... The problem is that last part. I think I need to change the order of the three patterns..."

"Zero, this is...!"

As she responded, Rodelin's hands became busy.

Actually, it was easy. The puzzle was designed to be solved by spinning the three patterns around.

Click-.

Thunk-.

"The door is open!"

"Long live the senior!"

Luna and Raymon cheered.

Rodelin smiled awkwardly and waved at them.

"Zero, I'm sorry. Actually, it was you who solved the problem..."

"Keke, it's fine. I really didn't know. I would have given up if it weren't for you, senior."

"Hmm, giving up is not a good habit. Let's make today a starting point for improvement."

The warm atmosphere didn't last long.

Because another door appeared before us.

"...Is this a quiz this time?"

The door was covered in Demon language.

On its right side were three levers of different colors.

If the first trial was a puzzle, then the second was a quiz.

The quiz would be easy if one could interpret the Demon language.

"Blue, grey, and black levers."

"The question on the door... I'm not sure. There are words like white and black..."

Maybe she was recalling her Demon Archeology class.

Rodelin began to sweat profusely.

"This is troublesome. We need a scholar proficient in Demon Archeology..."

"When mixing colors at a ratio of white 9, black 1, pull the lever of the resulting color."

"I see. So that's the question. Then it must be grey...?"

Rodelin quickly turned her head towards me.

I turned to face her as well.

Her expression was different from her usual stern look, showing surprise.

It was cute.

"Zero, do you know Demon language?"

"Keke, I have a personal interest in it. I know a little, just a little."

In reality, I'm not just a little knowledgeable, but a master.

The [Translation] skill even interprets Demon language.

Well, even without the skill, it wouldn't have been a problem for me since I knew the answer in advance.

"Is that so? I was lucky then."

Rodelin tilted her head as if something was off.

Pulling the grey lever, the door opened slightly with a heavy sound.

At the same time, everyone except me flinched.

"Magic...! So there really was a demon!"

Rodelin grabbed my collar and pulled me back.

What? Did everyone feel it except me?

I'm like a complete outcast here.

"...Stay here, everyone. I will go and take care of it quickly."

"What! Senior, you're going alone?"

"Luna, in truth, demons are not that strong. I can eliminate them in a single strike."

But everyone here knew.

They knew Rodelin was lying.

"We will fight together!"

"I understand your feelings, but waiting for rescue increases our chances of survival..."

"We are also students of the Academy! Didn't you say earlier, no trial is too much for Annwood Academy students!"

"Luna..."

"I, I will also try my best! I might not be of much help but..."

"Raymon..."

Goodness, what a melodrama.

I'd appreciate it if you could leave me out...

"Thank you, everyone. Zero, you feel the same, right?"

Huh?

"I had momentarily forgotten. That all of you are Academy students who have passed the rigorous entrance exam."

A being created during experiments on erosion.

The demon's shard revealed itself.

* * *

Parrot's Diary #4

It was a day when I was playing with Luterus.

"Ah, right. You haven't been there yet, have you?"

"There?"

"It's called the Tomb of the Sacred Sword. It's where the hero fought the great demon and met his end."

Hero.

A being people called a hero.

I was intrigued. Luterus had always dreamed of being a hero.

"Let's go! For fun! Let's go!"

"Hehe, I knew you'd say that, being my friend."

We arrived at the location of the Sacred Sword.

Indeed, it was a bit old, but it had a noble aura.

There's a legend that the sword of the hero can't be pulled out.

"Someday, I too will wield such a sword against demons... Huh?"

Swoosh.

Luterus, holding the Sacred Sword, met my eyes.

Don't look at me like that. I'm more shocked than you are right now.

Why... did it come out?

At the same time.

"Aaaaahhhhhh!"

The floor disappeared, and Luterus vanished into the darkness.

* * *

A pitch-black egg as dark as ink.

Contrasting with its bright yellow iris and vertically slit black pupil.

It looked exactly like a fragment of a demon from the game.

'Seeing it up close, it's grotesque.'

The thick veins pulsating periodically added to its bizarre feel.

Rodelin didn't rush in immediately.

Partly due to the lack of information on the opponent, but also because she's considering the most effective way to attack based on its appearance.

This is the basic of fighting.

"An egg... There are signs of erosion around it. No need to approach it hastily."

The opponent, presumed to be a demon, was in the form of an egg.

It showed no signs of movement, not even an attempt to roll, let alone arms or legs.

This means it currently has no means to attack us.

"Even if it takes time, throwing weapons seems like the best option."

When everyone, except me, nodded in agreement,

The demon's shard glanced over us, and a sound like scraping metal echoed.

"Who is it this time? Again, mere mortals. As ever, your weakness remains unchanged."

It seemed capable of speech, despite its lack of a mouth.

When its gaze turned to me,

"Hmm? What are you? You feel familiar somehow... A human, intriguing."

"..."

"Good timing. I needed an explanation for what happened during my recovery. Stay out of this for now. I'll spare your life."

Rodelin, Luna, and Raymon glanced at me.

They all must have felt it. The 'familiarity' in that grating voice.

Just by saying that, it's clear it intends to spare me.

That level of familiarity was being shown.

Tap-tap.

Rodelin shifted her position slightly.

A spot where she could keep an eye on both me and the demon's shard.

I needed to explain, but I held my tongue. Because.

'This is a new line for me.'

It means a hidden piece was triggered for some reason.

It can't be just because I tried in Episode 1. Others had tried it before too.

So, it must be.

'My traits?'

The [Ominous Aura] skill and my slit-eyed impression.

Though it's displeasing to ordinary people, it might attract those with evil tendencies.

'Yes, that's it.'

I can feel it. The vibe of a veteran player.

How to act in front of those with 'evil tendencies' to get favorable outcomes.

"Keke, pleased to meet you, fragment of a demon. 'He' sent me to you."

Then, indeed.

It's best to make use of this situation.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading