Chapter 176 – Nothing Happened……?

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Superior Demon King.

It truly is a damn weight class.

The stat points invested in magic power so far, and on top of that, even with [Natural Enemy Relationship] activated right now. My magic power shouldn’t be at a level where its bottom is revealed with just regular magic.

Messages popped up endlessly.

[The Blessing of the First World Tree rejects ‘Magic Power Exhaustion’.]

[The Blessing of the First World Tree rejects ‘Magic Power Exhaustion’.]

[The Blessing of the First World Tree rejects ‘Magic Power Exhaustion’.]…….

If it weren’t for the Blessing of the World Tree. Let alone my legs giving out, I would have collapsed on the floor long ago even if I plunged forward. It is a terrifying magic power consumption rate, truthfully.

‘More than that.’

What made me flinch was the fact that Gamigin, that guy, is resisting [『Marvel』] even a little. He was enduring the marvel purely with his weight class.

Do I even need to explain the power of the marvel?

‘The guy I met in the Crack of the Shattered Dimension was like that too.’

Even Karimzeba couldn’t properly resist the marvel where two completely different concepts combined.

Kugugugung!

I racked my brain coldly.

……If I didn’t have the [Blessing of the First World Tree], would I have been able to bring down Gamigin? No, even if I frantically squeezed out my magic power, it would have stopped at making him stagger.

But I stopped those kinds of thoughts.

“The groveling posture is exactly the appearance fitting for you.”

Whether it’s the effect of buffs.

Whether it’s thanks to pride.

Whether it’s a reward for my desperate struggles.

Whether it’s because of Granfel’s setting of absolutely keeping the words he spat out.

I made the Demon King of the 4th Throne, Gamigin.

That guy kneel down.

Only then did I see that guy’s eyes.

The moment I saw them, I could realize.

The Demonic Eye (魔眼) of the sky that looked down on the Arcana continent.

In Gamigin’s eyes, pupils looking exactly like the Demonic Eye were shining.

‘Horrifying.’

The [Telescope of the Demonic Eye] that shares the vision of the Demonic Eye illuminates the entire Arcana continent.

One of the reasons the Arcana continent couldn’t be ignored for surviving until now must be because the Demonic Eye only opens its eyes at night.

If I had let Gamigin go like this.

‘There would be no more safe time frames on the Arcana continent.’

If so, let alone the Quernberg Machine Tower, even the Iron Castle wouldn’t have been safe.

In that sense, you did well, Granfel.

Storm and Stress. (질풍노도)

Holier-than-thou. (천상천하 유아독존 – The one and only under the heavens)

Unbreaking in front of anyone.

My dark history has accomplished something today as well.

And.

“Akshan.”

Actually, I had already reached my limit.

At the point when I made Gamigin grovel flat, it meant it was impossible to manifest any more magic or even twitch a finger.

“□□!”

However, Gamigin was steadily falling to Hell.

More accurately, he was being dragged.

Because the fire of Hell that burns all demons began to wrap around Gamigin and pull him down to Hell.

Gooooo

In the middle of that Hellfire were the Demon Hunters.

Unlike me, there were the Demon Hunters of Akshan who would continue their endless hunting even in Hell.

‘But if a person called them, shouldn’t they at least pretend to look?’

I was slightly disappointed that they didn’t even look at me, but they had to be like that to be Akshan.

Indeed, they were unfriendly enough to bring back the memories from over ten years ago.

However.

“I will entrust the rest to you.”

That’s why I can trust them.

Akshan, knowing that they would rather break than bend.

Knowing that they would drown embracing their pride rather than abandon it.

Kkadeudeudeuk!

Gamigin sinking through the cracks.

The slowly fading Hellfire.

The closing gates of Hell.

When the Exorcism Ritual ended, the stopped time finally flows.

The rift that had been stopped properly began to shatter.

‘I am tired.’

It’s probably the recoil of pouring out a massive amount of magic power that couldn’t be handled even with the Blessing of the World Tree.

Damn it, I felt like my body was going to collapse at any moment.

But unlike Gamigin who made a fuss at the Hellfire.

I’ve been acting fine, acting calm since the days when I didn’t have a rat’s tail to my name (was a nobody).

Because I’m surprisingly good at just that one thing.

Meaning I still have the mental fortitude to grasp etiquette…….

Tap tap.

Dusting off the dirt from my clothes lightly.

Having tidied my attire, I straightened my back upright.

Soon, my vision shifted…….

*

Rift cleared.

What was left for the players was neither massive experience points nor spoils, but an experience.

An experience that might be more precious than experience points or spoils.

“……The moment we mention it, players and Arcana people have revealed themselves from the rift! Everyone appears to be safe!”

In the middle of the surging crowd, the players realized again.

We really returned alive safely from that terrifyingly massive rift.

However, they couldn’t just rejoice outright.

Because something kept weighing on their minds.

“……Excuse me, can I ask you one thing?”

