105 - I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

Title: School City Human Rights Character Chapter 105 - Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive "Do whatever the hell you want, you bastard." Omega was amused by the provocation he heard. He wasn't even angry. It just seemed pathetic, like a desperate struggle, and he couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth twitch in a smile. 'I can't remember the last time someone cursed at me to my face.' Surprisingly, this guy wasn't driven insane by fear. His eyes were alive, and his mind was intact. These aspects triggered Omega's undesirable habits. Seeing something steadfast made his sadistic malice flare, wanting to break it. It satisfied his nature to crush such individuals and watch them renounce their convictions with their own mouths. Though Hex advised against it due to inefficiency, Omega had no intention of abandoning this privilege of the strong. "Hehehe... Kid, I have decided your future right now." "You're full of shit." Rohan lunged at Omega, pushing off the ground. He swiftly passed Ichinose and Noa, who were repeatedly retching and unable to move. Fwoosh! Flames erupted from his long sword. [Dual Blade - Dawn's Setting Sun] Like waves crashing against rocks, the flames soared and enveloped Omega. But the impact was the worst. Rohan, who had swung the sword, could tell. 'The edge isn't cutting at all.' His wrist started to hurt. If he applied pressure even slightly wrong, it seemed like it would break. Still, he didn't hesitate. He swung again. [Single Blade - Flame Sever] The blade stopped against Omega's thick neck. The sight of Omega's disfigured face and mechanical jaw moving in a mocking grin was chilling. "What can you do with such a weak sword and flame?" "···." Rohan was aware that his actions were moving into a strategic game. Omega must remain interested in him and not turn his attention. He must make himself a tantalizing target to torment, to entice Omega to do so. He must prevent Omega from thinking that a worm sent a sample to Hex. 'Same goes for me. Can't let my eyes wander to my friends. Must keep charging like a madman for the image to fit.' There's no need to win by force. As soon as Juyeon arrives here, it will be his victory and his role will be complete. 'The instructor will definitely come.' He believes. If it's Juyeon, she will surely arrive in time. That's the kind of person she is. Someone he can't help but respect. 'So, my role is···!' Even if everything turns to ash, and he becomes just a handful. He must extend the golden time as long as possible, preventing Juyeon from being late. Kaang──!!! The standard issue long sword shattered with a metallic clank. Half the blade spun round and round. Yet Rohan continued to wield his sword. "It's starting to get boring." Omega stood still and took on Rohan's swordsmanship. Sneering at the sight of Rohan's exhausting struggles, he opened his mouth. "Kid, you know, among poisons, there are those that are prominently pain-inducing." "Ugh!" Rohan didn't answer, continuing his attack. Even half a sword is still a weapon. "Some poisons, so terrible that not even narcotic painkillers work, make you think dying would be preferable even if you’re not dead." One of Omega's fingers transformed into a thick centipede. A clear indication that he intended to inject such poison. "Endure it. I hope you won't disgrace yourself by begging for mercy or death within a few seconds." It was a poison enhanced by Hex according to Omega's request. Inducing insurmountable pain, well-suited for torture in Omega's experience. Even the most honorable will bend their will before this poison. Ssshhh! Omega's tentacle grabbed Rohan. The broken blade fell to the dirt with a thud. "Now, it's injection time. Want to beg for your life now?" Omega smirked, meeting Rohan’s eyes, but he had to quickly erase his smile. "Idiot." There wasn't a hint of fear in Rohan's eyes. It's to the point where his very nature seemed suspect as a lunatic. "...Interesting. May you maintain that arrogant attitude for a long time." The centipede’s sharp fangs opened like pincers and clamped onto Rohan's neck. As the liquid seeped in, Rohan's eyes shot wide open. "Ro, Rohan!" "Ugh! Damn it, move···!" Ichinose and Noa struggled on the ground. They tried to move but the poison had already seeped into Rohan's body. "!!!" An immediate-effect drug. The poison took effect simultaneously with its administration. Rohan's teeth ground with a sharp sound, threatening to shatter. Trying to withstand the pain, he tensed his whole body, causing blood vessels in his eyes to pop open. Every breath felt like his lungs were being sliced apart. "Hahaha!!! How does it feel? Try spouting off like before." "Ugh···!" Omega's