Ch.158Tower of Magic++

# 158. Magic Tower Battle++

In tower-type dungeons, the second floor is usually harder than the first, and the third floor is usually harder than the second.

However, depending on the situation, the second floor could be easier than the first. Due to differences in attributes, resistances, or class combinations.

If our raid party lacked anything, it was just one thing: stability.

Though Seyeon was a reliable main tank, we had almost no sub-tank, which meant Yuri or Arang occasionally had to perform acrobatic evasion tanking.

In return, we had secured various means of attack. Physical attacks, magical attacks, multiple attributes, melee DPS, ranged DPS, and even buffs—we had it all. And that translated directly into flexibility in our approach.

In other words, no matter what kind of chimeras appeared, we could handle them without much difficulty.

“MaRe!”

If something seemed to have high magic resistance, our three melee fighters would be the main damage dealers while our two ranged fighters (Soyu and Yehyun) would provide support.

“PhyRe!”

If something seemed to have high physical resistance, our three melee fighters would focus on drawing aggro while our two ranged fighters concentrated their firepower.

“Hybrid!”

If something seemed to have moderately high resistance to both physical and magical attacks, we’d respond with standard tactics as if facing a raid boss.

Except for the guardian, all the chimeras on the first floor seemed to be failed experiments. The chimeras on the second floor were generally much higher level than those on the first, but that was only relative.

They couldn’t compare to the demon of the netherworld flames, Iseratio.

If anything, we’d just gotten used to fighting chimeras, and our disgust for the magic tower had only grown.

These bastards had lost almost all their mages, and since that didn’t work, they kept sending down chimeras while refusing to budge.

They wouldn’t surrender, and seeing how inefficiently they were deploying these chimeras made it increasingly clear they were stalling for something…

“Does it feel like the magical pressure is getting more intense, or is it just me?”

“I feel it too.”

“Me too.”

“It’s not just a feeling. The second floor was worse than the first, and the third floor is worse than the second.”

“What is this, some kind of difficulty indicator?”

Of course it wasn’t a difficulty indicator, but…

“Rather than those guys doing something deliberate… it seems like a natural phenomenon.”

“A natural phenomenon?”

“Just like how casting a major spell affects the surroundings. Just as a candle, a bonfire, and my fireball all illuminate and heat their surroundings to different degrees, the larger and more powerful a spell becomes, the wider its range and the higher the density of magic power that spreads around it.”

Subin was speaking calmly, but the situation didn’t look like a good sign.

“Then we should go up faster?”

“Right.”

Chimeras were also stationed on the third floor. At this point, it was so believable that this place was a chimera research lab rather than a magic tower. It was impossible to know how long these people had been doing such demonic things while pretending to be sages.

At least demons required clear contracts with sacrifices and compensation to manifest. Of course, that wasn’t because they were gentlemanly but because of their constraints. Still, these guys were worse than demons.

“Let’s go.”

“For that level of major magic, they can’t use it carelessly. They could easily get caught up in it themselves. So don’t be too tense, everyone.”

“Unni. What if those bastards decide to fire it anyway with the resolve to die together?”

“We’ll have to kill them before it fully activates. Whatever major spell it is, if it’s a lethal one and it activates properly, we won’t be able to block it at our current level.”

We weren’t moving slowly. But due to the significant resistance from the chimeras, we weren’t moving quickly either. When we reached the fourth floor, the magical pressure went beyond discomfort to a tingling, chilling sensation.

Even I felt it, so I wondered how it must feel for those with more sensitive senses like Yuri and Danya, or Subin who directly handled magic power.

“This doesn’t feel good at all.”

“…Let’s hurry.”

The fourth floor had not a single chimera, as if the previous floors full of them had been a lie. Not only that, but there were no magical traps that would activate at the slightest touch.

But that made me even more tense. There was no clear reason. If I had to say, it was intuition based on experience.

Though there were no chimeras, I had an uneasy feeling that something more troublesome than chimeras was coming.

And my intuition proved to be more than just a feeling when Seyeon, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped without my order and immediately assumed a battle stance.

‘Those guys…!’

Ten middle-aged to elderly mages were standing in a row, waiting for us.

The oldest-looking mage in the center addressed us in a casual tone.

“Hello there.”

That made it even more eerie.

“Demon Slayer.”

“…Demon Summoner.”

