Yang Ru cleaned a few glasses at the bar and lounge, Lucky 13, and looked at her watch then let out a soft hum. She had wondered why Fleur hadn't shown up for her shift just yet, her questions slowly being answered by the gossip roaming around within the lounge.
"Whoa...are you seeing the headlines right now..? V.J.I is under siege of a Dark Lord attack.." One man said, showing his buddy a news article upon his phone.
"What? That's crazy...I thought all the Dark Lords were killed during the Great Lamenting. Who could be attacking St. Meishi's holy institution?" The second man said, taking a sip of his beer as he read the article.
Yang Ru grunted softly and quickly grabbed the remote, changing the channel to the news and began watching the current report. She began to turn the volume up due to the commotion within the lounge, everyone stopping their conversations to watch the news.
"This just in, I am reporter Caroline Love, and I am here upon the news helicopter showing that V.J.I is indeed within the clutches of a Dark Lord! So far, only one Department was attacked and it's been quiet here ever since! I'll report back with more news as soon as possible!" Caroline reported, turning her gaze back toward the Dark Lord Zone below.
Yang Ru grunted softly and tossed her towel onto the counter then vaulted over the counter, taking off her apron and tossing it on the chair. "Pasin! I'm leaving you in charge of the shop! I'll be right back!"
Pasin yawned lightly as he woke up form his light nap, opening one eye to look at Yang Ru and hummed softly, waving his hand then closing his eyes again. "If you go there, you'll be stuck there until the Dark Lord is defeated or lowers that prison... Once you enter...a Zone you can't leave it."
Yang Ru paused at the doors, glancing back at Pasin over her shoulder then looked around at everyone else who glanced in her direction. She sighed lightly, taking a step out of the door. "I have to go. I am Squad V's Lieutenant. I am responsible for them."
Pasin heard the bells of the longue entrance ringing, signalling Yang Ru's departure then he sat up on his chair with a light groan. He looked up at the TV on the wall, watching the current reporting. "Aah...it's been years since the last Dark Lord attack. I wonder who it could be..."
Yang Ru sped along the asphalt on her motorcycle, her vehicle leaving scorch marks upon the ground from her high speed. Her mind was filled with worry for us, asking if we were safe within the zone and mainly worried for Fleur and Effie.
As she neared V.J.I, she noticed the mountain and nature enclosure around the institution, understanding this Zone was Nature Based. She stopped her motorcycle in front of the single entrance of the Zone, taking off her helmet and exhaling softly.
"What in the world is all this..? Who would attack an institution like this?" Yang Ru asked, getting off her bike and making her way toward the entrance then walked through.
As soon as she entered the Zone, an alarm began to sound, bows of nature energy manifesting around Yang Ru and firing stone arrows at her. Yang Ru grunted with surprise then began moving around quickly around the trap room to dodge the flying arrows.
Yang Ru caught one of the arrows then burned it into ash using her flames, her eyes scanning around the room at the Nature Bows floating around her. She exhaled slowly and searched around for an escape, noticing three exits leading to three different rooms, but not knowing what room had what.
"Everyone else must be hiding...would explain the inactivity around here. It is getting late, but where would they even have to stay at..?" Yang Ru questioned to herself, keeping an eye upon the Nature Bows. "These bows must also be motion activated...smart...a Wait Mode added to traps..."
Yang Ru turned toward the northern path, noticing it was leading toward the Main Department then readied herself to bolt toward the north entrance. With her best foot forward, she dashed toward the entrance, the whistles of the stone arrow sounding as the bows fired their shots at her.
Yang Ru grunted as she leaped toward the entrance, successfully making it inside the next room and an energy wall forming behind her to block the arrows from escaping their designated room. She stood up straight and looked around, noticing she was in the Main Department's courtyard.
"Hello? Is anyone here? Fleur? Effie? Nox? Luciel? Where are all of you?" Yang Ru called out, using her hands to expand the sound of her voice.
"You honestly don't have to yell," I said, my voice surprising Yang Ru and causing her to turn around.
Yang Ru looked at me sitting upon a table in the courtyard, looking around and walking toward me with slight goosebumps on her arms. "Nox...what's going on right now? Why is there a Dark Lord Zone here?"
