Chapter 284

Suddenly drawing everyone’s attention caught me off guard, but my answer remained unchanged.

“No way.”

I absolutely didn’t want to go on stage. Isn’t that just a fancy way of telling me to be a clown?

My name was already all over the Academy. How could I possibly perform?

It would be no different than a bear performing inside our house. Sure, no one here would care, but others definitely would!

Moreover, performing in front of so many people was just not my thing. I’d rather cause a major scene instead.

“Sivar, dear brother.”

“I’m not doing it. Not a chance.”

“But this is something only you can do.”

This was Rize’s explanation.

I’m the only one who can draw the attention of countless people, including demons, all at once.

Sure, that might work for humans, but would demons really pay any attention to me?

And more importantly, the order of things was all wrong. I pointed out the contradiction in Rize’s words.

“How can demons show any interest? If the monument is intact, they can’t do anything.”

“Hmm? That’s true.”

“If the monument is standing strong, then demons won’t be able to even come near.”

For a demon to show interest in me, they would have to come inside.

But if the monument is intact, that doesn’t mean anything. They would only be able to enter once the monument is neutralized.

“If you’re going to do it, Kara can do it too.”

“Why me?”

Someone else would be more suited for this. It would be just fine if it were Kara instead of me.

Unless demons could sneak in, which seems impossible, I didn’t see the need to step forward.

“No. This time it will be different.”

“Huh?”

“Differently… Are you saying the demons will sneak in?”

But Rize shook her head in denial, which only surprised everyone.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but feel perplexed. Is Rize’s understanding of the future different from mine?

“Yes. According to my own research, the time when the monument is at its weakest during the year is on Gaia’s memorial day. While low-level demons might be manageable, it’s hard to stop high-level demons from invading.”

“How do you know that?”

Luna asked, clearly skeptical of information that seemed hard to believe. If that were the case, wouldn’t the purpose of the monument become meaningless?

Also, it was odd that Rize knew this. Even I, who can see the future, didn’t know this information.

Rize looked around at everyone before explaining with a serious expression.

“The monument has been left unattended for a long time. We’ve been so caught up in the long peace that we hardly performed any maintenance on it.”

“I see…”

“Moreover, for reasons unknown, someone’s palm print was imprinted on the magic circle of the current monument. That has weakened it.”

“Wait. Could that have been the time I climbed the monument barehanded at first?”

You might not remember, but I did climb the monument barehanded when I first entered the Academy.

In the Soul World, successfully climbing barehanded gives you abilities and experience points, so I tried it out of curiosity if it would apply to reality.

Of course, I soon learned that games and reality are different, and after being dragged away by Rod, I was properly scolded.

‘Could that be the reason this body, being similar yet different from a demon, caused all this?’

I still didn’t quite get it. But one thing was for sure.

Demons would sneak in on a memorial day, and they would be high-level ones at that.

However, this didn’t matter much since the original story would not change significantly.

After all, the reality would still involve the monument being neutralized and chaos ensuing along with it. Demons pulling their tricks is just an added bonus.

What demons are after is like a chain reaction. A gentle push on the back of someone hanging off a cliff.

“So until we get settled, Sivar, you need to draw their attention. On the memorial day, many outsiders will be coming in, so it’s very likely they’ll take that chance to enter.”

“Demons are hard to notice because they give off no signs. You know that well, don’t you, Sivar?”

Rod added to Rize’s explanation from the side. With that kind of talk, how could I not be persuaded?

On a memorial day, there are many people exiting, and so, naturally, many outsiders come in too.

Therefore, even though more guards are stationed to prevent incidents, this could backfire.

If demons are clever, that backfire wouldn’t even mean anything. It means they would need to subtly draw attention to themselves.

“I don’t wanna do this…”

Regardless, the fact remains that if I don’t want to do it, then I won’t. I muttered timidly.

First off, I had no confidence. Just the thought of singing unaccompanied was an instant fail for me.

As I joked before, I could maybe pull it off if I beatboxed while dancing like Billie Jean. But if it fits the mood of this era is another question.

