Chapter 364: Chapter 364

The return of the information gathering time.

Luna glanced at me with a sour expression.

“Hey… Why do you look like you’re enjoying this.”

“Keke, information gathering is fun, after all.”

“Only a pervert would think that. What the hell is so fun about gathering information…”

Luna pouted as she grumbled.

Normally, I would’ve thought the same as Luna.

I already knew most of the information about the game, and I had visited Trash Village over eight thousand times.

But the reason I was excited this time, unlike usual, was because…

That’s right. Just for me alone, over eight thousand times. Add up all the attempts by users around the world, and it must total in the billions.

In that world with billions of attempts, the only place where Dolores survived was here—this place I’m in now.

And that wasn’t the only thing that had changed.

The arrest of Bickerd and Redington, the imprisonment of Pjol and Baron Kelven, the appearance of the Dark Beast Squad, and more.

There were various changes. Given the high degree of freedom in this game, there must have been countless others as well.

‘New and stimulating is always tastier than the familiar.’

As someone who’s a stagnant veteran, this was a situation I couldn’t help but enjoy.

If there was one problem, it was that my greatest strength—knowing the future—was gone.

But there’s no need to worry too much.

‘The overall framework shouldn’t have changed. As long as I act within its bounds, there should be no problem.’

It’s an unchanging fact that ‘he’ is the culprit behind this incident.

As long as I keep that in mind and act accordingly, nothing major should go wrong.

“So, where are we going first?”

“Keke, isn’t it obvious? Miss Dolores’s house.”

As I mentioned, this is the first time Dolores survived.

At present, she’s the most likely person to give a useful clue.

“But how do we find her house?”

When I pointed in a direction, Luna, Rezé, and Ron huddled together.

“What the heck. Am I the only one who finds this weird?”

“No, I feel the same. How does he even know where Dolores’s house is?”

“He’s definitely a pervert. I-it’s obvious he knows where all the girls liveeeeeee!”

Hmm, the way they’re looking at me is a bit hostile.

Of course, I didn’t know where Dolores lived because I’m a pervert. It was the result of playing the game thousands of times.

“Keke, this is why information gathering is important. Don’t you remember hearing that Miss Dolores is neighbors with Adel?”

“Of course. If not, how else would I know where her house is?”

“W-well, that’s true. Even for a pervert, this would be too much. I believed in you from the start, so don’t worry.”

But contrary to her words, Luna slowly moved away from me. Of course, Rezé and Ron followed her.

I don’t understand what I did wrong.

What’s the problem with knowing where a village girl lives!

Just like that, maintaining an awkward distance like we were a party but not really, we arrived near Dolores’s house. The source of thɪs content is novᴇlfire.net

“I told you, that’s all I know!”

“Come on, try to think a little more. Weren’t there any other knights?”

“I don’t know! I was out of it, and they were wearing hoods—how could I tell?”

“What about the Dark Beast Squad? From what I saw, they’re definitely villagers. The one who ordered the knights to abduct people while hiding his identity must be the true mastermind!”

“I’m telling you, those two had nothing to do with each other!”

The area was bustling with students and instructors.

“Keke, see? It’s not just me, right?”

“To think there are this many perverts… The world’s going to hell.”

I’m not a pervert, seriously. I’m just a normal student!

The reason the kids gathered around Dolores was simple. She had the most information, having returned alive.

“Let’s help her. At this rate, she’ll collapse before we get any info.”

But breaking through the wall of kids hungry for points wasn’t easy.

First-years who knew us at least stepped aside, but the second-years didn’t budge an inch.

Some even shot us sharp glares.

“What’re you looking at? Beat it.”

I got cursed out of nowhere, but I didn’t really get angry.

I’m a peace-loving person.

“Miss Rezé, if you would, give them a little something.”

“Keke, if they’d stepped aside quietly, there would’ve been no bloodshed.”

“H-hiieeek! W-what are you talking about!”

What’s wrong with dropping a nuke on these rebellious punks?

Come on, arm yourself like the red revolutionary bunny you are. Teach these arrogant fools a lesson!

Just as I was tying a red band around the resisting Rezé’s head—

An egg flew in from somewhere and smashed into the face of the student threatening us.

And the egg barrage didn’t stop there. Nearly a dozen eggs followed.

“Ugh? W-what is this!”

“Ptui ptui! It’s a rotten egg!”

“Who the hell are you!”

As if they’d been waiting for that line, three figures suddenly stood up on the rooftop.

“If you’re curious who we are, it’s only natural we tell you!”

‘Is it because they can recognize us now with just that much? Or are they remembering some embarrassing childhood memory?’

Several kids covered their faces and looked away.

“Trash Sprout Defense Squad!!”

There were no cheers. Just a group of embarrassed kids avoiding eye contact and another group angry from being hit with rotten eggs.

“You kids! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Don’t mess with my sister. She’s already been through a lot—why are you still bothering her?”

“We’re not bothering her, we’re conducting an investigation!”

“Then ask one at a time or send a representative!”

“You’re still young, so maybe you don’t understand, but everything we’re doing has a reason. So—”

The second-year student didn’t get to finish his sentence. A rotten egg flew into his face.

