Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 130

While moving to Sector 6 to acquire another Hidden Piece…

“By the way, Mr. First Place, what is this used for? I can’t figure it out.”

Thompson suddenly asked.

In Thompson’s hand were two golden rings.

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, I only distributed them without explaining.

“That's an artifact called the [Rings of Promise].”

“Artifact?”

[Rings of Promise].

The rank was rare, and the usage was simple.

Each person takes one of the two rings, and then when they say the content of the contract with the other person, it is activated.

The effect was to give the other person a strong electric shock if they broke the content of the contract.

Of course, it was an artifact that could be used even if the target wasn’t a person.

In other words, it could also be used on artifacts with egos.

“……Is that really true? Does it really work?”

“Try it if you don’t believe me.”

“Ah, okay.”

When I told them how to use it in detail, Thompson nodded with a determined face.

And Thompson immediately headed to where he had carefully folded the robe.

I followed him and picked up the robe.

[Heng! What other nonsense are you trying to do! Do you think I’ll fall for such a trick!]

The robe’s complaints were heard before it even started.

Thompson opened his mouth without hesitation.

“If you say that you will obey me for 100 years, I will give you freedom after the contract, robe!”

Then.

[Puh-huh-huh…… 100 years? You think I’m a sucker! Did I look so easy to you!]

Flap! Flap!

The robe started throwing a tantrum.

It was only natural since it was such an unreasonable condition.

But.

Bbaaack!

In the first place, Thompson had no intention of making a reasonable contract.

Thompson, who even used Body Transformation Magic on his right hand, suddenly started beating the robe.

And Thompson repeated the same words.

“If you say that you will obey me for 100 years, I will give you freedom, robe!”

[W-what is this……!]

Bbaaack!

[Kyaaaack!]

A gruesome scene, even though there was no blood and flesh splattering.

The robe’s screams continued endlessly, and the more it did, the tighter I gripped the robe.

“Hold it tight, Mr. First Place!”

“Yes!”

Bbaaack!

Even after a long time had passed like that.

[You, you bastards…… I will never forget this humiliation! I-I will definitely make you pay, so be prepared!!]

Flap……! Flap……!

Even though it couldn’t even control its own body properly, it didn’t show any intention of surrendering.

"It was certainly stubborn as Thompson said."

At that moment, Thompson let out a sigh as if the world was ending.

"Hoo, it's no use. Mr. First Place."

"Are you giving up already?"

"There's nothing I can do. It doesn't want to listen to me even if it dies."

"But still..."

"I have to dispose of it, then."

"Excuse me? Dispose of it?"

It was at that moment.

Snip! Snip! Snip......!

That the sound of metal suddenly came from behind.

When I looked back, there was Barundel standing there holding a large pair of scissors.

The blades were so sharp that it looked like they could cut through steel.

"When did you even...?"

"I just made them now. Dwarves are a race skilled in tailoring."

"Mr. Dwarf, I'll leave the back to you."

"Trust me. Miss Kayla!"

"Yes, let's go."

Whoosh!

As Barundel gave the signal, Kayla suddenly lit a fire.

It was a fire with a heat that was obviously high at first glance.

I was watching what they were trying to do, and I was startled.

Chiiiik!

Barundel was heating the scissors with Kayla's fire magic.

I could tell what he was going to do with those without even asking.

I quickly grasped the situation and spurred the robe's fear.

"Robe, are you going to be okay...?"

[Th-these crazy bastards! Let go of this! Let go of this right now!]

"That's not possible. Sorry about this, robe."

[Uwaaaa-a-a-a!]

Thump, thump, thump.

Chiiiik!

Barundel, who had completely heated the scissors, came closer little by little, snipping the air with the scissors.

His expression was so scary that even my back felt cold.

"Huhuhu, robe. I'll help you be born with an even better look."@@novelbin@@

[N-no! Th-there's no need for that! Go away! Go away-y-y!]

Chiiiik!

The moment the scissors, emitting hot air, were about to touch the robe.

[Sto-o-o-op!!]

Along with the robe's scream, everyone's movements stopped abruptly.

The robe, as if relieved, said in a sobbing voice.

[I-I'll do it, the contract.]

The sentient robe purchased from the black market.

It was the moment when it was made to obey for 100 years.

***

"Ehehehehe..."

Thompson let out a lewd chuckle from time to time.

He seemed to be very pleased with having made a contract with the robe, although it was through threats.

"You like it that much?"

"Of course, I like it. Whose gift is this? Hehehe, finally I can use it!"

"......I'm glad. It suits you well."

"Really?"

They weren't empty words.

Thompson, with his broad shoulders, was wearing a mage robe that fit his size perfectly, and he couldn't look any more reliable than this.

Moreover, since he had succeeded in making the contract, the robe's performance would surely be excellent.

Anyway.

"We've already arrived."

Before we knew it, we had crossed Sector 7 and set foot in Sector 6.

The place that could be considered our hometown in a way.

This time, I was thinking of gathering the Hidden Pieces here.

"But are there really hidden items here too? There are so many people..."

"They're everywhere. The activation conditions are tricky, so not just anyone can find them."