“?”

“Did you happen to see the message? The one that popped up at the end.”

“If you mean that, I witnessed it too.”

“As expected, so that’s why your expression was like that.”

The message that popped up simultaneously with the rift clearing.

[Demon King, □□□ appears.]

An appearance message that was clear even amidst the light of the rift.

Players knew appearance messages better than anyone.

From the days when Arcana was a game until now.

Because their lives depended on appearance messages.

“Usually, you’re supposed to run away, right?”

In a word, it was a warning.

A signal to hurry and run away because a monster higher than the recommended level had appeared in the designated area. Thanks to it, some players even breathed a sigh of relief.

“Exactly! Thank goodness the rift was cleared.”

But the relief soon turned into doubt.

Because the expressions of the Arcana people were unusual.

No, it wasn’t just the Arcana people.

Giant Alliance.

Since the three Guild Masters knew about the plan.

Nam Tae-min spoke up.

“Ho-yeol-ssi’s words were completely right. Seeing the appearance message popping up, it’s certain that a Superior Demon King resurrected. By using the demons we defeated as sacrifices.”

“……Then what happens next?”

“Just as planned, I suppose.”

“Fuck, that damn plan.”

Leonie hadn’t opposed that plan.

Because it would be walking on eggshells to oppose it alone.

However, she was resolved.

If a Superior Demon King appeared before her eyes.

She absolutely wouldn’t just stay still.

Grip

Hisagi gripped his spear shaft.

“But we didn’t even get a chance.”

It wasn’t just Leonie and Hisagi’s thoughts.

Including Nam Tae-min and Harkon, everyone just didn’t show it but they felt the same way.

Even the Shadow Mercenaries renowned under the heavens.

“Goddamn it.”

Grind.

Rockeed ground his teeth.

He had heard about the plan through Kichi and knew it.

Not only entering the rift alone, but he’d also hunt some monster called a Superior Demon King alone?

Simply speaking, didn’t it mean their high and mighty employer was going to act cool all by himself again?

“This isn’t enough to repay the debt.”

Rockeed was an avid viewer of the moving picture frames, the TV.

Thanks to that, Rockeed witnessed the whole story of that day when he fell to Elsidore.

He rewound and watched it several times and realized.

That even if he fought thousands of times, he couldn’t beat the big-eared guy.

And.

“Considering the ransom of this Rockeed-nim, it’s lacking by far!”

Even the fact that if the employer, Ho-yeol, hadn’t appeared, he would have died or become crippled for life. That’s why he wanted to quickly finish his assigned share and join Ho-yeol.

Plan?

I’ve never watched over something like that while living anyway.

“I definitely heard the sound of horse hooves, but…….”

However, just as something was about to begin in earnest.

He was kicked out of the rift.

Rockeed asked his partner, Alkali.

“Old man, let me ask you one thing.”

“What?”

“Is our Chief Commander a different existence from me?”

“……Are you talking about his looks?”

Is the geezer senile, just blindly saying bullshit…….

If only I hadn’t obtained a potion from him……!

Rockeed suppressed his anger and asked again.

“……Not that, I’m asking if someone becomes a Chief Commander do they develop a skill that prevents them from bouncing out of the rift?”

“Well, I don’t know since I’ve never had such a conversation with Sir Ho-yeol. So this is an old man’s guess but……. Even Sir Ho-yeol, let alone anyone else, probably wouldn’t be able to resist the rift.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Hehe, do you think you can resist something like that?”

Something like that……?

Rockeed recalled the rift.

Then he immediately nodded his head.

“Right, that thing boils with whims. Doesn’t it kick us into this kind of world, doesn’t it shift a large city like Frost in an instant!”

Yes, that would be impossible no matter how proficient one is in magic and overflowing with magic power. Even after nodding his head in understanding, the doubt still remained.

Rockeed scratched his complex head.

“Then, how is our Chief Commander going to catch it. That guy called a Superior Demon King?”

“Tsk.”

He has too many questions without even understanding properly.

Even to the point of being clueless.

‘If I knew that, would I be holding my breath here anxiously?’

It was the moment Alkali furrowed his brows.

New news was heard from the adventurers’ side.

“Wait, the last rift was cleared too?”

“What, where is the last rift?”

“20th Throne!”

“……!!”

If it’s the 20th Throne, it’s the rift Sir Ho-yeol entered……!

Those who knew about the plan couldn’t help but gulp nervously.

The rift was cleared, what it meant was one of two things.

Plan success or failure.

.

.

.

Portal manifestation.

[20th Throne].

Those who gathered at the location where the rift was generated witnessed.

Ho-yeol, standing upright differently from nowhere else.

As expected, nothing could be guessed from his appearance and expression.

Marcelo and Harkon exchanged glances.

Nod

They nodded and stepped towards Ho-yeol.

And asked Ho-yeol who still had his back turned.

However.

“Sir, the plan……?”

Even though they spoke politely, there was no answer.

