Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 192 - Gift (2)

It was something I had heard before the smelting of the ethereal iron.

 

‘They’re making an armor for me?’

 

Haiel told me what the dwarves said about it.

 

“They were concerned about the master of the mountain.”

 

So, to summarize, it was simple.

 

The dwarves were also well aware of the dragon’s strength.

 

Therefore, they would refine my equipment so that I wouldn’t die unexpectedly against the dragons.

 

‘Actually, even if they don’t do that.’

 

Wearing an outfit that naturally attracted stares.

 

There was no equipment that both satisfied Grandfel’s demanding aesthetics and had excellent performance.

 

So, unintentionally, I worked on a suit that only had enchantment effects…

 

‘I’m so grateful!’

 

Dwarf armor.

 

That was equipment that you couldn’t buy with money!

 

Above all, I didn’t have to worry about the aesthetics.

 

Haiel was the one who inspected the equipment.

 

This was Haiel, whose appearance took after Grandfel so much that she could be called his alter ego.

 

And…

 

‘…Her fashion sense.’

 

She could even outshine a spirit king.

 

In some ways, you could say that her outfit was more extravagant than Grandfel’s.

 

Since the dwarves were the ones who made it, I didn’t have to worry about its performance.

 

There was only one problem.

 

‘Level restriction.’

 

It made me grateful that Zero Mountain appeared.

 

[Recommended level: Not recommended for anyone]

 

In Zero Mountain, you could gain experience based on your ability. Of course, the problem was that I didn’t know exactly what my abilities were.

 

Once again, I felt it. The harmful effects of prior learning…!

 

I completely skipped the intermediate step.

 

Thanks to this, whether it was about swordsmanship or the circle, I didn’t know exactly the limits of my ability.

 

I couldn’t estimate the exact effect of the sword force.

 

The circle even used a system to let me know the effects.

 

‘In the end, will Grandfel’s words become reality again?’

 

Pride and the Zero Mountain.

 

Let’s compete to see which one is higher.

 

This might be the time to really push myself to the limits, understand my place, and raise my level.

 

Just like players like Nam Taemin, Hisagi, and Leonie, I would have to be prepared to focus on hunting all day long.

 

“Lastly, the news about the ethereal iron.”

 

In that regard, the ethereal iron.

 

I hope you don’t betray my expectations.

 

However what Haiel said next.

 

It was enough to make me astonished.

 

Seriously!

 

Why is everyone’s personality like this?!

 

You guys…?

 

The best blacksmith of the dwarves.

 

Worswyle was still having a war of nerves.

 

Did this mean it wasn’t called the ego equipment for nothing?

 

If Haiel had taken Grandfel’s appearance and aesthetic.

 

Diend had the dark history.

 

Then the ethereal iron seemed to have taken Grandfel’s stubbornness.

 

For a moment, I felt choked up.

 

‘Are you guys three useless boys ^[1] ‘Three useless boys’ is a meme in Korea originated from a Japanese manga panel. or what?’

 

But, I was the one who put those three together.

 

‘…In the end, it’s like spitting in my own face.’

 

Let’s just give up.

 

By the way, what did you just say, Haiel?

 

Haiel continued speaking, imitating the ethereal iron’s words.

 

“I have to be sharper and sharper. I have to cut down the stars in the sky, the evil eyes. The whetstones of this continent are not enough. Forge me with the ‘Milky Way Whetstone,’ the whetstone that literally fell from the sky…”

 

Milky Way Whetstone?

 

I had heard of it before.

 

That was what Shegwin was looking for, wasn’t it?

 

Instead of lending his strength to the rebels, he was supposed to get the Milky Way Whetstone from Antonium’s warehouse. Shegwin had told me everything with his own mouth.

 

‘How?’

 

…How did the ethereal iron know about such a high-level magic tool?

 

Well, I would ask about it later.

 

If you had any common sense, you would inevitably notice.

 

Milky Way Whetstone.

 

It seemed to be such a great magic tool that Shegwin didn’t aim for it for no reason. According to Haiel, the dwarves also seemed to know about the Milky Way Whetstone.

 

A shadow appeared on Haiel’s face.

