Chapter 150 – Seed of Tears (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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[Map that Connects to All Things]

[Rank: Epic]

[Restriction: None]

[Effect: You can know the location of something secretly hidden by someone, something lost by someone, or something concealed somewhere. Also, just once, you can teleport to the location of something.

However, upon activating the teleportation effect, it immediately loses all effects.]

[Description: A magical tool with limitless potential depending on how it’s used.]

Activating the teleportation effect to enter the Arcana continent.

Thanks to that, it was the Map that Connects to All Things that lost all its effects.

Before activating the teleportation effect.

I was one who tried everything I could to get my money’s worth.

Could it perhaps be possible to extract the effect?

I even went to find the Senior of Magical Enchantment, Kiko.

‘Though there were no results.’

I didn’t have high expectations, so I wasn’t disappointed.

Magical Enchantment, which is responsible for the Mage Tower’s deficit.

The current level of Magical Enchantment is that they’ll be very grateful just by extracting an effect from a Unique rank item. Extracting an effect from an Epic item making sense would be nonsense.

‘Thanks to that, I used it with an even more desperate heart.’

Because of that effort, I activated the teleportation effect without lingering attachments. And I’m saying I could pinpoint the origins of the remaining five [Hexagram Brooches] through the Map that Connects to All Things.

Honestly, when I first activated the effect, I was quite flustered.

-A place where even the sky wails, unable to handle the overflowing sorrow.

……What is this, it’s not a twenty questions game or a riddle.

Because the answer the Map that Connects to All Things gave didn’t hit home immediately.

However, what helped was my loose muzzle.

-“The sky is wailing.”

The [Tepheran Fence] rift.

My snout that babbled like that looking at the sky heavily cast with dark clouds.

That it would be faster for me to cry than the sky crying.

Because the memory of forcibly swallowing a lament of my circumstances came to mind.

Thanks to that, seeing the [Dungeon: City of Melancholic Rain] generated in London, I realized it at once.

That the place the Map that Connects to All Things informed me of was exactly that dungeon……!

As if supporting my deduction, a message popped up.

[The Hexagram Brooch is shivering.]

Indeed, it’s worth stepping on British soil for the first time in my life. Of course, it’s impossible for these proud footsteps to move solely to fulfill personal desires.

Whooooosh

I opened my mouth from under the umbrella, amidst the pouring torrential rain.

“Those who do not possess resistance to status abnormalities should avoid this spot as much as possible. I believe your words would be more helpful in making them move than mine.”

The pride of the UK, Second Sun.

It was its head, Shureig.

Naturally, his words hold more power than mine, who came from South Korea.

Along with the realistic perspective of me, Lee Ho-yeol.

“……Thank you.”

Words that also consider Granfel’s pride-based perspective.

That he can rebuild even Shureig’s collapsed pride.

Shureig and the players quickly sorted out the situation.

“Everyone, get far away from the rift, from the rain fog!”

“Coverage? Now is not the time for that!”

“Damn it, I think we need to move them to the hospital right now?”

Amidst the commotion, I looked at the rain fog.

The rift information popping up before my eyes.

It is definitely a rift.

‘What is the exact cause of the status abnormality?’

The most reasonable guess was demons as expected.

However, this was a different situation from before.

A rift is a bizarre space.

Until it collapses, no matter what kind of demon it is.

Putting it bluntly, even if a higher Demon King resurrected.

They couldn’t exert influence outside the rift.

“An inferior kin wouldn’t have such power.”

Well said, Granfel.

This is not a loose muzzle. Because if demons had such an ability in the first place. They wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of possessing humans and infiltrating reality while acting.

Therefore, the possibility is one.

“Is it a distinctive characteristic of the dungeon.”

It exerted influence outside the rift because it’s a [Dungeon].

It really gets more and more ridiculous the further it goes, the Arcana worldview.

The holy war with demons.

In a situation where paying attention to just one is not enough, a dungeooon?!

‘Please, I want to believe it’s an uncommon case.’

[Labyrinth] wasn’t enough, now even [Dungeon].

Above all, the biggest problem is that the citizens of London are trapped inside the rift. Because of that, I hurried over to London through the portal like this.

It’s a truly tiring spirit of noblesse oblige…….

‘Such meddling.’

Even if it wasn’t a dungeon rift, how many things were there to process?

Above all, I vowed to make those bothersome shadows realize their place.

However, Granfel’s snout did not lose a single word.

