Chapter 154 – What Has Bloomed (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The place where the demon’s presence was felt was none other than the Branch Director’s office.

AAU London Branch Director, Baker Chaat.

A demon was possessing Baker’s body.

The moment I inferred that, the doubt remaining in my mind was resolved.

It means I was finally able to understand the structure of this wicked [Dungeon].

[Dungeon: City of Melancholic Rain]

[Recommended Level: Lv.600~Lv.900]

[Collapse Progress: 2.3%]

Emergency update.

This dungeon was not a scheduled update.

Well, since the [Rift of the Broken Dimension] rift, it hasn’t been just once or twice.

Even if I consider understanding and moving past that much.

What became a problem was that recommended level.

This, it was somewhat ambiguous.

It’s not mindlessly high, nor is it mindlessly low.

Above all, the fact that I, Lee Ho-yeol, proudly entered the rift alone is the guarantee that it’s an ambiguous rift.

Well, even if I consider moving past that by thinking it’s a characteristic of irregular dungeons.

‘Since the trap crossed the line more than anything else.’

Because it wasn’t a trap that players could see through.

Literally, it is wicked enough to feel malice.

Because it was a trap that drove not only players but off all ordinary people trapped in the dungeon rift to death.

Even me, the Demon Hunter and natural enemy, would have found it hard to see through if it weren’t for Hiel.

‘I thought without a doubt it was a high-ranking demon.’

Therefore, a doubt naturally arose.

Even if it’s not a top-tier Demon King, at least a high-ranking demon.

Shall I kindly give an example?

Only if it was around the level of the [Ruler of the Western Demonic Realm, Raxioros] I saw on the Arcana continent. Because with its spirit soaring, it would have already revealed itself before me.

‘Raxioros, that thing was as arrogant as Granfel.’

When they reach the Demon King rank, their confidence truly pierces the sky.

But this bastard was bizarre.

To the point where it was questionable if it was a trap.

Because it was cowering as much as possible in the corner of the AAU London Branch.

However, as I said, the doubt was currently gone.

I looked at Branch Director, Baker.

No, the demon.

I murmured coldly.

“You have committed a presumptuous act.”

“……!!”

“A presumptuous act……? Do you two perhaps know each other?”

Shureig seemed bewildered.

If it was a demon I knew, it would have run its glib tongue around this point.

Trying somehow to deceive Shureig and smooth over the situation.

However, the bastard didn’t even seem to have the presence of mind to do so.

It’s a very natural reaction.

“Heuk heuk.”

Leveled up as a Demon Hunter.

Thanks to that, the [Natural Enemy Relationship] between me and the demon is in an even firmer state.

A bastard that is neither a Demon King, nor a high-ranking demon, nor anything else cannot even breathe properly before me.

I looked down at the bastard with a cold gaze.

“Shut your mouth.”

“……?”

“I did not grant you breath.”

“……!”

If it were my usual self.

Wondering if you are even going to try and control someone else’s breathing now.

More than that, what kind of babble are you spouting in front of Shureig watching.

This damn loose muzzle is making it impossible for me to live.

I would have been bursting with indignation inside but.

‘Just. For today, I empathize with that feeling, Granfel.’

Soon, my gaze shifted beyond the window.

“You must have seen and heard clearly from here. The groans in pain of those submerged in rainwater. What thoughts, what emotions did you feel while watching that sight.”

“!”

When I spoke up to that point, Shureig’s eyes changed.

It was action rather than words.

Clang!

Shureig immediately raised his sword.

“Are Player Lee Ho-yeol-nim’s words the truth? Branch Director Baker?”

The bastard couldn’t affirm or deny.

Because I didn’t grant him breath.

He was just clutching his neck and wheezing, terrified in fear.

Of course, no answer is needed.

“However, there is no need to know the trivial thoughts of you bastards.”

“……!!”

“Even so, keep this in mind.”

Do not mix words with prey.

Granfel who has such a motto, me.

The reason I converse with a demon that is neither a Demon King nor anything is simple.

There is a proper degree for everything.

Therefore…….

“Do not cross the line.”

There was no need to raise magic power either.

There was no need to raise the umbrella either.

Yes, a warning was enough.

[The nameless demon experiences ‘Fear’.]

[The nameless demon experiences ‘Suffocation’.]

