Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 69 - Akshan's Legacy (3)

[Quest: Break Through the Trap]

 

Reach the portal and avoid elaborate traps.

 

Rewards will follow according to the ranking.

 

– Current ranking

 

• 1st place: 1 minute 01 seconds

 

• 2nd place: 4 minutes 41 seconds

 

• 3rd place: 4 minutes and 50 seconds

 

The [Break Through the Trap] quest.

 

The reward for my rank.

 

It was a reward that helped me directly with the next quest, the [Tournament] quest.

 

When I checked my inventory, one small mechanical device caught my eye.

 

[Qirnberg’s Elevating Lever – 3rd Floor]

 

[Grade: Unique]

 

[Restriction: None]

 

[Effect: When used in a tournament, acquires 9 points.]

 

[Description: An elevating lever that can be used in the center of the Qirnberg Machine Tower. When combined with a mechanical device, you can climb to the third floor at once. It looks simple, but it’s a considerable technology.]

 

To think I could win 3 matches at once!

 

Considering the goal of the [Tournament] quest was 30 points.

 

The effect of the item was great in its own way.

 

But I didn’t fall for it.

 

‘Is this the only reward for my loneliness?’

 

What’s the point of giving me 9 points?

 

There would be three people on the team I would meet.

 

Even if you gave me points, I would just squander them.

 

So I rolled my brain.

 

…I will struggle until the end.

 

I wouldn’t waste anything.

 

I would bring everything I had and didn’t have.

 

Following my motto.

 

It also meant that I didn’t just carelessly read the message in the description window.

 

‘It looks simple, but it’s a considerable technology…’

 

If I was Lee Hoyeol the liberal arts graduate, I would have just skipped it.

 

I took a quick look at the mechanism.

 

It was more complicated than it looked. I  definitely would have let it be.

 

But Grandfel wouldn’t.

 

If he opened a magic book.

 

He would have to read it until the end even if he had to stay up all night.

 

When he picked up a sword, he didn’t stop training until he was exhausted.

 

Would Grandfel’s body just pass it by after seeing this explanation?

 

“Interesting.”

 

It was impossible.

 

It really was.

 

[Qirnberg Elevating Lever – 3rd Floor].

 

I didn’t use the item right away.

 

As I stood upright on the mechanical device.

 

I began to explore it in that posture.

 

“A complicated circuit. This sophisticated technology embodies it.”

 

Grandfel’s talent and aesthetic sense were telling me.

 

“It’s great.”

 

I didn’t know who the creator was, but this was really something out of the ordinary.

 

The exploration process would have ended in no time if it had been a regular target.

 

However, as I said, the lever was extremely complex and sophisticated.

 

It had dozens of types of minerals.

 

The design of each part was also perfect, giving me goosebumps.

 

“It’s a great magic tool.”

 

The long exploration was over.

 

I made that assessment.

 

I was so focused that my eyes became sore.

 

‘If it weren’t for the win-loss system, I probably would have been eliminated.’

 

I was so distracted by the levers that I wouldn’t even be able to fight back properly.

 

But this talent was good.

 

Anyway, I was done with the exploration process.

 

Thanks to that.

 

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

 

Following the formality.

 

I confidently greeted my opponent.

 

The source of that confidence?

 

It was simple.

 

‘I know the basic structure and circuit.’

 

From the magic manifestation.

 

I had completed the exploration that took the most effort.

 

I could interfere with the Qirnberg Machine Tower from now on.

 

Like when I interfered with the rocks which I had finished exploring.

 

In other words, I could interfere with the mechanical devices within my sight.

 

Therefore.

 

“You don’t seem to intend to say hello.”

 

I didn’t know why they were making that face.

 

They were making a big mistake.

 

‘You refuse my polite greeting.’

 

Grandfel’s feelings about the disrespectful courtesy.

 

My attitude towards the quest rewards.

 

The moment those two opinions coincided.

 

I didn’t hesitate.

 

I raised my mana.

 

Win or lose was determined by occupying the cogwheel that rose in the center. I didn’t know about matches, but this game would end when I took care of the cogs.

 

The probability that I would lose when interfering with the Machine Tower’s area?

 

‘I can just build a machine wall and take care of them.’

 

To be honest, I was confident that such probabilities didn’t exist.

 

“I accept defeat.”

 

…But what.

 

All of a sudden, they surrender?

 

I was startled.

 

Well, is there a discord within the team?

 

They looked so serious.

 

It seemed they had some circumstances, but it wasn’t my concern.

 

“I respect that decision.”

 

They might change their mind.

 

I took the cogwheel.

 

Up until then, I was still doubtful.

 

Clink–

 

Whiing–!

 

I watched the opponent team’s mechanical device descend.

 

It was only after checking the quest window that I realized it.

 

– Current points (win: +3p / loss: -2p)

 

• 1st place: 18p

 

• 2nd place: 13p

 

• 2nd place: 13p

 

I earned 3 points and achieved the sole lead.

