Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 188 - I won't forget this debt

To sum it up, it was simple.

 

“…It finally feels like training.”

 

Overuse my body to the point that the effect of the [Blessing of the first World Tree] couldn’t offset it.

 

To the point that Grandfel couldn’t bluff his way out of it.

 

That was the training beyond limits!

 

I was truly shocked in many ways.

 

I called it training that went beyond limits, but no matter how you put it, the secret to the strength of the demon hunter was just hard work, right? The consistency was shocking, really.

 

Grandfel, you too.

 

If you’ve overused your body to the point where you can’t recover even with the World Tree buff.

 

What?

 

It finally feels like training, you said?

 

Then what the hell have I done so far?!

 

‘Poor me.’

 

But the most shocking thing was the message.

 

[You will receive additional rewards through training that transcends limits.]

 

I had seen messages similar to this before.

 

My stat points would increase by an additional one or two points, right?

 

In fact, that alone was a huge additional reward.

 

Because one stat point was worth 1 level.

 

However.

 

[You have acquired the stat ‘Tenacity’.]

 

It was different this time.

 

A stat was opened.

 

Just like with the [Aesthetic] stat, the moment I acquired it.

 

The effect of ‘ tenacity’ was imprinted in my vision and my mind.

 

[Tenacity: Converts mental strength into ability scores. Each time the tenacity increases, the converted ability value increases additionally.]

 

As soon as I saw it, I couldn’t help but feel shocked.

 

Wasn’t this basically the demon hunter’s unique stat?!

 

Anyway, I cursed out a lot today, but…

 

I could guarantee you that no one in Arcana had a stronger mental strength than the demon hunter. That was because people with weak mental strength couldn’t survive in Akshan.

 

‘It used to be like that in the past.’

 

Not only there were endless grinds of quests.

 

The demon hunter had a training method that was closer to a horror game than an RPG. There was no reason to insist on demon hunter class, leaving countless Arcana contents behind.

 

‘To put it bluntly, I would have quit too.’

 

If I hadn’t forcibly got cut off from Arcana.

 

I would naturally be cured of my middle-school second-year syndrome and parted ways with Grandfel.

 

I would have created and fostered a new account.

 

‘Strictly speaking…’

 

I skipped the intermediate step again this time too.

 

In order to acquire [Tenacity] in a normal way.

 

It probably would have required a lot of training.

 

They even trained their body in hell.

 

But this shamelessness didn’t disappear.

 

Even at this moment.

 

I spoke to the demon hunter who didn’t stop doing push-ups.

 

“We are finally on equal terms.”

 

Then I did push-ups again.

 

As expected, I could feel the effect of [Tenacity].

 

“This is easy.”

 

Stronger mental strength beyond that of the demon hunter. 

 

I could feel that Grandfel’s mental strength was supporting my body.

 

It wasn’t just my delusion, it appeared as a message.

 

[‘Strength’ temporarily increases due to the effect of tenacity.]

 

I checked the number while squeezing my muscles.

 

[Strength: 112 → 162]

 

…No, what is this?

 

Even if it was only temporary, my strength increased by 50 points?!

 

It was enough to cause my muscles to spasm in surprise.

 

It was only natural.

 

Even if Grandfel’s mental power was not at the level of ordinary human beings…

 

[Tenacity: 1]

 

I only acquired 1 point of [Tenacity].

 

As stated in the description.

 

The value of the converted ability was influenced by the value of [tenacity].

 

‘So how much will it increase in the future?’

 

I couldn’t help but feel shocked.

 

What kind of ridiculous efficiency was this?

 

I wondered if the effect of [tenacity] was fraudulent.

 

Or if Grandfel’s mental strength was the fraudulent one.

 

There was no way to know right now.

 

But one thing had become clear.

 

‘For the time being, I will put all of the level-up points on tenacity.’

 

That went without saying.

 

No matter how great Grandfel’s mental power was, it couldn’t overcome the gap in stats. In the end, I opened my mouth only after my shirt was so drenched in sweat to the point that you could see my skin through it.

 

“It was a good match.”

 

A good maaatch?

 

There is no match in the world more foolish than this, Grandfel.

