Chapter 8 – So Simple

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The Player community was in an uproar.

-Is the update real? For real the balance is fucking ruined

-It’s not just the balance that’s ruined, I think we’re going to be ruined too??

-Ah lol how the hell are we supposed to hunt Count Ascura, you crazy bitch Rayman lol

No, there wasn’t even a need to go into the community.

Even on the news, stories about the new update were endless.

“The AAU has revealed that Count Ascura is a vampire, in other words, a Demon race monster.”

“Large guilds are also showing disapproval. Their attitude is that they cannot rashly enter a Rift where the danger is apparent.”

I checked the update belatedly.

And I was astonished.

‘……What, Level 430?!’

If it’s Level 430, isn’t that higher than the current Rank 1?

I wanted to take back my remark calling them an inferior race.

As if that wasn’t enough, they say he’s from the Demon race.

Among Players, the Demon race were monsters tricky to deal with.

In order to safely raid the Demon race.

It was a kind of common sense that one had to be ahead of them by at least 10 levels.

Therefore.

‘Did they update this expecting us to raid it?’

Reactions like this had no choice but to come out!

Only now did I understand the world that was in an uproar.

Since it was obvious they would suffer losses, it was only natural for large guilds to show passive reactions.

But what if the Rift collapsed while they were busy reading the room like that.

That would really be the gates of hell opening.

Of course, I was fully aware.

───────

Natural Enemy: When in combat with the Demon race, combat power increases by leaps and bounds.

───────

Natural Enemy.

That the effect of the Demon Hunter’s class skill was far more tremendous than I thought.

However, wasn’t the Imp merely a Level 200?

Hunting Count Ascura, whose level was more than double that, was something unimaginable.

But that was merely a conclusion reached by the brain of me, Lee Ho-yeol.

At this moment, my heart was beating no differently than usual.

Yes, it was a palpitation saying it didn’t matter what kind of demon it was.

『No matter the temptation, deception, or ordeal from any demon, it cannot even leave a scratch on Granfel’s noble pride.』

Whether it be an Imp or a vampire.

Even further, in front of the Demon King.

This arrogant pride would never be bent.

Literally dying for style, a setting hastening one’s death.

Of course, I didn’t have the slightest intention of meeting an untimely death while pursuing coolness.

As thin and long as possible.

That is the life I desire.

‘No, wait a minute.’

However, at least at this moment, my brain was saying it could do it too.

It was saying just that.

The shiny quest window.

─Hunt vampires. (In Progress) ▲

●Announce that the hunt has begun. (In Progress)

Looking at that quest objective brought up memories of the past.

Because I ended up recalling the Demon Hunter’s method of hunting demons once again.

Thanks to that, certainty arose.

‘If I follow the quest like back then…….’

That perhaps I really might be able to hunt vampires.

Such a certainty.

For a moment, a flower garden drawn in my head.

How much experience points would I obtain from defeating Count Ascura.

Wouldn’t he perhaps drop a good item?

Oops, I shouldn’t forget the Class Quest reward either.

However, my the corners of my mouth didn’t even twitch.

Because the flashy flower garden I imagined was worse than the family’s garden Granfel would see while passing by.

To put it simply, it meant all of that was extremely natural.

It meant it was something I would rightfully seize.

-The exact location of the new Rift popped up!!! They say it’s in Russia?!!

I spoke in a cold voice.

“I will add aggravated punishment, even taking into consideration that they bothersomely sneaked in.”

*

The Mage Tower.

The interior of it was so mysterious it was hard to describe.

“Crazy. It’s completely different from the outside?!”

The vast interior as if different laws of physics were being applied.

The countless books decorating that interior.

Among them, the spectacular sight was the ‘Portal’ shining in the center.

“To think it’s Russia. Imagine if we didn’t have the Mage Tower. Just imagining it is terrible.”

“As expected, the Guild Master’s judgment was right, right? We’re lucky we settled down quickly in South Korea. Look at the Japanese or Chinese guilds. They were being stubborn for no reason and now they have to take an airplane to go to Russia.”

“It’ll be a problem even after landing, you know? I heard it takes five hours by car from the airport.”

Portal.

A large-scale teleportation magic.

As one could tell from its effect, it belonged to high-tier magic.

Even among the Players, those who could use the Portal could be counted on one hand.

Of course, comparing the Players’ Portals to the Mage Tower’s Portal was an impossible feat.

