Chapter 46 – Covardly

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The Yusra Kingdom developing in real-time.

Its reconstruction speed was truly at a level that surpassed common sense.

Above all, the money being poured into it was tremendous.

After the cataclysm.

The non-combat class Players whose standing had no choice but to narrow.

As the Yusra Kingdom began reconstruction, a bright smile bloomed on their faces for the first time in a while.

“Is the day production classes hit the jackpot finally coming?”

“It has truly been a long time of contempt and persecution. Because in rifts, we were no different from ordinary people. Still, the day I make money as a Player in my lifetime is coming!”

“Hey, Mr. Kim. Stop chattering and carry the bricks.”

The first Arcana nation that appeared in reality.

The capital being invested in the Yusra Kingdom was to an extent that transcended imagination.

First of all, large guilds that rivaled most corporations.

Because the investment funds of Gaon and Berserker alone were to an extent that couldn’t be ignored.

“The aggressive investments of Gaon and Berserker. How do you view them, expert?”

“A wise judgment looking far into the future. I guess we can sum it up like that. In fact, it probably won’t even be the distant future. Since even at this moment, Gaon and Berserker are practically growing their influence in the Yusra Kingdom.”

“So the amount being invested right now is not a waste in the slightest?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Actually, even excluding Gaon and Berserker.

There were guilds, players, and even nations that visited the Yusra Kingdom carrying enormous investment funds.

Among them, the one that was most active was China.

“We wish to build a close cooperative relationship with the Yusra Kingdom. If it’s the continent’s guild, Unify the World, we would be able to become a much sturdier pillar for the kingdom than Gaon or Berserker.”

The small token of sincerity handed over with such a proposal.

However, who was the King of Yusra, Hakuna?

He knew the terrifying nature of greed better than anyone else.

Moreover, the realization he obtained while watching Ho-yeol.

Hakuna coldly shook off all the attractive proposals.

“There will be no change in my decision.”

The only one who could change that decision would only be Ho-yeol.

Besides, wasn’t it the Yusra Kingdom that was called a legendary treasure island until not long ago?

Actually, they could cover the costs of reconstruction just by selling the minerals they mined.

The ones who knew that fact better than anyone else were the parties involved themselves.

Scratch, scratch

Leoni scratched her head.

“Aaaaaah.”

The flowing scream.

The guild members who had been keeping quiet whispered amongst themselves.

“Sis, why is she being like that again?”

“It’s obvious. She’s probably worrying over something useless again.”

“Ah, thinking about that person?”

To the point where even those reckless remarks couldn’t be heard.

Leoni’s feelings were complex and subtle.

How should I explain it?

‘……Things are going incredibly well but.’

What is this feeling like my debt is increasing in real-time?

I wasn’t talking about material debt.

What Leoni was feeling was a debt of the heart.

Right, just as the guild members said, it was because of Ho-yeol.

“Why? Really? Aaaaaah.”

Isn’t this too excessive of a reward to call it simple goodwill?

Because comparing what was received to the help given didn’t make sense.

Leoni chewed on her fingernails.

‘What’s this? He’s not the type of person to do this, is he? Really?’

Maybe I shouldn’t go getting all happy about it already.

Leoni nodded her head with her lips closed tightly.

The first meeting with Ho-yeol that naturally came to mind.

‘Right. Right. With that petty personality of his.’

With that stingy personality that wouldn’t even share a cup of tea, you know.

There was no way he just dispensed this goodwill out of nowhere.

Leoni grabbed her innocent hair.

‘……But what does he plan to take?’

To the extent of taking something from her.

Did Ho-yeol lack anything……?

No matter how much she agonized over it, it didn’t seem like there was anything in particular.

So a ‘by any chance’ thought came to mind.

Flinch

Leoni’s hands, which had been tormenting her hair, stopped.

‘……No, wait, seriously?’

……Is that tea really that precious?

To the point where he couldn’t even give me a single cup?

