War

Pernok acting boldly knowing Sasak had Flang backing them.

Mana far exceeding level 4 surpassing reports.

And even intentional confrontation.

Ramro naturally recalled the word ‘conflict.’

“Who sent you. Which bastard’s instigation made you target us!?”

“I dislike simple types whose thoughts harden when excited.”

Ramro bit his lips firmly and loaded wind into mana.

“Bring only his head attached!”

Guards stepped forward and mages raised mana.

The moment Ramro’s wind element magic activated first.

“Your anti-personnel combat experience also looks poor.”

A chilling voice penetrated before his eyes.

Ramro’s wind made a small wall blocking intense sword strikes.

Clang!

Following the roar, guild members’ gazes moved to the center.

But they only aimed hands, unable to activate magic.

Because Pernok moved fiercely at close range with Ramro.

“You allow distance too easily.”

“What are you doing, shoot… Ugh!”

“The magic is good, but utilization is poor.”

Before he knew it, Pernok’s glove transformed to twin daggers.

‘His weapon changed?’

For Ramro who didn’t know artifacts existed, he couldn’t help but mistake it for magic.

“Though talented, you don’t refine it and only satisfy with given status, so your understanding of the situation is quite slow. Do you see? Your guild members who can only stamp feet because you’re caught by me?”

“Ugh!”

Ramro burst accumulated wind pressure. When Pernok leaned back to dodge, Ramro tried to quickly withdraw and create distance.

‘Why is this…’

From Homan’s death to sudden life crisis, judgment split in several directions at the flustering situation.

Pernok’s spear penetrated that confusion.

Clang!

Ramro who barely erected a barrier came to his senses sharply.

“An idiot with only high level. That magic is too precious for a deficient guy like you to use.”

Deploying a barrier in his left hand, he gathered wind pressure in his right hand again.

The opponent is a physical enhancement mage.

If he could just create distance once, he could bury him with guild members’ bombardment.

“…?”

But Ramro couldn’t burst magic.

Because besides altitude 2,500 meter mana interference, Pernok inhibited his magic activation with mana domination through the spear.

Double mana interference delayed his magic that had been smooth until now by about 5 seconds.

Pernok overlaid magic ‘ice spike’ stolen from Homan on the spear tip and penetrated the barrier.

Crackle!

Ice starting from where the spear pierced began covering Ramro’s body.

“If you kill me, Flang…”

“Do you know why I poke beehives?”

Pernok grasped his freezing crown with his palm.

“Because there’s much honey there. Keep eating emerging bees and monopolize honey inside that wide beehive alone. That sweetness is truly supreme.”

“W-wait…”

When Pernok applied force to his grip, Ramro’s body shattered to pieces starting from the crown.

‘Like Ruin said, in battles among equals, how much magic activation is delayed through mana interference is very important.’

Without training with Ruin, he couldn’t even have thought of fighting head-on with this many people.

[Tornado Lv.5]

Rotating mana raises fierce winds.

Pernok pulled out the spear and transformed it to a sword while looking around.

The guild members had dumbfounded expressions.

They couldn’t grasp how to handle this situation where the commander was instantly defeated.

“I like your methods. However roughly I move, there’s nothing to feel guilty about.”

Only Pernok’s calm voice stirred the silence.

“Usually selfish bastards like you aren’t reformed, they said. But I can rehabilitate even that shabby desire soul and all.”

Guild members whose eyes met Pernok’s flinched.

Because Pernok’s mana that should have been consumed fighting Ramro overflowed again.

To them who didn’t know he absorbed dead people’s mana, Pernok looked like a monster.

“Therefore, I propose.”

Pernok widely deployed Tornado.

A giant storm wall imprisoned central Pernok and guild members.

“Want to live?”

In the inescapable fighting ring, Pernok transformed the sword to gloves.

“Satisfy me.”

* * *

Mercenary Association Astal branch leader Baltus gazed at a composed-faced youth.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Rio accompanying Lord Pernok.”

“I’m Baltus. Sit.”

