Chapter 282 – You Are Not Special (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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As if taking a deep breath.

I concentrate to handle magic, sword aura, and [Tenacity] naturally.

It is an appropriate opponent for that practice.

‘Level 820.’

And a named monster at that.

Because it was an opponent that instilled tension, unable to just stay careless.

To practice against such a monster.

My liver really popped out of my stomach.

However, what can I do.

The training quests that stimulate my limits every single day.

Excalibur swung adding [Tenacity].

……I mean, even the sword manifested from the rock.

Because this was the conclusion I reached and the path I must advance on.

Still, a series of dog-like hardships serve as the basis for confidence.

In addition, the knowledge accumulated as the Mage Tower’s Chief would be enough of a foundation.

‘I’d be saddened if you thought the power drops.’

Magical tools crafted solely with magic exist in the Mage Tower as well.

Because such magical tools were primarily what the Enchantment school dealt with.

The performance of such magical tools?

‘Even if there’s no jackpot, the minimum value is guaranteed.’

There’s no reason for impurities or interfering elements to mix in during the refining process.

If expressed in Arcana system terms…….

Meaning it’s classified as an item of minimum [Rare] to maximum [Unique] grade.

The problem is that its efficiency drops seriously.

‘Because the Enchantment school is in charge of the Mage Tower’s deficit.’

Refining a magical tool with pure magic power is exactly the act of creating something from nothing with magic. However, as long as [The First World Tree’s Blessing] exists.

Am I not one who can alleviate worries regarding magic power.

Srk─

The power of the sword created with pure magic wasn’t excessive like Guicheol.

But it wasn’t ordinary either.

Yes, it means it’s incomparably appropriate as a cane.

[The Champion Challenger Giant Mouse experiences ‘Confusion’.]

“Stand straight.”

“……!”

“Did I not tell you? That my teachings shall be strict.”

“Squeak squeak!!”

Swish!

As expected, did the guts that challenged the champion not go anywhere.

It comes to its senses straight away even under my frigid scolding.

It charges, putting its huge teeth forward.

‘Whether it’s magic or swordsmanship, I can deflect it simply.’

However, the important thing is the application of magic, sword aura, and [Tenacity] like flowing water.

[Tenacity is converted into Magic Power.]

Immediately converting [Tenacity], I manifest magic.

The magic to be manifested is incomparably familiar architectural magic.

Taking a bold omit on cumbersome processes like exploration during a special lecture.

Boom!

Eventually, a rock wall surged up.

Because I perfectly omitted the exploration and interference processes, even the surging process wasn’t visible. I am not singing my own praises. The reactions of the players are the proof.

“H-He created a wall out of thin air?!”

“What is that. I-I haven’t even seen something like that in the Mage Tower……?”

“You have taken another step of progress, General Commander.”

Among them, Hisagi explicitly speaking meaningfully with snake eyes open is unusually burdensome……. However, as expected, I cannot show it. Moreover, would I, who values procedures, divert my attention in front of the target of discipline.

“If you cannot focus on the discipline, I shall make you do so.”

The one who couldn’t focus was me, though.

As expected, words spat out shamelessly.

The giant mouse tilts its head as if dumbfounded.

……Squeak?

However, soon, the rock walls surged from all directions completely surround the guy.

Boom boom!!

At the sudden restraint, it rams the rock wall with its massive body.

However, it is a wall built by me, Lee Ho-yeol.

Who could be called the founder of the school of architectural magic.

“Commotion is forbidden. If it’s like this, it cannot be helped.”

Crack!

Even if it cracks.

Sssrk─

This time, I just have to revert it with the 『Reversal Magic』, which I genuinely founded.

Therefore, accept your fate.

Poor delicate wild beast of the mountain range.

“From this hour onwards, I shall increase the intensity of the corporal punishment.”

Magic, sword aura, tenacity.

The path heading towards the holy trinity under the guise of discipline.

Meaning, cooperate obediently with that stride.

.

.

.

Squeak─

Giant mice collapsing along with a single scream.

[You have leveled up.]

Hisagi surveyed the war situation, leaving the blinking message behind.

With the appearance of the Goddess, the atmosphere was completely reversed.

What played the biggest role above all was [The First World Tree’s Blessing].

Its effects, just as expected, were enormous.

“Injured?”

At Hisagi’s question, a loud and clear answer returns immediately.

“Everyone is safe!”

To have zero casualties even after engaging in a death struggle with level 800 monsters.

It’s an achievement that cannot be explained in words.

Hisagi continued speaking pridefully.

“It must be thanks to the Goddess of Victory being with us.”

“……?”

……Since when was a modifier attached in front of Goddess?

Tomoyo, catching her breath, flinched, but it was momentary.

The battle having concluded for the time being.

Since the players’ gazes naturally shifted to Ho-yeol.

‘Even so, it isn’t an easygoing one.’

Beyond imagination.

The Hundred Thousand Caves of the Zero Mountain Range were formidable.

Shall we take a dungeon or labyrinth as an example?

Usually, the number of named monsters doesn’t exceed five per one boss.

‘That was the reason Demon Kings were special.’

