episode_0040

Three Violets crossed the school after midnight.

The school’s appearance at night was distinctly different from the day.

All the streetlights that had been on until evening were off. The vibrant daytime scenery was silent, as if painted over with black ink.

However, the streets were not as quiet as expected. Even far past midnight, various people and cars were moving around.

The source of the noise was the academy’s security force.

“It feels less like security and more like a military patrol.”

“Shh, quiet. We’ll be caught.”

Fortunately, most of the security personnel were concentrated near the school’s main gate and dormitories. Once we moved away from there and hid in the shadows between school buildings, encounters with people became fewer.

The Violets moved to the back of the school, relying on scattered small lights and moonlight.

Of course, they didn’t just blindly rush in bare-handed.

Security guards were still patrolling the campus, albeit fewer than before. The problem of their blonde hair being too noticeable also remained.

-How’s the performance? Is it reliable?-

-It’s a bit stuffy and hot, but the camouflage performance is definitely reliable.-

So, we used tools.

-The item we bought from the central region is quite useful.-

-Just now, when I was in the bushes, the guards passed right by without noticing.-

On the outskirts of the central region, the Violets successively visited nearby used weapon shops.

Unfortunately, there were no 3-star or higher weapons that we wanted. They were all 1-star weapons. Even the rare 2-star weapons weren’t the firearms, crossbows, or bows for ranged combat that we desired.

Instead, we managed to acquire a few interesting tools.

Right now, we’re carefully crawling around, draped in camouflage netting studded with fake grass and leaves.

It’s similar to the ghillie suits snipers wear in movies, but it’s more like a cloak draped over oneself than actual clothing.

-According to the owner, this is military camouflage netting used to cover vehicles or equipment. He said it also blocks infrared detection. Hunters often use it too.-

-It’s rough, and it smells like oil.-

-Well, it looks thick, so it’ll probably be good for covering up and sleeping later.-

As we carefully crossed through the darkness towards the back of the school, we sensed something approaching from the road.

As the lights drew closer, we hid among the bushes.

-Get down!-

-Is that a security vehicle?-

A luxurious-looking sedan was seen driving up the road.

It’s different from the off-road vehicles the security uses. Who could it be?

-Is it someone important?-

After walking for a while, we arrived at our target area. In the darkness, the faint, shimmering lights of three small buildings revealed their dark silhouettes.

The sedan we had seen earlier was parked in front of the largest of them, a two-story building.

“That must be the place.”

As we’d noticed during the day, the security around here was strict. There was even a fence surrounding it.

What could be inside that building?

“How do we get in?”

“First, let’s try getting over the fence.”

After 35 and 43 were created, they crawled to the fence. 35, out of curiosity, put her hand on the fence.

-Fzzzt!-

“Aargh!”

“It’s an electric fence! 43! Pull her off quickly!”

They quickly used a wooden stick to separate 35 from the fence and dragged her back. Nearby patrolling guards could be heard whispering.

“The fence clearly activated, but what was it?”

“There are low-level magical beasts living nearby. It’s happening again.”

-Thank goodness! We weren’t caught.-

-35 is immobile. De-spawn her.-

Going over the fence or through the main gate seemed impossible. Was there another way?

-By the way, isn’t that building a bit small?-

-What do you mean?-

2, who was sharing the situation of the Violets on site, pointed out.

-It’s too small to be doing something major. It doesn’t look like an official residence either, and above all, look at the windows—not a single light is on. And it’s not like they’re covered by curtains.-

-Could there be something underground?-

First, we should patrol the surroundings a bit.

We carefully moved around the building, examining it.

After observing for a long time, we discovered several structures protruding from the ground.

They were rectangular structures about half my height. Looking at the top, they were covered with metal grates.

-What is this?-

-It looks like a subway ventilation shaft.-

Was there an underground facility at this school?

We tried to lift the grates, but they were heavier than expected. After creating three more clones, we pulled out a crowbar, inserted it into the gap, and lifted the grates.

A gap wide enough for one person to pass through was created.

After cautiously surveying the surroundings, we pulled out a flashlight and shone a dim light, revealing a ladder for inspection. We descended one by one.

After descending about 15 meters, our feet touched a concrete floor thinly covered with fallen leaves and debris. Several small metal ventilation ducts were visible nearby.

We took out a screwdriver, unscrewed the bolts, opened the cover, and peered inside. There was only endless darkness.

“It reminds me of the old research lab days.”

“Who’s going in first, and where?”

We decided who would go first with a coin toss.

5, who won, confidently chose one of the ventilation passages and descended.

“I’m going!”

Pushing her head in first, 5 slid down the inclined metal ventilation shaft like a slide.

As 5 was happily sliding down, another grate appeared in front of her.

“Yelp!”

5 crashed face-first into the grate.

