Why Did I Have to Enroll

Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 151

Lesson 31. The Last Spoonful Is Always the Most Annoying - 1

The moment Ban Yu-won instinctively picked it up, his power activated.

Bull Demon Twin Horns 100 [Space Transcendence 100, Sturdiness 50, Super Strength 50, Dark Magic Power 100]

He thought it would be impressive, but what emerged far exceeded his expectations. Space Transcendence—could it be the force that pulled Ban Yu-won in an instant earlier? He suspected there was a force acting on the axe and horns since they resonated, but he never imagined this was the main body!

‘Extracting just this concept… is it impossible? The concepts are so intricately intertwined that it might be a bit challenging with my current skills… hmm?’

While pondering how to utilize what might be the rarest treasure he acquired in the tower, he noticed something odd about the composition of this concept.

‘The depth of the Bull Demon Twin Horns is 100. But why? It should be the sum of the subordinate concepts. Space Transcendence has a depth of 100, Sturdiness and Super Strength each have a depth of 50. Adding Dark Magic Power makes it 300 in total. Isn’t this strange?’

It seemed as if there was a minus somewhere in the concept, rather than a sum. Space Transcendence and Super Strength were newly acquired but undoubtedly rare concepts. Dark Magic Power allowed the use of high-level Dark Magic, a rare power. There was no reason for a minus, so why was there one?

“Ah, Eve! Sorry, I got distracted for a moment… oh.”

Ban Yu-won snapped out of his thoughts at Eve’s call and took in his surroundings. The boss monster was dead, and the wave’s momentum had subsided. While he was examining the drop items, his subordinates had already finished the battle.

“Is this the end?”

Normally, after a wave ends, an announcement would come to prepare for the next wave, but now it was just silent. Ban Yu-won organized the golden strings flying in from all directions, distributing them to his subordinates and absorbing as much as he could himself. It only increased his Life by 5, but it brought his depth to 760. By the system’s standards, that would be around level 76.

“So, what should I do now? Do I just wait until the tower is complete?”

But there was no need for that. Turning around, he saw the completed tower. The towering structure matched exactly with the Babel Tower he knew.

“So now…?”

―Ban Yu-won, that person seems to be looking at you.

As Celon said, among those standing towards the completed tower, one person had turned their head towards Ban Yu-won. Though he couldn’t see the face or hear the voice, Ban Yu-won was certain the person was looking directly at him.

“No way, if you’re going to show something to your descendant, you should have checked if the recording included sound.”

While Ban Yu-won grumbled, convinced the person was his ancestor, the person pointed at the tower.

“Huh?”

A tower that trapped light. A small ball of light emerged from it. Perhaps the ancestor had gained the ability to manipulate that light freely by building the tower. As Ban Yu-won pondered, the ancestor pointed at him again.

“――.”

No, not at him, but at the Bull Demon Twin Horns still in his hand. He realized this because the light ball from the tower flew straight into the Bull Demon Twin Horns, absorbed at light speed, leaving no time to react.

“Incredible, the Bull Demon Twin Horns, already imbued with Dark Magic Power, now contain light as well. It seems invincible with both light and darkness…!”

Of course, it wasn’t.

Bull Demon Twin Horns 300 [Space Transcendence 200, Sturdiness 50, Super Strength 50]

Light and darkness didn’t coexist but canceled each other out. However, the concept of Space Transcendence was amplified, tripling the overall concept depth. If Ban Yu-won hadn’t defeated the bull properly or failed to protect the tower, he wouldn’t have received such a reward.

‘It seems Eden can’t be expected this time either. But having obtained this is enough.’

Ban Yu-won was convinced this was the reward for this room. The surrounding scenery was distorting and melting away, as if to confirm his belief.

―What?! Is it really ending like this? So, no detailed explanation about the tower’s origin? No hints about what’s hidden in the tower?

Even the great mage Celon seemed unable to interpret the series of events in this space. But Ban Yu-won felt he understood. Perhaps because that person was his ancestor. Perhaps because his power allowed him to glimpse the essence of that light.

‘Maybe.’

The Babel Tower might not have been taken away after all. If that’s true, how many people have unjustly cursed him until now…?

As he mumbled awkwardly, a vibration similar to when he killed the Giant during the previous solo exploration enveloped him. Ban Yu-won didn’t resist it, letting himself be carried away, and looked back at the man standing in the distorting scenery. But the tower and the man’s figure had already vanished without a trace, as if isolated from this space.

---

After exiting the tower, Ban Yu-won pondered how to process the two horns containing the unfamiliar concept of Space Transcendence, but it was unnecessary. As soon as he placed them in his inventory, Lilith devoured them.

“Hey, you!”

―…….

He clearly saw her gulp the horns down in one go, but as soon as Ban Yu-won spoke, she reverted to her mechanical egg form, feigning innocence. Though it was absurd, he knew Lilith harbored no malice towards him. Perhaps her evolution had stalled due to a lack of necessary concepts, so he decided to let it go. In fact, he was quite hopeful.

‘Lilith, originally a mount, has devoured the concept of Space Transcendence. Isn’t it unreasonable not to speculate?’

These days, even novels don’t hide such things as foreshadowing. Once evolved, Lilith might possess a function Ban Yu-won never imagined… the ability to teleport! Although he hoped for dimension travel, he realized it was too naive to underestimate such a skill, so he tempered his expectations.

