Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 133 - Peeved (2)

AAU.

 

Branches and heads of branches around the world moved busily.

 

One by one, their faces appeared on the screen.

 

Someone who was looking at each face opened their mouth.

 

“Head of UK branch. And the head of the Korean branch isn’t here yet?”

 

The moment that question was asked.

 

Pop–

 

Park Minjae’s face urgently appeared.

 

He greeted them in a hurry.

 

“Huft, I’m sorry I’m late.”

 

“No. Mr. Park, we can understand.”

 

“You’re so busy.”

 

There was only one reason why Park Minjae was busy.

 

It was because of Lee Hoyeol.

 

Right before this, he had been busy running around the AAU Korea branch’s office building.

 

Park Minjae took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

 

“For the past few days, I’ve just been spitting out the same words like a tape recorder. Anyway, once the Korean media bites, they won’t let go. Existence of hidden classes? We would also like to know. Even if I say that with a wronged expression on my face…!”

 

“Oh, Branch Manager. Your face is too close.”

 

“That’s why you couldn’t even wash up? You’re not looking good!”

 

“…Yes? I went to the sauna in the morning and washed up.”

 

…Huh?

 

That word was up to their throat but.

 

They had to put it aside for a while now.

 

“Anyway, thank you for your understanding.”

 

“Ahem. By the way, the UK branch is late.”

 

“They’ve been absent a lot lately.”

 

“…Hasn’t there been some ruptures on the UK side for a while?”

 

“Well. It can’t be helped. We don’t have to wait for them. Let’s get started.”

 

An unscheduled emergency meeting.

 

The reason AAU’s branch heads gathered was simple.

 

A data screen appeared.

 

“So what do you think this monster is?”

 

In the depths of the Thefern Labyrinth.

 

A huge pupil was located on the wall.

 

It wasn’t that difficult for them to open the conversation.

 

“Eyes and size. You can tell just by looking at the details of the skin tissue. It’s definitely a dragon-type monster. But don’t you all know? In the Arcana continent, the dragons…”

 

This was common knowledge that any developer of Arcana couldn’t not know.

 

“They only stay near the [Zero Mountain].”

 

“Is it possible that the setting has changed?”

 

“In fact, it’s highly likely. At present. After the emergence of the demons, the Arcana Continent wouldn’t be the Arcana Continent we knew. But…”

 

The next words were also common knowledge.

 

“This is a different story. This is a dragon buried deep underground! The same dragon that can do more than command the world of Arcana when flying in the sky!”

 

So there was only one possibility.

 

Park Minjae opened his mouth.

 

“If it’s something similar to a dragon…”

 

“What? Something similar? Do you have any guesses?”

 

“I do. In the East. You know it, right? Okazaki-ssi.”

 

…Nod.

 

Head of Tokyo’s AAU branch, Okazaki, responded to Park Minjae’s question.

 

“ Imoogi ^[1] Imoogi = A legendary big snake, which is said to have failed to become a dragon due to a curse and lives in water. . A being who longs to become a dragon.”

 

“…Imoogi?”

 

“According to Easter legend, it is a being that endures eternity to become a dragon. Actually, I was kind of guessing. When it comes to giant reptiles discovered underground, this is the only one that I can think of.”

 

Park Minjae joined in.

 

“But, does this monster exist in Arcana? I was just thinking about it.”

 

Silence.

 

In the days when Arcana was just a game, it would have been an opinion not worth considering. A monster that wasn’t even planned, let alone updated, appeared?

 

However, Arcana was no longer a game, it was another world.

 

“But, the great evil that we didn’t know. It actually existed.”

 

Besides, hadn’t they experienced this situation before?

 

So, they couldn’t ignore it.

 

They poured questions to Park Minjae and Okazaki.

 

“Is this Imoogi strong? Is it similar to a dragon?”

 

He understood how they felt but they were very impatient.

 

Park Minjae shrugged.

 

“I don’t have anything to say because nothing is clear yet. Even if it were an imoogi, I don’t know how it would have been described. But one thing is for sure…”

 

Whatever this imoogi was, it was something similar to a dragon.

