Named

A year had already passed since Pernok left.

While waiting for Lionic’s last materials to arrive while checking the castle’s functions, a familiar signal sound reached Ruin.

When Ruin came out to the twin rocks point, an unfamiliar man bowed his head.

“Greetings. I’m Number 12 who handles Lord Rio’s errands.”

“Number 12? Ah, perhaps the shadow unit Rio said he’s secretly promoting?”

“That’s correct. It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Ruin.”

Ruin occasionally heard Pernok’s news.

Rio sent letters through people, saying he felt the necessity of an intelligence organization and was establishing a shadow unit.

He’d said it would take long, but seems he established the framework faster than expected.

Thinking Rio’s drive is indeed exceptional, Ruin asked gently.

“Are Pernok and Rio doing well?”

“Both are healthy. Especially Pernok has now stepped up as a proper mountain range owner.”

Number 12 respectfully handed a thick bundle of letters to Ruin.

“Rio said it seems the time has come.”

“I must see, but please tell him not to move too hastily.”

“Yes. I’ll withdraw now.”

Number 12 bowed and descended the path he came.

Ruin returned to the castle holding the letter bundle.

He read down while savoring each letter written beautifully.

[Dear Lord Ruin,

Already a year has passed.

Seems like yesterday I observed Lord Pernok while half-doubting your words, but I think I’ve adapted to Lord Pernok now.

Perhaps I may see you soon.

Because the day your promise is fulfilled isn’t far off.]

If he kills the mountain range’s master, brings the Hollow Eye, and completes Lionic, he’ll immediately move together with Pernok.

But if he can’t conquer the summit, he’ll return to the castle to steadily train and aim for later.

He hadn’t forgotten the bet for even a moment.

[Lord Pernok grows daily.

Now he traverses alone above altitude 5500 meters, and easily suppresses even several mid to high-grade demon beasts attacking.

At this pace, I dare guess he’ll become a Magus within a few years.]

The moment Pernok became a level 7 mage, Rio conveyed this fact to Ruin faster than anyone.

Ruin couldn’t help being surprised.

Though they say the difference in innate talent is called magic, cases of level 4 growing to level 7 in just a year are rare even historically.

It was speed comparable to the continent’s strongest, Rakis Empire’s dukes.

Though rapid growth usually brings disaster, Pernok faithfully implemented Ruin’s teachings and became a skilled one holding advantage over same-rank mages.

If he wanted a title from Rezhen immediately, he might become count or higher.

Though very pleased with Pernok’s growth, he was also somewhat afraid.

Because people who quickly became strong often fall from hastily pushing work.

In his youth, Ruin nearly dismantled his mercenary corps with childish actions.

He could barely finish because leader Baudelaire existed then.

But no one exists beside Pernok to apply brakes.

Because they all harbor ambitions.

[Named has become the mountain range’s master.

1 level 7 mage.

2 level 6 mages.

3 level 5 mages.

50 level 4 mages.

Boasting the largest force among mercenary corps worldwide, even Rezhen Kingdom’s factions secretly make contact.

However, Lord Pernok rejected their proposals with Illumina return in mind.

And among mercenaries flocking to the mountain range, he’s entering full-scale ‘magic corps’ formation by carefully selecting only those brimming with talent.

Recently Deputy guild leader Hallam discovered clues to rise to level 6, so guild power is judged to rapidly grow in short time.

We haven’t revealed Lord Pernok’s identity to executives yet, but this seems a matter of time too.

Lord Pernok said preparations are now finished.

He’ll reveal to the guild he’s a bastard son and immediately conquer the summit.]

Ruin skimmed the letter’s remaining parts.

Though the timing reaching summit conquest and subsequent problems were written nakedly, he judged the situation very positively.

‘Won’t be easy.’

Originally Ruin imagined a picture where Pernok overcomes with his own power alone or recruits only a few comrades to climb the summit.

But Pernok established a guild based on excellent abilities while building forces in short time.

This situation deviating from Ruin’s predictions is only superficially splendid.

Can’t guarantee being fine even swept by the big storm to come afterward.

