Why Did I Have to Enroll

Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 179

Lesson 35. The Final Changeling - 4

“Uh…?”

Ryu Cheol-myeong, who committed the unforgivable act of ending a student’s life as a professor, was suddenly bound by the backlash of restrictions and curses. Everything that had once followed his transcendent will betrayed him, and the tower of Magic Power he had built over centuries crumbled, causing his Body to wither. His Soul, sliced by the blade of curses, shattered, tearing apart his last dignity and will.

“Why, you…!”

Ryu Cheol-myeong’s face, which had been right in front of her, retreated in shock. Consumed by a vulgar impulse unworthy of his high stature, he spewed curses that could never be realized, vomiting blood from his entire Body as his tenacious life finally snapped, sending him plummeting to the ground.

Mira watched this blankly, pulling out the large Blade that had been lodged in her abdomen. Though her clothes and the protective spells she wore were torn to shreds, her exposed abdomen was smooth and unscathed.

“Changeling.”

She muttered to herself in disbelief. Mira raised her head, tracing the remnants of the fairy race’s power she felt when Ryu Cheol-myeong stabbed her, and looked upward. A fleet of Crimson Spears was descending in a straight line, having entered the atmosphere brilliantly.

There was no voice to answer her mutterings. Doubt, shock, anger, sorrow, and fear—all these emotions tangled in her mind.

“Mira―!”

A little later, Shati flew to Mira, screaming and frantically checking her for injuries. Realizing Mira was unharmed, Shati quickly grasped the situation.

“That fool.”

“You knew?”

“I just found out. So…”

Shati’s eyes locked onto Mira’s face.

“What are you going to do?”

It was a question born from the fear that Mira might pretend nothing happened.

“…What should I do?”

Fortunately, Mira wasn’t that indifferent, responding with a near-tearful expression. Shati spoke with a mix of relief and exasperation.

“Why are you asking me? Are you going to do as I say?”

“But it’s too heavy.”

Indeed, it was heavy. A person’s life can sometimes feel as light as a feather, but at other times, it is heavier than anything in the world. And by now, Ketra must be―.

Even Shati, who never imagined such a thing would happen, couldn’t help but sigh.

“Ah, really. Let’s just go down for now.”

“Yeah.”

With her mind blank from the unexpected turn of events, Mira followed Shati to the deck of the ship, where they were greeted by a weary-looking Dokgo Yeon. The ghostly armor floating around her wielded a large Blade, but Dokgo Yeon waved her hand to signal they weren’t enemies and greeted the two.

“You really came.”

“You saved us―!”

Aneri Dedota, a female mercenary who looked as exhausted as Dokgo Yeon, weakly waved to Shati and Mira. If these two hadn’t injured and exhausted Ryu Cheol-myeong, he wouldn’t have died so easily. Thinking that, Shati was once again struck by how monstrous her junior was.

“You…”

Dokgo Yeon’s calm voice interrupted Shati’s thoughts. She was staring intently at Mira, tilting her head.

“You’re alive. How did you survive?”

Shati’s expression twisted in frustration at the blunt question.

“Is that the first thing you ask? It’s a Changeling. You heard the explanation from Planning Director… Ban Yu-won, right?”

“I know. But I didn’t expect such a bold spell to succeed against his final strike.”

With those words, Dokgo Yeon, who had been examining Mira, seemed to realize something and narrowed her eyes.

“It wasn’t you who did it.”

“Dokgo Yeon, junior.”

“Ah… I didn’t mean to pry. Anyway, thanks to you, we were able to easily eliminate the vermin, so thank you.”

At Shati’s stern voice, Dokgo Yeon retreated and bowed her head. Witnessing such a miraculous moment in this century, Shati and Mira were amazed, their eyes wide open, when Dokgo Yeon, having regained her composure, spoke again.

“Then, I’m planning to go help Ban Yu-won now… What about you?”

“Uh.”

Mira, who had been feeling down, perked up at those words. As if realizing what her top priority was, Mira opened her violet eyes wide and said.

“I’ll go too.”

“…I see.”

Dokgo Yeon nodded as if she had expected it and suddenly directed her gaze to the spaceship beyond the sky. Her exceptional insight and judgment, unbefitting her age, told her who was on that spaceship. The only bad guy here was the recently deceased Ryu Cheol-myeong, and hearing her response left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“The heart is a difficult thing… Hmph.”

