Chapter 101 – Demigod Battle (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The senses of the Demon Hunter that had become even thicker were telling me.

‘It’s certain. They have grown.’

This was a growth entirely different from an increase in level or stats.

To put it simply, it felt like the skill proficiency of [Natural Enemy] had increased. Even though skill proficiency didn’t actually exist in [Natural Enemy].

‘Even so, I cannot intervene between those two.’

Let’s not forget. Self-awareness.

Even if [Natural Enemy] had activated.

My combat power was shabby compared to those Demigods.

Furthermore.

“I leave the disposal of the demons to you, Chief Lee Ho-yeol!”

It didn’t seem like Senios wanted me to intervene in the fight. So my job on the battlefield was simple. I should do what I can do well.

Right, demon hunting.

The gaze looking down at the inferiors from a high place.

Indeed, a field of vision befitting Granfel.

I stared at the demons pouring out from the gap in the rift.

Looking at their appearances.

Indeed, they looked different from ordinary demons.

‘As expected, it means they are the Demon King’s Army.’

Their appearances were similar to the demons I saw during Decarabia.

Aligning in rows and columns.

The forces of the Demon King advancing towards me and Senios.

However, naturally.

“Trivial.”

No intimidation was felt.

No, it was natural that I could not feel it.

Even putting aside Granfel’s noble pride in front of any demon.

‘If I compare it with that question mark I saw during Bangrit’s time…….’

Right, I had experience.

‘The intensity alone was on a different dimension, that one.’

The demon that appeared after smashing the rift, ‘???’.

As if that wasn’t enough, my experience of carving out one arm of such a ruthless fellow who tore fragments of the rift and swung them around with an unknown name using [『Anomaly』].

Right, this was a well-founded confidence.

I opened my mouth quietly.

“I will not permit any further approach.”

At this moment when demons are pouring out.

The collapse progress of the rift must be rising at a rapid pace.

Just like Decarabia did.

Demon Kings were bastards who swallowed even their subordinates, the demons, as sacrifices.

The sight of demons pouring into the rift, the ritual site.

It meant I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

Even so.

“However, I will not permit running away either.”

I couldn’t return demons to the Arcana continent, which was already rendered a wasteland.

Therefore, in accordance with my heavy pride.

It meant I had no choice but to hunt the pouring demons.

I closed my mouth.

The conviction of not engaging in unnecessary conversation with prey.

Right, silence was my full-scale declaration of war.

Goooooo!

Magic power surging due to the effect of [Natural Enemy].

In addition, as part of my full preparations, I had consumed elixir herbs known for magic power regeneration to the maximum extent without overlapping them. I manifested magic immediately.

Craaaack!

The processes of search and interference are omitted.

“!!!!!”

The ground where the advancing Demon King’s Army stood undulated like a carpet.

To me, who gained knowledge of all minerals through the [Pentagram of Pure Knowledge]. The ground, the earth crust, was no different from being in the palm of my hand to mold as I pleased.

Kwarrrrrumble!!!

Demigod.

If Karimzeva made lava.

And Senios froze the atmosphere.

Then I was at least capable of causing an earthquake.

“?!?!!!”

The splitting ground.

The Demon King’s armies falling below it.

Just how far had they fallen.

I couldn’t know but one thing was certain.

‘As expected, they are tough.’

Demon King’s Army.

Was it because they were demons of a Greater Demon King.

It would be natural that they couldn’t be defeated with a single earthquake. It was a fact I could tell just by seeing that level up messages didn’t appear. However, there was no hesitation.

Manifestation once again.

Craaaack!

It wasn’t that I caused earthquakes consecutively.

No matter if I was fortified by [Natural Enemy] and the effects of elixir herbs. I couldn’t consecutively manifest magic of a scale matching those Demigods.

‘Since no matter how much efficiency has improved, there’s a limit.’

I am level 333.

My absolute magic power was even lower than that.

However, at this moment.

Guuuurrumble!!

Just like right before.

The ground was shaking with a loud roar.

The split ground.

As if trying to forever swallow the demons that fell into the underground.

Started to firmly close its split mouth.

“Haha. How is it, Karimzeva. Does he still look like an adventurer kid in your eyes?”

“……!”

“Because your head became needlessly big. We, who have become no different from acting out of senility, must have reached the time to step down. Anyway, how long will you keep looking away?”

That was a spectacle enough to make even Karimzeva and Senios, who were immersed in combat, turn their gazes.

……Even I’ve got to admit it looked plausible.

A magic that split like a major earthquake and then returned back to its original state. Even just hearing about it, it sounded like tremendous advanced magic. But the reality of it is something only I know.

