Transmigrating as an Extra Third-Rate Villain

Seeing Raven immediately raise his hand, Ren gestured for him to put down his hand before saying.

"If they ask us for a demonstration or evidence, leave it to me. Simply stand still and do nothing; I will take care of the evidence portion."

"Keep calm, and I REPEAT. DO NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU SUDDENLY SHIFT LOCATIONS!"

Seeing Raven still have his hand up, Ren sighed before asking.

"What is it, Raven?"

"Boss...there's a button in there that we need to protect, or we will all die, right?"

Realizing that there was no point in hiding it, Ren nodded his head, prompting Raven to continue.

"Say...if a fight breaks out. What exactly do I do? Zeng can probably pull out his sword and get away with it...but I'd just be a walking kill for whoever is trying to press the button."

Ren fully understood that Zeng and Raven would be essentially useless in the vault if a fight were to break out, which was likely.

However, there were a couple of reasons why Ren still decided to bring them in.

First of all, it would be really suspicious if just one person showed up inside the vault as reinforcements, so the main cast might not believe Ren if he showed up alone.

With Raven and Zeng by his side, though, he would be more trustworthy in the vision of the main cast and recruiters.

And, if it were just one person, Ren would probably be kicked out of the vault and be told to guard the exit because one person wouldn't make enough of a difference if a fight were to break out.

But, if there were three people, the main cast would be more likely to accept their help as three people could shift the tides of the battle, depending on their ability.

And finally, it was much safer for them to be in the vault with Ren than be trapped in the underground space.

With them by his side, Ren would be able to make sure they were safe.

Also, reinforcements would break through the metal slab eventually and come through, so Raven and Zeng would be caught in the underground space, even in their tunnels.

Crouching downwards, Ren gestured for the two boys to follow him and pointed at the gap.

"Follow my lead from here."

Seeing Ruby in front of him, Ren tapped her on the shoulder before whispering into her ear.

"You're not thinking of vouching for us, are you?"

"..?"

Surprised, Ruby turned around and stared at Ren for a couple of seconds.

"I was going to...is that a bad thing? Lily and others would be much more willing to trust you, making your plan much easier."

Shaking his head vehemently, Ren immediately replied.

"What happens if they find out we're frauds? Your trustworthiness and rank in the group will drop drastically, and considering the severity of this situation where millions of lives are at stake, you could possibly be kicked out."

"..? Didn't I already tell you? I'm not that attached to them, I'll h-"

Ruby's friendships with other humans could be counted on two hands, so Ren didn't want to risk decreasing that number.

"We'll find a way, alright?"

Seeing Ruby still not convinced, Ren continued.

"Think of it this way: If your trustworthiness in the group drops or you're kicked out, then you won't be able to help me out in the future when I actually need it. It's an investment!"

Nodding her head with a smile, Ruby suddenly halted before pointing at the two boys behind Ren.

"You never introduced me to your friends, did you?"

As they crouched and walked through the gap and into the vault, Ren pointed at Zeng and Raven before saying.

"Zeng is the one in the back. He's pretty naive and innocent, which is really confusing... considering his violent background. I recruited him from an evil merchant company, and now, he's working with us.

"And Raven is the one with a grimace...he's a bit of an interesting kid..."

Making sure Raven was out of hearing distance, Ren paused before whispering.

"But he is dependable and hard-working despite his ugly attitude. Despite his complaints, he always gets everything done on time. You'll get used to him in no time."

Nodding her head, Ruby looked ahead before saying.

"It's like...you have a whole different life in and outside of the academy. Different types of people and everything."

For the first time, Ren actually... regretted keeping secrets.
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Ruby had been clear with him from the start, exposing her identity as a boss of the gemstone order.

And, when Ren asked why she had transferred to the academy, she gave him the true answer without a single thought.

Even now, she was following Ren's plans and even offering to risk her place in the main cast despite knowing that he was lying and being sarcastic about the doomsday button.

Yet...here he was, shamelessly keeping everything a secret when she had been so open.

Gripping the golden fruit in his pocket, Ren hesitated before walking a little closer.

What was he supposed to reveal?

What were the limits?

Should he go all out and tell her that Lily and him are from another world?

Or just keep it lowkey and tell her what was actually happening right now with the mystical beast?

What would she want to know about him?

Seemingly reading Ren's mind, Ruby turned around with a dampened smile and said.

"When this whole vault situation is over...you owe me."

Without waiting for Ren's response, Ruby sped up and emerged from the gap before promptly jumping into the vault and following the main cast ahead.

Gesturing for the boys behind him to stop, Ren peeked out of the gap and into the vault.

Thankfully, it seemed that there was no battle yet...as everything was according to Ren's memory of it from earlier.

Leaving the cover of the gap, Ren waited for Raven and Zeng before the three of them promptly climbed downwards into the vault.