The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 197: Entering The Wilds

Finally, the bloodsuckers had finished, and for some reason, Aurelia chimed in at the end as well.

But of course, it was not as dramatic as the other girls—only a single awkward sip.

As for Eris, she was staring at them like they were all weirdos.

Despite that, they went down, got ready, and soon, every student in the classroom was set.

"Now then, anyone know the way?" Neraxis asked, and Veronica immediately stood up.

"Instructor, I believe I should lead the class during this expedition."

"Why?" Neraxis tilted his head. "I'm not aware of your skills. However, do you think you are qualified to lead 23 people? You would be calling the shots, and if something went wrong, you'd be held responsible."

"Isn't that why you're here? To make sure nothing goes wrong?" Veronica asked, making Neraxis's brows furrow.

"We're not going to solve your problems. We will be spectators, and we will only step in if an enemy who is too strong appears," Neraxis explained sternly. "Besides that, we couldn't care less if you get injured."

"If you rely on others, then you'll remain weak," Ariella added as she glanced at him and licked her lips.

[She sucked you dry, didn't she?] Evangeline said sheepishly.

Don't say it like that. Neraxis sighed. I didn't think she'd like my blood that much.

[Well, it's pretty tasty. I'm pretty sure she feels whatever you feel when you suck my blood,] Evangeline added.

Maybe. Neraxis shrugged, glancing toward Veronica. "Where is the pickup, and which zone are we going to?"

"Instructor... it's in the wilds."

"What...?" Neraxis's eyes widened. "Why are we leaving toward unexplored areas? You know this doesn't make you a strike team anymore, right?"

"No, Instructor. We were assigned to this unexplored zone because humanity is planning to expand... The same applies to the other academies," Veronica explained, but that made him more confused.

Something is definitely up. If they wanted to expand, they would first retake the known monster zones, and only then would they go for expansion. Neraxis thought with furrowed brows.

"Whose decision was this again? The governments?" Neraxis asked, and Veronica silently nodded.

Figures. They're pulling some shit again. I just don't know what.

Despite that, he would need to cooperate for the time being.

And if anything, he had always wanted to explore the wilds—even as dangerous as they were.

"I think we have a transport helicopter waiting for us on the roof." Veronica checked her phone before nodding. "Yeah, it's up there now, Instructor. We're all ready to go."

Neraxis pointed toward the door with his chin, and soon, they made their way up.

It was a bit strange how none of them were addressing Ariella, but he guessed it was only because they held some animosity toward her because of what happened in the tournament.

After all, she did come off a little strong.

Nonetheless, they arrived at the top and entered the same transport helicopter as last time.

Soon, they began flying, with Neraxis strapped in beside Ariella in the front and the entire class sitting at the sides.

He could see Aella fidgeting as she wanted to approach, but he decided to ignore her for the time being.

Instead, he closed his eyes and stretched out his mana as far as he could.

If he infused it with Frost, he could freeze his mana in the air, allowing it to expand as far as he wanted without consuming excess energy.

With {Aura of the Abyss} and its acceleration property, it was an even faster process.

After what felt like 30 minutes, he could perfectly see and feel everything within a 10-kilometer radius, and at the same time, the so-called wilds finally came into view.

It was a barren and eerily silent land that made him feel like he was entering an entirely different world.

After all, there was a long line spanning across the entire planet, marking the start of the wilds.

And of course, on the other side of the line—the one he came from—was a bountiful and untouched grassland.

This really does feel like I entered another world, Neraxis thought with a hum, as finally, they began hovering down and getting out.

They weren't that far in, and he could still feel the line from over here.

Despite that, several monsters had already entered his range, their strength varying from C rank all the way to B+ rank.

Perfect for the students to handle.

"We'll be back in a week. Good luck," the pilot announced before flying off into the distance.

A week? Damn. he thought before setting up a tent at lightning speed and lying down inside.

"Instructor?" Veronica called out, confused. "Won't you be coming with us? I mean... how will you protect us from inside the tent?"

"I already told you," Neraxis said. "I'm not helping you unless there's a strong enemy. Currently, there isn't."

"But—"

"No buts. Tell Ariella to come inside, it's too hot on the outside," he ordered, flashing a wave at the girls through the tent's opening.

As much as he wanted to show them favoritism, they had to do this by themselves.

Soon, Ariella entered and sat down on a makeshift chair before tilting her head.

"What is it?"

"Stay here for a while. Let them get far out, then we can spectate from the sidelines," Neraxis replied.

"Sounds boring, but okay," Ariella replied before suddenly turning her gaze over to his finger.

"No," he immediately rejected her and pulled out some more fast food.

Frankly, the stock was running low now, and he only had some basic stuff he carried around from his Eclipse days.

Definitely not something Ariella would like.

Nonetheless, she grumbled and began munching on the food. Meanwhile, the class finally began scattering.

However, Neraxis could already tell one crucial mistake Veronica had made.

It was basic and very important.

Team balance.

Kael was on a team with the strongest of the class, numbering six in total.

And then there was a random team composed of three healers.

Definitely a fuck-up on Veronica's part, but Neraxis said he wouldn't interfere.

But how did they get this far...? It has already been a month since their strike team formed... so how are they still alive? Neraxis thought.

However, a memory suddenly resurfaced.

It was back in class, when he was looking through documents.

He had come across something that had names crossed out in red.

Seven, to be exact.

And how many seats were in the classroom?

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Thirty.

23 of them are left... So they've been losing someone every single time... Fuck. Neraxis deduced.

If he had known the situation was this bad, he would have offered guidance earlier.

[Now you know,] Evangeline commented. [But I'd recommend getting a move on—some of them are about to begin fighting.]

Yep. Neraxis stood up and patted Ariella's head a couple of times.

"Time to go. You can finish your food later."

"Minus one wee—"

"You can finish it on the way..." Neraxis replied, sighing.

She really acted like a child sometimes.

They left the tent, and Neraxis decided to split up.

Ariella headed toward the stronger groups, whereas he went toward the group that would be killed in a few minutes.

The three healers, who, from what he could see, didn't even know a horde of sandworms was approaching them.

Of course, once this was over and they made it out alive, Veronica was definitely getting a scolding.