Chapter 125 Apology
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Good morning, Sanada-san.”
”Good morning!” a chorus of voices replied.
”Osu! Good morning, Sanada-dono!” Hida barked, snapping a rigid salute.
”Morning,” I said.
When we stepped out of the room fully equipped, Yuki was there waiting for the second day in a row, despite it being his day off. His entire party was with him.
He wasn’t the only one. There were other men there too. If I remembered correctly, it was Hida from the Karate club and Akatsu, the captain of the Kendo club. Hida was about my height, 185 centimeters, with a massive build – he looked like a bear that had been crossed with a pig. Akatsu looked like he barely cleared 160 centimeters. Unlike Hida, his features were delicate and well-formed; he was the kind of boyish youth that women with a shota-fetish would find irresistible.
Sayaka and the others looked stunned to see such a crowd waiting at our door.
The main plaza was more crowded than usual, and every tester present was watching us. Even Oida’s group had made an appearance. I suppose it made sense; Arashiyama’s “My Room” ¹ had vanished, and everyone knew what that implied.
”What’s with the audience?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “Yuki, isn’t it your day off? And why are the captains of the Karate and Kendo clubs here? Did something happen?”
I noticed the dark circles under Yuki’s eyes were horrendous. Was the kid even sleeping?
”Yes… yesterday around noon, every Room belonging to the Kickboxing club was wiped out,” Yuki said. “It caused a panic. A party from the Karate club saw you and Arashiyama’s group on the fourth floor, so they thought you might know something. Everyone knew Arashiyama was gunning for you, Sanada-san.”
”I see,” I replied. “It’s true. Arashiyama ambushed us just before noon yesterday.”
”S-So… does that mean you…?” Yuki asked, his face turning ashen. Every person in the plaza seemed to lean in, waiting for the answer.
”Hold on, listen to the rest,” I said. “There’s a dead-end side-path on the fourth floor that leads to a Monster House ². We were ambushed from behind there. I stayed back to hold them off so Sayaka and the girls could escape. They used their Medals of Return to get out, and I dived into the Monster House to lose the pursuit. While Arashiyama and his group were busy dealing with the Kobolds, I slipped out and used my own Medal. If their rooms are gone, the Kobolds must have finished them off. They’d already taken plenty of damage from me before I left them behind.”
”Into a Monster House?! That’s suicide!” Yuki gasped.
”So they failed the ambush and got themselves wiped by a pack of mobs? Pathetic bastards,” Hida spat. He looked at me with genuine relief. “Regardless, I’m just glad you’re safe, Sanada-dono.”
Hida was a strange one – anyone who falls in love with an AI avatar is – but his personality seemed decent enough. He still felt he owed me for something as small as a phone charge. I’d sold a favor cheaply and reaped a significant return. It was a good trade.
It seemed they believed the story. Reputation is a useful tool.
”I am deeply sorry, Guard-san!” Akatsu barked, bowing his head so low it was nearly a physical strike.
I looked toward Yuki for context. He explained that a second-year student from the Kendo club had leaked the location of the third-floor Guardian room to the Kickboxing members. Akatsu was apologizing because that leak led directly to the ambush. Apparently, he had spent the previous day dragging the culprit around to apologize to the other conquest teams. The boy wasn’t here now; he was reportedly so terrified I would kill him that he refused to leave his room.
”Raise your head,” I said. “I had a history with Arashiyama. This would have happened sooner or later. Honestly, I should thank you. They made their move while they were still weak, so I survived. It could have been much worse.”
”No… you’ve been so helpful to us, and we returned that kindness with a betrayal. We are truly sorry,” Akatsu insisted.
He wasn’t just being polite. He was terrified of losing his access to phone charges or being cut off from the conquest info the top teams provided. If I were him, I wouldn’t be bowing – I’d have just handed the kid over to be dealt with.
”Don’t worry about it,” I said. “I accept the apology. I’m letting this go. I’m going to forget this happened, and you should do the same.”
