Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Unexpected Reunion
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Rattle, rattle.
The four-wheeled carriage advanced forward, propelled by magical power.
This was the carriage the academy president had promised...
Even compared to Roan's carriage, its ride was in no way inferior.
'Things are going surprisingly well.'
He had stopped by the academy on a whim and ended up with far more gains than expected.
From the transformation of light magic to favorable academy enrollment terms, and even various forms of support.
This was the smoothest everything had gone since entering this world.
But his mind wasn't entirely at ease.
'No reason to let my guard down.'
[Devil Fantasy] rarely let things go this smoothly.
Just when it seemed like everything was falling into place, a massive incident would inevitably erupt.
And above all, he wasn't the type blessed with great luck.
No, his luck was downright awful.
Wasn't he proof of that, suffering inside this game?
The odds of this happening were probably lower than getting struck by lightning on the street or winning the lottery jackpot.
Anyway.
"This is exactly when I can't afford to get complacent."
Rattle.
He closed his eyes, listening to the sound of the carriage.
And reflected on everything up to now.
Starting from District 7: the plunderers' hideout, Barundel's training hall, the request office, Aldeon, Ashion Academy...
He retraced the people he'd met and the events that had unfolded along the way.
And even the incidents yet to come.
Going through it all one by one, he immediately knew what he was lacking.
"Levels."
His overall growth rate wasn't bad.
His magic skills and physical abilities improved daily, and the traits he'd acquired were about as optimal as they could get.
The problem was his level.
His current level was 5.
Considering the average leveling speed in [Devil Fantasy], it wasn't low.
But by his standards as a veteran player, it was absurdly pathetic.
His growth had stalled since Aldeon.
"I need to be at least level 10 before the Red Moon begins... I've been too focused on playing it safe."
Levels boosted stats, benefiting both magic and physical prowess.
Which meant he absolutely needed to hit at least level 10 before the war broke out.
Fortunately, he had a way.
'Leave District 7 behind.'
Head straight out of Asteron territory altogether.
Outside the districts teemed with demons, bringing immense danger—but it was the surest path to growth.
With that decision, he immediately asked the coachman to turn the carriage around.
Going alone to a place like that would be impossible.
Luckily, he had someone perfect for this situation.
The owner of that rustic cabin that reeked of humanity.
"Oh, Yoo Han? What brings you here at this hour? Didn't you say you found lodging? Couldn't find any?"
"I have a favor to ask."
Barundel Damascus.
As a demon hunter, he would surely provide major help with the hunt.
Above all, Barundel was someone he could trust with his back.
With that in mind, he spoke up.
"Barundel, want to go demon hunting with me?"
"...Did you just say hunting now?"
"...Yes."
His tone was extremely cautious.
He still didn't know why Barundel had quit being a demon hunter.
And considering the usual reasons hunters quit... caution was warranted.
For now, all he could do was pray Barundel had no severe trauma from his hunter days.
"...Come in first. Better to talk inside."
Thankfully, he wasn't turned away at the door, and he explained why he was making such a request.
"The Red Moon... So the rumors were true."
"Yes. The kingdom will likely soon start recruiting war mercenaries. I'm planning to apply."
"...Is there some reason you must do this?"
Barundel continued, his face full of deep concern.
"Demons aren't something to take lightly. They're mad creatures driven purely by instinct, obsessed with killing humans. A war against them won't be easy."
"I know that well."
"...There are safer, more comfortable paths. Ones that lead back."
He meant he didn't have to join the war.
And he was right.
There was no obligation for a non-soldier to fight, nor was anyone pushing him.
In truth, the safest path for survival here wasn't war—it was retreating to the inner districts.
But.
"I'm not used to taking the easy path."
That would just stall his growth again.
And next time, an even harder trial would come, one impossible to dodge.
That trial would end in death.
He'd felt that pattern keenly over the past ten years, so his choice remained unchanged.
Perhaps reading that resolve, Barundel said,
"Hoo, alright. You fully understand you'll join the war and need combat experience beforehand. Both points clear."
"So... you'll help?"
At that moment.
Drag! Drag!
Barundel abruptly stood, dragging something over.
It was a bundle stuffed full of what looked like heavy items. With a faint smile, he untied it in front of him.
And inside were...
"...You were planning this from the start."
"Haha! I knew a day like this would come!"
The demon-hunting gear Barundel had worn during the Aldeon incident was all there.
Impeccably maintained, without a single stain.
"Then tell me the plan!"
