First, there was one thing I could be relieved about.

Eleanor and Yuria each sat in different compartments inside the train heading to the Tribal Alliance.

Since they wouldn’t run into each other, I could assume that my life wouldn’t end immediately, at least not before we got to the Forge of Struggle.

‘...I’m saved…!’

It felt like tears of relief were about to well up, but it was still way too early to indulge in that feeling.

Rather, I should start confirming the things that needed to be checked.

System Log

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ if activated! ]

[ The favorability level of target ‘Yuria’ has elevated significantly from ‘Interest Level 4’ to ‘Trust Level 5’! ]

[ Special Rewards Available! ]

‘It increased by how many levels? What the fuck?’

I sighed inwardly and started operating the window.

System Log

[ Receiving ‘Yuria’s’ Gift Rewards. ]

[ Receiving 1 ‘Skill Copy Ticket’. ]

It was just as I predicted.

Since it went up by this much, I could more or less be sure to receive the Skill Copy Ticket.

In Yuria’s case, I already had one saved, so now I had a total of two.

Wow, the Skill Copy Ticket was copied!

“...”

Looking at the spoils made me feel depressed.

Instead of receiving clues for the upcoming threat, I received these things instead. It was hard not to feel that way.

At least they came at a good time.

‘Alright, time to eat those spoils.’

I had been wanting to devour some of Yuria’s skills for a while now, but I hadn’t been able to because I couldn’t meet these conditions.

[ Skill Info ]

Skill: Conquest of the Devil 降魔

Grade: Unique

Description: Those who have faced curses for a long time naturally become familiar with ways to resist them.

[ ◆ Opens the VS. Curse Related Stat, ‘Devil Conquest’. ]

This was what I was talking about.

A Unique Skill was a skill that could only be learned by a specific character in this entire world.

And this ‘Devil Conquest’ stat was something that existed for Yuria alone.

Since her character itself was so greatly influenced by the corruption of the curse from Severer, a separate ‘stat’ existed for her that could resist it.

However, if I had a skill that could grant me access to that same stat….

[ Skill Info ]

Skill: Desperation

Grade: ???

Description: Gain stat enhancement at the moment of danger. The lower the chance of survival, the stronger the effect.

It meant I could enhance it with Desperation.

Considering that it had the ability to insanely pump up ‘stats’ in ‘moments of danger’, it was safe to say that I could naturally gain strong resistance to danger from ‘curses’.

‘...I can use this pretty effectively in this chapter.’

The main enemies of Chapter 3 were ‘Demonic Creatures’.

Reversed Apostle of the Sea. A Tamer who wielded terrible powers sleeping beneath the sea.

When confronted, one of the abilities I would naturally encounter the most was ‘curses’. The Devil Conquest stat would be a great help in dealing with such things.

And the remaining Skill Copy Ticket was…

“...”

An insurance.

When it came to Yuria, it was a good idea to always have at least one at hand.

Even more so if I considered the kind of reaction the White Devil would show if I accidentally revealed my ‘face’.

I didn’t have one laying idle all this time for nothing.

Right as I had these gloomy thoughts…

A window suddenly appeared in front of my eyes.

System Message

[ Confirming that 2 Vessels have reached at least ‘Trust Level 5’! ]

[ Confirming that the difficulty progress of the Main Scenario has risen significantly! ]

[ Searching for elements that would make for smoother progress! ]

‘What’s this?’

I swear, this was the first time I had ever seen the system use the phrase ‘smoother progress’ since I had possessed this body.

Was it originally such a conscientious lad?

System Message

[ Checking the current status of target ‘Iliya’! ]

[ Determining the ‘Favorability Level’ of target. ]

[ Condition satisfied! ]

[ Determining the ‘Personality’ and ‘Interpersonal Relationships’ of target. ]

[ Condition satisfied! ]

[ Determining the ‘Devil Confrontation Ability’ of target. ]

[ Condition satisfied! ]

[ Congratulations! The target will soon be given the role of ‘??’s Sidekick’! ]

“...?”

‘I don’t know dude…’

‘If you could also tell me what kind of role Iliya just received, maybe I’d react positively to your congratulations.’

‘...Sidekick?’

Considering it said this was for the sake of smoother progress, it probably was not a bad thing.

I had no idea what the fuck it was trying to determine by checking all those criteria.

When seeing the phrase about determining Devil Confrontation Ability or whatever, it did seem like it was related to her though.

“What have you been staring at since earlier?”

Kasa Garda, who was cackling while watching my expression across from me, asked while lighting her smoking pipe.

She was selected to come with me because it would be good if she stuck with me and Riru as the chapter progressed.

Originally, she was supposed to sit in the seats for the elderly and handicapped, but she stubbornly refused.

She said that she was by no means an ‘elderly’ or a ‘handicapped’ person and was only having a little trouble moving around.

‘...It sounds ridiculous, but…’

The powerhouses in this world could turn such ridiculous claims to reality.

In her case, she really could support her entire body with just one arm and effortlessly move it around.

