For humanity, monsters are a grave affliction.

The number of lives claimed by monsters during the chaos was uncountable, and even now, many are still being sacrificed to these creatures.

Despite claims that we’ve moved past the chaotic era or that an age of peace has dawned, the fact remains unchanged: monsters are dangerous.

If a fourth-tier monster were to appear within the heartland, the devastation would be immense, let alone overcoming it.

Lately, there’s been an increase in those deluded by false security.

The risk posed by monsters persists. Not only high-tier ones like the fourth or third tier, but even the more commonly seen low-tier monsters pose a threat.

The danger of dungeons, which scatter these monsters, goes without saying.

A mere pup can boast dominance within its home, but to elaborate on a monster backed by a dungeon would be a tiresome feat.

Monsters, and the dungeons that harbor them, are perilous.

Deaths within dungeons are a common occurrence.

‘……’

Atra gently stroked her tight face, lowering her gaze.

In the momentary silence.

She noticed Lee Hayul shrinking into himself, mistakenly thinking he had done something wrong.

Despite no fault of his own, his deflated demeanor, overly cautious and pitiable, was reminiscent of a puppy caught in the rain, awaiting its owner’s reaction.

She opened her mouth to correct his misunderstanding, but no words came out. She simply could not bring herself to say anything.

This profession, linked inextricably with monsters and manipulated by the association for decades, is always fraught with danger. Heroes have an uncertain fate, never knowing when their end might come.

Those who boasted of their skills one day could vanish without trace the next.

This is especially true in the borderlands, and even in the dungeons within the heartland.

If her disciple were to leave behind even fragments of a corpse, it would be an above-average outcome.

“…Is… Is that so?”

Atra inhaled deeply, sweeping her hand across her face to gauge the date.

It’s the fifth week into Shio-ram’s term… so, the first week of April.

‘Heh.’

An inward hollow laugh escaped. By some cruel irony, the date was eerily close to that anniversary.

How bitterly coincidental.

“…Did you get permission for the external activity?”

Shio-ram fundamentally restricts the cadets’ outings without academic permission.

Additionally, the entry of outsiders is meticulously scrutinized for the safety of the cadets.

Of course, the conditions for cadet outings are more lenient than one might expect, with many cadets heading out on weekends.

[Yes, I have received permission.]

When Atra, trying to regain her composure, inquired, Lee Hayul hastily replied, his stance retracted.

At that response, Atra bit her lip.

Shio-ram has granted him permission. Then there’s no reason for Atra to hold him back… No reason…

‘…Is there a reason to hold back?’

The thought suddenly made her head spin.

After all, Lee Hayul sought to bear the mantle of a hero. The primary occupation of a hero involves killing monsters.

A combat-specialized hero kills monsters.

If specialized in support, they assist those who kill monsters.

If even support is challenging, they develop necessary technology and craft equipment for monster slaying.

For Lee Hayul, part of the combat branch, venturing into dungeons where monsters abound is a matter of course, and there is no reason to obstruct it.

In fact, it would be laughable to do so.

One aspiring to be a hero cannot be barred from entering a dungeon.

That’s why she hadn’t stopped him then, and why that choice was regretted.

Now, too… there was no reason to stop him.

Atra remained silent for a while. After some time passed, with hesitation, she finally opened her lips.

Uncharacteristically cautious and in a soft voice, she said,

“…Alright, take care.”

The reply was similar to back then.

* * *

‘…Did I make a mistake?’

Observing Professor Atra’s departing figure, I could sense something different about her… a certain lack of strength in her steps.

She grew distant and soon stepped beyond the range of my spatial perception.

I was left alone in the old training ground. Mindlessly chewing over the situation, I let out a deep sigh.

Rubbing the back of my neck, the sweat that had momentarily ceased during the break began to seep out again.

More precisely, it was cold sweat.

Fanning my face with my hand, I recalled the recent events.

After feedback at the end of the lecture, I informed Professor Atra that I would be outside over the weekend.

I added that I planned to visit a dungeon as well.

Permission from Shio-ram had already been secured. I had submitted a request a few days prior, and the approval text arrived shortly after.

I could have just gone and returned without a word, since I wouldn’t see Professor Atra over the weekend, but I felt it was only right to inform her beforehand, given her role as my major professor.