The named monsters controlled by Demon Kings.

Because the headcount of Demon Legion Commanders usually started from ten on average.

However, in the Zero Mountain Range, common sense up to now hasn’t applied.

“With this, it’s the 10th one……!!”

It was only the entrance now.

It was a sanctuary possessing an unknown depth of how far it connected. Yet the number of named monsters that appeared at the entrance mouth has already reached a state unable to be counted with fingers.

Hisagi gauged the combat power with narrowed eyes.

‘The reason we could survive is.’

As I said, the effect of [The First World Tree’s Blessing].

And in addition to that, because the giant mice they faced were ordinary monsters.

Because simple patterns exist.

Meaning they could counter them skillfully upon getting a knack for it.

Tomoyo opens her mouth quietly.

“If the General Commander wasn’t here by any chance…….”

“Blessing or whatever, we probably wouldn’t have been able to respond.”

“As expected, it would be so, right?”

Looking at his movements alone, it’s certainly different.

No patterns or such can be seen at all.

Such [Champion Challenger Giant Mice] lunged at Ho-yeol.

Although it was words stating the obvious.

Ho-yeol did not allow a single effective hit.

Hisagi laughed quietly.

‘I am ashamed to the point of having no face.’

Ho-yeol’s consideration touching his skin.

No matter if it’s a cave of the Zero Mountain Range.

To the General Commander who is a Dragon Monarch and the Dark Dragon, it would merely be a boring hunting ground. No, thinking about Ho-yeol’s level which cannot even be dared to be guessed, it couldn’t even be called a hunting ground.

‘Even if it’s a level 820 named monster.’

Considering Ho-yeol’s required experience points.

Even if he hunts thousands of them, it would merely be a negligible figure.

Looking from that perspective, it could have been a meaningless waste of time.

‘To spare precious time solely for our sake.’

It is a pride that is endlessly deep, as always.

Since he realized that fact.

There was no luxury for Hisagi to stay frozen blankly.

Vouchsafed with precious time, he himself must meet Ho-yeol’s expectations.

Additionally, he must repay him.

Hisagi ordered.

“Begin exploration in earnest.”

Explorers belonging to the Massive Alliance.

They started thoroughly searching the cave holding magnifying glasses, class-exclusive equipment. They might not only obtain spoils but also acquire information that could connect to quests.

‘I do not think these will serve as repayment.’

Perhaps Ho-yeol might know more regarding this cave than the explorers. It wasn’t blind faith or anything like that. A proverb says seeing one thing tells you ten.

Since Ho-yeol was the one who pulled out Excalibur, which was buried somewhere in the sanctuary.

Despite that, Hisagi knew.

That what’s important is ultimately pride.

So he murmured quietly.

“Please do not refuse our pride, General Commander.”

It surely couldn’t help but be a determination that would send chills down the spine of the person concerned if he heard it…….

*

[Citadel of Rose Vines]

[Recommended Level : 750]

[Collapse Rate : 100%]

The level of monsters?

Considering the level gap, it is naturally not easy.

However, Leoni’s class is a Berserker, Berserker.

It is a class that becomes stronger amidst adversity.

──────

Unextinguishable Fighting Spirit (Master) : As health becomes lower, strength, agility, and health regeneration vastly increase. Also, converts critical hits into the status abnormality ‘Bleeding’.

──────

Damage occurring continuously is commonly called DoT (Damage over Time) damage.

Meaning damage lasting like a dot.

‘Bleeding’ was one of the representative DoT damage status abnormalities.

Trickle─

Leoni, whose entire body became covered in blood, spat blood.

“Tch.”

Although it was spitting at her own face, no matter how much she thought about it, a Berserker is a class with many flaws. Facing high-level monsters, having to stake her life every moment just to demonstrate performance.

‘I seriously want to grab the collar of the bastard who made this.’

During the days when Arcana was merely a game, logging out was the end of it.

However, after the cataclysm, departing from life.

Meaning if she makes a slight mistake, she’ll cross the River Styx.

[Status abnormality ‘Bleeding’ occurs.]…….

In that sense, bleeding felt like shit, but it was a necessary existence. If critical hits could be changed to DoT damage, she wouldn’t fall into an incapacitated state abruptly, at least.

Clash clash clash!

Leoni’s twin swords raged ceaselessly.

It’s no different for the other guild members.

A combat style driving oneself to the limit of limits.

Because the Berserker guild was a guild that only accepted irreparably damaged people like herself.

“Hah─”

But, it’s getting too much for me now too…….

“Daaaaammmmnn iiiit─”

A deep sigh surges up.

Even for a Berserker specialized in combat with strong enemies, making up for a gap of at least 250 levels was overdoing it. Furthermore, it’s natural for concentration to drop the longer the combat drags on.

While that was common sense, Berserkers are incomparably contradictory.

“It’s genuinely fucking annoying!”

A class that demonstrates its full performance only when both body and mind are in tatters.

As if about to fall off a tightrope at any moment.

Only by enduring the current pressure could she advance forward.

“Unni…….”

The Massive Alliance who knew that fact.

The Berserker guild members looked at Leoni pitifully.

