Arthur had read the dungeon攻略 guide that Lucy had given him countless times.
At first, he was curious about how Lucy Alrn had become so proficient in dungeon raids.
Then, he marveled at the vast knowledge contained within the book.
After a while, his thoughts shifted to getting back at Lucy for all the times she had belittled him.
Recently, his determination had grown stronger, vowing to win at least once so that he could hear the answer he wanted from Lucy.
He kept reading that book.
What Arthur realized over time was that the knowledge Lucy Alrn possessed was not simply bestowed upon her by the Sun God.
Though her journey had begun with the blessings of the Sun God, it was Lucy Alrn who had absorbed and made that power her own.
Every trace of effort she had put into her work was preserved in that book.
The perfect strategies for dealing with insignificant monsters that, to Arthur, seemed trivial.
The methods for bypassing traps that could be physically overcome.
The ways to find paths in already-existing dungeons, and even how to navigate entirely new ones.
All of these writings reflected Lucy Alrn’s sincerity toward dungeons and the countless hours she had dedicated to mastering them.
Because of that, Arthur never doubted the content of the book Lucy had written.
Despite the playful tone of Lucy’s writing, which made it seem like she was teasing someone, he knew that what lay beneath it was her genuine sincerity.
By embracing that sincerity and seeking to internalize it, Arthur had come to appreciate his own progress.
There was a trap on the right. It’s easy to spot, but behind it, something well-hidden lies in wait.
Looking at the trap's structure, it seems that once it’s triggered, the path ahead will be blocked.
A barrier to prevent escape.
That’s not the right way.
I should find another path.
Hmm, the monster ahead looks like one of those creatures Lucy Alrn had described.
Those weak little dogs are sensitive to sound. If I make too much noise, they’ll whimper and roll over in fear, she said.
And she was right. Thanks to that, I can easily slip past them.
Now it’s a puzzle. Based on the clues I’ve etched in my mind so far, the answer will come quickly.
Arthur, moving smoothly through the dungeon, began to grow confused as he tried to understand why the little kid had such a serious expression on her face.
Was this trial supposed to be this easy?
If the trial was directly influenced by the pieces of the ancestor, then it should have been much more difficult to prove one’s worth.
It doesn’t make sense. It’s way too easy. I’m even starting to think that the dungeon Lucy Alrn made me face during last year’s finals was harder.
No, objectively speaking, that one was more like hell.
If I had been given another chance to conquer that dungeon, would anyone even manage to complete it on the first try?
Arthur chuckled bitterly as he quickened his pace.
If I waste time here, I’ll be the subject of ridicule from Lucy Alrn.
Right now, it’s clear I’d be the laughingstock for a long time, but if I delay any further, I can only imagine how badly my reputation will be shattered.
Not long ago, Arthur had witnessed Kal crawling on the floor like an inanimate object. He shuddered, imagining himself in Kal’s place.
That can’t happen. If it does, I’d rather bite my tongue and die.
“Kid.”
Arthur, sweating, moved forward but suddenly squinted at the little kid who had appeared next to him.
“Has the trial ended already?”
“I wish it had. But no. It's the worst-case scenario. The Evil God’s influence has started seeping into this place.”
"...What?"
“I’m doing my best to stop it, but it seems like I'm too outdated.”
The little kid’s bitter smile made Arthur’s expression turn serious.
Now that he thought about it, Erginus had also mentioned that it was time to start reinforcing the barrier.
A magical circle that had been in place for hundreds of years couldn’t retain its initial strength.
Arthur understood that logically, but accepting it emotionally was another matter. Damn it.
“That means the Evil God’s influence is starting to take over, doesn’t it?”
“It’s already gradually happening. Look, you can barely tell the real from the fake among those monsters in front of us, right?”
The little kid's words rang true. Arthur could already see the blurring of truth and lies in his own vision.
“We have to break through the trial before they completely seize control. Is that possible?”
“By now, it’s not about whether it’s possible or not.”
At this point, Arthur realized there was no other option. It was a race against time.
Would the Void’s power completely take over the magical circle first, or would Arthur manage to overcome this trial first?
“I will.”
Arthur was confident in his ability to win when it came to races against time. He had always fought desperately against opponents who were more skilled in this area.
Arthur had never thought he would lose this fight.
“If I fail in the place Lucy trusted me with, how can I show my face to her?”
No. It wasn’t me who pushed you to your death, it was your own actions.
Had you overcome the trial, you could have become a star, but it was you who failed.
Wrong. My dream seemed distant because your talents were insufficient.
Look at the star of Lucy Alrn.
