Leaving the corpse of the giant wyvern behind, we finally reached the core of the Rift.
In the middle of the vast space, a magic stone sat conspicuously, radiating the unmistakable aura of the Rift’s core.
“Boss. Can I smash that thing?”
“Huh? Go ahead.”
Since I had left all the monster-slaying to Alkiné, I was worried about my contribution rate, so I decided to land the final blow myself. If I didn’t hit at least 40%, it wouldn’t be a total waste, but it’d still feel pretty empty.
I casually walked up and stabbed the center of the magic stone with my sword. It was softer than I expected, like poking through frozen jelly.
The moment I pierced the core, a red aura instantly scattered.
[Congratulations! You have successfully conquered the Rift!]
[Calculating contribution rate…]
[Your contribution rate is 57%.]
[This feature is currently locked.]
[Unlock condition: Conquer a total of 5 Rifts with a contribution rate of 40% or higher (2/5)]
Huh, even if I hadn’t landed the final hit, I’d still have been in the safe zone. But just finding the way only gets you about halfway. I’ll have to pay more attention to my contribution next time.
Still, I felt relieved. At least we managed to finish before the Rift went berserk.
Honestly, I’d joked about asking the Academy for help if we failed, but if the Rift had gone out of control, the aftermath would’ve been no joke.
We’d already encountered so many monsters just taking the shortest route—imagine how many were in the entire Rift. If they all spilled out, it wouldn’t just be chaos; it’d be a full-blown disaster.
So even if my contribution had been lacking, stopping the Rift from going berserk would’ve been enough to ease my regrets. But since I hit the contribution mark too, it’s a double win.
But then, the Rift didn’t disappear. Instead, it started vibrating.
*Kugugugugu-*
Alkiné, panicked by the unprecedented anomaly, urgently asked, “Rudion, are you sure that was really the core?”
“Yes. This Rift has definitely been conquered.”
For her, who identifies cores purely by instinct, it might be uncertain, but to me, that magic stone was clearly the core. So if the core was destroyed but the Rift didn’t disappear…
Before I could finish the thought, a circular mark appeared on the ground where Alkiné was standing.
My body moved before my brain could process it. I yanked her arm, and the spot where she’d been standing exploded.
“…Huh?”
“Ah, seriously, can anything just go right for once?”
I immediately realized what was happening.
This is the ultimate desperate pattern that occurs with a really low probability when attacking a Rift that’s about to go berserk.
Was the setting that the amount of energy that should disappear is too much, causing an overload, and then it condenses and explodes, destroying the surroundings?
Whatever the setting was, it’s definitely dangerous.
Even the protagonist, who has maxed out all the tech, would be on the brink of death if hit without defending.
At Alkiné’s current level, a slight mistake could mean instant death.
But it’s okay. Although the range is a bit wide, if you think of it as a simple floor pattern, it’s manageable to dodge.
Of course, you can also evade. It’s just that right now, I can’t be the only one dodging.
Hey, Mr. President. You’re standing on the floor pattern right now.
It seemed faster to move than to explain, so I just picked her up and ran.
“Eek.”
She was startled by the sudden embrace and let out a sound, but she seemed to understand the situation and leaned into me without a word. She looked quite familiar with it, as if she had experienced it before.
Hmm… Did you gain a bit of weight in the past week? Still, you’re light, Mr. President.
I ran frantically while holding Alkiné.
Dodge, explode, dodge, explode. It kept exploding, so I couldn’t stop running.
I was so focused on dodging that I didn’t have time to think about anything else, and at some point, the Rift had disappeared.
When no more circles appeared on the ground, I looked around and realized we were outside the Rift.
Catching my breath, I asked Alkiné if she was okay, and she answered in a small voice, unlike her usual self.
“…Since everyone’s watching, why don’t you put me down first and then talk?”
Oh. Right.
Now I see that the entire Student Council is looking at us with shocked expressions.
So I quickly put her down… and at the same time, Diggerus started stomping towards us.
‘Why is he like that?’
But… something felt off.
His steps were directed not at the president but at me. And it looked like he was about to pull out a weapon and stab me… Oh, he really is pulling it out?
Oh man, this crazy guy, even though I did show off holding Princess Alkiné, isn’t he overreacting?
It’s not that threatening since I can just dodge, but the fact that he’s acting like this is creepy.
I knew he was like that, but I didn’t expect him to go this far.
And just as the sword he drew was about to point at me.
“…President.”
“What are you doing right now?”
Alkiné’s mana sword appeared, blocking Diggerus.
