Chapter 58 – Our Pride Aligns (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Continuous Teleport.

The large pointed hat repeatedly appeared and disappeared on top of the roofs.

Although the magic power consumed by the continuous skill activations was considerable, Jesse didn’t mind.

-Lee Ho-yeol. They concentrated their troops towards that side.

Because it’s an emergency situation right now.

Jesse tightened her grip on her staff.

‘To think I haven’t been able to ask a single proper question yet!’

Does 『Magic』 really exist?

Thanks to Ho-yeol, Jesse abandoned her doubts.

Thanks to that, there was progress in her class quest which had been slow.

Along with that came newly arisen curiosities.

Additionally, the deeply considered questions she couldn’t ask because Ho-yeol fell asleep.

There was a reason exclamation marks appeared in Jesse’s pupils.

The pointed hat lamented.

-Even if this master falls into a crisis, you wouldn’t step forward this passionately……. It’s unfair, my disciple. After how much I’ve taught you, I feel disappointed!

Naturally, an answer did not come back.

However, the pointed hat did not babble anymore.

Because currently, Jesse was in a state of ‘obsession’.

When she discovered a new magic.

Or when she opened an interesting magic book.

She entered a state where she didn’t want to be interrupted by anyone, and had no intention of yielding what was in her hands to anyone.

Right, if there was one difference…….

This time, that target wasn’t simple magic.

But merely ‘Ho-yeol’s Magic’.

That’s the reason why the pointed hat let out a sigh.

-……Even I must keep my eyes wide open.

Although he seemed like he had neither blood nor tears.

The man who unsuitably took a nap.

Wasn’t it the pointed hat, an avatar imbued with a Great Mage’s consciousness?

Eyes that judge people matching the years lived.

No, when it comes to eyes that judge mages at least.

The pointed hat was overflowing with pride.

So he wanted to watch Ho-yeol again.

-Although his talent seemed outstanding…….

Ho-yeol, who became the Chief Mage’s joint researcher with an adventurer’s identity.

But matching that talent.

His arrogance that seemed like it would pierce the sky bothered him.

The pointed hat knew.

-That will definitely become poison in the distant future.

Whether to Ho-yeol himself.

Or to his disciples.

It was something he could say because he had also experienced that hardship.

It was then.

“!”

Swoooooosh!

Wind rushing violently.

Thanks to it, the acrid smoke cleared.

A massive Hell Bird(„) revealed its appearance.

The pointed hat warned Jesse.

-Disciple. It is no ordinary guy.

However, Jesse had already activated her skill.

Because what the Hell Bird was aiming for was none other than Ho-yeol.

Vast magic power flickered from Jesse’s body.

It was an overflowing amount of magic power.

“Heaven’s Punishment.”

An obsession that she cannot yield to anyone.

Even if that is the Hell Bird, there are no exceptions.

As if proving it.

Crack-crackle!

The condensed lightning embedded itself on top of the Hell Bird’s head.

A message popped up for Jesse.

[A ‘stagger’ occurs to the Demon Legion Commander, Kupican.]

An all-out attack pouring Jesse’s vast magic power.

But it merely resulted in a ‘stagger’, not a ‘stun’.

Jesse’s intuition was speaking.

‘At least Level 500……!’

Because her current level was merely Level 401.

Creak

The pupils of the Hell Bird, Kupican, stared piercingly at Jesse.

You are next.

As if warning her.

However, taking its eyes off.

That was an obvious mistake.

Pabababat!

A flash of light soaring from below.

But that flash of light in a split second.

Slash!

Blew away the Demon Legion Commander, Kupican’s head.

“……What could it be!”

Although Jesse didn’t realize it, the pointed hat did.

The stairs embroidered in the empty air.

That the flash of light definitely stepped on those stairs and soared into the sky.

And he also realized the manifestor of that magic.

-……It was nothing but a groundless fear.

Though people might not, magic never lies.

Right, that was not arrogance or anything like that.

Is it possible for an arrogant mage to lay down stairs for others?

