Chapter 87. Dekan Gets Scolded by the Shadow World (1/2)

When Dekan woke up again, although it was still snowing outside the window, the sky was no longer so gloomy.

“Good, we can go play in the snow later.”

Dekan took out a “Vacation Plan Checklist” from his bedside.

There were still many items on it yet to be completed.

Happy times were too short; strive to leave no regrets!

Dekan soon met up with Cornelia and the Cat Teacher, and they enjoyed breakfast together.

“When Lilith and the others come, we can play this ‘Leap Over Creation Mountain’ that I made yesterday.”

Since he had a lot of free time yesterday during the day, and there were plenty of paper materials in the library and study, Dekan made a board game.

Cornelia and the Cat Teacher were also looking forward to it.

Of course, it might be more fun with more people.

Dekan decided that after returning to school, he would make a copy of all sorts of entertainment equipment and have the Cat Teacher bring them into the Shadow World next time.

A Shadow World should be this relaxed and enjoyable.

However, after waiting for a long time, Dekan and Cornelia had already built a large snowman in the courtyard, but Lilith and her companions still hadn’t come downstairs.

“It’s already ten o’clock.”

Cornelia rubbed her hands and exhaled a puff of mist.

She looked at the snowman, which was shaped like Captain Dekan. She felt a little like punching it, but also couldn’t bear to.

In her eyes, this snowman was quite cute.

However, the Cat Teacher could no longer control its claws. It jumped onto the snowman’s head and scratched its face.

Dekan took a step forward and grabbed the Cat Teacher by the scruff of its neck.

After a slight hesitation, Dekan still tossed it into Cornelia’s hands.

If it weren’t for the fact that this cat was quite warm, Dekan would have thrown it onto the snowy ground.

“By the way, yesterday I told them not to leave their bedrooms easily, otherwise it would be dangerous. They might not know that this mansion is now very safe.”

Dekan suddenly remembered what he had said yesterday.

“Then let’s go call them.”

So Dekan and Cornelia returned to the mansion, came to the second floor, and gently knocked on the door of room 202.

“The vampire has been killed, the mansion is safe now!”

Cornelia said from outside the door.

“…”

No response.

So she knocked a little harder a couple of times.

This time, there was finally some movement inside the room.

It was the sound of blankets rustling.

But the person in the room seemed a little flustered.

Then, the sound of soft footsteps came from inside the room.

Lilith ran over and opened the door.

She was wearing a high-collared shirt that covered her neck. Her eyes, besides being sleepy, carried a hint of timidity.

She looked to be in good condition, just that she might need to drink more water since she had just woken up.

Lilith: “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Cornelia: “It’s fine, it’s fine.”

Lilith: “Please wait for us for a moment!”

Cornelia: “Mhm, then we’ll go downstairs first. The mansion is completely safe now.”

Dekan listened to the conversation from the side, saying nothing, pretending he knew nothing.

My god, how late did you guys play last night?

Luckily, I didn’t stay in 203, otherwise I might have been too disturbed to sleep.

He thought to himself.

But Cornelia truly didn’t know anything, so her interaction with Lilith was quite natural.

However, when Lilith saw the expressionless faces of Dekan and Cornelia, a thousand thoughts ran through her mind.

After closing the door, her face gradually grew hot.

These two clever people definitely knew everything, they were just deliberately pretending not to have noticed.

…

When Lilith and her guard went downstairs together, they saw that the living room was empty.

They could faintly hear some sounds coming from outside the mansion from time to time.

It was undoubtedly Dekan and Cornelia.

Having a moment of leisure in a Shadow World was a rare thing.

But in such a terrifying place, it was probably difficult to truly feel at ease.

After all, it was easy to suffer psychological trauma.

They walked out of the mansion.

Only to see Dekan and Cornelia sitting on a sleigh, with a few summoned beasts in front pulling the sleigh and running wildly.

“Woohoo, take off!”

“Faster, faster!”

“Meow meow meow, you guys slow down! Don’t fall off the cliff, meow!”

The laughter of the two people and one cat was particularly clear outside the mansion.

Lilith and her guard looked at each other, and both saw question marks in each other’s eyes.