‘He said the kingdom’s factions attempt contact, so probably Named has become one of the kingdom’s surveillance targets. The moment Named crosses the line, the kingdom will definitely move.’

The reason only 10 A-rank guilds exist in this world.

Because that degree is what kingdoms think is convenient to manage.

Nations don’t want situations where mercenaries’ forces swayed by money grow large.

If they happen to attach to enemy nations or even wage strife in territories, losses rushing to their own nation are terrible to even imagine.

From that aspect, Named is an emerging force various kingdoms watch closely.

Especially, Rezhen Kingdom where royal authority strengthening and noble faction power strengthening are complexly entangled won’t leave forces like Named alone.

‘Summit conquest won’t be favorable at all.’

The moment Pernok declares summit conquest, Rezhen Kingdom will move.

What nation would welcome with both hands raised when they’re striking into one of their major industries?

Moreover, if it’s mercenaries and forces even comparable to marquis family private soldiers, this has high possibility leading to harsh sequences.

[…We’re also thinking of all dangers rushing at us.

You’ll probably worry much. But Lord Pernok’s will is firm.

And when he establishes will, no failures exist.

We’ll prove with results this time too. Please enjoy comfortably there.

-Drawing days together with Lord Ruin, Rio-]

Ruin neatly folded the letter bundle and put it in a box.

Letters Rio sent so far were piled full.

All were reports on uncertain challenges, and Pernok succeeded conspicuously.

But in these times when Named’s forces grow at frightening speed, can Pernok endure national pressure?

Ruin who’d been pondering stood from his seat and secured his staff and fedora.

“Must remove external factors as much as possible for a fair bet.”

Ruin pressed down his fedora and left the castle.

* * *

Demon beast mountain range, altitude 500 meters.

Pernok who stood tall in a circular pit looked around.

An environment level where breathing becomes moderately difficult and mana activation delays one beat.

Unbalanced signals come from between thickets and trees.

Whoosh!

As soon as embers blazed, Pernok struck the ground hard.

Dirt bounced in all directions obscuring vision.

“Rear support! Secure vision!”

Before Enri’s order was harshly issued, wind blew away the thick dirt pile.

“Vanguard! Forward!”

Sallio’s heavy voice came from the front, and.

“Now!”

Hallam commanding the assault team executes honest collision from the rear together with enhancement mages.

One year since Named formed.

Pernok made a training ground in the mountain range’s corner.

Judging this place’s geographical characteristics serve like sandbags for guild mages.

Pernok personally guided them while supplementing insufficient points.

First, the rear support led by Enri has nature-type and unique-type mixed.

Enri supplements nature-type mages’ weakness of slow casting with characteristic nimble assassination abilities.

She monitors surroundings and removes dangers so nature-type mages aren’t attacked.

In that time, completed casting concentrates bombardment on the battlefield, and Enri intrudes on the chaotic battlefield with unique-type mages to aim at enemy leaders’ necks.

Hit-and-run coordination must have no disorder, so rear support demands high-level concentration.

“Barrier!”

Pernok revealed himself to the rear taking advantage of dirt piles disappearing.

As if a familiar pattern, Enri ordered water barriers to the rear support.

Pernok’s appearance rippled beyond opacity.

Nature-type magic poured through secured vision.

Bang!

Beyond barriers raining explosions, Pernok disappeared.

Enri immediately spread unique-type mages into a pentagram.

“Upper left! 45 degrees!”

Without even looking back, Enri and unique-type mages’ attacks poured simultaneously.

Clang!

Only after hearing blocking sounds did their vision gather in one place.

Though not watching, they were accurately striking Pernok’s guard.

‘Coordination improved.’

After countless practice, rear support became excellent at offense-defense switching, and precision aiming at targets rose.

‘If output just rises a bit more, it’ll be worth watching.’

Pernok burst Over Impact simultaneously with landing.

That moment, Sallio’s vanguard raised massive waves.

The vanguard is the party’s solid shield and heavy unit boasting fierce blows strong enough to break large monsters or castle gates.

When Sallio raised his hammer high, the unit’s mana all sucked there.

‘The rookie’s magic is quite good.’

A rookie guild member who joined a month ago.

