Book 1 Chapter 968

The test, led by the students, was interrupted.

However, there were no major problems.

Rather, they were able to gain something greater than the results of the prepared test.

"After all, the biggest purpose of this test was to narrow the distance between the hero candidates and the shadow candidates."

Kal said, reading the reports submitted by the first-years.

"Doesn't it seem like decent data was extracted, more than expected? At this rate, a new party lineup might emerge?"

Chloe nodded at Kal's question.

"Yes. It was impressive how the first-years from the shadows increased the party's stability."

Shadows have two main missions.

The first is to eliminate traitors.

The second is to protect heroes from traitors.

While the mission of eliminating traitors is so impactful that it relatively overshadows the other, the mission of protecting heroes is also a specialized field for shadows.

And the presence of the first-years from the shadows shone brightly this time.

Miraculously, no one died in this mission.

Even with great heroes and heroes of creation in their own ranks, it was a miracle.

One of the reasons it was possible was the presence of the first-years from the shadows.

Of course, if the first-years from the shadows were pure shadows, such a noticeable effect would not have occurred.

"It seems it was more effective because they studied heroes as hero candidates, right?"

"I suppose so."

Chen Xia nodded at Chloe's question.

Shadows have protected the backs of heroes since before.

However, there has never been a case where their abilities enhanced each other like this.

It was a result that could only come from understanding heroes by studying them as hero candidates before being a shadow.

"I'm in the third year, and there are a few shadows in the second year as well, but I didn't expect such noticeable efficiency."

Chloe replied to Chen Xia's surprised mumbling.

"The situation was limited. But this time, there were many shadow candidates, and they were from various species."

Chloe smiled.

"It's a possibility that could only be discovered now that the era of dividing heroes and shadows has ended."

"That's right."

What heroes can do and what shadows can do are ultimately divided.

That means the paths to choose must also be divided according to aptitude.

However, among those who walk the path of shadows, there are those who dream of being heroes.

Like Chen Xia, who possesses both the qualities of a shadow and a hero.

But…

'After all, there was no need to divide them.'

As the hidden history of shadows was revealed, there was confusion among the shadows.

Those who tried to move towards the light, saying they were no different from heroes.

Those who remained in the darkness according to their beliefs.

Among them, some quietly decided their own path, while others passionately argued that their path was right.

"In the end, there was no right answer."

The path each person chooses is ultimately the right answer.

It's the same for Chen Xia.

She inscribed her name in the Hero Record she dreamed of and obtained the title of Hero.

This was something Chen Xia had admired and dreamed of since childhood.

A hero who lives in brilliant light and gives hope to many people.

However, Chen Xia had no intention of living in the light right now, even if she might in the future.

'Because Lord Leo is here.'

The person who brought light to her.

Until the moment that person lays down his burden.

No, perhaps she might have to live in the shadow of that person her whole life.

Would she regret it if such a moment came?

'No. It's the path I chose.'

What she believed to be right.

She just had to move forward with that as her conviction.

It is extremely natural, but surprisingly difficult to realize.

Chen Xia had a look of relief.

This event will be a great transformation for both heroes and shadows.

And this transformation will surely bring about positive change.

'No. I have to make it so.'

As the new Emperor of Shan.

As the next generation's King of Shadows.

'I have something to do.'

Chen Xia lightly tapped her feet and hummed a tune.

It wasn't an easy task, but for some reason, she was happy to have something to do.

At that moment.

Noisy sounds were heard from outside.

The first-years, full of excitement, were talking about what had happened this time.

"Ugh… I'm jealous. It's almost over, can't we do it later?"

Chloe smiled at Kal's question.

"No."

"No! I only came in the middle! Why do I have to finish it?"

"That's because you're the official slave of the student council, Kal, until the day you graduate."

The tent door opened, and Elena entered.

Plates of food floated around Elena.

"Eat while you do it."

Kal said, looking at Elena, who smiled and put the food down.

"Senior Elena. Aren't you working?"

"I'm graduating soon, aren't I? I need to hand over my duties. And we have an excellent candidate for vice president here."

Elena went behind Chloe and placed her hand on her shoulder.

"With such a capable junior, I, as a senior, am truly relieved."

"So, you're not handing it over to Lily?"

"Well, I'm fine even if Lily becomes the vice president."

Kal looked surprised at Elena's shrug.

"Of course, if Lily becomes vice president, you'll have more trouble, Kal."

"I have supported Chloe from the beginning."

Kal said firmly.

Chloe, who had been listening to their conversation, asked,

"But Senior Elena, why is Xia helping us here?"

Currently, Chen Xia, Chloe, and Kal were working on reports to submit to the professors after conquering the hero world.

Based on the reports written by the Lumern first-years after the conquest, the workload was substantial.

Originally, this would be a task for the student council president and the vice president.

Kal is the acting student council president.

Chloe is the candidate for the next vice president, so she is filling in for Elena.

But Chen Xia is not.

"Could it be that Xia is also a candidate for vice president?"

Elena smiled at Chloe's question.

"Xia is the student council president's secretary."

"What?"

"Originally, the vice president also serves as the student council president's secretary. But our student council president is so busy with external affairs, isn't she? Even now."