 

That alone was concerning.

 

AAU made a calculation cool-headedly.

 

“Then, to put it simply, let’s say it’s a deteriorated dragon. Will the players currently entering the Thefern Labyrinth rupture, including Lee Hoyeol, be able to kill it?”

 

It was difficult to answer.

 

“Lee Hoyeol, I think everything depends on his performance.”

 

This was a different situation from the [Broken Dimension Gap] rupture or the [Demon King’s Castle] rupture.

 

At the time, Hoyeol carried out joint operations with some of the leading armed forces in Arcana, including the Mage Tower.

 

Everyone knew that fact.

 

A small sound of clicking tongue was heard.

 

“Even if Fabian is a legendary explorer, he is ultimately an explorer. Because of his class limitations, it will be difficult to expect much help in battle…”

 

The moment negative concerns arose.

 

Click–

 

Someone opened their mouth in an urgent voice.

 

“Hang on, there’s an additional update!”

 

“In any case, that Raymond! What would be different if he just announced it all at once?”

 

“Can you share the details?”

 

“Yes, hold on!”

 

Click–

 

Soon, the update history was shared to all attendees.

 

──────

 

A new rupture, ‘Thefern Labyrinth’, is added.

 

A new monster is added.

 

‘Thefern’s Black Contractor’ : Lv.450

 

A new boss monster is added.

 

‘Being That Should Not Be Awakened’….

 

──────

 

Being That Should Not Be Awakened…!

 

At that name, everyone’s eyes widened.

 

Imoogi.

 

Wasn’t it said to be a being that endured crouching for eternity in order to become a dragon?

 

“I think the guess of the Korean Branch Manager and Japan Branch Manager is correct.”

 

There was no name that suited it better than that.

 

But that wasn’t the only reason they were surprised.

 

“Hey, its level is…?!”

 

─────

 

‘Being That Should Not Be Awakened’: Lv.900

 

─────

 

Level 900.

 

Compared to the best monster that had ever appeared so far.

 

It was 50 levels higher than the Demon King Flauros.

 

Arcana developers.

 

They knew better than anyone else that the gap at each level became more extreme as it went higher.

 

“Not only that, the boss monster is a dragon?”

 

They could guarantee it.

 

The monster was stronger than Demon King Flauros.

 

The moment concern appeared on the heads’ faces.

 

“…Wait a minute. Are you all watching this?”

 

An urgent voice followed.

 

“Watching what?”

 

“Park Hwigang. The streaming of a Nettuber who entered the labyrinth!”

 

“Streaming?”

 

“Can you share the link? Sharing the screen would be even better.”

 

…Something big had happened.

 

In the midst of the tension, the screen showed the streaming.

 

In the revealed landscape of Thefern Labyrinth.

 

An incredible sight was unfolding.

 

“Wait, that black figure…? They’re Thefern’s Black Contractors.”

 

[Thefern’s Black Contractor].

 

As stated in the update history.

 

It was a regular monster that appeared in Thefern Labyrinth rupture.

 

According to Arcana’s system, it could be said to be the subordinate of the boss monster ‘Being That Should Not Be Awakened’.

 

But why were these guys…

 

Park Minjae murmured quietly.

 

“…Why are they jumping towards the Imoogi?”

 

The regular monster was out of the boss monster’s control?

 

It was a sight that couldn’t be understood by the developer’s common sense.

 

However, it wasn’t so difficult to understand the incredible situation. They could guess from experience.

 

‘…It’s Lee Hoyeol.’

 

What kind of trick did he use?

 

Maybe it was because of his class ability.

 

Or a part of the quest.

 

Although they couldn’t guess any specific information.

 

They could be sure.

 

This time too, it was Lee Hoyeol’s doing.

 

“Haha…”

 

Park Minjae let out a laugh.

 

Hoyeol proved his ability against any odds.

 

Shouldn’t they just blindly trust him at this point?

 

“Everyone isn’t chanting Homen and Hoyeol-nim for no reason.”

 

*

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

 

[10,890 Thefern’s Black Contractors]

 

[Current status: Waiting for command]

 

It was a familiar message.

