The countdown ended. The dock transformed back into the crimson-black stone chamber.

"Tossing these your way."

Lin Zhong threw the newly acquired Deep Diver’s Harpoon and the Cthulhu’s Call statuette to Charlotte beside him.

"You don’t want them?"

Charlotte’s eyes widened as the items landed in his hands. The harpoon alone—a rare-tier weapon, the Deep Diver’s secondary armament—was no ordinary forge-crafted blade. Such gear only dropped in A or S-rank Dungeon Instances. This harpoon and grappling hook outclassed his knight’s Long Sword by miles.

But the statuette stole his breath entirely. His gaze locked onto it, unblinking.

He’d checked every possible drop in the *Innsmouth Shadow* instance via the Student Handbook app while Lin Zhong was inside. *Cthulhu’s Call* had a 0.001% drop rate—a special item whose description defied belief:

**[Cthulhu’s Call]**

**[Item Type: Magic Stone]**

**[Effect: Summons the tentacles of the Great Old One Cthulhu for combat]**

**[Condition: Deep sea]**

**[Uses: Infinite]**

*What’s Cthulhu?* Charlotte didn’t know. But it clearly packed S-rank boss power—a personal S-rank boss minion. No amount of credits could buy this. A true god-tier artifact. Yet Lin Zhong tossed it like trash.

"Do you even know what this *does*!? Take it back."

Reluctant but firm, Charlotte held it out. Lin Zhong had already given him too much this run.

"Trash."

Lin Zhong didn’t even glance at it. To him, it was garbage. An S-rank boss? Just a giant punching bag.

"Uh—"

The word died in Charlotte’s throat. *Trash?*

*Click!*

Before he could react, the stone door slid open. An empty corridor stretched before Lin Zhong.

"Don’t breathe a word about today."

A crimson-black sarcophagus stood by the door. Lin Zhong placed Snowfall Thousand Chills inside. As he withdrew his hand, the sarcophagus sealed shut and melted into the floor.

Three stone chests materialized before Charlotte, awaiting his items.

"Let’s go. That’s it."

Lin Zhong pulled his soaked hood over his head and strode out.

Charlotte hastily stowed the harpoon, hook, and statuette into the chests, then chased after him.

The S-rank instance’s entrance floor was deserted. Freshman orientation was a carnival—instances from S to F rank opened simultaneously, letting teachers pick their challenges. Most chose A-rank. Even instructors rarely cleared S-rank without casualties, let alone with students. Too-low ranks wouldn’t teach kids true monster terror. A and B ranks were the sweet spot. Seniors avoided S-rank multi-player instances—the deadliest, highest-casualty trials. That’s why Lin Zhong picked S-rank. That’s why Charlotte had begged him not to enter, nearly crying when he saw the "S" label. He’d thought Lin Zhong would max out at B-rank.

*Click!*

The main stone door groaned open as Lin Zhong approached. The previously empty lobby now buzzed with students and teachers.

All eyes snapped to Lin Zhong the moment he emerged.

"That’s the ‘White Reaper’ from the alert?"

"Isn’t he the coward living off his wife’s credits?"

"Seriously? He’s *title*-rank?"

Skeptical murmurs rippled through the crowd. They’d completely ignored Charlotte trailing behind. Every stare pinned Lin Zhong down.

Titles and *system-bestowed honors* were worlds apart. Regular titles came from bounties or quests—often ridiculous. Many players set aliases to avoid cringe names. But *honors*? Granted solely by the system. No aliases allowed. The bar was brutal: clear an S-rank multi-player instance solo with an S-rank evaluation. It meant carrying an entire team through hell.

Both were prestigious, but honors proved raw power. Even Fool Academy had a few honored students.

But *this* guy? Lin Zhong—the school’s favorite punching bag, the spineless trash.

Honor notifications broadcast campus-wide. This one had been the final nail in Lin Zhong’s coffin. He’d prayed Su Han missed the bounty alert. The honor announcement shattered that hope.

*White Reaper?*

A coveted name. Every student dreamed of a system-bestowed honor. But Lin Zhong craved none of it.

"Didn’t I forbid you from entering this instance?"

A crisp, melodic voice cut through the chatter. The crowd parted like wheat before a scythe.

*Done for.*

That voice—Lin Zhong knew it in his bones.

Su Han.

She stepped forward, a radiant smile lighting her exquisite face. But the black aura of malice swirling behind her made teachers and students alike stumble back.

Su Han. Honor: ‘Freya’. Bounty: 5 million credits.

One of the academy’s apex predators. *Do not engage.*

"Care to explain, *dear*?"

Beads of sweat rolled down Lin Zhong’s temples. His calm mask cracked, revealing raw tension. His lips trembled faintly.

"Su Han, Lin Zhong only—"

Charlotte rushed forward to intervene. A freezing gun barrel pressed against his forehead cut him off. Su Han’s smile vanished. Her clear, dark eyes glared down at him, ice-cold.

"Did I give you permission to speak?"