Chapter 66 – Mage Tower (3)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Clink

The sound of tilting a teacup rang in the laboratory.

Marcelo savored the tea, then let out a small sigh.

“Indeed, I think I know why you like it.”

Even if it’s entertaining a guest, it was merely floating a single green tea teabag.

At that attitude, I felt rather sheepish instead but.

Of course, I didn’t show it in the slightest and countered.

“True value doesn’t lie merely in its price and rarity.”

Just entirely attaching that damn meaning to a 200 won green tea teabag……!

At this point, the person listening quietly is also a problem.

I, you see.

Am emitting a dark history in real-time like this.

“You say words with much room for thought.”

What do you want me to do if you agree with me instead?

Of course, Marcelo didn’t come looking for me to just nod at my nonsense.

I grasped his intention through the blinking quest window.

─Accept Marcelo’s proposal. (Success)

─Prove your ability. (Success)

─The Weight of a Chief (Repeat)

─Approach to Phenomenon (Ongoing)

The newly created quest objective.

Phenomenon.

He must mean the ‘phenomenon’ when something is phenomenal.

I knew, but I didn’t part my lips first.

Then, Marcelo put down the teacup and broke the ice.

“As you have guessed, the Mage Tower has unavoidable circumstances.”

……What’s this?

You’re bringing up that story right away?

Although I knew Marcelo’s personality well.

Really, he has no brakes.

“However, I apologize. Currently, I cannot tell you about those circumstances. It’s because I am also only guessing those circumstances independently. In short, it means it hasn’t gone through verification.”

Marcelo smiled bitterly.

A face that’s skinny without a single piece of flesh.

Moreover, because he is someone who normally doesn’t reveal emotions on that face.

Complex emotions were felt in that bitter smile.

Clink

I leisurely tilted the teacup.

“I understand that feeling.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

“More than that, what is your true business?”

“……You had guessed it. As expected, I absolutely cannot hide anything.”

The one who noticed wasn’t me but the quest window, but anyway.

Because that’s not what’s important.

I focused on Marcelo’s continuing words.

To simply summarize its core, it was this.

“The amalgamation of magic and science, two completely different concepts. I decided to call that advanced magic ‘Phenomenon’.”

So [『Phenomenon』] meant that.

If so, I could also guess the newly popped up quest objective.

“A new concept requires verification.”

To me, Granfel’s magical talent.

Added to that was me, Lee Ho-yeol’s scientific knowledge.

Because I could easily accept those two concepts.

There was no big difficulty in utilizing Phenomenon either.

However, it probably isn’t the case for other mages.

Since even a Chief like Marcelo was having a hard time.

‘It means he has to build it up starting from that foundation.’

Of course, an unnecessary process for me.

However, isn’t there a quest?

Who knows if I might learn about the ‘Mage Tower’s unavoidable circumstances’ while progressing that quest.

“Where do you need my help?”

At my question, Marcelo answered politely.

“I apologize as it feels like I’m continuously being indebted to you but.”

I ended up flinching at the continuing words.

“I would like you to investigate a rift.”

……A rift?

By this, he must be talking about that rift I know.

That rift where monsters pop out.

But, what relationship does Phenomenon have with a rift?

The moment I flinched.

“……!”

Something flashed in my mind.

‘……No, a rift is also like a Phenomenon.’

Phenomenon is the amalgamation of two completely different concepts.

A rift is also two completely different worlds.

A space where reality and Arcana are mixed.

I recalled the scenery of such a rift.

The scenery that looked as if half of a subway and half of a gnoll habitat had been mixed.

Right, that scenery was undeniably [『Phenomenon』].

I opened my mouth right away.

“I have understood your meaning, Marcelo.”

“A rift is two worlds that……. Pardon? Y-You’ve understood?”

Simultaneously with that, the quest objective updating.

─Approach to Phenomenon (Ongoing)

●Attack a rift. (Repeat)

“I do not think we can find out a lot of things right away. However, if we can acquire even a little information about rifts. I am certain there will be great progress in the exploration regarding Phenomenon.”

A quest that makes the slackened pride tense up.

I should make thorough preparations to avoid sinking.

Warm-up exercises were essential.

In order to struggle diligently too, that is.

Of course, that alone might lack.

Class, Demon Hunter.

Without [Natural Enemy], I wasn’t a crazy bastard but merely a guy with a loose screw.

So I made the resolution to make thorough preparations. Why, there’s no need to struggle necessarily with an empty body, right?

‘Elixir Herbs, potions, item-backing, etc…….’

