Chapter 20 – Appreciated and Resented (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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High contribution to defeating.

It was to check the loot automatically acquired thanks to that.

But what caught my eye first was none other than the necklace.

The Devil’s Item.

That necklace which had been selected as the offering for the exorcism ritual.

I thought it would have naturally evaporated, but.

[Necklace of Noble Promise]

[Rank: Rare]

[Restriction: Lv.300]

[Effect: When attacked, low probability to activate the skill ‘Intermediate Protection’.]

[Description: A necklace for a lover heading to the battlefield. A wish for the other party’s safety was imbued with magic power, resulting in an outstanding effect.]

It was there.

And with the curse lifted at that.

‘Did the exorcism ritual serve as a purification process instead?’

To have to offer my first acquired Rare item as a sacrifice.

Due to Granfel’s setting of not dwelling on wealth and glory.

I couldn’t show it, but my insides were burning so much!

But this changes the story.

Furthermore, an effect where ‘Intermediate Protection’ activates upon being attacked.

Even if it isn’t hitting the jackpot, wouldn’t it at least pass as a winning ticket?

[Vampire Count’s Orb]

[Rank: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.400]

[Effect: Sealed]

[Description: A devil’s curse is imbued, sealing its effect. To know its proper effect, it must absolutely be purified.]

That was also a sufficient achievement, but even a Unique item.

Let’s admit it.

This was something I couldn’t help but be surprised at.

However, as if I had no agitation.

I shifted my unwavering gaze.

An orb.

It was a crimson sphere.

It was shimmering as if full of red blood.

This is also a Devil’s Item.

Because its effect is sealed, I couldn’t be certain yet about what kind of item it was.

However, what is certain is that its rank is [Unique].

And a Unique item with a whopping Level 400 restriction at that.

This, wouldn’t it sell for a really high price?

I couldn’t help but have such a thought.

I remember articles I had seen in passing in the past.

Didn’t they say hundreds of millions, billions exchanged hands for a single item?

However, that thought didn’t last long.

Handing over what is mine to others?

Merely to earn money?

Because Granfel’s high pride wouldn’t tolerate that.

However, I didn’t feel disappointed.

Level 400.

Why was that.

At that number that should feel hopelessly distant right now.

I felt like I could definitely reach it.

Was it simple confidence, childishness from a young age?

No, this too was a certainty based on evidence.

I opened the status window.

[Name: Granfel Claudi Arpheus Romeo]

[Class: Demon Hunter]

[Level: 134]

[Stats]

Strength: 27 / Agility: 33 / Magic Power: 51 / Luck: 2

[Available Points: 34]

Experience points acquired by hunting Count Ascura.

Even though I shared the experience points with the pointed hat, my level went up by a whopping 34.

A whopping 34 level ups all at once in Arcana’s experience points system.

This is practically a new record.

In addition to that level increase.

-Hunt vampires. (In Progress) ?

?Announce that the hunt has begun. (Success)

?Make them feel the terror of being hunted. (Success)

?Hunt vampires. (Success)

Even the class quest.

Because those bases existed.

I could stand upright like now.

Even in front of the acquired items.

“Wow! What could this be?”

Even in front of that pointed hat who had reached a state unapproachable by me as I am now.

By the way.

I shifted my gaze and looked at the pointed hat.

So what is that.

Poke, poke-

She poked Count Ascura, who had turned into ashes, with her staff.

Even as ashes, it seemed to be barely a handful.

Yet smoke was relentlessly rising from those remains.

“It doesn’t smell like anything though!”

My brow furrowing without me realizing.

It was partly due to Granfel’s influence, who lived and died by elegance.

But my own feelings were no different.

No, there’s no need to even go as far as sniffing and smelling it with your nose.

However, it was definitely strange.

It was too distinct to just call it smoke.

As if that smoke could be seen even from far away.

It was the moment I was thinking that.

“!”

The quest window blinked.

[Class Quest: Quickening]

The prelude has risen and the beacon fire has flared up.

The final Demon Hunter.

Illuminate the world covered in evil.

-Train your weakened body. (Repeat)

From ‘Prelude to Counterattack’ to ‘Quickening’.

There was progress in the class quest.

Reading the floating quest window, I understood.

