◈ Episode 137. Believe in Me (1)

[Last Adventurer: You cannot die on the Arcana Continent. If you do, you will immediately return to reality and will be unable to access the Arcana Continent for a period of time. – Cooldown: 24 Hours]

[Seed of the World Tree] Quest Success.

The title system was unlocked as a reward.

It’s a world quest reward, not something else, but when I first saw the effect, I wondered if there was such a thing as a this……. I wonder how I’ll ever get to use it.

‘Of course, that’s when the [Map of All Things] is active.

I had some confidence that it was possible.

If nothing else, it’s an Epic-ranked item, a Demon Loot.

Most of all, it was based on what I witnessed in the [Broken Dimensional Rift].

[???]

A nameless demon had entered the rift with its bare hands.

The demon’s loot was offered as a sacrifice.

That much has to be possible to make a profit.

“Time waits for no one.”

Indeed.

It’s been a while since you’ve said that, Ho-Yeol.

Time was limited.

“Marcelo is at his limit.

Step on the land of Arnaca Continent… … .

I have a feeling it’s sooner than I thought.

It’s something that can’t be put off.

So all I need is a short time and full preparation.

In other words, I had to go back to the beginning and struggle.

My preparation was simple.

“Your application is on hold.”

First of all, I had to follow the procedure and finalize the chief’s work.

All this formality and procedure……!

I wondered if I had time for this.

If I didn’t do it, Marcelo would have to.

Hadn’t I learned from my countless social experiences?

There’s nothing more stressful than having to deal with the work of others.

It could be a life-saver for Marcelo.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Bellier Yusia.”

Why did I put aside Bellier’s application?

Simple.

I had no choice but to go to the continent of Arcana alone.

‘It must be a living hell.’

Even with the Quernberg machine tower activated, the seeds of the New World Tree hatched, and the activities of the demons became mute due to the crushing of the Demon King. The Arcana Continent was already a den of demons.

‘It’s a dangerous place, even for a senior of the Magic Tower.’

What if the entire Magic Tower was moved?

“It’s the territory of an inferior race, and I’d like to crush it right now.”

Always.

My usual ramblings.

If it weren’t for the effects of the [Last Adventurer] title, this would have been an incredibly reckless move.

Even if the abilities of the senior mages were beyond my wildest dreams, and even if Bellier told me that demons were no problem.

‘There’s no way back.’

The effect stated on the item.

It also says that multiple people can teleport there.

Because there was no way to come back.

Furthermore, the moment the teleportation effect is triggered, the Map of All Things loses all effectiveness.

This means that even if you want to be safe, you won’t be able to.

Anyway, let’s start preparing.

‘First of all, I’m innocent and all…….’

Let’s get down to business!

I don’t know about Grandfell, but I hadn’t yet realized the power of spirit possession, so I felt like I would die of injustice if I couldn’t use [The Map to All Things] as much as possible.

‘Of course, that’s the primary goal.’

[Quest: Request from the Simuard Family].

To succeed in the quest.

To get him to lift the curse on Marcelo’s life.

Is it possible?

I was not concerned.

I understood this character, the deep and complex pride of Grandfell.

I understood him better than anyone.

[Heir to a great house, whose family was destroyed by a demon.

The sole survivor of the family, Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo, hereafter Grandfell, has taken up the life of a demon hunter to avenge his family’s demise].

Senios, his sacrifice is enough.

I could feel Grandfell’s pride rising.

So what I had to do was the same as always.

“It’s always good to warm up before you turn on the brain.”

─Train your weak body. (Repeat)

●Run 35 kilometers (successful)

●2,500 push-ups (ongoing)

●1,500 pull-ups (successful)

●700 burpee tests (successful)

Now, let’s get down to business.

*

Floating garden.

Black and green.

A mismatched pair sat across from each other at a table.

It was the green-haired one, Bellier, who spoke first.

“I see my application to appear has been placed on hold.”

Well.

Bellier bit his lip.

She had realized that her application was not suitable for the purpose.

But she knew Chief Lee would understand the gravity of the situation.

” …… I don’t know how to do it, so I don’t think I can give you a specific purpose.”

