Chapter 163: The Angel Who Raids a Dungeon (1)

Episode 163: The Angel Who Raids a Dungeon (1)

“We’ll now connect to our field correspondent on site for more information. Reporter Kim Soo-ho?”

“Yes, reporting live from Wonsan Harbor.”

On a peaceful morning, some not-so-peaceful news began.

(TL Note: Wonsan(원산) is a port city in North Korea.)

“Currently, at 7:03 AM, an abrupt surge in Sephirot readings was detected within a 15-kilometer radius of Wonsan Harbor. After that, a structure believed to be a temple from the other world…”

The news showed a building. A massive, magnificent structure covered in moss and green algae. Although it seemed impossible to reach as it was floating in the middle of the ocean.

“Then, can we consider this a dungeon manifestation?”

“According to experts, yes. They’re saying that all readings from the Argo sensors are similar to typical dungeon manifestations.”

“Ah…”

Leffrey recognized that building.

How could he not. It was the dungeon that was called the most terrifying dungeon in the now-gone future.

“The exact scale of the dungeon has yet to be measured. This is because the advance teams sent by major guilds have only just entered. We’ll provide you with more detailed information once they return.”

Superhumans from top guilds were waving at the camera. They were elites from major guilds, their skills acknowledged by all. They didn’t seem afraid at all.

Probably it’s because they’ve already raided countless dungeons like this.

‘It’s too late to stop them now that they’ve already entered…’

Leffrey closed his eyes and thought about that dungeon.

That dungeon had many names.

Called ‘Nation Destroyer’ because it destroyed countries,

Called Grozny (Гро́зный), which is Russian for ‘terrible’ or ‘fearsome’, because of its terrifying presence.

And finally, the Impossible Dungeon, a nickname given because it was the only dungeon declared unconquerable.

‘And its real name is the Dragon Lord’s Nest.’

This Dragon Lord’s Nest was the dungeon ruled by one of the Four Heavenly Kings, Ormantor.

‘How is it here already…..’

Leffrey hid his trembling hands while lost in thought.

In the previous timeline, the Dragon Lord’s Nest appeared only after Mariana Camp had fallen. It was supposed to be years away. And yet…

‘And yet it already appeared? Even though Mariana Camp hasn’t even fallen yet?’

Of course, Leffrey didn’t think that everything would unfold exactly as it did in his past life. He had already changed too many things.

But everything was progressing too quickly.

Everything was happening faster than he remembered.

From the two Heavenly Kings’ invasions to the Superhuman Management Bureau’s terrorist attack.

They were all happening earlier than in the previous timeline.

‘…The demon king must be getting impatient.’

Leffrey looked at the news again.

‘Two of the Four Heavenly Kings are already neutralized, and I’ve stopped all the demon king’s evil schemes.’

In that case, it was only natural for the demon king to be impatient.

That’s probably why he played such a powerful card so early.

“…..”

While Leffrey was intently watching the news, Soya was stealthily pushing the vegetables in her plate to the side. After devouring all the meat with quick bites, she muttered “Ah, I’m full,” and got up from the table.

‘Ormantor, the dragon. One of the Demon King’s top three, rivaling Doorman.’

But Leffrey wasn’t aware of that.

He was too absorbed in thoughts about Ormantor.

‘What could that cunning serpent be plotting?’

As Leffrey’s head started throbbing, he looked down at the dining table to finish his meal. And he immediately noticed something strange.

“Soya?”

“Y-Yes?”

“You seem to have left, some, vegetables?”

Leffrey was smiling. His usual angelic smile.

However,

Angels have many roles.

For example, there are Punishment Angel, who bestows trials and hardships upon those who don’t listen.

With a cold smile befitting the Punishment Angel, Leffrey walked towards Soya while holding the plate.

“Th-those vegetables are too bitter. They’re totally Soya-phobic…”

Soya, perhaps having some conscience, didn’t use the phrase ‘black magic hate’. But Leffrey didn’t stop.

“You shouldn’t be a picky eater! That’s why you’re not growing taller!”

“Wh-What? I’ve grown a little bit, you know?”

Soya said as she stood on her tiptoes.

Soya had indeed grown a bit taller since the entrance ceremony, enough that she needed new school uniforms.

Though she still hadn’t quite escaped her cute little girl appearance.

‘She did grow a bit.’

Hiding his proud feelings, Leffrey watched Soya’s pouting lips.

“An opening.”

“Mmph.”

He shoved the vegetables into her mouth without mercy.

“Good, then I’ll go get ready for class first.”

“So Bitter…”

“It’s good for your magic, so it’s supposed to be bitter. I already blanched them, so most of the bitterness is gone.”

Why did that dragon establish a nest in Wonsan with no support whatsoever? Was it the demon king’s order? What kind of strategy was this? That dragon…

‘This is the first time in my long life that I’ve seen a being with this much potential for tactical value.’

What could that evil dragon be thinking?

‘Kukuku, humans.’

If hell exists, would it look like this? Inside the Dragon Lord’s Nest, humans were reduced to playthings. Superhumans of all ages and genders, suffering in all sorts of ways, then dying.

Thump thump-

‘Humans are truly wonderful creatures.’

Leffrey smiled brightly to avoid worrying Soya while suppressing his rising fear.

‘The dragon’s invasion. Now the real…’

Now the real trial would begin.

A trial incomparable to anything he had faced before.

Perhaps a trial too harsh for the somewhat cowardly Leffrey.

“Leffrey.”

“Boy!”

Two girls were waiting for Leffrey at the cathedral entrance. Yumari in her usual neat attire, and Hongwol with her pink tail swaying gently, all dressed up.

