Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Returning from the Grind
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After dramatically leveling up by taking down the [Demon Raven].
Our routine had been relentlessly repetitive.
We'd open our eyes and immediately start hunting around the base camp, continuing until the sun fully set or our stamina drained to the point where we couldn't even twitch a finger.
Meals were handled incidentally whenever it was time for resupply, and even during breaks, we'd squeeze in dwarf-style physical training.
That grind lasted right up until two weeks before the Great War.
"Guess it's about time to head back."
Finally, we decided to wrap up that hellish hunting schedule.
"...Y-You're serious, top ranker?"
"Yeah. We've got plenty of real combat experience now, all the requests from Lena are cleared, and above all, we need to prep for the war."
Honestly, part of me wanted to keep hunting, but that wasn't an option anymore.
Just like I'd told Thompson—we had to prepare for war.
From here on, blindly charging at demons and trading blows wouldn't be as efficient.
Did that explanation hit home for them?
"Whoa..."
"I-It's... finally... over."
"Days where I'd rather have died..."
Only now did my comrades, who were starting to believe me, let out emotional sighs of relief.
This time, I didn't push them and instead patted their backs comfortingly.
"You all did great. Really."
It wasn't empty praise.
They'd grumbled about the schedule being too packed, but they'd stuck it out through the brutal routine and helped us achieve our goals.
'Just looking at the levels alone, the most important part...'
A whopping 12 levels.
Way past our original target of 10.
If I could see the system window, it'd probably look something like this.
[Character Info]
- Name: Yoo Han
- Job: Mage / 3(+1) Circles
- LV: 12
- Ranking: -
- Traits: [Prodigy of Magic (Mythic)], [Essence of Light (Mythic)]
- Soul Imprint: [Former Owner of Sword Saint (Top-Tier)]
- Main Stats: [Stamina +16], [Agility +16], [Senses +16], [Mana +16], [Strength +5]
- Sub Stats: [Intuition +30], [Holy Power +25]...
Staring at the info window I'd scribbled roughly on a scrap of paper, I couldn't help but let out a hollow chuckle.
"Heh."
Was this really the status of that greenhorn who'd been level 1 just a short while ago, with nothing but one trait to his name?
Seeing it laid out like a system window made the explosive growth over such a short time hit home.
Especially since the job was mage—that part was even more impressive.
'Had I ever leveled a mage this far?'
Not once, as far as I could remember.
Even after countless tries on alt accounts to theorycraft builds, they'd usually scream their way to an early grave before hitting level 5.
The highest I'd managed was barely 10.
And besides.
'The real star is something else.'
The most crucial part of my current state wasn't the job, level, or stats—it was my inner reserves.
With two mythic traits under my belt and holy power, the anti-demon stat, breaking past 20.
Thanks to fully absorbing the lucky drops [Bracelet of Holy Oil] and [Pendant of Holy Oil].
'At this point... honestly, it's not even comparable to my zombie knight at the same level.'
And it wasn't just the zombie knight.
Countless characters I'd raised over ten-plus years in [Devil Fantasy].
The gap was overwhelming compared to any of them.
Ironically, it was now—in the game world turned real.
...
My chest swelled with emotion at the fact that I'd kept my growth momentum even after falling into the game.
It was an indescribable sense of accomplishment, beyond words.
But.
'No complacency.'
I didn't linger in the sentimentality long.
These were exactly the times to stay extra vigilant.
It had always been that way.
Whenever I let my guard down, some overwhelming threat would come crashing in.
I didn't want to repeat that mistake.
Plus.
This growth wasn't solo either.
"Kayla, Barundel, Thompson."
It was possible because we were all in it together.
I tossed the words casually toward my comrades, who turned from packing their gear.
"Let's see it through to the end, together."
They tilted their heads, wondering what I meant out of the blue.
No need to explain.
They'd stick with me even without one.
'...To the end.'
Those two weeks outside Asteron's borders.
That time had let me fully open up to my comrades.
***
"Man, actually leaving like this feels kinda bittersweet."
Thompson said as we passed the spot where District 7's outer wall had once stood.
He'd called it pure hell, but apparently he'd grown attached.
"Yeah. Kinda refreshing, but also kinda empty."
Kayla's reaction was much the same.
As if forgetting how she'd whined that her mana was too drained for spells.
