Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 20 - Love-Hate Existence (1)

High disposal contribution.

 

Thanks to that, the automatically acquired loot was confirmed immediately.

 

But the first thing that caught my eye was none other than the necklace.

 

The demon’s item.

 

The necklace that was chosen as an offering for the exorcism ritual.

 

I thought it would have evaporated…

 

[Necklace of Noble Promise]

 

[Grade: Rare]

 

[Restriction: Lv.300]

 

[Effect: When attacked, there’s a low probability of activating the skill ‘Intermediate Protection’.]

 

[Description: It’s a necklace for lovers going to the battlefield. The hope for the other person to be safe has imbued it with magical power and it has an excellent effect.]

 

Here it was.

 

With the curse lifted.

 

‘Did the exorcism ritual replace the purification work?’

 

I had to sacrifice the first rare item I had acquired as an offering.

 

It was because of Grandfel’s setting that didn’t cling to wealth.

 

I couldn’t express it, but I was so upset!

 

But with this, it was a different story.

 

In addition, when attacked, the effect of ‘Intermediate Protection’ was activated.

 

Even if it’s not a jackpot, isn’t this enough of a prize?

 

[Vampire Count’s Orb]

 

[Grade: Unique]

 

[Restriction: Lv.400]

 

[Effect: Sealed]

 

[Description: Its effect is sealed by the demon curse. In order to know its proper effect, it must be purified.]

 

It was a sufficient achievement, and unique at that.

 

Let’s admit it.

 

This was bound to be surprising.

 

But I didn’t think I felt any agitation.

 

I shifted my unwavering gaze.

 

Orb.

 

It was a bright red sphere.

 

It was swaying as if it were filled with red blood.

 

This was also a demon’s item.

 

Its effect was sealed, so I wasn’t sure what item it was yet.

 

However, one thing was certain, its grade was [Unique].

 

It was also a unique item with a 400-level restriction,

 

…Wouldn’t this be very expensive?

 

I couldn’t help but think so.

 

I was reminded of the articles I had seen in the past.

 

Didn’t it say it cost hundreds of millions or billions of dollars for each item?

 

But that thought didn’t last long.

 

Handing over my stuff to other people?

 

Just to make money?

 

Grandfel’s high pride couldn’t tolerate it.

 

But it didn’t feel too bad.

 

Level 400.

 

Why?

 

To the number that should feel distant right now.

 

I felt like I could definitely reach it.

 

Is it because of childish simple confidence?

 

No, this, too, was a grounded conviction.

 

I opened the status window.

 

[Name: Grandfel Claudie Arpeus Romeo]

 

[Class: Demon hunter]

 

[Level: 134]

 

[Statl]

 

Strength: 27 / Agility: 33 / Mana: 51 / Luck: 2

 

[Point: 34]

 

Experience gained by hunting Count Ascura.

 

Despite sharing the experience point with the pointed hat, my level went up by a whopping 34 levels.

 

Leveling up 34 all at once in Arcana’s experience system.

 

…This is a new record.

 

In addition to that level-up.

 

– Hunt the vampires. (In progress) ▲

 

• Let them know that the hunt has begun. (Successful)

 

• Let them feel the fear of being hunted. (Successful)

 

• Hunt the vampire. (Successful)

 

Even the class quest.

 

Because of this evidence.

 

I could stand as upright as I did now.

 

Even in front of the acquired items.

 

“Wow! What is this?”

 

Even in front of that pointed hat, which had reached a level that I couldn’t reach right now.

 

By the way…

 

I shifted my gaze and looked at the pointed hat.

 

So what is that?

 

Tuk tuk–

 

She touched Count Ascura’s ash with her staff.

 

I thought it was only a handful of ashes.

 

But smoke was constantly rising from the wreckage.

 

“It doesn’t smell like anything!”

 

The space between my eyebrows inadvertently wrinkled.

 

Although I was also somewhat influenced by Grandfel, who couldn’t live with dignity.

 

There was nothing different about my feelings.

 

No, you don’t have to sniff it up to smell it…

 

But it was definitely strange.

 

It was too vivid to be just smoke.

 

As if you could see the smoke from far away.

 

The moment I thought so.

 

“!”

 

The quest window flashed.

 

[Class quest: Fetal Movement]

 

The curtain rises and a beacon flares up.

 

The last demon hunter.

 

Light up the world covered in evil.

 

– Train your weakened body. (Repeat)

 

From ‘Prelude to Counterattack’ to ‘Fetal Movement’.

