Babel's Northern "Dead City of Flowers," Area 1.
Spreading across the northern reaches of the city of Babel lay ancient ruins—the "Dead City of Flowers." A paradise for the undead, it was a joint management zone overseen by both the Hunter Guild and Babel. Much like other dungeons, the difficulty of the Dead City of Flowers varied by depth, partitioned into tiers from Area 1 through Area 5.
Area 1, its shallowest territory, contained only low-tier undead and was an open zone accessible to students and low-rank hunters alike.
Within a ruined stone building tucked away in a corner of Area 1, two men were gathered.
"Kee-hee-hee! To think there's a Guardian Knight in this world who actually lost to the biggest incompetent alive!"
A sickly, emaciated man cackled, clutching his stomach in mocking amusement. A skull tattoo was etched into his cleanly shaven head, and a pendant bearing the mark of an immortal bird hung from his neck—proof of graduation from the Tower of Babel.
Merely passing the entrance exam for the Tower of Babel was an immense hurdle, but fewer than ten percent of students ever managed to graduate. It was that fiercely demanding of an institution. For anyone who managed to graduate, their prowess was guaranteed.
Of course, this man—Tokotsu—was a first-rate necromancer. Though he had once attained the position of instructor at the tower, he had been expelled after his sadistic, twisted games came to light. He was an eccentric mage, to say the least.
"Stop laughing! I merely let my guard down for a moment!"
Tamuri, Prince Gilbert's former Guardian Knight, shouted through clenched teeth, his whole body trembling with humiliation as the emaciated man continued to roar with laughter.
"Yeah, but that little slip-up got you fired as the great Prince Gilbert's Guardian Knight, didn't it? My deepest condolences."
"I have not been dismissed! As soon as that incompetent is purged, I will be reinstated at once! The prince personally promised me!"
Prince Gilbert had promised that once Kai Heinemann was successfully abducted, Tamuri would be named Head Guardian Knight—the foremost among all the Guardian Knights. The prince never failed to deliver on his word. All that mattered was seeing this assignment through to success. That was how Tamuri viewed the situation.
The emaciated man shrugged.
"Right, right. Let's go with that. So, what's the plan?"
He briskly steered the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"The practical test is being conducted right here in Area 1 of the Dead City of Flowers. With help from our contact inside the academy, we'll smoothly peel him away from the other students. That's when you strike!"
"I've got no complaints as long as I get paid, but I can't guarantee the safety of the other examinees, you know."
"I care not. Even if things get a bit messy, arrangements have been made for the academy to sweep it under the rug."
The emaciated man curled his lips into a broad grin.
"You guys really are utter scum, aren't you?"
He offered the appraisal in earnest.
"You dare insult Prince Gilbert of the Holy Amelia Kingdom—"
With thick veins bulging on his forehead, Tamuri started to lash out, but the man raised a hand to cut him off.
"Don't get the wrong idea. That ruthless, do-whatever-it-takes attitude is right up my alley. More importantly, let's do a final check. Any students who stumble into my territory become my toys. We're clear on that, right?"
The emaciated man pressed the point to make sure.
"An understanding has been reached with the academy. The matter will be written off as an accident."
"I see, I see. Wonderful. It's been far too long since my last feast. I'd better enjoy it to the fullest..."
He cracked his neck from side to side, his face flushing crimson with naked depravity.
"Have your fun, but you understand your primary objective, don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Leave Kai Heinemann alive, turn him into a crippled husk, and hand him over to you, right? I couldn't care less about one incompetent brat. I'll honor the contract."
Raising his right hand in parting, the emaciated man strode out of the ruined building.
"Failure is not an option."
Prince Gilbert was not a forgiving master. Failure meant total ruin. That was an indisputable fact. Squeezing out those words with grim resolve, Tamuri set off into motion.