“On a rainy day, a shadow does not exist.”

Whooooosh

“In the end, it means they are entities that amount to only that.”

……It’s a relief the sound of the rain is loud.

I’m seriously scared someone might hear it.

Interpreting it, it means the priorities are different.

Anyway, when it comes to procedures, he follows them amazingly well.

However, I have no desire to refute the heavy pride.

Actually, I had the same thought too.

Dealing with rifts and demons alone is overwhelming.

I’ve long graduated from the days of being an office worker rolling around in dirty society.

Shadow or whatever, I wanted to avoid bothersome things.

While thinking like that.

Shureig approached.

An umbrella in one hand.

And a paper cup emitting steam in the other.

“I apologize that this is not a situation where I can properly treat you…….”

The green logo drawn on the paper cup is familiar.

Shureig handed the paper cup to me.

“That……. I heard rumors that you like tea. But not knowing what kind of tea you prefer, I prepared a safe Americano.”

Shureig continued his words.

“Also, I accept.”

His eyes shone with determination.

“Please leave the guidance of London to me, I beg you. I ask of this.”

The reason I asked Shureig for guidance is simple.

Even if it’s a dungeon, it’s a rift.

A space where reality and the Arcana continent are mixed half and half. Naturally, if there’s someone perfectly familiar with the geography of reality, I thought it would be a huge help in clearing it.

Taking the cup, I replied.

“Thank you for making the decision.”

“Not at all. Thank you, truly. For coming all the way here…….”

“No, it is a weight I rightfully must bear.”

“……!”

To the startled Shureig, I asked calmly.

“Do you not know it as well?”

……Please.

Do not preach the spirit of noblesse oblige in the 21st century, Granfel.

At least it’s a relief the word noble didn’t come out of my mouth.

By the way.

I stared blankly at the Americano, then opened my mouth.

“Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

“Then let us enter.”

……Don’t hastily change the subject because you don’t want to drink it, Granfel.

Well, it might be different for elixirs, but there’s no way my taste buds, which are practically pickled in teabag green tea, could accept an Americano. Even though there’s nothing better than a hot Americano on a rainy day.

I greatly resent my changed taste buds.

I forcefully abandoned my lingering attachments and moved my steps.

[You have entered the rift, ‘Dungeon: City of Melancholic Rain’.]

*

Whooooosh

The pouring torrential rain.

The news anchor’s voice, as clamorous as not to fall behind the sound of the rain.

The gazes of the onlookers were undoubtedly directed at the cathode-ray tubes.

-“Breaking news. Player Lee Ho-yeol and Second Sun’s Guild Master, Shureig, have entered the first dungeon rift generated in London. While nations around the world expressed concern……”

Reference screens passing by.

They should have found it strange.

Because the scenery inside the reference screens was their very own residence.

It was London.

However.

Whooooosh

Everyone listening to the pouring sound of rain couldn’t realize it.

The fact that the panorama being broadcasted on the screen is the London they are trapped in, inside the rift, let alone.

Even the fact that they had fallen into a status abnormality.

“……”

The only things felt were a sense of helplessness and melancholy.

UK, London.

No, those trapped in [Dungeon: City of Melancholic Rain] were gradually sinking below the water surface. Into deep water they couldn’t escape from no matter how much they struggled with their own strength alone.

*

Whooooosh

Looking at the pouring rain.

It makes me think there are times when formalities are helpful too.

It means there’s a reason for bringing along an ignorantly large umbrella. Look, not a single drop of rain is splashing onto my clothes. It was thanks to the posture of holding the umbrella straight up without an inch of wavering.

‘……No, this isn’t the time to be pleased about such trivial things.’

I looked around.

Visibility is limited.

Through the thick rain fog, only the outlines of buildings could be seen faintly.

In that sense, it was a relief.

Shureig, who was similarly checking the surroundings, spoke.

“Fortunately, it seems London’s appearance remains the same.”

As expected, a local guide is the best when it comes to guiding?

Shureig and Second Sun guild members quickly grasped the geography.

I also listened to the briefing they were sharing.

“The key is to pinpoint the location of the deep part of the dungeon.”

Arcana experience noticeably lacking compared to other players.

Because of that, I was the one who didn’t know much regarding dungeons.

Still, listening to the stories they shared, I slowly got a feeling.

‘Does it mean I literally just have to find the deep part?’

[Dungeon].