The pointed hat knew better than anyone that mages are not such a bunch.

-It was rather a lofty pride that could easily be mistaken for arrogance.

The pointed hat looked back and forth between the neatly recovered corpses and Ho-yeol, then continued his words.

-I somewhat understand your feelings, disciple.

He thought he clearly saw through the bunch called mages.

-The more I watch, the more bizarre a man he is.

An exploration of the unknown.

It was fresh to the point of reviving his forgotten desires as a mage.

However, the thing called the unknown.

Was truly unpredictable.

The moment Ho-yeol saw Jesse, he declared with an icy voice.

“You fail. Jesse Heinness.”

*

I thought inwardly.

……What should I really do about this talkative mouth of mine.

There is truly no hesitation in my words and actions.

“A manifestation that had a needless amount of force. Unlike usual, excessive superfluities existed.”

Still, while quietly listening, I could comprehend it.

“Furthermore, it was a manifestation that did not consider the surrounding environment in the slightest.”

Wasn’t this place an urban area.

If not careful, hidden survivors might get swept up in the aftermath of the skill.

Though the person in question, Jesse, didn’t seem to know of the existence of survivors.

“You’re right……. As expected, I lack a lot!”

I was just thankful she understood.

A celebrity since the days when Arcana was merely a game.

Indeed, her treatment towards Jesse was different from mine.

She was someone heavily called a chosen mage.

Harkon recognized Jesse and was glad.

“To think I would meet Miss Jesse again in this place.”

“It’s the first time since we met at the Imperial Palace, Knight Commander Harkon!”

“……Jesse? Don’t tell me, that Jesse Heinness?”

The Shadow Mercenaries, who are sensitive to rumors.

Even they seemed to be well aware of Jesse.

Right, even Arcana’s strongmen know that name, Jesse.

‘But the moment you see her, what? You fail?!’

However, shamelessly.

There was not a single tremor on my face.

Though it’s true, when has this talkative mouth ever picked and chosen who to babble at.

I finally realized.

‘……The times like these are precisely when I have to be even more shameless.’

What’s scarier than a bad guy is a crazy bastard.

This is something I realized while living a corporate life.

Right, if I can’t avoid it.

Wouldn’t it rather not be bad to become a crazy bastard?

Like right now.

To the point where no one can even think of harboring doubts.

That’s something I’m confident I can do well again.

I was mentally triumphing to avoid a sense of self-reproach.

“I heard the news that the monsters flocked to this side! Just in case you needed help, I thought! But it was an unnecessary worry!”

An exclamation mark raised in her pupils.

Jesse spoke while sparkling an exclamation mark.

‘I thought it was somewhat excessively too much.’

But looking at it from one angle, it wasn’t a bad situation.

The message that popped up a little while ago.

[Your contribution to the defeat of the Demon Legion Commander, Kupican, is acknowledged.]

I will not miss a single falling crumb.

I swiftly manifested the stairs.

I had just properly had my contribution acknowledged by supporting Harkon.

Through that, my level also rose one step.

I checked my status window.

[Name : Granfel Claudi Arpheus Romeo]

[Class : Demon Hunter]

[Level : 250]

[Stats]

Strength : 38 / Agility : 42 / Magic Power : 186 / Luck : 5 / Aesthetic : Low

[Available Points : 12]

Finally, Level 250.

For starters, I invested all the available points into Magic Power.

Since I could increase Strength and Agility through class quests.

Even if the body suffers, it’s correct to invest precious levelup points into Magic Power, right.

‘My honest feeling is I want to go all-in on Luck…….’

However, Luck was an uncertain stat.

Like receiving alms precisely when it’s truly desperate like right now.

It’s probably right to invest only one point at a time.

‘Hoping for a lucky fluke invites punishment…….’

I calmed my mind like that and moved my steps.

“According to Miss Jesse’s words, it means there’s no longer a need to go out of our way to search for the Demon Legion Commander bastards.”

Harkon spoke with a cool voice while gathering the spoils of war.

Even if Jesse and I contributed to the hunting of Kupican.

