After the last dungeon exploration practice,
I thought about the erosion level during my personal training and was able to deduce a different use for the Ashen Hound.
It’s quite simple that I haven’t been eroded by the Black Dragon’s Vessel.
Since Leragie possesses a hierarchical rank of 72 that surpasses even the Black Armor,
this Ashen Hound can fully absorb its power.
And through my Gamer trait known as Demonization, I can switch between demon and human forms.
When I’m in a demon state through Demonization, all abilities of the Ashen Hound become available,
which means I can also use the absorbed erosion level as my own power.
The problem arises when the Demonization ends, and I return to my human form; the Ashen Hound tries to consume me in reverse due to the erosion level.
That was the reason I felt an impulse towards Aria during the dungeon exploration practice.
In other words, right now, while trapped in the Black Dragon’s Vessel and in Demonization,
[Erosion Level: 78/110]
I’d use up this entire erosion level.
With that in mind, I concentrated all of my nerves and pulled the trigger.
Bweeeeng!!!
And then the crimson light began to engulf everything.
Ding!!
[The effect of ‘Hierarchical Conflict’ activates Destruction!]
*
Ssssssssssssst!!!!
As if to twist spacetime, the dreadfully red light shot forward, dripping with layers of radiance.
It hits the Black Armor; it wasn’t about finding a weakness.
Like a forbidden magic, the light sprayed out in a fan shape.
It was no longer something that could be called archery.
But it was also tough to categorize it as magic.
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□!!!
Thus, the final roar of the Black Armor became a source of red light… and completely submerged.
“No way…”
The Paladin, Dustin, had observed numerous marksmen during his many journeys.
But red archery?
He’d never heard of it or experienced it.
And what’s more, it wasn’t just that.
How did Adrian survive and counterattack even with the curse of the Black Dragon?
And to think that a mere freshman could exhibit such skill,
Not to mention that he didn’t seem impressed as if he expected all of this; it was an even more ridiculous situation.
No matter how groggy the Shell Armored Dragon was and how much of an attack point we contributed,
the decisive strike was entirely Lev Denec’s, this young student’s doing.
‘Execution… attribute, huh?’
Did the gods intervene?
Or was it all just a predetermined sequence of events?
Dustin considered this another test laid before him.
*
[Achievement cleared!]
[Boss: Exoskeletal Wyrm – Shell Armor has been defeated]
[Remaining Boss Count: 97 entities]
[Demon Hunting Reward can be obtained!]
[Check the Demon Hunting Reward]
There were no more dark clouds, no more black mist.
Just…
The Shell Dragon, who was the target of Scarlet’s revenge, lay exposed, completely defeated.
Even that was significantly damaged.
[Erosion Level: 0.5/110]
‘Looks like a proficiency issue…’
The erosion level hadn’t fully drained.
But still, as the maximum level increased to 110 and with it being at 0.5, it seemed bearable.
For now, I closed the reward window and faced the two approaching me, looking incredulous.
“Ugh.”
Scarlet frowned upon seeing the gruesome end of the Shell Armor and asked me,
“How did you do that, kid…?”
“I think it’s because of this.”
I casually showed her the Ashen Hound I got from Diana.
“Wait, isn’t that the trophy Diana had?”
“Yeah… Was it when we Slayed Leragie?”
The Ashen Hound resembled a regular crossbow,
only its color was a dark crimson.
“I became the professor’s lead disciple. I helped her with a request and received this… I think this demonic weapon was a device to dismantle the Black Dragon’s Vessel.”
“……Uh…”
The two fell silent.
Could that even be true?
But it had to be.
Otherwise, I couldn’t explain the current situation.
“To think a demonic weapon would have such an effect… It’s a new discovery. It’s best to report this to someone related to the Empire.”
While Dustin pondered, I spoke to Scarlet.
“By the way, if you trolled me, shouldn’t you apologize…?”
“What? Troll…??”
“The bet we made was just to check if the Shell Armored Dragon was around, right?”
Of course, I did intend to tag along for the future expeditions, but then again.
Scarlet’s insistence had moved our schedule up for today, and shaman Umberto couldn’t join, which changed the plans.
‘Right now, I am in charge.’
The corpse of the Shell Armor was heavily damaged, making it difficult to get a proper reward from its scales, but its essence should still be intact.
So, if I just talk enough, I could probably take the rewards for myself, right?
“You calling me a troll??”
“It’s not about your looks; there’s no need to get all worked up. It’s an expression currently trending at the Academy. It’s used for those who ruin the party.”
“……Ugh, I know, okay?”
Scarlet seemed at a loss for words and shut her mouth.
I knew Scarlet was sensitive about her age,
so this was a good tactic.
Such phrases wouldn’t exist for her of course, but admitting she didn’t know would mean acknowledging she was acting like a dinosaur.
“I don’t want to brag, but without my standing as a ‘kid,’ I wonder how things would’ve gone… well…”
As I subtly glanced at Dustin, he stared blankly for a moment and then suddenly flinched, looking at Scarlet.
“Yeah, Scarlet, we got too worked up; it was unheroic of us… and Lev, you took on the curse for us and saved us.”
“But! The weakening state was achieved because of my Blizzard magic and your light attribute sword skills!”
That’s true.
The only reason my attack succeeded was
because she entered her berserk state and the curse of the Black Dragon activated.
And by leveraging that power, I barely managed to chip off 33 percent of its health.
That thing was an A+ grade boss.
Normally, even with my specs, I wouldn’t stand a chance against it.
Tremble…
But Dustin sighed upon seeing Scarlet’s shaking legs,
then supported her gently and said,
“Scarlet, you’re exhausted. You wouldn’t have finished it in this state.”
“……”
“And getting us into a fight would mean breaking our promise, so you owe us a proper apology for that.”
