Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Dreamscape Academy was mainly divided into four departments for students.

There was the Martial Department, focusing on close-range swordsmanship; the Magic Department, specializing in magic; the Healing Department, responsible for treatment; and the Support Department, providing various auxiliary abilities.

Other departments, like the Botany Department, history Department, and Races Department, were all affiliated.

Currently, the second-year Dreamscape Academy students included Mo Ying and those of her cohort.

The chief instructor for the Martial Department was Lina. The Magic Department was headed by Milia, the Healing Department by Huamo, and the Support Department by Zhi Ying.

Lina was the leader of the knights' order. She usually had many public duties and was extremely busy, so she was rarely seen in school. Simply put, Lina was just a figurehead teacher.

Milia was an angel, very adept at explaining light magic and had deep knowledge of magic overall.

Huamo... This teacher also rarely came to class; she mostly spent her time sleeping on the infirmary bed.

Zhi Ying also appeared infrequently, as she was mostly responsible for managing the training room schedules.

"So, what exactly brings you to see me tonight?"

In the evening, at the Seat of Dawn Court—Elu's tavern—Liushu asked Lina.

"It's really nothing too major."

Lina sighed, glancing at Mo Ying and the others sitting beside Liushu. The rıghtful source is novelꞁire.net

Mo Ying let out a few awkward chuckles.

Actually, none of them wanted to come along. Anyone could tell that following along would just make them an obvious third wheel.

But Liushu still dragged them along, the clueless blockhead that he was.

Even Mo Ying, who had never been in love, thought Liushu was totally dense.

"Really? If it's nothing, why'd you invite me here for free food and drinks?"

Liushu lifted a bottle of beer and opened it.

"There is one thing. It's about Dreamweaver Forest. You should've heard quite a few rumors about it, right?"

Lina casually poured herself a glass of juice. Since she was working, Lina didn't drink alcohol.

"That strange outbreak in Dreamweaver Forest, right?"

Liushu picked up a chicken claw.

Mo Ying and the others just quietly ate. As proper third wheels, they refrained from talking.

"Is it really that serious?"

Liushu continued to ask.

"It's very serious. Even though Dreamweaver Forest is some distance from Celestial Celebration City, the effects have reached here already."

Lina's expression turned serious.

"The cities surrounding Dreamweaver Forest have become uninhabitable. Most residents have already started relocating."

Lina took out a device, pulled it open to reveal a screen.

On the screen was a city. Every part of it was overgrown with roots and vines, blooming with flowers. Countless pollen and petals drifted in the wind.

A flower spirit rooted in the soil swayed with the breeze, her body spreading a terrifying burst of spring color.

Butterflies in the air scattered exaggerated pink dust, and the mossy flower fields were strewn with horrifying skeletons.

"It's gotten this serious?"

Liushu put down the plate he was holding.

"According to the knight order's intelligence, the area is full of a scent that can drive people insane. If one steps in without proper protection and just breathes in the air, it's enough to drive a normal person crazy."

"These plants can parasitize the living and are gradually spreading to other cities. Now, most cities in Anzelona are locked down, forbidding movement of people."

"Even with these protective measures, many cities are still affected. To prevent public panic, we've temporarily blocked the news, so you might think the issue is minor, but in reality..."

"At this rate, in a few years, Anzelona will become another Dreamweaver Forest."

Lina described the gravity of the situation.

"In this case, can't the Orderlies step in?"

The books said the Orderlies handled all kinds of disasters in Yggdonia.

"Hm? No, the Orderlies only intervene in problems Yggdonia absolutely cannot solve. This is still within our capabilities, so they won't take action."

Liushu lit a cigarette.

"Dreamweaver Forest used to be normal. It's only in the past month that it's becoming so violent. To solve this, we'll probably have to enter Dreamweaver Forest—that is, the Tenth Hunting Grounds—to figure out what happened."

"You came to me just for this?"

Liushu looked at Lina.

"Yes, I'd like to ask for your help."

"It's not that I don't want to go, but the Dreamweaver Forest hunting grounds... They don't really suit me. You know, entering Dreamweaver Forest requires wearing specialized anti-toxin and anti-hallucination Prisms, but I'm unable to wear Prisms."

Liushu made his situation clear.

Why Liushu couldn't wear a Prism was still unknown to Mo Ying and the others.

