Epic Quest?

After the assessment ended, John Constantine found the girl's father amid everyone's astonished stares. After collecting what was an enormous sum of compensation for an ordinary person, he said to Zhang Yang and the other three, "The payment's in. Drinks are on me!"

"Tonight, we drink until we drop!"

Looking at John Constantine, whose eyes were practically shining, Zhang Yang turned to the others. "Is he always like this?"

Harry and Mera exchanged a glance, then nodded wryly.

Freedom City, a luxurious bar.

Watching John Constantine roar his heart out onstage, Zhang Yang looked at Harry and Mera in confusion and received confirming looks from both of them.

In the end, just as the sun was about to rise, Zhang Yang and Harry each took one side and carried the thoroughly drunk John Constantine back to Kamar-Taj.

After resting properly for the entire morning, their instructor for the day was Asgard's queen, Frigga. Loki followed her here as well, wearing an unhappy expression.

"Today, we will continue studying Illusion Magic."

Frigga gave Loki a push, signaling him to sit down. Then she looked at everyone... well, mainly at Zhang Yang. "Now, let's review it again."

"The foundation of Illusion Magic is using magic to disrupt another person's sight, or to show them things we want them to see."

"..."

After Frigga explained the fundamentals of Illusion Magic in simple, accessible terms and demonstrated several small illusions, she had everyone begin practicing.

Naturally, Loki was excluded. He simply leaned on his spear and stared motionlessly at the scenery outside.

Frigga did not bother with him. Loki had mastered illusions of this level a thousand years ago.

Zhang Yang studied very seriously. With his talent for comprehension, he managed a passable imitation after just one attempt.

By the second attempt, he had already caught up to Harry and Mera, drawing sidelong glances from them both.

On the third attempt, even Loki's eyes widened. He could not believe that a mere mortal's aptitude for magic surpassed his own.

The fourth attempt... the fifth attempt...

In the end, even Queen Frigga's eyes widened. She simply could not believe that someone like this existed in the world!

When practice ended, Zhang Yang's mastery of those three illusion spells had reached the absolute peak, even surpassing his instructor, Frigga!

"Zhang Yang, you truly are a genius!"

Frigga sighed sincerely. "In my thousands of years of life, you are the most gifted being I have ever seen. Without exception!"

"Thank you for the praise, Instructor Frigga."

Zhang Yang smiled. He did not care much for such praise. He only wanted to strengthen himself as quickly as possible, so that he would not die from the aftermath of some battle. That was his only wish.

The day's lesson did not end until the sun had set. After bidding farewell to his instructor, Zhang Yang returned to his dormitory, reflected on the day, and felt that he had gained a great deal.

"Meditate. I need to increase my mental strength as soon as possible."

Somewhere in the world, a man expressionlessly dug a wooden box out of the ground. When he opened it, he found a weapon resembling a dagger inside.

Holding that dagger, the man began moving in a certain direction.

He ran faster and faster, eventually surpassing the speed of a car!

"Sir!"

In Washington, D.C., beneath a building known as the Triskelion, a friendly-looking middle-aged man listened to a report from his subordinate.

"You mean someone is running at two hundred kilometers per hour without stopping to rest?"

Coulson frowned. "Have you calculated his point of origin and destination?"

"His starting point was here."

A man in a suit handed Coulson a file. "His destination... is unknown."

"This dagger in his hand..."

Coulson carefully studied the man's photograph. He noticed that the dagger in his hand bore intricate patterns, and that the man himself did not seem quite normal.

"You're Agent Ward, correct?"

Coulson rubbed his temples. "Go to the archives and compare the records. See whether there is any information on a dagger resembling this one!"

"Yes, sir."

The agent named Grant Ward nodded, took the photograph, and headed off to compare it with the records.

"I should notify the director."

After thinking it over, Coulson picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Director..."

Before he knew it, Zhang Yang had already spent a week in the Special Class.

Over that week, he had learned Exorcism, Illusion Magic, Elemental Magic, and Hell Magic. Every type of magic had reached a level that left his instructors astonished.

Today was Lucifer's turn to teach again, but Zhang Yang, Harry, and the others waited for quite some time without seeing Lucifer arrive.

"Lucifer won't be coming today."

John Constantine finally hurried over. "You're coming with me today. Something happened, and we're short on manpower."

"I'm not going!"

Loki snorted and turned away. "Are you trying to drag us along to exorcise demons again so you can get drunk yourself?"

"I am the great Prince Loki!"

"Suit yourself."

John Constantine did not care about Loki's words at all. Instead, he looked at Zhang Yang and the other two. "What about you?"

"Ding! A large-scale epic quest has been detected—[Invasion of Hell]. Accept the quest?"

Just as Zhang Yang was about to refuse, the long-absent system voice sounded beside his ear, making him pause.

"I'll go."

Zhang Yang nodded. Harry and Mera exchanged glances, then nodded as well.

"Then let's move!"

John Constantine flicked the cigarette in his hand, and its ash formed a teleportation array. "We'll stop by the police station first. A lady has run into some trouble."

"A lady?"

Before Zhang Yang could even make a sarcastic remark, he realized they had arrived inside the police station's... restroom?!

"Could you choose somewhere more normal next time?"

Mera complained. This was the men's restroom, and the smell made her feel sick.

John Constantine said nothing and simply led everyone out.

"Zhang Yang, go ask whether Detective Angela Dawson is here."

The moment they left the restroom, John Constantine frowned and lowered his voice. "There is a demon's scent here. Those damned half-demons!"

"Alright."

Zhang Yang nodded. After finding an officer and asking, he returned and shook his head. "Officer Angela is on leave."

"On leave?"

John Constantine's expression darkened further. "Were we too late?"

"No, that's not right!"

John Constantine shook his head as though he had suddenly thought of something, then opened a Portal and left immediately.

Before leaving, he threw out one sentence.

"You go find Officer Angela. I need to find Lucifer!"

"See you later!"