Deep within Seoul Awakener University, hidden behind layers of protective formations, lay a secluded garden filled with rare mana-infused trees and spiritual herbs. The air was thick with the fragrance of blooming flowers that glowed faintly under the artificial moonlight.
In the middle of this garden, Headmaster Elias Voss sat in his wheelchair, carefully watering a cluster of rare Moonveil Orchids. Despite his aged appearance and frail body, his movements were steady and precise.
Standing behind him with his hands clasped behind his back was Vice Principal Darius Grimwald. His expression was grim as he continued his report.
"…While the Proven group is adapting reasonably well, the Apex group is gaining experience at an unprecedented rate, Headmaster. According to our calculations, those who survive until the end should be able to reach E-rank without much difficulty if they complete their class advancement quests."
Elias didn't respond immediately. He continued watering the orchids with calm, deliberate movements, as if the heavy report didn't concern him in the slightest.
Darius continued.
"However, there is still the matter of Lucas Vanderbilt. We still haven't been able to identify the anomaly surrounding him. His signal keeps cutting off at irregular intervals, and our observation arrays are unable to maintain a stable connection."
Elias finally stopped watering. He placed the can down gently on the small table beside him and rested his aged hands on his lap. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke in a hoarse but steady voice.
"Three hundred dead in five hours…" he murmured. "And we still couldn't figure out the anomaly with Lucas Vanderbilt."
He slowly turned his wheelchair to face Darius. His cloudy eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tell me, Grimwald. Do you believe this is still within acceptable limits… or have we already crossed the line we swore we wouldn't?"
Darius hesitated for a moment before answering.
"We already knew what would happen, Headmaster," he said quietly. "With the threat looming over our planet, we need warriors who can stand against what's coming. This batch — especially the two Vanderbilt brothers — are the most promising we've seen in years. If anyone can change our fate, it will be them."
Elias remained silent for a long while, gently tapping his fingers on the armrest of his wheelchair. The only sound in the garden was the soft rustling of the spiritual herbs.
Finally, he spoke again, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable weight.
"Continue monitoring. Do not interfere unless absolutely necessary."
He turned his wheelchair back toward the flowers.
Darius bowed his head slightly.
"Understood."
Without another word, he turned and left the garden.
Outside the garden, Professor Mathew Stunt stood waiting. His usual clumsy and absent-minded behavior was completely absent. His back was straight, and his expression was serious as he adjusted his glasses with slightly trembling fingers.
The moment Darius stepped out, Mathew took a small step forward and spoke in a low, cautious voice.
"…Did he suspect anything?"
Darius stopped and glanced back at the garden entrance before answering.
"So far, nothing. But if he ever catches even a scent of what we're doing…" Darius's eyes turned cold. " Our bodies will be used as fertilizers in his garden".
Mathew's expression grew visibly tenser. He adjusted his glasses again.
"…I see," he muttered. After a short pause, he continued in a more professional tone. "Regarding the broadcast issue with Lucas Vanderbilt — there's nothing wrong with the tokens themselves. Every other student's actions are being transmitted without problems. However, something is actively interfering with Lucas's signal. I've tried reconfiguring the observation arrays multiple times, but I still can't establish a stable connection."
Darius's eyes flashed with a calculating glint. He took one step closer to Mathew, his voice dropping lower.
"We've already fulfilled our end of the agreement with the Awakened Association. Whatever happens with Lucas Vanderbilt from this point onward is no longer our concern. So keep your mouth shut and focus on your work. If any information leaks because of your carelessness…" Darius's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You know exactly what will happen."
Mathew swallowed nervously and gave a stiff nod.
"…Understood. I'll continue monitoring and report any new developments directly to you."
Darius stared at him for a few seconds before turning away. As he walked down the stone path, his thoughts drifted toward the young man currently fighting inside Pandemonium.
It's a pity… Born to the wrong woman, carrying a name that was never truly yours. The moment you awakened that Mythic class, your fate was already decided. They were never going to let you grow — not when your existence alone threatens to drag their buried shame back into the light.
He glanced briefly toward the distant auditorium.
I chose Alex because he was the safer option—the one they could control. But you… You were always going to be a problem.
He let out a quiet breath.
