Chapter 362
Chapter 362
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 362
Chapter Title: Mage Tower City (1)
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Byulcheonji conference room.
Hasera bowed her head calmly.
At the same time, text appeared above her head.
- Thank you, Ju Dong-hoon.
Whoa.
No way, Sword of the Heart?
She wasn't even drawing her sword anymore, just leaving afterimages. What else could that be but the Sword of the Heart?
Now she was even communicating with it?
Hasera's aura had definitely changed a lot from before.
It felt sharply honed, like steel tempered and reforged multiple times.
I nodded with a smile.
"No need to mention it."
- Our master asked me to pass this on too. She says thank you. Thanks for everything.
After returning from the dungeon, Hasera and I had exchanged proper greetings.
During this journey.
I'd awakened Bone-yi and elevated my other subordinates to constellation level, pulling off something extraordinary.
And she'd gained plenty of rewards in return.
Her realm had advanced further, she'd gained invaluable experience clashing blades with absolute beings from various worlds.
And above all.
Her master, Kang So-so, had attained enlightenment.
She was on the verge of entering the Transcendence Realm, which was undoubtedly great news for Hasera too.
Whoosh!
Hasera turned and left after the greeting.
Her footsteps looked incredibly light.
And watching her.
Was Kim Jin-ah, her eyes narrowed.
'What the heck?'
The two of them had suddenly ended the dungeon and come straight to the conference room.
Their clothes were all torn up, their hair greasy and matted together, yet they were greeting each other with just their eyes. It was like...
They were comrades who'd entrusted their lives to each other on the battlefield, fought back-to-back, and survived. So intimate.
'And what?'
Thank you?
For what?
What exactly was she thanking him for?
And master?
What master? Did the famous Hasera even have a master?
For starters, Hasera was world ranking 2.
Meaning, no hunter on present-day Earth ranked above her.
The ranking 1 was still unidentified, so aside from that.
There hadn't been any ranking changes yet.
Even so.
'She's different.'
Hasera's gaze had clearly changed.
When they'd met before, her eyes had a slight edge of challenge.
Mixed with curiosity, and a competitive spirit wanting to spar with the guild master.
'But now...'
Hmm.
How to put it?
Her gaze held traces of various emotions, and even a quick scan showed.
Trust, respect, profound reverence...
Something like that.
Not the eyes of a rival.
But of colleagues coming to understand and respect each other, eyes treating him like a legendary hero.
Like she'd deeply grasped the guild master's true nature and placed him above herself?
'The guild master's true nature... I don't even know that well...'
Kim Jin-ah smacked her lips bitterly.
But this was unavoidable.
She was Hasera.
And she was Kim Jin-ah.
Hasera was a hero among heroes acknowledged by the entire Earth, so she could help the guild master in another way.
'As for me.'
She'd developed in other areas, so she could help externally.
Yeah.
Everyone had their own role.
"Vice Guild Master."
"Yes."
Guild master.
Speak.
Kim Jin-ah replied with a smile, and the guild master spoke.
"Sorry for the late greeting. I'm back."
"You've worked hard."
The corners of Kim Jin-ah's lips, which had been smacking, curved up.
Yeah.
This was it.
Who else on Earth could receive the guild master Ju Dong-hoon's return report besides her?
Even Hasera couldn't enjoy this luxury.
'Anyway.'
One thing was certain.
'You've achieved results again.'
The guild master's pattern was always the same.
He'd leave without notice and return stronger.
Stronger than imagination could allow.
"So, how much stronger did you get back this time? At the next world ranker announcement... are you aiming for number one or something?"
Kim Jin-ah asked playfully as a greeting.
Come on.
Even so, number one was a stretch, right?
"...Well, something like that."
"Haha, right... Huh?"
Her eyes went wide.
Kim Jin-ah knew Ju Dong-hoon's personality well.
He had confidence but no bravado.
Reckless, but he didn't make things up.
