Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 154 - It blooms (1)

The place where I could feel the demon’s presence was none other than the branch manager’s office.

 

AAU London’s branch manager, Baker Chat.

 

The demon was possessing Baker’s body.

 

The moment I made that guess, the question that had been lingering in my mind was resolved.

 

I finally understood the structure of this vicious [dungeon].

 

[Dungeon: City of Gloomy Rain]

 

[Recommended level: Lv.600~Lv.900]

 

[Collapse progress: 2.3%]

 

Emergency update.

 

This dungeon was not a scheduled update.

 

Well, this wouldn’t be the first time since the [Cracked Dimension Gap] rupture.

 

Even if we could make sense of that and move on.

 

The problem was the recommended level.

 

It was somewhat ambiguous.

 

It was neither too high nor too low.

 

Above all, the fact that I, Lee Hoyeol, confidently entered the rupture alone was a confirmation that the rupture was ambiguous.

 

Well, even if we assumed that it was a characteristic of irregular dungeons and moved on.

 

‘The trap really crossed the line.’

 

It was not a trap that players could see through.

 

Literally, it was so vicious that you could feel its malice.

 

It was a trap that would lead to the death of not only the players but also the ordinary people trapped in the dungeon rupture.

 

Even I, a demon hunter and their natural enemy, would have had a hard time seeing through it if it weren’t for Haiel.

 

‘I thought it must be a high-ranking demon.’

 

So I couldn’t help but have questions.

 

A high-ranking demon, but not necessarily a demon king.

 

Let me kindly give you an example.

 

If it was just like [Loser of the Western Demon World, Laxioros] that I had met on the Arcana Continent. As soon as he gained momentum, he would have already appeared in front of me.

 

‘Laxioros, he was as arrogant as Grandfel.’

 

When you reached the level of a demon king, your confidence would truly skyrocket.

 

But this guy was strange.

 

So much so that I began to wonder if it was a trap.

 

He was cowering in the corner of AAU’s London branch.

 

But as I said, my questions had disappeared.

 

I looked at the branch manager, Baker.

 

No, at the demon.

 

And I recited coldly.

 

“You’ve done something presumptuous.”

 

“…!!”

 

“Presumptuous…? Do you two know each other?”

 

Schraig looks puzzled.

 

If it were the demon I knew, he would have used his tongue.

 

To trick Schraig and smooth out the situation.

 

But he didn’t even seem to have the energy to do that.

 

It was a very natural response.

 

“Cough cough.”

 

Thanks to leveling up as a demon hunter.

 

The [Natural Enemy Relationship] between me and the demons had become more solid. This guy, who was neither a demon king nor a high-ranking demon, couldn’t even breathe properly in front of me.

 

I looked down at him with cold eyes.

 

“Shut it.”

 

“…?”

 

“I didn’t allow you to breathe.”

 

“…!”

 

Are you trying to control other people’s breathing now?

 

What are you saying in front of Schraig?

 

I couldn’t live because of this damn mouth.

 

If it were the usual.

 

I would have inwardly complained.

 

‘It’s just. I agree with your feeling for today, Grandfel.’

 

Soon, my gaze shifted over to the window.

 

“You can clearly see and hear it from here. The sound of people submerged in rainwater moaning in pain. What thoughts and emotions did you feel as you watched that?”

 

“!”

 

When I said that much, Schraig’s eyes changed.

 

It was spoken with action rather than words.

 

Clang!

 

Schraig immediately raised his sword.

 

“Is what Player Lee Hoyeol said true? Branch Manager Baker?”

 

He could neither confirm nor deny.

 

Because I didn’t allow him to breathe.

 

He was just clutching his neck and squealing in fear.

 

Of course, I didn’t need his answer.

 

“But, I don’t need to know your insignificant thoughts.”

 

“…!!”

 

“Still keep this in mind.”

 

Don’t exchange words with prey.

 

I, Grandfel, had that motto.

 

The reason why I talked to the demon, who was neither a demon king nor anything more, was simple.

 

There was a limit to everything.

 

In other words…

 

“Don’t cross the line.”

 

I didn’t need to raise mana.

 

I didn’t need to raise an umbrella.

 

Yeah, a warning was enough.

 

[‘Fear’ occurs to the nameless demon.]

 

[‘Suffocation’ occurs to the nameless demon.]

