Chapter 96 – An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth (1)

===================

Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

===================

A tall height.

An emaciated physique.

A face where skin and bones meet.

The interrogation led by such Marcelo overflowed with intensity differently from expectations.

To the point where handing it over to him wasn’t regretted in the slightest.

Above all, is it because it was a matter related to the Mage Tower?

Mercy could not be felt.

“I am currently asking about Karimzeva’s whereabouts.”

“I told you I don’t know, didn’t I? Are you asking because you think that arrogant old man would tell me his hideout?”

“I shall check if those words are sincere.”

“U, Uuugh!!”

Bzzzzzt!

Magic that makes even the onlooker feel numb.

Marcelo tortured Jang Hyun-do.

No, the demon, without changing his expression even a bit.

I realize it once again.

That the mages of the Mage Tower are existences one shouldn’t mess with carelessly.

‘In some aspects, I can understand that they are bloodless and tearless.’

Of course, this is not something I, who is calmly watching this interrogation process.

Should say but.

As for me, it can’t be helped.

For me, Granfel, to feel sympathy for a demon?

Because it was something impossible.

“Wh-What, please say something……!!”

It means looking at me with those eyes is useless.

I am trying to organize the information obtained at the end of the interrogation.

‘True Name Demon, Acampatam.’

That Acampatam was exactly the demon that possessed Jang Hyun-do.

Calling him a True Name Demon makes him seem grand, but there probably isn’t much difference. Because the ones classified as named monsters among demons were exactly the True Name Demons.

‘Stronger than demons of the same level range.’

A named monster.

I saw tiredly enough of them in the [Swampland of Predators] rift.

Even for ordinary monsters, when the name “named” is attached, their patterns become annoying as hell.

It’s natural that demons would be even worse.

“Don’t you know from hearing it? From the start, I had absolutely no intention of cooperating with Karimzeva, that old man! Even if I thought about backstabbing him. I don’t want the Greater Demon King to resurrect either!”

Acampatam was the same.

‘Especially that snout is annoying as hell.’

What the Mage Tower wants is not a small fry like him.

The demon worshipper, Karimzeva.

Realizing that fact from Marcelo’s questions.

He was craftily shifting the point.

“I swear. I have told everything I know.”

Karimzeva must have fallen for this smooth talking as well.

As if that wasn’t enough, he was even almost backstabbed.

Well, thanks to that, we came to grasp Karimzeva’s entire plan.

“Simultaneous rift generation you say…….”

That was right.

What Karimzeva was preparing was the summoning ritual of the Greater Demon King.

Just like Frost and Decarabia did.

Because that sacrifice will be needed for the resurrection of the Greater Demon King as well.

The demon worshippers including Karimzeva open rifts.

And planned to cover the sacrifices through the rifts.

“It means Senior Bangrit was almost going to become a sacrifice.”

To dare to offer a Senior Mage of the Mage Tower…….

Marcelo’s eyes took on murderous intent once again.

Marcelo cool-headedly assessed the situation.

“With the two demon worshippers excluding Karimzeva locked in The Infinite now. He probably wouldn’t have the spare capacity to control as many rifts as he had originally planned.”

I also agree with that.

But even if it’s fewer rifts than planned.

I could guess the Recommended Level of those rifts.

[Broken Dimensional Crack]

[Recommended Level : Lv.900]

Of course, since it was a trap for Senior Mage Bangrit.

Its Recommended Level might have been exceptionally high.

However, there was an even larger variable called Karimzeva than the Recommended Level.

‘If we speak bluntly, let’s say Karimzeva is lying in wait in the rift.’

The moment Players enter?

It will just directly lead to becoming sacrifices for the Greater Demon King.

The problem was that there was ample possibility Karimzeva would act that way.

The evidence is that he spilled his entire plan to Acampatam.

Because Karimzeva was in a cornered state.

“I just couldn’t win against the threat so……! Giving over information about you, Lee Ho-yeol-ssi, was all I did. Then he would be able to know how the Mage Tower was rolling. But damn it. Why would a Succubus……?”