 

If I calculated the 9 points I earned from [Qirnberg’s Elevating Lever – 3rd Floor]…

 

Just one more win.

 

If I won one more time, I would get 30 points.

 

I would be able to pass the [Tournament] quest with the first rank.

 

[Currently searching for suitable opponents…]

 

[An opponent with the same point exists on the ‘0’ team.]

 

[Waiting for the opposing team.]

 

Looking at the message that appeared, I thought.

 

‘Would they surrender?’

 

However, not only I won by default, I even won by abstention.

 

If I still wanted to have it easier than this, there was nothing I could say.

 

*

The two leading teams.

 

15p → 18p

 

15p → 13p

 

The moment their points were reversed.

 

Those who watched swallowed their saliva.

 

“First of all, one of them was Rox’s team, right?”

 

Guild Master of Shining, Rox.

 

Their team members, including Rox, didn’t stream or broadcast individually.

 

The fact that they were tied for the lead became known when the 4-win groups faced each other.

 

“I thought my heart was going to stop!”

 

The sense of pressure from Rox was vividly conveyed from the opposing team’s perspective!

 

2nd place in the player rankings.

 

One of the few 400-level players.

 

When Rox appeared.

 

Those who were watching couldn’t help but feel excited.

 

– Right, if Camilla is in there, Rox must be there as wellㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

– Seriously, I am envious of Rox’s teammatesㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

-ㄹㅇㅋㅋThere’s no other special bus like this.

 

As if to live up to their expectations.

 

Rox won the cogwheel with an overwhelming performance.

 

Even if the balance system was applied and the average level was met.

 

They couldn’t stop Rox.

 

“Phew. It’s really worth the experience point. Rox-nim.”

 

In the Arcana system, the higher the absolute level.

 

The experience required to level up also increased exponentially.

 

It was only natural that there was a difference in skill as much as the number of experience points.

 

“If you look at the members of the top teams. Each one has a top ranker. Rox, Camilla, and even our South Korean player Nam Taemin!”

 

Yes, as long as the balance system existed.

 

It would be impossible to strike a perfect balance.

 

Therefore, expectations were bound to grow even more.

 

“Then the other team is definitely Lee Hoyeol, right?”

 

The overwhelming force shown during the demon king raid, Decarabia.

 

There were some people who predicted Hoyeol’s level based on his performance.

 

However, there was no better opportunity to accurately gauge Hoyeol’s level as much as this time.

 

Clink–

 

“…Now, the mechanical device is starting to come down!”

 

A confrontation between the leading teams.

 

Indeed, who could have been defeated?

 

In the midst of the pouring of attention, he showed up.

 

“Rox?!”

 

It was Rox.

 

Rox dropped to a 13-point group with one record of losing.

 

The opposing team’s questions poured into Rox.

 

“Lee Hoyeol was up there, right!! Right?!”

 

“No, is it really Lee Hoyeol? Someone should have seen him.”

 

“…But why are all their faces like that?”

 

He had accumulated experience points as high as his level.

 

It meant he knew more than others.

 

As much as he had seen.

 

Rox’s shock didn’t go away easily.

 

‘Clearly, he was alone.’

 

Rox evaluated himself coolly.

 

Could he deal with three players by himself?

 

No, that was impossible.

 

Didn’t the balance system exist?

 

Rox wanted to ask.

 

‘There’s a recommended level in the rupture.’

 

[Qinberg Mechanical Tower ruptures].

 

The recommended level was 400.

 

And here.

 

The proper level of the center where the tournament took place was 450, higher than that. Most players didn’t even dare to step in.

 

‘At least level 300…’

 

No, that was a very low number, too.

 

Still, Rox couldn’t shake off his shock easily.

 

Then.

 

“Then, at minimum, Lee Hoyeol’s level is..?’

 

At a minimum, it might be 900.

 

Right after the Demon King Decarabia raid.

 

Rox had predicted Hoyeol’s level to be 700.

 

He thought he never underestimated it.

 

‘Even if I fell behind, it was too far behind.’

 

To think his level was 900.

 

It was a number that he didn’t even dare to think of catching up.

 

Compared to Hoyeol, he was far from enough.

 

Because he was one of the top rankers.

 

He knew the effort to raise each level.

 

Is that why?

 

He began to understand Hoyeol’s actions so far.

 

The only Honored One throughout Heaven and Earth ^[1] It’s apparently a Buddhist text. The literal translation is ‘Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the honored one’. .

 

The confident attitude.

 

The mental strength that casually ignored the demons’ status abnormalities.

 

Brilliant skills whose names he didn’t even know.

 

Last but not least, just now.

 

– I’ve been waiting for you.

 

Hoyeol even greeted him calmly.

 

‘…Thinking about it again, it wasn’t strange.’

 

Considering Hoyeol’s skill, it was all only natural.

