Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 177 - Circle

I realized the full story of the incident.

 

You barely made it, sir…!!

 

I didn’t sleep standing up, I was standing upright and fainted!

 

Indeed, I could really feel the dark history dominating my body.

 

It was shameful, but let’s think positively.

 

‘Still, I’m glad.’

 

Let’s assume that I collapsed and fell to the ground.

 

Clink–

 

I put down my teacup and said calmly.

 

“I would have thrown away my clothes.”

 

…Yes, my clothes naturally would have been disheveled.

 

But the first thing that popped into my mind was my family.

 

‘It would have been special news.’

 

If they had seen their son collapse in the breaking news, my parents, especially Mrs. Choi, wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night worrying about me. The same was true for my noonas.

 

Even right now, they were worried, they just didn’t show it.

 

Every time I entered a rupture, they asked me how I was doing.

 

‘In that regard, I am relieved…’

 

Clank–

 

…The question is, what is this metallic sound?!

 

Was there a problem with my heart?

 

I wondered if they had replaced it with an artificial heart.

 

‘Oh, that’s impossible.’

 

I was lying in bed unconscious for a few hours at most. Besides, I was in too good a condition to have any major physical problems.

 

And most of all, I saw the message.

 

[Your achievements resonate throughout time and space.]

 

[The beings of space and time talk about your qualifications.]

 

[You’ve acquired the title, ‘Transcendent.’]

 

I read it carefully.

 

Then I checked the status window.

 

For now, my level had risen by six levels to 550.

 

[Name: Grandfel Claudie Arpheus Romeo]

 

[Title: The Last Adventurer, Noble, Transcendent]

 

[Class: Demon Hunter]

 

[Level: 550]

 

[Stat]

 

Strength: 110 / Agility: 120 / Mana: 461 / Luck: 12 / Aesthetic: Medium

 

[Point owned: 6]

 

Where I got the experience points.

 

It wasn’t difficult to guess.

 

It must be the experience points gained thanks to [Akshan’s Perseverence].

 

They were demon hunters of hell who had hunted down three level-900 demons of the true name. I could go up six levels just by contributing to the activation of [Akshan’s Perseverence].

 

‘I didn’t do anything, but let’s just be grateful for this.’

 

Therefore.

 

What happened to the Demon King of the Fourth Throne, Gamigin?

 

One thing was certain.

 

Gamigin definitely fell into hell.

 

So whether it was in Arcana Continent or reality.

 

He would never show up again.

 

But, strictly speaking, I wasn’t the one hunting Gamigin.

 

It was understandable that I didn’t gain experience for that disposal.

 

Tsk, I was reminded of the story of the sour grape ^[1] ‘The story of the sour grape’ here is likely referring to the story of the Fox and the Grape. The story concerns a fox that tries to eat grapes from a vine but cannot reach them. Rather than admit defeat, he states they are undesirable. So the word sour grape is taken as an expression of ‘wanting something but pretending not to want it because you can’t have it’. .

 

‘It could have been unfair.’

 

The limit for leveling up in the Arcana system was 50 levels.

 

Gamigin was a high-ranking demon king whose level I couldn’t even guess.

 

If I had caught him and only managed to rise up 50 levels, I might still be lying in bed kicking my blanket out of resentment…

 

‘Oh, this damn formality.’

 

Of course, only internally.

 

For that reason, I focused on the rewards acquired instead of experience points.

 

It was my third title, so I should have gotten used to it.

 

…How was it so unfamiliar?

 

The place where my achievements resounded was not the Arcana Continent, but ‘time and space’?

 

I didn’t even know where it was, but the next message was even more shocking.

 

“The beings of time and space talk about my qualifications…”

 

By qualification, was it referring to the title, the qualification of ‘Transcendent’?

 

I didn’t even know what time and space was, how should I know who were the beings of time and space?

 

But I guessed it through my intuition.

 

‘Just looking at this, they must be great people, right?’

 

Still, considering that I had acquired the title of Transcendent, it seemed the talks about me ended on a good note. I didn’t know who they were, but I should probably be grateful.

 

Before I could even finish thinking, I opened my mouth.

 

“Discussing my qualifications? That’s unacceptable.”

 

Of course, regardless of what I thought.

 

There was no way Grandfel’s noble pride would accept other people’s evaluations.

 

I understand your stubbornness, but in this situation, let’s move on, Grandfel.

 

It was a title acquired by throwing a high-ranking demon king into hell.

 

Wasn’t it worth looking forward to…?

 

With reasonable expectations, I checked the effectiveness of the title.

 

And I was shocked.

 

[Transcendent: The effect is sealed because the conditions are not met.]

 

…I thought the bottomless jar had finally worked.

 

*

 

I stabilized until the next day and returned to my daily routine.

 

Marcelo congratulated me.

 

“Congratulations on reaching the level of the circle.”

 

『Circle』

 

I had devoured a lot of books in the Mage Tower. How could I not know that concept? To put it simply, the circle was the ultimate state that all mages wanted to reach.

 

『The heart ring allows the circulation of mana to flow more quickly and accurately. There is a significant difference in the efficiency of pure mana and the output of pure mana…』

 

To give you an easy example, it was simple.

