Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 79 - Dignity of the Chief (3)

[Cracked Dimension Gap].

 

True to its name, the landscape of the rupture was unusual.

 

Although ruptures were known for their strange scenery.

 

Here, it was on another level.

 

‘It’s like seeing broken graphics.’

 

Above all, reality and Arcana.

 

The landscape of either world was not clearly visible.

 

I didn’t know if this expression was suitable.

 

It was as if the rupture was forcibly opened…

 

‘Wait a minute.’

 

Then, a thought suddenly came to my mind.

 

Today was not Thursday.

 

New update.

 

It was not the day when new ruptures appeared.

 

If so, the [Cracked Dimension Gap] was not a scheduled rupture.

 

My impression that it was like a rupture that had been forcibly opened was also not nonsense.

 

“Does every rupture look like this?”

 

“No. Space of oddities is not this bad.”

 

“I’m glad, then.”

 

Indeed, for Marcelo.

 

It was probably the first time he’d entered a rupture.

 

He noticed that it was suspicious right away.

 

Marcelo continued.

 

“As you said. It wouldn’t be good for the internal situation to be known to the outside world.”

 

It was related to none other than the heads of the Mage Tower.

 

It wasn’t enough that a senior mage was missing, what if news spread that his disappearance was related to the heads of the Mage Tower? The impact would be no joke.

 

“We will finish this quickly.”

 

Marcelo declared.

 

I’d say it again.

 

Sincerely. No one was more reliable than he was.

 

Marcelo’s body shook with magical energy.

 

I had watched it once, so I noticed it as soon as I saw the exploration process.

 

It was tracking magic.

 

Soon, Marcelo’s eyes flashed.

 

“I’ve captured Banglet’s magic. I’ll open the portal.”

 

He immediately manifested a portal.

 

…If it had been me, a third of my mana would have been taken away by the two manifestations.

 

Marcelo didn’t look as though he had used up mana.

 

I knew my place once again.

 

Even though I still had a long way to go, it was really long.

 

But as far as my presence went.

 

I never lagged behind others.

 

Tap tap–

 

“…Who is it?!”

 

It was all because of the sound of these shoes.

 

Due to Grandfel’s personality, it was impossible to keep quiet.

 

My stride was always full of power.

 

“M-Marcelo-nim? Even Co-Researcher Lee Hoyeol, too?”

 

Thanks to this, I was able to face Banglet, whose face turned white. His brown curly hair was disheveled. I swallowed a sigh of relief at his flustered reaction.

 

‘He doesn’t seem hostile.’

 

Marcelo opened his mouth before I could.

 

“Banglet. I can guess your circumstances.”

 

“…Chief Marcelo. I-I am.”

 

“We didn’t come all the way here to question you.”

 

“…!”

 

Banglet lowered his head.

 

I felt relieved once again.

 

Look, if I had come to this rupture alone.

 

‘He would have just spit out vicious words from the start.’

 

Well, I knew him from when he tried to bribe me.

 

He also ruined the conference that I hosted.

 

I realized this all over again.

 

‘The saying one word can repay a thousand nyang debt ^[1] One word can repay a thousand nyang debt = If you speak well, even a difficult task can become simple. Nyang is the old Korean currency. doesn’t exist for no reason.’

 

However, persuading him with words seemed impossible.

 

Because mana flowed in Banglet’s body.

 

“…I already know you’re not that kind of person, Chief Marcelo. But I am sorry. I can’t miss this opportunity!”

 

Pure mana.

 

There was no inefficiency in his exploration process.

 

It was magic that only used pure mana as a weapon, so its destructive power was not inferior to any magic. Banglet Tom was called the pinnacle of such pure magic.

 

Goo–

 

He showed his magic.

 

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

 

Shoo–!

 

As soon as I saw it, I could figure it out.

 

A condensed ray of mana.

 

The magical structure was simple and clear, not meant to be analyzed.

 

The only target of exploration was the vast mana.

 

The interference only maximized its destructive power.

 

And its manifestation was the fastest one ever.

 

“!”

 

Clang–!

 

Its destructive power was beyond imagination.

 

Spark–!

 

The ground was shattered and the atmosphere stirred.

 

Even the rising dust evaporated without a trace.

 

…Are you for real?

 

What was even more terrifying was that Banglet’s magic didn’t even contain murderous intent. Banglet was just thinking of getting us farther away. The deviated trajectory of the magic was proof of that.

 

But even magic that missed its target had destructive power.

 

How powerful is he?

 

Is this what it means to be the senior mage of the Mage Tower?

 

It wasn’t for no reason that the Mage Tower was called the strongest armed group on the Arcana continent…! Marcelo created a barrier to offset the aftermath.

 

Seriously, it was a self-defense method that was only possible if you had overflowing mana.

 

‘I’m so jealous.’

 

Naturally, I was in a position where I had to save up on my mana as much as possible.

 

As lame as ever.

 

I had no choice but to use everything I had and didn’t have.

 

The target of my exploration was the pure magic that overflowed in this space.

 

To be precise, it was Banglet’s magic.

