Chapter 515: Chapter 515: The Dark Mages (11)

An unprecedented simultaneous discovery of Persona Gates occurred in the Waning Moon Plains.

Scholars had named this incident the ’Persona Gate Proliferation Event,’ but really, what meaning is there in giving it a pretty name?

"This is serious. The number of Persona Gates multiplying daily is increasing..."

This place is only a few dozen kilometers away from the Lotus Inn, considered the central point of the Waning Moon Plains.

Here, dozens of special structures erected by magic stood, serving as temporary barracks. Just the thought of these buildings being hastily constructed yet functional showcased the sheer prowess of the Mage Association.

The Association continued to dispatch hundreds of magical warriors to the Waning Moon Plains every day, yet the Persona Gates showed no signs of decreasing.

"The speed at which the gates are multiplying is accelerating. At this rate, it’ll surpass the number we can clear daily."

"This can’t be happening... What should we do?"

"Well, didn’t the ancient mages always say that there’s no mystery in the world that can’t be solved? We’ll have to find a way."

True to that belief, the Mage Association was gradually uncovering the truth behind the Persona Gates.

If this continued, it wouldn’t be long before they discovered the existence of the "Core Gate" and realized that clearing it would cause all the gates to disappear.

This was an event classified under ’Predetermined Future’ in Baek Yu-Seol’s Sentient Spec folder... an event bound to happen.

While the [Main Episode] had become so twisted that it was no longer predictable, some events like this followed a different logic.

For instance, when the number 1 appears in a future timeline, it’s inevitable that the number 2 will follow, provided no special variables interfere.

Take Alterisha as an example.

Though she was constantly pushed around by external forces, as long as she remained in Stella, she was destined to invent the ’item’ within a year.

Baek Yu-Seol merely shortened that one-year timeframe to one month, allowing her to outpace the Dark Mages.

Similarly, numerous other incidents adhered to a predetermined sequential timeline, and this Persona Gate Proliferation Event was no exception.

It was a certainty that the Mage Association would eventually resolve the Persona Gate Proliferation Event and take one step closer to uncovering the truth behind the Persona Gates.

"Hmm, we need to try a different approach."

"What kind of approach, sir?"

"Well, instead of recklessly storming into every gate and smashing them to pieces, I feel like there might be a better way..."

"No way. Surely not."

Indeed, the time had come!

At this very moment, the mages were on the verge of a historical breakthrough, about to take their first steps toward uncovering the truth behind the Persona Gates.

"Wait a moment!"

"...Huh?"

"That boy...?"

Just as the mages felt the spark of an idea flickering in their minds, a boy burst into the barracks.

There wasn’t a single mage present who didn’t recognize him.

"Baek Yu-Seol..."

Yes, it was him.

While it was a destined future for the mages to discover the truth about the Persona Gates on their own, was there really any need to leave it entirely to them?

If he claimed the achievement for himself and presented it as his own idea, he could build an extraordinary legacy!

"What brings you here, young man?"

"Well, I’ve come up with a truly groundbreaking idea."

"An idea...?"

Internally, Baek Yu-Seol felt a pang of guilt toward the mages. By now, they were probably brainstorming alternative ways to approach the Persona Gates.

"Yes. Recently, I’ve been investigating several Persona Gates, and I’ve uncovered a truly special idea. Would you like to hear it?"

"Hmm..."

"It’s Baek Yu-Seol himself, after all. That’s reason enough to listen."

Jeliel, who had been exploring the Persona Gates with Baek Yu-Seol for days, had followed him here as well, a question mark practically hovering over her head.

’An idea...?’

The Baek Yu-Seol she had observed over the past few days had done nothing but frantically navigate through dozens of inner worlds, like a miner extracting Persona Gates. He didn’t seem like someone who had stumbled upon some groundbreaking idea.

’Though, there was something slightly different about him.’

It was truly peculiar.

She had heard of rare cases where a mage, after breaking through a Persona Gate, experienced a enlightenment and grew several levels stronger.

But such occurrences were extraordinarily rare... virtually unheard of. Yet, with Baek Yu-Seol, she got the impression that he grew just a little bit stronger every time he cleared a Persona Gate.

Of course, Baek Yu-Seol’s abilities were already far beyond her own, making it impossible to gauge how much stronger he was becoming. But one thing was clear: he was achieving things that others couldn’t, moment by moment.

