Chapter 31 — Ruining Your Life is Quite Easy

1

Anais and Kael defeated the enemies with fantastic teamwork.

Quite a few magic stones and artifacts dropped.

Too much for the two of them to carry.

“Whew… how are we going to move all of this?”

“In our pockets?”

“Ugh— our robes will burst. Let’s just stuff in what we can for now. We’ll buy a spatial pocket later.”

Kael nodded while hurriedly gathering magic stones and artifacts.

‘If only we could tell what’s what, we’d pick out just the good stuff-.’

Sadly, neither of them could use appraisal magic.

Who would have thought a spell that seemed irrelevant their whole lives would be so needed now.

Thinking the same thing, the two cleaned up the area and made a call.

“Senior? Pearson? Where are you?”

“On our way-. We just need you two to join us.”

“Do you know the way?”

Finding your way in the tower must be incredibly difficult.

Especially when scattered like this.

Pearson sounded smug, as if he was the one finding the way.

“Ahem. We have the almighty problem solver, the tyrant Senior Manus with us. We’re finding our way just fine, so don’t worry and wait for us.”

“R-right. But isn’t he right next to you?”

“That’s right. Ack-.”

The call ended there.

They weren’t particularly curious about what happened after.

No doubt the cheeky Pearson got an earful again.

Or maybe he was abandoned.

“Phew… Seems like it ended well anyway.”

“What about Livy?”

“I’m not sure either. Why the senior brought her, or what he plans to do.”

“Is he going to abandon her?”

It was a chilling thought.

Being trapped in the tower could actually cost you your life.

It was practically indirect murder.

Honestly, they had never imagined such a thing before.

Anais and Kael were silent for a while.

Livy had committed a crime, that was true.

But is it right for them to decide the weight of that crime on their own?

Their concerns only grew deeper.

2

The four walked in silence.

Especially Melanie — it was hard to believe she was the same timid girl, now wearing such a fierce expression.

Before setting out, Manus had explained the situation to Melanie.

[That child used a forbidden drug. You were dragged here due to the corruption.]

[If you hadn’t been chosen, you would have lived on forgotten in everyone’s memories.]

She had nearly died.

The fear and despair must have been indescribable.

Then, Manus added one more thing.

[We could just leave her and go. Then she would wander here forever.]

[If she dies in this tower… no one but us will remember her.]

Ziggurat.

The God of Death created this massive tomb here.

Humans who become sacrifices to the tower are remembered by no one.

They simply become unrecognizable corpses lying around somewhere.

A true death.

A curse where no one but those aware of the tower’s existence will ever speak of them again.

What could be more horrifying than this?

So she pondered seriously.

-Isn’t she a person who will block your future path?

-You should nip it in the bud now.

-If it were me, I would have abandoned her already!

As expected, the spirits were quite extreme.

Part of her wanted to do just that.

Would it be okay to consider it a reward for her near-death experience?

‘But still.’

This is about taking a life.

If it were so easy to do at such a young age, half the world’s population would be gone by now.

Melanie looked at the spirits.

‘It’s fine to help, but I’ll make the decision. Got it?’

-Hehe, okay!

-No problem!

-We’re your alter egos. So do as you please.

Melanie nodded.

In the distance, two students came into view.

Anais and Kael.

The first-year aces had arrived.

The two waved as soon as they spotted the group.

They had become quite adept at moving around in the tower now.

“Good work! Senior, you worked hard too.”

“Melanie. I’m glad you’re safe.”

Kael attended to Melanie first.

A very protagonist-like move.

This is how he’ll gather companions and eventually become one of the strongest in the world.

‘Our club has practically become a military force.’

Melanie looked around as she received Kael’s warm welcome.

To be able to smile so brightly in such a hopeless place.

Being with friends like these, it seemed possible to continue an enjoyable academy life.

Thanks to that, her burning hatred also subsided.

‘Right, let’s think about it after we get down.’

She recalled her father’s words.

[When your mind is filled with just one thought, never follow that thought.]

[As time passes, your mind will naturally calm down. Then think it over again.]

It was good advice.

She suddenly understood why the Harry family was one of the top merchant families.

Melanie let out a deep sigh to expel her negative thoughts.

“Thank you. For saving me.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

“Yes… because we’re friends.”

Manus smiled slightly at this typical in-game scene.

It was quite cringe-worthy to watch on a monitor, but seeing it in person just made him smirk wryly.

[Interference confirmed.]

[The time required for your current skill acquisition is reduced by 30 days.]

‘As expected, this kind of interference is helpful.’

Solving key characters’ events rewards you like this.

‘So in the end, I just need to actively interfere and learn as many skills as possible.’

Now that everyone was gathered, all that was left was to descend.

“We don’t have time. Let’s go down quickly.”

“Yes.”

They decided to postpone the decision on Livy’s fate a bit longer.

Everyone was against killing her.