No, but that shouldn’t be the case?

‘Just how amazing of a tea is it for him to?’

Leoni thought like that and then shook her head vigorously.

And then she turned her head and shouted.

“Fuck, this is all because of you guys!!”

“……What are you saying? All of a sudden?”

“Sis, what’s wrong? Are you throwing a tantrum?”

Leaving the bewildered guild members behind.

Leoni fell into agony once again.

“……At this rate, when will I pay off the debt, and when will I get treated.”

“Get treated? To what? Ah, are you perhaps talking about that tea from back then?”

“Shut up.”

“Sis, can’t you just ask what it is and buy it to drink yourself?”

“It’s different from buying it to drink. What do you guys know?!”

“……I don’t know whose sister she is but she’s a real pain in the neck.”

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.

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“Hyung, what do you think.”

Nam Tae-min asked his older brother, Nam Chul-min.

Siblings understand each other even without speaking at length.

“What do you mean what do I think, just how should we pay him back. Only that thought.”

Arcana’s official website.

The newly updated guild rankings.

The two brothers confirmed that ranking once again.

──────

1. Shining (-)

2. Unify the World (-)

3. Gaon (+2)

4. Bohemian (-1)

5. Inazuma (-1)…….

──────

A guild ranking that had risen by a whopping two steps.

A situation where they not only surpassed Inazuma, but climbed to 3rd place.

They should have been dancing with joy, but the brothers were calm.

“Let’s think of it as a sign to do even better.”

Since the one who created that climb in ranking was not themselves, but Ho-yeol.

Even thinking about it again makes me dizzy. What if we hadn’t had that connection with Ho-yeol…….

‘Of course this kind of thing wouldn’t have happened, but Hyung wouldn’t be in this position either.’

From that beginning until now.

It really felt like they had only been receiving from Ho-yeol.

How should we pay him back.

Thinking about it made my vision blur but.

Nam Tae-min strengthened his motivation.

“Let’s properly finish the Yusra Kingdom reconstruction Mr. Ho-yeol entrusted us with first. Hyung!”

However, Nam Chul-min’s expression was serious.

His older brother’s gaze was still fixed on the monitor.

Wondering what was going on, Nam Tae-min also looked into the monitor and frowned.

“……These bastards. They’re starting their bullshit again?”

──────

[National Assembly at this Hour] “Entering 3rd place in guild rankings, truly a matter to be congratulated…… However, the lack of cooperation with the Myth Guild is a pity…… At times like this, we should join forces…….”

──────

Terrible media play.

It wasn’t just once or twice they had suffered from it.

Myth Guild.

The fact that they were closely connected to the political world was a public secret.

Because it was so blatant, even netizens noticed it by now.

-Starting their media play again, those Myth bastards lol

-Since they can’t do it with skill, they do all sorts of dirty deeds

-No, why should Gaon lead them? lol

From simple curses.

To opinions seriously raising doubts.

-Just how much did they gobble up that all those guys calling themselves politicians are so anxious about not being able to shield Myth?

Nam Chul-min, who had been reading the comments together with him, opened his mouth.

“This time they’re crossing the line a bit too severely.”

“Hundred percent agree. But I just don’t understand at all.”

“About what?”

“No, by what means did those Myth bastards grab a tight hold of those old geezers? I mean, I’ve heard rumors from before that they were pulling dirty tricks……. But isn’t it too blatant recently?”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

Nam Chul-min nodded his head at his younger brother’s point.

Politicians are a breed that is incredibly sensitive to their image, aren’t they?

No matter how much they like money, their recent moves were hard to understand.

As for the reactions, they could tell just by looking at the angry comment section.

To keep defending Myth despite such public sentiment.

Nam Tae-min clenched his fists.

“Anyhow, insignificants are really being annoying. Truly.”

If this were Arcana, I would have just started a guild war. Me.

“I would have just completely smashed them to pieces!”

