Book 1 Chapter 931

931.

Ferena opened her eyes.

"Where am I…?"

As Ferena sat up with a puzzled expression, she clutched her head.

"Ugh…"

A slight headache made her dizzy.

'I definitely lost consciousness in the desert… and Student Demian helped me?'

Recalling her memories before losing consciousness, Ferena wore a serious expression.

'After that, Senior Leo and Senior Siah came… and after that…'

Unable to recall clearly, Ferena tilted her head.

*Creeaak-*

While Ferena was lost in thought, the door opened.

"You're awake, Adventurer."

"Senior Celia?"

"I was worried when you collapsed at the city entrance."

Celia, smiling gently, was dressed as a nurse.

Looking at Celia, Ferena put on a hesitant expression.

"Why are you speaking formally to me…? No, why are you wearing that outfit in the first place?"

Seeing Ferena's bewildered look, Celia handed her a booklet she was holding.

"<Rule Book>?"

Ferena opened the booklet and read its contents.

"Welcome to Leisar, a virtual space. You have arrived here in Leisar as an adventurer. Conquer the shadow worlds hidden throughout Leisar. You will be awarded points based on your conquest, and the adventurer with the highest score will be the winner. Listen to the residents. You can get many hints?"

Bewilderment flashed across Ferena's face.

"Is this some kind of game?"

"I don't understand what you're saying, Adventurer. I am merely a resident of Leisar."

"Ah…"

Hearing Celia's words, Ferena nodded.

'I see. Is it like a heroic world of sorts?'

Although it took the form of a game, she felt that this too was part of the larger framework of the test.

Just then, the door creaked open again, and someone entered.

He wore a ragged shirt, shorts, and slippers, with a doctor's gown draped over him.

"You're at work now. Teacher Abad."

"Yes, is the patient awake? Celia?"

"Yes."

"Oho?"

Abad approached Ferena's bed with a swagger.

"You're a cute young lady. Miss, do you have a girlfriend?"

Abad stroked his chin and asked with a vaguely sly smile.

Although the smile could be seen as creepy, coupled with his face that evoked involuntary admiration, even that smile felt charming.

"No."

"If you don't, won't you go out with me?"

Abad reached out and touched Ferena's chin with his fingertips, making her look up at him.

"Teacher. Please refrain from rude behavior towards a patient."

"Heh heh, are you jealous? Celia?"

"Of course not."

"Why don't you be honest?"

Abad removed his hand from Ferena, wrapped his arm around Celia's waist, and pulled her close to him.

*Grrr-*

*Roar-*

At that moment, a strange sound came from Celia's mouth, and flames began to flicker from her clenched fist.

"Celia. I'm just following the script. According to the script, I'm a doctor who flirts with women."

"Even so, be reasonable. And we're not together yet. Don't touch me so casually."

At Celia's words, Abad removed his hand.

Then he approached Ferena.

"So, Miss. Leave this ill-tempered nurse alone and play doctor with me?"

"Senior Abad… no, Teacher."

"Why?"

"Behind you."

"Hm?"

Abad turned around.

And seeing Celia holding a chair by the bed with one hand, he said,

"I was just following the script…"

"It's also part of a nurse's job to punish a lecherous doctor who flirts with patients, isn't it?"

Celia smiled sweetly and moved, and Abad opened the window and fled outside.

Celia, dropping the chair, smiled at Ferena.

"Adventurer. How about you go to the Adventurer's Guild in the center of this city? It will surely be helpful."

"Ah, yes. But the hospital bill…?"

"The person who brought you to the hospital has already paid it."

Ferena nodded at the answer.

Then, as she prepared to leave, she said,

"By the way."

"Yes."

"You two really looked like a newlywed couple."

At Ferena's words, Celia said with a blank expression,

"To be clear, it's true that the butterball and I have mutual feelings, but we're not together yet."

Ferena nodded at her words.

"In any case, you should hurry and conquer the shadow world. You're quite behind."

***

A week had passed since the first-year students arrived in Leisar.

Kirin, a beastkin Shadow Lord who ran a gambling house in Leisar, held a pipe in his mouth and deeply inhaled the tobacco smoke.

