Chapter 296

The collapse of the Academy is an inevitable event. Just now, didn’t flying monsters crash into the monument?

Even if numerous skilled individuals like Rod and Rize try to stop it, this incident is bound to happen.

No matter how powerful the anti-air magic may be, how are you going to block the countless bombings falling from above?

Even if you want to stop it, it’s impossible, and even if you tried, it’d be a loss. These demons are determined and are controlling these monsters.

Just now, the number exceeded ten, but if you try to forcefully stop them, dozens more will come charging in.

“Then from now on…”

“….”

But there was something even more important. I gazed at the back of the announcer, who was painted like a clown.

Using voice amplification magic to calm everyone down isn’t bad. He quickly calmed the confused crowd.

But the following is the issue. The atmosphere changed 180 degrees from just a moment ago. Simultaneously, my wilderness instinct screamed.

[Kill each other…]

I had to suppress that human before he could say another word. I immediately swung Ragnarok.

-Thwack!

“Kuak!”

Instead of the axe blade, I hit the back of the announcer’s head with the flat side. He stumbled forward from the impact.

It’s only natural to faint after taking a direct hit. I looked down at the announcer, who had fallen to the ground like a frog.

‘As expected, he’s just a pawn possessed by a demon.’

The announcer is not a demon. He’s just an ordinary announcer after all.

Even though he painted his face white and donned a clown costume, he was merely a victim being controlled by a demon.

The words he was about to speak were something close to a trigger. A starting point to incite a frenzy.

If this announcer were truly a demon, Rize would have sensed it first and dealt with him.

No matter how good a demon may hide, it’s meaningless before a saint.

“What—what just happened? I just felt something strange…”

“Did you feel it too? What on earth was that?”

“And why did that person attack the announcer…?”

The crowd was in disarray. They had good reason to be; he had cut off the trigger just before it was about to activate.

The confusion rising in their chests surely subsided after the chaos was abruptly halted. That’s a relief.

However, it’s still not over. People, including Rize, sprang into action.

“Everyone, evacuate to the shelters! To the training hall, the stock exchange, or the museum! Hurry up!”

“Those places are spacious and have limited access, so we can prepare against the monsters!”

Voices echoed in the confused audience. It was none other than Rize and Erica shouting.

You might have guessed, but those locations originally had devil’s magic circles drawn on them. They were places that could originally serve as shelters.

The demons were aware of this and set up the magic circles. Even if the initial plan failed, they wanted to move on to the next stage.

-Bzzzt!

[Emergency alert issued. Emergency alert issued. All individuals in the Academy are to evacuate to the nearest makeshift shelters quickly…]

At just the right moment, the evacuation announcement blared loudly. Following Rize, the emergency alert made people start to panic.

To incite a frenzy, it must be heard in ‘voices,’ not through announcements. Therefore, the announcement itself is safe.

[KEEEEK!]

Just as some were about to evacuate, a remaining flying monster descended. It resembled a pterosaur.

Having been liberated from the demons’ control, its eyes were glistening, hunting for prey. But I wasn’t worried at all.

-Snip!

With a distinct cutting sound, the monster’s head was severed cleanly from its body. A clean cut indeed.

Since it was about to descend, there was no collateral damage to the people below.

As I witnessed the scene, I turned my head to look at Rod.

“Haah.”

Rod was gazing at the sky, holding his sword in one hand. It was a cold winter, and his breath lingered in the air.

Although he looked like a hunter suited for a shotgun, he was one of the top powers alongside Rize.

‘Rize must be busy overseeing the refugees right now…’

For now, Rod is the only one who can combat the blue demons. Rize is focused on evacuating the people.

In the Soul World, the monsters’ attack will continue for about an hour. Due to the flying monsters, Rize’s absence is unavoidable.

Those who will stand against the demons are Rod, myself, Kara, and Erica. The rest will help the refugees.

‘Among the refugees, there should also be professors like Malboro, so it should be fine.’

If we can stabilize the chaos, many capable individuals will be ready to act immediately. In the original story, this was impossible due to the frenzy.

I began to watch the refugees moving slowly, then picked up the announcer. Though he was controlled by a demon, he was still a civilian.

“Hey! You brat! Why did you hit that child?!”

“?”