“Are we not awake yet?”

“…It seems to be real.”

Just as they were filled with existential doubt, Dekan and Cornelia both waved at them.

“Get on!”

“We can go skiing later! Dekan has already made the skis!”

Lilith pinched her own cheek.

She had seen people easily crush Shadow Worlds.

But this was the first time she had seen someone treat a Shadow World like an amusement park.

Ultimately, at the warm invitation of Dekan and Cornelia, they also joined the tour group.

Despite this, it still took them a long time to erase the strong sense of unreality.

And so, they happily spent the last day in the Shadow World.

After a peaceful rest on the third night, they all gathered in the living room at six in the morning to say goodbye.

Since the starting time in this Shadow World was 6:30 on the morning of the first day, and they couldn’t exit early, they had to survive for a full 72 hours. So they needed to wait until 6:30 on the morning of the fourth day to be teleported out by the Shadow World.

“Lilith, if we have a chance to visit your country in the future, let’s hang out again.”

Cornelia said goodbye to Lilith and her companions with some reluctance.

Because she was not good with words at school, she was basically only familiar with Dekan and Cloix.

She had just made a new friend, and now she had to say goodbye again so soon.

“Okay, you two take care!”

Lilith also felt a sense of longing.

Since she was of a similar age to Dekan and Cornelia, after discovering that their personalities were actually very easy to get along with, they quickly became good friends.

Lilith no longer had the arrogance she had when she first entered the Shadow World. In her eyes, the smart, powerful, and friendly Cornelia was the perfect image of a young lady in her mind.

She decided to look up to Cornelia.

“By the way, Dekan, Cornelia, next year’s 【Kingdom Federation’s Hero Festival】 will be held on our side. If you come to travel, I will definitely be a good host!”

It was currently the end of the year.

The Hero Festival was a grand festival held by the Kingdom Federation every five years. The next time it would be held was during the summer vacation after Dekan and Cornelia’s first year.

At that time, the various member states of the Kingdom Federation would have major events.

Besides most of the kings attending in person, some powerful figures and top experts would also attend the most crucial events.

“Ah, then we’ll definitely go. We’ll be troubling you then!”

Dekan thought for a moment and quickly replied.

After a few more words with Lilith and her companions, the Shadow World finally reached its settlement moment.

Dekan, Cornelia, and the Cat Teacher were teleported to a small liminal space between the Shadow World and the real world.

“Dekan, is our summer vacation activity planned already?”

Although there were still more than six months until summer vacation, Cornelia felt that traveling abroad during the Hero Festival would be very expensive…

After all, traveling in the real world wasn't like in the Shadow World where you could make the meter run backward.

Uh, not necessarily.

Dekan seemed to have seen through Cornelia’s thoughts and asked with a smile:

“Ah, have you forgotten what my status is?”

Cornelia lightly tapped her palm: “Oh, right!”

As a Special-Grade Card Maker, Dekan would be invited to some key events one way or another.

Bringing one or two friends along wouldn't be a problem!

Such a good opportunity for a publicly funded trip could not be missed.

Of course, there was another possibility, which was that his Special-Grade Card Maker review might not have passed by then.

But if the Card Makers’ Association really dared to mess with Dekan like that, then he would just go “participate” in the event as a member of the Resurrection Church.

He hoped the Card Makers’ Association knew what was good for them.

Just as they were chatting with renewed anticipation, the Shadow World finally began its settlement.

【Shadow World: Mysterious Figure in the Barren Mountain’s Blizzard has been cleared】

【Calculating results】

【Due to the different factions of the team members, calculations will be done separately】

【Challenger Dekan has achieved the following accomplishments】

【Despicable Deceiver (E) — You have deceived the Shadow World with despicable, shameless, and lowly means. The Shadow World will adjust its mechanics because of your actions】

【Blood Feast (A) — Successfully achieved the additional objective in this confrontational Shadow World, summoning Viscount Augustine】

【King of Civil War (A) — Successfully sabotaged the werewolf, who was also a Rebellious Challenger like you】

【Collapse of Propriety (E) — You will never spare any piano】

…

【Vampire Hunter (SS) — Made Viscount Augustine, who should have brought despair to all challengers, die in ultimate despair】

【Achievement summary complete, evaluation generation complete】

【You are a kind witch who tormented the werewolf and the vampire, fulfilling the original witch’s long-cherished wish. But no matter what, your actions are becoming more and more detached from humanity.】

【Overall Personal Evaluation: SS】

Dekan frowned.

