Chapter 123 – Not Stiff, But Upright

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Munch munch.

Was it because she was tense?

Her hunger wouldn’t go away.

Spiritology Senior Mage, Feiyan Lot.

From underneath the robe she had pulled over herself, she retraced her memories.

She recalled the words of her senior in exiting the tower and Adept Mage, Klee Odia.

-“More than anything, the pouring gazes will prickle remarkably!”

Indeed, her senior’s words were correct.

The gazes pouring onto them right from the rift entrance weren’t a joke, right?

Considering the influence of the Mage Tower, it was understandable but.

‘……How did things get this big?’

Feiyan felt restless.

She was just so happy when her application to exit the tower was selected but.

‘I didn’t know he would say such words.’

To think he wouldn’t place a limit on the number of people for the excursion!

It meant she hadn’t even imagined this kind of development.

Was it because Chief Lee Ho-yeol took the purpose of her excursion seriously?

Adept Mages, even Apprentice Mages.

Suddenly, the entire School of Spiritology had ended up setting out for rift exploration as a group.

‘Is it because I’m tense, I’m getting hungrier as time passes.’

From munch munch to chomp chomp.

The pressure weighing down on her shoulders was absolutely not light.

Wasn’t she the Senior among those fledgling, snot-nosed mages?

If this had been the Arcana continent.

She would have still been able to show off her face as a Senior but…….

‘When even I am trembling because this is unfamiliar. My foot.’

However, this was the world of adventurers.

It means Feiyan was practically busy taking care of herself.

Of course, whether or not they knew her inner feelings.

“Wow, so this is a rift.”

“……It’s unfamiliar~ Strange~”

“But why do the outfits of the people here look familiar?”

“Idiot. It’s because they’re adventurers, that’s why.”

The fledglings actually just seemed excited but.

In that sense, Feiyan couldn’t help but look up to Ho-yeol.

Recalling Klee’s advice once again.

-“But you won’t need to worry too much. The gazes might prickle but. There won’t be people approaching you carelessly. That is if Chief Lee Ho-yeol is next to you!”

When she first heard those words.

-‘What kind of nonsense is that.’

She couldn’t immediately understand.

However, saying that seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.

The moment they entered the rift.

Feiyan was able to understand the meaning behind Klee’s words.

‘……Everyone is really just watching from afar, right?’

Feiyan cool-headedly looked at herself.

Even from a third party’s position, a spectacle like this probably wasn’t common.

Even if they wore robes, they couldn’t hide the summoned spirits, after all.

Not only did a swarm of mages from the Mage Tower reveal their appearances.

They collectively summoned spirits on top of that?

‘It’s an incident that would cause an uproar even on the Arcana continent.’

Suspiciously.

‘A distance where voices wouldn’t even be heard properly.’

The adventurers inside the rift were maintaining a certain distance from them.

‘It’s not because they are scared of the Fire Drake, right……?’

To mistake it for that was…….

Because those gazes were clearly directed toward Ho-yeol.

‘Are that many adventurers gauging Chief’s mood?’

Gulp

Feiyan swallowed her dry saliva.

She sneaked a glance at Ho-yeol.

‘……Is he really an incredibly amazing noble in this world?’

Just like the rumors spreading among the fledglings.

Is he really the successor of a great family or something……?

However, Feiyan’s idle thoughts did not last long.

“……W-Wait. What was that?”

High-ranking Flame Spirit.

Because of the news from the Arcana continent that the Fire Drake delivered.

Actually, Feiyan had been guessing to some extent too.

Entering the Demon King’s Castle rift.

Since she was someone who contributed to the annihilation of Demon Kings.

“It doesn’t make sense!”

However, this was a ripple that far surpassed that guess.

The news delivered by the other spirits wasn’t much different.

Victory reports were heard from all over the Arcana continent.

The Fire Drake spoke with a voice mixed with heat.

“It’s probably thanks to the newly born World Tree exerting a positive influence on all life.”

“……!”

Murmur murmur.

A World Tree, you say?

The reactions of the fledglings who seemed surprised just by that.

However, Feiyan was surprised by something else.

Because Feiyan knew who sprouted that World Tree.

‘Chief Lee Ho-yeol……!’

A fleeting moment.

Her head spinning rapidly.

In that case, the current changes on the Arcana continent.

‘Are you saying everything originated from Chief Lee Ho-yeol’s hands?’

Why, sprouting the World Tree too.

Annihilating the Demon Kings too.

Because everything was something that progressed under Ho-yeol’s plan and procedure.

Glance

Feiyan gauged Ho-yeol’s mood.

‘To not act condescending even once after accomplishing such incredible things.’

While there wasn’t a single change in the expression of Ho-yeol, the actual person involved.

Why am I getting excited for no reason?

Growl

Thanks to that, her flesh with bad fuel efficiency was trembling.

Fumble fumble.

The moment Feiyan dug through her robes and shoved something into her mouth.

The panicked voice of a fledgling was heard.

“Quernberg Mechanical Tower? You’re saying that started moving?”

“It didn’t just move. It is clearly hunting demons.”

“……A- Ah, it’s hunting demons? That mechanical tower?”

