Chapter 34 – True Natural Enemy (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The reason my body, which was lethargic from magic power exhaustion, became fine.

‘It must be because of the synergy effect.’

If the Natural Enemy between a Demon Hunter and a demon simply enhanced combat power.

The relationship between Granfel and a demon increased additional stats including magic power regeneration.

‘Unbending Pride.’

So that I can be upright as always.

I should be rejoicing, but I couldn’t just be purely happy about it.

Because I knew from experience.

That Granfel’s setting was absolutely not omnipotent.

‘……I’m already scared.’

Because realizing that setting was accompanied by effort.

Beyond the physical training from recurring quests, to the A4 papers I had to fill densely.

Just how many nights did I stay up completely because of the setting of a rare genius?

However, now it was worth enduring even that hardship.

‘It’s not just any demon, it’s a Great Evil.’

To be exact, it was an avatar of a Great Evil, but anyway.

It’s an enemy that makes even the great Harkon tense up.

To face such a guy in a state of magic power exhaustion would make no sense.

First of all, let’s consider it a blessing.

While I was thinking that, Harkon approached.

“Sir Ho-yeol, don’t tell me the reason you sought the Yusra Islands is……?”

It was because of the updated quest.

To put it plainly, it would be because of the Great Evil.

I answered as if it was obvious.

“That is correct. Sir Harkon.”

“……!”

His pupils dilated, but only for a moment.

Harkon muttered to himself.

“……It was my negligence, Your Majesty. If only I had known a little sooner.”

By ‘Your Majesty’, Harkon must be referring to the Emperor.

There was no reason to reply to his soliloquy.

Of course, I wonder what negligence he meant.

It wasn’t a situation to rack my brains either.

“……Everyone, prepare for battle! It’s coming!!”

A splendid palace that seemed to embody greed itself.

Because soldiers began to surge up from its surroundings.

Rather than being summoned, the expression ‘surging up’ was more accurate.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

Because they were truly crawling out from under the ground.

Someone shouted.

“They’re undead!”

Indeed, those words were accurate.

What appeared after digging through the dirt were skeletons.

‘Undead are not of the Demon Race, but…….’

I checked the skill window.

───────

Natural Enemy: Combat power increases drastically when fighting the Demon Race.

───────

The Natural Enemy was still active as expected.

The Natural Enemy that was active even when the Great Evil was crouching.

Now that it had fully revealed its appearance, there was probably no need to even verify it.

However, I had to make a cool-headed judgment.

I looked around the battle situation.

I saw the urgent Players.

“It seems we’ll have to take them down first to enter?”

“We must fight in a way that minimizes damage as much as possible!”

“That would be good. The competition will be fiercer inside!”

Unlike me, a Demon Hunter.

The Players did not know the severity of the situation.

They seemed excited with the thought of clearing the Golden Palace and the Great Evil with fluttering hearts.

It could be like that.

The Golden Palace.

Since its exterior looked like tremendous spoils would pour out from it.

Greed, in itself.

The Golden Palace, just by its existence.

Was clouding the judgment of the Players.

Of course, the symbol of spotless integrity.

Greed was an emotion that did not exist for Granfel.

This meant his judgment remained intact as well.

Thanks to that, I could make a rational judgment.

‘I must save my magic power.’

The avatar of the Great Evil.

Its strength cannot be compared to Count Ascura’s.

I had no magic power to waste on the likes of skeletons.

In that sense, it was a relief.

Because I had allies more reliable than anyone else.

Even if it’s limited to the Yusra Islands.

“Sir Harkon. Is your pledge still valid?”

“Of course.”

Answering like that, Harkon put on his helmet.

Clack

Then, along with the knights, he raised his sword and shield.

“I pledged to His Majesty that here, at least, we would become your sword and shield. Sir Ho-yeol, you have the authority to command our Lionheart Knights.”

He added a word.

“Furthermore, now that I have learned the fact that you sought this place to slay the demon. At the very least, there will be no instance of me taking even a single step back before the enemy.”

Aligning their ranks and files.

The Lionheart Knights aligning before me.

Feeling like I’ve become a great person.

I didn’t feel anything like being conceited.

There was only me taking even their loyalty for granted.

‘……I feel tired thinking about it.’

However, since there is something I shoulder.

Responsibility naturally followed.

In a word, it was ‘Noblesse Oblige’.

Why on earth did I attach such a tiring setting, my past self……! At least this was certain. I just took cool-sounding words and attached them.

Of course, regardless of that truth.

I confidently opened my mouth.

I spoke towards the Players.

“In order to face the undead, the Lionheart Knights require blessings and protection. If you cooperate, I shall be deeply grateful for that favor.”

……Even asking for a favor is shameless!

In a word, it meant we needed buffs.

God’s blessings and protection.

Because for the undead, including skeletons, there was no weakness equal to that.

Naturally, I didn’t have such skills.

I thought.

‘If it was a command I’d understand, but a favor.’

I didn’t know I would end up saying such words.

Did I mature because I got something to be responsible for or what.

