Chapter 266: Exorcized Zone
———Lynda———
<12: 46 pm (20: 46 pm)>
“So how was it out there?” Kroin asked. Did he even walk outside the landing area at all? Why is he even asking that?
“It was hella dark. Not much visibility in general.” That’s the one thing that really stood out. Though I think that was already apparent just from stepping out of the ship alone. We don’t really need to explore to figure that out. “Also, demons. Those exist for real. There were a lot of them, even.”
“We would've been killed if we stayed there, no we had no choice but to return to the ship early.” Luik chimed in. “Rather unfortunate. Compared to the previous trips we were completely outgunned this time around, so it’d be best for us to wait in here instead of risking any more fights. Individually they were stronger than us and also exist in much greater numbers. Even if all of us moved together as one large group it wouldn’t have worked.”
“That bad?” Kroin said in surprise. “Hmm… I guess there’s a good reason why we haven’t been introduced to a place like this earlier. These can’t be the only ones I’d imagine.”
“Damn annoying that this means we can’t really explore much without being forced back to the starting point. Most of you don’t even dare to leave the ship in the first place.” I said while looking at the others who remained silent and tried to ignore us. “Unfortunately it looks like we really have to stay here for the entire trip, but then again there wasn’t a lot to look at in the first place. Most of it is just flat ground with a few pieces of debris lying around.”
“In that case we can just relax the entire time. No way they were going to force us to explore a place this dangerou.” Kroin said before he continued. “…Is there even a good reason for a Forbidden Zone to exist?” Histon asked as the silence began to creep in. There is surprisingly little to talk about despite the tense experience we had just now.
“No. From my understanding it’s something that’s regularly exorcised. Compared to a Fantarban Realm where monsters will stay within a specific zone, there’s really nothing stopping monsters and demons within a Forbidden Zone from breaching a human settlement.”
“In that case these places would probably be cleansed soon…” And if that is true, then… not much lost. Half the fun of those Fantarban Realms is the weird geometry and wildlife there that is worth exploring for. This place just has nothing but destructive beings that need to be gotten rid of quickly. Now as for when they’ll do it…
“It seems like all of you came back already.” Elrik remarked as he walked over still in his battle gear. “...It doesn’t look like any of you are willing to go outside, from the looks of it.”
“No one in their right mind will go out there with all those powerful and grotesque monsters around. There’s no penalty for us to coop up in here anyway, right?” I argued back.
“There is none. I simply want confirmation that none of you are willing to step outside.” He flatly said without any further clarification. A bit suspicious…
“Yeah. No way I’m going out there to get jumped.” I answered while the rest of the group didn't really say anything in opposition.
“Very well then.” He said before suddenly walking out of the ship. What is he doing?
“Hmm…” Kroin mumbled to himself, as if realizing something.
*SHINE*
“Ah what the hell!?” Suddenly everything is engulfed in light that seems to have come from the outside. Did Elrik do something?
Once the light subsided and we looked outside… Can’t really feel anything different?
———Rico———
<12: 54 pm (20: 54 pm)>
“What? The kids there threw in the towel so soon?” I said in amusement. While the gap between them and this class was vast, they were certainly no weaklings.
“<Yes.>” A man of few words as always. Can’t he give me a bit more tea to sip on?
“Hmm… Looking at the state of the other classes. Looks like most of them have purified the area as well. Seems like my class here is the only one able to handle the spice of a Forbidden Zone, and this is one of the tougher ones too.” Those should be some bog standard stuff, and yet they somehow still manage to disappoint me.
“<You may have overestimated them. Not in terms of fighting abilities, but their willingness to be hurt.>” Elrik gave me his theory.
“Hmph. Typical. Even with all the tools we gave them they are still afraid.” If it wasn’t for that hag’s insistence I would’ve forced them to roam around outside for an entire hour to give them the scare. At least this class is doing fine and are all perfectly competent, so at least I get something fun to watch.
“<Unless someone has been in the moment a dozen of times they would never be so brazenly approaching danger. I know you have seen plenty of people with less than perfect sense of preservation, but humans in this time are much more averse to risk, even for their own ideals or even if it benefits them in the long run.>” Elrik said. Well that isn’t exactly uncommon where I’m from either, but there were a lot more people prone to risking their own life, and usually it’s those types of people who became a way bigger problem down the line. That also means those are the type to be most useful.
“Well. You can say whatever. Why is Able not in the call?” I’m pretty sure I called him earlier as well. What is he doing right now?
“<He seems to be doing something outside the ship he is assigned to. Don’t worry about him.>” Edea chimed in. “<By the way. The Skorokbalon had been dismantled already. Emmie killed it by herself, in fact.>”
“<Is that so?>” Elrik said, not particularly surprised by the statement. “<She grew fast. Still, did the machine get to fire that off?>”
“<No, she killed it too quickly for it to use that move. Realistically by the time it senses its demise coming it wouldn’t even have the time to fire it off.>” Edea answered. “<Even then one of us would’ve stepped in before that could happen.>”
“Admittedly I want to see what it’d be like if a nuke suddenly went off in this area that was barred off for over a decade by now. The public would’ve freaked out more than they already have.” But no one seems keen on that idea, so I guess we can leave it as is.