“When will I ever get to use magic like this.”

“It probably won’t be possible even if you reach max level?”

“……Max level? Is there a max level in Arcana?”

“There isn’t. That’s why I’m saying it’ll be impossible for the rest of your life.”

“Hey, the way you talk.”

Because the Players’ Portals were nothing more than an emergency escape measure, not a mere means of transportation.

Because the magic power consumed to maintain the Portal was no joke.

“Still, when else would we be able to ride a Portal freely like this?”

Even the Portal provided by the Mage Tower wasn’t originally something that could be used for free.

But just as the world had changed, the Mage Tower had changed as well.

Around that Portal, a huge crowd had gathered.

Above all, the one receiving a lot of attention was undoubtedly ‘Gaon’.

“Has Gaon discovered a clear method for Count Ascura this time?”

“What is the reason you decided on an expedition ahead of other guilds?”

“Opinions are coming out that even if Gaon fails the raid, the information obtained through it must be shared with other guilds. What do you think about this?”

World Rank 5th.

South Korea’s best guild, Gaon.

Guild Master Nam Tae-min answered the pouring questions.

“It is a pity, but there is no clear method. Since when did we challenge a Rift while meticulously calculating clear methods……. The reason we decided on an expedition ahead of other guilds? Naturally, it’s to get ahead in the competition.”

Befitting his position, Nam Tae-min’s words overflowed with confidence.

“And what? If we fail, we should share raid information with other guilds? It’s a pity, but such a thing will not happen. They will probably blabber about how it’s for the peace of humanity or whatever. If they’re upset by that, I want to tell them to challenge the Rift themselves like us. That is for true peace. Isn’t that right?”

That imposing aura was enough to make even the swarming reporters flinch.

But unlike that confident attitude, Nam Tae-min’s insides were burning up.

Because Gaon staked a lot on this expedition.

‘We must produce results.’

Because of the Mage Tower, large guilds from all over the world flowed into South Korea.

From the perspective of the government or the citizens, it might be a good thing.

But it wasn’t for Gaon.

Because their standing in South Korea was shrinking day by day.

That movement of Gaon also served as a stimulus to other guilds.

The reporters murmured.

“……Huh? Wait, isn’t that the Shining Guild?”

World Rank 1.

The undisputed strongest guild, Shining.

They had led an expedition team and appeared at the Mage Tower.

“Yes, that is how you should come out.”

Shining made their move.

It was obvious that other guilds would follow suit.

The reporters who crowded around Nam Tae-min shifted towards Shining.

Only then did Nam Chul-min approach and pat his younger brother’s shoulder.

“No need to be impatient. After all, it’s going to be a long battle.”

“I know. I just got a bit motivated.”

“Anyway, it’s dynamic from the very first day of work. Me too, really.”

“Brother, just think of it as being flooded with work.”

Nam Chul-min participated in this expedition as an analyst for the Gaon Guild.

He didn’t know he’d end up participating in such a grandiose raid right from the start, but…….

Still, he was faithful to his duties as an analyst.

Even if being a parachute was fine.

He couldn’t stand being called a parachute with holes.

“I finished the briefing for the guild members.”

“Briefing?”

“Yeah, the arrangement of this new Rift is very peculiar.”

Nam Chul-min took out a tablet PC.

On it, three overlapping circles were drawn.

Nam Chul-min pointed to the outermost circle with his finger.

“This is the Outskirts of the Territory Rift. I didn’t draw it as a circle just to make it look nice, but hundreds of Rifts were actually discovered forming a circular shape like this.”

“……Hundreds? Wait, then what about the circle inside it?”

“That’s the Territory of the Count Family Rift. The size is a bit smaller, right? The number is roughly around 30.”

“Then, the innermost circle must be the Fortress of the Count Family.”

Nam Chul-min nodded his head.

“Yeah. And Count Ascura is in the innermost Fortress Rift.”

“Wait, somehow the shape really looks like a castle……?”

“Exactly. So I even had this thought.”

“?”

Swish

Nam Chul-min touched the tablet.

As it moved to the next screen, a castle from the Middle Ages appeared.

“The thought that if the Rifts collapse, Count Ascura’s castle really might be summoned.”

“……Brother, isn’t that going a bit too far?”

“Why wouldn’t it? In a situation where even the Mage Tower popped up.”

