Ch.66. Assassination Attempt

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“It seems all outside communications are blocked.”

That comment came from Elnore as she fiddled with various devices around her.

“Don’t worry too much. I’m sure the academy is already taking measures.”

Of course, the students’ composure despite the situation was largely thanks to Elnore, who maintained calm control even in these circumstances.

Actually, rather than composed, she’s been so expressionless since earlier that it’s almost frightening. I wonder if this person is even capable of showing emotions.

“So we just wait here?”

A particularly fidgety student with a small build asked. Judging by the tiny wand and robe, probably an aspiring magic department student.

“No. I don’t think so.”

Elia, who had been silently observing the situation with folded arms, answered.

When Elnore turned to look at him, he continued with a grin.

“I think we might be in serious trouble if we don’t move quickly. Don’t you agree?”

“What do you mean?”

“I think you feel it too, Madam President. We’re not alone here.”

At those words, Elnore’s expression slightly twisted.

While the other students looked confused by this reaction, it seems these two had already grasped the situation.

“…”

How did they do that?

I have my quest window, but these people—are they sensing killing intent like masters in martial arts novels?

Being the protagonist or final boss isn’t something just anyone can do, it seems.

“Whatever it is, the intentions aren’t friendly, right? Especially with the student council president here.”

“What do you mean?”

“You belong to a noble family. That’s reason enough for someone to target you, isn’t it?”

While the sentence appears to be talking about criminal acts targeting a high noble’s child, it’s actually a taunt.

Suggesting that trouble follows because she belongs to the Tristan Dukedom, which commits atrocities as easily as breathing.

Elnore seemed to interpret it that way too, as her gaze instantly turned cold.

“You should choose your words more carefully, freshman.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

But he just grins innocently as Elnore’s demeanor grows hostile.

Come to think of it, he was quite cunning in the original work too. He’s skilled at getting under people’s skin like this.

“Anyway, wouldn’t it be better to move somewhere rather than just waiting here?”

“…I think that’s right.”

The largest male student in the group spoke with a deep voice.

Judging by his attire, he must be from a barbarian tribe from the eastern part of the Empire. The large axe on his back is impressive.

“The atmosphere is definitely unsettling. We should move to terrain more advantageous for combat, since we don’t know what might happen.”

At those words, the expressions of the other students gradually changed.

However, rather than fear, they seemed to be steeling their resolve.

Seeing how quickly they adapt and look for ways to overcome the situation despite the dangerous circumstances—this is truly befitting of top-tier students.

And looking at the members more carefully, they’re not just any ordinary group.

The warrior Luca, the mage Falco, the healer Trisha, the archer Grid. Plus Elia, the party leader and hero figure.

‘This is the original protagonist’s party.’

Thinking about the scenario progression, this would be their first meeting.

I remember they showed good teamwork during the entrance exam, developed camaraderie, and became partners who stayed together until the ending.

In other words, everyone here except me is a significant character in the scenario.

“…”

Well then.

I should proceed according to my plan.

“I think the central hall would be most suitable.”

When I spoke up, all eyes turned toward me.

Regardless, I continued while pointing at the building map next to me.

“There should be various equipment and first aid supplies inside, and most importantly, it’s spacious. Much better than corridors where we could easily be ambushed.”

Everyone nodded seriously at my words. Well, it’s the most rational choice, so that makes sense. This much everyone can agree with.

The problem is what comes next.

“And I’ll be going this way.”

When I confidently pointed to a completely different location on the map, silence enveloped the surroundings.

It was such a heavy silence that it took quite some time before someone finally asked in an incredulous voice.

“…Why are you going there alone?”

“Because I need to.”

“But why?”

“I have my reasons.”

I must look insane. When a fight could break out at any moment, suddenly declaring I’ll act alone.

But I’m not explaining my reasons. I don’t intend to.

Why?

Because I’m ditching them.

“…”

Well, the event itself is about protecting Elnore, but…

Let’s think about this logically.

‘Who’s supposed to protect whom?’

Right now, we have the entire original party including the protagonist, plus the final boss herself who could single-handedly slaughter a group of assassins.

Why should I, with all F stats, risk my life among these people?

I’ll just herd them all into the central hall to draw the assassins’ aggro, while I hide somewhere until the situation is over.

“I can’t explain now, but it’s important. I’ll definitely explain later.”

I declare this with the most serious and appealing voice possible.

Hey, it’s not even a lie.

What could be more important than saving my own life?

●

“I can’t believe this worked.”

I mutter while walking through the dark corridor.

Honestly, I was worried whether this would work or not, but it seems my reputation for taking down Elia in one hit worked effectively. I guess credibility really does come from results.

My goal now is to just hide quietly until the event ends. Since the assassination target is likely Elnore, they probably won’t even pay attention to me.

