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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 74: Nazrea, City of the Dead (5)

Chapter 74: Nazrea, City of the Dead (5)

A contract with the‌ Grim Reaper.

Just⁠⁠ like the Precept,⁠‍ it was a setting that was‌‌ not available in⁠‍ the game, and⁠⁠⁠ that only existed‌‌‍ to explain stories‍‍ about the boss​‍ characters. A contract​⁠ with the Grim⁠ Reaper was similar​ to Precepts, in‌⁠ that they were​‍⁠ both high-risk high-reward‌​ systems.

The​‍​ moment one created⁠⁠ a contract with​‍ the Grim Reaper,‍ their soul would‌​ get tied to‍ the Grim Reaper,‍ and breaking the‌​​ contract meant the‍​ annihilation of the‌‌⁠ soul.

《Do⁠‍‌ you dare try​ to forge a contract with death​‌‌ as the one​‌​ who deceived death?》‌⁠​

Immediately‌ after mentioning the‍​ contract, the Grim‌⁠‌ Reaper and I entered a different​ dimension that was‌⁠ separated from the‌‌​ real world.

“Stop‌ putting on airs.‍⁠⁠ I know you’ll​‌ take the offer.”‌‌‍

In⁠‍ fact, the Grim‌ Reaper was a more flexible being‌‍‌ than one would⁠ expect.

Proof⁠⁠ of that was‍⁠‌ how it accepted‍​ Erin’s contract after⁠ weighing the possibility​‍⁠ of circulation being⁠​​ broken forever in‌⁠ the future and‍​‌ 1.2 million souls​‌​ leaving the law​‍⁠ of circulation.

At⁠ the cost of⁠⁠ giving up on‌‌ 1.2 million souls,⁠‌ the Grim Reaper‌ decided to choose​​‍ the future. The‌‍⁠ god of death‍‌ was flexible enough‍​ to weigh the⁠‍‍ differences and priorities‍​‍ to choose for‌⁠‍ itself.

《Interesting.⁠‌⁠ Tell me what‍‌ is on your⁠​ mind, deceiver.》

Look​ – even now,‌‍ despite labeling me⁠‍⁠ as the deceiver⁠‍ of death, the‍‍​ Grim Reaper was⁠ still willing to⁠ listen to my‍ words and see‍​‌ if the contract⁠⁠ would be a benefit or not.‌‍

“I⁠​ want the elimination‍⁠⁠ of the contract⁠ you made with⁠‌‍ Erin Danua, and⁠⁠ one of the‌ ‘Treasures of the‌‍​ Underworld’ as an‍ advance payment. It​‍​ has to be‍‌ in the 10’s‍⁠⁠ at least.”

《And‍ what will you​‌⁠ do?》

“I‍ will cleanse Nazrea‌​​ in half a year.”

《…That​‍ will be impossible‌‍‌ for you.》

“That​ is not up‌ to you to⁠⁠​ decide. You just‌ have to weigh⁠‌‌ the points on⁠ your scale. How‌ is it; does‍ my contract sound⁠‍ fair?”

—-—​

In​ silence, the Grim‌⁠ Reaper contemplated and‍ stroked its chin‌ before opening its⁠​​ mouth.

《No.》​‌

“…”⁠

《Your‌‌⁠ reward is too⁠ little for releasing‍‌⁠ 1.2 million souls.》‍​

“You⁠⁠⁠ mean…?”

《Choose⁠⁠ a single-digit treasure.‍⁠⁠ Otherwise it will⁠ not be balanced.》​

That‍​ was the best-case⁠ scenario! By repeating‍ the ‘repeat quest’⁠​⁠ of Nazrea and‍​​ having more and​‌ more of the⁠⁠ Grim Reaper’s goodwill,‌ it was possible‌ to receive a legendary or an​‌‌ epic item in​‍‍ return.

As‌ items from the‌⁠⁠ Underworld, most of‍⁠‌ them would lose​ a large portion‍⁠‍ of their power⁠‍​ in the middle‍​ world, but some​​ of them were​ so powerful that‍ it didn’t matter.⁠⁠

A single-digit treasure referred‍‌‌ to the top⁠ 10 epic items‌ under the possession​‍​ of the Grim‌⁠‍ Reaper. There was​ only one chance‌ of getting a treasure from the‍⁠‍ Grim Reaper, and⁠ in the game,‍‌⁠ those single-digit treasures‍‍‌ required the veteran‍‌‍ players to kill‌⁠ the Immortal King‍‍ hundreds of times‌⁠ but that was​‌‌ only possible in​‌ the game because‍​‍ there was no​​​ time limit.

