Chapter 296
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 296
Chapter Title: Red Tower Infiltration
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Magic Tower entered a state of emergency.
Status of Grand Duke Delphos?!
Doesn't seem to be a major problem yet!
What...? The barrier was shattered, and there's no issue? That doesn't make sense?
It was all because of the barrier installed at the Delphos Grand Duchy.
The Magic Tower had been watching that barrier closely, and the reason was the monsters lurking beyond it.
The moment those monsters poured into the Empire through the Delphos Grand Duchy, the Empire would vanish into the pages of history.
I don't really know either...
Sigh, we'll have to activate an additional barrier.
An... additional barrier?
The barrier he referred to was the one installed at the border between the northern Empire and the Delphos Grand Duchy.
Once activated, the Delphos Grand Duchy would be completely isolated from the Empire, making even movement impossible.
In other words, the territory's residents would be trapped inside.
The problem was that the harsh cold would intensify, and those unaccustomed to it wouldn't last a week before succumbing to frostbite.
In simple terms, it meant sacrificing Delphos to protect the Empire.
Is there any other way? The previous Tower Master said that if the barrier falls, we protect the Empire this way.
...Does Grand Duke Delphos know about this?
Probably not. If he did, he wouldn't just sit there quietly.
That makes sense.
Contact the other Tower Masters right now. Tell them I want to see them.
Understood.
Activating the barrier would take time.
So they could only pray that Grand Duke Delphos bought them that time.
The Magic Towers located within the Empire.
There were five in total.
Red Tower, Blue Tower, Green Tower, White Tower, Black Tower.
The masters of these five towers had gathered to install the barrier at the Delphos Grand Duchy.
And the first tower Jeong Hoon visited was the Red Tower.
Hoon, Darvis is truly a mysterious place.
It was something Alessandro had boasted about before the regression.
He had swept up nearly all the hidden themes like they were his alone.
And when he spoke about Darvis, it was to reveal that two hidden themes were hidden there.
One in the Red Tower, and another in the Black Tower.
He had spoken about the hidden themes as vividly as if they happened yesterday.
That was why the first destination for Jeong Hoon, who remembered everything, was the Red Tower.
Halt! This is a sacred Magic Tower that only licensed mages may enter!
Darvis's Magic Tower wasn't much different from those in other villages.
A robed mage appeared at the entrance, blocking Jeong Hoon's path.
NPC info
-Nickname: Haero
-Level: 345
-Job: Hyper Magician (4th Circle)
A level 345 Hyper Magician.
Sharp eyes glinting from beneath the robe.
It meant he was hostile toward Jeong Hoon, the outsider.
Jeong Hoon obediently raised both arms.
I have business at the Red Tower.
Business? Sorry, but outsiders are forbidden.
Even though I came because of the Delphos Grand Duchy's barrier?
What...?
He could see the sharp eyes twitching finely.
As expected, he knew the barrier at the Delphos Grand Duchy had been broken.
But why weren't they taking swift action?
Is there another reason?
Jeong Hoon observed him with the eyes of a hawk, determined not to miss a single detail.
Before the regression, James Marcus's party hadn't perfectly cleared this episode quest.
From here on, it was up to Jeong Hoon's pure judgment to navigate.
You don't need to worry too much. The monsters haven't poured out, after all.
I-is that so?
Yes. If they had, the Delphos Grand Duchy wouldn't be so quiet.
If monsters had poured out, the north including Delphos would be in ruins.
...Thank you for letting us know anyway. Please head back carefully.
Haero nodded roughly and turned away.
So, aren't you curious why the monsters haven't poured out?
Jeong Hoon tossed the question at his back.
Haero scowled and turned to meet Jeong Hoon's gaze again.
What exactly are you trying to say?
I want to meet the Tower Master.
As I said before, outsiders...
Ta-at.
Jeong Hoon stepped into Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon.
In an instant, he closed the distance to Haero and drew the Shadow King's dagger, pressing it to his throat.
Guide me nicely before I force my way in.
...Are you saying you'll make an enemy of the Magic Tower right now?
Haero asked without losing his composure.
I might have to, depending on the need.
If his suspicions were correct, they were planning to abandon Delphos.
There was no other reason for not acting quickly.
The Empire must feel the same way.
If the Empire opposed it, they wouldn't be responding so passively.
In that case, he would have to crush them with force.
Then go ahead and try.
Haero sneered.
Dare to challenge the Magic Tower backed by the Empire alone?
What nonsense.
That dagger would never slit his throat.
Are you taking your life too lightly?
I know it can't. The Magic Tower is watching your every move right now. The moment that dagger attacks me, the Tower will deem you an enemy and respond with full force.
Haero smirked.
Is that so? Then this approach won't work.
Jeong Hoon's lips curved up.
He sheathed the dagger and resumed his polite demeanor.
Good thing you're not the short-sighted type.
Yes. Please guide me, then.
Pardon?
Activating Brainwash.
