Popularity is everything; I play a super genius.

Chapter 28 The Strongest Among Everyone

In the distance, the horizon trembled.

Countless blood-red eyes merged into a surging, burning crimson in the dim light.

With deafening roars and thunder, the horde of beasts surged toward them!

The sheer number of them was overwhelming, impossible to count!

It was as if all the void beasts in the rift had been gathered here by some kind of power.

Such a display has completely exceeded the strength that a Class D fissure should have!

The practical assessments that were a bit too advanced in the past seem child's play compared to today's.

Under the combined stimulation of the drugs and the echoes, these virtual beasts became even more ferocious and troublesome than usual.

If the last assessment was a difficult mode, then this time, the students of Class 8 are facing a completely hellish dungeon!

Two weeks have passed since the last practical assessment, and new students in Class 8 have been gradually awakening and responding, with their strength improving to varying degrees.

But in the face of such a catastrophic beast tide, this improvement is a drop in the ocean.

The difficulty of the task far exceeded what the members of Class 8 could handle.

Of course, this so-called "Class 8" does not include Saki.

For Saki, it was like a level in easy mode that became slightly more challenging.

After the initial surprise, Saki quickly returned to her usual composed and at ease demeanor.

However, the rest of the students in Class 8 were completely panicked.

Fear gripped their hearts!

How could this be...?

How could so many Void Beasts appear all at once!

I'll die, won't I?!

In this critical moment where death seemed to be imminent, everyone inevitably and subconsciously turned their gazes toward Tsukimi-sensei.

Because he was the only adult among everyone present who possessed power.

Although many students in Class 8 have awakened their responses, they are ultimately just a group of fifteen-year-old children.

"teacher--!"

"Tsukimi-sensei—!"

Everyone turned to look at Tsukimi.

However, Tsukimi simply continued reading the novel, seemingly engrossed in the story, oblivious to the world around her.

Everyone's expression changed: "Tsukimi-sensei, you...you must stop looking! It's come to this!"

"Tsukimi-sensei, you'll step in, won't you?"

Hearing the increasingly noisy sounds, Tsukimi impatiently picked at her ear with her little finger, her gaze still fixed on the pages of her book: "Make a move? What do you mean, 'make a move'? Why should I make a move?"

"Isn't this your responsibility as a teacher?"

"responsibility?"

Tsukimi seemed to have heard something extremely ridiculous and boring.

"I've said this since the first day I brought you here—"

I'm an irresponsible person, so don't have any expectations of me.

As he spoke, he even went so far as to complain about the crowd with a sense of self-righteousness:

"Moreover, I made a special point of emphasizing this before I set off: get to the destination in one go, without any delays along the way."

If you exclude the time spent setting up camp and resting, the situation wouldn't be so bad.

People always have to pay the price for their mistakes...

As the horde of virtual beasts drew ever closer, Bai Lili grew anxious:

"Teacher! I know you're saying all this to train us! Those who respond will eventually stand on their own and can't always rely on others!"

But this situation has clearly gone beyond the scope of training! It's a life-threatening accident!

According to the "Academy Faculty Code of Conduct" and the "Echoes' Wartime Regulations," supervising instructors are obligated to protect the safety of trainees!

"Oh," Yuejian responded indifferently, turning another page of the novel in her hand.

"Teacher, please stop joking! We're all really going to die here!" another student cried out.

"die?"

Hearing this, Tsukimi finally raised her eyes, but not to look at the students, nor at the distant beast tide.

He simply looked up at the moon overhead, a poetic indifference appearing on his face.

"So what if you die? Everyone dies eventually."

The moon is beautiful tonight, can you feel it?

Dying under this beautiful moonlight would be quite nice.

"???"

Everyone was stunned.

I can hardly believe these words came from a teacher's mouth.

How did this guy become a teacher?

The comments section was filled with both anger and amusement:

"Wow! That's amazing! You can even be a teacher like that!"

"You idiot, are romance novels really that good? Why are you still reading them at a time like this?!"

Bai Lili was about to speak again when Setsuna, who had long harbored resentment towards Yuejian, stopped her: "Enough, Lili, don't beg him! Begging someone like that is worse than hoping for a miracle."

Two weeks into the semester, this so-called teacher spent his days reading a romance novel during class and taught almost nothing of substance.

She even had to sit in on other classes and listen to other teachers' lectures to barely catch up.

So how can someone like that be allowed to become a teacher?!

Those words, though brief, served as a reminder to everyone.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Qi Ji.

I looked at the figure wearing a pure white mask.

On the first day of school, when they encountered a horde of Void Beasts far exceeding their capacity in the D-level rift, it was Saki who turned the tide and led them to victory.

Since we were able to do it last time—

So this time, could we...?

begging!

Please!

Under the gazes of everyone—some in despair, some in anticipation, and some with a glimmer of hope—Saki stretched slightly.

Suddenly, his whole body made a "crackling" sound.

Then, amidst everyone's anticipation and the earth-shattering roar of galloping beasts, Qi Ji took a step forward.

Just one step.

Yet it seemed as if an invisible dividing line clearly separated the fear behind them from the destructive torrent in front of them.

"Saki-kun..."

"Sakizumi!"

Seeing Qi Ji step out from the crowd, everyone was instantly overjoyed!

Of course, some of his classmates quickly realized what was happening and began to worry about him.

They knew that Saki was very strong, but no matter how strong he was, he was still just one person!

The horde of virtual beasts before them was no longer something that could be dealt with simply by being "very strong".

However, before anyone could voice their concerns, Saki had already taken the initiative, quickly and clearly outlining the arrangements:

"Drop all unnecessary cargo and weight, and only carry a backpack containing weapons and medicine!"

Run towards the fracture exit at top speed! Don't look back! Don't stop!

Run to the exit, make sure it's safe, and then send me a signal!

"Saki! And what about you?!" Hōki asked urgently.

"Saki-kun, let's run together!" Bai Lili also spoke up.

Saki did not turn around.

He glanced at the approaching, increasingly ferocious beast horde, its grotesque outlines now clearly visible, and spoke with his usual lightness:

"Me? Of course I'll stay here and stretch my muscles."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something, took out the money pouch Bai Lili had given him, and tossed it in his hand.

"Boss Bai, I told you, once I take your money, I'll make you feel—"

物、超、所、值。

Although hiring me won't be cheap, there's nothing I can do about it.

After all, I am the one among everyone—

The strongest one.

"Wow! Finally! The 'Lock' is back on! I've been waiting in the live stream all day for this moment!"

"It tastes just right! It looks amazing! I love watching it!"

"Do you even understand the value of a paid god-tier player?!"

Boss Bai: I told you this money was well spent!

"But--!"

Bai Lili thought that Qi Ji was only staying to put on a brave face because he had been paid.

He hurriedly replied, "That little bit of money isn't worth risking my life for!"

Comments floated by:

"Hilarious! Miss Bai's small change is Hajiji's huge fortune."

"Don't question Lao Ji's credibility in taking money to do things!"

Looking at the beast tide that was already nearly a hundred meters high.

Bai Lili's face drained of color. Such a terrifying beast tide, leaving one person behind to cover the retreat...

What's the difference between this and sending someone to their death?!

……

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