I had walked onto that floor knowing I was bait, but I had no intention of saying that aloud.
”Thank you… Nijuki-san, and the rest of you ladies, I am sorry for the terror we caused you,” Akatsu said, bowing to the girls.
”No… it was my fault to begin with…” Sanae whispered. Her face was pale. The reality that Arashiyama and his men were truly dead was finally sinking in.
I looked around the plaza. Oida and the others were still staring. Their expressions were tight, and I could see the fear in their eyes.
Something was wrong. Yuki’s party believed me, but the others looked at me as if they were certain I was a murderer. Was the Monster House story too far-fetched? I’d told them I wounded the group first; it should have been plausible.
Scaring them too much wasn’t ideal. Desperate people are unpredictable. I’d have to consider my next move carefully.
”Sanae is right. The apology is over,” I said. “Yuki and his group are on break, but the rest of you have a dungeon to clear, don’t you? Get moving. You’ve got people to save.”
”Yes, sir. We do. Please excuse us,” Akatsu said.
”I’m leaving as well,” Hida added. “Sanada-dono, I’m going to catch up to you and settle my debt properly. Just wait for me.”
”Heh. Then hurry up and climb to my level,” I replied.
Hida gave a final “Osu!” and followed Akatsu toward the teleportation room.
”I’m just glad you’re okay,” Yuki said, his shoulders finally dropping. “I was worried you’d been badly hurt.”
”Even if I was, I have Potions. I can afford Grade 2s now, so don’t sweat it. More importantly, I need a word with your party,” I said.
”With us?” Yuki asked.
”Yeah. Come over here,” I said, leading them to a secluded corner of the plaza.
If the atmosphere was going to remain this hostile, being a slave-owner was going to get dangerous. I needed to establish some countermeasures.
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Summary:
Sanada returns from the fourth floor to find a crowd, including club captains, waiting for news of Arashiyama’s missing party. He successfully fabricates a story about Arashiyama being killed by Kobolds in a Monster House. Despite the apology from the Kendo captain regarding the leaked info, the rest of the plaza remains suspiciously fearful of Sanada.
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Trivia:
- Yuki’s party members are currently on their scheduled day off.
- The disappearance of a ‘My Room’ is the definitive proof of a tester’s death.
- Sanada deliberately used the ‘Monster House’ as part of his cover story because it justifies a group wipe.
- The fear in the plaza suggests a divide between those who trust Sanada (Yuki/Hida) and those who suspect him of murder (Oida/others).
- Sanada’s interest in ‘Grade 2 Potions’ highlights his growing wealth/status
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Character Insight:
Sanada remains highly transactional, viewing Hida’s loyalty as a ‘profitable trade.’ However, he is perceptive enough to realize that being too feared can backfire, showing a tactical concern for the safety of his ‘assets’ (slaves) in a hostile environment.
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Behind the Scenes:
The contrast between Hida (martial/honorable) and the deceased Arashiyama (thuggish) highlights the differing social structures emerging within the student groups.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Yuki – A third-year high school student and leader of the Battle Sports Club. He is a national champion in medieval-style combat using swords and spears. He has a severe sister complex. He has hawk-like eyes and a polite but determined demeanor.
• Akatsu – Kendo club captain. 160cm tall, delicate boyish features.
• Sayaka – The academy’s premier beauty and a member of the swimming club. Currently classified as a Rank 1 Slave. She is seventeen years old and a virgin. E-cup. She has blue, short, boyish hair. Her best friend is Sanae.
• Oida – A PE teacher with a large build and a plain, non-intimidating face. He was formerly an Olympic developmental athlete for Judo. He uses a greatsword in the dungeon and wears tattered jerseys.
• Sanae – She struggles with the sexual training and often shows frustration. Vice-captain of the Archery Club. Described as tall with a model-like build and sharp features. She has approximately C-cup breasts and is ranked as a 1st Rank Slave. She is Sayaka’s best friend. Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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