62 – 13. Skill Thief
There are many strange things in the Great Lake.
Underwater facilities, mangrove forests, beaches, underwater mountains, swamps, waterfalls, underwater caves, etc.
Everything was artificially created, and this was what the architects paid most attention to when they first built this floating city.
Investment for more realistic experiences and education for students.
Thanks to this, the students were able to prepare to some extent for this survival test held in the Great Lakes.
The same was true for Lane Arthur, and he actually had a greater advantage.
Because a third-year student from the Arthur family directly told me this.
‘That…’ … What?’
However, I remember that there were no artificial islands made of oak forests.
It is no exaggeration to say that in order to win, he had memorized all the elements that existed in the Great Lake that Banggye had mentioned, and Lane looked at him with suspicion.
Oak Island on the sand with an ominous and eerie vibe.
It was so out of the blue that I was worried that I might even hallucinate.
But.
‘I’m sure Liu Yan went in there.’
Although they did not see it in person, the testimonies of all the students were consistent that a wealthy person went inside.
There were more than 10 people who matched, so there was no need to worry about being fooled.
I’m really worried about that damn island.
“……After.”
What am I thinking?
My goal is to win. You must win.
You even attacked Namgoong Min, and now you’re scared by that island?
‘But Namgoong Min…… Promise……….’
Promise…… You didn’t keep it.
He said he would tell me his mother’s location.
Because they just used me.
For the strong, a promise to the weak is like a rotten rope, so easily broken.
I was foolish enough to have had hope even though I knew that.
Even though Namgoong Min was eliminated as if it were revenge, I was still distraught.
“……Let’s go.”
Don’t forget, there’s only one thing I have to think about.
Father’s order.
Calming down my petty thoughts, I use my telekinesis to lift the boat and enter the oak forest.
I couldn’t speed up because I might hit a tree if I wasn’t careful, but I didn’t let down my guard over my surroundings.
You can climb up to the top of the forest and look down, but if you are in such an open area, you might be surprised by Liu Yen’s artifact──
“Whoop…!”
Heo Eok. Huh.
…… A sore body rises from within.
I tried to hold back, but my hands and feet were shaking and even my vision was becoming slightly tilted.
A warning not to use any more superpowers than this. A rejection reaction coming from within.
It was at a bearable level until a little while ago, but too much effort was put into eliminating .
‘But…… If it wasn’t for my best, I would have been eliminated.’
After the survival test, the unknown warrior’s fighting power became known, and Lane considered him a threat.
I did not judge whether they were strong or weak.
Because my father ordered me not to have anything to do with
.
That’s why I thought it was a strong enemy that needed to be eliminated in order to win, and I did my best.
…… Honestly, if he wasn’t already exhausted from fighting with the other students, she would have been the one eliminated.
But in the end, that is just what if, and the winner who is still alive is Lane.
Remembering that fact, Lane swallowed her anger.
Even if we take a break, at least Liu Yan must be eliminated so we can rest in peace.
‘Where are you?’
At first glance, Oak Tree Island was not that big. At this speed, we could come out on the other side in just a short distance.
Nevertheless, Liu Yan was not found among the oak forests that grew so dense that not even sunlight could enter.
I only feel the same ominousness and gloom as before.
“……………….”
Should I go back?
We’ve already searched far enough. Whether it was Lane attacking Rio or Rio ambushing Lane, it would have happened a long time ago.
If nothing happened, it would mean that Liu Yan left this forest a long time ago.
“……Let’s rest.”
I wanted to eliminate Liu Yan as early as possible, as I didn’t know what artifact he might have taken, but this was really the limit.
Climb on a suitable sandy patch between the oak forest and lean against the tree.
Even though it was a tree rooted in sand, it had no problem putting all of its weight on it due to how deep the roots were.
“……………….”
I keep using my superpowers and can’t rest, but when I finally get a break, my whole body becomes tired and lethargic.
But I couldn’t sleep well. Because you never know when something will happen.
Just lie down comfortably and eat the bread you brought in your bag.