A dangerous place where dozens of diverging paths, hundreds of traps, and thousands of monsters could exist depending on the scale. However, if we only know the location of the deep part…….

“Our objective is not experience points or spoils. The top priority is to find the deep part as fast as possible, subdue the boss monster, and clear the dungeon!”

It meant we could completely ignore other disruptive elements like monsters or traps. Of course, it won’t be easy. Since the dense rain fog obscuring our vision didn’t seem to be an ordinary fog either.

“……But isn’t it strange?”

One of the Second Sun guild members spoke like that.

“It’s excessively quiet.”

That was a sense of incongruity.

Even though it was inside the rift maintaining the exact appearance of London.

For some reason, no presence of people could be felt.

No, to put it exactly…….

“Traces are visible, but only people are not to be seen.”

Cars stopped with their engines turned on.

Commercial buildings where human warmth could be felt.

Even umbrellas dropped everywhere on the streets.

Everything remained exactly the same but.

Only the people had disappeared out of sight.

The voice of the player continuing his words gradually trembled.

“Just where did everyone disappear to in this short amount of time……?”

“There are no bloodstains or traces of being attacked.”

“Shureig, I’ve been continuously trying to contact them since a while ago but……. Not a single person can be reached. It rings but no one answers. Damn it, just what the hell is this!!”

It is natural for emotions to shake.

UK, capital of London.

It’s an obvious matter that among the disappeared, there are colleagues or family members of players. Even if they try not to show it, since they are human, it can’t be helped.

The atmosphere grew heavy anew.

Is this why it’s the [City of Melancholic Rain]?

Right upon entering, it ruthlessly tramples over morale.

However, I opened my mouth.

“There is nothing for everyone to worry about.”

“……?”

As stated, this is the first time stepping on British soil.

Naturally, there’s no way I would know anyone in the UK.

However, I, Granfel, was not babbling as if talking about someone else’s matter.

Yes, the pride in my heart is also sincere, and

The words I spat out were also incomparably sincere.

Because I knew.

“This place is not the true [City of Melancholic Rain].”

“……Yes? What do you mean by that?”

“It seems we are trapped in a trap.”

“W-we are trapped in a trap? No, that can’t be?!”

They would think there’s no way.

Because all we did was simply walk into the rain fog.

Simply enter the rift.

“Can you be certain?”

“C, certain?”

“This is a dungeon, a space where not a single rule is set in stone.”

“……!”

Someone who knows my inner circumstances would probably say.

You speak so shamelessly well when you didn’t even know what the deep part of a dungeon was until just a moment ago.

Indeed, I cannot refute it.

This thick skin is to the point where even I, who is wearing it, cannot help but marvel.

However, it’s not like you can only notice it if you have knowledge.

Sometimes brazenness becomes a help in actual combat.

The reason I could see through the trap was simple.

-“Hiel.”

The moment I murmured, magic power had definitely drained out.

However, Hiel’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

The meaning behind that word was simple.

It’s true that this place is inside the rift, and it’s also true that Hiel was summoned, but,

Between me and Hiel, an invisible ‘something’.

It meant a wall existed.

Knowing that fact, I racked my brain slightly.

Why is it?

When everything is exactly the same, why did only the people disappear without a trace.

The answer regarding that could be found in the pouring ‘rain’.

No, accurately in the puddles of rain gathered on the ground.

That’s right.

The wall obstructing the space between me and Hiel is the water surface (水面).

I neatly folded the umbrella and raised my head.

“……?”

Shureig and the players, who raised their heads and looked at the sky following my lead.

What they witnessed was another scenery of London reflected in the sky.

Soon, their astonished voices could be heard.

“……W, what’s that? London is in the sky like a mirror?!”

“It’s exactly the same. But, there are people on that side!!”

“What, is that really true?!”

Hiel looking at me from the opposite side.

The sky and the ground.

Which one is above the water surface and which one is below.

Right now, it cannot be known.

However, one fact is certain.

Drip.

I wiped away the rainwater flowing down the tip of my chin.

“I shall strictly hold them accountable for getting my clothes wet.”

If water is the problem, the matter is to simply make all that water disappear.

Of course, completely evaporating the pouring rain is an impossible task.

Even if magic power overflows, this is impossible with just 『Magic』.

So I conveyed telepathy to Hiel.

Water becomes nutrients for ‘plants’.

Yes.

It’s time to display the {Nature} ability of the Unique Spirit, Hiel.