At that moment, I heard an elderly voice. It was a voice I somewhat recognized.

I turned my head to see the fortune teller, Warden, running toward me while swinging his cane.

It seemed he had only seen me hit the announcer’s head and misunderstood. Definitely a misunderstanding reasonable enough.

“That’s the situation. You should escape too, grandfather.”

“What?! Why should I run? I can too! I have the ability to fight those monsters… urgh!”

“Calm down. We need to hurry.”

Fortunately, the troublemaking Warden was pulled away by someone.

Like the announcer, he was dressed like a clown, suggesting he was a member of the circus.

Thus, we managed to move to the shelter without anyone being left behind. It was a bonus that we would station defenders at each shelter.

“Professor Malboro. Please stay here and guard. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Who would have thought something like this would happen…”

Malboro also managed to remain unscathed without facing any tragedies. I quietly observed him from a distance as he looked bewildered.

In the original prologue, he would have succumbed to madness and killed his beloved family himself. Eventually becoming a vengeful spirit, he would vanish from the Academy.

Fortunately, it seems like that won’t happen this time. He’ll probably continue serving as a professor and be a great support to the students.

[Kyaaaak!]

[Kuwah!]

Now, flying monsters were starting to invade the academy, along with ground monsters.

Typically, monsters tend to kill each other unless they’re kin, but now they are charging in with deranged eyes.

That means they are all hearing the demons’ commands. In reality, the sheer numbers are the most troublesome.

“M-Monsters! Monsters are coming!”

“Quickly, move! I need to get in too!”

The first shelter, the stock exchange. Many had gathered there, nearing a state of saturation.

And monsters were approaching rapidly. I have no idea where they’re coming from, but there are an overwhelming number.

[Screech! Screech!]

[Kek! Kree! Kkek!]

[Uwooooh!!]

Low-level monsters like goblins, orcs, and nolls were standard, with higher-level ones like ogres charging among them.

It seems that it’s becoming impossible to run away any longer. Just as I was about to step forward…

“Excuse me.”

Rod put a hand on my shoulder and stepped forward. He was holding a simple sword.

Compared to Ragnarok and the Usuk blade weapons, this was an utterly ordinary sword. But there’s an old saying.

A craftsman doesn’t discriminate against tools. Rod observed the approaching horde of monsters and adopted a stance.

He slightly bent his upper body, placing the sword against his left hip. Without any hesitation, he swung the sword horizontally in that same position.

-Swoosh!

Just one horizontal slash. On the surface, it looked like a flashy attack.

However, let’s not forget that he is the “Sword Saint.” The moment he slashed horizontally, I gazed at the monsters charging in from the front.

-Chop, chop, chop.

The smaller creatures, like goblins, had their heads sliced clean off, while orcs and nolls had their waists cut smoothly.

The sight of their bodies being neatly severed like sausages was truly surreal.

[Graah! Gwaah!]

The larger entities, like ogres, had their thighs sliced through and fell onto the ground. They would surely die soon due to excessive blood loss.

With just a single attack, he had subdued that many monsters. I had felt it previously, but his presence as the sword saint truly shone.

I couldn’t help but admire the scene as I witnessed it live. When he was suffering from addiction, he couldn’t display such prowess.

However, right now he was in peak condition. For Rod, monsters would be akin to a warm-up.

“Ugh. Not to my liking. I suppose you can’t escape age.”

“….”

Isn’t it always the older folks who say things like that? They complain how their bodies don’t cooperate with age.

I suppose Rize will showcase comparable abilities. To be honest, having just those two might be enough, huh.

‘With that, I’m practically useless, aren’t I?’

Of course, that’s mostly a jest, and when facing demons, Rod alone might struggle.

Aside from ‘clowns,’ there surely are ‘hunters’ participating in this madness as well. As long as Rod isn’t burdened, that’ll be fine.

“We’ve bought some time, so let’s hurry to the next shelter. Who was supposed to handle this place?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you. Kara.”

There are still many people who need to evacuate. To manage this number of individuals is demanding in itself.

In other words, it means there’s a considerable chance of some being left behind. I opened my eyes and ears to spot any stragglers.

-Someone… please…

Just as I was about to move, a delicate woman’s voice pierced my ear.

