Chapter 43. Ant Nest (3)

"!?"

Everyone was taken aback.

Teron had just announced the demotions of Godner and Jepa.

As a result, Godner was now ranked 7th, and Jepa 8th.

"T-Teron-sama? Why...?"

"Do I have to explain everything? You really are hopeless."

Only then did Jepa shut his mouth.

He realized that if he said another word, he might be demoted to a double-digit rank.

"Tsk."

Teron clicked his tongue.

The ranking system was designed to create a positive feedback loop, where members would stimulate each other's growth.

But at some point, it had degenerated into a means of bringing others down.

'Waiting for members of the same faction to make mistakes. They don't even know what's important right now...'

The problem didn't end there.

"If we recruit that guy, what rank should we give him?"

"5th place is enough. There are plenty of people with that level of skill."

"Even if we push it, 4th place. No higher."

Teron was exasperated.

Do these kids have eyes like sieves? Or is there something wrong with their heads?

'To not realize that the opponent is hiding their true strength. And they occupy single-digit ranks? I can't believe it.'

I thought they were skilled, but it turns out they're just mediocre?

It was a situation where it was impossible not to feel irritated.

And this wasn't just a problem for the Teron faction.

"Yuridia-sama, this has made everything clear."

"What has?"

"The Teron faction's strength is poor, and that Zero kid's skills are even worse."

"..."

Yuridia looked at her right-hand man, who was smiling happily, and thought:

We are an even worse group than that poor Teron faction.

'Really, I'm going to lose my mind.'

'Really, I'm going to lose my mind.'

Yuridia and Teron met each other's gaze in mid-air.

To think that the only one who could empathize with his thoughts was the leader of the opposing faction.

There couldn't be a more absurd situation.

"Let's give him 4th place!"

"5th place, I say!"

The faction was even split in half, starting a power struggle.

But Teron had no interest in them.

What mattered now was Zero's skills and his value.

"Dyke, what do you think?"

Teron muttered softly.

The voice was so quiet that it was doubtful anyone had heard it.

But the response was clear.

"He's strong. He's deliberately hiding his skills."

"Figures. This is going to be difficult. Handling someone like him isn't easy..."

There's something about him that makes you not want to approach.

Not only does he have a menacing appearance, but he pretends not to hear and runs away when you show interest.

He doesn't seem to care about Yuridia's side either.

'Someone like that is hard to control.'

The same went for the girl, Luna, who was with him.

She was not only aggressive but also acted without knowing her limits, like a wild cat.

I didn't want such a person by my side.

"But I can't give her to Yuridia's side... Dyke, what do you think? Could you beat them if you fought Zero and Luna?"

Dyke looked at Zero and Luna.

They were indeed strong, almost unmatched among their peers.

But...

"I would win."

"That's the answer I wanted."

Teron's mouth stretched wide.

The effort to recruit him wouldn't stop.

If the condition was to include the aggressive cat, he would accept it too.

'But if I can't have him?'

Then, it would be best to destroy him.

* * *

The temperature was so hot and humid that sweat trickled down my neck.

The glowing stones embedded in the walls emitted light, but visibility was limited.

Of course, this was to be expected.

We were in a cave, and we were continuously descending.

That's right. We were now inside the dungeon, advancing deeper under the protection of the instructors.

Squish!

Crunch!

A headless ant spewed green blood from its neck.

The severed ant's head rolled and reached us.

"Ugh... It's terrible."

"Ugh!"

The children were once again overwhelmed.

This was the fifth time they had encountered ant-type monsters.

But the number of children who couldn't adapt far outnumbered those who could.

'Black ants.'

One of the lowest-level monsters.

Apart from their tough shells, they had no notable abilities.

But their presence was overwhelming. They were a staggering 2 meters tall.

'If it bites, it will at least sever a limb.'

At that moment, ants began climbing the walls, and two of them slipped past the instructors.

Some children turned around to run.

Those who wanted to face the ants and those who wanted to run.

For a moment, chaos ensued.

Thud!

At that moment, someone darted forward.

It was Dyke.

A child who hadn't spoken a word since entering the game, but I knew him better than anyone.

Crack!

Crunch!

A massive broadsword swung, and the heads of two ants flew off.

His movements were so fast that they were barely visible.

It was as if the ants had collapsed the moment the sword flashed.

"Tsk, I told you not to run."

Karon's voice of disapproval was heard.

From the classroom to before entering the dungeon, and even after entering, Karon had emphasized the importance of order.

"I will deduct points from those who tried to run."

The children bowed their heads deeply.

Even the top class was afraid of fear.

Besides, they were only fifteen years old.

If I didn't have the power of [Mental Defense], I might have been among them.

"Heh, I knew it would happen."

