Chapter 220

Chapter 221. Allies Close, Enemies Closer (5)

Transcendent Beings.

Those who have reached at least Class 7 in magic or 7-Star Prime as martial artists.

Transcendence beyond superhumans. They are supreme beings who have surpassed the realm of humanity. Killing tens of thousands or annihilating an entire city is no difficult task for them.

But such beings are inevitably cursed with something unavoidable…

Boredom.

“Yaaaaawn.”

“When will this end?”

“…Sigh.”

A man with a bucket on his head.

A middle-aged man with a straight mustache.

A seductive beauty with a butterfly tattoo on her collarbone.

Three mismatched individuals sat at a table, staring intently at one spot. It was the table where Keter and Ivan were conversing.

“That Keter guy. He can’t stay still for a second.”

As the bucket-headed man said, Keter moved even while speaking, and moved even when not speaking.

Yet, the people around didn’t seem to care. As if they couldn’t see him. And indeed, they couldn’t.

The two had met in a place with a high flow of people. How could they possibly have a secret conversation in such a place?

With magic, it’s possible. Around them, a barrier that hindered perception and blocked sound was laid.

Thus, to ordinary people, Keter and Ivan were invisible, and their conversation inaudible.

“That Ivan guy, he looks excited about something?”

At the butterfly maiden’s words, Mario stroked his mustache and muttered.

“I should have been in that seat, dammit!”

The three Transcendent Beings, though reluctant, stayed in their spots.

Transcendent Beings have shed their human masks. Their souls are stronger than their bodies, allowing them to halt aging. And that means, if they wish, they can achieve immortality.

Most Transcendent Beings choose immortality. Halting aging is a given, and they even adjust their age to regain youth.

But having infinite time also means enduring infinitely boring times.

After doing everything they wanted, time still remains plentiful. Eventually, everything becomes boring.

Even seeking joy through battle isn’t satisfying. For Transcendent Beings to enjoy a fight, their opponent must also be a Transcendent Being. And in battles between Transcendent Beings, there’s no such thing as ‘moderation.’

One of them is bound to die, and in the process, a mountain or a city might easily disappear.

Moreover, upon becoming a Transcendent Being, one naturally becomes aware of the existence of causality, thus becoming more cautious.

Thus, Transcendent Beings are inevitably bored and idle. So when something interesting happens, they focus on it intensely.

This was such a moment. They were enthusiastic about something fun and intriguing. Keter was a being who sufficiently stimulated them.

“It’s over!”

As Keter and Ivan stood up, the butterfly maiden also sprang to her feet.

Keter left the café immediately, winking at somewhere just before exiting. A wink indicating he knew of their presence.

Wink.

“Is he trying to flirt with me now? What a cutie!”

The butterfly maiden, having received the wink, licked her lips and twitched as if she would follow Keter immediately.

Mario blocked her path with his arm and said.

“Keter doesn’t know your faces. So he was greeting me. And if you have any conscience, flirt with someone your own age, granny.”

“Ohoho. Mario. Has it been so long that you’ve lost your sense of fear?”

Crackle…

As yellow scales emerged all over the butterfly maiden’s body, Mario also raised his energy, not to be outdone.

The bucket-headed man, unable to stand it, stomped his foot.

Thud!

It was a light stomp, but the butterfly maiden’s transformation dissolved, and Mario’s energy vanished as if washed away.

“That Keter guy, is it okay to let him go like this?”

At the bucket-headed man’s question, changing the subject, the two reluctantly responded.

“If we don’t let him go? Should we catch him and have a drink? I said it, but it seems like a good idea.”

“Do you also think Keter is a regressor?”

At Mario’s counter-question, the bucket-headed man stroked his chin.

“I didn’t get the feeling he’s a regressor, but the current situation feels inevitable. I feel the urge to interrogate him.”

“We barely persuaded Ivan… Even if Keter is truly a regressor, we shouldn’t touch him now.”

“Why is that? If it’s because of the Special Operations Unit, we can capture him before they fully intervene. Then, if we go to our sanctuary, not even the Special Operations Unit or anyone else can intrude.”

“Your senses must have dulled. You’re seeing the trees but not the forest.”

