Chapter 370

370 – There’s a Demon Living in the School’s Underground #6

“That thing over there is Malloy. A priest and mage who were consumed by the pursuit of forbidden knowledge and consequently transformed into that twisted beast, wandering the world.”

Antiope seemed to know something about the grotesquely distorted monster.

Antiope continued her explanation in a small, calm voice.

“However, I’ve never encountered a creature as warped as this one, even during my time in the knights’ order. It’s an extraordinary foe, possessing immense power.”

Then Antiope ran her palm over her minor wounds.

The fact that even a creature of this level gave her such trouble revealed just how powerful this monster was.

“This building, this underground seal, it was all created to prevent that creature from escaping. The windows open inward, not outward. The cold, sturdy stone walls of the school building—all of it was probably meant to contain this thing.”

Antiope’s reasoning seemed plausible.

I had once heard from Marda that the deans had sealed an ancient demon-like entity in this underground chamber. Looking at it now, that thing could very well be called a demon.

Swoosh-. Roar-.

At that moment, the creature stopped moving around in search of us, and soon its long and horrifying mouth opened wide.

“Come down here, Hassan. All of you—”

The voice emanating from it sounded eerily similar to Antiope’s.

In this situation, where the creature mimicked someone’s voice, I vividly felt a chilling sensation running down my spine.

With that expression, Antiope, standing beside me, whispered softly.

“You should be careful. This thing is not only physically strong but also uses strange sorcery. It manipulates things we can’t discern—are they spells, runes, or some form of sorcery? It’s hard to counter.”

“sh*t, if it uses magic too?”

It was already tough dealing with its enormous size, and now the idea of it using magic made it sound downright terrifying.

Now I understood why the graduate students sacrificed their lives to seal this thing away.

“Still, it seems its vision is restrained by its seal, so it can’t see. Its sense of smell isn’t very effective either. This creature primarily relies on its hearing, so escape should be relatively simple.”

“That’s true.”

This monster had sharp ears.

I now understood why rumors of silent conduct spread throughout this school. Beyond being merely a social norm, it probably included a warning about this creature.

“Is there a way to k*ll it?”

“Perhaps. My short sword should be embedded in its chest. You can see it there—it was gushing bl**d. If we push it in deeper, even this thing should d*e.”

Swoosh-.

Antiope extended her finger, pointing at the creature’s chest. Sure enough, there was her favored magical lance embedded in it like a spike.

I noticed something else hanging from the creature’s chest—a small, thin necklace.

It looked somewhat like a dog tag. To eyes like mine, trained in the dark graces and acute senses, the words written on it were clearly visible.

Japherson Sanguir Aquinas

It seemed to be a person’s name, and it felt somewhat familiar. Wasn’t this university named after its founder, called Aquinas University?

“Could it be-?”

“Yes, it’s Dean Aquinas. Or rather, what it once was as a human. It’s no longer human. Anyway, Hassan, when you entered this underground, the seal was broken. It hasn’t noticed yet, but it’s only a matter of time.”

“What happens if it does notice?”

“It will likely escape. There’s the city of Sodomora nearby. If this thing emerges in the city, it won’t be an ordinary disturbance, we have to k*ll it here.”

Antiope was speaking the obvious truth.

I asked, curious.

“So, do you have a good plan?”

“There is one. You and I will deal with and k*ll it. Isn’t that enough? It would’ve been tough for me alone, but with you around, I think we can pull it off.”

I wasn’t quite sure you could call that a plan, but I didn’t have anything better in mind either.

Just then, Antiope got into a low stance.

“I’ll draw its attention first; you attack from behind with that thick, sturdy club of yours.”

Before I could protest, she sprang out, the silver adventurer’s emblem which had hung around my neck jingling as she waved it.

“Ugly b*stard—over here! Here!”

Kehheheheh-.

In response, a strange, mocking laughter followed, and the creature stretched its hand towards Antiope.

Her nimble and composed movement allowed her to slip through the fingers reaching out to grab her with surprising ease.

“See? It can’t see, so its attacks lack precision! Let’s buy some time and look for opportunities!”

She was right. Even with sharp hearing, without vision, the creature couldn’t execute precision attacks.

Most importantly, the massive size of its few meters-high frame seemed to be restrained by the low, narrow structure of the dungeon, making it hard for it to move freely.

But even so, one-sided attacking and one-sided dodging—a fight that went on too long would inevitably favor one side.

I realized I had to make a decision before Antiope tripped or got caught by the creature’s hands. With a tight grip on my club charged with aura, I infused d*ath-beam saber energy into it.

Ta-dang-.

Then I propelled myself off the cold stone floor, leaping towards the creature’s elongated spine.

Swoosh-.

My beam-saber filled with crimson energy soared high towards the ceiling.

“d*e, you vile professor!”

All the frustrations and complex emotions from my four years at university were channeled into this heavy strike as it drove towards the creature’s back.

Swishhh-.

My club tore through the air with a sharp whistle, slicing through its fur-covered back panel.

KABOOM-. Cracking-!

The result was a powerful crash, followed by the giant figure of Dean Aquinas stumbling and immediately crashing to the floor with a loud thud.

