Chapter 219 – Happening…?
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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AAU.
The branch managers handed over their reports.
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Official Homepage.
After the emergency update details were uploaded.
Elapsed time: 01 hours : 14 minutes : 58 seconds.
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Swish-
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Player, Lee Ho-yeol.
First witnessed in Utah, USA.
Sent an asteroid cluster (presumed to be unimplemented skill, Meteor Strike) that had entered the atmosphere back into space. Afterwards, leaving behind the words “Truly modest wishes indeed,” and manifested a portal.
Below, attached eyewitness accounts.
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“It was like he pressed the rewind button.”
“It looked like watching fireworks…? Well, it might look like that in a child’s eyes. By the way, Meteor Strike. Isn’t that it?”
“That is correct. The ultimate skill of the mage-class that stopped at the concept stage during the days when Arcana was merely a game. My goodness, the fact that that skill existed alone is something to be astonished about, but…”
“To go a step further and even strike it back.”
“It’s too early to be surprised. Please move on to the next page.”
Swish-
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Easter Island, South Pacific.
Anomaly detected in the western sea.
Presumed to be a magic power cloud manifested by the Tower Master.
Afterwards, fierce magic power collisions occurred for approximately 1 hour.
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“From the point when magic power was colliding. Probably, Yusra General Manager Lee Ho-yeol was engaged in a battle with the Tower Master. Just what in the world happened inside that fog…”
“There is observation data detected from the outside.”
“The surrounding sea evaporated and then froze over again…? Wait a minute. Piercing through such thick magic power clouds, and it had such an effect? Then, what happened inside there?”
“They must have gone back and forth between an inferno and an ice hell.”
“Ha.”
The branch managers clicked their tongues and turned the page.
“The magic power clouds gradually cleared up and the situation ended. What followed is exactly as the interview you all watched together. As always, Yusra General Manager Lee Ho-yeol revealed the whole story of the incident.”
The interview video popping up on the monitor.
-“The Tower Master was in a state where he woke up having lost his mind.”
“To think the Tower Master was in such a state.”
“More than that, I never imagined he would reveal specific circumstances. If it were me, I would have just smoothly passed over it. This must have surely been the Mage Tower’s internal circumstances too…”
“It must mean he will take responsibility for the incident. As the Chief Mage.”
“Usually, a person like us cannot be fathomed.”
Yes, how could they follow that confidence?
On the screen.
Ho-yeol’s figure declaring without an ounce of wavering.
-“However, there is nothing to worry about anymore.”
“Truly, there’s no other words as reassuring as that.”
“We shouldn’t be relieved. You should be alarmed about not being of help.”
“By the way, did everyone understand the words he said next?”
“The words he said next?”
“Listen.”
-“With this, the class has just ended.”
Out of nowhere, the class has just ended.
Just what kind of class was he talking about?
The single word Ho-yeol left at the very end.
Thanks to that, the world’s attention had no choice but to be directed towards Ho-yeol once again.
*
-What do you mean what is it, it must be true education lololol
-Lee Ho-yeol gave the Tower Master true education???
-Of course, is there anything else??
-Fr the only things properly revealed are the two people’s whereabouts
True education.
There really are simply no bubbles quite like this, Granfel…!
Of course, I will admit what needs to be admitted. Forming a Circle, the power of my Anomaly also rapidly soared. It’s also true that thanks to that, I could overwhelm the Tower Master.
However.
-Not just the Sword Saint but now even the Tower Master???
-If this isn’t both literary and martial arts mastery what is lololol
-At this rate won’t he give true education to a dragon nextㄷㄷ
Just simply.
Even laying out only the facts brought upon undeserved expectations.
No matter what, this bubble is too severe…!
Especially that last comment.
What, I’ll give a dragon true education?!
‘Even not long ago.’
That day when heaven’s luck followed with Siren’s Blessing.
I witnessed it on the Arcana Continent seen through the [Telescope of the Demon Eye]. The fearsomeness of the Elder Dragon, Yunakersus! A dragon, that thing is simply in a different weight class, okay?
Dragons tear apart dimensions.
If I completely establish [Incomplete Swift Swordsmanship] and reach the Transcender realm with swordsmanship as well, maybe… At the current point, I don’t have an ounce of thought to exchange blows and fight with a dragon.
Someone is this serious but.
“The world is noisy.”
Click-
Even while tilting a teacup.
You really talk like it’s someone else’s business, Granfel.
However, Granfel’s attitude was actually not wrong.
It’s not because of me that the world is noisy.
It was purely because of you, Tower Master.
I neatly emptied the teacup and got up from my seat.
‘Because I don’t plan on being the only one suffering anymore.’
Now, it’s time to pay back my bitterness.
.
.
.
The top floor of the Mage Tower.
