Chapter 9

◈ Chapter 9. Regrettably (1)

I could guess the reason.

‘As expected… [Skills] and 『Magic』 are different, aren’t they?’

When I manifested Incantation, I felt a sense of alienation.

Even if the acquisition process is different, Incantation is ultimately a skill.

If I can manifest it, it should be listed in my skill list.

However, my skill list remained as sparse as ever.

《Skill》

Predator-Prey Relationship

Mastery in Concealment

Mastery in Shooting

Simultaneous Shooting

Exorcism Ritual

The same applied when I manifested other magic.

The experience then and now.

From this, I reached one hypothesis.

[Skills] and 『Magic』 are completely different concepts.

When I viewed them as separate entities, it made sense.

‘How much time and effort did it take to manifest just this Incantation magic?’

I’m not sure exactly…

But I knew it didn’t fit the setting.

Why, just by looking, I could manifest magic right away.

That’s the setting of Grandfel, which is typical of a middle school syndrome.

I opened my mouth.

“Indeed, it was quite reasonable.”

This time, it wasn’t a defense mechanism.

Completely different [Skills] and 『Magic』.

But when I tried to understand and manifest magic as a skill, it was bound to be so difficult.

It was like trying to do the impossible, making my head hurt!

‘…But I did manage to manifest the Incantation magic, didn’t I?’

In that sense, the setting of being the greatest genius in the Claudy family’s history was still overlaid.

I looked at the portal.

Indeed, it was different from when I watched the skill on NetTube.

I didn’t even need a pen and paper.

The process of 『Exploration』 and 『Interference』 was clear in my mind.

The portal, 『Portal』, a magic of a realm far beyond Incantation.

I felt like I could really manifest this high-level magic.

Of course, it requires a massive amount of mana to manifest.

I probably can’t even attempt it right now.

But just knowing this fact is enough.

I looked around the tower of the mage.

I’ll probably have to visit here often, but what about this place?

I’d like to grab a passing mage NPC and ask for a favor.

To show me magic.

Not the difficult ones, but the lower-level ones, step by step.

Of course, the high-nosed residents of the mage tower wouldn’t listen to my request.

Moreover, I know now isn’t the time for that.

─ Hunt the vampire. (In progress) ▲

● Announce that the hunt has begun. (In progress)

“I don’t need any teaching.”

…Moreover, this noble pride would never tolerate such a request.

Perhaps if it were an order.

Truly, a tiresome personality.

I soon walked into the portal.

Clack─

With an incredibly arrogant step.

.

.

.

Whoosh─

…Damn, it’s cold.

I should have brought a hand warmer along with the green tea teabag!

The cold was so intense that I wanted to cross my arms and stomp my feet.

But this body won’t even ask for help.

Such a low-class action is out of the question.

I walked with legs that were about to tremble.

The view changed, and a dense forest came into sight.

There, a large crowd had already gathered.

“Yes! I am now in front of the new rift in Russia.”

Press corps.

“Alright, I’ll enter the rift you want. Which one?”

NetTubers.

“How’s the situation? Are you okay? Oh, the video is being broadcast well.”

Guilds that set up camps outside.

Indeed, this scene shows the attention being poured into the Ascura Baron’s rift.

Most of them are competitors, after all.

My quest goal is to hunt vampires, after all.

The competition with flying and crawling guilds and players.

To be honest, it’s impossible to defeat Ascura Baron before them.

There’s a huge difference in numbers and levels.

But I was filled with confidence.

I hope this confidence is well-founded…

I walked towards a nearby rift.

“Hey, wait a moment.”

“?”

“Hey! Let’s maintain some decency.”

A man stopped me.

A man with a round face.

The man held a tripod with a camera attached.

A NetTuber.

The man looked me up and down.

“I can’t forget a face like this… You’re a newbie, right? The concept is fresh. What, a salaryman in the rift? Anyway, I’m reviewing this rift, so look for another one. Hoo-hoo.”

A newbie NetTuber with a salaryman concept.

Hard to argue with that?

Indeed, my appearance could be seen that way.

At first glance, I don’t look like a player who came to conquer the rift.

But take a closer look.

Do I have a camera like you?

Even if I wanted to answer like that, I couldn’t.

“Move.”

“What, what?!”

“I have no patience left.”

A voice colder than the harsh Russian wind.

It was the most polite way to express my feeling that “I’m too cold to bear it.”

“Hey, did you see that, guys? Newbies these days are really out of line, right? So, you’re saying I’m wrong just by looking at my face? No, ma’am! If you say that, too…”

Leaving the flustered man behind, I stood in front of the rift.

[Outskirts of the Territory]

[Recommended Level: Lv.240~270]

[Decay Progress: 9.7%]

My current level is 67.

A whopping 200 levels below the recommended level.

In front of such a rift, I had only one thought.

Maybe the cold will be less inside the rift…

*

Rank 32 guild, Berserker.

The guild master, Leonie Bellucci, frowned.

“Damn, what’s this?”

Currently, Leonie is level 348.

She is a top 100 ranked player.

With her position, Leonie has a lot of experience.

But this rift is different from the others.

It’s really a mess.

Leonie swung her dual swords.

Swish─

Clearly, she cut the leg.