My formidable strength combined with the infused aura and the fantastical weapon proved too much for the creature’s body to bear, causing its joints to buckle.

GAAAAAAHH-!

KWAANG, Crumbling-.

The problem was that the underground floor was in much the same state.

The platform we were standing on suddenly broke into piles of rocks and collapsed within moments. I felt myself losing my balance, falling endlessly downwards.

Splash-.

I soon found myself flailing in something deep and icy-cold like water.

“What the hell is this?!”

It was dark and had a strange stench—more like oil than water. The sticky liquid made it hard for me to rise despite flailing with my hands and feet.

The pit of wrath welcomes you, Ziggress. You’ve been kind enough to burst through the floor and personally break the seal for us.

My ears caught the low, ominous voice of Gigas.

Thanks to you, we shall have the body of Dean Aquinas. His strong spirit would have made it take over a century with just tainted well-water.

In the darkness where my eyes had adjusted, I could see the creature thrashing and spluttering in the same pit as me.

Grrrk! Arghh-!

The streams of water being forced into those twisted jaws were making the flow disappear, much like water going down a drain.

GHHHaaaa-.

As the water level lowered, I felt my feet touch the bottom. This was a good development, but—

What a fine form indeed. The flesh of a high priest tempered by asceticism and a life of hardship—there’s no greater wrath against the gods emanating from this man.

Gurgling, gurgling-.

Seeing the creature’s broken joints recover despite my earlier assault was not a good sign at all.

Let’s begin the lecture anew, shall we?

Swoosh-.

Its gaunt hand smoothed its face, roughly ripping off the iron chains and strange talismans sealing its eyes.

Ping, Ping-.

With the sound of the iron chains being torn, the eyes hidden beneath were revealed to the world. Despite its grotesque form, those piercing blue eyes seemed disturbingly human.

Graaaagh-!

Realizing it had seen me now, the creature charged at me. Its wide and dirty fingernails scratched the stone floor, leaving marks as it lunged toward me.

I’ll shred you like rags!

The speed and power it exhibited were leagues beyond what I had previously encountered.

Kaka-kak-.

The sound made me want to cover my ears, but that would only leave me vulnerable. Should I cower and dodge its attack, or raise my defenses?

A flash of thoughts raced through my mind, but I decided to grab its incoming palm.

Goaaaaah-.

Our hands met with a violent clash.

Its palm was so vast and brutish that my large hand seemed like a weak infant’s in comparison, almost crushing me under its weight—but

“Gruuuugh-!”

I gritted my teeth, exerted power down my back legs, and held my ground fortuitously.

Are you attempting to withstand me by strength? Oh, what folly—your cursed strength can never rival the might of Aquinas, which surpasses even titans.

The creature mocked me with its long snout, laughing as if in disbelief.

I didn’t quite understand what exceeding titans meant, but it was indeed one of the most powerful strengths I had ever faced. Its body itself felt heavy.

d*e like an ant beneath my might!

“GRUuuugh-”

But this was nothing compared to the horrifying Gloria. In fact, I might be able to overcome this.

Gruh, what? What is this? How dare I be pushed back!?

This brute seemed surprised by my resistance and let out a hideous shriek.

Keeaaah! Aquinas, is this all the wrath you possess!?

“Much weaker than Gloria!”

Clutching its massive palm, I forcibly twisted it with all my might. With a great fall, the immense figure knelt down to the ground.

I immediately slammed my head into the lowered head of the enemy.

KWAANG-!

With a loud sound, the giant crashed down hard onto the ground. Although it scared me with its size and appearance, this creature wasn’t as strong as I had thought.

No, it’s not that this thing is weak—it’s that I’ve grown stronger.

Who, what, are you? Useless weed, I recognize you, Ziggress. You were a failure, an incorrect gift, and yet—how did you grow so powerful?

I grabbed its long snout with both hands.

Grraaah-! No, stop! You can’t-!

“GRRRAAAAH!”

Simultaneously, I tensed both arms and tore its jaws apart in opposite directions with all my strength.

ZZzooaaaak-! CRACK-.

The sound of its jaw joints, muscles, and bones being shattered and broken apart was deafeningly loud. Its head dangling limply made the creature look grotesquely distorted even to me.

Gruuuug-…

I placed my foot on its monstrous head. As I pressed my weight and strength, the giant skull groaned under my force right at the tip of my foot.

Reveal what you know, Gigas. I’ve been here in this world once; you were present then too, weren’t you?

Gruuuuuugh! Urh-!

“If you don’t speak soon, your skull will crack.”

Kuh, huh, uhahaha-.

Suddenly, the monster burst into laughter at my threat.

You don’t need to rush; you’ll learn eventually, Ziggress. Your place is waiting for you—right below the burning inferno of the hottest, lowest position amongst us-.

“What does that mean?”

Whoosh-.

At that moment, flames engulfed the monster’s body beneath my feet. Emitting searing heat as it caught on fire, I had no choice but to step away.

Hmm, some sanity remains in Aquinas? Well, let me share one fact in our remaining time. The day you arrived here, I, the Gigas of Wrath, was also present with them.

