Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 13 - One More Whale in the Whale Fight (1)

The degree of collapse of the rupture had soared sharply.

 

– With the rupture [Territory’s Outrskirt] raid rate approaching 95%. There’s breaking news that the collapse rate of the rupture in [The Count’s Estate] has exceeded 60%.

 

It was only a day.

 

The degree of the rupture’s collapse had exceeded 60 percent.

 

After the cataclysm.

 

A lot of ruptures had appeared and disappeared.

 

– This… I’ve never seen a case like this before…

 

It was unusual for the degree of collapse to rise so sharply.

 

Some cast members speculated on the reason.

 

– The speed rate of collapse depends on the ruptures. Generally, the stronger the monsters in the rupture, the shorter the time the rupture can withstand.

 

– Does that mean the monsters in the rupture will be stronger than we think?

 

– Yes, the problem is that the speed rate of collapse has increased. So to be precise… ‘The monsters inside the rupture are stronger than before’ is probably correct. It was a day ago.

 

The words left the cast speechless.

 

They were already fed up with the high difficulty level of this rupture.

 

As if that wasn’t enough, the monster even got stronger.

 

– …Could there be a reason for that? Normal monsters wouldn’t suddenly become stronger, right?

 

Yeah, there had to be a reason.

 

If only they could figure out the reason.

 

The fact that the monsters became stronger.

 

The sharp increase in the speed rate of the rupture’s collapse because of that fact.

 

Would they be able to stop it?

 

However, no matter how many opinions were gathered, no answer came.

 

In the end, the anchor had no choice but to deliver this closing remark.

 

– Please, I hope the players give us good news.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

I took my eyes off the screen.

 

I don’t know about other players, but…

 

‘…How come I think I understand the reason?’

 

The reason why the monsters in the ruptures became stronger,

 

The reason for the sudden increase in the degree of the rupture’s collapse.

 

As someone who just returned to Arcana after 10 years.

 

If you ask me why I am acting as if I understand.

 

I can confidently ask back.

 

I think I know more about demons than you do?

 

The endless training in Akshan!

 

I had heard so much information on the demons enough to wound my ears.

 

Naturally, that included vampires.

 

– Vampires can share their power through blood. Of course, it is also possible for them to reclaim the ability they share. So don’t let your guard down until the end.

 

The vampire, Count Ascura, had given his powers to the blood-stained beasts and the blood-stained bandits.

 

As those monsters were beaten by the player, the powers that had been divided between them naturally returned to Count Ascura…

 

‘So the degree of rupture’s increased sharply.’

 

Indeed, just as I thought so, the story matched.

 

I could also predict the next development.

 

‘Wait, so if I attack the territory, the collapse of the rupture citadel will rise sharply.’

 

Considering the current collapse rate was over 60 percent…

 

‘I think it’ll be 90% at least?’

 

The collapse of the rupture citadel.

 

It might come to reality.

 

It was the worst-case scenario, but the odds were pretty high.

 

And looking at his level alone, Count Ascura was level 430.

 

Thinking that the monster was getting stronger,

 

It was true that I felt it was hopeless.

 

But my actions remained unchanged.

 

Open the closet in the same position as usual.

 

Choose an attire according to formality.

 

Of course, it was a suit slightly different from yesterday.

 

Still, I had realized something when shivering in the cold.

 

I put on a long black coat over my suit.

 

…Yes, a long coat.

 

It would drag down my activity in the rupture.

 

Better than freezing to death. Well.

 

Let’s try to stay positive.

 

But apart from that, I didn’t feel good.

 

I recited in a low voice.

 

“The aristocracy gives and doesn’t take. Count Ascura.”

 

It was the head of the Claudie family.

 

Grandfell’s idea of aristocratic pride.

 

That pride was loathing the actions of Count Ascura.

 

Tap tap–

 

I added, putting on my shoes.

 

“No, even the title of count is a waste on you. Ascura.”

 

If anyone saw it.

 

It could have looked pretty good.

 

Tighten–

 

…In my hands.

