The vast forest of giant trees, each easily surpassing twenty meters in height, stretched all the way to the horizon. Its interior, covered by dense leaves, could only be illuminated by sunlight that managed to slip through the gaps in the leaves. As such, the ground was slippery and damp with moss, hidden by a faint layer of mist above it.0

And before the entrance to such an ominous forest—the C-class Danger Zone, Black Lotus Seas—were hundreds of students, each trying to calm their breaths with tense expressions.0

“Ugh… this place seems tough.”1

“I thought the first subjugation practical is usually held in D-class Danger Zones. What is thi— cough! Cough!”0

With most of the students never having been to a Danger Zone before, they were unable to adapt, caught up in constant coughing or retching. Even those who did have prior experience seemed mostly left in bad shape.0

But that wasn’t strange; this was the Black Lotus Seas, a place famous even among other C-class Danger Zones for its high concentration of demonic aura in the air.0

“Agh… I don’t think I can do this…”0

“I’m heading back…”0

Many quickly declared forfeit and retreated, having underestimated the intensity of the demonic aura here. Feeling their own rapidly deteriorating condition and experiencing symptoms of mana backflow, they knew that overexerting themselves here could lead to serious injuries and potentially ruin their entire semester.0

“I need to be more cautious…”0

“This place sucks…”0

Watching the ones who retreated already, the remaining students braced themselves and heightened their senses as they slowly adapted to the harsh atmosphere of the Black Lotus Seas.0

“Hm. That should do it,” said Se-Hoon.0

Despite having just passed through the terminal, Se-Hoon was already able to walk lightly,...0