NOVEL NEXT Chapter 65
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’d appreciate it if you understand.”
I shake my head while looking at Makoto, who is still in a prayer pose.
“What should I do? I don’t want to understand.”
“What do you mean…?”
It’s time to unleash my delinquent-like face.
I put on the most menacing expression I can muster.
Makoto’s eyes tremble at my transformation into a total black-haired delinquent.
“I already know who you are. I knew you’d transfer to our academy a week ago.”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Kim. Hahaha. If it’s about taking a bath, I’ll try to make that happen later…”
“You’re Kamiya Makoto from the Kamiya family.”
Makoto’s face stiffens instantly.
“Kamiya family? Really, Kim, you’ve been saying a bunch of nonsense since earlier…”
“A week ago, the National Intelligence Service gave me some interesting intel.”
At the mention of the National Intelligence Service, Makoto’s eyes flicker.
Unlike the other students at the academy, since Makoto was involved with the underworld, it didn’t require an explanation that the National Intelligence Service is Korea’s intelligence agency—a spot-on guess.
“They say the assassin from the Kamiya family, Kamiya Makoto, will disguise herself as a transfer student aiming for my life.”
The fact that she’s aiming for my life was just a throwaway line to bring up the topic of the National Intelligence Service.
At least it should have been.
“…You caught me. It can’t be helped.”
Makoto laughs sorrowfully.
It’s real.
I really stepped in it, like catching a rat while stumbling backward.
“Sorry, Kim. Now that I’ve been caught…”
Makoto’s face falls as she begins to summon her magic.
My mind spins quickly.
I’m confident I could win a fight against Makoto directly.
But, I’m not sure I could subdue her all at once without making a sound.
If the fight drags on, the dorm supervisor will arrive, and she’ll get expelled.
If the title heroine of volume 8 drops out early, it’s guaranteed there will be serious issues in tackling the final boss.
Plus, if an explosion happens and I end up dead, that would be troublesome.
So, I have to stop her here.
Even if it means throwing her the most enticing bait.
“I know how to remove the nano machine bomb inside you.”
“…What?”
The green magic rising from Makoto’s body subsides.
Her gaze wavers.
Just as I predicted—hooked.
“Liar…”
“It’s not a lie; it’s true.”
The title heroine from volume 5.
The super-genius beautiful girl scientist and the younger sister of Ishihara Daiki, Ishihara Saori.
Originally, she was supposed to find Durandal at an antique shop, but instead, she developed the inhibitor for Makoto’s nano machine bomb and even ended up completely removing it at the end.
“I’m the one who developed the bomb suppressor and ultimately removed it completely.
Anyway, Volume 5 is already a lost episode.
It wouldn’t be so bad to get involved with Saori like this.
‘Your bomb. I will remove it. But in exchange… If the bomb disappears, you must serve me instead of the Guild Master. That’s my condition, Kamiya Makoto.’
And thus, Slave No. 4 comes after Olivia, Senior Kasumi, and Nishizawa.
That’s the role Makoto will take on moving forward.
If she didn’t want this, she shouldn’t have become my roommate.
‘…’
Makoto falls silent.
Looks like she’s deep in thought.
‘If you don’t like it, you can face me here. You know you have no chance against me head-on, right?’
After all, Makoto has no option besides cooperating with me.
She must know it too.
A head-on confrontation after all the assassination plans have been uncovered is the worst-case scenario for an assassin.
Makoto crosses her arms over her chest.
With a trembling voice and a flushed face, she asks, ‘…Kim-kun, does serving mean offering my body, heart, and even my virginity to you?’
What?
What the heck did I just hear?
‘No.’
Am I going crazy?
Why the sudden jump to that?
‘According to intelligence, I heard that your nickname is the Black Beast. The lowest of the low, a debaucher who has toyed with the bodies and hearts of many academy girls, including the Platinum Princess and the Samurai of the Cold Wind…’
‘That’s not true!’
How much further has that damned rumor about the Black Beast spread? I’m starting to fear for my reputation.
I’m sick of these light novel level leaps in serious conversations.
Can’t we just have a normal dialogue, please?
‘I wouldn’t want someone like you.’
