Episode 929
by CristaeUnbeknownst to Lee Han, Sharkan was rampaging wildly inside the beast.
When the beast tried to simply refuse the contract and move on, Sharkan’s fury exploded.
Realizing that his ungrateful clone’s will was much stronger than expected, the beast had no choice but to yield.
Otherwise, there was a high chance of yet another embarrassing outburst like before…
The last time, at least, only a couple of mages had witnessed the scene. But if other undead in the realm happened to witness it, the beast’s authority and dignity would suffer greatly.
-Magician. This beast can only be summoned on the longest night of the year… No, I’ll loosen the terms a bit.
“????”
‘Is he mad? I heard he was badly injured.’
Hearing the other change his condition every sentence, Lee Han grew even more bewildered.
According to Professor Mortum, this being had suffered grave wounds, and developing some mania or confusion during recovery wasn’t unthinkable.
For a being of another dimension to suffer such injury, after all…
“Um, senior, doesn’t it seem like that guy’s not all there?”
“I think so, too. We need to be more wary.”
Once Direte agreed, Lee Han was sure.
The being was definitely a little mad!
‘Why are all the entities I contract with so strange?’
Thinking such a thing (which would’ve enraged the other if he knew), Lee Han replied,
“In that case, what’s the condition?”
-Only in battle where destruction and slaughter are guaranteed… No. I’ll loosen the condition a bit more.
‘He might be even crazier than I thought.’
After changing his mind a few more times, the beast finally fixed the condition.
He would accept a summoning, for mana as payment, only when Lee Han faced a foe he could not handle alone.
And the beast roared loudly.
-Cannot you stop, you stupid beast-whelp! However young, you are my clone! How can I abide such humiliating obedience?!
“Pardon?”
-Nothing.
“He really does seem insane. Be very careful when you summon, junior.”
The two mages whispered, observing the beast.
Unaware that the mages were making wicked comments behind the door, the beast exhaled a deep breath of darkness.
If not for his pride, he would have smashed everything then and there, but already-suffered disgrace wouldn’t be erased that way.
He resolved to vent his anger later by tearing apart the other enemies in the undead realm. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to calm down.
-The contract is finished. Now begone. …What, am I supposed to entertain guests who don’t even come in person?
“Were you talking to someone…?”
-Leave!
‘Even grumpier than Perkuntra.’
Lee Han decided it was about time to withdraw.
He’d confirmed Sharkan’s status and gotten the new contract sigil; there was no need to provoke the being further.
Now that Sharkan was reintegrated, he couldn’t be called and used as easily as before. But being stronger now, it was not so bad.
‘Ah, right.’
“May I ask just one other question?”
-What is it?
Surprisingly, the beast replied calmly and didn’t get angry.
He wanted to answer quickly to get rid of them, but Lee Han couldn’t know that.
“Do you happen to know of any undead recently contracted by evil god worshipers? I heard they wield the power of rot and corruption…”
Even as he asked, Lee Han didn’t expect much.
Given the other’s personality, he probably didn’t have many friends in the undead world.
And having just recovered from a catastrophic wound, he probably wasn’t up on current events…
-I know. The thing is called ‘the Profaner.’
“?!!”
“!”
Not only Lee Han, but Direte also gasped.
They’d never guessed the information would come so easily.
“The Profaner?”
-A powerful and vile undead. Recently received offerings and made a pact with magicians. Thanks to that, its minions are now being mobilized…
The beast, as befitting its title of ruler of death and darkness, was adept at stealth and gathering information.
Newly recovered, yet already caught up on major undead realm developments.
This was no ordinary feat.
The Profaner was a powerful undead like the beast, ruling over a certain district of the realm.
Its minions, rotten and corrupted, were infamous for rotting any foe and thoroughly contaminating enemy territory during an expedition.
Direte’s brow furrowed slightly.
She’d wondered just how bad it could be when she heard of rot and corruption, but for them to have already completed a contract with a major undead, and at this rate, even more minions might be summoned.
“This is going to be trickier than I thought. I didn’t know they’d progressed so far.”
“It seems so. If it looks like the Profaner’s minions will be summoned, could you warn me ahead of time?”
-Magician. I shall tear you into ten thousand pieces… Yes, fine, this is truly the last time!
“Oh, thank you!”
Lee Han expressed his gratitude at the other’s sudden change of heart.
Despite the madness, the beast did have a subtly generous side.
Near the end of the weekend, the Blue Dragon Tower second-year lounge was bustling.
“When you go out, buy me this, okay? I’ll pay you double.”
“What am I, your servant? Get lost.”
With club outings opening up, everyone was asking for shopping favors outside.
While upperclassmen had a few methods to obtain goods, second-years lacked such know-how.
