The Villain is Too Good at Sniping

35. Hellish Party Recruitment (2)

The grand square in the center of Arsen’s campus.

Hundreds of people flock to this place every day. If you add the commuting population, it would exceed a thousand.

Most of the commuting population gathers in the afternoon. After finishing their daily routines, the upperclassmen would often hold drinking parties here.

Now is the peak hour of the afternoon, the hottest time of the day. So, it wasn’t unusual to run into Rebecca here.

“What are you doing here?”

“As you can see, we’re recruiting team members.”

“It seems like you’re being quite picky about who you choose.”

You knew it all along, didn’t you?

“I’ve told you before, but you’re being too optimistic about life at Arsene. You might end up getting left behind.”

“Is that advice from a senior?”

“Yes, even though I may seem like this, I’m someone who entered a year earlier than you.”

Rebecca, with her arms crossed, took a step back, just like she always did.

A red necklace hung around her neck, and a small dagger was decorated on her waist. Both were hidden pieces obtained from the previous Lacunia Cave.

Rebecca glanced sideways, noticing my gaze. She gave me a piece of advice, pretending not to know.

“Arsene isn’t a place to be taken lightly. There are students who haven’t graduated for years. If an opportunity arises, you should grab it. For now, people are being friendly towards you, but who knows for how long—”

“Then, will you join our team?”

“…Yes?”

I threw in a casual remark before the small talk began. It seemed like Rebecca was taken aback by my words.

“The student council president of Arsene isn’t an easy position.”

“That’s right. It’s a shame.”

“Yes.”

The conversation seemed to have ended there.

“But, I can spare some time.”

…What did I just say?

This time, I was taken aback. For a moment, I thought she was joking. But looking at Rebecca’s calm eyes, it didn’t seem like that.

The atmosphere became still, as if there was nothing more to say. Rebecca stood silently for a moment, then looked towards the grand square in the distance.

A bespectacled 2nd-year student, Amelia, the secretary of the student council, was walking towards us from afar.

“I’ll take my leave.”

“…….”

Rebecca naturally blended into the crowd of student council members and disappeared.

Of course, I had to wait for a while longer on the bench. The sun had already set, casting an orange glow in the sky.

***

As Rebecca said, Arsene is a place of opportunity for anyone, but it’s not a paradise.

Arsene pushes talented students to their limits, but it’s merciless towards those who lack ability.

Those who can do it are pushed from behind. Those who can’t are left behind until they can do it.

For example, if a student fails to meet the academic requirements, they won’t be allowed to graduate until they make up for it. Arsene doesn’t care about the student’s age.

Expulsion only applies to 1st and 2nd-year students. From the 3rd year onwards, there’s no expulsion, only graduation or dropout. That’s all that’s left.

However, if someone fails to a point where they need to repeat the year, it’s already a significant investment of time in Arsene, so they can’t easily choose to drop out. Their motivation gradually decreases, and they can’t even reach half of their original capacity.

In the end, they fail to meet the academic requirements and are stuck in a rut. Rebecca’s words were exactly that.

“Arsene isn’t a place to be taken lightly. There are students who haven’t graduated for years. If an opportunity arises, you should grab it.”

It’s not just a warning. In this Arsene, there are actually students who haven’t graduated for years.

Hae-su-ro has been around for 8 years, and I’m a 3rd-year student who’s been held back five times. Among 3rd-year students, I’m treated like a legendary figure, and in the community, they call me ‘Oh-su’, a name derived from a character in a children’s animation.

The person I’ve been waiting for is none other than that person. Unfortunately, they didn’t show up today.

It’s already late at night.

“I’m in trouble, today’s not going well.”

I had no choice but to seek help from an acquaintance. Although we just met today, they offered to help me first, so I have a good reason to ask.

[Shion: Senior.]

[Silia: What’s going on? Why did you contact me?]

[Shion: I have something to ask.]

[Silia: What is it? Tell me.]

[Shion: First, I’d like to give you a gift.]

[I sent a gifticon.]

As a person, I have a conscience. Before I say anything, I gave a gifticon as a present.

[Silia: What’s this?]

[Silia: Wow, thank you.]

[Shion: I have a favor to ask, senior.]

[Silia: Okay! Tell me! Tell me!]

[Shion: There’s someone named Edel in the 3rd year, Edel de Bison.]

[Silia: Ah, that… legendary person?]

[Shion: I need their help for a personal matter, but I can’t seem to meet them.]

[Shion: Do you know where they are?]

[Silia: Ah… just a moment?]

This isn’t someone whose name can’t be spoken out loud.

Edel seems to be a taboo existence even among 2nd-year students.

I waited for a moment, and Silia’s response arrived quickly. The last message included a location map.

[Silia: They might be on the 3rd floor of the Laon Site building.]

[Silia: I included the location just in case!]

[Silia: And don’t worry about this kind of thing, I’m your senior!]

[Silia: If you need help again, let me know!]

[Shion: Thank you. (bowing emoji)]

Another message popped up on my watch.

‘Silia Leppard’s favorability has increased slightly.’

I seem to have given a decent impression to my senior.

Rebecca said to grab opportunities when they come. So, I decided to accept my senior’s kindness. Maintaining good relationships with 2nd-year seniors will definitely help me in my future life at Arsene.

The watch displayed a navigation map to Laon Site building. Since Edel de Bison is a 3rd-year student, I need to find them at the 3rd-year dormitory. And that’s in the middle of the night.