“…”
My face couldn’t be seen, but it could be expected.
Wouldn’t I be making an incredibly cold expression right now?
It couldn’t be helped.
Because what entered my sight was some cat.
Lick, lick-
Sticking out its tongue, it diligently licked its paw’s cotton ball.
Did it finally notice my cold gaze.
It looks at me and opens its mouth.
What came out was not a meow- sound, but human speech.
“Because of who exactly, my body got smashed to pieces, you see. I briefly changed my form into the most suitable shape for recovery. Because there’s no form more suitable than this for lazing around all day.”
I didn’t answer, and neither did Granfel.
I think I said it once before.
The cuteness of a cat wouldn’t work on me, nor Granfel.
Thanks to that, my attitude didn’t loosen even a little bit.
“Tower Master, there is an answer I must hear from you.”
As expected, honorable speech was boldly omitted.
Fortunately, the Tower Master didn’t fuss over every little detail.
Anyway, I’m glad he’s not an old-fashioned boomer like someone.
“An answer, I ought to properly give you one. In that sense, even though my mouth has become a cat’s, I have nothing to say. As you’ve probably guessed, my plan failed spectacularly as if showing off.”
Shouldn’t he have nothing to say even if he had ten mouths?
As expected, it is exactly as I heard from Marcelo.
His words and actions were as he pleased.
Of course, I wasn’t falling behind in acting as I pleased either.
“It was an illogical interference process.”
Look at this.
Pointing out the flaws first thing without warning.
I continued my words as if I were doing a preliminary verification against the Tower Master.
“If you wished to reach even a slightly successful manifestation, a more extensive understanding of the exploration target was necessary. However, more than anything else, the biggest mistake would be overlooking the unconsciousness left in the body.”
The Tower Master’s cat ears perked up.
“…You are terribly persistent. It’s to the point I regret taking an interest in you, even if briefly for a moment in the past. Will you only be satisfied if you thoroughly uncover my flaws like that?”
Of course, I continued my words without caring.
I told you, didn’t I.
I’m telling you I didn’t unnecessarily bring a wind of tears to the Mage Tower.
“…Damned nagging.”
Fluff-
Only after the Tower Master shook off his fully perked ears with his paw did my lecturing end. Of course, I didn’t only spit out venomous remarks. Because not sparing praise for parts worthy of praise was my pride.
“Even so, the Meteor Strike was impressive.”
Thanks to that, I properly learned it over your shoulder.
The extreme high-level magics the Tower Master’s body had manifested!
I couldn’t say I could use them fruitfully at the current point.
I could know without manifesting them.
That the magic power consumption amount was extreme.
Even just the Tower Master was to the point of spewing blood from his mouth due to the rebound.
‘Still, having them engraved in my head is what’s important.’
Even if not immediately, a day to use them would come in the future.
I can guarantee it.
Among the magic I can manifest.
The destructive power of Meteor Strike was undisputedly the strongest.
‘If I added Anomaly to that?’
Wouldn’t its destructive power truly transcend imagination.
The Tower Master’s cat tail swished.
“That’s a truly comforting praise, Chief Lee Ho-yeol. Looking back at the memories left in the body, it seems not a single magic worked validly against you. To think venomous remarks were not enough and now public shaming with the person concerned right in front of you.”
Then he slumped his body down like a real cat.
“Thanks to that, the exhausted consciousness has dried up even more.”
Exhausted consciousness.
I was going to ask about it anyway.
I opened my mouth without caring about the Tower Master’s exaggeration.
“What happened in the space of consciousness.”
Since the Tower Master was also a Transcender.
There was no need to explain what 『space of consciousness』 meant.
A space of consciousness similar to the Sociality of Space-Time undeniably.
Must exist in the pointed hat as well.
The Tower Master slightly opened his closed eyes.
“I was paying the price.”
“If you say price.”
“I suppose it would be the price of my crime for breaking the Archmage’s rules, which have been passed down for so many generations even I cannot fathom. Yes, if trying to stop an ugly plan is a crime, then it’s a crime.”
An ugly plan.
Stated in the Mage Tower quest.
Is he talking about the Archmages’ conspiracy.
There was no need to deliberately ask.
Because the Tower Master tactfully continued his words.
“Although I was in a crisis where I couldn’t even send telepathy to my disciple… As you can see, thanks to you, Chief Lee Ho-yeol. I could survive even as a cat’s appearance like this. I will formally express my gratitude.”
To anyone listening, they’d think I was the one who returned his consciousness to a cat’s body.
I wanted to tackle him on that but.
There was something I had to ask before that.
So what exactly is the Archmages’ conspiracy?
“Chief Lee Ho-yeol, even for you who grasped my flaws and up to structures of magic you’ve seen for the first time in your life. You could not possibly expect their ugly plan.”
