Surviving the Assassin Academy as a Genius Professor - Chapter 143

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 143
DLC [The Hero’s Professor]: Hotfix Version 2.3.2a(7)

Help me? How exactly?
Cornered beyond escape, drowning in the garbage heap of the present moment—was he saying there was actually some way out?
A way to connect to a past version that’s already gone?

│ ◯ ◯)
│ ◯ ◯)
│ …( ◯ ◯)

The Surveillance Star emerged from the status window where it always hid itself.
Then it drifted about in all directions, emoticon and all.

( ◯ ◯) is searching….

Then it halted before something.

( ◯ ◯) : Found….

It had found something.

( ◯ ◯)[]

Within the Surveillance Star’s perception,
something expressed as an empty square.

( ◯ ◯),,,?[]

And then it grew bewildered.

( ◯ ◯),,,¿[]
( ◯ ◯),,?¿[]

It remained bewildered.

( ◯ ◯) is perplexed.
( ◯ ◯) does not understand how to use []. Because all it knows how to do is wander about outside.

Despite its grand claims about helping, it seemed useless. So I took a moment to think it through myself.
What could [] be?

( ◯ ◯) is thinking….
( ◯ ◯) : Hmm….

Ah. I understand now.
There was one device in the original game represented that way—the Akashic Record, a machine made of stars that functions like a computer.
In other words, the Surveillance Star was an old man who didn’t know how to use a computer.
But I know how to handle that.
If I conveyed it directly, it would be shocked and flee.

‘I need a way to communicate with the Surveillance Star indirectly.’

There was no such method anywhere in the original game.
The Surveillance Star was only ever portrayed as a suspicious gaze watching from afar.

( ◯ ◯) : Hmm………….
( ◯ ◯) : …Hmm…….
(ㅇㅅㅇ) : ……pondering….
(ㅇㅅㅇ) : ………pondering.
(ㅇㅅㅇ) : pondering………pondering.

But caught in the fog of lost time, as those endless bouts of pondering dragged on and on, frustration began to creep in at the edges of my awareness.
It’s not like anything stops you from just pressing a button.

‘Press the startup button already. You absolute….’

I was already letting my thoughts spiral in exasperation when it happened.

│ (ㅇㅁㅇ) !
│) =3

He bolted.
This is maddening.
Is this really what we’re doing right now?
But then again, though the spirits were divine beings, they all tended to embody the essence of children, so the situation was, in a strange way, understandable.

│)
│ㅇ)

He peeked back cautiously.
I quickly emptied my mind.
I half-closed my eyes.

│ㅇ) was startled.
│ㅇ) One must not wake a sleeping person.

A sleeping person?
Ah.
Right—the Surveillance Star does favor sleeping people. After all, it allows for perfect surveillance.
…Wait. Then he still thinks I’m asleep.
A good idea struck me. I decided to try speaking in my sleep.

‘Mm…. the button…. must press…. stupid fool….’

I wasn’t sure if this trick would work,
but I had no better option.

│ㅇ)
│ㅅㅇ) ?
│ㅅㅇ) The human is sleep-talking.
│ㅇㅅㅇ) ???
│ㅇㅅㅇ) Now that I think about it, there’s a button here.
│ㅇㅅㅇ) ‘Click’
│ㅇωㅇ) smiles. [] is powering on.

Done.
He found the answer.
I cannot operate the spirits’ device, and the Surveillance Star lacks mechanical sense, but between him and me, we made it work.
Like the blind and the lame joining forces.

‘Search…. platform…. whirrrr….’
( ㅇωㅇ)☞[]

Once the rhythm was established, everything that followed happened in a blur of momentum.

‘Search…. Hiaka Academy….’
( ㅇωㅇ)☞[]

‘Version 2.1.5…. Download….’
( ○ω○)☞[]

‘No, not there….’
(○ω○ )?[]

‘Drag….’
(○ω○ )a[]

‘Lower….’
( ○ω○)☞[]
( ○ω○)☞[]
( ○ω○)☞[]
⋮

After repeating the search several times, the Surveillance Star seemed to have found something in the Akashic Record.
There were two rooms of revealed information.
What we were looking for appeared to be in one of those two.

There shouldn’t have been a problem.
We could just open both.
But then.

( ○ω○)[]
( ○ㅅ○)[]

The expression stiffened.
Why again.

(○ㅅ○) is in a bind.
(○ㅅ○) possesses only one Star Fragment available for use.

Why is that.

This stems from (○ㅅ○)’s ruined financial sense. A problem born from habitually failing to save diligently.

This is maddening.
Certain uses of the “Akashic Record” require Star Fragments, and the problem was that the creature possessed only one.
The “Final Rooms” we discovered numbered two.

(○ㅅ○) has no choice.
(○ㅅ○) decides to borrow from the pocket of the “Sleeping One.”

