253 Dekan’s Heart’s Desire
As Warden Fahlir bowed to Dekan,
Dekan also got a full view of the sixth level.
Compared to a dark prison, the entire sixth level more resembled a gigantic laboratory.
A strong, irritating smell permeated the air—this wasn’t merely a bloody stench. In this lab, countless inhumane experiments seemed to have been conducted, dissolving the remains of test subjects, thereby creating an odor that refused to dissipate.
At a glance, the place was filled with darkness and decay; bottles filled with black liquid stood on shelves, soaking organs of unknown creatures.
Large transparent vitality pods, lined up in rows, housed various beings—humans, demons, and many unrecognizable, grotesque, hybrid creatures altered beyond identification.
The pods were arranged circularly, forming layer upon layer around the lab.
In the spaces between, there were bloody operating tables and experimental equipment.
Strangely, through all these rows of pods, one could see the heart of the sixth level’s laboratory—a spacious open area resembling an arena.
Warden Fahlir’s gaze lingered momentarily on Morion and Cornelia.
“Ah, not often do we see a prison guard descending with prisoners,” Fahlir said with a chuckle. “But this floor holds no danger. If you wish to proceed to the seventh, you may now.”
Fahlir gestured with an outstretched hand for Dekan and his prisoners to enter the lab, speaking in a calm tone, as though he were a polite host, while the sixth floor was merely a shop that anyone could enter and exit freely.
Dekan hadn’t yet encountered such a friendly warden after descending through several floors.
Yet, compared with any prior warden, Fahlir was undoubtedly the one Dekan found the most repugnant.
Regardless of how harmless this person seemed on the surface, just glancing at the atrocities in the lab was enough to understand the cruelty Fahlir harbored.
An unimaginable number of humans had likely suffered cruel experiments here, becoming sacrifices to forbidden magic.
For such an embodiment of pure evil, Dekan’s first reaction wasn’t torture or trickery, but simply the desire to kill.
However, this was the Shadow World.
Dekan needed to prioritize completing his objectives, and with limited time, he wasn’t keen on wasting too much on dealing with this mere illusion.
“May I purchase information about the warden and the next lower level?” Dekan inquired with a perfect smile, walking into the lab as he asked.
“Of course. Would you like to purchase it now?”
“Hmm.”
If all went smoothly, Dekan hoped to purchase the intel quickly and then proceed directly to the next level.
Fahlir differed significantly from wardens in the exiled levels.
The wardens of the exiled levels were weaker and often defective compared to regular-level wardens.
Standard-level wardens, like Fahlir, were only constrained by rules.
Similar to the warden of the third level, if they were to unleash all their strength, they could likely annihilate foes of the sixth rank and above.
Compared to the warden of the third level, the oppressive aura surrounding Fahlir was even stronger.
A confrontation would be highly disadvantageous for Dekan and his team.
Even without witnessing Fahlir’s combat abilities,
Dekan was confident of Fahlir’s style.
Without a doubt, Fahlir was a madman who delighted in researching forbidden magic.
Battling without proper healing support against an adept in forbidden magic could lead to swift death.
There was no healer in the team, making their margin for error quite low.
Hence, Dekan did not consider facing Fahlir directly.
“The intelligence about the next level costs 700 Demon Points, and 4000 Demon Points for the warden.”
“Buy.”
Swiftly, Dekan transferred the Demon Points to Warden Fahlir.
“The seventh level involves cooperative problem-solving. Facing it alone will be difficult and time-consuming. Teamwork is key. The warden, meanwhile, is a highly indecisive demon,” Fahlir explained.
Dekan nodded after listening.
The intelligence gathered on this floor was far more reliable than what he bought on previous floors.
Though the mechanisms of the next floor weren’t the immediate focus for Dekan, who didn’t plan to solve puzzles, the information about the warden was certainly valuable.
If the warden wasn’t firm in his convictions,
Dekan would have more room to maneuver.
“Are there any other special items available here?”
Dekan asked further.
“You can trade prisoners here.”
This seemed a long-anticipated question for Fahlir.
“Hmm?”
For the first time, Dekan heard from a warden that prisoners could be traded freely.
Fahlir: “This is a peculiarity of the sixth floor. E-class to B-class prisoners can be purchased directly for a high cost in Demon Points, whereas A-class prisoners must be won in the arena. Your foresight in purchasing the next floor’s intel was, thus, highly commendable.”
