Chapter 203 – Are You Also Pride?

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Grand Alliance.

Water and oil were somehow mixing in their own way.

[Wolf-Dog Biting a Famous Sword].

Befitting a level 650 named monster, its movements were unusual.

Swish

As the wolf-dog darted through the forest.

Crack

The surrounding old trees fell down in an instant.

Float

A drone floating in the air.

Nam Chul-min, who was observing the battle situation, spoke.

“Smart. It’s changing the battlefield to their liking?”

Is it saying it’s not biting a sword alone for nothing.

As if the wolf-dog became a field commander.

It was altering the battlefield to a terrain advantageous for itself and its kin.

Hisagi expressed his uncomfortable temper.

“Is it because wolf blood is mixed in. It’s rough, unlike a dog.”

A situation where actions were restricted due to the changed terrain.

But as mentioned.

Water and oil that seemed like they would absolutely never mix.

Gaon and Inazuma were slowly harmonizing.

Nam Tae-min naturally raised the corners of his mouth.

“You’re mistaken. Mutts.”

“….?”

“Well, how would a wolf-dog know what true wildness is?”

Barbarian.

Barbarian, Nam Tae-min declared to Hisagi.

“I’ll take the one biting that sword. Originally, with beasts, the morale breaks when you smash the leader. From then on, one by one. You got it, right?”

The terrain created by falling giant trees was absolutely not easy-going.

No matter how agile one is, as long as they walk on two legs.

It means restrictions on movement are bound to occur.

However, that wasn’t a remark applicable to Nam Tae-min.

[Berserk].

Simultaneously as he activated his unique skill.

As if running on four legs.

Nam Tae-min sprinting out with his body lowered.

Dash!

Indeed, movements close to a beast that retained its wildness as it is.

To the point that even the wolf-dogs were surprised and yelped at that impact.

Hisagi muttered.

“Truly, you are like a dog.”

Neither an insult nor a double meaning, just an observation as it is.

Because Nam Tae-min really ran toward the leader like a hunting dog that caught a scent of prey.

Hisagi also didn’t just stand still.

Magic Lancer.

Swoosh!

Sharp streams of magic pouring out from the tip of the spear.

As Hisagi’s spear sliced through the air, the giant trees blocking the path split into multiple pieces.

Following Hisagi’s command, the players of the Grand Alliance began to surround the wolf-dog pack.

Nam Tae-min and Hisagi.

And the guild members.

Although each would absolutely never admit it.

“You guys are so perfectly in sync.”

What rival?

If it weren’t for Ho-yeol-ssi, you wouldn’t even associate?

It’s not even funny anymore.

“If you’re going to lie, at least make it plausible.”

Nam Tae-min and Hisagi.

It’s not a story applicable only to those two.

Gaon and Inazuma.

All guild members were complementing each other’s weaknesses.

Of course, what made that possible was the days when they conflicted out of ill fate.

Because of the experience of glaring at each other to find each other’s weaknesses.

But from the perspective of a third party, and a European at that, understanding the Korea-Japan sentiment was a difficult matter.

Berserker guild members spoke subtly.

“Sometimes we really feel left out, unni?”

“Crazy, what’s with feeling left out.”

“Of course, unni wouldn’t feel it, but.”

“Hmph.”

Berserker is a class that gets stronger the more solitary it is.

Because it was a class where combat power increases the lower the vitality gets and the longer the battle continues. Anyway, there weren’t many players who would match the pace of such a Berserker.

Leoni raised both hands high.

“If you’re lonely, you hold two too.”

Perhaps that’s why she was drawn to twin swords.

Soon, the Grand Alliance starting to run wild in their own ways.

The one flinching at that sight was none other than Second Sun.

Executive, Zachary cautiously opened his mouth.

“S-Shraeig. We might have really come to the wrong place?”

Shraeig, for a moment, almost nodded his head.

Second Sun had also officially participated in the Holy War.

Following behind the Grand Alliance, whom they could call allies, with the thought of practicing coordination together.

The unfolded sight was way too different from expectations.

Zachary continued speaking again.

“Can you even call that an alliance. That?”

Isn’t each one’s individuality way too strong!

Second Sun.

They could recognize it because they themselves were a top-tier guild.