"Technically, I could sneak in with you, but if Wei found out, she'd definitely scold the hell out of me."

Liushu took a drag of his cigarette.

"But I can recommend some Hunters for you. If you hire them, they should be able to handle this."

"I'll take you after the meal."

"Alright, I'm counting on you."

"However, no other hunting grounds have ever had a situation like Dreamweaver Forest. At least not with this kind of terrifying spread... Wait, that's not right."

Suddenly, Liushu contradicted himself.

He recalled an article he'd read before.

Black dragons had once flown over Necrograd.

And Necrograd's hunting grounds happened to be the seventh, the Half-dragon's Nest. (See Chapter 21)

"Well, let's focus on our current problem first."

Liushu stubbed out his cigarette and tossed it in the trash.

"In any case, what's happening in Dreamweaver Forest is really unusual. Lack of information is usually the scariest part."

"By the way, Mo Ying, didn't you bring a friend out from the Third Hunting Grounds? Call her out and see if she knows anything."

Liushu suddenly looked at Mo Ying.

Mo Ying, who'd been happily eating, paused.

"Ah, what? Call her out."

"She played co-op games with me all night yesterday. She's probably still not awake."

"Is that what you use a fairy for?"

Liushu was speechless.

Mo Ying activated the contract.

Anlus appeared from her space.

Anlus's appearance drew cheers from the other tavern patrons.

For many, it was the first time seeing a fairy.

"I generally understand what you're discussing—Dreamweaver Forest, I do know about the place."

"That certainly makes things easier."

"You may be misunderstanding something. My knowledge only covers what Dreamweaver Forest used to be. I don't know what caused its current state."

"However, if you just need a guide to show you around the Tenth Hunting Grounds, I can manage that."

"And you, stop pulling my wings, you busted hunk of machinery!"

Anlus turned and chastised Tina, who was pinching her wings.

"Tina's just curious."

Tina, the tavern waitress, responded.

"This is Tina's first time seeing a fairy. Can you give your wings to Tina?"

"You wish! What, has your hardware fried or something?"

"Tina, you haven't served that table's drinks yet."

Elu's voice came from across the room.

"Coming, Tina will bring them now."

Tina walked off carrying the drinks crate.

"Just having someone who knows the paths is already a big help."

None of the hunting grounds had anyone who knew the layout, nor had any maps ever been drawn.

But Anlus knew the paths of Dreamweaver Forest, which could be a great advantage.

"Hunting grounds are like different worlds. If I and Mo Ying end up in two different worlds, the contract might break. I refuse."

Anlus lied. No matter what hunting ground, the contract with Mo Ying would not be broken.

She simply wanted to trick Mo Ying into entering the Dreamweaver Forest. If they encountered danger, Mo Ying would be forced to use her abilities, allowing Anlus to exact the contract's price.

There was nothing in the contract that said fairies couldn't lie.

"So, that means Mo Ying has to go into Dreamweaver Forest with you."

Liushu narrowed his eyes.

"I've never heard of a contract breaking like that. If contracts could break so easily, hunters wouldn't be as tightly bound by their ZL contracts, and plenty of Hunters substitute for clients in the hunting grounds. Never heard of their contracts breaking."

Liushu was already suspicious of Anlus's words.

"The contract pen Mo Ying used was already low on magic, so the contract with Meiiyas isn't stable. That's what causes this issue."

Anlus locked eyes with Liushu.

The mood between them grew tense.

"In that case, just use a fully charged contract pen and re-sign the contract. After all, it's Naye's stuff."

"To re-sign the contract, you'll have to pay the contract price again."

The two were about to start arguing.

Liushu realized Anlus was lying.

"Alright, enough, don't argue. I'll just go."

Mo Ying ended their discussion.

"Old monster. [FZTPNSS]"

Anlus cursed Liushu in fairy language.

Mo Ying didn't want them to argue or to pay the contract price again, so she chose to enter Dreamweaver Forest with Anlus.

The price for the contract was truly terrifying.

"Ha... suit yourself, just don't end up dying miserably in there."

"I'll do everything I can to keep you safe. Rest assured."

"Lina is pretty much unmatched in Dreamweaver Forest, but this time is different—you're all aware of that."

Liushu reminded again.

"If anything goes wrong, we'll return immediately."

"Good. 'As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood.'"

Liushu lit another cigarette.