episode_0030

The imperial palace is so enormous that you can’t help but wonder.

The essence and symbol of ancient imperial architecture that showed off its grandeur even though it was broken and destroyed.

It disappeared without a trace.

Clean as if nothing had ever happened in the first place.

“…How much?”

“Hey…?”

“Ah…?”

I checked the coins that had come in, looking with satisfaction at the wide-open eyes and mouths of the three women who could not accept the situation.

[Coins held: 15556]

“Hmm…”

I’m disappointed because I didn’t receive as much as I expected. What should I do? Since it seems like it will attract a lot of public attention, I would like to end it with just one imperial palace…

“Do, Master. What is this…huh?”

“Oh my god…huh?”

“…?”

Our eyes met the sparkling eyes crowded together in the vast underground cavity.

They must have been busy with something, and they narrowed their eyes like moles at the sudden bright light and stuck their heads out without knowing what was going on.

“…Huh?”

“…huh?”

He was dressed in pitch black robes from head to toe, had a strange magic circle drawn in blood, and on an altar that looked ominous at first glance, there was a blood-red orb on top.

“Heriot! Attack! Xenia! Cover me with magic!”

“Ah!? Yes!”

“Yes, yes!”

Without even looking, they pulled out their swords and stormed in.

“What, wow!?”

“What, what!?”

“Chi, intrusion! It’s an intruder!”

“Respond! Activate the trap…”

“No! The imperial palace has disappeared, so all the magic circles I engraved have disappeared!”

“What kind of bullshit is that..Aaagh!”

Originally, this was not a place that could be easily exposed like this.

A labyrinth with vicious magic such as sensory alterations, hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, and curses, several layers of barriers and doors, various vicious protective magics, field magic, countless traps, the undead and monsters they have unleashed, and the ability to manipulate them all. A control room that can be used… In addition, there are various vicious features designed to repel intruders.

All of that evaporated in an instant.

Even the double and triple escape routes are neatly provided.

Since it was originally used as a repository and escape route for the imperial palace, it was completely lost the moment it was converted into coins.

Even though I didn’t expect it to all disappear like this…I guess I’m lucky.

Thanks to this, the guys, whose minds went blank, not only allowed me and Harriet to invade in a panic, but also just stood there until they were attacked.

In terms of time, it is only about 3 seconds.

However, for a knight who has reached the intermediate level of sword expert, 3 seconds is enough time to cut more than 30 times.

“Whoop…!”

Especially for me, that time is maximized.

As time slows down, only the sound of my heart beats like crazy.

Blood pressure rose to the point where blood vessel walls were worn away, muscles tightened, bones creaked, and mana swirled throughout the body. All of that is compressed and released all at once.

“Ah…bad…”

“K…Ugh…Ahh…!”

They cut and cut their bodies again and again, even the screams slowly echoing.

Because the performance of the newly prepared sword was so good, there was extremely little waste of power, like cutting the head without wearing an aura. Thanks to this, I have more mana and the speed at which I am attacked by them accelerates even more.

Five, ten, twenty.

By the time I had cut that much, Xenia’s magic had subsided.

It was like lightning-type magic, but it was slow when it came down, but the moment it exploded, it spread at a speed several hundred times faster than the accelerated accident, electrocuting the black magicians.

Indeed, the speed of light cannot be surpassed.

“……”

A small realization flashed through me.

But unfortunately now is not the time to focus on that realization. We have to cut a little more and faster.

“Huh…!”

Thirty, forty.

It took just 3 seconds to get here.

At that point, the warlocks also came to their senses and tried to respond, however clumsily.

But it was already too late.

A prepared wizard is a scary person, but an unprepared wizard is like a scarecrow, with a fatal gap.

All you have to do is cut it down before casting is complete.

“Ugh…Ah…Ahh…!”

“Big…gasp…!”

After cutting down the last warlock and finishing off those squirming from the electric shock, and even taking the sealing beads placed on the altar, there was only heavy silence in the hollow where the torches flickered.

“Phew…!”

Including those killed by Herriot, approximately sixty to seventy people were killed in just over five seconds. Of course, this number was only possible because he was a warlock with poor physical abilities, but…

“…Um.”

I stroked my slightly goosebumped arm, feeling the speed of my thoughts returning to normal.

Although I knew it to some extent, I truly realized how strong a knight who had reached the intermediate level of Sword Expert was. An untrained ordinary person wouldn’t be able to win even if hundreds of people attacked him. I can’t even dream of rebellion.

“Heriot. Where were you injured?”

“No.”

“Okay. Then right now…huh?”

[Do you want to sell the ‘Millennium Sealing Orb’ to a coin shop?]

I stared blankly at the notification window that appeared in front of me.

what. This isn’t even a relic. Can I sell it?

No wait, if I sell this, what happens to the sealed demons?

[warning. If you sell the ‘Millennium Sealing Orb’, the sealed demons will be freed.]

You are kind too.

“Hmm…”

Should I sell it or not?

