Long-term salvation

"Just now, what was that?! A..."

The word "monster" in the second half of the sentence was expressed with gestures. The Hekmedea siblings didn't dare say it here at all. They were afraid that the other party would hear it and rush over and throw them into some place like Dreamland or Yuggoth.

"He's Mr. Rhodes's lover," Lucas paused and added, "one of them."

"...Mr. Rhodes is truly a savior."

Curled up in the car seat, Koko felt a little fear about her future college life - and also a faint anticipation.

Chapter 529: University Life is Ordinary (3K)

Early in the morning, the alarm clock rang.

Koko Hekmedia reached out to turn off the alarm clock, crawled out from under the quilt, and woke up the senior student opposite her - the one named Jesse Faden.

"Senior, if you don't get up like yesterday, don't expect Theresa and I to bring you breakfast."

"Please, Mom, bring me some."

Koko: “…Tsk.”

After making up her mind that she would not become a useless adult who longed for a loli mother in the future, the silver-haired girl turned around and went to the bathroom to wash up. She looked at herself in the mirror - it had been more than two months since she came to Miskatonic University, and she and her brother had already adapted to life here.

After a quick wash, Koko leaned over and peeked out the doorway, only to see Jesse's blanket bulged into a ball. The still-young "director" inside, having endured the torture of forced marches and assault training the previous night, was desperately struggling with the blanket.

After changing clothes, Koko dragged the zombie-like Jesse out of bed, stuffed him into the bathroom, and then strolled out with her schoolbag:

As a strong clairvoyant and a bright enough student, the girl did not need to learn too much basic knowledge and was able to access university courses earlier. However, because of this... she still had a small problem:

Taking out her cell phone from her schoolbag, Koko glanced at the signature of the sender, and then blocked the new number - it was a message from her father, Floyd Hekmedia, and the content was similar, all stupid things like "What are you studying" and "Photocopy the textbook contents".

Every time Koko sees this information, she finds it ridiculous.

Did that indifferent father really think that a useless adult like Rodser was all that was being monitored? Then, what about the girl who had appeared in her phone call and called herself "Pranah"? She was an intelligent AI!

What's more, the person who can be her roommate will definitely not be a "useless adult"... That thing is called "North Star", a benevolent entity from a supernatural dimension, and this thing will provide Jesse with advice, help, and surveillance of herself.

Koko had a feeling that if she had the slightest intention, "North Star" would immediately get rid of her! Even this woman who only knew how to call Loli Mom always kept a pistol under her pillow!

It was indeed a little bit difficult to adapt to it at first, but now - I have to say, this kind of life walking on the edge of death, being watched by others with warm yet indifferent eyes... is really fucking exciting!

Licking her lips, Koko hummed a song as she walked towards the cafeteria, without any fear of running into the offspring of the black goat on her first day here.

But just after leaving the dormitory building, she saw an unfamiliar man and woman walking one after the other. The beautiful woman was in front, and the handsome but reluctant man was following behind.

"Jack, I know you don't want to come here, but I'm a paranormal investigator now. After finding an ancient tome that I can't decipher, I have to go to Miskatonic University for help. The boss isn't here right now; he's on a mission!"

"...I always feel like you're using this as an excuse to control me."

"Did I succeed?"

"...Hurry up and leave, Ross. Leave as soon as you finish interpreting it."

Jack, the young man codenamed "Thunder" said shyly as he pushed the woman in front of him called "Rosemary" forward. The two people who were playing around were filled with the sour smell of love, which made Koko's eyes twitch slightly.

Sighing, Koko ignored the couple and continued walking towards the cafeteria.

After slowly finishing her breakfast and packing a portion, Koko planned to throw her schoolbag into the classroom to reserve a seat, and then take the breakfast back to her roommate.

But when the girl just left the cafeteria, she ran into Professor Warren Rice of Ancient Literature (from "The Dunwich Horror"), who seemed to be looking for her:

"Miss Hekmedia, you're here—just in time. I need your assistance right now—if I remember correctly, you should have finished the first three courses in Classical Literature. That's incredibly fast! You're truly a genius... ahem, I'll give you the compliments later."

"I have time now, Professor," Koko nodded, but she still raised the breakfast in her hand and shook it, "This is something I need to take to Senior Faden. She hasn't had breakfast yet."

"Hmm... That's a problem, but it should be over soon. It won't get cold."

The fat middle-aged professor pushed his glasses and took Koko to the laboratory building at the back of the museum - the Summoning Laboratory Building - towards this building independent of the university complex.

When she arrived, Koko discovered that not only were there the couple she had seen earlier, but there were also Lucas and a few other people she had rarely seen before.

The sloppy captain, the superpower girl with gentle eyes, the two-soul girl brimming with dark power, the carnivorous boy with antlers, the blind young saint... She would know these people's names later, but now, they were all fully armed and murderous. The purest killing intent even made her feel a little suffocated!