Level 4 mage, he’s unique-type concentrating mana on one person—perfect chemistry with Sallio’s Wave.

Wooooong!

Thanks to that, a heavy blow like Over Impact gathered in Sallio’s hammer.

“Hup!”

When Wave and Over Impact clashed, Sallio’s body was pushed straight back.

Pernok only retreated one step.

Though many pressed one without inflicting damage, smiles lingered on the vanguard’s lips.

“Finally!”

“The guild leader was pushed back!”

The vanguard never once pushed back Pernok clashing head-on.

After Pernok rose to level 7, they felt like facing a massive mountain.

When Pernok they thought they could never overcome retreated one step, tears seemed to turn in their eyes.

Pernok was an indescribably difficult wall.

“Press in!”

The assault team Hallam led rushed simultaneously from air and ground.

All composed of physical enhancement mages, the assault team was separately taught individual weapon techniques to be active in all battlefields.

That achievement unfolded conspicuously in various weapon technique forms.

Weapon trajectories embroidering air and ground dizzied eyes.

But Pernok swept them while thrusting a straight punch at the center.

Bang!

Lead Hallam was flung away.

Even deploying guard, even legs embedding in ground wasn’t allowed.

When a gaping hole opened, trajectories were simply organized.

Thud thud thud!

Pernok dug out weaknesses with fists and feet once per person.

When dozens rolled around in an instant, firepower rained from the sky.

“Damn!”

“Sweep everything!”

Rear support’s judgment wasn’t bad.

In a situation where the assault team was instantly organized, to kill the target required somewhat preparing for situations sweeping even allies.

“Focus!”

Sallio gathered mana again to prepare a massive blow.

The vanguard all has power to endure that degree firepower.

“Cling on!”

Hallam who’d risen before they knew flashed fierce eyes.

Seemed to be thinking to create opportunities for others’ attacks to continue by catching Pernok even if dying.

Hallam was the person best understanding Pernok’s teaching to practice like real battles.

‘I was thinking to lay him down for a day, but now he’s at a level to let straight punches flow past.’

Hallam’s both arms swelled and burst.

Evidence he let part of the strike flow by rotating body and arms when blocking the straight punch with guard.

If he’d blocked straight on, arms would have burst along with guard.

‘He’ll become level 6 soon.’

Pernok smirked while meeting rushing guild members.

Over Impact wasn’t charged.

No magic could withstand such attacks.

‘Properly ripened.’

Grayish light flashed in Pernok’s eyes.

Spiritual Law – Divine Punishment.

When spiritual power mixes with mana to grant form.

Soon it became monstrous thunder shaking heaven and earth.

BOOM!

Everything was covered in white light, surroundings were dyed in silence, and Pernok clenched his fist.

‘Now even twice a day is possible.’

Though capacity still remained, guild members all sprawled.

“This, damn…”

“Today too… couldn’t… break through…”

“Cough.”

Enri and Sallio fainted, and Hallam vomited blood while sprawling spread-eagle.

Thanks to them blocking shock first, damage finished while guild members were exhausted.

“After recuperating one day in medical team, I’ll give individual feedback.”

Guild members only trembled, seeming to lack even energy to speak.

Pernok smirked while turning his body.

Far away, Rio was running.

“Casualties poured out today too.”

“If they can’t wound even one me, they can’t play in bigger waters.”

“I understand your will, but training should be halted for now and focus placed on condition management.”

Rio deployed medical teams to the scene and reported to Pernok.

“Illumina royalty are visibly consolidating their power.”

Pernok immediately understood that statement’s meaning.

“How much has Illumina King’s illness worsened?”

“Seems to be advancing a year earlier than expected timing.”

“What about the princes and princesses?”

“They’re devoted to diplomacy, and they say 1st Prince Vans is building friendship with not only Rakis Empire but also Rezhen’s 1st Prince.”

“Expanding forces…”

Pernok looked at the summit hidden above clouds.

“We should settle things now too.”

“Is it possible with our current power?”

“You’ll know by seeing directly.”

Pernok headed to the guild while securing his artifact.

“Prepare as soon as executives wake.”