 

“Looking at Sir Hoyeol, I realize that I’m not good enough.”

 

Indeed.

 

Even Marcelo, the real chief of the Mage Tower, failed to form the circle.

 

So I couldn’t help but feel aware of it.

 

Clank–

 

I realized why I heard metallic sounds instead of my heartbeat.

 

Let’s skip the process and just look at the results.

 

I was qualified as a Transcendent by accomplishing an incredible feat of defeating a high-ranking demon king and because of that, I opened up the circle.

 

However.

 

‘I guess I can’t have it easy by using tricks until the end.’

 

Level 550.

 

Because the vessel was insufficient to be called a Transcendent, the heart ring and circle were not circulating properly.

 

Clink clank–

 

That was why I heard the loud sound of metal!

 

“It’s not something to be celebrated.”

 

I couldn’t even use the circle so I didn’t want to be congratulated.

 

I said that calmly.

 

Judging by the expression on his face, I could see that Marcelo misunderstood me again.

 

“That’s right. For Sir Hoyeol, even the circle is just a state to pass through.”

 

No, that kind of overestimation makes me grit my teeth and struggle!! I wanted to press my chest in frustration and let him hear the sound of my heart pounding.

 

But how could this guy’s mouth tell the truth?

 

“It’s more than a circle, it’s interesting.”

 

…Your intention to change the subject is obvious, Grandfel.

 

By the way.

 

Regardless of whether it was a trick or something, the high-ranking demon king was thrown into hell.

 

And yet the effect was sealed.

 

Even if it was unfair, this wasn’t right.

 

‘I have to try to meet that condition somehow.’

 

It was not simply because of lack of level. If that were the case, it would have come up as a system message. Anyway, how was I supposed to find out the conditions?

 

I wanted to hold onto the beings of space and time and ask them.

 

‘First of all, should I go through the magic books?’

 

I felt like I could already hear my head creaking.

 

As I was trying to come up with a method.

 

Marcelo opened his mouth.

 

“As expected, I thought Sir Hoyeol would be able to see further into the future.”

 

What are you talking about?

 

I couldn’t solve the circle right away, so what future?

 

But my face didn’t reveal any questions.

 

Marcelo continued.

 

“In the Mage Tower while the Tower Master is away. The only person who knows about the state beyond that is the Elder Mage Yugwid. If you want to talk about it…”

 

…Ah.

 

Wait, I forgot.

 

Like Akshan, I also had a sunbaenim at the Mage Tower, didn’t I?

 

*

 

The roundtable meeting of the Mage Tower.

 

Peculiarly, the mages of the Mage Tower were not the only ones who attended.

 

The people who originally were supposed to gather in Yusra’s Golden Palace were gathered in the Crystal Hall.

 

The reason was simple.

 

“He shouldn’t overdo it.”

 

It was for Hoyeol, who had collapsed.

 

Hisagi glanced at Nam Taemin with snake eyes.

 

“You seem too excited for that.”

 

“…”

 

Let’s calm down.

 

Nam Taemin didn’t reply.

 

Hisagi’s class was magic spear holder ^[2] All this time I’ve mistook Hisagi’s class as sorcerer/magician. I am sorry for that. , and he was as good at magic as he was at hand-to-hand combat.

 

It meant that among the players participating in the Holy War, Hisagi was also accepted as an apprentice in the Mage Tower.

 

“I feel at home.”

 

He had been training under Harkon and improving his magic at the Mage Tower. That was cheating! Nam Taemin was envious. That’s why Nam Taemin gritted his teeth and ignored Hisagi.

 

“Well, it’s your first time, so you may feel dazzled. The view from Crystal Hall is certainly beautiful. Isn’t that right, Leonie-ssi?”

 

She felt embarrassed and sat down, but why was he pretending to know her?

 

Leonie kept her mouth shut because she didn’t want to get involved.

 

But Nam Taemin turned his head.

 

“As expected, you were thinking the same thing as me, right?”

 

Who was he again.

 

“Snake eyes, aren’t you really unlucky?”

 

The Great Alliance really didn’t fit each other.

 

When Leonie shook her head, Kitch spoke to her.

 

It was boring to just sit and watch in the Mage Tower, the place where she had so many sins.

 

“You three get along well, are you friends?”

 

“…?”

 

Stare–

 

‘Ah, I shouldn’t have butt in.’

 

She should have noticed that pouting mouth first.

 

This girl was really a hedgehog, wasn’t she?

 

Kitch swallowed her sigh, thinking that the harsh response wasn’t worth it.

 

‘…No, we’re on the same side though.’

 

But soon Leonie’s eyes relaxed.

 

Yeah, because it was all those two lumps’ fault.

 

Leonie responded, losing her temper.

 

“It’s just a business relationship.”

 

“Then, you’re just like me!”

 

“Are you Leader Kitch of the Shadow Mercenary Corps?”

 

“That’s right, but what’s with the polite address? Just call me comfortably.”

 

“Should I?”

 

…No, she immediately used the informal speech?

 

‘I am obviously older than you!!’

 

It was only then that Kitch remembered Leonie’s loud speaking habits.

