Chapter 107
Chapter 107. Squander (1)
Gathered around Gunther were a group of individuals.
Birds of a feather flock together, and each of them possessed at least a Gold Dragon Plaque or a White Dragon Plaque.
This implied that all of them had entered through Dragon Plaque recommendations, and had heard similar stories before taking the certification test.
“[There are five types of Dragon Plaques.]”
That was the extent of the information allowed to those taking the certification test.
Some didn’t even hear that much.
However, a few picked up additional bits of information here and there, from family members or Dragon Plaque sponsors.
The cadets who were shocked were precisely those who had picked up this kind of information.
Distrust quickly filled their eyes.
“…Black Dragon Plaque Holder?”
“Are they talking about the Black Dragon Plaque? Does that actually exist?”
Many nodded in agreement at the question, all eyes turning to Gunther.
On the other hand, Pana, who hadn’t heard of such information, tilted her head in confusion.
“What’s a Black Dragon Plaque? Was there such a thing among the Dragon Plaques?”
It was Nellie who answered her.
“There’s a rumor that there exists a Dragon Plaque ranked higher than the White Dragon Plaque. That’s the Black Dragon Plaque.”
“Ranked higher than the White Dragon Plaque?”
“Yes, but it’s extremely rare for anyone to have actually seen it, so it’s mostly just a rumor…”
“It’s not a rumor.”
Gunther interrupted Nellie’s story.
He shook his head.
“The Black Dragon Plaque isn’t some mere rumor. I saw it myself. Yuri Holland taking the certification test, and receiving the Black Dragon Plaque right there.”
“You saw that? How?”
“Because he and I took the certification test at the same place.”
“Ah…”
“One year ago, Yuri Holland…”
Gunther trailed off, his eyes widening in surprise.
“One year ago?”
In Gunther’s mind, he recalled Yuri from a year ago, struggling even to hold a sword properly.
That body hadn’t been capable of any martial technique, let alone basic training.
Yuri Holland at that time wasn’t particularly threatening when considering him apart from his unique status as an Avatar.
‘…That’s how it was.’
He then recalled Yuri on the Black Ship heading to the Cradle’s mainland, throwing a freckled boy into the sea.
[This won’t do, go clean yourself up.]
At that time, Yuri’s movements had been extremely swift.
He moved so quickly that Gunther, who had been watching, lost sight of him for a moment.
Moreover, Yuri demonstrated overwhelming strength, enough to subdue a cadet who had passed the Dragon Plaque Change in one blow.
And it didn’t end there.
[If you want to pick a fight, be prepared to take a beating. Consider this your first warning.]
Even just moments ago, Yuri Holland had exuded a chilling and intense aura when issuing his warning.
It was such a drastic change that it felt like he was an entirely different person.
Recalling all of this, Gunther murmured to himself.
“In just… one year?”
Gunther stared intently in the direction where Yuri had disappeared.
“Do you know him?”
Arin asked, following behind Yuri.
Still moving without stopping, Yuri replied.
“Know who?”
“That guy earlier, he seemed to know you well. Aren’t you two acquainted?”
“Hmm…”
Yuri rubbed his chin.
He had been puzzled by Gunther’s reaction as well.
‘Gunther… who is he?’
At first, he hadn’t recognized him, but the more he thought about it, the more familiar the face seemed.
‘Where did I see him before?’
Not when he watched him fight Theresia.
Not when they argued on the Black Ship.
No, Yuri had seen Gunther much earlier than that.
‘Gunther Irons… Gunther Irons… Oh? Irons?’
A glint flashed in Yuri’s eyes.
‘Ah, that’s who he is.’
He remembered the time he had spent quite a while at the Irons’ estate.
The son of the Lord who had taken the certification test at the Cradle before Yuri had even met Johan.
That was Gunther.
Though he had grown significantly taller since then, it was definitely him.
Yuri snorted at Arin’s suggestion that he knew Gunther well.
“Know him? Not really. We only crossed paths once a long time ago, and we never even spoke.”