But the wolf with red eyes didn’t flinch at all.

“This damn dog!”

Swish─

Uninterrupted sword strikes from the dual swords!

Soon, the wolf fell.

Of course.

[Bloodstained Wolf: Lv.230]

A 100-level difference.

A mere level 230 monster couldn’t withstand her attack.

Leonie checked the system message.

She clearly defeated it and clearly received experience.

But, what’s this uncomfortable feeling?

“…Guys, am I the only one feeling this way?”

Leonie with a serious expression.

But her serious face didn’t match the current background.

Her cute face that can pull off a haphazardly cut crimson bob.

Her delicate build.

Who would guess from her appearance alone?

That she is the master of the Berserker guild, a berserker.

“What is it?”

“Sis, are you pretending to be sharp again?”

“Really, not scary at all.”

So, the guild members smiled warmly.

Not just because of her cute face.

Because, despite her usual pretense of being sharp, Leonie’s intuition isn’t that good.

Of course, this warm atmosphere never lasted long.

“No, damn it. It’s really uncomfortable, I tell you?!”

Is there anyone who can break the mood like this when they open their mouth?

It’s a shocking reversal, even if you see it every day.

The guild members sighed.

“…Yeah. That’s our sis.”

“But what’s uncomfortable? Is it because the strategy is too easy?”

“Bad intuition kicking in.”

Leonie raised her fist.

“No, it’s supposed to be easy! Cha-cha! What level are we?”

“Sis, if you can’t be careful with your words, at least try to control your hands, okay?”

“Stop nagging. No, have you seen such monsters before?!”

Punch─

Leonie kicked the wolf lying on the ground.

“They don’t show any sign of pain even when they die.”

“Well, maybe they’re just demons?”

“Damn. Is this the first time we’re killing demons? Haven’t you heard imps screaming?”

…Wait, now that I listen, it’s true.

The elite 30 members of the Berserker guild.

They entered the [Outskirts of the Territory] rift and continued hunting for about 3 hours.

During this time, they must have killed dozens of [Bloodstained Beasts] and [Bloodstained Bandits]…

“…Have you heard them scream or groan?”

Looking back, they never heard it.

When the guild members didn’t respond, Leonie shrugged.

“Somehow, it’s uncomfortable. There’s something about these guys.”

“So, what’s that something?”

“No, damn it. How am I supposed to know?”

“Sis, now that I listen, it is strange… But maybe there’s nothing special? Most importantly, we clearly got the experience when we killed them.”

“That’s true, but I have a bad feeling, you know?!”

The guild is always ranked 30th.

There’s a reason for the precarious position above and below.

Our guild’s master’s dignity is on the floor.

“Really, what do you think I am…”

Just as Leonie was about to vent her frustration, which wouldn’t have worked anyway.

From a distant forest.

-Creak, creak!

Such a sound was heard.

“…!”

Faint, but it sounded like an animal groaning.

Suddenly, the gazes focused on Leonie.

“…Hey, why are you all looking at me with that ‘I told you so’ look?!”

How many players have entered the rift.

It could be the sound they’re making…

-Ah, ahhh!

But the pitiful howling sealed the deal.

Now, words came out, not just looks.

“Of course.”

“Indeed, that’s our sis.”

“Damn. What’s wrong with her now?”

Why are they groaning and howling?

Half out of frustration, half out of curiosity.

Leonie led the guild members towards the source of the sound.

“Anyway, it’s better to join them. After all, we’re in the same position of conquering the rift.”

Actually, [Outskirts of the Territory] is a rift that’s almost like a warm-up.

Even if demon monsters appear, the guilds participating in this strategy can clear it without much difficulty.

The real competition starts after clearing all the outer rifts.

From the [Baron’s Territory] rift.

“…What kind of people are they?”

What made those quiet guys scream in fear?

Leonie listed some possible candidates.

‘First, exclude Shining and Gaon. We avoided them.’

Rank 1 and 5.

What would happen if we faced those two guilds?

The Berserker guild entered a distant rift to avoid them.

Then, the remaining candidates weren’t many.

“From what I can see, Second Sun or Bohemian. One of the two.”

But as I said.

Leonie’s intuition isn’t that good.

“…?”

When they followed the crying sound, there was no guild.

There was only one man.

But his appearance didn’t match the background any more than Leonie’s.

Dressed in a suit, even wearing shoes.

But the most striking thing was.

The teacup in his hand.

Steam─

Rising.

A teacup that looked warm just by looking at it.

But strangely.

His appearance didn’t look unnatural at all.

Though it didn’t match the background.

A relaxed atmosphere was emanating from the man.

It was as if he was enjoying a tea time.

Swallow─

“…What kind of crazy guy is that?”

At this alien scene, Leonie swallowed dryly.

The man spoke to her.

“Unfortunately.”

With an incredibly firm voice.

“There is no tea to offer you.”

.

.

.

Warm.

The chill is finally fading.

Now that I’ve learned the value of tea time.

I can’t help but cherish the green tea teabag in my pocket.

So.

Swallow─

Pretending to be thirsty won’t get you anything.

─ Hunt the vampire. (In progress) ▲

● Announce that the hunt has begun. (Success)

● Make them feel the fear of being hunted. (In progress)