Chapter: 250
Nakrad was beside Duke Burrow as usual. The process of tainting the Duke’s mind with darkness was already complete.
It wasn’t that difficult. While the current Nakrad couldn’t handle the Duke as a warrior, his mind was different.
How strong could a father’s mind be when he still holds onto the memory of a son who died ten years ago and dreams of nightmares every day?
The saying “like father, like son” fits so well here. Thanks to that fool, things have been made this easy.
He still couldn’t manipulate the Duke at will, but that’s alright. Just having the highest decision-maker of the territory remain passive opens up so many possibilities.
As the priests of Tariki gather in the territory, let’s use them to inform the ignorant of Tariki’s greatness.
By doing so, we’ll enhance Tariki’s influence and grow our power.
Ah, and I should also grant Tariki’s blessing to the foolish Duke’s son, who remains trapped in the shadow of his deceased kin.
It’s largely thanks to that fool that all this has been made possible.
At the end of all plans, we shall bring down that massive academy as the Evil God desires.
– Kid.
“Yes, great Tariki.”
Though it was a sudden voice, Nakrad reacted quickly. He kneeled as if he had been waiting and prepared to listen to the Voice of God.
– The ears of those deserving of the curse are perking up.
Upon hearing that, the first thing that crossed Nakrad’s mind was that damned Apostle of God.
It’s her.
No one else but her.
It’s impossible that other stragglers discovered what was hidden by Tariki’s authority.
I should have killed her back then. I should have seen her begging for her life while screaming under my feet.
That old hag who resides in the weapon should have been made to weep blood.
Even if I had to overdo it.
– Do not worry. This is not to reprimand you.
“Merciful Tariki, what should I do?”
– Just do your job. I do not expect more from you.
“Oh! I understand. I will trust you and do my job!”
*
The dungeons created by the Evil God generally have attributes corresponding to that god’s authority.
Naturally, the dungeon created by the Dark Evil God also possesses fitting traits, and you’d better brace yourself if you don’t know them.
Traps that cannot be discovered by conventional means.
Paths hidden by the Power of Darkness.
Unique gimmicks that cannot be found in other dungeons.
Numerous monsters lurking in the shadows, aiming for the users’ necks.
In addition, the dungeons under that god’s influence possess something ominous and treacherous, just like their characteristic of darkness.
That’s why community users often say to avoid entering dungeons related to the Dark Evil God, and if they have no choice, they should look for various strategies uploaded on community sites or YouTube.
What strategies? Going in unarmed for a try is the best! The moment you step into the dungeon, one of your monitors, mouse, or keyboard will definitely break.
When I first entered the Evil God’s dungeon, I don’t know how many times I exclaimed, “What kind of trash dungeon is this?”
But that was back when he wasn’t used to the Soul Academy.
Years later, having become seasoned, I can tackle any fierce gimmick dungeon within my first try. It just happened after unraveling numerous dungeons created by users.
Ugh, thinking back to those days really grinds my gears.
The sheer malice of humans is so hideous.
Compared to humans, the Dark Evil God is nothing.
At least he doesn’t lock you in a box with a “kill yourself, loser!” whenever you step wrong once.
Well, it’s nothing compared to the endless malice of humans, but still, the dungeons made by the Dark Evil God have a high difficulty.
It’s telling me that they are not a place I can casually enter now.
I can’t think of dying as just a game-over scenario.
Here, death is real.
It’s a horrific experience endured while struggling in extreme fear and pain.
To avoid that, I need to prepare thoroughly for a perfect strategy.
And that thorough preparation starts with acquiring the semi-final shield ‘Ankir.’
Finding clues through a stone tablet with an extremely low drop rate.
Using one of those tablets to enter a hidden place.
Passing through a labyrinth using another one.
Only after conquering the dungeon named Trial can I obtain the difficult-to-get item Ankir, which boasts remarkable performance.
It has options like infinite durability and automatic recovery as a given, and it also significantly reduces shocks and possesses additional effects.
Among these useful functions, the one I’m particularly interested in is the capacity to dispel corruption.
This shield, said to have been directly transmitted to a hero by an angel who descended from Heaven in ages past, drives away numerous unclean powers.
In other words, it alerts me to various traps hidden by Tariki’s authority.
I didn’t just suddenly decide to seek out a shield upon realizing my opponent was the Dark Evil God.
