Published at 3rd of April 2026 8:36 am

Chapter 1018

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

In a situation where some monster from another dimension was looking at him appetizingly, the baby basilisk acting like that wasnt much comfort.

The misunderstood baby basilisk spun its tail like a windmill while protesting.

-I didnt think that!

I havent even said what I was thinking yet.

-Those bad monsters seem to have sensed Masters mana.

Being a monster itself, the baby basilisk accurately guessed the desires of opponents it had never even seen.

Unlike the baby basilisk that was always wrapped around his arm eating mana abundantly, other monsters were often tormented by constant hunger.

The amount of mana absorbed as food was always insufficient compared to what their powerful bodies demanded.

This was also why powerful monsters often had ferocious temperaments.

-If its such a powerful monster, it would need an enormous amount of mana.

Indeed.

The baby basilisk was deeply indignant about the monster coveting its masters flesh and blood.

-No matter how hungry you are, you should eat mana politely like me!

Mm-hmm.

Instead of saying anything to the still young baby basilisk, Lee Han quickly changed the subject.

Theres no such thing!

No such thing? Then why have they been targeting you guys since earlier?

We must have seemed more threatening.

Hmm.

Kitarenannum flinched.

He wouldnt have believed it earlier, but he had just witnessed the Penguerin family mage block the spell with counter-magic.

Considering the size of the expedition, it wasnt impossible that the monster felt more threatened.

For a monster that crossed dimensions, its strategy is too passive. No matter how strong it is, it shouldnt be threatening enough to him. Is it really at the level where it would ignore one side and attack?

The mage criminal who had been pondering shook his head.

Now wasnt the time to worry about that.

Fine. How do you plan to cooperate? Are you thinking of joining up and moving together?

Ha. As if we could trust each other for that.

Alsicle scoffed. Neither the expedition nor the other side would be thinking such a thing.

The moment they joined up, theyd end up targeting each others backs instead of the monster

Lets divide the areas and escape. Wed just end up fighting each other if we joined up anyway. Since you infiltrated here, you must know the layout too.

Lee Hans proposal was reasonable.

Where the group was currently located was about the 4th underground floor.

The path up the remaining 3 floors was largely divided into two routes.

The relatively simple and straight western passage, and the complexly twisted eastern passage.

If both tried to escape through the western passage, infighting could break out or only monsters would swarm them, so lets divide the areas here and escape!

What? Is he an idiot?

Kitarenannum was puzzled.

Right now the monsters were actively pursuing the expedition. Even if they divided the escape areas, there was a high chance theyd concentrate on one side.

Then the benefit returning to the expedition would be at most avoiding a situation of fighting each other.

It wasnt just soft, it was extraordinarily soft.

Well then. Even if we proposed more than that, theyd refuse anyway. If we all perish, theyd lose out too.

-Somethings strange. Arent they up to something? Mage. You always said so yourself.

-Einroguard graduates are cunning, but the situation is different now.

Kitarenannum explained to the demon.

The cunning of Einroguard graduates was hard even for mage criminals to keep up with, but Kitarenannum had wickedness that Einroguard mages lacked.

Innate wickedness!

Einroguard mages would hurt his pride every time they met by saying Did you become twisted because Einroguard ignored you! Ill apologize on their behalf! but Kitarenannum took pride in his innate wickedness.

He was born purely wicked without any external tragedy, misfortune, or neglect.

Wasnt that the natural virtue and strength a mage should possess?

-They have large numbers, so they have many lives to protect. Naturally they cant attempt risky negotiations. Thats their weakness.

-Indeed I understand. Ill trust your judgment.

A fallen great demon whining so damn much.

The mage criminal cursed the contracted demon inwardly.

Good! But we have no intention of yielding the passage. Well take the west.

Basirmac nodded approvingly from the side.

No. We have no intention of yielding either. Well take the west.

At Lee Hans words, Alsicle looked at him worriedly.

What if they refuse?

Dont worry. If theyre criminals, we need to be this strong or theyll get suspicious.

This guy. Why does he know so much about mage criminals

Alsicle looked at Lee Han with worried eyes.

He wasnt worried about the negotiation breaking down, but concerned that despite being only a 2nd year, he already understood the ecology of mage criminals.

Can we really just trust Gonadaltes-nim?

Hmm. Gonadaltes-nim is a great mage, but all his disciples have always been a bit

You know it too. The monsters are targeting us first. Give up the idea of only you gaining benefits.

Youre not a complete fool. Fine. Well take the eastern route.

What? Why? Are you crazy?

Basirmac was furious.

Why would they yield like that to the Empires watchdogs?

Calm down. You dont want to perish together right now.

Threaten them! Im saying intimidate them!

Kitarenannum stopped listening. He couldnt waste any more time.

Were going to the fork first. Follow behind. Keep your distance.

Understood.

The expedition moved first. Toward the fork in the passage that split into west and east.

Basirmac complained but didnt neglect his role.

More of them are swarming up from below. Damn annoying bugs. How many are left after killing so many?

