Chapter 100: Probing

Siloque tilted his head slightly, nimbly dodging the attack.

He circled behind Cliff, intending to kick him as he passed, but after a moment’s thought, decided against it and put some distance between them instead.

The two of them kept a five-meter gap.

But for two people whose Lv exceeded 10, that distance was practically meaningless.

The immobilizing effect of on himself was almost zero—well, just a bit higher than zero. Cliff’s level probably wasn’t much different from his own.

Still, he couldn’t be too optimistic.

That punch might have just been a test, and Cliff might not have used his full strength.

“Yo, good morning, Cliff. You still love sneak attacks, huh.”

Cliff turned his head, glaring fiercely at Siloque.

“Si-lo-que. I’ve been thinking all along… about how to kill you.”

Alright.

Judging by the veins bulging on his opponent’s face, Siloque could confirm that punch was at full force.

Also, Cliff’s appearance was different than before.

Siloque closed his eyes gently, showing a calm smile.

“Long time no see. You look energetic. Did something good happen?”

Cliff’s fist tightened.

His body swelled several times over.

His uniform was remarkably tough, the fabric stretched tight against bulging muscles, nearly splitting at the seams.

No wonder his fist was as big as Siloque’s face.

But the proportions were a bit off.

His arms were muscular and solid, his upper body incredibly sturdy, which made his lower half look pitifully thin in comparison. His skin had a faint, dark green hue.

It was like he’d overdosed on testosterone.

Just like the in-game illustration.

“Siloque. Give me back my stuff.”

Cliff swung his fist like a hurricane.

Maybe because his body was so huge, the swing’s path clipped the wall, easily gouging a deep trench along the school building, as if carving into tofu, and flew toward Siloque.

“Uwohh!”

The speed was impressive.

Siloque barely managed to dodge backward, but the force of the punch sliced off several strands of his long hair, which floated down, crisscrossing in the air.

Why was Cliff so ferocious?

The answer was on his opponent’s arm.

His sturdy arm was entwined with thorny vines, like a layer of natural armor.

The spikes looked sharp and painful.

The weapon wrapping his fist was also concerning.

Experienced Battle Gauntlets.

The gauntlets were pure white, elegantly carved—completely at odds with the impression Cliff gave off.

“Heh, so that’s it.”

The moment he recognized them, Siloque let out an unexpected sigh of relief.

That gauntlet had been given to him by someone else.

He had been keeping an eye on the news about Saint Luke Medical Center, so he knew someone had made contact with Cliff.

Cliff had been strengthened.

The question was—who gave him the power…?

Now that they’d actually fought, Siloque understood what was going on.

No problem.

There were some discrepancies, but it was still within the plan… within the second round’s route.

“What are you laughing at, bastard?”

Cliff asked gloomily.

The timing was right.

Siloque’s next move was to bend over—

“Ughh—ah—aa!! It hurts! Someone’s hitting me! Help!!”

“Huh? What’s with you, you bastard?”

Cliff’s rock-like face was filled with disdain and contempt.

Siloque’s antics naturally drew the attention of the other students.

You cry out loudly for help.

“What? Someone’s fighting?”

“People have so much free time this early in the morning.”

“Ugh, can’t you fight somewhere else? It’s affecting other people’s commute.”

“Don’t the teachers come out to stop this?”

“Teachers aren’t here this early. If anyone does something, it’s usually Student Council members.”

But not many people cared.

Whether they didn’t want trouble or to get involved, students whispered as they passed by, but no one stopped.

After all, disputes between hot-blooded students with special abilities weren’t particularly unusual at the National Explorers Academy.

But this was enough.

Siloque didn’t intend to attract these unfamiliar students.

The commotion was enough to slightly delay Cliff’s next move, but in his eyes, there was only Siloque.

“Let me guess, Cliff.”

Still bent over, Siloque glanced at the other.

“Your current talent can absorb others’ power for yourself, right? Not just magic and stamina, but even experience points…? The vines on your body used to require activating your talent field, but now you can transform them directly into armor and weapons.”

“You—!?”

Cliff’s rock-like face became even more rigid.

“In the past, when you were badly injured, you couldn’t possibly have gained such overwhelming power in such a short time. Someone helped you. Was that person a woman? Talkative? Long legs?”

It seemed that each time Siloque spoke, another vein bulged on Cliff’s forehead.

But as long as the other party reacted, Siloque could confirm his guesses.

However, there was one thing Siloque underestimated.

Cliff’s hatred for him.

Siloque felt it was strange.

Based on what he knew of Cliff, after two failed sneak attacks and drawing so much attention, he should’ve withdrawn immediately to plan his next ambush.