If it were just Manus’ personal matter, he would have killed her without hesitation.

Though it was a bit frustrating and naive, he decided to respect their opinions.

-He is an observer.

Not one who forces things.

3

Somehow making it to the lobby, the group let out a collective sigh.

Only 10 minutes remained.

If they hadn’t found the portal to the first floor midway, they probably would have missed classes tomorrow too.

“Whew-! It’s finally over. Melanie! You were really fighting well!”

“Th-thank you.”

“Back to being shy again. So cute! A different charm from Kael.”

Anais hugged Melanie tightly.

Melanie just blushed silently, seeming embarrassed.

Livy still looked dazed, staring blankly at everything.

“Now decide. What do you want to do with Livy Lauer?”

“…I’m not sure yet.”

“Killing her is also an option.”

“No, I don’t want that. But… I think she should be properly punished. So I have an idea.”

Melanie thought of one method.

It could potentially be a punishment more humiliating than death.

Some say it’s a tool of punishment given by the devil to humans.

-A contract.

An irrefusable contract that stakes one’s soul.

Melanie hadn’t forgiven Livy.

She merely took a merchant-like approach.

“She can’t repay her debt if she’s dead.”

“— That’s a good idea.”

It was a rather satisfactory measure.

Livy simply accepted the judgment with a face shrouded in despair.

For some it was a light prank, but for others, a moment that marked a turning point in life had ended.

The group safely exited the tower.

When Alano arrives, they’ll continue their exploration.

Manus too will keep getting stronger.

‘Melanie. You joined faster than expected. This must be due to my influence as well.’

The story was speeding up bit by bit, and the characters’ growth was subtly accelerating.

The speed of ascending the tower would gradually increase too.

It was natural for events to occur and various incidents to happen in succession.

He needed to prepare even more thoroughly.

Soon, enemies would come from outside as well.

After all, the tower wasn’t the academy’s only enemy.

“I think I can really sleep well tonight.”

“Me too-. Because someone caused such a commotion.”

“…I’m sorry, because of me-.”

Melanie unexpectedly responded to Anais’s words.

Huh?

The red-haired girl waved her hands.

“No! Not you! That one over there.”

“…”

The night deepened.

The three girls chattered as they headed to the dormitory.

Manus noticed a flickering shadow and fixed his gaze on it.

Realizing someone was watching, he stared intently.

The flickering quickly disappeared.

Manus turned his head.

Those walking in front of him seemed to have noticed nothing, continuing on nonchalantly.

‘— Is Pearson the only detection type among them?’

Only Pearson turned his head briefly, scanning the surroundings.

But seeming not to have noticed anything in the end, he rejoined the conversation.

How far should he interfere with her?

It’s still too early to nip it in the bud, as his own power is still too weak.

There’s only one answer.

To quickly become stronger, he needs to interfere with characters through various routes.

‘What if that means bringing villains to our side…?’

Manus’s thoughts organized gradually.

Veronica.

Few know her true identity.

She too never reveals her true identity until the end.

There’s a lot of narrative behind Veronica’s emergence as a villain.

Emotional wounds.

An unavoidable fate.

Situations spiraling to the worst.

‘If I solve that, we might be able to absorb a huge force to our side.’

The problem was that the issues to be solved were too enormous.

But-.

“Solutions often start with small words.”

Manus muttered to himself so no one could hear.

The group returned safely, and morning dawned again.

In front of a worried professor, Melanie said this:

“I fell asleep in the club room all night and might have caught a cold… so I went to the dorm during the day to sleep.”

“…I see. Are you feeling alright?”

The professor sent a doubtful look but still showed concern for her.

Everyone knew it was an unbelievable excuse.

But things worked out well, and Melanie didn’t blame anyone.

This was an implicit rule at Mythos Academy.

Teachers don’t meddle in students’ personal affairs.

Unless selecting a direct disciple, deep involvement was forbidden.

“Yes, I’m completely fine now. I’ll study hard in class too.”

“Good. Borrow yesterday’s notes from your friends. And if you’re not feeling well, visit the infirmary.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

Melanie acted as if nothing had happened.

There were still those who badmouthed her behind her back, and those who looked down on her for being from a merchant family.

But Melanie herself had changed.

“What did you just say-?”

One who doesn’t forgive injustice against herself, wearing a fierce smile.

Having decided to no longer hide her inner feelings, Melanie was no longer a timid child.

“She’s doing well.”

Manus, watching from afar, smiled slightly.

The faster the characters change, the closer world peace will be.

And there was another watching Manus.

“…I should report this to the Chairman.”

A pink haired girl gazed at Manus.

What was the tyrant thinking?

And what exactly happened yesterday?

From her perspective, there were too many questions.

[Interference has begun.]

Meanwhile, Manus was looking at a single message.

Was someone else’s fate about to be twisted?

Finding that out would be entirely up to him.

–TL Notes–
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