“Cough cough.”

“Are you okay, Senior Feiyan……?”

“Y-Yes, yes. I’m okay.”

Gasp.

She almost choked.

‘Anyway, what? The Quernberg Mechanical Tower is moving?’

Feiyan also knew at the level of common sense.

Exactly only up to the fact that it was a mechanical tower built by dwarves.

However, not only did it move, you’re saying it’s hunting demons.

Pitter patter

Feiyan brushed off the bread crumbs on her lips as she thought.

‘……Right, no matter how amazing Chief Lee Ho-yeol is.’

It would probably be impossible for him to be active to the point of shaking up the situation on the Arcana continent all by himself. Above all, wasn’t this world and the Arcana continent in a disconnected state?

‘Even if I don’t know who operated it or for what purpose.’

The advance of the Quernberg Mechanical Tower.

It was clear that it also had no small influence on the victory reports being heard.

‘Right, Chief Lee Ho-yeol is also a person.’

Right, that was Feiyan’s common sense.

No matter how exceptional one’s abilities are, an individual is an individual.

That there can’t help but be limits to that influence.

Of course, that common sense immediately crumbled but.

“Hiel.”

The moment Ho-yeol called that name.

The spirit revealing his appearance in the empty air.

“!!!”

Everyone including Feiyan were mages of the School of Spiritology.

Because of that, they could recognize him.

“……Senior Feiyan, that spirit is?”

A small figure.

However, the energy he exuded was absolutely not small.

That was right.

That was a {Unique Spirit} that transcended ranks.

At the question of the Adept Mages, Feiyan nodded her head.

“That’s correct. He’s a Unique Spirit.”

“……A Unique Spirit!”

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol was the contractor of a Unique Spirit?”

From being surprised enough.

The fledglings who couldn’t easily stop their chirping.

To be surprised to this extent just from looking.

Just how astonished would they be if they learned the truth that Hiel swallowed a World Tree and was reborn as a {Unique Spirit}? However, Feiyan didn’t have any intention of chattering about Ho-yeol’s exploits.

Shrug

‘You all will get hurt if you know.’

……Actually I’m acting like this because I’m afraid I’ll get marked by the Chief, but.

Of course, Feiyan’s smugness did not last long.

Because shortly after, Hiel delivered words.

“Leader of the dwarves, Chainwalker Hardrock. I have conveyed Ho-yeol-nim’s will to him. Also, there is a message that Chainwalker Hardrock, he relayed to Ho-yeol-nim.”

Even though Hiel hadn’t said a single word regarding the message itself.

Feiyan got goosebumps.

Wait, leader of the dwarves, you say?

‘……Why is Hiel with the dwarves?’

Dwarves.

Quernberg Mechanical Tower.

Hiel.

Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

In an instant.

Words meshing back and forth in her head.

Simultaneously, an exclamation mark surfacing on Feiyan’s face.

‘……Could it be?!’

Soon after, words from Hiel that caught people off guard continued.

“First, Chainwalker expressed his gratitude for not forgetting the oath and operating the Quernberg Mechanical Tower. Secondly, regarding you acting personally for them who encountered a Demon King…….”

……W-Wait a minute.

Just what sounds am I hearing right now?

Astonishment beyond an exclamation mark surfaced on Feiyan’s face.

She had no choice but to be.

Those words meant soon that all of this was from one person.

Because it practically meant that it started from Ho-yeol’s hands!

*

Quite a spectacle, this is.

Because everyone entered different Demon King’s Castle rifts during the Demon Kings’ annihilation.

It was my first time seeing Feiyan’s Fire Drake with my own two eyes.

Anyway, it’s not a High-ranking Flame Spirit for nothing.

Whoosh

A physical body as massive as a cargo truck.

If only it had wings attached, it would even be mistaken for a hatchling dragon.

Above all, every time it exhales, flames dancing around.

Just looking at it makes me feel hot.

With that Fire Drake at the head.

The summoned spirits were approximately over twenty.

Since the attributes were different for each spirit.

The surroundings became hot, then chilly, then blinding…….

Anyway.

Even just to not get swept up in that noisy influence. All the mages, including Feiyan, were currently maintaining a step of distance away from the group of spirits.

Of course.

‘……I live a tiring life. Truly I do.’

Living for form, dying for form.

Since there’s no way our Granfel-nim would retreat in front of the magnificent background called a spirit legion. I count it extremely fortunate.

It’s a relief I got the [Warmth] buff at least, seriously.

I express my gratitude once again to the [Jewel Box Containing Warmth].

[Warmth maintains the body in its best condition.]

Siberian high pressure.

The [Warmth] buff that even blocks the harsh cold of Frost.

The flame attribute affinity effect attached to the handkerchief.

Thanks to that, I uprightly straightened my body even among the spirits.

‘Anyway, it was rewarding.’

Indeed, the more the merrier.

There was effort involved in visiting a rift with this number of people.

There was quite a lot of new news from the Arcana continent even to me, you see.

Of course, big news.

The things that could be called incidents were all stories I had heard through Hiel.

‘There isn’t news worth surprising over.’