Whoosh, whoosh

Fists swinging in the empty air.

Nam Tae-min smacked his lips in regret for a moment.

Nam Chul-min shrugged his shoulders.

“Whatever it is, we need to make one thing certain.”

“Huh? What?”

“Making sure no sparks fly to Mr. Ho-yeol.”

“Ah, of course that’s a given! But this is absurd. Really?”

Nam Tae-min chuckled.

“Like I said, everyone’s got it completely wrong? Whether it’s Myth or politicians? In the end, the one who defeated the Great Evil was Mr. Ho-yeol, you know. All we did was really just hitch a ride.”

“Tell me about it. I’m dying of frustration from that too. Tae-min-ah.”

Great Evil, Seven Deadly Sins Greed.

Ho-yeol, who was overpowering a whopping level 650 monster.

However, the world did not know the truth of that day.

Out of frustration, I wanted to say look at this.

I wanted to show the people of the world the video of Ho-yeol’s battle.

“At first, I was worried what if Mr. Ho-yeol’s combat pattern was analyzed……. But there was actually nothing to worry about. Even if they scrutinize it, they probably wouldn’t know? Because even I have never seen such utilization of skills.”

Competent analyst Nam Chul-min.

Ho-yeol had hunted the Great Evil with skills that even he did not recognize.

The moment this recorded video is released.

The world will turn upside down once again.

However.

“No matter what, Mr. Ho-yeol’s intention is important after all.”

“Right. Since we’re on the topic, should I leave him a text?”

“A text? Do it directly face-to-face, why?”

Because Ho-yeol must be incredibly busy.

Even while staying in the Yusra Kingdom, Ho-yeol’s face was hard to see.

Nam Chul-min folded his fingers and checked Ho-yeol’s daily routine.

“First, he was progressing a quest at the Mage Tower, wasn’t he? Then the morning time just flies by. In the afternoon, he comes to the Yusra Kingdom and……. But wait a sec. Come to think of it, Mr. Ho-yeol, he’s been hanging out with Harkon a lot recently?”

Knights Commander of the Lionheart Knights, Harkon.

Nam Tae-min asked, wondering if by any chance.

“……Could it be another quest? Ayy, it wouldn’t be, right? No matter what, there’s no connection, right? Mr. Ho-yeol is a Mage, and Harkon is a Knight.”

“Well, I don’t know? Let’s strive harder. Tae-min-ah.”

“Aaack! What am I supposed to do if even you say that, Hyung?!”

Nam Tae-min screamed similarly.

I’m going to tear my legs trying to keep up with a stork……!

*

Unlike skills, growth couldn’t be checked numerically.

However, since I’m seeing it with my own eyes, I can tell.

Wooooo

A visibly clearer sword force.

So it was worthwhile to train with all my might for several days?

I fell into a short reminiscence with an expressionless face.

‘It really was literally with all my might, honestly…….’

I once again came to realize the preciousness of [Natural Enemy].

A life-or-death battle against a level 300 monster.

I couldn’t show it outwardly, but it wasn’t easy, really.

“An unbelievable growth speed. Sir Ho-yeol!”

Harkon breathed out pure admiration.

“This is ridiculous…….”

Not only Harkon, but fellow sword force users Jesica and Enoch were also showing clear signs of surprise.

Right, they probably couldn’t have imagined it.

To think that faint sword force would have been brought up to their level.

‘It would be nice if they recognized my hardcore suffering.’

Sword force deepens on battlefields where life and death intertwine.

What does that phrase mean?

It meant that this Yusra Kingdom was a battlefield where life and death intertwined for me.

From a minimum of level 300 to as high as level 400!

Every single monster roaming around was a formidable enemy without equal to me.

‘There probably hasn’t been a struggle quite like it…….’

Against such guys.

Without [Natural Enemy] being activated.

To defeat them with just swordsmanship alone?

Even if I manifest sword force, it was an impossible feat.