The Tower Master drew it out immensely.
“Please do not be surprised. The Archmages, they…”
Even the tongue that was licking the cotton club stopped as he continued his words seriously.
“Share the same objective as demons.”
Demons.
Honestly.
I was not surprised in the slightest.
“Because they truly desired the ruin of the Arcana Continent. Inheriting the knowledge of Archmages and brainwashing new vessels, exclusively for that single objective.”
Why did the Archmages desire the ruin of the Arcana Continent?
I was guessing, even if I didn’t know the exact reason.
There’s a reason why the Arcana Continent ended up in this state.
Because powerhouses like you Archmages desired ruin.
The continent must have collapsed without making any resistance against demons.
“I had been guessing.”
At my calm answer, the Tower Master’s fur stood on end.
“…You had been guessing?”
Sniff, sniff-
He wrinkled his nose and spat out an exclamation.
“As expected, it is not the smell of telling a lie. At this rate, drawing it out was not rewarding, Chief Lee Ho-yeol. I wanted to be of help to you, my benefactor, in at least one thing. What a shame.”
If you wanted to give help.
There was no need to worry about that.
As long as the Tower Master had returned to the Mage Tower.
‘You better prepare yourself.’
Because I planned on pushing quite a lot of work over to you.
Because I’d have to struggle incredibly busily from now on.
Of course, it didn’t mean I would push work onto him right away.
‘Because it’s not good to mess with a recuperating person too much.’
Shall I slowly return.
I was about to turn my steps but paused.
No, no matter what, I should ask one more thing.
Thanks to my Reversal Magic.
The Tower Master’s consciousness returned from the pointed hat to his original body.
Then what happens to Jesse’s class.
Before that, is it okay to keep wearing that ominous pointed hat.
The Tower Master leisurely yawned.
“And here I wondered what you were worrying about.”
Then he licked his cotton club once again.
“You worry about truly useless things, Chief Lee Ho-yeol.”
He spoke words whose meaning was unknown.
“Isn’t it obvious that those old folks won’t even talk to my disciple for a while? Because everyone, including me, felt your presence, Chief Lee Ho-yeol. What crazy bastard would be able to harbor wicked intentions even after facing you?”
…Wait a minute, you’re saying.
Does that mean the Archmages were scared of me?
What is this, at this point I’m slowly getting scared.
Me, don’t tell me.
Am I even stronger.
Than I thought I was?
.
.
.
If being unnecessarily diligent is a sin, it’s a sin.
Before even a day had passed.
I returned to my daily life.
Which is to say.
To process piled-up paperwork, in the Yusra Kingdom.
I visited my office.
In that process, I encountered an unexpected figure.
Arcana Official Ranking 1st place.
Dragon Knight, Skal.
Entering the office, he opened his mouth.
“It is an honor to meet you for the first time, Sir Ho-yeol.”
…Hey, Mr. Skal.
Why is your tone of speech like that from our first meeting again?!
What is this formal greeting again, to the point it’d be safe to say you just popped out from the Middle Ages. Anyway, Granfel ruins many people.
Just as I briefly swallowed a sigh inwardly.
I checked my quest window.
[World Quest: Evil Dragon Hunter]
The one who hunted the evil dragon clan.
The legend of the mountain range is calling you.
-Reach the absolute summit of the Zero Mountain Range. (Ongoing)
If it was Dragon Knight, Skal.
He would probably know information related to the World Quest.
I had thought so.
‘Well, even if that wasn’t the case.’
The Zero Mountain Range had appeared.
And the dragons began their earnest activities now.
I’d need to put together the puzzle pieces of the quest with Skal.
“Have a seat.”
At my recommendation, Skal immediately took a seat.
However, somehow his expression had been restless since earlier.
I was going to share a cup of tea with the intention of getting along well from now on.
If you are so in a hurry, it can’t be helped.
“I have heard the story.”
Enoch had conveyed it.
Saying there were words he absolutely had to deliver to me.
That Skal had waited for me in front of the Golden Palace since yesterday.
‘This, I didn’t mean to stand him up.’
I was going to have a conversation with him anyway.
From Skal’s perspective, the timing was rather fateful.
Feeling sorry for no reason, I spoke more generously than usual.
“It is fine to state your business.”
Then, as if he had been waiting, Skal poured out his story.
Just as I guessed.
It was a story related to dragons, as expected.
…However.
What did you just say, Skal?
Who returned to the Arcana Continent?
The greaaaat family?
‘That, don’t tell me.’
No way.
No.
…Really?!
*
After the AAU Yusra Branch was established.
Interactions between the branches became active.
Interactions not only between branch managers but also between employees as well.
It meant it had become incomparably frequent compared to before.
Yoon Su-gyeom lightly waved his hand at the camera.
“Wow, how long has it been since I saw this face?”
