Chapter 43
Mission.
One of the core components forming the unique system known as Keyzen.
After the student protection period ends, Keyzen students are granted a time called the Mission Period.
It includes a weekend and typically spans 2 to 3 days, amounting to around 5 days designated as the mission period. During this time, students are allowed to take on various missions commissioned from the outside.
From simple errands and part-time jobs to monster extermination, bodyguard duty, assassination of key figures, and even proxy warfare.
The types are countless. Missions that even active necromancers would take on are opened up to Keyzen students.
Depending on the difficulty and success of the mission, students receive an Evaluation Score, and they can also officially earn the commission fee. For Keyzen students who are always low on funds due to massive spending on materials, this is the fastest and most lucrative way to earn money.
And just like Hongpeng said last night, Keyzen designated a 5-day mission period that includes this weekend.
“Each student has their own strategy during the mission period.”
At lunchtime, Dick was laying out information in the cafeteria.
“You have to take and clear at least one mission during this time, right? Some students just take an easy one on Roke Mountain and then spend the rest of the time studying hard to boost their grades. Others ride a teleportation magic circle to head off-island, resolve a major incident, and aim for profit and mission points.”
“Mmm.”
Simon nodded while taking a sip of his drink.
“What happens if you don’t complete a mission within those five days?”
“It’s a failed commission, obviously. No money, no points.”
Dick shrugged and continued.
“In special cases, you can submit a written request and keep working on the mission, but then you’ll miss all your classes, so it’s your own loss.”
“That’s a risk.”
Dick nodded with a serious face.
“So I’m planning to pick something easy I can handle in Rochest, rake in the benefits, and focus on expanding my business.”
[There’s no need for us to even think twice!]
A projection of Feer, clinging to Simon’s uniform, spoke up. Of course, only Simon could hear his voice.
[We’ll use the mission as an excuse to go out to the continent! The top priority is to rally the scattered forces of the Legion across the continent and restore our former glory!]
Simon agreed.
If the ancient undead who once served under his father were scattered across the continent, he had to obtain them.
No matter what anyone said, this was the best possible way for Simon to power up right now.
‘But are there undead even stronger than Feer?’
Feer’s projection smirked.
[Heheheh! I am the Legion’s master! None can defy me, of course, but when it comes to combat power, there are true monsters among the former generals under the Legion.]
‘Generals under the Legion?’
This was Simon’s first time hearing about them.
[The Legion was originally divided into several undead units! And intelligent ancient undead commanded their respective forces! If we gather all the generals and the undead they lead, restoring the Legion’s former power won’t be far off!]
The idea that Simon could gain new ancient undead besides Feer lit up his eyes. This was something he absolutely had to do.
‘But how do we know where those generals are?’
[Hehehe! Do you think those lunatics would just sit quietly without causing trouble? They’re definitely stirring up incidents across the continent. And there’s a good chance that those incidents have turned into missions for Keyzen!]
‘If there’s even a slight lead, I have to go for it.’
“Simon.”
Lost in conversation with Feer, Simon was caught off guard when Dick looked at him curiously.
“Why are you suddenly grinning by yourself?”
“Huh? Oh! Haha, no, I just thought of something funny……”
Simon quickly laughed it off.
“Anyway, brushing off the mission with something easy is risky too.”
Dick twirled his fork as he spoke.
“Your mission score is at stake here. If you keep putting it off by only doing easy ones, you might eventually end up with something dangerous like assassinating a key figure.”
“So procrastination isn’t a great strategy either.”
“Exactly.”
Simon felt his resolve grow even stronger.
* * *
The next morning.
Mission boards were installed all over Keyzen, including in both male and female dormitories and key facilities. Crowds of students were gathered in front of them.
“Anyone want to go werewolf hunting on Roke Mountain? It’s a 3-person party!”
“Blue commission for Langerstine mission! These are the best value.”
“Langerstine pays too little. If you’re going that far, might as well go even farther.”
Listening to the other students chatter, Simon also checked the mission requests posted on the board. He noticed that the commission papers were color-coded.
White – Missions within Roke Mountain. No possibility of priest encounters.
Blue – Missions within the Dark Alliance. Extremely low chance of encountering priests.
Red – Missions in Neutral Zone. High chance of encountering priests.
Black – Missions in the Holy Federation. Guaranteed conflict with priests.
Naturally, the more dangerous the mission, the higher the reward and mission score. Even among blue commissions, the reward varied greatly depending on the content.
Observing quietly, Simon saw that the white commission papers were disappearing the fastest.
First-year students were still adjusting to Keyzen, and many were more focused on school life than missions. There was also a general mindset to avoid anything too difficult for a first mission.
But Simon’s thoughts were different.
‘There’s no way one of Father’s undead would be on Roke Mountain.’
He skipped over the white commission papers and went straight to the board with blue ones.
The blue missions were also popular due to their relatively close locations and lower mental stress. Students who wanted safety but still sought a bit of income chose these.
‘Feer.’
[Yeah, I’m watching.]
Feer’s projection, stuck to Simon’s uniform, was rolling his eyes busily.
