Chapter 280 – Starting from Zero (4)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Adding to the always-present confidence.

Even the weight of the General Commander position.

Thanks to that, I spat it out arrogantly, but.

‘Even I shouldn’t forget to grasp my place.’

I have skipped countless intermediate processes up until now.

The experience points supplied through the high-level demons hunted by putting up the [Natural Omen Relationship] at the forefront are also monstrous. So from now on at least. It means there is a need to accumulate experiences befitting a position full of bubbles.

‘Therefore.’

No questions asked.

Let’s refrain from ending it with magic.

I must keep in mind, I am not a mage.

‘It’s sorrowful in many ways.’

Saying the grass is greener on the other side.

I had been ignoring gathering information regarding other classes all this time.

Because my stomach hurt seriously just by roughly listening.

However, what is the weight of a General Commander?

I must grasp the strengths and weaknesses of the members and be able to utilize their abilities in the right places. To do so, I must know the enemy and myself. I would also have to be equipped with knowledge regarding the classes of other players.

‘Anyway, trying to shoulder everything is the problem, I’m telling you?’

As a result, I ended up opening Pandora’s Box.

Transcending a commoner character, as a Demon Hunter, a class forgotten even in the memories of players. I had to see the class skills of the blessed classes that I didn’t particularly want to know……!

──────

[Innate Magic Power Affinity (Master) : The consumption efficiency of magic power increases by 100 percent.]

[Magic Power Affinity Specialization – Flame (30%) : The consumption efficiency of flame magic increases by 130 percent.]

[Acquired Magical Talent (Master) : The skill proficiency of all magic skills increases by an additional 20%.]…….

──────

Can you believe that is a common skill list of a mage?

Even thinking about it again, it’s incomparably unfair!

If it were the skill window of a class like Jesse’s, I wouldn’t even feel unfairly treated.

It was so unbelievable that I felt like pressing for answers.

To the point I wanted to pour out my grievances to the Akshan seniors.

‘……Forget it. Let’s not say anything.’

Of course, with those gentlemen’s personalities, they wouldn’t even pretend to listen.

If you ask why suddenly lament my circumstances.

The reason is simple.

‘Although I have nothing to say even if it’s biting the bullet…….’

In the end, it means a Demon Hunter has no choice but to walk the path of a Demon Hunter.

Even if I formed circles and became a Transcendent.

It means focusing solely on one thing has its limits.

‘Of course, mine is not magic but the Bizarre, though…….’

In the first place, the Bizarre isn’t limited to magic.

Because the Bizarre, which adds two completely different concepts, shines the more it’s applied.

Looking from that perspective, it’s a relief.

Because it felt like my method of nurturing wasn’t wrong.

[Name : Granfel Claudie Arpheus Romeo]

[Titles : The Last Adventurer, Sublime, Transcendent, Dark Dragon]

[Class : Demon Hunter]

[Level : 681]

[Stats]

Strength : 166 / Agility : 165 / Magic Power : 585 / Luck : 12 / Aesthetics : High / Tenacity : 5

[Retained Points : 0]

Anyone looking would wonder what kind of trash character is this.

Because it’ll look like a mixed character whose strength, agility, and magic power grew haphazardly. But to me, there are means and methods to utilize these miscellaneous stats.

What’s needed is only experience to melt them into actual combat.

‘In that sense, I will not blow away opportunities in vain.’

The moment I accumulate enough experience.

Only then will I.

Be able to properly utilize the total sum of stats far exceeding my level.

So options were probably meaningless.

Since the answer was determined from the start.

“To choose discipline. Brighter than you look.”

……Squeak?

Is it because it’s so large, I can clearly see the mouse making a dumbfounded expression. However, as I just said. The answer was determined, so I hope it cooperates nicely while I accumulate experience.

[Champion Challenger Giant Mouse : Lv.820]

Fitting for a named monster, its name and appearance are different.

The most peculiar point would be that it’s wearing equipment.

The helmet the guy wore on its head lifted up, and only momentarily.

Squeak!

It charges towards me.

Swift manifestation.

“Prior to discipline, education at eye level would be the priority.”

If you ask where I sold off the exploration and interference processes.

As I said, I was accustomed to this kind of manifestation.

To the extent that I could found a school of thought called architectural magic.

Float─

As if stepping onto the podium of the Crystal Hall.

I looked down at the guy from atop the surged ground.

And then.

Clack─

Stepped out towards midair.

Of course, it’s not real midair. This too is a manifestation imitating the stairs of the Mage Tower. The moment I took a step, a rising foothold supported my stride.

Vvvvng─

At that moment, Guicheol at my waist resonated.

Anyway, whoever it resembles, it wants to step forward everywhere, I’m telling you?