“Oh. Demon Summoner. Tsk tsk. That’s quite a nice nickname.”

The mage was leisurely stroking his long white beard.

‘Is he trying to buy time?’

Why bother?

Judging by their appearance and posture, and considering the context, they seemed to be high-ranking officials of the magic tower…

None of us had noticed their presence until we approached.

“The only man in your group seems quite taciturn.”

“What more is there to say to a Demon Summoner who’s neither a friend nor has any business with us?”

“That’s true. Then let me make a proposal.”

“A proposal.”

“Turn back now, while you still can.”

What’s with this guy?

Turn back now? After showing such determination to fight to the death?

I barely maintained my poker face.

“You expect me to believe that? The words of a Demon Summoner?”

“Of course, we harbor great—enormous—hostility toward the Demon Slayer. But we’re neither demons nor chimeras. Without one side paying a one-sided price, we can both get what we want through dialogue. If we can get what we want, setting aside emotions temporarily isn’t that difficult. We might consider it, at least. Don’t you agree?”

“I don’t know. Is there any reason for us to turn back after coming all this way?”

I probed a little to see how they would react.

“As expected of the Demon Slayer. Such spirit. I won’t deny that your spirit is more threatening because it’s not unfounded… but if you try to climb higher. One of you won’t leave this tower alive. I swear it.”

“So you’re saying you’ll spare us if we go back down?”

“If we weak mages, weaker than demons, clash head-on with the Demon Slayer, we won’t escape unscathed either. Although we can risk our lives for our cause, it’s better to achieve our goals while staying alive, isn’t it? You’ve already achieved the feat of becoming Demon Slayers—though you’re young, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’ve accomplished all you can as adventurers in a lifetime. Isn’t it enough to be satisfied with this and withdraw? Or perhaps the lord has hired you?”

The old mage’s words actually made sense. It was a win-win in a way. Perfectly rational.

If we could avoid facing the “major spell” that made all of us feel such a strong sense of crisis, that was certainly appealing. Regardless of how the Tower would judge it.

But the one making this offer was a Demon Summoner.

“Can you tell us what you’re preparing?”

“Ho ho. I don’t believe I’m obligated to tell you that much.”

“Just a moment.”

“I hope for your wise decision.”

I stepped back and lowered my voice.

“What do you want to do?”

“Surely you’re not going to listen to him?”

“Dealing with them would be easier than Iseratio, but this is their home ground. Since we don’t know what kind of major spell it is, we might end up helpless against it, so I’m keeping our options open.”

“It can’t just be… a bluff, right?”

“That would be the risk-free option for now. But this decision could create a big snowball effect.”

“Snowball?”

“I mean the Magikant incident that should have ended with Iseratio might not be over and could affect the next floor. No one’s paying attention now, but we don’t know how the conflict between Albrant and Ayord might affect us again. This could be similar. Especially since it’s related to demons.”

Subin quickly pointed out. It was a characteristic observation from her—fundamentally rational, meticulous, and cool-headed.

“I… disagree.”

“Yehyun noona.”

“If we stop here… I have a really bad feeling.”

At that moment, Yehyun noona trembled slightly as she expressed her opinion.

“I’m not talking about some petty conscience or sense of justice. Of course, I’m very angry about what these people have done… but somehow I feel like we’ll regret it forever if we just leave now.”

“Even if it’s dangerous?”

“I’m scared, but…”

She nodded with firm resolve as she hugged the trembling spirit in her arms, comforting it in this space filled with ominous magical power.

“That person said they could sacrifice their lives for their cause, but if they were really willing to do that, wouldn’t they have avoided negotiating with us in the first place? So I think it’s worth trying. I have no evidence, though.”

“Agreed. I know it’s dangerous, but I won’t be able to sleep for a while if we back out now. We can handle this somehow, right?”

“I’ll try my best to block whatever comes.”

“It goes against your motto, Sunghyun, but considering Subin’s point that this could come back to haunt us, cutting it off at the root might not be a bad idea. I’ll do my best too.”

The rest of the raid members felt similarly.

The decision was unanimous.

“Well. Have you finished consulting with your companions?”

“Yes.”

“Ho ho. Then—”

“Hi.”

“—Hi?”

“Good night.”

*Whoosh—*

*BOOM—!*

“W-What is this!”

“CHARGE!”

First rule of battling archmages:

Don’t give them distance or time.

We became a single spear and charged toward the mages.