Chapter 96

◈ Chapter 96. An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth (1)

Tall stature.

Gaunt build.

A face that was nothing but skin and bones.

Despite his appearance, Marcello's interrogation was unexpectedly forceful.

To the point where there was no regret for the betrayal.

Perhaps it was because it involved the Magic Tower.

There was no trace of mercy.

"I am asking about the whereabouts of Karimzeba."

"I already told you, I don't know! Why would that arrogant old man tell me about his hiding place?"

"I will verify if you're telling the truth."

"Ugh, ughh!!"

Crackle—!

A spell that made even the onlooker shudder.

Marcello's expression didn't change as he tortured Jang Hyundo.

Or rather, the demon.

I realize once again.

The mages of the Magic Tower are not to be trifled with.

'In some ways, it makes sense that they are heartless and unfeeling.'

Of course, it's not my place to comment on this interrogation process.

I can't help it.

Me, Granfel, feeling sympathy for a demon?

It was impossible.

"What, what are you saying...!!"

Looking at me with those eyes won't do you any good.

I summarize the information obtained from the interrogation.

'The True Name demon, Akampatam.'

That Akampatam was the demon possessing Jang Hyundo.

It sounds grand, but it's not much different. True Name demons are classified as named monsters among demons.

'They are stronger than demons of the same level.'

Named monsters.

I've seen plenty of them in the [Predator's Swamp].

Even ordinary monsters become much more difficult when they have the 'named' tag.

It's only natural that demons are even more challenging.

"Do you know? I never intended to cooperate with Karimzeba, that old man! I only planned to betray him. I don't want the upper demon to be resurrected either!"

Akampatam was the same.

'Especially, his mouth is really foul.'

The Magic Tower doesn't want someone like me.

They want the demon worshipper, Karimzeba.

Realizing this from Marcello's questions, he was trying to twist the topic.

"I swear, I've told you everything I know."

Karimzeba must have fallen for this smooth talk.

He even almost got betrayed.

Well, thanks to that, we now know all of Karimzeba's plans.

"Simultaneous rift creation..."

That's right.

Karimzeba is preparing a summoning ritual for an upper demon.

Just like Frost and Decarabia.

The upper demon's resurrection will require sacrifices.

Karimzeba and the demon worshippers plan to open rifts and use them to gather the sacrifices.

"Vangrit Senior was almost a sacrifice, huh."

Daring to target a senior mage of the Magic Tower...

Marcello's eyes glinted with killing intent.

Marcello calmly assessed the situation.

"Given that two of the demon worshippers are trapped in the Nether, Karimzeba won't have the resources to control many rifts as he planned."

I agree with this.

But even if it's fewer rifts than planned...

I could guess the appropriate level of those rifts.

[Broken Dimensional Rift]

[Appropriate Level: Lv.900]

Of course, it was a trap for Senior Mage Vangrit.

The appropriate level might have been unusually high.

However, Karimzeba was a much bigger variable.

'Let's say Karimzeba is waiting in the rift.'

The moment players enter?

They would immediately become sacrifices for the upper demon.

The problem is that there's a good chance Karimzeba would act this way.

Akampatam's confession is proof.

Karimzeba was in a corner.

"I just couldn't resist the threat...! I only promised to give you, Lee Ho-yul, the information. That way, you could understand how the Magic Tower operates. But damn it, why did the succubus...?"

If I hadn't received a call from Baek Eui-sul, we might have taken a long detour. However, it was also me who turned Baek Eui-sul back into a human through the [Exorcism Ritual].

In that sense,

'Well done, Lee Ho-yul.'

I couldn't help but praise my past self again.

Now, with a thickened skin.

This kind of self-praise is beyond the level of self-congratulation.

Proving this, I calmly indulged in my thoughts.

'In the past, it would have been terrifying. Really.'

Rifts with ridiculously high appropriate levels appearing simultaneously around the world, the possibility of a monster like Karimzeba lurking in those rifts, and the fact that failing to clear such rifts could summon an upper demon.

...Wow, it's really dark, isn't it?

To make matters worse, my level is only 324.

I can't even imagine where to start.

It's on a scale that's beyond my capabilities.

However, I am no longer alone.

Yes, at least I have the authority.

"From this moment, I will permit senior mages to approach the rifts. Marcello."

