Chapter 314 – What If That Is Also Me (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Silence flowed in the office.

Unlike usual, the number of heads had increased by two. No one, including myself, opened their mouths. Someone looking might think a strange war of nerves was flowing.

I’d rather that be the case……

Click─

I took out teacups for entertaining guests and swallowed a sigh as I looked at the mana brazier heating the water. Damn it, I knew this day would come eventually. I tried hard to collect my mind.

The time when it became possible to cross between reality and the Arcana Continent. And from the moment I vowed to fully acknowledge Claudi, my dark history. I had kept in mind that there are no eternal secrets in the world.

But still, this was too sudden!

I was grateful to my body for moving calmly even in this situation.

Of course, proudly serving green tea bags was a bit much, but……

Now was not the time to care about green tea.

Jesse and Mary.

Whether they were trying to keep up formalities to the end, they were not speaking. However, the faces of the two people seemed full of questions. In the end, they must have been waiting for my non-explanation explanation.

‘Honestly speaking……’

I felt like becoming one step more shameless and pretending not to know and passing it over. However, Granfel’s high pride and arrogance were just a piece of paper difference beyond one step.

So I broke the silence while putting down the teacup.

“I will listen to your business.”

In fact, it wasn’t too late to feign ignorance here either.

Anyway, there must be a reason the two people waited for me.

Couldn’t I just simply answer their business?

But as I said.

Passing it over vaguely would be an act the great pride could not tolerate.

Thanks to that, I ended up adding words.

“However, resolving the question would be the priority.”

“……!”

The eyes of the two people who had been quiet turned toward me.

“Lee Ho-yeol and Granfel.”

Wasn’t this the first time I listed those two names with my own mouth in reality……? A complex feeling that couldn’t be described swept over me, but I finished my words without showing it.

“He is also me.”

A description as concise as could be.

First of all, Mary nodded her head.

Actually, Mary wouldn’t be too surprised. Lee Ho-yeol, although my name is uncommon, it’s not so weird as to be terrifying, right? It was a name my grandfather gave me with great joy.

Besides.

‘She’d just let it pass even if it’s a bit strange.’

Considering the relationship between Mary and Claudi, it was natural. In fact, even without a halo. I had become like a benefactor to Mary by restoring the Descendants of Twilight.

The problem was Jesse’s side.

I knew Jesse’s personality well. A personality that persistently dug into things she didn’t know about, including magic. Because of that, I had suffered quite a bit.

As expected, questions poured out.

“By any chance, is Granfel your name on the Arcana Continent?”

Since it was the ID from the Chronicles of the Arcana Continent era.

Strictly speaking, it was a sharp question. Of course, since she didn’t ask for the full name, I would never say it first. Anxious that I might speak out of turn, I quickly answered.

“That is correct.”

Jesse continued asking.

“If so, is the name Granfel known to everyone on the Arcana Continent? If not…… is it a name known only to a few?”

What was the intention of the question?

‘Are you saying it’s an embarrassing name to be widely known?’

I wanted to guess her inner thoughts by checking Jesse’s expression.

But I couldn’t see well because of the Pointed Hat.

So I had no choice but to answer as it was.

“Everyone has come to know now.”

Actually, I tried to hide it as long as I could, but……

Due to circumstances, that went down the drain.

Why, the Legend of Dark Dragon Lee Ho-yeol was circulating on the Arcana Continent. As if that wasn’t enough, loud-voiced dragons must have shouted it. Even if they didn’t know the full name, I thought everyone would know up to Granfel.

I wondered if it was much of an answer.

It seemed to be enough for Jesse.

Only then did I feel a familiar exclamation mark in her tone.

“I see!”

Under the Pointed Hat.

Pupils that brought fatigue just by looking at them were revealed.

Jesse continued.

“It’s similar to Infinitely Deep Darkness or Dark Dragon!”

Click─

……I ended up vibrating the teacup finely without realizing it.

As expected, humanity’s special force.

Great Mage, Jesse Heinness.

She accurately pierced the core.

Yes, there wasn’t much difference.

In fact, it could safely be seen as a synonym.

But my astonishment did not end there.

“It suits you well, the name Granfel too!”

……It suits me?

What did that mean?

Was it because I had a lot to hide, I kept getting paranoid.

‘Has it been settled at this point.’

Still, I held out well, Ho-yeol.

‘Let’s see.’

Since I explained it with high pride, it was my turn to listen. I, Lee Ho-yeol. A needless resentment toward the two arose out of shame, but I couldn’t be grumpy.

Putting aside what pride did not tolerate.

‘Certainly.’

It seemed like a situation where the two of them would request an interview.

Descendant of Twilight and Great Mage.

