Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 234 - Surreal

The ethereal iron’s name changed from the question mark.

 

[Sword that Cuts Through Illusions: Illusion Breaker]

 

[Grade: Legend]

 

Let’s say that it had a different name because it was a legend-grade item.

 

But, Illusion Breaker, you said?

 

Who did you learn this naming sense from?

 

“That doesn’t sound too bad either.”

 

…They say children are the mirror of their parents.

 

Who else could it be.

 

It must have learned from me, from Grandfel.

 

Fortunately, I wasn’t the one who made the name, so I felt less ashamed. Well, if I heard it without knowing the context, it sounded like a plausible name.

 

There was another reason why I was shocked.

 

[Restriction: Unknown]

 

[Effect: When fighting with ‘Prototype’, destructive power increases significantly.]

 

[Description: Ego Sword with a noble ego]

 

The only thing that had changed was the effect.

 

The effect was unusual.

 

In Arcana, effects that were effective only on specific targets were not uncommon.

 

Well, the demon hunter’s unique skill [Natural Enemy Relationship] also worked like that.

 

The problem was…

 

‘When fighting a prototype.’

 

That was the part.

 

They only existed on the continent of Arcana.

 

Having an unthinkably alien appearance.

 

Monsters in the form of prototypes were uncommon.

 

Not just that, it was my first time seeing it here.

 

– For this moment, I will be reborn as the ‘Sword that Cuts Through Illusions.’

 

Nevertheless, as the ethereal iron said, he changed to suit the situation.

 

It wasn’t just an ordinary change either.

 

It had the tremendous effect of drastically increasing destructive power.

 

I looked at the ethereal iron.

 

It was getting scary at this point.

 

‘…This is a legend-grade item.’

 

The moment I got my hands on the ethereal iron.

 

The achievements had been updated for the players as well.

 

At first, I thought it was just an attention seeker like the owner, so I took it lightly…

 

‘It’s really a legend for a reason.’

 

In that case, let’s be grateful.

 

– I finally feel it, my lord.

 

Such an amazing ego sword.

 

Even if it called me my lord all the time.

 

I let out a sigh of relief.

 

Maybe if we weren’t close enough.

 

‘I wouldn’t have been able to even see this effect.’

 

So at least for this moment.

 

Ethereal iron.

 

I will generously accept your exaggerated words.

 

– This is the form of cutting down illusions.

 

Sk–

 

Nothing changed in my swordsmanship.

 

What changed was not my body, but the effect of the ethereal iron, as well as the strength of my swinging forearm. The movement was at the same speed as before. Grandfel’s unique elegant movements also couldn’t be ignored.

 

But.

 

Slide.

 

The moment my jacket blurred half a beat later

 

Drop!

 

The prototype’s shoulder was cut off just like that.

 

Are you for real?

 

I cut out a thick piece of scrap metal. There was no feeling in my fingertips. If I had to compare it, it was just a sensation like cutting tofu with a sharp kitchen knife…!

 

It turned out like this.

 

“!”

 

Even Shegwin looked at me in amazement.

 

…Please don’t look at me like that.

 

I didn’t express it, but I was actually quite surprised.

 

– You cut it perfectly. The illusion.

 

…It’s good and all, but aren’t you rolling your tongue too much?

 

I was surprised again by the ethereal iron’s pronunciation.

 

I wondered.

 

It had been saying illusion this, illusion that since a while ago…

 

‘So that means the prototype is an illusion, right?’

 

Prototypes and illusions.

 

It seemed there was a story behind it.

 

That wasn’t important right now.

 

Now that part of its body had been cut off.

 

There was no way the giant prototype would just accept getting hit.

 

As expected.

 

Jiiiing─

 

Its pattern changed.

 

Just the fact that it had a pattern meant that it was at least a named mob.

 

Indeed, the intensity of the light gathering near its head was unusual.

 

I roughly estimated in my head.

 

‘It’s impossible to block it with a magic shield.’

 

Pure magic, magic shield.

 

Literally, it was magic to create a shield using magic power.

 

The interference process didn’t require much effort.

