Chapter 204: This is my way
Somehow.
I thought the frozen lava at absolute zero was too flashy.
It was hard to express in words.
The red lava, that rippled like the sea, maintained its color.
A frozen landscape.
To borrow Grandfels words
It was like a sea of rubies.
Even if I didnt open the status window to check, I could tell.
Tap tap
It was like walking on ice.
With a clearer sound of shoes.
I crossed the frozen lava.
By the way, you sure are reckless, Grandfel.
Isnt it scary?
I knew better than anyone else that Absolute Zero was an oddity.
I knew it would never melt down.
Walking on it was another matter.
This was a different feeling of fear from walking the stairs of the Mage Tower.
First, I have to walk until I see something.
In order to teleport or activate a portal, I needed the coordinates of the destination.
But the sea of lava had no end in sight.
That meant I couldnt manifest a portal right now.
It might seem scarier because I kept looking down.
I should turn away my gaze first.
I happened to receive a message.
[Aesthetic: Upper]
I opened the status window to check.
There was definitely an increase in aesthetic stat.
I was wearing a dawn set that was extraordinary from its name alone
Even if I didnt wear the jacket.
The set easily increased the aesthetic stat.
[The effect of aesthetic stat that has reached the upper level is activated.]
However, I never imagined that there would be an additional effect just by reaching the upper level.
Above all, I didnt even activate the aesthetic stat.
The effect was triggered automatically.
Could it be a passive effect?
So what was the effect?
Forgetting the fear of red-hot lava, I looked for it with my eyes lit up Why did it feel like nothing had changed other than being beautiful?
I looked up the effect of aesthetic stat again.
In magic, the aesthetic stat was like a copy-and-paste function.
The complicated interference process ate up a tremendous of mana.
The aesthetic stat could replace it by a very small amount of mana,
Actually, thats why I havent been using it often lately.
Compared to back when I had struggled with magic, I was different now.
Of course, if you just looked at the stats.
I still lagged behind Marcelo and the senior mages of the Mage Tower.
The bi-herb was not enough, so I spiced it up with the elixir.
Conclusively.
I had a great buff called [Blessing of the First World Tree].
Thanks to this, I was able to rise to the level of the circle and manifest high-level magic without struggling with mana.
It was not necessary for me to activate the aesthetic stat.
The time when I got overwhelmed by magic was long gone.
So, I had some expectations about the additional effect.
But how come
I just cant figure out what to do.
Fortunately, my question did not last long.
Even if my eyes missed it.
I had strong alter egos on both my shoulders to replace my eyes.
Master, I can see the path.
You can see the path.
The path of pride.
If you say things like this, I will cancel your summon, Diend.
I swallowed my grumble and looked away.
Then, I really saw it.
The path appeared in a shocking form.
I cant believe my lord manifested such a noble path in a split second. Compared to my lord, I, Haiel, still seem to lack aesthetics.
What is that fancy boulevard?!
The shape of the rising lava looked like a sculpture.
If I were to compare it, would it be like the Arc de Triomphe?
Yes, complex magic appeared like a statue.
That was one of the features of the aesthetic stat.
But the problem was the scale.
Its huge.
As expected, it was ridiculously grand.
Even considering [aesthetic]s excellent mana efficiency and the [Blessing of the First World Tree].
Shouldnt I have lost a lot of mana?
I was skeptical.
However.
No additional mana consumption?
My mana didnt change.
There was no additional mana consumed other than the mana consumed to express oddity and Absolute Zero. So, contrary to Diends boisterous words.
This is the path my lord has opened!
This was not a path that I manifested through my own will.
Then there was only one possibility.
Opening the path to somewhere.
That was the effect of the aesthetic stat that had reached the upper level, right?
*
Yusra Kingdom.
League of Explorers headquarters.
The leagues explorers were in the midst of final preparations.
Our competition will begin, Aaron.
A competition with you? Know your place, Rombus.
Well, I am better than you.
Of course, veteran explorers Aaron and Rombus.
Even the president of the league, Fabian. They all returned as an active explorer.
There was no need to distinguish between players and Arcanains.
