Chapter 107: The exchange battle ii

"The market value of the twin sisters is 900,000 coins."

"Why does the amount suddenly increase?"

"Well, particularly attention-grabbing squads tend to have that effect."

Our Fleshlight Squad can’t even surpass 100,000 when combined.

"Many impressive freshmen have gathered. Female warrior ’Brigid’ at 1.13 million, necromancer ’Costas’ at 2.39 million, and greatsword wielder ’Hilaria’ at 5.11 million..."

"..."

Though younger than me, they live in a world beyond comprehension.

As I scanned each of the promising talents destined for success, a peculiar thought crossed my mind.

In the past I wouldn’t have dared to approach such radiant, high-value female students.

"Ah. Do you see that tall boy over there? He’s a Vesta. Already boasting a market value of $8 million. He’s known for being handsome and kind. He has many female fans, and above all, his abilities..."

I squeezed Aria’s hand firmly, as if to silence her.

"Eh!?"

"Hey. Enough about the guys. Just drop it."

"..."

Aria’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.

"Ah... Yes... I messed up, Ren."

When my girlfriend mentions another guy, anger swells up inside of me, so I just cut her off.

What do I know about a guy with potential? Skip it.

Compared to Deherit’s loud boasting, her rank isn’t that high.

Considering that most of the hundreds gathered here, like me, haven’t been properly evaluated, it might be high after all.

’...I must surpass that level.’

The protagonist’s blood boils.

Why am I worth 0 coins? A version of me that refuses to accept this is born.

"Ah..."

At that moment it seemed as if Aria’s gaze was stolen by someone.

Following her line of sight, I too inadvertently lost myself in the view.

There was an unbelievably beautiful girl in the first year.

Even if the atmosphere differs, she stands out remarkably.

A girl in a school uniform donning custom-made armor, she appeared to be undoubtedly solo, without any companions.

No one dares to approach her.

Her hair is a light shade of red. Her face is pristine and exquisitely beautiful.

"I thought she was still on an overseas expedition."

"Who is that?"

"Quintia. She’s the daughter of the sword saint."

It was quicker to find her market value from the top.

Her name could be located on the highest line, where the number of zeros changed rapidly.

"It’s 130 million coins."

I was genuinely astounded.

The difference was so overwhelming that I couldn’t even fathom catching up with her at this moment.

How had she received such an evaluation at such a young age?

"..."

"Aria?"

"I’ve known her since before entering the academy... I’m a bit nervous. She’s participating in the upcoming exchange event."

"Have you ever spoken with her?"

"...No. I just observed her sword skills and learned from them."

Did she seem like an admired junior?

[**Crimson Eye** activation]

For a moment I was so startled that I deactivated the skill.

It was because I thought Quintia, who was at a distance, had turned to look in my direction.

Had she noticed? No, more importantly...

Even though it was brief, her eyes had appeared red, hadn’t they?

’Could it be...’

...Is it the same skill!?

Among the things I had received from Mira, this was the only one that wasn’t an authority.

It was merely a skill with an elevated rank.

It wouldn’t be unusual for someone to possess the original.

Holder of the same Crimson Eye faction.

Quintia gazed intently at me.

’...Shit. I’ve been caught.’

Facing ignorance, I avert my eyes.

There’s no use in fretting over being exposed already...

"Ren, the professor is here."

Elle calls out to me.

As she does, someone emerges from beyond the open training ground door, and the hall falls into a remarkable silence.

It was none other than Regina Dean.

For a moment I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her, but as she drew nearer that smile faded. Was this really the same Regina Dean I knew?

Her presence was overwhelmingly intimidating.

Everyone watched her regal stride, swallowing dry saliva. With a black coat draped over her shoulders, she made a grand entrance like a superstar, accompanied by large men who were presumably officials from the Hunter Association, Stardust Corporation, and her personal managers.

"I’ve never seen her in person before. A Master Hunter..."

Aria couldn’t even close her mouth.

"She’s stunning."

Admiration erupted from every direction.

"Why is the ’Empress’ participating in a second-year exchange match?"

"Isn’t she supposed to be at a ranking ceremony today?"

"This is a big deal... I just wanted to rest at home..."

Standing tall in the center of the training ground, Regina surveyed her surroundings for a moment before her eyes met mine. From that point on, the system messages kept coming.

