Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 131 - It's so grand

[Luxury – White Elytra]

 

[Grade: Unique]

 

[Restriction: Lv.350]

 

[Effect: When equipped, the attribute magic generated by the user is stored. The number of magic that can be stored is proportional to the color of the wing, and when the stored magic is activated, mana consumption is reduced by 30%. – Number of currently stored attribute magic: 100]

 

A magic tool I rented before entering the Demon King’s Castle rutpure.

 

I couldn’t live without the procedure.

 

So why was I still keeping the item and not returning it?

 

If anyone asked, I had a good reason.

 

‘Strictly speaking, I borrowed it again.’

 

[Token of the Whirlwind].

 

[Luxury Item – Lightning-Struck Tree Branch Wand].

 

[Luxury Item – White Elytra].

 

I had thought about this while returning the items I rented at the Magic Tower and Garnet Hall.

 

It would be better to keep at least one as insurance.

 

I was able to demonstrate my specialty of knowing my place.

 

‘I don’t have [Natural Enemy Relationship], so I need to pack an item properly.’

 

The item I chose out of the three was, of course, the White Elytra.

 

Most of all, its performance was truly a sham.

 

The effects of other items were also significant, but.

 

‘If it wasn’t for the elytra…’

 

I would have never been able to take down Demon King Flauros.

 

‘Considering its effect, it’s surprising that it only has a unique grade.’

 

There were no procedural issues in extending the rental of magic tools.

 

Who am I?

 

From being a parachute, I was now recognized as the chief co-researcher.

 

Of course, even if I didn’t use the chief’s authority, it seemed there were no mages who needed [White Elytra] in the first place.

 

-“There are a lot of magic tools that have been returned. Take your time looking around…”

 

The skilled mages of Garnet Hall even suggested that.

 

The other magic tools?

 

They were great.

 

It was beyond a great level and I’d like to try using it too.

 

But the level restriction was really high.

 

Flap–

 

In the end, I only had one option.

 

I put the elytra on my shoulders like a cape.

 

The elytra clung to my shoulder as if it were alive.

 

I felt like I had really sprouted my wings.

 

Even for Grandfel’s aesthetic sense, its appearance was extremely satisfying.

 

‘…Don’t I just like luxury goods too much?’

 

That thought suddenly crossed my mind.

 

Well, it was still a profitable deal.

 

I checked the changes in the stat window.

 

[Name: Grandfel Claudie Arpheus Romeo]

 

[Title: The Last Adventurer]

 

[Class: Demon hunter]

 

[Level: 425]

 

[Stat]

 

Strength: 71 / Agility: 76 / Mana: 387 / Luck: 6 / Aesthetic: Medium

 

[Points: 0]

 

Thanks to wearing the elytra, the [aesthetics] stat rose again from low to medium.

 

Without [Natural Enemy Relationship], even the slightest change in stat was a relief.

 

Even if it was pathetic, I couldn’t help it.

 

I had to take care of what I needed to take care of.

 

“That’s a magic tool of the Mage Tower…!”

 

Of course, no one else could figure out my complicated intentions.

 

Fabian and his party were clearly impressed.

 

Of course, due to the situation, everyone came to their senses right away.

 

“…No, Sir Hoyeol. You want to break through the trap head-on!?”

 

.

 

.

 

.

“Thefern was an ancient city.”

 

“…!!!”

 

From the beginning, the dark spirit’s words were shocking.

 

The explorers of the League, Aaron and Rombus, let out a laugh.

 

Including them.

 

Thefern was a place that a lot of explorers had clung onto.

 

In the past, they couldn’t get a single proper clue.

 

“I didn’t expect to learn Thefern’s secret in this way…”

 

“Don’t talk more, Aaron. I’m losing energy too.”

 

“Let’s be quiet for now, both of you.”

 

In fact, Fabian felt the same as those two people.

 

‘Even if the method of each exploration was different.’

 

Exploring with the help of spirits.

 

It was something he had never experienced before.

 

But Fabian’s mind was calm.

 

He judged the situation realistically.

 

‘Normally, it takes at least a week to explore the labyrinth.’