A plea for help filled with desperation and sorrow. Immediately upon hearing the sound, I sharply turned my head.

-Thud, thud, thud!

Monsters continued to surge like a tsunami. And the woman’s voice came from the direction of the monsters.

Without hesitation, I dashed toward the direction of the voice. Behind me, I could hear people shouting, but I ignored them.

I couldn’t let even one innocent victim suffer in vain. That’s how I was raised to believe.

“Please… anyone… help me…”

Fortunately, the straggler wasn’t far away. Just slightly off from the stage.

It seemed she was someone who hadn’t been watching the scene unfold. I hurriedly approached the woman.

She had black hair and was wearing a black dress. It was evident she was an outsider.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, yes! Yes, I am!”

I assessed the woman’s condition. Seeing her trembling legs, it looked like she had lost all her strength.

It’s understandable given that an unexpected disaster had just struck.

“Really… really…”

The girl reached her hand towards me. A delicate hand, with skin as pale as white jade.

Without delay, I took her hand. But as I looked closely, something felt off.

Rather than white jade, it seemed closer to pure white. It almost seemed colorless.

[Really…]

At that moment, the woman’s voice changed. From one filled with despair to one that tickled my ears.

The seductive voice of a ‘Succubus,’ born to ensnare humans. I was taken aback and met her eyes.

[You’ve grown into a good child? I’m glad.]

Her blue eyes. And blue lips. A beauty and aura captivating enough to steal a man’s heart.

While only those two features stood out vividly, the rest were filled with black and white.

As I became entranced by her stunning smile, the succubus reached out her hand towards me.

Just when her hand was about to gently cup my cheek…

–Snip!

With a slicing sound, both her hands were cleanly severed.

At the same time, the succubus that had been enchanting me jerked back. Her black dress fluttered as if dancing.

“Are you alright? I came to check just in case.”

“….”

Instead of answering, I shook my head vigorously. I wasn’t sure if I was flustered or genuinely mesmerized.

But one thing was certain. The woman who had been asking for help was not human.

“What a pity. I almost succeeded.”

The woman, almost entirely black and white save for her eyes and lips, spoke regretfully. Her severed hands had already healed.

With a sharp nose and those striking blue lips, her curvaceous figure was especially accentuated in a way that symbolized beauty.

Her dress was also revealing, exposing half of her breasts, and her wide hips were boldly displayed.

By crossing her arms, she highlighted her ample bosom, and when she placed her pointer finger on her lips, it felt inviting.

She was truly a being born to ensnare men. A stunning beauty that engraved into my mind what kind of existence she was.

“Hey, would you like to come with this older sister?”

Additionally, she was the reinforcements sent when the demons realized their plan.

“I can show you something nice.”

Another blue demon, ‘Rust’, licked his lips and seduced me.

Plans had gone awry.

*****

“The plan has gone off the rails.”

The blue demon clown, watching from a distance, muttered softly.

Originally, Rod should be incapacitated and suffering from addiction at this point, while Rize should be at the Vatican.

Yet, Rod was brimming with vitality, and Rize was here, making the situation very unfavorable.

Most importantly, they seemed to have caught on to our plans as there was no sign of frenzy even entering.

Nothing was proceeding as planned, but the clown appeared to be unconcerned.

“What will you do?”

The hunter next to the clown asked quietly. He seemed eager to rush in at any moment.

The clown observed the situation intently before turning his head. Not towards Sivar, but towards Rize.

“For now, let’s attempt a reclaiming. You help Rust. I will bring more monsters from the forest.”

“Yes, understood.”

With that, the hunter vanished into the darkness. He headed off to assist Rust as per the clown’s orders.

Following that, the clown looked at Rize rather than Sivar. She was adeptly aiding the evacuation of the refugees.

‘How on earth did she know?’

I can’t comprehend it. I had gathered as much as I could just in case, yet the failure of the plans remained unchanged.

All the magic circles painstakingly crafted had vanished without a trace. Therefore, it seems difficult to initiate the frenzy.

Narrowing his eyes, the clown scanned the panicking crowd before shrugging.

‘What does it matter? After all, she’s here.’

Ultimately, there is only one ultimate goal. He turned and headed towards the forest.

‘We must reclaim our child before the saint arrives.’

With each side having different goals, the race against time had begun.

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