Chapter 180

Chapter 180

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 180: What Happened At The Meeting (3).

The effect of Ire’s ‘Bullet of Concealment’ naturally faded away. Her concealment skill proved useless against someone who had already detected her presence.

“Kash von Adelwein… I heard you turned yourself in voluntarily.”

“I did.”

“What happened?”

“…….”

Is he refusing to speak now? Well, I hadn’t expected him to die anyway. Someone of Adelwein’s standing would certainly know how to change identities when necessary.

“This is a secret vault accessible only to members of the Adelwein family. What brings you here?”

“I was allowed in by the head of the family.”

“Don’t lie.”

But it wasn’t a lie. I had already received permission from Zelnya. So technically, this wasn’t theft. Probably.

“I came to retrieve an item.”

“Are you insane? How can you just say that out loud!”

Ire scolded me, clearly flustered, breaking character in the process.

Kashu’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“An item? You call it merely an item?”

“Yes, a very important one.”

“Everything here belongs to the Adelwein estate. Reinhardt, I won’t give you even a single diamond.”

“At least you remember my surname.”

I was somewhat surprised he recalled it after all this time.

“Of course I remember!”

Kashu shouted, clearly angry. He pointed at me, spittle flying as he spoke.

“Aidel von Reinhardt, you humiliated me that day. Since then, my life has fallen apart. The subsidiaries were dismantled, and the main family tried to sacrifice me to save themselves.”

Humiliation? I searched my memory, confused about what I could have done to this person.

“I’ve been faking my death, waiting for my revenge. And now you’re even trying to prevent that. In that case, I can’t let you leave here alive!”

Before I could process his words, sharp objects began raining down from above.

“Dodge!”

Ire grabbed my collar and rolled us both to the ground.

I had nearly met my end from a hidden dagger attack.

“What was that just now?”

“Feathers. Most likely Swan’s power.”

Swan – a named entity among the Darwin Legion of Outer Gods. Dwelling in the Cygnus constellation, it specialized in bird and feather-related sorcery and could mimic Constellation voices. I recalled its failed attempt to possess Zelnya.

I quickly checked Kashu’s status window:

Kashu von Adelwein: 500 / 1000

Currently undertaking a quest from an Outer God. Exhibiting mild mania, but conversation is possible. Extremely agitated – engagement not recommended.

The situation was becoming clearer, but predictions alone weren’t enough. To get accurate information, I’d need to capture and interrogate him.

“Someone of lowly birth has no right to stand in my way!”

Whoosh!

Another volley of feathers shot through the air. Thanks to my activated ‘Future Sight,’ I barely managed to dodge them. After just a few evasive rolls, I found myself gasping for breath.

Damn, all this recent research had destroyed my stamina. If I wanted to see the kid’s face, I’d need to get back in shape.

Summoning ‘Calipers of Wisdom (A)’

Using ‘Ballistic Prediction’

Using ‘Trajectory Prediction’ and ‘Future Vision,’ I deflected the bullet-like feathers.

Paying 500 Pron to use ‘Mental Stability’

The mental stability skill sharpened my mind like a seasoned special forces operative, giving me the courage to face the barrage of feathers head-on.

But my limitations were obvious. Each deflection of the rapidly flying blades threatened to tear my grip apart. I wasn’t used to combat anymore – my movements showed subtle gaps. I couldn’t summon the superhuman strength I’d displayed during the Celestine incident. It had been over two years since I’d last wielded a sword.

Whoosh!

A feather sliced across my shoulder.

The pain was intense. I ducked behind a stone table to catch my breath.

As for the bleeding… it didn’t seem serious enough to require immediate attention.

I calmly observed the situation, waiting for Ire’s arrival.

“Aidel!”

After deploying a smoke grenade, Ire appeared like a ghost, sprinting to my side and whispering urgently.

“Are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay.”

“It’s just a minor injury. More importantly, we have another target.”

Kashu Adelwein was someone the inspectors had been desperately searching for. Turning him over would significantly help Zelnya’s cause. I caught Ire’s attention with my eyes.

“We need to capture him alive.”

“Alive? Not kill him?”

“Keeping him alive will benefit us more.”

“If that’s what you think, fine.”

Ire drew her gun and shot my shoulder.

‘Healing Bullet’ effect closes the wound.

“Don’t waste coins on something like this.”

“Don’t you know that any wound from a Darwin Legion member must be treated immediately? No exceptions. Or do you want to die from infection?”

I chuckled quietly, flexing my newly healed forearm. In moments like these, she truly acts like an older sister.

“Where are you hiding, you rats!”

Kashu’s furious voice carried through the smoke, growing closer. Ire and I exchanged hand signals before splitting up in opposite directions.