Dekan glanced around briefly. Prisoner pods were marked with light indicators showing their ranks.
E-class to B-class prisoners were mostly between the second and sixth ranks and included some defective ones, which were of little use to guards capable of reaching this floor.
Some prisoners had been cruelly transformed into unrecognizable forms.
A-class prisoners, however, ranged from sixth to seventh rank, with many in good condition. They wore specially crafted prison uniforms, or had lower-ranked prisoners with great potential.
Soon, one pod caught Dekan’s attention.
His eyes were inexplicably drawn to this pod.
Walking towards it, Dekan’s hands trembled as he placed them against the pod’s surface, gazing at the battered man inside. Pain and anger swirled in Dekan’s eyes.
“Do you have a preference for this male?”
Fahlir’s eyes gleamed as he seemed to deduce a significant backstory from Dekan’s expression.
“Hmm.”
Dekan nodded.
“Your choice is impressive. He’s quite unique within the A-class group. I’ve never seen anyone as resilient as him. However, since he’s A-class, to obtain him, you’ll need to win in the A-class arena.”
“Arena?”
Dekan, though puzzled, directed his gaze toward the central open area of the sixth floor.
“Hmm. Move closer, and the true nature of this place will become clear,” Fahlir guided, his smile widening.
If this gray-haired little succubus had something intriguing,
things couldn’t get more enjoyable.
Due to the rules of this floor,
Fahlir couldn’t compulsorily challenge a guard.
Mostly, guards challenged him only for prisoners and enhancing tools to help progress further.
For someone like Dekan, who was clearly not short on Demon Points and carried two prisoners,
Fahlir had no leverage.
Despite Fahlir’s outward calmness,
upon seeing the red-haired girl behind Dekan, he had an immediate desire to keep her.
He’d never seen a human with such a perfect physique.
With her as his specimen, his forbidden magic would surely make a major breakthrough.
Now, the gray-haired little demon had taken the bait.
This gave him the chance to use any means necessary to acquire the red-haired girl!
Approaching the open arena area, Dekan perceived its mechanism via the Demon Bracelet:
[The Arena Granted by the Demon King]
[Challenges can be initiated by prison guards against wardens.]
[After a challenge is initiated, one prisoner from each side will be chosen to fight.]
[Both sides have one hour to enhance their chosen prisoner before the fight begins.]
[To balance the wardens’ advantages, wardens must reveal their chosen prisoner first, allowing the guard to choose afterwards.]
[Wardens in the X-class arena can select prisoners up to X-class for the challenge.]
[X refers to one of the rankings, from E to A, chosen by the prison guard.]
[The victor can select one prisoner from the loser’s side to join their team.]
[A win will grant the victor the option to choose a prisoner up to X-class from the defeated side as war spoils or select equivalent forbidden enhancement props.]
[The fight ends when one prisoner loses their fighting ability or when one side concedes.]
[Violations or interference with the competition will result in severe sanctions using the Demon King’s energy.]
Dekan understood the tests this floor imposed on the guards.
This floor aimed to evaluate the guards’ grasp of forbidden techniques and the management of subordinate demons.
What Olive taught at Demon College previously was somewhat similar,
but her research capability couldn’t match Fahlir’s.
In arenas of B-class or below, the wardens were restricted in their prisoner choices, giving guards a chance to win with purchased prisoners.
If victorious, guards could select a high-potential prisoner corresponding to the rank involved to expand their roster or enhance their current members.
The ultimate goal would be to challenge in the A-class arena.
In this arena, wardens would field A-class prisoners capable of reaching up to the seventh rank.
After Fahlir’s modifications, the potential of such high-rank prisoners became uncertain.
The standard path involved purchasing promising lower-rank prisoners and gradually earning resources from wardens through strategy until they could enhance a prisoner capable of challenging the A-class arena.
But Dekan didn’t have time for such a long process.
He couldn’t permit Cornelia to undergo such modifications.
Modifications to Morion would also serve little purpose.
Initially, Dekan, with ample Demon Points and assistance, could have skipped this floor.
However, among the A-class prisoners,
Dekan noticed a dormant figure—Chloix.
He must win the A-class arena to rescue Chloix.
“I’m going to challenge you in the A-class arena.”