 

I explored the aftermath of the raging mana.

 

I interfered with it and manifested magic.

 

Of course, complex interference was impossible.

 

As I said, that power was no joke.

 

To avoid getting caught up, I had to simplify the process of interference.

 

Of course, it wasn’t even necessary.

 

The exploration target was just pure magic.

 

How should I interfere and manifest such pure magical power?

 

I just learned it from experience.

 

Float–

 

Hundreds of mana spheres floated in the air.

 

Yeah, it was light.

 

The basic magic light of pure mana.

 

“…!!”

 

In an instant, I felt stinging gazes.

 

Marcelo and Banglet looked as though they couldn’t believe it.

 

In this place where all kinds of high-ranking magic were running rampant.

 

They never thought they’d see such trivial basic magic.

 

But this was my way and the best way.

 

With my insignificant level 296.

 

I was struggling to survive the 900-level rupture.

 

I couldn’t help it even if they looked at it with such gazes.

 

I spoke brazenly.

 

“It’s a bit harsh for a welcome greeting. Senior Mage Banglet Tom.”

 

I could only talk to a subject that pathetically retaliated.

 

Banglet shouted.

 

“Damn it, leave me alone!”

 

At this point, I could be sure.

 

…Maybe I should just help by shutting up and staying still.

 

Sooo–!

 

Banglet made the magic rampage again.

 

But this time Marcelo didn’t just sit back and watch either.

 

It was an equally rapid manifestation.

 

Spark–!

 

In the scene where vast magical powers collide.

 

The winner was certain.

 

Marcelo opened his mouth.

 

“I don’t want this nonsense. Banglet.”

 

This was why Marcelo took the chief seat.

 

Yeah, Marcelo had succeeded in establishing the majority of existing magic as a theory.

 

This meant that no mages knew the compatibility of magic better than Marcelo.

 

“Damn it!”

 

In the end, Banglet backed out.

 

Short-ranged teleportation.

 

Banglet hastily dodged.

 

…I’m glad that the battlefield is in the rupture.

 

Imagine this mess happening in reality.

 

With this scale, it wouldn’t be strange if dozens of buildings had already flown away and the mountain collapsed. However, the outcome of this match seemed obvious.

 

Chief and senior mage.

 

The difference seemed obvious.

 

Perhaps noticing that fact.

 

Banglet failed to manifest his magic.

 

He gritted his teeth and said.

 

“…Did you already know?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The reason. The reason why I came here.”

 

Banglet glared at Marcelo.

 

“Chief Marcelo, who was born with great talent under the lineage of the Maddo family, who was also famous in the Empire, will never be able to fathom my feelings.”

 

Marcelo, you have a great family.

 

But why is he looking at me all of a sudden?

 

“And so are you. Co-Researcher Lee Hoyeol.”

 

I was startled. A guilty conscience needs no accuser ^[2] A guilty conscience needs no accuser = The state in which someone is automatically feeling uncomfortable if she/he has done something wrong. The literal translation is ‘The thief’s feet go numb’. .

 

…No way, did he notice my dark history?

 

The fact that I was heir to the great Claudie family,

 

And that my talent was so tremendous that it was embarrassing?!

 

However.

 

Of course, the setting was a secret that only I knew.

 

“In a fleeting moment, you had enough time to counter my magic with pure mana. If only I had the same talent as you…! I would have no reason to come here.”

 

As you could see.

 

It was simply about my talent.

 

But the feeling of being wronged was the same.

 

Banglet needed to look below the surface.

 

He needed to check how hard I was struggling.

 

I couldn’t say such a fulfilling thing.

 

Marcelo seemed to sympathize with my old-fashioned thoughts.

 

“Banglet. You have a big misunderstanding.”

 

“Misunderstanding…?”

 

“My life is not great enough to make you jealous.”

 

“…What do you mean. Chief Marcelo?”

 

“You’ll understand soon enough.”

 

Was it simply to console him?

 

There was no way that such words would reach Banglet’s ears.

 

Banglet clenched his teeth again and shouted.

 

“No, before you ask for my understanding, why don’t you understand me, Chief Marcelo? I have no lineages, no talent. Don’t you know it well, Chief? The position of pure mana is collapsing because of a guy like me…!”

 

Suddenly, I recalled what Marcelo said.

 

His self-esteem was terrible compared to his skills.

 

There were no better words to describe Banglet than that.

 

I could guess what the other mages in the Mage Tower would look like if they heard that.

 

I didn’t know much about Banglet’s poor family history, but if everything he said was true…

 

‘That means he entered the Mage Tower without such backgrounds, right?’

 

Not only that, he became a senior wizard.

 

In the end, it was a matter of self-esteem.

 

So I had no reason to listen to him anymore.

 

No, there was no point in listening to him in the first place.

 

I opened my mouth.

 

“Your whining ends here. Banglet Tom.”

 

“…Whining, you said?”

 

“I’m not curious about your lineage or talent.”

 

Evaluating someone only with their lineage and natural talent?

 

Grandfel’s pride couldn’t tolerate such behavior.

