Chapter 351

Despite numerous warnings about the dangers of the Kraken and the threat to coastal cities, land prices did not drop.

There are two main reasons for this.

One is that to defeat the Kraken living in the sea, naturally, one must go out to sea.

However, humans cannot stand in the sea with their bare bodies, and unless they are superhumans who can fight freely on the surface of the sea, everyone must board a ship.

Even those superhumans mostly choose to take a ship to conserve their strength.

This means that most forces inevitably gather at the port.

And with them eating, sleeping, and living there, a great deal of money circulates.

The items used by Rankers are usually of the highest quality.

“World Boss Raids involve significant support costs as well. Just by operating the port, an enormous share will likely be gained.”

“It’s a meaningless endeavor, though.”

Of course, that’s assuming the port remains intact.

What’s the point of support if ports or cities are submerged underwater?

“Ms. Lily, do you see the Kraken as that dangerous?”

“Yes.”

The Kraken is dangerous.

It’s one of the top five creatures I’ve encountered, among the many monsters I’ve faced.

Even though it was torn apart and unable to flail before it died due to a High Celestial, I know it well.

Having exchanged blows with the Kraken multiple times, testing each other’s strengths.

Back then, I myself could not guarantee a sure victory against the Kraken.

A Kraken that’s grown even stronger since then is bound to cause an incident.

“It’s not just about strength, but the ‘initial damage’ that matters. An incident will definitely occur.”

The first damage inflicted when a World Boss appears.

Just like when I stopped Sugarado’s ‘Icy Age,’ this time too, the Kraken’s tidal wave will cover the continent.

Bang!

“Hmm? So, will everything be submerged? That would be a major disaster.”

“It will be blocked, but we don’t know where it will start flooding from.”

This time as well, we will minimize the damage as we’ve done in the past.

However, since the continent is so vast, it’s uncertain if we can block it everywhere.

“The empire will take care of their own land. We’ll try to stop it as much as possible, but I don’t feel confident.”

“Speaking of which, do you know that one of the reasons for the high land prices is the empire?”

“I’m well aware.”

Most of the continent’s major ports belong to the empire, which explains the exorbitant land prices.

And they’ve been especially high recently.

Bang!

After exchanging conversation and tennis for a while, the tennis ball hit by Yena grazed the line and landed within my court.

Beep.

《Lily Elbrite 3 : 1 Yena》

Three to one.

“Great!”

“Nice one.”

“Hehe. This brings me one step closer to victory.”

Yena tightly gripped her racket.

Then, with a fancy movement, she swiftly struck the ball.

Perhaps thrilled by scoring for the first time, she pushed harder than before.

“This time, I will win.”

“Indeed.”

“Get ready. This will be different.”

《Match Ends》

《Lily Elbrite 7 : 1 Yena》

“Hmm.”

I won.

“…Damn game.”

“Anyway, please be cautious, Ms. Yena. Even though your land may not be near the sea, you can never be sure.”

“I should probably say this, but…”

“Speak.”

“Wouldn’t the empire intervene? Honestly, with their constant claim of being the rulers of the continent, they probably won’t let it just disappear.”

Yena scratched her head with the hand that held her racket.

If anyone could, it might be the empire.

So far, World Boss Raids have been handled by Kingdoms and players because the empire has stayed uninvolved.

The empire will only turn a blind eye to matters they don’t need to get involved in and only appear when abnormal entities, like Sugarado, show up.

Of course, my presence has thrown off their plans significantly, but if they believe it to be a loss to them, they are bound to act.

And according to rumors, a World Boss within the empire was dealt with by Leo, the Sword Saint, and the Eight Swords.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Anyway, but… since their last war wasn’t successful, I’m not so sure.”

“Then let’s ask, shall we?”

—

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Squeak.

The inner training room of Eli Academy, ‘Illusionary Hunting Ground Stage 7.’

Turning her head, Bireng Brennis, one of the key figures of the empire who bisected the massive Drake, answered.

Ssssshhhh—

A strange voice echoed from the severed halves.

Gray clouds flowed out with the sound, and the Drake soon dispersed into blue mana and dissipated.

“The empire is the dominator of the continent. If a crisis the continent cannot handle arises, it will undoubtedly protect the land of the empire as the ruler.”

“Only the subjects of the empire?”

“All who reside on the continent are essentially the empire’s subjects. It’s just a matter of time.”

“Not me, though.”

“…In any case, that’s the case.”

Bireng retrieved the sharp Celestial Sword with frosty confidence and pressed on the air.

Her response still seemed unrefined.

Then the dark illusionary space collapsed, returning to a large white room.

