Chapter 157 – Raise Your Head

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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In the sky above Arcana.

The dwarves of the Iron Castle moved diligently.

Night flight.

Even though it is the night when the demons’ activities become even more vigorous because the Demonic Eye (魔眼) opens its eyes. The reason why the Iron Castle could continue flying at night unlike usual?

“Truly, it’s unbelievable.”

Is there a need to cumbersomely add words.

Everything was thanks to the last survivor of Akshan.

Adventurer, Lee Ho-yeol.

“How in the world could he obtain such information in another world?”

The leader of the dwarves, Chainwalker, recalled Hiel’s words.

-“He stated that it seems there will be no major movements.”

Yes, they could have predicted that much themselves too. Although it might be merely a small fraction, because the Iron Castle was the one that swept away millions of demons with its secret weapon.

However.

“Chainwalker, do you think it makes sense? That he grasps the war situation of the continent more accurately than us who are flying in the sky looking down at the ground!”

It was true.

To have information specific enough to continue sailing through the clouds.

Because such a thing could not be predicted even with their technological prowess.

“Even last night. Just what is the limit of his abilities……!”

Chainwalker said with a smile lingering.

“Just trust him.”

Even though it was an unbelievable active role.

Because they are in an alliance relationship, they have no choice but to trust him.

On top of that, it wasn’t the time to be looking for reasons right now.

Because they were overwhelmed just moving for Ho-yeol’s request that wasn’t a request.

-“He requested that he wants to recover the remains of the decisive battle weapons.”

Akshan’s decisive battle weapon, the Quernberg Machine Tower.

It was the Machine Tower that was hunting demons all over the continent even at this moment.

Because the power of the demons had grown strong, not all Machine Towers could be perfectly intact.

Guessing as a creator…….

At least five or six Machine Towers must have run out of lifespan and stopped operating.

Bitterness dwelled in Chainwalker’s smile.

“……He was keeping in mind things that even we couldn’t pay attention to.”

Iron is merely iron.

Machines made of iron are also merely machines.

To the point where they felt ashamed of their own thoughts of considering them like that.

Ho-yeol spared no respect for Akshan’s legacy, the Quernberg Machine Tower. That’s why he probably wants to recover even the remains. Now that they realized that heart, even if late.

To make up for it, they had to hurry and recover the remains of the Machine Towers.

“Now, everyone hurry!”

Clank!

The mechanical devices engaging once again.

It was then.

Warmth circulated in the cold Iron Castle.

“!”

Hiel revealed her appearance. She was summoned by Ho-yeol’s call and then returned to the Iron Castle anew. Chainwalker quickly approached Hiel.

“Hiel, did Sir Ho-yeol say anything?”

Hiel gracefully nodded her head.

There was some lump of stone held in Hiel’s embrace.

To be precise.

“Blacksmith, forge me into the best weapon.”

“……!”

Talking ore (鑛石).

What kind of race are the dwarves?

The best blacksmiths of the Arcana continent.

They are people with technological prowess comparable to the magic of the Mage Tower. No matter how rare it is, if it’s a mineral, they possess most of the minerals they could pound as much as possible.

However, Chainwalker’s face ended up dyed with astonishment.

“……T-this is Demonic Iron? In the world, where did he get this precious thing?”

The last survivor of Akshan, Lee Ho-yeol.

His vessel was too deep, severely deep.

Truly, to the extent that it wouldn’t be inadequate to call it endlessly deep.

*

The office of the Yusra Kingdom.

……Why are my ears itching so severely.

However, picking one’s ear at the desk is something that goes against formalities.

Moreover, I also did act in a way that would make my ears itch a lot though.

Right, starting from the umbrella combat which is painful just thinking about it…….

Forget it, my heart only aches if I speak.

“You are still arrogant.”

……I wondered what sudden self-introduction this was.

It was a murmur directed at the demons of the Arcana continent.

The duration ended, the [Telescope of the Demonic Eye] that closed its eye again.

The appearance of the Arcana continent was exactly as expected.

“Scramble.”

Demon King Continental Clash.

Ahead of the civil war, the demons were slowly moving. Come to think of it, they were bastards worthy of challenging the position of the Demon King. In a way, their outward appearances were on a different dimension from common demons.

“Not only claiming to be kings themselves but even ranking themselves?”

Well, from Granfel’s perspective, there probably is nothing more laughable than that.

“Befitting an inferior race, you choose to do meaningless acts.”

Thinking, what’s point of putting numbers on the same preys anyway.

However, I, Lee Ho-yeol, am different.

That day I entered the Arcana continent all by myself.

That day I jumped among millions of demons.

I genuinely realized it.

‘It’s a scale that is incomparable to anything until now.’

It means it is a world-class event that surpasses large-scale events.