Even⁠‍‍ though I tried‌ it in the​‍ last iteration, we‍‌ couldn’t stay here​​‌ for too long⁠ unlike how it‍​ was in the⁠​⁠ game, and thus⁠⁠‍ we could only‍ get ourselves items⁠ in the 30’s.​‌

“Alright.​‍​ The treasure I want is…”

****‍

As‍⁠ soon as I left the alternate​‍ dimension of the‍ Grim Reaper, I found Erin looking‌ at me with⁠ a pale face.​​

“W,‌⁠⁠ what have you‌⁠⁠ done?”

She‌‍‌ grabbed me with‍‍ a shivering voice⁠‌ and palms drenched​⁠‌ in sweat.

“I​‍‌ made a contract.”‌‍‌

“What​‍‌ kind of contract!?”⁠⁠‍

Her‍ eyes quivered and​ couldn’t stay focused,⁠​ as she paid​⁠‍ close attention to​ every single word‍‍ that left my​⁠‍ mouth.

“I‍‌‌ will cleanse Nazrea‌⁠‌ in half a year. If I succeed, the contract‍⁠‌ you made with‌‌ the Grim Reaper⁠​ will also be‌ eliminated.”

“Y,‌‌‍ you…!”

Erin‌ said with a coarse voice and‍​​ a pale face.‍‍⁠ Even though she‍ was always generous‌⁠ and kind, this‌‌ time she was‌ different.

“You…​‌⁠ You must have‌ gone insane…!”

“I​​ am very sane.”‌‌

“Do‍‍⁠ you even… know‍ what it means‍‍ to make a contract with the‍ Grim Reaper? You​ won’t even have‌​‌ a speck of‍ your soul left‌‍ if you fail!​⁠ You are giving‍‌‍ up on the‌ circulation and the‍ chance of reincarnation!”‌

She‌‍​ said while trembling‌ with anger and‌​ confusion. When I gave her a wide smile in​‌ return, she seemed​​‍ even more confused.⁠​

“Why…⁠‌‌ exactly are you‌ doing this?”

“Because‍‌ that’s what I learned from you.”​‍​

“…”‌‍

“You‍‌ know, I was‍‍ a little kid‌⁠ who was playing‍⁠‍ a hero game.”‍‌⁠

“Nnn?”​⁠‍

“This​​‌ world was like​​ an amusement; everything‌ went the way​​​ I thought. I wanted to enjoy​​⁠ it like a game while getting‍⁠ praised by everyone.”​‌‌

At‌‍​ the start, I was definitely playing⁠​ around like it‌‍⁠ was a game.​‍‍ Before starting to‌‍​ perceive this world⁠⁠ as the real⁠⁠​ world, I was‌⁠ still saving people,​ but I became‌‍​ quite conceited during‌‌​ that process hearing⁠​ all their cheers​⁠ and praises.

I became a bit‌ stronger, but also​ overly arrogant.

“I‌‍​ was still a little brat – a kid who‌ thought of himself‍ as a hero.”⁠‍⁠

“…”‍‌‌

“That⁠ was when you‍ showed up.”

When‍ it was the‍‌⁠ most difficult; when‍‍‌ it was the​‌ most frightening – when I put​⁠‍ myself in danger⁠ due to being‌​‍ overly conceited by‌ my own ability,​​ she came and​‌‍ created a mountain⁠ of corpses before⁠‍‍ offering her hand.‌

『Are‌ you okay? Did‌‌ you hurt yourself?』‌‌

I was saved and‌‌ met a real⁠‌ adult – a hero – for‌ the first time​‌​ in my life.​ I saw the‍‌ back of an‍‍⁠ adult who stood‍‍​ for children with⁠​​ dedication without asking‌‍​ for anything in‍‍ return.

Until​‌ the very end,‍‍ all I could‍​⁠ do was look‍ at her back.‍⁠

Being‍‌‍ a protected kid‍ was… bone-strikingly painful‍‍ and made me⁠​​ feel extremely powerless.​‌

She‌‌​ was someone I couldn’t protect;

A hero who died⁠ first in order‍ to save me.​​​

“This‍⁠‌ time, I want​‍ to be the​ one saving you.”⁠‍⁠

I was standing right‍ in front of​⁠ her but she​⁠⁠ couldn’t say anything‍ in response. Instead,⁠ she just blankly‌‍‌ stood there looking​‌ into my eyes.​‍⁠

“I⁠ won’t fail this​‌‍ time. I’m not​‌‍ the same as⁠ the ‘weak me’​ who couldn’t even‍‍⁠ attempt anything.”

“Ah…”‌​⁠

You‌​ probably don’t know⁠ how big of​​ a presence you‌ have inside me‍​⁠ anymore. You probably‌​ have no idea‌​ how heartrendingly painful​‌​ it was to⁠⁠​ see you leave​ that day, and‍ how much I blamed myself for​​ being useless.

But‍ this time, I won’t let that⁠ happen.

