Chapter 25. Parachute

『Grangfell had no concept of humility. Underestimation required proof, and overestimation he would inevitably turn into reality.』

It was an unchanging nature.

Knowing this,

I added items to the parchment without hesitation.

──────

1. Magic artifacts related to mana regeneration

2. Books on beginner magic

3. Books on intermediate magic…….

──────

Shamelessly.

Do you feel guilty for asking for so much?

Unfortunately, I don't.

As I said, I will definitely repay this excessive treatment.

So, in the end, the one who will suffer is me.

Well, just think of it as an advance.

I handed the parchment filled with requests to Marcello.

"I will prepare them immediately."

...Really? That's all?

Even though I had been so shameless,

Seeing Marcello's nonchalant reaction, I finally felt relieved.

He thanked me again.

"Thank you for your cooperation, adventurer Lee Ho-yeol."

Then he added frankly.

"However, I cannot properly conduct research at the moment. As you pointed out, there are redundancies in my investigative process."

Marcello smiled wryly.

Maybe it's because his face has no flesh.

Seeing his pitiful expression, I felt a pang of sympathy.

Of course, that doesn't mean I can help him.

'How can I explain what I see?'

Innate talent.

This isn't something that can be achieved through hard work.

Of course, I'm not the type to spill my inner thoughts.

"I will wait. Until you overcome the anomaly."

Though my words were grand,

In reality, it was a simple statement.

Until the next quest appears.

I just meant to wait.

Marcello said with a slightly brighter face.

"Thank you for your understanding. During the research, you can freely use this laboratory and any materials needed after requesting them. Then... "

Tap─

Marcello left the laboratory.

I was left alone to think.

...No matter how I think about it, this turned out well!

Despite having complained about the sudden rush.

I thought to myself.

'...Could this also be due to luck?'

[Name: Grangfell Claudius Arpeus Romeo]

[Class: Demon Hunter]

[Level: 134]

[Stats]

Strength: 27 / Agility: 33 / Mana: 84 / Luck: 3

[Available Points: 0]

34 levels up.

I invested 33 available points into mana.

The remaining one into luck.

'Actually, I didn't really want more luck, really.'

Why, just the class quest alone.

Wasn't the investment in luck enough?

But, human nature is such that...

'There's no rule that this is due to luck.'

Somehow, things seem to go well whenever I invest points in luck, don't they?

Anyway, let's consider it a good omen.

After organizing my thoughts, the laboratory's scenery finally caught my eye.

'This laboratory is incredibly luxurious.'

Research desk, bookshelves, even a quill pen.

There was nothing that went against my mood.

Even with Grangfell's discerning eye, there was nothing to criticize.

This must be of a high standard.

'The players' money is all here.'

In the past, the Magic Tower ruthlessly sucked up gold.

Even now, it doesn't charge for portal usage.

But in the game era, it was notorious.

'In short.'

A laboratory built with the blood and sweat of players.

I gave my opinion on it.

"It's a shame there's no green tea."

Yeah, I should have added green tea bags to the request...

'No, that's not it.'

I'm becoming more shameless with each passing day, this guy...

The Magic Tower, no less.

One of the top factions in Arcana.

Thanks to being the chief mage, I now have a laboratory.

My situation is no different from a parachute.

'This isn't a situation to be overly happy about.'

Why, even a parachute has standards.

At the very least, it should function as a parachute.

It should allow you to stay in the clouds for a long time without plummeting to the ground.

So, what I need to do from now on is simple.

It's not much different from what I've been doing.

To prevent sinking.

This time, to prevent falling.

I need to struggle, again.

But the start wasn't bad.

Swish─

"!"

Suddenly, words began to be etched on the parchment on the desk.

...Sure enough, this is like a messenger for the Magic Tower mages.

Fitting of a mage.

Just as I thought, I was startled.

- The magic artifacts you requested are prepared in the Garnet Hall.

The magic artifacts I requested...

'Mana regeneration-related items.'

From a few hundred million to tens or hundreds of millions.

Considering the level of the Magic Tower, there might be even better items.

I requested such items for research purposes.

I obtained the right to borrow and use them.

What can I say.

Is it really okay to give such things to a parachute?

It would be normal to feel burdened.

But I confidently picked up the quill pen and scribbled.

- I expect the Magic Tower's discernment.

*

At the top floor of the Magic Tower.

Backlighting from the luminous ceiling.

Marcello faced five shadows.

They were the elder mages of the Magic Tower.

"I will respect your judgment, Chief Mage Marcello."

Marcello said nothing.

He had expected the elders' summons.

'After proposing joint research to an adventurer.'

And this wasn't just any ordinary research.

It might be the key to solving the current situation.

Therefore,

Marcello did something unprecedented in the history of the Magic Tower.

'That knowledge, that talent is essential.'

To instantly replicate a spell just by observing it?

That's already a remarkable feat.

But the spell he replicated wasn't just any ordinary spell.

Marcello was confident.

'Besides, he knows about the anomaly.'

Or rather, he claimed to have overcome it.

It was a strange occurrence.

'How did the adventurer understand the concept of magic?'

Even he struggled with the concept of science.

But what was certain was that he would be a great help in this research.

The shadows added to the silent Marcello.

