Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 66 - Mage Tower (3)

Clink–

 

The sound of a tilting teacup echoed in the lab.

 

Marcelo savored the tea and let out a small sigh.

 

“Well, I think I know why you like it.”

 

Even if it was a guest service, it was just a green tea bag.

 

That attitude made me feel awkward.

 

Of course, I replied back without expressing it in the slightest.

 

“True value does not lie in its worth and rarity.”

 

It’s just a green tea bag that costs 200 won each…!

 

At this point, the person who listened to it silently was also a problem.

 

I mean, I.

 

I am showing off my dark history like this in real-time.

 

“You say a lot of things to think about.”

 

I am just chiming in, what do you mean?

 

Of course, Marcelo didn’t come to me to nod at my nonsense.

 

I grasped his intention through the flashing quest window.

 

– Accept Marcelo’s offer. (Successful)

 

– Demonstrate your ability. (Successful)

 

– Chief’s weight (Repeat) ▼

 

– Approach oddities (In progress)

 

A newly created quest goal.

 

Oddities.

 

If it was oddities, it was probably referring to bizarre things.

 

I knew but I didn’t open my mouth first.

 

Then Marcelo, who put down his teacup, started talking.

 

“As you may have guessed, there are unavoidable circumstances in the Mage Tower.”

 

…What?

 

You’re talking about this right away?

 

Although I knew Marcelo’s personality well.

 

He really had no brakes.

 

“But I’m sorry. I can’t tell you about the situation at this time. It’s because I’m just guessing the situation by myself. In short, it has not been verified.”

 

Marcelo laughed bitterly.

 

A skinny face without any flesh.

 

In addition, perhaps because he didn’t usually show his emotions on his face.

 

I felt a complex emotion from that bitter smile.

 

Clink–

 

I slowly tilted my teacup.

 

“I understand how you feel.”

 

“Thank you for your understanding.”

 

“What is your real business?”

 

“…You already guess it. As expected, I can’t hide anything.”

 

It wasn’t me, it was the quest window, but anyway.

 

It wasn’t the point.

 

I concentrated on Marcelo’s words that followed.

 

To sum up the point, it was like this.

 

“Magic and science, the fusion of two completely different concepts. I decided to call that advanced magic ‘Oddity’.”

 

So that’s what [『Oddity』] meant.

 

In that case, I could guess the newly created quest goal.

 

“New concepts need to be verified.”

 

To me, Grandfel’s magical talent.

 

It contained Lee Hoyeol’s scientific knowledge.

 

Because I was able to accept the two concepts without difficulty.

 

It wasn’t difficult for me to utilize oddity.

 

But other mages were different.

 

From Marcelo, who was the chief, all of them were having a hard time.

 

‘It means that we have to build from the basics.’

 

Of course, it was a process that I didn’t need.

 

But isn’t this a quest?

 

While conducting the quest, I might be able to learn about the ‘unavoidable circumstances of the Mage Tower’.

 

“Where do you need my help?”

 

Marcelo answered my question politely.

 

“I’m sorry to be indebted to you over and over again.”

 

His next words startled me.

 

“I want you to investigate the rupture.”

 

…Rupture?

 

He must have meant the rupture I knew.

 

The rupture where the monsters popped out.

 

So, what’s oddity got to do with the rupture?

 

I was shocked for a moment.

 

“…!”

 

Then something flashed in my mind.

 

‘…No, ruptures are also like oddities.’

 

Oddity was the fusion of two completely different concepts.

 

The ruptures were also of two completely different worlds.

 

A space where reality and Arcana were mixed.

 

I recalled a rupture landscape.

 

A landscape that seemed to have mixed the subway and gnoll’s habitat.

 

Yes, that landscape was [『odd』].

 

I opened my mouth right away.

 

“I understand what you mean, Marcelo.”

 

“The rupture is of two worlds… Yes? Y-You understand?”

 

At the same time, the quest goal was updated.

 

– Approach the oddities (In progress) ▼

 

• Attack the ruptures. (Repeat)

 

“I don’t think I can find out much right away. However, if I can obtain even a little bit of information about the rupture. Then I am sure that we will make great progress in our quest for oddities.”

 

A quest to keep this loose pride on edge.

 

I would have to be fully prepared not to sink.

 

Warming up was a must.

 

In order to struggle diligently.

 

That alone might not be enough.

 

Class, demon hunter.

 

If I didn’t have a [Natural Enemy Relationship], I wouldn’t be a crazy person, I’d be just a screwed-up guy.

 

That’s why I decided to fully prepare. Well, I didn’t have to struggle with my bare body, right?