After another glance at the sealed pod in his mind,
Dekan firmly declared, resolute to rescue the one inside.
“Oh? You’re certain you want to directly challenge the A-class?”
“Hmm.”
“Apparently, you have great faith in your prisoner and skills. However, no problem! I accept your challenge!”
Fahlir was initially surprised but then burst into unbridled laughter, greed gleaming in his eyes as he looked at the red-haired girl behind Dekan.
This girl with her remarkable physique was about to become his possession!
Because if Fahlir were determined to win,
using all of his secret forbidden props at his disposal would enhance a prisoner to an intensity prison guards couldn’t even conceive of.
This was far beyond the capacity of the four-rank girl or five-rank youth beside Dekan.
Then Fahlir’s lips curled into a sinister arc as he approached the vitality pod which had caught Dekan’s attention before.
After accepting the challenge, Fahlir dropped all pretense of civility,
as if removing his own disguise.
“Are you acquainted?”
Fahlir tapped the pod with malicious intent, looking inside at the male.
“He’s my mentor and a good friend.”
Dekan, though seemingly reluctant to acknowledge Fahlir, couldn’t resist the tide of reminiscence. His choked voice whispered softly.
“He’ll be mine then. A perfect material for modification! He’s sure to endure all of my forbidden props! No matter how much pain, he probably won’t break! ”
Fahlir chuckled mockingly,
as if mocking the gray-haired little succubus’s idiocy.
Dekan’s pupils constricted sharply,
then clenched his fists tightly, grinding out,
“Despicable…”
“Rest assured, I’ll make sure to thoroughly modify him. By the time you see him again, he won’t be the same at all. If I’m not mistaken, he’s of great importance to you, isn’t he? Hahaha! I hope your prisoner will spare no effort in the fight, won’t they?”
Fahlir fully exposed his cruel nature.
It seemed he found the perfect object of torment.
He couldn’t wait to see the expression on the little succubus’s face when she sees her cherished mentor cruelly modified, controlled, and all her hopes crushed.
“Would you like to purchase a prisoner?”
Fahlir teased.
“No need.”
Dekan gave a cold reply.
“Then, who among your crew will fight?”
Fahlir disdainfully eyed Dekan’s two prisoners. However talented, they were too low in rank.
Dekan looked at Cornelia and earnestly said, “Please help with this.”
Cornelia nodded.
“Hmph.”
Fahlir sneered, already certain of victory.
He thought the guard’s trump card was the youth with the pearwood hair of unknown skills.
He didn’t expect the red-haired girl to step up.
Under rank suppression, she held no hope of victory.
“The duel will begin in one hour, during which you can use any of the surgical tables and tools.”
After saying that, Fahlir opened the designated vitality pod, took the figure out, placed it on the operating table, and wheeled it into his private laboratory.
…..
Seeing Fahlir wouldn’t be coming out of the lab anytime soon,
“Stars blinking eyes, moon drawing question marks, demons dragging long tails, vampires bridging—♫”
Dekan hummed a tune from his hometown as he walked with Morion and Cornelia toward the portal nearby.
Here, one could order food delivery.
With one hour, the trio could enjoy a hearty meal to restore their energy.
“By the way, who was in that pod?”
Morion glanced at Dekan, somewhat confused.
Morion had also noticed Chloix’s presence on this floor.
He realized Dekan pretended not to see the pod holding Chloix,
instead channeling all his acting energy toward another pod as a decoy to confuse Fahlir.
However, Dekan’s performance had been impeccable,
making it feel as if he genuinely experienced a long-awaited reunion.
So Morion couldn’t help but feel Dekan actually knew that unfortunate individual inside.
“I didn’t expect to meet him here… This must be the special providence of fate…”
Dekan sighed.
“Hmm…”
Cornelia seemed to agree.
It seemed she also recognized that person.
Morion: “???”
This made Morion even more perplexed.
There was a sense of exclusion.
But Morion soon understood and pointed hesitantly, unsure whether to sympathize with the warden or pity the unfortunate victim dragged off for modifications.
Seeing Morion’s understanding, Dekan didn’t elaborate.
Instead, he gazed into the direction of the lab where cruel modifications were being conducted,
his transparent eyes filled with earnest anticipation.
“Teacher Bachelor, never did I expect to actually meet again… Are you my guardian deity?”