"However, you must take full responsibility for this judgment."

Responsibility?

Marcello suppressed the laughter that threatened to burst out.

'Do you have the right to talk about responsibility?'

Fools who are obsessed with ideals and ignore reality.

Marcello hated the elder mages.

He wanted to confront them immediately.

With all the contradictions of this Magic Tower.

But he couldn't.

"Go, Chief Mage Marcello."

The shadows turned around.

Behind them, a massive mana sphere was visible.

A human form floating inside the mana sphere.

"Would further disturbances be a hindrance?"

To that question, Marcello bowed his head.

Crunch─

He gritted his teeth.

'How long do you plan to remain silent, Tower Master...!'

*

Garnet Hall.

A space dyed red like a pomegranate.

There, a mage in a robe stood.

"These are the mana regeneration-related magic artifacts you requested."

...By the way, why are there so many?

Still, it's the Magic Tower.

I had expected it.

But this exceeded my expectations in quantity.

I examined the magic artifacts and items one by one.

[Frozen Knowledge]

[Grade: Unique]

[Limit: Lv.550]

[Effect: When using ice magic, recover 50% of the consumed mana.]

[Description: A relic of a great ice mage. The magical knowledge he achieved in his lifetime is preserved in the necklace, frozen.]

...Wait, this is insane from the start.

A 550-level limit unique item.

This is something players can't even see.

Moreover, its effect is no joke.

Limited to ice magic, but it returns 50% of the consumed mana.

'...The efficiency will be ridiculous as the level increases.'

Why, high-level spells consume a significant amount of mana.

It really is a case of "name your price."

That's what I thought.

Of course, it's a pie in the sky for me.

'550 levels. I'm over 400 levels short.'

Even in small things,

I feel like I'm a parachute.

However, I naturally don't reveal my inner thoughts.

"Excellent."

I said calmly and examined the next item.

...But, why?

[Limit: Lv.500]

[Limit: Lv.600]

[Limit: Lv.450]

All the level limits were too high.

I couldn't help but get angry.

'What do they think of my level...!'

Such overestimation.

I wanted to ask for different magic artifacts.

But there was the message I sent via parchment.

'What was I expecting from the Magic Tower’s discernment?'

Really, the saying "loose lips sink ships" isn't just a saying.

Suddenly, a particularly small item caught my eye.

This isn't a necklace or a ring...

Could it be a brooch?

Noticing my interest, the mage said,

"This is an incomplete magic artifact, but I prepared it just in case."

An incomplete magic artifact.

Let's check it out.

...Huh?

First, the level limit is acceptable.

[Hexagram Brooch 1/6]

[Grade: Unique]

[Limit: Lv.100]

[Effect: When using magic, recover 10% of the consumed mana.]

[Description: One part of a brooch that becomes one when six are combined. Due to its limited nature, its effect is significantly reduced.]

Maybe it's because I've seen so many impressive items.

The effect seems plain.

But on closer inspection, it doesn't seem so.

'Ice, fire, all had restrictions.'

Even if they returned 50% or 40% of the consumed mana,

They had strict conditions.

But the brooch has no such conditions.

'Besides, considering my combat style...'

My combat style, well,

Isn't anything special.

Whether it's magic or science,

I just pull everything I have and fight fiercely.

In that sense, this item fits me better than any of the others here.

"I'll borrow this."

Most importantly, it passed the strict test of Grangfell's discerning eye.

The mage looked surprised at my choice.

"Do you not need any other magic artifacts?"

I can't use them even if I need them...!

I couldn't say that, no matter what.

I replied,

"This is enough for me."

"Very well! I understand your meaning."

What's with that amazed expression?

It seems he misunderstood my words.

But I had no more business here.

Why look at a tree I can't climb right now?

In that time,

I should focus on building the strength to climb any tree.

So, it's time to struggle again.

I immediately left the Garnet Hall.

My destination was,

Like the players I saw below,

The Isle of Yusra...

No, just a regular rift.

'I need to understand my place.'

Treasure Island, Isle of Yusra.

The nickname was tempting.

But the minimum recommended level was 350.

430 levels.

Even though I defeated the powerful Count Ascura,

If asked what I fear,

'There are no demons...!'

Because the Isle of Yusra doesn't have demon monsters.

I could excel in Count Ascura's territory thanks to the [Predator-Prey Relationship] effect.

I had an efficient spell,

But without enhanced mana, I couldn't have cast it a few times.

'Sadly, there's nothing I can do.'

It was something I had resolved.

Most importantly, I was laying the foundation now.

The Magic Tower, a powerful backer,

There's no need to rush.

So, the Isle of Yusra is far from me...

"!"

That's when it happened.

The class quest window, which had been quiet, began to flash.

[Class Quest: Dawn]

The curtain rises, and the beacon fire rises.

O last demon hunter,

Illuminate the world shrouded in evil.

─Strengthen your weakened body. (Repeat)

─Investigate the great evil in the Isle of Yusra. (In progress)

...Wait, this means I have to change my mind, doesn't it?

I didn't hesitate.

I immediately pinned the brooch to my lapel.

For going to battle,

It was a very elegant preparation.

But I said with utmost seriousness.

"There's no training as efficient as actual combat."