“What brings you here at this late hour, Young Lady?”
Having met Isabel and successfully acquired the tablet, instead of returning to the dormitory, I sought out Luca.
I needed his cooperation to use this tablet. Plus, I was looking for someone to take the brunt of the dungeon exploration with me.
“Are you talking about the old building of the academy?”
‘Yes. That’s right. Can we go right away?’
“Sure. The shabby academy that was run down since forever? We can head there now, right?”
“Of course, but why are we going there?”
‘You’ll find out if you just follow me.’
“Pedo Professor, aren’t you just looking to help cute girls like me? Isn’t that super generous? Or are you just dying to be cursed? Ugh, disgusting.”
“…Yes. I’ll keep quiet and guide you.”
The Soul Academy has both a main building and an old building.
The old building was created when the Soul Academy was established and is now used by researchers at the academy.
In modern terms, it’s more like a prison for graduate students.
Even at the time when the sun is sleeping under the blanket of the earth, the moment I saw the building still emitting bright light, I realized graduate students weren’t being treated any differently here.
No, it’s probably even worse since people here generally have superior physical capabilities compared to those from the real world.
“Please, stop for a moment.”
The old building is a place where the research outcomes of various scholars belonging to the Soul Academy are preserved, thus forbidding unauthorized access.
Even with Professor Karl present, things aren’t different. As he has yet to be at the academy for a year, he doesn’t have many rights.
“It’s me, Luca.”
“Oh. Professor Luca, you say? My apologies. Please pass.”
However, Luca was different. Having worked at the Soul Academy for a long time and built a solid record, he could do whatever he wanted inside here.
Generally, Luca only uses this power for petty nonsense, but it surely has its benefits.
Thanks to that, I easily entered the old building’s archive.
“Do you have business in this old place?”
Luca tilted his head at the old door of the archive.
This place, where the history of the Soul Academy is preserved, has historical significance and is expected not to contain anything particularly useful.
That was also true in the game. It had trivial items and various Easter eggs, but no crucial items were found.
However, that was the case once you entered through the door. To view the true nature of this archive, you needed to prepare a special item from outside the door.
As I pulled the stone tablet out and held it forward, the archive door began to change its form.
From a dilapidated wooden door to a lavish marble door.
“…What is this?”
Luca, surprised that something like this was hidden in the archive he had seen numerous times, blinked his eyes.
Watching quietly as he reacted, Karl casually patted Luca’s shoulder and said,
“Sloppy junior. You’re inexperienced. You shouldn’t be surprised by something like this. The path young ladies walk is always filled with such things.”
Is that just a jab? Is he flexing on the sloppy junior?
Look at that pride-filled face.
Why is he so proud of the fact that he was the first to be called sloppy?
I really don’t get why he and Frey are both smirking at being ridiculed.
If I left him alone, it’s clear he’d show off even more, so I burst open the door.
“Karl. Let’s go fast.”
“Hey, sloppy. I’d like to return before morning, you know? Everyone knows you’re a creep, so don’t show off and just follow me.”
“Haha. I’m sorry. Even if everyone knows, I still want to brag once more.”
Despite the insults aimed at me regarding Mesugaki Skills, seeing Karl shrug them off made me release a sigh.
…That’s why I can’t just give him the present I prepared. Since he’s always like this, I have no idea what he’d do if I gave him a gift.
Feeling that further conversation would only lead to more headaches, I moved my feet into the archive.
As soon as we entered, naturally, Karl and Luca followed behind me, and the moment all three of us stepped inside, the door closed itself.
Hmm? Wasn’t this door supposed to close on its own?
It clearly was.
“Who knew such a place existed. Your sloppy senior was right. If you don’t get used to it, it’ll be difficult.”
“Realizing that already? As expected, Professor Luca.”
…No.
Hey. No matter how I think about it, isn’t that a jab? He’s mocking!
Why’re you grinning so hard at the title of sloppy senior?
Sigh. Where did it all go wrong?
Even among the knights of the territory, he has a good reputation.
From what I’ve heard from Joyna and Arthur, he’s kind and cool to the academy students, too.
So why, whenever he’s next to me, does he become this regrettable person?
Thinking back, it seems he’s not the only one.
Benedict is like that too.
That sloppy fox is the same.
Phoebe is too.
Even Isabel, whom I just met not long ago…
Oh wait?
Could it be me who’s the problem?
Is that it?!
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