Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 62 Is this a good thing? Risir was quite flustered, having unintentionally committed the taboo known as bragging. 'Damn, I never intended for this to happen.' After all, wasn't this something the creator had repeatedly emphasized was an inferior version of the original? So Risir had vaguely thought 'even if it's good, it'll be moderately good at best,' never imagining it would be something that would make big shots like Masters and High Priests lose their minds. But what could he do about what had already happened? All he could do now was emphasize his (genuine ignorance) and plead for leniency. Risir quietly tucked away the Spirit Core while the beasts were distracted by each other, watching the chaos unfold before his eyes. 'I wondered how far they'd go, and they're going all the way to the end.' What had begun as an emotional argument between priests and mages with excited shouts of "Argh! Everyone get back! That's mine!" eventually evolved into rational discourse of "Please step aside. That belongs to us." Below follows the reasons why our group should possess the Spirit Core. Oh ho. Then shall we hear our side's opinion as well? Please, do tell. A dignified battle of words. Risir interjected with a hopeful comment. "Everyone. If I may be so bold, the ownership of this item still belongs to me, correct?" "...!" "...!" "...!" At this perfectly reasonable statement that cut to the heart of the matter, everyone except the elf looked as if they'd been struck by lightning. Oh no! I've participated in elfing (the act of unconditionally claiming to be right when it comes to spirits)! (E/N: Ok, not bad) They judged that the Spirit Core Risir had shown was at least a Superior Spirit (corporeal) core. A treasure among treasures that even if you wanted to obtain it for a thousand gold, you couldn't because there's no one who would accept that thousand gold! If only they could research that item, the Magic Tower's knowledge would advance by several levels! With elves trying to 'elf' over such a treasure, how could they not lose their minds! However, looking back, it was quite shameful. Everyone except the elf couldn't lift their heads in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Risir. I've shown you a shameful display." Starting with the High Priest, a flow of acknowledging their disgraceful behavior and apologizing began. "...I misspoke." At the very end, Ratsiel bowed her head toward Risir and apologized. "...!" "...!" "...!" An elf apologizing!? And to a human of lower status than herself!? Some were so shocked they pinched their own thighs. Some priests almost accused the elf, saying 'You were actually an apostle of parasites too!' But upon reflection, it wasn't entirely unreasonable. The Spirit Core that Risir had shown - if anyone in this place understood its value best, it would be the mages of the Green Magic Tower who lived alongside spirits. Even from the perspective of elves who virtually monopolized spirit-related resources, a Superior Spirit's core was a precious item that would make them exclaim 'What is this? Where did it come from?' As a result, Risir's small and precious hairball had accomplished the miracle of drawing respect for humans from elves. Everyone was looking at Risir like dogs hoping for treats. Risir's mouth was itching to speak. 'Lady Feryn's core is a mass-produced core...!' If revealed: 1. Feeling relieved inside. 2. Being able to boast that these things are scattered around our house. He could enjoy such benefits. However, benefits always come with responsibilities. If he revealed the existence of the golden goose in such an official setting, those who would look at the baby wolf with dangerous eyes might appear in the not-so-distant future. Hehe. Hello there, baby wolf? Want to do fun things with uncle? (coughing up hairballs) 'They'd really be dangerous bastards.' Therefore, Risir felt the need for an appropriate change of stance. "Master Ratsiel noticed right away, as expected. You're correct. Actually, the friend who gave me this gift is not a spirit." Surprisingly, Risir didn't need to tell even a slight lie to deceive them. Feryn was both a spirit and not. There couldn't be a better medium for deception. Thanks to this, the lies flowed smoothly as if oiled. "She said she had no interest in material possessions and gave this to me before suddenly departing. I miss her particularly today." Risir added a finishing touch with a bitter smile that seemed to carry a story. "...!" Having suddenly become people fighting over ownership of someone else's meaningful possession, they solemnly bowed their heads. No one could look at Risir anymore with eyes that said 'That's ours, right?' Thus, the bastard succeeded in seizing control of the discourse in a gathering attended by representatives of the Religious Order and Magic Towers. 'So this is why Fienne went around planting flags in this family and that family!' He might awaken to a dangerous sensation if he wasn't careful. Risir pulled himself together and continued speaking. If Feryn had been in this place, she would have said this. 