“Hmph…!”
“Lev, you saved my life thanks to your efforts. I truly thank you.”
As expected of Dustin, even as a war hero, he had an excellent character. He’s getting everything I wanted to say out of the way.
“Dustin…!”
As Dustin bowed his head to me, Scarlet cautiously approached me.
Throughout the Academy, she’d always been,
“How bothersome.”
“I don’t know.”
“Next!”
Yet now, she was apologizing to me,
coming from a war hero in his thirties.
This is pretty precious.
“M… my…”
If a high-ranking official from the royal palace saw this scene, they would probably be knocked off their feet.
Since a war hero must maintain his dignity.
And just when Scarlet was fumbling over her words,
Dustin sighed again and pressed her head down.
In an instant, she found herself bowing towards me at a 90-degree angle.
“What, what!?”
“She’s just not honest because she’s embarrassed being older than you. She’s probably just being overly polite. Understand?”
“Hey, Dustin!”
Smack!
“Ow!”
Scarlet began stepping on his foot repeatedly.
*
Then everything became settled quickly.
It was already past afternoon.
Sneaking out during the weekend to hunt an A+ grade boss…
We decided to keep this incident a secret among the three of us until after the ranking match,
and for the loot, a trustworthy guild recommended by Dustin would handle it for us.
“I forgot to mention. Thanks to you, I avenged Adrian.”
Then, as an expression of apology and gratitude, he granted me the first choice of rewards.
“Y-You mean, you want me to take this too??”
“Scarlet, it’s not like loot is what’s important to us…”
Naturally, I chose the Black Dragon’s Jewel since dragons always possess it.
We agreed to take the remaining magic stones or scales in exchange for money.
So we returned to the Academy and greeted each other in a secluded area.
“I won the bet, so you’ll fulfill my request, right?”
“Sure! Scholarship! Alchemy Circle! You got it?”
The circle selected by the war hero can provide substantial additional support as a scholarship.
This should mean the Alchemy Circle won’t have to beg Caeran anymore.
“You little rascal… I’ll be watching how much you rise in the ranking match. If you fall after all this… you’ll be in trouble!”
Why is there so much watching going on…
While she said that, Scarlet handed me a small paper box.
“And this is a reward for Adrian, so don’t misunderstand…”
“Haha… I can’t believe you’re ranked B…”
Nevertheless, even in the original game, war heroes are busy and precious beings, so they are hardly used as mercenaries.
I couldn’t treat them casually in front of others.
The human side of a war hero.
And some connections.
It became quite a fun memory.
.
.
.
By the way…
[Check the Demon Hunting Reward]
I’m looking forward to this one.
I need to go back and check it out quickly.
*
A small garden full of grass, in the Sellafi Black House.
Yeriel, who had been training Edwin and Aveline, was focused on tending the garden.
When her thoughts grew heavy, she found gardening to be the best remedy.
When you think about it, there’s not much reason for Yeriel to develop feelings for Lev.
She also knew well that he had little interest in her.
It was just…
‘He complimented my dorm, brought in books that allowed communication with high-level spirits, corrected Gaelon’s attitude, which many students, including me, had been avoiding, and took full responsibility during the dungeon exploration practice to prevent it from escalating into a bigger issue…’
In some way, it could be seen as something a friend would fully do.
Yeriel believed that this was Lev’s consideration, acting for the greater good rather than for her sake.
He outwardly showed little interest, yet there was a sense he would take responsibility to the extent he could handle.
Although, the rough manner made her a bit worried he’d make enemies…
‘How embarrassing…!’
Ultimately, it was she who misjudged him.
During the selection test, didn’t Aria first invite Lev to join the party?
And Yeriel learnt late through Edwin’s testimony that there was a connection between Aria Bluebell and Lev.
They had shared a bond before Yeriel.
So, in conclusion…
It wasn’t something Yeriel needed to concern herself with if he spent his weekends with anyone else.
As she was tucking her wayward hair behind her ear,
“Pretty.”
“Ah… Lev? No, I’m not really that…”
“…”
“Ah…”
He was talking about the flowerbed.
When she finally understood the situation, Lev casually gathered Yeriel’s gardening tools.
“Here. You’re going to take this to the storage, right?”
“You’re back already?”
“Isn’t it almost dinner time?”
“Oh, right…!”
Yeriel almost thought that her progress was more advanced than it was.
‘Don’t panic! Support him as a friend!’
Following quickly behind Lev as he headed toward the dormitory.
“I’ll carry one too!”
“No need. Just hold this.”
He handed her a small, cute box with a handle.
It was a product from a famous confectionery in the Magic Tower City of Arkmeon operated by a chocolatier.
‘So this was a date, huh…?’
That must have been fun.
She wanted to visit there once.
‘But why is he giving this to me…?’
As Yeriel was confused, he spoke.
“As a thank-you for helping me out.”
Guess it is that, she replied with a faint smile.
“Thank you…”
“Never mind that. You’ve done more than your share looking after Edwin…”
At that moment, the thoughts hidden in Yeriel’s heart burst forth like typography.
“How was today?”
“?”
“Were you happy today?”
For a moment, he had a puzzled expression on his face, wondering why she was asking that.
“…Not particularly? I wasn’t happy.”
“……You weren’t happy…?”
“It’s fine; just put the tools in the storage upstairs, okay?”
“Uh…? Sure.”
“Then I have something urgent to do. I’ll just grab dinner on my own.”
With that, he quickly hurried up the stairs.
“…Okay.”
-……
As Lev disappeared from sight,
Yeriel’s heart calmed down again.
-Not particularly? I wasn’t happy.
Why did she feel relieved hearing those words?
As she absentmindedly played with the cake box, the girl pondered.
There might still be opportunities…
