Chapter 328: Ignorance Will Kill You Faster Than Any Monster’s Claws.
"Over six hundred years ago, the capital city of the kingdom of magic suddenly vanished without a trace overnight," said the History Professor, Professor Arabelle, in a solemn tone.
"This capital city was called Orion City. No one really knows what happened back then. However, a year after the city’s disappearance, something appeared within its ruins. Can anyone here answer what that is?"
The Homeroom Professor of Class C glanced at Alex, who was raising his hand.
"Yes, Alex?"
"A Dungeon appeared in the ruins of Orion City."
"Correct." Professor Arabelle nodded with satisfaction. "Twenty Academy Points to Mr. Stratos."
The Professor then tapped the end of her staff against the marble floor.
A low thrum reverberated through the classroom while a ripple of light spread outward from the point of contact.
In an instant, the air above her shimmered, warping like glass under heat until a magical projection bloomed into existence.
A prosperous city appeared. Its center—where a city square should have been—was walled-off. Above the massive walls were countless magical cannons, each pointed inwards at the entrance of a dungeon.
"The city has been rebuilt and has retained its original name," Professor Arabelle explained. "And the Dungeon is called the Orion Dungeon."
She paused for a bit before continuing.
"This Dungeon is one of the three Rank S Dungeons in the Kingdom of Avalon. So, who here knows what kind of monsters spawn inside of it?"
"Me!" Chuck waved his hand frantically, trying to catch the Professor’s attention.
Professor Arabelle smiled faintly and nodded in Chuck’s direction.
"The monsters that spawn inside the Orion Dungeon are Undead Monsters," Chuck answered.
"Correct. Five points to Mr. No Rizz," Professor Arabelle declared. "Just like what Mr. No Rizz has said, the Orion Dungeon is a dungeon where Undead Monsters spawn. It’s also regularly monitored by the Knights of Orion to ensure that a Dungeon Outbreak will be detected as early as possible.
"It’s been a hundred years since the last Outbreak and the likelihood of it happening again increases every day."
Alex lowered his head, thinking. A Dungeon Outbreak was long overdue, but there was no way of knowing exactly when it would happen. No way, of course, except by letting Charles set foot inside the dungeon.
Once he did, a Dungeon Outbreak was guaranteed.
That was exactly the leverage Alex planned to use to win the competition.
A Dungeon Outbreak would eliminate the other teams by forcing them to use their teleportation crystals to escape the horde of monsters.
While the students were escaping, Alex would seize this opportunity to eliminate as many monsters as he could, turning the dungeon into his slaughter zone.
He, Nessia, Charles, Vaan, and Dim Dim had been preparing hard for this expedition. They believed that once the tide of monsters rolled out in full, they would gain a massive amount of points in the process.
Of course, with Professor Rowan on the scene, the safety of the city was not a problem.
In the game, the Monster Outbreak would take place a year from now and nearly destroy the entire City of Orion in the process.
Alex didn’t want that to happen, so he decided to use this opportunity to induce an artificial Dungeon Outbreak. That would empty the monster reserves in the dungeon and prevent an outbreak from happening in the near future.
In his mind, this was the perfect plan that prevented future problems.
Also, since Phoebe had given him a warning, he now knew that the Demon Worshipers would be waiting to ambush the students on the Fifth Floor.
Their primary targets were Prince Garen of Solara and Prince Kaelen of Faelarun.
Alex didn’t know how many Demon Worshipers would be entering the dungeon, but they, too, would be drowned by the waves of monsters that would rise to the surface.
Charles had also spoken privately with him, admitting that his Challenger’s Mark had evolved into a stronger skill.
He hadn’t given Alex the full details of the upgrade, but he had revealed something chilling.
The Challenger’s Mark range now extended up to six kilometers inside a dungeon.
The skill had always had a spherical range, which meant that it affected floors both above and below Charles. Now that his reach had been extended to six kilometers, Alex didn’t know how many dungeon floors would be affected by Charles’ Dungeon-Wide taunt ability.
Either way, a Monster Outbreak was guaranteed to happen. On the bright side, it would also endanger the Demon Worshipers, who were after the VIPs from Solara and Faelarun.
"Undead Monsters have many weaknesses and resistances." Professor Arabelle’s soothing voice snapped Alex from his thoughts, forcing him to focus on the lesson.
"But let us talk about their strengths first."
The magical projection shifted into a skeletal warrior shrugging off a volley of poisoned arrows, a zombie continuing to march even after its leg had been severed, and a banshee unleashing a scream that shattered the will of veteran soldiers.
"Undead Monsters are immune to poison and disease. They do not suffer fatigue, nor do they feel fear or pain. A wound that would cripple a living soldier does not hinder them in the slightest.