He felt that this time, the Shadow World had mixed in some personal bias in its evaluation.

Was the Shadow World scolding him?

PART 2

Especially the first achievement, it wasn’t even trying to be subtle.

And that was the maneuver that secured their victory, yet it only received an E-rank evaluation?

Just as Dekan was feeling a bit down, Cornelia’s achievements began to update.

【Challenger Cornelia has achieved the following accomplishments】

【Great Detective (SSS) — Saw through the witch’s identity on the first day, but chose to cooperate with him tacitly and perfectly; saw through the werewolf’s identity on the second day and personally defeated her】

【Old Mansion Destroyer (C) — As a detective, you should not have caused so much damage to the mansion】

“When did you two exchange information…”

The Cat Teacher couldn’t help but ask as it looked at Cornelia’s achievements.

It had been hiding in Dekan’s shadow ever since it arrived in the Shadow World.

But on the first day, it had never heard Dekan tell Cornelia his identity.

It had thought Cornelia only learned the truth on the second day when Dekan revealed it himself.

Cornelia: “Just stare into his eyes for a few more seconds, and you’ll quickly know what Dekan is thinking.”

Cat Teacher: “???”

…

【Vampire’s Nightmare (SS) — Inflicted cruel torment on Viscount Augustine that he could not and should not have endured】

【You are a miraculous detective; any mystery appears exceptionally fragile before your power.】

【Achievement summary complete, evaluation generation complete】

【Overall Personal Evaluation: SSS】

After the evaluation appeared.

Cornelia looked at Dekan with some surprise.

She didn’t understand why her evaluation was higher than Dekan’s.

“Sigh, so that’s how it is.”

Dekan shook his head helplessly.

“What’s wrong?” Cornelia asked.

“The total contribution we achieved together cannot be changed. The Shadow World is not happy with me, but it can’t dock our rewards, so it attributed the main credit to you.”

“Then, should I give you some of the reward?”

“No need, no need. It’s the same no matter who gets it. You getting stronger means I get stronger.”

Dekan thought about it carefully. In fact, this distribution mechanism might be a good thing.

If they were judged by the Shadow World to have contributed equally, perhaps neither of them would receive an epic-level reward.

But if the contribution was mainly concentrated on Cornelia, at least one particularly good reward would drop.

“Mhm.”

Cornelia nodded.

They were the body and the brain.

No matter which one was strengthened, they would become stronger together.

As the two were talking, the Shadow World’s notifications stopped updating.

The Cat Teacher shouted: “Why don’t I have an evaluation, meow!”

“…What did you do in the entire Shadow World?”

“…”

The Cat Teacher fell silent.

It seemed that apart from playing, it had done nothing.

It hadn’t even given Dekan and Cornelia a buff.

It was a complete freeloader.

A freeloader who could slack off until the end and not even get an evaluation from the Shadow World; the Cat Teacher’s situation was a rare precedent.

“Forget it, forget it, meow. It’s good enough to get a share of the profits.”

The Cat Teacher had indeed had a good time these past three days.

Getting paid to travel was already pretty good.

【Reward Settlement: Rank Amplification (Dekan Rank 3 → Rank 3, Cornelia Rank 3 → Rank 4)】

【Dekan has obtained [Witch's Reward] (4th-rank Rare Spell Card)】

【Cornelia has obtained [Bloodstained Casebook] (4th-rank Epic Equipment Card)】

“Really, not even a single material!”

Dekan looked at the card floating into his hand, which glowed with a purplish-amethyst light, his expression a little helpless.

【Witch's Reward】

【Category: Spell Card】

【Grade: Purple Rare】

【Rank: 4】

【Effect: Can dispel a barrier of 6th rank or below. Cooldown: 720 hours.】

【Note: With this card, you too are an excellent witch.】

At first, Dekan was a little displeased with the grade of the reward, but after seeing the effect, his mood eased considerably.