 

So it was a defensive magic that most mages used in emergencies.

 

However, putting aside the effect.

 

‘The problem is that it requires an extreme amount of mana.’

 

Of course, I didn’t have to worry about mana consumption.

 

However, it would be best not to ever think about taking the easy way with the [Blessing of the First World Tree] effect. Above all, our proud Grandfel didn’t like the effect of the blessing.

 

So I recited.

 

“Are you ready?”

 

The ethereal iron’s new name.

 

“Illusion Breaker.”

 

If someone found out in the future, it would be quite an embarrassing sight.

 

Grandfel Claudie Arpheus Romeo’s cherished sword.

 

Illusion Breaker.

 

‘…Its wording is too different from Shegwin’s Atlas.’

 

Let’s be thankful that Shegwin was the only one watching this.

 

I raised the ethereal iron.

 

No, the Illusion Breaker.

 

[Effect: When fighting with ‘Prototype’, destructive power increases significantly.]

 

Thanks to experiencing, both physically and mentally, the aftermath of the greatly increased luck brought about by the Siren’s blessing. I was fully aware of the effects of the significant increase.

 

So I looked straight at it.

 

The giant prototype.

 

It poured out rays of light.

 

“!”

 

I would breakthrough it head-on.

 

It was a response that could be said to be the exact opposite of Shegwin, who sensed the scent and neutralized the prototype from its head.

 

But I was confident.

 

– Of course, Master.

 

Illusion Breaker felt the same.

 

Sk–

 

So, I swung my sword at the pouring beam of light.

 

A horizontal line was drawn with the trajectory of the sword.

 

Then the beam of light split in half along the line.

 

Shaa–-

 

It shattered and disappeared.

 

Really.

 

It was like a fleeting illusion.

 

With only a flash in front of my eyes.

 

[Transcendent: Your transcendent state is enough for you to be called a transcendent. – Current achievements reached: Circle (1,000% increase in all magic manifestations) / Incomplete Quick Sword Technique / None / None…]

 

“I will not ignore anything on the path I have walked.”

 

[Incomplete Quick Sword Technique] sparkled as if in response.

 

Soon, the letters become distorted and change into something new.

 

I continued.

 

“Because that’s my sword path.”

 

[Swordpath of Pride (Currently Liberated Path: 1st Path)]

 

Crack–!

 

At the same time, the giant prototype collapsed.

 

I turned away and looked at Shegwin.

 

At Shegwin’s mesmerized face, I continued.

 

“It was a good match, Shegwin.”

 

I won again this time.

 

*

 

Great Alliance.

 

The three were bickering again today.

 

The reason was serious in its own way.

 

“Of course, we have to resolve this issue ourselves!”

 

“Are you confident?”

 

“Snake Eye-ssi, since when did we start talking about confidence?”

 

Nam Taemin continued to speak in a grim voice.

 

“Live by pride, and die by pride.”

 

Leonie unconciously muttered.

 

“Crazy guy.”

 

This was how the incident started.

 

After hearing about Hoyeol’s week-long vacation, they hunted monsters in the Zero Mountains and worked on leveling up as always.

 

Then they discovered it.

 

[Dungeon: Exciting Troll’s Hideout]

 

[Recommended level: Lv.700]

 

[Collapse progress: 0%]

 

Hundred Thousand Caves in the Zero Mountains.

 

One of them.

 

Among the players, excluding Hoyeol, this was the fifth.

 

The recommended level was 700.

 

If it were in the past, there would have been no dispute like it was now.

 

For three people on level 500-ish, this dungeon was too difficult for them.

 

However.

 

“Imagine if Hoyeol-ssi has to move because we couldn’t clear a level-700 dungeon. Isn’t it inefficient? He’s on a vacation too.”

 

They couldn’t be indebted to Hoyeol forever.

 

He knew his place so he said this.

 

Even before the establishment of the Great Alliance.

 

Gaon, Inazuma, Busker.

 

Those three put their guilds at the top of the rankings.

 

“I am not being conceited. Think about the enemies we’ve faced. From the demon kings to the demon army commanders. If you think about the difficulty level, they would be several times higher than level-700 dungeon.”

