Indra Translations
Navigation
I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 155: The Man Who Directs the Wave, Korin Lork (2)

Chapter 155: The Man Who Directs the Wave, Korin Lork (2)

Dagda,⁠⁠⁠ the King of‍​ Gods, had a lot of treasures​⁠‍ but three of​​⁠ them were considered‌ the most powerful​ out of the⁠⁠‍ bunch.

The​ first of these⁠‌ items was the​‍‍ Magic Cauldron, Undry.⁠‍‌ It was the​​​ great treasure proving⁠‌ his status as‌⁠ the King of‌​‌ Gods and proof‍ of his divinity‌‌ of the earth.‌

Second⁠‌ was the Magic​‍⁠ Club that crushed⁠ the skull of‍ the great giant⁠ warrior, Cirb. It‍⁠ was the weapon⁠‍ that had the‌ highest attack power‍‍ out of all‍ the equipable weapons⁠‍ of ❰Heroic Legends⁠‍‍ of Arhan❱.

Lastly,​​ the third one⁠ was the Magic‍ Harp, Uaithne, made‌‍ with an oak‌ tree and the​‍​ liver of the​‍ King of Cats.⁠‍‌

As‍ one would probably‍⁠ tell from the​‌ fact that it⁠⁠ was a harp,‍​​ the power of‌‌​ Uaithne only shined⁠ when performing the​‌ harp, and the⁠‌⁠ result depended on⁠⁠ the genre of⁠⁠ the music.

Of‍ course, there was‌‍‍ the condition that​⁠‍ the quality of⁠ the performance had‍​‍ to be above⁠ a certain threshold,⁠ but after borrowing⁠​ the harp from‍‍ Estelle-Noona in the‌⁠ previous iteration, I was able to⁠‍​ perfect two types‍‌ of performances.

Metal​ and rock.

That​‌ was the residue‌​ of the sweaty⁠‍ youth I spent‌⁠​ performing in a band during university.​⁠⁠

“AYYYEEEEEE…!”⁠⁠⁠

I changed the song.⁠‍ This time, to​‌ a more exciting⁠ one! Let’s go⁠‍⁠ London Calling!

“London​​​ calling~! To the‍⁠​ faraway towns—”

War‌‍ has been declared,‌‌ and the fight​​‌ has begun!

The​⁠‍ sky, the ocean,⁠​ and the River⁠​ Thames are all‌ with me!

Uaithne.⁠​​

Genre​​ – Rock Music.⁠‍

It‍ brought about a natural disaster. The⁠⁠ exhilarating repetition of​⁠⁠ powerful chords made​ the entire world​⁠​ dance to my‌ music!

Thunderstorms‌⁠‍ fell from the‍​ sky, while the‌​​ oceans let out​‌ a sonorous chant​‍ with their storms⁠​ and waves!

“Uaaahk!​ T, that was⁠ a shark! I saw a shark‌​‌ inside the tornado‍⁠⁠ just then!”

“Shark-nadooooo!!‌ Fucking asylumm!”

“What‌ is that fucker​ saying!?”

“I‍ don’t care if‍ the river floods!​‍ And I live⁠‌ by the river!”‌⁠

“Uaahkkk!‌‍ Stop! Please stoppp!”⁠

“This‍ inhumane music is​​ killing me!!”

“Shuddap!‍ Cherry boy! The⁠‌​ engine has stopped​⁠ already! But we​⁠​ will live without​‌ fear!”

Do​​ you see this?​​‍ The cheers and​ chants of the‌⁠‍ audience?

Do‌ you see the‍⁠ crowd cheering and‍ screaming to my⁠‌ music?

“…Noisy.”‍‍‌

Tch.⁠⁠

Why​‌​ does no one⁠​​ appreciate the greatness​⁠​ of this genre?‍‍ And London Calling‍‍‍ isn’t even that‌​ noisy of a song, alright?

To‍ be fair, this​​ world was a little bit behind⁠​‍ in terms of‌⁠‍ dance culture so‍ that was understandable.​ I remember how⁠‌​ people at the​ royal banquet didn’t​​ understand the beauty‌​ of my breakdance.⁠ But they did⁠ cheer at the‌​‍ moonwalk.

Ahh,‌‌ I miss you,​​ the one who​ treads the moon.‍‍ The one who⁠ urged his conviction⁠⁠​ to the heavens.‍

Wait​ a second?