Startled by her own words, Dokgo Yeon covered her mouth, closed her eyes tightly, and then opened them as if trying to regain her composure, before speaking to Aneri as if nothing had happened.

“Can you pilot this ship?”

“Of course. That’s why I didn’t break it and only killed the crew… Oh, you know that any loot seized during a mission goes to the mercenaries unless there’s a special clause, right? Of course, if Mr. Yu-won gives me a deep kiss, that’s a different story…”

“Ban Yu-won already has a ship, so he doesn’t need it.”

Dokgo Yeon sharply retorted to Aneri’s joke and gave another order.

“Then let’s sail now. We’re going to help that brute.”

The Exodus had already retreated, and the remaining enemies were being handled by the Beastmen without any issues. There was a small fleet hovering above, but they weren’t enemies. So the only one still fighting on this planet was Ban Yu-won.

Energized by the thought of going to meet Ban Yu-won, Aneri replied enthusiastically.

“Yes!”

“Oh, before that.”

Dokgo Yeon leaped from the ship. It was unclear what she intended, but she soon returned, carrying the shriveled upper body of Ryu Cheol-myeong, storing it in her bracelet with a satisfied expression. Realizing the stares directed at her, she cleared her throat and adjusted her expression.

“I was worried since his lower body had melted away, but fortunately, there’s a gift left for Ban Yu-won.”

“I get the intention, but you’re kind of scary…”

If she intended to make an excuse, it was a complete failure. Shati shook her head, thinking that perhaps Dokgo Yeon was more suited to be the Evil One than herself.

Ban Yu-won thought he understood the loyalty of the Beastmen, but he was mistaken. After dealing with Ryu Cheol-myeong, he had no time to worry about Dokgo Yeon as he was busy fending off the enraged Beastmen attacking from all sides. Fortunately, he managed to contact Mira and asked her for help.

[Life 32, Origin Body 20, Origin Qi 30, Soul 13, Charm 30, Super Strength 50, Curse 50, All-Reading Eyes 20, All-Hearing Ears 20, All-Speaking Lips 20, Judgement 50, Dominion 30, Star Trace 15, Rebellion 20, Diamond 5 have been acquired.]

[The depth of Flowing Origin Art is 264, Ghost Shadow Art is 172, Origin Blade is 1,030, Leadership is 60.]

[Rebellion is a unique concept that blooms by repeatedly achieving the feat of opposing and ultimately usurping the power of a superior being. The higher the depth of Rebellion, the more your abilities are amplified when facing superior beings.]

[Diamond is a unique concept that strengthens the mind and Body to make them unbreakable. The concepts of Solidity and Resistance are absorbed into the higher concept of Diamond. The depth of Diamond is now 20.]

[The achievement of preventing the Descent has been reflected, increasing the depth of Honor to 300. The depth of Soul has reached 950.]

“Whew… Is it over?”

“Yes, somehow…”

The short yet long battle had ended. Ban Yu-won and Luciel lay sprawled on the ground in the same manner. The drill, Abyss, moved freely underground, crushing enemies. The combined robot, Abel, boasted absolute might for just three minutes, trampling and crushing foes. Tike, who guarded its master while firing magic bullets, and Eve, the omnipotent Phantom Beast that freely changed forms to assist in battle. Twenty-five sharp rain streams, the Rain Sword, that became the blades of the Origin Blade, slicing through the battlefield.

“If even one of them was missing, I might have lost an arm by now…”

“Ugh, I burned too much Wildness, and my whole body is still burning.”

Too exhausted to get up, Ban Yu-won lay on the ground like Yamcha after being caught in a Saibaman’s self-destruct, while Luciel draped her Body over his.

“Luciel?”

“Ah, it’s so refreshing…”

Her entire Body felt as if it might actually get burned. Of course, it was only natural, given that all the Wildness concepts the Beastmen held were injected into Luciel alone. Today, her permanently amplified abilities due to the Wildness Core would surely not fall short compared to Dokgo Yeon. Considering the temporary amplification of her status through the Wildness Core’s operation, she might actually be able to defeat her now.

“Is it heavy?”

“No, it’s warm and has just the right weight, like a winter blanket.”

