As if confirming my thoughts, a quest window popped up just in time.
[Forced transport by '???' confirmed. You have arrived at the designated location.]
Damn it, there was a similar episode in the original work, but this is too early! This side is all chicks!
"Grrrrr...."
"Kyaaack!"
"Ah, ah, mo... monster! Teacher, behind you....!"
Chill.
Goosebumps rose from the thick killing intent, but I couldn't turn around. At that moment, I had an ominous feeling that something would pounce on me.
What I heard in my ears wasn't just the breathing of a beast.
My body froze as it was.
Am I... dying?
'No, snap out of it. Even if it's just a concept, I am a teacher. I have kids to take responsibility for!'
To keep hold of my reason, I took a deep breath and glared at the shining blue window in front of my eyes.
'The countdown didn't go down for nothing; it knew it would turn out like this anyway. Damn it!'
Tick.
[Time Remaining: 23 Hours 59 Minutes 59 Seconds]
Time decreased as if mocking me.
[Subjugated Monsters: 0/50]
The quest has started.
I'm scared.
I've already died once, but maybe that's why I'm even more scared.
Because I know very well how painful it is when a body breaks. Because I still remember the despair I felt back then.
But....
'What would Chris have done in this situation?'
Right now, I am 'Chris Dorton'. Not just monsters, but a great mage who has cut down countless humans too.
Would she be afraid of a monster opening its maw and approaching now?
No! It's not even funny. It would be beyond pathetic, annoying even.
To 'Chris', this situation is less than playing house. She might even consider it an opportunity to test the students. Since it would be better for someone who breaks at just this level of unexpected accident to go back immediately.
I twisted up just one corner of my mouth to create a relaxed expression. Please don't twitch.
...Good. I can feel my breathing stabilizing quickly.
Unlike other possessor seniors, I don't have any mental-related skills, but I am a roleplay enthusiast. Meaning I'm confident in over-immersing.
'Roleplaying that is properly over-immersed is indistinguishable from the real thing!'
I shouted just like that, putting strength into my stomach.
"Stupid bastards! Have you already forgotten the reason you came here?"
"...!"
Everyone's surprise was brief; the face of the princess, who was closest, distorted.
"Wait.... Are you telling us to do practical training in this situation? You're joking, right?! Right now, do you know what's behind your back-"
At that moment, the model student cut in perfectly.
"Indeed, understood! Angelina! Since the teacher implies she will handle the boss mob, let's step back and take care of these Rampaging Horned Rabbits! I'll herd them!"
As expected of the character whose nickname was 'Dream Interpreter'. Even if 'Chris' spits it out like dog poop, he interprets it like sticky rice cake! Well done.
"Are you saying the students are responsible for handling the trash mobs? Hmph, bad personality~ It's trouble if you don't even instruct us on how to fight."
Even while grumbling, when 'Pigtails' took a proper combat stance, the princess bit her lip and looked alternately between me and the swarming trash mobs.
To that, I sent an unpleasant gaze filled with the meaning, 'Dare you worry about me? Someone like you?'
Eventually, the winner of this staring contest was the roleplayer.
"...Haa, alright! The teacher must have a plan too. I believe she isn't human enough to do something dangerous leaving students behind! 『Frost Spear』!"
And she immediately summoned a sharp ice spear and joined the trash mob subjugation.
"Leave the support to me. Tell me right away if you get hurt!"
Next, naturally, the 'Healer' in the supporter position.
"Please, just once.... O, Flame....!"
Finally, thinking he couldn't be a burden, the protagonist stepped forward, squeezing out even the strength he used to suck milk.
'Good job, guys!'
[Subjugated Monsters: 3/50]
I clenched my fist watching the numbers that started to climb little by little.
The thought of what to do if the kids died or got hurt like this did cross my mind, but.
'These guys are all party members who go with the protagonist until the end. No matter how early it is, they are basically munchkins.'
What's the use of worrying about guys who are several times stronger than me. And excluding the guy behind me, they aren't even monsters of that high difficulty.
If worse comes to worst, the final weapon will take care of it.
The moment my mind felt at ease, a sound that stopped my breath was heard.
"Grrrl, grrrrl."