 

He wouldn’t feel good defeating his only junior.

 

“…”

 

Only then did the demon hunter stop doing push-ups and stand up.

 

Crackle–

 

Then the flames of hell began to swirl around his body.

 

“…”

 

No socializing.

 

He was good at following the rules until the end.

 

Like in the beginning, he didn’t say farewell.

 

But I clearly witnessed it.

 

‘?’

 

I could see his mouth under the hood.

 

His mouth was clearly turned upward.

 

He was definitely smiling.

 

‘…You laughed at me just now, didn’t you?’

 

You’re being smug because you won, aren’t you?!

 

Yes, I was thankful that he helped me acquire [tenacity].

 

But he just suddenly did push-ups.

 

Then he just disappeared with a laugh.

 

Our Akshan sunbaenim, your personality is truly amazing!

 

However, it didn’t harm Grandfel either.

 

“Sometimes you can communicate without saying anything.”

 

…No, now that I had given it another try.

 

Toward the demon hunter who returned to the flame of hell.

 

I declared.

 

“I’ll pay this debt back next time, demon hunter.”

 

…I truly lost to you, Grandfel.

 

*

The Demon King of Tears.

 

Ranked 56th.

 

The Demon King, Gremory, wiped her eyes.

 

Her faint voice echoed in the audience.

 

“With no friends above and below, I feel lonely.”

 

Above, 55th rank.

 

Below, the throne ranked 57th in line.

 

She thought the Battle for the Demon King would fill their vacancy.

 

However, there was a variable that no one had expected.

 

Resurrection of Akshan.

 

And the death of the high-ranking demon king, Gamigin.

 

Gremory opened her mouth.

 

“What do you think?”

 

“…Y-Yes?”

 

The person she asked was a human being.

 

Not a corrupt person, not a demon worshiper, just an ordinary human being.

 

In the past, he was the viscount who was the owner of this small castle.

 

The man broke out in a cold sweat.

 

‘….Answer, I have to answer her.’

 

As he made up his mind, Gremory spoke in a whisper.

 

“Make sure you look straight into my eyes.”

 

“…!”

 

The man raised his head and made eye contact with Gremory.

 

And he despaired.

 

‘How can you do this to me…!’

 

It felt like an ordeal from the Goddess.

 

How could the vicious demon who destroyed his estate and brutally murdered his people, subjects, and relatives appear to be an infinitely beautiful woman?

 

The man struggled to answer.

 

“…I’m sorry to tell you, but I think it’s impossible unless Akshan has truly been resurrected.”

 

“Hmm, I guess so.”

 

Gremory puffed up her cheeks.

 

Light-colored hair and bright skin.

 

And a lively expression.

 

She was so attractive that no one could suspect that she was a demon.

 

“But I still don’t understand.”

 

Gremory’s eyes turned to the man.

 

“Do you know? There were unintentionally more offerings for Gamigin than usual. It was thanks to the death of all the demons who participated in the Battle for the Demon King.”

 

In addition to the scheduled offering.

 

Two demons of the true name who were at the level of demon king were also made into sacrifices.

 

Gremory had also confirmed Gamigin’s great power.

 

“Our foolish and daft Gamigin.”

 

The man doubted his ears.

 

‘….Foolish and daft?’

 

There was a hierarchy among the demon kings.

 

He learned this fact recently while dealing with Gremory.

 

He also learned that the power of the high-ranking demon king was on a different level.

 

Gremory slowly opened one of her eyes.

 

“You must have thought it was a profane way of addressing him, didn’t you?”

 

“N-No!”

 

“It’s all right. A lowly human being can’t understand.”

 

“…Y-Yes.”

 

The top 10 ranked demons were classified as high-ranking demon kings.

 

Even among the demon kings, the way they were treated was unusual. Gremory was better in this aspect, because most demon kings treated the high-ranking demon kings as tools.

 

Weren’t they demons who couldn’t even communicate?

 

“He was used until the very end, and then ended up in hell… I was just depressed over that pitiful ending.”

 

“…I see.”

 

Gulp.

 

The man unconsciously swallowed his dry saliva.

 

Was this what it felt like to be possessed by a demon?

