Chapter 60

Chapter 60

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 60: Usurper (3)

The Brigade of Eternal Heaven was infamously notorious among villains.

Its members numbered twelve.

An elite minority.

Each was a monster at a superior level.

Not all were combatants; some were non-combatants, but the frightening part was that they all excelled in their own right.

‘And they are tenacious too.’

Many players gave up and started over if the Brigade of Eternal Heaven targeted their playable character early on.

That was why I was currently hiding.

If I hadn’t, the forces of good would have helped me, but once the Brigade of Eternal Heaven extended its clutches, there was no escaping.

In the story progression, they were unavoidable and had to be confronted.

‘It’s best to avoid them as much as possible.’

But that was impossible when it came to Hong Yu-hwa.

After the final evaluation, the Brigade of Eternal Heaven, which gloriously hosted a party, targeted her life.

I looked ahead.

Fwoooosh!

In front of Hong Yu-hwa, a crimson magic book unfolded. Swirling red magical power formed, and from the book, ten spheres of flame appeared.

This was different from the usual Hong Yu-hwa.

Rather than the efficient and elegant magic she typically practiced, it was quite rough.

‘The last one was barely completed, slightly unstable.’

The fireballs’ shapes were unstable.

“A magician! Everyone attack!”

“Don’t be ridiculous! The magic has already manifested! Run!”

Mines scrambled to find a way to survive.

But it was too late. The fireballs flew towards the Mines.

Boom!

The fireballs collided with the Mines. Explosions echoed, and the Mines screamed.

“Save me!”

“I, I haven’t done anything yet…!”

Ashes scattered.

The Mines, having coveted power beyond their reach, could not find rest even in death in this world.

Their souls could not find peace even in death, for beings from other worlds possessed power that defied even death.

Shhh!

Flames flickered, capturing a fleeing Mine in chains of fire. Hong Yu-hwa manipulated the chains brutally, intent on killing the Mines.

Dark circles began to appear under Hong Yu-hwa’s eyes.

Very faintly. A subtle flow of magical power, visible only with Divine Sight.

Above Hong Yu-hwa’s head,

A translucent crown took shape.

‘A sign.’

A sign that the Usurper was near awakening.

It seemed just a little more push was needed.

“Yu-hwa, do you feel anything strange?”

“What kind of feeling?”

Her voice was sharp.

Clearly laden with fatigue.

“Like talent embedding, or feeling a slight recovery of power each time you defeat an opponent.”

“……”

Hong Yu-hwa closed her eyes tightly.

For a moment, she seemed to be contemplating her own body.

‘Eternal Heaven.’

-Yes, Master Seo-ha!

‘Let’s sort this out.’

-Yep!

Eternal Heaven began to devise a magic formula. I infused the formula with the Energy of Defying Heaven.

[Conceptualizing the magic using Conceptual Stat Energy of Defying Heaven.]

[The proficiency of Black God Martial Arts – Black Death Chapter has increased.]

While unlocking the Black Heavenly Demon Sword, I acquired the inherent skill, Dokhon.

With it, I could sift through Eternal Heaven’s soul to use magic, albeit still at a nascent level.

Swish!

Shadows loaded with the Energy of Defying Heaven surged forth in the form of thorns, piercing through the Mines. There were only remnants, few in number, so I could finish them in one swift move.

-As expected of Seo-ha nim, nice!

-The speed is unbelievable. Not even the previous master was this fast.

-Oh, Black Heaven, how can you compare our Seo-ha nim to the previous one? Our Seo-ha nim is the unparalleled genius of all times!

Eternal Heaven said this and peered at me, her eyes shimmering as if to say, ‘I did well, right?’

I shook my head; the day was growing hotter.

I was familiar with Eternal Heaven’s personality, yet the sincerity of her thoughts through Nyeom caused my face to warm.

-Gasp, could it be, Master Seo-ha! Are you feeling shy now?

-Is this the master’s weakness? He didn’t seem like a child until now, but seeing him like this…

While Eternal Heaven and Black Heaven conversed, Hong Yu-hwa opened her eyes.

Red magical power flowed from her eyes.

“…How did you know?”

“I have good eyes.”

I tapped under my eyes while saying that.

Then, I used the talent, Reading(-), to check her status.

▼

[Name: Hong Yu-hwa]

Strength: 11 Agility: 11 Stamina: 12

Magic: 32 Spirit: 17 Dexterity: 21

◈Talents

-Usurper(?), Crimson Magic of Illumination (A+), Magic Analysis (B+) and 5 more.

◈Skills

-Crimson Magic (B+), Flame Elemental Control (B-), Flame Aggregation Control (C+), Multiple Chanting (C-) and 8 more.

◈Physique

-Sunflame Vessel (A+)

‘…?’

A question mark was attached to the grade of Usurper.

This was unprecedented. I had thought Usurper was an S-class, and among all S-classes, it was considered the best.

“It’s true. Something has changed.”

Hong Yu-hwa, with her eyes open, spoke.

“Should I call it a vessel? It feels like filling something up.”

“Really? Is it still at that level?”

It seemed like she was now mastering the basics. If she refined her talent further, she would become worthy of the nickname ‘Crimson Lotus Usurper.’

“Still at that level?”

“It’s the most outstanding talent I thought you had.”

“Is that so?”

Hong Yu-hwa frowned.

“But there’s something more serious.”

“What is it?”

“I’m so sleepy.”

“…….”

It was indeed a serious problem.

She had scarcely slept over the past three days, constantly on the move.

