Chapter 148 – Know Your Place

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Hisagi’s snake-like sharp eyes rounded.

There’s no need to even mention the other two.

Hot hot hot

Nam Tae-min patted his mouth that suffered from the hot green tea.

“We can see the sight of the Arcana continent? Us?”

[Demonic Eye’s Telescope].

Right now, the reuse waiting time remains so we have to wait, but there was no reason we couldn’t see it.

It’s not a one-time effect like the Map that Connects to All Things either. Above all, I needed to observe the Arcana continent from various perspectives.

‘From the perspective of a player, not an Arcana person.’

Of course, I am a player myself but.

I had a hiatus well over 10 years.

No matter how much I receive help from modern civilization and the internet, there are bound to be limits.

However, the three people including Nam Tae-min were different.

Rankers who had been active since the days when Arcana was merely a game.

It is natural that their knowledge regarding the Arcana continent is more extensive than mine. If I observe the continent from their perspective, wouldn’t I be able to find out some helpful information?

I took out the telescope.

Because it was on cooldown, it had its eye closed at least but.

The wriggling blood vessels being clearly visible wasn’t good for aesthetics as expected.

“It must be an item, right? But this is my first time seeing an item like this too.”

“……I apologize. Even though you paid attention to us. Ugh.”

“What is it? Mr. Hisagi, your eyes look much scarier.”

Nam Tae-min snapped.

Hisagi blocked his mouth, but I spoke generously.

“I understand.”

Yes, they have no choice but to understand.

Because it was a telescope that received notification of failure several times even from Granfel’s aesthetic perspective.

In that sense, Leonie’s strong stomach was amazing.

Seeing her tightly gripping her teacup even after seeing something like this.

‘Does green tea suit the taste of Europeans too.’

Well, it suits Granfel’s taste too, so there’s nothing strange about it.

Anyway, since we had to wait until the telescope opened its eye again.

I threw a question while also serving as a greeting.

“May I ask of your well-being in the meantime?”

“Ah, of course!”

“More than us, have you been perfectly well, Ho-yeol-san?”

“……Excuse me, Mr. Hisagi. Could you please not suddenly interrupt the conversation and just keep your mouth blocked? I politely ask with formalities.”

A Giant Coalition, huh.

I don’t know whose idea among the three it was, but it was truly an incredible decision.

Beyond simple interests, even national relations must be entangled.

Because they were three guilds who allied by giving up many things.

“I see everyone has achieved noticeable growth.”

It wasn’t empty words, I could tell just by looking at their levels.

Nam Tae-min and Hisagi who entered the level 400s.

Leonie, who was lagging behind, was also level 399, was it.

It shouldn’t be an ordinary task to cover the experience points required to level up. Seeing that their levels steadily increased, they must have really done nothing but hunt in rifts without rest.

Nam Tae-min made an awkward expression.

“Hearing a compliment from Mr. Ho-yeol again like this makes me feel a new emotion.”

From my perspective, compliments can’t help but come out naturally.

Because the allies who were already reassuring had joined forces among themselves, grew their forces even more, and joined in.

However, for some reason, the nuance of Hisagi continuing his words was unusual…….

“I apologize, but at first I doubted Mr. Ho-yeol’s decision.”

……Wait a minute, decision?

What decision?

Did I make some decision?

I was flustered, but as always, I didn’t show it.

One fact I realized while suffering from my dark history.

That keeping your mouth shut quietly is half the battle.

‘……First of all, let’s keep my mouth shut.’

As I quietly listened to the story, I slowly began to understand.

……This, so it means ‘I’ was the one who created the Giant Coalition?!

What kind of dog-eating-grass sound is this!

Even if you call it an interpretation better than the dream, isn’t this going too far, everyone?

Though I have been showing it through actions rather than words recently.

Where that stops is.

‘Just because I didn’t want to chatter loosely.’

[Swampland of the Predator].

No, the interpretation seemed to have started from the [Secret Garden of the World Tree].