“You could just sing a song you know, right? And according to the saint, you’re the only one who can attract the attention.”

“What about Grandpa and Rize?”

“Hahaha! Performing at my age? No way.”

“I’m planning to be ready for unexpected situations.”

Holy moly. Have you seen those tricky people?

Rod laughed his usual hearty laugh, while Rize found a suitable excuse to dip out.

As for the others? If they performed, they’d surely grab the crowd’s attention, but not the demons.

The most important thing is the demons’ attention. And I happen to be the one most capable of attracting that.

“Just go up there and show them the moonwalk, alright? That sort of move is astonishing to me!”

They say it’s worse when a mother-in-law hits you compared to a sister-in-law trying to stop you. While I was stuck in thought, Kara pushed me on.

I’d love to shove Kara up there instead, but unfortunately, the situation wasn’t in my favor.

“By the way, I’m curious. What did Kara see to react that way?”

“Since we’re at this point, can you show us?”

“…”

We’ll see about that later. I shot a hurt glance at Kara as I rose from my seat.

Kara must have sensed my sulking, as she quickly put on an awkward smile. At least she has a conscience.

‘Can this really work?’

No matter how I think about it, it’s vague. Would this dance really resonate with the era?

It was a revolutionary concept back then, sure, but maybe it could be too ahead of its time.

Soon, with everyone’s nonchalant expectations, we moved to a larger space. There weren’t many people, but presenting myself made me a bit nervous.

“…So, am I doing this?”

“Go for it!”

Eli raised her arms, cheering me on. With that sunshine-like smile, I felt a spark of life.

To calm my nerves, I took a deep breath and half-turned my body.

Then, bending slightly at the knees, I began to glide backward slowly.

Swish- swish- swoosh-

“Oh? Whoa!”

“What’s that?”

“It looks like it’s moving forward, but it’s going backward? Is that really going backward?”

Ah, this is the moonwalk. Even on Earth, it’s known as a mysterious dance move.

When I showed them the moonwalk I’d picked up as a personal skill back on Earth, everyone lost it.

The moonwalk was fascinating to look at, and even when I did it, it felt like something magical.

“Did you see that? Did you see that? You have no idea how surprised I was the first time I saw it!”

Kara was clapping and beaming with excitement. Her wide-eyed expression looked like a mischievous child.

Rod was no different. He wore a look like a grandfather watching his grandkids perform.

On the other hand, Rize… was enigmatic. She had the same fascinating expression as the others but seemed puzzled at the same time.

Clap clap clap clap!!

After a while of dancing the moonwalk, I eventually stopped when an overwhelming sense of embarrassment hit me.

As soon as my feet stopped, thunderous applause filled the room, with everyone genuinely impressed.

“That was amazing! Where did you learn it? Did you teach yourself?”

“I picked it up while I was in the forest. If you show your back to a beast, it pounces.”

“Aha! That makes sense.”

“Well, if you show your back to a beast, it’s dangerous.”

Ferocious beasts attack the moment they see your back. It’s instinctual.

Therefore, I learned to avoid showing my back to deceive the animals’ sight, and everyone believed me.

Even I thought it was a rather reasonable explanation, sneaking a chuckle inside. This wasn’t why I learned the moonwalk though.

“If that’s the case… I can see that.”

Even Rize nodded along, as if she understood, though her response was still somewhat dubious.

Having gotten that out of the way, I attempted to slip back into my seat.

“Just once! Can you show us just once more?”

“Me too! Just once more, please!”

“Me too! Me too!”

“…”

But it seemed these people had no intention of letting me sit down. I looked at Rod, making a troubled face.

Rod would surely understand my plight and might intervene, I thought.

“Is there any snack you want to eat? I have plenty of sweet potatoes.”

“Sweet potatoes, huh?”

“Alright. You better steam them soon.”

In the end, I just kept dancing the moonwalk. Not only the people but even Porori was amazed.

I actually know other dances besides the moonwalk, but I had no intention of showing them here.

After all, once the performance happens, I’ll certainly embarrass myself in all kinds of ways. No need to earn my shame early.

“Can I learn that too?”

“Sure. Just practice.”

