episode_0064

In a dark room where only faint moonlight seeps in, someone is conversing with shadows.

This individual had slightly purplish skin and horns protruding on both sides of their head.

It was a male with violet hair, sporting a somewhat unsettling smile.

The man alone was enough to send chills down one’s spine.

No, he was engaging in conversation with the figure within the shadow.

“So, are you certain you saw that child?”

“Well, not entirely, but my subordinate suspected a student to be of demon descent… *cough* *cough*!!”

Mid-sentence, an arm jutted out from the shadow, beginning to choke the man.

Struggling to breathe properly, the man being choked could hardly manage.

Despite knowing this, the figure within the shadow continued to tighten his grip around the man’s neck without concern, lifting him off the ground gradually.

With sheer strength, effortlessly lifting an adult male without using magic, the man couldn’t help but be astonished.

Regardless, the figure within the shadow persisted with his questioning.

“Ask again. Is it certain that Silia, no, the vessel is present in this academy?”

While gripping his neck, the man wasn’t sure what to say.

If he didn’t answer here, the consequences were evident.

Though demons’ bodies were sturdier than humans’, they were still mortal.

Hence, to stay alive, the man began forcing his sealed lips open.

“I-I’m… sure…”

Upon this response, the figure in the shadow released his grip, lowering the man.

-Thud-

“Cough… *cough*…”

The man rubbed his throat, breathing heavily, while the figure in the shadow, nonchalant, spoke authoritatively.

“So, where is the vessel? Speak.”

“Currently… she goes by the name Luna. She’s a second-year student… enrolled in Class B-2… and starting tomorrow, she will participate in dungeon exploration at the academy… That’s all the information we have…”

“Luna, you say? Quite amusing. Using her deceased mother’s name, perhaps. Well, it doesn’t matter. However, the retrieval of the vessel must be postponed for a few days. There, Naidus, was it? The materials will be sent promptly for your verification.”

With those words, only Naidus with violet hair remained in the dark room.

However, soon even Naidus’s body began fading into the shadow.

As his form vanished, Naidus muttered softly with a mix of resignation.

“I heard vampires have peculiar personalities. Seems to be true… Haha, anyway. Things are getting interesting. I wonder how the son of that person will overcome this trial.”

Subsequently, no one remained in the dark room.

Only faint moonlight illuminated the space.

…

“Alright, is everyone here? Let’s do a final headcount! When I call out your student number, please raise your hand immediately!”

Second-year students gathered in the gymnasium.

With a large crowd including faculty members, the gymnasium was chaotic, yet due to the students’ cooperation, the briefing for the dungeon exploration concluded swiftly.

The dungeon exploration would proceed similarly to the previous practical session.

Form teams of four to navigate the underground labyrinth.

Defeat lower-level monsters encountered, collect their tokens, and score points based on them.

Tokens dropped by Grade 8 to Grade 6 monsters are worth 5 points each, with a target score of 300 points.

In reality, it’s a system where you gather 3rd-grade certificates to earn points.

The deadline starts once you enter the dungeon, so from today until tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.

Therefore, the goal is to quickly obtain certificates with team members and escape the dungeon.

The exploration activities range from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor.

Since only up to the 3rd floor of the labyrinth is open, even if you want to progress further, you cannot.

And during the exploration.

Even if a student suffers damage significant enough to lead to death.

Due to the dungeon’s special gimmick, the damage is nullified and they are ejected towards the entrance of the dungeon.

Well… that doesn’t mean they won’t get injured at all.

Anyway, filling the certificate quota with team members and quickly exiting the dungeon can be considered the goal of this exploration.

So, while reminiscing about dungeon exploration.

Amelia standing in the auditorium began speaking into the microphone.

“O-Once again… there are various ways to escape the dungeon… finding escape dimensional portals scattered throughout the labyrinth or…”

As Amelia was speaking.

Karone, who was beside her, interjected.