"Exactly. Only the weak ones show off like that."

The Teron faction's morale soared.

Two of the children who had run belonged to the Yuridia faction.

Moreover, Dyke, who had swiftly cut down the ants, was a member of the Teron faction.

Their morale couldn't help but soar.

"Neat skills. Dyke, I'll give you 1 point in the shop. But don't take the lead in the future. We need to see how the other children respond."

"Understood."

Dyke received the point, but no one complained.

No, they couldn't.

'He perfectly targeted the weak points.'

The weak points of black ants were the relatively thin connections between the head, thorax, and abdomen.

There were only two weak points.

The standard was to target the connection between the head and thorax.

Cutting between the thorax and abdomen wouldn't kill them immediately.

"...Impressive."

As we passed the two ant corpses, Luna muttered.

"Heh, really?"

"You're lucky you don't know. This skill... I think even Rodelin-senpai would find it difficult."

Luna's eyes darkened.

She acknowledged the gap with Rodelin.

Born into a prestigious family, with innate talent, and a year senior.

But to have such a skill gap with a peer like Dyke.

For Luna, who dreamed of revenge, it must have been a depressing realization.

'Even after capturing a transparent slime and a demon fragment... the gap is still so large?'

Luna had grown significantly compared to the in-game Luna.

Yet, she still perceived Dyke as a high wall.

It wasn't a good sign. Dyke was...

'The one who would cut off Luna's arm.'

One of the main characters, alongside Alex, Rodelin, and Raymond, and one of the five fingers of the academy.

And...

'Teron's hunting dog and slave.'

As Teron's slave, he was one of the children who had the most conflicts with the protagonist's group.

'After experiencing several events, he would take his own life... but...'

One of those 'several events' was Luna losing an arm.

That was the problem.

'Maybe it's too early to face Dyke.'

Not just for Luna, but for me as well.

Since he was a key figure in the early story, I couldn't handle him carelessly.

So, I decided to prepare in advance.

In the simplest and safest way.

"Luna, don't get involved with the Teron faction."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, don't get close to them. Whether it's for good or bad reasons."

"Well, sure. I don't like them anyway, so it's not a big deal..."

Luna scratched her head.

As expected, this stubborn kid... no, this kid didn't understand what I meant.

"Don't try to help the weak who are being bullied either."

Luna flinched and looked at me.

Finally, she's paying attention?

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

"You've fought with them before while trying to help Emu, right? I'm telling you to avoid that. No, don't do it."

"..."

Luna didn't say anything.

I knew she really disliked the Teron faction.

'But it's the same for Teron.'

Partly because of the rejection of recruitment, but more likely due to Luna's aggressive nature and her belief in standing up for the weak.

The two were likely to clash soon, just as they did in the game.

'And the price will be Luna's arm.'

Luna's mouth opened wide.

"I hate it. Not only do they form cliques, but they also bully the weak. I can't tolerate it!"

"Still, you should hold back."

"Why should I?"

"It's dangerous."

"You can run away if it's dangerous. Nobles are human too. But to see something wrong and run away is not what a noble should do."

How can someone be so righteous?

Good. Very good.

'Perfect for breaking.'

Belief is a word granted only to those who are prepared.

For the unprepared, belief is no different from nonsense and can lead to the worst outcomes.

And Luna was in that state now.

Luna's eyes sparkled, as if asking if I had more to say.

In the end, I decided to use my last resort.

"Luna, let's make a promise. Not to get involved."

"Why should I?"

"Because I don't want my friend to be in danger."

For a moment, Luna's lips twitched.

Luna, who was particularly attached to the word 'friend.'

This was a request as a friend, so it would be hard for her to refuse.

She tried to suppress her rising lips but failed.

She turned her head and cleared her throat.

"Hmph, don't worry. Well, fine, I'll show some mercy. Come on, let's make a promise!"

Luna extended her pinky finger.

Was she suggesting a pinky promise? That's a bit embarrassing.

"What is this? We're not kids..."

"Huh? My family always makes promises like this."

"Hooking pinky fingers symbolizes a firm commitment to keep the promise. It shows the family's emphasis on the importance of promises. It's something people who only make verbal promises should reflect on."

My immediate response.

Luna smiled brightly, saying that this was how promises should be made.

I, who was about to cast Tulula, was busy catching my breath.

"I don't know why, but you must have your reasons. Right?"

"Heh, that's right."

"Hmm~ I don't like them, but I'll hold back. Refusing a friend's request isn't what a friend should do. As a friend, I have no choice, no choice!"

Luna patted my back roughly and laughed.

An innocent, bright smile.

'Because she's a child who values promises with friends...'

She would keep the promise not to get involved with the Teron faction.

...Right?