NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55
I came up with all sorts of hypotheses about the cooldown removal.
Is it because this is reality, so cooldowns are omitted?
My reasoning was inductively dismissed.
Then why does enhancement magic have cooldowns?
“Enhancement magic…”
Reality’s enhancement magic was vastly different from the game.
In the original, enhancement couldn’t be applied to others’ weapons, and failing didn’t cause them to explode.
The reason I ended up here was largely thanks to enhancement magic.
Therefore, I concluded that the corruption of enhancement magic was a system bug.
Corrupted enhancement magic is a system bug.
Thus, corrupted incantations are also a system bug.
A somewhat flimsy deductive inference was established.
Ridiculous as it is, there was nothing else to latch onto.
“Whatever.”
Well, good things are good, right?
If the world is bugging me, I might as well accept it.
Putting further reasoning aside, I stood quietly and scanned my status window.
Having acquired the incantation, did my level increase exponentially?
Not really.
The level displayed in my status window remained unchanged at Lv. 72 (Holy Sword not equipped).
“Just like the game.”
Levels aren’t updated through ancient dungeon absorption.
Because there’s no way to estimate an exact measure.
This means my level moving forward isn’t just what you see.
“From now on, leveling will be the key.”
To use incantations infinitely, I’d need to raise the level of ‘Ego.’
Each incantation has a level limit, so to fully utilize incantations, I had no choice but to raise Ego’s level.
Natural disasters, divine wrath, meteorites.
These ridiculously overpowered incantations basically require a level over 90 to wield.
“But why do I have to be Undead?”
In the <72 Dungeon Strategy Guide>, the difficulty of Undead is labeled as hell difficulty.
This is because players who become Undead have a max level of 80.
While other Undead have no level limitations, I alone would be bound by that constraint.
No matter how high I soared, I could never exceed a body level of 80.
“Tricks like the Holy Sword won’t work either.”
Using weapons to boost levels is not possible at all.
The only feasible trick would be a temporary level boost through potions.
Potions can raise physical specs, allowing for a temporary lifting of limits, making level 90 incantations possible.
With the mana blessing I currently possess,
If I consume this S+ grade potion, could my level be pushed to 90?
“Not at all.”
My current physical level is 72.
The drinker needs to be at least level 80 to even contemplate reaching level 90.
Raising my physical level to 80 is my top priority.
I’ll need to procure some effective potions in advance.
Formulating a plan in my head, I turned and headed back.
I tried to squeeze back through the shortcut.
But thinking about my armor getting scratched and the annoying friction noise made my head ache.
Just then, an appropriate incantation came to mind.
“Dragon Scale.”
In the game’s setting, Dullahan and Death Knights perceive armor as part of their body.
Thinking it might work, I uttered the incantation and, sure enough, blue scales sprouted from my armor.
Oh wow.
A surprised exclamation slipped out.
Right now, incantations not only serve for attacks but also include buffs.
Moreover, if related incantations are combined, their effects can be maximized.
This only applies to buff incantations with cooldowns.
‘If the cooldown were gone, things might have changed, but anyway.’
The incantation currently applied to me is Dragon Scale.
If I add ‘Magic Resistance,’ it becomes Anti-Magic Dragon Scale.
Anti-Magic Dragon Scale provides resistance against all damage, especially magic.
Synergy only occurs between incantations with similar properties.
‘I know the combinations of those buff incantations.’
It’s no wonder I’ve racked up 30,000 hours of playtime.
Still, I might forget them later, so I should jot them down separately and memorize them.
Could a cooldown-free incantation come to me who knows all the combinations?
‘A ridiculously overpowered munchkin boss, please.’
That would be nice, but it’s not that easy.
In the end, physical level is crucial, and this corpse body has a limit of level 80.
What a pain.
It was like putting a pearl necklace on a pig.
“Could it be?”
Suddenly, excitement flickered at the back of my mind.
If there’s no cooldown, could there also be no level limit?
“Undying Dragon Scale.”
….
No change occurred in my body.
Well, if I got greedy with this, I would really be lacking in ethics.
If it somehow did work, I could’ve had a one-on-one with Roxanne.
In other words, I couldn’t compete with The Seven Lairs right now.
Just because I obtained one hidden piece doesn’t mean I’m equivalent to a Seven Lairs boss level.
Of course, incantations and magic still affect the strong.
However, when the gap is monumental, their efficacy could be limited.
If it’s heroes like Balmunk or Wilhelm, it would be feasible. Even the Magic Tower Master falls into that category.
But against transcendents like the Great Sage of the Magic Tower, the peak Cecilia, or the bosses of The Seven Lairs,
It was obvious I wouldn’t even be able to leave a shred of bone.
It’s still too early to feel despondent.
There are still many ancient dungeons left.
I should be content with just having reached hero-level by obtaining one dungeon core.
‘Like Balutak, I should also recruit DLC bosses.’
My personal power comes first, so leveling up and obtaining ancient dungeon cores take priority.
Once I have the capacity, I’ll consider recruiting DLC bosses.
Fourth in The Seven Lairs ranking, the church of the faithful traitors.
Boss, the demon called Sarah with a baptismal name.
Third in The Seven Lairs ranking, the bloody forked path.
Boss, the Hellbreaker, Blacktooth Yacha.
These two, being higher-ranked, are anticipated to be more challenging to recruit than Balutak.
Moreover, from his name, it’s clear that Blacktooth Yacha has a very self-centered approach.
Honestly, I hesitated to meet him.
As I passed the side path, I saw a silhouette waiting in the distance.
Isabella was kicking a rock as if playing soccer, somewhat visibly bored.
