I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 72



71 – Dog Days in the Tunnel -1-

“We accept the request.”

The Doberman beastman with pointed ears left the elders with a high-handed attitude and exited the dwelling.

The hulking figures on either side followed their leader in silence.

Moments later.

The organization members waiting outside also moved in unison towards the direction their leader was heading.

To the elf elders, it was no longer a surprising sight.

In the world of criminals, hierarchy is more strict than anywhere else.

“Chief Elder.”

“Speak.”

“I believe this is a crucial time when thinking about the future. Of course, the previous events were also important, but…”

“I understand the elders’ anxieties and what they wish to say. I am aware that our hasty departure from Tigrova has left many gaps in our actions.”

“.”

The Chief Elder straightened his cane with his wrinkled hand.

Before responding to the elder with his dried-up lips, he gazed at the closed room of Zion and then looked away.

“Given this, they should be much more useful than the previous ones.”

The Chief Elder fiddled with the pitch-black coin bestowed upon him.

A small round piece of metal, smaller than the palm of his hand.

This single coin becomes a leash and a lump of greed that can control those mad criminals at will.

‘With this one coin, there’s no need to return to the homeland. That’s why they raided the gun shop and committed robbery and murder.’

The Chief Elder had a clear understanding of their actions as long as he possessed the coin.

Their brute actions were their own form of preparation and ritual.

“Let’s continue the discussion in the meeting room.”

“Yes.”

Since the individuals who received the commission left with bold promises, there was no longer a reason to keep watch outside.

The Chief Elder moved with a tap! tap! sound as he extended his ornate cane. The following elders also began to walk.

“How is the princess?”

“Rebellion is growing stronger. Recently, they haven’t been eating or drinking. It seems they have no intention of talking until they get an answer.”

“Tsk tsk… Even with magic, hunger and thirst cannot be avoided.”

“What should we do?”

“There’s no need to do anything. Leave them be, the opportunity to break their stubbornness will come eventually.”

As expected of the Testarossa lineage. They seem like they’ll only surrender right before death.

Despite all the efforts to tame them since childhood, they still haven’t completely given in.

‘Weapons should not have thoughts…’

The elder knows from experience.

Weapons with a will of their own are truly troublesome.

…

…

“….”

Sion lay still on the bed. The cold pierced through, stabbing his back.

No matter how many locks the elders put on the door, he could break them with force, but that was merely a possibility.

It was a symbol and sign of severance.

So Sion lay still, staring at the dark ceiling.

‘To call being caught during an outing unlucky, surviving the Monolith makes it fortunate.’

Rohan and Clara. The day he returned from that strange place with those two.

The problem arose after leaving the academy city.

When he went back to retrieve the hidden sniper rifle and tracker, two elders were waiting for him.

It was a moment that sent chills down his spine even in retrospect.

In the past, Zion would have admitted his mistake there, but that day, he did not back down from the reproaching elders.

For the first time, he had a rough argument with the elders.

He demanded answers to the issues the elders were avoiding, raising his voice.

Thanks to that, he ended up in this state.

Nevertheless, Zion has no intention of backing down. His heart pounds with his first act of defiance, but he endures.

He will either get a definite answer to his questions or create a space to properly resolve his doubts.

He will maintain this attitude until he gets a satisfactory answer.

The elders need him for some reason, even if they don’t know why. As his vision cleared, he realized that if he went all the way, he would eventually win.

I am hungry. I am thirsty. I have a headache.

If he had been driven to this situation in the past, his mental state would have been shattered by now.

But surprisingly, he is not depressed. So he can endure.

The combat rations Rohan gave me… I want to eat that.

The few days he spent wandering the unknown space with the two of them.

That was the pillar that kept Zion going.

Of course, when he saw Rohan get hurt, his heart sank. When Rohan lost his arm trying to protect him, his mind went blank.

The moments of hardship under the hellish heat were enjoyable.

Not just the battles, but the times they ate together and chatted. Even the trivial conversations keep the depression at bay.

He tosses and turns in bed, recalling those times.

Come to think of it… Rohan said he planned to work with Clara.

Still in the planning stage, one of the stories I heard in passing.

Thanks to that, Sion recalled the promise he made with Rohan in the dormitory.

A promise to help uncover hidden things and find freedom cleanly, at least once, by catching criminals or monsters.

We don’t do anything like massacring innocent civilians. Just help catch monsters or criminals.