“Have you been well, Tom? Katrina looks the same too.”
“Waving your hand now after not contacting me even once.”
“Oh, come on, you know? Who our boss is.”
“Well, you must be dying serving under the great Mr. Park, huh?”
AAU Republic of Korea Branch Manager, Park Min-jae.
The one who clashed head-on with CEO Raymond Sean.
A legendary figure in many ways.
His rebellious temperament was widespread across all branches since the days the AAU was Cosmo. Tom and Katrina expressed their condolences at the news that such Park Min-jae was appointed as branch manager, as Yoon Su-gyeom’s boss.
“But still, sometimes I’m jealous, you know?”
“Are you crazy? You’re jealous of me? Why?”
“You wouldn’t be pretty close. With Player Lee Ho-yeol.”
“I agree.”
As Ho-yeol’s name was brought up, Katrina stuck her face towards the camera.
Wasn’t Yoon Su-gyeom forming a closer relationship with Ho-yeol than themselves.
Katrina continued her words enthusiastically.
“You must have some contact or interaction! So what is it? Information about Yusra General Manager Lee Ho-yeol that only the Republic of Korea Branch knows? I’ll really keep it a secret. If needed, I’ll even clear away Tom over there.”
I wondered what it was, but such a question?
They’re completely drinking from an empty cup.
Yoon Su-gyeom shook his head back and forth.
“Do you know what pride is?”
“Pride? I do. The word General Manager Lee Ho-yeol lives by.”
“Yes, would something like special treatment exist from someone like that?”
“Ah…”
The two immediately understood.
Well, thinking about the steps Ho-yeol had shown up until now…
Discrimination wouldn’t exist for Ho-yeol.
To the point of not even tolerating the sacrifice of the minority for the majority.
Because Ho-yeol was fair and impartial.
The three people who drank from an empty cup soon got to the main point.
“So you’re saying let’s revive old memories?”
“Right. That memory when we pieced the story together.”
“Sorry to be a wet blanket. Is there even any meaning to that?”
“Tom, please. If you’re going to be sorry, don’t bring it up.”
“Katrina, hit his side just once.”
With the three of them bickering, it felt like going back to those days.
However, they couldn’t just keep smiling.
Because they couldn’t go back to those days anymore.
Tom, stroking his hit side, opened his mouth.
“First, let’s admit what needs to be admitted and start. Perhaps Arcana was already beyond our control even when it was a game. Let’s proceed with that premise.”
“Admit.”
“Okay. Well, only Raymond knows the right answer.”
He was pessimistic in everything but did well when actually doing it, was Tom.
“Thinking like that, we get suddenly scared of how many mountains we’ll have to cross in the future, you see. Why, until the demons appeared, the Arcana Continent was quite peaceful, wasn’t it?”
“I suppose you could say that? There were big incidents like the Empire War, but compared to this Holy War, it was at the level of children playing. So what do you want to say, Tom?”
“The core is simple.”
And sharp.
“That there must have been a reason for that reign of peace.”
“…There was a reason for the long peace?”
“You mean it didn’t become a mess simply because demons were updated?”
Tom shrugged his shoulders.
“I laid the premise, right? That everything existed originally. That setting backgrounds we didn’t know existed originally. The Mage Tower would be a good example even just recently.”
“Demons didn’t appear not because of the settings, but…”
“There was a certain hidden circumstance that wasn’t revealed, like the Tower Master’s absence?”
“Right. Therefore…”
Tap, tap-
A single line of text came up as Tom tapped on the keyboard.
[There was a reason for the peace on the Arcana Continent.]
And he added a word.
“And there’s a reason why such peace was broken as well.”
.
.
.
The Sociality of Space-Time.
Black hair.
The east where the sun rises first.
The samurai of dawn who came from there lacked knowledge about the Arcana Continent. In the first place, he stepped foot on the land of Arcana thanks to the ‘Demon Realm Crustal Upheaval’ as well.
Naturally, he did not know it.
“You are brave. To mention that name.”
At the words of a Transcender, the samurai of dawn nodded his head.
The Witch of the Southern Sea.
He couldn’t forget the reaction she showed.
To think she could make such an expression.
It was a clearly different appearance from the lethargic appearance he had seen in the sociality up until now.
Thus, a natural doubt arose.
Just what in the world is that name for her to be so…
However, the samurai of dawn couldn’t say any words.
“From the second coming of the legend to the subjugation of the great evil.”
“Even ‘that incident’ passed down in your hometown.”
“A samurai from the east, can you believe it?”
“That behind all those incidents, there was one family.”
“That is right. Claudi.”
“Because Claudi existed, the continent could maintain peace up until now.”
“Because such Claudi disappeared, the continent became in this state.”
“…!!!”
At the shockingly enough to be struck speechless past.