Chapter 30 – You Picked the Wrong Opponent (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The leader of the lions.

Harkon Kingsguard’s eyes sank.

At first, doubt preceded.

‘……I didn’t see it wrong.’

One of the gifts the Emperor sent them in order to establish friendly relations with the Mage Tower.

An exterior that looked fragmented.

But a figure that was like a work of art in itself.

That was definitely the Hexagram Brooch.

Because a magic tool of that level was absolutely not common.

‘But how does an adventurer have that magic tool……?’

The Mage Tower was a group, a group beyond a mere group.

Mages who move solely to explore the truth.

If they had been interested in the hegemony of the continent.

‘It wouldn’t have even taken a year to unify the continent.’

So it made even less sense.

Was his name Lee Ho-yeol.

It is certain he is an adventurer starting from that name.

‘By what means is he in possession of the Mage Tower’s magic tool.’

Did he snatch the magic tool from the Mage Tower?

Impossible.

That was a possibility not even worth thinking about.

If so, there was only one answer.

‘The Mage Tower gave the magic tool to him.’

Voluntarily at that.

To be honest, Harkon couldn’t understand.

‘Why to an adventurer?’

Even if they explore the truth.

The Mage Tower wasn’t a friendly existence to anyone.

To express it in one word…….

Yeah, they were a kind of ‘natural disaster’.

If it was to explore the truth.

They were monsters capable of destroying everything that blocked their way.

‘……No, the reason is not what’s important.’

Harkon made a decision.

“Since I have found out that you are related to the Mage Tower. Telling you to step back because it’s dangerous would be presumptuous.”

Without even knowing the cause.

The current situation that fell onto the world of adventurers.

All Harkon could do was merely pray.

But to think he would meet an adventurer related to the Mage Tower.

‘If it’s the Mage Tower, regarding this situation……. No, they might have already found a solution.’

This was an opportunity where he might be able to contact the Mage Tower.

Even if it meant getting swept up in that natural disaster.

Harkon had no intention of missing that opportunity.

“Therefore, Adventurer, will you not strike down that demonic beast with us?”

However, before that, verification was needed.

Whether that adventurer was really related to the Mage Tower.

Or if he had acquired the Hexagram Brooch through heaven’s luck.

‘If his abilities are doubted…….’

He could also ask about the source of the brooch.

Whatever the reason, that magic tool was an imperial bestowal.

Lionheart, called the empire’s strongest Knight Order and the Emperor’s limbs.

As its Commander, he would have that much authority.

‘I’ll know when I see it.’

Harkon thought he had sufficiently hidden his inner thoughts.

However, at the returning answer, he ended up being astonished.

“However, always keep in mind that there is give and take in everything. Lionheart Knight Commander, Sir Harkon Kingsguard.”

……To think he could see through it like this!

And his exact intentions at that.

Harkon realized from that short conversation.

‘He readily accepted even while grasping my intention.’

Keep in mind that there is give and take.

Yet he didn’t just let it slide.

‘I made a mistake.’

At the point his intention was revealed, the positions of himself and the adventurer were completely reversed.

That was right.

Now, the ones proving themselves were not the adventurer, but them.

“I will keep that in mind. Adventurer.”

As if repenting for that negligence.

A vow upon his heart.

And that was now.

Swoosh

Stairs embroidered in the sky.

The moment he took a step.

A bizarre sight of the stairs disappearing and rising anew.

It was truly magic.

Tap tap tap!

Harkon recalled the conversation from just now while climbing those stairs.

-Harkon. I will assist you.

-Assist. What do you mean by that, Adventurer?

-I will pave the way.

Harkon gritted his teeth.

‘Can I still confidently call myself the Emperor’s knight after this!’

He had harbored unnecessary doubts.

Not only that, he was receiving consideration.

At a point where they were the ones who had to prove their abilities.

Grind!

“Now I shall not disappoint you. Adventurer.”

Focusing his mind.

Vrrrrrrr

A faintly glowing sword.

Sword aura.

Soon, Harkon’s sword pierced the turtle’s neck.

In succession, the sword strikes of the knights flew in.

Even though they cut off the demonic beast’s breath.

Harkon didn’t rejoice in the slightest.

‘It’s natural that I don’t have the right.’

Just by relinquishing the achievement.

He didn’t think he had repaid his debt to the adventurer, Ho-yeol.

If anything, it would be different if he had incurred more debt.

So Harkon didn’t delay.

He shouted to the knights.

“Finish maintenance quickly. We will continue to accompany the Adventurer, Lee Ho-yeol.”

*

[Level Up.]…….

