Chapter 115 – Demon King’s Castle (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The news that the dwarves had entered into ‘activities’ a little more in earnest.

The activities here were naturally.

Hunting the demons of the Arcana continent.

No, in this case, sweeping them away would be the correct expression.

Hiel elegantly spat out a gruesome remark.

“The flames pouring from the airship burned the demons without leaving a trace.”

The decisive battle weapon, Klunberg Machine Tower.

It was something I felt even when I first witnessed the Machine Tower in the rift but.

The technological prowess of the dwarves was to a marvelous extent.

Actually, rather than a hundred words, the fact that they received acknowledgment from the world’s Mage Tower.

That one sentence would be a more relatable explanation.

However.

“Accordingly, the resistance of the demons also became fierce. After the appearance of the new World Tree. They must be trying to grasp the changed momentum of the Arcana continent in their hands once again.”

At Hiel’s ensuing words, I unconsciously flinched.

……It is said that Demon Kings started running wild on the Arcana continent.

And three of them simultaneously at that.

“Although the three Demon Kings did not join forces or ally with each other, it is a situation where each of their powers has reached its peak. Even the dwarves’ airship ended up being blocked in front of a single Demon King.”

Even if they raised the prelude to the counterattack.

And activated the Klunberg Machine Tower.

And sprouted the seed of the World Tree.

The Arcana continent was still on the palm of the demons.

Even right now, as you can see.

Merely three Demon Kings moved but.

The wind of counterattack blowing on the Arcana continent ended up dying down.

However, I knew.

That Demon Kings revealing themselves in earnest on the Arcana continent.

Was the first time since the Cataclysm.

‘They must be feeling cornered too.’

But you know.

You guys made a mistake.

Thanks to Demon Kings, and three of them resurrecting at once at that.

Since this has unmistakably become a ‘Great Incident’.

A Great Incident capable of shaking the Arcana continent!

From the time when Arcana was merely a game until now.

In such Great Incidents, players were able to intervene somehow. I recalled a distant memory……. let’s see, I faintly recalled a memory from ten years and several years ago.

‘Even just the Empire’s conquest war back then.’

Because it was a Great Incident at that time.

Including me who was stuck in Akshan.

A quest was given to all players of Arcana.

The Empire or the side opposing the Empire.

Sticking to the selected faction, performing actively, accumulating contribution points, and receiving rewards accordingly after the quest ended. So I wasn’t making a fuss over nothing.

‘I don’t know about one, but three? It’s unconditional. This is.’

I could be certain.

In the next regular update, Demon Kings would appear in some form.

Of course, as I just said, there are three Demon Kings so.

‘I don’t know which guy will be caught.’

Moreover, I also didn’t know what level that Demon King was.

But one thing I could be certain of was that they would be incomparably stronger than Decarabia.

Decarabia strictly descended in Frost which was summoned to reality.

No matter how much of a gutter reality is, it would be worse than the Arcana continent that already fell into the hands of demons.

The Demon Kings resurrected on the Arcana continent might genuinely emit the aura of a real Demon King.

However.

“Whether it’s a demon or a Demon King. It does not matter.”

Naturally, I did not shrink back in the slightest.

『The pride of Granfel Claudi Arpeus Romeo paradoxically reveals itself the highest in front of demons.』

“Whether such Demon Kings become one or three. It does not matter.”

Granfel’s setting?

Of course, there would be an influence.

However, even if that setting didn’t exist, you know.

I’ve also been sincerely struggling all this time.

Even much more than you guys have worked hard to occupy the Arcana continent!

Yusra Kingdom and Frost which activated the [Authority] function.

The Mage Tower.

And down to the Goddess Order’s Holy Land, Muon.

Those solid backings…….

No, foundations were giving me strength.

A head that doesn’t drop.

A straightly straightened back.

Down to confidently spread shoulders.

So that I wouldn’t shrink back.

I calmly concluded my words.

“Because to me, they are merely prey.”

Is it that there’s something that connects between contracting parties.

Hiel bowed his head to me with sincerity.

“I, too, shall show results that do not fall short of the name I received.”

……I understand your feelings but.

It would be best to stop mentioning that I gave you a name.

Especially if you don’t say that full name to others, it would be nice but.

I didn’t have a personality that cared about such things privately so.

I immediately started on what I had to do.

Calling it things to do makes it look grand, but it’s simple.

‘If I entered the rift, I should clear it before leaving.’

Now, when there are only a few days left until the next regular update.

Even if the experience points that can be acquired are small, many drops make a shower. Besides, in this rift, quite a bit of usable items caught my eye.

[Shelter of Toxic Spores]

From highly poisonous plants that become ingredients for deadly poisons.

To rare elixir herbs growing among those poisonous herbs.

Right, as expected, what I had to do did not change.

‘I just need to do well myself.’

