Chapter 12: Hostility Unveiled

“I never imagined I’d be openly hated.”

Levan hadn’t even considered that possibility.

At first, he thought it was normal to be antagonized by all the magicians, so he accepted it. But for them to be so blatantly hostile like this?

And on top of that, the taxi driver looked incredibly angry for some reason.

It seemed likely that a War Mage-type algorithm had been added to his behavior patterns, or perhaps one that he already possessed had been activated.

It was bewildering in many ways.

But the stunned expression lasted only a second.

Levan naturally changed his expression and calmly said,

“You must have mistaken me for someone else.”

“A War Mage? I’m actually on my way to Helheim to transfer jobs, you know?”

“Hmm? Really?”

“Yes. Look at this as proof.”

Levan showed the magical staff hanging from his wrist.

“I don’t know if you know what a War Mage is, but since the name Mage is included, I must be a magician. But what kind of magician would carry a staff like this? I’m currently heading to Helheim to become a staff warrior.”

“Oh... I see.”

“Right? So please start moving quickly; I’m busy.”

“Is that what you’re going to say?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t know much, do you? From the moment you officially become Rubix’s successor, all magicians receive a public order from the Magic Tower to treat War Mages as enemies. And since you’re a magician, you should know that, right?”

“What? What do you mean...”

“Well, since you’re a magic-user who’s been branded a heretic, of course you wouldn’t know. This authority is only given to Magic Tower-affiliated magicians.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.”

That made sense.

Still, it was certainly annoying that for such a trivial reason, while everyone else could easily ride in the taxi, Levan was the only one who couldn’t.

Besides, the taxi driver had been treating Levan coldly from the start, so Levan decided to return the favor by showing his true feelings.

“So what? Does that mean I have to be treated like this by every magician I meet?”

“Obviously! So get lost!”

It wasn’t just disdain—it was downright rude.

Even though Levan hadn’t done anything wrong, he suddenly felt a wave of sadness from being treated like this simply because he was a War Mage.

But feeling sorry for himself and running away was not Levan’s style.

He had experienced similar things in reality before.

“Bringing up old memories for no reason…”

Levan—or rather, Sungwoo—had once been ostracized by his former friends just for the fact that he was receiving treatment for a disease.

Even though he was nearly fully recovered.

No explanation worked.

They just needed someone to bully.

At first, such harassment was physically exhausting.

Being bombarded relentlessly by a group was unimaginably painful.

But he didn’t want to tell his psychiatrist, Yangwoo, about it.

It was embarrassing to admit he was being ostracized at such a young age, and he feared the problem would only escalate if he spoke up.

So the method Sungwoo chose was none other than…

“Then I guess I have no choice.”

“Since I’m going to be treated like this anyway, I might as well do my job. Let’s fight. My deity ordered me to beat up every magician I meet with this staff.”

[Rubix is very pleased with your statement.]

[Rubix gifts you 3 Skill Cube shards.]

Levan had just swallowed his pride and challenged the taxi driver to a duel when suddenly Rubix sent him Skill Cube shards as a gift.

“So you’re watching me, huh?”

It was a strange feeling, like being under surveillance.

But if used well, it meant he could earn a hefty reward.

This sent the taxi driver into a frenzy.

“What did you say? What the hell is this...!”

“Why? Didn’t your Magic Tower just tell you to treat War Mages as enemies? I guess they never said to be careful, huh?”

“Shut your mouth, you!”

“Shut up! Don’t you know that you have to speak kindly if you want me to? So, are you going to fight me or not?”

“Why would I fight you? I’m not fighting!”

“Lame, lame. Fine. Then since you’re the one who fled, I guess there’s nothing I can say even if rumors spread.”

“What did you say?”

When Sungwoo had been ostracized, his chosen method was to fight back against those who mocked him.

Of course, Sungwoo wasn’t good at fighting since he had never actually fought anyone before.

But he was far better at dodging and baiting than others, so once a fight started, he would fall down and get back up repeatedly until his opponent was worn out.

That way, his opponent was intimidated by his persistence rather than his skill, and never underestimated him again.

Add to that the Korean-exclusive passive skills he had equipped in the game.

“Alright then, come at me! Let’s go!”

…And just like that, he could complete an epic quest’s required duel very quickly.

After the taxi driver accepted Levan’s duel request, Levan saw system messages related to it.

[Magician Hudson has accepted the duel proposal.]

[Both parties may summon the Duel God to arbitrate a fair duel.]

Hudson—the angry taxi driver—spoke.

“Damn it! Follow me right now! The duel will be at the village duel grounds!”

Levan had wanted to change locations anyway, so it was perfect timing.

Hudson took off the armband labeled ‘Movement’ from his forearm and strode ahead toward the village’s duel grounds.

When they arrived, the manager of the duel grounds, number 400, greeted Hudson warmly.

“Hey, Mr. Hudson. Are magicians really so serious about dueling at the village duel grounds?”