But now, seeing his opponent refusing to leave, hair standing on end in fury, it was clear he wouldn’t let Siloque off without inflicting some pain.

Far angrier than in the game’s rage state.

In his “red temperature” mode, Cliff’s critical hit rate could rise to 35%. Siloque remembered that well.

Looking closer, Cliff was still wearing hospital slippers…

Did he come looking for me right after recovering from illness?

“In the name of the Student Council, please stop, both of you. Can’t you sit down and talk things out?”

She appeared suddenly, without warning.

“——!!”

Even Cliff’s rock-like face wavered.

Siloque grinned wickedly.

Exactly what I wanted.

The girl closed her eyes gently, her tone soft.

She stood between Siloque and Cliff, not favoring either side.

Her medium-length hair reached her shoulders, with bangs pinned by a hair clip, her smooth and beautiful forehead shining.

Her uniform was worn according to school rules, but a single badge on one side and a colorful rubber band tied to her wrist gave off a playful impression.

Her presence alone caused the previously passing students to pause, and even drew small screams from the girls.

She’s really popular.

“Vice President, First-Year Class 1-A.”

Cliff squeezed out each word.

He, who had been raging with disregard for all, now seemed tense and intimidated.

But after two breaths, he snorted, as if losing interest.

“Oh, you know me. Hello, I’m Sharp Gadras, Vice President of the Student Council. I don’t know what happened between you two, but I hope no one gets hurt on the way to school. Uh, this student, are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

Sharp looked at Cliff’s physique with concern.

However, for Explorers, abnormal physical conditions were common.

Sometimes someone would suddenly turn into a skeleton, sometimes become a puppet controlled by a shaman, or sometimes turn into a long-haired freak…

You get used to it.

“…”

Cliff didn’t respond.

If his gaze could turn into a laser, Siloque’s head would have become a beehive.

But due to Sharp’s strength, he didn’t dare move recklessly.

“Wah… Vice President! Y-y-y-you’re—”

Siloque switched to another face—shy and sensitive towards girls, blushing and flustered.

Sharp smiled at him politely.

Cliff let out a scornful laugh.

“Still acting? What’s the point? It’s disgusting. Vice President, this is a private matter between him and me. Please stay out of it.”

“Vice President Sharp, even if I look fine, I’ve actually suffered severe internal injuries. Ughh—my, my heart!”

Vice President Sharp narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“…Student, isn’t the spot you’re touching your kidney area?”

“No, Vice President Sharp, you don’t understand. This is injury transfer. Cliff’s power is terrifying…”

Siloque’s deliberately bad acting was as if mocking him.

Cliff’s expression twisted like a demon, his fingers digging into his own shoulder so hard it nearly sank in.

Meanwhile, though Sharp spoke of peace, she had already activated her talent— [Ride Angel].

A three-meter-tall, six-winged angel knight stood dignified behind its master.

Its chest, shoulders, and waist were covered in ornate heavy armor, two swords sheathed in gold foil hung at its hips, and a long skirt trailed on the ground.

It was hard to tell if there were even legs inside—the inside of the helmet was just a void.

Siloque tried not to be distracted by the angelic knight, shyly twisting his long hair.

“Cliff’s form is a result of improper training—a minor side effect of becoming stronger?”

“You…”

Cliff clenched his fist.

The provocation was meant to see if Cliff would use more moves.

To gauge his hand.

And to plan tomorrow’s duel strategy.

With Sharp nearby, he felt even safer—though he intentionally played up a timid, weak atmosphere.

At least, she wouldn’t let anyone get hurt. Siloque was sure of that.

“That’s right, excessive power causes your lower body to…”

“Shut up…”

The invisible words stabbed into Cliff’s most sensitive spot like a blade.

Unlike before, his lowered head was shadowed, his face pale and lips tightly sealed.

The surge of power had nowhere to go.

Cliff’s body, barely recovered from illness, couldn’t bear the sudden force, his figure forced to distort to adapt.

Still, why only the upper body swelled and not the entire body—Siloque didn’t know, nor did he care.

Maybe the artist was referencing William’s G1 form?

“The reason it’s so…small…”

“Shut up! Don’t say I’m impotent—!!”

Cliff’s shout sprayed spit, and Sharp’s angel knight blocked it with its armored arm.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

Siloque and Vice President Sharp both questioned, while the students around them were shocked by the echoing voice on the street.

“Crack——”

Realizing something was wrong, Cliff gave up pretending.

“Go to hell—!!!”

With a howl that seemed to tear from his soul, Cliff threw his fist in fury, his face twisted and showing his sanity had at least halved.