Logically, a card that could break a 6th-rank barrier should be at least 6th-rank.

But this card, at only 4th rank, could open a 6th-rank barrier.

Even if the cooldown time was much longer than that of a normal dispelling card, it could still produce miraculous effects.

For example, a 4th-rank challenger bringing this card into a 4th-rank Shadow World might be able to unlock a map restriction that was originally unbreakable under the rules.

Natural cards produced by the Shadow World like this were composed of otherworldly magical principles, and their materials might not be found in the real world.

They were almost impossible to decipher and impossible to imitate.

So it could definitely sell for a good price.

But for now, Dekan could keep it for a while.

In the next Shadow World, he could let Cornelia temporarily carry 【Witch’s Reward】, which would give her lock-picking ability a qualitative leap.

After Cloix could team up with them, Dekan would sell this card.

Even if it couldn’t be exchanged for a 6th-rank epic material, it would be enough to cover a small half of the price.

Dekan looked at the epic card in Cornelia’s hand with some confusion.

“This epic equipment card of yours must be very strong, but why is it a book…”

Cornelia had already summoned the book. It looked like a small notebook, about A5 size.

This 【Bloodstained Casebook】 didn’t look as scary as its name suggested.

The simple and exquisite brown cover was engraved with a few patterns, even carrying a bit of the artistic air of a luxury item.

However, if you looked closely at the top edge of the book, you would find it stained with crimson marks, and it was unknown how many pages had been soaked in eerie blood.

Logically, only priests and support mages would use a book as a weapon, as a substitute for a staff.

It was a very niche type of magic equipment.

And this kind of book that looked very sinister was obviously only used by priests of Dekan’s type.

Dekan appraised it with curiosity.

【Bloodstained Casebook】

【Category: Equipment Card】

【Grade: Orange Epic】

【Rank: 4】

【Effect: An equipment card can be placed in the book, allowing the book to possess the effect of that equipment card. This equipment has extremely high durability, and each kill made with this book will permanently increase its attack power.】

【Note: This is a weapon that should not exist in the world.】

“My god! As expected of a reward from an SSS rating!”

Even Dekan, the master card maker of the underworld, couldn’t help but praise this piece of equipment.

“How do I use it?”

Cornelia felt a headache just looking at the book, let alone a magic book.

She flipped through the Bloodstained Casebook but couldn’t understand its contents at all.

She kind of wanted to throw it away.

“It’s used similarly to a hammer. We commonly call this type of weapon a brick.”

Dekan explained.

“Oh, okay!”

Cornelia instantly understood how to use the book.

She picked up the casebook and swung it around.

It was light and easy to handle!

Smashing down with the spine of the book would surely crack open the enemy’s head!

Instantly, she couldn’t put the book down.

“I never thought I’d find a book I like so much one day.”

“A good book can change a person’s destiny. There’s a reason for that saying.”

“…”

The Cat Teacher was silent.

In its impression, books were not generally used this way.

Even Dekan using an evil book to curse others was more normal than Cornelia’s method…

“Now you look more and more like a detective.”

Dekan praised as he looked at Cornelia’s rare smile.

“Right!”

Cornelia held the casebook to her chest, quite satisfied, and let Dekan look at her.

Dekan admired her and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Elegant and dignified!”

Dekan was quite happy for Cornelia, who had obtained a weapon very suitable for a girl.

“Let’s go back to school, meow! Celebration banquet, celebration banquet!”

The Cat Teacher jumped up and down between the two.

It couldn’t wait to get its share of the profits.

Thinking about having to face reality, Dekan couldn’t help but sigh.

The most melancholic time of every week was Sunday afternoon.

And what made Dekan and Cornelia even more melancholic was the moment of leaving the Shadow World.

“Let’s come back and play next month.”

“Mhm, ever since I started with Shadow Worlds, I have something to look forward to every day.”

“You guys, for crying out loud… could you consider the feelings of normal students for a bit…”

The two people and one cat chatted idly as they stepped into the void gate and returned to Heavenlit Academy.

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