In that sense, it would be right to inspect the means I can utilize.

With the recommended level of 350, [Shelter of Toxic Spores] should be……. a suitable level to examine the combat power of Hiel, who was reborn as a {Unique Spirit}.

“Hiel, can you open a path?”

Above all, at this level, even if the [Natural Enemy Relationship] doesn’t activate, I can cope with unexpected situations on my own.

It means even with a screw-loose class like Demon Hunter, I didn’t eat up 390 levels for nothing.

But.

“I shall open a path as you will.”

……What’s this.

I ended up flinching at the sight unfolding before my eyes.

It wasn’t that he did some amazing action.

Hiel merely swiped the air with an elegant gesture.

Crumble

Rustle

Ssssh

The [LV.300~LV.350] plant-type monsters that filled the area crumbled.

They returned to dirt……!

Actually, if I’m being honest, I did expect it.

Didn’t Spiritology Senior Mage Feiyan make a fuss. Through that fuss, I was just coming to know the fact that a {Unique Spirit} is a Spirit transcending ranks.

But the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

So I expected moderately but.

However, this is beyond the expectation I harbored at first!

Hiel opened his mouth.

“If bringing down blessings was the utmost until receiving a name. After receiving a name, I also became equipped with the ability to retrieve blessings.”

Hiel was a Spirit of the Forest through and through.

‘It would be an ability effective exclusively on plants but…….’

Even taking that into consideration, it was a menacing ability.

I’m satisfied.

I’m satisfied with Hiel’s growth itself but.

I could also add a new concept to that {Nature} and utilize it as [『{Anomaly}』] so.

“Marvelous.”

Even with Granfel’s high standards, a passing mark had to come out.

However, at Hiel’s ensuing answer, I closed my mouth.

Really, I wanted to hide even in a mouse hole.

“Hiel Chrysead Four-season Leaf. Befitting the name you bestowed upon me. I can become a warm spring to them, or a harsh winter. The only one deciding that is you alone.”

They were truly loyal and reassuring words but.

That damn, naming sense…….

An extremely burning feeling surged up in me.

However, naturally, I showed no outward signs.

I shamelessly said.

“The time to unfold that ability will come soon, Hiel.”

With this level of combat power, the Great Incident we will soon face.

Hiel will also be of help in the battle against Demon Kings.

And in order to forget the past.

In the end, there is nothing but living reality faithfully.

I moved my steps on the path Hiel opened.

Click

*

Frost.

Frost, which was practically a living hell, was overflowing with vitality.

The streets that were littered with blood and corpses were crowded with adventurers, just like in the past.

“Of course, that scenery is a bit unfamiliar though.”

The Citadel of Frost.

According to procedure.

Harkon, who was carrying out the duties of acting lord of Frost, looked down at the streets for a moment.

To think he would gaze at the panorama of Frost in the world of adventurers.

“I’m slowly getting used to this too.”

Right, even the unfamiliar scenery was getting adapted to but.

For some reason, his stiff body wasn’t adapting at all.

Harkon rotated his shoulders for no reason.

“……I’d like to run out there right now though.”

Swinging a sword was something that suited his aptitude.

Since he was just sitting at a desk scribbling with a quill pen.

It was natural that he was itching.

“Because if it can’t be handled on my end, I’ll end up pushing the work onto Sir.”

He couldn’t cause such a nuisance to Ho-yeol again.

In that sense, Harkon found Ho-yeol respectable.

Because Harkon knew what kind of daily routine Ho-yeol spent, having watched him even for a brief time.

Swordsmanship training in the morning.

Handling the agendas of the Yusra Kingdom in the afternoon.

Research at the Mage Tower from night until dawn.

Moreover, Frost was full of adventurers.

There was also news of this world heard through the adventurers.

News of Ho-yeol’s exploits was transmitted almost every day.

Being a day apart was still mild.

A mere few hours.

No, there were overflowing times when they noisily talked about Ho-yeol at intervals of a few minutes.

“I guarantee you, Sir lives a more tiring life than His Majesty the Emperor.”

Ho-yeol and the Emperor.

Words that could be said because it was Harkon who watched the two from up close.

The one sympathizing with those words wasn’t only Harkon.

Yusra Kingdom.

The corner in front of the Golden Palace Square, the Golden Calf Tavern.

The one occupying the front seat where the TV screen was seen best was Rockid. Since he’s occupying the front seat with that bulk. What could be seen from behind was only half the screen.

“Hey! Aren’t you gonna mooooove?”

It was still fortunate when the Commander of the Shadow Mercenaries, Kitch, was there. Even if it was Rockid, who was arrogance itself, he at least pretended to listen if it was the words of Commander Kitch.

However, today Rockid was alone.

“……Can’t we somehow get rid of that thing.”

“Are you crazy? How do you talk to that monster.”