‘It’s just Reversal Magic.’

That was right.

It was merely Reversal Magic.

The modest Reversal Magic that transformed a silver dagger and restored its durability. Only the scale had grown; the principle was identical.

Of course, the fact that the consumed mana was only a minuscule amount was also identical.

‘It’s understandable they would mistake it.’

To Karimzeva and Senios, who didn’t know my pathetic circumstances, it must have unfailingly looked like I was manifesting advanced magic.

Of course, naturally. I had no intention of saying this pathetic truth out of my own mouth.

Guuung!

Reversal.

When the split ground returned to its original state again.

The number of the Demon King’s Army had noticeably decreased.

Even those remaining couldn’t act rashly.

I looked down at the ground and spoke.

“The only place permitted to you is underground, the abyss.”

Right, this was my best.

Soon, the result of that best effort began to appear as messages.

[Demon King’s Army Cavalry experiences ‘Fracture’.]

[Demon King’s Army Infantry experiences ‘Suffocation’.]

[Demon King’s Army Centurion experiences ‘Burn’.]…….

They must be feeling it underground.

The weight of the earth’s crust.

And the geothermal heat.

‘Even at best, it would be no more than the level of scientific common sense but.’

If this is also an anomaly, it would be [『Anomaly』].

As if proving that fact.

Messages popped up consecutively.

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]…….

*

The portals disappeared from the Mage Tower.

That news spread at a rapid pace.

-What is this situation???

-For real, I finally realize the preciousness of the Mage Tower now

-Crazy, what’s the use of figuring out the rift’s location?? There is no way to go

-Why is the Mage Tower suddenly acting like that??

Among the players, there were indeed those who could use portals. But the effect was a world apart to the point where it couldn’t be compared with the Mage Tower’s portals.

“Not only is the consumed magic power staggering. The exact same magic power is consumed every time the portal user enters. Therefore, as of now, it’s impossible for players to enter the rifts in a short time…….”

It wasn’t for nothing that guilds from all over the world.

Flocked to Seoul, South Korea, where the Mage Tower was located.

Of course, there were also those who found out that fact earlier than the world.

That is why they swung into action.

“We have to acknowledge reality and make a choice.”

Nam Tae-min continued.

“With our level, it’s impossible to go around all eleven rifts. Even more so in the current situation where the portals have disappeared. Therefore, we have to set our goal clearly.”

Jesse Heinness.

Camilla.

Hisagi Kazuma.

Leoni.

Ranker players who wouldn’t fall behind even if you brought up their leveling. However, they couldn’t refute Nam Tae-min’s words. Because they realized the situation.

‘Our help might not be needed.’

‘No, the fact that the portals disappeared from the Mage Tower…….’

‘It definitely must mean that.’

However, they couldn’t just stand by and watch.

Even if other players might not know.

They knew well the weight Ho-yeol carried.

If they didn’t know, it would be one thing, but ignoring it while knowing?

Borrowing Ho-yeol’s words to express it…….

Right, because it was contrary to ‘pride’.

“Our goal is the nearest rift.”

Nam Tae-min’s plan was simple.

Regardless of whether Ho-yeol is there or not, enter the closest rift.

Clear that rift.

Of course, they didn’t know how much help that action would be.

If they could help carry Ho-yeol’s burden even a little bit.

“Phew”

Because it felt like their heavy hearts would become at least a little comfortable.

Since their destinations were the same, there was no need to deliberately divide their personnel.

Gaon’s private jet.

While the players were rapidly boarding.

Someone opened their mouth.

“Huh?”

That was breaking news enough to make them turn the direction of the private jet.

“……The, the rift was cleared?!”

What?

It had only been a little over an hour since the emergency update popped up and the rifts were generated. Although they were surprised, they thought it could be possible if it was Ho-yeol.

By the way.

“Wait, this one and that one are different rifts, right?”

“Huh? What, the locations are actually different?”

“Being different means already two of the rifts have been cleared!”

Right.

The cleared rift wasn’t just one.

Two.

No, three.

No, in real-time.

“……Wait a minute, does this make any sense?”

Breaking news was popping up.

It wasn’t misinformation or tabloids chattered by newspapers.

It was an official announcement from the AAU.

──────

[AAU] 8 out of the 11 generated rifts have been cleared…….

──────

The world had no choice but to be turned upside down once again at that news.

Did the news also reach the studio.

In a video someone turned on.

The agitated voice of the host could be heard.

-Just what has happened here? Wasn’t it the case that no player has entered a rift yet?