 

‘Elixir, potion, item, etc…’

 

Well, whatever I could use.

 

I had to use it as much as I could.

 

That’s my way too.

 

Marcelo said to me.

 

“I can’t accompany you, but attacking the rupture is also part of the research. No, it’s not simply just research, it’s the same as the first step towards the truth. If you need anything, please ask the Mage Tower.”

 

…’Anything’.

 

At this point, I was curious.

 

What did he think I was going to ask for from the Mage Tower?

 

‘Should I ask him ‘anything’ for real?’

 

Really, should I show him what it means to uproot a pillar?

 

Should I tell him that he can’t easily take back words he has spit out?

 

I thought hard about it and gave up.

 

Damn it, integrity.

 

As long as Grandfel had his eyes wide open.

 

I wouldn’t be able to be greedy.

 

But greed and full preparation were starkly different.

 

I should keep the support of the Mage Tower as much as possible.

 

Clink–

 

I stopped worrying and held up the teacup to Marcelo.

 

“Well, let’s finish this.”

 

“It smells very good. What’s the name of the tea?”

 

“They call it green tea.”

 

“Green tea…”

 

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have a stock to share with you.”

 

“Ah, I didn’t mean…”

 

“But now that we have rocket delivery, it doesn’t matter.”

 

“…Rocket delivery?”

 

“Just green tea and brown rice tea. Which one do you want?”

 

“…What’s the difference between the two?”

 

*

Access of [『oddity』].

 

The rupture attack that would be the basis of it.

 

The first step in that preparation process was getting to know myself.

 

'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.' ^[1] ‘If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles’ is a famous quote by Sun Tzu.

 

Well, I said it grandly.

 

But I was just checking the inventory.

 

The demon king, Decarabia.

 

There were three items that were offered as sacrifices during the exorcism ritual for that guy.

 

[Ghostly Sword]

 

[Lady’s Jewelry box]

 

[Strangled Necktie]

 

These demon’s items.

 

They became purified when I defeated Decarabia.

 

I looked at those items with my aesthetic sense.

 

“Not bad.”

 

I had picked these items myself at the auction.

 

Of course, I had chosen them strictly.

 

The most important thing was the level restriction.

 

‘Even if I have a lot of money, it’s not a waste if I use it properly.’

 

I first checked the information on the sword.

 

[An Unknown Blacksmith’s Posthumous Work – Long Sword]

 

[Grade: Unique]

 

[Restriction: Lv.280]

 

[Effect: When attacking, there’s a high chance of the status abnormality ‘bleeding’ occurring on the opponent.]

 

[Description: This is the last work of a blacksmith. It was only after the lingering feelings of resentment disappeared that it regained its true value.]

 

…I didn’t expect much, but it was unexpected.

 

It was a skill level I wouldn’t have thought of when it was still [Ghostly Sword].

 

Above all, it was a unique-grade long sword.

 

Regardless of the effectiveness, just the basic performance alone…

 

How many times did I get the purchase price?

 

‘I can finally stop using the training longsword.’

 

Training longsword.

 

[Knights of Lionheart–Training Longsword] that I had kept in the process.

 

I acquired an item with much better performance than that.

 

Now I could take off my beginner title.

 

Satisfied, I checked the information on the jewelry box.

 

[Jewelry Box Filled with Warmth]

 

[Grade: Unique]

 

[Restriction: None]

 

[Effect: Grants ‘warmth’ to stored accessories for a certain period of time.]

 

[Description: A jewel box handed down in noble families. A mother’s heart for her daughter has been passed down from generation to generation.]

 

Wait, it had a unique grade, too?

 

At this point, I couldn’t help but feel shocked.

 

Do I perhaps have good eyes for such things?

 

‘It is an item that applies buffs to accessories.’

 

A fairly unusual form of item.

 

[Warm] buff.

 

Just looking at it, nothing came to mind.

 

Well, it was a buff effect.

 

Maybe I could check it out later.

 

Finally, I picked up the tie.

 

[Luxury Item – Duke Swalin’s Cherished Item]

 

[Grade: Unique]

 

[Restriction: Lv.250]

 

[Effect: When equipped, slightly increase mana regeneration / slightly increase the aesthetic stat]

 

[Description: Duke Swalin’s necktie. It had a curse befitting its complicated story, but now it’s so valuable that it is worth being stored in a museum after being purified.]

 

This time, it wasn’t just unique. It was a luxury item?

 

Now I was certain.

 

I had a natural talent for auctions.

 

‘It’s not exactly mine, it’s Grandfel’s talent.’

 

His aesthetic sense must have evaluated even the original value of the item hidden by the curse.

