[Vol. 7] Chapter 185: Chaos in Morst
This situation made the academy gradually realize that this was no coincidence. The enemy likely came with the specific purpose of disrupting and interfering with the competition.
To minimize the impact, the academy adjusted its strategy, increasing manpower and security while also temporarily keeping the participating teams in the [Morst Underground Labyrinth] unaware of the situation.
After all, the monsters in [Morst] couldn’t leave the underground labyrinth. As long as the teams could hold out until the competition ended and safely evacuate, whatever the enemy intended to do with these monsters wouldn’t matter.
This was the mainstream opinion within the [Twilight Council], but it seemed that a certain vampire princess, who was also the academy head, did not agree.
“When will Lucine arrive?”
“Uh… I’m not too sure about that. But I heard she left the academy a while ago, so she’s probably somewhere in the labyrinth already. That headmaster is like a ghost, appearing and disappearing at will. No one really knows what she’s planning…”
“Hmm...”
With Lucine here, things would be more secure. That meant there was room to take some risks.
Having made up her mind, the priestess smiled slyly, stood on her tiptoes, and patted Ismael’s shoulder. The mischievous glint in her eyes sent a shiver down the man's spine.
“W-What? I have my own tasks to handle, you know! I can’t go along with whatever crazy plan you’re cooking up!”
“Oh, don’t be so nervous~ I just need you to keep an eye on Light and the others. Just in case. I have a feeling the enemy won’t give up so easily. It’s the last day, they’ll definitely make a big move.”
“Huh? That’s part of my job anyway… But from what you're saying, does that mean you’re leaving to do something else? What about Princess Carinvega’s team? They’re one of the groups that absolutely can’t afford to have anything happen to them…”
The priestess simply smiled and nodded.
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. The Austre Empire would never allow anything bad to happen to such an important princess. Besides, Her Highness is quite capable, probably even if the enemy leader personally showed up, she could handle it just fine.”
“Uh… but isn’t Princess Carinvega just an ordinary person? Well… if you say so…”
Even though he still seemed a bit doubtful, Ismael knew there was no way he could truly change Violet’s decision. He could only sigh and nod.
“Alright… but at a time like this… what exactly does Miss Violet plan to do?”
The girl grinned playfully.
“What kind of question is that? I’m a priest, so of course, I’ll be healing~”
………………………………………………
“Boom!!!”
With a single punch, the dragon girl punched the monster fighting her into the rock wall. It made a big hole. The monster stopped moving and died.
As the beast twitched and died, she felt the faint energy transmitted through the point of contact. Having just finished the battle, the young dragon girl exhaled slowly, withdrew her fair, pink fist from the rock pit, untouched by any blood, and turned to look behind her.
A sky-level rock lizard beast was easily dealt with by her alone. As for the smaller lizards under its command, whether for efficiency or combat difficulty, they naturally had to be handled by the other team members. After these days of teamwork, everyone had developed a good understanding and cooperation.
The monsters they had just fought were right at the upper limit of what they could handle without getting injured. If it had been just Xiao Guang alone, it would have taken quite a bit of effort.
“Phew, finally done! I was about to run out of magic power… The monsters in the Cavern Zone really aren’t easy to deal with. Good thing I’m just that skilled!”
With a powerful kick, Qiqi, the deer girl, sent the last Rock Lizard flying. The moment it hit the air, it froze solid and shattered into icy fragments before touching the ground. Exhausted, she let out a long sigh and pulled out a Source Crystal, absorbing its energy on the spot. Unlike other races that could quickly absorb magic from the air, her kind had to rely on these crystals for replenishment.
In the wide, empty cavern, the rest of the team soon finished their battles as well. After skillfully extracting the Source Crystals from their defeated foes, they naturally gathered together to rest.
“Today’s the last day, huh? I wonder how our team ranks right now. We really gave it our all this week… I hope we end up with a good score.”
Hearing this, Yogg pounded his rocky chest and let out a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha! Not every team gets special training from Lady Violet or gets to be led by Sister Light! I’d say we’re at least top five level!”
The purple-haired bat-winged girl, who had been on night watch with him, immediately shot back.
“Seriously, you dumb rock? That’s all the ambition you have? We’re the representative team of Sainz! As the host team, we should be aiming for the top three, or even first place! You think Lady Violet trained us just to settle for top five?”
As if recalling something, Qionghua, the astrologer, hesitantly added in a soft voice.
“B-But… we missed out on most of the hidden points. Otherwise, we might have had a real chance at first place…”
“Exactly! I mean, I get losing some of the points, but the race in the Jungle Zone was crazy! We charged straight through a [Magic-Devouring Ant Swarm], and someone still managed to beat us? That’s just ridiculous!”
While her teammates chattered away, the young dragon girl didn’t join in. Instead, she sat cross-legged next to Lenka, observing the dragonkin girl’s uneasy expression. Lenka looked like she was searching for something, her face full of concern. Raising an eyebrow, Xiao Guang asked.
“What’s wrong? You’re hearing that sound again?”
“Yeah… She’s crying… She’s in pain. I… I still can’t hear clearly, but it feels like a call for help. Sister Light, should we…?”
Lenka hesitated, hope flickering in her eyes, but the blonde loli shook her head without hesitation.
“We can’t get inside. Even if I break the seal, it won’t work. Maybe one day we’ll go to the deepest part… but not today.”
“Sister Light, are you saying… that voice is coming from the very bottom of the labyrinth?”
“......”
Xiao Guang didn’t answer. Instead, she raised a hand behind her, and the Source Crystal from the Rock Lizard she had just killed floated into her palm. Rather than sending it back to the academy for points, she temporarily stored this high-level source crystal in her small space. Her golden, vertical pupils slowly turned towards the darkness of the rugged cave ahead, as if an invisible golden flame had ignited.
“Everyone, stop hunting. Forget the competition, recover your strength, and get ready. Their stench is getting stronger. What’s coming next… will be the most dangerous battle we’ve faced yet. Don’t die.”