Ch.6666. The Pterosaur Effect Beyond the Butterfly Effect

The exploration proceeded very smoothly.

Things that would have required physical verification were skipped thanks to Grain’s ability, and by selecting only the correct answers, there were no difficulties or challenges whatsoever.

The only issue was having to walk quite a distance due to the sheer size of the Rift.

[This feature is currently locked.]

[Unlock condition: Successfully clear 5 Rifts with a contribution rate of 40% or higher (4/5)]

Now, only one step remained.

Just as I was about to set out to find the final Rift stone with a somewhat excited heart—

“Something seems wrong.”

Grain’s expression suddenly darkened while using her ability, and she blurted that out.

I got a rough explanation of what happened, and it was clear that something had gone seriously wrong.

‘In the original work, this didn’t… no.’

It was too late to talk about the “original work.”

From the moment that unheard-of “Synthetic Rift” appeared, the original storyline became meaningless.

But Alkine’s disappearance was truly troubling, giving me a slight headache.

Under these circumstances, I couldn’t just focus on clearing the Rift peacefully anymore.

First, I needed to figure out what was happening.

“Let’s go right now.”

There was no hesitation. I simply moved forward.

It didn’t take long to encounter the Student Council.

The atmosphere definitely didn’t look good.

Every one of them wore expressions like cattle being led to slaughter.

Thinking I should first hear what happened, I approached them. Soon, the Student Council members spotted Grain and rushed over as a group.

Especially the two men who always stuck close to her—they were completely frantic.

“Grain! Are you okay?”

“I told you to rest, but you came all the way here. That’s so like you.”

“Cain, Golid. I appreciate your concern, but now isn’t the time for that, is it?”

“…”

The brief moment of nostalgia at seeing the complete “trio group from that anime” was quickly replaced by a somber mood following Grain’s comment.

Well, I didn’t care how serious or depressed they were. What mattered was understanding the situation.

“Could someone tell me what’s going on?”

Grain’s question scratched that itch perfectly, and Cain and Golid began explaining.

The incident occurred when Cain and Golid were changing guard duty.

They had just woken up, still half-asleep, and came to relieve the previous shift. After being told everything was fine, they were heading to the temporary shelter made of tents to get some sleep.

That’s when something appeared behind the temporary shelter.

They couldn’t identify what it was. By the time they felt the intense energy and rushed over, nothing remained.

Not even the Student Council President who had been there.

“She seemed tired and was dozing off, but she was definitely there until something appeared. I guarantee it.”

Cain concluded by saying that afterward, they had been searching for traces of the president as a group, but with no success.

After hearing everything, I felt puzzled.

It wasn’t about the identity of the being that appeared and disappeared in an instant, or where Alkine had gone.

“…She was dozing off? The president?”

It was about Alkine “dozing off.”

Seriously, how much had they overworked her? Alkine, who could endure fighting for three days and nights without proper rest, was tired enough to doze off?

While I was dumbfounded by this thought, Grain smoothly cut in.

“I get the gist of it, so that’s enough. Now, where exactly did the president disappear from?”

“Oh, this way. Follow me.”

Following Cain and Golid’s guidance, we arrived at an untidy temporary shelter standing alone.

However, there were only clear traces of people frantically searching the area after the president’s disappearance, with nothing else to be found.

I looked around hoping to spot something, but unfortunately, even my game vision didn’t reveal anything.

In that case, I had to rely on Grain.

But before she even started, Grain’s expression had already turned serious.

I was about to ask what was wrong when she hurriedly activated her ability and cursed.

“…Holy shit.”

Looking at Grain, no one dared to speak.

It was clear that the situation was serious.

So we just waited for Grain, who had clearly grasped the situation, to tell us something.

After a moment, Grain let out a hollow laugh and carefully turned toward us.

Then she said:

“It seems the Vice President… has become a demon and kidnapped the President?”

“…Huh?”

What on earth did that mean?

So the missing Vice President… um…

Whatever the case, it was clear that things had gone completely sideways.

Diggers Zivchak.

With a name that sounded obsessive from the start, I had expected him to show up and cause trouble eventually after he disappeared.

But… I never imagined he would become a demon and kidnap the President.

‘This has really become a headache.’

