Book 1 Chapter 373

373

After a bout of commotion,

nine people gathered in Leo's room.

The four first-year students sat together, attentively listening to their seniors.

"So, what kind of information is it?"

Chelsea, arms crossed, tilted her head and asked.

In response to Chelsea's question, Kale said,

"There's something beneath Uargela."

"Evidence?"

"I heard that recently, students from other hero academies, not just ours, were dispatched to Elehem."

At Kale's words, the other students looked surprised.

"Other hero academies? Where?"

"Azonian."

Azonian, the Beastman Hero Academy.

Indeed, the southern continent was Azonian's main stage of activity.

If Elehem was hiding a hero dungeon, it was natural for Azonian to be involved.

"They say the Azonian kids disappeared after being last seen in the underground of Uargela."

Chloe exclaimed at Kale's words.

"How on earth do you find out such information?"

At Chloe's words, Juen, who was listening from behind, pouted her lips.

"Because of that, I had to wander through dirty back alleys and bars all day today."

"You worked hard."

Kale gave a bitter smile to Juen, his mentee.

Juen had suffered the most while gathering information today.

Juen, the daughter of the Southern Archmage, was clearly a noble lady at first glance.

As a noble lady at first glance, Juen was an easy target for the vagrants of the back alleys.

All sorts of lewd remarks and insults were standard, and some even rashly attacked her.

'Well, Kale senior did teach them all a lesson, though.'

Juen glanced at Kale, who was wearing an apologetic expression, and made a slightly prim face.

"Anyway, while gathering information, we found out several other things."

Kale's expression darkened slightly.

"This country was indeed different from what it seemed."

"Different from what it seemed?"

"It's fitting for the poorest country. The nation's situation is completely messed up. Its outward appearance is literally a mirage."

Juen grumbled.

Even when they first arrived in Uargela, she had questioned the appearance of the wealthy streets.

But what she felt while wandering through the back alleys was that this country was sick.

Listening to Kale and Juen, the other students also wore serious expressions.

A hero is not simply someone who confronts Tartaros.

They are beings who lead and transform the world.

It is also a hero's mission to guide those they encounter to a better place.

Therefore, from the perspective of hero candidates, the story of this country spiraling into ruin inevitably made them concerned.

"Is there nothing we can do to help this country?"

Betty, Chloe's mentee, asked with a worried face.

"Not right now. We have no justification. Besides, we're just first and second-year students."

Kale crossed his arms and sighed.

It was then that a heavy silence filled the room.

"What information did the class president get from the pleasure district?"

To lighten the mood, Illiana asked Leo.

"I also heard that there's something in the underground of Uargela. I heard that the Elehem royal palace directly sent people to the underground of Uargela."

At Leo's words, the other students' eyes widened.

"And I also heard that the Elehem royal palace's influence is reaching other places besides Uargela."

"Other places? Where is that?"

"The Forest of Monsters."

"The Forest of Monsters, huh."

Kale crossed his arms.

"Certainly, if a hero dungeon were to be created there, it would be easy to hide, wouldn't it?"

The entire forest was a land cursed by the Monster Queen.

In the distant past,

before the Age of Calamity, it was the elves' homeland.

And it was also Luna's home forest.

After the Monster Queen was defeated last year, the forest's curse would have also been lifted.

'Though it could only truly be called over once all the monsters there were driven out.'

The complete liberation of her homeland was also one of the things Luna had yearned for.

It was then that Leo smiled wryly, thinking of Luna.

"In that case, shall we begin a full-scale exploration starting with the underground of Uargela?"

Everyone nodded at Chelsea's words.

"I know the entrance. Let's meet tomorrow."

At Leo's words, Luke said in a tense voice.

"If it's underground, it must be some kind of labyrinth, right?"

"It certainly will be."

"Let's prepare thoroughly."

It was then that everyone made serious expressions.

"They said it's not a labyrinth."

"Huh?"

"Then what is it?"

