Chapter 118 – Demon King’s Castle (4)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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[Demon King’s Castle of Hunting].

As soon as the rift’s location was captured, players flocked to it.

Among them, there were also those who arrived at the rift faster than Ho-yeol.

Wasn’t it Ho-yeol who always acted consistently?

“I guarantee it. If it’s Ho-yeol-nim, he will one hundred percent come to this Demon King’s Castle of Hunting! How can I be so sure? No, can’t you tell just by looking at the patch details?”

There’s experience built up from eating as a player.

Grasping the difficulty of a rift raid.

Looking into the patch details was enough.

“Is our Ho-yeol-nim someone who pushes difficult tasks to someone else? Almost to the point you wonder if it isn’t too much. Hasn’t he shown several times the sight of him entering rifts others couldn’t even dare to, and taking the initiative?”

Indeed, that expectation hit the mark.

News regarding the other rifts arriving one after another.

At the [Demon King’s Castle of Rhythm] too.

At the [Demon King’s Castle of Self-Indulgence] too.

It was breaking news that Ho-yeol did not reveal his appearance.

[Demon King’s Castle of Hunting], the players waiting in front of it were already swallowing their saliva.

‘This is a huge catch.’

The jackpot angle unfolding in their heads.

At this moment, how many huge factions had moved alone?

The quiet Lionheart Knights and the Shadow Mercenaries.

The Paladins of the Goddess Order, of course.

Even the Mage Tower, which entered into external activities practically for the first time!

‘Actually, just capturing their active performances is a jackpot.’

Right, even if they could just put their active performances on camera, it would draw tremendous attention.

But on top of that, Ho-yeol was left.

“Aren’t you excited? The sight of Ho-yeol-nim leading those factions!”

That aside from attention.

And views.

And NetTube angles.

If they were players of Arcana, it was natural that it was an imagination that made their hearts flutter.

Who could have even imagined? That the day would come when a single player would lead factions of this level and set out to conquer a rift.

And amidst that immense expectation.

Ho-yeol revealed his appearance.

With merely two allies.

“……Huh?”

Expectation turning into doubt took only an instant.

Those watching couldn’t help but be flustered.

-Is this real life? Only 3 people??? For real??

-No, this is a different story from the [Broken Dimensional Crack] time though *shivers*

-I know right, that was a bug-like thing, and this is a regular update…….

The troops assembled at the [Demon King’s Castle of Rhythm] were tens of thousands.

The troops assembled at the [Demon King’s Castle of Self-Indulgence] were one hundred.

Because they knew the scale of that.

“……It’s feeling a bit different from what I imagined?”

Even among the three Demon King’s Castle rifts.

The [Demon King’s Castle of Hunting] boasting the highest difficulty.

It was natural to expect that more fighting power would be deployed but.

Click

The ones approaching the rift were truly just Ho-yeol and two shadows.

However, as they got closer, the doubt ended up melting away like snow.

“Wait a minute, everyone. Could that perhaps be……?!”

The Chief of the Mage Tower boasting a strong impression, Marcelo.

The Commander of the Shadow Mercenaries famous or infamous, Kitch.

Because soon, they could recognize the identities of the shadows.

-Seriously a combination that makes my heart grand *shivers*

-Crazy lol Is it meaning that 3 people are enough??

-Isn’t this practically an all-star team?

The levels or skills of the two people had never been officially revealed but.

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

They were the strongest beings whose fames were widespread.

However.

-But wait a minute, what is that??

To the point of snatching gazes from such people.

There was Ho-yeol emitting a tremendous presence.

The players watching that sight spoke with absent-minded voices.

“……Wow, this is no joke.”

“Even looking roughly, to an extent incomparable to before…….”

“Ho-yeol-nim, the level of his equipment seems to have become enormous!”

Because it was Ho-yeol who additionally equipped three unique items.

Certainly, the level of his equipment had risen compared to before.

However, it wasn’t a rise to the extent of evoking marveling sounds.

What focused their gazes.

And made him reveal an overwhelming presence.

[Aesthetics: Medium]

Everything was thanks to the increased Aesthetics stat.