I currently have about 15,000 coins. It’s money that can be used to purchase two character slot windows or draw a hunter character… but I want to use it a little more carefully. There are many useful items in the coin shop.

“Umm…”

Moreover, it is too risky to buy a character slot to insert a demon that will pop out of the thousand-year seal. Of course, you definitely want to have a legendary collectible character, but there is no need to risk your life.

I thought about contacting the demons as soon as the seal was broken and sending them to the subspace, but… it was too dangerous. As for me, if a high-level demon sealed in this bead even breathes, my life will be cut off. I don’t know how much the sealing ball will sell for, but I think it’s better to hold off for now.

No, but what kind of game is this where you don’t know the price until you sell it? Isn’t it normal to tell the sales price based on common sense? It’s like a fucking game.

“Keu…”

“Master. Why are you doing that?”

“Huh? Ah…no. Nothing.”

I waved my hand as I approached Harriet and hugged her, then gestured to Xenia above.

Xenia, who was looking down, nodded and prepared the floating magic in advance.

“Sell the entire ancient empire?”

“Yes? Master, what did you say?”

“No, nothing…”

I shook my head.

I would like to do that, but honestly, just eliminating the imperial palace of an ancient empire would be such a big deal that the empire would investigate. Since my identity hasn’t been discovered yet, it would be better to run away when it’s easier.

“Whoa, damn it, I can’t do it.”

Let’s think about the disposal of the thousand-year seal later.

“Okay. Then let’s shake it off now! If you have any magic stones or magic tools, take them with you!”

However, neither magic stones nor magic tools were found. Not a single one.

“…Holy fuck.”

It’s a place that was supposedly a warlock’s lair, but there aren’t any magic stones or magic tools? This doesn’t make sense. There’s only one thing I can think of. They were all swept away when the imperial palace was sold.

It was an unexpected side effect.

“…Let’s get out. Xenia. Are you ready?”

“Yes! Should I write it now?”

“Please do me a favor.”

When Harriet and I returned to the pit and put our hoods on, our bodies floated.

“Are you both safe?”

“Yes. There isn’t a single scratch. Rather, Xenia and Vanessa. Everyone press the hood. I have to leave the place quickly from now on.”

We landed on the ground thanks to Xenia’s magic and immediately lifted our bags.

“Huh? Wasn’t there an imperial palace here?”

“So? Did we misunderstand the terrain?”

“No, that can’t be true. It’s clear on the map…”

Parties with questions were already flocking in.

“Beautiful ladies, don’t stay blank and hurry up.”

“Oh, yes!”

“Master. Do you really need to explain?”

“The number of people is increasing. I need to hurry up, right?”

“Then, let’s go to the unexplored area first.”

We tried to move at a fast pace with our hoods pulled down, but we had no choice but to stop before we could take a few steps.

“…It was what you guys did.”

This is because a man wearing all black robes and a hood came down from the air, emitting a stream of ominous magical energy, and blocked the path ahead. Looking at his unusual momentum, it seems like he won’t be an easy opponent even if we all attack him.

“Was there a head? Well, it’s even weirder if it’s that size and there’s no head…”

“You guys…what on earth have you done! How on earth can the imperial palace…No! I’ll kill you guys and ask their souls for that! Not only did he interfere with the great cause he had devoted years to, he even stole the sealing bead! Even death will not forgive that sin!”

He seems to be quite upset as he even shakes the hand holding the cane.

Well, I guess I would be upset too.

“…Seuuu..!”

A life-threatening battle will definitely help you raise your level.

As someone who wants to get stronger quickly, I wanted to stick with this guy, but… unfortunately, the situation and location are not good.

“A warlock! A warlock has appeared!”

My shout, filled with mana, spreads far beyond the ruins.

“A crazy warlock who destroyed the ruins of the imperial palace has appeared! A warlock with a huge reward has appeared!”

“What!? Yes, this guy…!”

A huge amount of mana fluctuates around the angry guy.

“Oh my…!”

Its scale and force were so overwhelming that it completely shattered my plan to quickly run away after turning off the aggro, as well as my hopes that it would retreat.

“Xenia. It must be hard to run away, right?”

“Yes. Maybe. At least 6 circles… no, it’s definitely 7 circles.”

“…Damn.”

Circle 7 is equivalent to Sword Master. No matter how many Expert Intermediate players gather, there is no way he can be a match for them.

Glancing at the other parties, it seems difficult to expect help.

Although the warlock is a public servant of the continent, it seems that there was no fool who did not know how to waste his life and just rushed at me after hearing my words.

“I have no choice but to use this.”

I looked at the thousand-year sealing sphere in my hand, frowned, and opened the coin shop.

Having purchased the character slot without even looking at it, I looked back at my companions with an anxious mind.

“Vanessa is far away. Xenia, prepare defensive magic. And Harriet. I’ll deal with that guy alone for now.”

“Yes!? young master! What is that…!”

“Actually, I came to a small realization earlier. If you fight that guy, the soul vessel may become full and you may see the wall.”

She paused for a moment at my words, but her eyes widened with a determined expression.

