I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind

“Well? What do you think of my search skills?”

“A-As expected of Miss Luna! You’re amazing, definitely a genius!”

“This was easy. Though, I couldn’t have done it without your brilliant mana detection.”

“Me, a genius… T-That can’t be true!”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Rezé, you are a genius!”

Under Luna’s continued praise, Rezé was flustered and unsure of how to react.

These kids sure know how to play.

Well, let’s see how the geniuses handle interpreting this magic circle.

“Hmm… There’s something round here.”

What a brilliant interpretation from these geniuses.

I stuck my head between them and took a closer look at the magic circle.

“Looks like it’s for masking presence, camouflage, and terrain manipulation. It hides the path.”

“Oh, so it’s blocking the way down?”

“T-To see through the magic circle so quickly! Are you really a demon, Zero?!”

“…?”

So when Luna does something impossible, she’s a genius, but when I do it, I’m a demon? What kind of rabbit logic is that?

I put Rezé in a headlock, and she flailed her arms in a fierce struggle.

The rabbit’s merciless front paws!

But my forearms were even more merciless.

Just as Rezé’s soul seemed about ready to escape her body, Luna, who had been staring at the magic circle, spoke up.

“So, how do we break this thing?”

Magic circles, depending on the type, usually work like puzzles.

There are two ways to break them:

Solve the puzzle or smash it with brute force.

‘People in this world tend to go for brute force since puzzles are hard for them.’

But smashing a magic circle isn’t recommended.

Not only does it require significant power, but there are also various penalties attached to it.

This was a magic circle I’d never seen before, and it was written in demonic language. But interpreting it wasn’t difficult.

After all, I had the [Translation S] skill.

“It says, ‘He who solves the secret of this door shall find the path.’”

“Oh, I see. This is my specialty, then.”

Luna studied the magic circle. It had two identical drawings on either side, with the center of the circle serving as the focal point.

“Hmm…”

“…”

“Hmmmmm!”

“…”

“Curse this stupid puzzle! Die!”

Smack! Smack!

It seemed the puzzle was too difficult for Luna, as she started stomping on the magic circle in frustration.

Of course, Luna’s strength wasn’t enough to even scratch it. The magic circle remained completely intact.

‘There’s a reason magic circles are used, after all.’

Not only are the materials used to create them valuable, but they also take an extraordinary amount of time to craft. That’s why they have such high durability.

I slid my arm under Luna’s shoulder and lifted her, then handed her over to Rezé.

She really was like a fierce cat.

‘This puzzle… it’s a spot-the-difference puzzle.’

The two images on either side of the magic circle looked identical, but if you examined them closely, you could spot subtle differences.

The task was to find those differences—this was the essence of a “spot-the-difference” puzzle.

In these kinds of puzzles, there were always five discrepancies to find.

And I could solve this puzzle faster than anyone.

Time to use my secret technique for spot-the-difference puzzles.

‘Magic Eye!’

I adjusted my focus, making the images on both sides slowly overlap.

Once they aligned perfectly, several parts of the images began to shift and pop out.

Those were the differences.

I memorized their locations and returned my eyes to normal. Then, without hesitation…

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap!

I tapped five spots on the magic circle with my finger.

“What the—? Did you become some kind of pervert who’s into harassing pictures now?”

“Keke, I’m no pervert. I just solved the puzzle.”

“What?”

Rumble—!

Suddenly, a powerful tremor shook the underground sewer, as if there were an earthquake.

“W-What’s happening?!”

“I-It’s an earthquake!!”

Luna and Rezé clung to me from either side.

“Zeroooo!”

Yes, Luna, I know my clothes are fine. So, please stop screaming.

Actually, I think they might’ve torn just a little. You’re stretching my clothes by pulling on them so hard.

Is this girl a psychopath?

As my poor clothes were being mercilessly tugged at, Rezé suddenly exclaimed.

“L-Look, stairs!”

Before us, a staircase leading downward appeared.

In reality, the stairs had always been there.

The magic circle had copied the surrounding bricks to conceal them from view.

“You solved the demon’s puzzle? Impressive!”

“Keke, it was simple.”

“As expected of the talented recruit I brought in. I hereby appoint you as the official puzzle solver! Perform your duties diligently!”

“A-As expected of Miss Luna! You’re amazing!”

“…?”

I solved the puzzle, but why is Luna the one getting all the praise?

Well, I’ll let it slide. There are more important things to worry about right now.

It was a simple puzzle, one that anyone could solve if they understood the rules.

From this, I could deduce something important.

‘The black mage here… they’re weak, just as I thought.’

A demon’s strength is proportional to the difficulty of the puzzle.