“…….”

Nam Tae-min could not reply.

Because there was nothing particularly wrong with his brother’s words.

However, what is certain is that if the Rifts collapse.

And Count Ascura’s castle truly gets summoned…….

“……Isn’t there a possibility it transitions into a siege warfare?”

“Right, that is my worry too.”

“This is crazy. It’s already borderline as it is?!”

In Arcana, the defending side had an overwhelming advantage in a siege warfare.

In this case, the defending side was naturally Count Ascura.

Nam Tae-min was sure of it.

“Then it really will become unclearrable.”

Nam Chul-min answered by shrugging his shoulders.

The brothers fell silent for a moment.

Nam Tae-min opened his mouth first.

“We just have no choice but to do our best.”

“Good mindset.”

“You should work motivatively too, brother.”

“It’s because the burden is too heavy from the very first task.”

Nam Chul-min also had something to say.

“Right now, I only intended to do my best in recruiting the rookie. I was readjusting the contract and politely drafting a text message again. But because the update suddenly popped up…….”

The rookie Nam Chul-min was talking about here was naturally Ho-yeol.

In fact, even at this moment, Nam Chul-min cared about Ho-yeol.

It was the same for Nam Tae-min.

“Tsk. This is a raid where every single Player is precious.”

“That’s why I told you to raise the ratio a bit!”

“Brother, it was 9.5 to 0.5. We were the 0.5! Where is there any ratio left to raise? We’ll buy him a house, buy him a car. We’ll even support his activity expenses. If the ratio is like that, it’ll take over 10 years just to recover…….”

“Ah, I don’t know. It’s because of you.”

Their bickering lasted only a moment.

“Anyway, let’s slowly get ready.”

The time had finally come to enter the portal.

Nam Tae-min, who said that, tilted his head.

“……What, are you done getting ready?”

“What is there for an analyst to get ready.”

“No, I mean, aren’t you going to smoke a cigarette before we go?”

“Ah, cigarette?”

Nam Chul-min smiled brightly.

“I quit. As my worries disappeared, I didn’t reach for it anymore.”

*

I opened the closet.

The location of the new Rift was Russia.

The current average temperature in Russia was roughly 2 degrees Celsius.

It would be appropriate to choose thick clothes.

However, I was dressed in a suit.

This too must be because of the setting that dies and cannot live without formality and dignity.

Let’s adapt, there is no choice but to adapt.

Still, what a relief.

The few jackets I had were quite thick.

I checked my appearance reflected in the mirror.

As if I had silver hair since birth.

There was not a single trace of black left in my hair.

My face also changed.

My facial features couldn’t physically turn completely upside down like my hair, but perhaps thanks to my eye shape changing.

I could feel that the atmosphere exuded from my face had changed from before.

My physique became firmer from repeating the training quests.

The suit that used to be loose now fit like tailored clothing.

Because I thoroughly strictly adhered to a diet thanks to my noble taste buds.

The noticeable muscle growth must be natural too.

I looked at myself in the mirror and spoke.

“It is me.”

Yes, I know that this changed appearance is also me.

It was not anyone else’s appearance.

Because this was the dark history of me, Lee Ho-yeol.

Knowing that fact, there is no hesitation in my actions.

Preparations are done.

I am going to Russia.

To do so, I headed to the Mage Tower.

……Wait a minute.

“I almost forgot.”

About to leave the front door wearing my dress shoes, I stopped.

I opened the cupboard and grabbed a handful of barley green tea tea bags.

I properly tucked them into the inside pocket of my jacket.

……Yes, dying and not being able to live without tea time must also be me.

Of course, just having tea bags didn’t mean I could brew green tea.

But it didn’t matter.

Because I could 『Explore』, 『Interfere』, and 『Manifest』.

Yes, it meant that I succeeded in manifesting 『Magic』.

I looked at a teacup on the table and spoke.

“A teacup is not needed either.”

The bundle of papers stacked neatly next to the teacup was the proof.

.

.

.

I arrived at the Mage Tower.

I looked at the brilliantly shining Portal.

“!”

The high-tier magic, ‘Portal’, which even among Players only a handful could use.

Moreover, it was a portal manifested by the NPCs of the Mage Tower, who were comparable to great mages.

However.

‘Why is that?’

In my eyes, that high-tier magic.

Was looking simpler than the ‘Ignition’ I saw on NetTube.