episode_0176

I followed Professor Alida out.

The cadets followed her in an orderly manner.

I too followed the professor, bouncing around in the wind.

“I said it was external, but in fact there is a lot to show you internally.”

Professor Alida, who took the lead, opened his mouth. It seemed like they were trying to explain things in parallel so as not to bore us before we arrived.

“This is a monster research facility built inside the city cradle, and breeding is also carried out in order to secure data and specimens… I have a question here.”

The professor, who was pacing again and again, suddenly raised a finger.

“How many years ago did the cataclysm occur?”

“Exactly 200 years ago!”

The answer came back at the same time as the question. The professor smiled and snapped his fingers.

“Quick answer and correct answer, very good. What is the cadet’s name?”

“Cheongmyeong Class, this is Bela Aletova!”

“I will remember one store. Perhaps it was too classic? sorry. Still, this one was clear enough to elicit an answer.”

Professor Alida smiled shyly and continued.

“Then returning to the question, the cataclysm refers to a chain of dungeon explosions that occurred on a global scale 200 years ago.”

Cataclysm. This is the word that appears when you open a history book. It is also the main reason why the world has become this mess.

A series of runaways in the dungeon followed. At that point, my impression was completely crushed.

The two dungeon crashes I’ve experienced so far are Shipnaha and the two I experienced in China.

In Sifnaha, he was almost beaten like a dog by Aerus, and in China, he was poisoned by a two-headed poisonous dragon and almost crossed the Three Paths.

Not all of them were good memories. In particular, the two-headed poisonous dragon was in a bad mood because it was a recent incident.

Regardless of my feelings, the professor’s explanation continued.

“In general, history books describe it like this.”

With the cataclysm, dungeons were created all over the world, and humanity at the time suffered from the monsters that poured out from the dungeons…

“… It’s not wrong, but strictly speaking, it’s not entirely accurate. Cadet Bela Aletova, do you know the reason?”

“Uh… I don’t know!”

The cadet, who rolled his eyes for a moment, hesitated to answer.

Professor Alida responded with a chuckle, feeling quite different from before.

“In official sources, the first monsters were recorded even before the cataclysm.”

“Yes?”

“To be precise, these are plants and animals that have become monsters under the influence of magical power.”

The eyes of many cadets opened wide. Professor Alida nodded as if satisfied with the openly admiring response.

“The first recorded monster was a mouse that emits electricity, followed by a gorilla that controls a pile of dirt and wears it like armor.”

Mice probably displayed unique abilities such as “thunderbolt discharge,” and gorillas displayed unique abilities such as “soil manipulation.”

“A dog that emits fire from its mouth, a cat that blows out slashes of wind with its claws, etc… They were monsters that were difficult to understand with common sense before the cataclysm.”

Monsters, monsters, monsters… Monsters were the names that countries with strong influence at the time began to call them.

“To summarize, magic existed even before the cataclysm, and there were plants and animals that became monsters under the influence of magic. In academic circles, these types are called native species.”

At that point, Professor Alida paused for a moment and looked back at the cadets who were following behind.

Some cadets had their eyes wide open as if they had just heard something incredible, while others had a carefree attitude as if they already knew.

Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin have a carefree attitude. Both seem to have learned it during the successor class.

Elia looked surprised as if she didn’t know about this, but she just passed it off as something she didn’t know.

Professor Alida, who was looking at the cadets’ facial expressions, also turned to me.

The professor looked at my somber expression, licked his lips with regret, and looked ahead at the road.

“Boring words have gotten longer. As for what the conclusion is…”

– Step by step

Professor Alida’s steps stopped. She looked around for a moment, then turned her head to look at the cadets.

In the strange silence, the professor spoke his conclusion with a somewhat serious expression.

“Monster research is, in some ways, quite meaningless.”

“Yes?”

A stupid response came out of one cadet’s mouth. This is because the conclusion was unexpected.

“Ahaha. Was it too unexpected? We will continue to explain the accessories.”

Perhaps expecting that kind of reaction, the professor shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the surroundings.

The cadets’ eyes turned to the place the finger pointed to… the glass wall.

Before I knew it, I was down in the basement.

The basement was a long grid-like structure, and inside the glass walls installed in each block were various types of monsters.