The problems until now had been complicated but still felt like they were revolving within a framework.

Despite the jumbled flow and sequence, they still somewhat aligned with knowledge from the original work.

But this was a fundamentally wrong development from the beginning.

The Vice President suddenly deserting, then suddenly becoming a demon.

And using that power to kidnap Alkine. None of these elements existed in the original work.

What was happening? Was this because I had been too active?

Considering everything I’d done so far, I couldn’t complain even if this went beyond the butterfly effect to a pterodactyl effect.

It was too late for regrets now. Focusing on that would only make me overly cautious about all future actions, and I didn’t want to live constantly walking on eggshells.

What I needed to do was clear.

“Senior Grain. Can you pinpoint where the President was taken?”

“…You’re going?”

“Of course I have to go.”

Strictly speaking, she ended up in this situation because of me.

Even if that weren’t the case, I was planning to rescue her anyway.

Perhaps the story was progressing a bit too quickly. Seeing the Student Council members standing by and staring blankly, unable to keep up, I gave them appropriate instructions.

“Don’t think about doing anything else. Please go outside and wait. I’ll rescue the President and come out.”

The implication was that they had nothing to contribute and should just wait safely outside, sucking their thumbs. Well, that wasn’t my actual intention. Not really…

But when a first-year student suddenly gives such instructions, it would naturally sound that way to the listeners… so I expected a flood of complaints.

That’s what I thought.

“…Will you really be okay? We’re talking about a demon here. Wouldn’t it be better to report this to the Academy and request help?”

But that was the extent of their questions. I didn’t sense any negative attitudes directed at me.

I answered lightly.

“It would take too long to report the situation outside and find someone who could help.”

“That’s true. Alright.”

…Is that all the reaction I get?

I was bewildered by how easily they accepted it.

Had my reputation unknowingly skyrocketed?

Thinking about it, that made sense.

I had already received the position of secretary from Alkine, and at the end, the President had subtly promoted me by saying she had received help from me.

Well… it’s convenient for me if they don’t put up resistance and obediently follow along.

Whatever. It’s too late to try appearing weak now. If they want to misunderstand and elevate me, that’s fine by me.

As always, I decided not to think too deeply about future consequences.

Right now, rescuing Alkine was the priority.

“So, Senior Grain? About the President’s location…”

“Yes. I’ll use my ability, so help me.”

“…Is it okay to show it with everyone here?”

“What does it matter?”

In the end, I ended up revealing how to maximize Grain’s ability in front of everyone.

As a result, not only did Grain’s evaluation improve, but my reputation seemed to rise even further… but since I decided not to worry about it, let’s move on.

“It’s not far. This way.”

Having located Alkine with her ability, Grain drew a simple map to guide us.

In the featureless Rift, a “map” was just a basic directional guide, but that was helpful enough.

“Thank you. Now please go back with the others, Senior.”

“You’re going alone?”

“No. I’m going with Celia.”

“With Celia?”

Grain looked surprised, glancing back and forth between me and Celia.

That was understandable. While she knew I had defeated a demon before, Celia hadn’t even been allowed to enter the Rift until recently.

Taking her to a place with a demon would seem dangerous.

Of course, things would be different if I told them about the demon incident at the Imperial Palace, but I kept my mouth shut since spreading that information carelessly could lead to trouble.

“…I see. With that level of magic, she could be helpful.”

Fortunately, she seemed to accept it, perhaps remembering the level of magic Celia had demonstrated earlier.

Celia, who had been watching Grain, gently interjected.

“Grain. Instead of worrying about me, focus on getting everyone else back safely.”

“…I was so excited about having new juniors, but I’m disappointed that none of you are cute at all.”

Though her response was a bit curt, Grain understood that Celia meant “don’t worry and go back.” She replied lightly and turned toward where the Student Council members were gathered.

I was starting to feel urgent. With the uncertain situation, we needed to move quickly.

For that, first…

“Celia.”

“Yes?”

“Do you want me to carry you on my back or in my arms?”

“…In your arms.”

The only option was to run as fast as possible.

I lifted Celia in a princess carry and ran in the direction Grain had indicated.

Belatedly, I thought that using Celia’s magic to move might have been faster, but by then we had already arrived at our destination.