It was Leoni who drove herself to the extreme every moment.

Her personality becoming cranky wasn’t for nothing…….

“Did you guys just think I’m annoying to deal with?”

“……U-Uhm? What are you saying.”

“Bullshit on feigning ignorance.”

Leoni laughed.

Didn’t they say there are those whose personalities oddy changed after awakening as players?

Perhaps I might also have properly received the influence from that awakening.

In order to relieve the pressure reaching its limit in every combat.

Because she had to spit out swear words at least.

Therefore, she thought it was the limit now.

“You probably thought I acted very annoying after a long while, right, everyone?”

Yeah, in order to keep that darn formality.

She had been minding her language which didn’t suit her.

But it seems she really can’t handle it anymore.

Leoni muttered quietly.

“……Even so, isn’t pride more important than formality, General Commander?”

The field of vision facing the monsters gets dyed red.

It seems blood flowing down from bleeding entered her eyes.

Because she was covered in lukewarm and oddly sticky blood.

General Commander Lee Ho-yeol.

If that person who pays attention to every single piece of attire sees my state…….

It would be an appearance that couldn’t suppress astonishment.

Leoni chuckled.

‘By the way……. What if this is the pride I think of?’

Leoni had not forgotten.

That day announcing the start of the Massive Alliance.

The world’s evaluations that poured out.

-Gaon and Inazuma forming an alliance??

-Crazy lol lol I should live a long life and see lol lol lol lol lol

-But it’s not even Second Sun, what’s a Berserker?

-Right, the class suddenly drops sharply…….?

-They were rookies until recently, weren’t they?

It’s not that the evaluations were wrong.

It just infuriated her more because it wasn’t wrong words.

Of course, she doesn’t have a personality to get discouraged anywhere.

In order to chase after Nam Tae-min and Hisagi, she clenched her teeth and swung her sword.

Only then…….

‘Because I felt like I could chase after you too.’

However, having felt it while acting as the Massive Alliance.

Chasing after the two big guys.

And chasing after that person.

She realized doing so while keeping formality was impossible.

‘Because I am neither elegant nor noble like you.’

Like myself.

Only by being desperate fitting for a Berserker.

Meaning she realized she could only chase after the tail end of it.

“Hah.”

Leoni burst into laughter.

Yeah, what that darn pride is.

I still don’t really know well but.

“If I do this, you understood everything, right?”

Clatter─

With those words at the end.

A sword fell from Leoni’s hand.

Ah.

Fucking hell.

See, using honorifics that don’t suit me drained all my strength…….

It was the moment Leoni was thinking just like Leoni.

Vvvvng─

A light cluster floated up in midair.

Clack.

Familiar footsteps.

A voice was heard.

“It seems you are majorly mistaken regarding formality, Leoni.”

“……?”

“However, I shall let it pass.”

The jacket no longer fluttering in the wind.

Along with a halo radiant more than any other time.

Ho-yeol, having revealed his figure, continues speaking.

“Right now, just realizing pride is enough.”

.

.

.

I immediately manifested a portal.

-The target coordinates are the [Citadel of Rose Vines]!

Analyst Nam Chul-min, briefing the three caves simultaneously. Because he judged that support was needed on Leoni’s side, my thought was to move straight there through the portal.

Vvvvng─

……As expected, magic power consumption is considerable just as I thought.

Seems I have to counter with sword aura for a while after arriving.

It was the moment I stepped into the portal while setting up plans beforehand.

Hisagi asked politely.

“If by any chance you need help, I shall follow.”

I’m thankful for the words, but you see.

‘The profit calculation is entirely…….’

Because the magic power consumed to move each person through the portal would feel more burdensome than receiving support from each individual person. Therefore, containing that meaning, I answered like me.

“I am sufficient on my own.”

Bow─

As if knowing it would be so, Hisagi immediately bowed his head and saw me off. Even if he owes me a lot since the Frost incident. That reaction is extremely burdensome, Hisagi……!

‘……Forget it, it’s complicated to explain.’

I suppressed the surging lament and.

It was the moment I was stepping forth into the cluster of light.

A message popped up in my blacked-out vision.

[Skill, ‘Natural Omen Relationship’ is activated.]

Experience in the Arcana Continent.

Was it thanks to tracking the evil from the beginning while performing class quests.

Senses that became even sharper were speaking.

This is the split second coords are switching.

It’s a presence felt in the Zero Mountain Range, not a cave.

……But what kind of sheer coincidence like this is there in the world?

“Presumptuously, you revealed your figure before me again.”

Even if I don’t know it.

There’s no way Granfel wouldn’t remember a demon he faced once.

This is the demon of the question mark I encountered at the [Gap Between Dimensions] rift on the day of the regular conference at the Mage Tower when Senior Mage Bangrit rampaged.

It was definitely the guy’s presence.

Leaving its right arm behind.

That massive guy who tore the dimension and fled.

In that sense, the timing was appropriate.

Because this side has also finally become capable of perfect preparations.

[Level : 700]

I finally get to wear it properly.

Its name alone is grandiose.

The [Jacket of the One Who Awaits the Dawn]!