"This institution is under Judgement...by Yuvah's Will, V.J.I will be judged for seven days by me with the help of Floria of course. For years, I've been the scapegoat for the world, so if I'm to be hated by the world, I shall give them a reason to hate," I answered, looking up at the twinkling sky with a distant gaze.
"I've always wondered before...why me? From the moment my mother was taken to now. My name has always been the scapegoat for everything bad, but now I understand it. The world hates what they can not understand, that's the human mind," I continued, getting off the table and walking toward Yang Ru.
"Nox, you can't be serious... Are you sure this is the right way of doing about this? I mean, this is a bit extreme don't you think? What did they even do?" Yang Ru asked, watching my every step with a questioning gaze.
I stopped walking around and sighed softly, looking over at Yang Ru with a serious expression. "They put a bounty upon me for sport, so I gave them a sport everyone could play on equal terms. I know you ran into my first trap, and I apologize for that. It's to keep outsiders out of the judgement..."
Yang Ru sighed deeply and ran her hand through her hair with confusion, staring at me and looking at the black chains wrapped around my arms. "So what now? You're going to kill everyone here?"
"No. Each Department is a Shrine or Temple, a building for those to stay in to gain Blessings to be able to contend against me outside and inside my Boss Zone. There are also Safe Havens around here for rest for all. The essentials are also provided," I answered, my gaze turning over to the Main Department to my right.
"However, there are also a Prison and Altar here for those who are unrepentant. The Prison holds those for rehabilitation while the Altar is used to Cleanse the Spirit through fire, those grievances, sins, and burdens are then put onto me," I finished, turning my gaze back over to Yang Ru.
Yang Ru's Spirit seemed to have calmed knowing the Dark Lord Zone wasn't all Judgement and Destruction. She stared at me for a moment, knowing deep inside I didn't want to take an extreme route, but I was being led by obedience and faith to Yuvah and His two extensions, Genesis and Ragnarok.
I began to lead Yang Ru to my group's safe haven where everyone else rested, the Main Dormitory, so she could become more familiar with the Dark Lord Zone's layout. Since Yang Ru was a member of Squad V and a Ruler, I gave her a Code Green, for her to not be attacked by other allies during the trial.
The institution settled into the night, both parties within their safe havens for the night to rest and strategize for when the next day arrived. The hours went by smoothly, the night turning day and the first light shining upon V.J.I with a bright grin.
I had gotten myself ready for the day, making my way down the main halls of the Main Department to Leonidas's office, Effie, Fleur, and Luciel following behind. I entered the office and walked around the desk, turning on the intercom to make a morning announcement.
I brought the microphone closer to me, the hum of the microphone echoing throughout the institution. "Good morning all students and staff of V.J.I. Today marks the official first day of Judgement along your academy by me. To begin, I want to make a few announcements so listen closely."
Multiple students and staff members halted in their tracks as the announcements began, some of them putting on a brave face while others glanced around in confusion. The entire academy's attention was now placed upon me, the floor now being mine.
"Starting off, there will be a change in the Student Council here. Everyone upon my team will be a part of the Council. Effie, Fleur, Luciel, Ms. Anna, Moon-li, Eun-Song, Yang Ru, Queen, Chester, Peter, Ava, and Andrew in that order from Numbers 1 to 12," I began, glancing at the girls and seeing their supporting nods.
"What? He kicked us off the Council?" Gideon asked, glancing over at Bethel with a bewildered expression.
"Not only did he kick us out, but also kicked out Squad XII from the Council as well. He just formed an entirely new council for this," Bethel said, tapping her chin with an intrigued expression and a light hum.
"Second, the field you stand in now is called a Dark Lord Zone. The Zone is divided into 14 Locations, Four Battle Rooms, One Trap Room, Five Facilities, Three Temples, and my Temple," I said, explaining my zone and looking down at a map layout of it on the desk.
"The Three Temples hold the Blessing of Healing from the Virgo Department, the Blessing of Wisdom from the Virgo Department, and the Blessing of Perception from the Sagittarius Department," I continued, highlighting the three shrines upon the map.
Outside, a Holy Marking formed upon all three Departments, marking each one as a Blessed Temple. Everyone was now aware that anyone could go inside to obtain a Blessing, friend and foe alike.