“There are many types of monsters, and they change for all kinds of reasons. They are born as mutants from the beginning, their body structure changes due to the influence of dungeons, the structure of each individual changes due to the influence of unique abilities, or the structure changes again as the monster grows…”

Variants, dungeon backup, unique abilities, physical growth…

“Anyway, for various reasons, the data that you have worked hard to accumulate over several years may become useless at the most important moment. but! Still, researchers including me are working hard to study monsters at this very moment in order to find out something.”

– mate!

The professor, who was drooping, raised his voice and clapped his hands.

“The lecture, “Monster Training and Response,” is a lecture with the purpose of studying the information accumulated in this way and practicing it directly against monsters. I also study breeding methods.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, as much as you want. What is the cadet’s name?”

“Excellent class… …”

“… …”

The general outline explanation has been completed. Then, the cadets who seemed interested in the lecture began asking questions.

The professor seemed willing to do so and answered sincerely.

But Hong Yeon-hwa doesn’t seem to be particularly interested. I listened to the explanation sincerely, but I guess it wasn’t enough to ask questions.

“Hwaam…”

In the end, I was able to yawn quietly. Although it was hard to say it openly, he must have noticed, so he turned his head and covered his mouth with his hand.

Hong Yeon-hwa turned her head and made eye contact with me.

When I saw the Red Lotus Flower, I could see it with my eyes open.

“……”

Eyes as pretty as jewels opened wide.

Immediately the corners of my eyes fluttered, and heat spread to my earlobes and cheeks.

The body is lifted by the wind and the eye level is the same.

Thanks to this, the changes in the scarlet lotus flower were clearly visible to the naked eye.

“Uh, that…”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s voice trembled unsightly.

Hong Yeon-hwa’s reaction is full of embarrassment and embarrassment.

I tilted my head at him and slightly stuck my head out.

– side

An embarrassing sound was heard. A soft texture touched my lips. The warm heat was clearly felt.

The fragrant scent became stronger.

The lips that briefly collided were recovered.

I felt regret as the happy touch faded away.

At the same time, I also felt a sense of shame that made my solar plexus itch.

My body also feels strangely warm.

Anyway, it’s not a bad feeling.

I pursed my lips in some sense of regret and looked at Hong Yeon-hwa.

“……”

Hong Yeon-hwa was as frozen as a stone, with her mouth open in a daze.

“Heehee.”

The sight was so funny that I burst out laughing.

I covered my mouth with my hand and burst into laughter.

“…Off, haa…”

Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly let out a groan and closed her eyes.

He was startled by the sight of her suddenly out of breath and clung to Hong Yeon-hwa.

“Yeonhwa… Does it hurt?”

I looked up at Hong Yeon-hwa, holding her arm and shaking it.

As soon as she was ready to manifest homogenization, Hong Yeon-hwa’s tightly closed eyes narrowed.

Red eyes opened brightly and looked down at me.

“It’s hard…”

“Yes?”

Rumbling… The flames inside the scarlet lotus were rumbling.

The fortress became quiet, then tilted its head to the blazing flames.

“YeonhwaYeonhwa? Why are you like that all of a sudden… Wait a minute.”

Baek A-rin, who was looking at me and Hong Yeon-hwa with strange eyes, suddenly got scared and stretched out her hand.

He placed his hand on Hong Yeon-hwa’s back and let the energy of Changhae flow.

Chi-ik… Changhae poured down on the sticky, waving flowers.

Although it was still burning stickily, it gradually regained its original momentum with the suppression of Changhae.

I blinked at the sudden situation and took a quick look at my surroundings.

Perhaps because of the small commotion, attention was drawn in this direction.

There was also a professor’s gaze.

“Ah, my side is sore.”

Professor Alida, wearing round glasses, had an indescribable expression.

.

.

.

Even after the commotion died down, the professor’s lecture continued.

– Ugh…

The lump wriggled. A strange sound reached my ears.

Soon something elongated came out of the lump.

Rough gray outer skin protruding from the black mass.

Legs protruding from all directions supported the body, and the neck protruding from the front stretched out long.

“Turtle?”

One cadet muttered. As if in response, its eyelids opened and yellow eyes flashed.

