Chapter 163 – Another Natural Enemy Relationship (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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I strolled through the Mage Tower with Mathis.

Although even saying strolled was just a few stairs.

Now there is no time to sit leisurely and converse.

“I have something to tell you, Chief Lee Ho-yeol.”

The topic of conversation was naturally the elf. Not lacking compared to Yugweed or Marcelo, Mathis also seemed to know a lot regarding elves. There was a reason for that.

“It was the period when I wandered the continent for the establishment of Black Magic Studies.”

It seemed Mathis left the tower more frequently than other mages.

Now that I’ve been entrusted with the full authority for leaving the tower, as long as the reason is plausible. I mean, as long as one doesn’t write down nonsense like Banshee William, leaving the tower was not an impossible matter.

‘However, in the Mage Tower of the past, leaving the tower was not a common occurrence.’

It must be proof that the expectations the Mage Tower had for Mathis were high.

Before Marcelo’s appearance.

Because Mathis was considered a strong candidate for the next Chief Mage.

“I occasionally encountered passages regarding elves in ancient books.”

“Do you remember those contents?”

“I do.”

Summarizing Mathis’s consecutive words was simple.

……Elves, they are no joke, aren’t they?

In a word, in the Arcana worldview, elves were one of the only two selected races. Along with the undisputed strongest creature of Arcana, the dragon!

Flawless appearance is basic.

They are born from the World Tree in the appearance of adults.

Their physical and mental abilities are at a level unapproachable by humans.

Put simply, a race that had all the good things attached to them was exactly the elves.

That alone would have been enough but.

There’s a reason they say the haves want more?

“It was passed down that they are entities who enjoy eternal years just like dragons. Of course, because it is merely a legend. No one can know the truth but.”

The moment I heard those words, the back of my neck turned cold.

……So it means elves with such abilities have no manners? Quietly staying in a place called Sisley, then suddenly jumping out to the Arcana continent, and as if that wasn’t enough, into reality too.

My head throbbed, but I couldn’t show it.

I spouted nonchalantly.

Then I entered the portal Mathis manifested.

“Then it will be a good opportunity to confirm the truth.”

No manners…….

No, in a situation where I’ll be facing an elf, it wouldn’t be good to unnecessarily consume magic power. Before long, the abruptly changing vision. Before long, I ended up admiring my judgment.

The smell of blood burrowing into my sense of smell.

The large body covered in wounds, Lockid.

Lastly, even the players.

As expected, it was a good thing I saved my magic power.

“Stop.”

More than anything else, my snout jumped out first.

……Because I spat it out before thinking, as always.

It seems I’ve really encountered a big problem with this.

Seeing that [Natural Enemy Relationship] did not activate, the demons must have been dealt with.

The problem is those countless demons.

Who knocked them down in this fleeting moment?

I can guess just by looking at the atmosphere.

First of all, the players probably couldn’t do anything. Since there would be no player capable of taking on level 900 demon monsters other than me at the current point in time.

And it probably isn’t Lockid either.

Unless he moved after predicting the future.

Because it would be an impossible matter time-wise.

Then there is only one possibility.

That elf defeated all the demons by himself.

As if that wasn’t enough, he made Lockid into that state.

The reason?

I don’t know such a thing. However, it is natural that Granfel’s pride couldn’t just stand still and watch such a sight. That’s probably why I spat out words abruptly first.

‘……And the aftermath is left for me to handle.’

Let’s think coldly.

Could I fight against that elf?

When even Lockid of the Shadow Mercenaries ended up in that state.

As if that would be possible.

It’d be a different story if [Natural Enemy Relationship] were activated at least.

Since my specialty is grasping my subject matter.

It means I am well aware that I can absolutely not win.

Then what about the corner I believe in, Mathis?

The surging heterogeneous magic power.

Is it that the strong recognize the strong?

Mathis seemed intent on going all out right from the start.

For a moment, the Dragon Demon War popping into my head.

The dragon that gifted defeat to the unparalleled Mage Tower.

And the existence treated similarly to such a dragon is an elf.

I finally realized what kind of action I’ve committed.

Anyway, I’m earning a beating with words……!

However, there is no further self-reproach.

Because it was quite burdensome to blame Granfel even if the elf before my eyes was burdensome. Let’s load magic power first. Even if I reached the realm of sword force, there’s no need to engage in the close combat the opponent wants…….

It was the moment I was frantically racking my brain.

[Hierarchy of Blessing occurs to the Elf, Elsidore.]

As the message popped up before my eyes.

……Flinch!

“!”

The elf stopped just like that.

The one surprised more than anyone else was neither me nor Mathis, but the person involved.