Well, it was no wonder he had earned the title of Honorary Grand Mage, a designation reserved for those with knowledge or skills beyond the Class 7 of magic... at such a young age, no less.

"Alright then... have a seat, and let’s hear you out properly."

***

Meanwhile, just as Baek Yu-Seol had conveniently entered the Mage Association, two Dark Mages were quietly tailing him: Azmik and Kalivan, who had been tasked with assassinating him.

"That lunatic..."

Azmik couldn’t help but feel a chill run down her spine.

In order to assassinate Baek Yu-Seol, it was critical to gather accurate information about him. She had learned that he moved constantly between Persona Gates without rest and had devised a plan to ambush him right after he emerged from one.

Typically, mages who just exited a Persona Gate were exhausted and in a state of collapse, which was why security teams were stationed outside the gates. Of course, Azmik and Kalivan were confident they could easily eliminate those security teams. They had been waiting for Baek Yu-Seol to emerge, but—

"What kind of maniac clears a Persona Gate in 30 minutes and then immediately heads straight to the Magic Tower...?"

Thirty minutes.

Just 30 minutes.

It was an unbelievable result, something no human mage should be capable of achieving.

Azmik believed there was no way he’d be out in just 30 minutes. She had let her guard down... and missed her chance to strike.

But even more surprising was where he went next.

"After wandering around Persona Gates all this time, he suddenly joined forces with the Mage Association...?"

He hastily cleared a Persona Gate in 30 minutes and then rushed straight to the association.

This was clearly different from the behavioral patterns Baek Yu-Seol had shown so far. What could this change mean?

"...It seems he’s figured it out," Kalivan said, prompting Azmik to clutch her forehead with both hands.

"Damn it! How did he notice? We didn’t do anything but watch him from a distance!"

"He could have noticed that too. His senses are far superior to those of ordinary mages, and there’s even information suggesting they surpass those of Dark Mages."

"Argh! Then what are we supposed to do now?"

"There’s nothing we can do for the moment. Even Baek Yu-Seol can’t stay with the association forever. He’s probably searching for a safe zone right now and figuring out how to deal with us."

"So, you’re saying assassination is no longer an option..."

"Exactly."

Kalivan rose from his seat and spoke.

"Further surveillance is meaningless. It seems we’ll have to confront him directly."

"A direct confrontation... against the Butcher of Dark Mages? That’s a bit terrifying..."

"No. There might be a chance for us to win."

"What makes you think that?"

"As soon as he realized we were watching him, he hurriedly left the Persona Gate and ran to the association. That means he’s currently in no condition to face us head-on."

"Oh, I see... That’s what it means!"

"Baek Yu-Seol may be known for his meticulousness, but even he must have a weakness. We’ll exploit that opening."

After saying this, Kalivan left the area. Azmik turned around one last time and looked at the association’s barracks, where Baek Yu-Seol was hiding.

’Baek Yu-Seol... whatever scheme you’re planning, it won’t work on us!’

***

Under the bright blue sky, basking in the sunlight, a white-haired girl soared freely. She was none other than Scarlet, who was known as the Queen of Witches.

The cool wind whistled through her milk-white hair as she flew, and she realized it had been a long time since she’d last experienced this exhilarating feeling.

Though, in reality, it had only been a few months.

’Stella feels so stifling...’

She thought about the students, a peculiar group of beings. How could they gather in such cramped spaces, repeating the same routines day after day?

"If only everyone could live freely."

Letting the wind carry her, Scarlet felt a deep sense of relief.

Currently, she wasn’t in her original body, which meant her senses were only functioning at half their capacity. These senses included her sight, hearing, touch, and taste.

Still, she supposed she should be grateful for having even half of her senses.

Previously, even when summoning her astral body, she could barely utilize 10% of her senses, making it impossible to roam outside properly.

’This body is so inconvenient.’

It was smaller, slower, and weaker than her original body, and her dulled senses made everything feel frustrating.

’I suppose I’ll never walk in my true body again.’

Scarlet’s original body was sealed in one of the deepest, most hidden places in the Aether World, bound tightly and unable to move.

Not a single mage had discovered her in the thousand years since her sealing. And even if someone did, there was no mage capable of breaking the seal.

Even if every Class 9 mages came together, it might still be impossible.

Her seal seemed to have an exceptionally special incantation, so much so that even after a thousand years, Scarlet herself couldn’t break it.

