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After finishing class, I cautiously walked down the hallway, following Vega.

Vega remained silent the entire time.

The students whispered excitedly as they watched the two of us pass by.

Not long ago, I had confessed to Vega twice.

There was no hotter or more entertaining gossip than that.

Why had Vega called me?

If she brought up discipline again, I wouldn’t have anything to say in my defense.

‘I’m not going to get expelled from the academy, right?’

If that were the case, I’d have to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness.

“Come in.”

Vega stepped into the faculty office.

She ran her fingers through her hair before dropping into her chair.

“You should know why I called you here.”

I immediately bowed my head.

“I apologize for confessing to you twice!”

I had unintentionally attacked Vega with my confessions.

There was no response from her.

I cautiously lifted my head, only to find Vega staring at me in disbelief.

Her eyes clearly said, What nonsense are you spouting?

That wasn’t it?

“Isn’t that why you called me?”

“Hah, good grief, Hannon.”

Vega let out a long sigh and pulled a beer out of her desk drawer.

Why on earth does she keep beer in there?

She popped the cap and spoke to me.

“How many times do you think I’ve been confessed to while working as a professor at Zerion Academy?”

I blinked.

“You’ve received confessions before?”

“And that’s coming from the guy who confessed to me?”

The world sure is full of unique tastes.

Well, considering Vega’s personality, her behavior might be questionable, but her looks are undeniably striking.

It wouldn’t be surprising if some people got caught up in that charm.

‘More than that, she is fundamentally a good person.’

Among all the professors, Vega is the one who prioritizes her students the most.

That’s something truly worthy of respect.

“It hasn’t happened recently, but every year, there’s always been someone like you. I don’t even bat an eye at it anymore.”

It hasn’t happened recently.

For some reason, that statement made me feel somber.

Well, I suppose Vega is getting older—maybe students don’t fall for her as easily anymore.

“What’s with that look?”

Vega’s eyebrow twitched.

I flashed her a bright smile.

“I’m just relieved that you didn’t take my confession seriously!”

My cheerful remark left Vega dumbfounded.

“What’s more surprising to me is this—I was under the impression that you had no interest in women whatsoever, yet you confessed to me.”

“I must have lost my mind for a moment.”

“You certainly look like you did.”

I had earned Vega’s approval for being insane.

She silently observed my shamelessness for a moment before deciding not to press the matter further.

“You seem to have your reasons, so I won’t ask.”

I was grateful for that.

“Hannon, the reason I called you here is because of the traces you found on the ninth floor of the Autumn Dungeon.”

A trace near the entrance of the dungeon—

I had consulted Vega about it before.

“Did you find something out?”

“Yes. Based on expert opinions, there’s a high probability that an Apostle entered Demon Sovereign’s chamber.”

My face froze.

An Apostle entered Demon Sovereign’s chamber.

That meant there was now an Apostle capable of ascending to the surface.

Now I understood why Vega had been so deep in thought on our way here.

If an Apostle truly had the ability to reach the surface, it would spell disaster.

“I’ve already informed the Imperial Court. Other kingdoms are also taking measures at the dungeon entrances.”

There are multiple entrances to the dungeon.

Among them, the ones that Apostles could use to ascend were all located near academies.

“Of course, this isn’t confirmed yet. We’re only considering possibilities based on the traces you found. Other explanations are still possible.”

But even if there was only a slight chance of an Apostle reaching the surface, it had to be dealt with.

“So, to verify this, we’re forming a team. Other academies are also selecting suitable personnel, and we plan to descend into the dungeon as quickly as possible for investigation.”

Now I understood why Vega had called me.

She had already heard from the other students about my extensive knowledge of the dungeon.

Even during the Autumn Dungeon War, my knowledge and judgment had been incredibly useful.

She didn’t know where I got that knowledge from, but she knew it was valuable.

This was all about confirming the traces I had discovered.

“Of course, your participation is entirely up to you.”

Vega always respects her students’ choices.

Since they intended to descend as quickly as possible for the investigation, there was no telling what dangers might arise.

That’s why participation was left to individual discretion.

In the dungeon, survival was ultimately the responsibility of each person.

And considering what happened last time…

I had barely made it out of the dungeon alive.

It wouldn’t be surprising if I had developed a trauma preventing me from going back in.

“I’ll go.”

That’s why I answered without hesitation.

If I don’t go, who will?

I know more about descending the Demon Dungeon than anyone else.

Of course, I was going.

Vega stared at me in silence before saying nothing more.

She seemed to have expected this response from me.