“Now,‍⁠‌ instead of chasing​​‌ after your back…‌ I can stand‌‌‌ by your side.”⁠​

“…”⁠⁠

“This‌‌ is not because‌​​ of something splendid⁠​ like saving the‌‍‍ world. This has‌⁠ nothing to do‌⁠⁠ with that. I…”⁠⁠​

Because‍‍ I received so‍‌⁠ many things from‍‍​ her.

“I’m​⁠‍ just giving them​​ back.”

The​ most revered and‌ beloved person whom‍ I still missed⁠‌ to this date…​‌ my hero.

“I’m‍​ just… giving back​‌‌ what I received.”‌​

****‍‍

A few days later⁠​‍ at Nazrea.

The‍ life that had‍​ continued for 300‍ years was still‍⁠ going on as⁠​ usual. On the‌ third night, as‍‌⁠ always, the silver​⁠ spearman defeated the‌‍‌ Immortal King and‌​‍ safely waited for‍​ the new loop⁠‌​ to begin.

What​ was slightly different‍ was that she‍​ stood at the​‌⁠ same place she‍⁠​ had been a few days ago‍ to gaze down​​​ at the city​‌ – at the‌‌‌ same place where‌ she and the‍​ boy shared their‌​ last conversation.

“…”⁠

The​‌‍ silver spearman – Erin Danua – gazed down at‍‍​ the city.

This‍​ city was still‌​ like a pandemonium‍⁠⁠ and a scene⁠‍ straight out of‌ hell, just like‌‌ how it had‌ been for the⁠‍ past 300 years.‌

She‌⁠‍ had been fighting​⁠ against this painful‌ reality for 300‌⁠​ years.

There⁠‍ was no particular⁠​⁠ reason; it was​​ simply because she‌ was a hero.⁠

She​​ was one of‍ the last survivors‍ of the race​​ of gods that‌‍ still remained in​ this land. At‌​‍ the same time,‍‌‍ she was the‍⁠ Queen of the⁠‌⁠ Kingdom of Shadows,‌ the paradise that‍ now ceased to​‍‌ exist.

Erin​⁠‌ Danua knew she⁠​‌ was a special​⁠⁠ being and had‍‍‍ been doing her‍​​ best to fulfill​‍​ her responsibilities as‌ a special person.​‍⁠ The choice she‌​⁠ made 300 years‌⁠⁠ ago had a similar reason.

The⁠‌ ‘Danu’ could live‌‍​ an eternal life.⁠ As the last‍⁠ queen of their‌‍ race… she had‌ her way of⁠⁠‍ seeing things.

Humans​ died way too‌ easily. In such‍‌‍ a savage world,⁠⁠ human life was‌ something that was​‌ very easy to​ collapse.

She‌‌‌ didn’t want to‌ turn away from​‌ them. She wanted​ to protect their‍​‍ lives and show‌​ them how lives​⁠⁠ were sad, painful‌​ yet happy and‍‌‍ bright at times.​​

That‌⁠⁠ mindset was probably​⁠​ the reason she‌⁠ first wanted to⁠ become a hero.‌‍⁠

“I‍ completely forgot about‌ it…”

For‌‍ a long time,‌​⁠ she had forgotten‌​ about the origin‍ of her story.⁠​​ The things she‍‌ had forgotten due‍⁠⁠ to being exhausted​ from all the​ fights and the‍ endless conflict were⁠⁠ re-aroused by her‍ disciple from a distant future.

『This⁠ time, I want​‍‍ to be the​‍ one saving you.』​

It⁠‍ was her first‍ time having someone⁠‌ trying to save​⁠ her.

Because‍ she was a hero, it was‌​ always a life​​ of saving others.‍⁠ Eventually, after living‍ as a hero​⁠‍ for the majority​ of her life,⁠ she started taking​ herself out of⁠​ the picture every​​‌ time.

Because‍​ it was obvious​ that she had‍‌ to sacrifice; because​‍ it was obvious‌​ that she had‌⁠‍ to be the‌‌ one protecting them…⁠‍​

There‍⁠​ was an unavoidable⁠​‌ sense of isolation⁠‌ that came at‌‍​ the cost of‍ forever being a protector and never‌ a protectee, but‌​ she became way‌⁠⁠ too used to​⁠​ it after a long period of‍ time.

『Now,⁠​‍ instead of chasing⁠‌⁠ after your back…⁠‌ I can stand⁠ by your side.』​

The​ fact that people‍‍ needed company in⁠⁠ life was very​‌⁠ obvious. Even though⁠‍ she had forgotten⁠‍​ something so obvious‌ due to a long life of⁠​​ isolation, the boy​‍ enlightened her back⁠‍ to it.

He‌ told her he‌‍‌ would stand by​⁠ her side.

Reflecting‌⁠⁠ on those words,‌‍ she couldn’t help⁠‍‍ but widen her‍​ lips and give‌ a big smile‌ like a fool.‍‍‍ Her reddened face​​​ was as scorching‍⁠ as the summer​‌ sun.