Rio who appeared this morning requested a direct interview with the branch leader saying it was about Pernok’s whereabouts.

Though an unscheduled visit, Baltus made time briefly at Ramut’s request.

‘That friend seems to view the Beast favorably.’

Ramut was a pillar-like existence of this branch. He rose to silver rank in youth, and now retired pouring effort into nurturing younger generations.

Because Ramut existed, mediation with A-rank guilds was possible.

That same person also occasionally hinted to accept Pernok as association-affiliated.

‘The timing is perfectly appropriate.’

Baltus guessed why Rio came this far.

Probably he intended to request guild mediation regarding crushing sprouts.

If using that, he judged it convenient to accept Pernok into the association.

“Is the reason you wanted to see me because of Sasak?”

“You know.”

“Now is the period when A-rank guild affiliated guilds expand forces. Everyone will covet talent as conspicuous as the Beast.”

“Besides Sasak, many guilds contacted.”

“Among them, Sasak is conducting the most violent enforcement.”

“Correct. They started earnest crushing sprouts.”

“Is the Beast at the mountain now?”

“Yes.”

“Sasak also climbed, so quite a commotion will arise. Though a level 4 mage won’t be easily defeated, the mountain range is harsh and deep. Moreover, Sasak’s guild leader Ramro is level 5. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I know it’s difficult to travel alone. Because the mountain range is where individuals become powerless when guild units move. But there are occasional exceptions, aren’t there.”

“Absurd talk! Not even Sasak, even related C-rank guilds would be overwhelming!”

“We’ll know by trying.”

At Rio’s calmer appearance than expected, Baltus softened his tone.

“Though I understand wanting to save face, now you must face reality.”

Baltus smiled.

“If our association steps forward, Sasak can’t do anything to the Beast.”

“What are you saying?”

“I understand. It’s very humiliating that excellent talent must ultimately bow to violence and request mediation. But you must save the person first. First, if the Beast becomes association-affiliated…”

Rio laughed.

“You seem to have some misunderstanding.”

“Hm?”

“I didn’t come all this way to request mediation or anything.”

“Not mediation?”

“The reason the association can mediate powerful guilds’ confrontations. I came to trade that.”

Though Baltus was speechless at unexpected words, Rio continued with a composed expression.

“Demon beast material processing business rights. How about joining with us going forward for those rights lent to Flang for 3 years?”

“Did I mishear now?”

“We’re not reckless people who’d jump into work without confidence.”

“So… you’re not asking to mediate the fight with Sasak but rather to watch?”

“Additionally, trading Flang’s business rights with us would also be good.”

“Hm.”

Baltus gazed at Rio with coldly cooled eyes.

“Are you, insane?”

“I’d like you to judge how things turn out by watching future situations.”

“It’s not like you’re viewing A-rank guilds as neighborhood punk groups. What? Give business rights still remaining for a year? Did you guys affiliate with other A-rank guilds?”

“No affiliation yet, but one is scheduled to be created starting this month.”

“Huh?”

“Will you make one trade.”

Rio leaned his body close to the table and said calmly.

“If Flang collapses within this year, we’ll take over those business rights, and if Lord Pernok loses to affiliated guilds, we’ll enter as association-affiliated. How’s that?”

“I made precious time at that friend’s request! I just wasted precious time!”

Baltus stood up sharply while frowning.

“Never dream of finding me again with such insane talk!”

It should be reasonable talk.

Who’s killing whom? When your own neck is about to fall off?

When trying to chase Rio outside while muttering anger-mixed words.

“Branch leader!”

The door burst open and an association employee pouring sweat like rain entered.

Normally he’d have pointed out the rudeness of no knock first, but at the following sound Baltus’s eyes widened.

“Sasak that entered the mountain range was completely annihilated!”

“…!”

“N-no. Not everyone, there are surviving mages, and they said Ramro and Homan died! Not only guild executives, even guards were torn apart!”

Though the employee spoke incoherently in urgency, the main point clearly lodged in Baltus’s ear.

