Chapter 55

Chapter 55

HEL SCANS

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The enthusiasm of the children who checked the details from the connector began to boil.

[Extreme / 1st Dungeon Expedition Practice]

Hello, I’m Pia Joyce, the assistant of ‘Extreme.’

Welcome to those participating in the 1st Dungeon Expedition Practice.

This guide has been written to provide you with important rules and information about the practice. Please read the following contents carefully.

1. Practice Schedule

Practice Date: [Imperial Year 297, April 21]

Practice Time: [06:00 – To be determined]

Practice Location: [Rosenstark Dungeon Area, Separate dungeon for practice in production]

2. Practice Objectives

This practice is planned to cultivate adaptability in a battlefield with many variables.

You will lay the foundation to successfully conquer various environments of dungeons that you may encounter in the future.

3. Practice Contents

The enemies you need to be careful of in the dungeon are not only monsters.

Therefore, the 1st Dungeon Expedition Practice includes not only battles against monsters but also human warfare and responses to mechanical facilities.

You will be divided into groups, experiencing cooperation and division of labour, competition and interference operations, and acquiring the correct dungeon strategies.

4. Evaluation and Grades

The method of practice evaluation and grade calculation is entirely based on the judgement of Professor Ted Redymer.

Details related to scoring will be announced before and after the practice.

5. Other Guidelines

Special rewards will be given to individuals and groups who demonstrate excellent teamwork, outstanding skills, etc., at the discretion of Professor Ted Redymer.

We ask for your active participation in the practice.

If there are additional guidelines, the assistant, who is in charge, will provide them.

* * *

“Well, how are the reactions?”

“Overall, very positive. The training intensity has increased by about three times compared to last week.”

Nyhill, who was casually sitting on the sofa and nibbling on pastries, replied.

I don’t know how she can pronounce so accurately and cheekily even with a pastry in her mouth.

Sip.

The report continued even smoother.

“It seems that the condition ‘fighting against each other while interfering with each other is possible’ had a significant impact.”

I nodded my head.

It was exactly what I intended.

The children of ‘Extreme’ are conscious of each other as rivals.

A group formed by the most elite among the carefully selected newcomers.

Demonstrating prowess here is equivalent to certifying oneself as the top talent on the continent.

Moreover, each ranking is likely to be directly linked to the favor of the ‘Hero.’

“This will inevitably intensify the competitive spirit, throwing this number of elites into the mix. Legal opportunities for clashes have arisen. It’s not just a superficial sparring, but a real battle during the practice. Many children will be willing... and for some, it will be a strong stimulus. Since we properly stirred up the external situation this time.”

Ban, Evergreen, and Luke.

These three demonstrated outstanding performances in the exhibition attack incident.

They showcased their excellence even in external situations.

For other children, it’s inevitable that they would feel impatient.

It was a good phenomenon.

Competition typically concludes with growth and development.

If talents that vie for the top are brought together, it is natural to expect excellent results.

“Everyone’s skills have improved a lot compared to the beginning of the semester.”

The situation flowing as calculated was quite satisfying.

I asked Nyhill about the next agenda.

“By the way, have the investigation results for the Escort Convoy Attack come out?”

The news of the complete annihilation of the escort convoy was urgently conveyed last night.

Knowing the scale of the escort convoy, it was difficult to believe such unbelievable news.

To unilaterally annihilate armed forces of that magnitude and escape.

Moreover, they completely removed the bodies and traces, making the investigation difficult.

“For now, it has been confirmed that the Demonic Church is related to the prison break incident.”

“Is there any evidence?”

“Several reports followed, claiming to have witnessed a giant flying-type monster nearby. Above all, the only thing left at the scene was the head of ‘Desmond Lusser”

“...”

A giant flying-type monster.

It was a troubling matter.

“In other words, they came flying on a flying-type monster from Stagnum to the West to carry out this incident. Thanks to the monster, such an absurd movement was possible.”

“As far as we have speculated so far, that seems to be the case.”

“They wield strange abilities, befitting the Demonic Church.”

I was convinced that this incident was related to the Demonic Church.

Throughout history, there was no case where humans tamed monsters.

The power to wield them was exclusively that of demons.

There were cases of bipeds taming ancient races (such as the Frost Dragons tamed by the Frost Dragon Tribe), but it was only a very small portion.

“...After all, the Demonic Church is closer to those who are more similar to demons than humans.”

Both their bodies and minds were more similar to ‘ma’ (demon).

They were so crazy that they inserted an artificial core into their bodies.