Heavenly​‌‌ Mic Hael Jackson.​‍

I was his only‍‍‌ successor in this​​⁠ world. The only‌​‍ one that could⁠​ inherit his will⁠ and re-enact the⁠‌​ Heavenly Sovereign Strides⁠ that could allow‍‌ you to do​‌ reverse steps on‍⁠ the Moon.

In⁠‍‍ other words,

I.⁠⁠⁠

I am the Heavenly‍⁠​ Mic.

Even‍ if metal, rock⁠ n roll, and⁠ breakdancing were not​​⁠ accepted in this‌‌‌ world, my music‌⁠​ still has the​‍‍ power to force​‌ the heavens and​ tremble the oceans.‍‌

So⁠⁠‍ how could this⁠ me not be​ the Heavenly King⁠‍ himself?

Heavenly—​‍

“I‍⁠​ am the Heavenly‍⁠⁠ Mic Kim Korin!”​

— Sovereign Strides.

『One‌​ who treads the‍​ Moon, MOONWALK』

“H,‍ huh?”

“L,‌⁠⁠ look!”

“He’s‍⁠ walking backwards?”

“Korin‍⁠ is playing his​⁠⁠ harp and walking​​⁠ backwardssss?!”

-Kwaaaaa!‌

-Kwarurung!​‌‍ Kwaruru!

The‌ skies were turning⁠​⁠ while the earth​‌ beneath trembled in‍‌‌ shock. The oceans⁠​ were in fear‌ while the wind‍‌ stayed turbulent.

-H,⁠‍ help meeee!!

-O,‌​ our ship!! Nooo!‌‍​

Fufu,‍ fear not, mercenaries.‌

My‍​‍ heavenly moonwalk isn’t‍⁠ here to harm‌ the humans.

Those​ who hear the​‌ sound of the‍‍‌ Heavenly Uaithne; none⁠⁠‌ of them shall​‌ be hurt.

***‌⁠‌

“Damn⁠ those bastards from‍‌‍ the Tower! They​ were hiding such⁠​ a card up⁠‌‍ their sleeve!”

At‍ the command center​ of the military,​ Command Bernette slammed⁠‍⁠ down on the‌​⁠ map upon hearing​‌ about the failed‍ attempt of the⁠‌ vanguards.

Fifty​‍ ships had been​​‌ used for the‍‍⁠ plan. Although they‍‍​ weren’t going all‍‍ out for their‌​ first attack, they‌‌ still weren’t expecting⁠ to be forced​‍ back powerlessly without‍​⁠ even being able‍‍ to approach the‍‍‍ shores.

“…”‌‌⁠

“…”​​

Similarly,‍‍‍ the guardians, mercenaries,‌‍‌ and captains who‍⁠ were all summoned‌‍ to the command⁠ center were looking⁠ distressed.

Most⁠‍ of the people‌​ here were masters​‌ of Guardians Guilds‌‍ and mercenary leaders,⁠ and I was​⁠‌ also a part‍ of the group‍‌​ as the master​ of Korin Guardians.‌‌⁠

“What‌⁠ are the casualties‌‍ looking like?!”

“Yes​ sir. 13 fleets​​‍ have been capsized,⁠⁠ and 21 have‍ been heavily damaged.‍ Their main bodies​ have been damaged⁠ to the point‌ that we cannot​​⁠ repair them anytime⁠‍​ soon.”

“Damn‍‌‌ it… There must‍ have been a lot of casualties⁠‌ from the mercenaries.”‍‌

“Actually…”‍

“What‌‌ is it?”

“There‍‌‌ are a few‍ that caught a cold or those​‌ with small wounds‍​ due to being‍⁠ scraped by the​⁠​ broken shards of​⁠​ the boats but…‍ none of them‍ died.”

“What‍​‌ kind of bullshit‍⁠ is that?!”

Half⁠‌ of the ships​ were gone and​​ yet none of‌ them were dead.⁠ But that was⁠‌⁠ natural.

Music‍⁠‍ and art did⁠‌ not exist to​​⁠ kill people and‌ were instead there​⁠ to save them.​‍ Killing people with‌ music? This Heavenly‍ Mic Kim Korin‌ would not allow⁠​​ such a thing‍‍ to happen.