[The nameless demon experiences ‘Death’.]

Thud

Baker grabbing the nape of his neck and collapsing just like that.

Shureig hurriedly ran over and placed his hand on his neck.

Then he looked up at me.

“For now, he is still breathing.”

Purifying the Demon King’s spoils, the [Baton of the Unicorn Tainted by Evil], is important as well but.

There would be no need to offer the Demon King’s spoils as a sacrifice against a demon without even a name.

‘Because the power of the exorcism ritual also varies depending on the rank of the sacrifice.’

Of course, the [Exorcism Ritual] was already in an activated state.

It’s only natural that Baker’s body wouldn’t take any damage.

Shureig spoke cautiously to me.

“By the way, what exactly is going on…….”

The reason Baker was possessed by a demon?

I’m not a psychologist, I couldn’t possibly know that kind of thing nor did I want to know.

However, there is a need to explain up to the limit of what I know. Without adding or subtracting, very plainly.

“His body was taken over by a demon.”

“……Branch Director Baker was? That can’t be! Are you saying it’s possession?”

[Possession].

It was a debuff not unfamiliar to players.

Even if their appearances have become infrequent now, because until recently they were a demon kin monster commonly encountered in rifts.

“I didn’t even dream that a demon could possess an ordinary person.”

Since when did it hide in society and…….

Shureig, who was muttering, flinched.

Then his face turned pale white as he continued speaking.

“Wait, then the Branch Director Baker I met yesterday was……!”

Even though they were close.

Even though they conversed, he couldn’t notice any signs.

He seemed to have received quite a shock from the demon’s method acting.

But the truth is even more cruel, Shureig.

‘Because this is merely the beginning.’

There is a saying that you only see as much as you know.

I realized it for certain through this incident.

Perhaps reality might be a more suitable place for demons to run wild than the Arcana continent. Let’s make an assumption. If what possessed Baker was a demon with a true name…….

‘A dungeon vastly more wicked than the current one might have appeared.’

AAU Branch Director.

Considering that the predecessor of the AAU was Arcana’s developer, Cosmo.

Baker’s knowledge regarding the Arcana worldview would be superior to most players, or even demons.

It was certain that the nameless demon used that knowledge.

……It’s terrifying just imagining it!

A dungeon of a level where escape is genuinely impossible might have appeared.

However, it’s better to get the beating over with quickly.

What’s important is that we learned about the potential danger.

If so, there’s nothing that will become a problem.

Since all things can be rectified.

I spoke to Shureig.

“You seem surprised.”

“……I apologize. I was considerably surprised.”

“However, this is merely the beginning, Shureig.”

“Merely the beginning. What do you mean by that?”

As mentioned, crushing the Demon King was merely a trigger.

The calm before the storm.

I who had entered the Arcana continent came to realize the reason the demons were quiet currently was because they were gauging each other ahead of the [Demon King Continental Clash].

The moment the struggle begins in earnest, the scale of the demons’ activities will grow incomparably to now.

“An incident will come where this situation will be nothing more than a preview.”

“……!”

“However, there is no need to worry.”

Click.

Saying so, I moved my steps.

The deep part of the dungeon, now that the demon who was the culprit of the incident has died.

A message popped up before my eyes.

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

“Since the pride that bloomed after trials.”

Simultaneously, the rain fog lifted.

Did it say the melancholic city of rain.

The tears that submerged London have dried up.

“Will be more brilliant than anything else.”

I wasn’t just spouting grandiose words like always.

Every street in London was filled with trees imbued with moisture.

With Aquariu Oak Trees that bloomed taking tears as nutrients.

Yes, as the dark clouds cleared, the leaves reflecting the pouring down sunlight were truly brilliant.

And there is one more brilliant thing.

[Depending on your contribution to clearing the dungeon, you acquire spoils.]

I could tell without even checking the inventory.

Because of the message.

[The Hexagram Brooch is shining.]

Found it, the second [Hexagram Brooch].

.

.

.

Dadadada

A noisy helicopter.

A reporter relays the situation with an urgent voice.

“Th-the dark clouds are clearing, everyone!”

As if it wouldn’t permit the approach of outsiders.

The appearance of London engulfed in the rain fog began to reveal itself.

The rain fog clearing gradually starting from the outskirts.

The first to be captured in the angle were the players.