 

However, this was not an ordinary labyrinth. It was the Top 10 Wonders of the Arcana continent.

 

If they weren’t skilled at this, it would take twice as long.

 

‘…No, can we beat it?’

 

Even now, it took several minutes to disarm one trap.

 

Three explorers, including him, stuck on it together.

 

But they didn’t have enough time.

 

Well, didn’t Hoyeol say that time was like afternoon tea?

 

As Sir Hoyeol said.

 

‘This is a rupture, not the Arcana continent.’

 

Considering the increase rate of the collapse progress….

 

Fabian had no choice but to quickly admit.

 

‘It won’t be possible the way we planned it.’

 

In that sense, they needed to listen carefully to the words of the dark spirit.

 

Information about Thefern would help in some way.

 

“They ended up waking up the ‘Being That Should Not Be Awakened’.”

 

…Being That Should Not Be Awakened?

 

“In the depths of this underground.”

 

“…!”

 

Flash!

 

Fabian’s intuition perked up at those words.

 

He had felt discomfort from the moment he stepped into the Thefern Labyrinth.

 

If treasure or fame didn’t exist here.

 

What was the reason the labyrinth was built?

 

Finally, the questions in his head began to connect together.

 

Fabian murmured quietly.

 

“…Was it to seal the Being That Should Not Be Awakened?”

 

If you thought about it that way, everything fit.

 

The traps were so complex that even the designer couldn’t disarm them.

 

The structure was excessively inefficient.

 

Even the gloomy voice that had echoed in the labyrinth.

 

– Leave this place immediately. Unless you want to die.

 

Fabian laughed bitterly.

 

“It wasn’t a warning, it was a friendly concern?”

 

Indeed, as a legendary explorer.

 

Fabian’s intuition was correct. As the dark spirit continued to speak, Aaron and Rombus swallowed their silence. Then he looked at the wall where the trap was hidden.

 

“They didn’t cast it to simply screw us up.”

 

“The magic is not ordinary, either. It’s black magic.”

 

“Because black magic is the only thing that remains after many years.”

 

No matter which magic tool you used.

 

Magic manifested from mana couldn’t be maintained permanently.

 

However, the black magic manifested by the ‘right mana’ was different.

 

Right mana came from the past and background.

 

Fabian expressed his sentiments.

 

“It’s a tragedy.”

 

He didn’t know the specific story, but.

 

Thefern, who had awakened the Being That Should Not Be Awakened

 

In order to fulfill their responsibilities.

 

To keep the peace of the Arcana continent.

 

They created a labyrinth to seal the Being That Should Not Be Awakened, and they sacrificed themselves until now. Was this a sacrifice to the black magic so that the labyrinth could do its job?

 

Having learned all that fact.

 

Aaron placed his hand on the wall of the labyrinth.

 

“Then what about the presence I felt inside the walls?”

 

They were the residents of Thefern who were forever unable to sleep.

 

He couldn’t believe there was such a secret hidden in the wonders.

 

Silence–

 

Fabian and the others, lost in thought, fell silent.

 

Of course, the silence didn’t last long, thanks to the bombshell Hoyeol dropped.

 

“…No, Sir Hoyeol. You want to break through the trap head-on!?”

 

It was a conversation between Hoyeol and the dark spirit.

 

They only overheard it, but even they could understand Thefern’s truth. Sir Hoyeol couldn’t have misunderstood… However, Hoyeol’s actions continued as if those words we not meant to be empty words.

 

Tap tap–

 

Hoyeol flew his wings and moved his steps.

 

“I will carry on Thefern’s pride, Fabian.”

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

A Being That Should Not Be Awakened was sealed in the labyrinth.

 

‘Does that mean you’re going to make the seal stronger?’

 

But Hoyeol’s answer was far more shocking than he expected.

 

“Being That Should Not Be Awakened. All I have to do is remove the culprit.”

 

“…!!!”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Being That Should Not Be Awakened

 

It sounded so powerful.

 

I recalled the information about the rupture.

 

[Recommended level: Lv.500~?]

 

Now I could see why the recommended level was not specified correctly.

