"Ah, damn. Footsteps again."
"Let's stay on guard and assess the situation."
Jacob swallowed nervously as he heard the sound of footsteps from a distance.
It was the morning of the third day since the field trip began, and this forest had turned into hell.
The academy students, in order to avoid failing, were attacking other parties, and those who were attacked retaliated by attacking weaker groups to maintain their grades.
In this hellish environment, where one could experience survival of the fittest firsthand, Jacob's party was playing the role of the weak.
That made sense, as Jacob's party wasn’t put together with such considerations in mind.
They hadn’t intended to aim for high grades in this field trip.
They were a group of old friends who had gathered with the simple goal of collecting enough loot to avoid failing, planning to spend the rest of their time leisurely camping in the forest.
As a result, their party wasn’t strong. If they entered the academy’s dungeon, they’d struggle and likely lose to the boss on the 10th floor.
Thanks to that, from the first night when Lucy Alrn began her raiding spree, they had consistently been prey for other parties.
They had risked their lives to painstakingly collect loot, only to have it taken away.
They shed tears of blood as they fought monsters to collect more loot, only to be raided by yet another party and lose it all again.
In the midst of numerous hardships, they managed to gather loot piece by piece, only to be attacked by another group.
For Jacob’s party, this field trip was no longer a learning experience. It was pure torment—punishment for the grave sin of being weak.
This wasn’t the field trip Jacob had envisioned.
He had dreamed of hunting monsters with his friends, gathering around a campfire under the starry sky late at night, enjoying its warmth as they chatted.
How did what should have been a fun field trip turn into this? Jacob clenched his teeth as he listened to the approaching footsteps.
We won’t just sit back and let them take from us anymore. I’ve been through enough hardship. This time, I’ll strike back properly.
Yes, this time, we’ll be the ones taking! With that resolve, Jacob gripped his sword tightly, but as soon as he saw the face of the person emerging from the bushes, his determination vanished.
"Good to see you."
Arthur Soladin. The third prince of the Soladin Kingdom and one of the top ten most powerful individuals at Soul Academy.
The people behind him were equally capable, strong enough to be members of Arthur's party.
No matter how much Jacob’s party struggled, they had no chance of winning against them.
Damn it, of all people! Jacob bit his lip when he saw them. There was no point in resisting. They’d be crushed by the overwhelming power in front of them.
Instead, it was better to plead for mercy. Since they had nothing to offer, they could at least beg not to be stripped of what little they had.
"Ah, don’t worry. We’re not here to take your loot."
"...Really?"
"Of course. If we were here to steal, do you think we'd be having this conversation?"
Arthur’s words made sense. If he intended to raid them, there wouldn’t be any need for this conversation. A single command from him, and Jacob’s party would be on their knees.
"Then why are you here?"
"I’m planning something. And for that, I need the students of this academy to unite."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Do you think it’s right for the one responsible for turning this field trip into a disaster to be walking around with a smile on their face?"
The one responsible for the chaos. There was no need to ask who he was referring to. Everyone in the forest knew the name.
Lucy Alrn.
The most powerful individual on the continent.
The most knowledgeable person at the academy.
A genius breaking records at Soul Academy.
The very person who had saved Jacob’s life during the entrance exam.
"I plan to make her understand the original sin she committed. Ideally, I’d like to take her down with just my party, but Lucy Alrn is too strong for that."
"So, you plan to unite all of the academy’s students to attack her together?"
"Exactly. I don’t want to leave even the smallest variable in her favor."
Arthur’s words were filled with determination. It was clear how much thought he had put into this.
"And of course, those who participate in this will be fairly compensated. We’ll divide Lucy Alrn’s loot equally among everyone."
Fair distribution of Lucy Alrn’s loot.
Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.
Since the first night, Lucy had raided countless parties, amassing a great deal of loot. No one knew exactly how much she had, but it had to be substantial.
If they could take it from her and share it equally, Jacob’s party might be able to avoid failing the field trip.
"Is that really true?"
One of Jacob’s friends, thinking along the same lines, spoke up, and Arthur nodded.
"I swear on my honor as a prince."
The promise made by the prince of a kingdom carried a weight that could not be taken lightly.
As Jacob’s party members began to murmur with newfound hope, Jacob, who had brought the group together, stepped forward.
"I’m sorry, Prince Arthur."
"Are you saying you refuse my offer?"
"Yes. Lady Alrn saved my life. I cannot betray her."
Lucy had probably long forgotten Jacob even existed. To a star like her, writing new history, someone like Jacob was insignificant.
