Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 150 - Seeds of Tears (1)

[Map That Connects All Things]

 

[Grade: Epic]

 

[Restriction: None]

 

[Effect: You can find out the location of something that someone secretly hid, someone lost, or something hidden somewhere. You can also teleport to the location of that object just once.

 

However, when the teleportation effect is activated, all effects are lost immediately.]

 

[Description: A magic tool with infinite possibilities depending on how you use it.]

 

I activated the teleportation effect to enter the Arcana Continent.

 

Thanks to that, the map lost all its effect.

 

Before activating the teleportation effect.

 

I tried everything I could to get my money’s worth.

 

Wouldn’t it be possible to extract the effect?

 

That’s why I visited the Senior Mage of Enchantment, Kiko.

 

‘It didn’t produce results though.’

 

I didn’t have high expectations, so I wasn’t disappointed.

 

Enchantment school was responsible for the Mage Tower’s loss.

 

Just extracting the effects from unique-grade items was a great accomplishment for the current level of enchantment school. It wouldn’t make sense if they could extract effects from epic items.

 

‘Thanks to that, I used it even more earnestly.’

 

Because of that effort, I could activate the teleportation effect without any regret. Through the map, I was able to specify the source of the remaining five [Hexagram Brooches].

 

Actually, I was quite flustered when I first activated the effect.

 

– A place where even the sky cries because it cannot handle the overflowing sadness.

 

…This wasn’t some kind of twenty-question riddle.

 

The map didn’t give a straight answer.

 

But this guy’s mouth helped.

 

– “The sky is crying.”

 

[Thefern Fence] rupture.

 

My mouth had said that when I saw the sky full of dark clouds.

 

It was faster for me to cry than for the sky to cry.

 

I remembered trying to swallow my lament.

 

Thanks to this, I recognized it right away when I saw [Dungeon: City of Gloomy Rain] created in London.

 

The place that the map told me about was this dungeon…!

 

As if to back up my speculation, this message appeared.

 

[The Hexagram Brooch is shaking]

 

Indeed, it was worth stepping on British soil for the first time in my life. Of course, there was no way this proud step moved solely to satisfy self-interest.

 

Pitter-patter–

 

I opened my mouth under the umbrella in the pouring rain.

 

“It would be best for those who are not immune to status abnormalities to avoid the area as much as possible. I think your words will help them move faster than I could.”

 

Britain’s pride, Second Sun.

 

The leader was Schraig.

 

Since I was from Korea, naturally his words had more power than mine.

 

Along with my, Lee Hoyeol’s, realistic point of view.

 

“…Thank you.”

 

It was a statement that took into account Grandfel’s point of view regarding pride.

 

It could even restore Schraig’s shattered pride.

 

Schraig and the players quickly sorted things out.

 

“Everyone, stay away from the ruptures and the fog!”

 

“Reporting? This is not the time for that!”

 

“Damn it, I think we need to get you to the hospital right away.”

 

Amid the commotion, I looked at the rain fog.

 

Information about the rupture appeared before my eyes.

 

It was definitely a rupture.

 

‘What is the exact cause of the status abnormality?’

 

The most reasonable guess was, of course, the demons.

 

But the situation was different this time.

 

Rupture was the space of oddities.

 

Until the rupture collapsed, it didn’t matter what kind of demon it was.

 

Even if a high-ranking demon king was resurrected.

 

It couldn’t affect outside of the rupture.

 

“The inferior race doesn’t have such power.”

 

Well said, Grandfel.

 

My mouth wasn’t just talking big. If the demons had the ability to do that in the first place. They wouldn’t have bothered to possess and act as a human and hide in reality.

 

Therefore, there was only one possibility.

 

“Is this a special feature of the dungeon?”

 

Because it was a [dungeon], it affected the outside of the rupture as well.

 

The Arcana worldview really got more and more amazing.

 

The Holy War against the demons.

 

Paying attention to one thing wasn’t enough, I had to throw myself into this situation?!

 

‘I’d like to believe it’s an unusual case.’

 

As if a [labyrinth] wasn’t enough, I had to go to a [dungeon].

 

The biggest problem was that London’s citizens were stuck in the rupture. That’s why I rushed to London using the portal.

 

What a tiring spirit of Noblesse Oblige…

 

‘What a mess.’

 

Even if it wasn’t a dungeon rupture, I had a lot to deal with.

 

More than anything, I had promised myself to make the troublesome shadows know their place.

 

But Grandfel’s mouth didn’t miss a single word.