In contrast, Charlotte stood upright, completely still, almost like a machine.
When our eyes met, Charlotte briskly approached.
“You’ve arrived. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Ah! You came!”
Isabella also rushed over in just one leap.
“It was nothing much. I’ll be heading back now.”
“Oh! Are we going home now?”
“Yes. You both worked hard.”
“Oh yeah!”
“Thank you for your hard work, Boss.”
Before returning through the portal, I should stop by the witch’s cabin.
I doubt they’d follow, but I need to check it out. It looks like Charlotte wishes for that too.
***
Standing at the center of the wasteland, even my sense of smell froze in the biting cold.
Surely it was that way…
With every breath of Byun Gyung-baek, the thick scents of blood and burning debris clung to my nostrils.
On the ashes, the Great Sage clicked his tongue.
The true perpetrator of this feat strolled calmly with his hands behind his back.
“It’ll be peaceful for a while.”
“….”
Byun Gyung-baek was left speechless.
0 casualties. All monsters annihilated.
Just ten minutes ago, thousands of monsters surged like a wave.
Erasing all those lives took only ten minutes. Just one casting of a 9-circle large-scale spell was enough.
At that moment, countless gigantic magic circles appeared in the air, and as the patterns interlocked like gears, monsters fell one by one.
The wave of monsters that had frightened an army of 100,000 was reduced to nothing but moths diving into a flame.
‘Truly a monster.’
For the Great Sage, this incident was neither an expedition nor a subjugation; it was merely a slaughter.
Though I wondered why he deployed the legion when he could handle it alone, I soon found the answer within myself.
The recent turmoil instigated by the Sacred Tomb had shaken the Empire.
The Great Sage was consciously using the destruction at Melji as a demonstration.
Ultimately, his intention was to boost humanity’s morale.
He wanted to show that the Empire remains strong as long as he was around.
Byun Gyung-baek slightly turned his neck to glance back.
At this moment, all 100,000 felt the same gratitude.
“””Wooaahh!”””
In their eyes filled with amazement, hope was mingling.
They hugged each other, cheering, and the ongoing shouts soon transformed into victory cries.
Just looking at Byun Gyung-baek, it was evident he was entranced with excitement.
In the bitter cold of Melji, the warmth of their bodies surged.
The Great Sage’s achievements today would undoubtedly be remembered forever as the Empire’s unparalleled hero story.
‘If that individual were to approach the Sacred Tomb…’
Despite two heroes having died there, the Great Sage would be different.
Those four heroes were nothing compared to the Empire’s final weapon.
Step by step, step by step.
The Great Sage walked with his hands behind his back. Each step dug into the ground, leaving footprints.
As he passed Byun Gyung-baek, he patted him on the shoulder.
“Astoria. Do keep your promise.”
“Yes!”
“I’ll be heading back now.”
When they set out, everyone looked like mere beggars.
In stark contrast, the returning soldiers’ faces were filled with joy and excitement.
They could be mistaken for soldiers returning from a grand celebration.
Byun Gyung-baek couldn’t take his eyes off the Great Sage walking beside him.
Though I thought my admiration had faded long ago,
‘…Feels like I’ve returned to my younger days.’
Simply standing shoulder to shoulder with him felt dignified.
“I’m a bit hungry. I’d like to be served a meal when we return.”
“Would that be a problem? I’ll prepare a feast fit for a king.”
The militarized tone made it feel as if I had returned to my days as an officer.
At that moment, the Great Sage, who had been walking with his hands behind his back, suddenly halted.
Byun Gyung-baek looked at him quizzically.
“I still have a matter to attend to. You go on ahead.”
“What matter, if I may ask?”
“Nothing much. It seems someone’s been playing tricks.”
I had no idea what he meant.
Regardless of my understanding, the Great Sage veered off from the returning march.
Surprised, Byun Gyung-baek quickly followed.
“Sir! Where are you going?!”
“Once we arrive, make sure the soldiers are organized and fed! I will head with the Great Sage!”
The chief of staff expressed confusion, but soon complied and led the march.
Before long, Byun Gyung-baek caught up to the Great Sage.
The Great Sage cast a sidelong glance and walked silently, occasionally patting the area around his waist.
In the open plains, the two men left their footprints behind.
There was no worry about losing the way; the footprints they made served as a guide.
Suddenly,
The still figure of the Great Sage extended his hand into the air.
At that moment, Byun Gyung-baek looked quizzically.
Flicker─!
Sparks erupted from the air.
Counter-reaction of magical power.
“You prepared extensively.”
His palm roughly sliced through the air.
Like a curtain lifted, a cabin appeared where there had been nothing.
Before it, Byun Gyung-baek stared blankly, his lips twitching.
“Well, I figured some would be hiding in Melji.”
“What on earth is this…?”
“Can’t you see? It’s the witch’s dwelling, well-hidden by a barrier.”
A witch?
“I had thought someone would be in hiding in Melji, but clearly, my expectations have not been wrong.”
Swoosh!
Byun Gyung-baek, who had been resting his hand on his sheath, drew his sword.
These witches had retreated to Melji to escape the Empire’s extermination order.
Needless to say, the answer was complete annihilation.
Before he could take another step, he glanced at the Great Sage.
“What about you, Great Sage?”
He knew that the Great Sage valued conservative traditions.
Though the result was evident, he still asked just in case.
The Great Sage stretched his back as if to loosen up.
Crack, crack. As the bones popped, he spoke up.
“What else? It’s a witch. We should burn them all alive.”
The Great Sage laughed, revealing his yellow teeth.