Ch.8282. Ocean Train

One fortunate thing at least.

On the train heading to the Tribal Union, Elnore and Yuria are in separate cars.

Since we won’t run into each other, I can probably assume I won’t die immediately, at least until we enter the Crucible of Struggle.

‘…I survived…!’

I feel like I might burst into tears of relief, but it’s too early to settle into that feeling.

Rather, let me check what needs to be checked first.

< System Log >

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ has been activated! ]

[ Target ‘Yuria’s’ affection has significantly increased from ‘Interest Level 4’ to ‘Trust Level 5’! ]

[ Special reward available! ]

I’m not even sure how many levels it jumped at once.

I sigh inwardly and switch screens.

[ Receiving ‘Yuria’s’ gift reward. ]

[ Received 1 ‘Skill Copy Voucher’. ]

As expected.

With this level of increase, I can definitely count on receiving a skill copy voucher.

Yuria already had one saved up, so that makes two now.

Wow, the skill copy voucher actually copies itself.

“…”

It feels like a gloomy trophy.

It’s something I received in exchange for providing the groundwork for threats that will continue from now on, so it does feel a bit unsettling.

But the reward itself came at a good time, I suppose.

‘Now I can finally use this.’

There was a skill of Yuria’s that I’ve been eyeing for a while but couldn’t use due to circumstances.

[ Unique Skill: Demon Resistance ]

[ Those who have long faced curses naturally learn ways to counter them. ]

[ ◆ Unlocks the ‘Demon Resistance’ stat for countering curse-related effects. ]

That’s right.

A unique skill refers to a skill that only that character can learn in the entire world setting.

This ‘Demon Resistance’ stat only exists for Yuria.

Since the character herself is greatly affected by the degree of curse infiltration coming from the Severed, there’s a separate ‘stat’ that allows resistance to that.

But if I have a skill that unlocks such a stat…

[ Skill: Desperate Situation ] [ Rank: ??? ]

[ Stat enhancement applies in moments of crisis. The effect strengthens as survival probability decreases. ]

It means I can directly benefit from this effect.

Considering the characteristic that can pump up ‘stats’ like crazy in a ‘crisis situation,’ it’s good to think that I’ll naturally have strong resistance to threats through ‘curses.’

‘…I should be able to use this quite effectively in this chapter.’

The main enemies in Chapter 3 are ‘demonic beasts.’

The Apostle of the Inverted Tide. A Tamer who wields terrible power sleeping beneath the sea.

When facing him, one of the abilities you naturally encounter most is ‘curses.’ The Demon Resistance stat will be a great help in dealing with those.

And the remaining skill copy voucher…

“…”

It’s insurance.

It’s better to always have one of these when dealing with Yuria.

Especially considering how the White Demon might react if I accidentally show my ‘face.’

There’s a reason I’ve been saving it all this time.

While I’m thinking about this gloomily,

A window suddenly appears before my eyes.

< System Message >

[ Confirming that there will soon be 2 Vessels with ‘Trust Level 5’ or higher! ]

[ Confirming that the main scenario’s difficulty has significantly increased! ]

[ Searching for elements to facilitate smoother progression! ]

What is this?

Since my possession, this is the first time I’ve seen the system mention ‘smoother progression’ to me.

Was it always this conscientious?

< System Message >

[ Checking target ‘Elia’s’ current status! ]

[ Assessing target’s ‘affection status.’ ]

[ Conditions met! ]

[ Assessing target’s ‘personality’ and ‘interpersonal relationships.’ ]

[ Conditions met! ]

[ Assessing target’s ‘demon response capability.’ ]

[ Conditions met! ]

[ Congratulations! The role of ‘?? Helper’ will soon be assigned to the target! ]

“…?”

Well.

If only it would tell me what role Elia is receiving, I could happily join in the congratulations.

‘…Helper?’

Given that it’s described as an element for smoother progression, it probably isn’t bad for me.

I’m not sure why it’s assessing so many items, though.

Judging by the mention of demon response capability, it seems related to that area.

“What have you been staring at so intently in the air?”

Kasa Garda, who had been chuckling at my expression from across the seat, asked while lighting her pipe.

I chose to sit with her because it’s better for her to stay close to me and Riru throughout the chapter.

Normally she should be sitting in the seats reserved for the elderly and disabled, but she stubbornly refused.

She insisted she’s just a bit mobility-impaired, definitely not an ‘elderly person’ or ‘disabled.’

‘…That’s nonsense, but.’