An impossible occurrence considering Ho-yeol’s personality that emphasizes etiquette.

So they could soon realize.

“……Marcelo!”

At Harkon’s call, Marcelo did not hesitate.

A massive swaying magic power.

Marcelo manifested a portal.

.

.

.

The Mage Tower.

Belier opened her mouth.

“It seems he simply lost consciousness.”

Sighs erupted from everywhere.

To think Ho-yeol lost consciousness and fainted.

Because it was something they dared not even imagine.

Bangrit muttered in a stifled voice.

“……To think he was standing upright until the end.”

That was right.

Ho-yeol had fainted while standing upright.

Poke

Bensch poked Bangrit’s side with his elbow.

He whispered softly to Bangrit who grabbed his side.

“Bangrit, do you really have to show your commoner side like that?”

“……I’m sorry.”

“I’m not doing this to hear you say sorry! Think about the watching eyes. We are Senior Mages of the Mage Tower. Meaning we must never lose our dignity.”

Sniffle

Of course, the voice of Bensch giving the reprimand was also trembling unlike usual.

Truly, it was a situation no one expected.

Marcelo organized the situation.

“The fact that the Sir pushed himself to the point of losing consciousness is surely proof that he undertook the plan. Of course, we won’t know the result until the Sir wakes up.”

Harkon spoke bitterly.

“Truly like the Sir.”

Nam Tae-min, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“I don’t know if you are aware, but in our world, Ho-yeol-ssi is practically a symbol of peace. Because if Ho-yeol-ssi wavers, the world will waver.”

Nam Tae-min clenched his fists.

“……Because he must have known it better than anyone. He couldn’t fall even when he lost consciousness. He must have had no choice but to force himself, acting perfectly fine, to stand upright.”

Is it thanks to that consideration of Ho-yeol?

The only ones who knew Ho-yeol collapsed were those gathered here.

In other words, in this moment when Ho-yeol collapsed.

The world was intoxicated with the sweet news of victory.

Kichi brushed back her long straight hair.

‘You’re making us worry, you’re so guilty. Employer-nim.’

Shadow Mercenaries.

Since they weren’t the type to visit someone who is sick.

Kichi, the commander, visited the Mage Tower as a representative.

‘……Anyway, I’m guilty in the Mage Tower too.’

As expected, the Mage Tower was a suffocating space.

I don’t have any close friends, and the people I know are…….

Only Leonie, who I connected with during the meeting.

Kichi sneaked a peek at Leonie standing next to her.

‘But, our cute unni too…….’

Her condition is really not good.

Although I could only see the crown of her head because she was short.

The emotion was transmitted from her drooping shoulders.

Honestly, Kichi couldn’t understand.

‘No, shouldn’t you be happy? That human……. No, our Chief Commander coming back alive is amazing in itself, isn’t it? Fainting is no biggie. I drink myself into a stupor and faint every day.’

Whatever the result, this was a cheap price, this.

Kichi opened her mouth trying to ventilate the heavy atmosphere.

“More importantly, wouldn’t it be important for him to rest? Worrying by his side is fine too, but wouldn’t it be better to step aside soon.”

Belier, who had been observing Ho-yeol’s condition, said.

“That’s right, you might all get scolded if he wakes up.”

“……I’ll go first to return my magic tools.”

Dash

Bensch quickly left the separate room, and the others followed.

It was the moment Marcelo was about to take his last step.

Belier called out to stop him.

“Chief Marcelo.”

“I am listening, Senior Belier.”

“I’m not certain, but I felt I should tell you.”

“……?”

Sss

Only then did Belier’s magic power scatter from Ho-yeol’s body.

Soon, Belier continued with a voice full of conviction.

“I think Chief Lee has succeeded in the plan.”

“……How do you know that, Senior Belier?”

“Because the reason Chief Lee collapsed seems to be related to that.”

“If it is that……. Does it mean Chief Lee did not collapse simply from overexertion?”

Healing Magic Manifestation.

Thanks to it, Belier, who was examining Ho-yeol’s body with magic power, could feel it.

The mighty energy swaying near Ho-yeol’s heart……!

If it’s a mighty energy dwelling in a mage’s heart, it is undoubtedly.

Belier’s green eyes sparkled.

“It seems Chief Lee has defeated the Superior Demon King according to plan and grown one step further as a mage……!”

That was right.

That was a mage who has reached a level.

It was clearly the 『Circle』 that only they can embrace.

*

……I opened my eyes.

What entered my vision was a message.

What is this, this unfamiliar message?

[Your achievements echo across time and space.]

[The existences of time and space discuss your qualifications.]

[You have acquired the title, ‘Transcendent’.]

……Not the Arcana continent, but time and space?

What, Transceeeeeeendent?!

It was an instant where I didn’t even have time to react.

Suddenly, I felt a heartbeat.

Clang!

……Wait, why is there a sound of metal clashing coming from my heart?