Chapter 153 – Do Not Cross the Line

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The effect of [Sublime] is to exert an ‘influence’ on the surroundings.

So accurately, my surroundings.

It feels a bit awkward to say this with my own mouth but…….

It means it exerts influence on the surroundings of the ‘Sublime One’.

The radiantly shining Aquariu Oak Trees.

At first, I thought only their outward appearance had become excessively flamboyant, but it was a misunderstanding.

Because an aura of life was flowing out from the oak trees that sprouted leaves in no time with Hiel’s blessing.

It wasn’t a common metaphorical expression.

[Health regeneration slightly increases.]

Because the effect actually popped up as a message.

Moreover.

I looked at the collapsed citizens.

……Twitch.

Although they hadn’t regained consciousness yet, movement could be seen from the citizens who previously hadn’t shown the slightest movement.

Their health, which had bottomed out due to the status abnormality and heavy rain, must be starting to rise.

‘It means the effect has become as grandiose as the outward appearance.’

Changes of this magnitude were changes that were impossible simply through my impure influence alone.

Just as Hiel said, it was definitely the influence of [Sublime].

‘It’s the same for Shureig.’

He definitely said silver haze.

He certainly witnessed my sword force (劍罡).

I had an intuition.

That the small change that popped up as a message might be referring to Shureig’s growth.

However, I didn’t have the leeway to ponder deeply.

Splash

The wraiths approaching while making splashing sounds.

Simultaneously with holding up the umbrella, I raised my magic power.

Even if I can’t evaporate the pouring torrential rain, the likes of you are not a problem.

I murmured towards the wraiths of water.

“If it is a shape mimicking humans, you were wrong from the very beginning.”

Whoosh!

“What is important is not the outward appearance, but the pride within the heart. Because pride is not something that can be imitated as a law.”

.

.

.

[A small change occurs through the effect of Sublime.]

……Sublime?

Judging by the content of the message, it was definitely a buff.

However, it is a puzzling matter.

‘What is it?’

Not to mention that Sublime is a skill he had neither heard of nor seen before.

There were no guild members around who could cast a buff on him, Shureig.

Yes, the only surrounding player was one person.

Only Ho-yeol.

‘Unless he truly has eyes on the back of his head……’

It meant that simultaneously while engaging in combat with the wraiths using an umbrella.

He had cast a buff on himself.

If it were another player, he would have denied it, saying it was nonsense.

But with that man, one couldn’t tell.

If it was Ho-yeol who hunted level 600 monsters with a single umbrella.

‘……But there’s no reason to cast a buff on me.’

The buff, Sublime.

He couldn’t know what its effect was.

But whatever special effect it possessed.

Squeeze

Shureig clenched his fists.

‘Because I won’t be able to play an active role.’

The enemies’ level is level 600.

Compared to that, he was only around level 400.

As if that wasn’t enough, his class was Fencer.

Even the compatibility with the enemies was the worst.

‘It is not a problem that can be solved with a single buff.’

He knows this better than anyone else.

But Shureig gritted his teeth.

Even though facing reality again was painful.

Because Ho-yeol had definitely spoken.

‘……If you cannot trust yourself. Believe in Lee Ho-yeol who believes in you.’

It was certainly unfamiliar.

Because Shureig had only encountered Ho-yeol through the media all this time.

An attitude of lightly ignoring rude questions.

Rather than humility, wasn’t Ho-yeol’s path one that left people with no choice but to think he was as haughty as his skills?

So he couldn’t understand it even more.

‘For what reason would he to someone like me.’

Nam Tae-min, Hisagi, and Leonie of the Giant Alliance.

And even the Great Mage, Jesse Heinness.

If it were them, he could understand.

‘The same faction.’

Moreover, since each and every one of them were players with immense potential.

It meant they were rough diamonds of talent vastly different in class from himself, who only barely managed to maintain past glory.

‘……That’s enough. Now is not the time to be醉 in such sentiments.’

However, his agony did not last long.

Overcoming the rising doubts.

Shureig raised his head to face reality.

Woooosh

“!”

For what reason?

Because Ho-yeol’s sword force was distinctly reflected in his vision.

……Could it be, is this the exact effect of Sublime?

Shureig got flustered and asked Ho-yeol.

But no answer returned.

Splash splash.

As if the five were just the beginning.

Wraiths revealing themselves from all over the street.

‘Since when?’

Shureig raised his foil.

He became able to witness the so-called sword qi, but he couldn’t accurately know what exactly it was.

Of course, he also lacked a means to inflict damage to the wraiths.

‘But I can’t just stand by and watch.’

He saw the citizens who had collapsed defenselessly.

Until Ho-yeol defeated the wraiths.

He had to protect the citizens, even if it meant acting as a meat shield.

Shureig took a combat stance.

And looked at his sword extending like a needle.

Damn it, it doesn’t look reliable no matter how he sees it.

However.