The top-tier powerhouses in this world are people who actually prove such nonsense true.

This person can move effortlessly while supporting her entire body with just one arm.

No joke, she can move at the speed of a running adult man.

“I just had some things to check, that’s all.”

“If you’re checking things, why don’t you check on Riru?”

“Won’t she be back soon? She seemed upset, so I don’t think we need to bother her…”

Riru had been sitting with us without saying a word, then suddenly said she needed some air and left the compartment.

She must be tense about returning to her homeland from which she was exiled.

“Why don’t you go comfort her a bit?”

“…Comfort? Her?”

“Yes.”

Kasa smiled and continued.

“She’s much more tender-hearted than she appears. As her ‘first friend,’ she’ll listen to whatever you say, even if she pretends not to.”

“…First friend?”

“With that personality, do you think she’s had any friends besides you until now?”

“…”

I wish she’d turned on her blinkers before delivering such a sad story.

“So while you’re at it, maybe you could take her other firsts as well—”

“…I’ll go find where she is.”

I really don’t need to hear the rest of that.

Kasa nodded with another chuckle at my response as I broke out in a cold sweat.

“Good. Consider this your first training assignment from me as your combat instructor. Find her and bring her back here.”

“…?”

That hardly seems like something to call training.

I tilt my head at Kasa’s words as I leave the compartment and step into the corridor.

The train connecting the three academies in the Golden Triangle is not just a means of transportation but boasts luxury that would allow you to live comfortably inside. It’s said to be one of the largest trains on the continent.

If she went out for some air, it might be difficult to find where she went.

I should look around a bit.

“Hmm-mm-“

I stretch, cracking my stiff joints after sitting for so long.

As I stretch and look up at the ceiling, I notice ventilation ducts opening for air circulation. This luxurious train has all sorts of features.

The Crucible of Struggle is a structure built on an island surrounded by sea on all sides, and this train is currently running on “sea tracks” heading there. The refreshing coastal sky should be greeting me.

It was thanks to this that I quickly noticed something was ‘wrong.’

“…?”

As I said before, the refreshing coastal sky should be greeting me.

But.

The sky is black.

And it’s not even evening.

And the blackness is gradually ‘coming down.’

Something enormously huge appears to be plunging down toward the entire train.

“…”

Seeing this, I understand the meaning of ‘training’ that Kasa mentioned to me earlier.

And why Riru left her seat.

“…Every time I get on a train to an academy, this happens.”

Last time when I rode with Elnore, we were hit by a boulder, but now I’m about to experience something much worse.

Muttering those words, I quickly grab any nearby handrail.

Then.

[ Attack! Attack! Large demonic beast attack! ]

[ All students please evacuate calmly according to emergency procedures-! ]

Before such an urgent announcement could even finish echoing through the compartment.

-!!

-!!!!!!!

The roar of an enormous ‘large demonic beast’ that could overturn heaven and earth was heard.

And the entire train began to shake violently.

●

It’s complete chaos. People’s screams are mixing together and echoing everywhere.

But.

Let me be honest.

‘…I don’t feel any sense of crisis at all.’

That’s my first thought even as the entire train flips over and shakes violently in all directions.

I’ve already experienced worse situations than this several times, so this hardly registers as something to feel concerned about.

And, above all.

‘Desperate Situation isn’t activating?’

I have a way to detect threats to my life with almost supernatural accuracy.

In other words, this is likely not a real battle situation.

And as I calmly assess the situation, my surroundings become clearer to my eyes.

While the train is wildly rocking, I somehow maintain my balance and look out the window.

I can see safety nets laid out near the tracks, prepared in case the train derails and falls off.

This means they’ve prepared elements to prevent ‘casualties.’

“…”

And while the large demonic beast did strike the train hard just now,

Looking up at the ceiling, I see it’s not continuing its attack but just circling in the air.

A ‘real demonic beast’ would never behave like that.

As soon as I see this, I immediately understand what this is.

‘Entrance exam.’

Unlike the Empire’s Elphante, the Crucible of Struggle is famous for pushing people hard right from the start.

They probably created this ’emergency situation’ using ‘virtual reality’ without warning to assess each student’s qualities.

This was always a random encounter event when entering the Crucible of Struggle in the game too.

“…”

Compared to other countries still fighting with cold weapons, their technology level is like they’re playing in a different world.

As expected of a country that openly claims its scientific level is far beyond what other countries can approach, except for the Demonic Spire.