 

If I had this aesthetic sense, I wouldn’t die of starvation.

 

That’s what I thought.

 

‘How many times has this?’

 

I’d earned more than I’d bought.

 

Of course, there was no change in my emotions.

 

To be swayed by this kind of petty gain.

 

Grandfel’s heart was too vast for that.

 

I calmly put on the necktie.

 

Indeed, the modifier ‘luxury’ didn’t come out for no reason.

 

‘Though it’s inferior to masterpieces.’

 

Luxury goods were also one of the items that could be recognized for their value just by having modifiers attached to them.

 

The effect was also simple, but I desperately needed it.

 

‘Slight increase in mana regeneration.’

 

The increase was in a small amount, so it wouldn’t have much effect.

 

But it was more useful than the brooch.

 

[Effect: Restores 10% of the mana you consume.]

 

It increased mana regeneration without such conditions?

 

It meant that it would slightly increase mana regeneration.

 

Regardless of whether during battle or while resting.

 

[Aesthetic] stat was still in [low] grade, but…

 

‘This is great.’

 

For my first purchase at the auction house, it was a great achievement.

 

In addition, I didn’t forget the [Necklace of Noble Promise] I obtained during Count Ascura’s rupture.

 

An item with level 300 restriction.

 

I wondered if I could wear this.

 

There were only five levels left until I reached level 300.

 

I checked my reflection in the mirror.

 

‘Suit, handkerchief, tie…’

 

I looked more formal than before.

 

As if the outfit wasn’t enough. Silver hair.

 

It could feel foreign.

 

However.

 

I didn’t feel anything strange from the me in the mirror.

 

I looked in the mirror and murmured.

 

“This is me, too.”

 

Grandfel, my past and dark history.

 

These disparate feelings as well.

 

They were part of the process of overcoming my dark history.

 

Knowing that fact, I didn’t hesitate.

 

I immediately headed to the Yusra Kingdom through the portal.

 

To target the new ruptures created in the Yusra Kingdom.

 

“I don’t know who it is, but that confidence is great.”

 

Whose land is that…

 

No, I don’t even know whose ‘authority’ I am under.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Ruptures appeared in the Yusra Kindom.

 

There was nothing special about the fact.

 

The number of new updated ruptures just increased.

 

It was Nam Taemin who delivered this information.

 

“The number of ruptures simply increased. One of those ruptures appeared near the Yusra Kingdom. And this is something only me and my brother know…”

 

I looked at Nam Taemin whispering beside me.

 

…Is it okay to tell me such an important thing?

 

Of course, I felt grateful.

 

Who is Nam Taemin?

 

Guild Master of Gaon, Korea’s strongest player and 3rd in the player ranking.

 

The information and rumors that Nam Taemin obtained.

 

They were high-quality information that I had no hope of knowing.

 

“That’s an interesting story.”

 

And there was me who took that favor for granted.

 

At my reply, Nam Taemin continued to talk.

 

“Inazuma has cut off their connection with the Japanese government! In fact, the Japanese government has no justification or reason to claim its rights to Frost.”

 

Among the high-level information.

 

The story about Frost was particularly important.

 

Because I had the ‘authority’ function in Frost.

 

Until now, I thought Frost’s residents would need some time to come to terms with the situation.

 

I hadn’t stepped up, but now I had no choice but to move slowly.

 

‘I can’t just sit back and watch that situation forever.’

 

After the subjugation of Demon King Decarabia.

 

The Japanese government had been really persistent.

 

They claimed their right to Frost for all kinds of reasons, citing the fact that they had Frost on their territory. So I couldn’t help but feel surprised.

 

“Hisagi Kazuma. There’s no way that guy would do that for no reason.”

 

I didn’t expect Inazuma to turn against the Japanese government.

 

Nam Taemin also seemed doubtful.

 

‘Of course, it’s none of my business.’

 

…Just some time ago, I thought like that and let it be.

 

“I’m here to meet Lee Hoyeol-nim!”

 

Including Hisagi Kazuma.

 

All the Inazuma Guild members were waiting for me.

 

Lining up in two rows in front of the Golden Palace.

 

For a moment.

 

I tried to roll my brain.

 

Why did they come to me, to the Yusra Kingdom?

 

Is it because of the information I heard from Nam Taemin?

 

I had a rough idea of their intention.

 

However.

 

“I’m afraid.”

 

When in Roma, do as the Romans do.

 

“I don’t have meetings that aren’t appointed beforehand.”

 

“…!!!”

 

No matter who it was.

 

No matter what the circumstances were.

 

Keeping the formalities and procedures was my priority.

• 1. ‘If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles’ is a famous quote by Sun Tzu.