That meant.
He was really going for world ranking 1.
"Really number one...?"
Ranking 2 and ranking 1 were worlds apart.
They meant entirely different things.
Because.
[Ranking 1, ???]
Since the world ranking board appeared on Earth, it was a record that had never been broken.
Surpassing the existence of ???
"Yeah, well, we'll see when we get there."
The guild master picked up the iced Americano he'd brought.
And gulped down the ice whole.
"Kah, refreshing."
Crunch crunch!
Why did chewing ice look so satisfying?
Well, he'd barely slept this time too, so anything must feel blissful.
"Hmm, even so, saying number one so casually..."
"And we have one more left. Dungeon run."
Right.
The guild master had said it clearly.
He had to clear two dungeons within a year.
"...The prophecy of the Oracle isn't far off."
Kim Jin-ah spoke in a worried tone.
It was already fall.
One more quarter, and the world ranker announcement.
And only about three months left until the apocalypse the Oracle had foretold.
"Yes, I'm aware."
"Oh, right."
Clap!
That was when Kim Jin-ah clapped her hands.
"Delaila came by yesterday."
"Delaila? Why?"
"No idea."
She tilted her head.
"She was looking for you, so I asked why. I said I'd let you know when you got back... but she said she'd tell you herself?"
"Hmm?"
The guild master tilted his head too.
* * *
Eloise Arin.
Right after returning to Earth, she'd felt it.
'It's not far off.'
The seed of the Mage Tower.
That seed had already taken root in the Murung Do-won world.
All that remained was to nourish those roots and let it soar into the sky.
The Mage Tower's establishment requirements were simple yet stringent.
1. The world must have a 'Follower of Ancient Magic.'
2. The world must have sufficient human resources to manage the Mage Tower and train mages.
Number 1 was no issue since she herself was the [Heir of Ancient Magic].
An heir was one step above a follower.
Number 2 was a bit tricky.
Murung Do-won didn't have many human resources.
There were a few permitted residents, but compared to Earth, it was hopelessly lacking.
And the number of hunters with magic-related abilities was woefully insufficient.
Arin had consulted Kim Jin-ah on that point.
- That's no problem.
And Kim Jin-ah had solved it simply.
- Just post a recruitment notice for Mage Tower entrants online, and they'll line up. People are already crowding in front of the Dr. El workshop wanting to move in. Hehe. Just say the word anytime. The buildings in the Mage Tower area are already partially built, right? Say so, and I'll fill them with prospective residents right away.
As expected of Vice Guild Master Kim Jin-ah!
Arin had to admit it, even if she didn't acknowledge much else.
Someone helpful to the professor.
In terms of helpfulness, maybe on par with her or slightly below?
'Well, I'm strong in martial power too.'
Hehe!
Anyway.
With the Mage Tower establishment nearing, Demir had dispatched more dwarves to the Mage Tower City.
"Kuhahaha! No problem. Now we can summon over a hundred thousand... The city construction will accelerate even more!"
"Thank you, Demir."
"Ho ho hot! We're both serving the same master, so we help each other!"
Mage Tower City.
A naturally coined name.
To summarize Murung Do-won's place names roughly.
First, the city, [Murung Do-won].
The city Demir had poured everything into creating.
The capital of the world Murung Do-won, and Byulcheonji's headquarters.
The city itself was so exquisitely crafted it could be called a work of art, with forests and buildings in perfect harmony, said to perfectly embody Peach Blossom Paradise.
Next, the mountain behind the city.
Because the Destruction Dragon had resided there briefly, it was named [Traces of the Destruction Dragon].
Currently, Water Dragon Brkiar resided there, and Dragon Knight Matt Gerald had made it his permanent home.
Next, far, far away.
On the opposite side of the planet from Murung Do-won city, [Apophis's Tomb].
As known, Byulcheonji members' training ground, where dozens of Apophises had died.
Finally, [Mage Tower City].
