Everyone stared at Seth in silence, their expressions all very telling.
He had just tried warning them, but they dismissed his words as the ramblings of a teenager trying to feel important.
But now…
Seth stared at the flashing Quest event, his brows creased as his mind spiraled deep in thought.
Keeping silent for a minute, he dismissed the system screen. Only then did he notice the strange atmosphere.
Suddenly, out of nowhere—
"You greedy bastard! You clearly have a way of getting information, but you refuse to share!" Roderick's expression was livid as he jabbed a finger at Seth, accusing him.
"He's right. All you had to do was share your method with us, and we would have believed you—or even checked your information for ourselves." Maki Rosewood, the sly vice president of Class C, chimed in at the perfect moment.
The atmosphere grew tense. Everyone's gaze toward Seth shifted, like a pack of wolves eyeing prey.
Elaine's eyes narrowed as she scanned the room. "These bastards are really trying to pin the blame on him," she hissed.
As loud and irritating as Roderick was, he was deviously smart. Well, that was to be expected of an elite student of Avalon.
He was quick to twist the opinion of the room before anyone else could act. With Maki riding the momentum, they had practically turned everyone against Seth.
Their intentions were obvious: wring out of Seth whatever he used to get information.
If Seth had spoken only about Corruption zones, they might have chalked it up to coincidence. But the fact that everything Uriel relayed came from him made them certain.
Now, they had successfully stirred the greed of others. Seth couldn't possibly fight them all. They believed they had the advantage, and they could easily force whatever they wanted out of him.
Frowning, Miss Lysa rose to defend her student. "What do you mean he should have shared? What obligation does he have to you? Are you his family? Have you helped him in any way?" Her cold gaze scanned every face.
"He didn't have to come in here and warn us, but he did anyway. Yet you dare harbor such intentions?" She turned her gaze to the silent Vice Principal.
"Is this how we of Avalon conduct ourselves?" she asked, awaiting his reply.
Cromwell frowned faintly. Honestly, he would have loved to watch from the sidelines to see how things played out. But now that he was dragged into it, he couldn't stay mute.
Sighing helplessly, he mused inwardly, I really hate my job.
Regardless, he spoke, his expression grave, showing none of his thoughts outwardly. "Both sides are right and wrong. But now is not the time to quibble among ourselves. We have a literal death clock ticking. There's no time to waste."
Then he turned to Seth. "Young man, I understand you are under no obligation to give us whatever you own." He paused, his eyes flickering with unreadable light, then continued. "But you must understand the situation. We all have to share and help each other if we're going to survive."
Everyone nodded, eyes flashing with enthusiasm.
The Vice Principal couldn't have sorted the matter more pleasantly. At the end of the day, Seth still had to submit.
The whole time, Seth observed everything, his expression placid. He didn't feel anger, hate, or annoyance.
He knew human nature. Biting the hand that feeds them came as naturally to humans as breathing. They just needed the right justification and an advantage—which they thought they had.
But in reality, the situation was under his control.
Uriel and Elaine seemed to understand this, hence their lack of reaction.
Same with the Vice Principal, hence his softer approach.
While everyone was certain Seth had something special and valuable, they didn't know what it was. Seth planned to take full advantage of this.
His plan? Simple: straight-faced bullshitting.
His expression changed, feigning resignation. "Well, since you're all so curious, I'll tell you."
He continued, his tone genuine as he addressed the Vice Principal. "Honestly, the reason I couldn't reply when you asked for proof, sir, is that I can't provide proof.
The item from which I inadvertently got the information about the Corruption zone is gone. I absorbed it. Though I do have more information, I have nothing to give.
That's why I tried to convince you all with my words. But you saw how that turned out."
Uriel smiled faintly on hearing Seth speak. The guy spoke so convincingly, acted so genuinely wronged, that others might be inclined to believe him.
But Uriel didn't. This was a figure who had acted clueless and remained unnoticeable for three years despite being outstanding.
'To think all this while, someone so interesting was right here… Seth Duskreaver, you are worth my attention.' Uriel acknowledged internally.
Since enrollment, Uriel had steamrolled effortlessly to the top. For so long, he stood at the peak with no rivals he couldn't see through or outmaneuver.
But today, he found one. His heart beat rapidly, a thrill rushing through his veins. When last had he been this excited?
When last had he seen someone worthy to be his rival?
Helen Variel? Roderick Carmen? Reggie Starshade? Maki Rosewood?
To him, all these impressive peers had only been stepping stones.
Eyes gleaming with anticipation, he muttered to himself, "Interesting… very intriguing."
Mr. Hilton frowned, his expression hesitant. "Are you sure you're telling the truth?"
Seth shrugged. "How can I convince you? I tried once and failed anyway."
Everyone went silent. They couldn't tell if he was lying or telling the truth.
The safest path was to hear what he had to say and act based on that.
If he lied? What could they do anyway?
It dawned on the sharpest minds in the room: no matter what they did, they could only dance to Seth's tune.
They say the best type of scheme is one you see coming but can do nothing to stop.
Glancing at everyone, Seth smiled. "Well, do you want to hear what I have to say, or are we going to waste time going back and forth with nothing to show for it?"
The staff and students glanced at each other, reluctant but willing to move on. Their survival hinged on this. The more aware they were, the higher their chances of living to see tomorrow.
Cromwell smiled wryly. "We can only listen to what you have to say. I just hope you'll be honest, young master Seth."
Seth nodded. Naturally, he wasn't going to lie. If he wanted to survive, he couldn't do this alone. There was a good reason the system made this a Quest event.
Not wasting time, he began to explain what they would be up against: the Defiled, the Charm beasts, how terrifying these creatures could be.
Very soon, he was done.
"So in essence, we need to get stronger to clear this Corruption zone," a tutor summarized.
Cromwell nodded. "A lot stronger… here's what we'll do—"
His words were abruptly cut short as a sudden devastating tremor ran through the building.
Lights flickered, cracks spread across the structure, and chips of debris fell.
Seth's heart dropped as he sensed a very familiar presence.
Creeeeeeeeee!
A familiar, terrifying screech rang out!