“It’s the guild members of Second Sun. They look as if they were in the middle of a battle until just now! W, wait a minute. What are collapsed behind the players……!”

To be exact, the players who were fighting a desperate struggle to protect the citizens.

Although it was an unannounced emergency update.

Everyone could check the additional update details added in real time.

Thanks to that, those watching ended up astonished.

“Level 600 monsters, and they’re wraiths too.”

“They shouldn’t budge from most physical attacks though?”

“Are you saying they protected the citizens with such mobs in front of them?”

“Just how are they still alive until now, those guys?”

Second Sun.

The skill of the Guild Master, Shureig, is beyond doubt.

However, the average level of the guild members, including executive Zachary, wasn’t to the degree of being exceptional compared to other guilds.

It’s certain that not all guild members would be safe.

Gulp!

Those who realized this instinctively swallowed dry saliva in tension.

“!”

However, it was an unbelievable sight.

Because there were no heavily injured players, nor anyone collapsed.

Furthermore, even the collapsed citizens were regaining consciousness one by one and getting up.

Dadadada

London, no matter which street was shown, the situation was the same.

A rift, and a dungeon that had never appeared even once until now.

All of London was covered within such a dungeon rift but.

Not a single casualty was seen.

“Are you watching? It is a miracle. A miracle has occurred, everyone!”

The UK.

No, the entire world let out a sigh of relief.

Before long, the moment waiting rescue squads and even military troops were deployed.

Those who stepped foot into London could witness it.

“……Wait a minute, was there a tree-lined street like this here?”

The sublime trees that bloomed from the seeds of tears.

.

.

.

[Mysterious Trees Appear Throughout London Streets……!]

[Second Sun Guild Member 曰, “The trees restored our health.”]

[Survivors, “We could feel a warm heat even while unconscious. I want to convey my feelings of gratitude to the players who sacrificed for us…….”]

They were trees that did not exist in reality.

Even if they couldn’t know the name of the trees like others.

It was Shureig who knew their identity.

AAU London Branch.

“Wait, it’s Shureig!!”

The moment Shureig revealed himself there, the gazes of the busily moving reporters were all focused on him.

Everyone swarmed towards Shureig.

“Mr. Shureig, what on earth happened?”

“Could it be that the AAU London Branch was the deep part of the dungeon?”

“Where is Player Lee Ho-yeol?”

Shureig swallowed a small laugh.

‘I mean it’s not a place for me to stand.’

The protagonist Ho-yeol activated a portal as soon as he cleared the rift.

And ended up leaving the place.

Even as he pleaded that he wanted to formally express his gratitude, leaving only the words that it was a burden he rightfully had to bear.

So there was only one thing Shureig could do.

‘Today’s incident is merely a preview.’

Foolishly, he was only now able to comprehend Ho-yeol’s will.

Why he jumped into the holy war even by mobilizing the Yusra Kingdom, Frost, Muon, and the Mage Tower.

Now that he understood that will, Shureig could not hesitate.

‘Confidence? Limits? Things like that don’t matter.’

Even if there is no belief in himself.

Because his belief in Ho-yeol would not waver.

Shureig, who resolved himself like that, opened his mouth in front of the reporters.

“Today, London was saved by Player Lee Ho-yeol.”

“!!!”

*

Strict formalities and procedures.

Just when I was getting a little used to this loose muzzle.

Nevertheless, I, Lee Ho-yeol, was a helpless slave of capitalism.

Looking at how I hurriedly manifested a portal because I wanted to check the [Hexagram Brooch] effect regardless of clean integrity……!

Yusra Kingdom, office.

I took out the hexagram brooches from my inventory.

Indeed, is it saying it’s a set item.

I can feel the two brooches pulling at each other.

……Does some additional effect activate if I combine the two?

Just like how I was excited about transforming combining robots when I was young.

My heart grows overwhelmingly grand with anticipation.

However.

“There is an order to all matters.”

Yes, there was a need to examine the original item information before suddenly combining them.

Of course, brewing tea water would have priority before checking the information.

Bubble bubble

My tongue that sprouts thorns if I skip green tea for even a single day is really…….

Clack

Anyway.

It was only after I tilted the teacup containing the green tea teabag that I could check the effect of the new Hexagram Brooch. Then I ended up opening my mouth without realizing it.

“It is incomparably superb.”