“Why else would I be here? To duel! So stop wasting time and show me an empty duel arena!”

“Huh? Mr. Hudson, you’re dueling? Who’s your opponent?”

“Me.”

Levan raised his hand when manager 406, Kon, asked, indicating that he was the opponent.

Kon’s face was filled with doubt.

“A user? Mr. Hudson, why are you dueling a user...?”

“Ah, no more questions. Just show me the duel arena already!”

Why was Hudson so angry? Was this another effect of the epic quest?

Levan sighed at Hudson’s unexplained rage and prepared for the duel.

Kon asked,

“Do you want me to help?”

To help meant to call the Duel God as an arbitrator.

But Levan declined.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll summon the Duel God myself.”

“Oh, I see…”

Kon looked disappointed, clearly wanting to see the duel between the two.

But since Levan had impulsively requested the duel, he couldn’t guarantee a 100% victory against Hudson.

In other words, he wanted to fight with as few witnesses as possible to avoid embarrassment if he lost.

After Kon left, only the two remained in the room.

Hudson was already holding a wand about the length of his forearm.

“So he’s the wand user type.”

Magicians also have various kinds of weapons like warriors.

There are wands like Hudson’s short staff, staffs like Levan’s, orbs known as magic balls—typical examples.

Hudson spoke in an angry voice.

“Start already!”

“Wait a moment first.”

Levan calmed Hudson and then summoned the Duel God in his usual way.

[Summoning the Duel God.]

The summoning was simple.

Just expressing the desire to summon the Duel God would make him appear.

A faint haze gathered before Levan’s voice, and a child who looked about seven years old appeared.

“Hello, hello. I’m the Duel God. Are you two the ones dueling?”

“Yes, that’s right. Duel God.”

“Good. Have you decided on the duel rules? I prefer deathmatches where one person fights until the other dies.”

“No, that’s unnecessary. We just want a fair duel.”

“Alright, you want a fair duel, huh?”

When Levan requested a fair duel, the Duel God asked Hudson for his opinion.

Hudson snapped back angrily.

“What? A fair duel? What nonsense is that?!”

Hudson was furious because a ‘fair duel’ meant balancing the powers of both duelists equally.

And since Hudson was overwhelmingly stronger and wanted to crush the rookie Levan like a novice, he naturally hated the idea.

But Levan wasn’t stupid.

“Why would I do that? I’m not a fool.”

Even if he lost, or even if they fought a deathmatch, Levan had nothing to lose.

As a level 10 low-rank user, he had no prestige to lose or life to worry about.

When Hudson got angry, Levan took the opportunity to retort with a smile.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m barely level 10 Parisian, and even though I’m a War Mage, do you really think you could fight me without any balance adjustment? Your Magic Tower has always been lame like that. You couldn’t kill Rubix fairly, so you resorted to cheap tricks.”

“Alright, alright! Shut up already! Fine, I’ll accept your request for a fair duel, so shut your mouth this instant!”

Nice shot.

This is why emotional people never win.

Levan motioned to the Duel God to proceed with the duel as the situation unfolded as planned.

The Duel God asked,

“Alright. The duel method is set. What about the victory reward?”

Levan asked Hudson,

“You look like you’ve been wasting your days in Paris. So, how about putting some money on the line? Want to bet some cash?”

“I don’t accept money from a War Mage! I just want to keep my own and the Magic Tower’s honor.”

“Alright then. I’ll settle for a taxi ticket to Helheim and a sincere apology.”

Thanks to proud Hudson, the reward negotiation was settled swiftly.

With the method and reward set, all that remained was a brutal battle.

The Duel God clapped its hands, officially marking the distance between the two as regulated.

“Alright, prepare yourselves.”

[A moment later, the duel begins.]

[The duel method is a fair duel with power balancing between duelists.]

Whoosh!

As the power adjustment took effect, Levan strangely felt his strength increase.

From now on, Levan had the same power as Hudson.

And then,

[The duel begins.]

The duel started.

“Ha!”

As soon as the duel began, Hudson pulled out his wand and began casting spells.

What was he trying to conjure?

Levan quickly activated a skill at a similar speed.

Ping!

A command was executed, presenting two options in the void:

One was 22 cubes, the other 33 cubes.

Levan’s choice?

“Obviously, 33 cubes.”

Click, click, click!

Levan selected the 33 cubes.

As soon as he drew them, the cubes aligned perfectly.

[You have completed a Hold.]

[Please select the target for the skill.]

“Target: Hudson.”

[Hold activated.]

Levan completed the Hold much faster than Hudson, immobilizing him.

The enhanced Hold had a mastery option that extended its duration by 2 seconds when using 33 cubes.

Therefore, the Hold applied to Hudson lasted a full 7 seconds!

In a duel where every second counts, 7 seconds felt like an eternity.

As soon as Hudson’s time stopped, Levan immediately grabbed the magical staff hanging on his wrist.

“This is going to hurt.”

The distance between Levan and Hudson closed instantly.