High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2064: Chapter 285: Beyond the Door Lies Darkness

As the first-place finisher in the selection competition, the First University Hunting Team won the opportunity to choose a gate first.

Contrary to Zheng Qing’s expectations, Uncle Zhang Zhi from Jiuyou Academy did not choose the gate originally belonging to Jiuyou Academy, but instead chose the gate leading to the First Square.

In the words of the puppet, ’this represents the unparalleled courage, broad-mindedness, and open vision of the school hunting team.’ One must admit, the puppet is a master in the art of concluding remarks.

Following closely, the four academy hunting teams, predictably, chose their respective academy gates—or rather, they had no other options—this result was so boring that the boos from the surrounding stands clearly overshadowed the cheers, even the puppet couldn’t come up with more brilliant words, and could only dryly repeat the educational philosophy of several academies.

The sixth place in the selection competition was the Judgement Hunting Team, led by Erwin Hoffman, the best hunter of last year’s school hunting competition, who had a lot of popularity throughout the First University.

He chose the gate that originally led to the Divination Research Institute.

This made Zheng Qing slightly disappointed—this was the gate he had in mind to choose—having decided to utilize divination magic to find his destination, he originally hoped to receive some mystical energy blessings when passing through the Divination Academy’s gate.

”...Next, it’s the seventh place in the selection competition, the Absolution Hunting Team!”

The puppet’s tireless voice echoed in the First Hall, high-pitched and loud: ”As a young hunting team, Absolution has created remarkable achievements in its short one-year existence...”

Zheng Qing didn’t continue to listen to the puppet’s endless chatter, his gaze hovered among the remaining three glowing gates.

The three gates belonged to the Astronomy Research Institute, the Philosophy of Magic Research Institute, and the Institute of Applied Magic.

If considering from the perspective of most members of the Absolution Hunting Team coming from the Astronomy Class 08-1, the Astronomy Research Institute’s gate seems to be a good choice, but given the close relationship between the Astronomy Research Institute and Alpha Academy (especially after former Alpha Academy Dean, former Magic Script Professor Emma became Vice Principal), it would be unwise for the Jiuyou-originated Absolution Team to choose the Astronomy Research Institute.

Relatively speaking, the Philosophy of Magic Research Institute is much better, especially since the Philosophy of Magic Professor for Zheng Qing and others is Old Yao, and Old Yao is also the Dean of Jiuyou Academy. Reasonably, choosing this gate would be very prudent—except for the concern about Old Yao’s hidden identity.

Zheng Qing looked back at their diviner, Xiao Xiao, who shook his head very firmly.

From a mysticism theory perspective, passing through a gate closely linked to Old Yao and heading into a Black Forest teeming with demons, monsters, and danger is equally unwise.

Only the gate originally leading to the Institute of Applied Magic remained.

This is the largest institute in First University, and also the one Zheng Qing interacted with the most—Shi Jun and Professor Montreya’s laboratories both belong to this institute.

He glanced up towards the terrace and did not see the figure of the Absolution Hunting Team’s mentor.

”It’s time to go.” The red-faced male wizard was a bit impatient.

The young student back on government funding turned around, smiled at the witch, then extended his hand. The other hunters of the Absolution Team each put their hand on it in turn.

”Blessed by Heaven—” The captain of the Absolution Hunting Team murmured softly.

The other six responded in unison, ”Protect our fate!”

This is a very ancient blessing phrase and is used on many occasions. Zheng Qing took one last look at the two hunters sitting on the substitute bench this time—Jiang Yu and Blue Bird—nodding slightly towards them: ”Wait for our good news!”

Blue Bird silently nodded.

The witch stuffed a bunch of amulets she had been arranging for a long while onto a rope into the hands of the young student, her voice very soft yet firm as she added, ”Stay safe.”

This time, no one laughed.

”...The Absolution Hunting Team has chosen the gate belonging to the Institute of Applied Magic!” From afar, the puppet’s voice suddenly rose several degrees: ”Undoubtedly, this is closely related to the advisor of the Absolution Hunting Team; as everyone knows, Councilor Su’s laboratory at the First University is affiliated with the Institute of Applied Magic...”

The clamor from the surrounding stands suddenly increased significantly, the cheering of Su Daxu’s supporters faintly resounding again.

But all this had little to do with Zheng Qing. As the captain of the Absolution Hunting Team, he needed to be the first to step through the tall gate emanating a soft glow from top to bottom.

It was like passing through a slowly flowing lake, even the sound of gurgling echoed in his ears, giving a sense of immersion, compelling him to close his eyes involuntarily.

The next step, the gentle resistance disappeared, and his vision suddenly darkened. The unique decay, dampness, and tranquility of the Silent Forest pressed in from all sides, drowning Zheng Qing’s every sensation.

He suddenly opened his eyes.

Perhaps because he had just walked through a light gate, everything before him appeared especially dim; but it might also be that it was originally like this, as in Zheng Qing’s memory, there was no distinction between day and night in the Silent Forest, it was always this dim.

Zheng Qing knew the darkness.

This shadow, born from the earth’s departure from the sun, could extend from the starry sky to the deepest parts of the human spirit. With his experience in the Black Prison World, the young student on government funding thought he had developed sufficient resistance to this concept.

But venturing into the Silent Forest once again, he realized this was a darkness entirely different from the Black Prison.

If the darkness of the Black Prison was lifeless, then the darkness of the Silent Forest was teeming with vitality, the throbbing hidden beneath the shadows as if bristling with thorns across a collar, causing exceptional discomfort.

”Biyue Feiwei!”

Zheng Qing flipped through the law book in his hand, casting a lighting spell—compared to ’Little Star’, the mushroom person summoned by Biyue Feiwei can not only utilize the magic power from the layer of detritus in the Silent Forest to survive longer, but also has some warning and scouting abilities, making it very suitable for this mission.

Because this is the Silent Forest, the Absolution Team didn’t need to go through the complex pre-ritual checks as they would in other hunting competitions. The spells transcribed in the law book could all be used directly, greatly reducing the pressure on the young hunting team.

”Lin Xia You He, Watch Four Directions!”

Following closely, Xiao Xiao hugged the crystal ball, releasing the second spell. The warning and probing capability of the lighting spell was just an appendage with very limited effect, therefore, a real warning and probing magic was necessary.

”Wind and Rain Go Away, Rodent Goes!”

The third one to pass through the light gate was Xin Fat Man, as agreed, he cast a protective barrier. In the forest, the most dangerous thing wasn’t the giant monsters, but the invisible insect beasts.

When the last member of the Absolution Team passed through the light gate, the fungal creatures summoned by the team leader had already multiplied into dozens, dispelling all the surrounding darkness, a few mushroom people under the wizard’s command were slowly venturing towards the periphery, leaving behind a trail of grape-sized sunlight.

Zheng Qing looked up, watching the gigantic light gate gradually contracting, shrinking, until it completely disappeared.

Silence completely engulfed this tiny temporary stronghold.