Of course, Blue Dragon Tower students were not so quick to oblige.
They were busy buying their own things, and as proud scions of noble families, no amount of silver would convince them—a matter of pride.
“Whatever. I’ll do it.”
“Wardanaz!”
“Double the pay? For real? You’re sure?”
Thanks to this, Lee Han got to corner the market.
As he jotted down numerous requests, he smiled in satisfaction.
‘If only all imperial errands were this easy.’
“…Damn. I could’ve just helped too.”
Seeing Lee Han jot down every request, Ahsan felt guilt.
His friend took every class and still made time for chores, yet he’d refused just because he was ‘busy’ and too proud.
“I’ll help, too, Wardanaz.”
‘You sly bastard!’
Lee Han glared at Ahsan with subtle contempt and resentment.
Suddenly volunteering after refusing just a moment before—it was clear seeing Lee Han profit had changed his mind.
Sure enough, now that they were second-years, his friends were savvier. Even the importance of silver was sinking in for them, it seemed.
“Hurry up! If you don’t finish by tomorrow, you can’t go!”
“I know already!”
In the corner, students frantically brewed magic potions.
Thanks to club activities, they could legitimately skip class (not that it mattered—they could skip even without club activities), but that didn’t mean student chores disappeared.
If they had unfinished or pending work, it had to be done in advance.
That meant Lee Han also had to prep a week’s worth of chores over the weekend.
Animals, plants, the garden, the secret base, any assignments he could handle ahead…
“Yoner, you’re really not going out?”
“……”
When the red-haired friend’s face grew complicated at a casual question, Lee Han hesitated.
“You don’t have to. I just wondered.”
“It’s just…”
The theater club, especially hated by the headmaster, was under special surveillance.
Just hearing what Lee Han had heard about it was enough to make him reconsider joining.
Not that he didn’t already have too many clubs.
Still, Einrogard students were always bold and reckless.
Even among the theater club, there were already whispers of sneaking out to buy what they need.
‘Naturally.’
Lee Han nodded.
People always struggle for freedom. Students breaking out once they’ve gotten outside is inevitable.
“…Won’t it be hard?”
Yoner was pessimistic.
Being realistic, he was more aware than anyone of the dangers involved.
If a dragon waits below with its jaws wide, why jump down?
“But Meikin, we won’t get another chance to stock up this term if we don’t.”
Adenart quietly slipped in, surprising Lee Han.
‘Wait. The imperial princess is in theater club too?’
“That’s right, Meikin. The odds are worth it. Caught or not, 50-50.”
‘Even Ahsan!?’
Lee Han was shocked to discover how many Blue Dragon Tower students were in the theater club.
‘These guys… Joining the laziest club instead of a hard one.’
It was only natural for them not to join as many tough clubs as Lee Han was forced to, but still, he couldn’t help but feel a little resentful.
Instead of criticizing Ahsan’s phony calculation, Lee Han just nodded.
“Ash’s reasoning is persuasive. Either you get caught or you don’t. 50-50.”
“……”
Gainando stared at Lee Han in disbelief from behind.
If it had been him saying that, Lee Han would have exploded in anger!
“Wardanaz, what do you think?”
“You’re the expert here. You judge, Wardanaz.”
“Not sure what you mean by ‘expert’… but I believe in you guys.”
Lee Han looked at his friends with sincere encouragement.
Adenart and Ahsan weren’t the type to jump into a doomed plan like Gainando, so if they spoke up, they must have something prepared.
And even if caught—it would still be a valuable experience.
“Yoner, believe in your friends, too.”
“You’re not saying this just so you can escape with us, right?”
“What are you talking about!”
‘Hmm. Maybe Yoner wasn’t completely wrong.’
Before dawn, on his way to meet Senior Sevius, Lee Han pondered.
The Teleportation Club was the first to depart due to the nature of their mission, and their muster time was the earliest.
‘If I was going, I might have been more cautious.’
If Lee Han had actually been part of the theater club, he might have been more careful with escape plans.
Still, Lee Han had a defense.
Is it wrong to trust his friends’ abilities?
He might begrudge the theater club a little, or not care if its members landed in punishment, but he hadn’t encouraged his friends without reason.
‘No one has the right to block the struggle for freedom.’
“You’re here.”
“Yes, senior. When do we depart?”
“In thirty minutes. By the way—one more job’s been added.”
“Is it Professor Verdus again?”
Lee Han replied flatly, as if he already knew the answer.
Who else would add a sudden new retrieval request?
“No. Not a professor this time.”
“??”
“The theater club president gave us gold to help with a breakout en route.”
“……”
Lee Han was deeply ashamed.
Even after learning -Fall-, he had yet to master the ways of virtue!