 

Still, I had experience.

 

I had led the Paladins of the Goddess Church by myself.

 

‘Actually, if I could…’

 

I wanted to order them to attack right away.

 

[‘Fear’ occurs to Being That Should Not Be Awakened.]

 

Black Contractors had stolen its five senses.

 

Thanks to the additional right mana,[Fear], one of the highest status abnormalities, occurred In that situation. Information came up.

 

“An emergency update has appeared? Yes?! Its level is nine hundred?!”

 

What, level 900?

 

How could it lead to such a huge progression…!?

 

This was a situation that went beyond something to complain about and had real lives at stake.

 

Especially since I talked big just now.

 

‘Peeved when waking up? If I just accept that, I will fall asleep forever.’

 

So I wanted to finish quickly.

 

As I said, [Fear] was the highest status abnormality.

 

──────

 

Fear: It breaks down the target physically and mentally.

 

──────

 

It was the reason why players were afraid of demon-type monsters, and it was also one of the reasons why I, who was nothing great, was able to stand upright in front of demons.

 

‘Fear is a status abnormality that can make a demon king scream.’

 

Now was the best time to take it down.

 

But because of this damn pride…!

 

In such an urgent situation, I spoke calmly.

 

“You’ve already made enough sacrifices.”

 

Looking at the black contractors, the people of Thefern.

 

“Are you still trying to correct your mistakes?”

 

Indeed.

 

I had gained command of [Thefern’s Black Contractors], but never for a moment did I control the people of Thefern.

 

This complex pride was so heavy it wouldn’t be surprising if it sank into my heart at any moment. There was no way it could tolerate such behavior.

 

But there was no need to rush.

 

“!!!”

 

The effect of the fear was immediately apparent.

 

The huge pupil revealed its agitation.

 

Was it struggling using its huge body?

 

Rumble–!

 

The labyrinth began to shake more intensely than before.

 

“Tsk, shouldn’t we attack at times like this?”

 

“You madman. How would you jump in there!!”

 

“No matter how much you donate to me, I can’t react. I am serious.”

 

A truly overwhelming force.

 

No one could hastily move in front of that.

 

The legendary explorer who had experienced many hardships, Fabian.

 

“Huft.”

 

Even he was holding his breath from the tension.

 

However, those who wanted to correct their mistakes didn’t hesitate.

 

Ssssh–

 

Although I didn’t give them orders.

 

Black contractors rushed toward the flinching monster.

 

Due to the 『Black Contract』, only resentment remained.

 

Because of this, concrete action was impossible.

 

“?!”

 

They just clung to the Being That Should Not Be Awakened.

 

“…It’s good that they’re an ally.”

 

“Is that helpful?”

 

“Isn’t that a hug? What kind of damage it can cause?”

 

That sight might look funny to some people.

 

It might seem desperate.

 

But not for me.

 

Although others might not know.

 

I knew.

 

The meaning of that action.

 

Sss–

 

The black contractors who were closely holding onto the being were stained further into darkness.

 

They released right mana and disappeared into thin air.

 

In fact, it was the crystallization of pure right mana.

 

It was the only thing the people of Thefern could do with their resentment.

 

The only thing that would happen was that they oxidized and caused damage to the monster.

 

I had the insight of black magic.

 

“Is that so? I have known your pride.”

 

As well as the perspective of pride, my specialty.

 

So, I couldn’t sit back and watch.

 

Flap–

 

White Elytra fluttering in the air.

 

I raised my mana.

 

With interference and expression that was as natural as breathing.

 

Like feathers falling out of wings.

 

Attribute magic stored in the elytra came out one by one.

 

I could hear the players whispering.

 

“…What’s that?”

 

“I-Is that a skill?”

 

“Skill? Where does the skill come from? From those wings?”

 

But I didn’t care about their murmurs.

 

No, I wasn’t in the state of mind to care.

 

The people of Thefern were burning their last pride.

 

I couldn’t take my eyes off the last flame that was burning.

 

Yes, this was the weight I carried in my heart.

 

Attribute magic appeared from the White Elytra.

