Chapter 1473: Chapter 1471: Old Mountain Apartment
Han Dong, who was promoted directly to “Lecturer” through special channels, also gained several privileges.
For instance, a better-equipped single dormitory and free access to the campus shuttle line.
Standing in front of the administration building, it didn’t take long before a campus shuttle bus, seemingly modified with worm-like features, sped toward him. The interior was noticeably spacious with more seating areas.
Since it was currently class time, few instructors were returning to the apartments, leaving only Han Dong and a teacher wearing a bull-head mask and leaning on a cane. There was no interaction between them during the entire journey.
According to the campus map, the faculty apartments were located in Mi University’s [Ancient Mountain].
As the name implies, it was an ancient mountain range that nurtured multiple civilizations during prehistoric times. During Mi University’s construction, the principal took special interest in it and isolated the mountain as an independent section, incorporating it into the campus.
[Ancient Mountain] was considered a standalone zone within Mi University. Without the shuttle service, anyone attempting to traverse it on foot would likely get lost or possibly encounter certain monstrous entities.
Of course, someone like Han Dong, with his advanced perception techniques, could manage the journey on foot if necessary.
The shuttle bus drove deeper into the heart of Ancient Mountain.
Through Han Dong’s eyes, the faculty apartments appeared fairly normal, resembling high-end 21st-century apartment buildings.
“Let’s see the true appearance of this apartment complex.”
[Demon Eye]
Piercing through the refraction caused by the prism effect, the apartment’s real form unfolded before him, and the scene brought an even greater sense of thrill to Han Dong.
“This is!”
What met his gaze was an enormous, pulsating abscess.
The “flesh nodes” protruding from the surface or embedded within the abscess corresponded to different faculty members’ private rooms.
Naturally.
What intrigued Han Dong wasn’t the fleshy form itself but the essence of the abscess.
The pustule grew at the very center of [Ancient Mountain]. Through the Demon Eye, he could even observe streams of energy flowing through the mountain, continuously converging upon it.
“The perks of living in the faculty apartments are truly remarkable… constantly absorbing the energy of the entire mountain. Resting in such a place would rejuvenate both body and mind.”
Han Dong felt no revulsion or rejection toward the tumor-like structures. On the contrary, he eagerly stepped toward the apartments.
However, the moment he stepped inside the apartment building, he froze in place.
Caw!
The crow perched on his shoulder let out a raspy cry.
A cold bead of sweat slid down his temple.
His gaze fell to the front of the dormitory lobby.
There, a sharply dressed young instructor with a translucent head, inside of which a starry galaxy structure swirled, stepped out of the elevator… Since the lobby was devoid of others, his eyes, akin to a constellation, stayed locked on Han Dong the entire time.
That gaze made Han Dong feel as though his true identity could be exposed at any moment.
“Greetings, Professor Pope!”
Han Dong chose to initiate the conversation. Evading it would only raise further suspicion.
“A new instructor, are you? I’ve never seen you before.”
It was clear Pope hadn’t yet seen through Han Dong’s disguise, but he was intrigued by the strange aura— a mix of the crow’s essence and a faint scent of death— radiating from him.
After all, Pope had never imagined that this human, Han Dong, would suddenly show up here as a teacher after finishing the London Game.
“You can call me George. I recently passed the lecturer’s qualification exam and will be teaching at the College of Biotechnology and Engineering… Just preparing to move in.” (Teaching assistants are typically housed in student dormitories, but only lecturers qualify for residence in Ancient Mountain.)
“Congratulations.”
Pope remained exceedingly polite, showing no airs of superiority despite his esteemed position as a professor.
Not until Pope completely departed did Han Dong finally exhale in relief.
『Thankfully, I deliberately concealed my Void Attribute… this encounter was truly dangerous.
Who would’ve thought someone as renowned as Pope would also live here? I had assumed he had a dedicated villa within the campus.
Though, truth be told, Pope’s character is indeed exceptional. His moral compass surpasses that of most humans… It’s just unfortunate we tread entirely different paths. Better to keep my distance.』
Ding!
While riding the elevator with its metallic facade, Han Dong couldn’t help but use his Demon Eye for a peek.
He discovered he was enveloped within a living embryonic organism.
The embryo maneuvered swiftly through the fleshy passageways via contraction and expansion, ensuring rapid transport to the selected floor.
The buttons for selecting floors were, in reality, clusters of nerve-like protrusions within the embryo.
When the corresponding protrusion was pressed, the embryo would writhe with excitement, accelerating its movements toward the desired floor.
The sight of these protrusions even tempted Han Dong to touch them a few more times, though he ultimately resisted the urge.
“[1313]… What an unlucky number,” he muttered.
The corridors of the thirteenth floor felt cold and deathly silent, void of any signs of life.
The doors lacked traditional keyholes or card readers, featuring instead a hole just wide enough to accommodate a typical tentacle.
Squish!
Pressing his palm against the door, a tentacle extended from it, inserting itself into the hole. The door, equipped with biological recognition, swung open on its own.
The interior revealed a straightforward, modern duplex with a study, balcony, and expansive living room on the first floor, while the second floor housed the bedroom and a private bathroom.
Curious about the apartment’s true appearance, Han Dong discreetly used his Demon Eye. Though grotesque in taste, he noticed an energy thread from Ancient Mountain connected directly to the bed’s underside.
As he had assumed, resting on the bed would enable energy replenishment.
“Not bad at all…”
At that moment.
The bathroom door on the second floor suddenly opened.
A damp black goat’s hoof stepped out first, followed by a flawless body wrapped in a bath towel, and an alluring youthful face.
“Sally? How… how did you know I’d be staying here?
I’m using someone else’s identity just to qualify for this apartment,” Han Dong stammered.
Sally descended the stairs slowly, her damp hoofbeats echoing, her demeanor lofty as she looked down at Han Dong.
“You’re underestimating me, aren’t you?
Don’t forget, I’m a Fourth Element… We Black Goat Clan are intrinsically superior to most demons in terms of talent. Several of my elder sisters are faculty or senior officials at this university.
I had them investigate the keyword ‘Nicholas,’ and lo and behold, they found a newly registered lecturer named [George Nicholas] in the records room. It was an easy guess it’d be you!
Looks like you’ve scored some special treatment as well—
assuming a fake identity, directly promoted to lecturer… Who has the power to make this happen?”
“By sheer coincidence, I caught the vice principal’s attention. Not bad, right?”
“…So that explains why you showcased your abilities during the evaluation. Sneaky.
You officially begin teaching tomorrow, right? Since you’ve got the rest of the day free, how about I show you around the campus?”
“I’m not keen to head out, and if we’re seen together, Pope might pick up on my identity… I’ve been traveling non-stop and need rest. Might as well sleep now.”
“Sure!”
Wham!
In an instant, a dark shadow flickered across the second floor.
The bath towel was draped over a chair.
Sally was already wrapped beneath the quilt, one hand eagerly patting the bed to beckon Han Dong to join her.