◈ Chapter 81. It Was a Simple Problem
Recommended level: 900.
No, later on, it was even one thousand.
This was no ordinary rift.
It could only be seen as a bug.
“How does a rift like that just suddenly pop out of nowhere?!”
“Isn’t it really because of that senior mage who went missing?”
“It’s obvious anyone who enters will just die like a dog.”
So the moment Hoyeol entered such a rift,
it was only natural that the world turned upside down.
“I can’t believe it even as I’m watching it……”
What was the role of a program host?
To fill the audio no matter the situation.
However, the host simply could not speak.
The silence stretched beyond seconds into minutes—it was clearly a broadcast accident.
And yet, not only the viewers,
but even the producer, Hyeon Yongseok, sympathized with the host.
“……
What are we watching right now?”
“Senior, this isn’t a dream, is it?”
“No. Even if it’s Lee Hoyeol-nim, that’s still……”
The achievements Hoyeol had shown until now?
They had been more than astonishing.
No, it had been one shock after another.
From Count Ascura to the demon king Decarabia.
Even compared to top-ranked players,
Hoyeol had only ever defeated enemies who held an overwhelming advantage over him.
But this was a different matter altogether.
That rift looked sudden and dangerous no matter who looked at it.
And yet Hoyeol did not hesitate.
As always, he entered the rift without the slightest pause.
That sight of Hoyeol was broadcast over the airwaves.
The host’s voice flowed from the TV.
A step taken for the peace of humanity.
That is truly a noble attitude.
A hero of mankind who has surpassed mere players.
Rox, who had been quietly listening, shrugged his shoulders.
‘He’s incredible, Lee Hoyeol.’
His experience in the [Quirnberg Machine Tower] rift.
Through that, Rox had estimated that Lee Hoyeol was at least level 900.
“But to Lee Hoyeol, even this probably isn’t a big deal.”
So even when Rox heard the news that Lee Hoyeol had entered a recommended level 900 rift, he was not surprised.
It was more like, “Lee Hoyeol did Lee Hoyeol things again.”
Still, there was one thing that did surprise him.
“Jessie? Are you insane?”
Because Jessie said she would enter the rift after Hoyeol.
Camilla, horrified, asked her,
“You just said it yourself. As long as a senior mage of the Magic Tower is involved, nothing good will come from getting involved. So why would you go to a place like that……?”
Then her words trailed off.
She had realized it from Jessie’s cold expression.
That no matter what she said, she would not be able to break Jessie’s stubbornness.
‘If this were an ordinary situation.’
He would not have gone out of his way to stop Jessie.
They were more business partners than comrades.
Strictly speaking, Jessie was someone who could leave the Shining Guild at any time.
However, Jessie seemed to be misunderstanding something.
It was time to offer advice as a business partner.
“You’ll only get in the way if you go.”
“……
What?”
“What do you think Lee Hoyeol is, Jessie?”
You should worry about someone who actually needs worrying about.
Besides.
“Lee Hoyeol isn’t alone, is he?”
“!”
“I think you know better than I do, Jessie. What kind of existence the chief mage of the Magic Tower is. Isn’t he the very best among those so-called senior mages?”
Chief Mage Marcelo.
Just as Rox said,
Jessie knew his abilities better than any other player.
The pointed hat on her head also reminded her of that fact once again.
—Yes, if Marcelo is with him, there is no need to worry, is there?
It was not something said merely to ease his disciple’s worries.
Marcelo, that fellow.
Even if a senior mage came out hostile,
he would be able to subdue them with ease.
But because of that, there was a question.
—I do not know how they came to accompany each other, though.
The pointed hat knew the Magic Tower’s useless rules well.
It also knew that Marcelo, that skinny little brat, would not violate the rules even while knowing their contradictions. Yet that very Marcelo had broken the rules and stepped outside the Magic Tower……
—The Magic Tower will be in an uproar for a while.
Was change coming even to the immutable Magic Tower?
The only thing that had changed was one person.
Hoyeol, and no one else.
Indeed, only someone of this caliber could be called the man who piqued my interest.
‘I know that too.’
Only then did Jessie relax the fist she had been clenching. She had been gripping it so tightly that blood had stopped flowing to her already pale fingers, making them turn even whiter.
‘I know, but…….’
Was it because she knew, as Rox said, that she would be of no help?
Because she had realized her own weakness?
Or because she was afraid she might never see Hoyeol’s magic again?
For now, even if she pondered it, she did not think she could find an answer.
Because at this moment,
the only thing Jessie could see was the rift on the screen.
Of course, the wait was not very long.
The same steady stride.
The same unchanged attire.
Even the same unchanged interview.
—“I will not be taking questions. It is an internal matter.”
A safe return, literally.
As if nothing had happened,
Hoyeol appeared.
*
Yes, this damned internal matter was not over yet.
Portal manifestation.
Return to the Magic Tower.
Marcelo, Bangrit, and I climbed the stairs of the Magic Tower.