 

“When it asked for a magic tool that was only told about in legend, Worswyle seemed confused. If my lord gives me the order, I will persuade the ethereal iron through Diend. What do you think, my lord?”

 

D-Diend will persuade who?!

 

I didn’t even want that.

 

No, I was scared that even the ethereal iron would get influenced by him.

 

Please tell him not to come forward, Haiel.

 

But I didn’t show my overwhelming feelings.

 

I just recited shamelessly.

 

“There’s nothing to worry about, Haiel.”

 

“…My lord?”

 

“The Milky Way Whetstone, I know where it is.”

 

“…My lord!”

 

I knew you would do that.

 

Please don’t even give me that look filled with emotion and faith, hiel.

 

Still, I was glad I could resolve this with this big mouth.

 

Well, my influence and relationship in Antonium had reached the maximum.

 

It wouldn’t be difficult to rent a magic tool like I did at the Mage Tower.

 

I spoke to Haiel.

 

“Convey this to Antonium.”

 

“I, Haiel, will follow your order.”

 

It was a formal request to borrow the Milky Way Whetstone.

 

Soon, Haiel gave a polite farewell and returned to the Arcana Continent.

 

Well, then I couldn’t just stay still, could I?

 

‘I have to raise it as much as I can.’

 

In order to prevent new equipment from becoming an unreachable dream, I had to raise my level bigger than that.

 

“Zero Mountain.”

 

The Zero Mountain was similar in size to Australia.

 

Its height easily penetrated the stratosphere. Something like that suddenly appeared, I was reminded again that if the Mage Tower hadn’t stepped in, 80% of the Earth would have been covered in water.

 

“Is it such a high and vast stage?”

 

In that regard, it probably would be quite tiring.

 

When entering the Zero Mountain.

 

I started hunting by encountering various monsters.

 

Well, I wasn’t like the other players.

 

‘I have a ten-year gap that can’t be ignored.’

 

Thanks to being the last demon hunter.

 

My knowledge of demons was pretty good.

 

But it was true that I lacked knowledge of ordinary monsters.

 

“I may need to give them punishment.”

 

…Grandfel, he said it so easily as if he was disciplining some kind of animal. The monsters in Zero Mountain were by no means easy.

 

Even the League of Explorers had never stepped foot on the slope of Zero Mountain.

 

I didn’t even have to explain more.

 

However, I wasn’t the person I used to be.

 

I was not the Lee Hoyeol who searched for information on the Internet and frowned at the search results. Thanks to the weight I carried as the general manager of the AAU Yusra branch, I learned some information.

 

“A hundred thousand caves.”

 

Literally 100,000 caves.

 

According to the setting, Zero Mountain could have been a stage until the last half of the continent’s first half. The contents planned to be developed seemed huge.

 

‘A hundred thousand caves.’

 

[Dungeon], [Battlefield], [Labyrinth], [Colosseum], and etc.

 

Each cave had its own special properties.

 

It was safe to say that it had 100,000 contents.

 

Of course, the Cataclysm happened before development could be completed.

 

Only a small fraction of the information concerning the 100,000 caves existed in AAU.

 

‘Even if it’s only a small part, so what?’

 

Besides, unlike in the past, didn’t I have allies who united in pride?

 

Just like how I led them in the face of the demons.

 

In front of a regular monster, I could chase after them.

 

That’s right, Grandfel.

 

The give and take that you love so much.

 

This is the so-called mutual aid.

 

However.

 

“[Information from AAU]. And the『Zero Mountain』 came true.”

 

Grandfel’s way of valuing things was one step ahead of me.

 

If he was wrong, I would at least refute it.

 

It sounded too grand.

 

But the problem was, those words were right once again.

 

“In the end, this, too, is odd.”

 

Yeah, it was about that damn oddity again this time.

 

And this time, too, it was about pride.

 

I immediately manifested the portal.

 

To the coordinates of the Zero Mountain that appeared overnight.

 

I recited as I stepped onto the portal.

 

“No one is ahead of me when it comes to oddity.”

 

Tap tap–

 

“I will light up the way, so feel free to chase after me.”

 

*

Gooo–

 

The highest ranking mage of the Empire, Nash William.

