Episode 929
Episode 929
Although Lee Han was unaware, inside the Beast's body, Sharkan was currently throwing an insane tantrum.
When the Beast attempted to simply reject the contract and end things, Sharkan's fury had exploded.
Realizing that this ungrateful avatar's willpower was far stronger than anticipated, the Beast ultimately had no choice but to concede.
Otherwise, there was a high likelihood of another humiliating spectacle like before...
At least the previous disgrace had only been witnessed by mages, but if by chance other entities from the Undead Realm were to witness such a scene, the Beast's authority and dignity would suffer greatly.
-Mage. You may summon this Beast only on the longest night of... No. I shall slightly relax the conditions.
"????"
'Has he gone mad? I heard he suffered severe injuries.'
As the other party kept changing their terms repeatedly, Lee Han grew increasingly bewildered.
According to Professor Mortum, the opponent had sustained major injuries, so it wouldn't be strange if they developed madness or amnesia during recovery.
For an entity of another dimension powerful enough to sustain such injuries, such symptoms would certainly be extraordinary.
"Hmm. Senior. I think our opponent might not be in their right mind."
"I think so too. We should be more cautious."
When Diret agreed as well, Lee Han became certain.
The opponent was clearly a bit crazy!
'Why are all the entities I contract with so strange?'
Thinking thoughts that would infuriate the other party if known, Lee Han responded:
"Then what are your conditions?"
-Only for battles predestined for destruction and slaughter... No. I shall further relax the conditions.
'He might be even crazier than I thought.'
After changing his terms several more times, the Beast finally settled on conditions.
He would only answer summons when Lee Han faced opponents too powerful for him to handle alone, in exchange for magical power.
Then the Beast suddenly roared:
-Can't you stop, you stupid beast whelp! No matter how young, you're still the Beast's avatar! Do you think I'll accept such humiliating submission?
"Huh?"
-It was nothing.
"He seems seriously deranged. Junior. Never let your guard down when summoning him."
The two mages whispered among themselves while observing the Beast.
Unaware that the mages beyond the door were having wicked conversations about him, the Beast exhaled a deep breath of darkness.
In his heart, he wanted to destroy everything just to preserve his dignity, but the humiliation he'd already suffered wouldn't disappear that way.
The Beast resolved to vent his rage by tearing apart other enemies in the Undead Realm later. Otherwise, it would be difficult to calm his mind.
-The contract is done, so begone. ...
Then what was he supposed to do? Treat as guests those who hadn't even come in person?
"Who are you talking to..."
-Begone!
'Even worse tempered than Perkuntra.'
Lee Han decided it was time to withdraw.
He'd confirmed Sharkan's situation and received the new contract sigil—there was no need to further provoke the other party.
Though he couldn't summon and order Sharkan around as casually as before now that he'd merged with his true form, it wasn't entirely bad since Sharkan had grown stronger.
'Ah. Right.'
"Might I ask just one more question?"
-What is it?
Surprisingly, the Beast answered readily without anger.
Though his hidden intention was to answer quickly and send them away, Lee Han couldn't possibly know that.
"By any chance, do you know about undead who've recently contracted with evil god worshippers? I heard they wield powers of corruption and decay..."
Even as he asked, Lee Han didn't hold much hope.
Judging by the other's personality, he probably didn't have many friends even in the Undead Realm.
Moreover, having only recently recovered from critical injuries, how could he possibly be well-informed about current affairs...
-I know of him. He is the Profaner.
"?!?!"
"!"
Not only Lee Han, but even Diret was utterly astonished.
They had never expected to obtain information so easily.
"The Profaner?"
-A powerful and repulsive undead. Recently, he received tribute and formed contracts with mages. Thanks to that, his minions have been reorganizing their forces...
The Beast, true to his titles of Death and Darkness, was remarkably skilled at infiltration and gathering intelligence.
To think he had already grasped so much about the powerful entities of the Undead Realm despite having only recently regained his strength—this wasn't something just anyone could do.
The undead known as the Profaner was a formidable entity like the Beast, ruling over a section of the Undead Realm.
This overlord's corrupt and depraved subordinates were infamous for rotting their enemies alive and thoroughly contaminating the battlefield whenever they marched out.
Diret's brow furrowed slightly.
He had suspected it when they mentioned the enemy wielded the power of corruption and decay, but to think they had already contracted with such a powerful undead...
Moreover, judging by what was being said now, that wasn't the end of it. There was a high likelihood of additional forces being summoned as well.
"This is... trickier than I thought. I didn't expect things to have progressed this far."
"Exactly. If it seems like the Profaner's minions are about to be summoned, could you give me a warning in advance?"
-Mage. I'll tear you... into ten thousand pieces! This is truly the last time!
"Ah! Thank you!"
Lee Han had expected a refusal, but when the Beast changed his mind again, he expressed his gratitude deeply.
Though the Beast had his bouts of madness, it seemed there was also a surprisingly lenient side to him.
As the weekend drew to a close, the second-year lounge of the Blue Dragon Tower was bustling with noise.
"Buy this for me when you go out. I'll pay you double the price."
"Am I your servant? Stop talking nonsense."
With weekdays approaching, outings would soon be permitted based on club schedules, so students were already making requests for errands.
While senior students had their own means of acquiring goods from outside, such methods were still beyond the reach of second-years.