‘What was it…’

Professor Atra’s demeanor had been unmistakably different just now.

Upon hearing my plans to visit a dungeon, her expression had hardened coldly.

My breath hitched. It was a negative, adult expression, far from affirmation.

Although I managed to contain it, my pulse fluttered with fear at the daunting visage.

Thankfully, her expression softened after a while, but there were odd signs like her chewing her lip and her gaze wandering restlessly.

‘Dungeon?’

She didn’t react much to the mention of going outside, but she had a strong response to the word ‘dungeon.’

It had been the same before. Professor Atra had a particular aversion to the topic of dungeons.

Still, she was well-versed in dungeon knowledge.

A paradoxical sort.

Perhaps she disliked dungeons so much that she made an effort to overcome them.

But considering today’s reaction, that explanation seemed insufficient.

Professor Liana also mentioned,

Despite her brusque and unsightly temper.

There might be few like her, but she’s someone with circumstances of her own to deal with.

A fair point.

Professor Atra, being human, certainly has her own issues. Reasons unknown to me for her aversion to dungeons.

– Click

There is no one without circumstances. The moment I remembered that phrase, my steps involuntarily halted.

Everyone has their own reasons. Not everything in the world is straightforwardly right or wrong.

Decisions thought to be right at the time can end up being the wrong choice, and vice versa.

There is no one without circumstances. Everyone has their own stories to tell.

With that in mind.

Did my parents have their own reasons? Was there a story behind their treatment of me? Was there a reason… they had to act that way?

‘Shit.’

It was a premise I didn’t want to entertain.

I clenched my teeth tightly and forced my frozen legs to move.

I had to prepare for my outing.

.

.

.

It goes without saying, but Shio-ram grants its cadets various benefits.

There are too many to list one by one in the regulations, but notably, there are rewards based on points… or academic credits.

Cadets receive these credits based on the  education provided at Shio-ram and the various evaluations they undergo.

Examples include the scores from dungeon practices, pop quizzes, and simple practical exams during lectures, and the points received from this tower entry.

These credits not only serve as proof of academic achievement but also come with significant rewards.

‘1,000 points…’

I earned 1,300 points from The Tower of Growth, setting aside 300 points for the value of the Origin Egg.

There are also points from dungeon practices and other exams, but not a bulk of points compared to what was earned from the tower.

It’s Friday afternoon now.

Since the major lectures are over, I could head straight to the Gate Terminal, but first, I plan to pick up an artifact with my credits.

In the original work, these credits should be utilized effectively.

Being an  educational institution where the owner of The Tower of Growth and globally-ranked superhumans gather, the catalog of rewards is varied.

Meaning, artifacts comparable to Hidden Pieces existed.

Of course, there’s a range in grades and practicality among Hidden Pieces. The artifacts listed in the catalog also vary greatly in value depending on the type.

There weren’t many artifacts that could be obtained so quickly.

But roaming dungeons alone outside is frankly terrifying.

Snowball or not, if I die, it’s all over, so I plan to grab an artifact that can bolster my powers.

I’ve perused the original knowledge and catalog to determine which artifact to take.

The mid-high tier artifact “Wings of the Sky.”

An artifact made of sheer, semi-translucent fabric that determines its defensive power based on the purity of the infused magic.

A selection considering the purity of magic, which those around me praise as my strength.

Additionally, it has an automatic repair function that consumes magic and, with practice, a remote manipulation feature that allows individual control of the artifact.

Judging solely by its features, it would rank high even among superior artifacts, but the condition of maintaining magic purity is not easily met.

Hence, given the condition for smooth operation, the grade was measured a bit lower. For the average user, it exhibits mid-high tier performance.

But with my particularly high purity of magic, it should show commendable performance.

Filled with anticipation, I headed to the Central Administration Building near the central plaza.

For important matters like artifact distribution, the Central Administration Building is the place to go.

A brisk run and I promptly arrived at the Central Administration.

“Long time no see, Cadet Lee Hayul. I am Vice-Principal Venus Litera, in charge of artifact distribution.”

I met the Vice-Principal, who appeared to have come out to greet me. She gave a slight bow before looking this way.

Her emotion-light purple eyes captured my form.

I inwardly flustered at the unexpected encounter, then returned the bow.

It had been nearly a month since we last met.