-My nose is bleeding!-

-You went deeper than expected.-

The answers from the other Violets who entered afterwards were largely the same.

-This way is blocked.-

-I almost crashed into a ventilation fan.-

There was still plenty of time before sunrise. We moved through the passages, quietly opening obstructing grates with a screwdriver.

-It’s incomparably larger than during the lab days?-

The ventilation shafts we used to navigate in the lab were barely wide enough to crawl forward, but here, the ventilation passages are, to exaggerate, big enough for two Violets to squeeze through.

This means a lot of air supply is needed. In other words, it might be a much larger facility than we thought.

And the passages were complex. We don’t know how far the ventilation ducts extend, but even the part we’ve explored so far seems quite vast.

The problem is, we can’t find a way to get down to the places the ventilation ducts supply air to.

-How about creating a clone down there first?-

-No, what if it drops right into the middle of people? Don’t forget, we need to move secretly.-

Even now, having multiple clones moving around is a risk. My advantage is maximized when others are unaware of my clone ability.

So normally, except for classes where I have to be present myself, I tend to wear a mask, hood, or hat when moving around.

There was no immediate rush, so there was no reason to take risks.

-Have patience. Let’s start by drawing a map of the ventilation system.-

-What about during the day? You’re not suggesting we eat and sleep in here, are you?-

-We can set a time, create new clones in here, and then switch. If that’s not enough, we’ll run our consciousness in two shifts.-

-Alright. Agreed!-

At the end of the impromptu meeting, a conclusion was reached. Using this method, they could explore 24/7, year-round. It was a significant improvement compared to the dusty ventilation shaft explorations during the lab days.

-First, find a secluded place where we can descend, or failing that, a spot where we can peek at what’s happening below. Understood?-

-Understood. Can I sleep now?-

-See you in the morning…-

The Violets wandering through the ventilation system gradually felt tired. They all took blankets from their inventory and sought belated sleep.

***

While the Violets diligently explored the ventilation system, moving through what was presumed to be the school’s basement, other Violets were also diligently living their school lives.

Because we are good-natured beautiful girls who diligently pursue our studies!

And so, another morning began.

“Eheheh…”

I, 3, who had been sleeping in the dormitory, woke up.

Come to think of it, I haven’t had nightmares in the early hours lately.

Thanks to that, I could wake up feeling refreshed.

The nightmares themselves hadn’t disappeared.

However, when something scary and bad appeared and I screamed and ran, something strange would happen.

Suddenly, a warm light would descend, and all the bad things would vanish.

That warmth felt somewhat nostalgic, which sometimes made me a little sad.

-That’s strange, is it a good sign?-

-We share dreams among ourselves while sleeping. Could it be that our increased numbers are affecting the nightmares?-

It seems our abilities have grown. It might be a kind of self-awareness phenomenon.

Rubbing my eyes, I got out of bed, and Daphne was already up, sitting at her desk and looking through a textbook. The more I saw, the more diligent she seemed.

Sensing my presence, Daphne turned her head towards me.

“…Ruzilin. Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Huh? I slept well. But why? Did something happen last night?”

“…No! It’s nothing. I’m glad you slept well.”

It must have been nothing.

And so, daily life repeated itself like a boring hamster wheel. Attending classes, goofing off, watching games live, and working.

The central team started motorcycle deliveries, and the dungeon team hunted Scraxxes and other miscellaneous magical beasts every other day.

“Oh dear, student. You’re here again today. Don’t you study at school? I seem to see you quite often.”

“Ahaha… Because of tuition…”

“Yes, tuition is important. Keep up the good work.”

After class, I walked down the road. The wind, carrying the scent of grass, gently caressed my face.

I gently closed my eyes.

Even just lightly connecting my consciousness to the Violets’ network, I could feel countless versions of myself living, breathing, and moving.

I could experience it.

-Eek… Another cockroach. That’s why I hate ventilation ducts.-

-51! Another delivery request came in. 67 is currently in a nearby housing complex, so receive the item, then slip into an alley and send it. Inventory? Or transfer?-

-It’s small, so I’ll send it via transfer!-

-Hahahaha! This show is fun.-

-Charge! Charge! Watch out for the Scraxx caster’s attack on the left. Shock troop, strike from the rear! Channel magic into your shields!-

-Attack! Huh? Aargh!-

-The truck engine stalled again. What? This is a flood-damaged car?-

We could clearly feel each other.

I experience myself.

Other me’s embody me.

They appreciate.

They savor, and they experience.

So, if there’s leisure, one must enjoy it.

Because other tired and weary me’s can lessen the day’s pain and fatigue through me.

Thus, bathed in the September sunlight, I spent a good time.

Or tried to.

“Damn it!”

“I…I don’t know…Why are you doing this…”

Until I saw a student being tormented from behind.

It was Levi.

The same classmate who took me to the infirmary when I was completely drunk.