‘……It’s all just an excuse in the end.’

Wasn’t Ho-yeol’s umbrella much flimsier than this?

Even so, it dealt damage to the wraiths.

Shureig steadied his breathing.

Looking at the foil, he mumbled softly.

“The responsibility lies with me who is lacking.”

He could barely witness the sword qi thanks to Ho-yeol’s buff.

To say he would imitate sword qi with such trivial talent?

It was to the point of a hollow laugh coming out.

He knew it was nonsense.

However.

-“Believe in me who believes in you.”

Ho-yeol’s voice lingering in his mind once again.

‘Yes, even if I do not know about myself, if it’s Lee Ho-yeol, I can believe in him.’

The corners of Shureig’s mouth went up.

“I will join you. Please use me!”

Class, Fencer.

No matter how terrible a class it is, a unique skill exists as a rule.

Unique skill, [Master of Duels] activated.

Clack

The moment Shureig raised his sword vertically.

The gazes of the wraiths aimed at Shureig all at once.

It was the effect of the unique skill.

──────

Master of Duels: Provokes the target until the duel ends. Targets invited to the duel receive additional true damage, but this effect applies equally to the user.

──────

To explain it simply, it is inviting the targets to a fencing match.

To think he would do such a ridiculous thing.

Even though he already committed to it, he was surprised once again.

‘Even 1 vs 1 would be overwhelming, but twenty at once.’

Triggering [Master of Duels] on all wraiths.

It was to protect the citizens by concentrating the wraiths’ aggro onto himself.

It was definitely a reckless act. As written in the effect, the additional true damage effect was also valid for himself.

‘I’d really die if they just brush past me.’

But Shureig had faith.

Even if something went wrong with him.

The belief that if it was Ho-yeol, he could protect everyone.

Clack

Soon, Shureig aimed the foil at the wraiths.

And he flinched.

“……!”

The sharp tip of the foil.

Even though it was embarrassingly faint and blurry.

It was blooming nonetheless.

“……Sword qi?”

Sword qi becomes clear at the crossroads of life and death.

Shureig who risked his own life to protect someone.

Because it was enough for [Sublime] to respond to his sacrifice.

*

[O sublime one. Your sublimity has induced a small change.]

The message flashing again.

Then Shureig succeeded in emitting sword qi.

Seeing that sight, I thought.

‘Sublime. As expected, it wasn’t just plausible on the outside but……’

It seems it possesses quite a significant effect……!

If I calculate it, the difficulty of acquiring it was already nonsensical.

Although I can’t accurately know the acquisition conditions.

First of all, it was certain that one had to die once.

‘If it wasn’t for The Last Adventurer effect.’

It implies that after acquiring such a fraudulent title, I would have closed my eyes without even checking the effects, right? Sincerely, it was an effect that would literally make one spring up in their coffin with eyes wide open from unfairness if they found out late.

I calmed my excited inner feelings and organized my thoughts.

‘So to summarize.’

The exact effect of [Sublime] is, the sublime one.

Which means causing changes in the surroundings of me, Lee Ho-yeol.

It seemed that as long as they were literally in the surroundings, it did not discriminate against the targets.

From Hiel to the oak trees and even Shureig.

Because it was entirely effective on spirits, objects, and players.

The problem was the degree of change.

‘The message definitely said it was a small change.’

However, it was a change that could absolutely not be considered small.

‘Even if I acknowledge Hiel or the oak trees and move on.’

Shureig.

No matter how much he risked his life and his talent was outstanding, [Sublime] must have exerted a tremendously huge influence for him to witness sword qi within a short period of time and faintly emit it.

‘……Wait a minute, then later on.’

Like stats or skill proficiency.

If the effect of Sublime develops.

If it becomes able to induce a large change instead of a small change?

‘Just what kind of things will happen?’

Go roll that flower garden-like brain of yours, Granfel.

I’m saying the head of me, Lee Ho-yeol, simply cannot imagine it.

Anyway, I reaped quite a significant harvest unexpectedly.

To think such an effect was hidden within Sublime.

As expected, blessings come to those who live with pride.

Of course, Granfel might not know this, but I cannot live on pride alone.

“……Sword qi?”

Because Shureig witnessed sword qi and succeeded in emitting it.

There shouldn’t be a need to inefficiently swing the umbrella anymore.

If so, it’s a quick battle from here on out.

Pride is good, but I gotta grab what I need to grab.

The second [Hexagram Brooch]!

Because it will become extremely troublesome if it takes flight and flees.

“It is already afternoon.”

Exploration, interference, and manifestation happening swiftly.

It’s a pity for you guys, but this is also my specialty.

I mean boiling water with magic.

“However, there is no law that one can brew tea with rainwater.”

Bubble bubble!

Indeed, my full power that gave up tea time.

Level 600 wraiths were not a problem. Since they weren’t named or boss monsters, in a state where [Natural Enemy Relationship] is active, charging forward in a group changes nothing.