“Apparently,⁠ shocking music, the​ likes of which⁠ they had never‍ heard of before,‌‍‌ surrounded them and⁠‍ saved their lives…”​

“???”‍

The‌‍ frown on the⁠⁠ face of Commander​‌‍ Bernette deepened as‍ he heard more‌​​ about what happened.​‍ He was about⁠‌ to say something‌ in response but‍⁠ was interfered by⁠‌ the beautiful and​ charming voice of‍​ a lady.

“Well~.‌‌⁠ That’s not the⁠ important part here,‍​‍ is it?”

“…Chairman⁠‌‍ Danua.”

Everyone⁠⁠ gathered their eyes⁠ on Master Erin,‌⁠​ who was invited‌​​ to the subjugation​⁠ army thanks to⁠ the strong recommendations⁠ of every branch⁠‍ of the Guardian‌ Alliance.

“There‍‌ is no way⁠‌⁠ that such waves‍ were made naturally.⁠‌ It is safe‍‍⁠ to say that‍‌‌ the Tower has⁠ means of controlling‌‌​ the skies and‍​​ the oceans.”

“But‍ we can’t give‍ up just because⁠​‍ of that.”

“Of​ course, I’m not‍‍⁠ saying we should.‍ There is a better plan.”

“A‍​ better plan?”

“A‌‍ grand spell that‌⁠​ allows them to​ control waves and⁠ thunderstorms means there⁠​⁠ must be an⁠ appropriate magic circle⁠ hidden in their⁠⁠ base. All we‌ need to do‍​ is destroy that.‌‍ Right, Clara?”

Master‍ Erin said naturally‌‌ while turning around​ to Lady Josephine‌⁠ standing behind her.‍ With an uncomfortable⁠⁠​ look on her‍‍‌ face, Lady Josephine⁠​​ replied after a nod.

“R,⁠ right. I remember,‍‍ seeing something similar,⁠​ in the past…​‍⁠ during the Witch‌​ Revolution.”

“Mhmm…‌‌‌ If you say‌ so, Dimensional Witch.”‍

“So⁠ that was why.”‍‌

On‌​‍ the outside, Master‍‍‌ was just a new chairman and​ her words did‍⁠‍ not hold as​ much power as‌‍‍ Lady Josephine, who‌ was a legendary‍​​ historical figure who​​ led the Revolution​ of Witches alongside‌⁠‌ Valtazar, assisted with‌⁠‌ the foundation of‌​ the New Faith,‍ and crushed the‍ Tower of Mages’⁠‌‌ monopoly over magic.⁠‌

Of⁠‌‌ course… Everything was‌⁠​ a lie.

There‌ was a reason​‌‍ why I had‍⁠‍ to interfere with‌‌​ the advancement of​‌​ the vanguards by‍​⁠ doing something like⁠​⁠ this.

It‍ was to reduce⁠​‌ the casualties that‍ would have been⁠‌‍ made by the​‌‍ retaliation of the​‌ Tower of Mages.‍‍

Both⁠‌​ in the original⁠⁠‌ storyline of the⁠​ game and in‍‌ the last iteration,⁠‍ this landing operation⁠​ resulted in massive​ casualties before coming⁠ to an eventual⁠​​ success.

Conquering⁠ the small islands‍ of the archipelago⁠‍‍ and landing on​⁠ the main island‌ was already difficult‍ but that wasn’t‌​ the end.

Due⁠​​ to their previous⁠‍ experience of being​​ half-annihilated by Lady⁠​ Josephine and Tates‍‌‍ Valtazar 80 years‌⁠‍ ago, the Tower⁠ of Mages spent​ the last 80⁠ years doing everything⁠⁠‍ they could to‍​⁠ fortify the Steel‌ Archipelago.

Casting⁠⁠‌ chimera monsters and​‍ evil spirits everywhere,‍⁠ they made it​‍‍ into an impregnable‍⁠ fortress of hell.​​

Besides,⁠‌‍ the kidnap of⁠ Estelle meant it⁠ was time for​‌ the giants to⁠⁠‍ show up. There‍​⁠ would be way⁠ too many casualties‍ and I knew‌‍ that based on‍ my experience from‍‌​ the last iteration.‍‌

There‍‌ was probably no​‍ risk to Estelle’s​⁠​ life for the‍ time being so​‌ my priority was​⁠‍ to save those​⁠​ that didn’t have‌⁠ to be killed.‍

“I‍⁠ have an idea.”​

“Hmm…​​​ What is it,​​ Chairman Danua?”

