Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 111 "...Ahem." The former Tower Master, Palag, who had been dramatically drawing out his story, cleared his throat awkwardly. It was because the listeners' reactions were lukewarm even at the part where they were supposed to exclaim in admiration. Palag found the cause within himself. He had spoken too convoluted and roundabout. Come to think of it, their reaction made sense. -Then, in a certain village, I met a girl. She was a 3rd Rank swordsman who had already mastered the Blue Breath. Who would hear that story and immediately reach the conclusion that 'a 3rd Rank swordsman who had already mastered the Blue Breath overturned her existing constitution with innate talent and achieved magical accomplishment!?' 'Why is he suddenly talking about a swordsman? Is he getting old? Is this the age where he likes to chat endlessly?' That would be the normal reaction. Just like them right now. In that sense, he truly could be called the Mastien family's Talent Scout. Dray. Only he recognized 'her' true worth and showed amazement. Thus, Palag's enthusiasm, which had nearly died, barely revived. No. Even if the flow was broken, that enthusiasm could be said to have come more alive. After all, bragging is only enjoyable when done to someone who properly recognizes its value, isn't it? "..." Glancing repeatedly. Dray's eyes, filled with unusual light, kept turning toward Palag's disciple, Moria. -Damn. Where on earth did he find something like that? That reaction, as if such a voice could be heard, properly stirred up Palag's desire to boast. Palag broke the brief awkward silence that followed and continued his story. "Yes. I understand. This old mage seemed like he was going to talk about the young mage he newly took in, but then suddenly starts talking about some swordsman. But let me be clear. I have never strayed from the topic of my story." Palag looked at the woman standing beside him. Her appearance was youthful, as if she had just shed her girlish nature. Her abundant brown hair gleamed like the mane of a well-bred colt, and her brown eyes held a strong light as if they would shine even in a dark cave. "Moria." Palag called her name. "Yes, Lord Palag." "I know it's an unreasonable request, but could you show them that once? It's shameless of me, but I'd like to brag about you in front of people." "An unreasonable request? Please don't say such things. It's Lord Palag's words. I'll gladly comply." Moria, who made Palag smile with her spirited yet dignified answer, closed her eyes and concentrated her mind. "Whooo..." Each breath she took and each movement of her chest bore traces of concentration. Soon, veins stood out on her forehead, and cold sweat beaded and flowed down her straight forehead. They didn't know. How much she was concentrating right now. More precisely, in what manner she was concentrating. She mustn't be too excellent. Because it might arouse suspicion. But she also couldn't be too clumsy. Because it wouldn't leave a strong impression. Her concentration was for control. And that control was for deception. Moria. Right now, she was acting as a young genius born with natural talent. *** [Title: No way, is Moria's f*cking insane specs real? lol] Content: How does some 5th Rank scrub have better traits than me, a 7th Rank? Palag and Dray are trying to remove the rose-colored glasses about Moria, but it feels like my own rose-colored glasses are getting removed instead? Is my character that I thought I raised so well actually just a mediocre trash character? Damn, is this right for a 5th Rank? -: That's why she's not 5th Rank -[OP]: ? -[OP]: Was I mistaken? 1~4 : 1rank 5~9 : 2rank 10~19: 3rd Rank 20~29 : 4rank 30~39 : 5rank 40~59 : 6rank 60~69 : 7rank then? -: Correct -[OP]: But Moria's level is 33? -: Originally it's 70 -[OP]: ? -: Moria's exact level is 70. If the level appears as 33, immediately delete the game and leave a 0.5-star rating -[OP]: What's with this sudden Neapolitan ghost story? -: Encouraging people to immediately delete this trash game and give it a shit rating isn't a Neapolitan ghost story but a Neapolitan good deed story, right? -: I heard people who didn't do what it said died from poison buildup playing this shit game ㅠ -[OP]: What the hell is this, is it a joke or real? -: Moria is originally a High Priest of the White Shadow Cult -: With a skill similar to reverse aging She gave up her realm and regained youth to act like a newbie -[OP]: So she's a regressor, damn -: Regression (physical) -: So her level is 33 but Her traits and skills rival most 8th Ranks -[OP]: No way, she reset her life level just to cosplay as a newbie? She's really an extreme smurf -: It's the big picture yeah She needs to become a newbie to deeply infiltrate other large organizations, secure important positions, and cause chaos *** Moria's mana responded to her breathing. The mana that had been quietly contained within the vessel called a mage resonated with her will and circled around her body. It was clearly a mage's breathing