Chapter 87

 

In a dim room lit only by a single torch:

 

“…But what if a monster appears from inside the castle? Was it really necessary to destroy the drawbridge?”

 

“The moat is already filling with snow. The drawbridge is pointless now. And I do plan to leave the smallest gate intact. It’s narrow but passable.”

 

“Hmm… Understood. Have any players been acting foolishly? I noticed there were women among the otherworlders…”

 

“None. Fortunately, no one is up to mischief when they could be facing death at any moment.”

 

“Well then…”

 

I relaxed my shoulders and cracked my neck a couple of times.

 

The reason I made time to come here was simple.

 

“I want to learn how to manipulate mana.”

 

I decided to start learning this from Baron Jorge today.

 

“Hmm… where should we start?”

 

Baron Jorge stroked his beard gently.

 

“First, let’s start here. Can you feel the magic or mana?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

In the past, a noble on the second floor had guided the mana in my body. With his help, I was barely able to activate ‘Flash Steps’ and subdue the city’s master.

 

Since then, I’ve felt something fuzzy inside me. I can’t control it, but I can feel it.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Baron Jorge nods, walks behind me, and places his hand slowly on my back.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Something flows into me from the direction of my back, touching the magic inside.

 

“…”

 

There’s a ticklish sensation in my body. It’s slightly irritating yet refreshingly cool, like peeling off a scab. It’s an unfamiliar sensation, but not unpleasant.

 

“Phew, that’s done.”

 

After focusing, Baron Jorge wipes the sweat beading on his forehead and steps back.

 

“...What exactly happened?”

 

I didn’t feel any change in myself. My physical condition was the same, and the mana inside me didn’t seem inclined to move.

 

“I’ve identified the problem. But first, let me ask you something. You people, you handle abilities called ‘traits,’ don’t you?”

 

“...Yes?”

 

“Those fundamentally use mana as well. However, ‘players’ use their traits without any issues. How do they do that?”

 

“...Thanks to the status window.”

 

I briefly explained what the status window is and what functions it performs.

 

“So, the traits registered in the status window can be used somewhat instinctively… Then why are you trying to manipulate mana?”

 

“I have a rather unique trait.”

 

The ‘Flash Steps’ and the ‘Heart of Thunder’ had somehow imprinted themselves in my mind, unlike other people’s traits which could be freely activated. Being S-class traits, they might be special, or perhaps all traits that are acquired rather than inherent function in this way.

 

“Good. That explains it. The phenomenon you’re experiencing is common among the nouveau riche in our world.”

 

Baron Jorge begins his explanation, stroking his beard.

 

Whether it’s due to the immense rise in the value of their land or a successful business venture. Regardless of the world, overnight wealth is a universal concept.

 

“When a commoner suddenly becomes wealthy... they initially indulge in luxury. They buy expensive homes, squander money in casinos, and indulge in alcohol and women.”

 

But such luxury eventually becomes tedious, or some simply aren’t suited to a life of reckless enjoyment. For such people, the next obvious step is clear.

 

“They seek to buy their way into a higher status.”

 

They might buy a remote domain, but purchasing land doesn’t make one a baron or a viscount, merely a ‘knight of honor’ at the very bottom of noble society. It’s merely a title, a false nobility.

 

However, there definitely is a way to become a true noble. If one achieves great deeds in battle and catches the eye of the nobility, it’s possible.

 

“After that... they often spend all they have, giving their children elixirs.”

 

The child of a newly rich individual inherits the dream of becoming a ‘true noble,’ and from a young age, they consume various elixirs. It’s not uncommon for a six-year-old to possess more magical power than a knight who has spent his life on battlefields.

 

“So, what does this have to do with me?”

 

“Magic is, after all, a part of the body. It’s difficult to accumulate mana through combat or deep mana cultivation. Once you have the magical power, learning to control it... it becomes natural.”

 

However, if one artificially acquires too much mana, they lose control over the mana itself. It simply exists within the body, and the ability to manipulate it is lost.

 

The fact that Earthlings originally never had mana also plays a role.

 

“The ideal method would be to gradually increase your mana while maintaining control over it... but it’s already too late for you.”

 

“...”

 

Having raised my magical power through stats, I’ve already lost control over my mana.

 

“So, what’s the solution?”

 

Given his confident demeanor, there was clearly a solution. He didn’t have the look of a doctor facing an incurable disease.

 

“It’s simple. Just keep being aware of the mana. If you hadn’t been able to feel the mana, you would have needed my help, but you said you could feel it, didn’t you?”