“The⁠ destruction of the‍ magic circle by​⁠ a small group​​ of elites.”

“Would‌ that… be possible?”⁠​​

“Definitely.‍​ As long as‌ we get the​‍ help of the‍ talents that Clara‍‍‌ and I are​ going to recommend.”‌

After​​ saying that, Master⁠​‌ Erin started mentioning​⁠​ names.

“Marie‍‍ Dunareff, Hua Ran,​‍ Korin Lork, Josephine‍‌⁠ Clara and me,​‌ Erin Danua. The⁠​⁠ five of us​​​ will be enough.”‍

But​​​ the looks on‌ the faces of⁠⁠​ the ones listening‍‍⁠ turned worse as‍ she pronounced more​​‍ and more names.‌

“Only…‍ five? And three‌‍‌ of them are⁠‍‌ just students!”

“It’s‌ not ‘only five’.”‍⁠

“We‌ have Sword Captain‍ Lunia Arden from‌ the Arden family‍‌ as well as⁠‌⁠ several other powerful⁠⁠‍ experts. How could⁠‍ you possibly recommend‍‍​ students whose experience⁠ and skills are‌ both yet to⁠ be proven?”

“I‍​ agree with Chairman‍ Danua’s opinion.”

“Captain‌ Lunia?”

Within⁠​ the crowd was​ also Lunia, who​ had come here‍ not as a member of Korin⁠ Guardians, but as‌⁠‌ a Sword Captain⁠⁠​ officially dispatched by‍​ the household with⁠​‌ 50 knights and‌⁠ 300 disciples.

She‍ showed her whole-hearted​ agreement to Erin’s‍​‍ idea.

“I‍ can guarantee the‌ capabilities of the‌‍‍ students mentioned. And⁠‍‌ most importantly, I can assure you‍‍ that anyone better‍​ suited for the⁠⁠​ task than them⁠‌⁠ will be a hard find.”

“What​ do you mean​‍‌ by that?”

“Student‍ Marie is undoubtedly​ at the level​‍ of a Unique-Grade‌‌ vampire, although still‍‌ unofficial and the⁠‍ same goes for‌⁠ Student Hua Ran.⁠‍ Do you know‌‍ of the special​​⁠ characteristics of Unique-Grade​​ demons and demi-humans?”​⁠

Hearing​ that, Commander Bernette‍​ groaned in understanding.⁠ Though there were​⁠‌ few in number,​ every Unique-Grade demi-human‍ and demon had‌⁠ the same passive‌‍ ability.

“Demonic‌‌ Aura. Simply put,‌ it has the‍‌ same power as⁠‍ Dragon Fear. Both‍‌ demonic beasts and⁠‍‌ spirits will run​‍ away in fright​​‍ when they come⁠​ across a Unique-Grade⁠​​ demon.’

This‍‌ meant that they‍​‌ could bypass most​​‍ of the evil‍ spirits and chimera​⁠ monsters that the⁠ Tower had in⁠ store.

“Being⁠‌⁠ strong and whatnot‍‌⁠ has nothing to​‍⁠ do with this.⁠ Chairman Danua’s opinion⁠‍​ is very much‌⁠ valid.”

We⁠⁠ couldn’t do this⁠ in the game⁠ or the last​⁠‌ iteration. Although the​⁠ player did become​ a hero of‍ the nation after⁠ the ‘Annihilation of‍⁠‍ Demi-human villages’, they‍‍‍ could never reach‌⁠​ the level of‍‌ being influential enough‍⁠ to meddle with​​ large-scale military strategies.⁠‍

But​ now, it was⁠⁠ different. The chairman⁠‌‌ of the Guardian‌​‍ Academy, Master Erin,‍‌ and a sword‍​‌ captain and successor⁠‍ candidate of the⁠ Arden family, Lunia,‍‌ represented my thoughts​‌‌ for me.

The⁠‌ two of them‍​ had more than‌‌ enough fame and‌‍ influence, which would⁠‌ therefore allow this‌ iteration to flow​‌ as I wanted‍ it to unlike‌​‍ before.

“In‌ that case… Let’s‌‌‍ give it a shot following Chairman⁠⁠ Danua’s proposal.”

On‌ the way back‌ after the strategy‌ meeting, my eyes​⁠ met with Master⁠ Erin, who was‌⁠ still discussing details⁠​‌ next to Chairman​⁠‌ Bernette.

