Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Even Magic Can Be Parried
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Due to the nature of the gallery, there was plenty of laughter and banter, but sometimes posts captured the harsh reality in all its despair.
Meanwhile, here I was, enjoying super-luxury easy mode on Hell difficulty.
Is this okay?
The carriage rolled on relentlessly. Alternating between camping and dashing ahead, I spent every day in comfort.
I'd already maxed Elemental Magic at level 15. A perfect indicator of just how easy I'd had it.
Sword training is one thing, but magic requires undisturbed meditation. The fact that I could do it right there in my seat said it all.
"Lady Yoojin, here's your meal."
"Lady Yoojin, water for you."
"Some snacks here."
The attendants' lavish treatment made my body relax, and my mind followed suit.
Hm, nice.
Even Lady Bell, who had told them not to torment me, was stunned.
"H-Hey, I said take good care of her, not treat her better than me...? And that's my snack!"
"Let's share."
"Hehe, right?"
Of course, her protests were effortlessly quashed.
She was already head over heels for me.
Practically my pet, playing on my lap.
Ask her to bark like a dog, and she'd probably do it.
Anyway, this was the last night of camping.
According to the map, a short morning ride tomorrow would get us to the safe zone.
Not much time left, so I figured I'd treat them.
Bubble bubble—
Sitting by the campfire, I tossed ingredients into a pot for a simple porridge. No grand culinary ambitions—just a basic brew. But thanks to my proficiency, it turned out perfectly.
Slurp—
"Wh-Wh-Why is this so delicious?"
"Told you I was good at cooking."
"Sir Henry! Come try a bite!!"
Sir Henry eyed the bowl suspiciously but couldn't ignore the lady's command. One spoonful in, his eyes lit up.
My culinary skills were certified.
Before he could even think, he'd polished off the whole bowl.
His over-the-top reaction drew curious stares from the attendants. I nodded and ladled out servings.
They were amazed.
Nobles who ate well daily would praise it, but these folks usually survived on thin gruel and hard bread—what would they think?
"How can it taste like this...?"
"Ahh, it's divine."
One even teared up.
...Is it that good?
They'd barely taken a few bites, but the pot was already scraping bottom.
Lady Bell, who'd contributed heavily, gazed at me with burning eyes.
"I'm appointing you right here, right now. You're my personal chef!"
"Pardon?"
"Big salary, your own room, all the cookbooks you want, top ingredients stocked!"
No, setting aside if I wanted that—I'm not sticking around long anyway.
As I said, the safe zone was close.
Meaning our time together was down to a single day.
A bit regrettable, seeing it this way.
But what can you do? It'll repeat as I climb higher.
Or some floors might force brutal fights with no time for bonds.
Still, before I go, one thing to do.
"Sir Henry? Care to join me for a bit?"
"...What is it you wish to discuss?"
"Let's go."
Under my insistence, he couldn't refuse.
He still feared me.
Once we reached a secluded spot, I made my proposal.
"Want to hunt that black mage together?"
"...Pardon?"
"Let's get him. The one who ambushed us."
He stared, never imagining such a suggestion.
"Do you know his location?"
"I do."
"You do...?"
I'd learned from the gallery, but admitting I checked it openly felt off. So I'd combined proficiencies for plausible deniability.
From the point I could combine and decompose, I'd manipulated proficiencies to craft what I needed.
Skills like fishing, cooking, gathering were great for daily life but weak in direct combat—perfect for support.
Didn't like it? Decompose and try again.
The result: D-rank Tracking.
Born from gathering-focused combos.
As I said, a single rank gap is worlds apart.
Unless the target had anti-tracking measures or was far away, I could pursue.
Only downside: couldn't level it past 1 without raising my rank to D.
With the gallery's intel for direction, the black mage who attacked us was in my grasp.
Now just catch him.
But better to leverage a knight's prowess than go solo.
"I see... So that's it."