Yeah, this is how it would go.
If he’s going to attack so blatantly, would our merciful president just stand by?
She…
He started interrogating Diggerus in a heavier voice than usual.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“…”
Diggerus, perhaps aware that he had made a fool of himself, quietly sheathed his sword but couldn’t come up with a proper response.
It’s his fault, but he keeps glaring at me. What am I supposed to do about it?
But… didn’t I make it clear?
I said I’d stick by the president and just scratch my insides raw.
Now was that time.
‘Take this!’
Every time Diggerus glared at me, I stuck my tongue out at him with a cheeky expression. The way his face twisted was a sight to behold.
“President! Look at what this guy is doing!”
Look at him, tattling to the president right away. How pathetic.
“Sigh… Rudion. Why are you acting like this too?”
“Oops.”
Busted.
I thought he wouldn’t notice since he wasn’t looking.
Alkiné glanced back and forth between me and Diggerus, then shook her head as if she couldn’t do anything about us.
“Really, the saying that men never grow up is true.”
Well, the academy students are at most middle or high schoolers.
It’s the age of immaturity.
Of course, I’m an adult possessing a child’s body… Oh, whatever. Age follows the body, right?
The conversation lightened the mood a bit, but that didn’t erase Diggerus’s mistake.
So Alkiné asked again… Maybe it was because her tone had calmed down and become lighter, but Diggerus actually started getting more agitated.
“Diggerus. I’ll ask you. Why did you do that?”
“…That’s what I want to ask.”
“Huh?”
Instead of answering the question, he deflected and suddenly pointed at me, raising his voice.
“Why were you clinging to him? What reason would the president have to cling to someone like him in the Rift?!”
He keeps saying “clinging,” which makes it sound weird.
…Your Honor, it’s a misunderstanding. I was just holding the princess.
Anyway… His outburst made everyone perk up their ears and focus, as if Diggerus wasn’t the only one with questions.
It’s starting to feel like a morning drama… Everyone, this is a serious situation. The vice president tried to stab me, remember?
Alkiné hesitated for a moment at his question but, perhaps realizing there was no other way, she explained the truth.
“…Well. It was to save me.”
“Lies!! Don’t lie to me. President! If the president saved someone, fine, but what reason would she have to be saved by someone else?!”
But he desperately denied it.
Anyway…
You didn’t believe me, so why did you even ask?
Alkiné let out a deep sigh at Diggerus’s reaction, then called his name in a slightly annoyed tone.
“I really don’t get you. Vice President. No, Diggerus Jibchak.”
“…Yes.”
Calling someone by their full name here is terrifying, huh?
Diggerus, who had been all confident, suddenly switched to a humble attitude, probably scared.
Alkiné glanced at Diggerus for a moment, then spoke up.
“I don’t know since when you’ve thought of Rudion as ‘that guy,’ but… showing it openly is foolish. Haven’t I told you that before?”
“…You’re right.”
“I won’t ask what you were thinking when you pulled this stunt. Well, I’ve also made some solo decisions and acted on my own lately. I’m in no position to lecture anyone.”
“No, the President has the highest authority in the Student Council’s decisions…”
“Enough. I don’t want to hear it.”
Diggerus, cut off, started nervously glancing at Alkiné, unsure of what to do.
Alkiné quietly stared at him, then continued in a very calm voice.
“And. I don’t know what kind of delusion you’re under. I’m human too, so when I’m in danger, I hope someone will help me. Since when did I become just someone who helps others?”
“No, President. That’s not what I meant…”
“Enough. The Rift mission was successful, so let’s call it a day. Everyone worked hard.”
Diggerus tried to quickly clean up his words in response to Alkiné’s question, but the situation was already over.
Yeah, Diggerus did blurt out his words without thinking.
No matter how strong she is, labeling Alkiné, who’s just a student, as someone who only saves others…
She’s just a girl her age. She just seems strong because she’s trying to follow in her father’s footsteps and has set a tough image.
Anyway, since Alkiné declared the meeting over, people started leaving one by one.
I naturally tried to slip away with the crowd… but got caught by Alkiné.
“Where are you going? You need to help with the report, so come with me.”
“Sure.”
The mood was bad, but work is work.
I obediently followed the President back to the Student Council.
On the way back, I glanced behind and saw Diggerus standing there alone, dazed.
I was on guard, thinking he might snap and stab me from behind, but thankfully, that didn’t happen.
And after that day, Diggerus disappeared from the Academy.
…He did declare he’d overturn the Student Council, but I didn’t think it’d happen like this.