AAU’s report was correct. It seemed a connection called a new class quest had been created between the two. Mary confessed everything honestly.

“With my intelligence that has lost its light, I could not accurately grasp what the class quest meant, but…… I thought I could be of help to this girl.”

It wasn’t a matter of brilliance.

I knew very well from looking at players and Arcanans how difficult it was to acquire knowledge from a completely different world. So the part where I flinched was because of the word ‘girl’.

“I am not a girl, though?”

Jesse also looked at Mary.

“Oh dear, was I impolite? Because I haven’t heard your name.”

“Ah.”

They were standing side by side and didn’t even exchange names? Whether Mary’s words were true, Jesse only then bowed her head deeply and introduced herself to Mary.

“I am Jesse Heinness. My class is Great Mage.”

“Great Mage……”

Chewing over it meaningfully, Mary’s confidence seemed to have a reason.

Since there was progress in the class quest, Jesse didn’t seem to refuse either.

But this meddling of mine wouldn’t just pass over it.

“Are you truly certain, Mary?”

Mary answered without yielding.

“I am certain. However, if there is something you are concerned about, I will keep it in mind.”

It wasn’t a grand worry.

As I just said, understanding something from a completely different world was not an easy task. Reality’s Lee Ho-yeol, suffering from Granfel of the Arcana Continent, and me freeloading off it was an exceptional case.

“Ability is not a problem. Since the foundation built up is different from the start, you just cannot understand each other. Do you think you can truly give and receive teachings from such an opponent?”

Jesse was the same.

‘She must have witnessed it purely thanks to the Great Mage class.’

Work that was not omitted even in front of guests.

As soon as I entered the office, I examined the parchment placed on the desk. Written there was the evaluation of the seniors and Marcelo regarding Mary’s verification.

──────

I am sorry to say, but I, including the seniors, could not witness anything.

──────

Evaluation impossible due to lack of competence.

What even the great Marcelo could not witness was twilight magic and mana. To expect Jesse, who had barely taken her first step into “magic”, to understand twilight was a ridiculous expectation.

Mary answered.

“Considering Miss Jesse Heinness’s manifesting power, Lord Granfel’s words are correct. Also, if elements I do not know, like the class quest, block the path between me and Miss Jesse Heinness……”

Mary trailed off, and Jesse also remained silent, seemingly having nothing to say. It was an obvious story, but I didn’t bring this up to dampen their spirits.

“If so, there is only one way.”

Who am I, who is Granfel?

Even if I had to struggle.

The owner of a personality who somehow sees it through to the end if a problem occurs.

I immediately brought up the main point.

“I will join in that training.”

I will say it in advance.

Strictly speaking, this was also meddling, but it was meddling with a reason. From the perspective of the Commander of the Holy War Allied Forces, helping Jesse, a special force, grow was perfectly natural.

And.

‘Actually, I’m interested too.’

The thing called twilight mana and magic.

I was the one who had experienced its effect firsthand. Although I didn’t know if I, who was neither a Descendant of Twilight nor a Great Mage related to them, could handle twilight.

‘There’s nothing to lose by challenging it while I’m at it, right?’

Since I had declared I would join.

I was someone who would push through somehow even if rejected.

Fortunately, the two people did not seem reluctant.

“I hope it won’t be a needless nuisance……”

“I’m sorry yet reassured, Chief Lee Ho-yeol!”

That’s that, then.

I soon shifted my gaze from them and looked at the teacup.

It probably didn’t show on my face because I couldn’t express it, but……

‘They probably don’t even imagine that I’ll be learning by stealing glances over their shoulders.’

Is this really an action overflowing with pride……?

A doubt arose.

In the end, it was spitting on my own face, so.

“Well then, let’s drink.”

At times like this, simply drinking green tea was the best policy……

*

It became Thursday.

The world was enveloped in a strange tension.

Today was exactly Raymond Sean and Ho-yeol.

The day a winner would be decided between the two people.

On thin ice, Ho-yeol was no different from usual.

Performing the role of the Mage Tower’s Chief.

He did not forget his duties as the General Manager of the Yusra Branch either.

“……How can he be like that?”

“I knew he wouldn’t be nervous, but……”

“If it were me, I would have taken a day off today, really.”

Even while the world was murmuring looking at Ho-yeol’s actions.

Time flowed, and the time for the regular update was imminent.

And.

“……Huh?”

Nothing happened.

Seoul Station.

Players were acting up boisterously.

“I told you! Raymond Sean, he’s a pure bluffer, right?”

“What are you saying, who was it that was puffing on cigarettes until just now?”

“That’s…… Right! That was because of Rift withdrawal symptoms!”

There was no more balance patch.

I will prove it.