“Them? Gigas, were they the ones who called me here? Why? What was the reason?”

Whoosh-.

The creature’s body was melting away quickly. With its lower jaw broken and skin seared by the flames, its voice became garbled and slow as it answered me.

Humans like them, Ziggress.

Instead of an answer, it felt like another question.

“Why humans suddenly? Just answer my question, d*mn it!”

I like humans too. They’re stupid, quick to anger, constantly trying to deceive each other, but precisely because of that, they never get boring.

Crackle, Crackle-.

However, he’s been dreaming for far too long. He can’t even distinguish between reality and dreams anymore.

Crushing-.

Its body now remained a heap of white bones.

Continue on your path. Every door you wish for will open into the place you should head to.

With these words, the Gigas fell silent.

WHOOSH-.

In the rising heat, flames shot up and filled the air with thick black smoke. I thought it would be better to escape this place quickly.

“Hassan, grab this-!”

At that moment, a long rope-like object was dropped down the pit I had fallen into. It was Antiope.

Thanks to Antiope, I managed to escape the basement and go outside the building.

WHOOSH-.

The fire, having begun deep below ground, now burned the cold stone walls of this fortress-like structure, causing it to collapse. In contrast, the dawn breaking behind it looked refreshingly clear.

Everyone who had managed to escape gathered outside the building and watched the scene. Dust and ash exploded out as the stones and rocks collapsed. The noise was deafening.

“The college tuition is burning away…!”

Paranoi seemed to enjoy the sight immensely, loudly chatting alone amidst the silence.

While everyone else was speechless at the miserable scenario,

Swoosh-.

Antiope extended something to me.

“What’s this?”

“Looks like the dean’s journal. I found it in the basement. Read it if you want before I resubmit it to the chivalric order as feudal data.”

“Alright.”

I opened the book. The early parts were filled with a priest’s journal, brimming with scholarly enthusiasm and praise for gods. However, the latter part was filled with blurred words, expressing deep sorrow after the d*ath of his daughter.

If there are benevolent gods, then why is the world so filled with suffering? Are the gods truly indifferent to human suffering? Is the deity really righteous?

The journal ended here. It wasn’t a particularly important story, nor did it seem directly related to me.

As I handed back the journal to Antiope, she gave me an additional remark after quickly glancing through it.

“Theological critique is the most common argument of feudalists. Today’s gods are false and unjust entities. Somewhere beyond this world, there exists a better, perfect realm that surpasses this flawed reality.”

Swoosh.

She asked me,

“Hassan, you’re closer to the gods than anyone else here. What do you think of this?”

At her question, I remembered what Bacchus had once said: human peace worsened faith. And in the same moment, the image of the dean being transformed into a monster by sorrow and anguish also came to mind.

I decided to hold off on my answer.

“Our tuition… There’s only one semester left…”

“I can’t graduate this way… It’s ruined…”

“You, without a college diploma or anything, if you undergo a one-month internship under Paranoi, we’ll bestow you with the priesthood and baptism ceremony…! This is your chance…!”

*

“Mom will k*ll me if she finds out I’m working here… She thought I was supposed to work in Delphi!”

“Why is there a shrine in a cemetery? Is this really a real shrine?”

Not long ago, these people were still university students. But now, after the destruction of their school, they had been forcibly thrust into the working world and had entered my cemetery and shrine grounds haphazardly.

In this Gaia continent, there aren’t many choices available for university dropouts.

Re-entering another university would mean starting from the first year all over again, and given the expensive enrollment fees, only a few can afford such luxuries.

Thus, many poor students, including those nearing graduation, were ultimately swayed by Paranoi’s persuasion and headed toward the cemetery.

Judging from their evident fear and some even shedding tears while murmuring incomprehensible prayers, this foggy and eerie cemetery frightened them to no end, even in broad daylight.

“Quiet down! This is not your pleasant university anymore! There are no more gates, buildings, or professors to protect you!”

Paranoi roared aggressively at the lined-up crowd. Her shouting soon escalated into outright screaming.

“Our temple doesn’t need college diplomas! We only require passion and spiritual strength! So, everyone should run fast and mark their positions at that tree over there—quickly!”

“What do you mean by…marking positions?”

“It’s part of the bishop training for hell! Abbreviated as Hell Bishop Training! The first person to reach gets an exception…! Now, hurry up and run!”

I didn’t fully understand the purpose of the training.

“After endurance running, we will have a praise ceremony for nymph Paranoi, who broke the educational hierarchy despite college education, along with Hassan’s help! Be prepared!”

Ding-.

『Hassan’s Held Items

Number of followers : 237

Number of institutions : 1

Number of temples : 1

Number of priests : 1 12

Number of graces : 1

Summary: Young and weak novice priests are growing in numbers. But without established discipline, they fail to achieve optimal efficiency.』

While I didn’t fully understand what the training was about, it was certainly good news that the number of priests was increasing.

The temple was steadily expanding.

Which meant that I was slowly moving away from being a human and becoming a god.

And at the end of this journey, I might finally understand why I’ve suffered so much in such a place.

And also why my father and mother are running a health center over there.

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