Chapter 297 – It Is A Living Hell……! (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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If there is Hell for demons.

To me, Lee Ho-yeol, there is reality.

I seriously get such a thought.

‘At this rate, isn’t the Arcana continent better?’

Boundlessly deep darkness, Dark Dragon, what not…….

Except for the cumbersome full name, now that most things have been laid bare.

For the sake of my mental state, I think the Arcana continent might be better than reality.

‘Because at least there are no enemies there.’

Proper education (Giving a lesson).

As Nam Chul-min said, the effect was substantial.

After defeating the Great Evil, Seven Deadly Sins Envy.

Should I say it poured oil on the already heated up attention towards me?

-He didn’t defeat the Great Evil for nothing *shivers*

[The One Chosen by Excalibur, Lee Ho-yeol]

The video didn’t just capture the scene of me pulling out the sword. The exploration of the strange, while looking through the comments, players’ voices could be heard from the automatically playing video.

-“G, Goddess……!!”

That’s right.

There was Hiel, who was not influenced by the cave’s distinct characteristics.

Indeed, looking at it from the players’ perspective…….

‘I think I know why the word goddess came out.’

They really only saw the hem of the clothes, huh, this?

Because no matter how much you raise the camera angle, Hiel’s face wasn’t caught. There’s no need to even mention the reactions in the comments. Nevertheless, as if he expected everything.

My snout leisurely babbling.

“Since God does not exist in the first place.”

If you were going to murmur like that, you should have done it a little earlier……!

Of course, even if I grumble now, I can’t turn it back.

And I also know that if you can’t avoid it, you must enjoy it.

As expected, looking at the bubble inflating fully, my mind feels uneasy.

Moreover, is that bubble just any bubble?

It being all twinkling like that is just…….

Knock knock.

What woke me up from grumbling, unable to throw away my lingering attachments, was a knock.

The thick face that never loses its equanimity.

Without having to erase my presence, I answer straight away.

“Come in, Marcelo.”

“I apologize for bothering you as soon as you returned, Sir.”

“That is an unreasonable thing to say.”

Thanks to Marcelo, World Unification.

Didn’t we perfectly counter Liu Ouzhunchun’s dog shit trickery?

Let’s see what result that counterattack created in just a few days.

‘I feel like I pulled out a thorn in my eye.’

Restoring the honor of the two families, Claudi and Lee.

Because I didn’t forget to play the role of a filial son through that.

It means you pass even Granfel’s strict standards, Marcelo.

Marcelo softly let out an exclamation.

“It is a relief if you consider it that way. By the way, did you handle the remaining matters well? I also explored through the strange in my own way but…….”

While saying that, what he takes out is.

The smartphone I activated and gifted him.

As expected of Marcelo.

If you teach him one thing, he knows ten.

Exploring the strange on his own.

No, looks like you got used to using it enough to do internet surfing?

“Of course.”

“That too is a relief, Sir.”

There’s no way Marcelo would have requested an interview just to share personal small talk. Soon, Marcelo brought out the main topic. This time, it really was a story regarding [『The Strange』].

Tragic resolve dwelled in Marcelo’s pupils.

“The Strange, there has been progress regarding its research.”

At the same time, my vision flickered.

[Quest: Marcelo’s Research]

Mage Tower, Chief Mage Marcelo.

For him to reach an advanced dimension of magic.

He wishes to be together with you.

─The Weight of Chief (Repeat) ▲

─Approach to The Strange (Success)

─Advance toward The Strange (In Progress)

It’s Marcelo’s quest I’m seeing after a long time.

As it’s been a while, the quest objective that was in progress turned to a success.

And a new quest objective has popped up.

Float.

The parchment Marcelo was holding floats in the empty air.

What filled the parchment was Marcelo’s cursive script.

“Because it’s an unfamiliar concept, I absolutely couldn’t organize my thoughts without moving my hand. Flicking the quill pen, I admired you anew, Sir. Just how can you hold such vast concepts in your head, Sir?”

There’s nothing to admire, Marcelo.

The posture of constancy.

Although there isn’t the slightest change in expression.

‘Because I also went through that.’

Why, the days when I couldn’t distinguish between skills and magic.

Because the one who stayed up all night writing crammed notes to understand the players’ skills I saw on Nettube was me. As expected, is it thanks to experience, or is it thanks to talent.

It wasn’t difficult to understand Marcelo’s research paper.

“A new approach towards the Arcana continent, huh.”

Seriously, what would I have done without Marcelo?

The greatest talent in the history of the Mage Tower.

The founder of Theoretical Magic.