Because of that, it will definitely be generated as a rift through an update.

It means it is an incident that has no choice but to threaten reality.

Because I know that truth.

Starting from the [Unfinished Holy War] quest, I was struggling in various ways but. What I shouldn’t forget was exactly the growth of myself.

My gaze naturally heading towards the status window.

[Level: 494]

“I cannot be measured by something like numbers.”

……So consistent, seriously.

But, it’s not a wrong statement either.

Since fundamental growth that doesn’t rely on level is also important.

Not to mention accumulating magical knowledge.

Refining the sword force that reached a new realm.

The wells I painstakingly dug including marksmansthip.

It means there is a need to inspect the holes of life so they aren’t blocked.

‘But level is equally important too.’

Leaving [Natural Enemy Relationship] aside, there was nothing to lose by having a high level.

It means you have to gather what you can gather in advance. However, as I lamented my circumstances several times, raising the level approaching level 500 is not an easy task.

[Collapsing Dead Wood Hill]

[Recommended Level: Lv.400~Lv.450]

[Collapse Rate: 3.1%]

[Man-eating Insect Habitat]

[Recommended Level: Lv.450]

[Collapse Rate: 10.1%]…….

I examine the major rifts generated at the current point in time.

Well, if it were like other players who hit and catch monsters in rifts all day. A slight change could occur in level and experience points maybe…….

As stated before, I don’t have time for that.

If I had two bodies maybe.

Because it was a fact that rifts of this level were inefficient compared to the time.

In that sense.

Finally, the installment savings I had carefully kept.

The time has come to break it!

[Experience points are accumulated in the Decisive Battle Weapon Quernberg Machine Tower.]

[Reputation is accumulated in the Decisive Battle Weapon Quernberg Machine Tower.]

[You acquire the acquisition authority for the accumulated experience points and reputation.]

It is correct that it refers to the experience points and reputation accumulated in the Quernberg Machine Tower.

That grand plan of mine.

It implies I had conveyed it to Chainwalker through Hiel.

If I retrieve just one of them…….

‘……Wouldn’t the level shoot up by at least dozens of levels?’

Although the disappointment is great when the expectation is great, this time at least it’s worth anticipating.

It’s none other than Akshan’s decisive battle weapon.

The unparalleled Akshan that pushed back great evils and Demon Kings even in the overwhelmingly inferior numbers of the holy war.

“I will not forget your pride.”

Yes, I won’t forget and I will properly use it.

Of course, such a lengthy inner thought of mine.

Because I couldn’t transmit it to the dwarves including Chainwalker. I conveyed the words to Hiel as concisely as possible. Adding the Demonic Iron lastly as well.

‘There’s no reason to delay the smelting anymore.’

Demonic Iron, the mineral that becomes the material for Ego equipment.

As it possesses immense potential, how should it be smelted?

It was true that I was pondering.

First of all, what bothered me more than anything else was the level restriction.

‘Because no matter how good it is, it’s useless if I can’t equip it.’

If produced considering the level, its performance lacks.

If produced with performance as the top priority, it was obvious the level restriction would heighten.

I had no choice but to suffer from a dilemma.

However, I also gained enlightenment regarding this through experience.

Unconditionally, performance is the top priority!

The level 800 restriction item [Fang of the Wicked Earth Dragon].

Because I was the one who utilized an item I couldn’t even dare to equip with 『Magic』 and [Aesthetics]. Was it thanks to the power of items, the destructive power could absolutely not be ignored. It would be the same for the Ego equipment that will be made by smelting Demonic Iron.

‘……Wait, wouldn’t the usability heighten further if it has an ego?’

For a moment, a plausible possibility came to mind but.

It’s not too late to think about it later with the completed Ego equipment in front of me.

In that sense, entrusting the smelting of Demonic Iron to the dwarves was a very wise judgment, Ho-yeol.

Although the last words I added to Hiel weren’t very wise.

-“Also tell them that I will pay whatever the labor cost is.”

That damned whatever the cost!

As if to prove I’m a noble, I’m bound to spend the money I gathered with clean integrity like a high official.

Anyway, since I already spouted it.

I have no choice but to just pray it lives up to the smelting cost.

“I do not doubt your belief.”

I slowly got up from my seat.

Because the appointment time was nearing.

Although I do not doubt the dwarves’ technological prowess and pride in the slightest.

A person’s inner thoughts are also unknowable as a rule.

It means it can only be known by facing them directly.

My destination is the AAU South Korea Branch.

Lightly adjusting my attire.

Before long, I straightened my posture stiffly and raised my magic power.

I manifested a portal.

“As I said, time is like tea enjoyed in the afternoon.”

Which means.

Now that it’s the afternoon, it is a particularly precious hour among the 24 hours.

