Chapter 29

◈ Chapter 29. The Ryan Heart Knights (2)

No matter how I think about it, I must be crazy.

Without even realizing it, my liver must have escaped my body...!

Not only as the chief magician of the magic tower.

Now, even as the captain of the Ryan Heart Knights.

‘He really is the type to rush things, isn’t he.’

It wasn’t just for show.

Indeed, the level of the Ryan Heart Knights was extraordinary.

Even back then, the level of a low-ranking knight was said to be around 300.

Even if the levels of most NPCs were fixed, the level of the captain, Harkon, must have easily surpassed 400.

“...You’re right.”

But what is this reaction?

Harkon, who had received a slight affront from me.

‘Just accepting it like that?’

At that moment, I was certain.

‘He definitely has a reason to see me.’

More accurately, he has a reason to see the magic tower.

Harkon had realized that I was connected to the magic tower through this brooch.

I subtly glanced down at the brooch pinned to my suit.

‘...Maybe it’s an even more impressive item than I thought.’

Just because the level requirement was low.

And because that was the only option I had.

The brooch I chose.

From Harkon’s reaction, it seemed to be a more impressive item than I had thought.

Of course, since it was a borrowed item, there would be a day when I would have to return it.

‘I need to make the most of it until then.’

While I was making this resolve.

Harkon regained his composure and shouted.

“Knights with the heart of a lion!”

Though it might sound corny.

Perhaps it was due to the solemn atmosphere.

Or maybe it was because of Grandfel’s personality.

‘Still, it sounds impressive.’

I was looking at the neatly aligned knights with satisfaction.

For a moment.

Bang!

A loud noise, and a named monster appeared.

It was a giant turtle.

Sharp, fang-like teeth protruding like a predator.

A giant turtle with a shell that shone like gold.

Instantly, a name from the new update came to mind.

『‘Golden Fang Giant Turtle’ : Lv.450』

Of all the monsters, I had to encounter the toughest one.

A monster with a level of 450.

The Yusra Islands, consisting of ten islands.

Ten named monsters inhabiting each island.

Among them, the one with the highest level was this giant turtle.

This isn’t going to be easy from the start.

But it might be worth a try.

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Predator-Prey Relationship: Combat power increases dramatically when fighting demons.

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Although this turtle wasn’t a demon.

Thanks to the sin of greed, the predator-prey relationship is activated.

Moreover, by my side were the empire’s finest knights.

The Ryan Heart Knights.

“Now that I know you are connected to the magic tower. Saying you should retreat because it’s dangerous would be presumptuous. So, adventurer, will you join us in defeating this monster?”

For some reason.

The knights were showing me an extremely polite attitude.

I realized once again.

‘...Do I have connections even in Arcana?’

I didn’t expect the magic tower’s influence to be so strong.

In any case, I had no reason to refuse.

I answered as usual.

“If my help is needed, I will gladly offer it.”

I added boldly.

“However, remember that everything comes with a price. Knight Captain Harkon Kingsguard.”

...Even as I said it.

I found it absurd.

Well, I can overlook the historical drama tone.

‘Isn’t this like saying, “I saved you from drowning, now hand over your package”?’

The alliance between me and the Ryan Heart Knights.

Even if we were to form a joint front.

The Ryan Heart Knights were still the dominant party.

Why, just the number of them was a hundred to one.

Level?

Frankly, it’s embarrassing to compare.

My level was only 146.

‘It’s like a bus passenger demanding the bus fare.’

Yet, I readily agreed to help.

And I even said I would accept a reward for the help.

...Would I die of embarrassment before dying to a monster?

Of course, it wasn’t a wrong statement.

Most importantly, it was a matter of maintaining the decorum that Grandfel couldn’t live without.

“Noted, adventurer.”

Thump!

Harkon, striking his chest with his fist.

Answering solemnly.

I resolved in my heart.

‘Can’t let a teenager get spoiled by being pampered.’

This is what happens when you keep giving in.

Still, it was fortunate.

The result of trading my inner shame wasn’t bad.

Not only did I join the bus the Ryan Heart Knights were providing... I even ended up owing them a favor.

Moreover, for some reason, Harkon’s reaction when he noticed the magic tower.

‘There’s a lot at stake here.’

Especially the golden turtle’s neck.

Not to mention, the island’s treasure.

So, I had no more distractions.

Bang!

The giant turtle lunging at us with its fangs.