 

If it weren’t for these tea bags.

 

Let’s be grateful that there are no eyes watching.

 

I headed to the Mage Tower.

 

*

 

A full-fledged raid began.

 

[Count’s Estate]

 

[Recommended level: Lv.350~400]

 

[Collapse progress: 66.1%]

 

When checking the rupture’s information again.

 

Different reactions erupted everywhere.

 

“The recommended level is 350 to 400?! You’re seriously crazy.”

 

“In less than an hour, the degree of collapse has increased by 6 percent.”

 

“No, if the estate is this bad, what the hell is the citadel like?”

 

All of the hundreds of [Territory’s Outskirt] ruptures had been cleared.

 

Now, if they could clear 30 [Count’s Estate] ruptures, they would enter the [Count’s Citadel] rupture where Count Ascura was located.

 

As the number of ruptures was significantly reduced.

 

The fight between the players also became fierce.

 

It was only natural.

 

The recommended level was 350 to 400 levels.

 

Since it was a high-level rupture, the experience and loot must be at a level that couldn’t be ignored.

 

The number of ruptures was insufficient, so competition was essential.

 

So it was a war of nerves to find a decent competitor.

 

Guild Master of Gaon.

 

At least Nam Taemin was in good shape.

 

“Well, as long as we don’t overlap with Shining.”

 

Except for Shining, no matter who came, he would fight.

 

Nam Taemin was confident.

 

Although the first clear was lost to Berserker’s ambush, their difference with Shining was very narrow.

 

Nam Cheolmin felt the same way.

 

Nam Cheolmin tapped his tablet PC.

 

“Shining must also be in a state of high alert. It won’t be good for those guys to choose the same ruptures as us. We’ll just be like digging our graves together.”

 

So let’s go with this rupture.

 

Gaon quickly dominated the base camp.

 

However, an uninvited guest who had been forgotten for a while came.

 

Nam Taemin’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“…Ha, look at you guys.”

 

Inazuma, 4th in the guild rankings.

 

As its name suggests, it was a guild in Japan.

 

Even though the Mage Tower appeared.

 

It was impossible for them to take root in Korea.

 

Because they were stubborn.

 

Inazuma, who had arrived in Russia after a full day’s flight, appeared in the rupture.

 

Guild Master of Inazuma.

 

Hisagi Kazuma looked at Nam Taemin.

 

Nam Taemin didn’t avoid his eyes either.

 

He didn’t say a word.

 

Each of them knew what it meant.

 

Nam Taemin said.

 

“That bastard wants to give it a try. What do you think, hyung?”

 

Nam Cheolmin shrugged while tapping on the tablet.

 

“We settled down here first, but it won’t be easy to avoid them, right?”

 

Korea and Japan.

 

Gaon and Inazuma had chosen the same rupture.

 

The rumor spread quickly.

 

Filming teams from all over the world buzzed.

 

“Gaon and Inazuma are competing?! It’s definitely a scoop.”

 

But there was too much of a scoop here.

 

Fresh news constantly poured in.

 

Among them, there were situations that attracted as much attention as the confrontation between Gaon and Inazuma.

 

“Second Sun and Bohemian. Those two competitors got stuck together?”

 

“Looks like things become more troublesome after Berserker took the first clear.”

 

“They have no business ethics. The lots of them. How come the Europeans are fighting more and more against each other?”

 

But the most interesting thing was.

 

Guild ranking 1st and 2nd.

 

Shining and Union were facing each other.

 

America’s Shining.

 

China’s Union.

 

Indeed, it was a competition that attracted the attention of the world.

 

Because the world’s order might be shaken by the result.

 

“Did Union decide to pour salt in the wound?”

 

“Doesn’t this mean that they want to perish together?”

 

“There will be nothing left if those two stick together.”

 

Naturally, with those two guilds.

 

It was a deal that left no profits or everyone else.

 

It was like having to share the experience point and loot of a new rupture with the strongest competitor.

 

But each of them wouldn’t back down.

 

So, it was an interesting sight for those who watched.