Why, things that can be utilized.

It’s a given that one must use them to their utmost.

That’s also my method.

Marcelo told such me.

“I cannot accompany you but attacking a rift is also part of the research. No, rather than a simple research, it would be an undertaking like the first step toward the truth, wouldn’t it. If there is anything you need, please request it from the Mage Tower.”

……’Anything’, he says.

At this point, I’m curious.

Does he say that knowing what I might request from the Mage Tower.

‘Shall I really show you anything?’

Really, should I show you what it means to pull out the pillars by their roots.

Shall I teach you that spilled milk cannot easily be scooped back up.

I pondered and then quit.

Damn it, integrity and purity.

As long as Granfel has his two eyes wide open.

I won’t be able to display useless greed.

However, greed and thorough preparations are strictly different.

The Mage Tower’s support must be taken within a range that can be taken.

Clink

I gathered my anguish and raised the teacup to Marcelo.

“Well then, please finish it.”

“The scent is truly good. What is the name of this tea?”

“It’s called green tea.”

“Green tea, you say…….”

“It’s regrettable but, there is no portion to share with you.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to…….”

“However, since there is rocket delivery now, it shouldn’t matter.”

“……Rocket delivery?”

“Normal green tea and brown rice green tea. Which one do you want?”

“……What is the difference between the two?”

*

The approach regarding [『Phenomenon』].

Attacking a rift that will become its foundation.

The first step of that preparation process was knowing myself.

‘Know your enemy and know yourself.’

Well, although I said it grandiosely.

It just meant checking the inventory.

Demon King, Decarabia.

The three items offered as sacrifices in the exorcism ritual for the bastard.

[Possessed Master Sword]

[The Noble Lady’s Jewelry Box]

[The Choking Necktie]

Those demon’s items.

Were in a purified state upon defeating Decarabia.

I looked at those items with the aesthetic eye.

“Not bad.”

That’s because they were the items I chose directly from the auction house.

Naturally, I picked them meticulously.

What I looked at as more important than anything was their level restrictions.

‘Even if the funds are large, you have to use it properly for it not to be wasteful.’

I checked the information of the sword first.

[Nameless Blacksmith’s Posthumous Work – Longsword]

[Grade : Unique]

[Restriction : Lv.280]

[Effect : Upon attacking, activates status abnormality ‘Bleeding’ to the opponent at a high chance.]

[Description : The last work of a blacksmith. Only after the lingering attachment close to a grudge disappeared did it recover its true value.]

……I didn’t expect much but it was surprising.

Isn’t this an ability I couldn’t even imagine when it was [Possessed Master Sword]?

Above all, it was a Unique grade longsword.

Setting the effect aside, even if judging merely its basic performance…….

How many times the purchase amount did I salvage, this?

‘I’m finally escaping the longsword for training.’

Swordsmanship training.

The [Lionheart Knights – Longsword for Training] I kept during that process.

Because I acquired an item with performance far more outstanding than that.

I’ll finally be able to take off the beginner’s vibe a little bit.

I checked the information of the jewelry box satisfied.

[Jewelry Box Imbued with Warmth]

[Grade : Unique]

[Restriction : None]

[Effect : Grants ‘Warmth’ to the stored accessories for a certain period of time.]

[Description : A jewelry box handed down in a noble family. A mother’s heart toward her daughter has been handed down from generation to generation.]

Hold on, this is Unique too?

At this point, I couldn’t help but flinch.

It seems I really have a bit of an eye for seeing things?

‘It’s an item that applies a buff to accessories.’

A quite peculiar type of item.

[Warmth] buff, huh.

I couldn’t recall anything just from looking at it.

Well, as for the effect of the buff.

It would be a matter of checking it gradually.

Finally, I picked up the necktie.

[Luxury – Duke Swallin’s Cherished Item]

[Grade : Unique]

[Restriction : Lv.250]

[Effect : Upon equipping, Magic Power regeneration rate slightly increases / Aesthetic stat slightly increases]

[Description : Duke Swallin’s necktie. It harbored a curse fitting a complex story, but now purified, it possesses value enough that storing it in a museum would not be lacking.]

This time, not just Unique but a Luxury?!

Now I could be certain.

That I definitely seem to have an innate talent for auctions as well.

‘To be exact, it would be Granfel’s talent rather than mine.’

Undeniably, the aesthetic eye must have evaluated even the original value of the item hidden by the curse.

I wouldn’t starve to death even if I just had this aesthetic eye alone.

That thought occurred.