'Do whatever the fuck you want.' Risir interpreted those words as- "If that friend were here, she would have said: 'It's yours now, so do as you wish. But I hope you won't regret it.' Therefore, I hope this item will be used for something meaningful." For example, raising the status of the group I belong to. Risir gave a meaningful look to the Gray Masters. The table is all set, so just come and add your spoon - the demeanor of an alpha bastard. "...!" The Gray Masters were moved and immediately sprang into action. "Lord Bardros. You must have heard what Risir said." "...Yes, I heard it clearly." "?" Why are they suddenly consulting with the Religious Order? "Risir. Your intent. We have received it clearly." You shouldn't be receiving that intent. What did they even receive in the first place? Isn't this a misdelivery? Risir's true feelings cried out. "It certainly seems that way." Risir hid his true feelings and gave a meaningful smile. The focused gazes contained emotions that were far from ordinary: shock, admiration, respect, awe. Receiving all those gazes, he didn't have the confidence to start with 'I think there's been some misunderstanding.' Meanwhile, the conversation continued. "The Gray Magic Tower will positively consider full cooperation with the Religious Order regarding the currently ongoing 'plague cure' development." "Likewise, the Religious Order will positively consider full cooperation with the Gray Magic Tower regarding the currently ongoing 'plague relief' matter." Risir recalled how there had been a battle of wills over the development progress of the 'plague cure' during the earlier show of force. As a major issue that drew public attention and involved the groups' prestige, the tension had been no joke. But suddenly, they were putting all political interests aside to focus on solving the problem. 'Suddenly?' Could it be because of me? The key to the plague cure? Is the value contained in this Spirit Core that significant? Despite his bewilderment, Risir had no choice but to show a satisfied smile. Because the High Priest and Gray Masters were looking at him as if viewing 'a wise young man who had awakened their old and foolish selves.' This must be what you wanted to say, right? Ah. Of course. Of course. Isn't it good when things are good? What had originally been a plan to transfer the Spirit Core to score points with the Magic Tower had ended up scoring points with the Religious Order as well. 'Wow, double the favorability!' Risir concluded the current situation as such and entered enjoyment mode. Seeing the Gray Magic Tower and Religious Order unite through their common denominator of Risir, Enna and Ratsiel suddenly felt something was off. The Gray Master and the Religious Order's High Priest - their judgment and standards shouldn't be much different from their own. But even if he's the owner of a Superior Spirit Core, still. Even if he had made remarkable contributions in rooting out Dark Mages, still. To show such interest in a mere wandering mage - is there something else? Enna and Ratsiel, who had completely withdrawn their interest in Risir after learning his background during their investigation, once again showed interest in him. Then things that hadn't been visible began to appear. "...?" The two doubted their own eyes. The man they had seen yesterday - where had the man gone whose vitality was so depleted that it wasn't even worth gauging his exact rank? A man in perfect condition, as if reborn, stood there. Moreover- "What is this?" Enna, the cool-headed Master of the Blue Magic Tower, who had gained an icy demeanor from attuning to frost, let out a dumbfounded exclamation. *** The Magic Tower's students also had discretion. While they would excitedly spread rumors, they didn't reveal internal Magic Tower affairs to outsiders. However, when that outsider was staying within the Magic Tower, there were limits. During her stay at the Magic Tower, Enna had heard quite a few circulating rumors in passing. The story of a mage who handled the power of Elemental Conversion at 4th Rank. The story of a mage who mastered Blue Breath on the spot. The story of a genius mage who reached 5th Rank before age twenty and was interested in the Gray Magic Tower. And. The most preposterous of all - the story of a mage who reached 5th Rank in less than a week from the beginning of 4th Rank. The wise Master of the Blue Magic Tower didn't attach great significance to such wild rumors. Students busily spreading rumors as if targeting the investigation team's visit - their intentions were so obvious it was almost cute. Yes, the mages of the Gray Magic Tower were attempting their own preemptive strike. We have this in our Magic Tower, but you don't have this in yours, do you? Of course they didn't. The fictional beings created by the students were beyond amazing and at an absurd level. ‘Reaching the 5th Rank from the early 4th Rank in less than a week? What is he, a bamboo shoot?’ No fool who would hear such wild rumors and say 'Wow, really?' could ever become a Master of a Magic Tower. Yet why had she persistently requested Meltas to arrange a meeting with the rumored individual? 'You can't show him anyway, right?' It was a kind of response to their preemptive strike. That was Enna's attitude toward the rumored individuals. ...However, now, Enna had no choice but to correct that attitude. "What is this?" He was a mage and simultaneously a warrior. Why were the traces of two beings walking different paths appearing in a single person? Because of this, she couldn't even accurately gauge Risir's rank. 