[Level has risen.]

The wraiths that evaporated without a trace.

My side ended with that.

I looked at Shureig.

Indeed, it is a sword qi worthy of making up for the level gap.

Moreover, unlike the Demon Hunter who had absolutely no swordsmanship-related skills. Shureig’s class was a swordsman-type, Fencer. It means the root itself is different.

Swish swish swoosh

Also, the mobility of a Fencer that differentiates it from other swordsman classes.

So that’s what it means to dodge everything and hit everything.

It was a perfect movement to the point where I felt like that.

‘That must be the true performance of sword qi.’

Demon Hunter.

It is an area I cannot reach as whatever I do inevitably ends up ambiguous anyway. However, there is no discouragement.

Because no trial will be able to scratch Granfel’s towering self-esteem.

Duel over.

I nonchalantly spoke to Shureig who defeated the wraiths.

“It was an excellent duel, Shureig.”

……Do not speak as if you are a master, Granfel.

“Not at all. If it wasn’t for the effect of Sublime, I absolutely wouldn’t have been able to…… by myself.”

“No, it was possible because your decisive action existed.”

“Decisive action. I will keep your words in mind from now on as well.”

……Do not play along with his tune, Shureig.

I always stood proudly with my chest puffed out anyway, but somehow I feel even more conceited now. However, if I become conscious of it, it will only make me suffer.

I quickly shifted my gaze.

“Unless we eliminate the fundamental cause, the wraiths will continue to be generated. It would be best to hurry, Shureig. Hiel, I will leave this place to you.”

Well, what need is there for a Demon Hunter to handle sword qi better than a swordsman?

If I’m just good at hunting demons, it’s the jackpot.

At my words, Hiel formally bowed her head.

“Please leave it to me.”

Water and plants.

The moment I visually confirmed that Hiel, who wields the {Nature} ability, has a type advantage. I could lessen my anxiety and entrust the collapsed citizens to her.

Above all, the effect of Sublime was still valid for Hiel as well.

“Then I will leave it to you. Hiel-nim.”

Bow

Shureig bowed his head to Hiel as if he had seen the Spirit King, and then hastened his steps.

Indeed, cutting across a shortcut like a local, a massive building came into view before long.

So that is the AAU London Branch.

The entire area was as silent as the eye of a storm.

As if it was quietly holding its breath and hiding.

[You have entered the deep part of the dungeon, ‘City of Melancholic Rain’.]

The message that popped up upon entering the interior of the AAU building.

Shureig opened his mouth with a troubled face.

“Investigating down from the top floor would be…….”

“No, there is no need for that. Shureig.”

“……?”

However, no matter how much you hold your breath, it is useless.

To me, to the instinct of a Demon Hunter, it is clearly visible.

Natural Enemy Relationship, with the developed senses of a Demon Hunter.

I scanned the building’s floor directory.

“It is there.”

At last, the culprit behind this incident could be seen.

*

The rain stopped.

Because he couldn’t believe it, he rubbed his eyes countless times but.

The scenery beyond the glass window did not change.

“Why?”

It was perfect.

An incomparably perfect plan.

A nameless lower demon couldn’t believe this situation.

The human bastard he possessed.

A name he never even possessed.

Not only did the bastard have one, but he was making it widely known to the world.

At first, even after possessing him, he couldn’t understand it.

How could a mere insignificant human who isn’t even an adventurer.

Possess knowledge of this level regarding the Arcana continent?

It was an amount of knowledge that even he, who was born on the Arcana continent, no, let alone regular upper demons, even Demon Kings would not know of.

So, greed arose.

With the bastard’s knowledge and the bloody melancholic atmosphere of the city.

He thought he could swallow the entire city and acquire the power of a Demon King, or even more. And the moment the rift turned into a dungeon, that thought became a conviction.

That’s why he couldn’t understand.

“……This is nonsense!”

Unfamiliar trees sprouted everywhere on the streets.

Shining radiantly to an eerie extent.

Just what in the world are those trees?

After the trees sprouted, the rain stopped, and the rain fog dispersed.

It was a variable that was not in the plan.

Could it be the influence of that?

“!”

Thump.

His heart had been beating fast for a while.

Violently enough that blaming the awry situation wouldn’t be enough.

Of course, that doubt did not last long.

Creak

Because the door opened not long after.

Simultaneously, a man’s voice could be heard.

“Branch Director Baker? Have you regained consciousness?”

Thank goodness.

It was the adventurer, Shureig.

He was a foolish human bastard who was still deceiving by the outer shell.

‘……Let’s give up my attachment. I just have to aim for the next opportunity.’

Deceiving a stupid bastard is not difficult.

‘By pretending I just woke up…….’

However, it was excessively premature to relieve himself and move to the next move.

Click

Another presence was felt.

Soon, a black long umbrella entered Baker’s vision.

“……!!!”

Simultaneously, his heart broke down.

Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump!