Demon Beast Mountain Range

From the moment he decided to retrieve the Hollow Eye, Pernok moved breathlessly.

He processed Tears of the Sky to create the core and connected it to the castle’s functions.

When Lionic’s completion reached 90 percent, Pernok planted the last safety device.

“Now just embed the Hollow Eye here and connect these lines, and Lionic completes.”

“Finally…”

Ruin looked at the brightly shining core with deep emotion.

“If you follow the procedures I taught, embedding the Hollow Eye alone won’t be a problem.”

“If problems arise at the mountain range, call me.”

“Then the bet won’t hold. Don’t worry, I won’t call you until obtaining the Hollow Eye.”

Ruin smiled.

“I called one guide to escort you comfortably to the demon beast mountain range.”

“That mercenary I saw then?”

“No. I met him while wandering the world aimlessly after Baudelaire died. Even at a young age, his talent was exceptional.”

“You weren’t in continuous contact?”

“That friend occasionally sent money. I never replied until now, but when I contacted him this time, he readily agreed.”

“You rate him quite highly.”

“You’ll know when you meet him directly.”

From the moment he accepted the bet, Ruin’s attitude toward Pernok became even more respectful.

Having sworn to help Pernok regardless of success or failure, the guide was doubtless a good ally.

“In two years you’ll follow me to the kingdom. Prepare thoroughly.”

Ruin smiled while seeing Pernok off.

Passing the barrier concealing the castle, dazzling light sparkled.

“By chance, are you Pernok?”

It wasn’t sunlight but a person.

Pale skin that hadn’t seen the sun, a body frail like twigs.

Shaggy hair hung to his eyes in a filthy appearance, but the glimpsed bluish eyes had a strange charm that caught the gaze.

The very picture of a beggar.

However, his soul grasped through Soul Discernment was a deep dawn color rivaling Ruin’s.

‘He wasn’t born with magic. Nor a trained body like a warrior. Yet what is this brilliance of talent?’

A different type of talent from various strongmen met in the Netherworld, so Pernok couldn’t take his eyes off the man.

“Are you the guide?”

“I’m Rio. I’ve heard much from Lord Ruin. It’s an honor to serve you.”

The stiff speech mixed with politeness showed he’d learned much.

Pernok asked Rio with an interested expression.

“I heard you’re quite skilled.”

“Lord Ruin overestimates me.”

“Is guiding your only skill?”

“I know how to do this and that.”

“More specifically.”

“You’ll find it distasteful.”

“Doesn’t matter. What’s your specialty?”

As if receiving such a blunt question for the first time, Rio answered with interest flashing in his blue eyes.

“I managed some aristocrats’ funds.”

“Yet why are you working as a guide?”

“Things went wrong at the end.”

“Did you get caught embezzling money?”

“I don’t do such petty things.”

“Then?”

“An accident happened while trying to move that money entirely.”

For a moment he doubted his ears.

“You tried to completely divert the funds you managed?”

“If the stakes aren’t that high, I don’t escalate matters.”

“You’re alive fortunately.”

“Thanks to Lord Ruin.”

Hearing the full story, Pernok assessed Rio.

“You’re saying you’re a con artist…”

“If I were a criminal, would I be meeting Lord Pernok here?”

“…You’re quite skilled at deceiving others?”

“That’s also one specialty. If you don’t get caught, it’s art.”

The sight of speaking composedly without changing expression was fascinating.

“Are you supporting Ruin with that money?”

“I gave it all as payment for my life, and procured what was needed.”

No wonder Ruin who lived holed up in the castle could procure those many materials—Rio was the financial backer.

‘He makes plans and deceives without getting caught. If backed by force, he has talent worth playing in bigger waters.’

He seemed to understand why Ruin introduced Rio.

‘What results would occur if I entrusted the manager’s treasure to this guy.’

Pernok’s eyes examining Rio sparkled.

* * *

Rio was more skilled than expected. Using diverse experience, he treated Pernok cleanly.

Especially he delighted Pernok’s ears with various knowledge.

“Have you been to the demon beast mountain range?”

“I’ve traded demon beast materials from there several times.”

“What kind of place is the mountain range?”

“How much have you heard about the mountain range?”

“A business managing demon beasts.”

Rio nodded.

“Demon beasts normally disappear cleanly once subjugated. But in places with dense demonic energy, they leave remnants and regenerate at regular intervals—people call these ‘point zones.’ There are five points total worldwide, and one is the demon beast mountain range.”

“I heard mana concentration differs according to mountain altitude.”

“Correct. As altitude rises, mana concentration thickens so mages can actually become intoxicated by mana. The problem is demon beasts inhabiting high altitudes. Dense mana means high-concentration demonic energy too, and usually demon beasts of that level require knight order deployment.”

“How many meters is the summit?”

“Approximately 10,000 meters.”

“I’ll tire climbing up.”

“So most pitch base camps mid-slope and hunt demon beasts. When material hunting somewhat finishes, they distribute stamina by descending the mountain range again.”

“Didn’t you say the nation manages the mountain range?”

“Precisely speaking, the nation guards against demon beasts trying to escape the mountain range. Most hunting is done by mercenaries. There’s a castle at the mountain range, and mercenaries stay there while paying a portion of demon beast material processing and sales as taxes.”

“Mercenaries exert effort, and the castle recovers the substance?”

“Yes. So the demon beast mountain range maintains balance among three groups.”

“I know the mercenary association and castle, but what’s the other one?”

“Guilds.”

“That’s new.”

Rio said while adding logs to the bonfire.

“Groups made by 10 or more mercenaries are guilds. Guilds must receive the association’s approval to be founded, but occasionally massive guilds beyond control emerge.”

“Massive guilds?”