 

“There are no shadows on a rainy day.”

 

Pitter-patter–

 

“In the end, that’s all there is to it.”

 

…Fortunately, the rain was so loud.

 

I was really scared that someone might hear it.

 

The priorities were different, that was what those words meant.

 

At any rate, you follow the procedure incredibly well.

 

However, I didn’t want to refute my heavy pride.

 

Actually, I felt the same way.

 

Dealing with ruptures and demons was already too much.

 

I had long since graduated from my days as an office worker living in an ugly society.

 

I wanted to avoid troublesome things.

 

As I was thinking like that.

 

Schraig approached.

 

With an umbrella in one hand.

 

In his other hand, he held a steaming paper cup.

 

“I’m sorry, but I’m not in a situation where I can treat you properly…”

 

The green logo on the paper cup was familiar.

 

Schraig offered me the paper cup.

 

“Um… I heard that you like tea. I didn’t know what kind of tea you like, so I prepared a plain Americano.”

 

Schraig continued.

 

“And I’ll do it.”

 

His eyes shone determinedly.

 

“Please let me guide you to London. Please.”

 

The reason I asked Schraig to guide me was simple.

 

Even if it was a dungeon rupture.

 

It was a space where reality and Arcana were half-mixed. Naturally, I thought knowing the actual geography perfectly would be a great help in attacking the rupture.

 

I picked up the cup and answered.

 

“Thank you for your decision.”

 

“No, thank you, really. Thank you for coming all the way here…”

 

“No, it is a weight I have to bear.”

 

“…!”

 

I calmly asked Schraig, who was shocked.

 

“Don’t you know that too?”

 

…Please.

 

Don’t preach the spirit of Noblesse Oblige in the 21st century, Grandfel.

 

Thankfully, I didn’t say the word ‘aristocrat’ out of my mouth.

 

By the way.

 

I stared at the Americano and opened my mouth.

 

“Are you ready?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Then let’s get in.”

 

…Don’t rush inside just because you don’t want to drink it, Grandfel.

 

Well, it might be a different case for elixir herb, but there was no way my taste bud, which was almost pickled in green tea bags, could accept Americano. There was nothing better than a warm Americano on a rainy day.

 

I hated my taste buds for changing.

 

I tried to cast aside my regrets and moved on.

 

[You’ve entered ‘Dungeon: City of Gloomy Rain’ rupture.]

 

*

 

Pitter-patter–

 

Heavy rain poured down.

 

The anchor’s voice was as loud as the sound of the rain.

 

The gaze of the viewers was clearly directed towards the screen.

 

– “Breaking news. Player Lee Hoyeol and Second Sun’s guild master, Schraig, are said to have entered the first dungeon rupture created in London. While countries around the world expressed concerns…”

 

Data screens passed by.

 

It must feel strange.

 

The landscape in the data screen was their own residence.

 

It was London.

 

But.

 

Pitter-patter–

 

Not everyone who heard the pouring rain was aware of it.

 

The fact that the landscape shown on the screen was London, where they were trapped, was inside a rupture.

 

Or even the fact that they had fallen into a state of abnormality.

 

“….”

 

All they could feel was helplessness and depression.

 

England, London.

 

No, those trapped in [Dungeon: City of Gloomy Rain] were gradually sinking below the surface. Into the deep water where they couldn’t escape no matter how hard they struggled on their own.

 

*

Pitter-patter–

 

Watching the pouring rain.

 

It made me think that there were times when formality was helpful.

 

It is worthwhile to obliviously bring a large umbrella. Look, there was not a drop of rain on my clothes. It was thanks to the upright posture of holding the umbrella that didn’t waver in the slightest.

 

‘…No, it’s not the time to be satisfied with these little things.’

 

I looked around.

 

Visibility was limited.

 

At first glance, the shape of the building was visible in the thick rain fog.

 

In that regard, it was a good thing.

 

Schraig, who was also looking around, said.

 

“Fortunately, London appears to have remained the same.”

 

Local guides were the best.

 

Schraig and Second Sun Guild members quickly grasped the geography.

 

I listened to the briefing they shared.

 

“The key is to locate the depth of the Dungeon.”

 

My experience of Arcana was far lacking compared to other players.

 

Therefore, I didn’t know much about dungeons.

 

Still, listening to their conversation made me feel better.

 

‘Do I just need to find the depth?’

 

[Dungeon].