He could have slit his throat right then, but he didn't feel like seeing blood.
As Jeong Hoon applied Brainwash, Haero's pupils dilated.
Treat me with utmost respect.
With Brainwash successfully applied, Haero bowed politely.
Please enter.
Jeong Hoon entered the Red Tower under Haero's guidance.
The mages inside looked back and forth between Haero and Jeong Hoon in bewilderment.
Activating Brainwash.
Jeong Hoon Brainwashed every mage he encountered.
He issued the same command as with Haeroto treat him with utmost respectand they all bowed deferentially.
Where is the Tower Master?
Yes. Please follow me.
Following Haero's guidance led to the top floor of the tower.
The door to the top floor opened, revealing mages bustling about inside.
Who gave you permission to enter here!
A bellow followed.
Jeong Hoon turned his head.
NPC info
-Nickname: Rakad
-Level: 480
-Job: Red Tower Master
He was the level 480 Red Tower Master.
Are you the Tower Master?
Jeong Hoon smiled and asked.
...How did an outsider get in here?
He glared at Haero beside him and countered.
He let me in since I'm a mage too.
A mage?
Yes.
Jeong Hoon conjured a single Magic Missile.
Seeing the high-concentration Magic Missile form, Rakad nodded.
Only a mage could produce a Magic Missile of that caliber.
Alright. So why are you here?
Because of the barrier.
The barrier?
Rakad's eyebrow twitched for a moment.
Yes. As you know, the barrier at the Delphos Grand Duchy has been shattered. You must know what happens next.
Of course. I was just about to address that.
Really?
Activating Brainwash.
Jeong Hoon Brainwashed Rakad as well.
Rakad's pupils dilated under the Brainwash.
Despite being the Red Tower Master at level 480, the overwhelming level and stat difference made it easy.
Easy.
He had reached this point without spilling blood.
...What is it you desire?
Brainwashed Rakad bowed politely.
How were you planning to resolve it?
We planned to activate an additional barrier.
Activate an additional one?
Yes.
What happens to the Delphos Grand Duchy then?
The Delphos Grand Duchy will become an uninhabitable harsh environment due to the barrier's aftereffects.
So you're saying you'll sacrifice the Grand Duchy to protect the Empire.
Yes. That's correct.
It was absurd.
No wonder the hidden episode couldn't be completed this way.
Have you contacted the other towers' masters?
We were just in contact and about to communicate.
I see. Is there a way to remove the barrier at the Delphos Grand Duchy?
Yes. If we gather the barrier release spells from each tower and dispel it, we can remove it.
Okay. Then bring me all the release spells from this Red Tower.
Understood.
By visiting each tower and collecting the spells, he could completely remove the barrier at the Delphos Grand Duchy and complete the hidden episode.
But first, find the hidden theme.
Jeong Hoon had achieved explosive growth even acquiring ultimate powers, but his magical attainment was stuck at 4th Circle.
No matter what he did, his circles wouldn't increase, so he needed the hidden theme's help to grow.
Having obtained the Red Tower's barrier release spells, Jeong Hoon headed straight underground.
With the Red Tower mages already Brainwashed and under his control, there were no restrictions on his movement.
Please enter.
The Brainwashed mages personally opened the door to the underground.
Thank you.
The underground was used as a warehouse storing magic artifacts.
Back then, Alessandro had visited the Red Tower purely for magical exploration, unrelated to the episode.
Naturally, he had to complete many quests to build trust with the Tower Master, earning the chance to browse the artifacts.
That's how he discovered the hidden theme.
I got here in one shot.
Without Brainwash, it wouldn't have been this quick.
Would you like a guide?
No. I'll look around alone.
Yes. Have a pleasant time.
Left alone, Jeong Hoon moved forward.
The underground had three floors, all warehouses storing magic artifacts.
It was definitely a crystal orb.
A crystal orb that guided to the hidden theme.
But the first floor was packed with staves and other equipment.
The grades ranged from Unique to Epic.
He could probably pocket one without issue.
But nothing caught his eye.
Jeong Hoon headed to the second floor.
If the first was equipment, the second held artifacts and consumable magic tools.
No crystal orb here.
Alessandro had only said he found it here.
Not exactly where.
After a thorough search, Jeong Hoon went to the third floor.
And there, on the third floor, he found the crystal orb Alessandro had described.
It's exactly like the one I saw in Origin Village.
The broken crystal orb found in the thatched hut.
One such orb was embedded in the corner.
Jeong Hoon placed his hand on the crystal orb.
A exclamation mark appeared above it.
You have discovered a Hidden Theme!
Acquired 5,000 Achievement Points!
Hidden Theme discovered.
Would you like to move to the Ruined City of Mages?
Perfect.
Alessandro had achieved great things here, he said.
So Jeong Hoon could expect to gain much as well.
Moving.
As Jeong Hoon accepted, his body was enveloped in blue light and sucked into the crystal orb.