Chapter: 136
“Ah, damn. It’s footsteps again.”
“Stay alert. Let’s assess the situation.”
Jacob swallowed as he heard the distant footsteps approaching.
It was the third morning since their field study began, and this forest had turned into hell.
To avoid failing, the academy’s students were attacking other parties, and those who were attacked were mercilessly targeting weaker parties for grades.
In this hellish experience of survival of the fittest, Jacob’s party found themselves in the role of the weak.
This was no surprise since Jacob’s party wasn’t formed with such considerations in mind.
They had no intention of achieving high scores in this field study.
They were simply a group of old acquaintances gathering items just enough to avoid failing, planning to enjoy a leisurely camping experience in the forest during the rest of their time.
As a result, this party lacked any combat prowess. If they entered the academy dungeon, they’d struggle and be defeated by a boss on the 10th floor.
Thanks to that, they had to become prey to other parties ever since the first night Lucy Allen launched her raids.
They desperately collected loot at the cost of their lives, only to be robbed of it.
While shedding tears of frustration and facing monsters again to gather loot, they were preyed upon once more by another party and lost all the monsters they had hunted.
For Jacob’s party, this field study was anything but educational. It was sheer bullying—a torment suffered for the dire sin of being weak.
This wasn’t the kind of field study Jacob had dreamed of.
He had envisioned hunting monsters together with friends, chatting around a campfire under the starry night sky.
How did such a fun field study turn into this? Jacob gritted his teeth at the approaching sound of footsteps.
“We won’t just lose everything! Me too! We’ve gained experience through hardships. This time, we’ll surely counterattack.”
“Yeah. We’re gonna take back what’s ours!” Jacob, having resolved himself and gripped his sword tightly, lost all motivation when he saw the face of someone emerging from the bushes.
“Greetings.”
Arthur Soladin, the Third Prince of the Soladin Kingdom and a monster among the top ten in combat capabilities in the Soul Academy.
The people behind him were also exceptionally skilled, likely to be part of Arthur’s party.
No matter how hard Jacob’s party struggled, they were opponents they could never defeat.
“Damn it! Of all people!” Jacob bit his lip upon seeing their faces. Resisting would mean nothing. They would just get crushed by their power.
In that case, it would be wiser to seek mercy. They had nothing of value left, so they could only beg not to be robbed.
“Don’t worry. We are not here to steal your loot.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. If I intended to rob you, I wouldn’t be talking to you like this, would I?”
That made sense. If Arthur meant to plunder them, he wouldn’t need to have such a conversation. Just one demand for their surrender would be enough to make Jacob’s party kneel.
“Then why are you here?”
“I’m currently brewing a plan. For that, all academy students need to unite.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“Do you think it’s reasonable that the culprit behind this disastrous field study is happily roaming around?”
The mastermind behind the chaotic field study didn’t need naming; everyone wandering in this forest knew who it was.
Lucy Allen.
The divine being with the most outstanding combat abilities on the continent.
The one who possessed the greatest knowledge at the academy.
At the same time, she was the genius of the century, continually breaking new records at the Soul Academy.
The person who saved Jacob’s life in the entrance exam.
“I intend to inform her of the original sin she committed. I would prefer to deal with her myself, but she is simply too powerful for that.”
“So you plan to gather everyone from the academy to attack together?”
“Exactly. I don’t want to give Lucy Allen even the slightest chance.”
If they prepared half-heartedly, Lucy would likely destroy everything. Arthur’s words reflected a determination to prepare thoroughly to bring her down.
It was evident how absorbed he was in this plan.
“Of course, those who participate will receive suitable rewards. I intend to distribute the loot Lucy Allen possesses fairly.”
A fair distribution of Lucy’s loot.
From the very first day, she had been raiding numerous parties in the academy, collecting their loot. It was impossible to gauge how much she possessed, but surely it was substantial.
If they could take that and distribute it fairly, perhaps Jacob’s party could escape failing.
“Is that really true?”
As Jacob’s friend connected the dots, Arthur nodded.
“I swear it on the honor of a prince.”
A promise made by a royal carried significant weight.
As Jacob’s party began to feel a swell of hope and murmured amongst themselves, Jacob, the one who summoned this party, stepped forward.
“I’m sorry, Prince Arthur.”
“Are you saying you refuse my offer?”
“Yes. Lady Allen saved my life. I cannot betray her.”
Lucy had likely already forgotten about Jacob. To her, rewriting history meant that someone like Jacob was inconsequential.
Yet, even with that said, the downtrodden could never forget the shining star above them. Arthur stared at Jacob’s bowed head, chuckled softly, and then smiled.
“Won’t you ask what your friends think?”