Thinking about it quietly, it seems I did provide the cause.

Clack

Unbothered by my uneasy heart, I leisurely tilted the teacup.

Soon, I opened my mouth.

“You all went through a lot of trouble due to my sudden decision.”

……Seriously, me!

It’s not just once or twice, but it’s shockingly shameless.

Right, since the outcome is good whatever it is, even if I try to consider it a relief and move on.

The sense of shame doesn’t fade away because of my involuntarily swaggering shoulders.

“Eh. Not at all, Mr. Ho-yeol. What trouble.”

“I apologize. Only now have I finally realized the grand intention.”

“I didn’t fight. It’s only these guys who fought all the time.”

To think you filtered my harsh words and listened to them nicely on your own.

I couldn’t help but be even more thankful to the three people.

So I shouldn’t delay the decision any longer.

Srrr

Reuse waiting time ended.

The telescope opened its eye again. Aesthetically it became even worse, but Hisagi didn’t block his mouth.

It means he also knows it’s an important moment.

“The item’s name is Demonic Eye’s Telescope. The effect allows sharing vision with the Demonic Eyes floating in Arcana’s sky. It means we can peek at the sight of the Arcana continent through the Demonic Eyes.”

“……Demonic Eyes?”

It is natural to not understand immediately.

However, similarly, seeing is believing.

I immediately activated the effect of the Demonic Eye’s Telescope.

Flash

Then the sight of the Arcana continent emerged immediately.

A scenery floating in the air like an illusion.

The three people let out sounds of admiration without there being a say of who was first.

“……Wow, what kind of item effect?”

“Indeed, it’s not an Epic rank item for nothing.”

“Wow, crazy……? N, no! Not that, awesome.”

It happened to be night time.

If so, there will be no need to add further explanation.

Naturally, the admiration didn’t last long.

Because they could soon witness the tragedy of the Arcana continent.

“By any chance, are all those floating in that sky Demonic Eyes?”

“……Wait, there isn’t a single perfectly fine place.”

“I guessed it, but to think it was to this extent.”

The effect duration time is a mere 10 minutes.

10 minutes passed by in a flash.

Srrr

Silence fell as the telescope’s eyelid closed.

It’s the exact same reaction as during the Round Table conference.

Because they too must have realized the seriousness of the situation.

If there’s a difference, it would be the difference in stance.

‘Since it’s not their hometown or anything.’

The stances of players and Arcana people were different.

Even if the Arcana continent perishes and reality is next in line. It’s clear that the threat wouldn’t hit home right now. So it’s natural to feel burdened about participating in the holy war.

‘I’m thankful, but we have to be clear about this and move on.’

Because they are thankful people.

It means I have to confirm it even more clearly.

Soon, amidst the silence, Nam Tae-min opened his mouth.

Yes, any answer is fine.

Even if you pull out now, I can understand it.

‘Since I am human too, it will be somewhat lonely but…….’

However, the answer that returned was a greeting.

“Mr. Ho-yeol, thank you for letting us know the truth as well.”

A thank-you greeting that I couldn’t even imagine in the slightest.

.

.

.

It wasn’t just Nam Tae-min.

Hisagi, Leonie, the three people had one experience.

An experience where they already risked their lives.

An emergency update.

The [Rift of the Broken Dimension] rifts that generated simultaneously.

Wasn’t the estimated recommended level around the 900 level vicinity? It meant they had a past where they resolved themselves for death even back during the level 300s, when they didn’t even have abilities or anything compared to now.

Of course, they couldn’t really risk their lives.

Because the portals in the Mage Tower had vanished without a trace thanks to ‘someone’.

However, the experience of that day gave the three people an enlightenment.

That you can only be of help if you have the ability.

That if you don’t have the ability, it’s nothing more than a simple nuisance.

Because of this, they couldn’t help but feel new emotions.

“Mr. Ho-yeol, thank you for letting us know the truth as well.”