And so, the two-man demon-hunting party was formed.
***
Deep into the night, in the dead of dawn.
Rustle!
After their meeting, he and Barundel moved stealthily like assassins.
Evading the guards' eyes, they arrived at none other than the outer gate of District 6.
The very place where his grudge with Shuhan had begun.
"Still a lot of guards. The main gate's impossible, as expected."
If he really wanted, he could break through—but that would complicate things.
He couldn't attend the academy as a wanted criminal.
"Is there really a back door here? All I see is a solid wall."
"There is. Definitely."
This, he was absolutely certain of.
He'd investigated thoroughly out of sheer frustration from that incident.
Using the info he'd gathered, he led Barundel to the building closest to the guard post.
He pointed to a manhole cover at the base of its outer wall.
"Here."
"...What a disgustingly shitty back door."
While he kept watch, Barundel pried open the manhole cover.
Just as rumored, a ladder descended into a passage.
"I'll go first."
"Right behind you."
With a nod, he descended the ladder steadily.
Barundel followed after a brief pause.
As he entered and closed the cover.
Click!
Whoosh.
Light from glowstones embedded in the passage walls flickered on.
"Nice. No issues going down."
They descended slowly, relying on that light.
After about a minute.
Thud. His foot touched solid ground.
'We're here.'
"This really the back door?"
As Barundel said, the deep passage ended in walls on all sides.
But if the info was accurate...
'Here.'
Thwack!
He punched the wall where the texture felt slightly different.
Then.
Rumble rumble rumble!
With a faint vibration, the wall parted to reveal another passage.
From here on, it was District 7.
A way to cross into District 7 without anyone knowing.
"Hoo, it was real. Who the hell built a passage like this...?"
"Apparently, District 7 residents dug it out together long ago. It wasn't like this at first—it's been refined over decades into what it is now."
"Decades... So no one's gotten caught by the guards all that time?"
"Who knows. Maybe they never got caught... or maybe the guards know and look the other way. I'd bet on the latter, for some reason."
"Either way, it works in our favor."
"Yeah."
With that, he closely examined the passage.
Thankfully, no potential issues in sight.
"Head back?"
Mission accomplished.
At dawn, they'd gear up with supplies and head out to hunt.
Then.
Step, step.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from deeper in the passage.
'Someone's coming.'
He and Barundel instinctively held their breath and assumed combat stances.
Anyone crossing here lived in District 7.
And District 7 was mostly criminals—anything could happen.
As tension peaked.
"Who's there!"
They'd sensed him too and called out first.
He responded calmly.
"We're just crossing over too. No need to fight—let's just pass each other."
"We? Not alone, huh?"
The woman ahead spoke in a wary tone.
But her voice felt oddly familiar. Was it his imagination?
They slowly closed the distance until faces were visible—and he froze at the completely unexpected figure.
"...Huh?"
The fire-attribute mage he'd survived the plunderers' hideout with, bonding through shared camaraderie.
"...Kayla?"
It had been three months since their reunion.
***
"Uherher, running into someone you know there of all places. What a bizarre coincidence."
Barundel chuckled as he handed teacups to him and Kayla.
"Thanks, dwarf sir."
"No trouble."
Kayla smiled brightly as she took the cup.
Her speech, her gestures... she exuded a relaxed poise unlike before.
Had she achieved what she set out to do?
As he pondered, Kayla spoke first.
"So, how've you been? Why head back to that godforsaken District 7?"
"A lot happened. Dodged death a few times. District 7... just need to step out beyond it briefly."
"Beyond? You mean outside the territory?"
"Yeah."
Kayla's eyes widened.
"Why go there? It's crawling with demons."
"Exactly. Hunting those demons is the goal."
"What?"
Then Barundel sat down softly and explained.
"We're going there to hunt demons. Building real combat experience to become war mercenaries."
"Oh, really?"
Kayla tilted her head, eyeing him and Barundel.
Her face screamed, *Are you both insane?*
...How to explain this.
In the end, he even brought up the Prophecy of the Red Moon to tell her why.
"...War."
Of course, that wouldn't convince her.
"Even so, I can't fathom heading into that hellhole. But..."
But whether it made sense to her didn't matter from the start.
She had changed even more than he'd thought.
Fwoosh!
"Mind if I come along too? There."
For better or worse.
He stared at the flame hovering above Kayla's palm, lost in thought.
"..."
A flame far more intense than before.
Perhaps, she could be helpful.