[Nothing stands out.]
‘Then I’ll move on.’
Simon took a step and headed to the board with red commission papers. The number of students here was noticeably smaller.
As Simon leaned in to read the smaller text more clearly, he accidentally bumped shoulders with someone beside him.
“Ah, sor—”
A large male student.
None other than Hector.
Realizing who it was, Simon quickly backed away. He knew well enough that Hector disliked him.
“Simon Follentia.”
Hector spoke up.
“You trying to go to the Neutral Zone too?”
“……Just checking things out.”
Hector let out a brief scoff.
“The Neutral Zone is a lawless place, untouched by Keyzen’s influence. Whatever happens during a mission there, however you die, Keyzen won’t know a thing.”
A wicked grin spread across his face.
“Let’s hope we run into each other on a mission.”
Hector tore off one of the red commission papers from the board and walked off with long strides.
“Hector.”
“?”
When Hector turned back, Simon smiled.
“Take care of yourself.”
“......!!”
Hector’s expression crumpled instantly. Veins popped along his thick neck as he clenched his fists.
Simon stood tall, keeping eye contact with a calm expression.
“…….”
“………”
A brief war of nerves followed.
Eventually, Hector turned his back with a scowl and went up the stairs. Simon also turned his head back to the board.
[Hehehehe! What’s with that kid?]
‘I have no idea.’
No matter how much he thought about it, Simon couldn’t figure out why Hector disliked him.
Was it because of the humiliation during the first Summonology class? But that was evened out in Katarology when Simon was the one humiliated.
The bathhouse scuffle? That was settled before a real fight even broke out, thanks to Kajan’s interruption.
Unable to come up with any solid reason, Simon erased Hector cleanly from his mind and refocused on the red commission papers.
‘Feer, how about this one? A village raided by infected zombies.’
[Infections are too common of a case.]
‘Then what about this? Damage to buildings and crops from a sudden swarm of red snakes.’
[Interesting, but none of the generals had powers related to that.]
As Simon and Feer carefully examined the commissions—
‘Why is this here?’
Among the stack of commission papers plastered across the board, one stood out oddly.
It was a blue commission paper pinned to the red commission board.
‘A mistake?’
Just as Simon stepped closer to read it, someone slid the commission paper off.
“Oh, this one’s still up here. Please disregard this.”
It was one of the aides managing the mission board. Simon quickly asked,
“What kind of mission is that?”
“Ah, it’s a commission that’s been up for months… A necromancer contracted by Keyzen to subcontract it went missing.”
Simon’s eyes widened. A necromancer, not even a student, had gone missing?
“May I take a look at it?”
“Eh? But, this isn’t really the kind of mission suitable for students…”
“Please.”
The aide handed over the commission with a worried expression. Simon and Feer quickly looked through it.
Commission: Solve Disappearance Case
Commission Rank: D → B
Reward: 50 Gold
Location: Arnish Fiefdom
Details: Young women found as desiccated corpses
Note: Contractor went missing
Simon was startled at the photo attached to the commission. The body truly looked like a dried-up mummy.
[Found it!]
Feer grinned ear to ear.
[That trace belongs to her! Erzebet!]
‘Who’s that?’
[An Ancient Undead who leads the Spider Troop. When Erzebet or her spiders drain bodily fluids from people, the corpses end up like that. No doubt about it!]
Simon carefully tucked the commission paper into his coat.
Maybe because of the high rank, the reward was a whopping 50 gold.
Having recently overspent on a skeleton set and now facing a financial crisis, Simon couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.
“……Student. Are you really going with that one?”
“Yes.”
“Your advisor likely won’t approve it.”
Simon smiled.
“I’ll try to convince her.”
* * *
White commission missions were open to anyone, but for anything red or above, or rank B or higher, a consultation with the supervising professor was required.
Simon took a deep breath and knocked on Jane’s office door.
“Professor Jane, it’s Simon Follentia.”
“Come in.”
He heard Jane’s voice through the door. Simon cautiously stepped inside.
Bookshelves stuffed to the brim so tightly that no wall space was visible caught his eye, and countless stacks of documents were piled in boxes in every corner.
Still, the room was well-organized overall. The only cluttered area was the mess of papers on her desk.
Even Simon could tell, those were her tasks for the day.
“Is this about a mission?”
Jane, reviewing documents, wore her hair up and had glasses on, different from usual. Even as she asked the question, her eyes stayed fixed on the paperwork, and her quill pen moved with incredible speed.
“Yes! Professor.”
“Let me see it.”
Simon quietly approached so as not to disturb her and gently placed the commission sheet on the edge of the desk.
Jane’s eyes flicked over to the commission, scanned it once, and then went back to her documents.
‘Did… did she check it?’
Simon hesitated nervously, when she spoke.
“Bring a different one. That’s not a job for a freshman.”
So, she had looked at it properly.
Simon swallowed hard and said,
“I’m confident, Professor. I really want to take on this mission.”
Her quill stopped.
Through the glasses, her sharp eyes met his.
The sudden tension made Simon straighten his back stiffly.
“You’re confident?”
Superb.