Chapter 72: Arrival of Lance the Savior

Inside the art classroom, bright lights were cast upon the walls, creating a faint, shimmering halo. The colorful canvases hanging on the walls seemed to possess a life of their own, perpetually whispering ancient secrets. The air in the room froze momentarily, and a silent tension hung heavy in the atmosphere.

Lance shifted his gaze away from the works of art and looked gently toward Senior Instructor Mogut of the Art Department. A faint smile was on his face, and his eyes shone as brightly as the stars at night.

As for the other two demon students, their answers had come more easily during the latter half of the lesson. Lance neither helped nor hindered them further. Once class ended, they collected their credit coins and quickly left.

Only Mogut, Lance, and Hyperion remained as they were, discussing how to fulfill the reward for Lance's successful completion of the challenge.

Professor Mogut pondered, a profound gleam flickering in his dark eyes, before finally speaking, "...Name whatever you wish. If it is within my power to grant, I will do my best to satisfy your request."

He truly couldn't think of what to offer Lance. Even for the previous record of twenty-one points, the reward had simply been the choice of any item from the Art Department that could be taken away. Given the current extraordinary circumstances and the fact that the deputy headmaster had just warned them to strictly adhere to the rules, he would have to honor the request, even if Lance made an exorbitant demand.

Moreover, Lance possessed an artistic talent that intrigued Mogut. He had no desire to suppress a student with such exceptional gifts.

Lance politely asked, "I would like to ask two questions. Can you guarantee that you will answer them fully and without holding anything back?"

He did not let his impressive performance in class go to his head.

Mogut hesitated only slightly before solemnly agreeing, "Very well. I give you my word. On the honor of the Carpas Family, I will answer your questions to the best of my knowledge."

If the request was merely something simple that caused him no trouble, then it simply meant the student had made a wise choice. However, just as he began to relax, Lance stared seriously at him and asked a question that exploded in his mind with the force of a thunderclap. "What do you believe is the greatest crisis about to unfold at the academy, and what, in your view, represents the variable that can turn it around?"

Since he was certain the deal was sealed, he could afford to be blunt, even audacious, in his questioning. Lance aimed to get straight to the heart of the matter without issue. Yet, what followed was a reaction from Mogut so intense that even Lance hadn't anticipated it.

His voice cracking with sudden shock, Mogut blurted out a question, "How... how do you know about this?"

He stared fixedly at Lance. Then, a realization dawned on him, one he could scarcely bring himself to believe. Recalling Lance's display of omniscience, omnipotent talent, and unfathomable intellect, a terrifying suspicion began to rise within him! However, he dared not ask Lance for confirmation.

His heart was pounding wildly, threatening to burst right out of his chest. Things were starting to click into place.

Lance said in a low, steady voice, "Sir, you shouldn't answer a question with a question."

He certainly couldn't let this senior instructor know that he had obtained the clue from the music classroom. For now, he simply needed the instructor to faithfully carry out their agreement.

Mogut's brows twitched. When he faced Lance's profound gaze, he felt his emotions slipping further out of his control. He tried to decipher the meaning behind the Radiant Demon's eyes, only to find that those gem-like orbs revealed absolutely nothing. No secrets could be read there.

Mogut lowered his head, struggling to breathe and regain his composure. Then, finally, he let out a deep sigh. Everything pointed to the conclusion that the Radiant Demon standing before him was, in all likelihood, the special envoy from the Demon King's City, the very one the deputy headmaster had spoken of.

The question the envoy had just asked was clearly an attempt to make contact with the school's upper echelons. After all, aside from the deputy headmaster, only a handful of senior instructors were privy to the envoy's existence.

Furthermore, the only way to meet a senior instructor and speak with them privately was to clear a Difficulty 3 classroom. Mogut also realized that, regardless of whether Lance was truly the special envoy or not, having made that agreement, he ought to simply go with the flow and honestly reveal the answer.

"Yes, our academy is currently facing a major crisis. And this crisis could erupt as early as tonight." Mogut admitted this slowly, his voice heavy with helplessness and anxiety. He looked at Lance again, as if he were nervously awaiting the slightest reaction from him.

"An envoy from the vampires will soon arrive at the school to investigate the presence of humans, who are suspected to have infiltrated the academy. If even one human is discovered, none of us, the academy's leadership I mean, will be able to escape the consequences. If the academy really is harboring such a problem, the only person who can save us is the special envoy sent from the Demon King's City."

Mogut looked at Lance hopefully. That final remark was clearly directed specifically at him. If this man is indeed the special envoy, then at this stage, it is time to lay all the cards on the table.

Lance's expression remained impassive. He appeared to be deep in thought, processing the massive amount of information he had just received. Beside him, Hyperion fought to keep her expression neutral, even as her mind screamed in a frenzy.

A special envoy from the Demon King's Castle? Could that have been the silver-haired demon Lance killed in the restaurant earlier?!

So, the hidden storyline of this Shadow Realm dungeon is actually a chaotic free-for-all involving multiple conflicting factions? Humans disguised as demons within the academy, academy leaders who are desperate to avoid disaster, a vampire envoy hunting for humans, a Demon Kingdom Inspectorate that is too afraid to cross the vampires, and the Demon King's own envoy?

And for a challenger to survive, the only path to safety is to gather intelligence as early as possible, maneuver between these demons who have conflicting agendas, and, while these factions keep each other in check, find a way out through the cracks!

This is a life-or-death challenge and a horrific scenario that demands the absolute limit of strategy, courage, and survival instincts.

After fully grasping just how many hidden, powerful enemies in this Level 4 Shadow Realm dungeon were out to kill the challengers, Hyperion couldn't help but feel a moment of bone-chilling dread.

But right now...

Hyperion suddenly realized something. There was a dangerous variable that neither the demons nor the vampires had foreseen: Lance. Entirely on his own, and unbeknownst to anyone, he had thoroughly muddied the already murky waters.

Lance remained silent. He quietly retrieved the black jade seal that he had looted from the silver-haired demon from the inner pocket of his coat. He held it up, letting Mogut see it. At that moment, silence spoke volumes.