Chapter 112 – Do You Grasp the Situation (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The situation in Muon was being broadcast in real-time.

The ones who set their antennae sharper than anyone else at that news was AAU.

There was no need to distinguish between branches.

Because everyone realized the uncertainty of this current situation.

“……Can we just leave the players as is?”

“What does that mean, that?”

“The variable called Praiza is too big.”

The mysterious existence, Praiza.

At the present moment, the one moving Muon was her, the Saintess. It would have been better if the gates of Muon were kept firmly closed, then they wouldn’t have this many worries…….

“Are those people going to listen even if our players tell them anything?”

“Well, that is true too…….”

“Of course, I can fully understand the feeling of worry. But let’s just watch. Above all, Muon’s attitude changed right after the Mage Tower, Marcelo moved.”

Falling silent for a moment and staring at the monitor.

“In the end, it means we have no choice but to lean on Lee Ho-yeol this time too.”

Because the one who moved the Mage Tower was Lee Ho-yeol.

And this time too, Lee Ho-yeol did not betray their expectations.

He had revealed his appearance in Muon.

The same attire as always.

However, his actions were even more unconventional than usual.

Enough to make those watching flinch.

“……Wait a minute, what is this situation?”

Lee Ho-yeol, a Paladin knelt before him……!

The ones more surprised than anyone else was AAU.

Even if they didn’t know who Praiza was, they were the ones who knew better than anyone else about the setting of Paladins.

“A Paladin kneeling……. To a player?”

“Just how high is the reputation points he built up?”

“No, that’s not something possible with just reputation.”

Right, it wasn’t something possible with just reputation.

For a Paladin, and the Commander of the Paladin Order at that, to kneel.

That meant Lee Ho-yeol had considerable influence over the Goddess Order.

“Does it mean he even progressed the Goddess Order’s quests?”

“Was that even implemented in the first place?”

“Just how much does Lee Ho-yeol know……?”

However, the shock didn’t end there.

Rumblebleblebam!

A roar.

The unexpectedly collapsing fortress of Muon.

And simultaneously, the lump of tentacles that revealed itself.

“A-a monster in Muon? What is that?”

A monster that does not exist in the database.

Similarly, Praiza who did not exist.

Exclamations of ‘No way’ burst out from AAU.

“Was that Praiza’s true form……!!”

Because they couldn’t even find out the true identity of the monster.

They couldn’t guess whether it was strong or weak either.

However, one thing that was certain was that it wouldn’t be an ordinary guy.

Since it couldn’t have survived until now while impersonating the Saintess in Muon otherwise.

“Quickly! Contact the players!”

An unknown existence.

Its danger level couldn’t even be guessed.

Everyone had to refrain from hasty actions.

However, they had just forgotten for a moment due to the unexpected situation.

“……Don’t tell me this too?”

As if Lee Ho-yeol had also guessed the existence of the tentacle lump.

There was not a slight disruption in his posture.

His expression and gaze were also the same as usual.

And by such Lee Ho-yeol’s side, stood a Paladin.

Sreung.

-“In the name of the Goddess. Draw your swords, O Paladins of Muon!”

It’s not just one person.

The tens of thousands of Paladins who drew their swords toward the gigantic lump of tentacles.

At that sight, AAU had no choice but to admit it.

AAU Korea Branch Manager, Park Min-jae.

At the place where all members of the branch had gathered, he opened his mouth.

“At this rate, I don’t even know who AAU is.”

Damn it, who is the Anti-Arcana?

Arcana eroding reality.

Isn’t the only one responding to it right now Lee Ho-yeol. What’s even more surprising is that even while accomplishing such amazing things, Lee Ho-yeol doesn’t show it at all.

“……Hyun-jun, do you think you could do that if you were him?”

Yoon Soo-gyeom asked Seong Hyun-jun.

Even assuming one knew that a lump of tentacles existed in Muon. Muon was no different from being inside the maw of that monster.

Lee Ho-yeol had jumped into the maw of that monster.

“This is not a game, it’s reality. A reality where lives are on the line.”

No matter how high one’s level is.

I wouldn’t be able to do it.

Seong Hyun-jun shook his head.

But Lee Ho-yeol was doing it.

No, he had already done it several times.

Without even showing off once.

There was only one word that could describe such a sight of Lee Ho-yeol.