"Now, onto the actual rules of the trial. You have two win conditions, Defeat me at the Main Department Roof, or defeat Leona whenever she's on the field. If you defeat a Council member, they are Rebirthed at the safe haven for the day, same with me while out on the field," I said, standing up straight from the desk and rolling my neck slowly.
"There is also no curfew while this trial is ongoing, but once my entire team has been defeated or within their safe havens, the day is officially over and an alarm will sound once the day has ended. Additionally, for all seven days, Events will happen...that's all for that,"
"With that being said, let the trials begin!" I said, pressing a button to sound a jingle over the intercom to signal the beginning of the seven day trial.
〘Day 1 - Begin!〙
〘Event: Egg Collector〙
〘Event Description: A Monster Breeder has arrived at the Dungeon! Only Dark Lords can visit the Collector.〙
〘Event Location: Laboratory - Libra Department〙
"So, it's just starting like that? What about the classes or the lessons? Tea time with Oppai?" Effie asked, hurrying toward the desk and looked at me with slight concern.
"Classrooms holding lessons are also safe havens and the main courtyard is part of my Battle Room. Leonidas is there, but not as an ally or enemy. Just a spectator," I answered, meeting Effie's gaze with assurance.
"So what now? What do we do? Just go out there defeating everyone that comes around?" Fleur questioned, walking around the office and looking at the pictures on display.
"No, that's not it at all. There are only four Battle Rooms within the Dungeon, each one granting a different effect for those within it. Battles are only permitted there," I answered, scooting up a seat to sit down and turned toward the cameras on the monitor.
"The main purpose of this trial is for repentance. The main goal of these battle rooms are to either land people in Prison or have them confess at the Altar. Those two rooms lie in the Sagittarius and Virgo departments respectfully," I continued, glancing down at my phone to look at the map of my Zone.
"Ahh, so if we were to fight...you want us to lead them over to the Virgo or Sagittarius Departments? I see, but what is your goal here? What's your win condition?" Luciel asked, walking over to my seat and looking over at the cameras as well.
"Metaphorically, there is no win condition for me. This isn't about winning or losing. It's about life or death spiritually, and I want everyone to choose life...but it's gonna take more than Mercy to get humans to choose life," I answered, turning my gaze over to Luciel and locking eyes with her.
"However, Physically...the win conditions for us is the destruction of the Three Temples. No Blessings mean those against us can't have power over us. The win condition for me...is when the seven days are over, and every knee here bows," I finished, standing up from my seat and making my way toward the door.
The girls watched as I left the office, the three of them going along with the plan. With that, we all left the office and began trailing our way toward the Libra Department to meet up with the Egg Collector.
Peter stood outside of the Virgo Department and looked up at the sky, using his hand to cover the sun's light from his eyes. "Mmm... nothing could beat a day of fishing right now, but we've got work to do."
"Is fishing all you think about? I'm sure there are things more enjoyable than fishing right?" Ava asked, brushing her hair behind her ear as she looked at her assignments on her phone.
"Of course I think of things other than fishing, like Andrew and you. And God of course, yeah. Besides, why are you even out here keeping watch with us? Don't you have a lesson to be going to?" Peter asked, looking over at Ava with a raised brow.
Ava shrugged her shoulders and exhaled softly, looking up from her phone to look at Peter. "What? I can't hang out with someone I like? If you're good getting mobbed on, I'm more than happy to—"
"Whoa, whoa, I didn't say all that now... Don't gotta have a stick in your ass..." Peter mumbled, looking away from Ava with a casual expression.
"What was that?" Ava asked, pinching Peter's ear and pulling him toward her.
"Hey, hey, hey...! Watch it, that kinda hurts..!" Peter groaned lightly, stumbling lightly to keep his balance as Ava yanked upon his ear.
Andrew chuckled at the two then looked back down at his notebook, continuing with his cramming until he heard footsteps approaching then looked up. He looked to his left, noticing Eurydice and the man with glasses approaching them.
"Hey, it's Eurydice and Seven..." Andrew said, setting down his highlighter and sat up straight.
Peter and Ava stopped what they were doing after hearing Andrew's warning, the two turning around to see Eurydice and Seven approaching them. Before any of them could react, Eurydice revealed a rifle from her black cloak and began to release a volley of bullets toward the trio.