Now then, it’s Hiel’s turn next.

I summoned Hiel.

Magic power draining out.

Still, it wasn’t to the point of making a fuss about it now.

It’s probably thanks to the [Magic Power] stat approaching 400.

Soon after, Hiel revealing his appearance among the spirits.

……Right, whether anything else is known or not, his external appearance at least stands out.

Incredibly, at that.

Wouldn’t you say it’s too flashy for something that just recently became a {Unique Spirit}? I thought so but stopped thinking. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black…….

In the end, it was spitting on my own face.

‘Anyway.’

Leader, Chainwalker Hardrock.

The dwarves including him were also fighting against demons in their own way, huh.

Listening to Hiel’s story.

It seemed that the number of demons they drove out wasn’t small.

Hiel’s serious gaze met mine.

“That’s right. Everything was flowing exactly as you predicted.”

……No. Well, I did predict it but.

I didn’t predict everything in that much detail, okay?

Just what kind of telepathy did you receive, Hiel.

Of course, there is no such thing as denying.

“……Cough cough.”

Feiyan beating her chest in surprise at Hiel’s words.

Going one step further.

“Y-You predicted this? Everything?!”

“Hey, keep quiet.”

“……Shh!”

The Adept and Apprentice Mages making even more surprised faces than her.

Really, this damn tiring personality…….

It means I cannot deny this burdensome overestimation.

“Indeed.”

I answered calmly.

It’s the height of shamelessness.

Meanwhile, an anxiety suddenly struck me.

‘……Hiel, don’t tell me you.’

Did you also say the same thing to the dwarves?

I stared at Hiel.

As if he wouldn’t bow down to anyone.

Uprightly erected neck and waist.

Nobly shining eyes.

Guts that wouldn’t shrink back even in front of the Fire Drake.

Just what is that posture looking like a mirror?

……No, well.

I guess there’s nothing that can change now.

It didn’t matter what kind of illusion Hiel planted in the dwarves.

Even if it goes beyond my body melting from exhaustion.

And becoming to the point of turning into dust.

I, Granfel, will.

Because I will surely fulfill the pouring overestimation.

In that sense…….

[Tepheran Fence]

[Recommended Level: Lv.450]

[Collapse Progress: 3.8%]

It would be a regretful thing to just pass by such a rift.

I looked at Feiyan and the Spiritology Mages.

Everyone must be reuniting with their contracted spirits after a long time.

“You went through a lot alone, Nyx.”

“Gnome, why does your body size seem to have gotten bigger? Must be because you were comfortable without me around? With no one to work you, right? Tell the truth!”

“……Sylphid. No matter how glad you are to see me, could you stop messing up my hair with the wind?”

Looking at that sight.

A passage from a Spiritology book suddenly came to mind.

──────

The most important qualification for a spirit mage is the ability to commune with spirits. Spirit magic is fundamentally different from other magic. This is because spirit magic does not start from magic power, but from recognizing the existence of the spirit…….

──────

The objective of exiting the tower was achieved.

As per Granfel’s personality faithful to procedures.

It also wouldn’t be strange to instruct a return to the Mage Tower immediately.

However.

I looked at the quest window.

─Weight of the Chief (Repeat)▲

●Successfully conduct exiting the tower. (Repeat)…….

Allowing them to keep their essence as spirit mages.

That too must be the goal of successfully exiting the tower and the weight of a Chief.

I said to Feiyan.

“The objective has been achieved, but we will delay returning for a moment.”

“……Yes? Yes, I will do so!”

Even if Feiyan didn’t know the exact reason, she seemed inwardly glad.

Even if it wasn’t the first time summoning the Fire Drake.

Because this would be the first moment they were properly given the leeway to commune constraint-free.

‘……Communion, huh.’

I stared at Hiel.

Like I said.

I look like I’m looking at a mirror even right now, seriously……!

I think we don’t need any deeper communion between us.

I said to Hiel.

“Let’s go, Hiel.”

“I shall follow your will.”

Since the things we need to do besides communion are piled up like a mountain.

To utilize Hiel’s {Nature} ability.

Starting with the exploration of new possibilities for [{『Anomaly』}].

Understanding our combat power in a state where [Natural Enemy] is not activated.

‘It’s time to check the results of the wells I dug diligently.’

As an opponent for that, a monster appearing in [Tepheran Fence].

There would be no opponent more appropriate than the [Tepheran Scarecrow].

Then let’s start immediately.

Clang

I immediately raised my sword.

.

.

.

Clang

Feiyan wondered if she was seeing things.

……What is this?

Chief Lee Ho-yeol drew a sword?

A mage using a sword……?

At first, she wondered if it was just a magic tool mimicking the shape of a sword.

But she was wrong.

Just what in the world are those agile movements.

Because he always stood upright with a straight spine.

Was it a misunderstanding thinking he would naturally be stiff?

Slip

Flexible movements like flowing water.

Swoosh

The sword blade cutting through the empty air fast and decisively.

Thud

Simultaneously, the Tepheran Scarecrow collapsing.

……Huh?

A single syllable flowed out from Feiyan’s lips.

“……Eh?!”