technique. The form of that breathing began to slowly change. The mana that had been circling around her body began to move with a single purpose. Eventually, that mana settled into her body. Mana that assimilated with the body rather than the will. It was the Blue Breath, the breathing technique of swordsmen. A fundamental gap exists between the two breathing techniques. Like the difference between a bird's flapping wings and a four-legged beast's running. To transition between the two requires not only a special constitution, but also a firm and intuitive sense that won't be shaken by any external factors. That was the significance contained in the action Moria just demonstrated. Mimicking the existence of a Magic Swordsman that defies logic. Extreme sensation expressed through extremely inefficient behavior. It was absolutely not a depth that someone her age could possess. There was only one expression that could describe a state so far beyond the normal category. "Genius..." That expression from the Talent Scout held extraordinary meaning. His eyes held the maximum amount of unusual light. "..." Moria smiled faintly at Dray. Even though the Great Noble showed admiration, her attitude remained simply composed. It was false youth and talent obtained by abandoning the realm of the 8th Rank. Moria fully understood and was enjoying that unfairness. "...!" Natural talent and the confidence to fully understand it. The Great Noble family's Talent Scout was briefly overwhelmed by such a young genius. He spoke to Palag with a strangely weary expression. "Did Lord Palag teach her this?" "As you well know, such sensation cannot be taught or learned. It's a blessing that only those born with it can enjoy." "When Lord Palag discovered her, was she already in such a state?" "Even though she was a swordsman, when I showed her magic, she immediately copied it, and when I taught her one thing, she understood ten." "Had she perhaps received teaching from someone else before?" "All she said was that she learned by watching over the shoulders of adventurers and mercenaries who occasionally visited the village." Then, a bold voice interjected between the two. "That's right. I'm also self-taught." "..." "..." "Also." At that meaningful statement, Palag and Dray's gazes turned to Moria. She was already looking somewhere else. It was in the direction where Heinya Ye Mastien was sitting. "Just like the Young Lady." The situation was clear. A genius was showing competitive spirit toward another genius. "I've heard plenty of rumors about the Young Lady. That she's a genius mage born with unprecedented talent?" After saying that much, Moria observed Palag's reaction. He felt bewildered by Moria's sudden action, but that was all. A pleasant smile spread across the former Tower Master's lips as he looked at the bold genius mage. It contained anticipation of what she might show next. The more she showed the Former Blue Tower Master... The more the former Blue Tower Master felt, the higher the value of the 'genius' created by the High Priest would rise. Moria felt it was just one more time. If she made just one more strong impression on the former Blue Tower Master, he would reverse his decision to step away from the front lines. To take her back to the Blue Magic Tower. Heinya Ye Mastien. The mage whose genius had already earned her fame across the entire continent was an ideal sacrifice. The High Priest intended to exploit Heinya's genius and reputation to further solidify 'Moria's' existence. She gave Heinya a provocative smile. "I often hear the same story about myself. That I'm a genius mage born with natural talent. So, how about it? Shall we determine who the true genius is, right here, right now?" The original Heinya would have accepted that proposal without a moment's hesitation. The arrogant genius mage could never tolerate someone surpassing her. "Determine who the true genius is...?" However, the current Heinya only chewed over the challenger's words with a dazed expression. Moria thought that appearance was her being overwhelmed by the 'extraordinary feat' she had just demonstrated. Not only Palag, but Dray also had similar thoughts. Because they knew how unfair and incomprehensible the talent that made such action possible was. "Wait-" The passive appearance of his younger sister, different from what he knew. Dray felt uncomfortable and tried to smooth over the situation. "...Pffft." It was then that Heinya suddenly burst into a chuckle. "Determine who the true genius is?" She said while looking at Moria. It was a gaze filled with pity, as if looking at her own foolish past self. "..." Moria, who understood that as a display of confidence, also burst into a chuckle. 