Chapter 79

◈ Chapter 79. The Dignity of the Chief (3)

[The Rift of the Broken Dimension].

The landscape of the rift lived up to its name, indeed.

Even the rifts, which usually boast bizarre scenery, were not as strange as this.

This place had surpassed the level of bizarre.

'It’s similar to when graphics break down.'

Most importantly, neither the reality nor the Arcana world had a clear landscape.

I’m not sure if this is the right expression, but...

It was as if the rift had been forcibly opened...

'Wait a moment.'

Suddenly, a thought came to mind.

Today was not Thursday.

A new update.

It was not the day for a new rift to appear.

So, [The Rift of the Broken Dimension] was not a scheduled rift.

My impression that it looked like it had been forcibly opened was not just a wild guess.

“Is this what all rifts look like?”

“No. The Realm of the Bizarre is not so wretched.”

“Then, that’s a relief.”

Indeed, it was Marcello.

Although this was his first time entering a rift, he immediately sensed something was amiss.

Marcello continued.

“As you said, it’s not good for internal matters to be known externally.”

This was not just any matter; it involved the leadership of the Magic Tower.

If the disappearance of a senior mage and its connection to the leadership of the Magic Tower were to be known, the repercussions would be immense.

“I will finish this quickly.”

Marcello’s declaration.

I’ll say it again.

I can’t be any more reassured. Truly.

A surge of mana emanated from Marcello’s body.

Having seen it once before, I immediately recognized the process of his search.

It was a tracking spell.

Soon, Marcello’s weary eyes flickered.

“I have detected Vangrit’s mana. I will open a portal.”

He immediately manifested the portal.

...If it were me, I would have lost at least a third of my mana from just those two manifestations.

But Marcello didn’t seem to have expended any mana at all.

I realize again.

I still have a long way to go.

But my presence...

I will not fall behind anyone.

Tap—

“...Who is it?”

It’s all because of this guy’s footsteps.

Given Grangfel’s personality, it’s impossible to move silently.

His steps always carry a forceful energy.

“Sir Marcello? Co-researcher Yi Hyo-yul as well?”

Thanks to this, I was able to face Vangrit, whose face had turned pale. His messy brown curly hair. Seeing his clearly flustered reaction, I let out a sigh of relief.

‘He doesn’t seem hostile.’

Marcello spoke first.

“Vangrit. I have an idea of what’s going on.”

“...Chief Marcello. I, I...”

“We didn’t come here to interrogate you.”

“...!”

Vangrit bowed his head.

I think again, how fortunate.

If I had come here alone...

‘I would have just started with harsh words.’

Well, from the moment I thought about bribing him.

Because of you, I ruined the conference I organized.

I realize this anew.

‘The saying that words can repay a thousand pounds of debt is not just a saying.’

However, it seems impossible to persuade him with words.

Vangrit’s mana was surging.

“...I know you are not the kind of person to do this, Chief Marcello. But I’m sorry. I cannot miss this opportunity!”

Pure Mana Studies.

There is no inefficient search process.

A magic that uses only pure mana as a weapon, thus its destructive power is unmatched by any other magic. Vangrit Tom, known as the pinnacle of Pure Mana Studies.

Roar—

He manifested his magic.

“Please forgive this rudeness.”

Whoosh—!

I could immediately recognize it.

A condensed beam of mana.

The structure of the magic was simple and straightforward, no need for analysis.

The target was vast amounts of mana.

An interference that maximized only destructive power.

And an incredibly swift manifestation.

“!”

Boom—!

The destructive power was beyond imagination.

Crackle—!

The ground shattered, and the air trembled.

The rising dust evaporated without a trace.

...Is this real?

What’s even more terrifying is that Vangrit’s magic did not carry any intent to kill. Vangrit only wanted to push us away. The stray trajectory of the magic was proof of this.

But even the stray magic had this much power.

This is what a senior mage of the Magic Tower is?

It’s not for nothing that the Magic Tower is called the strongest military force on the Arcana continent...! Marcello manifested a barrier to counter the aftermath.

Indeed, it’s a defensive technique possible only with an abundance of mana.