 

[‘Death’ occurs to the nameless demon.]

 

Plop–

 

Baker fell down, clutching the back of his neck.

 

Schreig rushed over and put a hand on his neck.

 

Then he looked up at me.

 

“For now, he’s still breathing.”

 

Purifying the demon king’s loot, [Baton Tainted by Evil], was important. But I didn’t have to sacrifice a demon king’s loot against a nameless demon.

 

‘The power of the exorcism varies depending on the level of the offering.’

 

Of course, I had already activated [Exorcism].

 

Naturally, Baker’s body wasn’t damaged.

 

Schraig cautiously continued to me.

 

“But what happened…”

 

Why was Baker possessed by the demon?

 

I was not a psychologist, and I couldn’t and didn’t want to know anything like that. But I needed to explain everything I knew. Plainly, without adding or subtracting anything.

 

“He was taken over by a demon.”

 

“…Branch Manager Baker? No way! Do you mean he got possessed?”

 

[Possession].

 

It was a debuff that was not unfamiliar to players. Even though they appeared less often now, until not long ago, it was common to encounter demon-type monsters.

 

“I never thought that the demons could possess ordinary people.”

 

When did they hide into society…

 

Schraig, who was muttering, shrieked.

 

Then he continued, his face turning white.

 

“Wait, then Branch Manager Baker who I met yesterday..!”

 

Even though they had been together.

 

Even though they had a conversation, he hadn’t noticed a thing.

 

He seemed quite shocked by the demon’s method acting.

 

But the truth is even more brutal, Schraig.

 

‘This is just the beginning.’

 

There was a saying that you have to truly know to be able to see.

 

I realized it for sure through this incident.

 

Perhaps reality was a more suitable place for demons to run amok than the Arcana Continent. Let’s assume. If it had been a demon of the true name who possessed Baker…

 

‘A much more vicious dungeon would have appeared.’

 

Head of the AAU branch.

 

Considering that AAU’s predecessor was the developer of Arcana, Cosmo. Baker’s knowledge of Arcana’s worldview must have been better than most players and demons.

 

The nameless demon must have used that knowledge.

 

…It was terrible just to imagine!

 

A dungeon where it was impossible to escape could have appeared. But it was better to handle this first. What was important was that I had become aware of the possibility of danger.

 

In that case, there was no problem.

 

I just had to set things straight.

 

I spoke to Schraig.

 

“You must be surprised.”

 

“…I’m sorry. I was quite surprised.”

 

“But this is only the beginning, Schraig.”

 

“The beginning. What do you mean?”

 

As I said, the oppression of the demon kings was just an opportunity.

 

Before the storm.

 

The reason why the demons were currently quiet was because they were watching each other ahead of the [Battle for the Demon Kings]. When I entered the Arcana Continent, I realized it.

 

The moment the battle began in earnest, the scale of the demons’ activities would become incomparable to what it had been up to now.

 

“This incident will be nothing more than a warning.”

 

“…!”

 

“But there is no need to worry.”

 

Tap tap–

 

I said so and moved on.

 

Deep in the dungeon, now that the demon responsible for the incident had died.

 

A message came up before my eyes.

 

[You have cleared the ‘Dungeon: City of Gloomy Rain’ rupture.]

 

“Pride blooms after trials.”

 

At the same time, the fog lifted.

 

It was called the City of Gloomy Rain, wasn’t it?

 

The tears that flooded London had dried up.

 

“It will be more brilliant than anything else.”

 

It wasn’t just the usual big talk.

 

The streets of London were filled with watery trees.

 

With the Aquarius oak tree that bloomed using the tears as nutrients. The dark clouds cleared out and the leaves reflecting the sunlight shone brilliantly.

 

And there was one more brilliant thing.

 

[You acquire the loot based on your contribution to clearing the dungeon.]

 

I didn’t have to check the inventory.

 

[The Hexagram Brooch is shining.]

 

Found you, the second one. [Hexagram Brooch].

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Whir–

 

Th helicopter made loud noises.

 

The reporter delivered the situation in an urgent voice.

 

“T-The dark clouds are clearing away. Everyone!”

 

The image of London, which had been shrouded in fog as if it wouldn’t allow outsiders access.

 

It began to emerge.

 

The fog was slowly clearing away from the outskirts.

 

The first thing that was captured in the angle was the players.

