Chapter 15

Chapter 15

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 15: Ershil (3)

The Korea Hero School managed its fields with drones and cameras created through a combination of magic and science, a discipline known as magic engineering.

However, no matter how precisely they observed, the school was simply too vast. There were always gaps.

In one such gap in the grassland field, there existed a monster too challenging for the students to handle.

‘Eventually, when a Main invades this place, it’ll use that monster to lead the invasion.’

It was best to defeat it while we could.

So, I led Ershil and Kim Ara to the hiding place of that creature.

“Hmm, this hunting ground is strangely devoid of prey?”

Swoosh-.

Ershil finely adjusted her magic power to pierce the heart of a small monster, bringing its corpse back.

Ershil’s laughter deepened.

The absence of prey here meant the presence of a predator nearby.

“But what are the features of the monster we are hunting?”

“…I’m curious too.”

“Snake.”

My statement was met with puzzled gazes.

“It’s not an ordinary snake.”

Of course, if it had been an ordinary snake, I wouldn’t have brought both Ershil and Kim Ara.

I could have handled a regular snake on my own.

“It’s a snake on the verge of becoming an Imugi.”

“…Hmm.”

“You think we can catch it?”

Kim Ara was silent and Ershil looked at me in wonder.

“It’s possible. Ershil will provide overall support while observing, Ara will defend from the front, and I’ll deliver the finishing blow.”

“….”

Kim Ara and Ershil looked at me with skepticism, as if they couldn’t believe my claim of defeating the Imugi in one strike. Yet, since I wouldn’t lie, the truth of this statement seemed more likely.

“One strike against an Imugi… That’s an outrageous claim. If it were anyone else, I’d definitely think it’s a lie.”

“Exactly.”

A different emotion flickered in their eyes.

The expectation of finally witnessing my true power.

Well, I planned to give it my all.

“And even if I fail, you all would still survive, right?”

I said, looking at Ershil.

Ershil’s smile froze for a brief moment.

“Ah, are you saying that you’d sacrifice your life to protect us, Seo-ha? That would be so touching~.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

I was not worried about Ershil and Kim Ara.

If her life were in danger, the ‘Soul of the Transcendent’ sleeping within her would manifest.

Of course, it was not without risk, and she would be in pain for a while… but considering it was a life-or-death situation, the risk was negligible.

Kim Ara also possessed a source of power, so she wouldn’t die easily.

“Wait a moment.”

I stopped the group, focusing on an object resembling a black scale stuck to the ground, about the size of a palm.

Black scales, resembling those of a snake.

This was information I would have gained in a game upon discovering a snake.

I had a feeling then.

[Shadow Snake Scale (D-)]

A scale left behind by a snake that awakened its shadow attribute. It can be used for various purposes.

“Could it be… are we targeting the Shadow Snake?”

“Yes.”

“The Shadow Snake?”

Kim Ara asked, puzzled.

“The Shadow Snake is tricky. Monsters that have awakened the shadow attribute generally leave no trace, excel in ambushes, and are easy to hide, making them challenging opponents…”

Ershil explained instead of me.

“Moreover, you said it’s on the verge of becoming an Imugi?”

“Yes.”

If it continued to accumulate power for another year, it would become an Imugi.

In the second year, when the Mains overwhelmed the Tower of Trials and invaded Korea Hero School, the Beast Lord would use this snake and cause tremendous casualties.

That was what would happen originally.

It was not something the students should handle. With such a scale, Instructor Seo Woo-ju and several assistants, along with two professors of significant rank, would be deployed.

Main Quest Chapter 1.5: Shadow Snake Subjugation

Subjugate the Shadow Snake, which may evolve into an Imugi soon.

◈ Reward: 5,000P with additional rewards depending on the outcome.

A quest window appeared before me, too perfect to be a coincidence.

‘Not bad.’

With the multidimensional premium store available, points were always welcome. My only concern was that the person who sent me here seemed to be watching my every move.

Flick-.

I chuckled lightly. Worrying about such things still felt like a luxury to me.

I led the group toward the creature’s lair.

No need to worry. Kim Ara and Ershil were exceptionally talented.

They were among the best forces I could muster at the moment.

And I was truly confident in this subjugation mission.