“Really? Then why was he looking at you like that? I almost thought you were long-lost brothers reunited.”
“I’m hungry.”
Poppy nodded in agreement with Arin’s words.
Yuri frowned deeply but couldn’t really deny it.
Even he felt there was something about Gunther’s gaze, something significant.
“I don’t know, alright?”
Yuri was clueless about Gunther’s competitive feelings toward him, leaving him merely puzzled.
He suddenly stopped, turning to look at Arin and Poppy, who were following him.
“You worthless second-rates.”
“…Can’t you stop saying that?”
“Then just take first place.”
“Ugh…”
“Anyway, where are you two headed?”
“Where else? We’re going wherever you’re going.”
“Oh, so you’re following me, are you?”
“Yup!”
“I’m hungry!”
Yuri asked them a fundamental question, facing the pair who eagerly nodded.
“Why?”
“To see if you’re actually securing us a place to stay.”
“I’m hungry!”
Yuri flinched at their words.
Truth be told, he had completely forgotten that he needed to find accommodations for the two of them.
Seeing Yuri’s reaction, Arin and Poppy squinted their eyes.
“Did you see that? He flinched.”
“I’m hungry.”
Nod, nod—
“Right? It’s like he forgot.”
“I’m hungry.”
Nod, nod—
“We shouldn’t have just handed over the points. We should have exchanged for something.”
“I’m hungry.”
Nod, nod—
As the two’s gazes grew more narrow, Yuri tried to keep calm, forcing a smile.
“Forgot? No way! Of course, I remembered.”
“Really?”
“Of course! That’s why I was asking—what kind of place do you want to stay in?”
“…If you’re only asking now, does that mean you haven’t started looking?”
“Yes, that’s right. I forgot. I’m sorry. What do you want me to do about it?”
“Wow, look at how shameless he is.”
“So, are you not going to answer? What kind of place do you want?”
Arin looked exasperated at Yuri’s curt tone.
She raised her hand enthusiastically.
“Me! I want a high place! I like high places!”
“Hmm… high places, huh? Got it. What about Poppy?”
“I’m hungry.”
Yuri glanced at Arin.
“He doesn’t care where.”
“I’m hungry.”
“As long as he can avoid the wind and rain, he’s satisfied.”
Yuri nodded as Arin interpreted for Poppy.
“A high place, and anywhere for him…”
At first, Yuri didn’t think much of it, but as he listened to Arin and Poppy, a plan started to form in his mind.
Soon, Yuri’s expression grew serious.
‘Can I trust these guys?’
To be honest, he wasn’t sure.
He hadn’t fully built up trust in them yet.
Yuri quietly observed Arin and Poppy, while memories of recent events flashed through his mind.
Their cooperation in the Forest of Animals.
And the way they casually returned tens of millions of points without hesitation.
Yuri was certain.
‘I can’t say I trust them 100%, but they’re not the type to con others.’
It takes one to know one.
In Yuri’s eyes, those two were definitely not that type of people.
He gave a light wave of his hand.
“For now, let’s split up here. I have some things to check out.”
With that, Yuri swiftly disappeared.
Arin and Poppy, who had been somewhat overwhelmed by Yuri’s sudden serious demeanor, suddenly realized their mistake when he waved goodbye and left. But by then, he had already vanished without a trace.
Once again, having lost sight of Yuri, the two muttered in frustration.
“Did we… get tricked again?”
“I’m hungry…”
Their voices sank in dejection.
Meanwhile, Yuri, having separated from Arin and Poppy, returned to the crack.
He didn’t enter immediately but instead fell into thought.
‘This crack really is the perfect hideout.’
The crack was highly advantageous for defending against external intrusions.
But there was one problem.
When leaving the crack, one could easily be exposed to attacks.
Thinking about this, Yuri glanced around.
First, he looked up at the tops of the tall trees surrounding the crack.
“A place high up, suitable for an archer.”
Next, his gaze landed on the wide open space around the crack.
“A shield-bearer who doesn’t care about location.”
