◈ Episode 153. Stay in Line

The effect of the [Sublime] is to ‘influence’ the surroundings.

Or more precisely, my surroundings.

I don’t feel comfortable saying this in my own words, but…….

It affects the surroundings of the ‘sublime’.

A gleaming Aquarius oak tree.

At first, I thought it had become too splendid, but I was mistaken.

The oak, which had just sprouted leaves with the blessing of Hiel, was radiating with life.

It wasn’t just a figure of speech.

[Life regeneration increases slightly].

It was really a message, and it worked.

Also.

I looked at the fallen citizens.

……Wiggle.

They hadn’t regained consciousness yet, but I could see movement in their motionless bodies.

They’re starting to regain the life force that was drained from their ailments and the heavy rain.

‘The effect is as great as the appearance.’

A change of this magnitude could not have been accomplished by my impure influence alone.

The influence of the [Sublime] was obvious.

‘The same goes for Schreig.’

I’m sure it was called a silver haze.

Surely you have witnessed my sword strength.

I had a hunch.

I wondered if the small changes in the message were meant to indicate Schreig’s growth.

But there was no time to think about it.

Snap-

The ghosts approaching with the sound of water.

I raised my umbrella and drew on my magic.

I may not be able to evaporate the torrential downpour, but you guys are no problem.

I chanted to the water ghosts.

“If you think you can mimic humans, you’re wrong from the start.”

Hmph!

“It’s not what you look like that matters, but the pride in your heart, because even pride can’t be copied.”

.

.

.

[Small changes occur due to the effect of sublime.]

……Sublime?

It’s clear from the message that it’s a buff.

But it’s a strange thing.

“What is it?

Sublime is a skill I’ve never heard of or seen.

Schreig, there weren’t any guildmates around to give him the buff.

Yes, there was only one other player around.

Ho Yeol.

‘Unless you really do have eyes in the back of your head…….’

While fighting a ghost with an umbrella.

He was giving himself a buff.

Any other player would have denied it was possible.

But not this guy.

If you’re Ho Yeol, hunting a level 600 monster with an umbrella.

‘There’s no reason to buff me when I’m …….’

Buffs, sublime.

We don’t know what the effect is.

But whatever special effect it had.

kkwaag─

Schreig clenched his fists.

‘Because I won’t be able to play a role.’

The enemy was level 600.

In comparison, Schreig was only around level 400.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, his class is Fencer.

His matchup with the enemy is even worse.

‘This is not a problem that can be solved with a buff.’

He knows this better than anyone.

But Schreig gritted his teeth.

It was painful to face reality once more.

Surely, Ho Yeol had said.

‘……If I can’t believe in myself. Believe in Lee Ho-yeol, who believes in me.’

It was definitely unfamiliar.

Schreig had only known Ho-yeol through the media.

The way he brushes off rude questions.

Instead of being humble, Ho Yeol’s behavior was more about being cocky than being good.

That’s why I couldn’t understand it anymore.

‘Why even to a guy like me?’

Nam Taemin, Hisagi, and Leonie from the Great Alliance.

And the Archmage, Jesse Heinness.

They would understand.

‘Same faction.’

And each one of them was a player of immense potential.

Gems of talent in a different league than himself, who could only scratch the surface of past glory.

” …… Forget it, I’m not in the mood for this.’

But his thoughts didn’t last long.

He pushed through his doubts.

Schreig raised his head to face reality.

Goooooo─

“!”

What happened?

Because Hoyeol’s sword was clearly reflected in his vision.

……Is this the effect of the sublime?

Schreig was puzzled and asked Hoyeol.

But no answer came back.

Slap, slap.

As if five was only the beginning.

Ghosts emerged from the streets.

‘In what gap?’

Schreig held up his foil.

He was able to witness something called sword energy, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was.

Of course, he had no means of dealing damage to the ghost.

‘But I can’t just stand by and watch.’

He looked at the defenseless citizens.

Until Hoyeol took down the ghosts.

We have to protect them, even if it means acting as meat shields.

Schreig took a fighting stance.

He stared at his needle-like sword.

Damn, it’s not thick enough.

But.

‘……It’s all just an excuse.’

Wasn’t Hoyeol’s umbrella much more meager than this?

Still, it did damage to the ghost.

Schreig steadied his breathing.

