Chapter 94

94. The First Boss, Leang (12)

The first thing that came to mind was the demons who must never be faced.

Next were the names and locations of the higher demons whom he would rather not encounter.

He intended to avoid the demons with difficult patterns as much as possible.

‘If I make a single mistake, my companion will die.’

In the game, it would have been a bit disappointing, but here, it would be different.

The wound would be deep. The wound in his heart. For that companion...

Rumble—

...even if Luna was openly sleeping during class.

Perhaps he would come to miss this sight.

Well, except for the drooling part.

‘Well, there’s no need to worry about it right now.’

After Chapter 3 in the story.

No matter how quickly, the first encounter with a higher demon would be then.

If he avoided the dangerous routes, it could be as late as Chapters 4 or 5.

In other words, there was absolutely no need to worry now.

While lost in these thoughts, the class ended.

“Soon, the midterm exams, right?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Huh, if you don’t give up and do your best until the end, you’ll get a good result. See you then.”

As Ellesster left the classroom, the children grumbled.

It seemed that children in this world also disliked exams.

“Zero, did you listen well to the class?”

It was Yuridia.

The girl sitting in front of me started chattering.

“Oh, that noisy one is back again.”

“Luna, did you listen well to the class? It’s a perfect day to have a cup of tea with your classmates. Isn’t it?”

“Yeah, not at all.”

Luna covered her ears and made a ridiculous face, but Yuridia just giggled.

‘She must think that Luna and I are in a relationship.’

Perhaps the feeling of needing to protect her was stronger.

No matter how much Luna pushed her away, Yuridia didn’t reveal her true colors.

“Are you not interested in magic? If you come to me, I can teach you a little.”

Oh, a thrilling magic tutoring session with a magic genius.

It’s certainly an appealing offer. But...

“Huh, magic is murder to me.”

“...Ahaha, I see. You’re amazing.”

To take my sincere words as a dirty joke.

That’s why Yuridia is no good. If it were Teron, he would have believed me.

Anyway, as it appeared, Yuridia still hadn’t given up on me.

Teron, on the other hand, had cleanly given up.

After the proxy duel incident, the Teron faction showed no particular movements.

It seemed they firmly believed I wouldn’t join the Yuridia faction.

‘Well, it’s true.’

I could pretend to get closer to Yuridia to surprise Teron,

but I didn’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest.

Besides, I liked Teron a million times more than Yuridia, who didn’t empathize with me at all.

‘He’s an antagonist, but... he’s a good guy.’

I knew the reason Teron was obsessed with grades.

Because of this, I understood his every action.

“...”

While half-listening to Yuridia’s words,

I accidentally met Teron’s gaze. He nodded slightly.

Nod—

It was a greeting, asking if I was well.

I nodded back slightly.

Nod—

Teron smiled faintly.

He realized that I was saying, “If you are well, then I am well too.”

“Let’s go.”

At Teron’s command, the children who followed him stood up.

Teron passed by us without a word.

To avoid putting Yuridia on guard.

‘To avoid making things awkward for each other.’

My thoughts were exactly the same. Indeed, he’s a guy I can’t hate even if I want to.

Thus, with Teron...

“Love?”

“Huh, yes. Our love is growing deeper...”

No, it’s not love, it’s friendship.

Luna’s interruption made my words come out wrong.

“You look at him with such burning eyes. Yeah, show me more. What is love?”

“...Huh, I’ve never thought that way?”

“Zero, I’ll give you one warning.”

Luna got up from her chair and leaned in close.

So close that we could hear each other’s breath.

Luna whispered in my ear.

“It’s not a problem if you fall in love with me. I won’t accept it anyway.”

I see. So you think I like you.

You were imagining something that will never happen?

“But if you don’t love me, that’s a problem too. It means I’m not attractive, right?”

Luna, what are you talking about?

Love is a problem, and not loving is a problem too.

Are you crazy?

“Speak quickly.”

“...What do you mean?”

“S, a, y, I, l, o, v, e, y, o, u.”

Luna said each word clearly.

She doesn’t really want me to confess, does she? She doesn’t see me as a guy.

This is just Luna’s scheme to boost her self-esteem as a woman.

By making me say I love her, she feels like an attractive woman.

A pervert among perverts.

‘Maybe because she’s short, she has a complex about that.’

Even if I call her a stick a million times, she won’t become one.

But I can’t handle Luna’s anger, so I sometimes play along.

I also enjoy this kind of teasing.

That’s right. Normally, I would have gone along with Luna’s teasing.

But now, it’s difficult. Why?

Bang—

Because there were still children in the classroom.

Some were even openly staring at us.

“...”

And it was quiet.

Naturally, they were holding their breath to hear our conversation.

In other words, Luna was making me confess in front of everyone.

The problem is that Luna’s awareness is hopeless.

She didn’t realize that the children were watching us.

To her, it was a simple prank, but to me, it was a social death.

“Why aren’t you speaking? Speak quickly.”

I thought about it for a moment, but it was impossible.

Lying was too cruel for my innocent self.

“Huh, is there any need to say such a thing? Don’t you know I always feel that way?”

“Don’t be vague. I’m really getting angry?”