Honestly, as a 1st-year student, I feel a bit uneasy. The path to Laon Site building isn’t that long, but the upperclassmen passing by looked at me with curiosity.

I had to push through the crowd of 3rd-year students. Naturally, there were outgoing people among them who approached me readily.

“Hello? Are you a 1st-year student? Did you get lost?”

“I’m headed to Laon Site building.”

“Ah… that’s the central building. What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just looking for someone.”

As I was about to leave, I heard a voice behind me.

“If you’re going to the Raoncit dorm, be careful at night. There’s a rumor that there’s a strange person there.”

“A strange person?”

“Edel Di Bison… someone who hasn’t graduated in 8 years. You should be careful. They say he’s got a weird personality.”

I nodded instead of responding. After all, if you stay at Arsen for 8 years, all sorts of rumors are bound to arise.

Edel Di Bison had become a legendary figure, living in the 3rd-grade dorm for 5 years. The day the dorm’s door opens is treated like the opening of a mythical realm.

It’s only natural that 3rd-grade students avoid the Raoncit dorm, and even students living in the dorm try to return before midnight. Edel’s active hours are usually around dawn, after all.

But I know about Edel Di Bison. He’s not a bad person, despite what the rumors say. In the original story, he even helped Kyle.

I finally arrived at the Raoncit dorm.

I climbed the 4th-floor stairs and walked down the dorm hallway. It’s definitely gloomy around here. I even feel a chill running down my spine.

The 3rd-grade dorm is located right in the middle, but for some reason, I don’t sense any human presence. It’s as if the place is devoid of warmth.

No wonder there are all sorts of ghost stories about this dorm. And with a 3rd-grade student who’s been held back for 5 years still living here, it’s no wonder some students would rather commute than be assigned to the Raoncit dorm.

I stopped in front of the room at the very end of the 4th floor. The nameplate read [B-99 Edel Di Bison].

Tap, tap.

I knocked gently, but there was no response. I wondered if something was wrong, so I turned the doorknob, and the door creaked open.

And as soon as I opened the door, I was hit with a pungent, nose-curling stench.

Anyone would think something terrible had happened. But strangely, my [intuition] didn’t react. That means the stench had been there all along.

I looked around cautiously and stepped into the room. I sensed a presence inside.

Then, I heard a hoarse voice.

“What’s going on? Who’s there? Did you bring booze?”

“No.”

Edel Di Bison was lying on the table like a wooden board. His hair was a mess, and he was wearing a sloppy, disheveled outfit.

The large glasses he had worn were covered in fingerprints and lying carelessly on the table, and empty liquor bottles were scattered all over the floor.

He was wearing a training outfit, but it looked like it hadn’t been washed in a month. My eyes, which were like eagle eyes, could see the stains all too clearly.

“This is a real mess.”

It was a complete disaster zone. Even a cleaning maid would scream and run away if they saw this room.

“Didn’t you bring booze, then… who—?”

Edel Di Bison, who had been lying down, suddenly sat up and covered his mouth as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

“Who, who are you?!”

“I’m Shion Illeonhart, a 1st-year student.”

“A name I’ve never heard before?!”

Of course, it’s a name he’s never heard before. I’m a new student, after all.

Edel Di Bison, who had been lying down just a moment ago, suddenly got up and flung open the closed window. The dust on the windowsill scattered like dandelion seeds.

“Ah, wait, just a minute! I’ll go get some water! Sit down and wait!”

Edel rushed out to the refrigerator, and only then did the chaotic scene in the room become clear. It was like looking at a rabbit hutch that had been abandoned for years.

Indeed, this is what happens when someone stays at Arsen for 8 years. Today, I gained some useless knowledge.

“Sorry! I’ll wait!”

Tung—!

Something was placed on the table. I thought it was water, but upon closer inspection, it was a green liquor bottle with a red cap.

“Sorry. There’s no water here.”

“Is there no water provided at the dormitory…?”

“Ah, it’s just that it’s a bit of a hassle to go all the way there, so…”

It’s ridiculous to think that people would drink alcohol instead of water.

Before getting into the main story, I took out the gift I had prepared and placed it on the table.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a hangover remedy. It’s good for your body.”

It’s not an exaggeration, and it’s a product that costs tens of thousands of won. It’s something that even top hunters carry with them. If you eat it, it’s like a magic pill that instantly clears your head.

“My throat is a bit dry…”

But Edel de Bison poured himself a drink, chugging it down with a glug-glug sound.

“I came because I need your help, senior.”

“Kuh!”

Edel put down the bottle, which was now about a third empty.

“Sorry, but… I don’t know why you came, but I can’t help you. I’m wrong. I’ll die old in Arsen.”

“Don’t talk like that.”

“What do you know? You’re just a freshman! You’re still young and naive. Look at me. I’ve been worn out.”

As he tried to pour himself another drink, I had no choice but to take out the hangover remedy.

I had expected this would happen, but now the conversation isn’t going anywhere. I didn’t come here to just watch him get drunk.

The hangover remedy comes in a set of three. I picked up one and lightly tossed it into Edel’s mouth with my fingers.

“Gasp…?!”

But it went in too accurately and got stuck in his throat. The product’s performance was just too good.

“Kuh! Gasp!”

“Calm down, have some water slowly.”

“Gasp?! S, save…!”

“That’s the drink. There’s water here. Water.”

In the end, I had to pour water into his mouth myself, which was quite an ordeal.

…Luckily, I had brought a bottle of mineral water with me. Originally, it was for me to drink, but I ended up saving someone’s life.