But endure it, Guicheol.

‘If you step forward, there’s no reason to choose the option called discipline.’

Even if it doesn’t necessarily change its form, Guicheol is a [Legend] grade weapon. Meaning it can inflict massive damage just by swinging it, not to mention 『Path of the Sword of Pride』.

“What they need is a cane.”

I murmured and reached out my hand towards midair.

That is correct.

This too is a manifestation imitating the stairs of the Mage Tower.

Crack crackle─

A rock rises up at the location I reached out my hand.

Reaching out a handspan further, a hilt surges out from the rock.

This right here was the result of a magic power bullshit solely for the sake of looking cool.

The players who witnessed that sight murmur.

“A-A sword popped out from the rock!”

“Don’t tell me, is it the General Commander’s new weapon?!”

“My god. A weapon that even has an entrance scene……!!”

A weapon simply surging from a rock, you say.

Hearing it said like that is saddening for the magic power being consumed right now. Do you know how much magic is being manifested for this action meant solely for coolness and formality……!

Exploring minerals buried in the ground.

Summoning the minerals into midair.

Transforming its form.

In a split second, applying flame and freezing magic simultaneously to increase its strength.

At the end of unnecessary processes.

I came to hold a sword in my hand like this.

Magic power consumed?

It’s massive, but.

I’ll generously overlook it since there is [The First World Tree’s Blessing].

‘Since just the other efforts are enough.’

Among them, manifesting flame and freezing magic simultaneously is the core.

From the elixir ingested when forming circles.

If I hadn’t increased my elemental affinity, it would have been impossible.

‘Meaning it’s an act possible truly through dog-like hardships.’

To mistake such a struggle of mine for a simple item.

It’s incomparably saddening.

But seeing as I can’t show it as always.

I had no choice but to engage in combat nobly.

Srrrng─

There really isn’t a stubbornness like this stubbornness either.

Swallowing a lament, the moment I raise my sword.

Messages pop up.

[Tenacity is converted into Strength.]

[Tenacity is converted into Agility.]

Strength and agility, magic power.

Lastly.

Even tenacity.

‘Is it this kind of feeling.’

I must not forget this sensation of operating everything like flowing water. No, I must develop it further. I declared it as discipline, but somehow it feels like I’m the one learning more.

However, shamelessness didn’t go anywhere.

“Prepare yourselves, delicate wild beasts.”

I declared frigidly.

“My teachings shall be incomparably strict.”

*

Zero Mountain Range.

The Massive Alliance’s main camp.

Nam Chul-min stared at the monitors changing in real time.

The player point-of-view angles popping up on the numerous screens were exactly three times more than usual. Because of that, the number of deployed analysts couldn’t help but be more crowded than usual too.

One of the new analysts beams.

“Three simultaneously. A cave conquest at that! Not some flimsy recommended level either, but a minimum of 800? In all honesty, I feel like ripping the recordings and distributing them as press releases, you see?”

The Massive Alliance of Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker.

The momentum of the Massive Alliance in its early days was enough to lightly crumble the stronghold Shining and World Unification had built up. However, to think World Unification would strike out earlier than themselves who formed the alliance.

“If we just show this, the antis will also quiet down for a while.”

“Antis? You were paying attention to that?”

“Naturally, I pay attention! Their numbers are quite a bit too.”

Nam Chul-min tilted his head.

‘Even calling them antis…….’

When it’s probably all World Unification’s covert operations.

Nam Chul-min had encountered World Unification’s bullshit countless times ever since Gaon was classified as rookies. Meaning he can tell at a glance. Thanks to that, Nam Chul-min spoke casually.

“Well, I wonder if they’ll quiet down just because we do that. And above all, it’s not a conquest possible because we’re great, right? Since everything is thanks to the General Commander sparing his time.”

“Ah……. That’s also true.”

“Still, wouldn’t it have a little meaning? Saying our Massive Alliance has a close relationship with General Commander Lee Ho-yeol enough to conquer the caves of the Zero Mountain Range together with him…….”

“My, what a pride-less statement.”

“……Hmph. I’ll just keep my mouth shut.”

Before they hear a scolding from the General Commander.

Perhaps I should strictly conduct etiquette training for the newbies first?

It was the moment Nam Chul-min made up his mind.

Situations of the conquests began to be relayed in earnest.

The one who plunged into action first was Nam Tae-min.

-The formation is advantageous to us!

‘Luck followed, Tae-min-ah.’

It’s not a cave where special rules apply.

A form not much different from the dungeons they had conquered numerously.

During the days when Arcana was merely a game.

“The conquest speed isn’t fast because of the level gap, but the mob patterns are simple. And since they are drawing aggro so outstandingly, it doesn’t seem like support will be needed for now!”