L, o, v, e...

No, you crazy woman! Just kill me!

I firmly closed my mouth to show my refusal, and Luna sighed deeply.

“Sigh, I’ll let it go. Then hug me. Let’s compromise on that.”

Yeah, I see. You don’t understand the meaning of compromise, do you?

The problem is wanting such a thing in the first place.

‘I guess I spoiled her like a bad daughter from the start.’

There’s no one as spoiled as her. A fifteen-year-old brat.

The future looks bleak. I might have to carry her around.

‘Wait, carry? Carry...’

A good idea came to mind. I stood up and slung Luna over my shoulder.

I heard Luna’s voice from behind me.

“...What are you doing?”

“Huh, can’t you see? I’m hugging you.”

Anyway, if I just make our bodies touch and prevent her from escaping, it counts as a hug.

Anyone would agree with my logic.

“This isn’t a hug! Do it properly!”

Luna started hitting my back.

But I can endure this much.

‘I’ve been hit so many times before.’

If there were a stat for endurance, I would have maxed it out.

I quickly carried Luna out of the classroom.

As soon as we left, cheers erupted in the classroom.

“Squeal!!”

“Look at that hug!”

“He’s a man!!”

Well, I am a man, not a woman.

‘I need to come up with a plan. This could turn into a big problem.’

I might end up being responsible for Luna for life.

So I started running, still carrying Luna.

* * *

“Why can’t you say it? I love you! She’s my girl! Why can’t you say it!”

Luna’s words were half-spoken, half-drooling.

It’s like an old game, with old-fashioned dialogue.

“Huh, can you do it, Miss Luna? There were so many kids around.”

“Yeah, I can. Why don’t you do it next time?”

...I lost.

Beating Luna might be impossible for life.

If I fight the final boss with stubbornness, our Luna will definitely win.

“Tsk! You’re overconfident. No one cares about you. We’re having a conversation, so what’s the big deal.”

...Everyone was listening to our conversation!

Is the word “awareness” not in your dictionary?

“Huh, I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Tsk! Anyway, why isn’t he here? We need to go make friends quickly.”

Luna grumbled.

We were currently waiting for Regis.

Unlike us, who were in the advanced class, Regis was in the regular class.

‘Well, he’s already here.’

While I was listening to Luna’s complaints, my [Super Sensory] skill activated.

Regis was currently next to Luna.

I couldn’t see his form, but I could definitely sense Regis’s presence.

‘He’s probably waiting for the right moment to join us.’

He could just come out boldly, but he’s hiding in an invisible box.

He’s a kid with a tough road ahead.

“Hmm, did he get lost? Should we go look for him?”

“Huh, he’s already here.”

“What? What do you mean... Ah!”

A girl’s scream burst from Luna’s mouth.

Regis appeared as the box opened.

Of course, I was also shocked.

To hear a delicate girl’s scream from our boyish Luna!

“Ah, hello...”

“What, what is this! Where did you come from?”

Our eyes were drawn to the box from which Regis emerged.

It was a grass-shaped box. This box, like the training ground box, had a perfect blend.

“Huh, the box is amazing.”

“Is, is it?”

“Yes, I thought it was real grass. I’ve always been impressed by your craftsmanship.”

“Craftsmanship...”

Muttering, Regis put his hand in his pocket and started to take something out.

It was a box. A grass-shaped box.

“This is the 3rd grass box. And this is the 2nd, this is the 1st, and...”

The boxes popped out one by one.

Interestingly, each box had a slightly different design and color.

“There are different types of grass? I didn’t know that.”

“...Isn’t it strange to know that?”

Perhaps he was proud of the boxes he made.

With a proud smile, Regis put the boxes back one by one.

Regis, didn’t you hear me say you were strange just now? That wasn’t a compliment!

“So, what are we doing today? You said not to book the training ground.”

Come to think of it, today was a very important day.

It was the day to tackle the Chapter 1 boss, Leang.

A day that required seriousness and focus. But...

‘After being harassed by Luna all morning... I’m completely unfocused.’

I lost my energy unnecessarily.

But we couldn’t delay the plan.

I raised my finger to get their attention.

“Huh, today we’re going to play a stalking game.”

“Stalking game? Sounds very Zero-like.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Obviously, it means it’s perverted.”

When did the equation ‘Zero = Pervert’ come about?

Isn’t it just your personal opinion, Luna?

“Stalking... That’s wrong. If I get caught because of you, what will I do?”

...That’s not something you, a master of stealth and disguise, should say.

If I didn’t have the [Super Sensory] skill, I would never have found Regis.

“Hmm, I don’t know what scheme you’re planning... but I agree with Regis. Stalking isn’t easy.”

That’s right. It’s not easy.

For a master of stealth like Regis and a crazy stalker like Luna, it’s easy.

‘The problem is me.’

Unlike those strange kids, I’m an overly normal kid.

There’s no way I can pull off a criminal act like stalking.

But there was a simple way to solve this.

“Huh, Miss Regis.”

“Yes, yes...?”

“Can I take a look inside your pocket?”

The long bangs that hung like a curtain.

Below them, Regis’s face turned bright red.