Leo said nonchalantly.

"It's an illegal casino."

***

The next morning, the group all looked at the entrance to the underground with awkward expressions.

The entrance was dazzlingly splendid.

And well-dressed men in tailcoats were guiding guests around.

Seeing that, Chloe said in an awkward voice.

"You said it's an illegal casino. But can they operate so openly?"

Seeing Chloe express her doubt, Kale said,

"Considering the messed-up nature of this country… perhaps they're operating by bribing heavily?"

Kale's words were correct.

The underground casino of Uargela, like the City of Pleasure, was a pillar of Elehem's underworld.

A place that even Uargela's lord dared not touch.

For that, the casino provided enormous bribes to nobles and public officials to operate.

'And they said it was extraterritorial.'

It was literally a lawless zone.

Thus, the nine students tried to approach the underground casino.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. This is Shadow, the underground paradise."

A handsome man in a tailcoat greeted them elegantly.

Seeing the man, Kale stepped forward.

"Hello, we'd like to play here."

At Kale's words, the Shadow employee looked over the group.

Then he made a troubled expression.

"I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen. You are not qualified to enter our Shadow."

"If it's because of our status, I believe these clothes guarantee our identity, don't you? We are students of Lumen."

Lumen student status received VIP treatment wherever they went.

Therefore, there were quite a few people who impersonated Lumen students.

Of course, if caught, it didn't just end with a simple warning.

However, the Shadow employee merely shook his head despite Kale's words.

"Lumen student status does not qualify you to enter our establishment."

At that, Kale made a troubled expression.

'Not even with Lumen student status? Then what on earth should I do?'

While Kale, who hadn't expected to be denied entry, wore a troubled expression,

Luke, who had been silent, asked.

"What is that qualification?"

"The qualification is simple."

Everyone looked tense at the Shadow employee's words.

Seeing the students, the Shadow employee smiled faintly and pointed to a spot.

It was a clothing store.

"The qualification to enter our establishment is simply attire suitable for our establishment."

"Huh?"

The group, who had been tense, instantly looked deflated.

And they looked at the other guests entering.

They were indeed dressed splendidly, like people attending a party.

"If you return to me in suitable attire, I will assist you with entry."

The employee in the tailcoat bowed elegantly.

***

"No matter what, isn't this too much?"

Kale's face turned miserable upon arriving at the clothing store next to Shadow.

"I know they're clothes made of fine fabric, but no matter what, what is this outrageous rip-off price!?"

Kale shuddered, checking the price tag on the clothes.

At Kale's reaction, Austin said,

"Didn't the school give us a lot of financial support?"

At Austin's words, Kale clicked his tongue.

"As a former Zeldinger trainee knight, you're indeed ignorant of worldly affairs. It's not a matter of how much support we received. The important thing is whether we pay a fair price for the item or not! Does it make sense that it's more than ten times different from other clothing stores?"

In Luke's case, seeing the price of the clothes, he stiffened and muttered, 'At this price, one bread… two breads…' and was confused by a price that shattered his common sense.

It was then.

"Senior!"

Juen opened the dressing room curtain and stood before Kale.

A pure white dress that highlighted the healthy, light brown skin unique to those from the southern continent.

Juen, accessorized with a white pearl necklace and bracelet and wearing heels carved from ivory, smiled brightly and did a spin.

"How do I look?"

"You're beautiful, Juen."

"Oh, she's become a beautiful lady."

Luke smiled brightly and clapped, and Austin marveled.

It was then that the pleased Juen laughed, 'Hmph!'

Thump-thump- Thump!

"Huh?"

Juen looked at Kale, who had approached and placed a hand on her shoulder, with a flustered expression.

"S-Senior?"

Juen, uncharacteristically flustered despite usually being laid-back, called out to Kale.

Kale looked directly into Juen's eyes with a serious gaze.

"Juen?"

"Yes?"

Juen's flustered face was slightly red.

