Episode 207: Life is cruel (2)
Cheongsanho washed his face after hearing the urgent news that was delivered at night.
Then he rang the bell and announced the news to everyone in the magic tower.
The sky near the coast sparkled with five-colored fireworks and there was a sound of something exploding. How could you not tell? The thought circuit that does this is absolutely not allowed.
Even if you stop right away, only after the servant comes running and delivers the news, “Is that so?” This is especially true now that I have realized the situation.
At this time, wizards are either sleeping (a small number) or so engrossed in research that they can’t even look out of the window (many). There is only one of the two.
“Pipi, you bring the meister.”
“yes.”
“Great Sage! “If it’s a summons order…!”
“Welcome, Liam. But there is no need to shout. Move about as usual. However, they say it will be bigger this time, so take more wizards. “If you know how to use attack magic, just take them all.”
“yes!”
A normal magic tower lord would immediately rush to the castle to prepare for large-scale magic, but Cheongsanho was different.
Magic to see the essence is far from attack magic, and Cheongsanho’s magic is the former, not the latter.
Given the number of formulas he knew, other wizards were better when it came to activating attack magic.
In short, it is better to ask someone who has been doing addition and subtraction for 40 years to do addition than to ask someone who has been doing subtraction their whole life to do addition.
“The remaining wizards, prepare to move magic items.”
He calculated the inventory of certain items that the castle would have and decided which ones would need to be moved first.
cancer. Stones engraved with magic arrows or explosion magic would be nice, but it’s night now. At this time, what needs to be conveyed first are things that can brighten one’s perspective.
“What weapons should I be in charge of?”
Did he command and lead for such a long time? His grandson finally stuck his head out.
It’s a bonus that he skipped greetings and just got to the point, perhaps because he fully understood the situation on the way.
“You know… that monster thing you created?”
“It looks very bad. “I’m even thinking about writing about that failure.”
“The money spent on it is quite a bit. “It’s meaningless if you don’t use it at this time.”
“but.”
However, this attitude is extremely convenient.
Cheong Cheong-ho spoke well and recited one by one what the grandson should do.
Most of the work involved moving equipment that required precise and careful management. In addition, if everything is moved or if an emergency occurs at the castle, they will remain there to make repairs.
“More than that, grandfather.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“Did you order anything at the top?”
“hmm?”
“Because we move a lot today.”
“I didn’t order anything in particular.”
But I don’t know if this is strange. The merchants are making a fuss, it’s not like it’s been a day or two, and it’s not like I don’t understand their fuss.
After all, during the days when we were fighting the Mermen, when the water reached the inner part of the city, we always heard news of an underground warehouse bursting.
“I guess it’s because a lot of stuff has come in these days.”
“What is it? “If the material gets wet, the price goes down.”
Even if a building does not collapse, water can leak. In fact, it leaks often.
In addition, there are many products in the world whose value decreases when they get wet.
But putting it on a high floor? That’s impossible.
As there is a risk of ground collapse due to frequent flooding, Bemurgen regulates the height of buildings and the total weight of objects that can be placed per floor.
“Hmm…”
So there’s nothing strange. There wasn’t.
Is there anything?
“…Karl.”
“Yes, Cheongsanho.”
“Command the Magic Tower while I am away.”
“yes?”
“Didn’t you say you were going to open a research institute? Think of it as a rehearsal. “If you mess up, be prepared for your position as the next great sage to be lost.”
“…yep.”
Just in case, he called a mercenary residing within the magic tower.
As they produce and sell expensive magic items, there are also cases where military force is necessary – such as real customers or thieves – so they are hired as mercenaries.
“Did you call me?”
“Come out and go somewhere. Since we have to go secretly, dress as modestly as possible.”
“All right.”
Even though he is a dropout from knight school, there are plenty of escorts available in a hurry.
Cheongsanho went out of the magic tower with his escort. It was time to find out what was strangely disturbing.
* * *
Could it be that the height of the sea level began to rise only in this area due to the Mermen’s unique tactics? Thanks to this, they were able to come and go freely and attempted a surprise attack very quietly and darkly.
The first thing to do was to block the view.
“Turn on the lights!”