We couldn’t catch up to Harkon’s Contribution, right.

It was naturally the case that the ownership of the spoils of war belonged to Harkon.

“Sir. And Miss Jesse. I apologize, but may I secure this spoil of war? I wish to keep it as proof of successfully carrying out His Majesty’s command.”

Harkon offered out a giant feather.

……That, wouldn’t it be at least Rare grade?

“What did I even do!”

Unlike Jesse who responded right away.

Even though I felt a desire to at least check the item information but.

Fucking Integrity.

Am I not someone who cannot covet others’ possessions.

“Of course, I shall respect your wishes. Sir Harkon.”

Let’s not have any lingering attachments.

Besides, it’s too early to feel regretful.

Because there were still nine Demon Legion Commanders left.

I estimated the level of the Demon Legion Commander, Kupican.

‘It should be roughly around Level 500.’

The amount of acquired experience points.

And seeing it fall in one strike from Harkon, it seemed to be around that much.

‘Nine named monsters at Level 500, huh.’

However, I wasn’t worried.

Step

This confident stride isn’t a bluff.

‘On top of that, there’s even a possibility they might attack all at once?’

Overflowing confidence even in the worst-case scenario.

The basis of that confidence.

Was naturally my allies.

Plus the magic power I’ve saved up.

It meant there’s no reason to be anxious even while recovering corpses.

“Is that curiosity still valid?”

The happening that occurred at the Mage Tower.

I thus asked Jesse who was helping with the recovery.

Even after spitting it out, I felt an ‘oh shit’.

Even saying the same words, how could I be this shameless!

“Yes! Because you gave me time to consider carefully!”

……I wondered if she was subtly mocking me but.

Seeing her sparkling pupils, I couldn’t properly see such malice.

Even if she did, considering what I did, I can understand.

‘There must be giving and taking.’

Because I had words I spat out.

I responded magnanimously like a person with a big heart.

“Is that so. Then I shall have to empty out my time.”

“Ah! Wouldn’t it be better if I accommodated the time!”

“Do as you please if that is more comfortable.”

“Yes! Because that’s manners!”

Before I could even be unconsciously pleased by Jesse’s formality for a moment.

I added a word.

“This time I shall properly serve you tea.”

I shall serve you tea.

What does that mean?

It meant that Rocket Delivery will finally come to the Mage Tower.

It meant that with just a wiggle of a finger, the ordered item would arrive in front of the Mage Tower……!

After persuading the senior mages and officially acquiring the position of a joint researcher.

The first thing I progressed with was exactly applying for Rocket Delivery.

Authority is this sweet.

‘Well, even if it’s tea, it’s merely green tea but.’

Written as Integrity, read as Cheapskate.

It meant I frugally searched for the lowest price and ordered.

While having such a conversation and strolling the streets, I felt a presence.

“?”

Familiar faces appeared from the alley.

Harkon opened his mouth first.

“Miss Leonie? What brings you all to this place?”

Leonie and the Berserker Guild.

And those behind them are…….

Gaon’s guild members.

But somehow, only Nam Tae-min couldn’t be seen.

I asked Leonie.

“Is something the matter?”

Looking at that serious expression.

It seemed like something definitely happened but.

Actually, Leonie was muttering incomprehensible words.

“……S-Serving tea? P-Properly at that?”

However, I couldn’t pry into the reason anymore.

Swoooosh!

Because as expected, the Demon Legion Commanders, the bastards were swarming in.

A violent gust of wind.

Their appearances were revealed in the clearing smoke.

Their concept sure is consistent, to think it’s birds again this time.

However, their form was different.

The Demon Legion Commander, Kupican.

If that guy was a giant bird, over there mixed in were half-human, half-birds().

Guys who wouldn’t be strange to be called birdmen().

To be exact, it was humans mixed with demons, not humans, though.

Clang!

At the bastards’ appearance, Harkon raised his sword.

“I do not know what kind of guys the Demon Legion Commanders His Majesty spoke of are, but it’s not something that matters. I just need to dispose of them all without leaving a single one out.”