That there is no systematic promise or coordination in this battlefield.

But to Shraeig, it began to be seen.

“….No, perhaps that might be the best.”

Gaon, Inazuma, and even Berserker.

The three were guilds with distinct characteristics even among top guilds.

Especially excluding Europe’s Berserker.

Gaon and Inazuma are Korea and Japan.

Aren’t they the two guilds belonging to an overwhelming position in both countries.

As much as they secured ranker positions in their own ways.

Their unique styles wouldn’t change easily.

“Are you saying it’s rule within lack of rules.”

A contradictory statement.

Is that really realizable.

A sight anyone would inevitably doubt.

However, Shraeig laughed it off.

“Well, if it’s pride, it might make that possible.”

Indeed, Shraeig’s thought was not wrong in the slightest.

After the battle ended.

Shraeig conveyed his intention to join to the guild masters of the Grand Alliance.

The discussion went quick and easy.

“Pride?”

“Of course, it’s pride.”

“Practicing coordination wouldn’t be bad either.”

Except for one person, Leoni.

“???”

What’s with them.

Is it a code only they know, or what.

Leoni was on the verge of losing her mind.

Soon, there was a sound heard in her ears.

Clip-clop!

It was the sound of Alexander’s horse hooves.

Whinny!

As if turning away from countless players, including Shining.

Skal, who had brushed past them.

Finally came to a stop in front of the Grand Alliance.

Leoni panicked for a moment.

‘What’s with this guy again.’

She was already losing her mind over the pride Q&A.

Yet.

Skal out of nowhere.

‘It’s my first time seeing him in person.’

Leoni and Berserker were a player and guild that had grown significantly recently.

It was a matter of course that they had no contact with the reclusive rank 1, Skal.

However, the other three people were different.

‘Has the monster officially started his move.’

Back when Arcana was just a game.

Skal maintaining the position of the strongest?

They thought it was fully possible.

‘Whether it’s class advantage, or whatever, somehow.’

But after the Cataclysm.

Until Ho-yeol’s appearance.

Looking at Skal not stepping down from the strongest, Nam Tae-min and other rankers had no choice but to change their thoughts.

It was thanks to the naturally accumulated experience.

‘The fact that he’s a monster remains unchanged.’

It’s a rupture they have to enter risking their lives.

A rupture is a place where one cannot let go of tension even when entering with the most trusted guild members. However, Skal didn’t have a guild he belonged to.

Then if one asked if Skal had players he could call comrades.

That wasn’t the case either.

Skal rarely even revealed his appearance in the first place.

Yet.

“Ahem.”

That Skal stopped in front of them and.

Was clearing his throat.

It was clear he had a purpose.

Of course, there is no rule saying that purpose is entirely friendly.

While everyone didn’t let their guard down.

It was the moment they were waiting only for Skal’s lips to part.

“I have something I want to ask.”

Skal continued speaking with a face more serious than ever.

“What on earth is pride?”

Pop as his mouth opened.

The string of tension snapping.

Leoni clicked her tongue.

….No, really, seriously, are you also ‘pride’?

*

“It’s an obstacle to the steps of pride.”

….Don’t misunderstand.

I didn’t say that.

It’s the nonsense The End spat out.

Every time The End said something, an urge to just send it back to the Arcana Continent surged.

Well, giving a hundred concessions, it’s not exactly wrong.

Since it genuinely was an obstacle to the steps.

‘The heat is no joke.’

Befitting the dungeon name [Siren of Lava], what was waiting for me was a sea of blood-red lava.

But, what on earth does that have to do with pride!

‘Whatever. I only get tired if I talk.’

Hastily looking away from The End, I surveyed the sea of lava.

Indeed, it finally hits me that it’s no ordinary cave.

Not even a lake of lava.

There’s a reason they compared it to a sea.

There really is no end in sight, just like a sea.

“It embraces something undeserving.”

….At least I’m thankful you omitted the subject, Grandfell.

I wouldn’t look like a crazy person talking even to a mountain range at this point.

Anyway.

It’s a relief I got to equip new gear at the right time.

Even without heavily applying fire attribute affinity with enchantment, I didn’t feel the heat of the lava at all.

This must be the majesty of the Epic grade.