‘Korin!‍⁠⁠ Korin! My dearest​ disciple! Look here!​‍⁠ Here!’

The‍‍⁠ solemn dignity she⁠‍ showed during the‍⁠‌ conference was long​‌​ gone and she‌‌ quietly whispered with‌‍ her lips while‍‌‍ looking at me⁠⁠‍ with a wide​⁠‍ smile.

‘That⁠​​ was okay, right?’⁠

Was‌⁠ it… always this​‍ easy to see‌ through her expression?⁠‌

***​

“Student​⁠ Korin.”

We⁠​ were preparing for‍​​ the operation when‌⁠ the most important‍ figure of this‌‌ operation, Lady Josephine,‌‍ spoke to me.‌​

“Yes?⁠⁠‍ What is it?”‍

“I‍‍ am preparing for‌‍⁠ the dimensional jump‍​ as you said‌ but… You are‌‍ aware of the‌​​ biggest drawback of⁠ this plan, yes?”‍‌

“Of​‍‍ course.”

Senior‌ professor of Merkarva⁠⁠ Academy. Hidden behind​‌ that title was‌‍⁠ her identity as⁠⁠‍ a war veteran‍​‍ who had been‍‌‍ in the lead⁠ during the war​ and revolution 80​⁠ years ago. Even‌‌ for this current⁠‌ strategy, I throw‍‌ out ideas but‍​ it was mainly‌‍ Master Erin and‌ Lady Josephine that‌⁠ added in the‌‍ details.

“We​ will be moving​‌ straight to the‍ Steel Archipelago with‍ teleportation. There is‍ a big hole​​ in the plan​⁠ already. Because over‌​‌ the past 80​​ years, the Tower‍⁠ has been setting‍​ up all sorts​​ of barriers that‌‌⁠ interfere with dimensional‌‍​ spells to prepare‌ themselves against me.”‍​‍

Right,​⁠‍ that was already‍‍ a problem. Lady​ Josephine’s teleportation spell‌⁠​ was most likely‍ going to fail.‍

80‍‍⁠ years ago, because‌​​ she had relied‌​​ on her infinite‌​ teleportation to drop​​‍ off Valtazar and⁠ Master Erin wherever‍‍ they pleased to‍ bring the Steel‍‍‌ Archipelago to ruins,⁠ there was no‍​ way that the‍‍ Tower hadn’t created‌ counter-measures for her.‌‌

The​‌‍ existence of one⁠ superhuman mage made⁠⁠ the war unwinnable​ for them, and‌​ that was why‍⁠ the Tower of‍‍ Mages was horrified‍⁠ by her teleportations.‌

“The​​ interference to the​‍⁠ teleportation will surely‌‌⁠ drop people to‌⁠ random places throughout​⁠ the archipelago, and⁠ waiting in those⁠‍ places would be…”‍​​

“The‌​​ evil spirits and‍​​ chimeras.”

“I’m‍​‍ not particularly concerned​‍ about everyone else,​ but I am‍‍‍ worried about you.”​

I was probably the‌​ weakest out of​ all the participants‍‍‌ in this strategy.‌​ In fact, the⁠​‍ strategy plan written‌ by Josephine had‌​⁠ a question mark​ written next to⁠ the name, Korin⁠‍​ Lork.

I,​‌‍ without the support‌‌‌ of my 3rd​​ Precept, was remarkably‍‌ weaker than the‍‍‌ others in terms⁠ of physical stats​⁠​ so that was⁠‍‍ no surprise.

“It’s‍ alright. It will​‌​ work out one​ way or another.”⁠‌‍

“You​ say that but…”‍‍

I continued while drawing‍‌​ squiggles on top‌​ of the question⁠ mark that Josephine​​ wrote on the⁠‍ paper.

“We‌‍‌ will be all‌​ dropped onto different‌‌‌ parts of the‍​ archipelago, but that​ would lead to⁠​ a detrimental result​⁠​ for them because​‍ we have with‌‍⁠ us the ‘cursed‌ potatoes’ that Senior⁠​‍ Marie made.

“Mhmm…⁠ The curse of⁠ Macha was given⁠ by the Danann​⁠ Oengus. As you‍​ said, it will​‍ have astonishing results​‍ if it works‍‌​ but…”

‘Curse‌⁠ of Macha’.