“Hmm?”

Then, Ivan joined the table. The three’s gazes turned to Ivan.

“How was it?”

“Does he seem like a regressor?”

“Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like you had a private conversation. What did you talk about?”

Ivan pondered for a moment under their interrogation, then smiled faintly and answered.

“It’s a secret.”

“Ivan, does it look like I’m in the mood for jokes?”

“Mario. Do I look like someone who jokes around?”

“Hey, Ivan. If you don’t want to tell Mario, you can tell us two, your comrades, right?”

“Tsk…!”

The bucket-headed man and the butterfly maiden were in a cooperative relationship with Ivan.

But at Ivan’s continued response, their faces also twisted.

“The conversation we had here will not be disclosed to anyone. It was Keter’s negotiation condition. Surely, you’re not asking me to break the contract and tell you?”

“Keter made you swear an oath? Even if he did, there was no reason to accept it.”

“There was a reason to accept it.”

At Ivan’s words, the three looked as if they were dying of curiosity, and Ivan laughed, enjoying their reaction.

“If you’re going to be like that, we have no choice but to go and interrogate Keter.”

“Do as you please. But can you handle it? Keter’s backing.”

“You’re overestimating the Special Operations Unit.”

“It’s not just the Special Operations Unit.”

“…?!”

Keter’s backing isn’t just the Special Operations Unit?

Already, having the Special Operations Unit behind him makes Keter a special being. But the fact that there’s another existence behind him was enough to surprise the three.

“Lord Eslow owes Keter a debt. He cured his son, Lyze, who was born with Extreme Mana Stagnation.”

“Hmm… Eslow, huh.”

“Definitely troublesome.”

The two men sighed.

But the butterfly maiden scoffed.

“Eslow? Let him come. I’ve been wanting to fight him anyway.”

“My words aren’t finished yet.”

“What else is there? Probably Sephira or some other prestigious family. I really don’t care who-”

“What if it’s the Grand Duke of Ruquer?”

“……”

At the mention of the Grand Duke of Ruquer, the bucket-headed man paused. Even though his face was covered, his expression was clearly visible.

“Keter has the Grand Duke’s support?”

“If so, well, certainly… the unmatched archery skill at his age, the revival of Sephira, the cooperation of the Special Operations Unit. It all makes sense.”

“You’re not making this up to scare me, are you?”

The butterfly maiden doubted Ivan until the end, but Ivan spoke in a relaxed tone, like someone who had just put down a heavy burden.

“I won’t stop you. But, as a member of the same group… I just wanted to give you some advice.”

“Not to touch Keter?”

“I can’t tell you that. But……”

Ivan recalled his conversation with Keter and shook his head.

“You’ll need to be prepared. He’s not your ordinary lunatic.”

* * *

On the way to the next destination after obtaining Orpheus’ Mask.

I abruptly stopped on a hill overlooking the plains and looked around.

“Hmm, they’re not following.”

The Syndicate and the Special Operations Unit. I thought one of them would be tailing me, but it’s unexpected.

“That aside, Ivan. He’s someone you can’t let your guard down around until the very end.”

My facial muscles are all tense from managing my expression. Massaging my face, I spoke to Six Hundred.

“Six Hundred. Is anyone following us?”

The environment itself is a plain with nowhere to hide. Moreover, we’re overlooking the area. Physically, it’s impossible to hide.

But Ivan is a mage. Even if it’s not his specialty, he should know how to use invisibility magic and presence concealment magic.

Moreover, the Syndicate is a place where all sorts of superhumans and Transcendent Beings gather. There’s no guarantee that there isn’t a Transcendent Being specialized in stealth.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m careless enough to be easily tracked.

From the moment I left the city until now, I’ve been spreading mana waves in all directions. Up to a 1,000-meter radius.

Whether it’s physical concealment, magic, curses, or any other method of hiding, I can detect it.

‘The downside is, the mana consumption is ridiculously high.’

That’s why I stopped the detection and asked Six Hundred.

Six Hundred paused for a moment and then said.

“There are no living beings following us.”

“Any non-living beings?”

“No non-living beings either.”

“Good, that’s that.”

