Chapter 104: My Role

A blast from the past.

It had been a while since Rohan received an achievement just for meeting someone.

Meeting Juyeon definitely gave him 50 Points.

He didn’t think the reward was determined solely based on combat power, but Omega managed a draw against Juyeon only after completing his build, so he believed the points were appropriate.

Besides, the title was ‘Betrayer of Humanity’ for some reason.

It was the title he encountered not just upon meeting Omega, but Hex too.

Why was it ‘Betrayer of Humanity’ and not ‘Reverse Praise Society,’ Rohan didn’t know.

Even the Community was filled with speculation about it.

Abyss City was yet to reach the storyline that explained the meaning of that achievement.

Ha.

This wasn’t really the time to be thinking about such things.

Death, which wouldn’t even allow him to struggle, had arrived before Rohan’s eyes.

This is bullshit.

Rohan was certain. It was excessive bullshit.

How could such misfortune exist in this world?

Out of all the places on this vast uninhabited island, this one had to be Omega’s spawning point. What were the odds of encountering an enemy like this?

“An Academy Cadet. Hahaha!!! I’ve come to the right place.”

A natural pressure emanated from Omega as he emerged from the worm.

Even though the pressure wasn’t intentional, Rohan almost dropped the sword he was holding.

So… good. This is how he infiltrated.

The complete opposite of Juyeon.

A brutal, bloody aura that wasn’t hidden. A guy with qualitatively pure black malice.

His soul was surely coal-black.

Calm down.

The rope of hope for Rohan was the promise between Hex and Omega.

“He’ll be pleased. Let’s send him a little sample.”

─ Kweeeeik!

Looking at Rohan, the worm opened its jaws wide.

And just like it had kept Omega inside, it was in a posture to swallow him whole.

As expected.

As predicted, he was trying to capture the Academy Cadets.

Proof that the promise between Hex and Omega existed.

A breathing hole opens in the suffocating tension. Rohan focused on the sense of relief and lowered his stance.

I won’t die. I won’t die. I won’t die. I won’t die. If I just stall for time, I can manage somehow.

A crazy person who enjoys killing for pleasure wouldn’t kill.

That was enough.

Calmness returned to Rohan, and his breathing stabilized.

“Hoo!”

Omega acted as if Rohan, trying to fight him, was pathetic.

He moved the burn-scarred, wrinkled skin of his face and laughed.

“You’ve got some guts, kid. Show me what you can do.”

─ Kwiirk! Kweeeeik!!!

The worm pressed its massive body against the ground and opened its hideous maw to swallow Rohan.

Rohan widened his eyes and gripped his Sword tightly.

Will the Sword even pierce it?

This worm was a different color and size than the one found in the textbooks.

It was probably a monster that Hex modified with his factors.

Blazing Blade.

Rohan’s sword became red hot.

As he prepared the Divine Sun Judgment Sword, sparks flew from his body.

“Fire?”

Omega grimaced as flickers of flames emerged from Rohan.

As expected, he hadn’t completely overcome the fear of that day when his whole body was consumed by flames.

He once again realized that to overcome this deeply ingrained trauma, he had no choice but to defeat Juyeon, the one who had inflicted the burning pain.

“That damn heat makes me change my mind.”

─ Kwiirrr….

Clicking his tongue, Omega put the worm on standby.

His excitement was dampened.

To think the first one he encountered was a brat who handled fire.

He didn’t like it.

He was getting annoyed and wanted to see the brat break down and beg for his life.

Shall I have some fun before the main event?

The promise with Hex was to send a four-limbed Cadet alive.

There were many things he could do within that limit.

Kudeudeuk—!!!

Bluish octopus tentacles sprouted from Omega’s back.

His body was already a collection of modified monsters. The thick octopus tentacles wriggled, aiming for Rohan.

“Boy.”

“…”

“A silent one. No signs of surprise… not even a single question.”

Omega couldn’t help but think Rohan was strange as he observed him.

He wanted to take out his brain and see what he was thinking.

“Fine. Try your best with your friends.”

At the word ‘friends,’ Rohan’s eyes opened wide.

Feeling a faint presence approaching, he turned around and shouted.

“Don’t come!!! Go back!!!”

Seeing him shout with veins bulging in his neck, Omega grinned.

“Now you’re showing a reaction worth playing with.”

Omega’s tentacles shot towards the bushes.

Rohan couldn’t even read their movements.

“Kyaaa!”

Corin was instantly caught by a tentacle.

At the same time, a decision was made.

Noa and Ichinose, who rushed out of the forest, and Rohan charged towards Omega.

Rohan’s two-handed thrust, Ichinose’s drawn sword, Noa’s kick.

Omega calmly accepted everything.

“The Academy Cadets’ skills aren’t bad. More useful than the average soldier.”

Rohan’s sword, imbued with Blazing Blade, went straight for Omega’s throat, but the blade couldn’t even penetrate a fingernail’s width.

Ichinose’s sword, aimed at the tentacle binding Corin, was the same.

Noa’s kick landed squarely on Omega’s temple, but his head didn’t even budge.