How‍ could she not‌‌ find him adorable?‌

The⁠‍ boy who wanted‍ to save her⁠ from her life⁠ of endless solitude‍ was so loveable‌‌ that she couldn’t‍ come up with⁠ any words in⁠‍‍ response.

“Korin.​‍ Korin, huh…”

She‌ repeated mumbling that‍‌ name, which now​ sounded so pleasantly‌⁠ sweet, without even‍‍ realizing the identity‌​ of the emotion⁠​ budding inside her.​⁠

………​‌‍

……​‍⁠

The⁠‍‌ Grim Reaper stared‍⁠ at its long‍ friend who had‌​​ to go through⁠⁠ the third night‍​ as always.

Although‌‌‌ the god of​ death had known‌​ her for over‌ 1,000 years, the⁠​ Grim Reaper had‍ never seen such​​ a girlish expression‌ on the face‍ of its long-time⁠⁠ friend, which was‌ why it had​ trouble getting used⁠‌ to it.

《Well,‍ I guess it‍‌ is not all​ that bad.》

The‌ lethargic expression she‍ used to have‍⁠​ while massacring undeads⁠‍​ before meeting the‍​‌ boy was definitely​ not a good‌ thing to look​‍ at as her⁠​ long-time friend.

For‌‌ now, the god⁠⁠ of death decided⁠ to quietly gloss‌ over the positive‌⁠‌ change of its‌‍‍ friend.

《But‌​⁠ what exactly was‌‌‌ he thinking? He⁠‌ could have chosen⁠ any of the​​ single-digit treasures and‍‌‌ yet…》

The⁠⁠⁠ Grim Reaper suddenly⁠ recalled the choice‍‌​ of that warrior.‌‍‍ The treasure he‍⁠ chose while giving‍​⁠ up on all​ the countless Treasures‍ of the Underworld‍‌ was the worst,‍⁠ and perhaps the‍‍⁠ most useless item⁠ for Korin Lork.‍​⁠

[Orb​‍ of the Grim‌​‍ Reaper]
– The attack⁠⁠ will always hit⁠‍ the target.

– It will separate​ the flesh from​​‍ the soul.

– The attack ignores⁠‌ defense.

It‍ was a powerful​‍‌ orb that could‍‌‍ make any weapon‌ act like the⁠‍‌ scythe of the‌​ Grim Reaper after‌ being attached to‍‍ a weapon. Any‍ weapon with this‌⁠ attached could twist​‍⁠ the laws of​ nature and bring​‍‍ a definite result.‍‍

But‌‌ that was only‌‍ if it was⁠‌ used by the‌‌ Grim Reaper.

When‍​ used by a human, it would‌ somewhat maintain its⁠​​ abilities but definitely⁠‍‍ wasn’t at the​ level of other​‌ great treasures.

Let‌ alone knights and‍ mages…. Even the⁠ souls of normal‌⁠ humans would be​⁠‌ able to retaliate⁠‍ against the soul-separating‍⁠ attack when used⁠‌‍ by a human.‍ It might be​⁠ insanely powerful against‍ weak golems or​‌​ low-grade undeads which‍​‌ would have weak​‍⁠ connections between the‌ soul and the⁠ flesh but…

〚I⁠ do not perceive⁠​ spirits.〛

Because​⁠⁠ of the power​​ of Precepts which‌ was as firm‌​⁠ as the contract‍ with the Grim⁠ Reaper if not⁠ more, Korin Lork⁠⁠ couldn’t interfere with‌‍ the works of‍​ astral bodies.

In​ other words, that​‌ meant that using‌‍ the orb, which‌‍‌ was considered a semi-spiritual attack, would‌‌‍ make his attacks⁠ miss without fail.⁠​‌

《However,‍‍‌ the scale did​​⁠ not tilt.》

It‌ meant that the⁠⁠ Grim Reaper had​‌‌ paid enough price‌‌ for the contract,‌​​ which meant…

《Interesting.》⁠‌​

The‍‍⁠ Grim Reaper admitted⁠‌⁠ that it had​⁠ met a warrior​‌ who was worth⁠ expecting things from.​‌ If it was‌⁠ that man, he‍‌ might be able‌ to save its‌⁠ long-time friend… and‌‌ change the fate⁠​‍ of the ruined⁠‍‍ queen.

****‍

Rewinding‌‌⁠ the time back‌⁠ by a few​​ days; back to⁠‍ Hotel Kanna near⁠ the entrance of​ Nazrea;

Night​‌ ended and the‌ day was slowly‍⁠ starting to break⁠‍ as several students‌‌ started to show​ up at Hotel⁠ Kanna.