“No. That’s just greed. We need to engage in a ‘fight to the death’ with that warlock, not ‘training’. With that kind of carefree attitude, you will die in an instant.”

“I see…well, actually. Is there a way I can get rid of that guy?”

“…Just keep talking.”

“But if you’re around them, you’ll all get caught up in it. That’s why I’m going to do it alone.”

“…You mean that you are also caught up in it.”

“No, I won’t get caught up?”

I deliberately said it with a grin on my face, but when Harriet saw my face, she sighed with a disapproving look on her face.

“Don’t lie.”

“…How did they get caught.”

“I don’t think you can understand that much? Who do you think is a fool? Anyway, that method can only be used if you are close?”

“Maybe.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“No, that’s…”

I tried to stop her, but I couldn’t help but sigh when I recognized her solemn face and the seriousness of the situation after she had made up her mind.

“…I can’t help it. Even if you die, you won’t blame me… No, if you die, you’ll blame me.”

My heart throbs as I see Erica’s face.

“It’s impossible to hold a grudge. Do I look that pathetic?”

“It’s not pathetic. Not all humans can be detached from death. It’s natural.”

A sharp voice came out without me realizing it.

Oh my, without even realizing it.

“Sorry. It was emotional.”

“Hehe, it’s okay. But…is it okay to leave it like that?”

At Harriet’s chin gesture, I held my weapon tightly and looked at the warlock.

◦ at

Just as he said, the black energy emanating from his body grew as large as a house and was rising high in the sky.

“Pitch-black rain.”

The surface of the concentrated energy took a sharp shape like a hedgehog and spread toward the ground like an explosion. At first glance, it looked like a random large-scale attack, but the black awl began chasing everyone on the ground, drawing a smooth trajectory as if it were alive.

“Everyone gather together! Xenia!”

“Yes! Shield!”

A translucent film is created around us who are gathered together.

Xenia is also a genius who made it to the 5th circle at a young age. If you only focus on defense, you will be able to survive for a while.

“Ugh…! I can’t last a few seconds!”

I thought the black awl that hit the shield would scatter to pieces, but the small broken particles also hit along a sharp trajectory. It would be common sense that the power gets weaker as it gets smaller, but strangely enough, each and every broken particle of the black awl seemed to retain its original power.

“…If I hadn’t dispersed to other parties, I would have died really quickly.”

I admitted that I had underestimated the other person too much, blamed myself, and took a breath.

“Xenia won’t be able to last much longer…the only thing I can trust now is this.”

Acceleration of accidents.

“Hoo-eup…!”

As time slowed down, I grabbed the thousand-year seal and immediately jumped out of the shield.

“Master!?”

“No!”

The shocked voices of my companions rang in the back of my head, but I paid them no mind and focused solely on running. As time slows down, black awls quickly follow behind me as I hit the ground.

“…!”

There, I also made eye contact with the warlock.

His movements were as slow as everyone else’s, but strangely enough, his eyes stayed in the same time frame and captured my appearance accurately.

“Profit…!”

If the symbol of a sword master is superhuman physical ability and an auror blade, the symbol of a 7th circle wizard is superhuman thinking ability and the mana management ability to collect and use mana from nature.

To put it simply, my thinking acceleration is a matter of physical ability, whereas a magician can derive dozens of results in an instant like artificial intelligence by constantly developing logical circuits and computational abilities.

It was an ability closer to foresight.

If I learn magic and become able to do something like that, will I be able to become faster?

For example, if we can cut through the process and derive only the results through accelerated thinking…

“Ah.”

…Once again, realization passed through my mind.

Does enlightenment really come this often? If possible, I wanted to leisurely ponder this realization, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do so.

“Uh…Ri…Seok…is…!”

The guy who saw me jumping instantly activated several spells from his hands.

A translucent membrane to defend one’s body, a pile of black flame arrows to check the charge, a black energy that melts the ground and turns it into a swamp, and even magic that shows hallucinations and auditory hallucinations.

“K…Ugh!”

By raising mana, he desperately resists hallucinations and auditory hallucinations, shoos away arrows of black flame, and jumps over the swamp using a simple stepping stone using mana.

“Ho…oh…”

A voice that sounds like admiration.

I strengthened my legs even more as I endured the creaking body and burning mana circuit due to rapid overheating.

“Huh…I…I…Seok…gu…I…”

In an instant, my sword, which came within a stone’s throw of him, collided with the translucent membrane covered in a bright blue aura, but there was not even a scratch on the translucent membrane.

His palm is revealed to me as I diligently pound on the shield. Several layers of magic circles had already materialized in the empty space in front of the palm. At first glance, it looks like an incredibly high-level magic, but I don’t know how long they were preparing for it.

However, such a ‘deadly blow’ is rather a welcome one on my part.

“Devil…god…hand…finger…”

“Ugh…!”

The next moment, a jet-black cylinder thicker than my body suddenly expanded like a female pole and engulfed me. It happened in such a split second that even with accelerated thinking and physical ability, it could not have been avoided.

“You idiot!!”

The scream-like cries of the companions pierce my ears.