Marcelo perfectly untangled the connector’s interference process into writing! As expected, because I was the one who entered the Arcana continent by copying the connector’s manifestation process, I could continue speaking.

“It is an excellent interference process that cannot even be compared to that kind of trash.”

That kind of trash here refers to the connector.

To Granfel, Raymond Sean is no different from a demon.

It’s the connector made by such Raymond Sean.

It’s natural it gets poor treatment from Granfel.

‘No, apart from that, it’s amazing, Marcelo.’

To think you could produce this kind of result without even entering the realm of the Strange. Above all, there’s no unnecessary redundancy in the interference. Thanks to that, the magic power consumption would also be vastly reduced.

Marcelo added an explanation regarding that.

“If we can apply that concept to the Mage Tower’s portal, I expect not only the Arcanans but also adventurers will be able to enter the Arcana continent without restrictions.”

The Mage Tower’s portal, huh.

The Mage Tower, the portal in the lobby is special. I don’t know the exact principle, but it manifests at all times regardless of magic power. It’s the Mage Tower’s portal that transports players anywhere in the world.

I nodded my head gently.

“Your words are correct, Marcelo.”

The more, the better.

The more trustworthy colleagues there are, the better.

Look at it now too.

If it weren’t for Marcelo.

I would have struggled trying to manifest a portal leading to the Arcana continent by improving my magic power over god knows how long. And trying to handle that ridiculous weight all by myself.

Newly being thankful was also brief, I swallowed dry saliva.

‘So what is needed?’

The message provided the answer to that.

─Advance toward The Strange (In Progress)

●Grasp the root of the Mage Tower. (In Progress)

The root of the Mage Tower, huh.

As I just said, the Mage Tower is special.

Back in the days when I was ignorant of 『Magic』…….

‘I just thought it was possible because it’s the Mage Tower.’

However, after acquiring the qualifications of a true Chief, not a parachute.

There wasn’t just one or two questionable points about the Mage Tower.

Shall I kindly give examples?

First of all, starting from the exterior of the Mage Tower itself.

Looking from the outside, the Mage Tower is absolutely not humongous.

Although it soared high, it’s lower than the buildings in Seoul.

However, how is its interior?

The stairs of the Mage Tower manifested in the empty air are to the point where the end cannot be seen.

The space inside is the same. Like how various items enter the inventory endlessly. Because the Mage Tower also harbors vast halls and countless places.

Meaning it’s absolutely not a place built with 『Magic』 alone.

Actually, even just the underground of the Mage Tower, Mugan (Avici).

It’s a place more questionable and harder to grasp a sense of than everything I’ve seen so far. Because neither [Rifts], nor [Pieces], nor even the field altered by the Seven Deadly Sins Envy could match up to Mugan.

“May I excuse myself for a moment, Sir?”

Nod.

As I nodded, Marcelo approached the bookshelf.

Marcelo’s bony fingers scan the books.

“Unless you look deeply into it, it’s hard to feel doubts. However, as you also guess, Sir, what constitutes the Mage Tower is not magic. Because inexhaustible magic power does not exist in the world, you see.”

Ruuuumble.

At the same time, the structure of the bookcase changed.

Naturally, I don’t get surprised.

‘Because I’m a Chief too, I tell you.’

An attitude of not neglecting anything.

Even if I sat in the Chief’s position by parachuting, I meticulously read through the manual. Magic power isn’t needed either. With just sheer will, the structure of the office can be changed entirely at my disposal.

“Excuse me, Sir.”

Ruuuumble.

Marcelo restores the office structure to its original state.

Then he continues speaking.

“It is a matter of adding the interference process to such portal of the Mage Tower. According to the theory, exploring the Mage Tower itself would be the priority. I have no choice but to hope for your help once again, Sir.”

Marcelo has eyes that don’t even worry.

It’s nice that you trust me but…….

This is quite feeling uneasy in my own way.

‘The root of the Mage Tower, huh.’

Just where should I start grasping this from.

While I was agonizing.

Marcelo, who requested it, let out a sigh for a change.

Then he gets startled and continues speaking.

“Oh my. I apologize, Sir. Not being of help, to let out a sigh, I have no face. I trust your abilities, Sir, but……. No matter how I think about it, I feel like I’m giving you an unreasonable request so…….”

Marcelo’s gaze scans the office.

No, it scans the more fundamental Mage Tower.

The founder of Theoretical Magic. Seeing how Marcelo’s personality had to dig into the Mage Tower which couldn’t be explained by theory, it’s understandable he reveals emotions he rarely shows.

But who am I, Chief Mage Marcelo.