Elf, according to the information popped up on the message, it must be Elsidore.

Elsidore spoke with a trembling voice.

“……Just what are you?”

Lee Ho-yeol.

It wouldn’t be a difficult matter to just answer my name.

But not even ‘you (polite)’ but ‘you (casual)’.

I am someone who would never answer an unformatted question.

But, for some reason, it seems what he was curious about wasn’t my name.

“How dare a mere human like you take Mother’s blessing……!!”

For a moment, words brushing past my mind.

[Blessing of the First World Tree].

[Hierarchy of Blessing].

[Elf].

Finally, I ended up realizing.

‘Was the Blessing of the First World Tree related to elves?’

What made the guess into a certainty was the effect of the blessing.

Even if I pass over the effects of health and magic power regeneration as plausible. It was to the extent that an effect of a higher concept than ‘affinity’ called ‘refusal’ was incomprehensible.

[The Blessing of the First World Tree refuses aging.]

There was no separate reason why elves live eternal lives.

Elsidore spewed killing intent towards me.

“I cannot tolerate it. I cannot acknowledge it.”

“……?”

“I will definitely take Mother’s blessing back from a bastard like you.”

Mathis, listening quietly by the side, seemed bewildered.

That’s understandable.

He had gathered heterogeneous magic power to the utmost but.

Not to mention Elsidore freezing up.

It would just feel like he was spitting out words about a blessing or something.

I shifted my gaze from Elsidore.

I looked around.

And then said to Elsidore.

“Was your objective solely the blessing.”

“What did you say?”

“Did you commit such atrocities because of the blessing.”

Everywhere is drenched with Lockid’s blood.

Even the faces of players turned white from fear.

However, Elsidore showed no signs of realizing it in the slightest.

“You’re spouting incomprehensible words.”

Incomprehensible?

“I merely trampled on them because they blocked my path. Be it demon, or human.”

To me, Lee Ho-yeol, they were words I could tolerate.

However, Granfel was different.

I spoke to Mathis.

“Mathis, may I ask you to heal Lockid?”

“I will follow your words.”

“Thank you.”

Everything has a procedure.

Dealing with Elsidore is good too, but treating the injury of Lockid, who suffered a fatal wound, is the priority. Even if it’s an employment relationship, he was also a precious combat power participating in the holy war.

I continued speaking to Elsidore.

“Apart from the reason, I will strictly hold you accountable for this action.”

“How arrogant. To the point where I want to sever your breath right this moment.”

“I will also reflect the attitude where not an ounce of formality can be found.”

“……Formality?”

“I will also reflect that you stole my afternoon time.”

“……?”

Elsidore’s forehead wrinkled.

He must be wondering what kind of bullshit I’m talking about.

Sure, leaving the others aside.

Because he wouldn’t be able to guess in the slightest that I was angry about teatime.

However, put yourself in my shoes.

“Was this trivial blessing so coveted by you.”

You too were the one who spat out bullshit abruptly.

Not knowing about the blessing.

Swinging a sword meant it was an indulgence crossing the line.

At my question, Elsidore’s face distorted even more.

“I don’t know how you snatched our blessing, but do not gloat as if it were yours from the beginning. You do not know. What meaning Mother’s blessing held.”

You’re speaking straight.

Yes, even if I know the effect of the World Tree’s blessing, I do not know its meaning.

However, no matter how outstanding the effect of the World Tree’s blessing has. I have no intention of stabbing unrelated people because of the blessing like you.

As long as pride exists in this heart.

“I have no need for something like a blessing.”

Furthermore, to Granfel who has lofty self-esteem, having something like a blessing was fine, and not having it was fine too. Elsidore’s voice began to tremble roughly.

Uncontrollable killing intent began to flow out.

“……Such nonsensical words.”

[Hierarchy of Blessing].

Even if I don’t know the exact effect, let’s just be thankful for now.

Because I could spout shamelessly like this thanks to completely suppressing Elsidore’s movements. Of course, my inner feeling of relief didn’t show on the outside.

I murmured nonchalantly as always.

“However, I understand.”

“……?”

The elf whose insides are burning after having his blessing taken away, Elsidore.

“To you who have lost pride, the blessing would be as good as not having it.”

“……!”

On top of fanning the flames.

“It means it is a natural procedure for you to be abandoned by the World Tree.”

“!!!”

I poured oil on it.

.

.

.

Tragedy.

The sight of Lockid being mangled by the elf was exceedingly cruel.

To the extent that it couldn’t be broadcast on regular television.

On behalf of Kichi, who had collapsed on the table drunk, Wolf opened his mouth.

“Everyone prepare. We will be indebted to you again this time, old man.”