Like Acampatam said.

If I hadn’t received a call from Baek I-seol, I would have almost gone a long way around. However, it was also me who turned that Baek I-seol into a human through the [Exorcism Ritual].

In that sense.

‘Great job, Lee Ho-yeol.’

I have no choice but to praise the past me once again.

My iron skin that has now become as thick as it can get.

Things like this can’t even be included in the category of self-praise anymore.

As if proving that, I was calmly steeped in deep emotion.

‘If it were the past me, it would have been terrible. Really.’

Rifts boasting ignorantly high Recommended Levels appear simultaneously all over the world, and the possibility of a monster named Karimzeva lurking in such rifts, furthermore, if those rifts aren’t cleared, a Greater Demon King might be summoned.

……Wow. It’s frighteningly gloomy, isn’t it?

As if that isn’t enough, my level is merely level 324.

Where should I even start alone.

It means it’s a scale I wouldn’t even dare to imagine.

However, I was no longer alone.

Right, at least I had authority.

“From this time forward, I shall grant permission for Senior Mages to approach rifts. Marcelo.”

Right, full authority regarding the mages’ exiting of the tower is……!

Karimzeva is a grave criminal of the Mage Tower.

Because it’s a matter to secure that grave criminal.

It is an approval to exit the tower that goes against neither procedure nor pride.

Right, I am more confident than ever before.

It means I can wield the might of the Mage Tower.

‘The Mage Tower quest is basic.’

In the process of securing Karimzeva, the rift will also end up being cleared.

‘The experience points and loot to be obtained through it will also be at a level that cannot be ignored.’

Of course, there was no way my selfish motives would be revealed on the outside.

Marcelo replied.

“I shall hurry the preparations. Because Karimzeva will soon know as well.”

Flinch

I looked at the trembling Jang Hyun-do.

He will know?

What?

Didn’t you tell everything truthfully?

Jang Hyun-do. No, Acampatam had an expression asking back like that.

I looked at such Acampatam coldly.

‘What’s the use of just talking well.’

When he has no tact at all.

.

.

.

Grind

Acampatam gritted his teeth with his head bowed.

‘……Damn it.’

Thanks to selling out Karimzeva.

The vigilance against him had decreased.

Acampatam felt relieved for now.

‘At least I will be able to preserve my life.’

Although he felt such relief, it couldn’t be helped that he was trembling with rage.

‘Crazy Mage Tower mage bastards.’

Karimzeva too, and this skeleton guy too.

They are ignorant all the same.

To think there’s not even a sway of emotion while wielding this kind of magic power.

They had no awareness of the magic power they were spewing out.

In that sense, he couldn’t understand.

‘What on earth is he?’

Lee Ho-yeol.

Magic power like Karimzeva or the skeleton couldn’t be felt from that guy.

Acampatam knows the race called mages well.

Mages might show off their magic power.

But they definitely don’t hide it.

But…….

Is he hiding his magic power?

Or does he not have magic power to that extent?

Whichever it was, neither made sense.

‘Because since earlier, he’s been doing it without fail.’

Isn’t this skeleton speaking respectfully to Lee Ho-yeol?

As if that’s not enough, that attitude is very polite.

Negative emotions could not be felt either.

It meant it was an action stemming from sincerity.

‘Fine. It’s none of my business.’

Because even if he thought more, his head would only get complicated.

Acampatam folded his thoughts away.

Instead, he racked his brain in a direction he was confident in.

‘By the way, there isn’t anything they can’t say with Acampatam-nim in front of them.’

Lee Ho-yeol and the skeleton, Marcelo.

Thanks to the conversation the two shared, he roughly grasped the situation.

‘I’m locked in a space called the Mage Tower, The Infinite.’

Karimzeva.

The fellow demon worshippers he had been looking for, that is.

That was unexpected even for Acampatam.

If they were Karimzeva’s comrades, they definitely.

