Henry, with a book under his arm, knocked impatiently on the door.

He wanted to know who the owner of the house was. It is located on the outskirts of Haudemer, which many believe was abandoned and that its owner was not there, and the owner said she had only rented it for a while. Thorns and weeds had taken root in the garden and stone walls, while the blinds remained tightly closed. No matter how scary it was outside, he ran over as soon as he saw the invitation.

"Professor Henry." A charming young woman greeted him and squeaked the door open. Her beauty is not unusual, her long jet-black hair is bunched with white roses, but her dark eyes shine with keen intelligence. On top of that, she wears the black and gold wizarding robes of the Royal Garden University. "It's great that you've come to see me."

"I could not miss this opportunity when you told me that you had visited our beloved Haudemer," the scholar replied. "It's an honor to see you in person, Miss LaFrê."

"Please call me Lucy," she replied politely. "I may represent Royal Roads University, but I have never forgotten my humble roots."

In fact, it made her academic success all the more remarkable. She has published two papers, one on the effects of the Red Death on basic stats and the other on the synergy of spellcasting classes. She was young and intelligent, having studied under the famous royal headmaster, the famous wizard Nostraddam.

Hyung makes use of his class specialist, Pe

K checked her class.

(Lucy Lave.)

e; Scholar 15 / Unknown Spellcaster Class 22]

The unknown rank means that she has a prop that prevents him from clearly identifying her rank. The coffee shop will keep this information completely hidden. "Why are you hiding your spellcaster class?"

"College politics," Lucy replied calmly. "I'm working on new spelling areas that the school hasn't recognized yet, and I might be in trouble before I publish my paper. Many people coveted me as an apprentice under Nostrem, and they did not hesitate to ruin my reputation in order to accept the opportunity. ”

"At your age, you're thirty-seven...... Most adventurers retire when they reach level thirty-seven. You're so nice, Miss Lafrey. ”

"I'm a smart student, and I learn from the best," the young woman replied politely, then invited him in, "Please come in." ”

Henry did so, and he found the inside of the house to be more popular than the outside. The two walked into a long hallway with a red carpet, illuminated by the five elements in a glass container placed above their heads. Although the place lacks decoration or any kind of personal touch, the owners are careful to keep it in pristine condition.

The inside also looks much larger than the outside. "A space-changing spell?" Henry asked, surprised. He'd never seen it.

"I have to say, the real master did it." Lucy replied and closed the door casually.

It must have been a spellcaster with great mana. "I wonder what a talented scholar like you does in Hadmer, especially in these dark times."

"Learn," Lucy replied. "One of my mentors asked me to follow her on a business trip, which was of course a secret between us. She is a very privacy-conscious person. ”

"I didn't tell anyone," Henry replied. He understands that talented scholars like her want anonymity, especially since the "Jiaoren" may target them for ransom. "I think you'll be interested."

He handed her the note, and the woman began to read it at a rapid pace, almost one page at a second. "Monster Squire." She noted. "I've never heard of this class."

"It has good, balanced growth for a class that hasn't been promoted, and a very interesting perk," said Henry, eager to impress another academic. This could be his chance to publish his research and finally his recognition. "A whole class of unknown monsters. And that dragon, Vaquiel, was upgraded. ”

"I saw the dragon, Vaquil, lying on the beach outside the town. He's not the first instance of a smart monster leveling up, but it's certainly the first instance of a dragon. Even the legendary Eastern Jade Dragon does not have its own rank. ”

"I hope to study him further," Henry said. "Mayor Renette told me that the Radiant Crusade would send a team of knights to kill him as soon as possible"

Lucy giggles when he tells her about what happened recently, and she is amused by the passage where Winkel asks for a lava bath. "I won't expect your crusaders to accomplish this task," she said, then stopped in front of a wooden door. "We can discuss it in my study. I believe that your research has great potential. ”

"Thank you, it warms me to hear you say that," Henry said, opening the door and entering the dark study.

Finally, after spending years studying the curriculum, he was on the verge of making a breakthrough. If Lucy confirms his findings, Royal Roads University will publish his research; He will be considered the discoverer of a new set of monster classes and skills, and his name will live on.

At first, he couldn't see anything, even though he smelled a strong smell in his nose. The den doesn't smell like paper and ink.

Smells like carrion.

The room suddenly lit up, and Henry screamed.

