NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 9: Chapter 9
He swiftly brought up his system interface. Just a few hours ago, the moment he had stepped into the classroom, a sudden quest had appeared out of nowhere.
░▒▓[CHRONO SYSTEM QUEST]▓▒░
QUEST: "HUMILIATE THE QUEEN OF THE ACADEMY"
RANK: E
TYPE: REVENGE
STATUS: REFRESHES WHENEVER YOU SEEK VENGEANCE
OBJECTIVE:
Secretly humiliate Liona Frostine, the Queen of Star Knight Academy, without alerting her or anyone else.
REWARD:
🔹 +50 EXP
DEADLINE: Before the exam ends.
FAILURE PENALTY:
The skill Chrono Lock will be sealed for two days.
---
Apparently, quests like this triggered whenever he genuinely harbored the intent for revenge. That, at least, was a good sign. But what puzzled him now was this—why hadn't the quest marked itself as completed yet? He was sure he had done exactly what the objective asked for. Hadn't he already humiliated Liona in secret, just as instructed?
Before he could dwell on it further, a new screen blinked into view.
░▒▓[CHRONO SYSTEM QUEST — COMPLETED]▓▒░
🎉 QUEST "HUMILIATE THE QUEEN OF THE ACADEMY" COMPLETED!
REWARD GRANTED:
✔ +50 EXP
---
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The late afternoon sky draped Astrapolis in a blanket of golden light. Though the sun was beginning its slow descent toward the western horizon, its rays still warmed the towering crystal spires and busy streets of the city. The time was just past three when Jeffrey stepped out through the gates of the academy. The exams were over. His steps felt lighter now, and with the rest of the day stretching ahead, he decided to wander through the city.
Astrapolis was a special city. Not just for its size or advanced technology, but because it was one of the few remaining Green Zones in the world. In a place like this, civilian life could carry on without the constant threat of death. No monsters suddenly bursting from dimensional rifts. No villains roaming the streets freely. Everything felt… orderly.
Green Zone—that was what they called it. Safe zones protected by powerful heroes and major guilds. Astrapolis was under the watch of the Polaris Guild, led by none other than the Star Knight himself. As long as they stood at the frontlines, this city remained a fragile bastion of peace.
But such comfort wasn't the norm in this world.
Beyond these walls, the world lived in constant danger, divided into risk-designated territories by the Hero Federation. Below the Green Zones were the Yellow Zones—areas with moderate danger levels. Crime was common, and the occasional appearance of monsters from unstable rifts was always a looming possibility. Cities in Yellow Zones were still livable, but always under threat.
Far worse were the Red Zones—strongholds of criminal syndicates, villainous organizations, and powerful monsters. Law enforcement had little influence there, and only elite heroes dared step foot within them, often at great risk. Life in a Red Zone was a game of survival.
But the most terrifying of all were the Black Zones.
Places not just dangerous, but utterly forsaken. Lands fully dominated by S-rank villains—creatures so powerful that even coordinated hero teams rarely returned intact. The Black Zones weren't meant for living. They weren't meant for dreaming. The only law that reigned there was strength.
Jeffrey had learned all of this from his earliest days at the academy. In a world brimming with chaos and anomalies, understanding the boundaries between life and death wasn't theory—it was survival.
And perhaps that's why Astrapolis felt so… unreal. Too safe. Too calm. And Jeffrey knew, even in a place like this, threats could emerge from where no one expected. Because in this world, nowhere was ever truly safe.
Eventually, Jeffrey arrived at a narrow alley he recognized. He stepped into the shadows cast by towering buildings, his pace steady.
The shop looked exactly the same as it had the first time he stumbled upon it—quiet, tucked away among winding alleyways in the city's heart, nearly invisible to the average passerby. He had discovered it by accident three days ago, while running through the streets. It had caught his attention because of its peculiar name, and upon entering… he found a surprise waiting.
The store did, in fact, have a sign. Though weathered and hanging crookedly above the door, it was there—barely legible unless one got close. The carved letters spelled out something… suggestive.
"Secret Paradise"
The letters curled playfully, and somehow the name conjured thoughts that were anything but innocent. It was the sort of name cheeky enough to make someone hesitate—or entice them to step in quicker.
Jeffrey spared it only a glance before entering. The small bell chimed softly as the door opened, and a warm scent greeted him—an odd blend of sweet spice and something sharper, unplaceable.
The interior remained unchanged from before: dim, still, and far too cozy for a shop that sold such bizarre merchandise. Behind a velvet-draped wooden counter stood the shopkeeper.
And she was not easily forgotten.
A mature woman with a lovely, calm face that carried a mischievous undertone. Her long jet-black hair was loosely tied to the side, exposing the smooth porcelain skin of her neck. Her figure was slender, yet richly curved—and unmistakably, her ample chest stood out beneath the deep crimson satin outfit that clung to her body. There was an effortless sensuality in the way she stood, the way she spoke… as if she knew exactly how her every movement affected the people around her.
She looked at Jeffrey with a sly, ambiguous smile—half welcome, half tease.
"Ah, you're back," she said, resting her chin on her palm. Her voice was soft, deep, and alluring. "Were you satisfied with the toy you bought the other day?"
It was true.
Jeffrey had bought that vibrator from this shop three days ago. And now he had returned—perhaps to see what other "toys" might suit his tastes.
He didn't respond to her teasing. His eyes traveled slowly across her body, blatant and unashamed. The heat in his chest hadn't faded since he arrived. In fact, seeing her only made it worse.
The woman's smile widened, clearly pleased by the way the man before her was staring at her with such raw hunger.
"My, my… That's quite the heated gaze, young man." The beautiful woman let out a low, knowing chuckle.