"Even when destroyed, certain Undead possess the ability to reform or evolve into stronger versions of themselves."
The students shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"Furthermore," Professor Arabelle continued as she tapped her staff once more, "their numbers are virtually limitless during an Outbreak.
"Undead do not need food or rest. They will hurl themselves against city walls without hesitation, wearing down defenders until exhaustion and despair claim them. Some, such as Wraiths and Banshees, can bypass physical defenses entirely."
The projection morphed again, now displaying a list with glowing words that floated above the battlefield illusions.
Advantages of Undead Monsters
— Immunity to poison and disease.
— No fatigue, fear, or pain.
— Capable of fighting even with crippling injuries.
— Some can reform or evolve after destruction.
— Numbers can swell endlessly during an Outbreak.
— Certain types can bypass physical defenses (specters, banshees, wraiths).
"However, the Undead are not without weaknesses," Professor Arabelle said firmly. She had picked up on the uncertainty her students were feeling. "They are especially vulnerable to holy and divine magic as well as purification rites. Fire is also an effective weapon, particularly against the lesser Undead.
"And while they may feel no fear, Low-Ranking Undead, like Skeleton Soldiers, Zombies, and Ghouls, are often slow, predictable, and reliant on overwhelming numbers rather than cunning."
The glowing letters rearranged themselves into a second list.
Weaknesses of Undead Monsters
— Vulnerable to holy and divine magic.
— Weak against purification and blessings.
— Fire is highly effective, especially against Low-Ranking Undead.
— The movements of Low-Ranking Undead are often slow and predictable.
— Lower intelligence compared to other monster types.
— Dependent on necrotic energy—disruption of this energy weakens them.
The projection dimmed and Professor Arabelle’s voice softened.
"Knowledge of your enemy is your first shield. In Orion Dungeon, ignorance will kill you faster than any monster’s claws."
Her words hung in the air, and the classroom remained silent.
"But know this, High-Ranking Undead like Vampires are very dangerous," Professor Arabella stated.
"Among the High-Ranking Undead that have been recorded are Dullahans, headless knights who wield cursed blades and ride spectral warhorses. Their strikes can sever not only flesh, but also the very spirit of their opponent."
Several students gasped as the image of a towering, headless rider appeared on the projection, its sword dripping with black flame.
"Then there are the Death Knights—fallen heroes resurrected by necrotic energy. Unlike their mindless counterparts, Death Knights retain fragments of their martial skill, making them tactically intelligent and extremely difficult to defeat. Entire squads of adventurers have perished facing a single one."
The projection shifted again, showing a knight clad in blackened steel, its eyes glowing crimson beneath a rusted helm.
"And deeper still dwell the Liches—Undead sorcerers of immense magical power. A Lich does not simply kill with claws or steel. They summon legions of Undead and drain the life force of an entire battlefield. Fortunately, only one has ever been sighted within Orion Dungeon and that was nearly two centuries ago."
The students’ unease only intensified as the vision of a skeletal mage raised its staff and sent a green wave of death washing over screaming soldiers.
"And finally," Professor Arabelle lowered her voice, her expression grave, "there are whispers of something greater... the Bone Colossi—towering monstrosities assembled from thousands of bones, bound together by dark rituals.
"They are not common spawns, but rather guardians that awaken only when the balance of the Dungeon is disturbed. Even the Knights of Orion dare not engage one lightly."
A gigantic skeleton over a hundred meters tall appeared in the projection. With a single slash of its bony sword, it destroyed everything in its path.
"There is also the Bone Dragon, which is just as strong as the Bone Colossi, perhaps even stronger," Professor Arabelle added.
The Headmaster hadn’t told anyone where he planned to take the First Years for their Dungeon Expedition.
But Professor Arabelle had a hunch.
Because of this, she decided to teach her class about Orion Dungeon, hoping they would be able to connect the dots and make adequate preparations.
Alex, who realized what Professor Arabelle was thinking, couldn’t help but give his Professor a thumbs-up in his heart.
Given her dedication and care for her students, it was not surprising that she was one of the most popular Professors among the First Years.
’While I don’t believe we will be facing a Bone Dragon, a Bone Colossi, or a Lich, fighting against Dullahans and Death Knights is possible,’ Alex thought. ’I just hope that our preparations will be enough to face those High-Ranking Undeads.’
There were only a few weeks before the promised date, so Alex decided to drop by the Exchange Center later to buy more materials for the talismans.
He would also visit the outskirts of the City of Harmonia to purchase some artifacts that were effective against Undead Monsters.
The young man hadn’t forgotten that he was in "Hell Mode." He decided to play it safe and add more protective measures that would ensure his club members’ safety in their upcoming dungeon expedition.