Trash stood there, shirtless, blankly recalling the events.
How did it come to this?
It all started when he heard the news that his son had gone missing after completing the Rift conquest.
His son, Diggerus, who had grown up with exceptional talent and no shortcomings.
That boy was surely going to become a great man who would succeed him.
But then, that son of his disappeared overnight.
The Academy called it a disappearance, but he didn’t believe it.
Not missing inside the Rift, but disappearing after coming out? It was an unbelievable story.
Something must have happened in the Rift. He was sure they were just making excuses because they didn’t want to admit it.
He could be certain of it because he had done something similar himself.
So, without even trying to search, he had been sharpening his sword, waiting for the day of revenge… but what? Now they’re saying he’s dead?
Not just dead, but he had to be killed because he came back as a member of the Demon Race?
‘Not only did they kill my son and try to cover it up, but now they’re planning to ruin the family’s honor too.’
Rage boiled up inside him. He hadn’t been on good terms with the Academy, but he didn’t expect them to be this blatant.
So, as soon as he heard the news, he headed straight to the Academy.
At first, he was determined to find out for sure if they were lying.
But… the first thing he encountered upon arrival was three people who were part of the Student Council, and thanks to that, a good idea came to him.
‘Things could’ve gotten complicated, but luck was on my side.’
Right there, he grabbed them and pretended to ask about the incident, waiting for the conversation to turn to the commoner right in front of him.
That’s how he got his leverage and immediately took action.
“That commoner is untrustworthy! Arrest and interrogate him at once!”
Even if that guy was just a commoner, he was still a student enrolled at the Academy. Using that, he could definitely strike a blow against the Academy.
Besides, the treatment of a commoner was obvious, so as long as he handled the aftermath well, the Academy wouldn’t be able to say much.
It was a sudden and impulsive move, but he was confident he could handle it.
After all, he had an artifact that allowed him to read the opponent’s mind.
So, the most important thing now was the thoughts of the two women standing by his side…
[They are bewildered by your actions.]
[They have no intention of stopping your actions.]
Even this was on his side.
The Duke’s Daughter seemed slightly flustered, but Her Highness the Princess was calmly observing the situation.
‘As expected. The rumors were all lies.’
Yeah, that’s right. Of course, the Princess wouldn’t care about some commoner.
Even if she did, it would only be to keep him under her watch.
Once upon a time…
After the rumor spread in the academy that I was homosexual, I decided never to believe rumors again.
Perhaps out of anxiety that my young heart might forget my status and appeal to emotions, I checked just in case, but I had anticipated this outcome from the start.
Now that the worry is gone, I casually secured a commoner.
He didn’t resist unusually, but I didn’t need to read his thoughts.
He must know it too—that as a mere commoner, he can do nothing.
“…With this, I think he’ll be a good subject for the experiment I’m researching.”
After all, he’s just a commoner. Even if he disappears, he’ll be forgotten quickly, so I might as well make the most of him now that I’ve caught him.
That’s what I thought.
[Rudion]
[Strength: 17]
[Endurance: 8]
[Agility: 26]
[Magic: 11]
[Trait: ■■■■, Good for the body and tastes good]
[He is stealing all your belongings and trying to hide it.]
Until I felt something was off and checked his stats.
Seeing his ordinary, almost pitiful stats reassured me that the rumors were exaggerated, but then I noticed a strange trait that didn’t fit him.
[■■■■]
[■■■ ■■■■■. ■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■■■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■■.]
‘What the hell is this…?’
After seeing something I couldn’t comprehend, it didn’t take long to reach this point.
“…”
I blankly stared at my wrist.
It’s gone. The incredible artifact I’ve been using all this time has suddenly fallen into the hands of a commoner.
It was a mistake. I didn’t even properly check because I thought he was just a commoner, just a first-year.
There was no connection between us from the start, so I never imagined he could know anything.
No, no. That’s not important now. Right now…
“Catch him. Immediately.”
Retrieving the damn thing he took must be the top priority. Whether I tear him apart or burn him to death comes after.
Having relied on the artifact to easily overcome countless situations, I can no longer live without it.
///
Escaping outside wasn’t that hard. Most of the main forces were probably following Trash.
Since I was moving around inside the count’s estate, I was spotted here and there, but now that Trash is after me with fire in his eyes, that doesn’t matter.
So, instead of hiding or diverting attention, I chose to head straight for the Old Book Storage.
It felt too easy to move around, making me wonder if the security was lax, but thinking about it, evasion was out of the question.
At the point where you have abilities, security doesn’t really mean much.