Thinking that, I look up at the train ceiling.

Considering Riru’s personality, she probably rushed outside to ‘fight’ as soon as she saw the large demonic beast.

“…”

And Kasa wants me to bring her back.

From this train where it’s hard to even stand properly.

I can’t help but smile bitterly.

Now I understand why that person called this ‘training’ for me.

I’ll feel it as soon as I climb the ladder to get to the roof.

‘…This… is going to kill me…’

Just maintaining balance while moving is no small feat.

My legs are trembling, my semicircular canals are screaming, and nausea is shaking my entire body.

But it seems all that daily life-or-death exercise with Talion wasn’t for nothing. Even without Desperate Situation activating, I can barely manage to ‘move.’

In the past, I would have just collapsed on the floor and kept retching.

“…Hup.”

Somehow climbing up to the roof, I wobble as I move, crawling across the top of the train.

After what feels like an eternity of crawling, I finally begin to see the figure of the person I’m looking for in the distance.

“Riru-!”

Cracking her neck and knuckles, Riru is preparing to charge at the giant bird-shaped demonic beast circling near the train.

Wait, how is she so composed in this situation?

With wind blasting wildly in all directions and huge waves crashing near the train, it’s hard to even stand properly.

“Come, ugh, this way! We need to go back-!”

“…What?”

Riru responds to my words with a voice of disbelief.

“Go back where? And how did you even find me?”

From her perspective, this is probably the best timing to show off her skills, so she’s wondering why I’m interfering. But I’m in a situation where I need to bring her back inside on Kasa’s orders.

Considering her personality, if she specifically mentioned ‘training,’ it’s best to follow it strictly.

Otherwise, she might subject me to something much more hellish later for failing to follow one simple instruction.

“…And shouldn’t you focus on keeping your own balance first? You look like you’re about to die.”

Your face is beyond pale, it’s practically yellow.

I scream internally at Riru’s words.

‘I know it’s not dangerous!’

But if I don’t go back now, Kasa will tear me apart later.

I wish she would go inside with me, if only for my sake.

Let me try to communicate that in a way she’ll understand.

“Ah, the danger- cough, hack, we need to, go back, or I’ll really- blegh-!”

As I keep getting hit in the face by wind and waves, I can’t even complete my sentences properly and end up pathetically sputtering. Riru’s eyes narrow at the sight.

“…”

Shit.

Anyone would find my appearance pitiful.

I can’t complain if she laughs at me…

< System Message >

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ is activated! ]

[ Target ‘Riru’s’ affection increases from ‘Interest Level 1’ to ‘Interest Level 2’! ]

[ Additional rewards available! ]

Huh?

“…Why are you trying to save me with that level of skill? What’s dangerous? This isn’t even a real situation.”

“…”

“Take care of yourself first. How can you come to me first when you can’t even take care of your own body? Isn’t that just being nosy?”

Riru says this while awkwardly scratching her head.

Her tone is harsh, but she can’t even look me in the eye.

I might be imagining it, but there seems to be a slight blush on her face.

“…Still, thanks. I appreciate the thought.”

“…”

No.

I don’t understand why she’s talking like that.

It’s not what you think.

Stop doing weird things and just come back with me to Kasa…!

Such thoughts cross my mind, but I can’t even properly articulate them as I’m too busy dry heaving.

Meanwhile, Riru was drawing up magical power from her body.

In terms of combat power, Riru is someone who could defeat Elnore with one fragment, if not now. With magical power, she could really fly straight at that giant demonic bird from here.

Immediately, the magical power gathers in her legs. A fierce smile appears on Riru’s face.

And as if sensing some threat from that expression, the bird-shaped demonic beast turns to look at Riru.

[ Crisis situation detected. ]

[ Judged to be a direct threat to life. ]

[ Applying Skill: Desperate Situation at EX rank. ]

“…”

It was at that moment that I realized something was wrong.

A sudden vitality fills my body.

An ominous premonition runs down my spine.

“Wait, Riru-!”

Something’s wrong.

I have a very strong feeling about this.

But despite my cry, Riru had already leaped into the air like an arrow.

Hurriedly looking toward the giant demonic bird, I could see yellow energy gathering in its body.

From my perspective, knowing what that is, I can see the future clearly.

This person.

If she charges in like this, she’ll die.

If I don’t do something.

“…!”

As I hurriedly stand up and grip Ultima.

-!!!

The giant demonic bird unleashed a massive electrical discharge at Riru.

●