They must have increased their numbers in the meantime. Dont worry about it. We just need to turn east at the fork before they arrive.

Kitarenannum stopped worrying about the spider monsters replenishing their forces and coming up from underground.

Once they split at the passage anyway, most of the monsters would target the other side.

Hey!

?

The expedition that had arrived first suddenly called out. It seemed to be that Einroguard mage from before.

What?

Basirmac! Mage criminal Kitarenannum offered ninety-nine giant hearts to contract with a great demon!

Well then, farewell!

Kitarenannum felt a chill as if ice had pierced his spine.

The giant hybrid warrior beside him, Basirmac, was glaring at him with cold eyes.

It was so different from his usual hot-tempered appearance that it was even more frightening.

Thats nonsense! Theyre trying to sow discord!

I knew you had contracted with a demon. The smellwas reeking.

!

Then take this opportunity to tell me. What did you offer as sacrifice?

-Kahahaha!

The sound of the demon laughing with joy could be heard.

The contract with this demon had a clause that he couldnt reveal what he had offered as sacrifice.

The moment it was revealed, the contract was broken and Kitarenannum became the other persons eternal slave.

That cannot be revealed due to a contract with a demon.

I see.

Dont be fooled by them! Those cunning Einroguard people are using tricks

Even as he spoke, Kitarenannum couldnt understand it at all.

The method that had just bound both their feet with a single word was one that could never be used without knowing their relationship well.

How could an Einroguard person who had never even seen their faces use such a method?

I trust you, Kitarenannum.

Thank you!

And simultaneously, both launched attacks at each other.

As magic was unleashed from Kitarenannums body and aura exploded from Basirmacs greatsword, the surrounding passage instantly collapsed.

Spider monsters were crawling up frantically from below, but the two paid no attention and charged at each other, aiming only for each others lives.

***

Excellent. You wont go berserk.

Lee Han felt very conflicted about receiving praise from a worshipper of evil gods.

You cleverly knew how to make them fight. Is it the power of prophecy magic?

Thats right. Its the power given by the great prophet.

Still, I didnt expect them to fight so immediately. Have the giant tribes been attacked before?

Thats right. The Orders warriors attacked the giant tribes under Basirmacs command and stole ninety-nine hearts.

No wonder a fight broke out immediately!

Lee Han and Alsicle looked at each other with disgusted expressions. As expected, worshippers of evil gods should never be approached.

One floor left!

Please use acceleration magic!

Is it okay if there are some side effects?

Ill accept anything!

With the exploration team members consent, Lee Han immediately pulled out his staff.

Originally, the enhancement magic taught by the Black Book put strain on the body, so he wouldnt cast it easily unless it was for an Einroguard student, but with consent received in this situation, it was a different story.

Anyway, there was only one floor left

-!

Theyre following us!

Break through! Weve all escaped anyway!

The exploration team members burned with fighting spirit.

Those gathered here hadnt avoided fighting because they were weak. It was simply because they didnt want to waste time in meaningless battles in the depths.

Bang!

Right then, the sound of space being crushed erupted.

Not from below, but from above.

????

Are you all okay!

A familiar giant skeleton came flying with an unusually urgent voice.

Next to him was Archmage Erindarvel, whom he had seen before. She also seemed quite flustered, with a pale face covered in cold sweat.

Lord Gonadaltes! You came to help us!

Even Lady Erindarvel! Did you foresee the danger of this exploration in advance!

Uh yes. Thats right.

Y-yes, thats right.

The two Archmages quickly checked on Lee Han first. Upon confirming the mage was alive and well, both let out sighs of relief.

The Skeleton Principal glared at the Archmage beside him.

This Archmage occasionally made such ridiculous mistakes that made his nonexistent heart skip a beat.

Lee Han asked with confusion.

How did you come here? Through prophecy magic?

I originally suspected the danger of this exploration.

????

It was an even more incomprehensible statement.

The Skeleton Principal had definitely said about this exploration, Its probably just an event to share artifacts.

Lee Han asked again.

You originally said it was about taking artifacts from a hidden underground warehouse, didnt you?

Monsters are swarming.

The Skeleton Principal quickly changed the subject.

These are on a different level from ordinary monsters.

Thats right. Its fortunate we noticed before coming out.

The two Archmages were planning to burn away the entire eroded space.

They didnt know what would happen if such monsters escaped outside.

If I annihilate the space, can you handle the aftermath?

Yes. Ill stabilize the surrounding space.

Good. Lets start immediately.

The Skeleton Principal was about to cast magic immediately. There was nothing good about dragging out such matters.

Right then, a paper bird flew to the Skeleton Principals side. As the bird chirped something, the Skeleton Principals eyes wavered greatly.

Is there some problem? Did a monster escape perhaps?

Come here for a moment.

???

When the Skeleton Principal called him, Lee Han became even more worried.

What kind of situation could it be for him to call Lee Han with such a serious expression?

Professor Boladi has just arrived at the Malachite Tower.

Yes? Ah. Yes. He said he knows the Professor.

You werent here today.

????

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