Chapter 88: The Real Protagonist Appears

Don’t panic.

Muen, don’t panic.

Now isn’t the time to panic.

Even though he was being stared at by hundreds of eyes while dressed in this shameful getup, he still had the identity of a beautiful girl to fall back on.

They didn’t yet know that he was Muen Campbell.

Just like how, as long as you cover your face with a pair of panties, it becomes easier to do perverted things—аs long as the disguise of the beautiful girl isn’t torn off, I’m invincible!

“Ahhh, beauty, we’re here to save you!”

But just as Muen was forcefully trying to comfort himself like that, another commotion broke out downstairs. Aside from that ridiculously overpowered protagonist who had already charged into the dormitory, many other male students were also charging forward like they’d lost their minds, recklessly attacking the musclebound men blocking their way.

Some students who had already run away even came sneaking back, quietly casting magic on the outskirts, glancing over at Muen every now and then with expressions so shy it was like they were trying to show off in front of a girl during puberty.

And at that moment, from the darkness surrounding the dorm building, students wearing striking red uniforms—Student Council elites—silently entered the scene!

Unlike the chaotic regular students, they were clearly far more disciplined, splitting into different squads to support one another, thrusting straight into the battlefield like nails through the previously mapped-out weak points in the defense. A bun-headed beautiful girl stood on a makeshift platform, holding a magical amplifier in her hand, and, unusually serious, began issuing commands.

“All students below third year, fall back to the outer perimeter. I repeat, fall back to the outer perimeter. This is not the time for you to show off—make space for your upperclassmen to attack!”

“Students who specialize in the Warrior Path, move to the front line quickly! Don’t be afraid—there are over a hundred healing-type magicians and believers supporting you from behind!”

“Offensive magic users, take up position in the opposite dormitory. Gain high ground and provide safe output!”

“Student Council Squad Three, the west gate of the dormitory has been cleared—enter from there immediately!”

“The President has spoken—those guys are nothing more than bugs! Don’t be afraid. As long as we stand together, we can definitely rescue the hostage!”

The Student Council’s appearance and the bun-headed girl’s words were undoubtedly a shot of adrenaline to the still-chaotic student body. Though an event like the Academy being invaded was unheard of, this was Saint Maria Academy—every single class here was about getting stronger. So when they regrouped and launched a coordinated attack, how could the mighty muscle-bound brothers possibly withstand them? Under a torrential assault, they could only retreat step by step.

“How nice. At this pace, they’ll probably reach me soon and rescue me,” Muen muttered, tears of emotion brimming in his eyes.

To save the beautiful and moving princess, the heroes had finally united and embarked on their quest to defeat the Demon King.

But when they defeated countless monsters, crossed all manner of hardships, and finally struck down the Demon King to stand before the beautiful princess, eagerly awaiting her reward...

The princess lifts her skirt and pulls out something even bigger than what the heroes have...

—The heroes would probably tie the princess and the Demon King together and burn them alive.

Muen’s mind spun rapidly.

He knew that if he kept sitting here doing nothing, by the time the main force arrived, there would truly be no escape.

By then, in front of all those hopeful gazes... once the effect of the potion wore off...

He would absolutely die!

Both biologically, and socially!

Escape!

He had to escape in advance.

But...

Muen glanced at the High Priest who had remained beside him this whole time.

At the very least, someone had to distract this guy.

“Take this—Heavenly Fire Greatsword!”

“Beauty, I’m comin’ in hot!”

Just then, like sweet rain after a long drought, a heavenly voice rang out.

The door to the rooftop was blasted open by fearsome sword qi infused with flame and wind. The muscle-bound brothers guarding it didn’t even have time to react before they were blown away by the howling shockwave.

Amidst the backdrop of fire and storm, our destiny-blessed true protagonist, Ariel Bugaard, made her dazzling entrance, carrying a giant ruler-shaped greatsword larger than herself.

She had a toothpick in her mouth from who knows where, and when her eyes met Muen’s, the corner of her lips curled up into her signature roguish grin.

“Wait long, beauty?”

With a swish of her bangs, Ariel flashed a flashy smile.

“I’m not late, right?”

“Shit.”

Muen’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help but shiver. He took back what he’d just been thankful for. Even if this woman showed up right on time, it didn’t seem like a good thing at all. What was with that suave attitude like she was here to steal his heart? Was the Ariel from the original novel always this much of a player, flirting with anyone she saw?

“A... Ariel! Keep moving! They’re catching up behind us!”

Behind her, a panting Liya barely had time to rest before she urgently shoved Ariel forward. Because behind them, a dozen enraged muscle-bound men, eyes bloodshot, were charging straight up.

“Tch, weird. Didn’t I knock them all out?”

“Completely useless. They seem to be corrupted by the Evil God—you can’t treat them like normal people anymore.”

“In that case, take out the leader first!”

Ariel spat out the toothpick with a ptoo and, swinging her massive sword, charged directly at the High Priest, who clearly stood out from the rest.

“Oh?”

The High Priest, who had been gazing into the night, finally turned his head and revealed a sneering smile:

“Do I really look that easy to capture?”

“Anyone can act cool. Whether you’re actually badass or not—we’ll see after we fight!”

Ariel shouted defiantly.

Battle aura surged.

Swordlight shimmered. Terrifying magical power intertwined and, without any chant, formed a flaming blade. The blade swelled in the wind, like a massive wound tearing through the night.

Ariel leapt high, light as a swallow. But when she came down, she descended like a mountain, wrapped in heavenly thunder!

“Ho... interesting.”

The High Priest’s expression remained cold. He reached out and summoned a massive blade glinting with a chilling light. He gripped it tightly—no flashy effects like Ariel—but when he stepped forward, the entire dormitory seemed to tremble.

The massive blade slashed upward to meet Ariel’s flaming strike.

CLANG!

After a brief moment of silence, a thunderous boom exploded outward. Scorching shockwaves roared through the air, and it was like a miniature sun had risen in the night sky.

Many students still caught in battle instinctively paused and turned to look this way. Muen, who was much closer and caught in the backlash of their clash, felt his breath stop.

Ariel was already /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ this strong?

And you’re telling me she’s a second-year?!

No, no, now’s not the time to be thinking that.

This was a god-given opportunity!

As the High Priest and Ariel locked into a deadlock, Muen quickly rolled on the ground and snatched up something he’d been eyeing all along—

That toothpick.

The toothpick twirled deftly between his fingers. After a few breaths—click!—the cold shackles clattered to the ground. Muen couldn’t help but grin.

“Done!”

Lockpicking LV8. Hell yes.

Now he was finally free of those restraints. The sky’s the limit, the sea is wide—freedom!

...Hm?

That’s odd.

He’d already climbed down from the railing, so why did it still feel like the stares around him were so scorching?

Muen stiffly lifted his head.

And then he saw it.

A dozen muscle-bound brothers—no longer targeting Ariel, with Liya nowhere to be seen—were now staring at him.

Expressionless.

Solemn.

Focused.