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Transcendence Due To A System Error-Chapter 125: A Brief Peace
Updat๐ฎd from ๐๐ง๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฎ๐.๐๐๐ข
< Chapter 125: A Brief Peace (3) >
In an old ruin.
Lust sat atop a collapsed structure, crossing her legs.
โI thought executives monitoring each other was prohibited.โ
Lustโs face was full of annoyance as he looked at Hermit.
โI have no idea what youโre talking about.โ
Hermit shrugged his shoulders.
โStop bullshitting. Unless youโve been tailing me, you have no reason to talk about Seo-yul.โ
Lust chuckled.
Hermitโs statement could only be made by someone who knew about her relationship with Seo-yul.
โSo, did you, stay true to your name as a Hermit andlearn how to conceal your aura?โ
โMaybe.โ
At Hermitโs nonchalant response, Lustโs expression turned even more hostile.
โSo, you have no intention of telling me?โ
โWhy should I reveal my cards?โ
โAlways cautious, arenโt you?โ
Lust clicked her tongue.
โDoes Maestro know?โ
โKnow what?โ
โAbout my relationship with Seo-yul. Does Maestro know about it?โ
โHe doesnโt. Only I do.โ
โIs that so? Thatโs a relief amidst the misfortune.โ
Lust seemed relieved.
โIf youโve resolved all your curiosities, shall we get to the main point?โ
โGo ahead. Iโm curious what the โlone wolfโ has to say to me.โ
Lustโs eyes glinted sharply.
โLet me say this upfront; if you have any thoughts of making a threatโฆโ
โSeo-yulโs goal is to erase the villain organization known as โSaviors of Truthโ from this world.โ
โโฆWhat?โ
Lustโs pupils dilated.
She was at a loss for words at the unexpected revelation.
โโฆWhy?โ
โFor revenge.โ
โRevengeโฆ?โ
โYes.โ
Hermit continued in a deadpan manner.
โSeo-yulโs life was ruined by the organization known as โSaviors of Truthโ. Wouldnโt it be natural for him to want revenge?โ
โRuinedโฆ?โ
Lustโs pupils trembled with anxiety. If Hermitโs words were true, then she and Seo-yul would become mortal enemies.
โThis is absurd.โ
This isnโt just a matter of successfully completing a contract and regaining freedom.
The moment her identity as an executive in the โSaviors of Truthโ is exposed, her doom is sealed.
Any chance of getting closer to Seo-yul would vanish forever.
โโฆWhatโs the proof?โ
However, there was no guarantee that Hermitโs words were true.
โI have it securely stored as data. Itโs classified information I siphoned from the organizationโs database, so I couldnโt bring it here. If needed, I can send it to you later.โ
Lust stood up from her seat and got close to Hermitโs face.
โI canโt trust โlaterโ. I need the data right nowโฆโ
โCalm down. It wonโt be too late to discuss the data after you hear what I have to say.โ
In contrast to Lustโs impatience, Hermit remained very calm.
Lust bit her lip.
Hermit wasnโt wrong.
โโฆFine. Tell me what happened between Seo-yul and the organization.โ
โBefore that, thereโs something I need to entrust to you.โ
โWhat now?โ
Lustโs eyes narrowed.
She hated beating around the bush when important matters were at hand.
โWhen you hear what I have to say, you will have to make one of two choices.โ
โA choice?โ
โYes. Whether to continue standing with the organization orโฆโ
Hermitโs eyes sharpened.
โTo help Seo-yul in his revenge by joining hands with me and betraying the organization.โ
Lustโs pupils quivered wildly.
* * *
โFound itโฆ!โ
2:30 a.m.
With wide eyes, I was cheering.
After a grueling 14-hour grind, I had finally figured out the effects of full assimilation of angelic traits.
The results were surprisingly good, overturning my initial expectations that it wouldnโt be anything special.
Who wouldnโt be happy about that?
โNever thought it would be resistance to mental attacks.โ
I found out through the mental resistance training curriculum.
While regular people might be overwhelmed by such training, I was completely fine.
Even when I pushed it up two more levels, a mild headache was all I felt.
โImpressive, isnโt it?โ
At first glance, it seemed like a trivial effect, but resistance to mental attacks is an essential ability.
Whatโs the point of being strong and having extraordinary abilities?
With just one mind control attack, youโre down.
Iโm down.
Everyoneโs down equally.
This increased mental attack resistance is a perfect counter to such terrible villains.
โThis will make it much easier to face โSaintโ.โ
She is one of the seven executives of the โSaviors of Truth,โ owner of a heretical group called โEden,โ and possesses a terrifying ability called โPsychological Manipulationโ that breaks down peopleโs personalities and reshapes them as her followers.
