Dungeon Raider System
Chapter 687 - 687: Pangeotis' grievance Part 2

When presented with that piece of paper Uriel's mind drifted between old memories and an imaginary future. It may not have seemed like much as it wasn't below his means to forge such document or even buy it for himself, but then it would be just a meaningless paper instead of a well deserved title bestowed upon him by his alma mater.

"This will be your reward if you decide to participate. Your theoretical work is outstanding, yet archaeology is a practical discipline. By leading an academic expedition you would become a true archaeologist in every sense of the word and the entire scientific community will recognize you as a professional.

Of course, the idea behind the expedition will be to allow students to keep whatever artifacts they find and you would have to turn in the ones you find."

"Do you really think that's enough? Do you really expect me to take who knows how many risks and all for what? A title in archaeology?" Uriel said while pretending he didn't spend two full minutes watching the academic title in a daze.

"Fine, what about half the artifacts you find, then?" Pangeotis explained.

Despite his apparent reluctance, Uriel had decided to agree the moment he saw the title being dangled in front of him. It was the proverbial carrot and he would not have minded getting the stick, even if it meant leading a bunch of clueless students throughout a dangerous place.

Unfortunately, Uriel could not agree even if he wanted to for one simple reason. After the nameless creature was taken down, Uriel continued his research in the dungeon and found most if not all the artifacts inside what used to be the second world.

This meant that no matter if he went alone or with company, the expedition was bound to be an utter failure as they would not find any artifacts. In other words, even if they still gave him his professional title after a fruitless expedition it would be an undeserved merit.

"I'm sorry, Professor, I'm afraid that won't be possible." To make matters even worse, Uriel could not explain the true reason of his refusal since it would also mean disclosing it was him who raided what was left of the dungeon and the one responsible for the sudden appearance of so many artifacts.

"Why not? You've been there before. If anyone can lead a safe expedition in that mysterious place it's you!" Pangeotis pleaded humbly, though inwardly he couldn't keep himself from picturing Jon Hunter's smug face every time he looked at Uriel.

Pangeotis had been Jon's professor in college. Just like Uriel, Jon always showed an amazing talent that made him the top of his class by far, though he also showed a lack of respect for other scholars and lack of discipline. Because of that, instead of nurturing Jon's talent, Pangeotis used every bit of influence he had to make his studies more difficult by lobbying with other professors.

He also gave him undeserved poor grades to humiliate him, though instead of folding Jon always surpassed all the obstacles Pangeotis put in his way. It wasn't until he outright failed him in his obligatory subject for the second time that Jon took the hint and left to America in search for a degree.

Needless to say, he not only came back with a degree but with a beautiful wife and a well paying job at the Mapple corporation no less. He also published flawless papers and studies in all the fields of archaeology at a rate so fast Pangeotis could barely finish reading one when the next came out.

Jon rubbed his success on Pangeoti's face every step of his way and even more after becoming not just a hunter, but 'the hunter'.

Even when comparing their careers made Pangeotis look like a joke, since his biggest accomplishment had been to participate in the congress that gave birth to the world government, but Jon not only took part in the same congress but his contributions were also more substantial.

Jon was handsome, intelligent, had a beautiful wife and was renowned in the entire world as both a hunter an archaeologist, yet what irked Pangeotis the most was that after becoming a hunter Jon seemed to stop aging while Pangeotis became older and more bitter.

Just looking at Uriel brought him back to the regretful day where he decided to 'teach Jon a lesson' and ended up getting schooled instead. Many nights Pangeotis would wake up at random hours haunted by the memories of his misdeeds against Jon.

"It's too dangerous, especially since the students are yet to learn any specialization," Uriel explained then continued when Pangeotis remained silent, unaware of his deep thoughts. "but there's another place where I think we could find a dungeon."

"That's wonderful news!" Pangeotis cheered, the thought of a new dungeon washing away the bitterness inside him. "Where is it?"

"I'm afraid that is confidential information. All I can say by the time being is that we would need to get Hollywood's authorities on board." Uriel clicked his tongue in frustration. If it was up to him he would never set foot on that city again, but the place he wanted to visit was much closer to Hollywood than it was to Texas.

As soon as Uriel left his office Pangeotis let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and all his muscles and nerves relaxed at the same time giving him an uncomfortable sensation that bordered with pain. His old bones cracked as he set his posture straight once more before dialing a phone number.

"He is in." Pangeotis informed through the speaker and a feminine voice replied.

"I knew he would fall for it."

"It was more difficult than we expected and it might take a while, but I'm sure he doesn't distrust the deal." After speaking these words the call was ended on the other end leaving the old man alone with his sour memories of the past.