-That is correct. Officially, there probably aren’t any. But don’t you all know? It is certain that Player Lee Ho-yeol has made a move. Otherwise, this cannot be explained!

-It is truly unbelievable. We knew Player Lee Ho-yeol was incredible but. To think it would be to this extent……!

Rift collapse, missiles, nuclear bombs.

A situation where even extreme stories were popping out.

It was good news delivered in such a situation.

It would be a matter of course for the world to be in an uproar.

Of course, the players boarding Gaon’s private jet also buzzed.

Sighs of relief burst out from everywhere.

“……Thank goodness.”

The fact that the rifts were being cleared in real-time.

Above all, it meant Ho-yeol was safe.

However, they couldn’t just be blindly happy.

As they had said.

Because they knew.

“Damn it.”

Clack

Nam Tae-min unconsciously clenched his fists.

The emotions he barely suppressed surged up.

Leoni muttered.

“In the end, all by himself again this time…….”

*

The disappearing space of anomaly, the rift.

Marcelo spoke while manifesting a portal.

“With this, the remaining rifts are two.”

The Senior Mages, including Marcelo, had closed nine rifts.

Because those who closed a rift first joined other rifts.

Naturally, the time it took to close a rift decreased increasingly.

However, Marcelo knew. The process of the descent ritual of the Demon King, Decarabia, that took place in Frost.

‘Sir Ho-yeol said that just because they are demons doesn’t mean they are all the same demons.’

He had said that a hierarchy exists even within the Demon King’s Army, excluding the Demon King. That is why Marcelo attentively observed the demons in the process of closing the rifts.

‘However, there were no notable individuals.’

Therefore, he could intuit it.

“The remaining rifts will be different from the cracks up until now.”

High-ranking demons in the remaining rifts.

And that the grave criminal, Karimzeva, will be present.

The evidence of that was showing in front of him.

‘Sir Ho-yeol and Lord Senios even at this current moment.’

The fact that Ho-yeol and Senios had not united.

It meant they were still inside a rift.

Marcelo looked at the manifested portal.

“We must hurry.”

Just as Ho-yeol said.

It was no good for this tower exit to be known to the outside.

Marcelo knew how the world of adventurers operated.

‘Sir Ho-yeol said that the moment we close a rift, anyone will be able to know that news.’

That is to say.

Even if the purpose of exiting the tower could be hidden.

It meant the fact that the rift was closed couldn’t be hidden.

In the end, representing the Mage Tower which couldn’t step forward.

It meant that Ho-yeol was the one taking the responsibility again this time.

Step

The Senior Mages entering the portal.

Suddenly, Matis stopped walking and spoke to Marcelo.

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol must be tired.”

It was something Matis said because he also knew that fact.

“That is correct. Since we are in a situation where we cannot step forward. It has no choice but to take the form of him taking on this rift closure entirely alone. He will be quite bothered by worldly rumors.”

The conversation between the two ended there.

In the end, they owed Ho-yeol a debt again this time.

To repay this debt, they must act even more swiftly.

Because their minds communicated even without speaking.

In the end, the frustrated one was Bangrit Tom who was quietly watching.

‘……Wait, isn’t it a good thing? If you receive the attention of the world?’

Shake shake.

Bangrit, who was agonizing like that, soon shook his head.

He had finished understanding his station.

Indeed, with his simple brain.

How could he possibly fathom the great intentions.

Of the two Chiefs and Senior Matis?

*

The importance of actual combat.

I was experiencing those words with my body.

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]…….

No, putting aside the increasing levels.

Baaaang!

Flames and ice clashing while pouring out deafening roars.

Karimzeva and Senios.

The magic exchanged in the death match between the two Elder Mages was on a different dimension from the magic I had seen up until now. This wasn’t at a level that could be bundled and treated as advanced magic.

The summits of Flame Magic and Ice Magic.

The magic poured out by the two summits was truly.

No different from the extremes of Flame Magic and Ice Magic.

Esoteric magic that no one had ever known about was manifested.

“How is it. Do you still trust your superiority in compatibility? Karimzeva!”

To such an esoteric technique, countering with an esoteric technique.

“Shut up. Foolish fellow.”

The death match of those two people.

『My innate talent for magic was at a level where I could mimic ordinary magic just by seeing it.』

Allowed me to gaze at a ‘realm’ one dimension higher.

It was opening my eyes for me.

As I was immersed in that spectacle, demons couldn’t dare interrupt me.

[Demon Legion Commander Shartan experiences ‘Fear’.]

Even if that interrupter happened to be a Demon Legion Commander.