A perfect hit, but no damage at all.

An insurmountable wall.

The gap was starkly felt.

“Who is this old man?!”

“This is… dangerous.”

Ichinose and Noa stepped back, their eyes filled with questions.

Having grasped the gravity of the situation, their expressions were incredibly serious.

“…”

Rohan wasn’t happy about the reinforcements that had arrived upon sensing the commotion.

Even if he told them to run, they wouldn’t abandon Corin, and Omega definitely wouldn’t let them go easily.

This is dangerous. This is the worst.

Omega was supposed to release his mana to provoke Juyeon after seeing the empty space.

But that entire process was skipped because they ran into each other.

If Omega recalled Hex’s promise to capture the cadets for his personal amusement, Juyeon would inevitably be slightly late in noticing.

The uninhabited island must be in complete chaos right now.

“Little brats. Where did all that bravado go? Come on, try attacking me again.”

“Ugh…!”

The octopus tentacle around Corin tightened, subtly adjusting its strength.

Despite having the power to crush her easily, Omega grinned, enjoying their rising anxiety.

“““…”””

The three moved their feet silently, taking their positions.

Omega crossed his arms and carefully examined the female cadets.

The thought that he had hit the jackpot erased the annoyance he had felt towards Rohan.

“Ah, yes. These are the key ingredients, aren’t they?”

He knew exactly who they were at a glance.

Since he was making a big deal out of this, weren’t they Ichinose Jun’s daughter and a descendant of the Grand Emperor of Snow, the ones Hex specifically asked him to secure?

Creak!

A red snake emerged from Omega’s shoulder, raising its head.

The moment the three launched a combined attack, thinking the enemy was about to do something…

─ Kaaaaaaaawk!!!

The snake’s head let out a vicious cry.

A status effect was inflicted on the cadets present—a heart-wrenching terror.

The forcibly instilled fear made their minds shrink. It was a tremor that gripped their brains and squeezed them.

“Ah, uh… ah…”

Corin, caught in the octopus tentacle, foamed at the mouth and fainted.

While her trembling form was pitiful, Ichinose and Noa couldn’t move, their entire bodies numb.

Collapsing to the ground was inevitable, and dropping their weapons was only natural.

“Ugh…!”

“Ugh!”

Ichinose and Noa couldn’t suppress their nausea due to their wavering consciousness.

Still, what was commendable was that they maintained consciousness.

It was thanks to constantly witnessing and being close to such powerful figures.

“Hahahaha!!!”

Looking at the two girls who hadn’t fainted, Omega burst into laughter.

Even though he controlled his power, it was beyond his expectations. It gave him a real sense that they were born with remarkable blood, even at their young age.

But above all…

There was one thing that far exceeded his expectations.

Omega’s gaze fell on the male cadet who wasn’t on Hex’s main list.

A mental defense Skill?

He wasn’t overflowing with mana, yet he was maintaining his consciousness the most perfectly.

That guy’s body was just stiff right now. His mind was clear.

Or… is his spirit so strong that he can endure it through sheer willpower?

Either way, it piqued Omega’s interest.

And that was exactly what Rohan wanted.

“Ugh!”

He didn’t have time to stay down like this.

Rohan decided to take drastic measures to calm his trembling body.

A hard rock was visible on the ground.

Rohan slammed his head against it.

Thud! Thud!

He broke his mind to counter the absurd fear.

““…””

Blood splattered everywhere.

Omega and the two cadets watched his actions in surprise.

Lee Rohan. Get a grip. Know some shame.

He had overcome so many life-threatening situations in his past life, and now he was shrinking back when the opponent wasn’t even trying to kill him, but capture him?

Was that even possible? There was no greater shame.

“Ha…”

Blood dripped from his forehead.

The intense pain slowly restored freedom to his limbs.

Alright. I can move.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heartbeat resonated throughout his body.

Don’t tremble. Get up. Don’t tremble. Get up. Don’t tremble. Get up.

Ever since he suddenly became a cadet, he always thought…

There must be a reason why I was dropped into this world.

I definitely have a role to play.

Now it was clear.

Only now was it certain.

Protect.

There was no need to say who.

Make them laugh as much as they made me laugh. Life was too short to not be happy.

One last time.

Thud!

Rohan slammed his head against the ground.

Lee Rohan. Fulfill your role.

Did he remember the arrogance Omega displayed in Abyss City?

If so, analyze his sadistic tendencies, recall his perversion of wanting to subjugate others.

Make sure no one gets kidnapped here.

What was the best way to buy time until Juyeon arrived?

Search for a solution calmly.

“…”

After a moment of silence, Rohan raised his head.

He forced his stiff neck up, his eyes meeting Omega’s gaze.

The blood flowing down from his forehead stained Rohan’s eyes red.

His blurred vision was rather welcome. He couldn’t see and dodge anything anyway.

Swish! Rohan’s fingers scraped the dirt as he grasped the sword that had fallen to the ground.

Impurities mixed into his palm.

Rohan slowly rose.

He took his usual stance.

Uncharacteristically vulgar curses spewed from Rohan’s mouth.