Numbers mean nothing when facing that woman.
No matter how many allies you bring, thereโs a chance they could turn against you in an instant.
Thatโs how powerful Saintโs โPsychological Manipulationโ is.
โIt was worth the grind.โ
Having gained a means to resist that skill is a huge win.
* * *
Monday.
It feels strange coming to school after such a long time off.
It was nice resting at home for a while.
โAh, Iโm already tired.โ
โI know, right? It was nice when we were resting.โ
Voices like these can be heard around the classroom. It seems like everyone is thinking the same thing as me.
โSeo-yul, hello.โ
Si-yeon, who just arrived at school, approaches me with a smile.
โGood morning.โ
โYep. The weather is really nice today~โ
She seems more spirited than usual.
โYou look really happy. Did something good happen?โ
โYeah, a little? Hehe.โ
She really does look happy.
โWhat happened?โ
โWellโฆโ
Si-yeonโs eyes sparkle.
โI got the Black Iron Edition Barbell!โ
โโฆHuh?โ
What edition?
โYou know how black iron has the property of magic severance? Using that property, itโs an amazing exercise equipment that solely focuses on physical training while completely eliminating magic!โ
โโฆโ
I see.
Truly sensational.
โAnd the weight can be adjusted freely for superhumans, and it even comes with safety features? Isnโt it really awesome?โ
โโฆโ
Iโm at a loss for words.
โAnd as if that wasnโt enough, they even gave me Black Iron Edition dumbbells as a gift!โ
No, I really donโt know what to say.
โI received it last night, and I was so excited I couldnโt sleep. Ah, I wish it would get dark soon~ I wonder how itโll feel?โ
โโฆโ
Thatโs scary.
Seriously.
โฆ Sheโs not really collecting exercise equipment by brand for her home, is she?
โOh! I have to pre-order the new Light Magic Stone Edition series thatโs coming out. I almost forgot.โ
โโฆโ
Please, let it not be that.
I prayed earnestly.
* * *
The first class was an indoor lesson led by Instructor Pi Jin Ho.
โAs you all may know, weโll be having our final exams soon.โ
Groans erupted from various corners of the room at his words.
โAh~โ
โSeriously.โ
โWe just took the midterms, and now we already have finals?โ
This was due to the midterm exams being postponed twice, making the gap between the midterms and the finals unusually short.
โFor the written tests, each instructor will announce their respective test scope. Well, weโve had a lot of days off this year, so the scope wonโt be that big.โ
There have been so many incidents and accidents that, honestly, we havenโt learned much in school.
โWeโre planning to make the practical test a bit simpler, too.โ
The murmurs grew louder.
It seems that the situation has changed, affecting the exams as well.
โWhat does โsimplerโ mean?โ
โโฆTheyโre not going to make us do another survival test, are they?โ
โIf thatโs the case, Iโm definitely teaming up with Seo-yul.โ
โIs there a way?โ
โWhatever it takes! Absolutely!โ
In the original story, the final exam was a team battle, but given theyโre saying it will be โsimpler,โ it probably wonโt be that.
โฆThereโs no way the scenario would proceed as in the original, given how messed up the situation has become.
I was sure of it. It wouldnโt be a team battle.
I was certain of it.
โThe date for the practical test is June 28th. The format of the exam will beโฆโ
Instructor Pi Jin Ho grinned.
Needless to say, it was a devilish smile.
โIt will be a team battle, where teams of up to 5 people will compete in a tournament. Weโll announce details about team formation later.โ
โโฆโ
โฆAre they really going to proceed with the exam as in the original story?
Nah.
Theyโll surely change the exam content again.
Itโs not like Iโve only experienced this butterfly effect for a day or two.
Could it really be a team battle?
* * *
But then it actually happened.
โJia, do you have anyone to team up with?โ freewebno vel.com
โSi-yeon, do you want to join us?โ
Voices seeking team members echoed all around.
I canโt believe itโs really a team battle.
โSeo-yul, have you put your team together yet?โ
A male student approached me.
โMe? Still thinking.โ
โHow about me? Iโm not bad at being in the front lines.โ
Kang Jung-hoo, a cadet.
Heโs a pure tank, wielding a shield and a short sword. Having someone like him on the team would definitely be a big help.
โฆAnd he would be easy for me to manage.
But thereโs a problem.
โUhโฆ You were ranked 138th, right?โ
โHuh? Oh, yes.โ
He looks surprised.