She deadass could move as fast as a running adult man.

“I just had some things to check.”

“If you’re going to check something, why don’t you check on Riru instead?”

“Won’t she be back soon anyway? She didn’t seem to be in a good mood, so there’s no reason to bother her…”

After not saying a word to me the whole time we were together, Riru suddenly said she was going to get some fresh air and left the compartment.

Well, it could be that she was nervous about returning to the homeland she was chased out from.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you go and comfort her?”

“...Comfort? Her?”

“Of course.”

Kasa chuckled before continuing.

“She’s much more sensitive than she appears. As her ‘first friend,’ she’ll listen to anything that you’d say to her, even if she acts like she won’t.”

“...First friend?”

“Excluding you, do you really think she had other friends with that personality of hers?”

“...”

I wished she could at least give me a warning before hitting me with such sad stories.

“So while you’re at it, other than becoming her first friend, I want you to take her first—”

“...I’ll go find out where she is and come back here.”

And even more so for topics like this. Please.

After hearing the words that I uttered with cold sweat running down, Kasa cackled once again before nodding.

“Go then. As the master who’ll help you hone your fighting techniques, I’ll assign this as your first training. Find that child and bring her back here.”

“...?”

Wasn’t it a bit much to call something like this training?

I cocked my head at the words Kasa left behind before exiting the compartment and heading for the corridor.

The train connecting the academies of the Golden Triangle was not just a means of transportation; it also boasted a level of luxury that made it possible to live inside without a care. It was said to be one of the largest trains on the entire continent.

Basically, it meant that even if she went out to get some fresh air, it would be difficult to find her.

‘Guess I’ll wander around for a bit.’

“Euh– Mm—”

I stretched and cracked my joints, which had become stiff from sitting for a long time.

As I stretched and looked up at the ceiling, I noticed that the blowhole was opened for ventilation. It was a luxurious train, so it had all kinds of functions.

The Forge of Struggle was a building constructed on an island surrounded on all four sides by the sea. And this train was currently racing towards there on top of the ‘Sea Rails’. The refreshing beach and sky welcomed me.

It was thanks to this that I quickly realized the ‘oddity’.

“...?”

As I mentioned before, a refreshing beach and sky was supposed to welcome me.

However…

The sky was pitch black.

Even though it wasn’t even evening yet.

And this black was gradually ‘coming down’.

Something extremely gigantic seemed to be descending towards the entire train.

“...”

Seeing that, I realized the meaning of the word ‘training’ that Kasa mentioned just now.

And perhaps, also the reason why Riru had left her seat.

“...Every time I take the train to an academy, this kind of shit happens.”

Before, when I rode with Eleanor, I got hit by a boulder, and now, I was going to get hit by something much worse.

As I mumbled that, I quickly grabbed a nearby handle.

And then…

[ Attack! Attack! High-Grade Demonic Creature Attack! ]

[ All students, calmly evacuate according to emergency procedu–! ]

Before that urgent announcement could echo within the compartment.

-!!

-!!!!!!!

I heard the massive ‘High-Grade Demonic Creature’ roar at a level that seemed to turn heaven and earth upside down.

And the entire train began to shake violently.

It was utter chaos. People’s screams were mixed together, echoing in all directions.

However…

I ain’t gonna lie…

‘...I can’t feel any sense of crisis.’

Even in a situation where the train had completely flipped over and was swaying wildly, that was the first thought that came to my mind.

I had been through situations much worse than this, so, this much trouble couldn’t evoke any feelings of danger from me.

And, above all…

‘Desperation isn’t activating, huh?’

If there was something that could threaten my life, I had a way to instantly know, as if I was psychic.

So I concluded that the probability was high that it wasn’t an actual battle.

As I coldly assessed the situation, my surroundings became a bit clearer.

Amidst the crazily shaking train, I somehow maintained my balance and looked out the window.

There was a safety net laid near the tracks, prepared in case the train derailed and rolled down.

In other words, it was a precaution to avoid any ‘casualties’.

“...”

And it was true that a High-Grade Demonic Creature hit the train roughly just a moment ago…

However, when I looked up at the ceiling, I could see that it wasn’t following up its next attack and merely circling the sky.

If it was a ‘real demonic creature’, it would never behave like that.

And as soon as I saw this, I quickly realized that this was.

‘Entrance Exam.’

Unlike Elfante of the Empire, the Forge of Struggle was famous for relentlessly attacking from the very beginning without any warning.

It was probably meant to assess the students’ abilities by creating an emergency in this ‘virtual reality’ without giving a hint of prior notice.

Even in the game, it was an event that would always come up as a random encounter when entering the Forge of Struggle.

“...”

Compared to the other countries that were still using cold weapons, these guys had a level of technology that seemed like they belonged to a whole different world.

Excluding the Magic Tower, their level of science was so high that it was hard for other countries to even reach their toes.

With such thoughts, I looked up at the train ceiling.

Considering Riru’s personality, she probably ran outside to ‘fight’ the High-Grade Demonic Creature as soon as she saw it.

“...”