If it weren’t for evasion, I wouldn’t have even made it to this situation.
And so, I arrived in front of the Old Book Storage.
It was a massive wooden building, with the surrounding environment magically controlled to preserve the building and the old books inside.
Maybe that’s why, just approaching it, the air felt quite pleasant.
“That way!!”
…Not the time to be enjoying the air. I headed inside the building, avoiding the voice of Trash getting closer.
The interior of the building had the atmosphere of a sacred cathedral. Antique bookshelves were densely packed with numerous old books, and the unique smell of aged books wafted through.
Just looking at this, it’s definitely the Old Book Storage.
But if you open the hidden attic door and go downstairs, you’ll find a space where Forbidden Books are collected.
I really like basements. Why do they always hide things underground?
Thinking that, I found the place with the hidden attic door.
“Here it is.”
In a corner of the building. Boxes filled with small books were piled up.
It didn’t seem well-maintained, as the dust was visibly thick.
It looks like no one would approach or touch it. That’s why it feels suspicious.
Yes. If I move these boxes, the hidden attic door will be revealed.
The boxes are very heavy, filled with books, but I’m a guy with a strength of 17.
I’m just overshadowed by the main characters, but 17 is really strong. It’s not like I’m fighting monsters, so this much is nothing.
As I was diligently moving the boxes, the outside gradually became noisy, and soon the door of the Old Book Storage slammed open.
“…”
It was Trash, leading even more knights than before.
He had even managed to put on new clothes, but it seemed he was in a hurry, as one button was noticeably misaligned.
As I was about to listen to what he was saying, Trash quietly asked.
“…How much do you know?”
By now, it seemed like he had figured something out.
Well, coming in, looting the Secret Warehouse, taking the bracelet he was wearing, and then rushing here to find the attic door by moving boxes—if he didn’t notice, that would be more strange.
I subtly checked what Trash was thinking.
[He wants to persuade you.]
…What? I thought he was going to kill me right away.
Then, the letters shimmered, and more content was added.
[He wants to persuade you to take the item and then kill you.]
That’s more like it.
I defiantly lifted the bracelet and brought it into his line of sight.
Realizing what it meant, Trash, in a flustered voice, hastily tried to persuade me.
“…Wait, there must be a reason for going this far. I’ll listen to anything. So, just give that back to me.”
His tone suddenly became kind. I checked his thoughts again, and this time, he seemed quite sincere.
But if it’s that guy, he’ll switch gears the moment he achieves his goal. That’s just how he is.
‘A reason for going this far…’
I thought about it for a moment. The things the Jibchak Family did in the original story.
When the war dragged on and supplies ran low, they used their octopus-like business tactics to line their own pockets.
While they were safely drinking in a secure location, they suddenly redirected reinforcements to their own guards and spread false information to other families to cut off support.
In the worst-case scenario, when the Demon Race led monsters to invade, they made a contract with the demons just to save their own skins…
Thinking about it, Diggerus becoming a demon was part of the family history. It was foreshadowing all along.
Anyway, even a rough thought brings up this much. Even if humans are selfish creatures chasing profit, going this far just makes them unlikeable.
And what I’m trying to overturn now is something similar.
Right now, he’s researching a Forbidden Book containing mind-control techniques, and later, he uses it to kidnap and brainwash a few people, doing some crazy stuff.
In crucial battles, several key fighters would end up in positions protecting the Jibchak Family, causing a lot of trouble.
“Answer me!! What are you going to do!!”
I don’t know what gives them the audacity to raise their voices when they’re the ones doing such things.
It’s not even worth answering. I casually raised one hand… and flipped them the bird.
The reaction was… whatever.
“…I must’ve looked like a joke to you. Forget about reasoning, just kill him. We can take the item after he’s dead.”
When someone’s anger reaches its peak, it cools down instead. That’s exactly how it felt.
With that icy tone, the knights slowly started approaching me.
Trash, not planning to stay idle either, began preparing to cast magic from behind.
Do they not care about all those precious books?
Even if the books don’t matter, they’ve seen my strange traits firsthand. Shouldn’t they be more cautious?
Wondering what they’re thinking, I checked…
[They’re laughing at your stats.]
Well, that’s a somewhat understandable reason.
No matter how good the software is, if the hardware is weak, it’s like putting a pearl necklace on a pig.
My stats are a bit low, I admit!
But I’ve been getting by with these stats so far. And I plan to keep doing so.
‘It’s my first battle since unlocking the inventory, though.’
At least it’s better than having nothing.
Well then… shall we try a quick swap?
