Ch.180180. The Second Trial (3)

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After I was reincarnated into the Serath world, I’ve faced all sorts of crises.

I’ve fought with Mein, battled the Boy King who had completely mastered forgotten magic. Even fought ancient gods from other dimensions.

But even with all that experience under my belt.

I have absolutely no idea how to handle this situation.

“…”

“…”

Silence hangs in the air.

“…Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you in this position…?”

I somehow managed to say that much, but Elia, who was clinging to one of my arms, showed no intention of letting go.

The crackling firewood provided the only light, casting shadows across Elia’s face as she rested her head against my side.

That usual cheerful smile was plastered on her face.

“…”

But in this lighting, it looked much more, how should I put it?

Lecherous.

[That’s because it actually is lecherous.]

“…”

[You already know that deep down, don’t you?]

I do… know.

How could I not?

The fact that this person’s demeanor is unusual right now would be obvious to anyone who isn’t blind.

It’s like the feeling of a predator eyeing its prey.

[That makes three now.]

‘…What?’

[Women who are clinging to you trying to take your virginity.]

‘…’

[I never expected my sister to be among them.]

What the hell happened while I was gone?

“Mmm.”

While I was sweating bullets and pondering this question, Elia made that sound again and snuggled closer.

She pulled my arm deeper into her embrace.

“…You’re too close.”

I managed to say that much, but Elia fired back without changing her expression one bit.

“I’m cold.”

“…”

“You’re warm, teacher.”

Far from backing off, she pressed her body even closer.

Eventually.

“Yap!”

She completely turned around to face me and burrowed into my arms.

The back of her head pressed against my chest. The fragrant scent from her orange hair tickled my nose.

“…Teacher.”

“Hmm?”

“You already know what I’m about to do, don’t you?”

“…”

I kept my mouth shut at that direct question that came without warning.

Yes, it was impossible not to know.

From the beginning, I could feel that both this person and I had been reading the situation carefully.

We both already knew what she was aiming for, and what my answer would be.

“…You’re going to say no again, aren’t you?”

“…”

I silently looked at Elia, who spoke with a bitter expression.

“…I understand, teacher.”

She said, pouting her lips.

“It’s dangerous. There are plenty of women around you who would flip out if you just held hands with another woman, right?”

“…”

That’s true.

Being in a position where I’m still intensely obsessed over by demons, crossing the line with anyone would be like boarding an express train to suicide.

But.

“It’s not just about me, you’re the bigger problem.”

I sighed as I answered.

“Pardon?”

“If you cross the line with me, the demons will come after you even more viciously than they would me.”

“…”

Not just for me, but for this person too.

Not being a demon herself, and not being the object of their affection either.

If she crosses the line with me, she’ll face the wrath of seven demons all by herself.

“…”

That’s impossible.

Even I wouldn’t be confident in surviving such an ordeal.

“I can’t let you die. If you came to me like this after the situation was resolved, that would be different.”

“Ugh, there you go putting it off again.”

Elia pouted her lips again.

“Would it hurt to at least pretend you like me? You used to tell me I was precious to you and all that-“

“I’m not pretending.”

“…”

Elia froze in place.

She remained still with her lips still pouting.

She lowered her eyes for a moment.

She was silent for a while. As if thinking about what I just said.

And then.

“…”

Her face turned incredibly red.

The blush spread all the way to her ears. She looked like steam might start coming out of her head.

She barely managed to calm her stuttering breath before speaking.

“…What?”

“I’m not pretending. I do like you.”

I answered calmly at her reaction.

“…”

She flailed her arms and legs around as if she had completely malfunctioned.

But I meant it.

Everyone else fell for me because of my trait, completely disregarding any semblance of plausibility.

This person alone is doing this of her “own will” without any special power influencing her.

In this aspect, she is clearly different from the others.

It’s her “genuine feelings” unmixed with any other factors.

So, I should clearly convey my genuine feelings too.

“Let’s do it.”

“…Pardon?”

“Once the situation is resolved, we can sleep together, get married, whatever you want. I’ll agree to it all.”

“…”

“I really do want to do those things with you too. Truly.”

Elia stared at me, completely frozen.

She clearly hadn’t expected such a straightforward answer.

“You are precious to me.”

I don’t mean that I’m treating her this way just because she’s an important character in the scenario.

This person, regardless of how it happened, is giving her all to connect with me.

Even if I can’t accept her now, she’s someone I must give an answer to later, which means she’s “humanly” precious to me.

After I said that.

Elia lowered her head slightly.

Due to the limited lighting, I couldn’t see what expression she was making, but I could tell her entire face had turned red.

“…Teacher.”

“Hmm?”

“You need to understand what position you’re in.”

The next moment.

The world flipped upside down.

“…”

More precisely, Elia had flipped my entire body over.

Then, with fluid movements, she climbed on top of my abdomen.

“…Hey, what are you…!”

I blurted out in shock, and she brought her face close to mine while breathing heavily.

Now I could see her expression.

Compared to before, her “rationality” had clearly diminished.

“…”

Actually, that’s putting it nicely.

To be more direct.

She looked aroused.