“Correct answer. It is a black iron turtle belonging to the standard 6th rank.”

Professor Alida nodded and knocked on the glass wall.

– Ugh…

The black iron turtle’s snout slowly opened and a dull cry was heard.

The shell sparkled under the light. It was dark black with a shiny odor, and its shell, which looked like a rough mountain of thorns, gave off a rather menacing look.

“Now, as I said, this monster is a black iron turtle, and similar individuals are collectively called black iron turtles.”

Black iron turtle. I felt strangely happy about that. This is because we captured so much from the original work.

“When asked why it is called black iron, it is because its rough shell is made of black iron ore.”

Black iron.

It is one of the ores containing magical power discovered after the cataclysm, and is named black iron because it looks like dark black iron.

“Thanks to its high black iron content, it is like carrying a strong fortress on your back.”

Black iron is generally used in armament.

It is not a difficult material to handle, so you can make suitable weapons by just melting it and beating it to harden.

It’s not quite indestructible, but it’s quite hard, and it accepts magic power just fine.

Also, black iron is relatively easy to obtain.

The population of black tortoises is not small. All over the world, dungeons where black iron turtles appear are operated in the form of official fish farms.

Black iron is also mined in mines. Thanks to this, the supply is plentiful, so you can easily get it if you want to.

In short, it is a cost-effective material.

It is moderately hard and consumes horsepower well. The price was not too expensive, so it was good to make several bags and stock them up for emergencies.

In particular, the second episode, which was familiar with all kinds of weapons, processed black iron directly and used it as armament.

The second episode was an extreme interpersonal battle character.

It could be said that all weapons that humans can handle were handled, but it was not possible to cover all of those weapons with good artifacts.

So, I made a reasonable compromise and made my own armament centered on black iron and equipped it.

“Is there anyone you would like to meet in person?”

After giving a brief explanation of the black iron turtle, the professor suddenly said that.

“Yes? Is that okay? If you make a mistake and subjugate…”

“It’s okay because we have a lot of black iron turtles. It’s not a special entity, so there’s no problem if you just subdue it.”

Suddenly, a cadet was taken aback when he was told to beat up a research monster, and the professor responded calmly.

“Really important entities are protected very strictly, so don’t worry.”

Several cadets were troubled by the professor’s explanation.

The manager himself said it was okay, and safety was guaranteed, so it would be tempting.

[I want to experience it myself]

“Yes, yes, it’s good. Cadet last name, ship name…”

[This is Lee Ha-yul]

“Uh, umm… Yes, Cadet Lee Ha-yul. Please come this way.”

So did I.

I defeated the Black Iron Turtle a lot in the original work, but I haven’t tried it myself.

After listening to the explanation, I was told that it was an average object, so it would be easy to compare it with the original information.

I quickly raised my hand and applied.

For some reason, the professor’s words trailed off a little, but acceptance was low.

The cadets looked in my direction at the characteristic blunt voice of the Confession Necklace.

That gaze was very strange.

These are looks filled with worry and anxiety.

That was quite absurd.

Even though I came back like this, wasn’t I a superhuman who killed the two-headed poisonous dragon?

Although it was closer to a lizard, its basic weight class was that of a great dragon.

Although it was weakened because it was a ghost, and because it was in an unstable state, it was greatly weakened… But first of all, it was a high-level monster.

But what is this gaze? What is the concern about that child attacking a monster…

I pursed my lips and observed my condition.

Full-bodied limbs, white and clean skin that looks as if it has never been through any hardships, and a small body that looks like it should be held in the arms of a guardian…

…It’s true that he looks uneasy, but considering his actual strength, it’s not something to worry about.

“Hayul, can you try it yourself?”

“Are you okay? The current state…”

“Even if you do, why not do it a little later?”

[Do not worry]

[It will never hurt you]

“Why did you come back after saying that?”

[sorry…]

Even Hong Yeon-hwa, Baek A-rin, and Elia, who know my level well, were worried…

But since I really wanted to experience it for myself, I confidently stepped forward.

The professor rummaged through his chest and took out a bracelet.

Upon observation, it turned out to be an artifact with a built-in protection function.

The professor approached with long strides.

It looks like they are trying to make me wear a bracelet.