***
Deep inside the ruined nest, Liora lay paralyzed on the cold, webbed ground. Only her eyes could move, and they remained fixed on the brutal scene unfolding before her.
The smaller spiders that had been attacking them earlier were now keeping their distance, shivering at the edges of the chamber. At first, she thought the E-rank spider had ordered them to stay back. But that didn't make sense — the boss was clearly losing.
Lucas was not overwhelming the spider with superior skills or secret arts. He was simply relentless.
His torso was bleeding from several deep gashes, and patches of his skin were burned black from acid. Yet the hunger in his eyes only grew deeper with every exchange. Liora recognized that look.
Because she had seen it in herself before.
She had been born a commoner with no noble blood or powerful backing. From a young age, she had been looked down upon and underestimated. That burning desire to prove herself had shaped her entire existence. And now, as she watched Lucas fight with that same crazed intensity, she understood.
He was wearing a mask, just like she did.
Behind his cold smiles and casual demeanor was the same desperate, almost feral hunger to rise above others—the same refusal to accept that the world had already decided his place.
Liora's eyes slowly shifted toward Riven, who was lying a short distance away, barely clinging to life as blood continued to pour from the wound in her waist. A sad, bitter smile formed on Liora's lips.
Our greed blinded us, Riven…
Her gaze then moved to Darius's corpse. Even though they had only known each other for a short time, they had trusted one another inside this nightmare. Seeing him dead now made her stomach clench painfully.
…Darius.
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, though she couldn't lift her hand to wipe them away.
The battle was nearing its end.
The E-rank spider was in a pitiful state. All eight of its legs had been severed, leaving behind twitching stumps that leaked green blood. Its massive body was covered in deep cuts and burn marks.
Lucas stood in front of it, breathing heavily. His torso was bleeding from multiple wounds, and the acid burns on his side continued to sizzle. He raised Voidreaver one final time.
With a cold expression, he drove the greatsword straight down, piercing directly through the spider's head. The blade sank deep into its skull with a wet, crunching sound. The spider let out one last, weak screech before its body convulsed and went completely still.
Level Up! Level Up!
Level 52→ Level 58 (+6)
Lucas pulled his sword out slowly. Green blood and brain matter clung to the blade as he stepped back. He clutched the side of his stomach where the acid had burned through his flesh and let out a pained hiss.
"What a tough bastard…" he muttered.
His gaze shifted toward the glowing purple crystal embedded in the ruined wall behind the spider's corpse. Even in death, the spider had tried to protect it until the very end.
Lucas clicked his tongue.
"I wonder what that crystal is… that you threw your life away for."
He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a high-grade healing potion. Without hesitation, he uncorked it and drank it in one go. A wave of warmth spread through his body as the potion began working. His bleeding slowed, and the worst of the pain dulled slightly.
"Imp," Lucas said quietly while staring at the crystal. "Keep an eye on them. Don't let either of them die yet."
From within the shadows, the Imp's small voice responded.
"Understood, Master."
Lucas walked toward the crystal. Thick layers of spider webs covered it, but he didn't bother removing them carefully. He simply swung Voidreaver and cut through the webs in one clean motion. The crystal fell forward, and he caught it with one hand.
It was larger than his palm — a deep purplish crystal with a strange, viscous liquid swirling slowly inside it, like living blood. It pulsed faintly with mana, giving off an eerie and ancient feeling.
The moment he held it, the silver bracelet on his wrist lit up. A small holographic window appeared in front of him.
[Analysis Complete]
Item: Arachne's Heart Crystal
Grade: Rare (Extremely Scarce)
Type: Mutation Resource
Description: A crystallized core formed from the concentrated essence of ancient Arachne beings. When used on a compatible living being, it has a high chance of triggering a permanent racial mutation, transforming the target into an Arachne — a spider-humanoid race known for their exceptional poison resistance, web manipulation, enhanced agility, and powerful innate abilities.
Warning: The mutation process is extremely painful and carries a risk of failure or loss of sanity. Success rate varies greatly depending on the target's physical and mental strength. Once the mutation begins, it cannot be reversed.
Lucas stared at the information, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.
"…Arachne, huh."
A small, cold smile slowly formed on his lips as he looked down at the glowing crystal in his hand.
***
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