◈ Episode 121. History Being Overwritten (1)
[Baton of a Horn Tainted by Evil]
[Grade: Epic]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: Sealed]
[Description: A demon's curse dwells within, sealing its effect. It must be purified to reveal its true effect.]
Rank 67, Amdusias.
The loot it dropped was a baton that seemed to be carved from a beast’s horn.
A baton, of all things. Seeing as there was no level restriction, its effect probably wasn’t ordinary.
“Not a bad eye for an inferior lot.”
For now, it passes Grandfel’s aesthetic eye.
Well, it was Epic grade from the start, after all.
I suppose I could look forward to what kind of effect it has.
[Map of Oblivion Drawn in Blood]
[Grade: Epic]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: Sealed]
[Description: A demon’s curse dwells within, sealing its effect. It must be purified to reveal its true effect.]
Rank 66, Kimaris.
It seemed to have spat out a map.
A map—treasure maps were the first thing that came to mind, but.
Like the baton, it was difficult to guess its effect before purification.
‘By the way.’
……
So is it really okay for me to take and keep this?
An item of [Epic] grade, no less.
As I had explained with much fuss, an item whose grade alone made it precious.
Above all, the [Pentagram of Pure Knowledge].
I, who knew its effect.
‘I’m basically pocketing a cheat item of the same rank, day by day.’
I wasn’t the one who had slain Amdusias and Kimaris.
The loot had been obtained by senior mages who had entered the [Demon King Castle of Rhythm] and [Demon King Castle of Debauchery].
Yes, the Magic Tower had handed such loot over to me.
The reason was exceedingly simple.
—“Chief Lee Hoyeol would know best how to utilize them.”
If these had been simple items…….
Due to my upright and incorruptible personality.
I would never have accepted and kept the loot.
However, they were demon items.
And Demon King loot at that.
They possessed an utterly foul aura.
[Exorcism Rite]
Meaning they absolutely needed to be purified through an [Exorcism Rite].
“I shall answer your expectations.”
So I said.
Righteous cause.
Compared to Grandfel’s righteousness, my greed was but a speck of dust before Mount Tai. So I shamelessly accepted.
Yes, ignoring one’s sincerity is also against propriety, is it not?
Aye, that it is.
Of course.
[Eye Ablaze with Malice]
[Grade: Epic]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: Sealed]
[Description: A demon’s curse dwells within, sealing its effect. It must be purified to reveal its true effect.]
Rank 64, Flauros.
This loot, obtained by slaying it, was truly won solely by my own strength. Couldn’t I at least look upon it with a slightly proud gaze?
“Aesthetically grotesque. Utterly worthless.”
……
How discouraging that I myself spoiled the mood with my own mouth.
As could be guessed from the name, its appearance was that of an eyeball itself.
So there was nothing to be done even if I examined it with my aesthetic eye.
I stowed the loot in my inventory and shifted my gaze.
To the status window.
[Name: Grandfel Claudie Arpheus Romeo]
[Title: The Last Adventurer]
[Class: Demon Hunter]
[Level: 425]
[Stats]
Strength: 67 / Agility: 73 / Mana: 350 / Luck: 6 / Aesthetics: Low
[Available Points: 35]
Thanks to unequipping the items I had worn, my Aesthetics had dropped.
The levels I had gained from slaying the Demon King, Flauros, were 35 levels, huh.
It was an enormous increase, but it was also true that I felt some regret.
That’s because Flauros was a boss monster of a whopping level 850.
‘It feels like there’s a wall every 100 levels.’
I feel it more each day.
The required experience skyrocketing.
I had felt it when entering the 300s from the 200s as well.
Now that I’ve entered the 400s, the rate of level gain must have dropped dramatically.
If rankers of similar level to me heard this.
They’d say I’m bloated, that I don’t know satisfaction.
They might fly into a rage.
‘Try being in my shoes. Do I look like I wouldn’t?’
But for me, even a level comparable to the highest-ranking players was insufficient.
Because I still had a long way to go to turn the pouring overestimation into reality.
In that sense, it was good news.
“It seems you’ve finally come to know your place.”
The news that the demons’ activities had quieted down.
Of course, because I am a Demon Hunter.
I know all too well how cunning demons are.
For now, they are merely biding their time.
A demon is a creature that can extend its evil claws again at any moment.
“That prostrated appearance suits you well.”