"How could you pick something so expensive~! We promised to save as much of this support money as possible… *Gasp!*"

Juen's punch struck Kale's solar plexus.

Shaking her shoulders, Juen stomped towards the counter.

"I'll take this dress!"

Seeing that, Luke and Austin looked at each other and smiled awkwardly.

Kale got up quickly and sighed.

"If she didn't hit so hard, she'd be one of the top three beauties in first year."

Even so, he reached out and took a hair ornament from the display case.

"You say that, but you're buying it with the support money."

Kale grumbled at Austin's words.

"To placate her anger, I shouldn't use the support money. I have to break into my private funds for this. *Gasp*. My precious money."

It was then that he saw Kale head to the checkout, making a tearful face.

"You guys! What are you doing not choosing clothes!"

Illiana appeared abruptly, wearing a black dress with a short hem that gave it a lively feel.

"I've never chosen clothes like this before."

Luke said with an awkward smile, and Austin also nodded.

Illiana glanced at Austin, then picked two suits.

"Put this on first and come out."

"Yes, Senior."

After Austin went into the changing room, Illiana looked at Luke with a serious face and reached out her hand.

"This one is for you."

"…Senior, this is a dress."

"Yep, it's cute and perfect for you."

"Here's a wig too."

Chelsea, who had somehow appeared in a lime green one-piece, even pushed a wig towards Luke.

It was then that Luke made a tearful face.

"Don't bully your juniors."

*Swish-*

The dressing room door opened and Leo came out.

Illiana's mouth dropped open when she saw him.

"I haven't seen the class president in a suit since the end of the first semester midterm exams last year…"

Illiana, mouth agape, said,

"He's become a complete gentleman."

"Leo Oppa! You look handsome."

Leo, who had grown much taller compared to last year, exuded a mature aura combined with his unique atmosphere.

Seeing him hook his finger into his tie and loosen it, as if it was too tight, Illiana murmured,

'Even such a small gesture is a picture.'

Realizing anew that Leo was one of the top 3 most popular male second-year students, she picked out a suit for Luke.

"Th-this doesn't seem right."

"Senior! You look truly beautiful!"

At that moment, Chloe's flustered voice and Betty's excited voice were heard from inside the dressing room.

Shortly after, Chloe, pushed by Betty, came out of the dressing room.

Chloe, wearing a light sky-blue dress that exposed her shoulders and collarbones and was slightly low-cut in the back, blushed slightly, looking embarrassed.

"Wow! Chloe! You're really pretty!"

Illiana's eyes widened in admiration.

"You look so mature."

Chelsea's eyes also widened in admiration.

At that, Illiana smirked.

"Looking mature means… old…"

*CRASH!*

"EEK!"

Illiana, who had teased Chloe only to get a harsh retort, hid behind Leo.

Chloe, who had been glaring, met Leo's eyes, blushed slightly, and abruptly turned her head away.

Seeing Chloe, Leo smiled faintly.

"It suits you very well."

"Th-thank you."

Chloe, who had answered primly with her face slightly averted, unknowingly smiled.

And so, the group left the clothing store.

"Alright then, if everyone's ready."

Kale smiled triumphantly.

"Let's go!"

***

Knock- *Click*

"Master."

The man who entered the room bowed politely.

"What is it?"

A wolf beastman woman with gray hair and golden eyes asked, taking the pipe from her mouth.

The man said to her as she exhaled smoke.

"Other hero candidates have set foot in Shadow again."

At that, the beastman woman narrowed her eyes.

"And?"

Seeing her overtly annoyed expression, the man replied.

"The student council president of Lumen is included in that list."

The beastman woman, who had been holding her pipe, paused.

Then, she tapped the pipe on an ashtray and replied,

"Go out."

At that reply, the bowing man left.

*Screech!*

The beastman woman leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, rested her chin on her hand, and curled up the corners of her mouth.

"So, the God of Shadow has arrived, has he?"