That welcoming message stopped at exactly the twentieth.

In a single breath, my level rose by 20.

As expected, a named monster.

And experience points befitting the strongest guy in the Yusra Islands at that.

‘With this, is it Level 166.’

Although I’m raising my level at a fast pace…….

Feeling inadequacy is inevitable.

Without needing to go far, just this combat alone showed it.

‘If only I was Level 300.’

I could have borrowed a better magic tool than this brooch from the Mage Tower.

And hunted the giant turtle while spamming magic with the effect of that magic tool.

However, since there’s nothing as meaningless as lamenting over what can’t be done.

‘That’s enough. It’s enough as is.’

I opened the inventory.

The spoils that I automatically acquired due to high contribution.

To check the island’s treasure, to be exact.

[Island’s Treasure, Broken Crown]

[Grade: Epic]

[Requirement: Lv.500]

[Effect: None]

[Description: It’s an old crown.]

……What is this.

What’s with an information window lacking any balance?

The first thing that caught my eye was the grade.

Normal / Magic / Rare / Unique / Epic

Due to my personality, I wasn’t showing it outwardly but.

I was in a state of severe shock.

To think it’s an Epic grade item……!

‘If it’s Epic, it hasn’t even appeared many times in Arcana’s history, right?’

Of course, during the roughly 10 years I was away from Arcana.

Epic grade items I didn’t know about could have dropped.

But even considering that, an Epic item isn’t something you can easily see. There still wasn’t any information about it available.

‘Because there was no history of it being traded at the auction house either.’

That was the reason I said I couldn’t find any balance.

Yeah, if it’s an Epic grade.

Befitting that grandiose grade.

Shouldn’t it have great effects?

‘While its level restriction is filthy high.’

It has no effects!

Even the description was just a single line.

I couldn’t detect any sincerity.

Island’s treasure my foot, what island’s treasure it this……!

Emotional ups and downs fluctuating like a roller coaster.

Of course, I never showed it outwardly.

The fact that I don’t alternate between joy and sorrow over something like this.

I already knew through experience without having to dig up the setting.

Besides, there was another piece of evidence.

[Collapse Progress: 4/10]

Just as I thought, my guess was right.

What advances the collapse isn’t the island’s treasure itself.

But the island’s treasure being tainted by ‘greed’.

A crown, one of the treasures, entered my inventory, but the progress didn’t increase; that was the evidence.

I thought internally.

‘Although it’s an unharbored greed.’

Even if there was, it would have disappeared quickly.

The moment I checked the crown’s information, that is.

‘But there might be something hidden.’

Is an Epic grade an Epic grade for nothing?

For a brief moment while I thought to comfort myself.

‘……Anyway, why did they relinquish it?’

Harkon and the knights came to mind.

Thanks to them relinquishing their kill contribution, on top of monopolizing the experience points, I even automatically acquired the island’s treasure.

Even though it was a development I hadn’t even imagined.

“Indeed, honorable as your reputation. Lionheart Knights.”

……Of course you’d say that?

I also felt that excessive kindness was a matter of course.

Still, I need to know the reason.

Also because I had said something too.

‘Saying keep the give and take in mind.’

It’s said your mind entering the bathroom is different from when leaving it.

If I knew this would happen, I should have just kept my mouth shut.

I was in the middle of such regret.

“I ended up owing you once again.”

……Excuse me? You owe me? You guys?

Just what kind of debt does he mean he owes.

In an instant, thousands of thoughts crossed my mind.

‘Because I paved the way, the stairs? It was to that extent?’

However, I replied without blinking an eye.

“It will not matter as long as you keep it in mind.”

“Of course, your words have been engraved in this heart.”

Perhaps thanks to me not blinking an eye.

I was able to notice.

That he was definitely misunderstanding something entirely.

‘Just where did he start misunderstanding?’

Even trying to trace back, it’s natural I can’t figure it out.

But there shouldn’t be a need to worry anymore, right.

You know, isn’t there a saying?

‘……If you can’t avoid it, you just have to enjoy it.’

On top of that, this isn’t a one-sided relationship.

Isn’t it a give-and-take relationship?

I receive something beyond a misunderstanding?

I just have to simply return it.

‘As for that standard, well.’

Because of the lofty pride.

Because Granfel, who can’t stand living in debt to others, would know it even better.

As Harkon took off his helmet, a middle-aged face was revealed.

For a Knight Commander, he had a handsome and gentle impression.

He once again placed his fist on his chest and spoke to me.

“I cannot know what purpose you have, but. At least here. Just in the Yusra Islands, our Lionheart Knights will become your sword and shield.”

If this were in the Arcana game.