It wasn't a study, it was a dungeon; A cold, dark, death-filled room filled with wooden operating tables and shelves full of surgical tools. Two zombies hang in the middle, suspended from the ceiling by chains. Henry recognized it as the faces of a pair of fishermen, whom he often saw while walking near the pier.

The door closed behind him.

Henry turned around, expecting to face Lucy.

Instead, a knight two heads taller than Henry blocked the entrance, pointing his sword at his throat. The metal giant facing the scholar had shoulders worthy of a bull, and the heavy plate armor exuded a strong sense of threat. His horned helmet obscured his face, making him look like a janitor from hell.

Henry immediately recognized him from the wanted post, even in his Pe

k before it is activated.

Gustave La Muriel; Knight 20 / Heavy Knight 4]

A cool leader.

"Ah, Lucy has brought us a friend." Another voice, pleasant, came from behind the locked zombie.

A man walked into Henry's sight, with elegant manners, black hair, descendant of the Hamon people, with an amiable face and beautiful amber eyes. He wears the white and gold dress of a Mithraic priest, but proudly displays the evil crow emblem of the murderous Clown God of Death in the upper left corner. He wielded a long sword at his belt, though he hadn't pulled it out yet.

(François Vilmai.)

; Fallen Bishop 13 / Outlaw 3 / Mercenary 7]

"Hello, my dear guest. My name is François, François Verman. The fallen pastor laughed. I am the captain of what you call the 'Scorched Squad', with my comrade Gustav. I'm sure you've heard a lot of terrible stories about us, and they're all true. ”

"What did you do to Miss Lavery Lavery ?!" Henry asked, and Gustav grabbed his shoulder with his other hand, keeping him in place. Due to his lack of combat ability, Henry simply could not withstand these two enemies.

"Lucy?" "The house belongs to her owner, and he agreed to let us live there as long as we help her students do empirical research," Werman laughs.

A wizard. The Headmaster is lying with the Scorching Flame and the Necromancer? Henry froze, stunned, and then realized that they were talking about "her" student, and that Archmage Nostradan was a man.

"You may be seated, Henry." Virman suggested, waving at the wooden bench next to the bound zombie. Before Henry could react, Gustav grabbed him with his free hand and forced him to sit down with inhuman force. "Let's talk."

"People will notice my disappearance," Henry pleaded, trying to stall for time.

"Oh, don't worry about us, we'll help you." Gustav replied.

Velman cleared his throat. "Perhaps contrary to what you think, Henry, Gustav and I, and even Oglen, were not robbers in the first place. In fact, for most of the War of the Century, we fought for Kademani; At that time, the king granted adventurers and mercenaries an order allowing us to attack enemy towns in his name. Unfortunately, with the end of the war, our decent occupation of slaughtering people and burning their villages is no longer politically correct. ”

"We were asked to retire, farm like farmers, or go to the more dangerous work of monster hunting," Gustav said in disgust.

"Luckily," said Virman, with a smile, "Ishfania's dark majesty, Brandon More, has promised us a very substantial pension and shelter, as long as we burn the countryside of Eskar to the ashes and keep the Crusaders busy, so that he can retake his fortress of Rochefuld." It's unfortunate for you, Henry, Hardmer is among them. Do you understand?"

The poor scholar nodded, peeing non-stop. Virman glanced contemptuously at the dirty pants before continuing his story.

"But you see, we have a very big problem. Obviously, you have a dragon guarding the city, and it eats our people for breakfast. When we sent people to check on these people, he killed many more of us. Finally, the royal army was keeping an eye on us, and for important reasons, we could not skip the destruction of Haudemer. This situation is not conducive to our financial prospects. ”

"So we caught these two," Gustav pointed to the zombies. "Who said dragons have masters?"

"Of course, we'll have to beat them up before they say their names, which means that the owner, 'Victor', often meets with you."

"That's wrong," Gustav replied. "We treated them roughly. One of them speaks when he sees you turn the other into a zombie. ”

"Ah, yes, but if I'm not mistaken, you later had your outlaws stab him to death."

"It's to help him level up. I take care of my people. ”

"He got a rank from this civilian?" Lucky newbies, they don't need to drive a night train like we did. ”

By killing low-level people, or even level 20 professional killers, it's relatively easy to get into the double-digit range. Later, the increased demand for experience made it necessary to fight against those who could fight back on fair terms.