However, does this mean that they have no intention of taking it lightly, or is this the result of a long fight and wisdom?
Three soldiers jumped here and there, lighting lanterns all over the turret and adjusting something installed next to them. It was a mirror.
“see!”
“Shoot!”
It was like a lighthouse. The light from the lantern is reflected and reflected by the mirror, emitting light in a straight line and illuminating the sea.
Squeak!
There wasn’t even one such facility. As all the equipment installed at regular intervals along the rim of the circular turret emitted light, the surrounding area of the turret was completely illuminated.
At least the Mermen targeting the turret could now be visually confirmed.
“Kill! “Before they destroy it!”
Well, it wouldn’t have been a problem even if it hadn’t actually happened.
Still, it’s better to have it than not have it. I waved my hands, leaving behind the adventurer who was yelling at me, asking why I wasn’t holding my bow.
It wasn’t a particularly necessary preparatory move, but maybe it was because I had a bad head, so I felt like I was doing better this way.
“What the hell are you doing without attacking—”
Sheek.
The magic spear flew away with a clear sound. Even though it was night, thanks to the lighthouse, I could clearly see them flying.
Every time I recognized an enemy, the magic spear created broke through the sea surface and created a hole in the Merman’s body.
“You were making a fuss.”
Sure, sure. I have never done anything like Wollu (salary lupine).
Of course, this is possible because I have never had a job and have always been a freelancer. That’s because freelancers tend to have their food cut off the moment they start playing.
“come!”
At that time, something caught my senses and it flew all the way to the turret I was in. Unfortunately, it was on the other side of me and I was slow to notice, so I couldn’t do anything about it.
Quang!
“Ugh!”
The turret vibrated with the sound of someone screaming. I guess I was hit by something strangely magical.
“Don’t be scared! “It won’t fall apart just once!”
However, as one adventurer said, the wall showed no signs of collapsing. I don’t think there’s any need to worry about what might happen if I keep getting hit.
Pow!
Something the soldiers threw caused the sea level to burst, scattering the Merman’s flesh into the sea.
“It’s coming up!”
At that time, Merman clung to the turret wall. It was in a position where I could barely see it from the window where I was sitting.
“Shoot the one that comes up first!”
The clinging, bereaved Merman moved his neck as if trying to induce vomiting. It was something that should never have been left unattended.
I know this from my experience as a scout, but the Bereaved Merman knew how to spit acid.
Kwasik!
“Dead…!”
“I handle the sticky stuff.”
Due to the angle, the Merman clinging to the wall can only be shot by leaning out of the window. It is both inconvenient and dangerous.
So it would be better for me to take charge of the one clingy one and deal with it. I don’t have to push myself outside and I only have to fire one hit, so I have a time advantage.
“…I will definitely return alive this time.”
Regardless of the fact that I think it is a somewhat flagrant statement, I hope so too.
Because it’s sad when someone fighting in the same place dies.
Bang bang bang!
However, in the meantime, the naval battle became more intense. There was an explosion sound and the surface of the sea burst, and even though it was the sea at night, a strange red color was seen.
A turret not far away had one side of its wall collapsed, with Mermen stuck to it.
Argh!
The sound of someone falling into the sea was eerie.
“come!”
At that time, an adventurer let out an angry cry. “Shoot me hot!” If we trace where his words came from, we can see that light is now flashing on the castle wall.
“Wizards go!”
Crawl, rumble, rumble.
Dark clouds gathered between our turret and the other turret. The white flash of light was exactly like that of a thunderous sky.
Quang!
And the moment it hit the sea with the sound – it seemed like it was heard at the same time because the distance was close – something jumped out.
no. There is no way a living thing can move at a speed that can match light, so it didn’t spring up after seeing a lightning strike. One of the dozens of birds that kept jumping in anticipation of the lightning strike got caught.
puck!
“uh…?”
But that wasn’t what was truly surprising.
What is truly surprising and shocking is….
“What? Kill just one animal and that’s it?”
Instead of being electrocuted, I gulped as my body exploded like a bomb exploded.
That person probably didn’t die from being hit by electricity.
“What are you talking about?”