Seriously so.

“Teacher, do you realize how… ‘vulnerable’ a man you are?”

“…”

Maybe you’re the monster for saying that to a human who deals with demon-level beings.

Though I can’t argue since without Desperate Situation activated, I do have that level of combat ability.

“Being so vulnerable, yet saying such, such…! ‘delicious’ things…! You’re just asking to be eaten up…!”

“…”

What is she saying?

“…Did you even listen to what I just…!”

“Yes. I heard you.”

Elia answered with a bright smile.

“But if I can defeat all the demons, that solves the problem, doesn’t it?”

“…”

What insane talk is this?

I looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, and she continued stammering.

“If I, if I get the Holy Sword, and become recognized as a hero, it’s not impossible, right?”

“…That’s true, but…!”

Even in her deranged state, she somehow managed to hit the nail on the head.

Elia, after obtaining the Holy Sword and becoming a hero, does indeed grow into a monster capable of such feats.

But.

“That’s not guaranteed to happen yet, so why take such a risk now…!”

“We can deal with it first and clean up later!”

“…”

“That’s what you’ve been doing all along, teacher!”

“…”

She’s right.

But the focus in her eyes is completely gone.

She’s not thinking deeply about what she’s saying either.

While I was thinking that, a thunderous shout erupted inside the Soul Linker.

[DO THIS WHERE I CAN’T SEE YOU, YOU FUCKING BASTARDS-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

“…”

Wait, I think this is the first time I’ve seen this person lose their mind like this?

While thinking that and looking in that direction, Calivan continued in a voice that sounded like he’d seen it all.

[I’m dying. I’m passing out from now on. Don’t talk to me.]

With those final words, his response in the Soul Linker cut off.

He really turned off his consciousness. It’s similar to forcing himself to faint.

‘…No, that’s not the issue here!’

I turned back to Elia, who was breathing roughly with her eyes wide open.

Her focus was already gone. Her school uniform was disheveled, half-exposing her chest, but she was so swept up in the wave of desire that she didn’t even care about that.

“…Calm down first.”

“I am calm…!”

“…”

No.

You’re absolutely not calm.

Desperate Situation.

The skill hasn’t activated, but this is truly a desperate situation.

‘In that case…!’

The only option left is to push her away by force.

With that thought, I tried to push Elia away with all my might, but.

“…What’s this? Are you being playful?”

“…”

Why is she so strong?

She doesn’t even budge. Without Desperate Situation, the difference in strength is so great that she could probably subdue me with one finger.

I look at Elia approaching me with rough breaths, the color draining from my face.

“Just look up at the sky and count some stars.”

“…”

“I’ll, I’ll make it quick…!”

I close my eyes tightly as I watch Elia pin down my chest with her eyes unfocused.

Please.

Someone, save me…!

As I was thinking that.

“…Really now.”

A voice came from the sky.

Then.

“What are you two doing?”

A familiar “red flame” blasted away all the surrounding trees.

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“…”

“…”

“…”

A silence three times more terrible than before hung over the camp.

Meanwhile, Talion was casually grilling meat he had brought over the campfire.

“Aren’t you and Elia going to eat, brother?”

“…I’m good.”

“…Me too.”

Two equally gloomy voices responded simultaneously.

Voices mixed with shame and awkwardness.

Both Elia, who had been barely restrained from going berserk, and I, who had been discovered in an embarrassing state not fit for others to see.

Still, I had to ask what needed to be asked.

“…So, how did you find this place?”

“Mr. Faynol found it. He said he felt your soul returning.”

“…”

Hearing that, I turned toward Faynol, and his completely expressionless face turned toward me.

“…I’m glad to see you’re healthy.”

He answered with a smile.

It was definitely an extremely unnatural smile.

He doesn’t even seem to be trying to hide the fact that he’s angry.

“…”

Hey.

I thought you couldn’t feel emotions.

Why are you creating such a skin-crawling atmosphere…?

“More importantly, there’s something I want to tell you, brother.”

“…Hmm?”

I turned my head toward Talion at his sudden words, and he shrugged as he continued.

“Information I received from the Prime Minister. I heard that from tomorrow, the difficulty of the test will increase dramatically.”

“…”

“…”

Elia and I both grimaced at the casual leak of confidential information.

It’s so brazen that I don’t even know what to think anymore.

‘…Well, actually.’

Considering the interests tied to the title of hero, it would be foolish not to do this.

In fact, this should be considered part of the trial.

It’s like they’re also testing the national power of each country that can support hero candidates behind the scenes.

“I’ll have to explain the details slowly, but to get to the conclusion…”

Talion paused briefly and glanced around.

“…”

“…”

“…”

The catastrophic silence from earlier still hung heavily in the air.

No one seemed to have any will to engage in conversation.

At this, Talion cleared his throat and continued speaking.

He seemed determined to say something, at least.

“…It seems like you’ll have to travel with us tomorrow…”

“…”

“…The four of us will overcome the challenges together.”

Ah.

With this group, he means.

With an angry Faynol and Elia, who’s in the middle of a psychological battle with him.

“…”

Ah.

Should I just die instead?

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