"Get down!" Peter warned, pulling Ava down with him as he dived to the ground.
Andrew grunted loudly as he got down onto the ground as well, covering his head and jolting as he heard the sounds of bullets ripping through the air. Peter shielded Ava as best as he could from the surprise assault, gripping her robes tightly to calm her shaking body.
"Hello, Disciples of Yochanan! We thought we'd give you all a warm welcome, and surprise! Luckily for you, Lady Bethel wants you three alive so make it easy for us and surrender," Eurydice said, teleporting on top of the table and kicked Andrew's notebook onto the ground.
"Currently, we have this entire Battle Room surrounded with Lightning Traps, electricity strong enough to cancel out your high speed movements and render you useless. This is a losing battle," Seven said, pushing up his glasses and hummed lightly.
Peter, Ava, and Andrew got up from the ground, the three of them recollecting themselves from the scare and looking at the Marksmen of Squad IV, the Lady of Death and the Man with 500+ IQ. Eurydice smirked at the three, reloading her rifle with subtle glee while Seven readied his traps.
"Andrew...you go inside the Department for now. We'll come find you," Peter said, summoning his spear and got into his stance.
Andrew nodded and gathered his belongings off the ground before running off to the Virgo Department. "Good luck, Brother and Ava! God bless you both!"
Ava moved her cloak to the side and unsheathed her dagger, her eyes glowing with determination. "Thank you, Drew... Now, let's put these two back in line."
"You sound confident for someone who's going up against Lady Bethel's Royal Assassin. What could you have planned in that head of yours?" Eurydice asked, reloading her rifle and narrowing her eyes toward Ava with a smirk.
"How about you find out!" Ava challenged, sprinting toward Eurydice with her dagger in reverse grip.
〘Battle Room: Arena〙
〘Battle Room Description: Strength and Spirit of all allies increased by 30%, Strength and Spirit of enemies incressed by 15%.〙
〘Battle Room Location: Courtyard - Virgo Department〙
Red and blue energies began to pulse around Ava, Peter, Eurydice, and Seven, boosting their physical traits while they were within the Battle Room's vicinity. Energy particles began flowing upward from the ground, consistently boosting the Strength and Spirit of those within the room.
Ava sliced toward Eurydice's legs, but Eurydice quickly evaded her attack with a leap backwards, landing upon the ground and firing a few bullets toward Ava. Ava quickly parried the bullets then teleported behind Eurydice with a slice, but Eurydice released a burst of shadow energy around herself to push Ava backwards.
Ava skidded backwards a bit before catching herself again, a smirk forming upon her lips as she looked up at her opponent. "Heh...scared you didn't I? What? Can't handle a little cut to the neck?"
Eurydice smirked at Ava's taunt then slowly turned around to face her, opening her now red eyes and generated a pool of shadows beneath her. "Scared? Of what? You? Don't make me laugh, Ava. You get one off guard feat and think you're on top?"
Ava got into her stance once again, her cross necklace dangling from her neck and glowing brightly with power. "Yeah, yeah. If you're done yapping, we can skip to the part where you lose!"
Seven stood to the side, watching the girls fight and pushed up his glasses with an analytical expression. A few strands of his hair stood up as he sensed danger, a radar appearing upon the lens of his glasses warning him of incoming danger.
With a swift movement, Seven stepped backwards to dodge Peter's spear flying through the air, a holographic afterimage being left behind in his place. "Is that all you and your girlfriend are known for? Sneaking?"
Peter walked over to his spear with a light smirk upon his face, crouching down to pick it up and shifting it into his Partizan. "Well, you were looking a bit distracted over there so I had to make sure you knew you were still in battle."
"I am aware, I'm just collecting data as it is far more important than battle. Especially on the first day when no one knows the rules truly. I am just following commands," Seven said, watching Peter's every move and rose his guard.
"I see... playing it safe. Well unfortunately, there's no safety here. You attacked a Council Member unprovoked, so now you reap the consequences," Peter said, getting into his stance and twirled his Partizan.
Seven grunted softly and exhaled softly, summoning his twin daggers and began enhancing them with Fire properties. Knowing there was no other way out, his only option was to fight Peter for his retreat.