I would have taken screenshots without rest.

For the Lionheart Knights to say such a thing.

Fussing over it being an achievement of a lifetime.

‘……Because this is that surprising of a thing.’

But there was something even more surprising.

[The Lionheart Knights join your party.]

Though limited to the Yusra Islands.

Perhaps thanks to them pledging their loyalty to me.

A party was automatically created.

Information about them popped up before my eyes.

Meaning I could see their levels above their heads.

[Harkon Kingsguard: Lv.600]

[Yeshika Bright: Lv.430]

[Enoch Lauren: Lv.400]…….

Level 600.

The moment I saw that number.

I could dare to guarantee.

No Player or guild currently in the Yusra Islands would be able to catch up with my party’s combat power……! To think I became the party leader of such a party with a mere Level 166.

‘At least I should feel burdened.’

It makes my mouth hurt to say it now.

Since there was no such word as burden in my dictionary.

“I shall respect your decision. Sir Harkon.”

I boldly said.

What I had to do while leading the knight order was clear.

Click

I continued speaking as I moved my steps.

“Then let us head to the next island.”

That I must get my money’s worth no matter what!

*

[The Yusra Islands begin to be tainted by greed.]

[Collapse Progress: 5/10]

The popping up message.

Kinber licked his dry lips.

“Let’s calm down.”

Supernova.

This patience played a part in him coming to be called that.

Endure and endure again.

In the end, this patience to endure until a surefire opportunity comes.

[The Yusra Islands begin to be tainted by greed.]

[Collapse Progress: 6/10]

“……Fuck!”

But was it because of the environment called a treasure island.

It was particularly hard to endure.

It was as if someone was whispering to him.

-Move.

-Are you sure it’s okay to just stay still like this.

-What will you do if the treasures get snatched away like this.

“……Shut the fuck up.”

He hadn’t given up.

He was just aiming for a surefire chance.

Kinber believed he was smart.

“There’s always a time to hit and run for anything.”

Even after murdering tens, hundreds of Players.

Him walking around perfectly fine like this was the basis of that belief.

The reason such Kinber was holding his breath was simple.

Because the prey of the Yusra Islands was not easy to hunt.

‘Cowardly bastards.’

Players were moving in units of guilds, or parties at minimum.

Well, it was the same for himself too, but.

This was to handle it swiftly.

Whenever the prey fell away from the group.

‘It’s over if the fight drags on.’

Because other Players might flock over due to that commotion. That meant, setting aside the success or failure of the hunt, everything he had built up would be completely finished.

So Kinber ambushed here.

‘On this island isolated in a remote spot.’

As far as the distance was secluded, the Players reaching here would also be few.

Kinber licked his dry lips once again.

“Retards with heads full of flowers.”

Why take a difficult detour when there’s an easy path?

It was something impossible to comprehend with Kinber’s brain.

He was just thankful.

“Thanks to you guys not knowing reality.”

Because I am taking the shortcut.

It was when Kinber’s eyes glinted.

“……Oho.”

Prey was seen from afar.

And a very appetizing prey at that.

To think he would meet him like this.

As expected, it was worth keeping an eye on him from the portal.

“Lee Ho-yeol.”

The Player who showed a shocking debut.

His strength?

Kinber was also aware of it.

No, it was impossible not to know.

Because whatever media you turned on, TV, internet, it was noisy with that guy’s story for a while.

So it meant he was appetizing.

“It’s the perfect time when they don’t know anything.”

As if he has truly become something.

When he is completely filled with hot air.

That was the perfect time to pop the prey like a balloon.

“That arrogance will get you killed today.”

No matter how strong he was, the preparations were meticulous.

Debuffs, status ailments, a Rare grade deadly poison, etc…….

Means that one absolutely couldn’t handle alone.

Kinber sent a signal.

“Everyone get ready.”

However.

There was no occasion where Kinber’s signal dropped.

-……Kinber? You punk, you told us to get ready?

“…….”

-Why is this bastard not saying anything?

The angry voices of his party ringing in his ears.

But Kinber couldn’t say anything.

Lee Ho-yeol.

And as if escorting him.

The plate armored knights following behind him.

Above all, that lion crest was……. There was no mistake.

That was the Lionheart Knights.

“H-How does that even make sense?!”

Kinber ended up realizing it.

“……He wasn’t arrogant.”

An overwhelming difference in class.

That couldn’t be reached no matter what shortcut one crossed.

It was then.

‘H-How could this…….’

……How did he notice me when I’m in stealth?!

Lee Ho-yeol.

It was when his eyes met with the middle-aged knight walking side by side with him.