The creature crept toward me.
Like the voyeuristic deviant it is, it didn’t even register this as theft.

(○ㅅ○) ….

The problem is,

(○ㅅ○) is disappointed…. The pocket of the “Sleeping One” contains not a single Star Fragment.

…Earlier, it had burned through all the Star Fragments calling upon the Fortunate Star.

(○ㅅ○),,, in short, the “Sleeping One” was a pauper. I can only shake my head at such pitiful financial sense….

This is ridiculous. This bastard.
Who has the right to judge whom….
In any case, thus we come to one coin.
Surveillance Star’s final two options, both sources of deep deliberation.

Only one chance.

(ㅇㅅㅇ) ….

Armed with nothing but a hundred won, Surveillance Star paused, weighing the choice.

‘Bulbul?’

Bulbul. A suspicious folder name if I’d ever heard one.
The rip download option was equally dubious.

( ㅇㅅㅇ)☞

He reached cautiously for one of the two.
His hand drifted toward the rip version.
The moment I glimpsed the preview that flashed before his fingertip could touch it, I sneezed without thinking.

(ㅇㅁㅇ) !?

Stop. That’s absolutely forbidden!

───
【Preview】 Hiaka Academy Rip Version 2.1.5 Download Hiaka Academy Rip Version 2.1.5 Download seemed likely to exist. It was truly an overwhelming joy. Thank you, Bond. I feel so much better because of you. Hiaka Academy Rip Version 2.1.5 Download You don’t need to thank me. Kim smiled and extended his hand. Nikola shook hands with joy……
───

Not a rip version. Fifteen years back or so, when copyright consciousness was dim, the memory flickers through my mind. Rip download posts were always bait, and actual rip files never existed.

‘Bulbul… hmm….’

(ㅇㅁㅇ) ??
(ㅇㅁㅇ) …
(ㅇㅂㅇ) for some reason feels drawn to choosing bulbul.

He’ll never notice I’m awake, not even if he dies trying.
In any case, at the finish line of this strange three-legged race.

│ωㅇ) has discovered [Version 2.1.5 Rip Version]!

We reached our destination.

At last.
That past, which Systematicity had desperately concealed.
Burrowed into my mind as a blue dot, wearing the Star Mark that Surveillance Star│ㅅㅇ) had imprinted.

Meanwhile, from the downloaded portion, the ‘name of the version’ surfaced in my thoughts.

‘Ah, this is…….’

I couldn’t suppress my shock.
The reason Systematicity ⧉ had been so mortified, and why Adel had raged at countless anomalies—such as seeing women reduced to toys or merchandise—suddenly crystallized in powerful clarity. The explanation didn’t require much elaboration here.
The ‘name’ of the version alone was sufficient.

Ah.

* * *

I decided to piece it together.

Version 1 was a computer game.
Version 2 is the world I’m possessing now.

Looking more closely at Version 2 itself.

Version 2.3 is now.
Version 2.2 is unknown.
Version 2.1 was the worldview of a character collection gacha game—a place where beautifully adorned characters appeared through draws. If I had to guess, Adel was probably waiting there too, hoping to be drawn by someone.

‘…So the world’s foundation has to flip entirely for us to move from 2.1 to 2.2 to 2.3.’

For example.

If Korea is 2.3,
then Joseon is 2.2
and Goryeo is 2.1…….

‘Up to that point, it’d just be a world that existed in the past.’

But here’s the thing.

‘For some reason, past and present are connecting.’

It’s like saying that during Trump’s presidency, Yi Sun-sin appeared aboard a “Turtle Carrier.”

‘I’ll need to investigate that matter more carefully over time.’

⋮

How much time had passed since then?

From what I could gather, the trial of the stars had proceeded, and a verdict seemed to have come down from the Transcendent Star.

In the meantime, the Surveillance Star—born from the very beginning to witness someone’s breakdown—couldn’t hold back and went to the System Star, apparently revealing everything that had transpired.

When I came to, I was Offline. Dino hung his head and spoke.

“We messed up….”

Gone was his usual smug expression; he’d turned sullen. He’d clearly been through the wringer.

He went on to say that he’d received punishment from the Transcendent Star and was now liable for reparations.

“Reparations?”
“Yeah. We have to return one hundred Star Fragments, plus all three hundred twenty-seven you burned through…….”
“Just a hundred? After you’ve destroyed the situation this badly?”
“…I’d give more if I could, but anything beyond that would disturb the world’s equilibrium. Besides, since we chose ‘Rollback’ for the aftermath, we’re short on resources…….”

He was on the verge of tears.
‘Rollback,’ then….
For the System Star, it must have been an agonizing choice.
Takes an enormous amount of work, from what I understand.