"Hooop-"

Kirin, awakened by a puff of smoke, exhaled deeply.

"Hooo. So? Is the first-year students' conquest of the shadow world progressing well?"

"It's going smoothly."

Anyas, the successor of the Northern Shadow Lord, said while looking at documents.

"Many excellent children from among our shadow candidates have enrolled this time. I think that's been a great help."

Kirin nodded at Anyas's words.

Then he burst into laughter.

"Surprising."

"What is?"

"I never imagined that shadow candidates would one day become hero candidates."

"The King of Beginnings doesn't distinguish between heroes and shadows."

"Hmm. Recently, I've truly felt his grace."

Kirin nodded.

"Don't you agree? Penson?"

At Kirin's question, the dwarf sitting silently in a corner of the room glanced at Kirin.

A shaggy beard and stern eyes.

Arms filled with small but solid muscles.

He was a typical dwarf, and he clicked his tongue softly.

Looking at him, Kirin wore an annoyed expression.

"What's bothering you again? You, who are always complaining about society."

"I too feel the immeasurable grace bestowed upon us by the King of Beginnings. I am moved by his benevolence."

"But?"

"However, I question whether equating heroes and shadows is correct."

At Penson's words, Anyas's eyes widened, and Kirin scratched his head with a 'Here we go again' look.

"Do you, Penson-nim, believe that heroes and shadows should be distinguished?"

Anyas asked cautiously, and Penson nodded.

"Yes."

"But Lord Leo clearly said that heroes and shadows are the same."

"On that matter, I believe the God of Shadows is mistaken."

"How dare you."

At Penson's words, a chilling killing intent flickered in Anyas's eyes.

An icy magic swirled.

In response to Anyas's reaction, Penson also flashed a fierce smile.

*Roar-!*

Heat surged around him in an instant.

"Although you practically lead the elf shadows, you are still a mere fledgling."

Penson said, looking at Anyas as if to warn him.

"And you weren't taught to distinguish between who to challenge and who not to? It should be basic for a shadow! Or do you think you've become a hero because the God of Shadows says shadows and heroes are the same?"

Penson's taunt only made Anyas's demeanor more ferocious.

To the world, Leo was the chosen hero who opened a new future, the successor of Kai, the Hero of Beginnings.

Therefore, his influence was immense.

However, it was not yet absolute.

There are many races in the world.

Within each race, there are various factions.

As such, various interests are intertwined in the world.

On the surface, it appears that Leo, who became the king of the world after the King of Wisdom, is leading the world.

However, internally, the world is not yet completely unified.

As a hero, the King of Beginnings is still in his infancy.

But for the shadows, Leo is the one who found the Shadow Scriptures and saved the shadows.

And as the successor of Kai, the primordial shadow, he is like a god who understands the shadows.

Therefore, Leo's words were absolute to the shadows.

In such a situation, Penson declared Leo was wrong.

"I offer advice. Blind obedience is not always true loyalty."

Of course, he was not rebelling against Leo.

Penson had never met Leo.

But if Leo commanded, he could go to Tartarus alone.

Kirin knew this as well.

That's why he didn't react as sharply as Anyas.

'Anyas. He looks like he's going to charge in without thinking. What should I do?'

As Kirin tapped his pipe up and down in his mouth, there was a knock.

*Knock- knock-*

With a knock, the door opened, and Chen Siah entered.

"Hello, Lords. Have you been well?"

As Chen Siah entered, Anyas and Penson retracted their power as if nothing had happened.

*Tap-*

Kirin tapped the ash from his pipe into an ashtray and stood up.

"The Princess has arrived. No, should I call you Your Majesty now?"

Inheriting the throne of Shan also meant becoming the Shadow King.

Unlike the politically complex position of Emperor, the position of Shadow King was inherited immediately.

Kirin smiled gently and stood up to guide Chen Siah to the seat of honor.

As Chen Siah sat down, Penson stepped forward with a gentle smile.

"Princess. Seeing you grow so much and inherit the throne of Shadow, I, Penson, am overjoyed."

To the Shadow Lords, the Emperor of Shan was not the emperor of an empire, but the king of shadows.