But even so, a creature of the earth could not forget a star in the sky. Arthur watched Jacob bow his head in silence, then let out a small laugh.
"Don’t you want to ask what your friends think?"
"Ah, well..."
"No, Your Highness. We agree with Jacob."
"How could we attack someone who saved our friend’s life?"
Before Jacob could respond, his friends spoke up from behind him. They all shared the same sentiment as Jacob.
"She might come to see you as her enemy."
"We’ve got nothing left to lose anyway! If she wants to take dust from our empty pockets, she’s welcome to it!"
Jacob’s normally talkative friend, his voice trembling, made the remark, causing Arthur to burst into laughter.
As the rest of the group remained silent, Arthur chuckled for a long time before clearing his throat and speaking with a soft smile.
"Very well. I’ll respect your decision. But don’t interfere. If you do, I’ll have no choice but to treat you as enemies."
With that final remark, Arthur left, and Jacob’s legs gave out beneath him as he collapsed to the ground.
That was terrifying. Is that what it means to have the blood of a king? I thought I was going to be devoured.
"You idiot! Why’d you say something like that without discussing it first?!"
"I thought we were going to die, you moron!"
"Screw you! You go hunt monsters by yourself and gather the loot, you piece of trash!"
But Jacob didn’t have time to reflect on what had just happened. His friends’ affectionate hands and feet began to pummel him before he could think any further.
Even when Faybi stepped forward, they didn’t relax. Instead, they were quick to point their weapons at us.
Not that it made any difference. It’s not like glaring harder is going to stop my party.
After Faybi’s buffs, Joy would cast the first spell, creating confusion. Then I’d break through and draw their aggro, allowing Frey and me to take them out one by one.
Even if they all teamed up, they couldn’t land a scratch on me, those weaklings.
After looting yet another party, I stowed their offerings in my inventory and checked the spoils I’d collected so far.
Wow. I really have gathered a lot. Even in terms of a game, this is quite a haul.
Maybe it’s because I worked so hard for it, but it feels really satisfying. With this, I’m pretty much guaranteed first place for the field trip.
As I smiled contentedly at the sight, I heard the sound of rustling in the bushes, but I didn’t bother turning my head. I already knew who it was.
"Miss Lina? What brings you here?"
"There’s only one reason I would come to this place, wouldn’t you agree?"
"Ah..."
As soon as the dumb fox raised her voice, Joy gave me a look of pity.
Even Faybi, who usually gave me wary glances when we were raiding, now had a sympathetic expression as she looked at me.
You really are impressive, dumb fox. You’re so gross that you’re making everyone feel sorry for me.
I didn’t bother hiding my disgust as I looked down at the fox, whose tail was wagging wildly.
"I like that look. Could you glare at me a bit more?"
‘Die.’
"Why are you still alive? Disgusting. Die. Go kill yourself."
"Mmm, how delicious. I’d love to savor more, but I have something to tell you, so I’ll stop for now."
The dumb fox said that and reverted to her human form.
The fox, who was unusually tall for a woman, stood in front of me, who was practically a child in comparison. As she took on her human shape, I naturally had to look up at her.
Just seeing her look down at me with those filthy eyes made me angry. For some reason, whenever I’m with her, my tolerance for anger seems to drop.
"Aren't you supposed to be crawling on all fours, like the livestock you are? Why are you pretending to be human? Sit down, you disgusting perverted fox."
"Wooof!"
Just watching the dumb fox bark like a dog without me even having to command her... it wasn’t calming me down at all.
Ah, damn. The longer I’m around this pervert, the more I feel like I’m becoming tainted too.
"So, what is it you wanted to say?"
"Wooof!"
"Are you the master of this forest or just an idiot who can’t even grasp the situation? Pathetic. You're a lowly perverted mutt who can’t do anything but act like a freak."
The dumb fox panted and wagged her tail happily at my words, but when she caught the stern gazes of Joy and Faybi, she coughed awkwardly and began to speak.
Of course, she was still on all fours as she did.
"It seems that the academy’s students are planning to unite and attack you."
‘Centered around Arthur, I presume?’
"Yes, that pitiful little prince is at the center of it all."
"You already knew?"
Of course, I knew. I’ve caused enough chaos in this forest that it’s only natural for hatred to be directed my way.
My reputation is already in the gutter, so it’s no surprise that I’d become the common enemy.
"I could hide you and your party in my mansion, if you'd like."
‘I don’t need it.’
"Hide in the house of livestock? No thanks. I don’t want to reek of animal stench."
Why would I need to hide? The loot is practically walking right up to me, begging to be taken.
"Do you have a plan?"
‘Of course I do.’
"Of course."