The curse of the Simuard family’s terminal illness.

It was meant to harm.

No wonder we don’t even know what the curse is.

But it’s not even something to blame for.

Wouldn’t Simuard have tried it?

Still, it was a curse that could not be broken.

“It is not your fault, Senior Bellier.”

Matisse, founder of Black Magic.

In some parts of the world, black magic was not magic at all, but a curse.

Thanks to him, Simuard had heard of the Curse of the Terminal Illness.

Beyond that, he had come face-to-face with Simuard’s kin before entering the Tower.

“It wasn’t magic, and it wasn’t black magic.”

A magic tool that responds to the proper kind of magic.

Matisse put the ring on.

The color of the ring hadn’t changed.

Proof that the curse was not black magic.

“I can tell by the look on his face, he doesn’t have much time left.”

“If it’s Senior Bellier’s healing magic…….”

“My healing magic?”

I asked.

Bellier shook his head.

“It might be able to keep him breathing, but unless you address the fundamental problem, the curse of terminal illness. That would be no different than necromancy.”

Matisse stared at his teacup.

The tea had long since gone cold.

The stillness of the teacup felt like sleep.

“?”

The moment.

Suddenly, an audible snort.

Matisse looked up, and Bellier was smiling.

With a bitter expression.

“He’s a fool, he is. It’s nothing new, really, because Marcelo has been the same since he was a boy. He’s frighteningly foolish, to the point of being annoying to be around.”

“Marcelo senior is frighteningly foolish……?”

“Does Senior Matisse know what the Simuard family’s annual event is?”

“Well, when I say annual, I mean…….”

It happens every year.

If it’s an annual event in the Mage family, then…….

As Matisse pondered, Bellier added.

“A funeral.”

“……!”

“Because in the Simuard family, blood relatives die every year.”

“Oh.”

I’d overlooked it.

The Curse of the Terminal Illness is a bloodline curse with no exceptions.

No wonder there were victims every year.

Matisse asked, puzzled.

“But what does foolishness have to do with it?”

“I’ve never seen him grieve.”

“……!”

“Not a single memory I have of him from my childhood, even when his father died, even when people close to him died. Marcelo never showed a single tear.”

Bellier hated Marcelo for his reticence.

He seemed like a good boy, waiting patiently for his turn, which would come one day.

Bellier snorted again.

“Look. It’s still the same now. What kind of conference are you going to have with a body like that?”

Crystal Hall.

Marcelo was moderating a roundtable.

If you ask why those two didn’t attend the meeting.

They couldn’t bear to see him in such a weakened state.

“I’m concerned.’

Matisse’s mouth went dry.

After all, there was nothing he could do?

He was about to reach for his teacup when he heard a voice.

“……?”

Tsk-tsk.

A ripple in the stillness of the teacup.

The teacup was shaking slightly.

The vibrations grew louder.

The source of the vibration got closer.

“Master Bellier!”

An adept mage of the Healing School, Klee.

Udada─

Klee, who had rushed over, was dumbfounded.

She hadn’t realized that Senior Bellier was talking to Senior Matisse.

“I apologize for interrupting your conversation……!”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“We were just finishing our conversation. It’s okay, Klee. What can I do for you?”

“Oh, that!”

Has there been an urgent situation within the Healing School?

It’s not good to listen to other people’s business.

Matisse stood up from his seat.

“I think I should tell you about Crystal Hall and the Round Table!”

Roundtable?

The Roundtable must still be in full swing.

Bellier asked curiously.

“Go ahead, Klee.”

Hmph.

I took a deep breath.

Finally, Klee spoke up.

“……What?”

That was the last thing she expected to hear.

“……Senior Lee Ho-yeol is entering the Arcana Continent?”

Bellier and Matisse.

The two of them looked at each other, not knowing who to say first.

How could he enter the Arcana Continent?

They couldn’t figure out how.

But they could guess why.

“You can’t tell me that Chief Lee’s reason for the pending decision has anything to do with…….”

Could it have something to do with Marcelo?

It was no time to speculate.

The three of them hurried to the Crystal Hall.

.

.

.

Roundtable.