 

The one that opened the fire was [『Absolute Zero』.

 

An [『oddity』]that was manifested by imitating Senios’ state.

 

Naturally, its power was overwhelming even among the magic I could manifest.

 

Of course, the mana consumption was not something I could handle since I was still only level 400.

 

[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]

 

Even if it was stored on the elytra to reduce mana consumption.

 

[Mana regeneration increases slightly for 6 hours.]

 

Even if I added the effect of elixir herbal medicine.

 

I couldn’t afford this level of mana consumption.

 

But at this moment, I wasn’t in a state of mana exhaustion.

 

[Skill, ‘Natural Enemy Relationship’ is activated]

 

Because [Natural Enemy Relationship] had been activated

 

Even without trying to figure out the reason, the sense of a demon hunter that had reached its peak was telling me.

 

In the depths of the labyrinth, a demon was mixed among the players who entered the rupture.

 

‘If this was a normal situation.’

 

Grandfel’s temper couldn’t ignore demons.

 

It wouldn’t be strange if he set out to hunt the demon before taking care of the Being That Should Not Be Awakened.

 

But, as I said, people of Thefern were here.

 

“It is not a place for the inferior race to interfere.”

 

Everything followed procedures.

 

Priority existed.

 

Hunting the demon came after defeating the being.

 

…Anyway, it was a relief for me.

 

Thanks to the activation of [Natural Enemy Relationship], I was able to attack with [『Absolute Zero』] right from the start. Even then, I was able to draw out the stored attribute magic without stumbling from mana exhaustion.

 

[Frostbite occurs to the Being That Should Not Be Awakened.]

 

[Bleeding occurs to the Being That Should Not Be Awakened.]

 

[Paralysis occurs to the Being That Should Not Be Awakened.]…

 

900-level boss monster.

 

It wasn’t a normal monster.

 

Thanks to all kinds of debuffs, it was worth a shot.

 

No, I had no choice but to take a shot.

 

Because I wasn’t alone.

 

[10,890 Thefern’s Black Contractors]

 

[9,754 Thefern’s Black Contractors]

 

[7,551 Thefern’s Black Contractors]…

 

The people of Thefern who sacrificed themselves to the end.

 

Haiel and the dark spirit.

 

And Fabian and his party.

 

“Sir, we will also participate in the battle. Even if I say that, my combat power isn’t anything special… Thanks to Sir Hoyeol who told me to be fully prepared, I brought some magic tools with me.”

 

Lastly, the players.

 

“Are you all going to just watch?”

 

“You said you wanted to fight together with Hoyeol-nim earlier.”

 

“Shit, I have to do something. It’s embarrassing to just keep watching!!”

 

Being That Should Not Be Awakened.

 

Countless combined attacks began pouring down on it.

 

Rumble!!

 

Perhaps it got a little conscious of the pain.

 

“!!!”

 

It began to swing even more violently.

 

Bang!!

 

The labyrinth and the rock wall completely collapsed and the monster’s body began to emerge.

 

Indeed, the pupil was only a small part. Sharp teeth and claws appeared one after another.

 

“Crazy, is that a dragon?”

 

“That’s definitely a dragon!”

 

“This is a little late, but those toenails…”

 

The surprised players reflexively took a step back.

 

But I stood still and didn’t back down.

 

Didn’t I tell you?

 

I had no choice but to knock the being down.

 

That was what my pride was telling me.

 

So you too.

 

You’d better not expect to escape.

 

[Pentagram of Pure Knowledge]

 

[Grade: Epic]

 

[Restriction: None]

 

[Effect: When equipped, acquires knowledge of all minerals and plants in the Arcana continent.]

 

[Description: A magic tool containing immeasurably vast knowledge.]

 

Underground.

 

A rock wall.

 

As long as minerals existed.

 

It wouldn’t be able to move any scales as it pleased.

 

“I will not regard the act of kicking out the bed as your peeves.”

 

“…?”

 

“Keep your formality.”

 

“…!”

 

Rumble–!

• 1. Imoogi = A legendary big snake, which is said to have failed to become a dragon due to a curse and lives in water.