Before I distanced myself from the party members, I overheard a phone call between the Archmage and White Wind—it wasn’t my fault. It was the Archmage and White Wind’s fault on the phone at the restaurant—I remembered what I found out.
Another feature newly discovered by White Wind, which continued to experiment with Jahukaya.
Creatures that could consume magic power had a limit to the amount of magic power they could consume at one time. So, if you overeat, you die.
My body exploded just like that.
“…were you here too?”
okay. It’s frustrating when a mob that appears once doesn’t keep appearing. But couldn’t you please make me feel bad?
It was such a fucking world.
* * *
[Damn snake bastard.]
Pandemonium expressed regret over the plan gone awry. Originally, it was planned to take a little more time, but the other party arbitrarily dragged out the schedule.
“sorry.”
[Shut up you incompetent bastard. Because it’s annoying.]
That regret wasn’t just directed at the ‘damn snake bastard’.
The woman kept her mouth shut at the sharp tone. His loyal servant and contractor stands silently right next to him, receiving the same punishment.
The thorns embedded in their bodies drew blood endlessly.
Fighting.
And the extracted blood becomes jewels and falls to the floor. The foot of Pandemonium is full of numerous red stones.
[Go out and guard the door. Make sure no one disturbs me while I increase my strength.]
“Yes.”
When he felt a little better, he took the thorn away.
[Remember, this is your last chance.]
“…Of course.”
The man, who had lost so much blood that he stumbled once or twice, bowed his head. The pearl swayed with a smooth shine.
Sweet.
[Kyle.]
So one contractor left and he called the one who stayed.
Even though I am jointly responsible for him because he is uncomfortable, there is not a single complaint on the other person’s face.
He selected all the contractors based on greed, and gave them contracts solely based on loyalty.
[Come here.]
“Yes.”
Pandemonium stroked the head of the attendant, who had purple-black fur, a large beak, and huge wings. It was what he loved most.
[I told you one day there would come a moment when you had to give it your all.]
“Yes.”
However, caring is not higher than one’s own interests. Pandemonium spread out its long fingers with prominent joints like spider legs.
My fingers, which were already long, became longer and more pointy.
[That is now. Can I kill you?]
“Yes.”
Sharp fingertips ended the contractor’s life by mutual consent. Because the killing was permitted, there was no penalty in the contract.
Blood flowed endlessly from the place where the heart was pulled out. Instead of burning crimson, it was the color of dying.
Less beautiful than any flame he knew, but other than that, the most beautiful color.
[Sigh.]
Pandemonium ate the heart of the thing it cherished. The power that was given out through the contract returned, and each human gained more strength.
Slurp.
The blood that had been flowing in the meantime gathered on him and climbed up the hem of his clothes. The hem of the dress disappeared as if in flames, revealing the true nature of greed to the world.
It was the body of a man draped in a veil of melting gold and precious stones, but where his face should have been, there was only endless emptiness, clutching his wealth with three pairs of hands. The six ears that stood out to listen to all the world’s desires pricked up along with a huge tail.
The heat that is engulfing everything around, even the corpse of the contractor, is spreading in all directions.
Kill it.
Then wait a moment. My body, which was about to open the door to get out, stopped. The voice that echoes like thunder is taking control of Pandemonium’s brain.
Be sure to do it with the warrior.
…Damn King! You inconsiderate bastard!
[…Damn it.]
He knelt down and strengthened his trembling hands.
I am grateful that I have been given the right to use all my strength, but I wish you would stop talking about it to my head. Does this crazy guy think that this is our home and that we are not limited by our power?
[Even a bastard with only a soul can withstand this…]
I thought I had increased my strength by getting rid of useless contractors, but it’s still at this level. Pandemonium gritted its teeth in discomfort and raised its legs.
[Still, I win this time.]
“Huh? What is the fire inside….”
“What? fire?”
“Get water right now…!”
Hundreds of boxes were visible through the burning and melting door. They were all gold, silver, and precious stones.
[Open Pandemonium.]
“What is that!”
“Run, run…!”
“Ugh!”
Tens of millions of goods flocked to him and the king’s seal fell to the ground.
The bodies of the porters, who had been working even at night when they were ordered to move their luggage, were engulfed in flames.