An Angel Lives in the Academy
Chapter 177: The Angel Who Raids a Dungeon (15)

Corestone.

A gray, square-shaped stone that looked ordinary. It even looked somewhat rough, as if crafted by an unskilled stonemason.

This stone possessed just one ability.

‘When used on a collapsed building, it restores that building and transfers ownership to the owner of the stone. A consumable item that can only be used once.’

Leffrey felt the heavy weight of the stone in his hand and thought.

‘Consumable item. Normally, when something is called consumable, it stands to reason there would be extras.’

There were four Corestones in total. Two had already been used up, revealing what kind of item a Corestone was. Another had been expended on the collapsed cathedral, turning it into Leffrey's dorm.

So what about the remaining one?

It was here, in Leffrey's hand once again.

“I grabbed a few items from the academy treasure vault too. This is one of them.”

Soya, who had been carefully examining the Corestone,

Slowly looked at Leffrey and asked.

“I can sense strong mana from it, but what exactly is this stone's ability?”

“It restores a collapsed building and steals its ownership.”

*Rumble rumble rumble-* The dungeon was collapsing even faster, as if warning them to leave immediately before they were buried in the rubble.

People's screams grew louder.

“Ormantor, you’re both the dungeon and the dungeon boss.”

Ormantor was still not revealing himself, watching to see just what this young angel was talking about.

“To destroy a dungeon, you have to defeat the dungeon boss. But to defeat you, the dungeon boss, we have to destroy the dungeon itself.”

It was a paradox.

You have to defeat the dungeon boss to destroy the dungeon. But to defeat the dungeon boss, you need to destroy the dungeon.

A snake biting its own tail, a self-contradicting situation.

That was Ormantor's Ultimate Skill, ‘Ouroboros’.

The ultimate survival skill that had reached its peak, perfectly suited for Ormantor who valued his own life above all else.

In that case, what was the method to break this Ultimate Skill? What method should be used to break this paradox.

“There’s only one way to solve this contradiction.”

Leffrey began gathering his Angelic Power. The Angelic Power that had grown stronger after becoming an Archangel was concentrating in Leffrey's hands.

Like squeezing out the last bit from a tube of toothpaste, like doing a chin-up with all his might.

That's how Leffrey focused all his power into his palms.

“Drive the dungeon boss out of the dungeon. A dungeon boss is a boss only within the dungeon. Anywhere else, they're just a powerful monster.”

As he finished speaking, in Leffrey's hands was a liquid that emitted a warm light like that of heaven.

“It feels like entering a warm bath for the first time.”

“It's cozy. So much that it's a bit creepy.”

The girls couldn't help but marvel at the sight of that light.

Leffrey gently poured that liquid onto the Corestone placed on the floor.

The gray stone began to turn white, and as Leffrey poured more, the stone began to emit light.

And finally,

[Blessing of the Power Angel who Graced the King, activated.]

[Blessing of the Power Angel who Graced the King, activated.]

[Blessing of the Power Angel who Graced the King, activated.]

[The Corestone is being blessed by Angelic Power.]

[Blessed Corestone]

Blessed Corestone

Item Rank: S

Consumable Item

A stone that serves as the cornerstone of churches, cathedrals, and holy grounds. No power of the underworld can invade a place built upon this stone.

Looking at the Corestone that had transformed into a holy relic, Leffrey muttered.

“Corestone, activate.”

* * *

What is a dungeon?

A dangerous place where items can be obtained? The homeland of monsters? Or one of the many ways the other world erodes and invades the human world?

These are merely human perspectives. The demon army's view of a dungeon was this.

A mobile fortress of the demon army, created by modifying a sub-dimension.

As long as the dungeon boss serving as the heart of that dungeon is not slain, it will continue operating autonomously and can produce weapons and monsters inside indefinitely, serving as an invasion foothold.

Each one is a precious military asset, and because they were such valuable military assets, they contained many expensive items.

And among these mobile fortresses, there was one that was undoubtedly known as the strongest.

The Dragon Lord's Nest.

The nest of the Dragon Lord, ranked 3rd in the demon army, was the only dungeon to receive an ‘Impossible to Conquer’ rating, impossible to capture no matter what strategy was used in the future.

However, now the owner of that dungeon was currently…

[Building collapse confirmed. The Corestone is assimilating the collapsed area.]

[The Corestone is restoring the collapsed building.]

The Dragon Lord’s Nest, which had been crumbling, began to be restored. The people’s screams ceased, and soon even the noisy commotion was no longer audible.

As the collapsed dungeon was restored, the nest immediately began to regain its former glory.

The Dragon Lord's Nest was a massive oriental palace. An unbelievably enormous palace. The roof tiles alone were larger than a human, and the ceiling painted with dancheong was as vast as the sky.

[Confirming the owner of this building.]

[Current owner: Ormantor the Dragon]

But this outward appearance wasn’t all there was to the Dragon Lord's Nest. The Dragon Lord's Nest was the strongest mobile fortress. It was equipped with everything beyond what Leffrey could imagine.

Supply, production, living quarters, entertainment, and so on.

These basic functions went without saying…

[The building’s ownership is being transferred due to the Corestone’s ability.]

[Change of ownership: Leffrey]

And the offensive and defensive capabilities, the two most important abilities as a mobile fortress. These two elements boasted literally extraordinary performance that’s worthy of the term ‘beyond measure’.

Just as it’s powerful enough to single-handedly invade New York, the heart of humanity, during the War of Annihilation, it’s also powerful enough to one day invade even the Demon King’s Castle, the heart of the demon army.

‘The Demon King’s Castle, although not much is known about it, I heard it’s a truly impregnable fortress.’

