Chapter 373

373

After a short commotion.

Nine people gathered in Leo’s room.

The four first-year students were gathered together, listening intently to the seniors’ story.

“So, what exactly is this information you’re talking about?”

Chelsea, with her arms crossed, tilted her head and asked.

To Chelsea’s question, Kal responded.

“There’s something beneath Uargela.”

“Any evidence?”

“I’ve heard that students from other hero academies, not just ours, have also been dispatched to Alehem recently.”

At Kal’s words, the other students looked shocked.

“Other hero academies? Which ones?”

“Azonia.”

Beastman Hero Academy, Azonea.

It was indeed true that the southern continent was Azonea’s main stage of activity.

If Alehem were hiding a hero dungeon, it would make sense for Azonea to be active.

“The Azonea students reportedly disappeared after last being seen near Uargela’s underground.”

Kal’s words made Chloe exclaim in amazement.

“Where do you even get this kind of information from?”

At Chloe’s question, Juen, who had been listening silently from behind, pouted.

“Because of this, I had to spend the whole day roaming dirty back alleys and bars.”

“You worked hard.”

Kal grimaced faintly toward his mentee, Juen.

Truthfully, Juen had worked the hardest today while gathering information.

As the daughter of the southern mage tower’s lord, Juen appeared every inch a noble young lady.

And being such a noble-looking young lady, she naturally became a target for the rogues in the back alleys.

She endured all kinds of foul remarks and humiliations, and even had some reckless people charging at her.

‘Of course, all those people got thoroughly reprimanded by Senior Kal.’

Juen glanced at Kal, who wore an apologetic look, while subtly maintaining a haughty expression.

“Anyway, besides that, I’ve learned other things while gathering information.”

Kal’s expression darkened slightly.

“This country… isn’t what it seems on the surface.”

“Not what it seems?”

“It’s living up to its reputation as the most impoverished nation. The state of this country is absolute chaos. It’s all just a mirage on the outside.”

Juen grumbled.

When they had first arrived in Uargela, they were puzzled by the affluent appearance of the streets.

But after exploring the back alleys, it became evident that this country was deeply troubled.

After hearing Kal and Juen’s words, the other students became serious.

A hero isn’t just someone who fights against Tartarus.

They are the ones who guide and transform the world.

A hero’s mission also involves leading the people they encounter to a better place.

Thus, considering the desperate state of this country, the students couldn’t help but feel concerned.

“Isn’t there something we can do to help this country?”

Betty, Chloe’s mentee, worriedly asked.

“For now, there’s nothing we can do. We lack the justification, and besides, we’re just first- and second-year students.”

Kal sighed and crossed his arms.

As heavy silence filled the room, Illiana decided to change the mood.

“Class Leader, what kind of information did you get from the pleasure district?”

“I’ve also heard there’s something beneath Uargela. I heard that the Alehem royal palace sent people directly into Uargela’s underground.”

Leo’s words made the other students widen their eyes.

“And I’ve also heard that the royal palace of Alehem has their hands in other places besides Uargela.”

“Other places? Where?”

“The Forest of Monsters.”

“The Forest of Monsters, huh.”

Kal crossed his arms.

“If there were truly a hero dungeon created there, it would indeed be easy to hide.”

The entire forest cursed by the Demon Queen.

Back in the distant past, before the Era of Catastrophe, that place was the territory of the elves.

It was also Luna’s homeland.

After the Demon Queen was defeated last year, the curse on the forest must have been lifted.

‘To truly consider it fully resolved, we would need to drive out all the monsters from there.’

The complete liberation of her homeland was one of Luna’s greatest wishes.

As Leo smirked, thinking of Luna, Chelsea suggested,

“Then, let’s begin our proper exploration of Uargela’s underground.”

Everyone nodded at Chelsea’s words.

“I know the entrance. Let’s meet tomorrow.”

When Leo spoke, Luke responded tensely.

“If it’s underground, it’ll likely be a labyrinth, right?”

“It surely will be.”

“Let’s prepare properly.”

As everyone donned serious expressions, a different voice broke through.

“It’s not a labyrinth.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Leo calmly replied.

“It’s an illegal casino.”

“Come on, isn’t this a bit ridiculous?”

Kal’s face contorted in despair as he stood outside the clothing store next to Shadow.

“I understand these are made with premium fabrics, but really, how absurd is this ridiculous price?!?”

Kal shuddered after checking the price tag on the clothes.

To this, Austin remarked,

“But didn’t the school give us a large allowance?”

Kal clicked his tongue at Austin’s words.

“You’re clueless about the real world, coming from the Jerdinger knight training. This isn’t about whether the allowance is sufficient or not. The point is about paying what’s truly worth its value! The prices here are over ten times compared to other stores!”

Luke, on the other hand, stiffened at the price, murmuring under his breath, “With this price, I could buy bread – one loaf… two loaves…”, utterly baffled how prices could be so absurd.