Drip. Thick saliva fell onto the bridge of my nose and flowed.
...Haha, crazy. Even though I prepared myself, my hands are trembling. I am really in front of a beast's maw right now.
I absolutely don't have the confidence to turn around.
Will it hurt if I get pierced by teeth? What if it doesn't go as I think?
I'd rather faint. Over-immersion or whatever, I'm about to die for real now.
Running away was too late from the start. Rather, because I stayed still and waited for the guy to come, the students were safe.
Above all, it had been a long time since my legs stiffened and stopped moving.
'So are you asking if I'm sacrificing myself? Are you kidding when I'm about to go crazy wanting to live right now.'
I simply made a choice.
Even if I get eaten by a monster, there is a possibility of survival. But if I fail the quest, I die unconditionally.
Then naturally, wouldn't it be wise to choose the former?
"...Teacher?"
Hey, protagonist. You should finish the monster subjugation, why are you looking this way.
I wanted to at least click my tongue pretending to be fine, but the monster's maw closing was faster.
In an instant, my vision went dark—
And I was swallowed beyond the hot throat.
A person died in front of my eyes.
Again.
Why? Because I'm weak? Because I'm useless trash who can't even kill a single monster?
Because of me.
The moment he realized this, Mikhail's heart began to throb as if screaming.
"No. No, Teacher."
"Mikhail, wait....!"
Bell stopped using healing magic and grabbed Mikhail's arm tight. However, Mikhail's eyes were fixed on the gigantic monster's maw and didn't move.
I have to open that somehow. It hasn't been long since it swallowed her, so if I take her out quickly, it will be fine.
So I have to go fast.
"Let go, Bell. Teacher, the teacher is over there."
"...You know it's no use even if you go."
Bell was a girl who always acted like everyone's older sister.
She smiled kindly even at his terrible self from the first day of admission.
But such a girl, with a face like she was about to cry, continued firmly.
"Teacher... The teacher did that for us. Because giant monsters like that become sluggish when they are full."
"No."
"Mikhail...."
"Bell, your specialty is healing magic, right? Huh? Wouldn't it be possible for you? If we take her out right now and treat her-"
"...Sorry, I'm sorry."
Bell dropped her head. Mikhail suddenly felt like the world had become very slow.
Just yesterday, he had grabbed Chris who was leaving the classroom and said.
"What is it." "I-I'm sorry. Teacher.... I know I'm not qualified yet, I know I'm lacking too much...." "Main point." "Ah! Y-Yes! I... want to become strong. I want to become strong enough to shoulder all that resolve! T-To do that, what should I, do...."
Mikhail was prepared to be mocked. Because Chris was never a kind teacher.
However, she-
"You will become strong."
She said that.
She acknowledged Mikhail's potential, which no one had believed in until now.
So Mikhail wanted to do his best in today's practical training. He wanted to really become strong and let the world know that Chris's judgment was right.
But reality was far too cold.
"Tsk, she acted all high and mighty alone. Since it's come to this, it would be faster for us to clear a path and run away. Come on, help me~!"
"I will stand in the vanguard...! Those who can move, follow me! Illuminate the path, 『Sunrise』!"
"...I'll cover you, 『Frost Wind』."
Kiek, kik-kik!
The rampaging Horned Rabbits with bright red eyes fell making noisy sounds.
'Strong' would be an expression suitable for them. He was overwhelmed just by sticking to their tails and following.
'I am a burden.'
If someone had to be eaten, it should have been him. It should have been the most useless and weak him.
Not the innocent teacher, not his mother.
'And yet I am still surviving.'
Inside Mikhail, something broke. His limply hanging shoulders shook.
"Sob, hoo, sob...."
"Mikhail? Mikhail, are you okay?"
"Kuh, heuk...."
He felt the blood in his entire body boiling like crazy. His head spun, and he couldn't breathe properly.
Did he fall into a panic state? No, it's different from that. Mikhail could vaguely notice.
You want power, right, Mikhail?
Something that had been hiding deep in his heart for a very long time-
Here, now take my hand. Let's become monsters.
Was trying to reveal its form-
"...Class X all personnel, stop moving. Are you running away now? I guess you guys don't see the monsters still scattered around, do you?"
Or... so it seemed?
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