“Did that ‘Nobility’ make even the Paladins follow him?”

Tens of thousands of Paladins moving under Lee Ho-yeol’s gesture.

For Goddess Order Paladins to follow an outsider.

And a player’s command at that.

According to the setting of Arcana.

It was something that could absolutely never happen, but…….

“He’s a truly unbelievable player, Lee Ho-yeol……!”

Right, this too, was reality.

*

It is reality.

[Current Status : Waiting for Orders]

Tens of thousands of Paladins were standing behind me.

I wasn’t a master of a giant guild like Nam Tae-min or Hisagi. Nor was I a [Monarch] class, so when would I have led this many troops. It was definitely a situation where feeling a sense of burden is understandable.

“Talim Heber. I accept your will.”

However, I shamelessly did.

Took the command over the Paladins of Muon.

Wielding tens of thousands of troops?

Even with Granfel’s setting, you know.

There was an appropriate line.

It meant that even during the turbulent period when I thought I was a special guy, I didn’t even think a little bit about wielding tens of thousands of soldiers.

Moreover, back then was the time when I thought being alone, a lone wolf, was cool…….

‘From now on, it’s my territory.’

In the end, it depends on what I do.

It means there’s no choice but to face it with my method.

Right, Lee Ho-yeol’s method.

I’m used to it now.

That pulling in everything I have and don’t have, that is.

Rumblebleblebam!

The collapsing fortress of Muon by the tentacles.

Since that is also minerals, the target of search is exceedingly familiar.

Enough to manifest it immediately while omitting search and interference.

Crckckck.

Crack.

Crrrckckck.

The collapsing fortress of Muon was being built again.

A sight like scattered puzzle pieces assembling themselves.

Even the Paladins, who had strengthened their resolve at that sight, were at a loss for words.

“What is this?”

“The building is being built agaiiiin……?!”

“……G-Goddess.”

Well, it’s a spectacle even to me.

Magic is definitely amazing, huh?

If you saw it without knowing, it could even look like a Goddess’s miracle.

However, the truth is truly simple.

‘『Inversion Magic』.’

Only the target had become extensive.

The magic power efficiency of Inversion Magic is quite outstanding.

Moreover, [Natural Enemy] activated.

Since it was an exceedingly familiar search target of minerals.

I consumed almost no magic power even after restoring the destroyed Muon to its original state.

“An aesthetic value of this level is not common. There is a need to preserve it.”

The reason is truly simple.

Manifestation solely according to aesthetic perspectives.

But there wouldn’t be any problem.

Talim spoke to me in an uplifted voice.

“Thank you. For protecting Muon.”

Because my inner thoughts would not be revealed.

And it was enough.

Even to scratch the temper of the lump of tentacles.

“Insolent, very insolent. Dare you say you have the leeway to look around your surroundings while facing this Neferipit? You are superbly arrogant. But at the same time, it is familiar. Since all of you bastards uniformly did not know your place.”

All of you bastards, you say.

That must be referring to the Demon Hunters of Akshan.

I feel it anew but.

Those demon bastards are definitely good at talking at least.

“Therefore, how was that end? Let’s see. Your ugly displays in the Holy War are still vivid in my memory. How foolish. To jump into the jaws of death firmly believing my words even without facing me.”

Does it mean it didn’t occupy Muon for no reason.

At the bastard’s words, the Paladins were rather reacting.

Slash.

Talim cut off the approaching tentacle and looked at me.

“Holy War……? Don’t tell me, you are?”

Are you a Demon Hunter.

That was the look in his eyes asking that.

Right, I am a Demon Hunter.

And the Last Demon Hunter at that.

I wanted to say it refreshingly but.

Granfel’s stubbornness cannot be broken.

“It is not something to say in front of trivial prey.”

Ironclad Rule Number One.

Do not mix unnecessary words with prey.

Wooooooo.

Instead of an answer, I drew up my magic power.

The thoroughly ignored lump of tentacles squirmed bizarrely.

[Exorcism Ritual] activated.

Since it was invited to my ritual.

It must have been able to hear my voice even amidst this commotion.

Soon, a drawn-out laughter was heard.

“You are especially arrogant even among those guys. So I cannot forgive you. Just what do you dare think of me, Neferipit?”

What do I think.