It was Ho-yeol who proved it just like his declaration.

“Then, since we’re talking about it, let’s run a lap around a Rift.”

“Call! I’m down for it!”

“How about a bet on betting all the loot on it?”

“Call on that too!”

The past week.

The suppressed grudge was released.

It wasn’t a metaphor; it actually was.

The Rift status updated in real-time at AAU.

Those recording it let out a hollow laugh.

“It seems everyone was really just waiting for this moment. Excluding a few of the currently confirmed generated Rifts…… The players have entered all of them. In terms of percentage, it’s approaching a whopping 95 percent, Branch Manager!”

A mere week.

“Haha.”

Could the hearts of players, who were beyond capricious to the point of being eccentric, be turned around so dramatically? Once again, one came to admire the ability of the Yusra General Manager.

London Branch Manager, Baker, smiled.

“Beyond the Miracle of London, he has written the Miracle of the New Era.”

The new era after the Cataclysm.

In a reality where lives were at stake in Rifts, Arcana, the players, and the public were closely connected. Therefore, good news for players was soon good news for the world.

[No regular update…… Is it a new driving force?]

[The fictional existence, Raymond Sean, proven by this.]

[In-depth Coverage: Lee Ho-yeol remains unchanged today as well.]

However, there were those who could not enjoy the festive atmosphere.

China.

World Unification.

And it was Liu Oujunchun.

“…….”

Liu Oujunchun stared at the screen silently. The Connectors he had secured were exactly 7 today. Based on that, he believed he had gained the driving force to definitely pull ahead.

However……

“Absurd.”

The water Lee Ho-yeol played in was different.

Liu Oujunchun’s eyes turned toward the Connectors.

To get his hands on those.

He had suffered considerable damage while playing along with Raymond Sean’s tune.

But what about Lee Ho-yeol?

He had trampled on Raymond Sean, who had toyed with him, for all to see.

Had he noticed Liu Oujunchun’s discomfort?

Knock, knock─

Just in time, the door opened.

“We have succeeded, my Lord!”

Liu Oujunchun stood up silently and moved his steps.

“We greet the Lord!!”

The place he headed to had seven Prototype Connectors and the same number of World Unification guild members. If there was a point to note, it was that all of them had one eye covered with an eyepatch.

Was it a mark to recognize each other on the Arcana Continent?

If so, why an eyepatch?

The question regarding that did not last long.

Sssk—

A chalice filled to the brim was placed in front of Liu Oujunchun.

Liu Oujunchun looked at the chalice.

More accurately, he looked at the surface rippling with liquid.

[The effect of ‘The Chalice of the Harsh Contract’ is activated.]

[Sharing the vision of the contractors.]

[Current contractors: 7 people]

“……!”

Then, seven subtly different visions appeared on the surface.

Roll, roll─

At that point, an ordinary person would wonder what was rolling around in the chalice.

It was reasonable to have a question, but Liu Oujunchun was not ordinary.

“Consider it an honor to become my eyes.”

“Yes, your command!”

Because in his head, he only had the thought of looking at the Arcana Continent through the chalice. The experience points acquired on the Arcana Continent were not enough to satisfy him.

‘I will see it.’

Liu Oujunchun could guarantee it.

The land suitable for a monarch to unfold his will was.

The Arcana Continent, not this kind of reality.

At this moment, those who laid their bodies in the Connectors were sacrifices to realize Liu Oujunchun’s guarantee. The humming Connectors quieted down, and visions began to appear one by one in Liu Oujunchun’s chalice.

Liu Oujunchun clenched his fist.

‘I will not settle for reality, Lee Ho-yeol.’

While you waste your precious time on the Mage Tower and the Yusra Kingdom in reality.

On Holy Wars and such.

I will witness new possibilities on the Arcana Continent.

‘I will not care, Lee Ho-yeol.’

Even if you looked ahead at the Arcana Continent first, I have a vision you do not possess. I have the [Eye of the Monarch] that can grasp the flow on a continental scale.

Soon, the completely surfaced seven visions.

The corners of Liu Oujunchun’s mouth slowly went up.

As expected, it was so.

“Hahaha.”

Spring and Autumn Warring States period.

A monarch.

No, the stage of a tyrant was right there.

“How can you say that continent is desolate?”

Liu Oujunchun sneered.

“You deceived everyone, Lee Ho-yeol.”

.

.

.

Liu Oujunchun’s mistake was overlooking something.

“……!”

Even if he could share their vision.

He could not peek at the messages output to the contractors.

Messages popped up for the World Unification guild members.

“Wh-What is this?”

“Nonsense……!!”

“Lee Ho-yeol, Lee Ho-yeol is dangerous. My Lord……!!”

Countless unbelievable messages.