If a Transcendent Being that neither I nor Six Hundred can detect is tailing me, being cautious is meaningless anyway. And I’ve been moving with that in mind.

‘The treasure I’m about to obtain this time can’t be Ivan’s trap.’

Among the information I have, the fact that Ivan’s trap exists is quite unsettling, but if I consider it as a fun element, it’s also interesting. What information could be the trap? It’s like the fun of deducing.

“Let’s move again, Six Hundred.”

After confirming there were no pursuers, I ran without rest and arrived at a mining village called ‘Luta’ at the western edge, backed by coastal cliffs.

The treasure to be obtained here is the last treasure I need.

The first treasure, ‘Sticker Magic,’ was for Sephira—the second treasure, ‘Orpheus’ Mask,’ was to counter the princess’s charm.

The last, third treasure, ‘Death Pact,’ is a crucial means to save my life.

‘Hyperion. To catch that guy, who is beyond my current capabilities, I need at least some equipment advantage.’

Hyperion. The successor to the Fist Emperor.

In my past life, he came to me and challenged me to a fight, and I lost. At that time, he was at the 8-Star, Irregular level. I had just entered the 7-Star level, so I had no chance of winning.

But it wasn’t just a difference in levels. He was insanely tough. He doesn’t dodge at all. And he doesn’t defend either. He just takes all the attacks head-on.

He charges straight at his opponent in the shortest path. There’s no psychological warfare with him. He just goes straight and punches.

That’s his fighting style. It can be defined as simple and crude, but this simplicity is truly devastating.

A body that doesn’t flinch at any attack. Just when you think you’ve inflicted some damage, he recovers instantly, with a recovery rate surpassing even a troll.

I still remember Hyperion’s words when he defeated me.

“Is this all you’ve got? Your archery isn’t much either.”

It’s an annoying thing to say, but I admit it. At that time, I couldn’t beat you no matter what.

‘But this life will be different, you bastard.’

You dare use me for training? And what? Your archery isn’t much either?

Even in my past life, I had resolved to go back and return the favor.

‘But I couldn’t because I lost to Dayal.’

This life is the opposite.

I’ll use you as part of my training.

Unlike you, who reached the 8-Star level sneakily before coming to me, I won’t act as shamelessly as you.

Hyperion is probably a 6-Star Grandmaster now, or maybe just entered the 7-Star Prime level.

On the other hand, I’m at the tail end of the 5-Star Master level. Just looking at the level difference, the chance of winning is very slim.

But.

‘That’s exactly why he’s worth defeating.’

Revenge for the contempt I suffered in my past life—

And for my growth through survival of the fittest.

In the tournament, the 5-Star level was sufficient, but now I need to accelerate my growth.

Just a moment ago, I was facing 7-Star Transcendent Beings.

For now, I’m keeping an eye on the Special Operations Unit and the Grand Duke, but that’s only temporary. There’s no guarantee that the prestigious families will keep things civil forever.

What’s needed is power. Confidence without power is just clownery.

‘I’ll break you, disciple of the Fist Emperor.’

Even with these thoughts, I have no intention of going to fight him immediately. Hyperion is ridiculously strong.

I can’t fight casually like in the Southern Sword Tournament. Hyperion is an opponent I need to bring everything I have against.

Naturally, I consider using good equipment as part of my strength.

I’ll definitely use Amaranth and Baeklin, and one more thing. I need the artifact ‘Death Pact.’

“Amaranth. It’s been a while since you’ve been active, right? It’s finally time for the Mana Arrow shooter to step up.”

I tried talking to Amaranth after a long time, but this guy is silent. Did he get sulky because I haven’t talked to him in a while?

Slap.

I slapped Amaranth’s sleeping arm.

Buzz!

Seeing him tremble and telling me to stop, he’s alive.

“As long as he’s alive.”

Putting aside Amaranth’s tantrum, I entered the mining village of Luta.

According to my memory, the artifact ‘Death Pact’ is a pair of earrings, hidden in a dungeon.

‘Perfect for warming up before fighting the Fist Emperor.’

Ogres and other A-grade monsters, Rock Ants.

Their ‘colony’ is hidden in this mining village.