Mage-Style Communication

Mage-style communication. No need for unnecessary chatter there. The rift information flowed directly into my mind via telepathy.

…Mana overflowing like this, for real! Not just to me, but to every senior mage too. If it were me, I'd already be mana exhausted.

I stuck out my tongue in admiration for a moment. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Then I sensed something familiar from the rift's location.

'Looks similar to Frost.'

The demon king Decarabia's descent ritual that happened in Frost. That ritual required sacrifices. And procedures.

'Like the magic circle drawn in blood and corpses.'

Eleven generated rifts. Their positions formed a specific pattern, just like back then.

Senior mage Banggrit Tom cautiously opened his mouth.

"…It looks kind of like a horse, doesn't it?"

If there were a horse-related constellation, it might look like that. Hearing it, yeah, it kinda did.

But that wasn't the point. Judging by the distance between each rift.

The scale of this descent ritual was incomparably larger than Frost's. That was the problem.

I couldn't help but flinch inwardly.

'The required sacrifice volume alone is on another level.'

Between low demon kings and upper demon kings. There existed a gap greater than between ordinary demons and demon kings.

Akshan's words as demon hunters really hit home.

'No wonder even elder mages like them…'

…are going to all this trouble to summon an upper demon king.

But naturally, I didn't show it on my face.

『No demon's temptation, deception, or trial can even scratch Grandfell's lofty pride.』

Yeah. That damn heavy pride of Grandfell's wouldn't waver even before an upper demon king.

Not without backbone, anyway. Even if it meant sinking under that weight.

But of course.

'Of course, it has zero intention of sinking on me.'

Not the first time. I knew what this guy's pride was like.

To avoid sinking. I'd been thrashing nonstop.

This time was no exception.

"What you all need to concern yourselves with is not the demon king."

That's why I'd moved like this, right? To stop that great demon king's descent.

I continued calmly.

"Dealing with the arch-traitor Karimjeba. Focus on the objective."

Yes. In the end, the core was Karimjeba.

'Why worry about the upper demon king descending in advance?'

We'd prepared thoroughly and moved precisely to prevent such a mishap.

So enough with the negative vibes, senior mage Banggrit Tom.

That was the intent when I spoke. But.

"However, even if the demon king revives. You needn't worry."

Before the demon king descent ritual. My damn pride swelled even higher.

I ended up spouting words I didn't mean.

"I am here."

…I'd resolved to go mad properly if I was going to. But.

'I didn't plan on going this mad!'

If I could, I'd curse myself out. Because the people before me now.

They weren't just anyone. They were the real powers of Arcana's greatest martial force, the Mage Tower.

'Seniors, chiefs, and even elders.'

Not wrinkling noses in front of a cocoon… At just level 333, spouting off like this.

This shame was on another level from talking big in front of players.

But my shameless thick skin showed no change.

"Understood."

Nod nod— I could see Marcelo and the senior mages, including Banggrit, nodding along.

God, please don't take my words seriously.

As I prayed fervently.

Marcelo continued.

"Then we'll proceed as planned."

Rooooar— That was a kind of signal.

Everyone had grasped the rift info via telepathy. Each manifested their own portal.

Naturally, I stayed put. Gotta conserve mana as much as possible.

'I did dope up with elixirs, though.'

Full preparation. Naturally included elixir doping.

…Full doping. To the limit where effects didn't overlap.

I'd taken ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠everything good for mana regen.

'Without this, it'd be a nightmare.'

This was my thrashing too, I guess. Thanks to the Pure Knowledge's Five Stars knowledge on elixirs, I could consume various types and effects.

Acquiring elixirs was easy.

'They're treated like junk on the auction house.'

Elixir knowledge was vast. Players couldn't appreciate their true value.

Direct consumption had limits too.

'They just bought whatever elixir they saw.'

Among them, not as good as death mistletoe, but a few permanently boosted stats. Priceless ones.

At that point, people with eyes would notice. Auctions happened.

But who was I? No, who was Grandfell?

The incarnation of incorruptible purity transcending material life. Even buying green tea bags, always the lowest price.

Astronomical bank balance untouched. Expensive elixirs? No issue.

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

The visible status window was the result of that thrashing. Strength and agility rose steadily via class quests.

Considering that, my total stats surpassed same-level players by far.

Of course, such numbers meant nothing before Karimjeba.

"Well, shall we go?"

I'm not alone, Karimjeba.

Thud— Elder mage Senior struck the ground with his staff. A portal manifested instantly.

For real. This wasn't mere scouting or interference!

Well, Mage Tower seniors casually ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠manifest portals. Senior's greatness might not hit home.

'But is this normal magic?'

Portals were high magic. Among players, few could use portal skills. Their performance? Laughably inferior.

'Portals like firing off light.'

Having Senior with me like this. Yeah, balance for the weakest me.

As I thought shamelessly.

Senior suddenly asked.

"Chief Lee Hoyeol. Do you catch colds easily?"

Out of nowhere. Well, cold? I hated it.

From Russia to Hokkaido.

'Thinking of wearing just a longcoat in that cold still chills me to the bone.'

Unlucky me always hit cold regions. But fussing over cold?

Unbecoming of Grandfell's dignity.

I answered calmly.

"Even cold cannot bar me."

"Is that so? Then fortunate."

Wait, fortunate how? I realized quickly.

Whiiiiiir—!

