Chapter 81

◈ Chapter 81. It was a simple problem

The appropriate level was 900.

No, it would later be as high as a thousand.

This was no ordinary rift.

It could only be seen as a bug.

"Where do you see such a rift suddenly appearing?"

"Isn't it because of that senior magician who disappeared?"

"Even if you enter, you're just going to die."

So, when Horyeol entered that kind of rift.

It was only natural for the world to be turned upside down.

"I can't believe it even as I watch..."

What is the role of a program host?

To fill the audio in any situation.

But the host couldn't even speak.

The silence that followed, measured not in seconds but in minutes—

It was clearly a broadcast accident.

Not just the viewers.

Even PD Hyun Yongseok empathized with the host's feelings.

"…What are we watching, us?"

"Senior, this can't be a dream, right?"

"No. Even if it's Horyeol, this is—"

The performance Horyeol had shown so far?

It was sufficiently astonishing.

No, it was a continuous series of surprises.

From the Ascuran Count to the Demon King Decarabia.

Compared to the top-ranked players.

Horyeol had always taken down enemies that were overwhelmingly superior.

But this was a different level of problem.

That rift looked sudden and dangerous to anyone.

But Horyeol showed no hesitation.

He entered the rift as boldly as always.

That was the image of Horyeol that was broadcast.

The voice of the host coming from the TV.

It was a step for the peace of humanity.

That was a noble attitude.

Horyeol was a hero of humanity, beyond being a player.

Rox, who had been listening silently, shrugged.

'Impressive, Horyeol.'

The experience in the [Quirnberg Machine Tower] rift.

Through that, Horyeol was at least level 900.

Rox, who had gauged Horyeol's level.

"But for Horyeol, this is probably no big deal."

So, when he heard that Horyeol had entered a rift with an appropriate level of 900, Rox wasn't surprised.

He just thought, 'Horyeol is being Horyeol.'

Still, there was one thing to be surprised about.

"Jesse? Are you crazy?"

Jesse said he would follow Horyeol into the rift.

Camilla, in shock, asked.

"Just now, you said with your own mouth that it's not good to stick your neck out when a senior magician from the Magic Tower is involved. So why are you—?"

Then she trailed off.

She realized from Jesse's cold expression.

No matter how much she said, she couldn't change his mind.

'If it were a normal situation.'

She wouldn't have tried to stop Jesse.

More of a business relationship than a colleague.

After all, Jesse could leave the Shining Guild at any time.

But Jesse seemed to be under some delusion.

It was time for advice as a business partner.

"You'll just be a hindrance."

"…What?"

"What do you think of Horyeol? Jesse."

You should worry about the person you're worried about.

Moreover.

"Horyeol isn't alone, you know."

"!"

"You should know better than I do, Jesse. What the Chief Magician of the Magic Tower is. He's the best among those excellent senior magicians, right?"

Chief Magician, Marcello.

As Rox said.

Jesse knew his abilities better than any player.

The cap on his head reminded him of that fact.

-Yes, with Marcello, you can rest assured.

It wasn't to ease the worries of a disciple.

If it were Marcello.

Even if the senior magician turned hostile.

He could easily subdue him.

But that raised a question.

-How he ended up accompanying him, I don't know.

The cap knew the Magic Tower's pointless rules well.

And also that Marcello, that scrawny kid, wouldn't break the rules despite knowing their contradictions. Yet, Marcello broke the rules and went outside the Magic Tower...

-The Magic Tower will be in an uproar for a while.

Is change coming to the unchanging Magic Tower?

The only thing that has changed is one person.

Horyeol.

Indeed, a man who can stimulate my interest must be this impressive.

'I know too.'

Jesse finally relaxed the fist he had been clenching. How tightly he had been clenching it. His already pale fingers turned even paler from lack of blood.

'I know... but...'

Because she knew, as Rox said, that she couldn't help at all?

Because she realized her own weakness?

Or because she was afraid she might never see Horyeol's magic again?

It seemed she couldn't answer even if she thought about it now.

At this moment.

All Jesse could see was the rift on the screen.

Of course, the wait wasn't long.

The steady pace.

The same attire.

The same interview.

-"I won't answer any questions. It's an internal matter."

A safe return.

As if nothing had happened.

Horyeol appeared.

*

Yes, this internal matter is not over yet.

Portal manifestation.

Return to the Magic Tower.

Marcello, Banggret, and I ascended the stairs of the Magic Tower.

"I'm sorry. Because of me..."

"It's not your fault, Banggret."

"Seek forgiveness from the audience who waited for your presentation."

How can the same words be so different!

While Marcello's words were comforting, Banggret's mouth couldn't utter a single kind word.

But.

"Of course. I have no intention of missing this second chance."

It was as if Banggret, who had intended to offer a bribe, had changed completely.

It couldn't be because of me.

'So, try to relax that tense neck a bit...'

As I said, all I did was spout insults at Banggret.