Nam Tae-min raised the corners of his mouth.

Because it felt like he had finally received recognition.

Recognition that they had met the qualifications to advance together.

However, whatever it is, it must be clear.

[Quest: Unfinished Holy War]

From the Arcana continent to reality.

The holy war with demons has not yet ended.

At the end of this war, there are no rewards or spoils.

The only thing that remains is pride.

Prove your own pride.

─Prove your worth in the corresponding region. (In Progress)

Like the quest objective.

They have to prove their worth.

Hisagi started speaking with a tragic resolve.

“I will definitely prove my worth.”

Nod nod

Leonie also nodded her head passionately.

In fact, the moment they were served tea.

It was safe to see that the objective had been achieved but.

Leonie knew.

‘Because it’s obvious he’ll take it all upon himself again. Like back then.’

Each of their reasons was slightly different, but the conclusion was the same.

Whatever the test may be, they would definitively prove their worth.

Soon, Ho-yeol opened his mouth to those three people.

“There is no need for that.”

“……?”

“Since I have sufficiently known your pride.”

Simultaneously, the three people’s quest windows blinked.

─Prove your worth in the corresponding region. (Success)

……Success?

Why is it a success when we did nothing.

To the flustered three people, Ho-yeol calmly continued his words.

“I shall omit the proof process with my ‘jurisdiction’.”

In case they change their minds, let’s keep them tied down.

Because the force called Giant Coalition was too precious.

There was no way such an inner thought of Ho-yeol would reveal itself on his face.

“I feel like I succeeded more than when I really became a Ranker.”

It was natural for a smile to emerge on the faces of the three people.

*

Elder, Yugweed.

Chief, Marcelo.

And all twenty Senior Mages.

The leadership of the Mage Tower had a gathering in the Crystal Hall.

It wasn’t an extension of the Round Table conference.

It wasn’t a secret story that had to be hidden from Adept and Apprentice Mages either.

Because it was merely a simple forum for exchanging opinions.

Though there was no obligation to attend.

Nevertheless, the fact that the entire leadership attended.

It meant that even the high-ranking mages of the Mage Tower, who possessed strong pride, felt so frustrated that they couldn’t come up with a proper answer without listening to the thoughts of others.

“What does everyone think?”

The first to open her mouth was the elder and Elder Mage, Yugweed.

She looked around at those gathered.

Nevertheless, no answer returned.

“Even though only one person is missing, it is quiet.”

Chief Lee Ho-yeol, his presence alone can safely be considered the greatest among all the mages of the Mage Tower in history, can it not? Yugweed shrugged her shoulders and looked at Marcelo.

“Do you see a chance of winning in this war, Chief Marcelo?”

Marcelo immediately shook his head.

“It is slim.”

It was a disadvantageous condition, way too disadvantageous.

“The enemies are stretching their demonic hands not only in the Arcana continent but even up to this place, the world of adventurers. However, it is merely that we have finally begun to explore the bizarre space called rifts.”

It was Marcelo’s story regarding his own research.

Though he hadn’t produced any noteworthy results.

Even that was an outcome impossible without Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

Benshi, who had been staying quiet, raised his hand.

“But! Didn’t Chief Lee Ho-yeol return from the Arcana continent? Of course, he said it was thanks to the effect of the Demon King’s spoil but……. Still, if we research that magical tool, couldn’t we somehow find a clue?”

Researching a magical tool, huh.

Naturally, gazes headed toward the Senior of Magical Enchantment, Kiko Armin.

Kiko shook his head back and forth.

“In fact, Chief Lee Ho-yeol had made a request regarding that earlier. However, with the current level of Magical Enchantment, it is impossible to extract the effect from a magical tool of that caliber…….”

Kiko bit his lower lip.

‘To think that effect would be a one-time thing.’

Because he didn’t say such words, I couldn’t even guess.

If only he gave me a slight hint somehow.

If only he gave me a little more time…….