 

“Those are Second Sun guild members. It looks like they were in the middle of a battle just now! Now, just a moment. The people lying down behind the players are…!”

 

To be precise, the players were fighting desperately to protect the citizens.

 

Although it was an unannounced emergency update, everyone was able to check the details of additional updates added in real time.

 

Thanks to this, those who watched were shocked.

 

“The 600-level monster, the ghosts, appeared.”

 

“They won’t even flinch from most physical attacks.”

 

“Does that mean they protected the citizens with those mobs in front of them?”

 

“How on earth are they still alive?”

 

Second Sun.

 

There was no doubt about the skills of the Guild Master Schraig.

 

However, the average level of guild members, including executives and Zachary, was not exceptional compared to other guilds.

 

Obviously, not all the guild members would be safe.

 

Gulp!

 

Those who instinctively noticed it swallowed their saliva out of nervousness.

 

“!”

 

But it was an incredible sight.

 

There were no players who were seriously injured or collapsed. Furthermore, even the citizens who had fallen were waking up one by one and raising themselves.

 

Whir–

 

In London, no matter which street you looked at, the situation was the same.

 

A rupture, a dungeon that had never appeared before.

 

All of London was covered by that dungeon rupture.

 

Not a single casualty was seen.

 

“Are you watching this? It’s a miracle. A miracle has happened, everyone!”

 

the United Kingdom.

 

No, the whole world breathed a sigh of relief.

 

The moment the rescue workers and military troops were deployed.

 

Those who set foot in London were able to witness it.

 

“…Wait, was there a street lined with trees like this here before?”

 

The noble trees that bloomed from the seeds of tears.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

[Mysterious trees appear all over London…!]

 

[Second Sun guild member says, “The tree restored my vitality.”]

 

[Survivors, “Even while I was unconscious, I could feel the warmth. We would like to express our gratitude to the players who sacrificed for us…”]

 

It was a tree that didn’t exist in the reality.

 

Even though he didn’t know the name of the tree like everyone else.

 

Schraig knew the identity behind it.

 

AAU’s London branch.

 

“Wait, it’s Schraig!”

 

When Schreig appeared there, the busy reporters focused their attention.

 

All of them rushed toward Schraig.

 

“Schraig-ssi, what happened?”

 

“Is AAU London branch the depth of the dungeon?”

 

“Where is player Lee Hoyeol?”

 

Schraig suppressed a small laugh.

 

‘It’s not my place.’

 

The main character, Hoyeol, activated a portal as soon as he cleared the rupture.

 

He had left.

 

So even though Schraig begged to express his gratitude formally, it would only be a matter to deal with. So there was only one thing Schraig could do.

 

‘What happened today is just a warning.’

 

Unfortunately, he finally realized Hoyeol’s intention.

 

The reason he rushed into the Holy War, even moving the Yusra Kingdom, Frost, Muon, and the Mage Tower.

 

Now that he knew his intention, Schraig couldn’t hesitate.

 

“Confidence? Limitations? I don’t care about that.”

 

Even if he didn’t have faith in himself.

 

His faith in Hoyeol would not waver.

 

Making up his mind, Schraig opened his mouth in front of reporters.

 

“Today, in London. I have been saved by Player Lee Hoyeol.”

 

“!!!”

 

*

 

Terrible formalities and procedures.

 

I was getting used to this guy’s big mouth a little bit.

 

Nevertheless, I, Lee Hoyeol, was inevitably a slave to capitalism. Pure integrity or whatever, I wanted to check the [Hexagram Brooch], so I hurriedly manifested a portal…!

 

Yusra Kingdom, the office.

 

I pulled a hexagram brooch out of the inventory.

 

Indeed, it was really a set item.

 

I could feel the two brooches pulling each other.

 

…If I combined the two, would it have an additional effect?

 

Just like when I was excited about transformating combined robots as a kid.

 

My heart swelled with anticipation.

 

However.

 

“There’s an order to everything.”

 

Yes, I needed to look at the information on the original item before putting it together. Of course, it was best to boil the tea before checking the information.

 

Buluble–

 

If I skipped the green tea even if just for a day, my mouth would be prickly…

 

Clink–

 

Anyway, it wasn’t until I tilted the teacup of a green tea bag that I was able to see the effect of the Hexagram Brooch. Then I unconciously opened my mouth.

 

“It’s absolutely brilliant.”