That smoke wasn’t rising for nothing.

There were no immediate goals given other than physical training.

Just like it has been so far, the quest would probably start on its own when the appropriate time comes.

Well, let’s consider it as personal maintenance time until then.

Because I also needed time to struggle as much as the gap I had felt.

“Jesse!!”

A presence was heard right then.

Jesse, is that the pointed hat’s name.

It was definitely a name I had heard somewhere.

Anyway, perhaps due to the lightning Jesse had called down.

Players flocked over one after another.

And then they were astonished.

“Count Ascura? Where is he? I can’t see him?”

“Wait. Jesse, the thing you’re poking with your staff. What is that?”

“Wh-what. Jesse, don’t tell me?!”

Stare-

Without answering, Jesse looked at me.

Thanks to that, everyone’s gazes focused on me.

The one who cautiously opened their mouth was Jesse.

“Manners. I don’t know well but I will try my best!”

What followed was an untimely self-introduction.

“My name is Jesse Heinness! If it’s not an intrusion, may I ask for your name!”

At that question, I looked around.

It was definitely different from the plaza battle.

Gulp.

Everyone was holding their breath and focusing on me.

Just like Jesse.

They must all be Players who have reached an incredible level.

Such amazing people are only waiting for my words to drop.

It was clearly a situation to feel burdened by, but.

Instead, I was rather pleased with their attitude.

I felt formality in that restrained silence.

It must be an attitude unimaginable for me from just a little while ago.

However, there is no mistake.

Because I know that this change.

Is also my dark history, myself.

Therefore, just answering wasn’t difficult.

“I am Lee Ho-yeol.”

*

Lee Ho-yeol.

The mysterious Player who hunted Count Ascura together with Jesse Heinness.

It was natural for those three syllables of his name to spread across the world.

Because it was an active contribution that was even hard to express in words.

“Count Ascura’s level was a whopping Level 430. Most importantly, the prediction was mostly that he would possess strength beyond that level. But to hunt that Count Ascura with just two people!”

“Truly, it’s something not just South Korea but the world can’t help but be surprised at. What do you think?”

“In fact, the overseas reaction is extremely passionate.”

VBC’s flagship program, Today Arcana.

The expert panelists’ impassioned speeches briefly continued.

“Cue.”

At the same time as PD Hyun Yong-seok’s sign, the footage appears.

Hyun Yong-seok took off his headset and sighed.

“Really, what should I do with you.”

Beside him was camera director Yoon Jong-jin.

Yoon Jong-jin scratched his head vigorously.

“No, sunbae. I really didn’t have the luxury to think? Change places and think about it. I was just tailing behind the Gaon Guild. Oh, the castle suddenly collapsed? As if that weren’t enough, rumble rumble crash! Then lightning strikes there!”

Closing his eyes softly.

Hyun Yong-seok signaled him to continue similarly.

Then an excuse that wasn’t an excuse followed.

“Wow, I thought I might die at this rate. I figured dying like this or dying because I missed a scoop for you would be the same. So I ran over anyway. I ran but. Jesse Heinness was right there. But wait, what is this. That silver hair from back then is there again?”

“So.”

“I felt my heart drop. How much did I get chewed out by you? Missing it at Berserker’s like that, then the plaza battle broke out immediately. This is an opportunity I absolutely cannot miss. This time, I will get an interview whatever it takes. So.”

“So?”

So all you got was just this one sentence?

[I am Lee Ho-yeol.]

A blazing fire burned inside Hyun Yong-seok.

It was an opportunity that truly doesn’t come easily.

However, who was there to blame.

“Yeah, you probably didn’t have the mind to ask properly.”

In the first place, who would have thought he’d just state his real name there!

Accessing Arcana’s official website.

No matter how much they searched the ranking page, there were no results.

A Player with the nickname ‘Lee Ho-yeol’, that is.

Of course, there were some.

But they were merely using the same nickname.

It meant they weren’t the real Lee Ho-yeol.

“Just what kind of bastard is he?”

How many incidents involving Lee Ho-yeol happened in the new Rift alone?

Starting from the Berserker Guild’s first clear of the new Rift.

The united front with Gaon and Inazuma.

Even the Count Ascura Raid with Jesse Heinness.

