Unfortunately (1)

I could guess the reason.

'As expected... [Skill]s and magic are different after all, huh?'

I'd felt something off when I manifested ignition. Even if the acquisition process differed, ignition was ultimately a skill. If I could manifest it, it should appear in my skill list.

But my skill list remained as sparse as ever.

It was the same whenever I manifested other magic. Comparing that experience to this one, I arrived at a hypothesis.

[Skill]s and magic were entirely different concepts.

Once I placed them on separate planes, it all made sense.

'How much time and effort did it take just to manifest a single ignition spell?'

I didn't know exactly... but one thing was clear: it didn't match the setting.

Why else would I be able to manifest magic just by seeing it? That chuunibyou Grandfell's over-the-top lore.

I opened my mouth.

"Indeed, it is most fitting."

This time, it wasn't a defense mechanism.

[Skill]s and magic were completely different. Trying to perceive and comprehend a skill as magic naturally demanded immense effort.

That's why my head felt like it was splitting—because I was attempting the impossible!

'...But I succeeded in converting a skill into magic and manifesting it, didn't I?'

In that sense, the setting of being the Claudy family's greatest genius of all time seemed to hold true.

I gazed at the portal.

Unlike when I'd watched skills on NetTube, no pen or paper was needed now. The processes of scrying and interference unfolded clearly in my mind.

Portal—a spell on a far higher plane than ignition.

I had the distinct feeling I could truly manifest this advanced magic.

Of course, it would require an enormous amount of mana. I couldn't even attempt it right now.

But realizing that fact alone was enough.

I shifted my gaze, taking in the full view of the Mage Tower.

I'd be visiting often from now on, but... what to do here?

Part of me wanted to grab a passing mage NPC and beg them to show me their magic. Starting with low-grade spells, step by step.

Of course, the haughty residents of the Mage Tower wouldn't grant such a request.

Besides, I knew now wasn't the time.

"No teachings are needed for one such as I."

...Moreover, this noble pride would never tolerate begging.

A command, perhaps. But truly, what a tiresome personality.

I stepped through the portal.

Click-clack—

With the utmost arrogance.

......

Whoooosh—

...Damn it, it's freezing.

I should've grabbed a hot pack along with the green tea teabag!

It was the kind of cold that made me want to cross my arms and stomp my feet.

But one who doesn't even beg wouldn't stoop to such undignified actions.

I strode forward on legs that threatened to buckle at any moment.

My view shifted to a dense forest, already teeming with crowds.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Yes! I'm currently standing before the new rift in Russia."

Media reporters.

"Alright, heading into the rift our viewers requested. Which one?"

NetTube streamers.

"How's the situation? You okay? Oh, the stream's going fine."

Even guilds setting up camps outside.

It was a scene that captured the massive attention on the Ascura Count rift at a glance.

Most of them were competitors, of course.

My quest objective was to hunt the vampire, after all.

Competing with top guilds and players. Honestly, taking down the Ascura Count before them seemed impossible.

Not just in numbers, but the level gap was insurmountable.

Yet I brimmed with confidence.

Please let this confidence have some basis...

I headed toward the nearest rift, hoping for that.

"Hey, hold up."

"?"

"Excuse me! Let's keep some manners here."

A man stopped me. Round-faced and memorable.

He held a tripod with a camera attached. A NetTuber.

He scanned me up and down.

"No way I'd forget a face like that... You're a newbie, right? Fresh concept. What, salaryman diving into rifts? Anyway, I'm reviewing this one, so try another. Shoo, shoo."

A newbie NetTuber with a salaryman gimmick. Hard to argue.

My outfit definitely screamed that.

No one would mistake me for a rift raider.

But look closely. Do I have a camera like you?

I wanted to say that, but I couldn't.

"Step aside."

"W-what?!"

"My patience is at an end."

A voice colder than Russia's biting wind. The gentlest expression of my inner scream: 'I'm too cold to bear it.'

"D-did you see that, guys? These newbies have no manners these days! What? You think I'm in the wrong just 'cause of my face? No, sis! Not you too..."

I ignored the flustered man and stood before the rift.

My current level was 67. A whopping 200 levels below the recommendation.

Standing before such a rift, I had one thought:

Inside the rift, I might escape this cold...

*

Guild Ranking 32nd, Berserker. Guild Master Leoni Bellucci furrowed her pale brow.