Nam Chul-min nodded his head.

“I agree.”

The true worth of his younger brother, Nam Tae-min, is revealed in raids.

Movements like a beast that lost its reason.

Because any strong enemy couldn’t help but have their gazes drawn to those body movements.

‘As long as Tae-min’s stamina holds up.’

Special support didn’t seem necessary.

Leoni’s side was the same.

No, in the first place, that side…….

‘Actually, unless it’s an extreme situation, support is unnecessary.’

Berserkers, Blood Mages, Bow Dancers, etc.

The majority of Leoni’s party is composed of Berserker guild members.

It was because the guild’s color of becoming stronger the more they are cornered was so distinct.

Nam Chul-min pushed up his glasses.

“Let’s not take our eyes off and observe carefully.”

“Yep. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Tae-min and Leoni.

With both their personalities, they wouldn’t request support first.

Judging the situation is something entirely up to him.

It was the moment Nam Chul-min was loosening his shoulders to shake off the considerable weight.

“This side is definitely not ordinary?”

Hisagi was at the place where the serious voice was heard. As expected, fitting for the cave boasting the highest recommended level, he had expected peculiar rules to apply.

“Did you say it’s a sanctuary?”

“Yes, accurately speaking, the Sanctuary of the Little Champion.”

“It’s certainly different from the other side starting from the atmosphere.”

The pressure transmitted through the screen.

Scale.

Even the level of the pouring monsters.

The analyst watching the war situation trailed off.

“To think a level gap of 50 would be this huge…….”

Nam Chul-min shook his head.

“Perhaps the time of judging everything simply by levels has passed.”

“……What do you mean by that?”

“It means it’s unreasonable to grasp the difficulty based solely on recommended levels. You know, just like how conquest difficulties vary widely even for monsters of the same level.”

It wasn’t something he thought of because he had outstanding analytical skills.

-Recommended levels and stats are merely numbers to me.

It was just a fact he realized while chewing over Ho-yeol’s words.

Of course, even if the [Sanctuary of the Little Champion Beneath the Mountain Range] was a cave full of annoying elements beyond imagination, there were no worries. Because on Hisagi’s side was none other than Ho-yeol.

Nam Chul-min gently nodded his head.

‘The General Commander’s presence is incomparably large.’

Incomparably large, to the point of being concerning on one hand.

Why, no matter how much they accompany him.

A worry about whether the others would be able to chase after Ho-yeol’s back.

‘Rather than narrowing the gap, it might widen even more.’

However, Nam Chul-min was overlooking one thing.

In the words Ho-yeol spat out, certainly.

-Since I am here, there is nothing to worry about.

Even such words were included.

“Ch-Chief Analyst-nim!”

An urgent voice looking for him.

Nam Chul-min raised his head and looked at the monitor.

Light so bright it was blinding dug into his eyes.

To be precise, inside the monitor screen.

“……?!”

There was a massive ‘something’ emitting radiant light.

A screen filmed from a player’s perspective.

Therefore, he couldn’t specify its identity.

However, there was a voice being transmitted together.

-It, it’s the Goddess-nim!!

…….Wait a minute, if it’s the Goddess.

Don’t tell me.

Is he talking about the Goddess of the Goddess Order?

Screech!

Nam Chul-min immediately sat in front of the monitor and put on a headset.

And then he asked the players.

A Goddess in a sanctuary.

Perhaps this might become information more important than the conquest.

“Could you speak a little more in detail?”

-Analyst Nam-nim?

“Did you say it’s the Goddess?”

-Ah, yes! No matter how I look at it, I think I have no choice but to think so. Because a ridiculous buff called The First World Tree’s blessing is in effect in the area……!”

“……The First World Tree’s Blessing, you say?”

Although he hadn’t heard the effects.

World Tree, it sounded like a great buff just hearing its name.

That alone was an unfolding enough to be astonished, but.

That wasn’t the end of it.

-L-Look over there!!

The players murmuring anew.

The camera’s field of vision shifting.

Soon, Ho-yeol’s figure appeared on the monitor.

Clack.

Clack.

Clack.

Ho-yeol embroiders stairs and strolls through midair.

It’s surprising, but it wasn’t the first time witnessing it.

Yes, the reason Nam Chul-min and the analysts were astonished was.

“A-A sword from the stone……?”

Crack crackle!

Because Ho-yeol pulled a sword out from a rock.

They are already knowledgeable analysts.

So even if they unfold wings of imagination, it can’t help but be specific and plausible.

Such Nam Chul-min opened his mouth, thinking ‘no way’.

“E-E-Excalibur……!!”

Words that would make Ho-yeol freak out if he heard them.