I scratched my head and then bent my knees, offering my back to Hong Yu-hwa.

“Get on. I’ll take you to the dormitory.”

“…Okay.”

Hong Yu-hwa obediently climbed onto my back.

“Ah~ Why is there so much work?”

Ershil tapped the tablet with a complaining voice.

Although she had made the significant decision to reward Lee Seo-ha, it had resulted in an increase in her workload.

Normally, others wouldn’t interfere in such matters, but since Ershil was being considered as the next head of the Merchen family, she had to learn and handle these tasks as the future leader.

‘I wish I could see his surprised face.’

Ershil thought this while looking out the window.

The view outside was that of the entertainment district.

Although Korea was on par with the United States as a leading country, human desires were uncontrollable.

As the day began to darken, people started to gather…

‘Uh…?’

Ershil saw them.

Lee Seo-ha and Hong Yu-hwa.

And there was Lee Seo-ha carrying Hong Yu-hwa on his back, coming in from the outside.

“What, wow.”

“Miss?”

The butler said something, but Ershil didn’t hear him. More precisely, she was not in a state to listen.

The Decision of Dream.

Her magic eyes scanned Hong Yu-hwa. Upon closer inspection, Hong Yu-hwa’s clothes were subtly torn here and there.

Lee Seo-ha’s clothes were intact. However, the problem was their location.

Motels and hotels nearby, the entertainment district where scantily clad women were promoting. The two of them there?

“No, really?”

Naturally, a scene replayed in Ershil’s mind. Hong Yu-hwa and Lee Seo-ha locking eyes and heading to a hotel, with Lee Seo-ha roughly tearing Hong Yu-hwa’s clothes…

“No way!”

Were the two of them in that kind of relationship?

Ershil looked at them with trembling eyes.

“Why would Lady Yu-hwa go with such a man…”

“Could it be that Hong Yu-hwa has fallen?”

“Hong Yu-hwa is a woman, after all. She must have fallen for that face.”

People around me whispered and talked.

In hindsight, I should have called one of Hong Yu-hwa’s followers to take her.

I quietly tapped Hong Yu-hwa on my back.

“Mmm… just 5 more minutes…”

“…….”

-Seo-ha nim, shall I use a cloaking spell?

‘No, don’t.’

Cloaking spells were good for hiding oneself.

But this place was under the surveillance of Emperor Seo Ye-bin’s stars.

If I misused the cloaking spell, the third star might deem me a foe and shoot arrows at me.

‘I might end up in big trouble.’

I was strong.

Indeed, the Energy of Defying Heaven negated most other abilities, but whether it could match the transcendental beings known as the ‘stars’ was a question with many question marks.

In my current state, maybe I could barely take down one star if I had hundreds of people.

“Lady Yu-hwa?”

I saw one of Hong Yu-hwa’s subordinates, A, looking at me with a dazed expression.

“You, you’re close with Hong Yu-hwa.”

“Yes, me? I, with Lady Yu-hwa…”

“Do you know where Hong Yu-hwa’s dormitory is or not? Just tell me that.”

“Ah, yes, I know.”

“Then, can you guide me… no, it’s not right to carry her like this. Can you call others to help move Yu-hwa?”

“Yes, I can do that…”

Hong Yu-hwa’s subordinate A looked at me.

“Has Lady Yu-hwa been having a hard time lately?”

“She’s been training with me. Well, it’s almost over now.”

Now, all I could do was offer advice from the sidelines.

I could push her harder if I really wanted to.

‘I’m worried about Hong Yu-hwa’s mental state.’

It wasn’t just because of the training.

If, in the worst-case scenario, I couldn’t save the Red Tower Master, Hong Yu-hwa might just collapse.

The Brigade of Eternal Heaven was that dangerous.

In certain situations, they could even kill transcendental beings. The Brigade’s leader was a monster capable of rivaling the Seven Evils.

And they were not even Mines, so the starlight magic of Seo Ga-yeon didn’t work on them.

‘That’s why it’s tricky.’

In the worst-case scenario, the option of blocking all eyes and deploying Seo Ga-yeon disappeared.

The Brigade of Eternal Heaven were all still ‘technically’ human.

As villains who disrupted the law and social order, they were a difficult opponent.

“Anyway, send my regards to Hong Yu-hwa.”

“Ah, where are you going?”

“I was planning to go out today.”

I said that and pulled the hood of my hoodie over my head.

I left the school branch and donned the Mask of Illusion.

Hong Yu-hwa wasn’t as important to me as Seo Ga-yeon, but I had grown fond of her since living here.

If this had been a game,

If it had been just a hellishly difficult game, I would’ve left Hong Yu-hwa alone. Hong Yu-hwa was the type who grew stronger by harnessing her hatred,

A steel-like character who became stronger by burning her life for revenge after the death of the Red Tower Master.

Steel does not bend.

But eventually, it breaks. Yet, that strength wasn’t desired in the later stages.

But now, it was different.

I didn’t want to see her sad.

“Huh? What’s that?”

“Bro, that jerk in the hood is coming this way?”

“…Shit, let’s get out of here!”

I pulled out a black sword from a black bracelet. Five swords. I levitated four with Nyeom and held one in my hand.

“Kugh!”

The black sword propelled by Nyeom pierced through the heart of a Mine.

[Conceptual Stat Energy of Defying Heaven increases by 1.]

The simplest method was to kill Mines to increase Energy of Defying Heaven.

‘I hope to reach 50 before the final evaluation.’

The road ahead was long. I began hunting Mines with the black sword.