Clack─

Finished listening attentively.

The teacup holding the green tea teabag that I sip on.

After swallowing the green tea that was still warm thanks to a delicate warming magic applied to it.

I open my mouth shamelessly as always.

“You do not need to worry, Marcelo.”

“……Could it be, did you catch a clue of something?”

“Of course.”

Continuing the speech unusually plausibly.

“The Strange naturally knows the answer.”

“……!”

Seeing Marcelo’s widened pupils, my conscience is pricked.

Naturally so.

Is there anything special about the Strange I’m talking about here.

‘If you’re curious about the Mage Tower, you just have to search its designer.’

That’s right.

Another title following the Chief of the Mage Tower.

AAU Yusra Branch General Manager.

‘The setting of the Mage Tower will surely exist in the database. First of all, let’s look it up.’

Because that’s me, Lee Ho-yeol.

*

The Five Stars of World Unification.

The five players were in a state of putting a lot of strength into their shoulders.

Our liege is watching us.

‘He trusted me.’

‘I am the true Five Stars.’

‘To grant such an opportunity……!’

Five Stars and five connectors.

This moment.

The Five Stars of World Unification enter the Arcana continent through the connectors.

Just how much did their liege suffer to get his hands on the connectors?

The self-proclaimed Five Stars glare at each other.

“Pay attention not to betray expectations.”

“Hmph, look who’s talking.”

“Even if our liege forgives you, I will not forgive you.”

For today.

They were the Five Stars who prepared for entry by cutting off all interactions with the world.

Under the massive support of World Unification.

They were also equipped with new gear.

The man’s resolute voice rang out.

“I’ll trust that you haven’t forgotten the goal either. We must accurately report to our liege what is happening on the Arcana continent.”

Although there was already the pioneer who illuminated the Arcana continent, Lee Ho-yeol.

How could they trust his words?

A petty psychological warfare was exchanging among them.

Beeeep─

On the dot.

Simultaneously with the loud notification sound.

The Five Stars lay their bodies in the connectors.

A tragic voice flowed out from the connectors.

“Everything is for my liege, Liu Ouzhunchun-nim.”

.

.

.

Soon, not long after, the Five Stars opened their eyes on the Arcana continent.

“……!!!”

And regretted it.

A completely different world.

For that reason, they shouted to their liege Liu Ouzhunchun with voices that couldn’t possibly reach him.

“Uwaaaaaaah!!”

[You have entered the Arcana continent heading towards destruction.]

It was not the Arcana continent overflowing with dreams and hopes, our liege!!

Corpses and maggots boiling everywhere.

Messages twinkling before their eyes consistently.

[A Magic Eye pays attention to you with curiosity.]

[Your mental power is too low.]

[Status effect, ‘Fear’ occurs.]

Up to the giant demon’s pupils decorating the sky.

Even amidst their terror, the Five Stars ground their teeth.

As expected, he was an untrustworthy bastard, Lee Ho-yeol……!

“To think he entered a place like this several times and was fine……?”

It makes no sense……!

Trembling in fear, the Five Stars hurriedly opened their inventories. As they said, they prepared thoroughly. If it’s the items they brought, they should be able to recover from the status effects and acquire the information their liege needs.

“……?”

Suddenly, above the heads of these guys who were thinking.

Tudududu─

A somehow familiar sound was heard.

“W, What is that?!”

That was.

Like a helicopter spinning its propeller.

A giant airship flying in the sky.

Color returned to the faces of the Five Stars.

“……Right! There’s no way the Arcana continent just perished just like that. Lee Ho-yeol, that guy definitely received help from an emerging force like that.”

“And then he showed off like that?”

“There’s nothing to feel unfair about. Now that we have acquired this kind of information. I don’t know who is riding that airship, but they will soon pledge loyalty to our liege.”

To do that, they would have to send a signal to the airship.

[Skills] and [Items].

They each signal to inform the airship of their existence.

Tududu─

Did that earnestness reach them.

The gears of the airship came to a halt.

“I, It looked this way!!”

.

.

.

Airship, Iron Castle.

The dwarf leader, Chainwalker, frowned his brow.

Then he asked politely.

“……Aren’t those adventurers?”

The one listening to that question was none other than Hiel.

Hiel’s gaze headed toward the five men and women stuck to the ground.

More accurately, to the red insignia embroidered on their shoulders.

‘Red insignia…….’

Aren’t those the ones trying to slander my liege.

The boundlessly deep darkness.

The Dark Dragon?

“By all means.”

Hiel’s loyalty towards the true liege, Ho-yeol, wavered strongly.