Look at that star shining brighter than the sun from the sky. If you had shone as brightly as that, my dream would have already been fulfilled.
Yes. I gave up on shining brightly on my own.
Is that wrong? Is it a sin to choose reality instead of struggling in vain with dreams that could never come true?
Why is romance called romance? It’s called that because it can never be achieved.
Rather than living as a fool who clings to impossible dreams, I swore to make my dream a reality.
As Luca walked through the corridor, he answered each of the voices that echoed and tore apart their existence.
There was no hesitation. No guilt.
If I had been stopped by my conscience, I wouldn’t have come this far.
As he moved, Luca felt something foul spreading from the broken vows he had made.
It spread faster than it ever had before.
Exactly what was happening, Luca didn’t know, but he couldn’t ignore what was happening to his body. He kept his focus forward.
Thinking coldly, what Lady Alrn did was just a delay tactic.
Even if these commanders surround me, they won’t inflict any decisive damage.
A few might be reduced, but that’s it.
But thinking it over, it’s odd.
What advantage is there in dragging out time?
The longer the Void’s corruption grows stronger, the more advantageous it will be for me, won’t it?
I don’t know exactly what they’re aiming for, but I have no need to comply with their intentions.
By now, the corruption must have progressed enough. Should I start making them panic?
“Lemnus. Can you contact the outside? I want to know the progress of the corruption.”
“It’s already consumed more than half. However, the resistance outside is growing more intense.”
“Then let’s start using what we’ve prepared.”
The golems he had placed under the guise of using them for the academy dungeon.
Once the Void's power corrupted them, these objects would become instruments of destruction when powered up by the Void followers, wreaking havoc within the barrier.
“Lady Alrn. If you’re listening, I’ll tell you this—the golems will massacre everything. Those trapped inside the barrier will die helplessly. It’s because of your incompetence. It’s because you allowed it.”
Now, can the weak you, who pretends to be strong, stand by and do nothing when you hear this?
Can you turn a blind eye to their deaths?
I’m certain you won’t be able to. If you could overlook the sacrifice of others for your own purpose, the Sun God would never have chosen you.
“Ha ha ha♡”
As expected.
From beyond the darkness of the corridor, the laughter of a young girl echoed. It was bright, beautiful, and impossible to ignore—a mocking, infuriating laugh.
“All day long~ babbling, babbling♡”
Her red, twin-tailed hair fluttered in the air.
"Doesn’t it make you feel ashamed to act so tough?♡"
Her blood-red eyes shone brightly, even in the dark.
“You must feel like committing suicide when you realize how pitiful your own situation is, don’t you?♡”
Her smirking lips made it seem as though she had the upper hand.
Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.
“Maybe you can’t tell the difference between your imagination and reality?♡ Heh♡ How pathetic♡ I wonder how ugly you must be in reality to have gone mad?♡”
The small, beautiful girl standing confidently before Luca and the Void Followers was undeniably captivating.
"What reality are you trying so hard to deny?♡ Is it that you’re impotent in your accusations?♡ Is your talent as pathetic as your decorative hair?♡ Or is it your dream that will never be fulfilled?♡"
Luca could feel his temples tightening with every word Lucy said, but he forced himself to control his emotions.
If he fell for her words, it would play right into her hands.
That could not happen. The one in control must be me. It must be the craftsman.
"Ha ha. Do you really have time to keep babbling like that?"
"..."
As Luca spoke, Lucy fell silent. Though she pretended to remain calm, it was clear she was in a hurry.
"Meanwhile, the ones on the surface will begin to die one by one, won’t they? The weak..."
"Ha ha ha♡"
Just as Luca was about to continue, Lucy’s laughter interrupted him.
At first, when he heard the laugh, Luca thought she was just pretending, trying to act calm by laughing.
"You think your laughter will erase the embarrassment?"
"Heh♡ Heh heh♡ Perverted professor♡ You’re really stupid, aren’t you?♡ Do you think I’m fake laughing?♡"
"Trying to act tough, huh?"
"Heh heh♡ The one acting tough is you♡ With no talent or passion, just a fool with a pathetic little head!♡"
...Not pretending?
No?
That can’t be.
If something had changed, I should have known by now!
"Ah♡ Do you really think what you’re saying is true?♡ Do you think my pathetic plan won’t be interrupted?♡"
"Ha. Go ahead, say whatever you want. It won’t change anything."
"...Professor Luca! On the surface!"
The confused voice of a Void follower reached Luca, and he hurriedly turned his gaze toward Lucy.
"Heh heh heh♡ I have to deal with such an idiot?♡ How pitiful I must be♡ Don’t you think so?♡"
Her laugh held a certain ease to it.