 

Depending on the size, it was a dangerous place with dozens of crossroads, hundreds of traps, and thousands of monsters. But as long as you knew the location of the depth…

 

“Our purpose is not the experience point or loot. The top priority is to find the depth as quickly as possible, and to clear the dungeon by overpowering the boss monster!”

 

This meant that they could ignore all other obstacles such as monsters and traps. Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. The thick fog that blocked the view seemed to be not ordinary fog.

 

“…But isn’t it weird?”

 

One of the guild members of the Second Sun said.

 

“It’s too quiet.”

 

It felt uncomfortable.

 

This was inside a rupture that maintained the appearance of London.

 

For some reason, I didn’t feel any presence.

 

No, to be precise…

 

“I can see traces, but I can’t see any people.”

 

Cars stopped with their engines on.

 

Commercial buildings were filled with the warmth of people.

 

Even umbrellas fell all over the street.

 

Everything was the same.

 

Only people disappeared and could not be seen.

 

The player’s voice gradually trembled as they spoke.

 

“Where on earth has everyone disappeared in such a short time…?”

 

“I don’t see any blood or signs of being attacked.”

 

“Schraig, I’ve been trying to contact them since a while ago…  I can’t contact even one person. The signal is on, but no one picks it up. Damn it, what the hell!!”

 

It was natural to feel emotionally shaken.

 

Capital of England, London.

 

Naturally, there were colleagues or family members of the players among those who disappeared. Even if they tried not to show it, they couldn’t help it as long as they were human.

 

The atmosphere became heavy again.

 

This was why it was called [City of Gloomy Rain].

 

As soon as you entered, it crushed your morale mercilessly.

 

But I opened my mouth.

 

“No need to worry.”

 

“…?”

 

As I said, it was my first time stepping on British soil.

 

Naturally, there was no way I would know anyone in England.

 

However, I, Grandfel, wasn’t talking as if it was just some other people’s circumstances.

 

Yes, the pride in my heart was also sincere.

 

I meant every word I uttered.

 

Because I knew.

 

“This is not really [City of Gloomy Rain].”

 

“…Yes? What do you mean by that?”

 

“It seems we are trapped in a trap.”

 

“T-Trapped? No, that can’t be possible!!”

 

You would think that couldn’t be possible.

 

All we did was walk into the rain fog.

 

We just entered the rupture.

 

“Are you guys sure?”

 

“A-Are you sure?”

 

“This is a dungeon, a space with no set rules.”

 

“…!”

 

Someone who knew my inner circumstances would say.

 

Even though I didn’t know about the depth of the dungeon until just now, I spoke so shamelessly.

 

Indeed, it was irrefutable.

 

Even I, who was covered in this guy’s thick, iron-clad skin, couldn’t help but feel amazed.

 

But I didn’t necessarily have to know about it to figure it out.

 

Sometimes shamelessness helped in practice.

 

The reason why I could see through the trap was simple.

 

– “Haiel.”

 

The moment I recited it, my mana clearly escaped.

 

But I couldn’t see Haiel.

 

What it meant was simple.

 

This was the inside of the rupture, and it was true that Haiel was summoned, but,

 

There was an invisible ‘something’ between me and Haiel.

 

In other words, a wall existed.

 

Knowing that fact, I thought a little bit.

 

Why?

 

Everything remained the same, but why did the people disappear?

 

The answer to that could be found in the pouring rain.

 

No, to be exact, in the rain puddles on the floor.

 

Indeed.

 

The wall that stood between me and Haiel was the water surface.

 

I folded my umbrella neatly and raised my head.

 

“…?”

 

Schraig and the players followed me and raised their heads to look at the sky.

 

What they witnessed was another view of London reflected in the sky.

 

Soon, their shocked voices were heard.

 

“…W-What is that? London in the sky like a mirror?!”

 

“It’s the same. But there are people over there!!”

 

“What, is that true?!”

 

Haiel was looking at me from the other side.

 

Sky and earth.

 

Which one was above or below the water?

 

I didn’t know for now.

 

But one thing was clear.

 

Pop.

 

I wiped the rainwater running down the tip of my chin.

 

“I will sternly hold you responsible for making my clothes wet.”

 

If water was the problem, I could get rid of all that water.

 

Of course, evaporating the pouring rain was impossible.

 

Even if I had an overflow of mana, it was impossible to do it with 『magic』 alone.

 

So I relayed telepathy to Haiel.

 

Water was a nutrient for plants.

 

Yeah.

 

It was time to unleash the {nature} abilities of the unique spirit, Haiel.