“The Beast trampled Sasak! Flang’s affiliated guilds are heading to the mountain range now!”

Pernok is alone.

The statement that he won against a level 5 mage and subordinate guild members numbering dozens at the mountain range sounded like someone’s delusion.

Baltus unknowingly turned his gaze toward Rio.

Rio was still calm.

“Faster than expected. I should correct it. Not this year—we’ll strike Flang within 3 months.”

“Did you drag in other mercenaries!?”

“Let’s not mind trivial things. Work has erupted, and we must clean up in a better direction.”

Rio calmly but clearly gazed at Baltus.

“From now we’ll gnaw Flang’s affiliated guilds. If we collapse at least 5 places within this month, will you trust us and trade?”

To speechless Baltus, Rio smiled faintly.

“I promise to pay compensation satisfying the branch leader.”

* * *

“Spare me…”

Shoving the whimpering guy into the ground, he looked around.

Though most of Sasak fell into combat inability, new prey climbed the mountain.

“Ramro!”

C-rank Burd, an affiliated guild of Flang.

“Kill that bastard!”

Though murderous intent filled the battlefield, it didn’t immediately reach Pernok.

Battle at places exceeding altitude 2,500 meters.

Starving demon beasts smelled blood and intruded on the battlefield.

“Guards block demon beasts, level 3 and above pour magic at Pernok!”

Burd, befitting a guild possessing many low-level mages, divided into 10 parties of 5 people simultaneously attacking demon beasts and Pernok.

Burd’s guild leader Marshall displayed excellent tactical ability to the degree the battle would have been tricky if Ramro were alive.

But from the start this was a battlefield advantageous to Pernok. Using time when low-level mage magic activation delayed, Pernok penetrated parties’ weaknesses.

“The guy’s joining the demon beast side!”

“Make the perimeter thick!”

Already too late when shouting.

However excellent the command, it gains elasticity only when backed by excellent horses.

Among these there are no physical enhancement mages exceeding Pernok, and mostly only low-level elementals.

While facing demon beasts too, coping with Pernok’s speed was impossible.

“Gather!”

Marshall regretted. Coming up without consideration immediately after hearing Sasak was defeated was a mistake.

He should have calculated that an individual with nothing to mind ran wild on a battlefield already transformed into demon beasts versus Burd.

The moment it became a melee, Marshall’s judgment also blurred.

“The guy disappeared!”

When demon beasts covered before his eyes, Marshall placed hands on the ground.

Boom!

The earth refined like spikes skewered all demon beasts before his eyes.

Marshall’s magic is perfectly suited for easily subjugating large quantities of enemies.

Though exceptionally excellent for facing group-acting demon beasts, the opponent is a seasoned warrior.

The gap when demon beasts briefly disappeared.

Marshall’s eyes quickly scanned the battlefield but Pernok still wasn’t visible.

“You’re useful.”

Marshall tried reaching back at the creepiness, but Pernok had already struck the back of his neck hard.

Only after hearing Marshall collapse did guild members’ gazes turn.

But Pernok wasn’t there.

[Stealth Lv.3]

Assimilates into surroundings.

Thanks to magic obtained killing Sasak’s executives.

‘Though Marshall collapsed, the command system doesn’t immediately shake. Mages are rather listening to guards’ talk. There are several guards seasoned in anti-personnel combat.’

Pernok needed immediate combat-ready forces deployable right away. The more people skilled at command like Marshall and making appropriate judgments in small-scale battles, the better.

‘Standing one strong mage behind, five seasoned guards buy time. With organic judgment, they can cope in any situation.’

Pernok lightly subdued those he marked. He didn’t bother touching those who lost fighting will.

But he immediately killed guys who indiscriminately fired magic worsening situations.

Demon beast and human souls surging everywhere.

Absorbing spiritual power and mana filled his body with strength.

Synchronization Rate – 18.3%

This place simultaneously progressing growth and talent acquisition was a hunting ground he didn’t want to hand over to others.