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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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The reason unforeseen circumstances are called just that is because they occur in the most improbable of situations.
Like a refrigerator full of ice cream suddenly falling from the sky while you’re walking down the street. A series of absurd, improbable events.
That’s exactly what was happening now.
‘Is the academy some kind of demon playground?’
How could they infiltrate so easily?
Showing up on a whim riding a meteor, barging into the arena mid-competition…
And if they were going to pull a stunt like this, couldn’t they have at least done it properly? He hadn’t anticipated an Archdemon.
“Greetings, students! I assure you, I intend to recruit you in the most gentlemanly fashion! There’s no need for alarm! No one will be harmed! Please, remain calm!”
The only silver lining was that the Archdemon in question was Raystember, considered the most eccentric, and arguably the least violent, of his kind.
Of course, this was likely all part of Final Destiny’s grand design, but still, it was a stroke of luck. Raystember was known for keeping his word, and among the Archdemons, he had the lowest kill count.
“I am Raystember, an Archdemon. I trust those of you with discerning minds have already grasped the implications of my presence!”
Despite his long-winded introduction, his underlying message was clear: ‘Stay put, or you’ll die.’
Lee Seok-hyun quickly signaled Elua, urging her not to resist.
However, only the Mirinae Academy students truly understood the danger they faced. They had witnessed the demons’ power firsthand.
Velutos Academy, still clinging to their delusions of grandeur, ignored his warning.
“What the hell are you talking about?!”
One of the Velutos students, defying Elua’s silent command, charged at Raystember. A predictable reaction, a scripted event designed to showcase the Archdemon’s overwhelming power. An extra, fated to be eliminated.
Driven by youthful arrogance and a complete lack of situational awareness, the student rushed headlong into his doom.
“Oh! I don’t appreciate that kind of language!”
–BAM!
The student, clearly lacking in skill, was instantly flattened by a single blow from Raystember. One strike. One kill.
While Raystember had a low kill count, he was ruthless against those who defied him.
He casually wiped the blood and gore from his hands with a handkerchief, a look of disgust on his face.
“Tsk, tsk. How unfortunate. Such a blatant disregard for order. But no matter. This will serve as a valuable lesson for the rest of you!”
He surveyed the remaining students, his gaze lingering on Lee Seok-hyun, a predatory smile spreading across his face. He nodded, as if acknowledging a kindred spirit.
“You. You’re the one who single-handedly defeated Garan. Truly impressive. Garan, despite being a high-rank demon, was ultimately just a weakling without a Main Skill. He longed to ascend, to become an Archdemon…”
As Raystember rambled, Lee Seok-hyun’s mind raced.
He knew what was coming, and he had to prepare. This was his only chance to think, to strategize.
‘An Archdemon is too much, too soon.’
An insurmountable gap existed between high-rank demons and Archdemons.
While he could potentially handle a high-rank demon under the right circumstances, an Archdemon was a different beast altogether.
Even a seasoned instructor in peak condition would struggle against an Archdemon, their odds of victory no better than 40%.
‘This is insane.’
This level of challenge was far beyond what he’d expected at this stage of the game.
Archdemons weren’t supposed to appear until much later in the story.
If Raystember hadn’t been the most… eccentric… of the Archdemons, they would all be dead already.
‘And there’s no chance of backup…’
Could they expect outside help? Not likely.
The inter-academy exchange competition was designed to prevent outside interference. Numerous security measures were in place to ensure a fair fight. And for an Archdemon to bypass those measures so easily… It spoke volumes about the level of preparation and planning that had gone into this infiltration.
‘This is a classic Final Destiny bad-luck scenario.’
And unless he came up with a solution, fast, they were all doomed.
Final Destiny was a game known for its brutal difficulty, its relentless onslaught of challenges designed to push players to their limits. Like a police force arriving just as the criminals are about to celebrate their successful heist.
‘But if we can just survive this…’
If the powerful figures watching from the stands intervened… If they combined their strength…
They could easily take down a single Archdemon.
The problem was surviving long enough for that to happen.
“So, Lee Seok-hyun, I’ve been observing you. I enjoyed your performance in the Territory Capture event. We’re always looking for talented individuals like yourself. It’s a shame Garan failed to recruit you. I understand why he died trying, though.”
Raystember closed the distance, his voice dripping with condescension, and patted Lee Seok-hyun’s head.
“I’m so curious about what goes on in that little mind of yours… Your tactical ingenuity is simply fascinating!”
“Skip the small talk and get to the point. You’re here for a game of hide-and-seek, aren’t you?”
“Oh… you see right through me, do you?”
–Snatch.