Leffrey remembered a book he read a long time ago. About an incredibly sturdy, impregnable fortress that floated in space. And one of the strategies they used to breach that fortress.

‘A fortress versus fortress battle.’

This Dragon Lord’s Nest would surely put up a good fight against the Demon King’s Castle.

Of course, as a mobile fortress, the Dragon Lord’s Nest would certainly have weaknesses compared to the Demon King's Castle, but…

[New properties are being added to the building due to the Blessed Corestone’s ability.]

[Building property: Sanctuary]

Sanctuary, literally meaning a sacred area.

It generally refers to an area with the attribute of repelling evil and drawing in divine power.

And a sanctuary is always protected by divine power.

‘The Dragon Lord's fortress that was already like an iron castle…’

Leffrey could feel it becoming even more powerful.

“I no longer sense the dragon’s presence.”

Yumari remarked as she surveyed the restored surroundings. Leffrey nodded at those words.

“Yes, since this place is a sanctuary now, Ormantor could no longer endure being here anymore.”

“Just stealing ownership wasn't enough, it seems.”

“Probably. Since Ormantor’s Ultimate Skill allows him to become one with the dungeon, I thought just stealing ownership wouldn't be enough to drive him out.”

Leffrey said while shuddering as if getting goosebumps.

“He would have played dead and stayed quiet until he recovered his strength, then secretly eat the people remaining in this nest to build up his power. Like some kind of earth-bound spirit.”

Leffrey smiled with an expression that said one problem was solved. His trembling hands suggested the tension had just now released.

“And once he had recovered his strength to some extent, he would have tried to steal back ownership of the dungeon with another cunning scheme.”

Soya, who had been listening intently to Leffrey's words, says one thing.

“Then where is Ormantor now?”

“He must have returned to the other world. No, rather than returned, he was dragged back.”

The moment Ormantor fell for Yumari's scheme and revealed the Demon King's weakness.

‘The demon king is weak against twilight.’

[You sense the Demonic power boiling with rage]

Leffrey had seen a message, [You sense the Demonic power boiling with rage].

Boiling rage. It means the Demon King's power was resonating with anger strong enough to reach all the way here.

Outside, numerous superhumans would have gathered to monitor and prevent the dungeon break. Not even a mouse could escape from this dungeon right now.

But staying here would mean his body would disappear due to the sanctuary's protection.

Yet Ormantor disappeared, so there's only one answer.

Regardless of the means, the Demon King had personally retrieved the Ormantor. That was the only possible deduction.

“The Demon King must have personally dragged him away. And now Ormantor will now have to pay the price for his sins. Judgment has been passed.”

It was a good ending, except for the fact that he couldn't get any items from Ormantor. The heroes became stronger through the practical experience and judgment had been passed upon Ormantor who was a great threat to humanity.

And.

“Hehehehe.”

Leffrey looked at the treasures scattered behind Ormantor’s throne. True to his greedy dragon nature, he had collected countless treasures from many worlds.

“Uhuhuhuhuhuhu.”

“Th-the boy has broken down.”

Hongwol shakes her head, seeing Leffrey unable to contain his laughter. However, Leffrey ignored Hongwol's concern and ran towards the hidden passage behind the throne.

“I command you as the owner. Open.”

Having received ownership of the nest, Leffrey could sense everything. Like which secret passages were in which locations.

Looking at those passages, Yumari makes a comment.

“It’s like a maze.”

And at the end of that maze-like network of secret passages was none other than the treasure vault.

The treasure vault of the Dragon Lord's Nest.

Treasures collected not just by Ormantor, but treasures accumulated by the previous owners of the nest, the dragons. Its value was on par with, or perhaps even greater than the academy’s treasure vault…!

Leffrey, the Treasure Angel. Leffrey, the Rich Angel.

No, such clichéd expressions wouldn't do.

With both hands full of ancient gold coins, Leffrey shouted.

“Leffrey, the King-God-Majesty-Emperor-Admiral-Yi-Sun-sin-Titan Angel…!”

And the three heroes watched Leffrey swimming in the sea of gold and silver treasures, each with complicated feelings.

None of them looked happy.

‘I was planning to seduce him with money if things didn't go well.’

Hongwol drooped her tail dejectedly.

‘I was going to earn a lot of money as a grand mage and have Leffrey all to myself.’

Soya pulled down the brim of her hat and sulked.

And lastly, Yumari.

‘If wealth doesn’t work, then I have no choice but to use a rougher method.’

…thought that.

Yumari, not sparing even a glance at this swelling sea of treasure and only fixating on a single boy.

Those eyes flickering with a dark light.

She no longer hid her desires.

Nor did she wear her human mask.

Mari stared intently at the boy who was unbearably cute no matter what he did, wearing a natural smile.

Anyway, oblivious to the three girls’ feelings, Leffrey was buried in treasures.

‘With this much, it’s almost comparable to a superhuman family.’

He wouldn’t have any financial problems from now on. Treasures accumulated over several generations of long-lived dragons. Even if he sold them off cheaply, it would still surpass the wealth of most conglomerates or superhuman families.

‘They say that a superhuman family’s wealth is equivalent to that of a small nation. Then does that mean I now have wealth equivalent to a small nation?’

Thinking about it gave him goosebumps.

Mountains of treasure stretching beyond the horizon. Yet with this much treasure, it's only comparable to a *single* superhuman family.

‘No, wait, a single family being on par with a nation? How is that even possible?’

Then just how much wealth does the strongest superhuman family, the Seocheon Yu family, possess? And their power?

Leffrey looked at Yumari, the daughter of the Seocheon Yu family, with a hint of fear and curiosity. And The beautiful black-haired girl with horns just smiled at Leffrey.

A perfectly natural smile.