“About‍‍⁠ time to end.”‍

The⁠‌‍ one who planned​ this group event,‍ Professor Kang Ryun,‌ finally announced the‍​ upcoming end of‌​ the group event.‍​

This‍ group event was‍ about surviving from‌‌‌ the undeads for‌‌‌ as long as​⁠​ possible for 3 days while collecting‍​​ as many Moonstones⁠​ as possible.

Survival‌‌​ skills and the‍⁠ agility to escape‍ from the chasing​‌‌ undeads – on⁠‌⁠ top of that,⁠⁠ the students had‌‍ to search for‍‌ Moonstones from the⁠⁠​ countless waves of‍⁠⁠ undeads. The resulting​ marks were to⁠ be given while‍ taking all those‍ points into consideration.​⁠⁠

There‌⁠‍ were a total‌⁠ of 8 teams⁠‌‌ and 32 people‍⁠ from Purple Hawk‌⁠ and Merkarva. Only‌ 4 of these‍⁠ 8 groups would‍​‌ be proceeding to‍‌ the next stage​ of the group​⁠ event but… the⁠​⁠ people from Merkarva⁠⁠‍ didn’t have positive‍‍ looks on their‍‍‌ faces.

“Ugh…‍​​ Our team failed​​‍ on the first‌​‍ day though.”

“…Most‌ of the guys⁠‌ that failed on‌⁠‍ the first day‍ are from our‌​​ Academy.”

Jaeger‌ and Lark were⁠ disqualified due to​⁠‍ the sudden gathering​⁠ of the 3 great bosses of‍‍ Nazrea, but the⁠​‌ problem was that​‌ Jaeger and Lark‌​ from Group D weren’t the only‍‍ ones that failed⁠ on the first​⁠‍ day.

“I‌​‌ think we’re doomed.”⁠‍

“Well…‍‍ I guess it⁠​‌ was lucky of​‌ us to make‌​ our way up⁠‌ here in the​‌ first place.”

“That’s‍‌ it for us⁠ Mandrake Bandits, huh…”‌‍

Right.‌⁠

Most‌ of the contestants‍‌⁠ from Merkarva Academy‌ were from the‍⁠ ‘Immortan Lork Bandits’‌ – those who‌‍ grouped up and​ viciously attacked other⁠‍‍ students to monopolize‍‍ points. What that‌ meant was that​‍ although they were‌​ skilled at ganging⁠​ up on others​⁠ as a group,​ their individual skills‍ were very subpar.‌⁠

So​ unlike Purple Hawk‌ who brought the‌‌‌ cream of their‍ crop, there were‌ a lot of⁠‌ disqualified contestants from‌⁠ Merkarva Academy starting⁠ from the first‍‍ day.

“I‍⁠‌ guess there’s no​ hope for Merkarva⁠⁠‍ except for Group⁠​‍ A with Marie​⁠ and Group D with Korin…”

“Two‌​‌ people were disqualified‍‍ from Group D on the first​ day as well.‍ We have zero‌ hope…”

Realistically⁠‌ speaking, Group A with Marie Dunareff‍ was the only⁠‌ one they could‌‍ trust. In other​​​ words, the result⁠ of this group​‌ event was probably⁠‍ going to be​ 3:1 with Purple​​‌ Hawk having more‌‌ groups.

– Creak!

People‌ came in after‌​ opening the main‍ entrance of the⁠⁠‌ hotel. The professors‌ and the priests​⁠ had dealt with​‍⁠ most of the​‍​ undeads nearby so‍‍⁠ they were probably​​⁠ going to be‍ students.

“Sorry.​​​ We were almost⁠‍‌ late.”

6:50‌ am. The ones‍‌​ that came in​‌‍ were from Group⁠​‌ 1 of Purple‍​ Hawk Academy, Kang‍‍⁠ Yuhua, and her​ team.

The​ group with the⁠‌ strongest student of‌ Purple Hawk Academy,‌⁠‍ Sword Lord Kang⁠ Yuhua, walked in‍‌‌ while dragging behind‌⁠ a large pack⁠ that evidently contained⁠‍​ an enormous amount​​‍ of Moonstones. The​ knights, Watanabe Jun⁠‌ and Xin Zhou,‍⁠ ripped the bag‌ after dragging it​‍‍ inside as the​‍ Moonstones started crumbling⁠‍ down from inside.⁠‍⁠

“Oops.”​

“Sorry,​ President. We’ll pick‌ them up.”

They‌ silently began picking​ up the Moonstones​‌​ but the students⁠ from Merkarva gasped‍ while talking to‍​ themselves.

“What‌ the… how many‌ do they have?”⁠

“It’s‍​‍ like they had​‌⁠ a monopoly on‍‍‌ them.”

