Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Fog Forest's Demonic Claw (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After ending my sudden meeting with Chae Yeon-hwa and returning to the dorm, even though my body was exhausted enough to collapse into sleep at any moment, I couldn't drift off easily.
The reason was simple.
I simply couldn't fathom why she had warned me to be careful right before leaving.
"...What on earth is she thinking?"
This upcoming second artificial dungeon evaluation marked the first turning point in the main story, where the world's enemy—the demons—truly made their appearance.
Of course, it was still very early in the story, and the demons had expended most of their power crossing over from the demon realm, so they couldn't cause much real chaos.
They wouldn't inflict the level of damage they desired, but they would still pull off terrorism on a scale that rattled the academy and heightened its vigilance.
From a player's perspective, it was just that moment where you go, "Ah, the main story is finally kicking off."
Casualties were virtually nonexistent, with maybe one or two injuries or deaths only if someone was truly unlucky.
In any case, preparations were mostly complete up to this point.
Above all, Kim Do-yoon was growing stronger far faster than expected, so I figured this main story arc would proceed smoothly.
Yet here was Chae Yeon-hwa—who was apparently preparing terrorism alongside the demons—suddenly warning me to be careful out of the blue.
"...Could it be that some new variable is about to emerge?"
For a moment, an ominous thought crossed my mind that something else might go wrong, but I quickly dismissed the possibility.
This artificial dungeon evaluation's terror attack was just like last time: an F-rank artificial dungeon that all first-year students entered.
They swapped the Fog Forest's boss monster with demon soldiers right under the professors' noses, letting them attack the students...
If they introduced variables to make the terror more effective—like releasing demons far stronger than the dungeon's rank—the professors would notice the anomaly right away.
So there was nothing in this story arc that could really spawn variables.
"Then it just means she was letting me know a terror attack is coming... but why?"
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't understand.
Why would demon Chae Yeon-hwa tip me off about her own side's terror operation?
These were beings who wanted to wipe out all humans and devour the world.
"Hmm... What could it be? What exactly is she thinking?"
I slowly sat up and settled at my desk.
I couldn't shake the question circling in my head.
"Is Chae Yeon-hwa just sympathetic toward humans? No, that can't be."
She was a demon who had blended into human society, maintaining her status as a former hunter and current professor.
But that was just a disguise.
The reason she infiltrated the academy as a professor was solely to observe its internals and create cracks from within when needed.
In other words, there was a high chance she had directly prepared and approved this artificial dungeon terror attack herself.
Besides, the moment her identity was exposed, she always left the protagonist half-dead. No way she'd have sympathy for anyone...
"So why would someone like that suddenly warn me of all people to be careful? If it were another student, it might raise suspicions—or is she just testing me?"
This possibility wasn't zero either.
Given my currently ambiguous identity, she might be probing whether I knew anything and, if so, how I'd respond.
Or, with extremely low probability—
"...Maybe because of the Oath of Indulgence, she's genuinely taken an interest in me."
Chae Yeon-hwa had shown interest in me consistently from our first meeting until now.
My talent in barrier arts, my unique traits, my growth speed—everything broke the mold of a 'normal first-year freshman.' To her, who was more passionate about barrier arts than anyone,
I must have looked like a tantalizing newbie wagging my tail, begging to be devoured.
'Is she really telling me to be careful because she's worried I might get caught up in the terror and die?'
I absentmindedly rubbed my lips with my fingers.
It might sound like I'd caught some bizarre curse, but considering her succubus nature and the involvement of the Oath of Indulgence, it wasn't entirely absurd.
"...No, but damn, that would make it even more dangerous."
Succubi were a race that manipulated human emotions, seduced them, and ultimately drained their mana through those acts.
But nearly all succubi killed their human prey immediately after recovering their mana.
They saw humans solely as a means to restore power.
Yet the strongest among those succubi had left me with a warning to be careful.
In a tone that almost sounded protective.
That was far from a good situation.
"...Ha, no way. That can't be."
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Thinking more calmly, her interest was far more likely mere observation than affection.
"Yeah, that's way more realistic."
I leaned back in my chair and let out a sigh.
Even if she did have feelings for me, they wouldn't be pure.
To a succubus, 'liking' someone just meant the prey smelled appetizing.
"...Right. More importantly, the terror intel takes priority."
I shifted my thoughts back.
"Be careful."
Whether that warning stemmed from concern for me or cold calculation, I couldn't brush it off lightly.
"Be careful, huh..."
I lowered my head and tapped the desk with my fingertips.
I'd already prepared everything I could: barrier arts, Star Mana, Mana Bullets, swordsmanship.
There was nothing more I could do.
Now it was just about giving my all, like I always did in the game.
"...Chae Yeon-hwa, whatever your intentions were in saying that."
I muttered as I pulled out a mana stone and placed it on my palm.
A soft blue glow rippled faintly.
"I'm not falling for it. I'll overcome it somehow."