From my perspective, I couldn't fathom what they were regretting.
"Don't sweat it too much. We'll do it again someday."
"...Huh?"
Kayla shot back a shocked look.
"You're serious?"
"Totally."
100% serious, too.
In fact, I didn't think the next round would take long.
'...Probably right after the Great War ends. Well, we'll see how things stand then.'
Either way, we'd end up hunting like this again.
In RPGs like this, skipping the grind meant falling behind.
And that outcome would lead straight to.
'Baal's invasion.'
Just like back when I couldn't stop Baal in the game.
Even though it was just a game story, I still couldn't forget that day's catastrophe.
I never wanted to see it happen again.
Anyway.
"Whew, finally made it."
Having passed through here multiple times, we'd memorized the route. We quickly reached the passage to District 6.
The only difference from before was that the demon numbers in District 7 had increased.
Nothing else had changed much.
However.
"...They're awfully busy."
District 6, though, had seen major shifts.
Barricades lined the fronts of residential blocks, and the market streets—once lined with food stalls—had been stripped bare, as if someone had cleared them out.
Artifact and gear shops had all pulled up stakes too.
Word of the war must have spread to everyone.
"Guess all the gear we wanted to buy is already gone."
That part was a real problem.
Barundel's axe, Thompson's robe, and all sorts of war consumables we needed.
We had mountains of stuff to restock.
"Any other options?"
"How about checking the request office first? They might have spare gear stashed."
"...That's a solid idea."
Barundel's suggestion made sense.
Request offices usually kept minimal gear on hand for emergencies.
Plus, we'd cleared a ton of requests.
Some of the rewards included gear and artifacts.
Mostly useless to us, but we could trade them for what we needed.
With that in mind, we headed straight for the office and soon ran into a welcome face.
"Lena."
"Oh, you're back safe!"
Lena, still holding down the fort, guided us in with a relieved smile.
"Things have been so hectic, I lost track of time. No injuries?"
"As you can see. So, why's everywhere so frantic?"
"What else? The war."
"Figured."
Lena pressed her temples like it was giving her a headache and continued.
"A few days ago, the royals made a big announcement. The [Prophecy of the Red Moon] has dropped, and war with the demons is coming soon."
"Directly from the royals?"
"Yeah. They're even recruiting volunteer mercenaries. If they don't get enough, they might go for conscription."
"Conscription, huh..."
For the royals—who had access to the prophecy's full details—to consider conscription meant the war's scale was massive.
Past wars had mostly been handled with existing forces.
Makes sense they'd call it the 'Great War.'
'No wonder the [Prophecy of the Red Moon] is such a big deal.'
If it was the scale I remembered, they'd have no choice but to conscript.
It'd be the only way to defend Asteron.
Not our problem, though.
"Where do we sign up for those volunteer spots?"
That was the priority now.
Numbers, safety guarantees, rewards, etc.
We needed details to decide between joining as volunteers or going rogue against the demons.
"You're thinking of signing up?"
"Considering it. Can't just sit on my hands during a war."
"True, but... isn't it too risky?"
"I'm not one to dodge danger. Plus, joining the war can net you some nice gains."
"Hmm, fair point."
Had she been through wars like this before?
Lena nodded right away and kept explaining.
"Word is, they set up a checkpoint in central District 4. Head there, and the royals should give you the full rundown."
"Central District 4..."
That was the district with Ashion Academy.
We were planning to swing by anyway—perfect timing.
'Oh, right.'
Thinking of the academy reminded me: its head, Ashion Gail, had been friendly toward me.
If that held...
'Might score some supply support?'
The academy had all sorts of gear, plus mage-friendly stuff like magic artifacts and spellbooks.
That could be a huge war boost.
'And check on Roan's status while I'm at it.'
Decision made: academy visit confirmed.
Anyway.
"Time to talk business?"
Down to brass tacks.
"Oh, right. How many requests did you clear? Demon ones are tough, so..."
Thud!
I dropped the stack of papers before she finished, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Her expression visibly stiffened.
"No way these are all..."
"Yep. Every last one."
"All of them...?"
She clearly hadn't expected our party's performance to be this stellar.
Clearing them was good for us and the office.
Win-win, so no hesitation.
"Lena, rewards ready?"
Those two weeks of hell outside the border.
Time to savor the sweet payoff.