I think of you as a Saintess impersonator.

Of course, don’t feel disappointed that I thought that way.

Because to Granfel, a demon like you is an existence not even worth thinking about.

“The weak demon hiding in the shadow of the Great Evil no longer exists. I am me! Even a clumsy demon cannot dare approach the existence that is me, Neferipit! My power approaches a High-ranking Demon King!”

Pshooshooshoosh!

At the same time, the soaring tentacles.

Hundreds.

No, thousands of tentacles reached out toward me and the Paladins.

An attack pattern as extensive as its volume.

It seems inevitable that someone will definitely take damage.

However, if I am here, the story changes.

Rumbleumble!

What I have.

What I don’t have.

If there’s me who decided to be desperate.

Rumbleblebam!

I lifted the ground.

Accurately, the surface of Muon composed of bedrock.

Its hardness is considerable while not lacking in aesthetic perspectives either.

It means it’s a satisfying weapon even for me to swing.

Swaaaaaak!

Its shape like discs.

I manipulated the floating surface of Muon in the air.

To cut off the reaching tentacles.

The magic power efficiency of telekinesis was not that high but.

This is not simple telekinesis.

Because I definitively added a concept.

『Magic』, different from telekinesis.

A completely new concept.

[Skill], Simultaneous Firing.

Right, it’s called [『Anomaly』].

Swaaaaaak!

Dozens of discs slicing through the tentacles.

Its power cannot be dealt with by just 『Magic』 or [Skill] alone.

What do those words mean.

Thud thud thud.

The bastard’s tentacles fell to the floor.

[The True-name Demon, Neferipit, suffers ‘Amputation’.]

“!!!”

The Paladins too.

Neferipit too, stopped moving for a moment.

Clack.

The only thing moving was my steps.

I opened my mouth.

“The misunderstanding is great.”

The ironclad rule of not mixing words with prey.

However, my tiring personality cannot overlook wrong words.

Therefore, this was not a conversation.

It was a unilateral declaration.

“To pretend to be a High-ranking Demon King with merely that much.”

Because I couldn’t just sit and listen.

The resurrection of a High-ranking Demon King.

To stop that, I and the Mage Tower acted constantly.

Colliding with Karimzeva in the process.

An Elder Mage, Senios, died in battle.

It is the resurrection of a High-ranking Demon King that the great Mage Tower stopped while enduring that level of sacrifice.

Therefore, I muttered coldly.

“Do not make light of that sacrifice.”

True-name Demon, Neferipit.

As I guessed, the bastard was strong.

I can tell by seeing it perfectly fine even while surrounded by tens of thousands of Paladins inside the [Exorcism Ritual]. Although it was stated as a True-name Demon, a named monster in the message.

Demon-type monsters grow just like players.

Just like the Succubus that possessed Baek Iseol did. The bastard must have also become incomparably stronger than before while living as Saintess, Praiza.

However, I know.

That a High-ranking Demon King is an existence that even those who have reached the ‘realm’ like Karimzeva cannot dare approach.

But you’re on par with a High-ranking Demon King?

You must have lost your sense of reality from being stuck in Muon all the time…….

There’s a perfect phrase for you.

“Foolish demon in a well.”

Having shot back, I manifested magic.

“……How dare you!”

If you don’t give them time to answer, it’s not a conversation.

The magic I manifested was simple.

If you claim to be a High-ranking Demon King when being a Saintess wasn’t enough.

Try holding out against this realm first.

[『Absolute Zero』].

Senios’s secret magic.

Strictly speaking, it’s not the realm but an imitation of the realm but.

Even so, it was an [『Anomaly』].

‘A knockoff is enough for a knockoff.’

Shiverrr.

Before long, a chill cold enough to make even me, who was receiving the [Warmth] buff, feel cold, wrapped around Neferipit.

“!!!”

The squirming tentacles froze just like that.

[The True-name Demon, Neferipit, suffers ‘Freezing’.]

[The True-name Demon, Neferipit, suffers ‘Frostbite’.]…….

How is it, this is precisely the cold reality outside the well.

.

.

.

‘……This makes no sense!’

The frozen Neferipit could not accept it.

How many humans had it deceived all this time.

How vast was the negative emotions it had absorbed.

Wasn’t it oneself who became mighty through that.

‘How can this body……?’