I would have looked for a method even if it meant staying up all night for several days.

-“I apologize for taking away time as precious as gold. Senior Kiko.”

Chief Lee left only a single sentence and.

He exited the Garnet Hall without any lingering attachment.

Smack, as Benshi smacked his lips, Marcelo continued his words.

“Exploring to elevate disadvantageous conditions to equal conditions, is exactly the joint research project of myself and Chief Lee Ho-yeol. However, at the present stage, it is at a level where we can’t even guarantee when the theory can be established.”

Summarizing the long words, it was simple.

“Ultimately, we are saying we have no choice but to continue an unreasonable war.”

Because a method to head to the Arcana continent did not exist.

Even if we achieve a great victory in battle, launching a counterattack or taking complete initiative was impossible.

However, Marcelo knew.

No, by now all the mages of the Mage Tower knew.

“However, in the Arcana continent, there are still those who fight against demons. Our victory news will probably be able to exert a positive influence on them as well.”

Because of that, what the Mage Tower had to do was simple and clear.

Smile

Yugweed smiled benevolently and opened her mouth.

“Simply, we just have to perfectly sever the stretching demonic hands, right?”

Nod

A tragic resolve dwelled in the eyes of the twenty Senior Mages.

The moment Arcana’s strongest armed group united.

Marcelo closed his eyes for a moment.

‘……Is it simply a coincidence?’

Chief Lee Ho-yeol, among the millions of demons he hunted.

What is the probability that a demon related to the Simuard family’s ‘curse of numbered days’ was accidentally included? He clearly stated that millions of demons were merely a drop in the bucket.

Marcelo shook his head.

He thought about it endlessly, but it only made his head throb.

However.

‘I cannot let this opportunity slip by.’

It is fine even if the curse of numbered days hasn’t completely disappeared.

The condition of my physical body is currently in peak condition.

If it wasn’t for Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

It was a body that should have already drawn its last breath.

Marcelo muttered towards the demons.

‘You threw your weight around without knowing your place.’

Marcelo recalled the founding purpose of the Mage Tower.

The pursuit of true truth.

Demon worshiper, Karimzeba.

Seeing how he craved true truth until the moment of his death, perhaps the Mage Tower was a group that was already wrong from its founding. However, didn’t Chief Lee Ho-yeol say it?

-“If it has gone astray, we just need to correct it.”

As you said.

It is not too late even now.

Marcelo finally opened his eyes.

“Now is the very time to establish the ‘true truth’.”

.

.

.

You startled me.

Suddenly, my vision flashed.

It was a quest window.

Nothing special happened, so what’s the occasion.

……Don’t tell me the Class Quest training load increased, did it?

I checked the quest window thinking it couldn’t be.

[Quest: Reconstruction of the Mage Tower]

The Mage Tower quest that I had forgotten for a while.

Why is it.

That final quest objective was flickering.

─Find the true truth. (In Progress)

I see.

Is it thanks to the Mage Tower beginning to move in earnest?

A progress occurred in the quiet quest.

Although I don’t know what the true truth of the Mage Tower is.

For my part, it’s good news.

‘It’s the Mage Tower as expected.’

I’m satisfied as long as I can just fulfill the quest objective.

Of course, this doesn’t mean I’ll just be sucking my thumb again.

I too have some matters to process in reality in my own way.

I scanned the headlines of the internet articles that popped up.

[Government Official: “It is regretful regarding Player Lee Ho-yeol’s arbitrary actions……. We think prior consultation with the South Korean government is necessary.”]

[Excessive Concentration of Power? Voices of Concern Grow…….]

[AAU Official: “Holy war? There is no way to know if it’s really in progress.”]

And then I babbled my impressions just like me.

“The brighter the light, the darker the shadow becomes. However, the place for a shadow is strictly at the rear end. Had it kept its order, I had no intention of interfering.”

No, I spat out a warning.

“I must make the shadow running ahead realize its position.”