If that wasn’t enough, I’d be grateful for the favor he says.

Of course, to the Players’ ears, it would still sound arrogant.

Just covering it with gratitude without any concrete rewards.

Moreover, considering the unfavorable gazes that were directed at me.

No one would reply…….

“We will help…… You.”

“We will cooperate!”

……I thought they wouldn’t.

For what reason, replies were heard simultaneously.

I looked at a man and a woman.

……Wait, aren’t we acquainted?

*

In the end, the Collapse Progress that filled up to the brim.

Simultaneously, the Golden Palace revealed its appearance.

Nam Tae-min muttered.

“In the end, it turned out exactly as you said, Hyung.”

-Be careful. Tae-min. It won’t be easy.

The Yusra Islands.

It was too calm to be called a legendary treasure island.

Of course, even if ten named monsters were guarding the treasures.

The foreshadowing that was thrown since the days when Arcana was merely a game was far too massive.

Nam Cheol-min continued his words.

-Don’t be greedy. Let’s take it slowly.

Nam Tae-min, who was staring blankly at the Golden Palace.

……Why am I staring so intently?

Looking at the Golden Palace, he felt as if he was possessed by something.

“Huh? Ah, yeah. Hyung. I have to snap out of it.”

Nam Tae-min quickly shook his head.

And said to Gaon’s guild members.

“Our opponents are of the Demon Race. Mental strength enhancing items, buffs. Prepare whatever you can in advance. Because we don’t know when the battle will begin……. Well, there was no need to say it.”

Skeletons surging from the ground.

Demon Race and now even undead?

“It’s just become a total shitshow.”

It was the moment Nam Tae-min forced the corners of his mouth up.

“If you cooperate, I shall be deeply grateful for that favor.”

……This voice?

It was Ho-yeol’s voice.

Not to mention Nam Tae-min.

Even to Nam Cheol-min who was listening through earphones.

-Tae-min. It’s an opportunity. This!

Of all things, Ho-yeol’s favor!

Other Players might not know, but the brothers knew.

How many times had they confirmed Ho-yeol’s abilities right in front of their eyes?

So they couldn’t miss it.

“We will cooperate!”

He reflexively answered.

And their eyes met.

“……Fuck, what the.”

With Leoni, who was looking up at him with extreme displeasure.

“We will help…… You.”

The reason Leoni stepped forward even while forcing honorifics was simple.

Because those crazy bitches were poking her side.

Kyaak kyaak.

Screaming like crows while at it.

“Unni, he says a favor!”

“Quick, quick!”

“No, fuck.”

Of course, there was a little of Leoni’s own will too.

Just like Gaon’s Nam brothers.

‘That monster.’

Because Leoni was also one of the people who witnessed Ho-yeol’s abilities right before her eyes.

Did they only witness it?

Thanks to Ho-yeol, the Berserker Guild also became the protagonist of the grandiose title of being the first to clear a new rift.

‘Well, it’s like paying back a favor.’

Favors had to be paid back when they could be.

Above all, because Leoni knew very well.

-It is a pity. I have no tea to serve to you.

Ho-yeol’s narrow-mindedness.

Leoni swallowed a giggle inwardly.

‘Still, since he said he wouldn’t forget the favor first.’

If it ends well, she could at least get treated to a cup of tea, right?

Just as she was smacking her lips…….

Suddenly, a massive uninvited guest named Gaon appeared.

Zap

Gaon and Berserker.

Barbarian Warrior and Berserker.

With Ho-yeol in the middle.

Tension flowed between the two.

However, that war of nerves which didn’t seem like it would end easily was.

“I remember you.”

“……!!”

Ended in just a single word.

*

The world is so warm like this.

Even if we are acquainted, we’ve never properly had a conversation even once.

For them to step forward so readily like this.

I’m feeling that affection is still alive in the world.

‘I’m regretting it.’

Nam Tae-min and Leoni.

I had ties with both of them during the Count Ascura rift.

At that time I was to these nice people.

‘Saying they lack formality. Or that I have no tea to serve them.’

……I really said all sorts of things, what I should and shouldn’t have said.

Of course, because regret was a word that didn’t exist for Granfel.

I just calmly said what I had to.

“I will not forget this favor.”

“Eyy.”

At those words of mine, Nam Tae-min waved his hands dismissively.

South Korea’s best guild, Gaon.

And the Guild Master of that Gaon, Nam Tae-min.

Even I, who wasn’t interested in Players in the past, couldn’t not know Nam Tae-min.

Since in South Korea at least, Nam Tae-min was a hero beyond just a Player.

“This level of favor. It’s nothing at all. Lord Ho-yeol……. No wait, should I say Mr. Ho-yeol? Anyway, we also received help from Mr. Ho-yeol!”

By help, he must be referring to the square battle.

Should I call that help?

‘I was just lucky.’

A time when my magic was just putting up walls.

I just met cavalry, which I had an advantage against in compatibility, and achieved a great victory.

However, just like regret.

Humility was also an emotion that didn’t exist for Granfel.

“Is that so. All things have a give and take, I suppose.”