 

Of course, this pride wouldn’t change just because I listened to a detailed story.

 

Yes, at this moment.

 

There was only one thing my damn pride wanted.

 

“Keep in mind that the conference isn’t over yet.”

 

It was to put Banglet Tom in the Crystal Hall.

 

The last presenter of the regular conference.

 

“The only thing I’m curious about you is your research.”

 

“…!”

 

“It’s not your family, lineage, or your talent.”

 

At my words, Banglet murmured to himself.

 

“T-The conference! I did my best to prepare for it, but I completely forgot.”

 

He seemed to have come back to his senses.

 

Marcelo let out a sigh.

 

But this wasn’t over yet.

 

Because my pride wasn’t satisfied yet.

 

“But before that.”

 

“?”

 

“I will hold you accountable for the current situation.”

 

Yeah, we would have to make sure everything was clear before moving on.

 

Why did he come to the rupture in such a hurry that he completely forgot the conference he prepared his best for?

 

Why did he talk about the difference between lineage and talent in the rupture?

 

What kind of conversation did he have with the heads of the Mage Tower?

 

He would have to submit a reason that this pride could judge as reasonable.

 

Only then he would be able to present his research at the regular conference.

 

Banglet clutched his head.

 

“…I received a call from an elder mage during the regular conference.”

 

Marcelo nodded.

 

“I’ve guessed that. What kind of conversation did you have exactly?”

 

“It was about this rupture.”

 

“Well.”

 

I had expected it that much.

 

I asked.

 

“There must be a reason why this kind of rupture is more important than the conference.”

 

“W-Well. Now that I think about it, I  am not sure.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Banglet looked really confused.

 

“The elder said that there is truth in this rupture.”

 

“There is truth in this rupture? The elder said that?”

 

“No doubt. There will be the truth you seek in the rupture. If you capture the truth, no one will look down on you…”

 

Marcelo’s expression turned serious.

 

The reason was simple.

 

“You know that, Banglet. Truth isn’t something that can be grasped so easily. Because it’s not easy to grab. We call it the truth.”

 

“I know that! That’s why it’s confusing. Why did those words cloud my judgment…”

 

“I understand enough. You don’t have to think too hard. Let’s go back and talk about them. Would that be okay?”

 

I nodded to Marcelo, who asked for my understanding.

 

This pride was not convinced.

 

Because I noticed.

 

‘Such a suspicious conversation.’

 

That elder mage had no intention of keeping Banglet alive.

 

Thinking so, my doubts grew even more.

 

Why?

 

Could the elder mage, who could be said to be the head of the Mage Tower, try to harm the senior mage, Banglet Tom?

 

What else was his reason for luring Banglet into the rupture by citing the truth?

 

So complicated.

 

What kind of internal circumstances was this complicated?

 

Just thinking about it made my head crack.

 

But those tangled questions.

 

It didn’t take long for them to unravel easily.

 

Crash–!

 

“!!!”

 

A roar echoed through the rupture.

 

The landscape collapsed like a broken graphic.

 

A huge hand sprang out of the collapse gap.

 

Crash–!

 

A black, vicious grip seized the space.

 

Crash crash–!

 

It began to tear up the space.

 

“What the hell is that…?”

 

At the sight, not only Banglet but even Marcelo couldn’t speak.

 

But I noticed.

 

The reason why Banglet fell for such an obvious lie.

 

Why he was lured through this rupture.

 

Also what that giant hand was.

 

Thanks to the message that appeared.

 

[Skill, ‘Natural Enemy Relationship’ is activated.]

 

The demon hunter’s senses heightened.

 

Had my sense of smell developed as well?

 

I thought it smelled stinky from the start.

 

“What a fool.”

 

I took an offering out of my inventory.

 

[Pentagram of Impure Knowledge]

 

[Grade: Epic]

 

[Restriction: None]

 

[Effect: Sealed]

 

[Description: The demon’s curse dwells on it, and its effect is sealed. In order to know its proper effect, it must be purified.]

 

“You are asking for death. Inferior race.”

 

[‘Pentagram of Impure Knowledge’ has been chosen as the sacrifice.]

 

[The skill ‘Exorcism’ is activated.]

 

[Invite ??? to the ‘ritual’.]

 

Perhaps because he hadn’t fully revealed himself yet.

 

Question marks, the demon’s name was unknown.

 

But so, what if he was an unknown demon?

 

Grandfel couldn’t hesitate in the face of a demon.

 

The same was true for me, Lee Hoyeol.

 

‘I don’t know if it’s normal.’

 

Right now, on both of my sides, there were the chief and the senior mage of the Mage Tower.

 

Marcelo and Banglet.

 

So no matter who it was, I had properly caught him.

 

Whether he was a demon king. Whether he was a great evil.

 

At this moment, he was just an experience point.

• 1. One word can repay a thousand nyang debt = If you speak well, even a difficult task can become simple. Nyang is the old Korean currency.
• 2. A guilty conscience needs no accuser = The state in which someone is automatically feeling uncomfortable if she/he has done something wrong. The literal translation is ‘The thief’s feet go numb’.