 

There was progress in the class quest.

 

I was convinced while reading the quest window that popped up.

 

That smoke wasn’t rising for no reason.

 

There was no immediate goal other than physical training.

 

The quest would start on its own when the right time came, as it had been.

 

Well, let’s think of it as personal maintenance time until then.

 

As much as I felt the gap, I needed time to struggle.

 

“Jessie!”

 

Then I heard the voice indicating someone else’s presence.

 

Jessie, is that the name of the pointed hat?

 

It was definitely a name I’d heard somewhere.

 

Anyway, is it because of the lightning that Jessie had summoned?

 

Players flocked one after another.

 

Then they were shocked.

 

“What about Count Ascura? Where is he? I can’t see him?”

 

“Wait a minute. Jessie, the thing you’re touching with your staff. What is that?”

 

“…W-What, Jessie, no way?!”

 

Stare–

 

Jessie looked at me without answering.

 

Thanks to that, everyone’s eyes were focused on me.

 

Jessie carefully opened her mouth.

 

“Manners… I don’t know anything about it, but I’ll try my best!”

 

What followed was an untimely self-introduction.

 

“My name is Jessie Heinness! If you don’t mind, may I ask your name?”

 

At that question, I looked around.

 

This was certainly different from the battle at the central square.

 

…Gulp.

 

Everyone held their breath and focused on me.

 

Just like Jessie.

 

I’m sure they’d all reached a great level.

 

Such great people were waiting for my words.

 

…Certainly, it’s a situation that should feel burdensome.

 

I was rather satisfied with their attitude.

 

There was a feeling of formality in that restrained silence.

 

This was an outlook I could never have imagined from the me of just a while ago.

 

But I had no illusion.

 

This change was also my dark history.

 

Because I know it was me.

 

So it wasn’t difficult to answer.

 

“I am Lee Hoyeol.”

 

*

Lee Hoyeol.

 

An unidentified player who had hunted Count Ascura with Jessie Heinness.

 

It was only natural that the three-syllable name spread throughout the world.

 

It was a performance that was hard to describe in words.

 

“Count Ascura’s level was 430. Above all, it was predicted that his power was stronger than that level. But to hunt that Count Ascura alone, just the two of them!”

 

“Really, it’s a surprise for the world beyond Korea. What do you think?”

 

“Actually, the overseas response is very hot.”

 

VBC’s flagship program, Today Arcana.

 

The panel of experts had been speaking passionately for a while.

 

“Cue.”

 

At the same time as PD Hyun Yongseok’s signal, the data screen appeared.

 

Hyun Yongseok sighed as he took off his headset.

 

“Seriously, what should I do with you?”

 

Next to him was Yoon Jongjin, the camera director.

 

Yoon Jongjin scratched his head.

 

“No, sunbae. I really didn’t have time to think. Change your position and think about it. I was following the Gaon Guild. Oh, the castle suddenly collapsed? Not only that, there was a vibration! Lightning struck there!”

 

He closed his eyes.

 

Likewise, Hyun Yongseok gestured at him to continue.

 

Then, excuses that were not excuses followed.

 

“Wow, I thought I was going to die like this. Either I died like this or I died because I missed the scoop. So I ran anyway. I ran… That’s where Jessie Heinness was. But for some reason, the silver hair from back then was there?”

 

“So.”

 

“I felt my heart drop. How much did I have ruined it with him? I missed him during Berserker, and the central square battle broke out right away. I couldn’t miss this opportunity. This time, I would do my best to get an interview. So…”

 

“So?”

 

So this is all he got?

 

[I’m Lee Hoyeol.]

 

Hyun Yongseok’s inside was burning.

 

It was a rare opportunity.

 

But who could he blame?

 

“…Yes, you must have been in no good state of mind to ask properly.”

 

Who would have thought that the man would only say his real name there!?

 

Accessing Arcana’s official website.

 

No matter how much he searched on the ranking page, there was no result.

 

About the player named ‘Lee Hoyeol’.

 

Of course, he was there.

 

But it was just the same name.

 

In other words, he wasn’t really ‘Lee Hoyeol’.

 

“…What the hell is he, seriously?”

 

How many incidents involving Lee Hoyeol in the new rupture alone?

 

From the first clear of the new rupture with the Berserker Guild.

 

A joint front with Gaon and Inazuma.

 

Even the raid of Count Ascura with Jessie Heinness.

