Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

"Oh," Yuejian simply replied, turning another page of her novel.

"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 the students, nor to 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 such 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 even become a teacher?

The comments section was filled with both anger and amusement:

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

"Are romance novels really that good? You're still reading them at a time like this!"

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

That fleeting remark 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, can we...?

begging!

please!

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

Suddenly, his entire body emitted 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-san..."

"Zakizumi!"

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:

"Dump all unnecessary cargo and loads, 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, and once you've confirmed it's safe, send me a signal!

"Saki! And what about you?!" Huomu asked anxiously.

"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.

Mang also said, "That little bit of money isn't worth risking your 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 suicide?!

……

……

Chapter Twenty-Nine: No Passage Allowed

Ultimately, Huomu, Bai Lili, and the others' understanding of Qiji was limited to that one practical assessment.

At that time, Saki Jaku did indeed display overwhelming and terrifying strength.

However, compared to the beast tide before them, the beast horde of that day...

No, they don't even have the right to compete!

Therefore, it is only natural that they would worry about Saki.

However, Ruri had witnessed Saki's true strength, so her reaction was completely different.

The moment Qi Ji finished speaking, she didn't hesitate for a second and quickly removed any unnecessary items from her body.

At the same time, seeing that Bai Lili was still about to say something, he interrupted her, saying—

"Enough! Stop being so wishy-washy! Do you want to be a burden to him?! Just do as he says!"

Staying here will not only be of no help, but will also become a burden to Saki.

The sooner they reach the exit safely, the sooner they can escape.

Do you even understand?

"But we could have escaped together..."

"Escape? Without Qi Ji covering our retreat, who among you is confident you can outrun these berserk second-tier void beasts? Who?!"

Sensing the hesitation of the crowd, Qi Ji chuckled softly, his tone carrying an absolute confidence akin to looking down on a swarm of ants:

"You'd be better off worrying about them than me."

The "them" that Qi Ji was referring to were naturally the berserk void beasts that were rushing over to their deaths.

After saying that, Qi Ji said no more.

Alone, against the flow of panicked fleeing people, he strode towards the endless tide of beasts!

His figure, silhouetted against the massive horde of beasts, appeared so frail, yet it exuded an indescribable grandeur, as if it could support the heavens and the earth.

His black clothes fluttered in the night wind, and his pure white mask reflected the faint light.

Just as he had taken a dozen or so steps and was about to make contact with the leading virtual beast, he suddenly seemed to remember something, paused, and called out to Liuli, who had already run some distance ahead:

"Ryu—"

However, the words had not yet been fully spoken.

Liuli, running through the crowd, seemed to understand his meaning instantly, as if by telepathy.

Without the slightest hesitation, as she ran, Liuli's right hand flashed towards her waist—

There, a long, narrow object was tightly bound together with sturdy strips of cloth.

"then!"

With all her might, she hurled it towards Saki!

The long, narrow object traced a precise arc in the air.

Qi Ji didn't turn around; as if he had eyes in the back of his head, he reached out and caught it steadily.

It was icy to the touch and had a strange texture.

"Shh-"

With a flick of his wrist, the strips of cloth wrapped around him fell away.

A long sword with an ancient design and a shimmering sheen on its blade reveals its complete form.

It was the last gift that Seigen Kamishiro gave to his sister, the Echo Creation of the Kamishiro family—

【The Sword of No Thought】.

Thanks.

Qi Ji flicked his wrist, performing a sword flourish.

The sword sliced ​​through the air, emitting a deep, pleasant hum, as if responding to its new, stronger master!

Qi Ji smiled slightly and nodded in satisfaction.

"It's a fine sword... It was in that guy's hands before, which is why it's been wasted on you."

I suppose you feel wronged too, right?

Upon hearing this, Wuxiangjian felt as if he had wasted half his life, but had finally met a wise ruler!

The buzzing grew louder, as if it wanted to offer up everything it truly had to Qi Ji!

Saki gently stroked it reassuringly.

"Alright, sweetie... I will let you shine with the light you are meant to have."

Qi Ji looked at the horde of beasts before him and tightened his grip on the sword.

Even someone as powerful as him would find it somewhat troublesome to face these countless monsters.

If you were to punch them one by one...

Just thinking about it makes me tired.

But now, with a sword in hand, it's obviously much easier and more elegant.

As he thought casually, he continued forward against the thinning crowd.