 

It was because this monster was involved in one of the world-class quests, the Top 10 Wonders.

 

At the very least, it was a named monster, and in the worst case, it was a boss monster.

 

‘Damn it, I am doomed.’

 

I really resented this guy’s pride…

 

Noblesse oblige.

 

I couldn’t help but look at everything compassionately.

 

Grandfel’s aristocratic pride was telling me.

 

“Thefern has fulfilled their duties so far.”

 

From the time when the Ancient City of Thefern was intact until now.

 

The survivors of Thefern became hosts and sacrifices to black magic and guarded the labyrinth without falling asleep. They deserved to rest in peace.

 

Perhaps the system was also moved by this damn tiring pride.

 

The quest window flashed.

 

New quest goals were updated.

 

-Witness Thefern Labyrinth (Successful)

 

– Reach the depths of the labyrinth. (On Hold)

 

– Defeat the ‘Being That Should Not Be Awakenedd’ sleeping deep in the depths. (In Progress)

 

Even the system was moved by this pride.

 

…Fuck.

 

I judged coldly.

 

‘Once the rupture was created. It would be inevitable for us to meet.’

 

‘Being That Should Not Be Awakened’.

 

It was sealed in the depths of the labyrinth.

 

If I didn’t get rid of it, the rupture wouldn’t be cleared anyway. However, that didn’t mean that the conversation I had with the dark spirit was meaningless.

 

‘How should I put this. I was the first to find out that we would get beaten up.’

 

Still, I should be glad that I had time to prepare.

 

‘I can’t just like this situation.’

 

Regular monsters and named monsters were on a different level.

 

Named monsters and boss monsters were also on a different level.

 

I couldn’t believe I had to get rid of the ‘Being That Should Not Be Awakened’ that obviously would be a named monster at minimum and a boss monster at worst.

 

It was a very burdensome situation for me now that [Natural Enemy Relationship] was not activated.

 

But there was no hesitation in my steps.

 

I headed towards the other side of the labyrinth.

 

I heard Fabian’s alarmed voice.

 

“Sir Hoyeol! The wall will collapse. The inhabitants of Thefern who fell victim to the black magic…!!”

 

Was it because of the heavy pride that made it impossible to live without sinking?

 

Or was it because I had White Elytra that fluttered elegantly?

 

If not, was it because Haiel and the dark spirit were by my side?

 

No, that was not the point.

 

Because I knew.

 

‘Darkness is encroached by deeper darkness.’

 

The nature of black magic.

 

Black magic.

 

A miscellaneous type of magic whose concept just got established in modern times by Senior Matis Dean Carl. Although black magic had a short history, my knowledge about it was sufficient.

 

Who was Matis?

 

He was a mage who was closer to the chief position than anyone else before Marcelo rose to prominence.

 

In other words.

 

His capabilities.

 

There was nothing lacking in the black magic books he wrote.

 

I had read every single book on black magic that existed in the Mage Tower.

 

Crash–

 

Perhaps because I took a step forward without hesitation.

 

A trap was triggered.

 

Looking at the crumbling wall, I said calmly.

 

“Did they manifest 『Black Tube』 throughout the labyrinth? Right. It would have been difficult to seal it in a simple labyrinth. I can guess what they were concerned about.”

 

Intermediate-level black magic.

 

The effect was to take away some of the target’s five senses. The Black Tube that appeared in the Thefern Labyrinth was aimed at only one target, the Being That Should Not Be Awakened.

 

Soon, a black figure fully revealed itself.

 

“In order to maintain that Black Tube, it must have required an enormous amount of right mana. To compensate for that, a 『Black Contract』 was made by sacrificing their bodies.”

 

Advanced black magic, black contract.

 

To put it simply, it was a type of necromancy.

 

If there was anything else, it was the difference between mana and right mana. And unlike the necromancer’s necromancy, the black contract could also be manifested in living subjects.

 

At my words, Fabian hesitated.

 

“Sir Hoyeol, that means… In order for the residents of Thefern to seal the being trapped in this labyrinth forever. They sacrificed their body as an offering for the black magic?”

 

Nod–

 

Haiel nodded on my behalf.