‘And you’re telling me that Kasa told me to bring that kind of person back with me…’

‘In a train that was hard to even stand properly on.’

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

Now I understood the reason why she called this ‘training’.

I felt it as soon as I tried to get to the ceiling by going up the ladder.

‘...F-Fuck, I’m gonna die…!’

It wasn’t some walk in the park to maintain balance and move at the same time.

My legs were trembling, my eardrums were screaming, and my entire body was urging me to vomit out everything that was inside my stomach.

However, it seemed like my efforts to risk my life by exercising with Talion had paid off. Even without Desperation, I could ‘at least move around’ even though it took some effort.

If it was the old me, I’d probably just collapsed on the floor while throwing up constantly.

“...Heup.”

After somehow getting on top of the ceiling, I moved awkwardly and crawled across the top of the train.

After what seemed like an eternity passed, I finally began to see the person I was looking for in the far distance.

“Riru-!”

Riru was cracking her neck and knuckles, ready to rush towards the massive bird-like High-Grade Demonic Creature that was currently circling around the train.

Hold up, how was she so okay with this kind of situation?

The wind was blowing like crazy from all directions and a massive wave was crashing onto the train, making it difficult to even stand properly.

“Come, eheup, over here! We have to go ba–!”

“...What?”

Riru responded with an incredulous voice to my words.

“Go back where? No wait, in the first place, how did you even find me?”

Perhaps from her perspective, she was probably wondering why I was interrupting her when it was the perfect time for her to play an active part right now. However, I was in a situation where I had received Kasa’s orders and needed to follow them by bringing her inside.

When considering her personality, if she directly said the word ‘training’, it would be wise for me to follow it to a T.

Otherwise, she might say how I couldn’t even follow one mere order and make me do something even more hell-like later on.

“...And wouldn’t it be better to take care of your own body first? I think you’ll die if you continue like that, you know?”

She seemed to be saying, ‘Your face is beyond blue, approaching a vivid yellow.’

I inwardly screamed at Riru who said such words.

‘Yeah, I also know it’s not safe, but…!’

‘If we don’t turn back now, I’m going to get whipped like a bitch by Kasa later. Please. Fuck.’

I wanted her to somehow notice my plight and come back inside with me.

Let’s try to convey that message to her somehow.

“Ah, the dangerous thing is- keuh, cough, if we don’t return, right now, puheok-! I might really uheuk-!”

Because the wind and waves continuously bitchslapped my face, I couldn't even complete my sentence properly and Riru’s eyes, who saw this pitiful sight of me, narrowed.

“...”

Fuck me.

It was true that anyone would agree that I looked pathetic.

Even if I got ridiculed, there was nothing I could—

System Message

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ is activated! ]

[ The favorability level of target ‘Riru’ has increased from ‘Interest Level 1’ to ‘Interest Level 2’! ]

[ Rewards Available! ]

Eh?

“...What are you doing, trying to save me with merely that level of skill? What do you mean dangerous? It’s not even a real situation.”

“...”

“Prioritize yourself more than anything, okay? Yourself. Not anything else. If you can’t even protect your own body, why are you fussing around to try and protect me? You’ll just become a bother.”

While saying that, Riru awkwardly scratched her head in embarrassment.

Her tone was harsh, but she couldn’t even look me straight in the eyes.

Also, maybe it was just me, but it kinda looked like a slight blush had risen on her face.

“...Still, thank you. I’ve received your feelings.”

“...”

‘No, hold up. Wait.’

‘I don’t know why you’re talking like that right now…’

‘But it’s not whatever the fuck you’re thinking.’

‘Stop doing weird shit and just come back to Kasa with me…!’

Such thoughts instantly came to mind, but this time, I couldn’t even utter a proper sentence because I was too busy retching.

And in the meantime, Riru was gathering Law Power from her body.

In terms of combat power, Riru was someone who could win against an Eleanor who had devoured one Fragment. If she also utilized Law Power, she would actually be able to fly all the way towards that High-Grade Demonic Bird from this place.

Soon after, Law Power gathered in her legs and a savage smile appeared on her face.

And for some reason, perhaps sensing a threat in her appearance, the bird-like demonic creature also turned to look at Riru.

System Message

[ A moment of danger has been detected.]

[ Determined the situation as life-threatening. ]

[ Skill: Desperation raised to EX-Grade. ]

“...”

I realized that something was strange at that moment.

Suddenly, vitality surged through my body.

An ominous premonition descended down my spine.

“Wait, Riru—!”

Something was wrong.

The ominous premonition felt so strong.

However, that shout from me was rendered useless, as Riru had already leaped into the air like an arrow.

As I frantically looked towards the High-Grade Demonic Bird, I saw a yellow energy gathering around its body.

From my perspective, who knew what that was, the future was glaringly clear.

This person.

If she rushed in there just like this, she would die.

Unless I did something about it.

“...!”

Right as I urgently stood up and gripped Ultima within my hand…

-!!!

The High-Grade Demonic Bird unleashed an explosive blitzkrieg at Riru.