Everyone, I eagerly hope you keep the appointment time well.

This is my boomer energy that didn’t even mind the Chief Mages who were called superhumans at the Mage Tower. Meaning it’s not something I can restrain just because it’s in front of the AAU Branch Directors…….

*

AAU South Korea Branch.

Main Conference Room.

The first to arrive was the AAU London Branch Director, Baker Chaat.

Baker found Park Min-jae and smiled brightly.

“Mr. Park, your complexion has improved a lot!”

That gentleman wasn’t such an affectionate gentleman though?

It was the UK that was uncooperative even while affiliated with the AAU.

It was the same for the Branch Director, Baker.

At least in Park Min-jae’s memory.

It felt like the first time he saw Baker smiling.

“You arrived early. Branch Director Baker-nim.”

“I truly owe you a lot.”

“What do you mean owe. Could it be, are you talking about Player Lee Ho-yeol?”

As expected, there was a separate reason he was glad, wasn’t there?

Piling up unnecessary misunderstandings in a situation where the person involved is attending is strictly forbidden.

Park Min-jae quickly let go of the hand he shook and continued speaking.

“You might not believe it, but it’s my first time seeing him today as well.”

“Yes, it’s our first meeting, right? It’s my first time facing you, Mr. Park!”

“……No, not that, I mean it’s the first time even I am seeing Player Lee Ho-yeol directly.”

“Ah, you meant it like that!”

Only then did Baker notice the reason Park Min-jae was restless.

However, the greeting just now was not a greeting of gratitude directed at Ho-yeol.

“In that case, there is no need to decline.”

“……?”

“Because I have no intention of conveying my heart with just a few words like now.”

Possessed by a demon.

The moment Baker became aware of that fact.

Was after hearing the entire story from Shureig.

As an ordinary person, his mental strength was inevitably lower than players.

Hence, he was in a state where even his consciousness didn’t remain because the initiative was completely taken away by the demon.

‘Lee Ho-yeol saved such me.’

No, beyond that, he saved London.

Saying he owes him, repaying the favor with one word of greeting would indeed be an ungentlemanly act.

It wasn’t just himself.

On the same day, the Prime Minister who was swept up in the rift.

Even the Queen had conveyed the same intention to him.

“Mr. Park.”

“Yes, I am listening. Branch Director Baker-nim.”

“From now on, our UK will take action.”

“……If you say action?”

Is he saying they will take an independent route in earnest like China?

Park Min-jae, who was tense for a moment.

It was merely a groundless fear.

Because an familiar word popped out of Baker’s mouth.

“I mean, we will move according to our pride.”

“……!”

It was the moment the two men finished a meaningful conversation.

The Branch Directors of each country gathered in time for the impending hour.

Indeed, it was just as Park Min-jae predicted.

‘Everyone probably had no choice but to rush over frantically.’

A closed emergency meeting unknown to the outside.

If they did not attend.

There was no way to know what was discussed at the meeting.

Not any other player, but skipping a meeting Lee Ho-yeol attends?

It was unknown what kind of top-secret information they would miss out on.

Of course, progressing further, they would also have their own ulterior motives.

‘Especially the USA.’

The USA was the only country where two AAU branches existed, in the East and West. It would have been fine if only one of the two attended but. Seeing that both Branch Directors explicitly expressed their intention to attend…….

For some reason, it felt like their inner thoughts were clearly visible.

Tremble tremble.

‘It’s not that I’m being wronged, but it naturally bothers me.’

A brief moment of Park Min-jae shaking his legs in tension.

Before he knew it, it became the exact hour, the appointment time.

At that moment, the air changed to the extent that everyone could notice.

Wooooong!

A cluster of light of magic power wavered in midair.

Lee Ho-yeol revealed his appearance from the portal.

Even though they hadn’t coordinated beforehand.

Everyone got up from their seats.

Starting with Baker.

Clap clap clap

The sound of applause burst out from everywhere.

It was so.

Leaving aside interests, the active role Ho-yeol showed was an action perfectly matching the founding purpose of the AAU. Sending praises to the appearance of a true hero was extremely natural.

However, the sound of applause was not long.

Although the sudden applause could have been burdensome.

Because Ho-yeol opened his mouth with an expression lacking even a sliver of change.

“Due to time constraints, I will skip the welcoming.”

With a cold voice.

Because of that, the atmosphere cooled down rapidly.

More than that, Ho-yeol’s colder gaze headed towards the conference room clock.

Soon after, words no one expected followed.

“Also, I have no words to share with those who could not even strictly observe the time.”

“……!!!”

And simultaneously.

Even though no one touched it.

The conference room door closed firmly.

Thud!

.

.

.

Good.

There is no route of retreat now.

Demons, raise your heads.