 

“...Yes.”

 

“Sit down, take slow deep breaths, and meditate. Feel the pulsating flow of mana with each breath in and out. Over time, you will begin to move the mana.”

 

“...”

 

Baron Jorge’s solution was simple. Just keep feeling the mana, and it will naturally begin to move.

 

“...It does sound simple.”

 

I finally understood why the baron had hesitated to share this advice. It was such a trivial tip that it must have pricked his conscience.

 

“Nevertheless, I have no intention of breaking my promise.”

 

“...Thank you.”

 

But the answers to complex problems are often unexpectedly simple. Imagining my future, freely wielding magical power, I smiled faintly.

 

**

 

The second day dawned.

 

“Was there anything during the night?”

 

“No. Not even a wild animal passed by.”

 

Despite having set up a guard duty, nothing had happened.

 

The snow continued to fall heavily, the sky remained blue, and the mountains stood tall.

 

“...We’ll proceed with the same routine as yesterday. However, let’s just assign about ten guards to the wall construction. You never know what might pop out today.”

 

The castle was peaceful, but to me, this calm felt more ominous. Yet, the daily routine remained unchanged.

 

“Move the stones!”

 

The work of filling in the castle gate continued.

 

“We found a secret room on the first floor. There are a few books inside... Mr. Kyung Nam is translating them.”

 

We explored the castle.

 

“Watch out! The stone is falling!”

 

We were demolishing the fourth floor.

 

Everything flowed just as it had the day before. There were no threats to survival, and the atmosphere among the people gradually relaxed.

 

“...Are we sure something’s supposed to happen?”

 

“We slacked off on the second floor too... Isn’t the fourth floor a slack-off as well? So far, the only real threat has been the otherworldly beings.”

 

“...What if the otherworldly beings are just biding their time?”

 

With no immediate crises, people’s imaginations ran wild in negative directions. For now, the discussions remained merely speculative, but what would happen in the future was uncertain.

 

“No, where has Liu Huang or that guy gone?”

 

“Right...”

 

Additionally, after spending more than a day on the fourth floor, we could really feel the issues with the castle.

 

The passageways were narrow, there were many small rooms, and the corridors twisted and tangled like a maze.

 

In short, communication between people was extremely difficult. Finding one person required a great deal of effort, and swift exchanges of opinions were impossible.

 

“Ah, seriously...”

 

We had tried to check if all 100 players were alright, but it wasn’t easy. The only place large enough to gather all 100 was the courtyard in front of the castle.

 

Amid my frustration, kicking the frozen ground hard…

 

“Hmm, hmm.”

 

Hearing a clearing of the throat, I turned to see Baron Jorge, with Sir Thomas in tow, standing there.

 

“...I have something to show you. Can you come along for a moment?”

 

“Of course.”

 

There was much to be done, but I followed without a second word.

 

Baron Jorge’s expression was colder and more serious than ever before.

 

**

 

“You knew we were demolishing the fourth floor?”

 

Baron Jorge spoke as we climbed the stairs. He had been overseeing the complete dismantling of the fourth floor to use its materials to fortify the castle gates.

 

“...I have lived in castles all my life, and visited many other nobles’ castles. This isn’t just a castle; it’s more like a fortress.”

 

There were no windows. The passages were extremely narrow. Naturally, there was no ventilation, and the interior was terribly damp. It was hard to imagine anyone living in such a place.

 

“That was still fine...”

 

Baron Jorge led me to a remote corner of the fourth floor. The ceiling had already been torn away, letting in the snowflakes.

 

Click.

 

Baron Jorge pointed to something with the tip of his finger.

 

“But look here.”

 

What Baron Jorge pointed at was an old wall. It looked like someone had attempted to demolish it with a hammer, leaving several torn patches.

 

“...This.”

 

But it wouldn’t make sense for Baron Jorge to show me a plain wall. Behind the old wall was another wall. There was a narrow gap between them.

 

If it were just a gap, it wouldn’t be an issue...

 

“...”

 

At first glance, the narrow gap seemed ordinary. However, within that small space, a familiar blue portal swirled.

 

Ding!

 

A message window suddenly appeared before my eyes.

 

I murmured softly, almost to myself.

 

“...Let’s keep this hidden.”

 

“I was thinking the same.”

 

Baron Jorge nodded in agreement.

 

...Putting aside the various conflicts this portal could cause, I felt a twinge of fear.

 

Four days left. What is coming that such a thing needs to be here?

 

-93:12:15

– – – End of Chapter – – -

 

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