Kang‍​‍ Yuhua and her​⁠⁠ Group 1 had‍​‌ brought a ridiculous⁠‍ number of Moonstones.​

In‍⁠‌ fact, they did⁠​‍ have a monopoly‌ on them to⁠‍⁠ some extent – thanks to her‍ ability that allowed⁠ her to walk​ on the sky,⁠ Kang Yuhua focused⁠ solely on the​ Moonstone undeads and⁠ was the most⁠‌​ efficient of all⁠‍‌ the students in‍⁠‌ this group event.⁠‍‌

Some‍‌ of the students⁠ even saw her‍‌⁠ fly like an⁠​‍ angel above thousands⁠‍ of undeads, beheading⁠‌ some of them​⁠​ on her way.​‌‍

『Group‌​ 1: 558 points』‌​⁠

“Highest​‍‍ so far.”

Kang‌ Ryun said after⁠ assessing the quantity​ and quality of​ the Moonstones, his⁠ assessment appalled the‍ listening students.

Even‍‍‍ though Groups A and D of⁠​⁠ Merkarva had yet‌ to return, Group​‍ 1 still had‍ an incomparably large⁠‌ number of points‍ compared to the​ current second place,​‌​ which only had‌‍​ 160 points.

“Good‌‌ work. President. Your​ team will come‍‌ 1st by far‌‌​ in this group​ event.”

“We​‌ might have to​​​ see,” said Kang⁠ Yuhua.

“Hmm?”​​

Kang⁠‌ Ryun seemed puzzled‌‌ after hearing her‌‍ words. Unlike him,‍‍⁠ who was staying​‍ in the hotel⁠‌ to form a formation that chased⁠​‍ out undeads, Yuhua‌​‌ had gone to⁠‍ further places in⁠ search of Moonstones.‍‍

“There‍ is a monster‍‍ in Merkarva.”

– Kung!

“Hello~.⁠‍⁠ Ahht! Are we‌​ late?”

Saying‍​‍ that, an amicable​ girl with water-colored⁠​ hair, Marie, walked⁠‍ into the building⁠ with her group⁠⁠ members.

The‌ only team Merkarva‌ could believe in,‌ Group A, had‌ finally made their‍ return.

“Ohh!‌⁠‌ It’s Senior Marie!”‍

“They⁠‌ brought a bunch​​‌ of Moonstones as‌⁠ well!”

Marie,‌​ Isabelle, Russel and​⁠​ Eristina. All 4 members of Group​‌⁠ A returned at⁠ the same time​ and were carrying‌‍⁠ a bag that⁠ was at least‍ double the size​​‌ of Kang Yuhua’s‍ Group 1.

There‌‍​ were so many​ Moonstones that Marie⁠‌ was even using​ her familiar, Doggo,‌​ to help them‌​ drag the bag‍ across.

“There‍​⁠ we go!”

Marie‌‍‍ placed the bag⁠​ down with so​⁠‍ much vigor that​⁠ people seeing her⁠⁠ for the first​‍ time wouldn’t even‌‌​ consider her a mage. Out of‌‍‌ everyone, Senior Professor​⁠​ Kang Ryun was⁠​‍ the only one‌ who didn’t lose‍⁠​ their composure.

“Wait​​ while I assess⁠⁠‌ your marks.”

“Okay~.‍⁠ Oh my, you‌‍​ guys are Lark‍‍ and Jaeger! Where⁠⁠⁠ is Korin?”

[Group⁠ A: 499 points]‍

“Huhh?‌‍ What?”

“How‌‌‍ can this be?”​​‍

“Group​ A has double​ the Moonstones though!”⁠

“Is‌⁠ that measuring machine⁠​‌ bugged?”

Merkarva‌ students created a fuss. Even though‌ 499 points was‌‍‌ enough for Group‍ A to proceed⁠‍ to the next‌‌​ stage of the⁠‌​ group event, there‌⁠ was still a matter of pride.​‌​

“Calm⁠​ down. The device‍‌‌ is functioning properly.⁠ Look.”

Kang​‌ Ryun immediately settled​​ the students like⁠⁠ the veteran he​‍​ was and showed⁠⁠‍ them the reason⁠ why Group A had fewer points.‌⁠‌

Some‌ Moonstones were completely‌⁠ crushed, and there‍ was a bunch‌​​ of powdered Moonstones‌⁠ inside Group A’s‌ bag.

“It‍ weighs a lot,‌ but more than⁠‌‌ half have lost‍‍‌ their value as​​ magic stones.”

“Ahaha…⁠ I, I see~”‌‌​

“See.⁠⁠ I told you⁠‌‌ Marie. Your spells⁠​ were too strong.”​​

Both⁠‌ Group 1 and⁠‌‌ Group A knew‍ the reason why​⁠ there were so‌‌ many broken Moonstones.​

Even​​⁠ when facing hundreds‌​‍ and thousands of​‍​ undeads, Marie relied⁠ on her overwhelming⁠ mana output to​⁠​ wipe them out⁠ with magic, and⁠‌​ every time she​‌ did that, the⁠⁠ Moonstone undeads were‌⁠​ also crushed alongside‍⁠​ the other undeads.​

“Well,‌‍ at least we‌⁠​ defeated some elite‍ monsters.”