'That little brat dares...' The High Priest acting as a youth found the youngster's arrogance infinitely irritating. Moria was about to speak to press Heinya further, but- Heinya's attention had already left Moria. "What do you think?" Heinya asked the man sitting across from her- Risir. When a person who hadn't even been on their radar suddenly emerged, confusion appeared on the three people's faces. "Heinya, if you suddenly drag Risir into this, won't his position become awkward?" Dray said with a bitter smile. While a smile appeared on his lips thinking that such unhesitant sudden action was truly like Heinya, he couldn't shake the thought that Risir was pitiful. It was a situation where the former Tower Master Palag and the genius mage he acknowledged were sparkling with interest. If an ordinary mage were dragged into such a situation, all he could do from his position was despair while keenly feeling his own ordinariness. 'Am I perhaps missing something?' Dray thought again. His clever younger sister couldn't possibly be unaware of that. "What? Are you uncomfortable?" "To be honest, I am a bit uncomfortable. I didn't think it was an atmosphere for me to join in." "Geez. Stop being unnecessarily modest. Look at what she's saying. She's telling me to determine who the true genius is, and you don't find that funny?" Moreover, the Heinya he knew wasn't the type to ask for others' opinions in such situations. Perhaps Risir had something special that he hadn't discovered? Dray recalled the moment he first encountered Risir. At that time, Dray had gauged his magical power to assess Risir's realm. What he learned that way. His current physical condition was not good. Due to the aftereffects of severe overload, both his magical power and body were in an unstable state, making it impossible to even gauge his precise realm. To not clearly understand his own limits and experience overload beyond what he could handle. At that point, regardless of realm, he could be called substandard. If he hadn't been his younger sister's friend, he wouldn't have taken any interest in him. Thus, Dray's first evaluation of Risir was quite poor. "Young Lady. I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Why is his opinion important in this situation?" "Lady Heinya, Moria is sincere. So please, couldn't Lady Heinya also approach this a bit more seriously?" Moria and Palag were the same. Having reached the same conclusion as Dray after gauging Risir's realm, they couldn't understand Heinya's current behavior. "Really? She's one thing, but even my brother and Lord Palag?" Heinya was briefly flustered by their reactions. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips. Is that so? Those two people also think this guy is-... Soon, she smiled and said to Moria. "Then let's do this. Before sparring with me, spar with him first." "...Are you serious?" "You said let's determine who the true genius is, right?" The focus of the conversation was off. Moria spoke irritably with frustration. "Did I have too high expectations of the Young Lady? Can't you see his current state? He's currently suffering from the aftereffects of severe overload. He's absolutely not in a state where he can spar." "I know that too?" "Pardon?" "?" "?" At the answer that went beyond confident to shameless, confusion appeared on the three people's faces. If she knows that, then why? Even Risir felt the same. "Heinya, knowing that, you're still pushing the spar onto me...?" "Well, you always have a way, don't you?" "Heinya, is the world that easy?" "I don't want to hear that from you?" Risir didn't know what to do with Heinya's infinite trust(?). "Heinya, listen-" It was the moment he was trying to soothe the unreasonable Heinya. "...Hm?" Risir looked down at his own body. *** "Finally...!" Ran, Morin, and The Owner. The three let out a collective sigh. It was a triumph achieved after days of grueling work. At this moment, an agenda concerning a certain man passed by majority vote in the City Council. The series of events that began with the Cultist subjugation was officially concluded. *** [Event has been deactivated] [Event has been deactivated] [Event has been deactivated] [Event has been deactivated] ... ... ... [Event has been deactivated] *** ▷Fate 46: Back Alley Council - has been deactivated. Corresponding perks will be granted. *** ■Risir Level: 57 > 58 [Status ailment has been recovered] *** "Ah... why is this happening again..." Risir sighed and scratched the back of his head vigorously. "Why, what's wrong?" Heinya looked at him and laughed mischievously. Risir let out a deep sigh and said. "Let me make this clear. This isn't something I intended. It's just a coincidence that happened at the right time. Nothing more, nothing less. You shouldn't take this for granted. Understand?" "Ah~ I'm sure you would say that. Of course." "Sigh... The situation is really. I have no choice. Fine, let's give it a try." Heinya burst into laughter. It was laughter that seemed joyful yet somehow hollow. The three big shots and The Saint also had similar expressions to Heinya. "...?" "...?" "...?" Only the three people who couldn't follow the situation had expressions as if possessed by evil spirits. "Ah, wait. Excuse me." I have to do what needs to be done. Feeling his head getting hot, Risir closed his eyes and concentrated his mind. He began to regulate his breathing.