Chapter 98: The Return of Magic

“Magic… is over.”

Mutins Kratz.

Born and raised in Arilleia, he lived with a strong pride in being a resident of Arilleia.

From his earliest childhood, what he saw was his father, obsessed with magic from dawn to dusk.

Not just his father.

All Arilleians were similar.

To reclaim magic and revive it—

This was the dream and goal of all Arilleia.

“This is madness! It’s impossible!”

But one day, when he saw his father suddenly throwing away the densely stacked magic books on his desk, when he saw his father lost and empty, having lost his purpose in life, he made a vow in front of his father’s abandoned grave.

Wiping away the thick dust settled on the desk, he realized.

“Magic is over.”

Mutins Kratz.

He was human.

In Arilleia, where elves and half-elves were the majority, he was one of the few pure-blood humans left.

An ordinary human.

That was why, unlike the elves, his emotions changed frequently and he never clung to impossible things all his life.

He had actively insisted on accepting the loss of magic and moving forward in another direction.

And slowly, the results began to show.

Among the elves, those tired of endless failure began to emerge.

He could only be more certain—

Magic no longer exists.

This world has completely lost it.

“I am the last mage left in this world.”

But what was that arrogant tone?

Wielding a massive staff as if he were really a great mage from some ancient story.

A fleeting glance that seemed full of pity, as if knowing everything.

“Hio Pavlenko.”

Behind him poured a blinding mass of light that was almost blinding.

Parting the distant clouds, the sacred light swords slowly revealed themselves.

One alone was already disastrous; dozens of them dominated the entire sky, cutting through it.

“What is that…?”

Everyone was dumbfounded, staring at it.

Not only inside the conference hall, but all of Arilleia was looking up, stunned.

So Hio Pavlenko was claiming that this was magic.

Nonsense.

‘How could something like that possibly be magic?’

Even if it were a skill… no one had ever heard of such a skill.

If anyone could do that, they would already be counted among the strongest on the continent…

“…Guardian Knight of the Emperor.”

Yes. The author was a figure who had claimed the seat of the empire’s strongest Guardian Knight.

Suddenly, everyone snapped to their senses.

They must not be mesmerized.

‘Had they not promised? Were they not certain?’

In the disheveled room of his father, before the dusty desk, had they not opened their eyes wide and clenched their fists tightly?

Magic is impossible.

That must be just his skill claiming to be magic.

The overwhelming sight must have crushed their strength.

Though the continent’s people may have simply nodded in agreement at such a claim by a powerful figure, in Arilleia, the place that preserves magic and protects dragons, such lies would not work.

And Mutins’ expectation was once again proven wrong.

“Indeed, this is your magic.”

That was why Regarda, the great protector of Arilleia, nodded.

Despite the domineering scene that had taken over the sky, Regarda simply folded his arms with a silent expression.

Even the sight of the sacred sword, a power comparable to his ultimate weapon, the Dutchman, left him unfazed.

From Regarda’s perspective, it was natural.

He immediately realized that this was just an illusion.

Therefore, he rather accepted it as magic.

There was no way Hio Pavlenko, who wielded power comparable to his own, would have such a showy skill.

There was no need for that.

Moreover, Hio Pavlenko was someone who knew Kreutzvalt.

For Regarda, who knew this fact, Hio Pavlenko was simply a mage.

He would easily accept it with just a little evidence.

“Magic… there’s no way magic is possible…”

Yet Mutins muttered while staring at the sky filled with swords.

Magic has been completely lost. That had already become the law of this world.

‘He was so certain, but why?’

‘Why on earth?’

“I see. Hio Pavlenko, I understand what you are trying to show.”

Even the noblest elf nodded in agreement.

What was it that they understood?

He understood nothing.

‘How could such power be possible in a mere human body?’

‘Why did the great protector and the noblest elf accept that as magic?’

‘What exactly was Hio Pavlenko’s true identity?’

Knowing nothing, confusion was inevitable.

Mutins’ reaction was the strongest among the pure-blood humans, but most in the hall shared that confusion.

It was enough to cause chaos that someone who suddenly appeared claimed to be a mage, and on top of that, the overwhelming spectacle and the recognition by Regarda and Isidore.

Savoring those reactions, Hio smiled faintly.

‘Illusion – Judge of God’ is a skill using illusion magic.

That means what they were seeing was based on magic but was definitely a skill.

Not magic, but a skill.

‘Well, as long as the meaning is conveyed.’

‘What did it matter?’

If I say it’s magic, then it’s magic.

There is no one here who can distinguish between magic and skill.

“…Isn’t this cheating?”

He lightly ignored the second mentor’s dissatisfied grumble.

What mattered was proof of magic.

And planting hope once again in their hearts.

A small seed of hope.

It would eventually grow into a large tree, coloring the future green.

‘If you’re dissatisfied, come out and debate magic with me.’

Behind Hio, a sword of golden radiance fell toward Arilleia.

Raising his staff once again.

A light twirl of his hand.

「Skill – ‘Illusion – Judge of God’ is deactivated.」

At that single motion, the divine swords that had been piercing down across Arilleia vanished.

Light disappeared in an instant.

Created with one staff wave, and vanished just as if it were a dream.

“…Magic…”

‘What other word could describe this phenomenon but magic?’

Thus silence fell upon the hall.

Within the silence was an inaudible chaos.

Among them, only three kept their composure.

The always gentle noblest elf, Isidore.

Regarda, the protector of Arilleia who recognized Hio Pavlenko as a mage.

And…

Toll? (W.)?, the one who tilted her head—Freya.

***

Adventurers Guild Headquarters.

This was the strongest among the possessed groups revealed in the open.

