Chapter 36 - Animal Abuse

"We're in trouble."

"What is it?"

What's the trouble? Obviously there's only one thing.

The Ranking Battle.

An event held over one week, twice a year, a stage where everyone tests their abilities against each other.

That's the fancy description, but in reality it's just a festival. There's an actual festival separately but it's easier to think of this as just a festival too.

Well, scouts and citizens come to watch from outside, and accordingly street stalls appear and shops on the island become busy.

That part is fine. Festival? Just enjoy it. No problem.

But that's not the issue. The problem is─

"The moving plans are ruined."

"Liar!! Seonghoon, you promised last time. You said since three people living in this small room is too cramped, we'd move to a bigger place!!"

"Don't talk like a newlywed couple dreaming of a rosy future?! That's memory distortion. I clearly said I was going to a bigger place so you should get your own room and move out?!"

Ignoring Raphael saying that's the same thing, let me explain - originally the Ranking Battle schedule comes after the dungeon experience. It's supposed to be a story where Kim Taehyun gets a weapon from the dungeon experience and plays an active role in the Ranking Battle and incidents with that weapon─

That weapon. I was planning to steal it. I was going to steal that weapon, raise my ranking in the Ranking Battle, then move to a bigger dormitory.

But what's the reality?

The damn angel summoned a Reaper, and after cleaning up that mess, the Ranking Battle got moved up.

This is reality? This is life's bitter taste? I've been tasting this too much since coming here.

"Still, life works in mysterious ways. If there's something bad, there's usually something good too. Thanks to that Guild Master person, your rank went up. Plus? Isn't it a gain since you got so much holy water in bulk?"

"...The holy water is good. Of course it's good, but it's too cramped having three people live in this small room. It's already full with two beds. Who decided that students ranked in the 1000s should live alone in the dormitory!!"

"Usually living alone is normal?"

Sure, living alone makes sense since the dormitory was made for single occupancy. Then will you, the cause, move out? I looked at the blonde with such an expression.

She avoids my gaze and whistles. Then as if remembering something, raises her index finger.

"Ah! It's cramped because three people are living here!! Let's stop Lachesis from being able to take human form!!"

Oh. Is this really an angel? I marveled at Raphael whose thought process differs from others.

"Do you have personality issues?"

***

So in the end there's only one way.

Now that I couldn't steal the weapon. For weak little me to raise my ranking in the Ranking Battle, only 'that' remains.

What is it? Obviously only 'skill power' remains.

With just this skill, I can behead even vampires in one strike?

Therefore, without further ado, I opened [Skills].

---------------

[Skills]

"Heaven's Blessing(EX)" "Scythe Mastery(A+)" "Empty Slot"

[Currently "Heaven's Blessing(EX)" has 2 uses remaining.]

[Mind map expansion available for Scythe Mastery.]

[Reaper Subjugation 10000000P]

[Yang Minji Rescue 100000P]

[Sophia Submission 1000000P]

[Raphael's Wings 1000000P]

......

.....

....

...

So anyway, quite a lot of points accumulated. Especially the Reaper, being an existence outside the scenario and being powerful, gave more points.

So this is why people do raids. Though it was hard, the reward is certain.

Anyway, the skill I'm going to get now is already decided. Actually, I was collecting skill points after deciding.

It's magic.

Well, I want to try it. It's men's romance No.1. Coming to a fantasy world but not being able to use magic once would make coming meaningless.

I want to try too. I want to chant magic while saying cool lines with my own mouth and construct magic formulas.

You know, those turbid sentences that leak out, vessels of irreverent madness─ I really wanted to try that.

And now. It's time for that long dream to come true.

[Total Points 13000000P]

[What would you like to search for?]

But I don't have magic power. How can I use magic without magic power? if you ask. The answer is this.

[Would you like to purchase skill "Rune Magic(A)"? Points after purchase will be 1000P.]

Of course Yes. And I naturally clicked on "Rune Magic" to read the description.

["Rune Magic(A)": Understanding of runes increases dramatically. Proficiency in rune writing increases.]

At the same time, I felt something filling my head. A feeling hard to explain in words, like a Na*er Wiki was created in a corner of my mind.

For some reason, it feels like I could do anything right now. Is this like that inexplicable confidence that comes the night before an exam?

I immediately picked up a nearby pen and wrote runes on post-its I had bought in advance.

Rune magic. In other words, inscription magic.

Though it's a relic of the past rarely used in modern times where magic can be manifested with just a few words.

It's a very convenient magic for me that can be used just by infusing magic power into pre-inscribed runes.

With this, even I who has no magic power can use magic. Though I can't do those turbid sentences that leak out─

Of course there are several disadvantages too. It's hard to learn, can't be used in battle unless prepared in advance, and its power has clear limits compared to incantation magic.

But I can offset all those disadvantages.

Hard to learn so I learned it through skills. Can store almost infinite runes with [Inventory]. Power... I'll have to be satisfied.

Where else can I use magic?

And this magic's biggest disadvantage is that magic power needs to be charged in advance.

"Suddenly getting chills? Is our room haunted?!"

[I feel it too meow. Did someone turn on the air conditioner meow?]

Our room has magic tanks... no no. Two illegal residents.