He looked at Foil and muttered softly.

“The blame lies with my lack of skill.”

Even the sword energy was barely visible thanks to Hoyeol’s buff.

To imitate sword energy with such an insignificant talent?

It’s laughable.

I know it sounds ridiculous.

But.

-“Believe in me who believes in you.”

Hoyeol’s voice echoes in my head again.

‘Yes, I don’t know him, but I can trust him.’

The corner of Schreig’s mouth lifted.

“I’ll join you, use me!”

Class, fencer.

Even the worst class has a unique skill.

Activate Unique Skill, [Master of Dueling].

Chuck─

Schreig raised his sword vertically.

The gazes of the ghosts turned toward him in unison.

It was the effect of a unique skill.

──────

Master of Dueling: Taunt the target until the end of the duel. Targets invited to the duel take additional fixed damage, but this effect applies to you as well.

──────

In simple terms, inviting a target to a fencing match.

I never thought I’d do such a ridiculous thing.

I’ve already done it, and I’m surprised again.

‘One-on-one is hard enough, but twenty at once?’

Triggers [Master of Duel] on all Ghosts.

He wanted to protect the citizens by focusing their aggro on himself.

A reckless move, to be sure. As the effect states, the additional fixed damage was also effective on him.

‘Touch me and you’re dead, man.’

But Schreig had faith.

Even if he was wrong.

The belief that if you are passionate, you can protect everyone.

Chuck─

Then, Schreig pointed his foil at the ghosts.

And then he glared.

“……!”

The sharp point of the foil.

It was embarrassingly faint and blurry.

But it was there.

“……Sword Energy?”

Sword energy is sharpened in life and death situations.

Schreig risked his life to protect someone else.

His sacrifice was enough for the [Sublime] to be moved.

*

[Sublime One, your sublimity has made a small change].

The message flashed once more.

Then Schreig succeeded in unleashing his sword energy.

Seeing this, I thought to myself.

‘Sublime. After all, this isn’t just a gimmick…….’

It seems to have quite an effect……!

The difficulty of obtaining it didn’t make sense.

I don’t know exactly what the conditions are for acquiring it.

First of all, it was clear that you had to die once.

‘If it weren’t for the Last Adventurer effect.’

You’re telling me you’re going to earn this fraudulent title and then close your eyes without seeing the effect? It’s the kind of effect that will make you wake up in a huff if you find out too late, seriously.

I swallowed hard and cleared my head.

‘So, to summarize.’

The exact effect of the [Sublime] is the sublime.

That is, to cause changes around me, Lee Ho-Yeol.

It literally seemed to have no limits as long as it was around.

From Hiel to the oak tree to Schreig.

It worked on spirits, objects, and players.

The question was how much change.

‘The message said it was a small change.’

But it wasn’t a small change at all.

‘Even if you don’t consider it to be Hiel or an oak tree.’

Schreig.

Even if he had risked his life, and even if his talent was extraordinary, ‘sublime’ must have had a great deal to do with the fact that he was able to witness and faintly emit sword energy in such a short time.

‘……Wait, then later.’

Like stats or skill proficiency.

If the effects of sublime evolve.

What if it could make a big difference instead of a small difference?

‘What the hell would happen?’

Rack your brains like a field of flowers, Grandfell.

I, for one, cannot imagine it.

In any case, I have unexpectedly reaped quite a harvest.

I had no idea that the sublime had such effects.

After all, blessings come to those who live proudly.

Of course, I don’t know about Grandfell, but I can’t live on pride alone.

“……Sword Energy?”

Schreig has witnessed the Sword Energy and succeeded in unleashing it.

No more ineffective umbrella wielding.

Well, it’s all good from here on out.

Pride is nice, but you gotta take what you can get.

A second [Sixth Sight Brooch]!

Because if it ever sticks out, it’s going to be very annoying.

“Is it afternoon already?”

Swift assimilation, interference, and manifestation.

Unfortunately for you, this is my specialty.

Boiling water with magic.

“But you can’t brew tea with rainwater.”

blug-blug-blug!

Indeed, my power at tea time.

Level 600 ghosts were no problem. They weren’t named or boss monsters, and it didn’t make any difference if I swarmed them while [Natural Enemy] was active.

[Leveled up].

The ghosts evaporated without a trace.

That was the end for me.