 

“For the first time in a while, you said something that made sense.”

 

“No, I didn’t say you were wrong.”

 

“What, you didn’t? Then what were you muttering about?”

 

She muttered that because he added pride at the end of every word…

 

‘I said that because I thought I too would be infected with pride!’

 

If it was just Nam Taemin alone, she could have just ignored him.

 

Even Hisagi had a hard time with Nam Taemin in the face of pride.

 

As for pure opinion, Leonie had no reason to object.

 

“No, whatever. It’s not a big deal.”

 

“What’s with that, boring.”

 

“Don’t mind it.”

 

Above all, they were not the only ones who had discovered a cave.

 

If there had been no information prior, they would have thought twice about it, but…

 

Now that they knew the cave was not much different from the rupture.

 

“Then, we just decide to prepare and enter.”

 

There was no reason to hesitate.

 

Above all, the caves were easier to enter and retreat from than the ruptures.

 

Being able to respond quickly to emergency situations was also a big advantage.

 

Hisagi muttered as he glanced at the cave with his snake eyes.

 

“Of course, that shouldn’t happen.”

 

Leonie gave Hisagi a sharp glance.

 

“…Wow, the way you talk has changed now.”

 

Shake–

 

She shook her head and took out her smartphone.

 

It was to convey this news to Schraig as well.

 

Second Sun could be said to be an ally.

 

Besides that.

 

“Oh, Skal. Him, too.”

 

There was one more person infected with pride.

 

The moment Leonie tried to send an additional message.

 

Ring–

 

There was no need to say who got it first.

 

Three people’s notifications went off at the same time.

 

“…!!!”

 

Arcana official website notification.

 

“What day is it today?”

 

“First of all, it’s not Thursday.”

 

“Sigh.”

 

It was not Thursday.

 

What it meant was simple.

 

It was unscheduled emergency news.

 

“Of all time, it has to be on Hoyeol-ssi’s first day of vacation…!!!”

 

This time, he submitted a leave of absence to two places.

 

Mage Tower and Yusra Kingdom.

 

Nam Taemin breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Hoyeol could finally get some proper rest. How come an emergency occurred as if it had been waiting for this moment?

 

“This is against formality!”

 

Stubbornly.

 

Nam Taemin gritted his teeth and accessed the official website of Arcana.

 

As expected of the information analyst. He received a call from Nam Cheolmin.

 

“Hyung! What’s going on? What is this notification about?”

 

– I-It’s a bit hard to explain in words…!

 

“Eh? What? Isn’t it an urgent update?”

 

It was a post uploaded to the Arcana website, weren’t there only the regular updates or the emergency updates posted on Thursdays?

 

Nam Taemin’s question didn’t last long.

 

– It’s not an update, it’s a video!

 

“…!”

 

He forgot.

 

After the Cataclysm.

 

The only video uploaded to the Arcana official website was the Colosseum duel between Hoyeol and Sword Saint Shegwin.

 

Thanks to that, Nam Taemin asked right away.

 

“No way. Is it Hoyeol-ssi again?”

 

– Yeah, that’s right.

 

“Ha.”

 

As expected, there was no way he submitted a leave of absence for no reason.

 

Nam Taemin went directly to the Arcana website.

 

He played the video.

 

Two people flocked to Nam Taemin’s side.

 

“…What are you doing?”

 

“I have no battery.”

 

“I’ve used up all my data.”

 

“…You make a lot of money, so spend them.”

 

Whether he liked it or not.

 

The three of them had no choice but to put their heads together and look at the screen.

 

A question mark appeared on their faces.

 

No, Hoyeol-ssi…?

 

“…Where else is this?”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Arcana official website.

 

The identity of the uploaded video was a CCTV recording.

 

Since it was a video featuring Hoyeol, wouldn’t the uploaded video be as great as the duel between him and Sword Saint Shegwin? Those who played the video with high expectations fell into doubt.

 

– It’s not even a rupture, it’s just like a building???