Because everyone was preparing themselves in a state of tension.
This also included Park Hwigang.
Its finally time for our explorers to pay for their meals!
The Hundred Thousand Caves in the Zero Mountain.
It was the best place for explorers to show off their pride.
Fabian felt heated by the lively atmosphere after a long time.
Strictly speaking, its not even my first step since I returned to being active.
Thefern Labyrinth rupture.
When he recalled his memories of that time, Fabian felt ashamed of himself.
Because it was a labyrinth, he had been confident.
If it wasnt for Hoyeol.
Let alone conquering it, he wouldnt have gotten out of the labyrinth.
Perhaps thats why this feels like the first step.
Zero Mountain was a different story.
The Hundred Thousand Caves of the Zero Mountain were not an unknown, forbidden area like the Thefern Labyrinth. Fabian had conquered more than a few caves.
Fabian shrugged his shoulders.
Those caves must be submerged in the sea by now.
Even the legendary explorer Fabian hadnt experienced the middle area of Zero Mountain. However, by exploring caves in the low area of the mountain, he was able to understand their distinctive characteristic.
Fabian stood before the explorers.
Ill tell you this before we go to the Zero Mountain.
The explorers gaze focused on his voice.
As you all know, each of the 100,000 caves has its own rules. In the language of adventurers, it could be said that the field types are different. What do you think, I am right, arent I?
Park Hwigang answered Fabians question.
Yes, you are correct!
Fabian nodded and continued.
Dungeon, labyrinth, battlefield It is impossible to know what rules exist in which cave without entering it. Although that anticipation is the joy of exploration, we explorers can no longer focus on exploration just for the fun of it.
Everyone nodded.
It was a bonus that his face was filled with somber feelings.
Reality and the Arcana Continent.
After learning that their respective worlds were on the verge of extinction, they participated in the Holy War.
But it was almost impossible for an explorer, a non-combat class, to play in an all-out war. The explorers swallowed their disappointment because of this.
This is not like the unfamiliar ruptures.
Dungeon is my specialty.
I attracted 200,000 subscribers with my labyrinth content.
The opportunity to quench their thirst had come.
Fabian felt the same way as everyone else.
Pfft, a laugh came out of his mouth.
As an explorer, this is probably the moment when I have to give my prejudice a beating. So, for the first time in my life, Ive decided to do something that isnt like me. So everyone, keep in mind what Im saying from now on.
As you could see from the bitter rivals, Aaron and Rombus.
Explorers were competitors to each other.
Even though Arcana Continent was vast.
In the end, the place to explore was finite.
As a result, they didnt tell other explorers about their exploration tips.
Even the league established an implicit rule to not talk about it for the sake of the coexistence of the explorers.
A sort of taboo.
First of all, there are unknown paths in the field.
But Fabian broke the taboo as the leagues president.
!!!
He didnt care about the explorers astonishment.
Fabian began to share his experience as a legendary explorer. Even Aaron and Rombus, who were quietly listening, were shocked by this new concept.
What do you mean by unknown path.?
There are many crossroads in a dungeon or labyrinth, but Isnt it common sense in exploration that there is only one path to the end?
Thats right. Thats the common sense.
Unknown path.
It was only natural that they were puzzled.
Even Fabian himself, who had conquered numerous fields.
Only once he ever witnessed an unknown path.
Park Hwigang asked carefully.
Then maybe that place where you found it simply an exception?
No.
!
What a firm answer.
A gasp came out of Park Hwigangs mouth.
Why have I witnessed it only once? I can confidently say that it is simply due to my lack of ability. But the reward was certain. At the end of the road, I received the most valuable loot.
Most valuable loot?
The truth.
The explorers couldnt get a clue even if he told them that far.
Fabian was relieved once again.
As expected, it was good to be back on active duty.
He couldnt leave everything to these young chicks.
Then he asked generously.
Have you all thought about it?
What do you mean, League President Fabian?
Aaron, Rombus. Have you ever thought about it?
??
Being That Should Not Be Awakened in the Thefern Labyrinth.
Aaron and Rombus exchanged glances.