‘I envy him to the point of madness.’

Of course, I am in a position where I must conserve as much mana as possible.

Always, in a cumbersome manner.

I had to use everything, whether it existed or not.

The target of my search was the pure mana swirling in this space.

Specifically, Vangrit’s mana.

I searched the surging mana and manifested a spell by interfering with it.

Of course, complex interference was impossible.

As I said, the power was immense.

To avoid being caught up in it, the interference process had to be simplified.

Of course, it wasn’t necessary.

The target was just pure mana.

I knew how to interfere and manifest such pure mana through experience.

Float—

Hundreds of mana spheres floating in the air.

Yes, it was Light.

The basic magic of Pure Mana Studies.

“...!!”

Instantly, I felt the sharp gazes.

Marcello and Vangrit looked as if they had seen something they shouldn’t.

In a place where all kinds of high-level magic are rampant.

They probably never imagined seeing such a trivial basic magic.

But this is my best and my way.

With a mere 296 levels.

To survive in a 900-level rift.

There’s nothing I can do about their looks.

I said boldly.

“Quite a greeting. Vangrit Tom, senior mage.”

Even though I responded in a cumbersome manner, my mouth was still active.

Vangrit shouted.

“Damn it, please just leave me alone!”

At this point, I was certain.

...Perhaps just staying out of the way is helping.

Whoosh—!

Vangrit started casting magic again.

But this time, Marcello wasn’t just watching.

Equally swift manifestation.

Boom—!

The scene of vast mana colliding.

The victor was clear.

Marcello spoke.

“I don’t want this meaningless act. Vangrit.”

That is why Marcello holds the position of chief.

Yes, Marcello, who successfully established the theories for most existing magic.

It means that no mage understands the properties of magic better than Marcello.

“Damn it!”

In the end, Vangrit stepped back.

A short-range teleport.

Vangrit hastily dodged.

...I am grateful that the battlefield is inside the rift.

Imagine if this chaos happened in reality.

It would be on a scale where dozens of buildings could be destroyed and mountains could collapse. But the outcome of this battle was clear.

Chief and senior.

The difference was obvious.

Vangrit must have realized this.

He couldn’t rashly manifest magic.

Vangrit gritted his teeth and said.

“...Do you know?”

“Know what?”

“This is the reason. The reason I came here.”

Vangrit glared at Marcello.

“Born into a prestigious magical family and endowed with great talent, Chief Marcello, you will never understand my feelings.”

Marcello, you came from a very good family.

But why are you suddenly looking at me?

I flinched, feeling like a thief caught red-handed.

...Could he have noticed my dark past?

The successor of the great Claudy family,

Possessing talent that makes me blush?!

However.

Of course, that setting is only my secret.

“A moment’s time, to counter my magic with Pure Mana Studies... If I had the same talent as you...! I wouldn’t have had a reason to come here.”

As you can see.

It’s simply a matter of talent.

But the injustice is the same.

Vangrit needed to look beneath the surface.

To see how much I struggle.

He can’t make such complacent remarks.

My conservative thoughts seemed to resonate with Marcello.

“Vangrit. You are greatly mistaken.”

“Mistaken...?”

“My life is not as great as to warrant your envy.”

“...What do you mean, Chief Marcello?”

“You will understand soon.”

Was it simply a comforting word?

Vangrit couldn’t hear such words.

Vangrit clenched his teeth and shouted again.

“No, before you understand, why don’t you try to understand me, Chief Marcello? I have no lineage, no talent. You know, don’t you? The decline of Pure Mana Studies because of someone like me...!”

Suddenly, I recalled what Marcello had said.

That his self-esteem was poor compared to his abilities.

There might be no better way to describe Vangrit.

I could imagine the expressions of the other mages in the Magic Tower if they heard this.

I don’t know much about Vangrit’s unfortunate family background, but if his words are true...

‘You entered the Magic Tower without such a halo?’

Not only that, you became a senior mage.

In the end, it’s self-praise.

So there’s no reason to listen anymore.

Or rather, listening would be meaningless.

I spoke.

“Enough whining. Vangrit Tom.”

“...You called it whining?”