Would have possessed magic power comparable to his.

‘Those monsters were subdued?’

Just what kind of place is the Mage Tower.

Thinking he was dragged to such a Mage Tower.

He got goosebumps again but…….

Anyway, he acquired valuable information.

‘It’s fine to go back with this.’

Having blabbed all of Karimzeva’s plans.

Although he didn’t have the slightest desire to meet him.

He wasn’t a guy who would just stay still either.

When Karimzeva comes finding him.

Wouldn’t he have to have something to tell him to preserve his life?

‘Of course, I’ll have to keep what happened today a secret though.’

Deceiving Karimzeva?

He was confident.

No matter how incredible that guy is.

He is merely a human who has already been deceived once.

The second time will rather be easier.

‘To do that, I must keep my mouth shut for now.’

Acampatam held his breath.

Right, he just needs to return alive from here.

It was amidst that a voice could be heard.

“I shall hurry the preparations. Because Karimzeva will soon know as well.”

“?”

That guy will know?

What will he know?

I’m going to keep my mouth shut about this matter though?

“!”

Acampatam raised his head in surprise and their eyes met.

With Ho-yeol.

And he recalled.

A voice he had heard as if it flowed past.

-“I do not mingle words with my prey.”

That was right.

It was the gaze of a natural enemy looking at its prey.

Acampatam’s pupils turned pitch black.

“Y-You are?”

Tremble tremble tremble

His tongue, which was perfectly fine even in front of Fire Dragon Karimzeva, did not listen.

He couldn’t spit out the crafty words that had deceived even Karimzeva.

Even his brain stopped thinking.

Right, this is an irresistible trembling.

It was terror.

To such Acampatam, Ho-yeol said.

“I can see it.”

“……?”

“That foolish delusion.”

Delusion.

He could immediately realize what that meant.

‘Thinking I could return alive was a delusion……?’

However, he couldn’t say anything.

He does not ‘mingle’ words with prey.

As if to say just now was a one-sided declaration, not a conversation.

Because there wasn’t the slightest hesitation in Ho-yeol’s actions.

Acampatam was astonished.

‘I-It ends like this? Me, Acampatam?’

Slash

Of course, he couldn’t even let out that astonishment though.

*

“It probably wouldn’t be good for him to know the internal situation.”

Marcelo wiped Jang Hyun-do’s memory.

Although I don’t know up to how far he wiped that memory.

I hope he wiped it to as far in the past as possible.

If I have to choose, to before he went crooked.

‘Because Jang Hyun-do is famous in a different sense.’

Drugs, drunk driving, abuse of power.

Even before being possessed by Acampatam, Jang Hyun-do was a figure whose name went up and down the newspapers with all sorts of gossip.

Just imagine if that rascal fails to fix his habits and starts acting up again.

‘Do you think Karimzeva would just watch that state still.’

Since Acampatam’s memories are wiped.

There’s no way they could communicate with each other.

It means Jang Hyun-do might become the target of his vented anger.

Of course, that depends on whether Jang Hyun-do turns over a new leaf.

And how much of his memories remain.

‘By the way.’

[Natural Enemy].

And while activating the [Exorcism Ritual], I came to realize it firsthand.

‘To say something like this with my own mouth is a bit but.’

It seemed I had grown quite a bit while clearing the [Swampland of Predators].

Of course, because demons did not exist in the [Swampland of Predators].

The effect of the [Natural Enemy] activated after a long time might feel dramatic too but.

Even considering that, to think I could hunt this smoothly.

I checked the status window.

True Name Demon, Acampatam.

While defeating that guy, my level rose by 9 levels.

[Name : Granfel Claudi Arpheus Romeo]

[Title : The Last Adventurer]

[Class : Demon Hunter]

[Level : 333]

[Stats]

Strength : 60 / Agility : 65 / Magic Power : 271 / Luck : 6 / Aesthetic : Low

[Possessed Points : 9]

When guessing from the amount of experience points I acquired.