After this terrible episode, Virman again focused his attention on Henry. "So, my friend, I'm sure we can find a solution that everyone agrees on."

"You're going to kill me anyway," said Henry. "Why should I tell you?"

"Of course we're going to kill you." Virman replied calmly. "The only question is, do we have to beat you up first?" Unlike my fellow Gustav, I'd rather make it quick and painless. I'm not a barbarian, Henry. ”

"Said the priest of the Death Clown." His companion replied in a mocking tone.

"I am the holiest man in the world." Velman protested. "I worship the god of sin, and he loves my work."

"Whatever," Gustav replied, brandishing his weapon. "Did you speak, scholar, or did I cut off one of your legs?"

"No, no, Gustav, wait," Virman held up a hand to reassure his accomplice, while Henry trembled in pure, pure fear, "I tell you, I'm not a barbarian. While the news of our presence will not get out, although you will definitely die, I am sure that we will honor your final request. If you tell us the truth, the whole truth, the whole truth. ”

Henry knew that his life was over, and he thought he might as well try to bargain. "If I speak, can you spare a person?"

"It depends on whom." Velman replied. "Whatever happens, we're going to kill that guy named Victor. I'm sorry. Professional pride. ”

"No, Mayor Renette." He had had a crush on her for many years, though he never dared to act. "Also, please don't burn my house. The research inside is my life's work. ”

"You're asking too much," replied Virman happily, "Renette, that's the innkeeper, isn't it?" I heard she was beautiful. Also smart. Do you like her?"

"Yes, I like it."

"Ah, that's good. If you open your mouth, we will spare her life, and if you tell us where your home is, we will leave your home unscathed. I can't guarantee that, sometimes the fire spreads. Maybe I'll find a way to sell your papers to Ishfanian scholars, if they're really that precious. Now, tell us everything. ”

So, Henry spoke.

He briefed them on his discussion of the dragon, including his general character and level; Then, to his great shame, he betrayed Victor, betrayed his rank, betrayed his privileges, betrayed everything he could collect.

He would lie if he could, but a bishop like Werman could see through the lie. "Nightblade?" the priest of the Death Clown raised an eyebrow. Interesting. ”

"Nightblade can control dragons?" Gustav asked worriedly.

"Of course not," Virman replied. "I really want to know why a career criminal would protect a village."

"He said he left," Henry said.

"You can never leave the Nightblade. No, strictly speaking, you can leave them, but life leaves you first. In spite of. Is he as greedy as this Winkel?"

"I don't think so......"

"He must have a weakness. Honor, Honor, Women's ......"

"Mayor Renette asked him to do things for her," Henry recalled. "I noticed that he looked at her instead of looking into her eyes."

"Ah, yes, of course, no one can resist the chest, any kind of chest." Virman laughed at his own sexist jokes, while Gustav did not. "What else?"

"I ...... I do not know. He's a nice guy who helps people. ”

"A good-hearted man?" Ah, that's interesting. Gustav, what do you think?"

The cruel knight's fingers twitched over the hilt of the sword. "There's absolutely no way we're going to defeat that dragon in battle."

"yes, I don't think so."

"But he's stupid."

"But he's vague." Velman nodded. "We'll have to distract him first, then burn the town, get the apples back, and escape in the stolen boat. As for that Victor, we can easily deal with him. We are all twice as much as him, and good hearts can easily be misled. Is that all, Henry, my friend?"

"I told you everything," replied the scholar, weeping ashamedly of his cowardice.

"Did he lie?" Gustav asked his companion.

"No, he's an honest man, though not brave." Virman shook his hand, then smiled comfortingly at his prisoner. "You must not know that my friend Gustav has three ranks in 'Traitor'. The class's first skill, [Hypocrisy], hides the traitor level so that it cannot be scanned for skills, such as yours. The second is called "traitor's delight." I'm sure scholars like you know what it does. ”

Henry clenched his fists in shame. "Every time you break a promise, you'll get an XP boost."

"I told you he was a barbarian." Velman said, pretending to be sorry. "Poor Linnet."

"You said it, not me." Gustav replied with his sword raised.

"Wait," Velman held up a hand again to stop his ally, "not yet." ”

"What?" Gustav complained: "He's useless to us."

"We can take him hostage for the time being. Knock him out. I swear you'll get his head in time, my friend. ”

Gustav muttered and slapped Henry with a saddle from behind, and the poor scholar's world went dark.