“Yeah, let’s just be satisfied he’s quiet today.”

“Damn it. I need to watch it on a big screen.”

The whispering voices of the players.

The stinging gazes pouring on the back of his head.

However, Rockid didn’t have the mind to care about such things.

“The more I look…….”

Hot-tempered, dirty, eccentric, etc., etc.

Evaluations regarding Rockid’s personality might be divided, but evaluations regarding his skills were never divided.

Winner of the Colosseum, Giant of the Underworld, Battle Machine……. To Rockid, titles that were practically praises were the evidence regarding his skills.

“He’s a crazy mister.”

Gulp

Setting down the large alcohol glass.

The one acknowledged as crazy even by the great Rockid was naturally Ho-yeol. Rockid watched Ho-yeol’s video playing on the screen.

Fitting of the title Battle Machine.

Like a machine, he pictured a battle with Ho-yeol.

The combat conditions set exactly like a real combat.

‘Special-grade assassination request. Target is Lee Ho-yeol.’

First of all, before the battle, Alkari.

He’d have to extort various potions from that old man.

Because he needs to procure all sorts of elemental resistance potions, and top-grade ones at that.

The success reward would be emptied out even before starting.

‘Of course, even if I increase my magic resistance.’

It doesn’t mean the damage can be completely offset.

Moreover, Ho-yeol was not a simple mage.

As much as one knows, one sees.

Because Rockid knew Ho-yeol’s swordsmanship skills.

“Sigh. Fck.”

Even imagining the battle dozens of times.

He couldn’t possibly see a picture where he won against Ho-yeol.

What bothered him above all was Ho-yeol’s attitude.

That arrogant expression full of confidence.

The leeway showing meant.

Ho-yeol still had never revealed his full strength.

“But his life is rugged too.”

Unlike the Arcana continent, the world of adventurers had many restrictions.

Although immense power on the Arcana continent was practically freedom.

In this world, unnecessary attention and responsibility accompanied power.

He didn’t exactly have to learn it, he could tell just by looking at Ho-yeol.

-“AAU side is contacting player Lee Ho-yeol at an early date…….”

For him who tended to enjoy the attention and gazes of others.

Even that had a limit.

Rockid imagined for a moment.

Inside the living-and-moving picture.

What if the woman blabbering wasn’t talking about Ho-yeol but himself?

Then his tongue automatically clicked.

“It’d be tiring in many ways.”

Since even Rockid was realizing the weight Ho-yeol bore.

The feelings of those who knew Ho-yeol better than Rockid were the same without needing to express them.

So the moment the letter sent by Ho-yeol arrived in front of them, they couldn’t help but look glad.

“……This is welcome news among what I’ve heard!”

Harkon and the Lionheart Knights.

“I said it was too peaceful. My fate just can’t be like thaaaaat.”

Kitch and the Shadow Mercenaries.

“May the Goddess be with us in every moment.”

Talim and the Goddess Order Holy Land, Muon.

“It was news we were waiting for.”

Down to the Mage Tower that learned Ho-yeol’s intent through the parchment.

Their reasons for moving were different, but there was no hesitation in them.

The content of the letter was not much of a problem.

It was a natural thing.

The Arcana continent’s strongest knight order.

The Arcana continent’s mastermind.

The Arcana continent’s largest religion.

The Arcana continent’s apex.

Each one a gigantic faction.

For such people to be terrified in advance and back out just because of the content of a letter?

It meant that was an impossible thing.

Even if that content was related to Demon Kings.

.

.

.

Returning Thursday.

At the Arcana regular update details, the world fell into shock.

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New Rift, ‘Demon King’s Castle’ is added.

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Because a Demon King’s Castle appeared in reality.

──────

New Rift, ‘Demon King’s Castle’ is added…….

New Rift, ‘Demon King’s Castle’ is added…….

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And three of them at that.

Only then did the world reevaluate AAU’s announcement.

-“The threats at a predictable level are now over.”

That was right.

This was an update beyond prediction, outside the standards.

To think there isn’t just one Demon King’s Castle but three.

Because it was a level that exceeded the predictable category.

However, the world soon came to know.

“……Wait a minute. That’s?”

As if he had expected even this nonsensical situation.

With a consistent expression.

Because there was Ho-yeol who revealed his appearance.

Moreover, Ho-yeol was not alone.

At the same time.

Frost.

Yusra Kingdom.

Muon.

And movements captured from the Mage Tower.

The world fell into shock once again.

“……D-Don’t tell me all of them are because of player Lee Ho-yeol?”

At a development they couldn’t even imagine.

.

.

.

Simple hunting is not the goal.

Now when Demon Kings have revealed their appearances at the forefront.

What is needed is not a messy hunt but a certain report of victory.

That is why I sent the letter.

That is right.

Today I.

No, we.

Annihilate the Demon Kings.