Moonlight filtered dimly through the window, illuminating the room.
At the same time, her smile, the scent that had filled the lab, her alluring gaze—all resurfaced, making my heart skip a beat faster for no reason.
But I quickly bowed my head excessively and shook off the stray thoughts.
"...I'm really not falling for it. I'll keep my restraints."
I dove under the covers and murmured softly.
"Chae Yeon-hwa taking interest in a normal human? Ridiculous. It's just to see something inside me, that's all."
I soothed myself like that and closed my eyes.
But right before sleep claimed me, one final thought drifted by.
"...Hm, but that smile at the end... it felt real."
Of course, such idle thoughts quietly faded as the night deepened.
Time flew by, bringing us to Wednesday—the day of the artificial dungeon evaluation and the start of the fourth main story arc.
I was stretching in front of the training hall, loosening up before the test began.
One difference from last time in this artificial dungeon conquest exam: it was solo play, no teams.
That was why the demons had timed their first terror attack for now.
"Yaaawn... Man, I'm beat. This is bad. Can't manage my condition properly."
I yawned and stretched my arms.
I wasn't sure if I'd actually slept or just lain there with my eyes closed for hours in a daze.
But one thing was clear: my condition wasn't great, and my head felt foggy.
Looking around, students clustered in groups of three or five, checking gear, verifying magic circles and skills—everyone bustling about.
Having been through it once, their faces all showed relaxed confidence.
"Didn't sleep? You seemed unfocused during morning Mana Bullet practice too. You look exhausted."
Yoon Seo-rin, who was maintaining her pistol and rifle beside me, glanced over impassively and asked.
"Why didn't you sleep? Something happen?"
"Just... had some things on my mind, tossed and turned, and couldn't fall asleep."
"No matter how much you have to worry about, sleep is non-negotiable! Especially before an important exam the next day—sleep and condition management are crucial. How could you make such a mistake!?"
Amelia, cradling her bento box like it was her precious child, scolded me sharply from the side.
I shrugged and replied.
"Lonely guys like me always get lost in deep thoughts at dawn, you know—over all sorts of issues."
"I don't know what those 'issues' are, but your attitude right now is a huge problem!"
Amelia shouted that, then pulled out a sandwich and coffee from her bento box and handed them to me.
"Here! You skipped breakfast, right? You'll be moving vigorously, so at least fill your stomach lightly!"
"Oh... thanks."
I carefully took the sandwich, glanced at Amelia for a moment, then hesitantly offered one to Yoon Seo-rin, who was quietly watching from the side.
"Want one? She's a great cook—give it a try."
"...Then I'll just taste it."
"Uh... what? That just now...?"
Amelia, witnessing the exchange, widened her eyes and stared at me.
She pursed her lips and clutched the bento box tighter to her chest.
"Hey, Hyun-sol, that sandwich is..."
"Yeah?"
"The one I made for you to eat! And you're giving it to Yoon Seo-rin? That's not why I worked so hard on them..."
Amelia puffed her cheeks and grumbled softly.
Seeing her serious expression, I belatedly realized my mistake.
"Ah... sorry, really. I should've asked you first... my bad."
"...No, it's fine. Since Yoon Seo-rin and I are getting closer, it's okay."
"Y-You're really okay with it?"
"Yes! Totally fine."
Amelia's face didn't look fine at all despite insisting she was, but I decided not to press further.
It felt like any more explanation would just sour the mood.
'Ah... why am I always so thoughtless.'
Yoon Seo-rin, who had been savoring the sandwich's flavor without a care while listening to our exchange, finished it off and spoke up.
"The sandwich was delicious. You're really good at cooking."
"Really? I'm glad it suited your taste."
"I liked it a lot."
"Thank you for the praise!"
Her expression suggested her mood had lightened.
Seizing the moment, I steered things to erase the earlier incident completely.
"Anyway, since this artificial dungeon eval is solo, let's all do our best."
"Yes! Last time I only took down about 30... This time, I'll definitely hit 100."
Amelia clenched her fist determinedly and looked at me.
"And if I get the chance, I'd love to personally knock you out myself, Hyun-sol!"
"...Huh? Why me?"
"Because you gave away my heartfelt sandwich to Yoon Seo-rin without permission! You have to pay the price!"
"..."
Her eyes said it was 100% serious.
While I stood there unsure how to react, a professor's voice boomed from one side of the training hall.
"All participants, assemble at the central passageway! Prepare to enter the artificial dungeon!"
At Professor Lee Tae-hoon's command, I headed toward the dungeon entrance.
"I'll head in first. Hope I get to see your face at the end—still alive."
Yoon Seo-rin stood first, loaded her guns, and moved toward the dungeon.
"Please survive until you face me! That way, you can properly pay for your mistake!"
Amelia followed with a light smile, shaking her fist a few times before trailing Yoon Seo-rin.
"......"
Frozen briefly by Amelia's murderous warning, I swallowed dryly and finally pried my stuck feet off the ground to start moving.