Traveling through the game world, starting out as a third-rate villain

“Everything is ready.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, my eyes falling on the equipment on the floor.

"My dagger has been repaired."

The dagger provided by the academy was damaged and unusable, which put me in a dilemma of having no weapon available. However, after I applied for a new dagger, the problem was quickly solved. The academy is not short of money, let alone an ordinary dagger like the one I used.

But that’s not all.

"They gave me a higher level dagger."

Maybe it was to appease me, after all, I almost died because of the dagger's insufficient durability. In addition, they gave me a batch of potions and Waller coins to shut me up. What is the best solution for those in power? Nothing more than silence.

I didn't refuse, and after all, I had no intention of making the accident public.

"The Federation cannot be trusted."

Countless demon contractors have infiltrated every level of humankind. If I don't keep silent, I'm afraid it won't be long before I'm silenced.

"call……"

I took a deep breath, turned my eyes to the window, and prepared myself mentally.

Night fell over the academy, and the only light source in the room was the soft moonlight. As the night deepened, the world outside the window was silent, with only the rustling of leaves in the night wind.

I sheathed my dagger firmly and stood up from the bed, my boots touching the cool floor. The air outside was quiet, perfect cover for my nighttime movements.

Tonight, I have a different hunt in mind, one that will test my skills at dancing silently among the shadows, one that may determine the path of my future.

"Let me test my skills."

I have been training hard since arriving at the academy, but it was clear to me from the beginning that in terms of pure strength, I was far behind others.

But pure power has never been my forte.

I put on the [Shadow Armor] I got from the Black Family vault and prepared for the night ahead.

squeak!

I gently pushed the door open, trying not to disturb the tranquility of the dormitory. My movements were cautious and silent, thanks to the [Shadow] feature.

The night greeted me and I stepped into its embrace.

My destination is clear, where my mana lines lead me.

The moonlight paves a silver road ahead, guiding me towards my goal.

I moved forward with purpose, a lone figure moving through the shadows, blending into the night like a shadow.

The mana line led me to the academy's research facilities on the main campus. I had memorized all the topography and maps of the academy and was able to accurately determine where they gathered.

"They should be meeting in the back of the research facility."

Although the Arcadian Hunter Academy is primarily focused on the combat training of its students, they also provide a place for non-combatants, one of which is the Magic Engineer.

whoosh!

I moved quickly, weaving through the shadows. To ensure that no one could see me, I put on my Shadow Armor.

Thanks to the unique features of [Shadow Armor], I avoided the sight of surveillance, magic circles and mana detection radars.

It also means that when I leave the room, no one notices me and they will think I never left the room.

"Ah...it's a great night..."

"Yeah...I haven't been this happy in a long time."

As I was walking alone, I heard some conversations between students. Two girls and two boys were walking together.

"Should we go somewhere quiet?"

They seemed to be celebrating the end of the exams, as did most people in the college. The pressure of exams often makes people anxious, and when young people of the opposite sex get together, it is not difficult to predict what will happen next.

"It's none of my business."

Now is not the time to be distracted. I put all distractions behind me and keep going.

As the magical engineering facilities were located at the back of the academy, the laughter of students could still be heard clearly near the cafe and gathering place.

At this moment, I have arrived at the entrance to the magic engineering area. It is full of subtle barriers and magic circles to restrict unauthorized entry.

[Shadow Armor] makes me almost ineffective against magical sensors and wards in these areas, but it won't be as effective against higher-level equipment.

Everything has its limitations, even [Shadow Armor] is not omnipotent. If it were truly invulnerable, it would not have been sealed in the vault for so long.

"Two mana-reading devices."

As I approached, I noticed some obvious security equipment that detected people entering without permission and verified their identities by checking the database in the trainees' watches.

Mana supply arrays flickered in the air, intricate patterns designed to detect and respond to the slightest fluctuations in the flow of mana.

These are layers of smart barriers that require skill to bypass.

"I guess that's how they stay out of the academy's sight."

There is a special position in the academy called "Volunteer Research Intern". Even students majoring in combat-related subjects can apply for this position if they are interested in how the equipment works.

This way, they can enter the place legally.

"The insider's plan is really thorough."

Considering that they were able to pull off such a trick right under the noses of everyone in the academy, they were obviously very well prepared.

“But it wasn’t enough to stop me.”

With a calm eye, I examined the existing security measures, looking for a specific breakthrough.

My innate characteristic [Perception Insight] allows me to have a keen perception of the magic organization woven in the barrier. The purpose and weakness of each magic circle are clearly revealed in my eyes.

“It’s right here.”

There is a specific location in the game that is only covered by a low-level security device. This may be a bug and should not exist, but players have exploited it to get in here.

Seeing a gap in the defense, I quickly dived in.

Whoosh! Zizz!

Not long after, I saw the high-voltage current fence. I used the [Shadow] feature again to blend into the shadow, passed through the gap in the current, and continued moving forward.

It wasn't long before I ran into my first group of people: a group of researchers drinking coffee and chatting with each other in an open field.

"Have you heard about the latest developments in the field of kinetic energy? The results are really shocking..."

"Yeah, I heard they tripled the efficiency without sacrificing stability. That's a breakthrough!"

The risk was that I needed to cross this open field to reach my destination, and I didn't stop, I moved quietly in the shadows cast by the huge lights above my head.

"Maybe we can find a way to intern with the Black family."

"No…we don't stand a chance in this academy."

…

Their voices faded away as I passed quickly, my footsteps silent, my movements in sync with the rhythm of their conversation, and I continued to move forward silently towards my destination.

My mana lines guided me unerringly through the maze of paths until I reached my designated spot.

“It’s right here.”

It took me to a run-down research building at the back of the magical engineering area.

The forgotten building stands in stark contrast to the state-of-the-art facilities surrounding it.

The exterior showed signs of neglect, the walls were peeling, and the symbols of the magical wards were almost gone.

"I can see why they chose this place as a hiding place and meeting place."

Others apparently thought the place unworthy of attention, and the academy seemed to have forgotten it. However, the faint fluctuations of mana in the air told a different story.

Bang!

I got goose bumps all over my body, along with the familiar feeling of my heart racing.

"Demonic energy."

A faint demonic energy covered the entire space, as if it was working like a barrier to detect anyone approaching. It was so faint that even with my high sensitivity to demonic energy, I could hardly feel it.

“They are very cautious.”

They prepare for patrols or other researchers to come to the place, and this is their response.

As I thought about it, I ignored the fluctuations of demonic energy. For such low-level energy, the armor completely ignored its existence.

whoosh!

I took a quick step, using the shadows as cover to enter the small building, where I finally saw my target.

"Get ready for your doom."