Isabelle⁠‍​ commented how elite⁠ monsters in semi-Grade‌‌⁠ 1 and Grade‌‌‍ 2 were in​ fact easier compared​ to the low-grade‍‍ undeads.

In⁠‌‍ any case, the‍⁠​ ranking was as‌‌ follows.

Group‍‌ 1: 558 points​​

Group‍‌⁠ A: 499 points‌​‍

Group‍ 3: 160 points​‍

Group​​​ 2: 155 points‌‌‌

Group​‍ 4: 126 points⁠

Group‍‍ C: 98 points⁠​

Group⁠⁠ B: 55 points‌

It‌⁠‍ was essentially already​​⁠ decided that three⁠ Purple Hawk teams‌ and one Merkarva​⁠ team would be​⁠‌ making their way‍⁠‌ up to the​​ next stage of‌⁠⁠ the group event.​ Even though Group⁠ D hadn’t returned‍ yet, the students‍‌‌ weren’t expecting much⁠​ from Group D which had lost‍ two of its‍​ members on the⁠⁠⁠ first day.

“Hello‍⁠‌ everyone! Good morning!”⁠

“Uhh,⁠ I think we’re‌ a bit late,‌​⁠ Mr. Korin!”

At‍‌ last, the two‍ survivors of Group‍‌ D, Korin Lork‍‍ and Alicia Arden​‌‍ returned to the‍ hotel.

The‍‌‍ students and professors‍ naturally turned to​ the bag they​⁠‍ were carrying and​ all thought the‍ same thing. They‌ thought it was‍ to be expected‍​ after seeing their‌⁠​ bag, which was‌‍ incredibly small compared‍ to the other‌ groups.

“You​‍ were fairly late,‍‍ Student Korin. Student‍‌ Alicia.”

“59​ minutes. Right on⁠‌‍ the dot, sir.”⁠​​ said Korin.

“That’s‌‌ why I told​ you we should​ have breakfast later.”​‌​

“It⁠ would take ages‍‌​ for us to‌‌ have time to‍⁠ sit down again‌‌ after leaving the⁠​‌ city. I can’t​ wait for that‌ long.”

“Student‌‌ Korin. Bring me​‌ your bag. Let‍‍ me assess your‌⁠ points.”

Even‍ though it would‍ probably be meaningless,​‌ Kang Ryun still​⁠ did what he‍⁠ had to do.​​

“Yes⁠​ sir~. It’s right‌‌ here.”

Korin⁠‌ took out a single Moonstone from​​ his bag.

– Kung!

A large chunk of‍ Moonstone landed on‍​​ the desk, which⁠ gathered the eyes‌⁠​ of everyone nearby.​‌

That‌‍ Moonstone, which gained‍⁠⁠ its name for⁠​ being a stone‌‍​ that harbored moonlight,‌ had a brilliant​ silver light that‍‌ made it literally⁠‌ appear like the‍‌ moon.

It​‍‌ was top-notch! That‍⁠ was a perfect​ Moonstone, both in‌​ size and color,‍ that no one⁠​ could argue against.⁠‍‍

“T,‌ two hundred and⁠ fifty points…”

The‌​‍ students couldn’t help⁠⁠ but feel stunned‍‌‍ after seeing the⁠‍‌ number on the‍​ display screen of⁠​ the measuring machine.​‌

With​ just a single‌‍ Moonstone, their group‍​⁠ sky-rocketed all the‌ way to 3rd​‍‌ place. What kind​​⁠ of elite monster⁠‍​ did they have⁠ to defeat to‌​ gain such an‌ enormous Moonstone?

“Uun?⁠⁠⁠ Korin? Weren’t we​​​ prohibited from going​⁠‌ to the center​​⁠ of the city?”​

Marie⁠​‌ tilted her head,⁠⁠​ seemingly puzzled after​‍‌ seeing this Moonstone​​ which was clearly‌⁠‍ from the danger⁠ zone.

“They​ said it was⁠‌​ dangerous, but there‌ was no rule‌⁠ stopping us from‌‍‍ going there.”

“I⁠ see!!”

‘I⁠‍​ should have gone⁠ there as well!’⁠ said Marie while⁠‌‍ bringing her hands‍⁠ together.

“Hmm…​ Group D. You​ have 250 points​‍ and have come‌ 3rd place…”

“I⁠ have more though?”‌‌

“T,⁠‌‌ they have more?”‌

Korin‌ took out two‌⁠​ more Moonstones. The⁠​ students were shocked​ after seeing how‍ they looked similar‍‍‍ to the one​‍​ before.