'Wait.' A mage with warrior qualities? "Don't tell me, the mage who mastered Blue Breath is—" Enna's sudden question. The answer came not from Risir but from the Gray Masters beside him. You don't have this in your Magic Tower, do you? The Masters were smugly preening with such expressions. "..." My goodness. Enna forgot to feel annoyed at the Masters' ridiculous behavior and was purely amazed. While there was surely exaggeration in the story of suddenly mastering Blue Breath on the spot, even excluding that, it was an amazing story. A mage learning Blue Breath. If he were ordinary, he would have experienced Mana Backflow due to conflicts between body and mind image every time he operated mana. Just how much Mana Sensitivity would one need to control both without conflict? Enna's gaze toward Risir changed. She seemed to understand why the Gray Magic Tower showed such great interest in him, who was merely a wandering mage. 'The rumors were real... Then could it be?' Enna's eyes lit up. With part of the rumors proven true, the possibility that other rumors were also true emerged. A genius mage who reached 5th Rank before age twenty was staying at the Gray Magic Tower. This was the rumor Enna had been most interested in. Her interest had already moved past the peculiar mage before her eyes, heading elsewhere. She opened her mouth to ask about the truth of the rumors circulating in the Gray Magic Tower, even sacrificing her pride as a Blue Magic Tower Master. "Was that rumor true?" "What's there to hide now? That rumor is indeed about Risir." The Gray Masters answered immediately as if they had been waiting for that question. Even though she hadn't explained which rumor yet. As if no matter what rumor she asked about, the answer was predetermined to be Risir. "..." When their thoughts reached that point, Enna and Ratsiel's expressions turned to shock. 'He's that one, and he's also...' The many rumors circulating in the Gray Magic Tower - they were all related to one person. The two looked at Risir with bewildered expressions. ...Could it be? The two Masters were flabbergasted. Shortly after, the Gray Magic Tower entered a state of emergency. Green Magic Tower, Blue Magic Tower, Religious Order. All three groups had expressed their intention to participate in Risir's Honorary Mage appointment ceremony. *** ────────── [Title: When the hell is this Saint Fate Quest going to appear?] Content: I want to do holy things with the Saint too - : The word Saint is so confusing these days... - : Paladin: I sell holy instruments - : ???: I buy holy instruments - : There's no job called holy instrument trader though... - : Did you do the Religious Order reputation grind? -[OP]: Why does this game require grinding everything? ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Can't they just make it unlock naturally while playing the game?ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ - : If you don't like it, you can do brain surgery -[OP]: What's that? - : Stitch up your brain and quit the game ㅇㅇ - : That grind does feel insane though -[OP]: Ugh damn it, how do you do the Religious Order reputation grind? - : Get the lower priest favorability to Very Favorable, then Formal Priest favorability opens up, get that to Very Favorable too Get Paladin favorability to Very Favorable, then Senior Paladin favorability opens up, get that to Very Favorable too, then High Priest favorability opens up, get that to Very Favorable and pass the Body Feather cut scene, then Religious Order reputation hits Friendly and the Fate Quest unlocks -[OP]: Why are you giving me brain surgery I never asked for? ────────── ────────── [Title: Ugh reputation grinding is really fucking annoying] Content: It only goes up by a tiny bit every time you clear an Event Quest, when will I ever finish this - : Where are you grinding? -[OP]: Green Magic Tower - : ㅋㅋ goodbye -[OP]: Where am I going damn it - : Green Magic Tower reputation grind is really brutal Even clearing Event Quests gives really tiny reputation gains - : You need to hit Interest to unlock the Fate Quest there, and that's really hopeless - : You have to scrape together all the Event Quests from those elf bastards scattered across the entire Continent and clear them all to barely reach Interest ㅋㅋ ────────── ────────── [Reputation with specific regions has increased] ▶Region: Blue Magic Tower: Slightly Hostile ▷ Interest | ▶Region: Green Magic Tower: Slightly Hostile ▷ Interest | ▶Region: Sacred Fire Order: Neutral ▷ Friendly (E/N: Sacred Fire Order and Religious Order seem to be one and the same...maybe) ────────── ────────── [Reputation with specific groups has increased] ▶Group: Carriers of Deception: Hostile ▷ Interest | ▶Group: Dawn Knights: Neutral ▷ Interest ────────── *** "Huh...?" Late at night, Risir woke up feeling a strange sense of unease. He opened his eyes and checked his body. "Fienne...?" A pure white woman lying on top of him, breathing heavily. It was unmistakably Fienne. "..." Flinch. Fienne's body trembled at Risir's voice. She lifted her head to look at Risir. "Risir..." Fienne's tear-soaked silver eyes sparkled, holding the moonlight that came through the window. And the handkerchief in her hand - the handkerchief that Fienne had been burying her face in until just moments before was stained with blood.