I’ll just enjoy some leisure time somewhere quiet—

“Wait, student!”

—or maybe not.

Of course. My luck is terrible as always.

I think to myself as I look toward the source of the voice.

A skinny middle-aged man is hurriedly running toward me.

“Thank goodness, really…!”

He stops in front of me and starts rambling.

He’s wearing a staff badge on his chest. Apparently, he has poor night vision and had difficulty moving around in this darkness.

He does genuinely look uncomfortable moving around.

“So, could you help me? If you just take me to the place I mention, I’ll seek help from others.”

“…But all the communications inside the building are cut off?”

“Heh, I can easily fix something this trivial. Wouldn’t fixing that be the first step?”

I silently stare at the staff member who answers like that.

Hmm.

About this guy…

[A crisis situation is detected.]

[No direct threat is felt yet, but clearly hostile intent is judged to be present.]

[Skill: Desperate Situation is applied at F rank.]

He’s lying without even blinking.

Shit.

‘This must be an assassin, right?’

In this situation, there’s no one else who would have “hostile intent” toward me.

Damn, I deliberately put all the others together in one place to avoid drawing aggro, so why am I meeting someone like this?

My bad luck is truly impressive.

“…Sure, let’s go.”

I answer with a fabricated smile.

Still, I think I can handle this.

If my assessment of the situation is correct.

●

‘This is going to be easier than I thought.’

Hasmed thought as he looked at the student in front of him.

He appeared to be a completely ordinary student without any distinguishing features. He seemed a bit naive too, falling for his lie without suspicion.

Of course, his acting was good enough to fool even fairly perceptive people, so it wasn’t entirely the student’s fault.

<Crescent Moon> Hasmed.

The leader of the assassination team deployed this time.

He was also famous for stealing the form of those he killed, perfectly replicating their appearance.

And his next target was this student.

‘If I take the form of a fellow student, even that Tristan demoness will lower her guard.’

He had heard that the advance team already deployed had been completely wiped out by that demonic woman.

Although she was still an academy student, she was definitely not an opponent to be underestimated.

But even such a person would be relatively easy to deal with when her vigilance was lowered.

Just now, even this student had fallen for his disguise as a staff member.

“So, the equipment room is this way.”

Hasmed inwardly smiled maliciously as he watched the student speak.

The reason he had this student guide him was to gauge his abilities up close.

As a professional assassin of his caliber, he could easily determine someone’s level just by watching how they moved.

And this guy was a complete novice.

Enough that he could torture him to his heart’s content before killing him.

‘I’ll take this guy’s body and then kill the Tristan girl.’

From what he’d heard via communications, the Tristan girl was gathered with other students at the central hall.

When his subordinates attacked there and everyone was in chaos, he would approach from behind in this guy’s form and strike easily.

“Is that so?”

Hasmed grinned as he pulled out a concealed weapon from his chest.

“Then you’ve done well. I should reward you.”

He said in an ominous tone as he raised the blade.

Of course, the reward was death and surrendering his skin.

At this point, victims typically first feel confusion and dismay, then denial, and finally terror—that was the usual sequence.

What he enjoyed most was watching those reactions—

“Ah, that’s a relief. So it is Hasmed.”

“…”

The student in front of him spoke with a relieved tone.

There was clearly no fear, not even confusion or dismay.

Instead, he was actually sighing and wiping his forehead as if genuinely relieved.

“I was worried you might be someone moderately strong, which could have been more dangerous. This is truly fortunate.”

“…What nonsense are you babbling?”

“Actually, I thought it was you, but I wasn’t completely sure, so I kept watching. If you were someone who would try to subdue me half-heartedly, that would be more dangerous. I was ready to run if you were an ambiguous assassin.”

“What?”

“But all the habits I knew—the slight nasal congestion, the finger twitching, the bow-legged walk… they’re all exactly the same as what I remember, so I felt relieved.”

“…!”

Hasmed’s face froze.

While he had been observing this guy, this guy had also been scrutinizing him.

This was an unexpected situation.

For him, who had always been in the position of thoroughly hunting others, to be seen through by his prey!

‘I shouldn’t kill him too quickly.’

He would have to make him confess how he knew all these things before letting him die.

With that determination, Hasmed immediately charged forward.

After all, knowing such things doesn’t change the fact that his combat ability is weak. He’ll end this in one breath!

“Let’s see, Desperate Situation applies at A rank…”

But this seemingly mentally unstable guy was just muttering incomprehensible things even as he charged at him.

He even picked up a suitable stick from the floor nearby, as if he could do something with it.

‘This is ridiculous.’

He inwardly scoffed as he swung his concealed weapon. It would likely be a fatal blow.

However.

What unfolded next was completely different from what he had expected.

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