Spot-the-difference puzzles are classified as some of the easiest puzzles, alongside basic arithmetic.

There wasn’t even a time limit or a restriction on the number of attempts.

It meant you could blindly tap away and still eventually solve it.

We were safe. Now, all that was left was…

“Alright, let’s head down.”

“W-Wait a moment.”

I reached into my coat and rummaged through my belongings. Soon enough, my hand grabbed what I was looking for.

I pulled out three tuxedo masks and matching tuxedos—items I’d obtained as a reward for defeating Benius.

[Legendary Phantom Thief Set: S]

A mask and suit that can change appearance at will.

These were items used by a legendary phantom thief.

Once the appearance is set, it cannot be changed.

※ When worn as a set, no one will be able to recognize that you are ‘Zero.’ (Except for those to whom you personally reveal your identity.)

“Let’s put on disguises, just in case. If there are multiple black mages, some of them might try to escape.”

“Hmph, not a bad idea. I taught you well!”

“A-As expected of Miss Luna! You’re amazing!”

Seriously, you two. Take these masks.

“What the—? This is a high-grade artifact! Where did you get something like this?”

“Keke, it’s all thanks to Miss Luna’s good fortune.”

“Nice try, pretending to compliment me while dodging the question. Well, I’m kind, so I’ll let it slide.”

Although the masks looked like tuxedo masks, you could change them to whatever form you imagined.

Since these kinds of items are often used in parties, Luna and Rezé had likely seen similar items before.

‘Though theirs probably didn’t have the stealth and voice-changing effects like this one.’

This high-grade item perfectly hid the wearer’s identity. It was no wonder Luna was surprised.

“It’s best if we match our outfits. I’ll design the clothes, and you two can focus on the masks. How about choosing an animal theme?”

“Animals, huh…”

Luna and Rezé closed their eyes, deep in thought.

Rezé’s mask was the first to change.

‘A rabbit?’

Of course, she’d pick something like that.

“Keke, do you like rabbits?”

“I-It’s my family’s symbol.”

A family that uses a rabbit as its symbol? That’s a curious choice.

Most families go for powerful predators like eagles or lions, decorating their crests with impressive, majestic creatures. This was definitely unique.

An enemy who saw a rabbit crest might charge in laughing. After all, rabbits are herbivores.

‘Surely… not everyone in her family has a personality like Rezé’s, right?’

A family that huddled together trembling in a box… just the thought of it was pathetic.

“Come to think of it, what’s your family name, Rezé?”

“I-I already told you, it’s Leria.”

“When was that?”

“D-During our first meeting…”

Our first meeting? How would I remember that? You were such a peculiar kid that I was too busy just trying to adapt!

‘Wait, Leria? Leria…’

The name felt familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it.

If I couldn’t remember, it had to be one of two things. Either it was a family insignificant to the main storyline…

‘Or it’s a family that gets wiped out in the early chapters.’

The Four Heavenly Kings. Once they started moving in earnest, they could easily wipe out a small territory or two.

By Chapter 3, the Four Heavenly Kings started acting in full force.

The ‘Leria’ family might be one of the minor noble houses that disappear around then.

Of course, it was more likely just a forgettable family. With thousands of noble families, from minor houses to fallen ones, existing in the empire, it wasn’t surprising.

“Done! I’m finished!”

In Luna’s hand was a mask shaped like a light pink cat.

Of course, Luna would pick something like that.

“Keke, do you like cats?”

“They’re graceful and beautiful. Like me.”

Our Luna can certainly be as fierce as a cat. Sometimes she even hisses.

“So, what animal are you going with? A dog?”

“A… dog?”

Luna, what are you saying? And Rezé, stop sneaking in insults!

I glanced at the masks they had chosen.

A rabbit and a cat. Not exactly the most intimidating animals. We needed something fiercer.

‘Lions, tigers, and eagles are too common, and I’m not into furry masks. In that case…’

I imagined an animal in my mind, and the mask began to transform.

Black scales, vertical pupils that burned like fire, and tiny fangs.

That’s right. The mask I created was in the shape of a ‘snake.’

“A snake, huh?”

“Simple and elegant, don’t you think? Plus…”

I licked my lips as I looked at Rezé.

“It’s an animal that can devour rabbits.”

“Eek!”

“Stop scaring her and finish making the outfit. If you can’t do it, just let me handle it.”

No, I’d never hand this over to anyone else. Because…

‘This is a chance to live out my dream!’

There’s a famous criminal organization from a well-known manga.

Originally created to stop wars and bring peace, the group was twisted by villains and became the worst kind of criminal syndicate.

Their deep backstory, justified actions, and powerful members made them legendary villains.

Even after the story ended, they remained iconic antagonists.