Of course, students of the Blue Dragon Tower weren't so easily persuaded to run errands.
They were already busy buying their own things, and more importantly, coming from noble families, they wouldn't stoop to running errands just for a few silver coins. It was a matter of pride.
"Fine. Then I'll do it."
"Wardanaz!"
"You'll really pay double? Seriously? Are you sure that's okay?"
Thanks to this, Lee Han managed to monopolize the market.
As he jotted down his friends' generous requests one by one, he smiled contentedly.
'If only all the Empire's requests were this easy.'
"...Damn it. I could just do it too."
Watching Lee Han note down all his friends' requests, Ashan felt a pang of guilt.
His friend was taking classes across all disciplines and still helping his friends with errands, while he had been refusing, citing busyness and pride.
"I'll help too, Wardanaz."
'What a despicable bastard!'
Lee Han shot Ashan a look of quiet disdain and anger, staring at the back of his head.
Just moments ago, this friend had refused, but now he was suddenly stepping forward.
Clearly, seeing Lee Han rake in profits had changed his mind.
Truly, their friends were becoming wiser in their second year. They were gradually realizing the importance of silver coins.
"Hurry up and finish. If you don't complete it by tomorrow, you won't be able to go out!"
"I know, I know!"
In the corner, students could be seen hastily brewing magic potions.
Thanks to club activities, skipping lectures was justifiable (though, truthfully, they could skip even without club activities). But that didn't mean their responsibilities disappeared.
If they had pending tasks or ongoing projects, they had to finish them before leaving.
Because of this, Lee Han also had to complete a week's worth of work over the weekend.
Taking care of animals and plants, tending the garden, maintaining the secret base, completing assignments that could be done in advance...
"Yoner. Are you really not going out?"
"......"
Lee Han was slightly taken aback when his red-haired friend's expression grew complicated at his casually thrown question.
"You don't have to sneak out. I was just asking."
"Well..."
The Theater Club was under especially strict surveillance, given how much the Skeleton Principal hated it.
Enough that Lee Han had given up on joining after hearing the explanation...
Though even without that, Lee Han was already in too many clubs.
At any rate, Einrogard students were always reckless and fearless by nature.
Even within the Theater Club, students had started saying, 'Let's sneak out midway and bring back what we need.'
'Of course.' Lee Han nodded.
It was only natural for humans to fight for their freedom. That Einrogard students who went outside would attempt to escape was utterly predictable.
"...Wouldn't it be too difficult?"
Yoner was pessimistic.
Being practical by nature, she understood the risks embedded in the current situation better than anyone.
There was no need to jump down when a dragon was waiting below with its maw wide open.
"But Maykin. If we don't take this chance, it'll be hard to restock necessary supplies during the semester."
When Adenart quietly interjected from behind, Lee Han was inwardly shocked.
'Wait. Was the Princess in the Theater Club too?'
"That's right, Maykin. According to calculations, it's worth trying. Whether we get caught or not—50%, 50%."
'Ashan too!?'
Lee Han was greatly surprised by the high proportion of Blue Dragon Tower students in the Theater Club.
'These bastards. Instead of joining difficult clubs, they joined one where they can play and eat.'
Of course, just because Lee Han had been forcibly enlisted didn't mean his friends had to join hard clubs too, but for some reason, it felt unfair.
Rather than pointing out the flaws in Ashan's forced logic, Lee Han nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, Ashan's calculation is convincing. Caught or not caught—50%."
"......"
From behind, Gainando stared at the back of Lee Han's head as if he couldn't believe it.
When he made calculations like that, Lee Han would fly into a rage!
"Wardanaz. What do you think?"
"You're the expert here—you decide, Wardanaz."
"I don't know what you mean by 'expert,' but... I believe in your abilities."
Lee Han encouraged his friends with a serious expression.
Neither Adenart nor Ashan were the type to take on hopeless battles like Gainando, so if they were speaking this confidently, they probably had some kind of plan.
And even if they got caught—so what? It would still be a good experience.
"Yoner. Have faith in your friends too."
"You're not saying this because you're not sneaking out with us, are you?"
"What kind of nonsense is that!"
'Hmm. Maybe Yoner wasn't entirely wrong.'
Dawn, when the sun hadn't fully risen yet.
As he walked to meet Senior Sebius, Lee Han reflected inwardly.
Due to the nature of their requests, the Teleportation Club had to depart earliest and gather the soonest.
'If I were participating, I might have been more careful.'
Admittedly, if Lee Han had been part of the Theater Club, he might have been more cautious about the escape plan.
But he had his reasons.
Was it wrong to trust his friends' abilities?
Sure, the Theater Club was a little annoying, and it wouldn't matter if some members ended up in the Punishment Room, but Lee Han hadn't encouraged them without basis.
'No one has the right to stop a fight for freedom.'
"You're here."
"Yes, Senior. When do we depart?"
"In 30 minutes. Oh—one more request was added."
"Professor Verdus again?"
Lee Han replied in a bored tone, as if he already knew.
Who else would urgently add retrieval items like this?
"No. Not the professor this time."
"??"
"The Theater Club president paid me in gold coins. Asked for help with their escape midway."
"......"
Lee Han reflected deeply.
Even after learning Withering, he still hadn't mastered a truly virtuous heart!