Even just one of those would have been an event capable of tremendously raising his stock value.

From unknown to Ranker.

No, beyond that.

He could have raised his own ransom.

But the words he left behind were merely.

[Step aside. My patience is at its limit.]

[I cannot see any formality.]

[Therefore, I will take no questions.]

[I am Lee Ho-yeol.]

That was all!

Even the revealed name, they didn’t know whether it was his real name or an alias, rather than his Arcana nickname.

Even after rolling around broadcasting stations and seeing all sorts of celebrities and Players.

“It’s my first time seeing this too. I should stop blaming you. Now.”

Yes, it wasn’t just Hyun Yong-seok’s first time seeing this.

It was no different for Players either.

*

“Hyung. Even so, I think it’s a relief.”

“What’s a relief?”

Ho-yeol’s stock value that skyrocketed through the roof.

They realized it was realistically impossible for Gaon to embrace such Ho-yeol.

Nam Chul-min, slouched on the sofa in a sense of loss.

Nam Tae-min shrugged at such a brother.

“An eye for people. At least that is properly alive, isn’t it?”

“What are you saying? I didn’t expect it’d be to that extent either.”

“No, that’s beyond common sense, so it’s not your fault, hyung.”

However, Ho-yeol’s recruitment war wasn’t over yet.

Nam Tae-min took out his smartphone.

“Even if the probability has lowered, we have the most advantage. We have Mr. Ho-yeol’s number. And there’s also a pretext to approach him very formally.”

“Pretext?”

“Why, the loot acquired in the plaza battle.”

Count Ascura’s Knights defeated in the plaza.

Gaon had acquired loot from them.

Although they practically split it half and half with Inazuma.

Even so, its quantity and quality were substantial.

“If it weren’t for Mr. Ho-yeol’s active role, we wouldn’t have been able to obtain that loot. We’re saying we’ll share the loot according to that active role. Wouldn’t that be etiquette, and formality?”

Nam Chul-min pondered.

Looking at his track record.

Ho-yeol wasn’t a person easily swayed by money.

That could be seen just from his actions thus far.

However, there was a reasonable justification here.

Soon, motivation burned again in Nam Chul-min’s eyes.

“Tae-min. From now on, you be the older brother.”

Shining Guild.

Camilla touched her red curly hair and asked.

“Jesse. Do you really know nothing~?”

“I don’t.”

“Really, are you going to play innocent like that?”

It was Camilla who knew Jesse’s ability better than anyone.

The chosen Mage.

Because she had watched the firepower of such Jesse from closer than anyone else.

Even so, this Count Ascura raid was close to impossible.

“I don’t know. Don’t ask me.”

Persistent questions.

Jesse didn’t tell anyone what she had seen.

Because that was her ‘etiquette’ towards Ho-yeol.

Camilla sighed and raised both hands.

“I give up. I won’t ask anymore. Don’t speak so coldly~”

Anyway, what has she been looking at so earnestly since earlier?

Jesse was staring fixedly at her tablet PC.

Peek-

The broad vision of an archer.

Checking that screen, Camilla spoke in disbelief.

“Korean-style greeting? Hands on belly? Why are you watching that again?”

The world was only talking about ‘Lee Ho-yeol’.

Let alone in his home country, South Korea.

So finding out was a matter of time.

“Huh?”

Bulge-

A protruding cheek.

Pigtails braided on both sides.

A cute finger pointed at the TV screen.

Beam-

Then with a beaming face, she desperately looks for her mom.

“Mom. It’s Uncle Ho-yeori!!”

.

.

.

Buzzzz-

Looking at the vibrating smartphone, I thought.

What finally had to come has come.

Checking the caller, it’s Sister No. 3.

But I know.

The moment I answer this phone.

The voices of No. 1, 2, and 3 will pop out simultaneously.

Come to think of it, it’s a fascinating thing.

When we were young, they were dying to fight each other.

Is it because they got older.

Now they have become beings who can’t live without each other.

Because of that.

Whether it was when I was young or now, the one dying is me.

I pressed the call button.

As expected, No. 1’s cold voice was heard.

-Hey, Lee Ho-yeol. Don’t you have anything to say to us?

I have plenty to say.

“Calm down. My sisters.”

Setting aside starting with this tone for now.