“I’m sorry. Because of me……”
“It is not your fault, Bangrit.”
“Seek forgiveness from the audience who were waiting for your presentation.”
Good grief!
How could our replies to the same words be so different?
As Marcelo comforted him, Bangrit had done nothing wrong.
Yet this damned mouth of mine could not utter even one kind word.
However.
“Of course. I have no intention of missing the opportunity I have regained.”
It made me wonder if this really was the same Bangrit who had tried to hand over a bribe.
It was like he had become a different person altogether.
I did not know the reason, but surely it was not because of me.
‘So stop needlessly stiffening your neck like that…….’
As I said, all I had done was spit harsh words at Bangrit.
In that serious situation, I had gone on about the conference, no less.
“Bangrit. What matters above all else is your safety.”
At Marcelo’s words, I checked the quest.
—Secure Bangrit Tom, a senior mage entangled with the Magic Tower’s leadership. (In Progress)
Yes, the quest was still in progress.
In other words, it was not over yet.
Marcelo was thorough in that regard.
Thud—
Responding to Marcelo’s mana,
the massive door opened, revealing the view of the Crystal Hall.
In the Crystal Hall,
including Bangrit,
all the senior mages were gathered.
The senior mages, each waiting there, opened their mouths.
“Bangrit, you’re safe!”
“I apologize. I have caused trouble.”
“I don’t know what happened, but for now, I’m relieved.”
“Chief Marcelo! What is going on?”
Judging by the atmosphere,
it seemed Marcelo had invoked his authority as chief
and summoned all the senior mages.
Well, I could guess the reason,
but naturally, the seniors needed an explanation.
“It is to protect Bangrit’s person and to avoid unnecessary suspicion. Please wait for a moment. I will either return with a clear answer or send a signal.”
As expected of Marcelo.
It was a place where as many as twenty senior mages had gathered.
Even if someone tried to threaten Bangrit’s safety,
it would be impossible to harm him while evading their eyes.
I also understood the part about avoiding unnecessary suspicion.
‘Because the eyes of suspicion should be directed upward.’
Upward, toward the leadership of the Magic Tower.
Not only had they inflicted a status abnormality on Bangrit, but the one who made him head toward a rift—and a rift from which demons emerged, at that—was none other than an elder mage.
Knowing that fact,
Marcelo and I did not delay.
We climbed the stairs once again.
“I expected that the elders were hiding something. But I never imagined it would be related to demons. I have no face to show you such a sight, Sir.”
I had not imagined it either.
To think demons had stretched their claws all the way into the Magic Tower.
However, it was still only a guess.
‘Until I see it for myself.’
Until I confirmed it with my own eyes.
It was merely conjecture.
Though the possibility was extremely high.
I spoke to Marcelo, whose expression was grave.
“The one who should lower their head is not you, Chief Marcelo.”
“……?”
“The ones who should be ashamed are not you, but them.”
Before we knew it, we had arrived at the top floor of the Magic Tower.
The “them” I spoke of were, of course, the elder mages.
Noblesse oblige.
The higher one’s position, the heavier one’s responsibility.
Even if they had not known, that would be nothing but an excuse.
Grandfell’s pride could not tolerate the elders’ incompetence.
……
By the way, why is it so bright here?
Light poured down from the ceiling of the Magic Tower.
Because of the backlight, I could not properly see their faces,
but from the number of shadows, I could make out how many elders there were.
Four of them, huh.
Yes, among them, there must be someone connected to demons.
Not merely connected—perhaps someone possessed by a demon.
Depending on how the conversation flowed, there was more than enough possibility that a battle would break out.
‘It’s my own fate, but what a miserable fate it is…….’
They say it is a comedy when seen from afar, and a tragedy when seen up close.
To those who envied me
for entering the Magic Tower,
and at a position equal to that of the chief mage, no less,
I wanted to show them this situation.
The Magic Tower.
Now that I knew the truth, there was no group more dysfunctional than this one.
Even the Shadow Mercenary Corps, who would risk their lives for money, was not this rotten. Truly.
There was a reason people said clean water flows only from a clean source, wasn’t there?
In other words, the poor relations between the senior mages had not been without reason.
‘Are they trying to make up for the experience points I missed because the demon escaped?’
If that was the intention, I wanted to refuse with all my might.
The opponents were elder mages, no less.
We had merely faced them,
and yet the pressure they exuded was no joke.
But once pride had moved,
there was no fear, no trembling.
Even if I drowned, sunk by that pride,
I had no choice but to stand against them.
Besides, I had considered the worst possibility from the start.
So we had prepared in our own way.
The senior mages gathered in the Crystal Hall were that preparation.
By now, Bangrit was probably explaining the current situation to them.
—I will either return with a clear answer or send a signal.
Yes, Marcelo’s signal would mark the beginning of all-out war.
However, events did not rush toward catastrophe.
“!”
Because Marcelo opened his mouth.
Along with the grinding sound of his teeth.