The expression on his face shifts from โHow did he remember my rank?โ to โDid he consider me as a team member?โ
โSorry, itโs going to be a bit difficult.โ
Sorry, but I never considered it.
I havenโt even reviewed anyone ranked between 100th and 200th.
โAhโฆ Is it because youโre aiming for someone in a similar rank?โ
โSomething like that.โ
For this team battle, cadets can freely choose their team members.
Of course, there are rules to prevent top rankers from grouping together.
One person from ranks 1~100.
One person 101~200.
One person 201~300.
One person 301~400.
One person 401~487.
Roughly speaking, this is how teams are recommended to be formed.
But itโs only a recommendation, not a requirement.
Even a team made of ranks 1~5 is allowed.
As long as they are willing to accept the penalty for concentrating on top ranks.
โฆBut I wouldnโt do that.
The penalty is too harsh.
If ranks 1~5 team up, the overall team ability penalty would be over 60%. How could we manage that?
โLooks like youโve got something in mind.โ
โA little?โ
I do have something in mind, but Iโm still reviewing the rulebook for team battles to figure out how to get the most benefit.
โIs that so? Canโt be helped then.โ
The cadet smiled reluctantly and walked away.
After that, a few more people approached me with team proposals, but I declined all of them.
And then, after meticulously going through the rulebook from start to finish, I reached a conclusion.
โโฆThis will work.โ
But now I have to choose between Si-yeon and Jia.
What should I do?
โSeo-yul! Have you put your team together yet?โ
Si-yeon approached me.
โNot yet. What about you, Si-yeon?โ
โI told you to wait, so Iโm obviously undecided. Butโฆโ
Si-yeon smiled faintly and pointed at the four people behind her.
โChul-jin made this team for meโฆ What should I do?โ
Ah. This makes the situation difficult.
I looked behind Jia.
โHmm. Well-organized, isnโt it?โ
โYep. Chul-jin is quick to think when it comes to things like this.โ
Itโs really well-organized.
1st place Ha Si-yeon.
9th place Kim Chul-jin.
197th place Choi Jihun.
The other two are ranked outside the top 450.
โThe penalty caused by you and Chul-jin is covered by the two lowest-ranking members, right?โ
โYep. This way, he said thereโs almost no penalty.โ
Itโs a good method.
Choosing the two lowest-ranking members as the tank and the supporter is a stroke of genius.
โWhat should we do?โ
Si-yeon is restless.
I chuckled.
โWhat to do? Just go.โ
It worked out well.
I only needed one of them anyway.
โIs it really okay?โ
โOf course. The choice of the team is up to you.โ
And if theyโve prepared this much, you have to accept it.
โReally?โ
โReally, why would I be lying?โ
โโฆโ
Si-yeon still looked indecisive. Whatโs there to worry about?
I got up from my seat and called out for Kim Chul-jin.
โHey, Kim Chul-jin~ Take Si-yeon with you.โ
โOh, cool.โ
Kim Chul-jin laughed out loud as he approached us.
โI know itโs awkward to say this, but is it okay? Seo-yul, werenโt you also planning to form a team with Si-yeon?โ
โI was, but itโs fine. I have another way.โ
โAnother way?โ
โTo team up with Jia.โ
Jia, who had been eavesdropping from a distance, flinched.
โOh-ho, so youโre ditching Si-yeon to team up with Shin Jia?โ
Chul-jin joked and laughed.
I laughed along.
โYou should put it correctly. Si-yeon was the one who ditched me first.โ
This time Si-yeonโs shoulders flinched. A quick glance revealed that she looked upset.
โItโs not like thatโฆโ
Watching Si-yeonโs vivid reaction, both Chul-jin and I laughed at the same time.
The smug expression on Jiaโs face was the finishing blow.
โBut if you team up with Jia, the penalty points will be considerably high. What about the other kids? Are there any left among the low-ranking ones?โ
Chul-jin stroked his chin.
It seems he is thinking on my behalf.
โI donโt need it.โ
But thatโs needless worrying.
โHuh? What?โ
โOther team members. I said I donโt need them.โ
Everyone who had been listening simultaneously tilted their heads.
โIโm planning to form a 2-person team with Jia.โ
โA 2-person team? Really?โ
โWhy? There are 4-person teams and 3-person teams. Whatโs wrong with a 2-person team?โ
There are not just penalty points in this test.
โAh, youโre aiming for the advantage points.โ
There are advantage points that increase the stats with the number of low-ranking members or smaller team size.
โCorrect.โ
I plan to actively utilize that rule.
< Chapter 125: A Brief Peace (3) > End