 

– ㄹㅇㅋㅋ

 

– But doesn’t it look like a lab? It’s all white

 

– Now that you say that I feel the same too ㅇㅇ

 

But at the same time.

 

An emergency had been issued at the AAU.

 

The atmosphere was intense.

 

“…Why so serious?”

 

Sung Hyunjoon, who returned to his seat after escaping from Park Minjae’s chatter, was stunned.

 

The CCTV footage of the General Manager was uploaded to the official website. It was definitely unexpected.

 

“But it’s not serious enough to cause such an uproar, right, sunbae?”

 

He was hoping for an agreement.

 

But Yoon Sookyum’s expression was also extremely serious.

 

Yoon Sookyum looked at Sung Hyunjoon and opened his mouth.

 

“Hyunjoon, you have to recognize it.”

 

“Yes? What do you mean, sunbae?”

 

“First of all, lower your voice.”

 

The office was very noisy.

 

Any conversation would be buried.

 

Nevertheless, Yoon Sookyum continued in a low voice.

 

He pointed at the video that came up on the monitor.

 

“The structure is the same.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“That building where the General Manager is.”

 

Was he talking about that all-white laboratory-like building?

 

Gulp–

 

Yoon Sookyum swallowed and continued.

 

“The structure is the same as the headquarters.”

 

“Headquarters? Which headquarters?”

 

“Cosmo Headquarters back in the days before the Cataclysm.”

 

“…Yes? Y-Yees?!”

 

What it meant was simple.

 

At the same time as Sung Hyunjoon noticed it.

 

Outcries erupted everywhere.

 

“No, It hasn’t even been an hour yet, right?”

 

“In that period of time, he figured out Raymond Sean’s location and went to find him!”

 

“Really, I don’t know what will happen either. Right now.”

 

He heard a low voice amidst the commotion.

 

“At this point, there’s no longer any reason for us to whisper among ourselves.”

 

“Branch Manager…!”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Park Minjae came running from the branch manager’s office.

 

His tie was roughly loosened.

 

Park Minjae looked at Hoyeol’s video on the monitor.

 

Although he knew Hoyeol would make it.

 

He didn’t expect him to do it so quickly.

 

Park Minjae murmured in a small voice.

 

“…But that bastard.”

 

That bastard, Raymond Sean.

 

Since he was such a nasty guy, it wouldn’t be strange if he hid his meeting with Hoyeol. But who would have thought that the image of Hoyeol recorded on CCTV would be posted on the Arcana website?

 

“What are you thinking?”

 

Really, Park Minjae couldn’t predict his intentions.

 

But that wasn’t the only thing that he couldn’t predict.

 

The video played continuously.

 

“…Wait a minute, Branch Manager?”

 

The floor of the building was twisted.

 

The stairs were floating in the air.

 

Hoyeol calmly went down the stairs.

 

“What are those monsters?”

 

Soon, hundreds of prototypes surrounded the nearby area.

 

However, the siege was useless.

 

Soon.

 

“T-They’re kneeling!”

 

The prototypes were kneeling as if worshipping Hoyeol.

 

It must be surprising.

 

His stride stretched straight without wavering.

 

How many more stairs did he have to go down?

 

Hoyeol raised a torch.

 

In the blaze of the torch that gradually intensified.

 

“T-That! That’s the Sword Saint, right?!”

 

The Sword Saint, Shegwin, appeared.

 

“Sunbae, what am I looking at right now…?”

 

Indeed.

 

The series of scenes were extraordinary.

 

It even made them forget Raymond’s ulterior motives.

 

As someone who had experience since Cosmo.

 

Park Minjae shouldn’t be swayed more than anyone else.

 

But at this moment, Park Minjae was more surprised than anyone else in the office.

 

“…A giant prototype.”

 

Park Minjae knew what it was.

 

Before the official opening of Arcana Continent Record.

 

It was a temporary monster during beta testing.

 

The exact name was [Prototype Model: D].

 

D in the model name stood for ‘Dragon’.

 

Park Minjae stuttered.

 

“Uh, how did he block a dragon’s breath with just a sword…!?”

 

With the swordpath of pride, it was the most splendid debut moment.