Of course, the Shadow Lords did not pledge loyalty to the Shadow King.

However, the Shadow King had been supporting all shadows for a long time.

The fact that the Shadow Lords held strong power within their races was all thanks to Shan's support.

Therefore, the Lords treated the King with respect as their leader.

"Congratulations on your ascension to the throne of a hero by having your name inscribed in the Hero Record."

"I worry that the succession might have been too early."

At Chen Siah's words, Penson shook his head.

"Siah-nim is fully qualified."

Not only Penson, but Kirin and Anyas had watched Chen Siah since she was young.

Therefore, they knew her qualifications better than anyone else.

Chen Siah smiled gently at Penson's confident words.

"Thank you for saying so, Penson. By the way, what were you talking about?"

Chen Siah asked with a puzzled expression.

At the question, Kirin sighed and explained the situation.

"Hmm… that's a difficult problem."

Muttering so, Chen Siah clapped her hands.

"Ah, shall we ask Lord Leo?"

Chen Siah said, looking at Penson.

"Your statement, Penson-nim, that shadows are necessary and thus should not be equated with heroes, I also don't think it's wrong. However, I agree with Anyas-nim's words as well. Lord Leo clearly said that heroes and shadows are the same."

At those words, Penson nodded.

"Therefore, I will ask Lord Leo what he thinks about Penson-nim's opinion. Lord Leo will surely give us an answer."

"Would it be alright to bother him with such a trivial matter?"

At Penson's question, Chen Siah smiled brightly.

"Lord Leo would kindly explain it."

***

"So, you're saying there was discord among the Shadow Lords because some want to equate shadows with heroes, and others oppose it?"

"Yes. It seems the opinions are divided not only among the Shadow Lords but also among the shadows they lead, judging by what the Lords said."

"Is it the same within Shan?"

"Yes."

Recalling Ferena, who had previously denied being a hero candidate, Chen Siah said,

"Wouldn't it be best if Lord Leo decided definitively?"

At that question, Leo replied listlessly.

"You said you're an adult now, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Then figure it out yourself."

"What?"

Chen Siah looked slightly flustered.

"You're not a child anymore, so you have to figure it out yourself."

Leo answered indifferently and waved his hand.

"Go now. It's out of character for a low-ranking assassin guild member to meet the city mayor so casually."

"What? But Lord Leo, this is a major issue that could divide the shadows. If the primordial shadow, Lord Leo, would just say it clearly…!"

Seeing Chen Siah speaking in a flustered state, Leo rang the bell on his desk.

"Yes! Mayor's faithful secretary! Iliana is here!"

The door burst open, and Iliana appeared.

She had been promoted from a low-level civil servant to the mayor's secretary.

"The guest is leaving."

"Yes. Come on out."

"Iliana, just a moment."

"Hmph! How dare you interrupt the mayor's duties!"

Iliana, glaring fiercely, dragged Chen Siah out.

It seemed she was very satisfied with her role.

After chasing Chen Siah out, Iliana entered the room with a beaming smile.

"Mayor. Is there anything else you need me to do?"

"…You seem happy?"

"Hmph. With the halo of the section chief behind me, how could I not be happy? I'm practically second-in-command in this city. Second-in-command."

Leo chuckled, looking at Iliana's proud expression.

Then he looked out the window without a word.

Seeing Leo like that, Iliana looked puzzled.

"By the way, Section Chief. What are you thinking about? You keep looking out the window when you're alone."

"Just… remembering old times."

"Was it something bad?"

"Does it show?"

Leo touched his face as if slightly surprised.

Leo was accustomed to hiding his emotions.

Yet, Iliana had sensed Leo's mood.

"Well… your face looks a little scary."

Iliana flinched.

"You've made me worried."

"No, it's fine. If you need anything, call me! I'll help!"

With those words, Iliana left the room.

Left alone, Leo leaned back in his chair.

Looking at the familiar city landscape, an event he didn't want to recall surfaced.

'The Fall of Leisar.'

The horrific memory of countless people being massacred.

And Arion's teacher, his father-like figure.

The incident where Argon lost his life.