It​ was a frightening⁠​ curse that made‌ the men of‌‍⁠ the land invaded⁠ by the curse‌ feel the pain​‌ of childbirth for⁠ 9 days. For​​‌ this to work,‌ we had to‌‌ plant crops on⁠⁠​ the land and‌ wait for them​ to bud.

For‍‍⁠ a potato seed⁠ to bud, it​​​ would take around‍ 15 to 20‍‍‌ days.

“We⁠‌‍ will plant the​ seeds across the‍ archipelago, go through‌‍ the secret passageways‍‍ of the Tower‍​‌ of Mages by⁠⁠ ourselves, save the⁠‌​ Saintess, and teleport‌‌‌ back with your‌‌​ teleportation marker.”

“It’s‍ not impossible considering‌‍⁠ our abilities and​⁠​ skills but…”

Lady‍ Josephine’s teleportation could⁠‌ only be interfered⁠‍‍ with when teleporting⁠ to the Archipelago.‍‌‌ Her teleporting out‍⁠ of the islands‍⁠‍ through a ‘marker’​⁠‌ couldn’t be interrupted‌ due to her⁠‍ having clear coordinates.⁠⁠

“Haah~.⁠ But do you‌⁠⁠ understand? If someone⁠‌⁠ can’t come back‌ properly in this​​‌ final moment of​‌ escape, then…”

“The‌ leftover ones need⁠​ to do their⁠‍‌ very best to⁠​ survive by themselves.⁠‍‌ I know, but​‍‌ it’s a plan‌ worth taking the⁠‌‌ risk.”

The‍​⁠ biggest question of⁠ this plan was‍​‍ this. When teleporting⁠‌‌ out using Josephine’s⁠​ markers after saving​‍ Estelle, would everyone⁠ be able to⁠ gather there in‍‌ time?

“I‌‌​ don’t think there‌​​ will be particularly​‌⁠ any problems with‌ Hua Ran and​‍⁠ Student Marie. And⁠​​ of course, the‍ same goes for​ Erin. Do you​‍ understand what I’m​​ saying?”

The‌ biggest drawback and​‍‍ questionable member of​ this plan was‍​⁠ certainly me and‍‍​ only me. However,⁠ there was only‌​ one thing I could tell her⁠‍ in response.

“I‌​‍ have no plans‍​‌ of sitting back⁠​ and doing nothing​ after pushing my​‌ colleagues into the⁠​ pit of hell.”⁠​

“Haa…‍‍ I knew it.‌‌ That’s just the⁠‌ type of person​‍⁠ you are.”

We‍ finished the preparation⁠ shortly after that‍​ and the next‍‍​ day, we gathered​​ together for the‍​ teleportation.

………‌‌

……⁠

Marie‌ Dunareff.

Hua⁠ Ran.

Erin‌‍‌ Danua.

Josephine​⁠ Clara.

Korin​ Lork.

Five‌‌‍ people.

Destroying‍​⁠ the magic circle‍​ was our goal‌ on the outside,‌‍ but our real​​ goal was to​⁠​ save the Saintess‌ and spread the​‍ cursed seeds.

“Are​​‌ you ready?”

“Yes,‍ Korin.”

“Are​‍⁠ you… really bringing⁠‍‍ that?”

She⁠⁠‍ said while looking​ at the luggage‍⁠‌ behind my back.‌‌ Right now, I was wearing not⁠ only the supplies⁠ and munitions but⁠⁠⁠ also the Silver⁠⁠ Spear of Shadow‌⁠​ Paradise and the⁠⁠​ Red Spear, Gae‍ Derg, as well‌‍​ as the enormous‌ harp, Uaithne.

“It’s​‍‌ a bit heavy‌‌ but don’t worry.​ This thing will‌ come to me⁠⁠ no matter where​‌ I call it‌⁠ from, so I will just toss⁠‍​ it somewhere nearby.”​‍‍

“…”​​‌

There‍​ was a strange‌​ look on her⁠​ face, as if⁠‌ that was beside‍ the point but…‍​

“Wait,⁠‌ did you want⁠ to listen to​⁠ my music or‌‍ something? The music​‍‍ of I, the⁠⁠​ Heavenly Mic Korin‍ Kim?”

“I‍‍ would never want‍ to listen to‌⁠ that noise.”

“So​‌ mean.”

