Chapter 49: An Extra With No Presence [1]

Joint classes.

And it's a group evaluation.

It's a cumbersome task, both in reality and in games.

Why?

Because whenever three people gather, there's bound to be one odd one. If five gather, there will be two.

Those two can be considered as not helpful.

No, it would be fortunate if they were only unhelpful. If they engage in various trolling behaviors, they could even break the motivation of other members who participate earnestly.

Therefore, the importance of the team members is self evident.

So, what should I say about the state of the group I belong to now?

My gaze first went to Riviera, who was blankly staring at a distant mountain.

A team member with skills superior to anyone else. But look at that expression of hers, showing no interest at all. Her motivation is zero.

With this attitude, the probability of her being useless is 100%. Even a passing dog would be more helpful than her.

With that thought, my gaze moved to the last member of the group. A man named Sunny Benesse. He has the face of a typical model student.

Just by looking at his eyes filled with firm determination, you can feel that his ego is not ordinary.

Anyone would think he's a capable member of the group just by looking at him...

"Huh?"

Feeling our eyes meet, Sunny flinched and quickly turned his gaze away. Where did his overflowing ego go? Now, he looked like a frightened herbivore.

'He's completely different from his brother.'

I know this man's brother well. He's a classmate of the protagonist and one of the main characters of this game.

Leon Benesse.

A robust and manly handsome man who, when with the also handsome protagonist, looks like an art work... according to female players, not me.

Let me emphasize again, it's not my personal impression.

Anyway, he's not just good looking, but a man who truly embodies the term 'mom's friend's son' with his genuine skills.

The Benesse Viscount family, known as 'The Spear of the Kingdom.'

Meaning, he was seriously antisocial.

'This must be the reason he lost it.'

Being timid and having problems with interpersonal relationships could certainly be reasons for disqualification.

Especially since his brother was the complete opposite, which would have made the comparison even more stark.

"...Why, why did you call me?"

Sunny asked cautiously when I called him but didn't speak.

I stopped thinking.

"You won't be of any help."

***

'What, what?!'

Sunny felt like he was about to lose his grip on consciousness for the second time in his life. And from the same person, no less. His face flushed, and his body trembled uncontrollably. A bubbling energy boiled up from within.

Should he just flip everything over now?

Huh?

'Should I try it?'

....But when he actually thought about doing it, my courage shrank rapidly. The boiling energy cooled down just as quickly.

'Am I avoiding it because I'm scared of sh*t, or because it's dirty?'

His brain started to rationalize. Sunny swallowed hard and said,

"How can you say I won't be of help... What's your basis for saying that...."

Ah. Sunny wanted to smack himself in the head. Why was he asking for a basis in a situation that called for a sharp rebuke?

He felt pathetic.

"Hmm, is there really a grand basis to speak of?"

Max casually threw a glance and continued speaking.

"You've never properly demonstrated your skills in a real battle, have you?"

Suddenly, he felt choked, and his heart sank. It felt like being stabbed right in a sore spot I wanted to hide. Sunny eyes shook with shock.

"Isn't that why you're in the common class?"