“Hehe, then let’s stay like this a bit longer…”

Luciel’s approach was quite stimulating, but thanks to the unique concept, Diamond, which he absorbed after defeating the Constellation’s Descent, Ban Yu-won’s mind was fortified, allowing him to resist the temptation. Of course, just because he could resist didn’t mean he had to. Moreover, having overcome the Constellation’s Descent together, perfectly resolving Luciel’s chronic issue, and engaging in fierce battles, the two were experiencing a peculiar sense of exhilaration and unity.

“…”

“…Master.”

“Luciel…”

With all the Beastmen dead, there was no one around except Ban Yu-won’s subordinates. As their gazes met and their faces naturally drew closer…

―Ahem, the others are coming.

“Damn it, the timing is just…”

They had interrupted at such a good time earlier too! After placating Luciel with a mere peck, Ban Yu-won lifted his head to see a ship descending towards them, carrying the broken mast of the Exodus.

“Yu-won!”

“Ugh.”

As Mira called his name and leaped down, Ban Yu-won hurriedly stood up to catch her. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck.

“Yu-won…!”

“I’m fine, Mira. Thanks for coming. Is everyone safe?”

“Uh… yeah. There are no more enemies.”

Following her, Dokgo Yeon landed gracefully, Aneri emerged from her shadow, and finally, Shati descended leisurely, flapping her elegantly spread wings. Seeing the diverse appearances of his companions, Ban Yu-won chuckled wryly as Aneri saluted him cutely and reported.

“We seized the ship, but there was no chance to shine. Still, Mr. Yu-won! The mission was successfully completed!”

“Well done, thank you.”

“Then, about that promised kiss…”

“Ban Yu-won.”

Dokgo Yeon decisively blocked Aneri, who was about to step forward without reading the room, and suddenly presented Ryu Cheol-myeong’s upper body before him.

“A gift. Though only the upper half remains…”

“Dokgo Yeon, you… thank you!”

Not only did she end the life of their greatest enemy, Ryu Cheol-myeong, but she also brought his corpse! Ban Yu-won sang praises of his mentor in his heart as he absorbed all the concepts from him.

[Life 25, Origin Body 33, Origin Qi 12, Soul 17, Judgement 24, Star Trace 11, Rebellion 3 have been acquired.]

[The depth of Flowing Origin Art is 270, Origin Blade is 1,124.]

Despite having absorbed a large number of concepts, including Life, from the Constellation's Descent and numerous Beastmen, and even though Ryu Cheol-myeong's corpse wasn't intact, the harvest was substantial due to his exceptionally high rank.

It was safe to say that even if there were two Ban Yu-wons before coming to Jedah, they wouldn't be able to defeat the current Ban Yu-won.

He had achieved explosive growth in just one day.

It was also valuable information that he could acquire the concept of Rebellion from a superior enemy he didn't kill directly, but more remarkable was the development of the Origin Blade.

Although Ryu Cheol-myeong was inferior to Dokgo Yeon in Swordsmanship, the years and experience he accumulated wielding a sword were not to be underestimated, as evidenced by the nearly 100-point increase in the depth of the Origin Blade!

With the depth exceeding 1,000, it was indeed fitting to call him a full professor at the academy.

“Dokgo Yeon, once again, thank you so much…!”

“Hehe, you know how to be grateful. As long as you claim to be my disciple, I won’t tolerate any disgraceful appearances. Consider it as if you’ve taken an elixir.”

“Ugh…”

“I can’t understand these guys anymore…”

The peculiar master-disciple relationship established between Dokgo Yeon and Ban Yu-won, and Luciel clinging to one of Ban Yu-won’s arms out of jealousy. Watching this, Shati had to struggle to keep her mind from going hazy.

“So… Mira.”

“Yeah?”

Even amidst the commotion, Mira remained in his embrace, showing no intention of letting go. Ban Yu-won asked with a wry smile.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

He couldn’t understand why someone who came to help him was now seeking help, but there was no way she could deceive the All-Reading Eyes.

“You… know everything.”

“Of course. I know it all.”

So, tell me. Ban Yu-won said, directing his gaze to another spaceship slowly descending from the sky. Mira, reassured by his dependable demeanor, slowly nodded and began to speak.