“Ah! That…”
“No. Prince, we agree.”
“How could we attack the one who saved our friend’s life?”
As Jacob looked up in confusion, voices came echoing from behind. All his friends shared the same sentiment.
“You might label us as enemies.”
“Well, we have nothing to lose! Go ahead and take the dust from our empty pockets!”
As Jacob’s chatty friend spoke up in a trembling voice, Arthur finally burst into laughter.
Amid the silence from others, he chuckled for a while before clearing his throat and continued with a gentle smile.
“Ah, fine. I’ll respect your wishes. Just don’t interfere with our plans. If you do, I might have no choice but to consider you a target as well.”
After that final remark, Arthur departed, and Jacob collapsed onto his knees, his strength drained.
“Seriously scary. Is it because he’s royal blood? His presence is no joke. I thought I might get eaten alive.”
“Hey! You crazy bastard! How can you say something like that without agreement?”
“For real! I thought I’d get wrecked by the prince, you trash!”
“Damn! You better go hunt some monsters and collect the loot, you jerk!”
However, Jacob couldn’t dwell on what just happened. Before he could think further, loving punches and kicks from his friends rained down on him from behind.
*
Had they been raiding too aggressively for the past two days? The vigilance of other academy students had heightened significantly.
Now, even if Phoebe stepped forward, instead of reassurance, they hurriedly pointed their weapons.
Yet, it wouldn’t change much. Just because they glared at them, it wouldn’t stop Jacob’s party’s strength, right?
After receiving Phoebe’s buffs, Joy was the first to strike with magic, and amid the ensuing chaos, Jacob would break through and draw aggro, then team up with Frey for some serious takedowns. How were they going to stop that collaboration?
Even if they teamed up, they couldn’t even land a scratch on something as shoddy as Jacob’s party.
Having just raided another party, as Jacob checked the loot they’d amassed—wow, he had gathered quite a lot. Even by game standards, this was quite impressive.
Running around to collect this much made him feel incredibly proud. With this, getting first place for the field study was practically secured.
While he wore a satisfied smile at that thought, he suddenly heard rustling in the bushes, but he didn’t turn to look. He already knew who it was.
“Lina? What brings you here?”
“There’s only one reason for me to come here, isn’t there?”
“Ah…”
As the Sloppy Fox raised her voice, Joy shot Jacob a look of sympathy.
Phoebe’s expression mirrored Joy’s sentiment. Although she often shot him curious glances while raiding other students, in this moment, she felt sorry for him.
Wow, Sloppy Fox, you’re incredible. How twisted do you have to be for others to pity me like this?
As Jacob openly displayed his disgust, the Sloppy Fox’s tail began to wag uncontrollably.
“I really like that glare. Can you glare a bit more for me?”
“Die.”
“Why are you alive? You’re disgusting. Just die. Commit suicide.”
“Hmm, no meal quite like this. I’d love to savor it more, but I have something to convey, so let’s stop here.”
The Sloppy Fox said that and shifted back to a human form.
With the Sloppy Fox, who was quite tall for a woman, standing next to short little Jacob, I had to naturally look up at her.
Seeing her look down at him with those creepy eyes was utterly infuriating. Being around her seemed to diminish his anger threshold.
“If you’re livestock, act like one and crawl on four legs?♡ Why are you mimicking a human?♡ Sit!♡ You disgusting perverted fox!♡”
“Woof!”
Now, even without commands, the Sloppy Fox barked at him like a dog, causing Jacob’s heart to… loosen? No way!
Ah, damn. Being with this pervert makes me feel like I’m getting tainted too.
“So what do you want to say?♡”
“Woof!”
“Even if you’re the lord of the woods, can’t you comprehend the current situation?♡ Shoddy!♡ Below the standard!♡ You’re nothing but a foolish livestock that can only engage in perverted acts!♡”
The Sloppy Fox, seemingly pleased with Jacob’s remarks, grinned and panted, yet she quickly received Joy and Phoebe’s piercing gazes, cleared her throat, and continued talking.
Of course, she remained crawling on all fours.
“I hear the academy students are planning to unite to attack you.”
“Centered around Arthur, huh?”
“Isn’t the foolish pitiful prince right in the middle?”
“Did you know about this?”
Of course. Jacob had stirred up so much trouble in the forest that a wave of hatred would have to come his way.
His reputation was already in the gutter. Naturally, he had become a public enemy.
“I could hide you in my mansion.”
“No, thanks.”
“Hide in the livestock’s den? No way. I don’t want to smell like an animal.”
Why would he need to hide anyway? The loot from monsters kept walking right to him.
“Do you have a plan?”
“Of course.”
“Of course.”
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