I declared in the Crystal Hall, before the mages.

“I intend to enter the Arcana continent.”

I stood tall and proud.

I am the chief guardian of the Tower.

But due to personal circumstances, I must step down.

It is the proper procedure to inform all members of the Tower.

I did.

It’s all part of Grandfell’s pride in formality and procedure. But was it necessary to say this at a roundtable?

“You’re bragging in front of your employees about taking annual leave.’

A parchment would have been sufficient.

Besides, I haven’t even confirmed the effectiveness of the Map of All Things yet. What if we can’t teleport to the Arcana Continent?

I don’t want to think about the aftermath.

But he didn’t reveal his true thoughts.

“I won’t be gone long. I will be gone for a few days, so I ask that you refrain from making any requests for me, including requests to leave. I hope you understand.”

…… Understood.

Grandfell, I knew you’d say something like this.

You’ve grown up, boy.

My admiration was short-lived.

I realized in the flowing silence.

‘……Wait, I forgot where I was.’

Suddenly, a flashback.

When the boss said he hoped for the employees’ understanding, there was clearly a damn good reason behind it. But damn class system. An experience that I had no choice but to criticize.

It was a lip service to understanding, but it was really just a one-sided declaration.

Okay, I thought, what’s wrong with me? If you don’t have pride, there’s no way you can spit out the word “understanding” with a personality like a corpse or an old man… … .

“You don’t have to do that, Chief.”

It was Marcelo who broke the silence.

So they were still the same rank.

Marcelo continued with a questioning look on his face.

“I will take care of your work while you are away…”

No, that would negate my reason for traveling to the Arcana continent.

“I decline.”

” ……? I can’t believe you refuse.”

“I’ll say it again. My vacancy cannot be filled by anyone.”

I feel it all the time.

I wonder if the mouth could be this crooked even if it was crooked.

That I’ll just come back and take care of it.

I can’t believe I just spit it out like that.

Still, thanks to that, my intention seemed to have been conveyed clearly.

“Understood.”

Marcelo replied, and once again there was silence.

But the silence didn’t last long. It was the beginning of a new roundtable, where we learned about the existence of demons and the state of the Arcana continent.

A murmur.

You could hear them even if you didn’t try to listen.

“……How are you going to enter the Arcana Continent?”

“Have you discovered a new way?”

“But even if that’s possible, it’s too dangerous!”

Even the world tree is so threatened that it’s sowing new seeds.

The Arcana Continent was on the brink of extinction.

I had said that I would enter such a living hell.

No wonder they were concerned.

“No matter how much you say Chief Lee Ho-yeol…….”

Amidst the commotion, someone raised a hand.

A familiar face.

It was Vanguard Tom, a senior in Pure Magic.

He’s so formal even in this situation.

After all, when you learn something, it’s better to learn it strictly.

I nodded in approval, and Vanguard spoke.

“I’m not doubting your abilities, but are you sure you’ll be okay on your own? As you know better than anyone, the Arcana continent is currently…….”

Vanguard’s question focused my attention.

Hmph─

Even the gazes of Matisse and Bellier, who had entered the Crystal Hall late. Are you really entering the Arcana continent alone? Did the liver come out of the stomach?

They must be thinking to themselves.

“As I said, I am entering the Arcana Continent alone.”

But there’s no need to feel sorry for me.

In the words of Grandfell, it’s a goodbye.

Look at me like this.

‘I have a few allies on the continent of Arcana.’

Hiel. And the Dark Spirits.

Dwarven airships flying over Arcana.

And finally.

Akshan’s battlecruiser, the Quernberg Machine Tower.

[Experience accumulates in the Battlecruiser Quernberg Machine Tower].

[Prestige accumulates in the Battlecruiser Quernberg Machine Tower].

[Gain access to the accumulated experience and prestige].

I hadn’t forgotten about the experience and prestige that would have been accumulated in the Quernberg Machine Tower.

In other words, I might have been alone when I entered the Arcana Continent, but I wasn’t alone when I arrived.

But this guy’s speaking habits.

He wasn’t kind enough to explain the specifics.

“But you have nothing to worry about.”

I added firmly.

“Believe in Me”