“Why are there only four of you here?”
……
What? There weren’t originally four of them?
...
The round table meeting was postponed.
Bangrit Tom went missing.
And the moment he learned that demons were involved in this incident,
Marcelo considered every possibility.
Even an all-out war against the elder mages.
However, he had not imagined this situation.
“If it is about Senior Mage Bangrit Tom, we know.”
“It is deeply regrettable, Marcelo.”
“To think there was a demon worshiper among us elders. By the time we discovered the evidence, it was already too late. Since the Magic Tower’s honor was at stake, we tried to pursue him even belatedly, but as you can see.”
A demon worshiper……!
To think the elders would bring up that matter first.
Marcelo swallowed dryly.
It was a response and a development he had never expected.
His mind was in turmoil.
‘From what point should I believe their words?’
In truth, he knew in his head.
‘Not a single thing they say can be trusted!’
The contradictions of the elder mages were not one or two.
Even if they were not connected to demons,
he could not fully trust their words.
That alone was already more than enough to deal with,
but now that demons were involved as well,
Marcelo felt as though his head would burst from how complicated everything was.
‘……
Can I truly be certain there is only one worshiper?’
But if he could not trust them, what should he do?
Now that the elders were taking that attitude,
did he have any justification to move the senior mages?
‘Damn it.’
Marcelo clenched his teeth.
He looked at the Tower Master floating inside the sphere.
‘Tower Master, do you not know?’
He knew no answer could come back,
but in his frustration, he wanted to shout.
“Indeed, those words are true.”
……
But an answer came.
Not from the Tower Master, but from Hoyeol.
Hoyeol, who had been silent until then, had opened his mouth.
“Because the scent of a demon worshiper is lingering in this place. However, how strange. According to your words, the demon worshiper should have already left the Magic Tower.”
“……!”
And on Hoyeol’s face,
there was no trace of complexity or distress.
What arose was only certainty.
“Is it simply because the scent has seeped in? Because a demon worshiper stayed here for a long time? Or is it because another demon worshiper dares to remain here still?”
“!”
“What are your thoughts?”
At that question, Marcelo looked to the elders.
He could not read their reactions.
Because of the backlight, their expressions were hidden, and no one answered.
But as if Hoyeol had expected even that,
he continued.
“If that was a difficult question to answer, I shall ask it differently.”
It was the very crux of the matter, one even Marcelo had not considered.
“Who made up the majority that approved Bangrit’s departure from the Tower?”……
That was right!
The departure of Senior Mage Bangrit from the Tower.
A decision like that required the approval of a majority of the leadership.
Had the elder mages grasped the meaning behind Hoyeol’s words as well?
“!!!!”
The four shadows immediately split into two.
An ominous current flowed between them.
“Three, including the one who fled. At last, the majority is clear.”
Hoyeol looked at Marcelo and continued.
“Is it not, Chief Mage Marcelo?”...[Quest: The Truth of the Magic Tower]
A contradiction exists within the Tower of Mages.
Uncover the contradiction.
Set the Magic Tower and the truth right.─Secure Chief Mage Bangrit Tom, who is entangled with the leadership of the Magic Tower. (Success)─Find the demon worshiper among the elder mages. (In Progress)
The reason I ran my mouth was simple.
If not now,
this quest could never be completed.
Above all, the difficulty made no sense.
Mages of the Magic Tower.
Elder mages, at that.
Under ordinary circumstances,
they were beings I wouldn’t even get to see face-to-face.
Even if I did end up facing them, the problem would remain.
Putting their positions aside, just from the pressure they gave off,
they seemed stronger than Marcelo, if anything.
They absolutely did not seem weaker.
And on top of that, what?
Demon worshipersssss?
The level of the demon involved was no joke, either. It was the kind of bastard who took a strike I had practically poured my mana into, yet escaped after losing only one arm.
So, to sum it all up,
this was not a quest that had appeared for me to succeed!
The scale had been too enormous from the start.
Couldn’t I just grow strong enough to stand against an elder mage,
then complete the quest?
Could anyone say that after seeing what happened today?
Since their plan involving Bangrit had failed,
it was obvious they would devise and execute an even more thorough plan next time.
And while blocking all of those plans,
I was supposed to level up and grow as well?
I could state with certainty that it was impossible.
However.
It was possible now.
Now, when we had made our own preparations.
There was no need for me to say the reason aloud.
Because Marcelo, having understood my intent, had begun to act.
Yes, that was the signal.
The top floor of the Magic Tower.
A portal manifested.
Its linked coordinates were the Crystal Hall.
Soon, those who emerged from within the cluster of light were
twenty senior mages.
So what if the opponent was an elder mage and a demon worshiper?
On this side, there were two elder mages.
One chief mage.
Twenty senior mages.
And me, Lee Hoyeol.
Yes, this was something beyond merely borrowing another’s authority.
Knowing that fact,
I spoke with unparalleled shamelessness.
“It is time to pay the price for your deception, foolish worshiper.”