However, it was an effect of the [Aesthetics] stat that even the Mage Tower did not know.

Even if the attention of the whole world poured.

And no matter how many eyes were watching.

They couldn’t know the truth, so merely marveling was all they could do.

In the midst of that, Ho-yeol opened his mouth.

“Let us begin.”

Swoosh

At the same time, Ho-yeol’s fluttering cape.

It was like fluttering wings.

That appearance was to the point.

That there would be no inadequacy even if he was called an adjudicator descended from the heavens.

Click

Fear? Hesitation? Concern?

Confident strides from which none of those could be felt.

The moment Ho-yeol and Marcelo, and down to Kitch entered the rift.

The players who were absent-minded at that posture also came to their senses.

“T-Then I’ll hurry up too!”

At that level, even just filming it would be an iconic scene.

What stopped the players trying to enter the rift with that thought.

“……!”

Was none other than a message.

It was information of the rift that made them self-aware of reality.

[Demon King’s Castle of Hunting]

[Recommended Level: Lv.850]

[Rift Collapse Progression: 23.0%]

“…….”

A rift with a whopping 850 recommended level.

Words that come to mind at times like this.

Death upon graze.

Or the proverb that a shrimp’s back bursts in a whale fight.

‘Even so, trading views and a life is a bit…….’

Even while the players hesitated, time flowed.

Ho-yeol’s goal was annihilation to the end.

That there wasn’t even much time to ponder.

“Wait a minute……. Right! Let me put some buffs on, take deep breaths too!”

They couldn’t know.

*

“My pitiful life…….”

Kitch muttered and looked around the mood.

Although she stepped forward dragged out inevitably, she loathed this kind of work.

Above all, both last time and this time.

Because it was not worth the cost.

‘……It can’t be helped. This is self-defense.’

Lee Ho-yeol, you made me like this.

Right, looking at the situation…….

‘Let’s even consider running away.’

However, Kitch’s impure thoughts were merely thoughts.

Because of the two men next to her.

The damn joint Chiefs of the Mage Tower, that is.

Marcelo casually said.

“It doesn’t seem like it will take very long.”

Kitch was astonished.

‘……Is that really something right to say while looking at the Demon King’s Castle?’

Well, if it’s just words.

What words can’t one say?

Why, to stay stuck to the Yusra Kingdom even just comparing to herself.

Didn’t she spit out lies that weren’t even in her heart? However, since Kitch was skilled at lying, she could tell.

That Marcelo’s words were unconditionally sincere.

“It will probably end around before the tea gets cold.”

……Of course, it was the same for Ho-yeol’s side.

No, he went one step further.

To say it will end before the tea gets cold.

Isn’t that a remark treating the Demon King’s Castle as less than a sandcastle?

Kitch let out a quiet sigh.

“Huu”

She fabricated words that weren’t there to mooch off the Yusra Kingdom but…….

Not only did Ho-yeol see through the lies, he was rather utilizing them.

Right now, with that man glaring right beside her.

“I should expect what’s to be expected. Given my fate.”

Kitch had no choice but to give up on her ulterior motives.

Instead, she racked her brain in another direction.

‘So those small fries probably aren’t my share.’

It would all end if I just slit the throat of the Demon King or the executives, right?

The moment she thought of the target.

Kitch’s eyes changing suddenly.

That change in presence was to the point even Marcelo noticed.

‘She’s an outstanding assassin.’

It must be because she possessed that level of skill, Sir took her along.

Marcelo’s thoughts on Kitch ended there.

“!”

The nearing Demon King’s Castle.

At the same time, because a roar struck their eardrums.

Rumblele!

It was a sound coming from the sky above.

Soon, the thing that revealed its appearance in the dark clouds was an airship.

Marcelo was not surprised.

Because he had heard the circumstances from Ho-yeol and was guessing.

But Kitch wasn’t.

“Wh-What could that be? That thing……?”

Commander of the Shadow Mercenaries.

It was natural that Kitch was proficient in the rumors, legends, and information floating around the Arcana continent.

However, she hadn’t heard of a machine flying in the sky.

“Th-That big thing, how in the sky?”

Outside the rift, in the world of adventurers, yes.