Talking about the academy in that serious situation.

"Banggret, what's most important is your safety."

I checked the quest in response to Marcello's words.

─Secure Chief Magician Banggret Tom, who is involved with the Magic Tower's leadership. (In progress)

Yes, the quest is still in progress.

It means it's not over yet.

Marcello was thorough in this regard.

Boom─

Responding to Marcello's magic power.

The massive door opened, revealing the Crystal Hall.

In the Crystal Hall, including Banggret.

All the senior magicians were gathered.

The senior magicians, who had been waiting, spoke.

"Banggret, you're safe!"

"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused."

"Even though I don't know what happened, it's a relief."

"Chief Magician Marcello! What happened here?"

From their reactions.

Marcello had activated his Chief authority.

He had gathered all the senior magicians.

Well, I could guess the reason, but.

It was natural for the senior magicians to need an explanation.

"Banggret's safety and to avoid unnecessary suspicion. Please wait a moment. I will return with a definite answer or send a signal."

Indeed, Marcello.

It was a space with twenty senior magicians gathered.

Even if someone tried to threaten Banggret.

It would be impossible to harm him without their notice.

It made sense to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

'The suspicious eyes will be directed upwards.'

Upwards, to the leadership of the Magic Tower.

Not only did they inflict a status ailment on Banggret.

They also sent him to a rift, a rift from which a demon emerged.

I, who knew this.

And Marcello didn't hesitate.

We ascended the stairs again.

"I had suspected that the elders were hiding something. But I never thought it would be related to a demon. I am ashamed to show you this."

I couldn't have imagined it either.

That a demon had extended its claws to the Magic Tower.

But it was still just a guess.

'Until I see it with my own eyes.'

Until I confirm it myself.

It's just a guess.

The possibility is very high, though.

I said to Marcello, who had a solemn expression.

"You shouldn't be the one to bow. Chief Magician Marcello."

"…?"

"The ones who should be ashamed are them."

We had reached the top floor of the Magic Tower.

The ones I was talking about were, of course, the elder magicians.

Noblesse oblige.

The higher the position, the heavier the responsibility.

Even if they didn't know, it's just an excuse.

The pride of Granfel cannot tolerate the incompetence of the elders.

…Still, why is it so bright?

The light shining from the ceiling of the Magic Tower.

Due to the backlight, the faces couldn't be seen clearly.

But the number of shadows revealed the number of elders.

Four of them.

Yes, one of them is related to the demon.

Not just related, but perhaps possessed by a demon.

Depending on the flow of the conversation, a battle could break out.

'My fate, but what a harsh fate...'

A comedy from a distance, a tragedy up close.

That I entered the Magic Tower.

And that I held a position equal to a Chief Magician.

I want to show this situation to those who envied me.

The Magic Tower.

It turns out there's no more disorganized group than this.

Even the Shadow Mercenary Corps, who risk their lives for money, aren't this corrupt, really.

There's a reason why the saying "the water at the bottom is clear when the water at the top is clear" exists.

There's a reason why the relationship between senior magicians is so bad.

'Are you trying to make up for the lost experience points by catching the demon?'

If that's the case, I want to decline with all my might.

The opponent was an elder magician, after all.

Just by facing them.

The pressure is overwhelming.

But once the pride is moved.

There is no fear, no trembling.

Even if I drown in the pride.

I have to stand up to them.

Moreover, the worst possibility was something I had considered from the beginning.

So, I had prepared accordingly.

The senior magicians gathered in the Crystal Hall were that preparation.

By now, Banggret must be explaining the current situation.

-I will return with a definite answer or send a signal.

Yes, Marcello's signal would be the start of a full-scale battle.

But the situation didn't escalate to a disaster.

"!"

Because Marcello spoke.

Crack─

With this thin sound.

"Why are there only four of you?"

…What, were there not originally four?

.

.

.

The round table meeting was postponed.

Banggret Tom went missing.

The moment I learned that a demon was involved in this incident.

Marcello had considered all possibilities.

Even a full-scale battle with the elder magicians.

But he hadn't anticipated this situation.

"I know about the story of senior magician Banggret Tom."

"I am deeply regretful, Marcello."

"That one of our elders was a demon worshiper. When we caught the evidence, it was already too late. It was a matter of the Magic Tower's honor. We tried to chase him, but as you can see."

A demon worshiper…!

That the elders would bring up this story first.

Marcello swallowed dryly.

It was a reaction and development he hadn't anticipated.

His mind was in chaos.

'Where do I start to believe this?'

In fact, he knew in his head.

'I can't believe a single word they say!'

The contradictions of the elder magicians were numerous.

Even if they weren't related to the demon.

Their words couldn't be trusted.

That alone was enough to be overwhelming.

Now, with the demon involved.

Marcello's mind was so complex it felt like it would burst.

'…Can I really be sure there's only one worshiper?'

But if I can't believe it, what should I do?

Given