Therefore, I must make proper use of this brief peace.
If until now I had been busy pouring water into a bottomed-out jar.
Now was the time to properly restore the broken bottom.
‘In other words, I need to build up my internal foundation.’
By the way…….
I have so many bolt holes and wells dug, you see.
I don’t know where to start; it’s daunting.
But they also say that beginning is half the battle.
The first step is always important in anything.
Click, clack—
Knowing that fact.
I first headed to where my pride led me.
If you ask where I’m going when I say the road is long.
It’s not much of an issue since I won’t be leaving the Magic Tower anyway…….
Bubble, bubble.
I muttered as I watched the boiling water.
“I shall return before the water grows cold.”
*Garnet Hall.
The return of the withdrawn highest-grade magic artifacts was carried out swiftly.
Several senior mages smacked their lips in regret.
The one who looked particularly regretful was Bency William of Pyromancy.
“It ended so quickly.”
“Isn’t that a good thing instead?”
“You are right, but somehow I feel oddly regretful……”
Tsk.
Bency watched the departing [Miniature Magical Sun]. No matter how much a senior mage requested, the withdrawal of highest-grade magic artifacts was not easily permitted.
A senior mage armed with highest-grade magic artifacts.
That alone was enough to draw concern from everyone besides the Magic Tower. To begin with, it was Bency’s first time handling such artifacts.
“……It literally felt like becoming a Fire Dragon.”
Bency smacked his lips at the fleeting taste.
Of course, the regret did not last long.
His nemesis, yet not quite.
Because Matisse had appeared in Garnet Hall.
Moreover, Matisse even had sharp hearing.
“Then that is a pity, Senior Bency William.”
“……Y-yes?”
“I am someone who gnashes his teeth at the words ‘Fire Dragon,’ you see.”
“No, I didn’t mean that……. I wasn’t talking about Karimzeva!”
“Very well. Let us discuss that matter in a later interview.”
“……L-later? An i-interview?!”
An interview with Senior Matisse!
The pressure alone at the mere imagination made his stomach churn.
For now, I’ll avoid him.
The moment Bency was fleeing Garnet Hall with a pale face.
He ran into Marcello and Belier, a senior mage of the Healing School.
“Your face is pale. Is something wrong?”
At Belier’s warm question, Bency forced a smile.
“……My heart will soon be in a bad state. Haha.”
“?”
……
What is he talking about?
Marcello and Belier exchanged glances for a moment.
Matisse entered their field of vision.
Belier was the first to greet him.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“There were no issues.”
“You both worked hard at the Demon King Castle rift. Senior Matisse, and Senior Belier. I unintentionally left a heavy responsibility in your hands.”
Hoyeol and Marcello.
Because the two chiefs had unintentionally entered the same rift.
Matisse and Belier had no choice but to become the supervisors of the remaining two rifts.
Matisse shook his head.
“The one working hard is not me, but Chief Lee Hoyeol.”
Even in the Magic Tower, word of the world gets around.
You needn’t go far; simply listening to the conversations of adventurers in the Magic Tower lobby tells you how the world turns.
“Thank you.”
Belier returned the checked-out magic artifact and turned around.
Her jade-green eyes were filled with clear surprise.
“I didn’t know because I had no interest until now. The people of this world care a great deal about others, don’t they? Really, the stories about Chief Lee Hoyeol never cease……”
Of course, in this Demon King Castle rift, the Magic Tower had moved officially.
Meaning a considerable amount of attention had poured onto them as well.
Belier ran a hand over her goosebump-covered forearm.
“I find even the attention I receive now burdensome.”
How on earth does Chief Lee Hoyeol endure that position, that tremendous burden?
It was enough to make her feel respect beyond mere curiosity.
Thud, thud.
The three left Garnet Hall and ascended the stairs.
Marcello continued the previous topic.
“Because I can guess even a little of that weight. I wished to share the burden, even if only a little. But you would not easily permit even that.”
“It is not because Chief Marcello is lacking.”
“It is because he has his own firm standards. This chief, that is.”
Hoyeol’s own standards.
Though I cannot know exactly.
It was certain that he was conscious of no one’s gaze or evaluation.
“Thanks to that, he has brought new winds to the Magic Tower. Time and time again.”
Need one even explain? Could one not tell simply from what had occurred at the regular conferences and preliminary examinations? Hoyeol, who had failed candidates without considering the face of any senior mage or school.