 

He knew that everything about that demon was pretentious and fake. But when he looked at Gremory acting pitiful, he really felt compassion in his heart.

 

Gremory said, wiping the corners of her eyes with her fingers.

 

“But it’s not all sad. There are people who will move for us who are pushed to the edge of a cliff.”

 

One of them was the Sword Saint Shegwin.

 

Gremory could not forget the image of Shegwin that she had glimpsed through the evil eyes not long ago. The energy radiating from the aging human was beyond imagination.

 

“Even if they’re full of gratitude, they’re still pitiful.”

 

Nevertheless, in the end, he was a human.

 

A lowly human being who was dying day by day unlike her.

 

In that regard, Shegwin was clever.

 

He gave up being human and walked down the path of corruption.

 

Gremory raised the corners of her mouth.

 

‘Some demon kings must have been disappointed.’

 

Even if he was old, Shegwin’s body was the best for possession.

 

Of course, Gremory had no interest in human bodies.

 

…Gulp.

 

Look.

 

Even the enemy drooled at the sight of her.

 

Her body was perfect as it was now.

 

“Well, Gremory is sad.”

 

Gremory rose from her seat and headed to the window.

 

The night sky was full of the evil eyes.

 

Soon, Gremory’s eyes turned black.

 

Then the vision of the evil eyes penetrated her mind.

 

‘I don’t know what you’re thinking, Shegwin.’

 

He retreated from Antonium, the capital of the Empire.

 

It was a judgment that she couldn’t understand.

 

Even Gremory who wasn’t familiar with war was thinking like that.

 

She didn’t have to check the reaction of other demon kings. It was obvious.

 

‘Everyone is watching your move.’

 

In that regard, Shegwin’s destination was unexpected.

 

He must have gained enlightenment in killing useless nobles and controlling the demon power. She never thought he would leave an empire full of humans and head to the mountains.

 

Gremory’s mouth twitched.

 

“…Don’t tell me, you’re not going to pretend to be a human, are you?”

 

Even if that were the case, it would be pointless.

 

It didn’t really matter.

 

Even though he was corrupted, he was fundamentally a worthless human being.

 

“You just need to light the way.”

 

The scene that she had witnessed through Gamigin’s evil eye.

 

– “Akshan is back.”

 

The goosebumps she felt at the time were indescribable.

 

She felt like the fear that she had forgotten since Akshan’s annihilation was revived.

 

The resurrection of Akshan.

 

It wasn’t hard to guess the culprit behind it.

 

A silver-haired demon hunter.

 

That day, the man who appeared out of nowhere on the Arcana Continent disappeared without a trace, along with millions of demons. Likewise, it was a fact that had been clearly confirmed through the evil eye.

 

‘But it means that they truly have been resurrected.’

 

Who would have thought that Gamigin-nim would be thrown into hell.

 

There was no clearer proof of their resurrection than that.

 

Gremory turned from the window.

 

“So I have no choice but to hold my breath pitifully.”

 

Shortly after Gamigin had been thrown into hell.

 

The demon kings had set out to find Akshan.

 

Now that Akshan’s desperate struggle against Gamigin had unfolded.

 

They thought it was an opportunity to crush the resurrected Akshan.

 

But they couldn’t figure it out.

 

‘Where on earth is that place?’

 

A very strange landscape.

 

No matter where they searched on the Arcana Continent, they couldn’t find that place, Akshan, or the silver-haired demon hunter.

 

Even though they borrowed the evil eye’s vision.

 

It was just typical of Akshan.

 

“They give me goosebumps just by appearing.”

 

But time was on their side anyway.

 

Even though Gamigin was in hell, there were still nine high-ranking demon kings left. Well, even if they were unlucky, the existence of the great evils couldn’t be ignored either.

 

Among them, Shegwin’s role was just like a scout.

 

Whether it was Akshan or the silver-haired demon hunter.

 

He was a bait that would reveal their existence again.

 

Well, when it came to demons, Akshan would rush ahead without thinking.

 

Until they bit the bait.

 

All she had to do was wait.

 

“In that case, the Zero Mountain might not be a bad idea, Shegwin.”