“…”‍

Josephine⁠‍ started engraving a magic circle on‍ the ground for⁠‌​ the teleportation. In​ a bit, we‍⁠ would be sent​ off to different​ parts of the‍ Steel Archipelago.

“30‌‌​ seconds left.”

With⁠‍ less than 30​ seconds left of⁠​ the teleportation, Hua​ Ran said after​ holding onto my‌ sleeves.

“Don’t​⁠ get hurt.”

“Huh?”​​‍

“If‌ you’re hurt… my,‍​‌ my…”

“My?”⁠⁠

“10⁠‌ seconds left to‍‍ the teleportation! Everyone,⁠⁠ get ready!”

A crack started to‍ appear all around‍ us starting from⁠‌⁠ the ground. That‌ was proof that⁠​​ we were about‍ to leap through​⁠ an enormous distance.⁠

“M,‍ my…”

But​ still, Hua Ran‌ showed no signs‌ of opening her⁠ mouth.

“Korin!​​‍ I will see‍‌ you at the​​ Tower!”

“Sure,⁠ Senior Marie. You⁠‌ and Doggo be‌ careful as well.”​

“Okay!”‍​

8,⁠⁠​ 7…

“Korin.”​​‌

“Hnn?”‍

After‍​‍ seemingly making up‍ her mind, Hua⁠​ Ran opened her⁠‌ mouth.

“If‍ you’re hurt—”

3,‌ 2…

“I‌ think I’ll be‌​ sad. So please—”⁠‍‍

“We‍‍ will see each⁠​ other again in⁠⁠ one piece so⁠​ don’t worry! Thanks‍ for worrying about​ me!”

“…!”‍‍

Her​ face started to⁠ turn red. She⁠ was about to‍⁠ say something, but‍‌⁠ before she could,‌‌ the dimension around‌ us cracked its‍ mouth wide open​‍⁠ as we fell​ into the deep⁠ dimension of nothingness.​

……….​‌⁠

……‍⁠⁠

A forest.

The‌ trees were thick,​​ and a whole⁠ ecosystem was breathing‍ together. Like a large greenhouse, there⁠⁠​ was still warmth‌‍ in this land.‌⁠‌

Being‍​ next to the‌ Northern Kingdom, the‍‍​ land cursed to‍​ be cold and​ snowy for an​​ eternity, the Steel‌‍ Archipelago was similarly‌​‌ a land of​‌⁠ extreme chilliness that‍‌‍ did not allow‍‌‍ normal crops to‍‍‍ grow.

The⁠‍​ fact that there​⁠ was such a thick forest near‌ me despite that…‌

“Bingo.”⁠

I was anticipating that‍‌​ things would somehow‌⁠‌ work out wherever⁠‌⁠ I ended up,‍ but I really‍ wasn’t expecting to‌‍ be sent here‌⁠ out of all‌ the places.

❰Prohibited‌‍ Forest❱

An‍⁠​ artificially created enormous‍⁠ ‘greenhouse’ where the⁠‌​ mages of the​ Tower grew magic⁠ organisms and crops⁠​‌ for experimental purposes.⁠⁠ This was the‍⁠⁠ Prohibited Forest that⁠‌ was being maintained⁠ by the Green‍⁠‍ Cult.

Although⁠ there were all​‍ sorts of hidden⁠ pieces and magical‍⁠ crops of incredible⁠‍​ effects hidden in​​⁠ this place, this​ was one of‌ the places that‍⁠ required the most⁠​ time for players⁠ to clear.

It‍​ was because there​ were thousands if‍‍‌ not tens of​⁠​ thousands, of evil‍‌ spirits and artificially⁠ engineered spirits created‌ from the experiments⁠⁠‌ of the Green‍‌ Cult.

Because​⁠ of the hideous​ difficulty of this​‍ region, it was‍⁠⁠ considered one of‌​ the most difficult‍‍‍ side quests of‍‍​ ❰Heroic Legends of‍‌‌ Arhan❱, on par‌ with the end-game‍ main quest line.‍‍‍

A horrible part of⁠ the map that‌‍ even maxed-out player‍ parties could not​​ conquer with ease.⁠​

But​​‍ that did not‍⁠ matter to me‌​‍ in the slightest.‍

2nd‌ Precept: Restriction
〚I do not⁠ perceive spirits.〛

What did you think of this chapter?
2 reactions

0 Comments


There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.