I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 104: My Role

[You have encountered the Humanity Traitor Omega. Achievement unlocked.]

[Achievement reward: 40P acquired.]

It’s been a while.

It had been a long time since Rohan had earned an achievement just by encountering someone.

When he had faced the protagonist, the reward was 50P.

While the rewards weren’t strictly determined based on strength alone, Omega had only managed to reach a draw after being fully prepared to counter the protagonist. So, 40P seemed like a reasonable amount.

And yet, for some reason, the title given was Humanity Traitor.

Not just for Omega—this title also appeared when encountering Hex.

Even Rohan didn’t know why it was Humanity Traitor instead of Reverse Praise Society.

It was one of those mysteries where the community could only speculate.

Because Abyss City had never reached a point in the story where this achievement’s meaning was fully revealed.

"Ha."

Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about such things.

Because death—one that wouldn’t even allow him to struggle—was right in front of Rohan’s eyes.

"This is bullshit."

Rohan was sure of it. This was an unreasonably excessive stroke of misfortune.

In this vast, uninhabited island, why did it have to be here that Omega appeared? What were the actual odds of running into an enemy like this in such a manner?

"An Academy cadet? Hah-hah-hah! You’ve come to the right place."

Omega emerged from the worm, exuding an overwhelming pressure.

Even though it wasn’t a directed attack, the sheer weight of his presence nearly made Rohan drop his sword.

‘So that’s how he invaded...’

Completely different from the protagonist.

There was no attempt to conceal his presence—just an openly savage, blood-soaked aura.

A creature reeking of pure, jet-black malice.

If souls had color, his would undoubtedly be as black as coal.

‘Calm down.’

The only thread of hope Rohan had was the promise Omega had made with Hex.

"That one will be pleased. Shall I send him a little sample?"

—Kuweeeeh!

The worm opened its massive maw, directly facing Rohan.

As if it had been carrying Omega inside and was now preparing to swallow Rohan whole.

‘Just as expected.’

It was trying to capture an Academy cadet.

Which meant there really was an agreement between Hex and Omega.

The realization created a small opening in his suffocating tension.

Rohan clung to that feeling of relief, exhaled, and lowered his stance.

‘I won’t die. I won’t die. I won’t die. I won’t die. If I just stall for time, I’ll survive somehow.’

A madman who takes pleasure in killing wouldn’t kill him.

That was enough.

His mind settled, and his breathing steadied.

"Huuuh!"

Omega, seeing Rohan actually preparing to fight, twisted his grotesque, burn-scarred face into a grin.

"You’ve got guts. Go on then, entertain me."

—Krrrk! Kiiiiiik!!!

The worm pressed its massive body against the ground and spread its monstrous jaws wide, ready to swallow Rohan.

Rohan’s eyes sharpened as he tightened his grip on his sword.

‘Will my sword even penetrate?’

This worm was different in both color and size from the ones in the textbooks.

Most likely, it was a monster modified by Hex’s genetic tampering.

‘Scorching Blade.’

Rohan’s sword turned red with searing heat.

As he prepared to unleash Flame Judgment Sword, embers began escaping from his body.

"Fire?"

The moment flickers of flame leaked from Rohan, Omega’s face twisted in displeasure.

As expected—he still hadn’t completely overcome the terror of that day when his entire body was burned alive.

If he wanted to get over this deeply ingrained trauma, he’d have to defeat the protagonist who had inflicted it on him.

And once again, he was forced to acknowledge that fact.

"Damn heat makes me reconsider."

—Krrrk...

Clicking his tongue, Omega signaled the worm to stand down.

His excitement had been ruined.

Running into an opponent who wielded fire, of all things, right at the start?

It pissed him off.

The irritation made him want to break this kid’s spirit until he was groveling and begging for his life.

‘Might as well have some fun before the main event.’

As long as he sent a cadet with all limbs intact, he wouldn’t be violating his deal with Hex.

And within those boundaries, there were plenty of things he could do.

Kudududuk—!!!

From Omega’s back, thick, blue octopus tentacles burst forth.

His body had long since been modified into a fusion of different monsters.

The grotesque limbs writhed as they targeted Rohan.

"Hey, brat."

"..."

"Quiet one, huh? No sign of panic... Not even a single question."

Omega couldn’t shake the impression that this guy was odd.

To the point where he wanted to crack open his skull and peek inside.

"Fine. Let’s see how well you and your friends struggle."

The moment he heard friends, Rohan’s eyes widened.

Sensing faint presences closing in, he spun around and shouted:

"Don’t come!!! Turn back!!!"

Seeing Rohan’s blood vessels bulging as he yelled, Omega smirked.

"Now that is a reaction worth playing with."

Omega’s tentacles shot forward—

Straight into the brush where Rohan’s allies were hiding.

And to Rohan’s eyes, the movement was too fast to track.

"Kyaaaah!"

Corin was instantly snatched up by one of Omega’s octopus tentacles.

At the same time, a decision was made.

Noah and Ichinose burst out from the forest, and Rohan lunged at Omega.

Rohan’s twin thrusts, Ichinose’s quick-draw slash, Noah’s kick—

Omega took it all without moving an inch.

"The level of Academy cadets isn’t bad. You’re more useful than most soldiers."

Rohan’s sword, wrapped in Scorching Blade, struck straight for Omega’s throat—

But the blade didn’t pierce even a fingernail’s depth.

