chapter_0255

Mesugaki Tank Enters the Academy –
255

Mesugaki Tank Enters the Academy –
255

After repelling the skeleton’s sword, some time passed, and the old
man murmured softly.

He was right. Normally, I wouldn’t be able to block that attack.

The only reason I managed to parry it this time was because this is a
trial.

If my past self hadn’t embedded the timing of the skeleton’s attacks
into my body.

If I hadn’t been given time to readjust my stance after every strike.

If the skeleton hadn’t flaunted its preparatory movements for me to
see.

I would have crumbled helplessly before the skeleton.

In other words, this was only possible because it existed within the
system.

Even if it were real combat, I could do something similar, but in the
end, the outcome would just be a broken shield and a terrified little
girl trembling in fear.

‘It was a miracle.’

Knowing him, I attributed the success to the Sloppy Lord. No matter
how absurd something seems, if you add the name of a god, it becomes
convincing.

‘Yes?’

‘…What? What are you talking about?’

Come on, Grandpa. How could I call you ‘Gramps’? You’re practically
my teacher!

You didn’t miss it!? I thought you’d been too overwhelmed by the
miracle to notice!

Damn it! If you’d heard it, why didn’t you say so earlier!

‘I’m sorry!’

Maybe it was because I was in a heightened state due to the
[Mesugaki] skill that I slipped up. I’m sorry!

I offered an honest apology without any excuses, and the old man
chuckled.

What the—? Grandpa, you weren’t angry?

‘Y-yes?’

Ah. Oh no.

You were still hung up on that?!

‘Even Steven isn’t exactly a modern phrase, though.’

Phew. It was good I had been intimidating earlier. Thanks to that, I
managed to escape the situation.

Otherwise, I’d have faced Grandpa’s endless nagging or one of his
hellish training sessions—or maybe both at once.

The mental erosion from the [Mesugaki] skill feels stronger now. Even
if I’m excited, I shouldn’t be making slip-ups like that with
Grandpa.

This is not a good sign.

If I’m not careful, I could end up saying something like ‘Did you
really think you could win, you pathetic, sloppy loser♡? Did you
think I’d cry and apologize~?♡ Puhaha!♡ Too bad~♡ If only you’d
been a bit stronger, you might’ve been able to break a nail of
mine~♡’ and actually mean it.

…

Didn’t I say something just like that recently?

I feel like I said something similar, pretending it was just to
provoke my opponent.

Wait, am I already completely consumed?

“Well done.”

As I was nervously biting my lip, a voice came from ahead.

It was the skeleton.

He, who had swung his sword with genuine intent moments ago, was now
speaking gently, as if what happened moments ago was just part of the
trial.

“I cannot help but acknowledge your skill. Congratulations, you
have passed the trial.”

‘Thank you, Garad.’

“Why is someone who got defeated acting as if they have the right
to evaluate others? Oh, did your pride shatter so badly that you need
to act like that to console yourself? I’m sorry~ Hero~ I didn’t
know better~”

I could see the skeleton’s hand trembling. His anger hadn’t
subsided; he was just suppressing it.

If I pushed any further, he might swing his sword in genuine rage. I
better shut up.

“…Here is your reward for passing the trial. It’s Ankir.”

I look at the shield the skeleton handed me.

A shield that, despite centuries of time, still held its pure
whiteness.

The corners of my mouth involuntarily lifted into a smile.

When I first arrived in this world, I was just a kid who didn’t
understand the value of weapons.

I had knowledge from the game, so I could tell if something was
amazing or not just by its name, but I couldn’t judge the actual
quality.

After all, I was a modern person who had never held a proper weapon
in my entire life.

But I am different now.

After possessing this body for a year, having swung a mace countless
times and blocked numerous attacks with a shield, I can tell the
value of a weapon just by looking at it.

The shield called Ankir was something any shield bearer would long
for and admire.

As soon as I respectfully took it from the skeleton, I could feel the
divinity within me becoming even purer.

A sacred weapon bestowed by the messenger of God was further
elevating my status.

Hmm, my old trusty mithril shield, why don’t you rest in my inventory
for a while?

You’ve worked hard until now, so you deserve a break.

I’m absolutely not abandoning you!

Alright? Just rest for a bit?

With some sentimentality, I tossed the now replaced mithril shield
into my inventory and equipped Ankir.

The shield automatically adjusted in size to what I considered ideal.

Kyaa. This is how a sacred weapon should be! Absolutely!

The weight felt just right.

The grip felt comfortable.

No bothersome parts when moving.

And above all, the divine energy flows smoothly!

Totally different from that trashy Mithril shield!

With this, I might be able to pull off Grandpa’s technique
perfectly!

Oh, what should I do?

I want to use it in actual combat soon.

I want to block a full-power attack aimed at crushing me.

The more I held Ankir, the more I loved it, and I couldn’t help but
show it, when the skeleton spoke with a smile.

“You, who are loved by the gods, could certainly overcome the
various trials my friend left behind. If you find them, give them a
try. They might not be as great as that so-called Paladin’s weapon
you’re holding, but they’ll still be worthwhile.”