 

“Now, then let’s take a vote here!”

 

Nettuber players were as excited as the reporters.

 

Only players could enter the ruptures.

 

Just yesterday, they had a lot of fun relaying the situation inside the ruptures.

 

Therefore, Nettubers couldn’t help but notice.

 

“Please leave a comment! We will also actively reflect on your message of support!”

 

Indeed, which ruptures should they choose to attract the most viewers?

 

The constant wars of nerves.

 

The only way to be free from that war of nerves…

 

There was only one.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

The current temperature was minus five degrees.

 

Seriously, is this for real?

 

Dropping to more than 5 degrees in a day.

 

Fortunately, I was wearing a coat.

 

Otherwise, I’d freeze to death before I could get into the rupture.

 

Whistle–

 

I warmed my hands with the warmth of the teacup.

 

Indeed, paying more attention to the process of 『exploration』 and 『interference』was worth it.

 

I just made the shape of the teacup a little more complicated.

 

The teacup didn’t cool easily even in the freezing wind.

 

‘I’m getting used to it.’

 

Not in [skills] but in 『magic』.

 

With Grandfel’s talent to quickly master such magic.

 

I emptied the glass and let go of the handle.

 

Tuk–

 

The teacup transformed again in the air.

 

The moment it fell, it returned to its stone form.

 

‘Returning it to its original state also reduces the effort for exploring and interfering.’

 

This was also the method I found when I got used to magic.

 

I seriously pondered.

 

‘…Of course, the question is whether I can use this in practice.’

 

It was something I would have to figure out by confronting it with my body.

 

Of course, this rupture was not to be taken lightly.

 

‘The henchmen of Count Askura’: Lv.390

 

‘The knights of Count Ascura’: Lv.350

 

‘The soldiers of Count Ascura’: Lv.300

 

In the first place, It’s not at a level that can be taken lightly, is it?

 

Even if you ignore the soldiers and the knights…

 

There was a difference of more than 300 levels with the henchmen.

 

But since when did I nitpick on such things?

 

Tap tap–

 

It didn’t just happen once or twice, but now I had given up and accepted it.

 

『Even if he sinks under its weight and drowns.』

 

I had no choice but to live like this.

 

So I just tried my best.

 

For the graceful swan to not sink.

 

As if struggling beneath the surface.

 

I, too, was just struggling in places unseen.

 

Just like I had been from yesterday to this morning.

 

I hoped my effort would mean something.

 

Tap tap–

 

I entered the rupture without hesitation.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Upon entering the rift, what I saw were buildings that collapsed in a horrible state.

 

It was too shabby to be called [Count’s Estate].

 

Reality and Arcana.

 

Even if it was an environment where these two landscapes were mixed, this was too much.

 

I naturally frowned, perhaps because of my sense of aesthetics as an aristocrat.

 

“It’s a terrible estate. Ascura.”

 

I tossed my coat and moved forward.

 

“!”

 

Soon after, I was able to face the ‘soldier of Count Ascura’.

 

The soldier’s eyes were burning red.

 

Its developed fangs were sticking out of its mouth.

 

As if it was thirsty.

 

Saliva was constantly trickling out of its mouth.

 

The soldier noticed my presence and rushed at me.

 

I stared at the soldier rushing in.

 

Yep, that made it clear once again.

 

It wasn’t an act of loyalty.

 

It was just wearing the mask of power.

 

Tormented by the curse of an ugly vampire.

 

It was just a poor victim.

 

I said it again.

 

“Looking at it again, it’s terrible.”

 

I 『explored』 the collapsed building and『intereferd』 its form.

 

“Even that thing is a waste on you.”

 

Soon the magic came out.

 

Boom–!

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Thump–!

 

A roar from behind.

 

“?!”

 

The two men turned their heads first without saying anything.

 

They could see a faint rise of dust.

 

Boom–

 

Nam Taemin and Hisagi Kazuma grinded their teeth at the same time.

 

‘…I don’t know who it is, but do it in moderation.’

 

This one was already too much to deal with.