Leffrey smiled at the two girls.

“…Let’s do our best.”

Leffrey said to himself.

* * *

Ordinary schools and superhuman academies have many similarities. For starters, they both require uniforms…

“Wait, midterms already?”

And tests came faster than students expected.

“As expected, the midterms are going to be like this again.”

“I prefer it this way. Imagine if they suddenly changed it. That would be such a pain.”

One day, as spring drew to a close,

…Midterm exam season arrived at the Central Superhuman Academy.

Students gathered around the midterm exam schedule posted at Central Plaza. Among them were Leffrey and the three hero girls.

“Do volunteer work, close gates, hunt monsters, arrest criminals, or raid dungeons. Scores will be based on your achievements.”

Hongwol read the announcement with a bored tone. Hearing this, Yumari casually asked Leffrey.

“Leffrey, are you going to take the exam with Miss Soya again?”

“Yeah.”

Soya answered before Leffrey could even open his mouth.

“I wasn’t asking you, Miss Soya.”

“Tsk.”

Leffrey shook his head and looked at Yumari.

“Let’s take the exam together this time. Me, Wol, Soya, and you, all together.”

“Ah, those two will only hold me back. I can do it all alone. All the boy has to do is just come along.”

“Who’s holding you back!”

“The little girl who’s the biggest burden is now upset.”

The now-familiar bickering between Soya and Hongwol.

‘At least they’re not showing killing intent anymore, unlike before. I guess fighting brought them closer.’

Leffrey remembered the time when Hongwol and Soya had fought. Back then, their killing intent had been so intense, he never thought they would get along.

But spending time together with Leffrey at the center, Soya’s personality had softened a little, and so did Hongwol’s, she had become more civilized….

‘And they did the club fair together, fought against the Demon King’s avatar together, and even went to St. Lucia Academy together…’

They finally became friends.

Of course, they would never admit it.

Leffrey had heard that they had shared each other’s strengths to quickly reach the truth, in their quest to find the Fallen Hero.

Though apparently they had done it while constantly teasing each other throughout.

‘This is a true Hero’s Party should be.’

Proud-

Leffrey smiled proudly and patted the two girls’ heads.

“Ah, Leffrey, stop treating me like a kid outside…”

“Boy, I like it there…”

However, the problem was that girl standing there with a blank expression, Mari.

Mari was a mysterious beauty, but that made her difficult to approach.

If Hongwol and Soya became closer by fighting, then Mari was the type who avoids conflict and didn’t even give chances to become friends.

‘…There’s no time. Now that the demon king’s invasion has begun in earnest, Mari needs to become closer to the other two.’

While Leffrey worried about this,

He overheard an interesting conversation.

“What should we do for the midterm this time?”

“Hmm… how about a dungeon raid?”

“Dungeon raid? To get a good grade on a dungeon raid, we’ll have to create a party, and that’ll be tough.”

One of the students who had been talking suddenly lowered their voices.

“Well, I heard this from my uncle.”

“Your uncle? Isn’t he a high-ranking executive at the Dermatec Guild?”

“Yeah, the Dermatec Guild members were part of the advance team sent to that dungeon discovered in Wonsan.”

The dungeon discovered in Wonsan.

They were talking about the Dragon Lord’s Nest.

Leffrey, acting as if nothing was wrong, casually eavesdropped on the two students’ conversation.

Of course, being second-year students, the two had created a sound barrier using a scroll… but Leffrey was Professor Klein’s direct disciple. He could easily bypass such a barrier.

“And?”

“They’re saying that it’s a total pushover dungeon? The rewards are good, but the monsters are incredibly weak.”

“For real?”

“Yeah, all members of the advance team survived. Even the temporary contractors they brought along as workers.”

…?

All survived?

In the Dragon Lord’s Nest?

The very definition of terror.

The fortress of a tyrant who destroyed nations.

That dungeon which was deemed unconquerable by any means was cleared safely by mere advance teams?

The two students’ conversation was becoming increasingly unbelievable.

“It wasn’t just Dermatec in the advance team, so word has already spread. Those with a good information network are probably already heading for Wonsan.”

“Then.”

“If you choose ‘dungeon’ for the midterm, the scores are based on rewards, right? And it’s a once-in-a-lifetime pushover dungeon.”

The other student wiped their face and asked again.

“Right, it’s a relative grading system, so we can’t miss an opportunity like this. Those who are well-informed would have already realized it… we have to hurry.”

“Let’s leave today. No time to hesitate.”

Leffrey looked around. He focused on the conversations of the other students conversations.

The conversations of the students who had sponsors from guilds, the conversations of the young masters and ladies from families who operated intelligence organizations.

The common keyword in their conversations.

‘Wonsan.’

‘Super pushover dungeon.’

‘Must go because of relative grading.’

‘And quickly, too.’

‘Even though they don’t even know what kind of dungeon it is.’

…Leffrey held his breath.

He now had a rough idea of what that cunning dragon, that wicked serpent, was planning.

“Leffrey, are you okay?”

Mari looked at him with concern. Leffrey smiled to avoid worrying Mari.

Long flowing black hair, contrasting beautifully with her pale skin, and a small blue horn protruded on her forehead. That horn, which had grown a little larger since he first met her, was a sign that this girl was now one of the only two dragons left in this world.

“I’m fine.”

And Leffrey gathered his heroes.

“Our midterm exam this time…”

“The midterm?”

He knew how terrifying the Dragon Lord’s Nest was. And how powerful the dragon was. Honestly, he was scared.

“Let’s do a dungeon raid.”

But Leffrey showed courage.