“Commonly called A-rank guilds. There are 10 total worldwide, and the demon beast mountain range has three.”

“Meaning the demon beast mountain range is a place where the association, A-rank guilds, and castle lord’s interests are entangled?”

“The balance is tightly entangled. If you’re aiming for the summit, you must prepare thoroughly.”

“I’m only aiming for the summit—must I mind other factions?”

“I mentioned demon beast variance and mana concentration are severe according to altitude. The association separately issues mountain entry permits according to altitude so mercenaries’ greed doesn’t invite disaster.”

“A ranking system?”

“Correct. And the higher-ranked the mercenary, the more they attract A-rank guilds’ attention.”

“Talent recruitment.”

“Why would only three A-rank guilds exist at the demon beast mountain range. Because they all absorbed excellent talent.”

“There must have been mercenaries who refused affiliation?”

“The results were brutal.”

A place where individuals can’t beat groups.

Hunting grounds where one must be recruited by groups to roam freely.

‘Ruin’s task was quite tricky.’

He must overcome even guilds trying to recruit exceptional people and their interests to reach high altitudes.

Additionally, killing high-grade demon beasts at altitudes with severe mana domination and meeting the summit’s master made the near-impossibility understandable.

“Has no one climbed to the summit individually?”

“Impossible. For reasons I just mentioned.”

They recruit excellent mercenaries.

Mercenaries who fail recruitment are judged as violating their authority and sanctioned.

“Unskilled guys travel alone, and most skilled guys are guild-affiliated.”

“The term free mercenary is only possible on plains. In places with established systems and long-term interest sharing, symbols of freedom rather act as oppression. Well, it’s stagnant water.”

“A pooled state…”

Pondering something, Pernok asked.

“Rank requirements to reach the summit?”

“Mercenaries are usually divided into seven: black, gold, silver, bronze, red, blue, green. You need at least silver to get permission up to 7,000 meters.”

“A-rank mercenary guild leaders’ ranks?”

“Silver.”

“Silver level?”

“Level 6.”

“They’re playing king at that level…”

Pernok laughed.

“Are there many mages there?”

“Of course. You’ll hear mages are underfoot everywhere. However, there are many small fries. Most low-level mages and guard mercenaries form parties to procure demon beast materials cheaply locally. Actually, there are no high-level mages among individuals.”

“Right. That’s it.”

Feeling danger from the meaningful smile, Rio didn’t ask and quietly lit the fire.

[I’m going out into the world now. What about you? Will you continue hiding?]

Ruin’s voice echoed in his head.

[If it’s Pernok, he’ll find the most precious thing you want. Travel together and observe. Whether he’s someone you can entrust your will to or not.]

Rio put in logs.

Blazing flames made him recall past nightmares.

‘Illumina King’s illegitimate child. The next throne candidate Lord Ruin promised to readily sponsor with his life.’

An ordinary youth visible anywhere.

Until now he’d found nothing special.

‘What captivated Ruin.’

Rio’s blue eyes watching sleeping Pernok’s face held countless thoughts.

* * *

Three days later, Pernok finally arrived at the demon beast mountain range.

Like Rio said, a magnificent castle stood before the mountain range, and countless mana signatures were detected even from afar.

Though embracing explosives that might burst anytime, ordinary soldiers showed no nervousness.

Because excellent mercenaries patrolled the streets.

‘Rather than continuously consuming military forces subjugating demon beasts, they intend to raise national power through commerce utilizing this. Skilled mercenaries from everywhere gather, and the association and guilds mediate this, so public order is better than other castles too.’

Certainly this place’s atmosphere differed from other castles from the start.

Various facilities for mercenaries’ convenience lined up, and armed mercenaries freely patrolled the streets.

“That’s the barrier stone.”

Following Rio’s words, Pernok turned his gaze to the center.

Where soldiers and mercenaries established strict vigilance.

The central barrier stone preventing demon beasts from overflowing from the mountain range was emitting light.

“Centered on that barrier stone, barrier stones positioned at regular intervals throughout the mountain range block low-grade demon beasts.”

“High-grade demon beasts?”

“If forcibly breaking through, the barrier stone breaks and immediately transmits signals to the castle. The castle enters defense posture until support arrives from the homeland, and all mercenaries must join forces.”

It showed how much Rezhen Kingdom considered this a major revenue source.

Pernok engraved ideas unthinkable through alchemy in his mind while standing before a large building.

“I’ll finish mercenary registration and come.”

“I’ll wait here.”

The moment Pernok entered the mercenary association Astal branch, all gazes pierced Pernok.

‘His mana quantity is considerable?’

‘An unfamiliar face.’

‘A new mage?’

Mercenaries stationed at the Astal branch either aren’t guild-affiliated or are scouts prospecting talent to be guild-recruited.

When new mana appears, gazes naturally reach it.

Thanks to dividing and storing mana in his body and belly like at the Fighting Pit, Pernok easily deceived their eyes.

But the old gentleman before him didn’t seem easy.

‘His mana far exceeds mine.’

He examined the old gentleman who pushed up silver-rimmed glasses at the reception with Soul Discernment.

The light of talent was ordinary, but the mana inside his body was unusual.

‘About level 6.’

A-rank guild leaders here were level 6.

He thought the old gentleman matching them might be someone holding high position in the association.

As expected.

The scouts’ eyes were unusual.

“That person’s stepping forward himself?”

“He looks like a low-level mage, but is there something special.”

“He doesn’t even acknowledge anyone below guild leader level.”

Just facing the old gentleman made the association stir.

Being noticed before adapting to the mountain range was troublesome.

As Pernok focused on mana division, the old gentleman quickly scanned his body then smiled and asked.

“What brings you here?”