“Korin‍ and Alicia, these‌‌​ guys. How far‍⁠‌ deep did these⁠‌ guys go?!”

“The⁠ center of the‌ city… Maybe they‍ killed the 3 great bosses of‍⁠ Nazrea or something?”‍⁠​

“Holy⁠ shit…”

The⁠‌ two following Moonstones‍​ equaled 246 and‍⁠‌ 272 points.

“Now,‍ this is the⁠‍ last one we⁠‌ have.”

And⁠⁠ the last one‍‌ Korin took out‌‍‍ was in a completely different ‘league’.⁠⁠ It had a red luster that⁠ was ominously different⁠ from the other​‌‌ Moonstones. It seemed‍⁠‌ so inauspicious that‍‌ it didn’t even⁠ look like a Moonstone anymore.

“1,000​⁠ points.”

Everyone​ was struck speechless.​‌‍

Group​ D: 1,768 points‌

Group⁠⁠ 1: 558 points​

Group​​​ A: 499 points​‌

Group‍⁠ 3: 160 points​​‍

Group‌​‍ 2: 155 points‍

Group​⁠ 4: 126 points‌

Group​‌​ C: 98 points‍

Group‍ B: 55 points‌​

As‍ such, the four⁠‌ teams that would‍‌‌ be proceeding to‍⁠‍ the next stage‌‍ of the group‌‌‌ event were decided.‍

****​‌

On‌ the way back‌‌ from Nazrea, I looked at the​ City of the‌ Dead through the⁠‍ window of the⁠ house hanging on⁠‍ the monster carrier.⁠⁠

Erin,⁠‍ the one who⁠​ separated from my⁠​ master like a clone 300 years⁠ ago, was still‍ inside that city.​

“That⁠ was very eventful.”⁠

“I‍‌ know.”

Sitting⁠ by my side,​​‌ Alicia handed over⁠ the potatoes steamed‍​​ by Marie.

“You’ll‌​ be going there​⁠‌ again right?”

“I‍​​ need to.”

Alicia‍⁠⁠ seemed to have‌ realized that I would be going​⁠⁠ back one day​​⁠ to save the‌⁠ imprisoned Erin. Would‍ she get mad…⁠ if I told‌ her I made​ a contract with‍⁠ the Grim Reaper?⁠

“Please‍ go together with‌‍ Senior Marie and⁠‌‌ me when you‌‍​ are going there‌​ again. I don’t​​‍ know what you⁠‍ are thinking, Mr.⁠⁠‍ Korin, but let⁠‍​ us help you.”⁠

“Thanks.”⁠

Her⁠⁠‌ willingness to help‍‍ was so commendable⁠ that I rustled​‍ my fingers through⁠‌ her hair and‍‌ made it into⁠‌ a mess. She‌‌ went, ‘Uhk! Ehk!⁠ Uhk!’ but that⁠‌‌ was okay.

“The​​ next group event‍​ is more important.⁠⁠ You have to‌⁠ get to work​ immediately after going​⁠‍ back, Alicia.”

“…You’re‍ really driving me⁠​ around like a servant. By the‌ way, don’t we‌​ have to do‌​‌ the doubles event⁠ as well after‌‌‍ going back?”

“There’s⁠‍‍ that too.”

Kang​ Yuhua and Sa‌‍​ Jinhyuk should be​ participating in a team for the‍​ doubles event. Originally,‍​ Sa Jinhyuk was⁠⁠‌ attending the individual‍⁠‍ event so he​‌ wasn’t going to⁠‌‌ participate in the‍ group event but…‍‌

Kang‌‍⁠ Ryun had some⁠‌ tricks up his​⁠​ sleeve. Well, I’ll‍‌ let him do​‌‍ what he wants​‍ for now though.‍⁠‌

“Let’s​⁠‌ take a rest‍‌⁠ for now. We’ve‌‍​ been working too​​‍ hard.”

I had to think‍​ of ways to‍​ make use of​⁠ the power I got from the‍‌ Grim Reaper as​‌ well. Obtaining a Treasure of the‌⁠ Underworld was slightly​‍‌ unexpected but if‌‍⁠ everything went well,‍ the ‘Orb of‌‌‍ the Grim Reaper’​​ might act as⁠‌ a nice hidden⁠ card for the‌ 3rd Arc.

“I​ wonder what Hua​​ Ran is up‍‌‌ to right now.”‍‌​

Thinking​‌‌ about the girl‍‌ that was at⁠ the core of​ this main scenario,‌​‌ I felt a bit concerned.

………‍

……‌‍⁠

The‍ day I returned‌‌​ to Merkarva, I heard some shocking‌​⁠ news from Lady‍ Josephine.

“Student⁠‍ Hua Ran is‍ in confinement.”

………Already?‍

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