Acampatam must be at least level 560.

To defeat such a guy.

Grandiose magic wasn’t even needed.

──────

Silver Mastery (81%)

──────

Just to raise my skill proficiency.

I roughly attacked with silver whose shape I changed, and that was all.

But an unexpected critical hit burst out.

[A ‘Critical Hit’ occurs against the True Name Demon, Acampatam.]

Was I just lucky.

Or is this also thanks to investing points in luck.

I could have just thought indifferently and moved on.

However, I knew.

‘[Natural Enemy]. Does it mean it’s not just the activation radius that increased.’

The higher the level.

Like the activation radius of [Natural Enemy] which becomes vaster and vaster.

It must mean the [Natural Enemy] between me and demons has also become firmer.

‘Does it mean I can gain even more of an upper hand in battles against demons.’

I said shamelessly.

“However, I cannot be satisfied.”

It’s not that I’m excessively greedy, it’s just that it’s still far from enough.

I didn’t have to trace far back.

Even just in the [Swampland of Predators].

Just how miserable of a death struggle did I wage?

Swordsmanship being lacking aside.

Riding on lotus leaves due to lacking magic power.

Teaching a pure spirit the bitter taste of a hierarchical society…….

‘So I cannot be conceited.’

I don’t know about Granfel who is always overflowing with confidence.

But I’m saying I must maintain my rationality until the end.

That I must not forget to understand my place.

In that sense, I had been preparing thoroughly.

Ssssh

Letters surfacing on the parchment.

──────

The magical enchantment of the requested magic tools has been completed successfully.

──────

Click

The teacup being put down.

[Due to the effect of the elixir herb, ‘Star Flower Root’, intelligence increases by 1 point.]

The thorough preparations to dispose of Karimzeva, that is.

That would be the same for the Senior Mages of the Mage Tower as well.

So I resolve once again.

That I will understand my place.

That I will properly utilize the reassuring backup called the Mage Tower.

Because I don’t have the slightest desire to get swept up in a fight between whales and die a sudden death.

.

.

.

Right, even though I resolved like that.

I didn’t want this kind of excessive hospitality either.

‘……Rather than reassuring, it’s burdensome.’

However, I can’t show it like always.

I looked at the middle-aged man sitting across from me.

He spoke to me with a kind smile.

“This is the first time we are sharing a conversation like this. I shall introduce myself.”

A small physique for a man.

However, the transcendent magic power rippling from his body reminded me anew.

Of who he was.

However, there is no submitting.

‘My damn pride.’

This is why I quit the company, me!

To put to shame the resentment echoing inside me.

I shamelessly opened my mouth.

“No, the introduction shall be omitted.”

“Oh?”

“Elder Mage, Senios. State your business for seeking me out.”

Noblesse Oblige.

Until the Mage Tower reached its current state.

The two Elder Mages who had merely stood by and watched.

There’s no way Granfel’s pride would view them favorably.

It probably meant kind words were out of the question, let alone respectful language.

I just had the feeling of wanting to close my eyes tightly.

‘Technically he’s my superior……. Even if I get fired, I have nothing to say. Really.’

Would the Mage Tower have a severance pay system?

If they do, what would they give me.

What happens to the magic tools I rented.

However, a response different from what I had braced myself for was heard.

“The business is simple. It is to receive permission.”

……Wait, permission?

What permission does an Elder Mage gentleman have to receive from me.

While thinking, I ended up remembering.

The full authority over exiting the tower given to me.

Senios smiled and continued his words.

“Elder Mage, Senios formally requests permission to exit the tower.”

As if he was incomparably sincere.

According to the procedure.

He even added the purpose.

“The purpose is to execute the Mage Tower’s grave criminal, Karimzeva, with my own hands.”

……No, you far exceed the qualifications for backup though?

I was surprised enough to let out a gasp vocally but.

I am unable to show it.

Click

I calmly put down the teacup and said.

“A more concrete reason will be needed.”