Yes, the full authority over the mages' expeditions...

Karimzeba is a heretic of the Magic Tower.

This is for securing that heretic.

It's not a violation of procedure or pride to permit an expedition for that.

Yes, I can wield the power of the Magic Tower with confidence.

'Magic Tower quests are a given.'

The rifts will be cleared in the process of securing Karimzeba.

'The experience and loot obtained from him will be significant.'

Of course, my personal interests don't show on the surface.

Marcello replied.

"I will prepare quickly. Karimzeba will find out soon enough."

Startled—

I looked at the trembling Jang Hyundo.

Find out?

Find out what?

You told the truth, didn't you?

Jang Hyundo, or rather, Akampatam, had a questioning expression.

I looked at him coldly.

'What good does it do to talk a lot?'

Especially when you lack perception.

.

.

.

Grind—

Akampatam lowered his head and gritted his teeth.

'...Damn it.'

Thanks to betraying Karimzeba.

The suspicion towards him had decreased.

Akampatam felt relieved.

'At least I can save my life.'

But he couldn't help but shiver.

'Crazy Magic Tower mages.'

Karimzeba and this bony guy.

They are all ruthless.

To wield such magic without any emotional fluctuation.

They seemed unaware of the magic they were emitting.

In that sense, it was incomprehensible.

'What are they?'

Lee Ho-yul.

I couldn't sense the kind of magic from Karimzeba or the bony guy from him.

Akampatam knew mages well.

If they showed off their magic, they would show it.

Mages never hide their magic.

But...

Is he hiding his magic?

Or does he not have that much magic?

Neither made sense.

'Well, from the beginning.'

Isn't this bony guy using polite language with Lee Ho-yul?

His attitude is very respectful.

There's no negative emotion.

It's a genuine action.

'Forget it. It's none of my business.'

Thinking more would only complicate things.

Akampatam stopped thinking.

Instead, he focused on what he was confident about.

'After all, there's nothing I can't say in front of Lord Akampatam.'

Lee Ho-yul and the bony guy, Marcello.

Thanks to their conversation, he had a rough idea of the situation.

'The Magic Tower, trapped in the Nether.'

Karimzeba.

The demon worshippers he was looking for.

This was unexpected even for Akampatam.

If they were Karimzeba's comrades, they must have had comparable magic power.

'How could such monsters be subdued?'

What kind of place is the Magic Tower?

Thinking about being dragged here by the Magic Tower.

A shiver ran down his spine again, but...

At least, he had obtained valuable information.

'With this, I can return safely.'

After revealing all of Karimzeba's plans.

He had no desire to meet him.

But he wasn't the type to sit still.

When Karimzeba comes looking for him.

He needs to have something to say to save his life.

'Of course, today's events must be kept secret.'

Deceiving Karimzeba?

He was confident.

No matter how great Karimzeba was.

He was just a human who had been deceived once.

The second time would be even easier.

'For that, I need to keep quiet for now.'

Akampatam held his breath.

Yes, as long as he could return alive from here.

Then a voice was heard.

"I will prepare quickly. Karimzeba will find out soon enough."

"Huh?"

Find out?

Find out what?

I'm not going to say anything about this.

"!"

Akampatam was startled and looked up, meeting eyes with Ho-yul.

And he remembered.

A voice that had passed by like a breeze.

-"I do not converse with prey."

That's right.

It was the gaze of a predator looking at its prey.

Akampatam's pupils turned black.

"You, you are...?"

Shiver—

His tongue, which had been fine even in front of the dragon, Karimzeba, wouldn't work.

He couldn't even utter the deceitful words that had deceived Karimzeba.

His mind stopped thinking.

Yes, this was an uncontrollable tremor.

Fear.

Ho-yul said to the trembling Akampatam.

"I can see it."

"..."

"That foolish delusion."

Delusion.

He immediately understood what it meant.

'The delusion that I could return alive...?'

But he couldn't say anything.

Not conversing with prey.

It was not a conversation but a unilateral declaration.

Ho-yul's actions showed no hesitation.

Akampatam was shocked.

'So, it ends like this? Me, Akampatam?'

Of course, he couldn't even voice his shock.

*

"There's nothing good about him knowing the internal affairs."

Marcello erased Jang Hyundo's memory.