“Now, this is a protective artifact. You won’t fall, so don’t worry…”

The sleeve and sleeve of the left arm were rolled up, and the silver prosthetic hand was fully revealed. The professor’s eyes trembled.

“Go… Please participate in the practice.”

The professor calmly put on the bracelet and lowered the sleeves.

I nodded hesitantly.

.

.

.

Ji-ing… A small entrance appeared in the center of the large glass wall. As soon as we entered there, the entrance was closed.

– purr…

When an outsider invaded the main room of my house, the black iron turtle showed its teeth.

The wild boar was so huge that it couldn’t even hold out a business card, and its vicious tusks created a haze.

They say turtles have amazing jaw strength. If bitten by that thing, most people would be cut in half.

‘The power of observation.’

I went back to observation and observed the black tortoise in great detail.

Magical power flowing through the outer skin, tortoiseshell containing black iron, tough muscles, a skeleton connected in a bizarre shape, a brain larger than expected, and internal organs lacking several essential organs.

The veins through which blood flows, the stem of the circuit through which magical power flows, and the location and strength of the magic stone that serves as the core…

All kinds of information was stuck in my mind. It was never a burden. I accepted him and interpreted him step by step.

Analysis complete.

It wasn’t a burden, but managing things in such detail did give me a headache.

After shaking my head, I unleashed my magic power.

Magical power poured out from the core. The magical energy that traveled around the circuit was released outside the body.

Pure white magic flickered like a lion’s mane. An admiring response followed from outside the glass wall.

Among them were Hong Yeon-hwa, Baek A-rin, and Elia, who were worried about me.

He seemed strangely arrogant.

Conceit is a shortcut to death, but it feels okay in its own way.

Controlling the corners of the mouth that are about to rise, manipulating magical power…

– Wooow…!

‘?’

Suddenly, my body started shaking. It was not an observation, but a detection of magical power, and a blatant energy wavered in the distance.

‘Why is it like that?’

Although it wasn’t as strong as mine, a white and pure energy waved wildly.

It is the sign of a unicorn that can be felt from afar.

It suddenly swelled like crazy.

– Boom!

A very faint sound reached my ears. It was the sound of something breaking.

-…! … Escape… I did! That way… …!

“Yes, yes? What is coming?”

A faint sound was also heard from the professor. The communication transmitted from the smartwatch worn by the professor was weakly captured.

‘Escape, coming, pure white energy?’

The energy gradually becomes closer.

No, the distance narrowed incredibly quickly.

The faint presence swelled in size.

– Kwaaang!

An explosion sounded. Not from far away. There was a hole in the ceiling directly above.

The research building was dyed red. A siren rang loudly, full of rejection.

In that moment, something white suddenly fell from the ceiling.

There was no landing sound.

It landed in a very elegant posture… The unicorn looked this way.

‘Oh oh…’

I forgot the situation for a moment and was amazed.

That’s what it looks like. Instead, it is so large that it is easily two to three times larger than an ordinary horse.

A pure white fur that goes well with the word pure white.

Its long legs are stretched out straight and it stands on the ground, and its rich mane flows gracefully around its neck.

Above all, the biggest characteristic of a unicorn is its horn.

It’s so big that I can carry it around even if there are 10 of us standing in a row.

‘It’s similar.’

Also, the nature of the magic power is very clean. It’s similar to how I was at the beginning of the semester.

The words purity and chastity immediately came to mind.

As I felt the magic of an entity other than myself, those words immediately came to mind. I understand why Professor Liana said that.

It was then. The unicorn stretched out its feet. The long legs approached without any noise.

I quietly tilted my head.

There was no hostility. Rather, those gentle eyes were full of inexplicable goodwill and friendliness.

The approaching unicorn suddenly stretched out its face.

Even those who were hurriedly saying that it was an emergency focused their gaze blankly on the mysterious sight.

I also instinctively stretched out one hand.

and…

– Purr

[Eh?]

The unicorn bit the back of my neck. It didn’t hurt.

It was lifted with great care, as if handling something very precious.

For some reason, my body felt weak.

It looks like a kitten being bitten and carried away.

The unicorn jumped into the hole in the ceiling without hesitation, as if there was nothing to do here anymore.

‘?’

A question mark appeared above my head.