Harkon, who disposed of Kupican in a single strike.

Is it because I watched that sight.

‘That isn’t just empty words, that.’

Really, it truly was a statement that made one’s liver run cold.

So it meant I also couldn’t stay still.

‘……Since it seems I probably won’t be able to secure experience points or Contribution, let alone spoils of war.’

It wasn’t modesty, even looking at it objectively, it was so.

The Lionheart Knights.

The Shadow Mercenaries.

Jesse Heinness.

And even the Berserker and Gaon guilds that joined last.

Among those whales.

There is me, who is merely Level 250.

However, there was no way this lofty pride in my chest would shrink back.

Moreover, as I said, it is because I realized.

‘……If you’re going to be shameless, you have to be properly shameless.’

I opened my mouth, properly shamelessly.

“I will assume command over all of you.”

Not only the Lionheart Knights and Shadow Mercenaries.

But to say I would even command the top-tier rankers now.

‘Am I not doing something even an Emperor would find difficult to do.’

But it wasn’t the time to be nitpicking over such things.

Because even in this moment, experience points and Contribution were pouring onto the battlefield.

Interrupting manifesting magic while monitoring the battle situation for a moment.

I also did not forget a crucial task to do.

“That wasn’t a bad move. Leonie.”

“……?”

It was an exceedingly welcoming join-up.

Private morale boosting is also a role as a commander.

*

Dudududu

A helicopter flying above the skies.

A reporter who was incessantly making fake coughs because of the acrid smoke shouted.

“Cough cough. Something huge like a shadow is beginning to appear……!”

The helicopter that momentarily staggered.

The pilot urgently increased altitude.

The reporter hastily conveyed the sense of reality from the scene.

“At the very moment we speak, an aerial type monster seems to have appeared!”

Due to the increased altitude.

The camera urgently zoomed in.

Then, a screen that would make one inadvertently flinch appeared on the monitor.

The studio.

The watching cast hurriedly sat up straighter.

“……W-What is that?”

“Beak and wings. It looks like a bird but? But what bird is that huge?!”

“Hold on a second, there’s not just one or two of them!!”

The sky above Frost.

Thanks to the flapping wings of the massive guys, the smoke cleared up at a rapid pace.

Then, their forms were perfectly revealed.

Frost’s(battle situation) also entered their eyes in a single glance.

A script that was urgently handed over.

The eyes of the anchor who checked the script widened.

“According to the additional update details, it seems those massive birds are Demon Legion Commanders! They are whopping Level 500 named monsters……!”

But wait a minute.

For some reason.

Those dangerous guys were flying towards one single place.

The camera angle moved urgently.

It was to capture the place the guys were heading towards.

But it wasn’t just the Demon Legion Commanders.

“W-What is there so many of!”

“The procession of the Demon King’s Army is endless……?”

“As expected, it seems they are marching to the same place?”

The Demon King’s Army on the ground.

Those large-scale troops were also equally.

Flocking towards a single place.

That was the exact moment.

The camera captured Ho-yeol fitting the purpose of the program.

It was the moment when it can’t be became a certainty.

“……Hold on a second. Don’t tell me, are they flocking toward Player Lee Ho-yeol?!”

No matter if it’s Lee Ho-yeol, isn’t this too severe!

It was an appearance as if the other large guilds were out of the picture.

As if stating that the only ones posing a threat to them were Ho-yeol and his party. The Demon King’s Army was concentrating all its military force towards Ho-yeol’s side.

The cast spoke with urgency.

“This is Player Lee Ho-yeol buying precious time!”

“By all means, the other guilds must exert their strength…….”

“There’s a limit to enduring even if it’s Lee Ho-yeol!”

However, the battle situation did not flow as expected.

‘……Come to think of it.’

They had momentarily forgotten.

“……E-Expert? What in the world are we watching right now?!”

The fact that a commander existed on that battlefield.

“Lionheart, Shadow Mercenaries……. Gaon and Berserker. And even Jesse Heinness……?!”

And one more competent than anyone else at that!