 

Even just one of these incidents alone could have boosted his stock price tremendously.

 

From nameless to ranker.

 

No, more than that.

 

He could have raised his price.

 

But the only words he left were…

 

[Get out of my way. My patience is at its limit.]

 

[I can’t find any formalities.]

 

[So I won’t take any questions.]

 

[I’m Lee Hoyeol.]

 

That’s all!

 

Even the name he revealed was not his Arcana nickname, but his real name or alias.

 

He had seen all kinds of celebrities and players while rolling at broadcasting stations.

 

“It’s my first time seeing it, too. I should stop blaming you.”

 

Yes, Hyun Yongseok wasn’t the only one seeing it for the first time.

 

The players were no different.

 

*

 

“Hyung. I think it’s a relief though.”

 

“…What are you relieved about?”

 

Hoyeol’s stock price had soared to the ceiling.

 

He realized that it was practically impossible for Gaon to embrace Hoyeol.

 

Nam Cheolmin was lying on the sofa with a sense of loss.

 

Nam Taemin shrugged at his brother.

 

“Your eyes that see people. Doesn’t that mean it’s still alive?”

 

“What? I didn’t expect him to be that great either.”

 

“No, he’s out of common sense, so it’s not your fault.”

 

However, Hoyeol’s recruitment war was not over yet.

 

Nam Taemin took out his smartphone.

 

“Even if the odds are low, we have the most advantage. We have Hoyeol’s number. And we also have an excuse to approach him formally.”

 

“…An excuse, is it?”

 

“Well, the loot acquired in the battle of the central square.”

 

The knights of Count Ascura who they had defeated in the central square.

 

Gaon had acquired loot from them.

 

It was half-shared with Inazuma.

 

Still, its quantity and quality were significant.

 

“If it weren’t for Hoyeol’s performance, we wouldn’t have been able to get the loot. I’m going to share the loot as much as he deserved. Isn’t that polite and formal?”

 

Nam Cheolmin agonized.

 

From his perspective.

 

Hoyeol was not a figure influenced by money.

 

He could tell just from looking at his moves so far.

 

But this was a good excuse.

 

Soon, Nam Cheolmin’s eyes burned again.

 

“…Taemin. From now on, you are the hyung.”

 

Guild, Shining.

 

Camilla asked, smoothing her red curls.

 

“Jessie. You really don’t know anything~?”

 

“Nope.”

 

“Are you really going to keep pretending?”

 

Camilla knew Jessie’s ability better than anyone else.

 

The chosen mage.

 

Because she had been watching Jessie’s firepower closer than anyone else.

 

Nevertheless, this raid of Count Ascura was almost impossible.

 

“I don’t know. Don’t ask me.”

 

Persistent questions.

 

Jessie didn’t tell anyone what she had seen.

 

Because that was a ‘courtesy’ for Hoyeol.

 

Camilla sighed and raised her hands.

 

“I give up. I won’t ask you anymore. Don’t speak so coldly~”

 

Anyway, what has she been looking at so diligently?

 

Jessie was staring at the tablet PC.

 

Glance–

 

The archer’s broad sight.

 

Camilla, who checked the screen, said as if she was dumbfounded.

 

“Korean greeting? Navel bow? Why are you watching that?”

 

The world was only talking about ‘Lee Hoyeol’.

 

Not to mention in his home country, South Korea.

 

So it was only a matter of time before they found out.

 

“Huh?”

 

Bulge–

 

Chubby cheeks.

 

Braided hair.

 

A dainty finger pointed at the TV screen.

 

Smile–

 

Then, with a bright face, she desperately looked for her mother.

 

“Mom. It’s Uncle Hoyeol!!”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Whiing–

 

I looked at the vibrating smartphone and thought.

 

The time has finally come.

 

When I checked the sender, it was my sister number 3.

 

But I knew.

 

The moment I answered this call.

 

That the voices of No. 1, 2, and 3 would pop out at the same time.

 

It was a strange thing to think about.

 

When they were young, they couldn’t not fight each other.

 

Maybe because they were getting older.

 

Now they couldn’t live without each other.

 

Therefore.

 

Whether it was in the past or now, it was me who suffered.

 

I pressed the call button.

 

Sure enough, I could hear the cool voice of No. 1.

 

– Hey, Lee Ho Yeol. Don’t you have anything to tell us?

 

I have a lot to say.

 

“Calm down, my sisters.”

 

…First of all, let’s start with this way of speaking.