Since the materials are what they are, it means it possesses a basic defense and attribute affinity above a certain level.

‘By the way.’

Somehow I don’t see a path.

Not anywhere else but in a dungeon, it’s not something to panic about.

Just like other dungeons were.

There must be a hidden device to cross the sea of lava.

‘There’s a reason explorers are essential in dungeon clearing after all.’

With my eyes, even if I inspect the walls or under my feet, there’s no way I would spot anything….

Ultimately, it means I have no choice but to cross the sea of lava my own way.

Did they notice my thought like that?

“My darkness can swallow even the intense heat of lava, my lord.”

The End opened his mouth first, and.

“Regarding plants that feed on and grow in flames, my lord would know even better than I, wouldn’t you? If you ever need my blessing, please tell me anytime.”

Not to be outdone, Hiel continues speaking elegantly.

The unique spirit, Hiel.

And The End, who makes even high-ranking spirits tense up.

With this much lava, they could make it a piece of cake.

How reassuring.

Reassuring.

But, aside from being reassuring, guys….

When you both talk like that from both sides.

I feel my head getting a bit dizzy.

‘Saying my lord, my lord, at every end of a word…!’

What should I do if you guys start picking up habits from each other, really.

‘This is why I was reluctant to summon both of them.’

Nevertheless, Hiel and The End.

The reason I summoned the two spirits was simple.

Why else, it’s to become a bit more familiar with spirit magic.

[Transcendent: Your transcendent state is sufficient to be called a transcendent. – Current Achievements: Circle (Overall magic manifestation ability increased by 1,000%) / Uncompleted Fast Swordsmanship / None / None….]

Spirit magic is also a branch of magic.

It was to properly utilize the manifestation ability increased by Circle.

Someone with an academic enthusiasm as strong as an Mage Tower’s mage would ask.

A spirit’s {Nature} ability.

And 『Magic』, weren’t they different concepts.

It’s a sharp curiosity.

A question worthy enough that even if Grandfell gave a green tea teabag as a prize along with a compliment, it wouldn’t be insufficient.

Yes, spirit magic was actually nothing more than magic assisting a spirit’s {Nature} ability.

‘Senior Peiyan’s magic also couldn’t escape that concept.’

It can’t be helped.

It was an absolute limit of magic that couldn’t be overcome without {『Anomaly』}.

However, Grandfell and I must advance even one step further.

Because I realized.

Perhaps Anomaly is exactly.

Even if I completely strip away the bubbles.

The only field where I am ahead of others.

‘As if I would neglect such Anomaly.’

Above all, it’s Anomaly that worked even on the High-Ranking Demon King, Gamigin.

My conclusion is that I need to diligently polish various concepts of Anomaly even from now on.

“Hiel, The End.”

“Hiel, I am listening.”

“My noble lord, your infinitely deep darkness.”

….Why is the answer so long.

Somehow I feel like I’m already losing energy just because of the answer.

I mean there’s no need to waste precious magic power on mere lava, you two.

“Save your strength.”

“?”

“You do not need to concern yourselves with mere lava.”

I don’t know about other players or Arcanians but.

As a pioneer of Anomaly, to me, mere lava.

Even if it surges like a sea, it wasn’t a problem.

I also wanted to check the performance of the new gear right on time.

“….!!”

No, you don’t have to put on such touched expressions for that?

Amid the burdensome gazes pouring from both sides.

I drew up my magic power.

‘!’

The fluttering jacket.

The platinum embroidery undulating in response to magic power.

What I manifested was [『Anomaly, Absolute Zero』].

The effect was tremendous.

Maintaining the bubbling shape and color.

Lava freezing rapidly.

The landscape created by Absolute Zero was incomparably beautiful.

I could intuitively feel it.

[Aesthetics: High]

That my Aesthetics seemed to have risen by one step.

However, this damn mouth is not honest with joy.

I ended up babbling like always.

“I decline excessive heat. There’s no need to heat the tea water.”

Don’t brag that you bought a new green tea that brews well even in cold water for a situation like this, Grandfell.

Whatever, as I forced my steps….

“?”

Suddenly, a message floated before my eyes.

[The effect of Aesthetics that reached ‘High’ is activated.]

….Wait, an additional effect opening!