Ichinose’s sword, aimed at the tentacle constricting Corin, met the same result.

Noah’s kick landed squarely on Omega’s temple—

And yet, his head didn’t budge in the slightest.

A perfectly landed hit.

Zero damage.

A wall of immeasurable height.

The overwhelming gap in strength was undeniable.

"Who is this guy?!"

"This is... dangerous."

Ichinose and Noah both leaped back, alarmed.

They had already grasped the severity of the situation—

And their expressions turned grim.

"..."

Rohan wasn’t pleased to see reinforcements had arrived.

Even if he told them to run, neither of them would abandon Corin.

And Omega? He would never just let them go.

‘This is bad. This is the worst.’

Normally, Omega would have needed to release his magic to provoke the protagonist into appearing.

But because they had run into him directly, that process was skipped.

If Omega was capturing cadets just for his own amusement, based on his agreement with Hex—

Then the protagonist would inevitably be slightly delayed in realizing what was happening.

Right now, the uninhabited island was complete chaos.

"Where’s all that spirit from earlier, little ones? Come at me again."

"Agh...!"

The tentacle squeezing Corin tightened just slightly.

It had more than enough strength to crush her instantly, but Omega only used enough pressure to provoke them.

The corners of his lips curled upward.

"..."

All three of them silently shifted into position.

Omega, crossing his arms, studied the female cadets closely.

And at that moment—

He completely forgot his irritation with Rohan.

"Ahh, I see. So these are the key ingredients."

It was obvious at a glance.

Since he was making a big move anyway, might as well go all the way.

One was the daughter of Ichinose Jun, and the other carried the blood of the Great White Tiger Emperor.

The ones Hex had specifically ordered him to capture.

Kudududuk!

From Omega’s shoulder, a red snake slithered out and lifted its head.

The moment they realized he was about to do something, the three ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) launched a combined attack.

─ KAAAAAAAH!!!

The snake’s head let out a vile shriek.

And the cadets were instantly struck with a fear status effect—

As if their hearts were being crushed.

An artificial terror forcibly invaded their minds.

Their very thoughts shriveled under the pressure, their brains trembling in horror.

"Ah... ahhh..."

Still restrained in the tentacle’s grasp, Corin began foaming at the mouth before passing out.

She trembled pitifully.

Ichinose and Noah’s bodies had gone completely numb. They couldn’t move.

It was inevitable that they’d collapse onto the ground.

It was only natural that their weapons slipped from their grasp.

"Urgh...!"

"Ngh...!"

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Both Ichinose and Noah struggled against the overwhelming nausea.

The only praiseworthy thing?

They were still conscious.

Because they had spent so much time in the presence of titanic powers, their minds were just barely holding on.

"Hahahaha!!!"

Omega burst into laughter as he looked at the two girls who hadn’t fainted.

Even with his power restrained, they had exceeded expectations.

Despite their youth, their bloodlines truly set them apart.

But more than anything—

There was one thing that defied all expectations.

Omega’s gaze turned toward the male cadet who wasn’t on Hex’s priority list.

‘A mental defense skill?’

He wasn’t brimming with mana.

And yet—

He was the only one whose consciousness remained unshaken.

His body was frozen.

But his mind was completely intact.

‘Or... is his willpower simply strong enough to endure it?’

Either way, it piqued Omega’s interest.

Which was exactly what Rohan had been hoping for.

"Guh...!"

Now wasn’t the time to stay down.

Rohan needed to shock his body back to function.

He spotted a solid rock on the ground.

BAM!

Rohan slammed his forehead into it.

To fight back against an overwhelming terror—

He needed to break his own mind.

"..."

Blood splattered in all directions.

Omega and the two cadets watched in stunned silence.

‘Lee Rohan. Get a grip. Have some goddamn pride.’

How many times had he survived death in his past life?

And now, just because his opponent wasn’t outright trying to kill him, he was hesitating?

That was pathetic.

Unacceptable.

"Haa."

Blood dripped from his forehead.

The pain began reviving his body.

‘Good. I can move.’

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heartbeat pounded through his entire being.

‘Don’t tremble. Stand up. Don’t tremble. Stand up. Don’t tremble. Stand up.’

Ever since he had been forced into the role of a cadet—

One thought had always lingered in his mind.

There must be a reason why he was thrown into this world.

He must have a role to play.

And now—

Finally—

He was certain.

‘Protect them.’

There was no need to clarify who.

If they had made him smile, he would do the same in return.

Because life should be spent laughing—

Not suffering.

One last time—

BAM!

Rohan slammed his forehead into the ground.

‘Lee Rohan. Fulfill your role.’

If he remembered Omega’s arrogance from Abyss City—

Then he needed to analyze his sadism.

To understand his twisted need to dominate others.

No one gets kidnapped.

He had to stall for time until the protagonist arrived.

He needed a plan—fast.

After a long silence—

Rohan lifted his head.

Forcing his stiff, trembling neck upward—

His eyes met Omega’s.

The blood dripping from his forehead dyed his vision red.

It was better that way.

There was nothing he could see and dodge anyway.

── Ssshhh!

Rohan’s fingers dug into the dirt, reaching for his fallen sword.

His palm closed around it—

Dirt and blood mixing together in his grip.

Slowly—

Rohan stood.

And took his usual stance.

"Do whatever the fuck you want, you bastard."

For once, Rohan let out a raw, unfiltered curse.