Elena, mentioning Leo, who was currently absent, went behind Chen Xia.

"So, I decided to make Xia the student council president's secretary. You two should support Leo well."

"Isn't there also an intention not to entrust a fish to a single cat?"

"Yes. So, keep each other in check."

***

"I'm sorry, Aeran. You must want to rest."

"No! Of course, I have to help Lord Leo!"

Currently, Leo and Aeran were walking in the desert.

Luna and Ar, and Dryana, were unable to accompany them due to their student council duties at their respective schools.

Azonia and Demian followed behind the two.

"Did you two fight again?"

Leo asked, seeing the tense atmosphere between the two. Azonia scoffed.

"Because of this guy, I couldn't even say goodbye to Ar."

"You would have bothered her while pretending to say goodbye anyway."

"Then you. You hit Dryana on the head."

"That's because that brat told me to be a nude model before I left."

"Why are you being so sensitive? You could have just posed once."

"Do you want to die?"

Leo clicked his tongue, watching the two speaking fiercely to each other.

Aeran hesitated, looking at the two, then at Leo.

"Um, Lord Leo. Could you… ear…?"

"Why?"

Leo lowered his head, and Aeran whispered in his ear.

Leo made a strange expression and looked at Azonia.

"Azonia."

"Yes."

"Is it a lie that you like men?"

"Gasp! L-Lord Leo!"

Aeran was startled.

Azonia looked at Aeran with a sullen face and strode towards him.

"You! I told you not to say that!"

"I, I just wanted you two to get along…"

Aeran hid behind Leo and said hastily.

"Why did you tell such a strange lie?"

Leo asked with an incredulous expression. Azonia made a sullen face.

"I wanted you to be a little jealous."

"He doesn't seem to feel that way much."

"That's why. I got more competitive later and did it even more."

Azonia glared at Demian.

"Making up lies about trivial things."

Demian looked dumbfounded.

Leo looked at Demian and said,

"So? What do you think of Azonia? It doesn't seem like a lie."

"I have no intention of making a lover right now."

Azonia clicked his tongue.

"However, if Erebus completely disappears, I will have to think about the future."

"Huh? Does that mean you're thinking positively about me?"

Azonia's tail wagged.

"Yes. Releasing you into the world would be more harmful than keeping you. I've been dealing with Erebus for thousands of years, so why can't I keep you?"

"You bastard!"

Azonia grabbed Demian by the collar and shook him violently.

Leo chuckled, watching them.

"Then, are you two planning to get married after defeating Erebus?"

"If this guy is happy with it. Such a future doesn't seem bad."

Demian said indifferently.

"Quietly pursue art… I think I'll try it a little. I thought that would also be a way to follow Dweno-nim's will this time."

Leo chuckled, watching him.

"It's good that you've changed a little."

Azonia is moving forward without being bound by the past.

Demian is pursuing his other possibilities.

Leo also had a time when he was bound by the past and couldn't move forward, and didn't believe in his own potential.

Recalling that time, Leo muttered,

"We've arrived."

Melina, guarding the Hero Dungeon in the distance, was visible.

"Just a little more effort."

At Leo's words, Azonia thumped his chest.

"Don't worry. We got rewards from conquering Arion's world."

In the Hero World, not all conquerors receive rewards.

Rewards are given to those in higher rankings based on their contribution.

Three people received conquest rewards this time: Leo, Azonia, and Demian.

The conquest reward Leo received was of little significance.

He was already using Arion's power.

'The power from that era is redundant for me.'

Demian received one of Arion's swords and had already given it to Azonia.

And Azonia received Arion's aura.

In practice, Azonia was the one who benefited the most from this conquest.

Leo's party approached the Hero Dungeon.

"Welcome."

Melina bowed politely.

"Are there any unusual situations?"

"No. There are no signs of Erebus trying to emerge."

At that, Leo frowned.

"Melina and Aeran, wait outside first."

The two nodded at his words.

Leo, Azonia, and Demian entered the Hero Dungeon.

A moment later.

As soon as they entered the Hero Dungeon, the first thing Leo saw was a huge hole.

A hole so vast it couldn't be compared to the worlds of Seirun and Lumern.

Seeing it, Azonia made a bewildered expression.

"At this size, it should be able to cross over, so why is it so quiet?"

"Let's conquer it first."

The three quickly conquered the world of creation.

With Azonia and Demian, the world's owners, present, the conquest was completed in an instant.

As the conquest was completed, the world began to collapse.

Even then, there were no signs from the passage.

"Lord Leo. It was an honor to fight together."

Demian said politely, and Azonia added,

"We'll fight again anyway, right? See you next time."

Leo nodded at their words.

After the two disappeared.

Leo frowned, looking at the passage that still existed even as the world collapsed.

'Did we not find the passage?'

As Leo felt this doubt.

Flash-

A giant crimson eye from beyond the passage spotted Leo.

'Erebus…!'

Seeing it, Leo gripped his sword.

However, Erebus, sealed in the world of creation, didn't take any particular action.

He just stared at Leo for a moment and then disappeared.

Leo's face hardened as he saw it.

'That bastard… did he deliberately not come out?'