How could they forget it?
Those huge pupils.
But the two explorers were stunned by his next words.
The reason why the Being was buried in the rock wall of the labyrinth.
!!!
It was only then that they could guess what the truth Fabian was talking about.
Monsters existed in dungeons, labyrinths, and all kinds of fields.
Fabian had repeatedly conquered them and felt a sense of incongruity.
Why was there always a monster in the center?
Of course, because its a game
!!!
The players who were thinking were shocked.
No, Arcana was no longer a game.
Park Hwigang swallowed his dry saliva.
Are you saying theres a reason for everything, League President?
Thefern Labyrinth.
At that time, Park Hwigang also had been there.
He had also witnessed it all.
[Theferns Black Contractor].
How they had acted.
With Being That Should Not Be Awakened.
He also expected that there was another story related to Thefern
Answer, adventurer. Although I have so far attacked so many dungeons, labyrinths, and all kinds of fields. There was only one expedition that could have solved that question.
No way, that was the one time you found it?
Thats right. There was truth in the unknown path.
The truth.
What on earth did Fabian witness?
Amidst the pouring gazes.
Fabians eyes shone.
It means that we have reached the true meaning of conquering.
*
Siren.
When did it start?
The worn-out memories of the mermaid were always directed towards the blue sea.
A sea that they had never seen before.
It was really funny, wasnt it?
Boil.
Looking at the red lava from the rising rock wall.
In their improbable memories.
The sirens were reminded of the sea.
The sea wasnt this hot.
Nor was it meaninglessly vast.
In a real sea, not a sea of lava.
There were other living things swimming beside them.
In a space where they couldnt see anything other than lava, their sense of time had long disappeared. Fortunately, their mind became calm when they imagined the sea.
!
But often that peace was broken.
To be exact.
It broke the moment someone stepped into the sea of lava.
Why?
Before they knew it, sirens had become ferocious creatures.
Just why?
How come?
Why were they desperately trying to protect this hot space?
It was like a curse.
The sirens sincerely wished.
Anyone was fine.
They couldnt die, so they hoped someone would cut off their life.
Suddenly, the ears of the sirens picked up a sound.
Tap tap
The sound of a decisive step.
It was a strange thing.
Even in the sea they had never been to. Even in lava.
It was an unfamiliar sound that they had never heard
Whether it was the sea or lava, there was no place to step on.
It was a very strange thing.
A figure approached from a distance.
But the man was clearly walking on lava.
Splash
Regardless of the mans true intentions, the sirens threw themselves from the rock wall into the lava.
There was only one mission imprinted in their head.
They had to protect the sea of lava.
They had to be more ferocious.
Only then they could free themselves from the curse.
That was all.
However, it was really strange.
?
The lava was supposed to be hot.
To the point that it burned their scales and skins.
No, this wasnt hot, it was cold.
!
To the point that they might misunderstand.
They were swimming in the sea.
As if imagining what they had longed for.
.
.
.
Aesthetic.
Look closely.
Beautiful beauty.
Look for beauty.
It didnt matter whether the path to beauty was fancy, difficult, or complex.
Grandfel would get there somehow.
Like now.
[Quest: Lava Siren]
Among thousands of crossroads.
You who have witnessed the only path.
Only you can save the sirens.
Encounter the lava sirens. (Successful)
Dispose of the lava sirens. (Fail)
Make lava sirens wish come true. (In Progress)
Of course, it was quite annoying for me to have to deal with his stubbornness.
Nevertheless, I had no choice but to carry on.
Even if it meant I had to force the lava to cool down like seawater.
Make lava sirens wish come true. (Successful)
[Youve met the conditions.]
[You will be rewarded.]
.
.
.
Top of the Zero Mountain, the dragons nest.
A dragon crept up his eyelids.
A beautiful song came from the heart of the mountains.
It came from the sirens.
.
The old dragon pondered.
Indeed, my mother.
World Tree, your choice is not wrong.
Soon, the old dragon raised its huge body and spoke.
Awake from your eternal sleep, my kins.
The time had finally come.
Dawn has arrived.
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