“<...By the way, Rico. Can’t you barred that thing from ever entering this world, or any world, in the first place?>” Elrik asked.
“I do have the authority for it, technically. I don’t really care to do it though. There are far more dangerous demons I let loose outside of that one. Surely you can let this one slide. If you don’t want it to keep spawning you’re free to purify this place, if you can even bother to come here. Besides, there are a few people I wanna see destroying it… I think if at least two of those came in to pacify it, it could be gone for good and no one has to bother thinking about it anymore.” If there are other people who can resolve this then why do I even bother?
“<Hmph. I still don’t know the full story of it yet. One of you has to tell me at some point. Or just compile it and put it into the group chat.>” Elrik suggested. That sounds more like Edea’s job than mine.
“<I’ll think about it.>” Edea replied. Looks like I don’t have to put any effort into the explanation then.
“<Sorry for the late call. Were you all discussing something?>” Able said, finally joining in.
“Nothing too important.” I answered. We weren’t discussing anything about tomorrow, or a day after, or even what might happen next week. “So what were you doing earlier?”
“<Just purifying the place and explaining it to the class. They don’t seem to even have the basic knowledge of what a Forbidden Zone is. Thanks a lot, Rico.>” He said with a slightly irritated tone.
“What? It’s not like that’s a forbidden knowledge that’s hidden deep in the library or something. Pretty sure the books on those were put close to the entrance.” Besides, he already joined in to be a teacher, surely a lecture isn’t that hard.
“<That’s not the… So now what? Do we leave as scheduled? It seems like all but one place is purified. You know what I’m talking about.>” He said in response.
“They’re having so much fun over here though, and I was never the one in charge of planning anyway.” I said while shrugging my shoulders.
“<Said the person who was the reason for the change of plan…>” Able said, sounding irritated again. “<Edea, you know anything?>”
“<We’re still moving on schedule. I’m sure the students won’t mind chilling around on the luxury flight.>” They answered. “<How was your class? Elrik came back once they killed a single demon and that’s it.>”
“<They ran away just from seeing one. Pretty disappointing to see considering those are just Shades.>” He said, also expressing disappointment in the performance. “<Hopefully tomorrow goes a bit better, but I kinda doubt it.>”
“Your fault for not pushing them hard enough. What else could really be said.>” I made some jabs at him in response.
“<That’d make me a really bad teacher then. I don’t think any of us were even forcing our students to hurt each other.>” He argued. “<You got that freak of a class, you shouldn’t even be in the conversation.>”
“Heh. What can I say? I’m not even a good teacher, so it’s best for me to assign myself to a class of kids who would teach themselves anyway. All I’m really good at is physical work.” It’s a pretty easy class where all I have to do is make sure no weird quirks perk out during the class and cause an issue.
“<You… Nevermind.>” Able was going to voice an argument but stopped for some reason. “<...On a different topic. Mori sent us something yesterday about a hit job? Edea, you know anything about that?>”
“<Nothing really worth elaborating. From what Mori said the people targeting their boss had been rearing their head more often as of late. Do you know the planned bombing was rushed because they noticed that he was at the party? They really hate his guts.>” Edea answered. Did we never talk about that in the group chat?
“<...So it was planned regardless then? Neither of you ever clarified the situation.>” Able asked.
“Of course it was. No way they just randomly have those elite aircraft at the ready just because. With how most of the world is trying to not stir up any trouble and causing an international incident, even an appearance of the military being active can cause quite a spook.” If those were already prepared and ready to launch at any moment then it’s quite clear they were already planning something nefarious. It seems to be in their nature to cause unnecessary trouble, though that is natural for humans, I suppose.
“<Hmm… They really haven’t realized all the danger this world poses. Who unfortunate.>” Elrik remarked.
“<...Don’t most governments at least have some inkling about these kinds of things? They shouldn’t be so easily blindsided like this.>” Able asked.
“Hey, human flaws can be quite lethal. That’s just how it is.” I answered the question with quite a simple answer. “There is also a difference between raw firepower and intel. They know we can easily obliterate them for looking at us funny, the thing is that they didn’t realize we can see their gaze. They thought at worst we would’ve intercepted those jets and not realize who sent them. Considering there were no public records on those models, it seems logical at first glance.”
“<Rather unfortunate that the strongest people tends to be the most knowledgeable.>” Edea remarked.
“Well. It’s just how it goes with miscalculation and arrogance. Edea, you might as well post the file you and I compiled as well down the group chat. Publicize it for all I care, it’d probably sent a stronger message if we reveal a bunch of their dirty secrets. Like that mobile nuclear weapon.” Let’s end this topic at that. It’s not really worth talking about for too long and there’s something more fun to talk about. It’s about tomorrow.