If this keeps up, we might end up in a chaotic mess.
I should cut this off here.
Hearing my words, Makoto gives a bittersweet smile.
She plays with her bandaged chest and says, ‘So Kim-kun isn’t into masculine girls like me… I’m a bit disappointed.’
Is she going off the rails again?
My frustration is reaching its limit.
I clutch my throbbing temples.
‘Are you going to do it or not? Just answer that.’
‘…If Kim-kun can really show me such a miracle…’
Makoto closes her eyes.
‘I’ll dedicate all of myself to you. If you can really do it.’
With a wry smile, Makoto murmurs, ‘…But that’s impossible.’
It was the moment for the birth of Slave No. 4.
‘I will be your sword.’
‘Alright.’
A line forms at the corner of my mouth.
There’s no need to worry about Makoto breaking her promise.
In this kind and honorable world of light novels, every promise is always kept.
‘You’re quite positive, Kim-kun…’
Makoto smiles bitterly.
When she’s dressed as a boy, her style resembles a prince, but her true nature is meant to be gentle and introspective.
Since she doesn’t need to wear the prince mask, her original personality is coming through.
‘…I really hope I can be freed, just as you said.’
Ignoring Makoto, who looks wistful, I tap on my phone screen.
[Hey, Ishihara]
[Did you call, big brother?]
[I need to meet your little sister.]
Ishihara Saori is a super genius scientist Japan is proud of.
Despite still being a student, she has made remarkable contributions in interpreting, analyzing, and developing dozens of new super weapons based on lost technologies from numerous other worlds.”
A scientist who made remarkable contributions to interpreting and analyzing the knowledge, developing dozens of new prototype weapons.
He is the head of Japan’s largest research institution, the Japan Otherworld Research Institute, and is also a character rumored to be a Nobel Prize candidate.
“How ridiculous.”
A Nobel Prize candidate as a student, really?
It can’t get more exaggerated than this typical light novel setting.
Why not just claim he won three Nobel Prizes already?
Anyway, the person Saori likes the most is the Black Prince, Raul Napoleon Bonaparte.
In the original volume 5, her finding Durandal, which was collecting dust in an antique shop, is set up because she is a huge fan of the Black Prince.
At that time, Olivia and Yuji were on a student dispatch mission escorting Saori.
“So if I hand Durandal over as research material, it might work as a trade.”
Shuo Hero Academy enjoys a special status close to being a neutral country, thanks to Principal Seira Yoshizaki.
No matter how much of a big deal Ishihara Saori is, she can’t just mess with the students of Shuo Academy.
With Durandal right in front of her, she must have been losing her mind with excitement.
So, a trade it is.
Hmm.
A reply comes in.
[Why is my little sister acting like that all of a sudden?]
[Brother. Are you trying to charm my little sister too······! The claws of the Black Beast have reached Saori-chan too······!]
Another mention of the Black Beast?
Is this turning into a circus?
[Shut up and just talk.]
[Yes, understood.]
The message is abruptly cut off.
And not even a second passes before messages from an unknown account start coming in.
[Hi there, Deokseong-chan!]
[It’s Saori-chan, your number one fan!]
[I hear Deokseong-chan is looking for me? My brother told me!]
[I really wanted to see my favorite Deokseong-chan!! Heart pounding!! (*≧∀≦*)(*≧∀≦*)]
[But Saori-chan is a good fan, so I waited for Deokseong-chan to reach out first!!]
[Thanks for contacting me!! Today, Saori-chan achieved her lifelong wish★ (=￣▽￣=)Ｖ]
[You were missing me, huh?? ＠＾▽＾＠＠＾▽＾＠]
My brows instinctively furrow.
What, Deokseong-chan?
The title of “Junior of Kasumi-senpai” sounds like heaven compared to this unbearable title.
Just hearing it without even seeing her face makes me tired.
“And she’s my fan?”
This is a setting that doesn’t exist in the original.
Wait a second.
“Original Saori was also a fan of Olivia, the Black Prince’s heir.”
The reason she specifically pointed out Olivia during the dispatch mission was because of that.
However, here, I have appointed Olivia as my exclusive maid and rightfully obtained Durandal.