 

She shouldn’t have asked Leonie to call her comfortably.

 

She regretted it a little, but it couldn’t be helped.

 

And more importantly…

 

“I’ll start the roundtable meeting.”

 

At the words of the Chief Mage Marcelo, silence descended.

 

There was no more chatter.

 

Kitch looked at the atmosphere of the Crystal Hall.

 

‘Why so intense?’

 

Mage Tower.

 

She heard rumors that they had strict discipline.

 

But still.

 

So many people were here.

 

And yet she didn’t hear any sounds other than breathing?

 

‘It’s so scary, seriously.’

 

This was also because of Hoyeol.

 

To be precise, it was a change that happened because of Hoyeol’s formality.

 

It was only natural that Kitch didn’t know that.

 

‘…Does this mean they’re not the Mage Tower for no reason?’

 

The moment Kitch was once again amazed by the magnificence of the Mage Tower.

 

Marcelo brought up the subject.

 

“We won the Battle for the Demon King. It’s more than just a simple victory, we also achieved our intended goal. We succeeded in slaying the high-ranking demon king.”

 

When he dropped the calm declaration of victory, the silence was broken.

 

Only a few people knew about the plan.

 

“Wait. High-ranking demon king?”

 

“The appearance message of a demon king, was that real?”

 

“I wasn’t mistaken after all!”

 

“…But we’ve already defeated the demon kings?”

 

Whisper–

 

No matter how they thought about it, it didn’t make any sense.

 

The appearance message clearly popped up at the moment when the rupture was cleared and collapsed.

 

Who on earth could, in such a moment, defeat a high-ranking demon king who displayed an appearance message in a recommended level 800-900 rupture?

 

Marcelo said as if to answer their question.

 

“Chief Lee Hoyeol accomplished it as planned.”

 

“…!!!”

 

…It was Lee Hoyeol?

 

Everyone knew.

 

He entered the [20th Throne] rupture alone.

 

What kind of monsters appeared in that rupture.

 

They had checked it through the update history.

 

“There were two monsters, one at level 900 and one at level 920. Dealing with them alone wouldn’t be enough… Are you saying that he even defeated a high-ranking demon king the moment the rupture was cleared?”

 

That was ridiculous.

 

The players at the Mage Tower were buzzing.

 

Jibril snorted at their reaction.

 

“What doesn’t make sense?”

 

“Miss Jibril, they can hear you.”

 

“What are they going to do if they heard it? I’m a skilled mage, you know? It’s because everyone lacks faith.”

 

Was it because the footless horse gained wings and glided?

 

Except for the players, there was no agitation among the mages of the Mage Tower.

 

But the uproar didn’t last long.

 

“By the way, for some reason. I don’t see Chief Lee anywhere.”

 

“?”

 

At Jibril’s words, Klee looked around the Crystal Hall.

 

She had guessed it from the moment Chief Marcelo came up to the podium.

 

But Hoyeol really wasn’t anywhere in sight.

 

It wasn’t like him to not attend the meeting…?

 

Just as Klee tilted her head.

 

“And I have some news for you.”

 

Marcelo continued.

 

That was something that no one expected.

 

“Also, for the time being, Chief Lee Hoyeol will step away from all chief duties and take a break. From now on, I will take care of all the tasks that Chief Lee Hoyeol was responsible for, including the tower’s exit.”

 

What?

 

“That Lee Hoyeol is taking a break?”

 

“..Hoyeol-ssi is?”

 

“!!!”

 

They couldn’t believe that he was taking a break.

 

It was definitely unusual.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

The top floor of the Mage Tower.

 

Clank–

 

Even at this moment when I just came out after having a conversation with Yugwid.

 

My heart was creaking with the sound of metal.

 

Thanks to that, it felt real.

 

If I had to summarize Yugwid’s words in one line, it was simple.

 

If I couldn’t digest this power of transcendent, I would die.

 

If I had to reduce that one line into one word, it would be zouhuorumo ^[3] Zouhuorumo, also known as qigong deviation, is a Chinese-culture concept traditionally used to indicate that something has gone wrong in spiritual or martial arts training. Source: Wiki. .

 

Therefore, more than just making up my mind, I made a special decision.

 

Sss–

 

I scribbled with a feather pen on the parchment.

 

『Leave of absence

 

Applicant: Lee Hoyeol

 

Affiliation: Head of State

 

Position: Chief…』

 

“Sometimes you need time to reflect on yourself.”

 

…That was great and all. But could you please not write down your self-talk in your reasons, Grandfel?

• 1. ‘The story of the sour grape’ here is likely referring to the story of the Fox and the Grape. The story concerns a fox that tries to eat grapes from a vine but cannot reach them. Rather than admit defeat, he states they are undesirable. So the word sour grape is taken as an expression of ‘wanting something but pretending not to want it because you can’t have it’.
• 2. All this time I’ve mistook Hisagi’s class as sorcerer/magician. I am sorry for that.
• 3. Zouhuorumo, also known as qigong deviation, is a Chinese-culture concept traditionally used to indicate that something has gone wrong in spiritual or martial arts training. Source: Wiki.