Matisse and Belier.
Marcello smiled faintly at the two seniors’ evaluation of Hoyeol.
“Hearing you both say so puts my mind at ease.”
To a third party, it would sound like nothing more than a perfunctory pleasantry.
But Matisse and Belier could not dismiss it so lightly.
“…….”
Because they knew what meaning lay behind Marcello’s words.
Matisse looked at Marcello’s retreating figure.
‘He’s grown thinner than before.’
Many thoughts came to mind, but Matisse shook them off.
Then he opened his mouth.
Changing the subject with effort.
“Coincidentally, it seems we all share the same destination.”
It wasn’t as if we had planned it.
The three were climbing the stairs toward the same place.
Soon, the three arrived at their destination.
Marcello spoke.
“I know it is impossible to remember forever and be remembered forever. To move forward, one must sometimes forget. However, at least this time, I wanted absolutely to pay my respects.”
A place not yet revealed to mages of Expert rank or lower.
『The Place Where Eternal Snow Sleeps』
Before it, Marcello continued calmly.
“Because this is none other than our first successful counterattack.”
We had merely felled three Demon Kings.
It must be woefully insufficient to call it revenge for the Magic Tower, which had been toyed with by demons.
However, this was undeniably the first step.
“……Shall we enter?”
Belier, who had been silent, asked.
The three entered 『The Place Where Eternal Snow Sleeps』.
And faced.
“……!!!”
Someone who was supposed to be here.
And someone they had never imagined…….
Dark history is something you cannot forget, no matter how much you wish to.
Thanks to that, I remember Grandfel’s settings vividly.
I also know the influence those settings have on me.
So I.
My pride.
The reason I sought out 『The Place Where Eternal Snow Sleeps』, where Senios sleeps.
I can guess.
『He was the successor of a great house, but the house fell to demons.
Grandfel Claudie Arpheus Romeo, hereafter Grandfel, the sole survivor of the house, walked the path of a Demon Hunter to take revenge on that demon.』
Grandfel is alone.
The sole survivor of the Claudie house.
And simultaneously, the last Demon Hunter of Akushan.
To such a Grandfel, the Magic Tower was a new place to settle.
Yet Senios, a member of it, lost his life to a demon.
Whether Senios’s death was one he himself had wished for.
Even if it was a death overflowing with pride.
Since a demon was involved.
Since he was an Elder Mage of the Magic Tower.
It must be a death that was by no means light to Grandfel.
That was it.
The Demon King subjugation.
It had included mourning for Senios as well.
『The first thing Grandfel had ingrained in himself as the next family head was not to be swayed by trivial matters between joy and sorrow.
The seat of the Claudie house’s head was one that did not permit even a moment’s disturbance.』
How much of Grandfel’s style of mourning would be conveyed, I could not know…….
But at any rate, this was my best.
“Elder Mage Senios…….”
Anyway, the honorific simply won’t come out no matter how hard I try.
I looked at the coffin where Senios slept, then turned around.
And faced.
……
What are those gazes?
Marcello, Matisse, Belier.
For some reason.
The three were looking at me with rather emotional gazes.
*Tap.
“……?”
A mortal enemy is a mortal enemy for a reason.
Number 3, Lee Yerim, woke at the sound.
Tap, tap.
The sound of something tapping on the window.
Now she knew without having to check.
“Really…….”
Fumble, fumble.
Yerim barely opened her eyes and picked up her smartphone.
Sunday.
5:50 AM.
Yerim groaned, burying her face in her pillow.
“Lee Hoyeol, my one and only little brother. Don’t you ever sleep……?”
Even spam messages aren’t this bad.
Every morning, letters flying toward their parents to check on them.
Thanks to that, Yerim felt like a relatively unfilial child.
How bad must it have been for our Lady Choi to say she was more worried about your path to marriage than Hoyeol the player?
Bolting up—!
And so Yerim threw off her blankets and shouted.
“Hey, can’t you just send a simple text?!”
Slide—!
The moment she opened the window, a letter flew in.
The letter stuck to Yerim’s face with a smack—.
Yerim struggled to suppress her boiling anger.
“Youuuu……. This is magic too, isn’t it?!”
Whether you’ve aged, matured, or whatever.
A mortal enemy is a mortal enemy.
“……But you must be having a hard time. I’ll let it slide, brat.”
Family is family.