As soon as Lee Seok-hyun spoke, Raystember grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, lifting him effortlessly into the air. His grip was like iron, his strength monstrous.
He smiled, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
“You seem very confident, despite knowing what happened to your friend, just moments ago. Are you not concerned?”
“Just get on with it. You want to test my abilities, don’t you?”
Garan, and now this one.
Listening to their words, a strange realization dawned on Lee Seok-hyun.
‘They don’t intend to kill me.’
The allure of talent wasn’t limited to instructors and guilds. Demons, too, were constantly searching for promising recruits.
And judging by Raystember’s actions—grabbing him by the neck instead of crushing his skull—he seemed intent on keeping him alive, at least for now.
Within certain limits, Lee Seok-hyun had free rein. He could provoke and taunt, pushing the boundaries without fear of immediate death. He knew Raystember’s reputation. He’d encountered him in countless playthroughs.
Lee Seok-hyun decided to exploit this, to push his luck.
‘Provoke him, draw his attention, make him focus solely on me.’
Raystember’s primary objective was to recruit him, his secondary goal to convert the other students as well.
Therefore, if he could monopolize Raystember’s attention, the others would be safe, at least temporarily.
“Very well! Let’s play hide-and-seek, as you suggested! I was planning on it anyway!”
Raystember tossed Lee Seok-hyun aside and began rubbing his palms together, dark mana spreading outwards like tendrils of smoke.
The black mana, thick and viscous, filled the arena, swirling around them like dry ice.
“Now, listen carefully. We’re about to be transported to a different space. Not a real space, mind you…”
Just before the hide-and-seek game began, Lee Seok-hyun gathered his teammates and shared everything he knew.
Some might question how a mere student could possess such detailed knowledge of demonic abilities, but that wasn’t his concern right now.
His priority was ensuring their survival, maximizing their chances of escaping this encounter. Every student who survived now would become a valuable asset in the future fight against the demons.
“I welcome this challenge! Let’s see what you’re capable of! I’m eager to witness the talent that allowed you to defeat Garan!”
Lee Seok-hyun ignored Raystember’s taunts.
Without the Manaplate Armor, he had no way to defeat an Archdemon.
They had no holy weapons, and none of the students present could effectively wield a Main Skill against an opponent of this caliber.
Their only option was meticulous planning and flawless execution.
“We’re about to enter a virtual space. Raystember is an illusionist. He’ll use his abilities to create an illusion, and… well, we’ll likely lose consciousness and enter a dreamscape.”
Raystember’s Main Skill, Devourer of Dreams.
He could manifest nightmares, manipulating his victims’ memories and twisting their perceptions. It was a classic trope: die in the dream, die in real life. And Raystember was known for his cruelty, for injecting despair into the sweetest of dreams, savoring the moment his victims’ minds shattered, leaving them in a comatose state. That’s why his kill count was so low. He preferred to break his victims’ spirits rather than simply ending their lives.
“Whatever happens, remember it’s just a dream. Don’t believe anything you see. And most importantly, don’t give up hope. I’ll find you.”
Only Lee Seok-hyun understood the structure of Raystember’s dream world.
Only he knew how to navigate its treacherous landscape and confront the Archdemon directly.
He had to guide his teammates, prepare them for the psychological onslaught, and ensure they survived until he could reach them.
“We can’t resist the dark mana. It’s infused with Raystember’s power, so there’s no point in fighting it.”
If the dark mana merged with their Main Skills, they would become demons themselves.
‘This is going to be risky.’
If he wasn’t careful, he could become trapped in the dream, lost forever.
But he was confident he could overcome the challenge. He’d faced worse.
‘Raystember will try to enter my dream, to see my memories, to understand my past.’
Then I’ll use that opportunity to turn the tables.
“Sweet dreams, everyone!”
As Raystember’s mocking farewell echoed through the arena, they were enveloped in darkness.
The game of hide-and-seek had begun.
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–Cackle.
–Guffaw!
Here, have some food!
Voices echoed.
Laughter and cheerful chatter.
A warm, inviting atmosphere.
“I knew it. This is where I’d end up.”
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room. Fluffy clouds drifted lazily across a clear blue sky, a picture of perfect happiness.
Children played outside, the scent of freshly turned earth wafting through the air. He turned his head and saw new sprouts pushing their way through the soil, vibrant and full of life.
–Clatter, clatter.
The familiar rumble of a subway train crossing a bridge, its metallic wheels echoing against the tracks.
Bars, rusted with age and stained with the remnants of countless forgotten dreams, separated him from the outside world.
“Long time no see.”
The most miserable period of his life.
Seventeen years old, alone, and trapped in a basement apartment.
He was home.
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