 

When Nash unleashed his magic, the tightly closed warehouse of the imperial palace opened.

 

The imperial knights quickly entered the warehouse.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Chew–

 

Nash bit his nails.

 

How on earth did he know?

 

‘The existence of Milky Way Whetstone that even I didn’t know of…’

 

As you could see, the royal palace’s warehouse was full of treasures.

 

The treasures that were sleeping in the warehouse came from various periods and regions.

 

Even the Emperor, the owner, didn’t really know about them.

 

Nash looked at the sealing magic circle in the warehouse.

 

‘Or maybe he saw through that magic circle…’

 

Then he shook his head.

 

‘No, that’s impossible.’

 

It was a magic circle that the ‘Archmage’ manifested.

 

From the time the Empire was founded until now.

 

It was a magic circle that had never been seen through, and it was so advanced that you confidently say that even if the Empire were to fall, you still wouldn’t be able to open the warehouse.

 

‘The reason I can interfere with the magic circle is because I made an oath with the Empire…’

 

Nash’s troubled eyes shone with determination.

 

‘Bensch hyungnim, I guess I can’t hide my nature as a mage.’

 

His desire to explore the unknown rose up.

 

Nash made up his mind.

 

‘I’ll have to ask.’

 

Infinitely Deep Darkness, Sir Lee Hoyeol.

 

Wasn’t he an adventurer?

 

The time he stayed in the Arcana continent must be short.

 

Actually, what was the Milky Way Whetstone?

 

Just knowing about it was already surprising.

 

Creak–

 

When the imperial knights came out with the Milky Way Whetstone, Nash sealed the warehouse again. Then he had an audience with the Emperor. Nash opened his mouth carefully.

 

“Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.”

 

“Tell me, Nash.”

 

“It isn’t anything different…”

 

Sk–

 

Nash’s gaze turned to the outside of the Imperial palace.

 

To be exact, it was headed towards the sky above Antonium.

 

An enormous ship was floating in the sky.

 

He could see the dwarves’ Iron Castle.

 

Nash continued.

 

“I would like to receive permission from Your Majesty to leave the palace.”

 

Haiel, a spirit that looked so noble that its rank couldn’t be determined. Nash learned about Hoyeol through Haiel, but that wasn’t enough.

 

Someone might ask.

 

Wasn’t the fact that the dwarves were in Antonium clear evidence?  Yes, it was a clear evidence of his heroism. Nash had to admit that.

 

‘But, I want to check for myself.’

 

Yeah, this was a desire to explore as a mage.

 

Above all, how did Hoyeol know about the existence of the Milky Way Whetstone?

 

Why did he need it?

 

It seemed the dwarves would know the reason.

 

Soon, the Emperor opened his mouth.

 

“Nash.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“I won’t allow your request to leave the palace.”

 

“…Y-Yes? Your Majesty?!”

 

However, the position of the highest-ranking mage in the Empire was a heavy burden.

 

It was a place that couldn’t be vacated as people wished.

 

The Emperor continued.

 

“Nash, isn’t your presence alone a source of comfort to the people of Antonium? It would be better to stay put for the time being.”

 

That’s an indisputable answer, Your Majesty…!

 

In the end, Nash lamented to himself.

 

Hyungnim, I guess I’m not good enough.

 

‘…If it were Bensch hyungnim, he would have been able to leave the palace freely and put His Majesty and the people at ease at the same time, right?’

 

Compared to Bensch, he still had a long way to go.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Mage Tower.

 

Floating garden.

 

Bensch sat alongside Banglet and started a conversation.

 

The subject was, of course, about the Zero Mountain.

 

The corner of Bensch’s mouth became crooked.

 

“Are you very excited, Senior Banglet?”

 

“Not at all. haha.”

 

“How about you erase your smile before speaking?”

 

Bensch William rested his chin and tapped his fingers.

 

He repeated to himself.

 

The world is so unfair.

 

Banglet, how can this foolish man be so lucky?

 

‘The point of contact with Chief Lee is special.’

 

…if he had known it would turn out like this.

 

He would have let himself get deceived by Karimjeva.