 

He felt rather refreshed when he realized that fact.

 

The bigger the goal, the better

 

He finally felt like he had taken off clothes that didn’t fit.

 

‘Since when did I look down on others?’

 

Yeah, he was always from the bottom.

 

When climbing up from the bottom.

 

An underdog would feel more motivated.

 

Rox’s eyes changed.

 

“But it’s too early to give up.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“The rule is to get 30 points first.”

 

Although there was a huge wall called Hoyeol above.

 

He didn’t have to break down that wall.

 

He could score the same 3 points even if he knocked down other teams.

 

Perhaps noticing Rox’s meaning.

 

His team members also came back from shock.

 

“…That’s right! Lee Hoyeol has no choice but to wait for us!”

 

At least one team.

 

Until the opposing team achieved the same point.

 

He would have no choice but to stop there and wait.

 

Rox intended to use that system.

 

Rox smiled at his teammates.

 

“Isn’t that unfair? We are the only ones who feel the fear of Lee Hoyeol.”

 

“That’s right. I couldn’t put it into words. It was…”

 

“How can we say hello in that situation…!!”

 

Yes, at least they had to win 27 points.

 

However, the moment when there was only one win left.

 

They needed a strategy

 

When Hoyeol faced the team that scored 27 points.

 

They would also face another team that scored 27 points.

 

Get the victory before Hoyeol.

 

Achieve 30 points before Hoyeol.

 

‘This is the easiest way. No, this is the only way.’

 

Rather than expecting a victory in the match against Hoyeol.

 

Coordinating the points of the other teams was easier.

 

Rox raised his sword.

 

“N-No! Rox-ssi, we don’t want to fight…!”

 

They just asked questions, but instead of answering, he pulled out his sword.

 

Although the panicked players waved their hands.

 

Rox remained unshakable.

 

‘It’s my last chance.’

 

Now that he had guessed Hoyeol’s level.

 

Rox realized that the competition with Hoyeol was meaningless.

 

No matter what kind of ruptures or raids they had in the future.

 

It would be impossible to show greater performance than Hoyeol.

 

‘Maybe it’s my last chance to get ahead of Lee Hoyeol.’

 

Swoosh–

 

He couldn’t miss that precious opportunity.

 

Rox rushed towards the cog.

 

But Rox didn’t know.

 

That Hoyeol could get 9 points at once.

 

Due to the existence of [Qirnberg’s Elevating Lever].

 

What Hoyeol needed.

 

Was only 3 points.

 

And at the same time.

 

“You must have worked hard to come up here, but I’m sorry.”

 

Hoyeol had gotten the last cog!

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

As I was confident, I won the easy victory.

 

With a machine wall, I blocked players from moving 

 

I got the cog easily.

 

“…H-Hoyeol. Lee Hoyeol-ssi, are you alone?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“H-How could you get here alone…?!”

 

“Formalities and procedures have to be followed.”

 

“?!!”

 

After the previous surrender.

 

The players didn’t run wild this time either.

 

Even if I didn’t see it, their expression was the same.

 

‘Anyway, the result would have been the same.’

 

Well, even if they ran wild, they couldn’t break down the machine wall.

 

It was like an alloy wall mixed with dozens of minerals.

 

It was harder than a stone wall.

 

I got 21 points with this.

 

I didn’t hesitate.

 

[Qirnberg’s Elevating Lever – 3rd Floor].

 

Coupling the lever to the mechanical device.

 

Clink–!

 

I pulled the lever.

 

Wooo–!

 

The mechanical device began to rise at an alarming rate.

 

At the same time, a quest window flashed.

 

[Quest: Tournament]

 

A foothold that moves according to victory or defeat.

 

Win 30 points and be the first to reach the top floor.

 

– Current points (win: +3p / loss: -2p)

 

• 1st place: 30p

 

• 2nd place: 16p

 

• 3rd place: 15p

 

[You’ve met the conditions.]

 

…By the way, how fast is this going to be?

 

Is this gyro drop or what?

 

How high and how fast is it going up?

 

Isn’t this almost deafening?

 

Of course, I didn’t show it, even if I admired it.

 

“It is the essence of brilliant technology.”

 

…Yeah, it’s better to make a bluff than to vomit.

 

As I thought so.

 

Soon, the landscape began to change.

 

“!”

 

Like looking out through a window.

 

I saw the scenery outside the Qirnberg Machine Tower.

 

The sight was, as expected, [『odd』].

 

But I knew.

 

That curious sight.

 

It was the reality and Arcana.

 

A mixture of two worlds.

 

So I realized it.

 

‘…Is that the Arcana Continent?’

 

Nam Cheolmin, Hakuna, and Baek Yiseol…

 

The reason why demons were infested in reality.

 

At that moment, the quest window flashed.

 

Two at once.

• 1. It’s apparently a Buddhist text. The literal translation is ‘Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the honored one’.