"Now that you mention it, the first item was like that too."

The first item Thompson was referring to, the [Mana Regeneration Elixir].

I had already told them how we obtained it.

By filling the pit with [Goblin Demon] blood, covering it with weeds growing nearby, and then chanting the incantation.

It wasn't just that one.

Most of them couldn't be obtained through ordinary methods, such as having to pass through complex traps in hidden underground areas, or cooperating with others to unlock devices.

As such, others probably wouldn't even know that the Hidden Pieces existed.

'As expected.'

That thought proved to be true this time as well.

When we reflected the sunlight of Sector 6 with a mirror and illuminated a specific area, a new space appeared that wasn't there before.

Creak!

There, we found the Hidden Piece we were aiming for.

A translucent liquid filled in a flask shaped like a gourd.

[Beginner Growth Potion].

It was an item that could only be used before level 20, a consumable that raised the player character's level by 1.

And what was more important was.

'My current level is 19.'

It was an item I needed right now.

As soon as I found it, I told my companions.

"I'll take this one."

"Oh! Are you finally taking one for yourself?"

"Yes, it's something I need. It's also something only I can use."

"What kind of effect does it have?"

Pon!

Instead of answering, I opened the stopper of the flask.

"You'll know when you see it."

Soon, I drank the liquid inside in one gulp.

Gulp, gulp.

"Ugh... The taste is really like crap."

The taste was awful, but the effect was certain.

An unknown sense of fullness started to spread from within me right after I swallowed the liquid.

Soon.

Hwaaaack!

A green light enveloped my entire body for a moment.

A phenomenon that was always welcome whenever I experienced it.

I had finally reached level 20.

Thompson, who had witnessed this phenomenon countless times, asked while backing away.

His hands were trembling, he seemed quite surprised.

"D-did your soul just grow?"

"Yes, well."

"There's such an item...? I've never heard of it before."

"It's a pretty rare item. Of course, it wouldn't have any effect unless it's someone like me."

Indeed, nothing would happen even if an NPC drank this potion.

Because NPCs don't have levels.

It means it's a potion that only players can benefit from.

Thanks to that, I could drink it without any worries.

'...Finally level 20.'

I had finally reached level 20, which I had been longing for so much.

But for some reason.

I didn't feel so good.

Actually, I knew the reason very well.

'It's too slow.'

This uneasy feeling was because the leveling up speed was too slow.

More precisely, because the speed of leveling up was slow compared to the speed at which my realm was rising.

'It's abnormal, abnormal.'

To have a realm of 7th Circle, but only level 20?

I had raised countless characters, but this was the first time I had grown so unbalanced.

And the reason was probably because of the 'Mythic tier trait'.

'...Thanks to the trait, my realm is soaring, but my level isn't?'

No matter how fast the realm rises, if the level doesn't keep up, I can't get the full efficiency.

It seemed that I needed to solve this chronic problem.

By maintaining the speed of Circle ascension, but drastically increasing the speed of leveling up.

Fortunately, there was a way that came to mind.

'Next is Alfheim.'

Alfheim.

A land where mystical nature and the 'elves', a different race, live together.

The next destination has been decided.

***

Meanwhile, in Alfheim on the western continent.

It was a place that always maintained tranquility and peace, but for some reason, the atmosphere was a bit different today.

There were birds, beasts, and spirits, but none of them made a sound.

They were all holding their breath and just watching the elves.

Thud!

Elder Elf Ervehim, who slammed the table, said with veins bulging on his forehead.

"These stupid dwarves...!"

The reason she was so angry was simple.

Kazandur, the continent right next to Alfheim.

The dwarves living there were gradually expanding their territory.

And in a way that encroached on Alfheim's territory.

"Have those fools forgotten what a peace treaty is? I'm sure we agreed not to invade each other's territory no matter what!"

"We also mentioned that point, but... they said they absolutely cannot back down, Elder, as if they have some kind of circumstance."

"Circumstance?"

At the subordinate's report, Elf Elder Ervehim twitched her pointy ears.

It was her unique habit that only came out when she was really angry.

"There are no circumstances to be lenient about in a peace treaty. Regardless of the reason, a peace treaty is something that must be observed. Isn't that right?"

The subordinate, realizing his mistake, lowered his head as if ashamed.

"Y-yes, you're right."

"We can't keep watching them invade our territory, can we?"

"...Yes, yes. Of course. We need to set an example, especially in times like these."

"Good, I'm glad you think so too."

Tzzzzzz!

Ervehim's ears twitched rapidly.

To be honest, she was also nervous.

Because she knew how much damage this one decision would cause.

On the elf side, and on the dwarf side.

But there was nothing she could do.

She was the elder of the elves.

Now that they had invaded the elves' territory, as the elder, she had to make a decision.

"They must have been fully prepared when they did this."

Finally, Ervehim, who had made a big decision, declared.

"Prepare yourselves. Prepare to make those dwarves feel the fear of nature!"

The declaration to prepare for war with the dwarves.

This war would probably be one that wouldn't end until one of the two races, the dwarves and the elves, disappeared.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]