“Please teach me too. It wouldn’t hurt to learn it at least once.”

“…”

An unexpected dance lesson occurred, but sadly, it quickly fell through.

As everyone knows, I’m not that knowledgeable about explaining things, and it wouldn’t work out just by practicing for a day.

Moreover, Rod had advised that if they wanted to practice the moonwalk, they should first focus on their main skills.

“Sivar, do you perhaps have any songs in mind besides dancing? If something comes to mind, please sing it.”

“Hmm…”

I enjoyed my sweet potatoes while I thought. In fact, there are a few songs that would fit Rod’s taste perfectly.

One of them is quite a pleasant tune. It’s not too difficult but deeply resonates in its lyrics.

“I’m not singing.”

“Why not?”

“It’s boring.”

But singing it now would indeed be dull. Let’s not even get into performing just by dancing like Billie Jean.

I can’t just update my black history here. Whether Rod feels disappointed or not, I shoved more sweet potatoes into my mouth.

Gradually, everyone was making plans to disperse when it was time.

“Kara.”

“Huh?”

“Look at me.”

I still have to finish what I started. I called Kara over separately.

She was momentarily puzzled when I called her, but soon her expression became awkward, as if recalling her own “fault.”

“…Could you let it go? You had something delicious too.”

“You insulted me.”

“Just ‘a bit’ insulted?”

“Yep.”

“If that’s the case…”

Kara seemed to realize I was serious, so she obediently followed my words. Thus, the two of us started walking.

To avoid being seen by others, we headed to a secluded place, specifically toward the forest. No one would see us there.

“Um… do you have any wishes? I’m not too keen on performing…”

“I’m sulking.”

“Huh?”

I didn’t mind performing. Given that I was already selected, Kara stepping up wouldn’t hold any meaning.

Thus, she has the duty to comfort me. I pouted my lips and spoke to Kara.

“I’m sulking, so you need to comfort me.”

“Please comfort you?”

“Yep.”

“…Pfft!”

Why is she laughing? I was being completely sincere.

Kara burst into laughter and then continued to giggle.

Seeing the tears forming in her eyes, it must have genuinely come from laughing. Where did that come from?

“Ah, really… both your words and actions are just too cute.”

“So, are you not going to comfort me?”

“Should I let you touch my chest?”

“…”

My interest piqued, and I leaned closer. I wanted her to repeat it.

Seeing my reaction, Kara erupted into laughter again. Was I that easy to read?

“Sorry, but no.”

“Why not?”

“I feel like you’d compare me to Eli. Shouldn’t we save these things as much as we can?”

Well, that’s quite strategic of her. What plan does she have in mind to comfort me now?

I was left wondering while Kara approached me and then turned her back.

Following this, she hugged me tightly from behind, what they call a back hug.

“You can’t touch my chest, but you can feel this instead.”

Kara guided my hand to her toned abs instead of her chest.

That was her body part I often dreamed of touching. No less sensitive than her chest and a strategic point.

It felt both soft and incredibly firm. The elasticity of her skin and the firmness of her muscles harmonized perfectly.

What caught my eye the most was her slightly protruding lower abdomen. Unintentionally, my hand began to explore that area.

“Uh…”

It seemed I had hit a sensitive spot, as Kara let out a light moan. That sound almost shook my sense of reason.

With my reason swaying like that, my hand sliding down to further explore.

“Hey! No! Where did you learn this? Is this how all men are?”

Just as my hand was sliding lower, Kara swiftly grabbed my hand, stopping me. It seemed she was telling me not to cross a line.

Feeling disappointed, I pouted my lips again. Yet, Kara turned her head back to look at me.

Kara’s also quite tall, and I’m taller than average too, so we had a comfortable height difference.

She kept gazing at me like that, then suddenly flashed me a bright smile. It was refreshing, as always.

“Honestly, that’s great. It shows you have a natural instinct as a man.”

“Instinct?”

“Yep. I like men who are true to their instincts.”

Kara said this with her usual sparkling smile.

“Or maybe it’s just that I like you? Hehe.”

What a beautiful smile she had.

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