Mobile Task Force.

The word suddenly popped into Koko's mind, but she hadn't expected Lucas to be a member of this seemingly too young team... Wait, what's next? Is it really going to be like what's written in the book, summoning demons or evil spirits in college?!

Wuhu, great!

"Alright, everyone's here," Professor Warren Rice nodded gently. With gloved hands, he carefully placed a torn page in the center of the hall and sprinkled a handful of the criminal's ashes. "Because we professors have summoned so many times, there have been too many failures or no responses... So, Miss Hekmedia, you will preside over the ceremony. Don't worry, we're prepared."

Koko: “…Huh?”

The girl's expression, which was a mixture of curiosity and ecstasy, suddenly froze. She really wanted to see the real world, but - was there something wrong with letting a student who had only been enrolled for a few months and was not even fourteen years old to summon demons/evil spirits?

As if he could see Koko's doubts, Professor Rice said rather embarrassedly:

"You're even worse than your brother. He's going to be taken out on field duty... Don't worry, Miss Heikemedia. As my student, you'll have many opportunities in the future. Don't rush."

Is this the problem?!

After taking a few deep breaths, Koko finally made up her mind. She put on her protective gear like the professor and stood in front of the summoning table. She lowered her head and studied the pronunciation and text of the summoning that the professor had compiled. Then she heard the pretty boy named Jack ask:

"Then, Professor, what do we need to do? Do we need to recuse ourselves?"

"No, Mr. Rhodes said you're qualified to observe and offer assistance. As for what to do—according to the Nyhargo Codex and our current research, after deciphering the fragments of this ancient tome… well, to put it simply: beat, attempt containment, beat, and containment complete."

"I understand. Thank you for your concise explanation."

After everyone was in their seats, Professor Rice stood next to Koko, patted the girl on the shoulder, and gave her a thumbs up.

Koko: “…”

Now that things have come to this, all she can do is bite the bullet. Recalling the knowledge she had learned during this period, Koko recited the obscure and strange spell seriously and solemnly:

The girl's clear voice collided and echoed in the hall, stirring up resonance among countless tiny dust particles on the walls beyond the laws of reality.

The air suddenly became thick and heavy. Every breath taken by everyone present felt like swallowing cold glue. Every syllable thereafter could only be squeezed out of the throat, like a rusty gear turning with difficulty, full of the rough feeling of metal friction.

Something is being called upon, following the passage briefly opened by spells and sacrifices!

Suddenly, the world in front of the girl, the real world, changed.

Darkness and shadows gathered from all directions, outlining the ashes clearly. With a shrill scream, a withered shadowy monster appeared there - the next second, the monster flew backwards like a folded toy and embedded itself into the wall.

Several members of Mobile Task Force Red Right Hand clenched their fists and stepped forward...

Reaching out to pull the dazed Koko away, Professor Rice looked at the tragic scene over there, bent down to avoid the flying monster limbs, and sighed as he wrote in his notebook:

"It's just a brainless monster, otherwise it wouldn't be so easily tricked... Oh, it seems to have some brains, even begging for mercy... Alas, it's too weak, and I haven't observed any unique characteristics. Everyone, this monster's containment value is not high, so dispose of it."

"Get rid of it..."

Koko lowered her head and looked at the monster's head that had been twisted off by the Wendigo boy, and looked into the empty and desperate eyes.

After a few seconds of silence, Koko turned to her mentor and asked:

"When can we do it again?"

Looking at the girl's twisted smile that was almost stretched to her ears, Professor Rice smiled with relief, even tears welling up in his eyes at the thought of having a successor.

"There's more to come! There's more to come!"

+ + + + + + + + +

Some time later, Floyd Hekmedia received two text messages. He knew they were from his troubled children and that they were being monitored. However, the content...

What does "I want to be a demon summoner"/"I want to be the chief exorcist" mean?

What the hell did you two study at Miskatonic University?! Why are you still sworn enemies?!

Floyd, feeling furious, angrily dialed the two numbers - but was blocked again.

"???"

Chapter 530: The last routine before departure

Before the two children of Hekmedia began their adventure at Miskatonic University, Rhodes was already preparing to use the [Mission Exchange Card] to travel to a new dungeon world.

Based on his experience from his last trip to the Ace Combat world, Rhodes decided to check in with the directors of the Cogito Foundation first to avoid getting worried when he wasn't back for several months.

Because of this, Rhode was currently sitting in the meeting room of Hill Villa, flipping through the to-do list he had compiled over the past few days while chatting with the other directors on the screen in front of him:

"Just like last time, I'll take Abigail and Pickman with me, just in case anything goes wrong and we can't get back... Although I have a feeling that even if I die, I'll be sent to the other world to read the resurrection note, but I still have to be prepared - I might even need to call for help."

"Then, Atlas will prepare the data storage device," Irons nodded slightly. After a few seconds, he spoke again, "Cavan Johnson, did you hear that? Aperture Technology must also prepare a backup."