 

Yeah, Thefern.

 

Since it was a Wonder, its story was so dark.

 

But regardless of the consequences. The fact that they sacrificed their lives to prevent chaos on the Arcana continent didn’t change.

 

I could understand why this guy’s pride couldn’t overlook it.

 

So now that I could understand it.

 

I didn’t whine anymore.

 

“…Leave. Unless you want to die. Leave.”

 

All that remained was just the resentment from the living.

 

The 『Black Contractors』 were approaching.

 

The number was countless.

 

“…Leave. Unless you want to die. Leave.”

 

“…Leave. Unless you want to die. Leave.”

 

“…Leave. Unless you want to die. Leave.”

 

But I didn’t back down.

 

I knew their pride.

 

I also knew their resentment.

 

“I know your hearts.”

 

Being That Should Not Be Awakened.

 

I didn’t know what its identity was, but with such a grand name, it must be a great being.

 

By the way.

 

This side also had a grand title that wasn’t inferior to that.

 

Infinitely Deep Darkness.

 

…The problem was, it was so grand that I felt like dying from hearing it.

 

Gooo–

 

I raised the mana that was fitting for that nickname.

 

It was different from the one that responded to the dark spirit.

 

The entire Tetpern Labyrinth began to respond to my right mana.

 

Rumble-!

 

The labyrinth shook.

 

I hear the panicked voices of Fabian and his party.

 

“P-President Fabian! What is going on?”

 

But I couldn’t afford to listen to them.

 

Was it because of my dark history, or was it because of Grandfel’s gloomy background setting? The source was unknown, but so many right mana surged to the point that its end was invisible.

 

Even just controlling this was daunting…!

 

But, as always, I wasn’t shaken.

 

Soon, the black contractors who were approaching me stopped.

 

At the same time, a message came to my sight.

 

[You have gained the command of Thefern’s Black Contractors.]

 

It said something different than before.

 

“… After a long wait, the opportunity to correct your mistakes has come.”

 

*

 

Rumble–!

 

Thefern Labyrinth shook as if it were about to collapse.

 

Players screamed everywhere.

 

But the real thing just started now.

 

“It doesn’t stop shaking!”

 

“Mobs will jump out of the labyrinth walls!”

 

“Crazy! What kind of bastard is it? Hurry up and come out, you troll!”

 

Each of them had a different location in the labyrinth, but all of them took a fighting stance.

 

Class explorer Park Hwigang, who possessed insignificant combat skills, also raised his dagger for self-defense.

 

“I would like to ask for your understanding in advance. The broadcast might get uneven.”

 

It wasn’t an ordinary labyrinth.

 

He had a hunch, but he had no idea there would be such a drastic change.

 

Was it as expected of the Top 10 Wonders of the Arcana continent? His temporary party members also expressed their thoughts.

 

“Only one or two jumped out, but I was already sweating.”

 

“…There must be more than a hundred, right?”

 

“Do you think it’s only a hundred? It seems like the whole labyrinth is collapsing.”

 

“Hyungnims,  noonims. I think today is my memorial service day. Please give me expense money to the afterlife….”

 

“No, are you really going to jinx us there?!”

 

“So what? Did you pay for my yukgaejang ^[1] Yukgaejang or spicy beef soup is a spicy, soup-like Korean dish made from shredded beef with scallions and other ingredients, which are simmered together for a long time. Source: Wikipedia. ?”

 

Rumble–!

 

As the argument was about to heat up.

 

The labyrinth collapsed just in time.

 

However, the dry saliva they swallowed was meaningless.

 

“…Huh?”

 

[Thefern’s Black Contractor].

 

The grim-looking monsters didn’t rush at them.

 

No, instead of being hostile, they completely turned around and started heading in the opposite direction.

 

“That’s…?”

 

Toward the depths of the labyrinths.

 

A place where the Being That Should Not Be Awakened were sealed.

 

And a place where the ‘Infinitely Deep Darkness’ had set foot.

• 1. Yukgaejang or spicy beef soup is a spicy, soup-like Korean dish made from shredded beef with scallions and other ingredients, which are simmered together for a long time. Source: Wikipedia.