“Knights with the heart of a lion! Charge!”

Harkon’s cry, and the knights charging forward.

I couldn’t lose.

I also manifested 『Magic』.

*

Park Hui-gang stared blankly at the scene before him.

‘...What is this? What’s happening?’

He had no energy to be surprised or make a fuss.

Easily subduing the Emerald Tiger.

That alone had left him in awe.

It was beyond his expectations.

- Ryan Heart Knights here?

- Just my luck, overlapping with NPC routes, lol.

- Getting the island’s treasure on this island seems tough, huh?

As the chat had predicted.

This time, his luck was bad.

What kind of NPCs were the Ryan Heart Knights?

From the time Arcana was a game until now.

If you were to pick the strongest military force outside the magic tower, they would be one of the top choices.

In terms of sheer power, they were the number one guild.

Easily overpowering even Shining.

- My trust is shaken, Homen.

Even if it wasn’t in terms of power.

The Ryan Heart Knights were the Ryan Heart Knights.

Most importantly, the captain, Harkon Kingsguard, was still active.

No matter how skilled Hui-gang was, competing with them was impossible.

Not just the viewers, but Park Hui-gang himself.

Everyone thought so.

Just when no one expected it.

An unexpected turn of events began!

- But why does Harkon look like that??

- He looks really surprised?

- What’s going on, what’s the new development?!!

I’ll try to relay this without interfering.

Due to the distance, I couldn’t hear what Hui-gang and Harkon were discussing.

But their expressions.

And the prolonged conversation, which clearly wasn’t normal.

Moreover.

“Huh? Wait a moment!!”

Thump!

Suddenly, Harkon made a solemn vow on his heart.

- Hold on a sec, lol.

- That’s a royal greeting, lol.

- Seriously, why is he doing that in front of Hui-gang??

- I didn’t suspect it, Homen.

Fitting the name “Heart of a Lion.”

For them, making a vow on their heart.

Had a significant meaning.

So, the curiosity only grew.

Another pilgrimage began.

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Current number of viewers: 512,998

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And now.

The number of viewers was increasing without pause.

In front of so many eyes.

The alliance between Hui-gang and the Ryan Heart Knights was unfolding.

- Is this even real, lol.

Hui-gang, hunting the Golden Fang Giant Turtle as if he was in a party with the Ryan Heart Knights.

Just forming a joint front with the legendary Ryan Heart Knights was already astonishing.

- ...What class is he?!

- Wow, his support skills are amazing, just.

- Regardless of his class, is that skill usage even possible?

The viewers, purely.

Focused on the battle Hui-gang was showing.

A battle they had never seen before.

Because Hui-gang was showing it to them.

So, instead of a broadcast, it felt like a live viewing.

The only thing Park Hui-gang, who was watching, could say was...

“...Wow.”

That was all.

*

The superiority of 『Magic』 over [Skills]?

Honestly, I’m not sure anymore.

‘It can’t be helped.’

I realized this while meeting magicians like Marcello at the magic tower.

It wasn’t that magic was superior, but Grandfel’s talent for magic was absurd.

‘I didn’t know it was so difficult.’

Exploration, interference, manifestation.

From the initial stage of exploration.

I didn’t realize it would require so much effort.

In that sense, skills had a clear advantage.

‘You just need to shout it out.’

But the disadvantage was also clear.

Most importantly, skills couldn’t be used creatively.

‘For example.’

Think of Fire Arrow.

In the case of a skill.

Shooting a Fire Arrow was all it did.

At best, you could adjust the direction.

But magic was different.

If you added more effort during the interference process...

Whoosh!

It could manifest as a Fire Arrow that burned intensely while rotating.

The destructive power was incomparable to a regular Fire Arrow.

The added acceleration to the rotating Fire Arrow made the firepower even more intense.

Boom!

As you can see.

A regular Fire Arrow would have been blocked by the dense vegetation and wouldn’t have reached the turtle.

But with the added rotation, it turned the obstacles into ashes.

Whirr!

Striking the giant turtle’s head.

Dealing enough damage to make it groan.

It was that difficult to manifest.

Not only the difficulty, but the mana consumption was much higher.

‘Of course, that doesn’t apply to me.’

I should be grateful again, right?

To my past self, who suffered from middle school syndrome.

Of course, my magic alone wasn’t enough to defeat the creature.

‘Even with the brooch’s effect.’

Before my mana ran out.

The creature’s health would