I already know that. So-called Paladin, huh? You’re talking about
Grandpa, right?

‘…I really don’t want to die, Grandpa.’

I don’t know what those dark secrets are, but if I mentioned them,
I might actually get stabbed.

“May blessings be upon the path you take.”

The skeleton, who believed himself to be Garad, gave a proper
farewell and turned around.

No sooner had he sat down than the skeleton crumbled along with the
throne, and the door creaked open again.

With that, the trial was over.

– Ding!

[You have overcome the trial left behind by a Hero!]

[You have succeeded in achieving a great feat!]

[A reward is being given!]

When I heard the notification sound, I tensed up for a moment, but
thankfully, it wasn’t from the Evil God.

Haa. Sloppy Lord! If you’re giving a reward, do it after I leave
here!

Do you know how scary that dinging sound is?!

I won’t complain if you’re giving me rewards, but be more
considerate next time!

So, a reward, huh. Just holding Ankir was reward enough, but there’s
more?

It shouldn’t be anything too extraordinary. Maybe something like a
slight stat increase, like when I passed Luca’s trial.

[Reward: St#^#^#$%@!$%%]

…Huh?

Wait.

Wait a second.

I’ve seen this before.

I have definitely seen this before.

Back when I was tackling the Menestail dungeon.

When the Evil God interrupted as I was trying to escape the dungeon.

The message window was corrupted.

Which means this…

It’s a sign that the Evil God is going to interfere.

My guess was right.

The strange characters in the message window were suddenly replaced
by black text.

[Night is the time of darkness, and the underground is the place of
darkness.]

[You shall be devoured by the darkness.]

Shortly after the message window disappeared, the dim light that
remained in the underground space was swallowed by complete darkness,
making it impossible to see even an inch ahead.

A hollow laugh escaped my lips.

Did you know that I discovered the truth about Duke Burrow’s family?
I thought I covered it well, but I guess I was wrong.

Unlike before, the old man’s voice was now heavy and serious.

Not the old Grandpa, but the hero, Ruel, was speaking.

Hearing him made my heart also turn serious.

‘Yes.’

I imbued Ankir with the divine energy I held.

A pure and refined energy that had grown even more so after passing
the trial.

Then, light shone from the pure white shield, spreading warmth like
the sun all around.

One step.

Another step.

The darkness, scared of the light, began to retreat.

This is the power Ankir possesses.

The ability to repel impurities.

As the trial room became as bright as daylight, the world regained
its lost senses.

“…Oh.”

“Are you finally coming to your senses, sloppy junior?”

The scene that unfolded was Luca, who had been about to stab us with
a dagger, and Karl, who had blocked him.

This is another bothersome thing about conquering dungeons related to
the Evil God of Darkness. If you fail to resist, you end up being
devoured.

As the impurity fled, Luca blinked, quickly withdrawing his weapon.

“What is this…”

‘It’s a trick played by the Evil God of Darkness.’

“That creepy pervert trying to control a girl’s body, what was he
planning to do? It’s disgusting and makes me sick.”

But something seems off. Given how weak Tariki’s power is and how
strong Luca is, he should have resisted normally.

Just how many sins does that guy carry in his heart?

Worried that he might go berserk again, I grabbed Luca’s hand and
used [Armadi’s Mercy].

With Ankir in my possession, I could repel any lingering energy.

Maybe Luca felt the divine energy flowing through my touch, as he
looked at me blankly before bowing his head deeply.

“Thank you, Lady.”

I couldn’t respond to that. Just as I was about to, a new message
appeared before me.

[A new quest has been issued!]

[Escape!]

[The Evil God of Darkness has used his power to take control of the
dungeon! Escape from this place!]

[Reward: ???]

It wasn’t just some random interference; he took control of the
dungeon?!

Was I really that much of a nuisance to you?

You barely have any power, yet you pull something like this.

But you know, if you wanted to do this, you should have done it
sooner. Idiot.

There’s no point in trying to pull something now that I have Ankir
in my hands.

Oh, did you hear me saying I needed somewhere to test out my shield
and decided to grant my wish?

Wow, you’re not an Evil God of Darkness, you’re a God of
Kindness, huh? How considerate!

In return, let me show you something fun.

A circus where all the traps you’ve set up get destroyed
effortlessly.

It’s going to be so amusing, I might end up swearing out loud, so
stay tuned!

As I closed the message window, recalling the map of the labyrinth
once more.

Karl suddenly clutched his chest.

“Urgh, Lady, I think I’ve also been infected with the Evil God’s
energy!”

My gaze toward him was ice-cold.

His tone was stiff.

His gestures were awkward.

Anyone could tell he was faking it.

The worst part is, it’s obvious why he’s acting like that.

You were jealous that I held Luca’s hand and purified him, you
perverted trash?!

‘Seriously, ugh…’

“Seriously, that’s disgusting.”

“Ouch!”

With genuine contempt in my voice, Karl toppled forward.

Ha. I really don’t know what to do with this guy.

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