Chapter 173 – Who Do You Think We Are (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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[69th Throne]

[Recommended Level: Lv.700~750]

[Collapse Progress: 24.8%]

New York.

A rift generated right in the middle of the city.

The collapse progress was telling how intense the situation occurring inside the rift was.

However, there was no hesitation. The ones who took the lead were the paladins of the Goddess Order.

Talim shouted.

“All troops, raise your shields!”

Clank!

“The moment we enter, we become the public enemy!”

Phadondon and Jurbal.

It was obviously expected that the pincer attack of the two named monsters approaching level 800 would pour down. The players swallowed dry saliva. The pressure inside the rift touched their skin.

“……This, we’d have just died a sudden death, wouldn’t we?”

If they had entered putting only motivation forward.

Let alone clearing it, it would’ve ended without even properly resisting once.

But the shield of the Goddess was surrounding them.

Not only that.

“Huhu, such manifestation is new!”

“Restrain yourself, Experienced Mage Jibril.”

“Ah, yes. Senior Maia.”

The Senior and Experienced Mages of the Mage Tower.

Their massive magic power made the shields even more solid. It was an unbelievable sight even while confirming it with messages, witnessing it with eyes, and feeling it through the skin.

“…….”

“Shureig, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“!”

Second Sun.

At his colleague’s words, Shureig snapped out of his sentiment.

And then let out a smile.

“Just, I had some useless thoughts for a moment.”

“Useless thoughts in a situation like this? It’s not like you.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

The thought, is it possible for me, Second Sun, and the players to become as strong as their level. Shureig soon shook his head.

If Ho-yeol saw his current state.

‘He would have been furious saying my pride has dulled.’

Back during the dungeon rift when he didn’t even know the existence of sword aura.

His past self who was much weaker than now.

However, Ho-yeol gave him certainty.

Doesn’t that result dwell within the fleuret.

Soon, Shureig’s eyes shone with determination.

“Everyone watch closely. We don’t have the qualification to be surprised or rejoice at their consideration. Since we can’t depend on the Arcana continent forever.”

Nod

With resolve, everyone entered the rift.

At the same time, the vision reversed.

Rift.

A space where the Arcana continent and reality are mixed half and half.

The complex city center of New York had somehow become painted in blood.

Green flames soaring from cracked asphalt floors.

Cries of demons heard from all over.

They could vividly realize it.

“……So if the rift collapses, this becomes reality, right?”

For the majority of players, it was their first time entering a rift with this much of a recommended level.

It was also their first time standing in front of such high-level demon-type monsters.

“Just what kind of thought process…….”

True respect couldn’t help but well up.

Reliable colleagues.

On top of that, even now entering together with the paladins of the Goddess Order, and even the mages of the Mage Tower, they felt their bodies and minds overwhelmed by fear.

To think he has been clearing these kinds of rifts alone.

But the admiration didn’t last long.

The moment they entered the rift as Talim warned.

The demons’ gazes focused on the intruders.

Talim shouted.

“Adventurers, do you see it?”

Clang!

Talim’s sword pointed towards the sky.

To be exact, it pointed at the throne floating in the sky.

“That is exactly the objective of the Demon King Continental Clash. The demon who occupies that throne is reborn as the king of demons, the Demon King.”

“!!!”

So that’s why the inside of the rift was full of blood?

Because the demons were fighting each other?

One of the players muttered.

“……Then wouldn’t it have been better to ambush later?”

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Y’know, isn’t there a saying like fighting poison with poison (이이제이)?

However, Talim spoke firmly.

“We do not dance to the king’s play of the demons. Whether it’s a demon wishing to sit on the throne, or a demon interfering with it. To us, they are merely demons that must be burned entirely!”

He raised his sword toward the demons.

“Because that is the resolve of the Arcana continent trampled by those bastards, and us Arcana people. It means the weight we carry is different from a mere king’s play. Advance, Knights of the Goddess!”

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.

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[58th Throne]

[Recommended Level: Lv.800]

[Collapse Progress: 26%]

Bensch and Bangrit.

The two Senior Mages looked at the demons.

Bensch frowned.

“What do you think, Senior Bangrit?”

“What is it?”

“I’m saying, did you think this kind of thing would happen after entering the Mage Tower. I never even imagined it myself. Up to a situation like this.”

“If it’s about that, it’s the same for me.”

Let’s see, the reason Bangrit entered the Mage Tower was simply because he didn’t want to starve. To give him food, a place to sleep, and even allow him to study magic.

To the young Bangrit, the Mage Tower was a place no different from heaven.

“Truly.”