Not just the Lionheart Knights, but even Gaon?

……I don’t know. Now I’m scared of this version of myself too.

I looked at Leoni.

“I am observing your moves as well.”

The Berserker Guild.

Even if not as much as Gaon, it was one of the top guilds.

The image of her wielding twin swords still remains in my memory.

Though I didn’t actually try to mimic it properly because I didn’t have swords I could equip.

“Hiiik.”

But why is she so surprised?

Leoni clearly showed signs of flinching at my words.

This straightforward personality couldn’t overlook such a doubt.

“What are you so surprised about?”

“A-Ah, no. Surprised about what. Me……?!”

But not to the extent of forcefully interrogating her on something she found difficult to say.

Because Granfel isn’t a narrow-minded aristocrat either.

“If so, then that is a relief.”

Besides, this wasn’t the time to be having friendly idle chats.

A situation where only charging into the Golden Palace remained.

Harkon spoke to the two.

“Thank you, adventurers. Your blessings shall become a great strength in fighting against evil.”

The Lionheart Knights armed with buffs.

A Player who seemed to be a healer approached me as well and asked.

“By any chance, is there any buff you need? Like Goddess’s Prayer, or Blessing. Because my skill proficiency is the highest in the Gaon Guild!”

I nonchalantly replied.

“I do not believe in anything like gods.”

……I’m seriously going crazy. I really am!

Cringey lines.

A complexion that doesn’t show any signs of change even after spitting out such lines.

I’ll be honest.

I’m more scared of opening my mouth than the Great Evil in front of my eyes……!

‘Prayer increases mental strength and Blessing increases physical abilities.’

Both were buffs that were practically useless to me.

So it just meant I didn’t need buffs.

Damn it.

Internal shame boils up.

So I didn’t hesitate.

Towards the Palace of Greed.

I quickly moved my steps.

Tick

Before anyone catches the end of my words……!

*

AAU Korea Branch.

Seong Hyeon-jun accessed the official Arcana homepage.

He checked the update history that was added belatedly.

“……I knew it would be like this!”

“What is it? A new patch came up?”

“Yes, Senior. I’m certain. This is something even Raymond couldn’t have predicted!”

The Yusra Islands.

No, to be exact, the Yusra Kingdom.

That was a large-scale content that Seong Hyeon-jun had been preparing since his days working as a developer for Arcana.

Not just Seong Hyeon-jun, but anyone in the Arcana development team couldn’t not know the Yusra Kingdom.

“No, if he was going to do it alone, he should have at least discharged properly!”

The target of that resentment was Raymond Sean.

Just what did he touch wrongly.

“……Hyeon-jun. I’m not the only one misunderstanding this, right?”

“There’s no way you’re misunderstanding. The Yusra Kingdom was set to have perished. Even until Raymond Sean, that bastard went missing and Cosmo went bankrupt!”

“But why, why is that coming out now……?”

Could it be that the Golden Palace, which shouldn’t exist at this point in time, had reappeared? Along with an unheard-of monster called the Great Evil at that.

“What is the Seven Deadly Sins Greed? Adding things only he knows.”

Still, what was fortunate was.

That an additional update history was posted, even if belatedly.

From that history, they had to sift out any information that would even slightly help the Players.

That was AAU’s role.

However.

“……S-Senior?”

Seong Hyeon-jun couldn’t say a single word.

“This crazy.”

It was no different for Senior Yoon Su-gyeom.

Their minds going blank.

Seong Hyeon-jun struggled to open his mouth.

“B-But still, they have the Lionheart Knights! On top of that, Lee Ho-yeol is there too. The large guilds are also still going strong, so…….”

“The Lionheart Knights? Do you think they’ll risk their lives here? I don’t know how they lucked out and traveled together until now, but it’s hard to expect any more help.”

“……That’s true but.”

But he soon couldn’t help but trail off.

Yoon Su-gyeom urgently made a phone call.

“It’s impossible! No one, absolutely no one must enter!”

What came up on that monitor was.

A despairing update history.

『New Collapse Rift, ‘Golden Palace’ is added.

Recommended Level: Lv.600~650

New Boss Monster, ‘Seven Deadly Sins, Avatar of Greed’: Lv.650

New monsters are added.

‘Sleepless Soldier’: Lv.500』

Yoon Su-gyeom shouted.

“Seriously everyone is going to die at this rate!!”

.

.

.

However, that prediction was wrong.

Because no one died.

That was like a single streak of a flash of light.

That flash of light, at an Recommended Level of 600 to 650.

Cut across the Collapse Rift, the Golden Palace.

The prediction was wrong once again.

Because at the forefront of that were the Lionheart Knights.

“Knights of the Lionheart.”

Harkon’s sword was dyed in sword force.

His eyes also shone resolutely, not falling behind the sword force.

Therefore, the predictions were entirely wrong.

“Offer your hearts. So that Sir Ho-yeol can reach the Great Evil!”

Because they truly put their lives on the line.

“I found it.”

From afar, I could see the throne, the avatar of the Seven Deadly Sins Greed.