She had seen something similar called an airplane but.

That was an object floating from the Arcana continent.

A calm voice was heard by such Kitch.

“Airship.”

“……Airship?”

“Indeed, it lives up to being an aggregate of dwarven technology.”

“……!”

Dwarves!

Even if she didn’t know what an airship was, she knew what kind of race the dwarves were.

Among the requests coming into the Shadow Mercenaries. It was thanks to the occasional requests inquiring about equipment crafted by dwarves.

‘But, how do they show no signs of surprise at all? Both of them?’

No, especially Lee Ho-yeol among the two men.

His reaction was like a person who had been anticipating this situation.

‘……Ah c’mon, no matter how much, surely not.’

Kitch restrained herself.

Because of having her weakness caught.

She was overestimating him too much.

‘Well, unless he’s looking into the future.’

What kind of things are happening on the Arcana continent.

How could one know from this world?

However, Kitch ended up being astonished at Ho-yeol’s ensuing words.

“Just as I have heard, you have not forgotten the oath of the past.”

……Just as he had heard?

What, he really anticipated this kind of situation?

Anyway, what is the oath of the past again.

What, scary.

Kitch had no choice but to continuously stealthily check Ho-yeol’s mood again.

Right, even if she couldn’t know what was what.

‘It’s a good thing I folded useless thoughts early on…….’

.

.

.

The aggregate of dwarven technology.

Simultaneously with witnessing the airship.

The quest window blinked.

Two of them.

[Class Quest: Extermination of Akshan]

The truth intertwined with the extermination of Akshan and the Demon Hunters.

O, the Last Demon Hunter.

Dig into the truth intertwined with the Holy War.

─Train the weakened body. (Repeat)

─Grasp the factions that participated in the Holy War. (In Progress)

●Encounter the Saint of the Goddess Order. (Success)

●Grasp the true nature of the Saintess of the Goddess Order. (Success)

●Hunt the demon disguised as the Saintess of the Goddess Order. (Success)

●Grasp the original sin of the Mage Tower. (Success)

●Confirm the oath with the Dwarves. (In Progress)

Holy War.

The dwarves also seemed intertwined with that incident that drove Akshan to ruin.

Since there was news of the Arcana continent I came to know through Hiel.

‘I was guessing it.’

Dwarves who had concealed their traces from the continent.

They say they revealed their appearances after the activation of the decisive weapon, Klunberg Machine Tower.

They say they started hunting the demons of the Arcana continent leading airships.

Through that news, I could deduce it.

‘Like the Mage Tower, the dwarves also owe a debt to Akshan.’

I looked at the quest objective.

‘Not just a promise, an ‘oath’…….’

Perhaps the dwarves are trying to keep the oath they broke in the Holy War, even now.

Even if what blocks their path is a Demon King.

That proof appeared on the next quest window.

[Demon King, Flauros vs Dwarves]

Demon King and Dwarves.

Who is the one to emerge victorious?

Demon King’s Castle and Airship.

What is the symbol that is left behind?

Everything depends on your judgment.

Depending on your merits, you shall obtain the rewards of victory.

─Participate in a faction and lead the war to victory. (In Progress)

●Participate on the Demon King Flauros side. (Optional)

●Participate on the Dwarves side. (Optional)

─Current Merit: 0p

To the dwarves, the airship was an existence like the Mage Tower.

To state they engaged in battle with a Demon King, betting that airship.

There couldn’t be a clearer proof than this.

“Just as I have heard, you have not forgotten the oath of the past.”

A blank period of ten and several years.

I don’t know about the Demon Hunters of Akshan but.

Because I hadn’t suffered anything.

Let alone doubt, lingering feelings didn’t exist in the first place but.

I shamelessly babbled.

“I shall no longer doubt your pride.”

Of course, I completed the selection too.

[Faction selection complete.]

[You have participated on the Dwarves side.]

[Demon King, Flauros is hostile toward your faction.]

The presence felt from the Demon King’s Castle.

As expected, from the momentum, it’s different from Decarabia’s time? If it were half-baked mental strength, it’s an imposing presence where falling into an abnormal status right away wouldn’t be strange, this.

However, there is no one half-baked here.