Adel rolled a spoiled egg on his palm and spoke.

“Anyone can see you’re just trying to get the information first. And you call yourselves Annwood Academy students?”

“What the hell do you little punks know! Get down here right now!”

“Hah! Why should we? If you wanna fight, come up here yourselves!”

“Fine, we’ll come to you! Just wait right there!”

Suddenly, a siege had begun.

Adel and Whale hurled rotten eggs nonstop, and Acela supplied them.

Second-years brought ladders from somewhere and started climbing the walls.

Dolores and the instructors tried to stop them, while the first-years cheered.

It was a battlefield.

A second-year finally climbed the ladder and subdued Adel.

A chilling voice came from somewhere.

Even in the noise that felt like a war zone, everyone heard it loud and clear.

Everyone froze. That meant it was real.

All that could be heard were footsteps.

But no one could move. Everyone knew whose voice that was.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

At his cold voice, everyone gulped.

“Interesting. Did I order a siege battle?”

He was already on top of the building where the Trash Sprout Defense Squad stood.

He picked up a rotten egg and looked at the second-year holding Adel down.

“Then why are you doing this?”

“Because… we were attacked.”

“Attacked, huh… Getting hit with this garbage is what you call an attack? I’m surprised you couldn’t dodge it, but I’m even more surprised you considered it an attack. Says a lot about your level, doesn’t it?”

The second-year trembled.

Caron threw the rotten egg to him.

Rather than a throw, it was more like he passed it gently, so the second-year was able to catch it.

“Take it. Reflect on what you’ve done today, and come see me again afterward.”

“Everyone, disperse. Once Miss Dolores finishes organizing the information, it will be passed to each group through the instructors.”

The students responded in unison and started scattering.

Luna hummed as she watched.

“Caron really is cool.”

‘Would you still say that if you knew he’s a lolicon targeting you?’

“What nonsense are you imagining now?”

I blinked, and Caron was standing right in front of me.

Whether it’s his actions or his insight, he really is a ghost-like person.

“Keke, nothing at all. Where have you been all this time?”

“No need for you to know.”

Caron brushed past me quickly and stood in front of Dolores.

“Sorry for the trouble. I forgot because I’ve been busy. I apologize.”

“It’s fine. It was a bit late, but I’m just glad it ended with this much.”

Just as Caron was about to say something—

“Hey, mister! Step away from her right now!”

It was Adel and the Trash Sprout Defense Squad.

They quickly came down the ladder and stood in front of Dolores.

The kids flinched when they saw Caron’s terrifying face.

A face full of scars from torture.

But they didn’t step back. Even as they trembled in front of Dolores, they stood their ground.

Seeing that, Caron gave a faint chuckle and turned around.

“No need to worry now. She’s got reliable protectors.”

Caron stepped back and returned to our side.

“Teacher, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“…Yes. I’m glad to see you all seem fine too.”

Caron responded to Luna’s greeting with forced indifference and passed by.

Then, he placed a hand on my shoulder and whispered.

“You didn’t lay a hand on her, did you?”

“Don’t worry. We just held hands and slept.”

Apparently even that wasn’t acceptable. Caron’s eyes were blazing.

It was unfair. Luna was the one who suggested we sleep holding hands.

Maybe reminded of something, Ron chuckled and said,

“Still, be careful. If rumors spread like last time about her being pregnant, that’ll be a problem. My peaceful instructor life would be in danger.”

…No, pretty sure it’s my life that’s in danger.

I turned my head to escape Caron’s death glare.

…Caron was standing in front of me. I turned the other way.

He was there too. No matter which direction I turned, he was there.

North, south, east, west—even above(?). Caron was smiling in every direction.

“Seems like we need to have a little talk.”

“Keke, unfortunately, I’m quite busy right now.”

“It’s fine. After all, there’s nothing more urgent in this world than matters of life and death.”

“Thinking about it… I suppose I do have some time.”

And just like that, I ended up being kidnapped—well, not exactly kidnapped—by Caron.

Saying that to someone hanging upside down by a tree branch?

Come on. Don’t do that. It seriously feels like an execution.

“Keke, I’m innocent.”

“A typical line from a convict. Farewell.”

Caron’s hand moved, and the rope that was keeping me alive was cut.

About five seconds of free fall. But I didn’t die. Just before I hit the ground, Caron caught me.

“You didn’t even feel fear? You really are something.”

“Keke, because I knew you’d save me.”

In truth, it was thanks to [Mental Defense], which numbs the sensation of fear.

Caron pulled out a dagger infused with aura and sliced through the ropes that bound me.

To cut through such tightly bound ropes in one go… Aura really is useful.

My front got a bit slashed and is now flapping… That had to be a mistake, right?

“Don’t fuss over small things. We’re business partners, aren’t we?”

“Keke, does that mean…”

“Let’s make a deal. You’ve got some information I want.”

“Will you be alright with that? My intel doesn’t come cheap.”

A slightly provocative remark. In response, Caron’s mouth stretched wide to both sides.

As if he was thoroughly enjoying this.

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