[Rank 1, Jijoncheonma, operated alone.]

[Rank 2 had built their status in the imperial capital.]

[Rank 3, Airlights, had vanished following the fall of the Heuka.]

[Rank 5, Sirbert, was active as a professor at the Imperial Academy and had stepped into politics, but that became meaningless after Sylvia Verden ascended the throne.]

In this world, possessed gathered around Daphne as a focal point in the Adventurers Guild.

They were awakening heroes who received the highest honors in each country of the outside world but operated under Daphne here.

However, there was little dissatisfaction with that.

Being under Daphne here did not spread to the outside world.

What mattered was honor and power in the outside world, namely Earth.

Rather than creating another group here and competing with Daphne, working with her was more advantageous and comfortable.

Because of this, the Adventurers Guild headquarters was able to gather top-ranking awakened from various countries.

They understood the gravity of the current situation and convened for a meeting.

The 51st floor, the entrance to the Abyss, had appeared in various places around the world.

The Abyss was already reaching its mid-stage overnight.

They gathered quickly, knowing the difficulty.

At the guild’s conference hall, a top-grade Vision Stone was placed at the center, emitting light.

Among the Vision Stones purchasable at the Point Shop, this was the most expensive and highest quality.

Not only a visual effect but a mysterious stone that delivered everything contained within.

An artifact that provided a vivid sensation surpassing a modern 4DX cinema.

Swoosh—

Therefore, the conference hall was in the middle of a vast ocean.

Raging waves, fierce rain and wind, the salty brine smell, and thunder crashing vividly.

In that ocean’s depths, what appeared was a collision of natural forces that was hard to believe even while watching.

The sea was overturned, and lightning rained down in response.

Thunder rumbled endlessly, shaking the sky, but the infinite sea relentlessly surged forward.

A sea dragon roared on the water, and with the gesture of the man riding it, the sea shifted.

Raindrops changed direction with the dragon’s movements, soon turning into blades that endlessly assaulted a single person.

The sea dragon’s breath contained lightning, but the man facing it was calm.

“…Jijoncheonma.”

With someone’s murmur, the footage reached its climax.

Blue flames spread widely, blocking the sea, and lightning gathered to form a massive spear.

Under the stormy sky, the man holding the lightning and looking down on the sea—what should he be called?

The lightning spear alone was fearsome, and the one who met it without hesitation—what should they be called?

Like yellow Sword Aura resembling a dragon, it burst from the spear, and the two spear tips clashed with a flash of lightning.

Kwahhhhhh!

With an ear-splitting roar, strong light dominated the view.

A massive shockwave raged, ships overturned, and with the world seeming to invert—

“Ugh…!”

The footage finally ended.

The stormy sea was gone, replaced by the dim guild conference hall.

“This is the recent whereabouts of Hio Pavlenko. As you can see, he headed to Arilleia and it has been confirmed that he fought the Ruler of the Western Sea.”

Those gathered were all ranked within the top 100.

They were regarded as the highest forces of their countries.

Not limited to game rankings but recognized as heroes through continuous growth.

They were the ones to share critical information and discuss countermeasures.

“So that’s Jijoncheonma who holds the Guardian Knight of the Emperor title…”

Because the footage was so vivid and majestic, their tensed muscles finally relaxed.

Even heroes of nations were overwhelmed by the battle.

“He fought a battle on par with Regarda, who was considered one of the strongest. What was the outcome?”

“That is unknown. This is as far as we have confirmed.”

“What if Jijoncheonma was defeated? Wouldn’t that be a disaster?”

“Regardless of who won, it’s certain neither is unharmed.”

“Right. Why did Jijoncheonma deliberately go to Arilleia and clash with Regarda during such a critical time…?”

Murmurs filled the conference hall.

Because it was such an incredible battle, initial shock was replaced by regret.

If he had been here now, worries could have been greatly eased.

“From what I have confirmed, it seems he has another plan.”

The dim conference hall brightened again, and Daphne’s voice echoed throughout.

“There is something even greater behind the truth we know. He must be fighting against it.”

The terrible experience from the Abyss.

Hio Pavlenko facing it with calm determination.

“We don’t know what it is now, but it’s clear what we must do is very important.”

For now, they confirmed they couldn’t rely on Jijoncheonma’s help.

What remained was for those gathered here to exert their full strength and overcome this crisis.

That which was called the 51st floor.

“Any contact from the vanguard… still none?”

Daphne slowly shook her head.

Her expression was serious.

“None. Neither from the outside world nor here.”

So far, the method to conquer the Abyss was simple.

Deploy the vanguard.

They would then analyze the form of the Abyss, return to report, or, if the situation was dangerous like a maze incident, log out and notify the outside world.

Then, Daphne and other guild-affiliated awakened would form an expedition and dispatch.

However, no word came from the vanguard sent to investigate the 51st floor.

Even though they sent a team of ten capable of enduring any situation, no one reported back.

“There are only two possibilities.”

Thinking coldly, “Either they were wiped out.”

Or, “Or the area is one where logging out is impossible.”

A place you cannot escape.

Of course, there had never been a place where logging out was impossible before.

Because logging out was possible even in dangerous situations, the Bingija were able to explore this world at ease.

They could enter the Abyss without great fear despite its reputation.

But if a place where logging out is impossible appears—

This was truly an extremely dangerous emergency.

“We must make a decision now.”

Daphne announced her decision to everyone.

“Gather all available personnel.”

Failure in the conquest would mean the beginning of destruction.

It would be a disaster incomparable even to the failure on Abyss First Floor.

Whether in this world or the outside world.

So, “We will mobilize all forces to form the 51st floor expedition.”

The first large-scale expedition was about to be formed.