Unlike the traitors, who had different natures, they didn’t care about things like glory or wealth.

They only prioritized the advent of the demon king and acted accordingly.

Naturally, they were quite useful tools for demons.

So, they often bestowed various powers or forces, causing confusion in the human world.

This time, the probability of such a case was high.

‘Monster taming...’

Nyhill nodded slightly.

“Have you seen the training content for this week?”

“I have. You don’t want to be a nuisance in group activities, is that it?”

“Yeah, exactly that.”

If he didn’t handle this properly and performed poorly, he might seriously consider dropping out.

So, with the determination to catch at straws, Ban sought out Luke.

As expected, he was facing a not-so-enthusiastic expression.

‘Of course, it must be annoying.’

Ban clenched his fist.

He gathered the courage to confront the awkwardness.

There was no point in backing off now; it would only lead to more regrets.

“I’ll do anything, whatever it is. If there’s a way, I can help. Can you tell me how?”

“....”

Annoying tasks were the worst.

Luke didn’t seem eager to help at all.

However, Ban had already mustered the courage to face the embarrassment.

He knew that backing down now would only bring more regret.

Luke, dressed in his training attire, looked Ban up and down.

‘Hmm....’

Luke was already aware that Ban had a well-trained body.

However, seeing him in the close-fitting training attire was a different experience.

The smooth face and the slightly intimidating physique presented a striking contrast.

The long arms were filled with muscles, and the shoulders spread wide.

Even his back was well-developed, long, and thick, extending evenly from top to bottom.

The pillar-like lower body was equally impressive.

In addition, his height was considerable.

Ban was the only colleague whose eye level wasn’t lower than his.

‘...Innate talent, coupled with intense training.’

Having gone through a similar process, Luke knew how challenging it was to develop such a functional body.

Perhaps even more exceptional than that nameless orphan from the battlefield, Ban, having descended from superior lineage, knew how to appreciate the full potential of his physique.

‘The problem lies in the mental aspect...’

Luke recalled the moment when Ban fainted during the anatomy practical, dropping his sword.

He could easily discern that the unconsciousness wasn’t due to a simple condition or nervousness.

And during the raid at the fair, he became certain of it.

‘What happened to you, Young Master Dietrich?’

Luke was well aware of the fragility of the human mind, perhaps better than anyone else.

The indomitable spirit that never yields to adversity?

Such a thing is rare in reality.

Having witnessed seemingly robust warriors crumble unexpectedly, he knew that the unwavering mental strength was a rarity.

Sighs and sobs from the extinguished mercenary tents were a familiar sound, and the next day on the battlefield, those who turned their backs were inevitable.

The axes of the Executioner’s was often soaked in the blood of such individuals.

‘Damn it...’

A not-so-pleasant memory from a few weeks ago surfaced, and Luke’s face twisted momentarily.

“Weak trash, born losers from the start.”

“You’re a different breed. I guarantee it.”

“The sight of you, who should be my successor, giving your heart to those beggars one by one... This father finds it extremely distasteful.”

It was some time ago.

The Mercenary King had spoken those words, full of disdain, mockery, contempt and scorn.

Handing the hilt of a knife to his less nimble hands.

‘....’

Luke looked at Ban’s face, now a mixture of desperation, and opened his mouth.

“Money.”

“What?”

“If you want to hire a mercenary, you should at least offer a reward, right?”

How can he be so clueless about the basics?

As Luke grumbled, Ban’s expression brightened dramatically.

“Tell me as much as you need! I’ll give you as much as you want! I’ve saved up a lot of pocket money because I have nothing else to spend it on.”

“Is that so? Then let’s start with a trial free trial and see how it goes.”

“Huh? A free trial?”

“I need to estimate how much trouble I’ll be in.”

As Luke finished speaking, his large hand grabbed the handle of the Pike.

“By the way, I don’t know any other methods.”

Click—

The chain tightened, and the Pike began to spin around rapidly.

Boom—!

It was Luke’s cherished weapon, repaired.

A large weapon that seemed capable of causing more than just a couple of broken bones if it hit.

Ban’s face paled.

“By the way, physical pain is a great way to solve a lot of things.”

“W-who said that? I’ve never heard that before.”

“I did!”

Boom—!

Ban dodged, narrowly avoiding the pike’s impact on Adam’s apple.

The centrifugal force of the spinning club changed direction before he could even get up, rushing back at him.

“Ugh, ugh!”

It was the beginning of special training.

HEL SCANS

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