“You wait inside the dungeon. If 24 hours pass within this dungeon, you will automatically be ejected outside. Therefore, as a last resort. If the situation arises where you cannot find a dimensional portal, find a safe place to wait or request help from another team.”

But well, they say only low-level monsters appear up to the 3rd floor.

So, such a situation shouldn’t occur.

They mentioned supplying necessary items before entering the dungeon from the academy.

If you’re a bit cautious, there shouldn’t be many severely injured individuals.

From the start, teamwork is emphasized in this exploration just like last time.

Collecting certificates is important, but the most crucial aspect is cooperation with team members.

That way, you can quickly exit the dungeon.

“But, dimensional portals to exit the dungeon are periodically generated everywhere. There’s no need to worry about that. And when you pass through the portal, you’ll land at the entrance of the dungeon. Relax. Now, follow the guidance of the professors and assistants. That’s all.”

With that, Karone finished speaking and descended from the auditorium towards our group.

Then, looking at us, he began to speak.

“All right, you should all be familiar with what I’ve said.”

“”….””

“This dungeon exploration is open up to the 3rd floor. As you descend, the grade of monsters increases. The number of certificates dropped by monsters also increases. However, more important than points is your life.”

“”….””

No matter how low-grade the dungeon is, complacency is forbidden. So, I will distribute papers with team assignments. Move to the location I mentioned. Everyone, do your best.”

….

I examined the paper given to me by Karone.

My name and number were written on the small paper, along with the team I belong to.

—————————

9thㅣBern FlameㅣC-2-2 Team

—————————

Well, it was the same last time.

And it’s the same this time.

This way, how would anyone know who else is in the team?

Well, emphasizing fairness.

I heard they inform us on the same day, but this seems a bit much…

Still, well.. I’m looking forward to it.

By the way, they said the terrain changed this morning and that we don’t need to worry about further changes.

A labyrinth that changes structure every three days.

Interesting.

It’s fascinating that it’s a dungeon where players don’t die.

And the terrain changes too?

Moreover, dimensional portals for escape are being created throughout the labyrinth..

This feels like the game company provided convenience features for newbies.

Well, from the beginning, underground labyrinth exploration is a new event that I am unfamiliar with.

Before the possession, it was certain that a large-scale expansion pack had an impact.

Anyway.

Following the guidance of the assistants, I and other students entered a deserted warehouse built behind the academy building.

This place was an abandoned warehouse that was not used in the game at all.

It was an area inaccessible in the game.

So, many users even questioned the developers about why access was impossible.

Anyway, upon entering the building, contrary to its neglected and dirty appearance from the outside,

the inside was cleaner than expected.

Furthermore, there were several paths leading underground and various spaces, making the interior larger than anticipated.

By the way, the path leading underground had been relocated to the abandoned warehouse.

That’s why it was inaccessible.

Was that why I couldn’t find the underground passage last time I came looking for it?

It seems like it might be related to the dungeon below and the last book left by the sage.

I’ll have to look into that later.

For now, let’s focus on exploring the dungeon.

And so, I and the other students began descending through the path leading underground.

After some time passed, I was able to arrive at a fairly spacious area.

There, starting from Health Teacher Laura, medical personnel were waiting.

In addition, security guards and other assistants were also waiting.

Anyway, following the assistant’s guidance,

we each headed towards where our group members were located.

“I was in C-2-2 group… so that must be over there.”

Thus, upon arriving at the location of the C-2-2 group,

there was Silia, chewing bubble gum with a sullen expression.

Approaching her with a welcoming heart, Silia, who had been looking elsewhere, somehow noticed me.

Suddenly turning her head towards me, she started coming closer to me.

Then, popping the bubble gum she was chewing, she said to me,

“What’s up, newbie. Are you in the same group as me?”

“Well, it turned out that way. But did something good happen suddenly? Just a moment ago, you had a sullen expression.”

“Me? What are you talking about? My expression is always the same. Stop talking nonsense and get ready. We need to enter that dimensional gate over there soon.”

“Got it.”

The time to enter the dungeon was approaching.