"...?"
"Are you from the Church?"
Another wild assumption.
I barely knew this tower world's lore, so I tested the waters—might make cooperation smoother.
"And if I am?"
"I knew it...! Forgive my rudeness all this time. For the Holy Church to send someone to hunt black mages personally—my respects to your devotion."
He bought it hook, line, and sinker?
I asked, puzzled.
"I've never shown any holy power."
"Of course not. Showing miracles carelessly would just scare the black mages off. Makes perfect sense."
"Ah, yeah, I suppose."
Whatever.
One-day connection—no need to correct every misunderstanding.
Better to secure trust cleanly for teamwork.
Hand on my sword hilt, I said,
"Then you'll cooperate?"
"Gladly."
"I'm good to go now, but you prep as best you can."
"Understood."
He bowed and hurried back to camp.
I sighed lightly, recalling the Tracking ping on the black mage.
Still in place.
If not for this business, he might've left already—but lingering meant ongoing malice.
Left alone, we might've eaten a big one before the safe zone.
Constellation Gallery speculation backed that.
"Can't ignore the tower's bullshit."
It was like a living thing, denying climbers any peace.
Easy mode allowed this; from Normal, everyone felt the tower's malice.
Most gallery rants targeted the tower.
Layer 2 alone extended survival a week for heavy sponsors.
So, preemptively resolve it.
The source of the bullshit.
Boss kill for a sweet week, like before.
Crush the scheming black mage in his hidey-hole to clear Layer 3 safely.
Hand on hilt.
Clanking armor approached—a knight in heavy plate.
His deep voice:
"I'm ready."
ㄴ Constellation Gallery's savior. Every Hell climber post used to trigger meltdowns—now bypassed.
I felt a slight pang of guilt.
Hope they don't catch me lurking the gallery.
Still all praise for the "genius," no suspicions yet.
I'd just followed gallery advice from the start, but to the constellations, it must feel like perfectly scratching their itch.
The previous 200 Hell climbers were frustrating; I was doing exactly what they wanted.
Initial attention from being a kid, now hooked on my actions.
I closed the gallery and followed Tracking.
The mood darkened; rot and foulness thickened the air.
Sir Henry behind me tensed up.
First time facing a black mage, after all.
Fear stems from the unknown.
But I'd read Long Live the Sun's black mage guides—dozens of pages.
Not scary at all.
I knew their weaknesses.
Slash slash—
Ignoring the atmosphere, charging ahead—Sir Henry watched with deep respect.
His face screamed, "A true Church priest!" eager to praise.
A bit dismissive, I pushed to the center.
Tracking pinged: right nearby. That shabby hut was the base.
Drawing my sword, I said,
"One-shot if possible."
"Then I..."
"If I fall, protect me."
That was his role.
Smash hard, then he backs me up.
My sword shifted to Challenger's Double-Edged Sword.
Adding one more special effect.
Combinations aren't limited to three items.
Two works fine.
Combined with Fiancé's Ring, rank bumped half a notch, conditions eased.
Originally only vs. higher ranks; now at my will.
Steady breath, focus all senses.
Effect triggers.
BAM—!!!
Boosted body rank unleashed overwhelming strength.
KRA-KRA-KRASH—!!!
Leaping, I pierced the hut wall, pulverizing traps and barriers.
"!!!"
A figure in black robes, lurking sinisterly in the corner, shot up.
Spotted him—charged to behead.
"Bold fool! Think I left no defenses?"
The black mage sneered arrogantly, hand outstretched. The space filled with a dark magic circle.
Before my sword extended, shadows erupted, lunging at me.
I grinned at the mocking mage.
"...Laughing?"
"Bye."
Sword meets shadow.
"Stupid girl! How dare you parry formless magic with a blade...?"
BOOM—!!!
Half his body exploded.
That's why I combined the sword for "parry conditions eased."
My blade could parry even magic.