However, to Bangrit, the Mage Tower was excessively cold-hearted.

To the point where the young Bangrit grew up twisted.

That cold-heartedness was the same even after becoming a Senior Mage.

Especially the feeling when struck in the back of the head by the Elder Mages!

Bangrit asked back.

“So are you feeling bad, Senior Bensch-nim?”

“No. No way.”

Smirk

Bensch raised the corners of his mouth.

In his hand held a top-tier magic tool, [Miniature Magic Sun].

Bensch’s pupils flashed like the sun.

How long has it been, this sensation!

“I am rather satisfied.”

Bensch was excessively honest.

Where would that honesty go?

He had written his exact purpose on the exit application form.

The purpose of leaving the tower was obvious as you can see.

Leaving the tower for the rational taking out of high-tier magic tools.

“Though I didn’t know I would get permission in this way, well.”

Isn’t what’s good, good?

Bensch’s gaze, having muttered that, moved back to the demons.

Responding to the magic power flowing out from Bensch.

[Miniature Magic Sun] started to rotate.

“Senior Bangrit, I used to think often.”

“?”

“Why must mages of the Mage Tower be bound to the Mage Tower? Because of rules? Just what kind of bastard made those nonsensical rules?”

Exploring the realm and truth of magic is fine.

But to completely sever ties with the secular world the moment one enters the Mage Tower. What kind of nonsensical logic is that? In that sense, Bensch liked the change in the Mage Tower.

“I am always thankful to the Chief.”

If it wasn’t for Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

Even if the Arcana continent became this state, I probably would have been stuck in the Mage Tower flipping through magic books.

However, thanks to the Chief, he came to face the reality he had been turning away from. He became able to set right the distorted reality.

And on top of that…….

Bensch’s gaze headed to the players who stepped back.

“Please watch properly. You all can become like me too. In order not to repeat the mistakes of the Arcana continent. You all absolutely must grow.”

……That line just now, didn’t it sound a bit like the Chief?

As you can see, he even got the chance to assert his authority as a senior.

As Bensch unknowingly put strength into his shoulders, Bangrit clicked his tongue.

“Even so, don’t get too excited.”

Sorting out his breathing.

Bangrit hadn’t forgotten the plan.

Bangrit also raised his magic power.

The target was also naturally the demons aiming for the throne.

“If you don’t wish for this tower exit to be your last.”

“Yes? No, Senior Bangrit. Why are you saying such hurtful words? I know it too, Chief’s plan! But looking at it, someone might think Senior Bangrit got your exit application form passed or something?”

“Mine did get passed.”

“……Yes?! What, is that true? Why only me?!”

.

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The number of Demon Kings hunted by me and Akshan’s Demon Hunters is twelve.

The floating thrones and rifts were also twelve.

I looked at a rift that was just generated.

[20th Throne]

[Recommended Level: Lv.1,000]

[Collapse Progress: 33.3%]

The more I think back, the more amazing they are, Akshan seniors.

To send ten-odd Demon Kings to Hell even after getting betrayed so badly from behind in the holy war.

To think the 20th ranked Demon King is mixed in there too!

Respect for the seniors wells up so much that the gap of over a decade feels pointless. Especially looking at the recommended level approaching four digits.

‘Just what level was it really?’

I can feel that the demons haven’t been cowering until Akshan was exterminated for nothing. Of course, rendering those waiting years pointless, you guys made one mistake though.

I adjusted my attire.

“Regardless of life or death, pride continues.”

Because, I, the last survivor of Akshan, am perfectly alive.

And because armed groups considered top-tier even on the Arcana continent were with me.

Therefore, there was no worry for me.

Actually, wouldn’t it be strange to worry.

Why, I got a rough estimate through experience.

Because I had the experience of trampling three [Demon King’s Castle] rifts in just a few minutes.

Even if the number of rifts increased and the number of demons appearing increased. Those guys weren’t Demon Kings. It meant they were just named monsters, not boss mobs yet.

Of course, there was an even more important plan for this [Demon King Continental Clash].

I realized it for sure during the [Demon King’s Castle] rifts.

That demons are truly an ignorant species.

Three Demon Kings died, yet rather than taking it as a lesson.

To think they’re considering taking the throne!

Granfel doesn’t call them an inferior species for nothing.

I’m saying he doesn’t attach the modifier ‘inferior’ to the end of his every word for no reason.

Look at them even now.

“……?”

They meet my eyes and still can’t grasp the situation.

[Nine-headed Hellhound: Lv.900]

[Anaconda that swallowed a Great Demon: Lv.920]

[Demon Realm Legendary Species, Screaming Bird: Lv.900]

The three true-name demons, named monsters that were tangled and fighting.