My stomach gradually calmed down, and my limbs that seemed to be cramping gradually relaxed.
Like that, Lane rested comfortably.
Very.
Relax.
*
“I was lucky.”
A path that circles the Great Lake.
I chuckled as I thought about Instructor Yamato, who must be moving around passionately right now.
Instructor Daisuke Yamato is one of the few instructors I know, including Charles Teddy Bear, Scarlett Redfield, the vice principal, and the principal.
Even in games, he was famous as a true instructor who cared about his students, and appeared in the role of giving advice when players were in trouble.
It was by luck that he came forward.
‘Originally I thought Charles Teddy Bear would appear.’
He was the one in charge of the elimination lounge in the first place, so of course he did it knowing that Charles Teddy Bear would appear.
When another instructor came out, I had a feeling that something could really go wrong.
The agitation has already progressed sufficiently, and the students would not have been stopped if there was no compelling reason.
I ended up handing it over to Instructor Yamato…… I was really glad that he was the kind of person who would welcome it.
‘It would have been easier if it had been Charles Teddy Bear.’
He was a very strict person with a scary face even in front of students, so he planned to set an example by subduing one student and then speak out.
In the end, he is also an office worker who goes to the academy, and the person we should be talking to is not the instructor, but a higher audience.
What if that happens?
It is the same as what has happened over the past 100 years. It’s just ignored.
In many ways, it was possible because Romance Academy was unwaveringly the best in the world.
‘Anyway, it worked out well so it’s a happy ending.’
It must have been 30 minutes since I walked, thinking about various things.
We haven’t even covered a third of the lake yet, but it was still enough to reach our destination.
A great lake lapping. And a strange island above it.
The strange combination of an oak forest on a sandy field was the place I was looking for.
“It’s here.”
Habitat of skill thieves.
I muttered while glaring at the dense oak trees.
Skill thief.
It is a creature beyond the gate, and although it looks similar to an oak tree, it is actually a villain who steals the job skills of job holders.
In the game, you only face him once during this event, but when you go to the academy library afterwards, you can see information about the skill thief.
It is also a fairly difficult boss mob, so I vaguely remember it.
‘A type of creature that looks like a tree but actually burrows in the ground like an earthworm. Only one skill can be stolen per object, and if you kill the skill thief, the skill will return.’
So, all the oak trees you see over there are skill thieves.
I was curious as to why something like that was brought to the great lake where students also go, so I did some research.
When I actually asked Charles Teddy Bear, I got a simpler answer than I expected.
‘Managing.’
‘Yes?’
‘There are a total of 120 skill thieves living in the Great Lake, and they cannot move on sand. So even if students lose their skills, they can get them back without any problem.’
‘Are you just going to kill me?’
‘Skill thieves are commonly seen beyond the gate. ‘It’s not a problem to supplement one more thing.’
I think it was overlooked in the game, but in reality, it was supplemented with an understandable explanation.
“…It’s really all sand.”
Wouldn’t it be a lie to say that it was managed thoroughly? Not only that island, but the entire bottom of the nearby lake was sand.
They said they usually keep them locked up like this, and only take out a few and use them when there are specific tests.
He said that even if something were to happen, a transmitter was attached to every skill thief so that he could prepare for an emergency.
…… I’m glad this isn’t oriented towards women.
If it had been a game where monsters or terrorist groups attacked, these skill thieves would have been released and started wreaking havoc.
Anyway, there was no time to think idly like this.
“You bastards, just stand there.”
When I put down my bag and rummage through it, I quickly grab a heavy object in my hand.
A bomb.
“As expected, it’s Rio. The performance is solid.”
Of course, it cannot be obtained in this floating city, and it is a bomb purchased through Rio. It was more expensive than I thought, but thanks to a 30 billion won bond, I was able to pay that much with the price of gum.
Unlike ordinary bombs, the explosive power and lethality are significantly lower, so even if you explode it in front of your eyes, you will end up with burns, so it is closer to a firecracker than a bomb.
This causes a violent reaction only in creatures beyond the gate.