 

Bensch grumbled because he couldn’t understand at all.

 

“The purpose of the tower’s exit is trivial, why does he have to care so much about it…?”

 

Big, flashy, passionate purpose!

 

In order to leave the great Mage Tower, shouldn’t they have a great goal? Thanks to this, Bensch exaggerated his purpose even more whenever his tower’s exit application was rejected.

 

『Rent a high-class magic tool to burn away the demons.』

 

『Rent a high-class magic tool to burn away the demons and their garrisons.』

 

『Rent a high-class magic tool to burn away all the ruptures..』…

 

For some reason, the direction was wrong.

 

“Would you like me to take a look at it?”

 

“What? It’s fine, Senior Banglet.”

 

“If you don’t want me to, it can’t be helped.”

 

How could Bensch’s high self-esteem show his rejected tower’s exit application to other people?

 

In the end, it was the same this time too.

 

After much thought, Bensch filled out and submitted the application form.

 

『Rent a high-class magic tool to burn away the Zero Mountain.』

 

But the good thing was that his expression was bright.

 

“Today will be the end of your bragging, Senior Banglet. This time, my application for the tower’s exit will be passed.”

 

The Zero Mountain had appeared.

 

The role of the Mage Tower basically increased.

 

At the top of the mountain range was the Mage Tower’s nemesis.

 

Weren’t the dragons sleeping?

 

In case those dragons woke up.

 

The only one who could handle their anger was the Mage Tower.

 

Cross–

 

With his arms crossed, Bensch continued.

 

“For Bensch William, there’s no better stage than this.”

 

Fire upon fire.

 

Moreover, as the role of the Mage Tower increased.

 

The number of people who exit the tower also increased.

 

Bensch was truly confident.

 

Until he checked the parchment.

 

“…W-Why!”

 

──────

 

The role of the Mage Tower in Zero Mountain is important. However, not all seniors can leave the Mage Tower. Therefore, Bensch William, your application to exit the tower will not be accepted.

 

──────

 

Bensch cried out.

 

“W-Why am I the only senior staying behind?! Chief Lee!!”

 

*

 

Zero Mountain.

 

The first to step on the mountain range.

 

The guild master of Union.

 

Liu Jinchun clenched his fist.

 

“It’s finally my turn.”

 

Shining and the Great Alliance were the biggest obstacles.

 

When they faced the ridiculously high wall of the Battle for the Demon King, Union focused on strengthening its internal stability. Both from a player’s perspective and from a perspective in reality.

 

There was a question commonly floating on the Internet.

 

If a player with superhuman abilities became dissatisfied.

 

What happened when they confronted a nation?

 

Liu Jinchun gave an answer to that question.

 

Sk–

 

People saluted Liu Jinchun.

 

“I will be waiting for your safe return.”

 

Yeah.

 

In the closed motherland, Liu Jinchun took full control.

 

Ruling through fear or whatever, it was all fine.

 

Because the abilities of his class, [sovereign], didn’t care about such things.

 

In the red fleet that separated the Pacific Ocean.

 

Liu Jinchun looked at the rising Zero Mountain.

 

Then he smiled.

 

“Enjoy the praise you get now to your heart’s content, Lee Hoyeol.”

 

Now that a huge stage called the Zero Mountain had unfolded.

 

As long as Hoyeol was busy watering his garden.

 

It was only a matter of time before Liu Jinchun caught up.

 

With that determination, Liu Jinchun entered the Zero Mountain.

 

“…!”

 

And he felt a sense of incongruity.

 

Twinke–

 

A sphere was emitting light in the air.

 

It was magic that someone manifested.

 

The light was brightly illuminating the darkness of the Zero Mountains.

 

What it meant was simple.

 

Someone had come to the Zero Mountains before him.

 

“…Who is it?”

 

Liu Jinchun’s face distorted.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

I must be the only one.

 

– “I will light up the way, so feel free to chase after me.”

 

To keep my word.

 

I went through this much trouble.

 

It was fortunate that the system recognized my lament.

 

I checked the message.

 

As expected, being the first was great.

• 1. ‘Three useless boys’ is a meme in Korea originated from a Japanese manga panel.