“Just when I thought it was quiet, an incident broke out, I see.”

“……That’s why I told him so many times not to act out!!”

“Ah, annoying.”

A relationship bound by contract or money.

There was no such thing as friendship among the members of the Shadow Mercenaries.

However, the death of a member soon meant the loss of honor for the Shadow Mercenaries.

It meant they couldn’t just sit and watch Lockid suffer like that.

Gulp

Alkari gulped down a potion and raised his magic power.

Even during that, the video was floating on the screen.

It was also a broadcast from a Net Tuber player at the battlefield.

The 3rd seat, Henderson coldly evaluated the battle.

“There’s no chance of winning, yeah!”

Henderson.

If Lockid was an axe, Henderson was a martial artist wielding a giant hammer.

Therefore, it was Henderson who knew Lockid’s brute strength better than anyone else.

“Maybe even with us it might not be enough!”

Blocking Lockid’s strike with a single shabby sword.

That alone was surprising.

Unlike Lockid who resolved himself for death, the elf wasn’t even using his full power.

Click

Wolf loaded his crossbow and spoke.

“Whatever it is, you don’t know until you try.”

“Haha! That’s a true statement but!”

“By the way, old man, I am not trying to rush you but…….”

High-level magic, Portal.

I know it’s not easy to manifest.

Still, if time dragged on any longer, Lockid was in danger.

Alkari let out a ragged breath.

“You expect too much from an old man who isn’t even a mage. It’s because your standards got higher looking at the Mage Tower mages and Sir Ho-yeol. Portal manifestation is a magic that requires immense concentration from the exploration process. Do you guys know?”

A pouring of nagging.

Anyway, it meant he was doing his best.

It was the moment Wolf was being patient while shaking his leg.

“U, uhhuh?!”

The Golden Calf Tavern that had plunged into silence.

Voices expressing disbelief leaked out from everywhere.

The movement of magic power wavering on the screen.

Because of a portal.

“……Old man?”

Could you have done it, the old man was just complaining for nothing.

Wolf looked toward Alkari and flinched.

“It’s just the interference process now. Still a long way to go. Wait.”

That was not Alkari’s portal.

Amidst the cluster of light of magic power.

The ones who recognized the identity first were the players.

“I, it’s Lee Ho-yeol!!”

……Sir Ho-yeol?

It wasn’t strange for Ho-yeol to appear where demons appeared.

From great evils to Demon Kings.

Because he was always there where demons appeared.

However, the strange occurrence was just starting.

“Wolf, are you seeing this! That monster stopped!”

Just like he did to Lockid, without questions and answers.

The elf that rushed at Ho-yeol had stopped just like that.

Thinking it might be magic, they looked at the 6th seat, Isabelma but.

Shake shake

She shook her head.

It meant no magic power was felt.

Complaints erupted from everywhere.

“What is he saying? I can’t hear a thing!”

“Seems like it’s because it’s filmed from afar.”

“……I guess it’d be too much to ask them to film this up close?”

Ho-yeol and the Elf.

It seemed the two were conversing about something, but no sound was heard. However, the Shadow Mercenaries had an excellent informant who could guess the content of the conversation just by mouth movements.

The 9th seat, Dechev opened his mouth.

“He asked the accompanying mage to treat Lockid.”

“!”

“And……. He says he will strictly hold him accountable?”

Although the screen was uneven and he couldn’t grasp the entire conversation.

That alone was enough.

Wolf involuntarily let out a small laugh.

“It’s been a while since we had a client who worries about mercenaries.”

At that moment, Alkari shouted.

“Done, everyone hurry up!”

Portal manifestation.

There was no more patience.

The eyes of all the members of the Shadow Mercenaries including Wolf changed.

‘No matter if it’s Sir Ho-yeol.’

Wolf had a grasp on Ho-yeol’s physical abilities. Marksmansthip and the ability to learn things was unmatched, but comparing just simple physical abilities at current point in time…….

‘He was definitely below Lockid.’

To face the elf who overwhelmed such Lockid?

Even if it’s Sir Ho-yeol, it absolutely won’t be easy.

Wolf made a judgment in his head.

Combat experience as numerous as Wolf’s.

The thoughts of the other members were not vastly different.

“It’d be better to suppress him with lightning speed!”

Engaging with full power right from the start.

The moment the Shadow Mercenaries raised their weapons.

The battlefield came into view.

To be accurate.

“……Sir Ho-yeol?”

They saw Ho-yeol who made the elf kneel.

.

.

.

I ended up becoming aware.

[Hierarchy of Blessing].

Isn’t this an exclusive natural enemy skill even worse than [Natural Enemy Relationship]?