Ever since I entered Sera, all kinds of crises had been happening.

First, I fought with a Demonic Human, then the Boy King, who had completely mastered a forgotten sorcery. I even fought with an Ancient God from another dimension.

In short, I had seen all kinds of things.

But, I still didnt know how to handle this situation.

...

...

Silence enveloped us.

...Hey.

Yes?

Why are we in this position?

Somehow, I managed to bring the topic up, but it didnt seem like Iliya, who was clutching one of my arms, had any intentions to let it go.

The burning firewood was our only source of light, so her face was protected by the shades as she was resting her head on my shoulder.

I could tell that she was wearing the cheerful smile she always wore.

...

But, with the lighting, that smile of hers felt much more Um How do I put this?

Cunning?

[She is.]

...

[I thought you knew about it already?]

I Did, yeah.

There was no way I wouldnt know.

Everyone with a functioning pair of eyes would notice how unusual she looked right now.

She looked like a carnivore eyeing her prey right in front of her.

[By the way, shes the third one.]

...Sorry?

[Im talking about the girls who are sticking to you to take your first time.]

...

[I cant believe that Id see my sister on that list.]

What the hell happened when I was away?

Hmm.

As I broke out in cold sweat with that question in my head, Iliya made such a sound as she dawdled around.

Then, she hugged my arm even tighter.

...Youre too close.

I tried to point that out, but she responded with no change in her expression.

Because its cold.

...

And youre warming me up, Teach.

Let alone letting me go, instead she said that while sticking her body even closer to mine.

After that

Yap.

She shifted her body so shed lay right in front of me, seemingly ready to dig into my arms.

The back of her head touched my chest and the fragrance coming from her orange hair tickled my nose.

Teach.

Hm?

You already know what Im about to do from now on, right?

...

At the sentence that she suddenly dropped without any pretense, I clenched my mouth shut.

Of course, there was no way I wouldnt know.

I could sense it in my skin, how both of us had been trying hard to read the atmosphere.

Both of us had already known what this punk was aiming for and what I was going to say as a response.

...Youre going to say no, arent you?

...

I looked at Iliya, who was wearing a bitter expression.

...I do understand, Teach.

She said with a pout.

I know its dangerous. There are a lot of people around you whod go crazy the moment you hold a girls hand even if its by accident.

...

She was right.

As someone the Devils were fiercely obsessing over, crossing that fine line between a man and a woman was like taking the suicide express trainno matter who I did it with.

However

Yeah, but the bigger problem is you.

I said with a sigh.

Excuse me?

If we cross that line, the Devils will rush at you far more viciously than they will at me.

...

Yes, I wouldnt be the only one in danger, this punk would be too.

She wasnt a Devil and she wasnt me, the subject those Devils fell in love with.

If she crossed that line with me, this punk would become the sole target of rage of the seven Devils.

...

There was no way I could let that happen.

That was the kind of hardship that even I wasnt confident Id survive.

I can't just let you die. It might be another story if you approach me like this after the whole situation is over. But not now.

...Sure, sure. Whatever you say. All youre doing is putting it off again.

Iliya pouted again.

Will it kill you to say something along the lines of you liking me even if it's just empty words? You said Im precious before

I have no thought of lying about that.

...

Iliyas body stiffened.

Her expression froze with her lips still pouting.

Briefly, she casted her pupils down.

Then, she went silent for a while, as if thinking about what I had just said.

And then

...

She blushed furiously.

It reached even her ears. Her face looked as if steam would come out of the top of her head.

After barely calming her rough breathing, she managed to let out something to say.

...Sorry?

Those arent empty words. I really like you.

Seeing her reaction, I calmly answered.

...

She suddenly shook her hands and feet around, as if she was glitching.

I was being sincere.

All the other girls fell in love with me mostly because of my characteristics, saying fuck it to any sort of plausibility or progress of plot.

But this punk was feeling that way without any intervention from any kind of special power. With her own will.

That set her apart from the others.

It meant that her feelings were genuine, not influenced by other factors.

That was why, Id need to convey my true feelings too.

Lets do it.

...Excuse me?

After the situation is settled, lets do everything. Sleeping together, marriage, everything. Ill listen to whatever it is that you want.

...

I, too, want to do all that stuff with you. I really do.

Iliya looked at me, completely frozen.

She seemed surprised that I answered so coolly.

Because youre precious to me.

I didnt treat her like this solely because she was an important character in the scenario.

Regardless of the process, it was true that she poured all her heart and soul to make a move on me.

Even if I couldnt accept her now, Id return her feelings later. She was that precious to me as a person.

Hearing what I said

Iliya slightly lowered her head.

Because of the lighting, I couldnt see her expression, but I could tell that she was still blushing furiously.

...Teach.

Hm?

You really should gain a better understanding of your own situation.

The next moment

Heaven and earth flipped over.

...

To be exact, Iliya turned my whole body upside down.

Then, she climbed on my stomach with a swift movement, just like flowing water.

...You punk, what are you!

I said in a panic. She gasped as she pushed her face close to mine.

Only then did I manage to see her expression.

Compared to before, it seemed like she had lost her reason to an extent.

...

Actually, that was if I put it nicely.

To put it more bluntly

She looked horny.

Like, really fucking horny.