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ is observing your judgment.

Though Ire might not match Rustila in combat strength, she excelled in two crucial areas.

‘Bullet of Weakness’ X 10

‘Bullet of Paralysis’ X 10

‘Guided Spirit Bullet’ X 3

The first was her exceptional skill in ranged combat.

Pew, pew, pew!

The sound of formless bullets striking Kashu Adelbein’s limbs pierced the air. Despite the thick smoke obscuring my vision, Ire accurately tracked our opponent’s position and maintained precise aim.

“You insolent bastards! Ugh!”

I could imagine the agony of being hit from unseen angles.

Even after taking multiple hits from Ire’s bullets, Kashu continued to drag himself forward. His endurance was remarkable.

“I’ll kill you, Aidel von Reinhardt!”

The Darwin types were inexplicably tough. Since I’d instructed her not to kill him, Ire was likely moderating the power of her Holy Spirit bullets during the fight.

This was where Ire Hazlen’s second advantage became apparent.

‘Bullet of Agility’ effect makes the body nimble. (+100%)

‘Bullet of Strength’ effect causes strength to surge. (+100%)

Due to the ‘Beast’s Bullet,’ your senses become as sharp as a beast’s. (+150%)

Her second strength is support capabilities.

In gaming terms, Ire functioned as both a buffer and a long-range damage dealer. She not only inflicted considerable damage but also enhanced her teammates’ abilities – something neither Rustila nor Zelnya could manage. This made her invaluable in combat situations.

As the smoke began to thin, I spotted Kashu and carefully approached from behind. Sweat beaded on my hand, gripping the calipers.

Good, he remained unaware of my presence.

Thud!

With a precise tap to the back of his head, Kashu crumpled without resistance. The operation concluded with a satisfying notification.

The effect of possession has been dispelled due to the additional effect of ‘Calipers of Wisdom (A)’.

You have obtained 3000 Prons as a suppression reward.

It was probably my first time striking someone with an A-grade caliper.

Now, Prons could be earned not just from defeating monsters but also from subduing those possessed by Outer Gods. The tool naturally included a function to dispel possession.

“Phew, it’s over.”

“What did you hit him with?”

“This.”

“Calipers? Don’t tell me an Outer God gave you that?”

“Yes. It’s an artifact. Ordinary people would lose consciousness just from touching them.”

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ is proud of her invention.

“Just touching it drives you crazy? And you struck someone’s head with it?”

“It only inflicts mental damage, not physical. Don’t make me sound like a madman.”

Ire studied me intently before saying,

“If it only affects the mind… could it be from the Descartes legion?”

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ hardens her expression.

Oh no. I’d forgotten that Ire was more perceptive about Outer Gods than anyone else.

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ is displeased with the woman.

Cartesia didn’t want her identity revealed to others, likely to avoid accusations of being influenced by what she considered a lesser Outer God.

From a human perspective, it was difficult to comprehend. Still, it seemed even Outer Gods engaged in their own form of discrimination.

While securing the unconscious Kashu, I surveyed the area.

“Now we need to locate the ‘Egg of the Star.’”

“I found it during our earlier movement. Here.”

Ire presented a red-tinged conical gem.

“Of course, it had to be the red one.”

“Were there no others?”

“None, unfortunately.”

I took the Egg of the Star from her.

“There are seven ‘Eggs of the Star’ in total. Their locations and types are randomized with each turn. However, one is always guaranteed to be in either the Adelwein family’s treasury or the Holy Spirit headquarters. And we ended up with the red one.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“Why is the red egg problematic?”

“You know why. When you use the red egg—”

I raised my hand, cutting Ire off mid-sentence.

“What’s that?”

Besides the ‘Egg of the Star,’ another egg-like object caught my attention. It was a semi-solid white substance that lost its form upon touch, only to gradually reshape itself.

“That’s a ‘Bubble Talisman’ used by Darwin Legion’s Outer Gods.”

The Bubble Talisman – an artifact serving as a communication device among Darwin Legion entities.

“Was this his?”

“Yes. We should take this too.”

Research materials kept piling up. Today’s expedition proved more fruitful than anticipated.

Around four in the morning, Ire and I secured Kash Adelwein in our spacecraft and handed over the ‘Egg of the Star.’

“You should leave first. I’ll return by shuttle.”

“Are you certain?”

“I’m fine. Go quickly.”

After directing Ire to the Southern Holy Spirit Hospital, I returned to the annex and collapsed onto the bed. Three hours passed before I awoke. As I reached for the doorknob, mentally preparing an excuse for Ire’s absence, a familiar voice stopped me.

“Did you have a peaceful night?”

Jerome stood before me.