Editor : Amethyst00



The exam led by the students was suspended.

However, there were no significant issues.

In fact, they gained something even greater than the results they had prepared for the exam.

"From the beginning, the main goal of this exam was to narrow the gap between hero candidates and shadow candidates."

Carl said this as he read the reports submitted by the first-year students.

"Don't you think we got better data than expected? At this rate, we might see new party lineups."

In response to Carl's question, Chloe nodded.

"Yeah. The way the first-years from the shadows increased party stability was impressive."

The missions of the Shadows are largely twofold.

The first is the elimination of traitors.

The second is protecting heroes from those traitors.

Although the task of eliminating traitors is so impactful that it overshadows the rest, protecting heroes is also a specialized role of the Shadows.

And this time, the first-year students from the Shadows made their presence known.

Miraculously, not a single person died during the mission.

Even with Great Heroes and Dawn heroes on their side, this was nothing short of a miracle.

One of the reasons this was possible was because of those first-year students from the Shadows.

Of course, if they had been merely pure Shadows, such noticeable results wouldn't have emerged.

"Studying heroes as hero candidates probably made them more effective, don't you think?"

"Most likely."

Chloe's question was met with a nod from Chen Xia.

Since long ago, shadows have stood behind heroes.

But never before had they enhanced each other's abilities like this.

It was a result made possible only because they studied and understood heroes before becoming Shadows.

"There are a few Shadows in the third years like me and among the second years too, but I never expected such visible efficiency."

Chen Xia muttered in surprise, and Chloe responded.

"The conditions were limited before. But this time, we had many shadow candidates, and they came from various races too."

Chloe smiled softly.

"It's a possibility we could only discover because the era of dividing heroes and shadows has ended."

"That's true."

The roles of heroes and shadows are ultimately distinct.

That means the path chosen must align with one's aptitude.

However, even among those who walk the path of shadows, there are those who dream of becoming heroes.

Like Chen Xia, who possesses the qualities of both a shadow and a hero.

But…

'Perhaps there was never a need to separate them in the first place.'

As the hidden history of the Shadows came to light, there was confusion among them.

Some, claiming they were no different from heroes, tried to walk toward the light.

Others, loyal to their convictions, chose to remain in darkness.

Among them were those who quietly made their choices, while others passionately argued for their paths.

"In the end, there was no right answer."

Each person's chosen path ultimately becomes their answer.

The same applies to Chen Xia.

She engraved her name in the Hero Record, obtaining the title of Hero—something she had long dreamed of since childhood.

A hero who lives in radiant light, bringing hope to many.

However, at least for now, Chen Xia had no intention of living in that light.

'Because Leo-doryeong is there.'

The one who brought light into her life.

Until the day he lays down his burdens.

Or perhaps, she might live in his shadow for the rest of her life.

If that day comes, will she regret it?

'No. Because it's the path I chose.'

What she believed was right.

All she had to do was pursue that with conviction.

It's simple, yet surprisingly difficult to realize.

Chen Xia's expression lightened with relief.

This event will mark a great transformation for both heroes and shadows.

And this transformation will certainly bring about positive change.

'No. I'll make sure it does.'

As the new Emperor of Xian.

As the next king of the shadows.

'I have a new mission now.'

Chen Xia lightly swung her legs and hummed a tune.

It wouldn't be easy, but strangely, having a purpose filled her with joy.

At that moment.

A commotion was heard from outside.

The excited first-years were chatting about the recent events.

"Ugh… I'm jealous. Everything's basically over now. Can't I do it later?"

At Carl's question, Chloe smiled.

"Nope."

"Come on! I joined midway! Why do I have to finish everything?"

"Well, Carl, you're the official slave of the student council until graduation."

The tent flap opened and Elena entered.

Floating plates of food surrounded her.

"Eat while you work."

As she smiled and served the food, Carl said,

"Elena-sunbae. Aren't you working?"

"I'm graduating soon, you know? It's time to start passing things on. And fortunately, we have an excellent vice president candidate right here."

Elena placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder from behind.

"With such a capable junior, this sunbae feels secure."

"So, you're not handing it over to Lyl-sunbae after all?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind handing it to Lyl."

Elena shrugged at Carl's comment.

Just as Carl raised an eyebrow in surprise—

"Of course, if Lyl becomes vice president, you'll have a harder time, Carl."

"I've always supported Chloe."

Carl declared firmly.

Listening to this, Chloe asked, "By the way, Elena-sunbae. Why is Xia helping us with our work?"

Currently, Chen Xia, Chloe, and Carl were drafting reports to submit to the professors after the conquest of the Hero's World.

Since it was based on the reports written by the Lumene first-years, the workload was significant.

Originally, this should have been the job of the student council president and vice president.

Carl was acting student council president.

Chloe, as the vice president candidate, was substituting for Elena.

But Chen Xia wasn't either.

"Don't tell me Xia is also a vice president candidate?"

Chloe asked, and Elena smiled.