As per the update log, their levels are fierce.

Above all, they know their own strength well.

That’s why they likely challenged the 20th ranked throne.

Of course, it’s natural to have doubts.

“What are you?”

Anyway, a snake speaking respectfully, huh.

I don’t know who the Great Demon it swallowed is, but it’s equipped with etiquette.

So it definitely lives up to its level?

The intimidating aura felt from it is different from the demons I’ve seen so far.

Well, it makes sense it would stop fighting and ask a question.

Because I had just entered the rift single-handedly.

That doubt.

“Oh, aren’t you a Demon Hunter?”

Even if it figures out I am their natural enemy, a Demon Hunter, things won’t change much.

The snake’s eyes turned white and it continued speaking.

“Even though I clearly witnessed your end through the vision of the Demonic Eye. What a strange matter, you. Why are you alive? Pitiful Demon Hunter.”

Of course, even if it has etiquette.

A demon is a demon.

No way Granfel’s personality would mix words with it.

“Is that so. Seeing that chilly gaze makes me even more certain. As expected, you are the Demon Hunter who scattered heroically along with millions of demons. I don’t know how you resurrected, but what a joyful event!”

The dog and bird also seemed to listen to the snake’s words.

Sss

Is it because of its size, the sound of it flicking its tongue sounds majestic.

As befitting the highest level among the three, the snake spoke arrogantly.

“A feast fitting to taste while sitting on the throne!”

Kyaak!

In an instant, the snake’s snout opened wide.

Even until then, I didn’t move a single step.

Though I was alone in the rift.

If there had been watching eyes, I would really have nothing to say even if I was called a madman.

Because even Nam Chul-min, who knows me to be at least level 900, tried to dissuade me from entering.

-“Ho-yeol-ssi, no matter if it’s part of the plan, the risk is too high. Even considering Ho-yeol-ssi’s level, facing three named monsters like that alone is…….”

Indeed, entrusting the AAU Yusra branch to Nam Chul-min was a good move.

Like an analyst, he tried to persuade me by bringing up patterns of Arcana named monsters as examples.

Of course, he couldn’t break my stubbornness though.

Since I said ‘me’, this wasn’t purely due to Granfel’s pride.

Because it was also what I, Lee Ho-yeol, desired.

Meaning I entered the rift single-handedly.

[Natural Enemy Relationship].

[Blessing of the First World Tree].

[Pentagram Brooch].

Overflowing with confidence thanks to the thorough preparations?

No, how could that be.

Granfel who fears nothing in the world might be, but not me.

Even if I’m plastered with buffs and item prowess, clearing a rift with a recommended level of one thousand (一千) alone?

Because I know very well that it’s impossible.

It was so.

It means there is a reasonable reason.

From the moment I entered the rift and witnessed the throne.

The quest window that had been blinking.

─Witness the throne that fell into Hell. (Success)

A new quest objective popped up below it.

I could know without even checking.

Because I had the information acquired through [『Marvel』].

Gooooo

The Hellfire swaying on the floor even at this moment.

The moment I first witnessed the throne, I had a doubt.

Even the throne escapes from Hell.

Why is it said that demons cannot escape from Hell?

That doubt didn’t last long.

The information of the Arcana Continent Chronicle delivered by the AAU.

Because I witnessed it in those documents.

The settings of Arcana, Hell.

[Hell: The afterlife where demons hunted by Demon Hunters fall. Demons fallen to Hell can never resurrect again. Even if the gates of Hell are opened, they can never escape Hell.]

Because I recalled it.

The words of the Akshan Demon Hunter.

『When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you? Even if we fall into evil and become a demon. We merely hunt demons. Because that is the path of a Demon Hunter.』

Hunting a Demon Hunter who has become a demon is also a Demon Hunter.

Then where does a Demon Hunter who became a demon go when they die?

Naturally, they would fall into Hell no different from a demon.

But you see.

Isn’t there a saying I, Granfel, have repeatedly chattered about since old times?

“Not even death can break pride.”

Yes, as if proving those words.

The quest objective popped up.

─Encounter the Demon Hunter of Hell. (In Progress)

Gooooo

At the same time, the fire of Hell soared even fiercer.

─Encounter the Demon Hunter of Hell. (Success)

A message popped up.

[Conditions have been met.]

[Rewards will be provided.]

[You have acquired the Class Unique Skill, ‘Will of Akshan’.]

“Is that not so? Akshan.”

As if responding to my question.

From within the flames of Hell.

The sound of a crossbow being loaded was heard.

Clank!