“And I want to offer you a sincere apology.”
“Be specific.”
“We interfered with the Overworld far too heavily in order to conceal our own internal circumstances. Of course, there’s the matter of Instructor Adel’s danger, so we did have to interfere. But the method was wrong. Because of that, we caused you great harm… I’m asking for your forgiveness with all sincerity.”

With that, Dino bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the floor.

“…But there’s one thing I’d like to request, if you’d allow it?”
“I’m listening.”
“From what I understand, you’ve obtained access to Version 2.1.5. Would you mind not logging in if possible?”
“…”
“That version… it contains such shameful history for us…”
“I refuse.”
“…”
“Anything else?”
“No. I’m sorry.”

I turned away—toward the portal to the Overworld that lay open behind me. Then something occurred to me, and I spoke.

“Three thousand.”
“Pardon?”
“Hand over three thousand Star Fragments, and I won’t access Version 2.1.5. I promise.”
“That… that’s impossible…! If that happens, the balance of the world will…”
“The balance of the world doesn’t concern me. I pursue only my own survival and happiness. Get them. Before the download finishes. Otherwise, I’m logging into Version 2.1.5.”
“…”

Then, seized by a sudden feeling, I spun around—and Dino raised his middle finger sharply.

“Five thousand.”
“Wh-what?!”
“Go tell your master this: because you raised that finger, the price is now five thousand.”
“Wait, hold on—!”
“And you—go change back into Dino right now. If I see your face at the table next time, I know perfectly well how to smash everything related to Systematicity ⧉ in the Overworld, Version 2.1.5 or otherwise.”
“I-I’ll change back! I made a mistake, but five thousand is absolutely insane…! Ugghhhhh—!!”

I stepped into the portal without looking back.
With that, the chaotic Hotfix came to an end.

* * *

“Nobu dislikes humans.”
“…Why?”

Time had rolled back.

“Why else? Because despite being so base, they hold far too much power. And there’s no species that deceives each other quite so much. So you should dislike humans too.”
“I like humans…”
“I said dislike them.”
“…But they’re nice…”

A cool but sun-warmed weekend afternoon.
Some time after the Rollback, I had sorted through the situation that had begun to tangle in chaotic ways.

“Would you all like to have a meal?”

First, I made us something to eat.

“But why are you cooking all of a sudden, when you never do?”
“I’ve been buried in research for so long that my head was getting dizzy. I thought I’d get some air? But more importantly—how does it taste?”

Taste.

“…….”

Dreadful. The stew was sickeningly sweet. As if sugar and salt had been reversed.

“Huh? Where’s everyone going? You should finish eating…!”

I glanced over to see Dante and Abelthus creeping away as well.

“Heh… I’m full… so full….”
“Nobu dislikes humans, and so too their food….”

In the meantime, Ran ate with genuine relish.

“My, you’re all right with it, aren’t you?”
“It’s delicious.”
“Really?”

And then I recalled that not long ago, Ran had dipped engine oil and eaten it, saying it had a wonderful flavor. ‘…….’ Hmm.

After that, I suggested to Ran that she adjust her research topic slightly. She accepted without protest.

Next, I called Adel aside and made a request of her as a friend.

“A request?”
“Don’t clash with Ran.”
“Huh? Of course~ Why would we clash? I’m so grateful you enjoyed my soup.”
“And don’t use the Instant Death Curse.”
“…….”

That’s the expression someone would wear if they’d just driven their head into a wall.
Adel stared at me blankly, then smiled awkwardly.

“…So you knew all along.”

I accepted her secret matter-of-factly.

“Don’t use it.”
“…Yes.”
“This isn’t mere talk. If you listen well to my request, I’ll provide more support for your thesis. When the new semester comes, I’ll recommend you to the faculty as an assistant professor.”
“Really?”

Adel’s eyes widened perfectly round.

“Yes…!?”

It was a statement I’d hesitated over until now, uncertain whether she was a risk factor or not. But the recent incident confirmed it.
Adel’s danger was nearly nonexistent.

‘Save for only two unknowns.’

The circumstances surrounding Adel Muang of Croitz and how she obtained the Instant Death Curse. That remained an unresolved question.

⋮

⋮

That answer, too, must lie within this.
Whatever the case may be.

“Ah! What do I do, really…!?”

Adel practically bounced with delight.
She went to the old man, the child, and Lan to show off her achievement.
All three gave her their applause.

⋮

The cold snap passed, and the seasons turned.

I reunited with the Dante Assassination Team and threw myself back into training, while they devoted themselves tirelessly to the fundamentals of combat.

As the winter break steadily drew toward its end, the true era of the Betting Table was approaching.

The time when we, the Dante Assassination Team,

would plunder the casino called the Empire.

DLC

[The Hero’s Tutor]: Hotfix Version 2.3.2a

END

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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