I don't know how far back he erased it, but I wish he would erase it as far back as possible.

Preferably before he became twisted.

'Jang Hyundo is famous for other reasons.'

Drugs, drunk driving, bullying.

Even before being possessed by Akampatam, Jang Hyundo was a notorious figure in the news.

If that troublemaker starts causing trouble again.

'Will Karimzeba just stand by and watch?'

Akampatam's memory is erased.

They won't be able to communicate.

Jang Hyundo might become a target for venting frustration.

Of course, it depends on whether Jang Hyundo reforms.

And how much of his memory remains.

'Anyway.'

[Predator-Prey Relationship].

I realized this when I activated the [Exorcism Ritual].

'This is a bit embarrassing to say, but...'

It seems I've grown significantly since clearing the [Predator's Swamp].

Of course, there were no demons in the [Predator's Swamp].

The dramatic effect of the [Predator-Prey Relationship] being activated after a long time.

But even so, I didn't expect to hunt so smoothly.

I checked my status window.

True Name demon, Akampatam.

Killing him increased my level by 9.

[Name: Granfel Claudius Arpeus Romeo]

[Title: The Last Adventurer]

[Class: Demon Hunter]

[Level: 333]

[Stats]

Strength: 60 / Agility: 65 / Magic: 271 / Luck: 6 / Aesthetics: 下

[Available Points: 9]

Based on the experience gained.

Akampatam must be at least level 560.

Killing him didn't require any grand magic.

──────

Silver Mastery (81%)

──────

Just to increase skill proficiency.

I attacked with silver in a rough form.

But a critical hit occurred unexpectedly.

[Critical hit on True Name demon Akampatam.]

Was it just good luck?

Or was it due to the points invested in luck?

I could have passed it off as a coincidence.

But I knew.

'[Predator-Prey Relationship]. It's not just the activation range that has increased.'

As my level increases.

The [Predator-Prey Relationship] activation range becomes more vast.

My [Predator-Prey Relationship] with demons has become more solid.

'This means I have an even greater advantage in battles with demons.'

I said boldly.

"But I am not satisfied."

It's not greed, but I am still far from enough.

Not long ago.

Just in the [Predator's Swamp].

How many grueling battles did I have?

Not just swordsmanship.

Due to insufficient magic, I had to use leaves as a platform.

I had to teach the pure elemental the bitter taste of a class system...

'So, I can't be complacent.'

No matter how confident Granfel is.

I need to maintain my sanity.

I need to keep a clear understanding of my role.

In that sense, I am thoroughly prepared.

Sss—

Words floating on the parchment.

──────

The enchantment of the requested magical tool has been successfully completed.

──────

Clack—

Putting down the teacup.

[Herb, 'Starflower Root' increases intelligence by 1 point.]

Preparation for dealing with Karimzeba.

The senior mages of the Magic Tower are the same.

So, I reaffirm.

I will understand my role.

I will properly utilize the solid support of the Magic Tower.

I have no desire to get caught in a conflict and die a miserable death.

.

.

.

Yes, I reaffirmed that.

But I didn't want this kind of excessive treatment.

'...It's beyond reassuring, it's burdensome.'

But as always, I can't show it.

I looked at the middle-aged man sitting across from me.

He smiled kindly and said.

"This is the first time we're having such a conversation. Let me introduce myself."

A small build for a man.

But the transcendent magic power emanating from his body reminded me of who he was.

But I didn't bow.

'Damn pride.'

That's why I quit the company, I did!

Despite the resentment echoing inside me.

I spoke arrogantly.

"No, let's skip the introduction."

"Oh?"

"Senior Mage, Senios. Tell me the reason for your visit."

Noblesse oblige.

The two senior mages who merely observed as the Magic Tower reached its current state.

Granfel's pride wouldn't respect them.

There would be no polite language.

I just wanted to close my eyes.

'If I argue with my superior... I have no excuse if I get fired. Really.'

Does the Magic Tower have a retirement system?

If so, what would they give me?

What happens to the magical tools I borrowed?

But I heard a different answer than I expected.

"The reason is simple. To receive permission."

...Wait, permission?

What permission does a senior mage need from me?

I thought and realized.

The full authority over expeditions given to me.

Senios continued with a smile.

"Senior Mage Senios formally requests permission for