"Hah, as if losing my voluptuous body and living in this childlike form wasn’t pitiful enough..."

Scarlet grumbled as she flew through the sky, but her eyes suddenly sparkled as she noticed something happening on the ground below.

Even with only 50% of her sensory capacity compared to her original body, her perception as the Queen of Witches was extraordinary... transcending even the realm of superhumans.

’As I thought...’

Scarlet quietly landed on the highest root of the First World Tree, the Heavenly Spirit Tree, piercing even through the clouds.

The recent movements of the Dark Mages had been suspicious, but she hadn’t expected them to attempt to approach a global figure like the Elf King.

The Dark Mages, camouflaged as shadows, moved stealthily to avoid detection by others. But they couldn’t escape Scarlet’s discerning gaze.

It was likely that the Elf King, who shared a sensory connection with the World Tree, had also noticed their presence.

’In that case, this must be a trap.’

Normally, the Elf King would sense the Dark Mages and send forces to deal with them.

But the situation this time was unusual. Recently, three individuals had visited the Elf King, Florin.

’With the arrival of the Dark Elf, the Elf King is bound to act more cautiously. Perhaps she’ll even take matters into her own hands...’

A Dark Elf had been imprisoned, and now the Dark Mages had infiltrated the World Tree? The circumstances couldn’t be more suspicious.

’I hope the Elf King has the wisdom to discern what’s truly going on.’

In Scarlet’s eyes, past Elf Kings had always been so foolish and uninspiring that they left no positive impression on her.

That was precisely why she had come here personally. The Elf King was one of the few individuals who shared a special connection with Baek Yu-Seol.

If anything were to happen to the Elf King, it would undoubtedly sadden Baek Yu-Seol. Scarlet had come all this way for no other reason than to prevent that from happening.

’They’ll use that bait to test the Elf King’s response. So, where is the main group hiding?’

Scarlet narrowed her eyes, scanning the World Tree from top to bottom, but couldn’t see anything suspicious. With her sensory abilities limited, detecting Dark Mages who were intentionally hiding themselves was difficult.

The presence of bait implied there were Dark Mages concealing their identities nearby. However, taking the bait was far too risky. On the other hand, ignoring the bait meant there was no way to uncover their identities, leaving her stuck in a dilemma.

’In moments like this...’

As Scarlet pondered her next move, an unexpected event occurred.

Thwack! Thwack!

"...What?"

Suddenly, sharp tree roots erupted from the ground, piercing through the Dark Mages who had been silently moving within the shadows.

The fact that they had used shadow magic suggested they were at least risk level 6 or 7 Dark Mages. Yet, they were slain instantly, without even making a sound.

"It seems this Elf King is rather fiery."

Scarlet recalled the past Elf Kings.

How many of them had foolishly preached peace and love, extending a hand even to their enemies, only to lose their heads in the end?

But unlike those naive predecessors, this current Elf King was clearly different.

"This... could be interesting."

With this level of decisiveness, it was likely that the Elf King had also noticed the same clues Scarlet had.

Her curiosity deepened.

How would the Elf King handle the hidden Dark Mages now?

But then, something Scarlet had never anticipated happened.

A woman in a fluttering black dress descended gracefully onto the corpses of the slain Dark Mages.

Her elegance was so otherworldly that for a moment, Scarlet was mesmerized, as if a celestial goddess had descended from the heavens. She quickly shook herself back to her senses.

"What the... Is she insane?"

The figure who appeared was none other than the current Elf King, Florin.

As she elegantly gestured with her hand, a breeze swept through, removing her veil and revealing a face said to be the most beautiful in the world.

Florin calmly surveyed her surroundings with serene, lowered eyes, then drove a tree firmly into the ground atop the corpses of the Dark Mages and stood there quietly, waiting.

It seemed she was waiting for the hidden Dark Mages to reveal themselves.

’Such a reckless approach... It’s just like something Baek Yu-Seol would do.’

However, her confident demeanor showed no hint of failure. Her stance seemed to proclaim:

’Come on, anyone. I’ve deliberately taken your pathetic bait.’

Her boldness was so mesmerizing that even Scarlet found herself momentarily captivated.

’I wonder how this will turn out...’

Curiosity took hold of her.

How would the hidden Dark Mages respond to Florin’s approach?

But—

Thirty minutes passed.

Then an hour.

Then half a day.

And yet, no one appeared before Florin.