tentacle flung Rohan to the ground. He couldn't stand up. He writhed, facedown. The pain tearing and burning through his body was so intense he couldn't move at will. He was sure that even a knife being twisted in his guts wouldn't hurt this bad. "Heh-heh, kid, do you want the antidote?" "Hff···! Hicc, huhh···!" Not knowing how long it will take for the pain to subside. That was a definite element that intensified his fear. "If you want to be freed, show me some attitude." Rohan lifted his head, showing his bloodshot eyes. Sweat dripped as he slowly opened his mouth. His voice conveyed clearly to the eagerly attentive Omega. "Fuck··· off···." Rohan's strained words stumbled from his mouth. The words were entirely unexpected, freezing Omega’s expression. "···It's been a while since someone was as entertaining as you." Even without seemingly having anything to rely on, he acted as if he knew yielding would satisfy. He never bowed his attitude. Even as he drooled on the dirt, Rohan's mind clung on. Omega recalled the conversation he had with Hex. ─ Omega. This poison is a compound extracted from the monsters' immune system. ─ What do you mean? ─ As you asked, it was modified to only induce pain. It bypasses blood clotting and synapses. "Enough. Keep it simple." "Sigh... It's a poison that delivers pain far stronger than the sensation of being burned alive. Satisfied? It’s powerful enough to cause shock even in a body enhanced with magic, but it doesn't kill through its toxic effects." Reflecting on that conversation with Hex only filled Omega with more heat in his head. Though it wasn’t him writhing on the ground like an insect, a sense of inexplicable defeat gripped him. 'This little punk...' For a greenhorn like Rohan to withstand what even Omega himself couldn't endure—eyes wide open—that felt like a reproach against Omega's own trauma with fire. His mere presence was infuriating. 'I will make him scream.' Omega's tentacle lifted Rohan again, this time securing his head to get a better view of his pain-stricken face. And yet— "Kik...!" Rohan was laughing, with tears and drool streaming down his face, forming a mocking smirk. A laughable provocation, daring Omega to try harder. 'Are you laughing?' While Rohan's actions were intentional, keenly aware of his role, it gave Omega a completely different impression. It wasn’t fuel stoking the flames of anger or the drive to crush him at all costs. For a moment, Omega felt a chill down his spine. He became endlessly cool. His expression wiped away anger, turning cold instead. '...He must die.' His instinct told him that this unknown tenacious rogue had to be snuffed out here. Even if it meant breaking his promise to Hex, Omega decided to sever this life thread here. This particular spark was a nuisance, unlike Juyeon, and if not extinguished now, it would grow into a consuming wildfire that could turn against them. ‘Just what is this guy...’ Against all reason, the belief that this cadet's blade could reach ‘Him’ began to form. Imagining him against any other mighty figure in the world never conjured such a vivid picture. "You were born in the wrong era, it seems." At this moment, even a single finger of Omega’s would suffice. As Omega stopped playing around and prepared to bore a hole through Rohan’s head with a fingertip— "!?" He detected an intense flame cutting through his bindings and aiming for his neck. A force reminiscent of his nightmares. Omega retracted his outstretched hand to focus on defense. Boom───!!! Omega was hurled back with the worm he'd been leaning on, split apart by Juyeon’s blade. Her fiery red hair swirled as she cradled Rohan in her arms. "Instructor... I'm, ugh, alright··· haa!" Rohan forced out his words with a wrecked face, indicating he wasn’t fatally wounded, and Juyeon bit her lower lip, unable to say anything. "In, Instructor!" "Please save Rohan and Corin!" The two girls, still unable to move, shouted in frustration. Juyeon raised one foot from her position. Boom! As Juyeon's magically charged foot struck the ground, the fear gripping the girls dissipated. Freedom returned to their limbs. "···." Juyeon gently set Rohan on the ground, focusing her gaze on the area where Omega was sent flying. Though her eyes were typically unreadable, the blazing fury was palpable. Anyone could see that she was sincerely enraged. Clank. Clank. Clank. Omega emerged unscathed, stepping over the mangled remains of the shattered worm with confidence. Addressing a familiar opponent, Juyeon broadcast in a steady voice: "The test is over. Take Rohan and Corin and retreat." The practical examination was declared finished. A translucent window appeared before Rohan’s face, as he had endured solely on the hope of Juyeon’s arrival. [Quest Completed.]