‘If they still need me…’

When everything Rohan said was over and freedom was gained. Would it be okay to say that I want to change the promise a little and join the plan myself?

“Hehe.”

A pleasant laugh that made him forget the cold came out.

It seemed like every day would be enjoyable if the three of them stuck together.

It was a new wish born in the heart of the elf girl.

*

Rohan and Clara are standing on top of a tunnel that swallows a two-lane road.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is the farthest Rohan has come since falling into the academy city of Elysium.

‘Wow, I ran like hell. Clara doesn’t even seem out of breath…’

Was it a problem to speed up to get there quickly? Rohan’s mouth was dry.

If he hadn’t done physical training every morning, he would have fallen down disgracefully.

‘I didn’t see any cars passing by on the way. Those guys aren’t here yet.’

Looking around, he realized that he had some leeway thanks to moving quickly.

Rohan, who calmly caught his breath, spoke while looking ahead.

“The night breeze isn’t as cold as it used to be. It feels like April.”

“Yeah! It definitely feels warmer.”

“Does Clara like this temperature the best?”

“Uh-huh… The afternoon is just right, but the night is a bit chilly.”

The surroundings here are wide open. Thanks to that, the wind was quite strong.

Rohan unfastened the harness connected to the scabbard and took off his jacket, leaving only his shirt. He reconnected the harness diagonally over it.

‘It was hot enough from running anyway.’

The outer garment went over Clara’s bare legs.

The girl who received the clothes from Rohan seemed pleased with the warmth, sitting on the tunnel and nodding her head side to side.

Then she put it on completely.

“Won’t wearing my clothes interfere with taking out your weapon?”

“Yeah! I’ll be careful not to tear it!”

“Don’t worry about that. Clothes can tear. I have spares at the dorm.”

The newly tailored cadet uniform after returning from the dungeon.

Thanks to the academy’s support, there are two more spares.

“But here… It’s really a quiet place, just like you said, brother.”

“Right?”

Clara looked around curiously.

The only buildings around were a spooky rest area with closed doors and a gas station with not a drop of fuel left.

Even if you wait, not a single car passes by.

It seems as if an unknown force is urging us to embark on a quest.

But no, this is normal here.

“How did you know about this road, oppa?”

“This road is famous for being deserted.”

“What does it mean to be famous for being deserted…?”

“Simply put, it’s a road sought after by car clubs or motorcycle clubs for racing.”

“Oh…! I get it!”

Rohan sat next to Clara and continued with additional explanations.

The main reason it started being used for such purposes is that there’s no destination even if you drive to the end.

The end of this road is a small ruin where Zion resides. It is connected to a place where dimensional rifts occurred repeatedly in the past.

Even if it were restored, its location makes it impractical to use.

Thanks to that, it’s always a low priority for expensive normalization work, making it a perfect hideout for shady characters.

“Zion unnie is in such a place…”

“Back then, Zion told me to explain everything to you, Clara. I’ll explain other things as we go.”

“Okay!”

According to my memory, today the car and motorcycle clubs will be quiet due to a message from the Public Security Bureau.

Unlike in the past life, it’s rare for people to head to remote places for hobbies after being warned of danger.

In this world, life can be lost in an instant, so most people avoid such places on their own.

While continuing the conversation with Clara above the deserted tunnel,

A vehicle appeared in the distance, turning around the curve. Its headlights flickered.

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Rohan sprang up from his seat.

Buuung!!!

There were a total of eight vehicles. They filled up the two lanes completely.

The criminals were approaching quickly, as if speeding was a basic and essential option.

Rohan was satisfied with that.

In such a situation, there was no option for them to stop after discovering him and Clara.

The moment they noticed and stopped in front, the car following behind would crash into them.

Its fine if it unfolds that way.

The two leading vehicles were stepping on it excitedly, as if they were racing.

These guys were just posing and imitating, without even basic knowledge of security.

The b*stard is in the black luxury sedan in the third row.

He could see it. The car that the Doberman would be riding in came into view.

Buuung! uuung!

The car in front slowed down, unable to make a sudden stop, as if they had seen Rohan standing on top of the tunnel.

Seeing the best sign, Rohan rotated his shoulders in circles.

Hoo! Shall we go?

Oppa. Be careful.

Claras face was full of worry.

Rohan gently stroked the girls head.

Ill go first.

As soon as he finished speaking Sreung! He drew the sword from his back.

Rohan leaped onto the oncoming vehicle.