The Extra's Harem In Dead End Game

Chapter 94: Secrets Beneath and Arrows Above

"It seems he really appeared to give us a warning," I murmured.

"Ha... I thought I was going to die," Annette let out a sigh of relief.

"Truly a terrifying being... I'm not even sure if it's human," Kamian said, his hand still trembling as he put his sword away. His gaze turned to me.

"...But how do you even know sign language?"

Kamian looked genuinely surprised.

"Somehow I just do," I replied shortly, not wanting to explain.

I had learned it for smoother gameplay. That's right. This insane game features two major characters who use sign language.

And the crazier part is that the game doesn't translate it into text.

So unless you're guessing by intuition, you'd have to look at sign language books in the academy library and learn the movements and meanings one by one to interpret correctly.

It's truly a mad game. But thanks to that, my efforts weren't in vain as they became helpful in such a situation.

"What's important now isn't that. It's that there are others outside who know the identity of this underground space. And they do not want its secrets to spread."

I quickly summed up the situation.

It was an easy summary for me, but it wouldn't have felt that way to Kamian and Annette.

They looked at me with admiration. Then they came to their senses.

"It seems even more serious than expected."

Kamian bit his lip.

"Yeah, I can't even begin to guess what kind of forces are behind this."

That was the truth. It was a secret I had never uncovered myself.

"What should we do?"

Annette was panicking.

"First of all, keep this warning a secret. It's definitely not a bluff. If you slip up and say something, you could really die," I stated emphatically.

Kamian and Annette seemed to feel the warning was not an empty threat.

"That seems wise," Kamian agreed.

"Okay, I understand. Senpai," Annette responded.

"Right, this is our secret. But I don't plan to just stay quiet. I'll find out more about this underground space in coordination with the underground people."

It could be a dangerous move. But Kamian and Annette were not against it.

They were the main character and the childhood friend heroine, after all.

"I agree. We can't just sit idly by."

"And I do too. I'm worried about the people below as well."

Pleased with their response, I smiled.

"Then let's leave this discussion for later and get moving. Before it gets any darker."

"Wouldn't it be better to know the direction before moving?" Kamian made a valid point.

But.

"It's okay. I didn't know before, but now I see it's a way I know."

"What?"

"Don't worry, just follow me. I've been here a few times, so I'm sure."

Under my guidance, we safely reached the dormitory.

***

"Things underground should be fine for a while."

There was still quite some time left until the next quest would happen.

Nothing special should happen until then.

Preparations like resupplying could be done at that time.

Now, it was time to pay attention to the affairs within the school again.

Tsk!

Lost in my thoughts, the arrow strayed far from the target.

It didn't really matter since it wasn't a test, but...

"Alright, everyone stop. Clean up and gather around."

A man with a large build and towering height shouted.

He was Lawrence Lambert, the archery professor. Known as 'Giant Bow' Lawrence, he was famous for using an incredibly massive bow, a longbow as tall as his over 2-meter height, made entirely of solid iron.

He only used iron arrows.

The iron bow, powerful but heavy and hard to handle, wasn't commonly used. Iron arrows also weren't widely used due to their weight affecting the range, despite their lethal power.

Probably only Professor Lawrence could combine iron with iron arrows to achieve tremendous power, range, and accuracy all at once.

As one would expect, he was one of the continent's top archers, easily counted on one hand.

"Has everyone gathered?"

"Yes!"

The students of the common class responded in unison.

"Then, let me say a few words."

Professor Lawrence spoke with his characteristic stern expression. Perhaps that coldness was the reason why his arrows were frighteningly accurate.

"Your progress in skill is rubbish."

And so it began.

The verbal assault, something that Professor Lawrence is specialized in.

It was also why he was unpopular among the students.

The students disliked him even more because most of what he said was unpleasantly true.

"The problem is not with my teaching method; it's your lack of effort."

His immense pride in his teaching was evident.

But he was right.

There was no better way to teach archery in a group setting.

Being a master archer with a complete understanding of the craft, he could teach the students with precision, leaving no room for error.

The only issue was time.

With the limited time allocated for classes, the students had to make up for what was lacking through personal effort.

That's what he was pointing out.

They probably had no excuses.

Only a few of the common class students actually put in the effort.

Of course, including myself.

"I am, of course, disappointed. I hope to see more dedication from all of you..."

"Yes."

A voice meekly replied.

Professor Lawrence frowned slightly with his thick, prominent eyebrows, seemingly displeased. Then he continued.

"Though it may not seem possible for you, the evaluation date has been set. Next week, at this very time. Just be at ease, as the results will reflect your efforts."

'I wonder if it's around this time for the second year,' I thought.

A bit earlier than the first year.

But the difference was negligible.

The tradition of granting students who placed within the top ten in their respective year's archery evaluations the right to participate in the upcoming hunting contest organized by the Public Safety Office.

Hence, the schedule was similar for all grades.

'Wait, this might be...'

I suddenly became engrossed in thought with a realization.