"Kids."

"Yes?"

[Meow?]

"If you've been living comfortably in someone else's house, shouldn't you pay for your meals?"

Right? At my question, the two met eyes and tried to run away.

***

"M-my arms won't move."

[Me-meow. This is animal abuse meow. I've already called animal protection organizations so prepare a lawyer meow.]

"Why are you being so dramatic? People might think I'm making you work without pay. I bought you food. Bought everything you wanted, right? Be satisfied."

Ignoring them saying it's not enough~, I looked around. We're currently in Justitia's downtown area after leaving the dormitory.

Originally we should be in class right now, but it's during the Ranking Battle now.

During the week-long Ranking Battle there are no classes so we can wander around like this.

The rules are quite free, to explain simply.

Students are given one challenge right per day. They can use that right to challenge other students and raise their ranking if they win - simple and free rules.

Of course, since there's no limit on defenses, higher ranked students are at a disadvantage. In other words, what's important is whether you can raise your ranking while protecting it.

"Still, it's fortunate Seonghoon is ranked last. No one will pick a fight, right?"

"They'd be crazy to."

Even in the original work, this story focused on Kim Taehyun's defense battles. Well, there aren't any particularly important incidents and just a few minor events happen so I'm not tense.

What's important to me now is whether I can raise my ranking or not. Whether I can escape from this cramped room or not.

It's a crossroads in life. Well, finding a house is the most important thing in life.

While thinking about who I should use my challenge right on to win─ I saw someone in the crowd.

Waving at me.

Currently Justitia is packed with people who came to watch the Ranking Battle despite it being morning. Scouts, ordinary people, families, etc. Though it's almost overflowing with people, she stood out with beauty that caught the eye even if you didn't want to look.

Brown hair, pink petal-like eyes, bright face without a speck of dirt.

Yang Minji.

"Seonghooooon~~"

Even the way she calls me changed. Originally it was annoying person. Or the person who beat Ishia. That kind of naming, but for some reason she's using my name now.

She came running while waving her arms wildly and naturally sat at our outdoor table.

And while grinning broadly, when I looked at her as if asking what she wanted, she put her index finger to her lips and.

Making an "Mmm~" sound, she opened her mouth.

"Thank you!! I came to say this!!"

Thank you? For what? The Reaper kidnapping thanks ended yesterday, what else is there to be thankful for?

Did she have some weird dream after nearly dying?

At times like this, ignoring is best. When I didn't say anything, Raphael beside me answered instead.

"What's there to thank~ We just did what needed to be done~"

"Yeah. Pretty unnie, thank you more!"

"I am quite pretty aren't I."

They're just playing around. While watching the two giggling, I suddenly remembered and asked.

"Do you know where Ishia is? I have something to ask about magic but she's not answering calls."

"Hmm~ I know where she is but you're really mean. You ignore others' words and only talk when you need something?"

Can't say anything to that but─

Shiver.

For some reason my spine chilled and when I looked back, I saw a man. A man wearing a fedora pulled low.

For some reason he's emitting a black aura intensely. Seems he heard our conversation just now? Don't tell me he's emitting killing intent because I only look for his daughter when I need something?

I got scared for a moment and turned my head back to sit quietly.

Uncle, you're scary.

"Whatever. Ishia's probably meeting her dad now? She won't answer calls for a while."

"What?"

Ishia's dad is here? To watch the Ranking Battle? Why is that person here?

That tsundere wouldn't come to watch Ishia fight─

I thought that but an uneasy thought crossed my mind.

"Nah, it can't be."

"What can't be?"

"Never mind since I said it! I'm going on a date with daddy!! Bye bye!!"

Yang Minji waved goodbye and ran to the uncle, then put her hands behind her back and said "Thank you!!" once more.

I don't understand.

Well. Nothing will happen right? I mean, it's natural for a father to come watch his daughter's match right? Right? Right?

Yeah. Originally the Ranking Battle was an uneventful episode in the original work too. It'll be fine.

"Seonghoon."

"Shut up. You're going to say something weird right? Don't."

"Do you know the word Phlegra?"

I do not.

***

Dark space.

In what appears to be the basement of some building, a student in a moss-green uniform and a formally dressed man sit facing each other.

Though the man's face wasn't clearly visible, what was certain from his clothes and behavior was that he wasn't an ordinary person.

"Well. I can do it. Rank 1028 is like eating cold rice. No? Even easier."

The nameplate of the student sitting impolitely. No. Arrogantly was black.

"No. I'm not telling you to win in the Ranking Battle."

"Then?"

"Kill him. Kill him. Kill him no matter what."

".... That far? Killing is troublesome though?"

The boy smiled bitterly as if troubled, but eventually had to nod at the words that followed.

"We'll handle the aftermath. Both accident processing and money you couldn't touch in a lifetime. If you want, I'll give you a high position too."

High position. Money. Accident processing. No reason not to do it. Even if I fail it's break even, if I succeed it's life-changing. No reason to refuse.

"Lee Seonghoon. It's a guy called Lee Seonghoon. You must kill him."

There wasn't even room to wonder what that guy could be. The boy just nodded.

"Leave it to me."

Of course rank 1028 won't even be a mouthful.