…What was this biting wind. The air seeping into my lungs told me.

This was cold on another dimension.

'Good thing I stocked warmth buffs.'

Without the jewelry box enchanting accessories with Warmth.

Suit-clad me wouldn't last minutes before hypothermia.

This! Amid swirling snowflakes.

Snowfield. And the rift.

Instantly, rift coordinates flashed in my mind.

I inwardly cursed Senior. Out of all those rifts…

'Why pick the Arctic one?!'

Clear. Senior held a grudge…!

Of course, I couldn't complain. I had a conscience.

Shitboss treatment, casual speech, defiance. Considering what I'd done, no grudge would be weird.

"Chilly. I like it."

But Senior seemed otherwise. His eyes were coldly sunken now.

The purpose of leaving the tower he'd declared himself.

Executing Karimjeba. Eyes fixed solely on the goal.

Picking the Arctic rift out of many.

'Just coincidence then?'

What kind of coincidence prank is this! Not serving in Cheorwon or anything.

Russia to Hokkaido to Arctic. Constant snow shows…!!

"Choosing advantageous battlefields matters more against strong foes."

Advantageous battlefield? Senior's words recalled his moniker.

If Karimjeba was Fire Dragon.

'Senior of Eternal Snow.'

He was the pinnacle of ice magic.

"But Karimjeba, that arrogant fool likely ignored such basics. Odds are equal. Until we check beyond."

Senior headed straight for the rift.

"Come, Karimjeba. Let's see if he's here."

Following him, I thought. Even with Senior.

Even fully prepared.

Facing Karimjeba from the start was burdensome.

Hope he had some common sense. Karimjeba.

*

Still that damn sensation.

"Can't get used to it."

Eleventh. Karimjeba dusted his hands viewing the last rift.

All just process for 'true truth'.

Yet coordinating with demons felt off.

"Ritual prep complete. Demon king."

Now, only sacrifices needed. Demons' job.

His role: Ensure ritual success. Burn any interferers.

"Hope you show, Akampatom."

Demon or adventurer. No exceptions.

As Karimjeba resolved.

"…!"

He sensed it. Mana tracking his presence.

Undeniably high magic. Adventurers at apprentice level? Irrelevant.

Even excluding them, few could wield this.

"A mage."

Muttering, Karimjeba pondered. Who? Tracking his mana trace?

First thought: naturally.

"You lot?"

Communication-cut elder mages. No, demon worshippers.

Karimjeba sneered.

Too close to demons, eventually.

"Turned no different from demons?"

To him, demons were mere means to witness 'true truth'.

But they differed. Drunk on demon power.

Turned demon-like.

"Unknown."

Why chase him now? Unclear.

But one certainty. To witness true truth.

Complete the started ritual successfully.

Soon, Karimjeba's eyes blazed.

"!"

Then. Detection magic over rift area activated.

Someone approached a ritual rift.

'Adventurer?'

Adventurers? Fine. Self-delivered sacrifice.

But no. His detection magic pierced and destroyed.

"You lot after all."

Rooooar— Karimjeba surged mana instantly.

Portal to that rift, burn betrayers.

But contrary to resolve, couldn't move.

One. Two. Then three.

"!"

Incomprehensible. Betrayers only two.

Even overestimating Akampatom interfering…

Interferers should stop at three.

But four. Five. Six. Seven.

One by one. Detection magics perfectly dismantled.

Unexpected flow. Karimjeba desperately thought.

Then recalled.

"…The Mage Tower moved?"

Assume Tower moved. Doubts resolved one by one.

Demon worshippers' telepathy cut.

Someone tracking his mana.

Detection magics dismantled simultaneously.

If Tower knew their plan. All explained.

'But how?'

Who pierced their plan?

Suspect: chief mage Marcelo. Only one questioning elders.

But suspicion alone couldn't handle elders.

'No time to dwell.'

Tower moved. Time tight.

Other seniors maybe. But chief Marcelo no pushover.

Yet Tower moving changes nothing.

As resolved. Even staking life.

'True truth' must prevail.

'Only one perfect rift.'

Shuu— Karimjeba opened portal to those coordinates.

Entered rift, awaited interferer inside.

And faced.

"…!"

Utterly unexpected interferer.

"Knew it'd be you, Karimjeba."

Elder mage Senior. He'd entered the rift.

'Senior figured our plan?'

No, if sniffed out. Much earlier.

Senior's judgment clouded by demon curse.

Of course, doubt didn't last. Senior not alone.

Clack— Reality and Arcana continent.

Mingled rift landscape. Amid snowflakes.

Silver-haired man appeared.

"!"

…No way?

Sudden possibility flashed.

Co-chief Lee Hoyeol. And Akampatom.

'Akampatom surely contacted Lee Hoyeol to…'

Wait. If Akampatom caught by Lee Hoyeol?

"…Yes. That's how it was."

Now understood. Culprit behind all.

Moving the Tower. Not Marcelo, not Senior.

Lee Hoyeol. That guy.

"How dare you."

Karimjeba's pupils blazed like flames. Mana swelling to devour all rippled from him.

Senior reflexively countered, clicking tongue.

"Still impressive heat."

Yet before Fire Dragon.

Hoyeol unchanged.

"Arch-traitor, Karimjeba."

Amid raging heat.

Unyielding posture and gaze.

"You are foolishly discourteous."

And finally. Icy voice too.

.

.

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