That’s right. I intended to wear the same outfit they did.

Even if it wrecked the game’s world, it didn’t matter.

Because this…

This is a dream!

“Black robes with red clouds? It looks ominous. Suits you perfectly.” (TL Note: Akatsuki)

“Keke, it’s the coexistence of sorrow and joy. Luna, you’ll never understand.”

“Whatever. Just hurry up and put it on before they escape.”

Since it was a cloak, it could be worn over the clothes we already had.

Thanks to the set item effect, Luna’s pink twin-tails became semi-transparent.

“Huh? Your body’s a bit see-through.”

“Keke, must be the artifact’s power. It even hides hair that sticks out of the mask.”

“I can’t believe such high-grade artifacts exist… It’s amazing.”

The semi-transparency was because we already knew each other’s identities.

To others, we would appear as a mysterious group wearing animal masks.

‘Since I’m wearing the mask, no one will be able to see my eyes… and it should also filter my voice.’

Meaning the ‘Keke’ and my formal speech would be automatically censored.

Of course, to us, it would sound just the same.

“Zero, take a look at this.”

“Keke, calling me by name defeats the purpose of disguising ourselves.”

“Oh, right. Then, hey puppy, take a look at this.”

I appreciate you toning down the insult from dog to puppy, Luna. It’s enough to bring me to tears.

“Wouldn’t ‘snake’ be a more fitting name? Hmm?”

Click.

Luna snapped a photo of me. Thanks to the mana stone-powered camera, the picture was instantly printed.

In the photo, I stood there in my snazzy outfit, wearing the snake mask.

“This is all about memories, memories. If you listen well to this big sister, you’ll get free rice cakes even while you’re asleep.” (TL Note: Korean Proverb, as in, good things will happen to you even if you do nothing, as long as you listen to me)

“It’s not rice cakes, a photo just came out though.”

“Whatever, strike a cool pose. No, wait, let’s all take one together.”

Luna pressed up against me and lifted the camera.

Well, it wouldn’t hurt to take a picture. It’s not like we’re going to become some legendary group.

Click.

Below the stairs was yet another massive sewer.

But there was no chance of us getting lost. Our radar rabbit was working properly again.

“Hold on, do you hear something?”

At Luna’s words, we all listened carefully.

Swoosh—

If you paid attention, you could hear it.

The sound of rushing water. And beneath it, a strange noise.

Squeak! Squeak!

Squeeeak!

“What the? Are there rats? Well, I guess that makes sense in a sewer.”

“T-There are so many! We should retreat! Let’s retreat!”

I couldn’t help but fall deep into thought.

Rats?

A certain figure popped into my mind.

It was impossible not to think of him. Any player who had reached this point in the game would be reminded of him.

One of the Four Heavenly Kings, and someone who would eventually become one of the strongest beings in this world.

‘The Red King, Broken.’

A term that refers to the strange phenomenon where rats’ tails become entangled, eventually symbolizing death in this world.

That’s the “Red King.”

‘It can’t be… right?’

A sense of unease crept up on me, but I quickly shook it off.

I’d already confirmed that the difficulty level was low with the magic circle puzzle, and storyline-wise, it was impossible for Broken to be here.

‘To reduce Carpathia’s forces, three of the Four Heavenly Kings attacked nearby territories, leaving out Lizbeth.’

Broken was still lurking in the shadows, likely causing chaos elsewhere to divert attention toward himself.

Carpathia was valuable enough to warrant that kind of distraction.

So, there was no need to be afraid just because of a few rats.

‘After all, rats are just a symbol. Broken doesn’t actually command dirty swarms of rats.’

What he commands isn’t rats.

‘It’s death.’

“Zero, what’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing. And I’m not Zero. I’m ‘Snake.’”

“Oh, right. Anyway, let’s keep moving. We’ll lose them if we waste time.”

After about five more minutes of walking, we finally reached our destination.

Squeak! Squeak!

We stood before a small chamber, about three meters across.

Painted on the floor was a red magic circle. And scattered across it were live rats.

Their tails were entangled, preventing them from moving properly.

“Heh, you’ve finally arrived… I’ve been waiting.”

Next to the magic circle stood a man dressed in a black robe.

He had the hood pulled so low over his face that it was impossible to make out his features.

“Who are you?”

“Heh, are you curious about my identity? Then I shall tell you. I hope you won’t tremble in fear, for my reputation has soared recently.”

“Snake, don’t tell me that guy is…!”

“Indeed, I am the famous member of the Four Heavenly Kings—”

The robed man leaped to his feet, shouting at the top of his lungs.

“The Creator of Madness!”

…What the hell.

Who’s this idiot?

–TL Notes–

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