I looked at Schreig.

Indeed, a sword technique that could make up for the level gap.

And unlike the Demon Hunter, who had no sword skills at all. Schreig’s class was a swordsman, a fencer. They were fundamentally different.

Shush-shush.

And the mobility of a fencer is different from other sword classes.

So that’s what it means to dodge and strike.

The movements were so perfect that I thought to myself.

‘That must be what real swordsmanship is like.’

Demon Hunter.

Anything that’s vague is bound to be out of my reach, but I’m not discouraged.

No trial can diminish Grandfell’s high self-esteem.

The duel is over.

As Schreig defeated the wraith, I said nonchalantly.

“A fine duel, Schreig.”

……Don’t talk like you’re a master, Grandfell.

“No. If it were not for the effects of the Sublime, I would never have…….”

“No, it was because of your determination.”

“Determination. Your words, I will keep them in mind.”

……Don’t play games with me, Schreig.

My chest has always been proud, but somehow it feels even more so now. But being conscious of it would only make me suffer.

I quickly looked away.

“Unless we remove the root cause, the ghosts will continue to spawn. We’d better hurry, Schreig. Hiel, I’ll ask you to take care of this place.”

Well, why would a demon hunter need to be better with a sword than a swordsman?

Just be good at hunting demons and you’re good to go.

At my words, Hiel bowed respectfully.

“Please leave it to me.”

Water and Plants.

{Nature} The moment I realized I had the advantage in terms of abilities. I was able to relieve my anger and leave the fallen citizens in charge.

Best of all, the effects of Sublime still worked on him.

“Then please do me a favor, Ms. Hiel.”

Nodding─

Schreig bowed to Hiel as if seeing a spirit king, and then hastened his steps.

Sure enough, after taking a shortcut like a local, a large building came into view.

That’s the AAU London Branch.

The whole area was as silent as the eye of the storm.

It’s as if he’s hiding in silence.

[You have entered the core of the dungeon, ” City of Gloomy Rain”].

A message pops up as you enter the interior of the AAU building.

Schreig opened his mouth, a troubled look on his face.

“Shouldn’t we investigate from the top floor down…….”

“No, that’s not necessary. Schreig.”

“……?”

But it’s no use holding my breath.

To me, the demon hunter’s instincts are clear.

Natural enemy, developed demon hunter’s senses.

I flipped through the building’s floor plan.

“There.”

I finally saw the source of this mess.

*

The rain had stopped.

I rubbed my eyes again and again in disbelief.

The view through the window hadn’t changed.

“Why?”

It was perfect.

It was the perfect plan.

The nameless lesser demon couldn’t believe the situation.

A possessed human.

A name he never even had.

A name he didn’t even have, and he was telling the world about it.

At first, he couldn’t understand it.

How could a lowly human, not even an adventurer.

How could this person have this level of knowledge about the Arcana Continent?

It was a level of knowledge that even I, who was born on the Arcana Continent, didn’t know, let alone a high-level demon or demon king.

That made me greedy.

Given the knowledge he possessed, and the damned gloomy atmosphere of the city.

I thought I could devour the entire city and gain power beyond that of the Demon King. And the moment the rift turned into a dungeon, my thoughts became certain.

That’s why I couldn’t understand it.

“……This doesn’t make any sense!”

Strange trees sprang up all over the streets.

Shining in a creepy way.

What the heck are those trees?

The rain stopped, and the fog cleared.

An unplanned variable.

Could it be an effect?

“!”

My heart pounded.

My heart had been beating fast since earlier.

Hard enough to blame it on the wrong situation.

Of course, the question didn’t last long.

Squeak─

The door opened shortly afterward.

A man’s voice came through.

“Mr. Baker, have you come to your senses?”

Thank goodness.

It was Schreig, the adventurer.

He was a foolish human being who was still deceived by his outer shell.

‘…… Let’s let it go. We’ll get another chance.’

It’s not hard to fool a fool.

‘Let’s pretend we just woke up and…….’

But it’s too early to breathe a sigh of relief and move on to the next one.

Another angle.

He could feel another presense.

Suddenly, a black long umbrella appeared in Baker’s field of vision.

“……!!!”

At the same time, his heart started pounding.

dugeun-dugeun-dugeun-dugeun-dugeun-dugeun-dugeun!