Murung Do-won's second city, just now under construction.
Beyond Mount Tai and the Traces of the Destruction Dragon.
Countless buildings were rising around the area where the Mage Tower would soar.
"......"
Arin was currently here.
With two problem children(?).
Baek Mu-hyeon and Solar Spear.
"...So when are you giving us the mission?"
"Quiet, Baek Mu-hyeon. Stop whining."
Crackle!
At their eyes still sparking like lightning.
"Hey!"
Phew! Arin let out a rough breath and shouted.
"Still haven't come to your senses? Just let it go already. You're wasting training time on pride and doing this nonsense. The lord would be thrilled if he knew. Right?"
Arin rapid-fired her words like a machine gun, and Baek Mu-hyeon and Solar Spear smacked their lips.
For some reason, her words didn't feel bad, and they weren't wrong either.
No room to argue, so no need to get prickly.
"And Baek Mu-hyeon?"
"......"
Baek Mu-hyeon's eyes widened slightly.
"This time, Solar Spear is right. Stop whining. I'm the one assigning missions, and it's still too early. Got it?"
"......Understood."
"And."
Arin caught her breath and spoke again.
"Neither of you talk to each other until the match is called. If you're caught initiating, it's a penalty point."
Arin even introduced a point system for the match.
They'd agreed to her proposal anyway.
If they didn't like it, they could refuse.
But they'd have to bear the consequences.
Anyway, it was effective.
Both turned their eyes away without a word, and silence filled the space.
Clang! Clang!
Only the sound of dwarves hammering iron to build houses echoed.
How much time passed like that.
"Okay."
Arin nodded and raised her hand.
Wooong!
Immense energy surged from her body.
"Now's the time."
She sensed it instinctively.
Far away.
The colossal star watching her, Ancient Magic (SSS Grade), had finally granted approval.
Rumble...
Finally.
Her very own Mage Tower was about to rise firmly rooted in this world.
"Rise!"
['Arin' uses the skill, Mage Tower Lord (SSS Grade).]
Mage Tower Lord (SSS Grade).
Not the SS Grade version followers had, but the Mage Tower creation magic of Ancient Magic, unfolding from her hands.
[Skill: Mage Tower Lord]
[Grade: SSS]
[Effect 1: Erects a Mage Tower in the air.]
[Effect 2: Only one person per world can acquire this skill.]
[Effect 3: Consumes 2,000 stamina.]
"Mage Tower!"
Rumble rumble rumble!
A fierce vibration shook the world.
It was a mysterious vibration.
Only the spot where the Mage Tower would rise trembled, while the rest remained unshaken and calm...
A vibration like Simmons.
So the dwarves' constructions weren't greatly affected.
And soon.
Squeeze!
A strange force gripped the spot where the Mage Tower would rise.
Like hands pulling something out.
Rumble rumble rumble!
Slowly.
But surely.
The Mage Tower's pillar began rising from the ground.
Majestic stone layers stacking upon each other, forming intricate patterns and structures—a truly spectacular sight.
The sunlight pouring down highlighted the delicate beauty of the magical architecture even more.
"......Khm."
"Impressive."
Even Baek Mu-hyeon and Solar Spear forgot their conflict for a moment and stared in awe.
The Mage Tower's emergence was magic itself.
As it rose, the surrounding nature began to react.
Flowers bloomed on trees, green plants grew lusher.
Animals living nearby started migrating in one by one.
An overwhelming presence.
"Ahh."
Of course, Arin was the most moved.
The 4th Mage Tower Lord of the Magic World.
She'd reclaimed that position she abandoned upon ascension, with her very own Mage Tower.
And in return, one far larger and more magnificent.
'...Professor.'
This was all thanks to the professor.
Arin vowed.
She'd operate this Mage Tower more efficiently and powerfully than any in the universe.
'And to lay that foundation...'
Arin glanced sideways.
Those two skeletons.
She'd need their power just a 'little.'