‘About 1,375 times?’

I recalled the number of times I had defeated it in Epic World for achievement purposes.

Ershil narrowed her eyes, observing the boy leading the way.

Lee Seo-ha.

A person of interest.

His capabilities were unknown.

He was the first to pass through the Tower of Trials, and from a bit of ‘mischief’ with those who had explored dungeons with him, it was said he knew the layout of the dungeon as if he had memorized it.

‘I’m not sure.’

Ershil looked at him with her ‘eyes.’

But she saw nothing.

-It’s not good to look at him like that.

Her master’s voice echoed in her mind.

-He is indeed an enigmatic being. Even watching him this closely doesn’t reveal anything. Something is blocking the view of his information.

‘Even for you, master?’

Ershil was surprised.

Though known publicly as a master of illusion magic, she was practicing a completely different and perfect system of illusion magic, hence her reputation.

Melanie Merchen.

A transcendent being from another world who had come solely in ‘spirit’ form was earnestly helping her.

The eyes she possessed were of a different caliber from her own.

Unlike a mere ‘Evil Eye,’ the eyes of a transcendent who had reached a certain ‘realm’ could see the karma created, penetrating through all things.

“We’ve arrived.”

At Lee Seo-ha’s words, Ershil looked around.

There was a small space underground, but it seemed an unlikely location.

However, Lee Seo-ha stopped and stared at the spot.

“…You can’t be serious. Here?”

“Yeah, this is the snake’s den.”

Lee Seo-ha frowned slightly and expanded the entrance by poking the ground with the Black Heavenly Demon Sword. An entrance just large enough for Lee Seo-ha to pass through appeared.

“It’s like a dungeon. It gets wider as we go further inside.”

“Right. Follow me.”

Lee Seo-ha led the way inside. Ershil conjured a barrier with magic to keep the dirt off her and descended.

“Ah, I’ll carry Miss Ara.”

“Thanks.”

After ten minutes of walking, the path gradually broadened.

-Ershil, something’s coming…!

“Everyone, get ready for battle.”

Before Ershil could relay the warning, Lee Seo-ha spoke up, echoing Melanie’s words.

Wooong!

Kim Ara summoned a Giant’s Sword which towered above her height. Ershil also drew out the Dream Book.

A magic book, half the size of a person, hovered in the air, radiating light.

At the same moment.

-Shaaaaaaa!

A chilling sound began to echo.

“Kim Ara, hit the ground as hard as you can. With all your might.”

“Got it.”

“Wait a minute. A monster awakened with shadow properties won’t be affected by normal physical force…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

At Ershil’s caution, Lee Seo-ha signaled to Kim Ara.

Kim Ara acknowledged Lee Seo-ha’s gesture. The power within her began to swell—a force distinct from magic.

A force that invigorated life and fortified the body.

The source of her power.

Recalling the power Lee Seo-ha had mentioned, Kim Ara swung her sword.

───────────────!!!!

A wave that seemed to crush the very space itself spread out.

-Kieeeek!

A black snake-like figure began to emerge from the ground, writhing in pain.

“Ershil, tie it up.”

“Oh, really!”

Ershil, annoyed, infused mana into the magic book.

Dozens of threads bound the shadow snake.

All the while, her gaze was fixed on Lee Seo-ha.

Facing such an opponent, Lee Seo-ha would have to use his full strength. There was much speculation about the power he possessed. Even her own master probably had no idea what it was.

In case, just in case he failed, Ershil was ready to cast illusion magic and flee with the group, her magic power rising as she watched him.

Woong─!

A black power, seeming to negate everything, revealed itself.

‘What… is this?’

-Heavenly Demon!

Before Ershil could even wonder about this power, her master Melanie screamed out.

-A descendant of the Heavenly Demon? How? She surely died without finding her successor!

Regardless of their chatter, Lee Seo-ha unleashed his hand. He was still inexperienced in handling the Energy of Defying Heaven. Using the Black Heavenly Demon Sword made the flow of energy less smooth.

The black energy condensed in his hand. It formed a sphere.

The perfectly formed sphere soon emitted an ominous power that seemed to negate everything.

Lee Seo-ha leaped towards the shadow snake.

Black Vigor.

The black sphere hit the shadow snake.