But what on earth was that Demon Hunter.

From the moment he invited it to the ritual.

Even when it revealed its true form.

No emotion could be felt from the bastard.

‘It makes no sense. How can a mere human……!!’

A sense of incongruity struck.

To draw out negative emotions from that bastard.

It was the same when it brought up the bastard’s comrades out of its mouth.

‘How can he be so tranquil?’

Even though it mentioned the Holy War, and the miserable ends of the Demon Hunters. Not a shred of agitation could be felt from the bastard. From start to finish, even the gaze looking down on it.

‘He is arrogant.’

Therefore, it was joyful.

Because it’s more enjoyable to make someone in a high place plummet.

But it could not make him plummet.

Since a mere single human.

Had completely overwhelmed this Neferipit.

‘He was not arrogant…….’

At that moment, Neferipit ended up recalling it.

In the distant past.

The voice of the Great Evil that took it in.

-“I will leave the disposal of Akshan to you.”

-“Is it alright for me to receive such a great honor……?”

-“Do as you please. Everything is bothersome to me.”

The Seven Deadly Sins Sloth.

It thought of her as a foolish demon of the old era.

A natural enemy to demons, seriously.

It didn’t like that she feared humans despite being a Great Evil.

However, the moment it exterminated Akshan according to the plan.

Neferipit thanked her.

-“How foolish. To hand over such a position to me!”

Because occupying Muon thanks to that, it became stronger at a faster pace than any other demon. Its abilities growing mightier day by day. Watching it, its confidence soared.

-“I might be able to be called a Great Evil beyond a Demon King.”

Sloth.

As a true Great Evil greater than that foolish woman.

Neferipit truly thought so up until now.

Until it met its natural enemy.

‘……Move! I must move!’

It’s cold.

Its gigantic body didn’t budge.

It was an unbearable chill.

It was a cold where even the flow of time froze.

‘Everyone stop. I am the Saintess. I am Praiza!’

Amidst that, it saw the Paladins approaching toward it.

The weak humans who were playing on its palm.

Began to carve out its flesh.

And a man who was watching that sight with an unchanging gaze.

Neferipit felt fear for the first time since it was born.

‘Will I, this Neferipit, die vainly like this?’

It finally began to understand.

Why the Great Evils, the Demon Kings feared Akshan so much. Or why they drove Akshan to extermination even going through the trouble of putting on masks.

In the end, Neferipit had no choice but to plead.

‘O Great Evil. My master, Sloth! Please save me!’

However, no answer returned.

The reason for that was too simple.

Wasn’t she the root of laziness?

Since she was Sloth herself, who hadn’t even sought out or disposed of him who had repeatedly rebelled.

It was natural that the act of saving him didn’t exist either.

‘Daaaaaaamn iiiiiiiit……!!’

.

.

.

[Leveled up.]

[Leveled up.]

[Leveled up.]…….

The vanishing lump of tentacles.

Let’s put off checking the dizzyingly popping messages for a moment.

Since the hunt is over, I have to properly check things.

I asked Talim, who was approaching me.

“I shall ask the Goddess Order regarding the Holy War.”

Anyway, this damn habit.

Even saying the same thing, he speaks really arrogantly.

But there was no reason I wouldn’t get an answer just because it was arrogant.

Didn’t I just confirm it with the messages too.

[Your relationship with the Holy Land, Muon, has greatly increased.]

[Your influence in the Holy Land, Muon, has greatly increased.]

[Your affinity with the religion, Goddess Order, has reached its maximum level.]

Moreover, I had the right to.

There was no need to explain what that right was.

Goddess Order Paladin Commander, Talim.

Thud.

He knelt before me formally, and bowed his head.

“I will take all responsibility. Even if it is a ‘judgment’.”

……Wait, I didn’t mean that kind of judgment.

There was no time to correct the misunderstanding.

Because there were way too many watching eyes.

“J-just now! T-The Goddess Order is going to take responsibility……?”

“What are they taking responsibility for?”

“Judgment……? Lee Ho-yeol judges the Goddess Order?!”

First of all, let’s move locations.

“It is an inappropriate place to share a conversation.”

“……Oh my, I will guide you.”

“A place where we can have a pleasant chat over tea would be good.”

“……?”

After a battle.

Magic power replenishment is an extremely important procedure for me…….