Chapter 21 – Unexpected Situation (1)

Chapter 21 – Unexpected Situation (1)

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]

Chapter 21 – Unexpected Situation (1)

All the Professors at the Cradle were veterans of their field. Not that they were old, but they were that good.

However, there was one thing even these Professors wanted to avoid.

“Ugh...”

“Mmm...”

-Nodding off

Despite their abilities and powers, they were still human.

In the afternoon, when the body was most weary, and particularly after lunch, drowsiness reached its peak. It was a commonly held belief that no skill could avert this inevitable wave of sleepiness.

“Hmm.”

Mr. Smith, standing at the podium, muttered to himself and scratched his head.

Of all times. It had to be the time of day that Cradle Professors wanted to avoid the most.

And it was the notoriously boring and tedious Monster Behavioral Studies class.

Usually, some students would be distracted or doze off. But if it happened right after lunch like now, there was no hope.

“Alright, everyone!”

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But what could he do? He was the Professor, and they were the students. The ones who teach and the ones who learn. Everything was for the future.

“I know you’re all sleepy! So is your Professor! Originally, there was supposed to be a P.E. class after lunch! But what can we do? Let’s all try our best and focus on the lesson! Go, go!”

Mr. Smith wasn’t struggling alone. After all, they were supposed to be the protectors of the empire. Everyone was fighting.

Some pinched their cheeks or thighs. Others gulped down cold water. A few had already succumbed to sleep and were slumped over.

Meanwhile, some maintained bright eyes as if this level of drowsiness was bearable.

“...”

Among them was Deus, sitting at the very back.

‘It’s all because they lack stamina.’

Tsk tsk. He couldn’t help but click his tongue. Were these really the protectors of the empire’s future?

If they couldn’t even overcome sleepiness, how could they fight monsters?

Wasn’t this something that could be conquered with sheer willpower?

He thought, despite having dozed off himself in the past. Shaking his head, Deus turned to the side.

“...”

There, he saw Yurishia struggling with sleepiness.

To be precise, she was on the verge of defeat. Her head kept nodding. Watching her for a moment, Deus reached out and tapped on the desk. As gently as possible, so as not to startle Yurishia.

-Tap tap!

Of course, that didn’t mean the sound was quiet.

“Huh?!”

Startled, Yurishia quickly raised her head. Then she looked around, probably thinking the Professor had given her a warning.

“Yurishia.”

Deus waved his hand slightly, lest she be further surprised. He was the one who woke her up, so there was no need to be alarmed.

“Ah...!”

At first, she was relieved it wasn’t the Professor.

‘I’m not really up for fieldwork anymore.’

The lifespan of ability users wasn’t very long. Not their actual lifespan, but the lifespan of their Special abilities.

Using Special abilities inevitably puts a strain on the body. Therefore, the time they could be active in the field was limited. Most were already set for retirement in their late 30s or early 40s.

Those who had been rougher on their bodies in the field struggled even in their early 30s.

“Ugh.”

He wasn’t completely washed up, but he wasn’t as spry as he was in his 20s either. So, just in case, he did some light stretches. A bad back could end a man’s life, right?

Fortunately, his body seemed to have returned to its prime. It moved well without any aches or creaks.

-Rumble!

Space distorted, and a pitch-black abyss opened its maw. The stench of death wafted from beyond, utterly repulsive.

Decades ago, this was called the end of the world.

Back then, the truth about abilities and the existence of ability users were unknown. At best, sword energy or magic was all that could resist it.

How many sacrifices were made before humanity was finally ready?

Because everyone remembers those times, the current ability users take their duties seriously. This was a right and a gift, but also a shackle and a destiny.

-Screech!!

The monsters that had harmed countless people in the past roared once again. In there, they were the masters, the sole beings, the strong. They were nightmares, eager to spread their malice into this world without restraint.

“Professor Hunter!”

“Ah, you’re here, Professor Tiamat. How’s the evacuation going?”

“It’s going well! I left it in their hands and came here!”

That was good news. The students weren’t ready yet.

It wasn’t that they didn’t trust their abilities. They needed a stronger resolve. This was a battle against monsters, and at the same time, a battle against themselves.

“How is it?”

“Hmm. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a high-risk Gate.”

“That’s a relief! We don’t want the whole area to be damaged!”

“Let’s wrap this up quickly. I have a class after this.”

Even though they couldn’t display the same power as before.

They were still ability users. Guardians who protected the empire from disaster.

Even as their bodies weakened and they aged, that fact remained unchanged.

“Shall we have a contest?! Let’s see who can catch more!”

“Alright.”

Professor Hunter took off his sunglasses and quietly placed them aside.

His nickname, given by the students, was Deer Eyes. True to its name, his eyes were gentle.

But within them was a clear animosity towards the disaster.

“The loser buys dinner tonight.”

“I definitely want meat?! The most expensive kind!!”

“But in the end, it’s always pork belly and soju, isn’t it?”

“Sometimes we have somaek too?!”

“...Suit yourself.”

The two Professors of the Cradle ran straight towards the manifested Gate.

Completely unaware of what awaited them in the depths of the abyss.

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]