 

*

 

Thursday.

 

Regular update.

 

For the first time in a while, AAU was filled with tension.

 

“Please come up with something good.”

 

Sung Hyunjoon put his hands together and prayed reverently.

 

“Our general manager, enjoy your vacation to the fullest!”

 

“You’re doing more than me these days,”

 

“Senior, you pray quickly too. If you wish earnestly, it will come true.”

 

“Oh my gosh.”

 

“Just Homen….”

 

Click clack–

 

Yoon Sookyum chuckled and hit refresh.

 

Then he spoke to Sung Hyunjoon, who was muttering.

 

“At least it won’t be an update about the demons.”

 

“Really?”

 

“They must have also suffered great damage from the Battle for the Demon King. Above all, if there is a complete victory, there is also a complete defeat, right? At least they can’t set up a large-scale event like the Battle for the Demon King.”

 

Unless it was a demon-type monster that possessed a different level of power, they didn’t have to show it to Hoyeol.

 

At his words, Sung Hyunjoon began to pray in more detail.

 

“Then I hope it’s not a demon-type monster…!”

 

“But who are you saying this prayer to?”

 

“…God, or Buddha?”

 

“is that so? But, if you think about it, wouldn’t it be Raymond who listens to all your prayers?”

 

“Wait, then I cancel it! I would be crazy to pray to that guy!”

 

But had the prayer already reached Raymond?

 

Click–

 

The moment the official website of Arcana was refreshed.

 

The details of the regular update appeared.

 

There was no need to say where it appeared first.

 

AAU South Korea Branch.

 

No, the same words popped out of every branch.

 

“Z-Zero Mountain!”

 

The symbol of the Arcana Continent system.

 

The Zero Mountain would be added as a new area?

 

Sung Hyunjoon’s face lit up.

 

“S-Sunbae. Isn’t this great? If the Zero Mountains are added as a region, at least players won’t have to worry about hunting grounds!”

 

There were levels ranging from low to high in the vast Zero Mountain.

 

There was content for every player.

 

In particular, there were quite a few items sleeping in the Hundred Thousand Cave.

 

“…That’s exactly why it’s a problem.”

 

“Yes? What do you mean?”

 

A problem.

 

Sung Hyunjoon was briefly taken aback by the unexpected answer.

 

Yoon Sookyum continued in a trembling voice.

 

“It’s too big, that’s the problem!”

 

Crash!

 

At the same time, they heard urgent footsteps.

 

It was the branch manager, Park Minjae.

 

Park Minjae shouted loudly.

 

“Everyone, start the calculation!”

 

“What are you talking about all of a sudden…?”

 

“What? Sung Hyunjoon still hasn’t figured out the situation?”

 

Yoon Sookyum opened his mouth on behalf of Park Minjae.

 

“Hyunjoon, do you remember the size of the Zero Mountain?”

 

“Of course. It’s so huge that the dragons live on top of it…?!”

 

…Wait a minute.

 

If the Zero Mountain appeared in reality.

 

What would happen in the aftermath?

 

There would be a tectonic shift that never existed in the history of the Earth.

 

If the Zero Mountain rose in a particular country.

 

That country might disappear from the map forever.

 

Even if it rose from the sea…

 

Yoon Sookyum said.

 

“That’s right, a natural disaster on a different level will follow.”

 

“…!!!”

 

How were they supposed to prepare for this?

 

This was a completely different problem from the rupture.

 

They had to prevent a natural disaster that could end the world.

 

Someone murmured.

 

“If not with magic, how can we…”

 

“…?!!”

 

…Wait, magic?

 

At that word, everyone remembered.

 

There were people who could prevent catastrophic natural disasters.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“You said, there’s a give and take in everything.”

 

Marcelo picked up a feather pen.

 

Sk–

 

He wrote down neatly on a parchment.

 

“I will put those words into practice. Sir Hoyeol.”

 

──────

 

As of this time, we will fully permit the tower’s exit.

 

──────

 

The purpose is salvation for salvation.

 

──────

 

All members of the Mage Tower gather.

 

──────

 

Acting Chief Lee Hoyeol and Marcelo Simuard.