Plus, I share black hair, black eyes, and black magical energy with the Black Prince.
“It seems she sees me like the Black Prince’s successor.”
Hmm.
Durandal vibrates.
“This might turn out to be easier than I thought.”
I got lucky.
I tap on the smartphone pad and send a reply.
[I have a favor to ask.]
[What kind of favor? ＠＾▽＾＠]
[A friend of mine is feeling a bit sick. I’d like you to take a look at her.]
[That’s no problem! Should I check now? Or tomorrow?]
[Let’s meet tomorrow.]
Tomorrow happens to be Saturday.
A day off.
It’s disappointing to waste my precious day off like this, but it can’t be helped.
[Got it! Come to the head researcher’s office at the Japan Otherworld Research Institute tomorrow!]
The message cuts off.
“Clear your schedule for tomorrow. I’m coming to deal with your bomb.”
“······Okay.”
Makoto nods slightly.
“Oh, and if you’re uncomfortable, you can take off the pants in this room.”
“Really…?”
Makoto’s eyes widen.
Her cheeks turn red.
“Yeah.”
Since it’s already known that I’m female, is there really a need to hide it even here?
“…Thank you, Kim.”
Makoto’s face flushes even more.
As she loosens the front of her shirt, a bandage is revealed.
When our eyes meet, her eyes waver.
“C-Could you look away? It’s embarrassing…”
I turn my gaze.
Rustle, rustle.
I hear the sound of the bandage coming undone.
“It’s all done. You can turn back now.”
I turn my head.
There, with her head bowed and hands covering her big chest wrapped in a sports bra, is a cute girl with a green bob cut, blushing profusely.
“This, it’s strange after all… A chest this size… It’s ugly…”
It’s getting ridiculous.
Why is she asking me this at such a time?
Unbelievable.
“It’s not strange, so stop saying nonsense and get to sleep. We’re going out tomorrow.”
“Really? It’s not strange?”
“Ugh, what do you hear people saying? It’s not strange at all, so just sleep.”
“Okay!”
Makoto lets out a big smile and lies down on her bed.
She turns off the lights in the accommodation and lies down.
It has been a tiring day in many ways.
*
Saturday.
Japan Otherworld Research Institute.
As a crucial facility of Japan, it had stringent security, but with a single invitation from Saori, Makoto and I could pass through all the checks.
Finally, when we reached the research director’s office deep inside the institute.
[Welcome. With Deok-Sung and, who was it again? Anyway, come in.]
Beeep.
The automatic door opens, revealing the office inside.
The first thing that catches my eye is my photos and posters covering three sides of the office.
“No way, this is a bit too much?”
I’m not some idol.
Where on earth did they get so many of my posters and pictures?
Moreover, everything written on the posters was in Korean, not Japanese.
[This Year’s Great Korean! K-hero Kim Deok-Sung.]
[A special poster capturing the moments of K-hero Kim Deok-Sung’s activities]
[The Great Hero representing South Korea, Kim Deok-Sung]
[Son of Korea, Shining in the World!]
The childish Hangul plastered on the posters clearly seemed like products made in Korea.
“So I’ve been selling my goods in Korea without even knowing it?”
Are they out of their minds?
I need to contact Han Seo-Jin after this is all over.
I should make her report the profits from these goods’ likeness rights.
They’ve been secretly generating income from the likeness rights in various ways.
Just like the national pride YouTubers, everything should be turned into a cash vending machine.
Beeep.
As Makoto and I enter, the research office’s automatic door closes.
“Deok-Sung!!”
A red-haired girl wearing a T-shirt with my face on it under a white lab coat rushes towards me.
“Whoa, it’s really the Black Beast, Deok-Sung! It’s the real deal, I’m seeing it for the first time!!”
Her sparkling eyes and excited voice.
Surprisingly, the voice that spills from her mouth is fluent Korean.
Every time the red-haired girl jumps up and down, the name tag reading [Director of Otherworld Research Institute, Ishihara Saori] shakes on her chest.
“Ehehehe. Our Deok-Sung looks even better in real life.”
Saori’s face turns red.
“Damn it.”
I can’t help but curse.
Hearing her call me “-chan” directly hits harder than I thought.