Strength, agility stats.

If at the very least my stamina backed me up, maybe.

‘In the future, maybe, but right now it’s out of the question.’

Because the reality is that my stamina drains away as soon as I emit sword force……! So it meant that I struggled while even manifesting 『Magic』.

‘It was pathetic, truly.’

Of course, there was no way I would say that fact with my own mouth.

Clatter

I sheathed the sword and spoke calmly.

“It was an excellent teaching. Sir Harkon.”

I’ve learned all there is to learn.

At that shameless declaration, Harkon gently shook his head.

“What is there that I have taught? All I did was provide a slight trigger so that Sir’s talent for the sword could awaken. Jesica, Enoch. Did you see?”

Looking at the two knights, Harkon spewed forth an impassioned speech.

It was a kind of spiritual theory.

“Even Lord Ho-yeol, who possesses such talent, elevated his sword force amidst mortal combat. What would that imply? The environment does not matter. What is important is this mindset……!”

Like I said, there’s a reason we communicate well.

‘It means both of us are old geezers.’

One emphasizes formality, the other emphasizes spiritual theory.

If I listen any longer, I feel like my consciousness will drift away.

I left my seat.

Since it’s time to get off work too.

I was heading toward the portal when my smartphone vibrated suddenly.

‘Nam Tae-min?’

The Guild Master of Gaon.

The moment I was about to check the text message he sent.

Someone spoke to me.

“Hello! Excuse me, you are Mr. Lee Ho-yeol, correct? I’m Jung Man-seok, a reporter for the Minguk Ilbo. I know it’s rude, but I will ask just one short question!”

As I just said.

An old geezer who values formality.

My mood had no choice but to be disturbed right from his first greeting.

I genuinely had a question.

After I had pointed it out like that.

Why do humans repeat the same mistakes?

“As a fellow citizen of the Republic of Korea……. And also, I want to ask one thing to Mr. Lee Ho-yeol, who was present at the same spot on the day the Yusra Kingdom revealed its appearance to the world. What do you think about the voices of criticism aimed towards Gaon that are growing recently……?”

But Jung Man-seok, who was pouring out questions, was trembling.

Right, unlike ordinary Players.

The reason I was able to be free from the media was entirely thanks to this prickly personality.

There was no way Jung Man-seok wouldn’t know that fact either.

So he endured his trembling and spoke to me.

‘I can roughly tell what the question means too.’

Voices of criticism aimed towards Gaon, huh.

Just like the other media companies did.

Minguk Ilbo must have also been instigated by the Myth Guild’s side.

It wasn’t a tabloid that only people in the know knew about.

‘Because it’s blatantly pushing them.’

It was an obvious trick that you’d realize just by looking at internet news and comments.

I looked at Jung Man-seok.

What hung over those pupils was fear.

‘I know that feeling well too.’

If the higher-ups tell you to peel, you have no choice but to peel, right.

Having to do it even if you don’t want to.

That is the sorrow of a salaryman.

So I opened my mouth.

“Relay this immediately.”

That wasn’t an action stemming from sympathy or anything.

It simply means I cannot tolerate it.

Whether it’s the Myth Guild, or whatever.

For their own benefit.

Hiding behind.

The unsightly state of cleverly manipulating people and the media.

My lofty pride cannot just sit and watch.

“It does not matter who it is. Do you have something you want from the Yusra Kingdom? If so, do not hide cowardly. Do not play laughable petty tricks either.”

Because such an action was perfectly the opposite of a noble’s attitude.

I spoke coldly.

“Reveal yourselves confidently before me.”

“……Yes?”

“Because all authority regarding that lies with me.”

“……Yeeeees?”

The sin of properly offending my mood.

Even paying three visits wouldn’t be enough.

.

.

.

Several hours after that.

The world was turned upside down once again.

“……I-Is this real life. This video?!”

Just as Nam Tae-min had said.

The world was turned upside down once again.