"I heard it! I'm not deaf—Aperture Technologies will use the deep salt mines in their underground headquarters, where they have a complete set of submersible mainframe equipment," the gaunt old man said angrily, slamming his hand on the table. "After all, I'm considered a non-staff member of the Foundation, right? Detonating a nuclear bomb is such a straightforward undertaking, why don't you include me?!"

“…That’s why I didn’t call you.”

Rhodes rubbed his temple helplessly and said tiredly:

"Then let's stop here for today. I'll leave after dinner and leave you with more intelligence information."

"Rhodes, bring back some exciting stuff." / "Hey, Mr. Johnson, shut up!" / "Okay." / "I don't mind." / "Remember to go to Japan and Southeast Asia, Rhodes. The GOC construction around the world can be accelerated now." / "..."

After the faces on the screen disappeared one by one, Rhodes breathed a sigh of relief and closed the plan in front of him.

After just a few breaths, Rhode, with his eyes closed, felt a pair of deft hands gently massaging his temples. He tilted his head slightly, reached out and grasped the hand, and said jokingly:

"I thought you were helping Yang clean up her bedroom. She left in a hurry today."

"If you could have brought a few more helpers with her, it wouldn't have been like this," Marian said angrily. She put down her hand and began to collect the plans and scattered notebooks on Rhodes' desk. "Mana and Himari also mentioned this when they came back a few days ago... It would be best if we could establish a more comprehensive research institute and containment facility."

As soon as she finished speaking, Marian felt a little regretful. She leaned in Rhodes' arms and whispered:

"I should have waited a bit, you seemed a bit irritated."

"Now is the perfect time, any time is the perfect time, my Marianne," Rod said with a smile. He kissed Nikki's lips gently. "Let's go. We can go help Mika and Mary clean up the chapel, or go for a walk in Arkham Forest. Little Red Riding Hood and White-Kid have built a fishing hut there."

Nikki didn't say anything else, but let Rhodes take her hand and leave the empty conference room.

The autumn sun shone through the high and broad dome, scattering golden spots on the corridors of Hill Manor. It seemed that at this moment, the darkness and coldness that had been dwelling in the mansion had disappeared without a trace.

Marianne jumped over the scattered light and shadows like a child, and the hem of her long dress swayed past Rhodes' legs, leaving a faint touch.

Rod put his hands in his pockets and followed Marian slowly, listening to her telling rumors and stories from the town of Arkham - nothing more than the "Count of Monte Cristo" in Hill Manor, or the poor soldiers newly added to the military hospital, and of course some ghost legends related to Miskatonic University... In this land full of darkness and the supernatural, there is never a shortage of such stories.

Clearing his mind, Rhodes enjoyed this moment of leisure.

"...The first one to come is the best."

Abigail muttered softly. She and Nayako were squatting on the second floor of the main staircase, looking down, and saw Rod and Marian standing at the door talking about their ordinary daily life.

"Damn it! If I'd known this would happen, I should have asked my father to take action immediately... and now I have to squat with a guy like you and bite my handkerchief." Abigail glanced at Nyarlathotep next to her. "This is so embarrassing! Are you really a descendant of the Nyarlathotep family?"

"Huh?! How dare someone like me who's about to be alone with Rod for several months say that?!" Nayako angrily threw her handkerchief at Abigail's face, "I want to duel with you!"

"You damned Slowpoke-Pickman, bite her!"

"Meow?!"

After throwing her family members in the other party's face, Abigail suddenly stood up and rushed towards Rhodes who was standing at the door:

"ROD Catch that! Hey?!"

Rhodes looked up upon hearing the sound and saw Abigail hanging from the chandelier in the front hallway... The girl obviously hadn't expected that the decorative bow on her skirt would be useful in this way - after a few flutters, Abigail stretched out her hand towards Rhodes with a dark face.

Amidst Nyako's wild laughter, Rhodes thought of many sad things at that moment.

After calming himself down, he quickly took out several boxes of ammunition from the storage space and stacked them up, then climbed up and picked up Abigail who was on the verge of explosion.

Holding the doll-like blonde girl, Rhode turned his face to the side, trying to avoid her hair-swinging attack:

"What are you doing? It's not my fault."

"No Road Race!"

"Yes, yes, my Princess Abigail," Rhodes looked helplessly at Marianne, who was laughing softly with her hands covering her mouth, and said unhappily, "It's getting late, we can prepare dinner... Call Qianye and Muji back."

"Okay, what would you like to eat?"

Marian spoke softly, leaning against the door frame of Hill Manor, gazing at the azure sky in the distance - clouds drifting, autumn light flowing, everything is quiet and silent - suddenly, Nikki felt someone holding her palm, and the familiar warmth was slowly passing towards her.

Time stops at this moment, as if some tiny eternity has arrived.

[Task exchange card has been used]

[Go to the World——Fight the Fairy Snow Wind]