"Xia is the president's secretary."

"What?"

"Usually the vice president also acts as the president's secretary. But our president is always busy with external matters, you know? Even right now."

Mentioning the currently absent Leo, Elena moved behind Chen Xia.

"So we decided to make Xia the president's secretary. You two support Leo well together."

"There's also the intention of not entrusting all the fish to one cat, right?"

"Exactly. Keep each other in check."

bl

"I'm sorry, Eiran. You must be tired."

"No! Of course I have to help Sir Leo!"

Right now, Leo and Eiran were walking through the desert.

Lunia, Aru, and Drianna couldn't follow due to their duties as student council presidents.

Behind them trailed Azonia and Damien.

"Did you two fight again?"

Leo asked, sensing the tension between them, and Azonia scoffed.

"Because of this guy, I didn't even get to say goodbye to Aru."

"You would've just used that as an excuse to mess with her."

"Oh yeah? And you smacked Drianna's head."

"She asked me to be a nude model before I left. What was I supposed to do?"

"Why are you so stingy? Just strip once."

"Do you have a death wish?"

As the two snarled at each other, Leo clicked his tongue.

Eiran hesitated, then looked up at Leo.

"Um, Leo-nim. Could I… whisper something?"

"What is it?"

When Leo leaned down, Eiran whispered in his ear.

Leo gave her a puzzled look, then turned to Azonia.

"Azonia."

"Yes?"

"Was that stuff about liking men a lie?"

"Gasp! Sir Leo!"

Eiran jumped in shock.

Azonia gave her a disgruntled look and stomped over.

"You! I told you not to say anything!"

"I-I just wanted to help you two get closer…"

Eiran hurriedly hid behind Leo.

"Why did you make up something so weird?"

Leo asked, baffled, and Azonia scowled.

"I wanted to make that guy jealous."

"He doesn't seem the type to feel that."

"Exactly. That's why I kept it going out of spite."

She glared at Damien.

"You lie about such pointless things."

Damien looked exasperated.

Leo spoke to him.

"So? What do you think about Azonia? Doesn't seem like a lie."

"I'm not thinking about relationships right now."

Azonia clicked her tongue.

"But if Erebos is completely gone, I'll consider the future."

"Huh? So you're saying you'd think of me positively?"

Her tail swished with excitement.

"Yeah. Keeping you around is probably better for the world than letting you loose. If I've handled Erebos for thousands of years, I can handle you."

"You punk!"

Azonia grabbed his collar and shook him.

Leo chuckled watching them.

"So, are you two planning to get married after defeating Erebos?"

"If he's fine with it, it doesn't sound too bad."

Damien replied calmly.

"I plan to quietly pursue something called art… I realized this might be a way to honor Lord Dweno's legacy."

Leo smiled at the sight.

"It's good to see you both changing."

Azonia no longer clung to the past.

Damien was exploring new possibilities.

Leo himself had once been trapped by the past, unable to move forward or believe in his potential.

As he recalled those days, he murmured, "We've arrived."

In the distance stood Melina, guarding the Hero Dungeon.

"Just a little more to go."

Azonia slapped her chest confidently.

"Don't worry. We conquered Aaron's world and got rewards."

In the Hero World, not all who participate receive rewards.

Only the top contributors receive conquest rewards.

This time, three people received them.

Leo, Azonia, and Damien.

Leo's reward was essentially meaningless—he already wielded Aaron's power.

'That old power overlaps with mine.'

Damien received one of Aaron's swords but handed it to Azonia.

Azonia received Aaron's aura.

She was the biggest beneficiary of this conquest.

Leo's group approached the Hero Dungeon.

"Welcome."

Melina bowed respectfully.

"Any abnormal activity?"

"No. No signs of Erebos trying to emerge."

Leo furrowed his brows.

"Melina, Eiran, wait outside for now."

They both nodded.

Leo entered the dungeon with Azonia and Damien.

Shortly after entering the Hero Dungeon, what Leo saw was a massive hole.

Far larger than anything seen in Seiren or Lumene's worlds.

Azonia looked bewildered.

"With a hole this size, it could've crossed over. Why is it so quiet?"

"Let's conquer it first."

The three swiftly conquered the World of Dawn.

With Azonia and Damien, its rulers, it was over quickly.

As the world began to collapse, still nothing stirred from the passage.

"Lord Leo. It was an honor to fight alongside you."

Damien said respectfully.

"We'll meet and fight again anyway. See you next time."

Azonia added. Leo nodded.

After the two disappeared—

Leo frowned as he looked at the still-intact passage amid the crumbling world.

'Did they not find the path?'

Just then—

Flash—

A giant blood-red eye from beyond the passage stared at Leo.

'Erebos…!'

Leo grabbed his sword.

But the Erebos sealed within the World of Dawn made no move.

It simply gazed at Leo—then vanished.

Leo's face hardened.

'That bastard… Don't tell me he stayed put on purpose?'