CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74 - DEREK

Logan’s alarm blared loudly the next morning.

After jumping out of bed, Logan changed into the same gear he’d worn on his first dungeon run.

The university allowed students to use their own gear while also providing some of their own for the poorer students.

’It’s not exactly fair,’ Logan thought, adjusting his collar. ’The school-issued gear is decent, but nothing beats custom-made. At least for this dungeon, we’re allowed to bring our own.’

Only official events like the freshman competition used fully standardized weapons. These events also required students to sign death waivers in order to participate.

’Making it fair for everyone is impossible anyway,’ he thought, shaking his head slightly as he looked in the mirror. ’You can’t ban personal gear from average dungeon runs.’

He could only imagine the lawsuits the university would face if students died because they couldn’t use their own gear.

Having completely readied himself, Logan stepped out of his room and walked through the empty corridors in search of Grant and the others.

Logan turned a corner, finally finding Grant, Layla, Thomas, and Ethan standing around, each wearing their own combat gear. Even Ethan had his own custom-made gear thanks to Logan.

’’Good morning, everyone,’’ Logan said, smiling as he joined them. ’’Are you all ready to go?’’

’’Just waiting on Robert now,’’ Grant responded, grinning with his massive greatsword hooked on his back.

After a few minutes, Robert joined them with two knives and a chakram held on his belt.

’’Looks good,’’ Grant said, raising a thumb as he saw Robert’s weapons.

’’Thanks,’’ Robert said, scratching his head, feeling slightly embarrassed.

’’Let’s go now,’’ Layla tugged on Grant’s arm, fearing they’d miss the air shuttle if Grant started another conversation.

Grant wanted to complain, but seeing Layla’s expression, he kept silent and followed after her.

Logan smiled, glancing at his group with satisfaction.

’I really picked some good friends,’ he thought, as they walked towards the university’s deck.

Glancing at Thomas and Ethan talking to each other, Logan’s smile grew larger. ’Even Ethan, despite joining late, is fitting in well.’

Reaching the deck, everyone joined a line of students to check out their student IDs before they were guided to one of the many small university air shuttles.

’’Logan Mercer, group 23?’’ the receptionist asked, before pointing toward an air shuttle. ’’You’ll need to head to air shuttle 04.’’

’’Alright,’’ Logan nodded, taking back his student ID.

Waving his friends goodbye, Logan walked over to the correct air shuttle.

’Looks like students are being grouped based on their dungeon teams,’ he thought, scanning the crowd for Livia.

’It’s hard to see through this crowd,’ he thought, narrowing his eyes.

Finally, Logan spotted someone in a completely white combat suit wearing a thick veil.

He waited patiently for her to head to the air shuttle, but to his surprise, she walked past their allocated shuttle, heading to a different one far in the back.

’Alright, maybe I guessed wrong then,’ Logan thought, shaking his head as he boarded his supposed air shuttle.

Inside the shuttle, he was received by an attendant and brought to a small room.

’’This room has been specially prepared for your group,’’ the attendant said, opening the door for Logan. ’’Someone’s already waiting inside for you.’’

Logan raised an eyebrow, glancing inside the room.

There he found Livia, seated on a couch while scrolling on her hologram.

’’What the...?’’ Logan mumbled, stepping inside. ’I swear I just saw her outside.’

Making her hologram disappear, Livia looked strangely at Logan.

"What?" she asked teasingly. "Have you never seen someone this beautiful before?"

’’Weren’t you just outside?’’ Logan asked, staring at her strangely as he took a seat on a couch opposite her.

’’No?’’ Livia said, raising an eyebrow.

Staring at Logan’s serious expression, her eyes widened slightly as she realized what happened.

"Oh..." A smile curved her lips. "Let me guess—a girl in white with a veil walked past, and you assumed it was me?"

Logan raised an eyebrow, not understanding what the hell she was on about.

’’Obviously, I’m not the only one from the Imperial Church here,’’ Livia giggled. "But it’s sweet, really. I must be taking up quite a bit of space in that head of yours."

Logan rolled his eyes, letting out a sigh.

’I didn’t think of that,’ he thought, remembering that people from the Imperial Church usually use the Europe assessment point.

Time passed by slowly, until the door opened once again.

’Ugh,’ Logan thought, frowning as he saw Derek walk through.

’’Good morning, my lady,’’ Derek said, immediately bowing slightly in front of Livia. ’’It is an honor to be on the same team as you.’’

As Derek straightened, he glared at Logan.

Without a word, he walked past and sat on a separate couch, deliberately leaving a gap between them.

’Of course he’d act formal now,’ Logan thought, letting out a scoff.

The cabin grew quiet as everyone waited.

A mechanical voice soon sounded in the room.

"All students have boarded. Lift-off will commence in one minute."

Before the room fell silent again, Livia opened up her hologram.

’’Why were you not at our team meeting yesterday?’’ Livia asked coolly as she stared at Derek.

’’My apologies,’’ Derek said smoothly. ’’I figured the meeting wasn’t necessary. I already know how to handle carrying trash through dungeons.’’

’’Trash?’’ Livia frowned, glancing at Logan.

Logan simply smiled and gave a small shrug.

Livia said nothing and enlarged her hologram.

’’Well then,’’ she said. ’’I’ll go over the plan one more time.’’

’’Yes, please,’’ Derek replied politely.

Logan remained silent, closing his eyes. He’d already memorized the plan yesterday and preferred to focus on staying calm and alert.

"This is ridiculous," Derek said, loud enough to make Logan open his eyes.

’’Why would I risk my life for something this useless?’’

Logan raised an eyebrow, glancing at Livia.

Despite the veil covering her face, Logan could tell she was getting irritated.

’’Feel free to stay behind,’’ she said coldly, not even looking up. ’’Logan didn’t object. If you’re afraid, just say so.’’

Derek looked at Logan before turning back.

’’Of course he didn’t,’’ Derek muttered with disdain. "He’s not the one expected to do the heavy lifting when things go south."

Logan didn’t bother responding, letting silence fall in the room.

Derek scoffed, turning back to look at Livia.

’’Fine. I’ll follow the plan. But when he screws up, I’m not saving him.’’

’’You won’t need to,’’ Livia said coldly, turning off her hologram. ’’Just follow orders, Derek. That’s all I expect from you.’’

A heavy silence fell in the room as Derek sat down dismissively.

Livia glanced at Logan once, giving him a small nod.

After a few minutes, the voice returned.

’’Arrival in two minutes.’’

’That was fast,’ Logan thought, opening his eyes.

He glanced at the calm and composed Livia, then at Derek, who looked moments away from exploding.

’This dungeon is going to be hell.’