**Regina Dean already has a very deep fondness for you.**

**Regina Dean already harbors a deep affection for you.**

[First Encounter with Regina Dean (Cancelled)]

[A Devilish Woman (Cancelled)]

...?

A series of ominous preceding quests were being cancelled one after another.

Was it because of the affection that had built up early on thanks to my character?

Regina gently waved her hand in my direction. I hadn’t been mistaken after all.

She was looking straight at me.

"Whoosh!"

"It’s Professor Regina Dean!"

"Master Dean! Please give me your autograph!"

The men in my direction simultaneously raised their hands and cheered.

Regina offered a wry little smile.

"She waved her hand at me, right? What should I do?"

Aria was also deeply moved.

This wasn’t the kind of atmosphere meant for welcoming an ordinary professor.

Was this the same Regina Dean who had once been snuggling in my arms?

"Is she really that incredible?"

Aria asked, her excitement bubbling over.

"Regina Dean is a legendary figure! Among the seven Master Hunters in the entire world, she’s the only one of Korean nationality."

"Only seven individuals worldwide?"

The scale was so immense it was difficult to comprehend.

She was the only Korean hunter among the seven?

"If an SS-rank Hunter is already at that level, how much more powerful would an SSS-rank Hunter be?"

Upon hearing my question, Aria tilted her head.

"What are you talking about? There’s no such thing as an SSS-rank hunter."

"...Huh?"

"Regina Dean is the strongest hunter in Korea... There isn’t even an SS-rank hunter who can hold a candle to her! Her market value is 23.4 billion."

What? 23.4 billion?

Not in currency— in coins?

I recalled what Regina had mentioned when we met before.

"Joining in now would be far too unfair to the others."

...Indeed.

Her words rang truer than I had initially realized.

Regina had achieved so much that she was completely incomparable to the other heroines.

She was not only someone I had been intimate with, but also a woman who could effortlessly provide for me for the rest of my life.

How many men would yearn to live as her loyal servant, or even as her pet?

If one were to become her pet...

Wouldn’t she be at a level where she could easily afford a luxurious mansion complete with a sprawling garden just as a doghouse?

’Wait... wait a moment.’

Did I climax with someone like that right after the game started?

Defeated by Soul Excretion... turned into jelly and forcibly subjected to a perverted fetish...

Wow...

If Regina had tried to retaliate, by now I would...

That’s not even the issue.

The most recent encounter flashed through my mind.

What was that intimate contact with a D-class academy student in the alley?

I knew it was a dangerous bridge.

But I hadn’t realized it meant crossing a chasm on a fragile glass bridge.

The fact that the scandalous photo of Regina and me had almost made the news headlines made me feel dizzy.

"Ren? What’s wrong? Your face has gone pale."

"I’m remembering past... memories."

"I will violate you, Teacher."

"With such a base power... have I been wrapped in your clutches?"

"What if you were?"

"Yes... oh, oh, oh, oh "

This wasn’t a delusion.

These were all real conversations. A cold sweat trickled down my spine.

Since the goddess had removed the difficulty of the attack, the order of the heroines had been meaningless from the start.

"Today, Regina Dean is in charge of the exchange match. Please take good care of me."

Cheers erupted from the academy students.

I swallowed dry saliva and clapped along with everyone else.

"First, since some of you are new to exchange matches, I should explain."

Gravitational waves appeared at the center of the training ground.

Regina approached and lightly touched them.

As the shape of the gravitational waves distorted, they assumed a slightly more complex pattern.

’She’s directly interfering with the gravitational waves.’

Is such a feat even possible?

Judging by everyone’s astonishment, it didn’t seem like something just anyone could do.

I should begin by explaining the concept.

What you refer to as a ’dungeon,’ I perceive as a form of ’discipline.’"

I had never attended a lecture like this before. I could hardly breathe.

I could tell everyone was incredibly focused.

Each word, every statement...

These were the words of an influential person with the potential to be worth billions.

With that in mind, it was immensely nerve-wracking.

What kind of expression should I wear when I see her next?

Regina, who had once implored me to caress her, now seemed like a character from a completely different world.

Amidst this growing sense of distance, the Master Hunter’s lecture continued.

"In this space, we are subjected to ’rules different from those of the real world.’ Understanding this is crucial to becoming a hunter capable of reaching higher levels."

One realizes this quickly when using a gun.

Aria had mentioned it when I faced an absurdly powerful foe. The more complex the mechanical device, the less likely it is to function properly.