"You won’t regret this?"

"The greatest regret in life is knowing you could have done something but choosing not to."

"You sure talk big for someone who hasn’t lived that long."

I was scolded for sounding like an old man.

"Let me tell you one thing."

Vega put down her beer can and tapped my forehead with her index finger.

"No matter how bad things get, always prioritize returning safely. Even if the Apostles take a leap forward, the strongest forces will be waiting on the surface."

The adults felt responsible for entrusting the Demon Dungeon to the students.

Especially Vega—her sense of responsibility in this matter was overwhelming.

In the past, the Azure Generation failed to break through the Demon Dungeon.

What if they had succeeded back then?

At the very least, students wouldn’t have to bleed their way down the Demon Dungeon like they do now.

Vega carried that burden, becoming a professor to guide students.

She didn’t want them to inherit the mistakes she couldn’t correct.

‘She visits the graves of the fallen students every holiday.’

Vega became an alcoholic because of what she failed to achieve.

One drink, then another, to drown the guilt over the students she couldn’t save—until it became routine.

The deep shadows under her eyes were proof of that.

The fall of the Azure Generation had chained her to the Demon Dungeon ever since.

That was why she never had a romantic partner and spent her years drifting between academies.

"Professor Vega, if the Demon Dungeon disappears, will you be out of a job?"

I casually threw out the question, and she blinked.

Then, she let out a small, exasperated laugh.

"You really think that’s all I am? There are plenty of places that would welcome me."

She wasn’t wrong—Vega was still a top-tier talent.

If she wanted, the world would receive her with open arms.

"And besides, the world isn’t that easy. There’s a reason why nations keep strengthening their military forces."

Even if the Demon Dungeon vanished, conflicts between people would remain.

Countries would still have reasons to cultivate power.

The academy would continue to exist.

But at least, students wouldn’t have to descend into the Demon Dungeon, risking their lives.

"That’s a relief."

I smiled softly.

"At least you won’t end up unemployed, Professor."

One year left.

I was going to put an end to the Demon Dungeon.

Vega must have seen the determination in my eyes because she fell silent for a moment.

Then, she leaned back in her chair, smirking.

"Plenty of people have said the same thing, yet the Demon Dungeon still stands."

Many had been full of confidence before.

"But Hannon, you might be different."

Vega was the kind of professor who still believed in her students.

"You’re the craziest one I’ve ever met."

Not for my strength, but for my mind.

Turns out, brains do matter after all.

"Go ahead. I’ll be waiting."

"Thank you."

The day the Demon Dungeon falls—

That day, Vega will finally be free from the chains of the past.

Maybe then, she could finally live in peace.

"By the way, how’s the team composition looking?"

The Demon Dungeon’s shortest expedition team.

I already knew the list would be full of familiar names.

Vega rummaged through her drawer and pulled out a list.

I had no idea why it was under her beer can, but she handed it to me.

"As long as you’re not entering the Chamber of Evil, there’s no real limit to the number of people. A lot of forces will be invested."

"Though, from the 8th floor onward, that won’t matter much."

"That’s up to you guys. You’ll need to reorganize the teams again."

Ultimately, it was the students who had to descend the Demon Dungeon.

Professors could only support them—they couldn’t interfere beyond that.

I skimmed through the list.

All the promising talents from Zerion Academy were there.

‘An insanely powerful lineup.’

The Golden Flame Generation.

Lucas wasn’t here, but even without him, this force was more than enough to face Demon Sovereign.

As I read through the names—

Pause—

A fleeting thought crossed my mind.

My expression slowly shifted.

This was just a possibility.

But it was worth confirming.

I turned my gaze toward Vega.

"…Professor, you said there would be forces stationed at the entrance while we descend, right?"

"Yes, in case the Apostles take a leap forward."

If the Apostles advanced, it would be a global crisis.

That meant the best forces in the world would be deployed.

Which meant—

‘The world’s strongest forces will be leaving their posts in various nations.’

My eyes narrowed slightly.

Wasn’t this a little too convenient?

Could this whole situation be orchestrated to divert attention toward the Demon Dungeon?

If so, then it made sense why Isabel and I were dragged into the events leading to the 9th floor.

A deliberate scheme by ‘someone.’

Because of this, the news of the Apostles’ leap spread through me to Vega, and then to the world.

In other words, this wasn’t part of the original scenario.

‘It’s just a possibility, but…’

Maybe this was the next step in the accelerated scenario.

The continuation into Act 7.

I needed to have a serious discussion with Duke of Whitewood about this.