Just then,

“Senior!”

Juen walked out of the dressing room toward Kal.

The pure white dress she wore highlighted her healthy, light brown skin, a trait common in the southern continent. She accessorized with white pearl necklaces and bracelets, matching it with carved ivory heels, and spun around with a cheerful smile.

“What do you think?”

“You look wonderful, Juen.”

“Oh, she has become such a beautiful lady.”

Luke grinned and clapped, and Austin was amazed.

At their compliments, Juen beamed confidently when,

Thump… Thump…

“What-?”

Juen looked bewildered as Kal approached, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Se- senior?”

Unlike her usual self-assured demeanor, Juen appeared flustered and called out to Kal.

Kal stared into Juen’s eyes with a serious expression.

“Juen?”

“Yes?”

As Juen’s face blushed slightly,

“How can you pick something so expensive?! We promised to make the most of our allowance by saving as much as possible… ack!”

Juen’s punch hit Kal’s chest.

Shaking his shoulders in pain, Juen stomped toward the counter.

“I’ll take this!”

Watching this, Luke and Austin exchanged awkward glances.

Kal sighed deeply, standing up suddenly.

“If she didn’t have such a strong hand, she would definitely be considered one of the three most beautiful girls in the first year.”

And yet, despite all this talk, Kal reached out and picked up a hair ornament from the display.

“You’re paying with your allowance even while saying that?”

At Austin’s question, Kal grumbled.

“To calm her down, we can’t use the allowance. This has to come from my own savings! Ah, it hurts. Like spilling my bl**d.”

Kal walked toward the counter, grimacing,

“Hey! You guys! How about picking out some clothes already?”

Suddenly, Illiana appeared in a black dress with a short hemline that exuded a lively feel.

“I’ve never tried picking out clothes like this.”

Luke smiled sheepishly and answered, while Austin nodded in agreement.

Illiana glanced at Austin, then quickly chose two suits.

“Try these on first.”

“Yes, senior.”

Austin went into the dressing room. Then Illiana turned her serious gaze to Luke and extended her hand.

“Here.”

“Senior, that’s a dress.”

“Ah, it would look cute on you.”

“And here’s the wig as well.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea, who had emerged in a mint green one-piece dress, handed a wig over to Luke too.

At this, Luke frowned,

“Harassing underclassmen won’t work.”

CRACK!

The dressing room door opened, and Leo walked out.

Seeing him, Illiana gasped.

“It’s the first time since the end of the midterms last semester…”

Her eyes widened as she continued,

“You really look like a complete gentleman.”

“Leo, you’re so cool!”

Compared to last year, Leo had grown much taller, giving off a more mature aura that perfectly matched his usual demeanor.

With his tie feeling a bit tight, he loosened it with his finger, and Illiana murmured softly,

‘Even doing something like that looks good on you.’

Realizing once more why Leo was one of the top three most popular second-year male students, she helped Luke pick out a suit.

“I, this might not be…”

“Senior! You truly look wonderful!”

At the same moment, a flustered voice from Chloe and an excited exclamation from Betty came from inside the dressing room.

Moments later, Chloe emerged, pushed by Betty.

She wore a baby blue dress that revealed her shoulders and collarbone with a slightly dipped back, her face slightly flushed with embarrassment.

“Wow! Chloe! You look amazing!”

Illiana’s eyes widened in amazement.

“She looks so mature.”

Chelsea also exclaimed, her eyes wide in admiration.

At this, Illiana smirked,

“Mature, huh… you’re becoming more like an ajumma…”

ZING!

“EEK!”

Illiana yelped after being playfully teased and hid behind Leo.

As Chloe’s eyes met Leo’s and they widened slightly in reaction, she subtly blushed and quickly turned her face away.

Seeing this, Leo smiled faintly.

“It really suits you.”

“Th-thank you.”

Chloe, who had initially turned her face away with a slight frown, unknowingly smiled.

And thus, the group left the clothing store.

“Alright, now that we’re all ready.”

Kal grinned confidently.

“Let’s go!”

*

Knock, knock – Swish!

“Master.”

The man who entered the room bowed respectfully.

“What is it?”

The gray-haired wolf beastman woman with golden eyes removed the pipe from her mouth and asked.

Huffing out the smoke, she waited as the man responded,

“Another group of hero candidates has stepped into Shadow.”

Hearing this, the woman narrowed her eyes.

“And?”

Her obvious expression of irritation didn’t seem to deter him as he replied,

“Their lineup includes the President of Lumeran Academy’s Student Council.”

The woman with the pipe in her mouth paused.

Then, without hesitation, she tapped her pipe against the ashtray and responded.

“You’re dismissed.”

The man bowed and stepped out.

Creak!

Leaning back in her chair, the beastwoman crossed her legs and rested her chin on her hand while her lips curled into a smile.

“The Shadow God himself has arrived.”