I was talking about magic power, particles, etc., But honestly, I have no idea.
If this is just one hit, all those skill thieves will go to the nether world.
‘After all, the answer is to eradicate it rather than leaving room for it.’
What I know is that students who have their skills stolen by skill thieves drop out.
Thorough management? Links? Transmitter?
The skill thief who stole a student’s skill disappears as if he had evaporated.
The academy investigated, but as is typical for public institutions in games, the culprit could not be found, and mysterious things continued to happen, and it was not until the third year that the player caught the culprit.
Of course the culprit knows, but…… I can’t do anything about it now.
The criminal is also a fairly influential student, so if I mess with him carelessly, I could get a bad tour.
Quite a bit of preparation is required.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we can ignore the Skill Thief event.
I decided to just keep it simple.
If you kill all the skill thieves, your skills will never be taken away.
‘I told you it was easy to fill anyway.’
Disciplinary action or penalty? Honestly, I don’t really care.
Because it is not as heavy as the dropping out of an innocent student.
From Noble mtl dot com
More than anything, it looks like I’ve already established myself among first-year students, so if I play the press appropriately, I might end up with a light disciplinary action.
There was no benefit in wasting time, so I immediately jumped into the water, holding only the bomb.
“Whoa…….”
After swimming normally, I reached the sandy island, and thanks to
Cleanliness, my clothes and body, which were very wet, gradually dried.
Actually, isn’t The best morale skill?
Thankful for the skill that cleans everything, whether sweat or dust, I wasted no time before pulling out the pin of the bomb──
“Hey, junior?”
“……!?”
──I hear a voice behind me.
When I quickly turn around, I see the guy I was thinking of just a moment ago.
Short silver hair, luxurious glasses, smiling expression, and even squinted eyes.
There was no way I was mistaken.
“What are you doing here?”
“……Grandpa Gregory Arthur.”
“Huh? Do you know me?”
“Of course.”
Gregory Arthur tilts his head at my words.
A 3rd year Romance Academy And collateral of the Arthur family.
Even though he is a student, he is a person who is popular enough to be in charge of guarding the surrounding area during this Great Lakes exam.
…… This is the dark side of this event.
“Hmm, I’m grateful that you recognize me, but… It looks like you’ve been eliminated. How are you getting around?”
“I lost my cell phone. Instructor Yamato allowed me to come visit.”
“A cell phone? I was on guard around here, but I never saw you…”
Gregory comes closer and speaks as if he is putting pressure on him for no reason.
In fact, he was putting pressure on me, even using magic to threaten me.
Nevertheless, I never lost my smile like this guy.
“I’m not sure, but the transmitter attached to my cell phone points here. Just find my phone and I’ll leave.”
“…Really? I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“No. It’s a natural suspicion.”
They must have been keeping an eye on this area to see if anyone would come to the skill thief colony.
They probably came in a hurry because I suddenly swam here.
When I told him that I would leave as soon as I found my phone, he seemed to understand and eased the pressure, but he still looked at me with narrowed, unpleasant eyes.
…… Maybe they were targeting me to steal skills. No matter who the opponent is, as long as he steals their skills, he’s the best.
Of course, I had no intention of being punished.
“Okay then…”
“Uh, junior? What about that?”
“Yes? It’s a bomb?”
“…Now, wait a minute. What are you trying to do with that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? First, we have to get rid of these skill thieves and then find the cell phone.”
What if your skills are taken away while looking for your phone? When I look at him like this, I can see him being embarrassed.
His trademark smile and narrowed eyes wavered.
“Even though he is a skill thief, he is the academy’s property. If he did something like that…”
“Of course you will be disciplined, right? But I’ve already been disciplined once, so it’s okay.”
“Oh, no, that…”
“Compensation for damages is also okay. My wallet has been big lately, so even if I were a skill thief, I can live lightly.”
“……………….”
“Don’t worry, senior. I’ll leave as soon as I find my phone!”
“……….”
“Three, two, one. Throw!!”
“Now, wait!!”
“Fire in the hole!!!”
“Wait and see!!!”