"Fuck, what the hell is this?"

Leoni was level 348. A ranker in the top 100 players.

She had experience to match her position.

But this rift was different from anything before.

Utterly infuriating.

Leoni swung her twin swords.

Swish—

She'd clearly slashed its leg, yet the red-eyed wolf didn't flinch.

"You mangy mutt!"

Swish-swish—

A relentless barrage from her twin blades! The wolf finally fell.

As expected.

A 100-level gap. A mere Lv.230 monster couldn't withstand her attack power.

Leoni checked the system message. Confirmed kill, confirmed EXP gain.

So why this nagging unease?

"...Guys. Am I the only one?"

Leoni put on a serious face.

But it didn't suit the backdrop. Her wild crimson bob suited her perfectly, and her cute features shone through.

Slender build. Who could guess from her looks alone?

That this was the master of Berserker Guild, a berserker.

"What now."

"Sis trying to act sharp again?"

"Not scary at all."

Her guildmates smiled warmly.

Partly because of her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cute face.

But mostly because her "sharp" act rarely panned out well.

Of course, this cozy vibe never lasted.

"No, fuck. It's seriously nagging me!"

Who else shattered the mood the second they opened their mouth?

No joke—it shocked her guildmates daily.

They sighed.

"...Yeah, that's our sis."

"But what's nagging you? Too easy?"

"Her shit instincts acting up."

Leoni raised a fist threateningly.

"No, easy is obvious! Duh! What level are we?"

"Sis, watch your words if not your fists."

"Shut it with the nagging. Have you seen mobs like these?!"

Thud—

Leoni kicked the sprawled wolf.

"They don't show a hint of pain until they drop."

"What, 'cause they're demons?"

"Pfft. First demons we've fought? Didn't hear the imps scream?"

...Wait, now that she mentioned it, yeah.

Leoni and Berserker's elite 30 had entered the [Outskirts of the Territory] rift and hunted for about three hours.

Dozens of [Blood-Soaked Beasts] and [Blood-Soaked Bandits] felled...

"...Did you hear any of them scream or whimper?"

Looking back, no.

As her guildmates stayed silent, Leoni shrugged.

"Feels off. Something's up with these bastards."

"So what's the something?"

"Fuck if I know."

"Sis, it does feel weird now that you say it... but probably nothing. We got solid EXP from kills."

"True, but my gut says otherwise!"

Guild ranking hovering around 30th wasn't for nothing.

Our guild master's dignity was in the gutter.

"What do you take me for..."

Leoni was about to snap when—

From the distant woods.

-Yelp, yip!

A faint beastly whimper echoed.

"...!"

All eyes on Leoni.

"...Hey, what's with those 'told you so' looks?!"

With so many players in the rift, it could be anyone...

-A-owwooooo!

But the pathetic howl sealed it.

Now words flew.

"Knew it."

"That's our sis."

"Ugh. What'd I get wrong this time?"

Half indignant, half curious: Why are they whimpering now?

Leoni led her guildmates toward the sound.

"Better to team up anyway? We're all clearing the rift together."

[Outskirts of the Territory] was basically a warmup.

Even with demon monsters, participating guilds could clear it easily.

Real competition started after all outskirts rifts: from [Count's Territory].

"...What kinda guys could make those stoics wail?"

Leoni listed suspects.

'Shining ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and Gaon out. We avoided them.'

Rankings 1st and 5th. No point tangling with whales; we'd be shrimp crushed in the tailwash.

That's why Berserker entered a distant rift.

Not many candidates left.

"Gotta be Second Sun or Bohemian. One of 'em."

But as said, Leoni's instincts weren't great.

"...?"

No guild at the sound's source.

Just one man.

And he mismatched the scene as much as Leoni did.

Suit and dress shoes, no less.

But most absurd: a teacup in his hand.

Steam rising—

Steaming hot, just from looks.

Yet strangely, he didn't seem out of place.

Mismatched the backdrop, but he exuded leisure.

Like savoring tea time.

Gulp—

"...What kinda lunatic is that?"

Leoni swallowed dryly at the surreal sight.

Then the man spoke to her.

"Regrettably."

In a voice of utmost resolve.

"I have no tea to spare for you."

......

Warm.

Finally shaking off the chill.

Now that I knew tea time's value, I cherished my green tea teabag.

So.

Gulp—

Pretend you're thirsty all you want; none for you.