“I’m not interested in your lineage or talent.”

Evaluating someone based on their lineage and innate talent?

The pride of Grangfel would never allow such behavior.

Of course, hearing the specific details wouldn’t change the pride.

Yes, at this moment.

The pride desires only one thing.

“Remember, the conference is not over.”

The last presenter of the regular conference.

To place Vangrit Tom in the Crystal Hall.

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

“...!”

“Not your family, bloodline, or talent.”

Vangrit muttered to himself.

“C, conference! I prepared so much, but I completely forgot.”

Now he seems to be regaining his senses.

Marcello finally sighed.

But it’s not over yet.

The pride is not satisfied.

“But before that.”

“?”

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

Yes, everything must be clear.

The reason for rushing to the rift, forgetting the well-prepared conference.

The reason for talking about the difference in lineage and talent in such a rift.

And the conversation with the leadership of the Magic Tower.

You must provide a reason that the pride deems appropriate.

Only then can you present your research at the regular conference.

Vangrit clutched his head.

“...I was called by an elder mage during the regular conference.”

Marcello nodded.

“I suspected as much. What exactly did you discuss?”

“It was about this rift.”

“Indeed.”

That much was expected.

I asked.

“There must be a reason why this rift was considered more important than the conference.”

“T, that. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean?”

Vangrit looked genuinely confused.

“The elder clearly said there was truth in this rift.”

“There’s truth in the rift? Did the elder really say that?”

“Without a doubt. He said the truth you seek is in the rift. If you grasp that truth, no one will look down on you...”

Marcello’s expression turned serious.

The reason was simple.

“Do you know, Vangrit? Truth is not something easily grasped. It’s not easily grasped, which is why it’s called truth.”

“I know! That’s why I’m confused. Why my judgment was clouded by such words...”

“I understand. There’s no need to strain yourself. Let’s discuss this when we return. Is that acceptable?”

I nodded at Marcello’s request for understanding.

The pride was not convinced.

But I realized.

‘That suspicious conversation...’

The elder mage had no intention of letting Vangrit live.

This thought only deepened the mystery.

Why.

Why would the elder mage, a member of the leadership of the Magic Tower, try to harm the senior mage Vangrit Tom?

And why lure him to this rift with talk of truth?

Complicated.

Why is the internal matter of the Magic Tower so complicated?

Just thinking about it makes my head hurt.

But the tangled mystery.

Was easily unraveled soon.

Crack—!

“!!!”

The roar echoing within the rift.

The landscape, like broken graphics, collapses.

From the collapsed gap, a giant hand emerges.

Crack—!

A dark and sinister hand grabs the space.

Crack—!

It begins to tear the space apart.

“What is that...?”

Even Vangrit, and Marcello, were speechless at the sight.

But I realized.

Why Vangrit fell for such an obvious lie.

Why he was lured to this particular rift.

And the identity of the giant hand.

It was all thanks to the message that appeared before my eyes.

[Skill, 'Predator-Prey Relationship' has been activated.]

The heightened senses of a demon hunter.

Perhaps my sense of smell has also developed.

I thought it smelled fishy from the start.

“Foolishly.”

I took out an offering from my inventory.

[The Pentagram of Impure Knowledge]

[Grade: Epic]

[Limit: None]

[Effect: Sealed]

[Description: Cursed by a demon, its effect is sealed. To know its proper effect, it must be purified.]

“You are hastening your end, inferior creature.”

[The Pentagram of Impure Knowledge has been selected as the offering.]

[Skill, 'Exorcism Ritual' has been activated.]

[??? has been invited to the 'Ritual'.]

Perhaps it hasn’t fully revealed itself yet.

The question mark, the name of the demon, was unknown.

But even if the demon’s name is unknown, what does it matter?

Grangfel cannot hesitate in the face of a demon.

I, Yi Hyo-yul, am the same.

‘Under normal circumstances, I might not know.’

But now, on either side of me are the chief and senior of the Magic Tower.

Marcello and Vangrit.

So, whoever it is, they’ve been caught.

Even if it’s a Demon King. Even if it’s a great evil.

At this moment, it’s just experience points.