With these murmurs, the vague framework of his initial idea started to take shape.
“…Plus a swordsman and a spearman.”
Yuri rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
‘When it comes to the third, fourth, and fifth years, they all move to the residential area, but it’s not mandatory.’
This was information he had heard from Theresia.
According to her, the reason why the third, fourth, and fifth years moved to the residential area was because of the meals and various amenities provided there.
‘That means, as long as the convenience is improved to some extent, you can stay in a place you’ve already settled in…’
And if that place was the safest one, there was no need to leave even as a senior cadet.
‘Then instead of just staying for one or two years and leaving, why not set it up properly?’
What if he could create the safest place in the Cradle, one that even the Black Sword Corps wouldn’t dare to touch?
It would be a place where he could truly relax.
‘My own home…’
But what Yuri envisioned wasn’t just a simple house.
It was more akin to a small fortress.
‘First… to start this, I need to get permission.’
Yuri wasn’t the only one living in this crack.
There was someone who had settled there before him.
Yuri entered the crack to seek her approval.
As usual, Theresia was training diligently.
Yuri briefly explained his plan to her.
He intended to carry out construction centered around the crack.
He would also bring in other people.
Would that be okay?
After hearing everything, Theresia responded with a question of her own.
“Those people you’re planning to bring in—can you trust them? Otherwise, you might end up exposing this place to danger.”
Yuri answered calmly.
“I don’t trust them completely, but from what I’ve seen, they’re not the type to con others. They’re a bit quirky, though.”
“That’s good enough. Do as you like.”
“…That’s it?”
“What, were you expecting me to fiercely oppose you?”
“No, not really. It’s just strange that you’re allowing it so easily.”
“The Yuri I’ve seen isn’t someone who easily trusts others. If you, of all people, say they’re not the type to con others, then I believe you’ve thoroughly vetted them.”
“…?!”
“When someone like you says, ‘they’re not the type to con others,’ it means they’re trustworthy enough.”
“…We must have gotten pretty close. You’ve got me all figured out.”
“Given how hard I’m trying to stab you with my spear, I’m learning more and more.”
“So you know pretty much everything about me?”
“Guess so.”
“Guess so, indeed. Anyway, I take that as your approval?”
“Yes.”
With that, the two wrapped up their conversation with light-hearted banter.
This moment would later be remembered as the starting point of the small fortress that would be called the ‘Demon King’s Castle.’
That night.
Five minutes before midnight on February 1st.
“Hope you snag some good items.”
“Same to you.”
Yuri and Theresia exited the crack together, parting ways at the fork inside the North Gate.
Theresia headed down the right corridor towards the second-year special sales shop.
Yuri took the left corridor towards the first-year special sales shop.
Walking his own path after parting ways with Theresia, Yuri’s face was unusually solemn.
‘Finally… the day has come.’
The day he had long wished for.
The day he thought would never come.
Yuri walked down the hallway with tense steps.
And at last.
Click—
He opened the door to what was once a special discount shop, now a special sales shop.
Creak—
Beyond the wide-open door, a soft orange glow and wisps of white smoke greeted Yuri.
Realizing he had come to the right place, Yuri continued walking forward.
Step, step—
Though the room was spacious, with Yuri as the sole visitor, his footsteps echoed loudly.
Step, step—
Confidently striding forward, Yuri stopped in front of the display case he had seen in the past.
“Huh?”
Coco blinked.
At the same time, Yuri cleared his throat as he reached out his hand.
“Ahem.”
This was Yuri preparing to fulfill his small dream.
‘Finally!’
Something he had always wanted to say as a person, but could never do because of his poor circumstances!
Today, he would finally get to say those words.
“Miss Coco.”
Calling Coco’s name, Yuri’s expression turned distinctly elegant and haughty.
Snap—
As he lifted his arm, his hand relaxed, his wrist bending into an ‘L’ shape.
His lone index finger pointed towards the display case.
With a coy voice, Yuri declared.
“From here to there, give me everything.”
His finger traced smoothly from the left to the right end of the display case.