Teach, do you know howfrail of a man you are?

...

Im not, youre just a monster for being able to say that to someone who interacts closely with the Devils!

Then again, without Desperation, I couldnt say anything even if she were to treat me like that.

If you keep saying such such such things that make you look tasty, even though youre so frail! Id have no choice but to eat you!

...

The fuck was she saying?

...You, did you even listen to what I

Yes, I did.

Iliya answered with a broad smile.

About that, I just need to be able to defeat all the Devils, no?

...

What kind of batshit crazy dogshit was she spouting?

I looked at her with a shocked expression as she continued in a stammer.

I-I-It wont be impossible if I-I wield the Holy Sword and my qualifications to become the Hero is acknowledged, n-no?

...Thats true, but!

She was out of her mind, but she still managed to hit the bulls eye.

Like she said, shed grow into a monster capable of doing something similar after she grabbed the Holy Sword and became the Hero.

But

Its not even confirmed thats going to happen. Why are you already trying to take the risk!

We can do it first and deal with the consequences later!

...

Isnt that what youve been doing all this time?

...

She was right, but-

Her eyes had lost their focus.

Which meant she didnt think about it deeply before saying it.

As I pondered such thoughts, a powerful shout was heard from Soul Linker.

[I SAID DO IT WHERE I CANT SEE, YOU MOTHERFUCKKKKKKKKKKERS-!!!!!!!!!!!]

...

Huh, have I ever seen him losing his mind like this?

When I looked at the Soul Linker, Caliban continued talking. His voice sounded as if he had no desire to live anymore.

[I wanna die. Im out. Gonna go faint. Dont talk to me.]

That was the last words I heard from him before he cut off his connection from Soul Linker.

This fucker actually turned off his consciousness. Well, technically, it was pretty much the same thing as fainting.

...Wait, thats not the problem!

I turned to look at Iliya, who let out heavy pants with her eyes wide open.

Her eyes were glazed. Half of her breasts exposed as the front of her uniform was undone, making her look especially suggestive. However, she seemed so overtaken by lust that such things no longer mattered to her.

...Lets calm down for now.

I'm calm!

...

Nah.

Youre absolutely fucking not.

Desperation.

No, its not that the skill activated; its that this situation is actually just desperation.

Since it has come to this!

Time to exercise force against her.

With such thoughts, I tried my best to push her off me, but

...Whats this? Are you trying to act cute?

...

The fuck, why was she so strong?

She didnt show any indication of budging. Without Desperation, I could feel the power gap between usit was as if she could overpower me with a finger.

I looked at her, who was shoving herself closer to me and breathing heavily with a flushed face.

Just stay right there. Look up at the sky and count the stars or something.

...

B-Because Ill finish it r-really q-quickly!

I closed my eyes tightly after I saw her pressing down on my chest with unfocused eyes.

Please.

Somebody, save me!

Right as I was thinking this

...Seriously?

A voice was heard from the sky.

And then-

What are you two doing?

A familiar red flame

Blew up the Trees of Illusion around us all at once.

...

...

...

Silence three times more terrible than earlier filled the camp.

Only Talion, who was casually grilling the meat he had brought on the bonfire, seemed unperturbed by this.

Senior Brother and Iliya, are you not going to eat?

...Forget it.

...Same.

Gloomy voices echoed at that time.

Shame and awkwardness were mixed in the voices.

The voices came from Iliya, who was barely able to be restrained before she went totally out of control, and me, who was found in an embarrassing situation that I would never show to anyone.

But still, there were things I had to ask, regardless of how I felt.

...By the way, how did you get here?

Miss Faenol brought me here. She said something about feeling Senior Brothers soul returning.

...

I turned to look at Faenol, who returned my stare with an expressionless gaze.

...Its a relief that you look so healthy.

Though she said that with a smile...

That smile of hers was incredibly unnatural. There was zero doubt of that.

It felt like she didnt have any intention to hide the fact that she was angry.

...

Hey.

I thought you said you couldnt feel any emotions.

So, why does it feel like youre skinning me alive with just your atmosphere?

Rather than that, theres something I want to tell you, Senior Brother.

...Hm?

Talion said suddenly, so I turned to look at him. He shrugged before continuing.

This is the information I got from the Chancellor. According to her, the difficulty of the exam is going to drastically increase starting tomorrow.

...

...

Iliya and I smiled bitterly at the confidential information that he leaked so nonchalantly.

Seeing to how shameless they were, it actually made my mind go blank.

...No, wait Actually

It would be stupid to not do something like this, especially considering the privileges that came with the Hero title.

Rather, it would be right to consider this as a part of the ordeal.

It felt like it was also assessing the national power of each country and which could support their Hero Candidates best behind the scenes.

Since Ill have to elaborate slowly, Ill start with the conclusion

Talion paused as he looked around.

...

...

...

The heavy and devastating silence was still going on.

No one seemed to be willing to talk to each other.

Talion continued after clearing his throat.

It wasnt like he could just stay silent after going this far.

...I think you might need to go around with us tomorrow, so

...

...Lets get through the difficulties together. All four of us.

Ah.

With these members?

With the enraged Faenol and Iliya, who was ever so diligently engaging in a battle of nerves with her?

...

Ah.

Should I just go fucking die?