“Hmm. Is there nothing I can do?”

Back in his dorm room, Ban Yu-won examined the mechanical egg and then tapped his head. Why hadn’t he thought of using language magic to enhance its evolution, just as he did for his studies and training?

He inscribed the word “Acceleration” on the egg’s surface using his magic and Celon’s. The egg glowed brightly, and he heard the sound of gears turning and a heartbeat from within. Without needing to use his power, he was certain it was a successful attempt.

“Ban!”

At that moment, the door opened, and Light appeared. Drenched in sweat, holding a spear, he seemed to have been training.

“Is it over?”

“Just in time, luckily.”

“That’s a relief…”

“I planned to ensure it wouldn’t interfere with the exploration starting Monday, so there was no need to worry.”

“I’m just glad you’re back safe, you idiot.”

Light replied curtly, his expression serious. He had been worried, so it was understandable he was a bit sulky.

“Yeah, thanks for worrying. As a reward, I’ll make you some hot chocolate, so hurry up and wash up.”

“Uh… okay. That…”

Was there something embarrassing in what he just said? Light hesitated, then turned back to the shower room, but paused to ask.

“Will you add alcohol?”

“No, you’re banned from drinking for now. Even after the ban is lifted, you can’t drink unless I’m or Dokgo Yeon is around.”

“You jerk…!”

Light’s destructive power when drunk was enough to make one think, ‘Maybe even a guy would be okay.’ Ban Yu-won was glad it was Dokgo Yeon who first introduced him to alcohol.

“Ban.”

While reminiscing about the last gathering, Ban Yu-won leisurely prepared hot chocolate. Suddenly, Light peeked out from the shower room. Though only his head was visible, his bare skin was exposed up to his collarbone. The necklace around his neck seemed unusually constricting… wait a minute.

“What?!”

Had Light ever acted so carelessly before? Ban Yu-won couldn’t hide his shock, and Light’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his reaction.

“Don’t come over here.”

“So, what is it? Is it urgent?”

“No, it’s not urgent. I just forgot to tell you earlier… I thought I should say it before I forget again.”

Light, unable to meet his eyes, fidgeted and looked around. Perhaps what he wanted to say earlier wasn’t just about adding alcohol to hot chocolate like Yumina might suggest.

But if it wasn’t urgent, he could have said it after washing up.

“Well, it’s just… you can only apply until tomorrow morning.”

“For what?”

“Uh… the invitation. The invitation, I mean.”

Light’s hair was damp, probably from the shower. If it were someone else, Ban Yu-won might have thought they were trying to seduce him. A drop of water fell from Light’s bangs, tracing down his collarbone. It soon disappeared from Ban Yu-won’s view, but the trail it left was vividly imprinted, stirring his imagination.

What is this situation? Why is it suddenly like this? Ban Yu-won realized anew that sharing a room with someone of the opposite sex was quite thrilling.

“Do you want to come?”

“Where to?”

“My dimension.”

Light whispered, then shyly turned his head. He hoped Light wouldn’t make any sudden movements, as it would expose more skin. But saying that would reveal he was conscious of it, making him feel like he was losing.

Whether Light knew his foolish thoughts or not, he asked again.

“During the break, do you want to visit? Luciel is… planning to visit your dimension, so…”

“Uh… should I go with Luciel?”

“No!”

Light’s voice rose.

“No, it’s not that I dislike Luciel. It’s just that not everyone can come… You’re my friend, so it’s fine.”

That statement sounded like Luciel and Dokgo Yeon weren’t friends, but was that okay?

“So… do you want to come?”

Light glanced up, observing him as if gauging his reaction. It felt cunning, a kind of cuteness Ban Yu-won hadn’t expected from Light. But was this really a question to ask while showering?

“Hmm. Luciel plans to visit our dimension, and there are things to do on Earth… If it’s okay to visit for about a week, I’ll come.”

He wanted to get closer to Light, felt he should lift the curse related to his necklace, and had things to say to Light’s parents, so he nodded.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Yay…!”

Light’s face brightened instantly. Realizing he was naked, he quickly hid himself. But before closing the shower room door, he said:

“Then it’s settled!”

“Yeah, I’ll come.”

Still uneasy, Light confirmed with Ban Yu-won before closing the door. Ban Yu-won found his innocent demeanor endearing and chuckled, but then a thought struck him, and his expression hardened.

‘Wait, so what does this mean… Is he finally going to confess he’s a girl? Or is he planning to keep it a secret even after inviting me home? Which is it?’

*

“If you’re going to seduce him, you have to surprise him.”

“It’s not seduction! I’m just inviting him to our kingdom… So surprise him? Do you mean ambush him from behind and threaten him? I know that’s not it, so don’t look at me like I’m pathetic…”

“Create an unexpected situation. Make him nod without thinking deeply. In extreme cases, strip down.”

“That’s just perverted.”

“Do it subtly.”

“Who subtly strips down? That’s even more perverted!”

“Don’t ask too many questions. I don’t know much about human mating either.”

“Ma-mating…! No, not that yet!”

“Yet?”

“Aaaaaah!”

“Oh, I misspoke. I meant courtship, not mating… Light? Are you okay?”