Marcelo and Kitch, naturally.

Furthermore, me, the great Granfel feels intimidated by a demon?

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

Because it was an absolutely impossible thing.

Marcelo and Kitch.

And I immediately engaged in battle.

As I emphasized, what was needed was an overwhelming victory.

To such a me, there was no thought of exchanging offenses and defenses.

Wasn’t that why I made full preparations?

I recalled the effects of the buffs currently being applied.

[For 1 hour, the power of all magic slightly increases.]

[For 3 hours, magic regeneration slightly increases.]

[For 30 minutes, magic regeneration significantly increases.]…….

Potion pull.

I consumed every single elixir herb that’s said to be good until my stomach was full of water.

On top of that, down to the carefully selected magic tools of the Mage Tower and the effects of the equipment.

[Token of the Whirlwind]

[Grade: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.350]

[Effect: Upon equipping, the destructive power of all magic manifested for 1 minute increases by 100 percent. – Cooldown: 24 hours]

[Masterpiece – Lightning-Struck Branch Wand]

[Grade: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.380]

[Effect: Upon manifesting elemental magic, magic consumption increases by 30 percent, but the destructive power increases by 30 percent.]

[Masterpiece – One Hundred Colors Outer Wings]

[Grade: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.350]

[Effect: Upon equipping, it stores the elemental magic manifested by the user. The number of magic that can be stored is proportional to the colors of the outer wings, and upon manifesting the stored magic, magic consumption decreases by 30 percent. – Number of currently stored elemental magics: 100]

As one could realize from the effects of the items.

I was thinking of smashing in one hundred elemental magics.

Even thinking again, it’s a truly incredibly ignorant method.

‘Even if the exploration is skipped due to the effect of the outer wings…….’

Because the process from interference to manifestation cannot be skipped.

It was an application that ordinary mages couldn’t even attempt.

A trick that could be utilized thanks to Granfel’s talent.

However, this is my full power and best.

Swoosh

Simultaneously with pulling up magic power.

The white outer wings fluttering like wings.

I recalled the magics stored in the outer wings.

Because it was calling the stored magic.

The exploration process is omitted.

However, I don’t forget the utilization of the [Aesthetics] stat in the interference process.

……Are you saying this is real.

Magic power drains out at a terrifying speed.

However, I do not get agitated.

Potion pull, item pull, even if it’s lacking with that.

[Skill, ‘Natural Enemy Relationship’ activates.]

I could not even show a staggering appearance in front of demons.

That’s the kind of human I, Granfel am.

Marcelo, who noticed my desperate manifestation, shouted.

“I shall open the path.”

A swift manifestation incomparable to my trick.

Ten thousand Demon King’s Army deleted as if evaporating.

The one who revealed his appearance in between that was Demon Legion Commander, Etyo.

“!!!”

However, the bastard immediately ended up kneeling.

“Seriously my fate!”

Swaaaak

It was because Kitch’s daggers hacked the bastard’s legs.

Beyond the collapsed Etyo.

Finally, Demon King, Flauros was seen.

I did not hesitate.

[‘Ceremonial Robe Tainted with Evil’ has been selected as a sacrifice.]

[Skill, ‘Exorcism Routine’ activates.]

[You invite Demon King, Flauros to a ‘Routine’.]

.

.

.

Clatter!

The shaking airship, Iron Castle.

“Damn it. Of all things, thunder and lightning.”

The iron Castle’s only weakness, bad weather.

Because even an aggregate of great technology couldn’t go against the power of nature.

Right now, with a Demon King in front of them, there wasn’t time for this. Still, perhaps it was thanks to constantly turning the steering wheel.

“Done. We got out!”

The Iron Castle was able to get out from the inside of the thunderstorm.

In the vision of such dwarves, the panorama of the Demon King’s Castle was seen.

“……Wa-Wait. What in the world is happening down there?”

Accurately, the collapsing Demon King’s Castle.

That sight was truly wretched.

To think there’s an existence that could corner not just demons, but a Demon King.

“Perhaps……?”

At least the dwarves who had forged the oath in the past knew.

“A Demon Hunter! We found a survivor of Akshan!!”