‘What do you mean how many times.’

Because I gained a profit that is several dozen times the purchase amount.

Of course, there was absolutely no change in my emotion.

Because the vessel of Granfel was far too vast to be shaken by such a trivial profit of this degree.

I nonchalantly equipped the necktie.

Indeed, the modifier Luxury wasn’t wasteful.

‘Although it falls behind a Masterpiece.’

Because a Luxury was also one of the items that could have its value recognized just by having the modifier attached.

The effect was also simple but an incredibly desperate effect for me.

‘Magic Power regeneration rate slightly increases.’

Although it wouldn’t be a huge effect because it’s slightly.

Its usability was higher than even the brooch.

[Effect : Upon using magic, recovers 10 percent of consumed magic power.]

The fact that magic power regeneration rate increases without such a condition?

Whether in the middle of a battle or while resting.

It meant it regenerates magic power.

Similarly increasing slightly.

[Aesthetics] still stayed in the [Low()] grade but…….

‘Good.’

It was a very excellent outcome for a first purchase at the auction house.

Moreover, I hadn’t forgotten the [Noble Promise’s Necklace] acquired during Count Ascura’s rift.

A whopping level 300 restriction item.

I wondered if I would even be able to equip this but.

There’s only a mere 5 levels left until that level 300.

I checked my attire reflected in the mirror.

‘In a suit, pocket square, necktie…….’

Somehow my appearance seemed to be even more formally dressed than before.

Not stopping at such attire, even silver hair.

It would be normal for it to feel heterogeneous.

For what reason.

Did the me inside the mirror not feel unfamiliar at all.

I looked at the mirror and muttered.

“This is also me.”

Granfel, my past and my dark history.

This heterogeneous emotion as well.

Some of the processes of overcoming dark history.

Knowing that fact, I did not hesitate.

I headed straight to the Yusra Kingdom through a portal.

In order to attack the newly generated rift in the Yusra Kingdom.

“I do not know who it is but that confidence is amazing.”

Whose land it is…….

No, not even knowing whose ‘Authority’ it is under.

.

.

.

A rift appeared in the Yusra Kingdom.

There was nothing to specially assign meaning to regarding that fact.

It was merely that the number of newly updated rifts had increased.

The one who conveyed the information regarding that was Nam Tae-min.

“To put it simply, the number of rifts increased. And one of those rifts revealed its appearance near the Yusra Kingdom. And this is something only me and you, Hyung, know…….”

I looked at Nam Tae-min whispering from the side.

……Are you allowed to tell me such an important story?

To me, of course, it was a thing to be thankful for.

Who is Nam Tae-min?

South Korea’s strongest Player and the Guild Master of Gaon, ranked 3rd in the world.

Information and rumors obtained by such Nam Tae-min?

It means it’s high-class information that I have no way of knowing.

“An interesting story.”

And there was me accepting that goodwill as if it’s natural.

At my response, Nam Tae-min continued speaking.

“The moment Inazuma cut the link with the Japanese government! In reality, for the Japanese government, the justification and reason to claim rights over Frost also disappeared.”

Even among high-class information.

The story regarding Frost was especially important.

Because I had the ‘Authority’ function in Frost.

Until now, because I thought the residents of Frost would need time to accept the situation.

I didn’t step forward, but now I had no choice but to gradually move.

‘I can’t just keep watching that sight forever neither.’

After the subjugation of the Demon King, Decarabia.

The attitude shown by the Japanese government was really persistent.

With just the one fact that Frost straddles their territory, they were claiming rights to it while citing all sorts of reasons.

Therefore it couldn’t be helped but be unexpected.

“Hisagi Kazuma. There’s no way that guy would do that without reason.”

To think Inazuma would turn their backs on the Japanese government.

Nam Tae-min also seemed to find it strange.

‘Of course, it probably isn’t something for me to care about.’

……Was what I thought and brushed it off a moment ago but.

“Requesting an audience with Lee Ho-yeol-nim!”

Including Hisagi Kazuma.

The entire Inazuma Guild was waiting for me.

Lined up neatly in two lines in front of the Golden Palace.

In that split second.

I rolled my head.

What is the reason they sought me, the Yusra Kingdom?

Perhaps because I had information heard from Nam Tae-min.

I could roughly guess that intention.

However.

“It is regrettable but.”

In Rome, you must follow the laws of Rome.

“I do not have meetings that are not promised in advance.”

“……!!!”

No matter who it is.

No matter what circumstances there are.

Keeping formality and procedures is the top priority.