Inside the room, a huge Blue-Red Stone with a magic circle beneath it emitted mana.

“If the continent might be submerged, will the empire step in automatically?”

“That’s correct. A simple flick of Lord Spirit’s hand, and the Octopus splash will be stopped immediately.”

Bireng shrugged and highly praised Lord Spirit.

That so-called Octopus wave…

“It looks like it might be a bigger splash.”

“Tch. Of course, as an ancient monster, it will be strong, but there’s no place Lord Spirit’s power cannot reach.”

“You can’t reach without the wind, though.”

That’s why the Magic Lord’s laboratory couldn’t be found for three hundred years.

Bireng, who was about to move to the next stage, stopped her steps.

There’s a crack in her otherwise serene appearance.

“Are you here to pick a fight?”

“I came to check on your training.”

“It’s not going well. You’re too weak. Compared to Lord Spirit’s teachings, you’re far behind.”

“Really?”

“That’s right. It’s so dull that I’ve been yawning unconsciously.”

Bireng answered curtly.

Her attitude was quite different from the first time we met, when she was professional and static.

The reason her demeanor changed might be because she no longer had any reason to wear a mask.

Bireng’s mission was to observe me upon entering the academy, but she was caught immediately on the first day.

She even learned of Crown Prince Huangyeol’s hidden intentions unknowingly.

The problem is, even though she fell into a trap she didn’t know about, her mission wasn’t complete, and now she must continue observing me in proximity.

‘You must be very frustrated. You don’t know my internal motives and just end up attending meaningless Fireball lectures.’

Rather, she should have attended Summoning and Combat training with Pharaoh. Instead, hanging around me isn’t helping her at all.

Such things hold no meaning to her as a non-player.

I smiled faintly and manipulated the Blue-Red Stone.

With the recent surge in sacred power, it might just be possible to ‘do it.’

“If it’s too dull, how about increasing the difficulty?”

“Difficulty?”

“Yes. Of course, if you’re worried, we could proceed directly to Stage 8…”

“Should I be worried? Raise it immediately. Right now.”

“How much?”

I glanced at Bireng as I spoke.

She firmly responded.

“All the way.”

“Are you sure? The last stage is incredibly tough.”

“It won’t even touch me.”

“Oh, maybe I should have some expectations?”

“Naturally. Even if that monster comes, it won’t matter.”

—

《Constructing the Illusionary Hunting Ground.》

《Stage: Stage 30 – Extreme Hard Mode》

《Caution! This hunting ground requires various patterns and extreme difficulty.》

《Caution! This hunting ground can cause serious injuries and trauma. If you wish to proceed, you must obtain permission from the professor.》

“…What are these ominous messages?”

“Just warnings. Be careful.”

“…”

“Are you backing out?”

Surely?

When I looked at Bireng directly, she clenched her teeth and grasped her sword firmly.

A chilling and thrilling aura blew from afar.

“No. I’m doing it, of course. But I have one condition.”

“Condition? What is it?”

Bireng among the Six Swords of the Empire.

Even though she ranks within the top five, she is caught between Crown Prince Huangyeol and Lord Spirit.

What does she want from me?

“…Penalty.”

“Penalty?”

Cough!

“Erasure of the penalty points. That’s my condition.”

“…?”

Penalty points?

Given her strong pride in the empire akin to Crown Prince Huangyeol, I thought she’d say something beneficial for the empire.

But instead, she asked for a very personal condition.

Her face reddened as she asked.

“Ah, is it not possible?”

“It’s doable. Sure. If you manage to wound me, I will not only erase your penalty points but also give you reward points.”

“….!”

Of course.

《Constructing Boss Monster.》

《In progress. Beware of strong electric currents…》

If only she could wear it.

Thunder boomed in the sky.

Those who dwell on the land scream and flee, and every being in the sky is panic-stricken, fleeing from the thunder.

Bireng clung to her sword, bracing herself.

Even I stepped back by one foot due to the fierce electrical currents.

‘This is a thrill.’

It has been such a long time since I’ve felt a current of this magnitude.

“Za, Sparkle’s Spirit King…?”

Bireng looked at me with an unsteady voice.

I shook my head.

“Comparing it to ‘just’ that level would be wrong.”

One who once aimed for the title of Dragon Lord.

《Construction Complete》

《Roaring Thunder (전뇌), Thunder Divine Dragon Plgurr has been generated.》

《Generation Rate – 98.2%.》

Grrrrr…

The dragon composed of yellow thunder opened its mouth.

“…Huh.”

“You won’t die, so don’t worry.”

“Not what―”

The Thunder Breath erased Bireng from view.

---