'The mission where everyone but five are Fated to die.'
Charlotte continued with the briefing.
"The information about Windows and Elemental Dimensions should be known to all of you.
"But I'll explain the basics for those not from God Clans."
Each elemental (the smallest unit of an element) came from a different dimension.
Fire Elemental from the World of Blazing Flames…
Death Elemental from the World of Eternal Death…
These elementals seeped into the real world through 'windows'.
The area around a Window, where multiple dimensions coexisted due to the formation of Window, was called Zone.
There was a lot one could excavate from Zones.
Treasures of elemental planes, rare metals, exotic beasts, elemental Seeds, mythical fruits.
However, Zones were equally dangerous.
If the Window wasn't destroyed, the Elemental Dimensions would invade through them and consume the real world.
"Your mission is to close the Window #12862."
Windows were not easy to close.
And a Window connecting to World of Treacherous Shadows?
Only those with a death wish would go there.
"I have a question." Arthur raised his hand.
"If the window can become a Calamity-rank window in the future, why are Awakened Demigods like us were selected for this mission?
"Isn't it better to send someone stronger?"
"We can do that and we will do that if you fail the mission."
Arthur's face hardened.
Failing to close the window, especially one of the world of shadows, meant guaranteed death.
Death would be a mercy.
The shadows never killed.
They granted a fate far worse than that.
"Don't misunderstand.
"We aren't forcing you to go on a suicide mission.
"You have the choice to leave if you want.
"However, you will be forfeiting the rewards if you do that."
The briefing continued.
"Now, I'll explain about what you have to do in the S-rank mission.
"While the Zone will be handled by the academy staff, you all will enter the Window to close it.
"Window #12862 has three Corners.
"You will go into the Window, place the stabilizers at the Corners and close the Window through them."
As she spoke, the projector showed different images to give them an idea of what they would face.
They stared at the screen with bated breaths.
"The Window connecting to the Shadow World will have shadow monsters.
"It's too long to explain so I'll warn you about the most dangerous monsters.
"If you see your Shadow, run."
World of Treacherous Shadow was a unique world among the Elemental Dimensions.
It mirrored — and followed — the real world down to the smallest detail.
Just like how a shadow would.
Every person, every beast, every object had a 'Shadow' that replicated their actions in the Shadow World.
Those Shadows wanted to become 'real'.
If a person was caught by their Shadow, Shadows would take over their bodies and soul, and replace them.
"Never. Try. To. Fight. Your. Shadow."
Charlotte looked them in the eye.
"It's impossible to defeat your Shadow.
"That's all from my side. Professor Anna will distribute the equipment to you."
Someone exhaled and the tension broke.
"Wow, that's the S-rank mission? It's worse than I thought," Jack commented.
"I'm not worried about encountering my own Shadow. That happens rarely.
"Besides, I'm weak and so will be my Shadow.
Felix stopped speaking.
He stared at Arthur, Mars, and Leonora.
"We are dead if a Shadow of anyone among these three appears."
"The Big Four and the Inconsequential Zeroth, huh?" Jack said and suddenly stopped.
He stared at Neo in shock.
"The Inconsequential Zeroth?"
"O-oh, I just remembered I have to go and—"
"The Zeroth… is me, Jack?"
From how everyone stared at Jack it seemed all of them knew about it and decided to hide it from Neo.
"What's this all about?" Neo asked.
"It's what students have been calling Arthur, Mars, Leonora, Morrigan, and… you."
"I get it why other three are in the Big Four, but why Arthur?"
Neo wasn't as pissed as they had imagined.
Jack let out a sigh of relief and showed him a website on his smartphone.
"It's a site accessible by only academy students.
"Felix has been posting videos of their missions.
"Coupled with Arthur's performance during the ranking tournament, most students think he is on par on Mars and Leonora."
Neo scrolled through the website.
'Damn, Felix has good editing skills.'
He ignored the rumors about him.
He had more important things to focus on.
Giving a fuck about opinions of students who ranked lower than him was the last thing on his list.
"If all of you are doing wasting your time, follow me to the Zone," Elizabeth said.
The students left the lecture hall.
They went towards the location where the ranking battle took place.
Elizabeth brought them to a hill.
"Wow… That's a Window?"
A crack in the sky, spanning hundreds of meter, looked down from above.
Black rain fell from it.
The forest below was covered in shadows.
Academy staff, wearing special suits, fought the monsters born from the Window's contamination.
The pressure of the Window pressed down on them heavily.
Neo could feel goosebumps rising over his skin.
Elizabeth passed them watches.
"This watch will warn you when your Shadow enters within 100 meter of your range.
"It also shows you the Depth Level.
"Don't go too deep or you might fall into the World of Treacherous Shadows.
"The Corners are located at Depth Level…."
Elizabeth continued to explain.
Neo could not focus on her.
He was staring at the screen before his eyes.
[Quest: Singlehandedly defeat the Shadow of Arthur Kingsley.]
[Reward: Immortal Exp +50, Time Affinity]
Neo took in a sharp breath.
The Quest confirmed Arthur's Shadow will be there.
'I have to defeat Arthur's Shadow alone?'
The Quest was impossible for the current him.
However, the reward….
'Time Affinity. I can't give up on it.'
He had to make a choice.