Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

Chapter 64

After dramatically leveling up by hunting [Demon Crows].

Our daily routine was repetitive.

Starting with hunting around the base camp as soon as we opened our eyes, until the sun completely set or we were so exhausted that we couldn\'t move a finger.

We ate when it was time to reorganize, and even while resting, we did some Dwarven physical training.

Two weeks before the Great War.

“I think it\'s time to go back.”

Finally, we decided to end the hellish hunting routine.

“…R-Really, Mr First Place?”

“Yes. I think we\'ve gained enough practical experience, and we\'ve completed all the requests from Lena. More than anything, we need to prepare for the war.”

Honestly, I wanted to continue hunting, but I couldn\'t anymore.

As I told Thompson, it was time to prepare for war.

From now on, it would be more efficient to prepare for the war than to blindly rush into demons and fight them.

Perhaps they felt that the explanation was valid.

“Huh…”

“F-Finally… it\'s over.”

“Those were days when I thought I\'d rather die…”

My companions, who finally started to believe me, exclaimed with relieved faces.

This time, I didn\'t push them and comforted them by patting them on the back.

“You\'ve worked hard, really.”

I wasn\'t just saying that.

Even though they grumbled about the schedule being too tight, they followed the harsh routine well, and thanks to that, we achieved the goals we had set.

\'Just looking at the most important level...\'

A whopping 12 levels.

It far exceeded the original goal of 10 levels.

If I could see the system window, it would probably look like this.

[Character Information]

- Name: Yuhan

- Class: Mage / 3 (+1) Circle

- LV: 12

- Ranking: -

- Traits: [Prodigy of Magic (Mythic)], [Essence of Light (Mythic)]

- Spirit Engraving: [Former Master of Swordsmanship (Best)]

- Main Stats: [Stamina +16], [Agility +16], [Sense +16], [Mana +16], [Strength +5]

- Additional Stats: [Intuition +30], [Holy Power +25]…

I looked at the information window I had roughly scribbled on a piece of paper and let out a chuckle without realizing it.

“Huh.”

Was this really the information window of the rookie who, until recently, was only level 1 and had nothing to rely on but a single trait?

Seeing it in the form of a system window like this, I could really feel that I had grown rapidly in a short period.

I was especially impressed by the fact that my class was a mage.

\'Have I ever raised a mage this far?\'

If my memory served me right, never.

Even though I had tried countless times with sub-accounts to create builds, they usually ended up dying before reaching level 5.

The highest I had ever raised one was level 10.

Moreover…

\'The real deal is separate.\'

The most important part of my current state wasn\'t my class, level, or stats, but my foundation.

I had two mythical traits, and my Holy Power, the anti-demon stat, had exceeded 20.

This was thanks to fully absorbing the [Bracelet of Holy Oil] and [The Pendant of Holy Oil] that I had luckily obtained.

\'At this level... honestly, it\'s incomparable to my zombie swordsman at the same level.\'

And it wasn\'t just the zombie swordsman.

Countless characters I had raised over the past 10 years of playing [Demon Fantasy].

Compared to any of those characters, this was an overwhelming difference.

Ironically, it was now that it was reality, not a game.

\'...Hmm.\'

My heart swelled with the fact that I hadn\'t lost my growth momentum despite being dropped into the game.

This was an indescribable sense of accomplishment, difficult to put into words.

But.

\'Don\'t let your guard down.\'

I didn\'t dwell on that sentiment for long.

This was a time when I needed to be even more careful.

It had always been like this.

Whenever I let my guard down, an insurmountable danger would come looking for me.

I didn\'t want to repeat that mistake.

Besides.

This wasn\'t growth I achieved alone, was it?

“Kayla, Barundel, Mr Thompson.”

This growth was possible because we were all together.

I casually said to them as they turned around from their busy packing,

“Let\'s go all the way, together.”

My companions tilted their heads as if they didn\'t understand what I meant.

There was no need to explain.

They would be with me even if I didn\'t explain.

\'...All the way.\'

Two weeks outside the Asternon border.

This period was a time that allowed me to fully open my heart to my companions.

***

“It\'s kind of bittersweet to leave like this.”

Thompson said as we passed by where the outer wall of Sector 7 used to be.

He had said it was truly hellish and painful, but it seemed he had grown quite attached.

“I agree. It\'s a mixed feeling.”

Kayla\'s reaction wasn\'t much different.

She had complained about not having enough mental strength to cast magic, and now she had a regretful face.

I didn\'t quite understand what they were so regretful about.

“Don\'t think too much about it. We\'ll do it again someday.”

“…What?”

Kayla asked with a shocked face.

“Are you serious?”

“I\'m serious.”

And I was 100% serious.

I didn\'t even think it would take that long.

\'...Probably after the Great War. Well, I\'ll have to see the situation then.\'

In any case, it was clear that we would be doing this kind of hunting again.

In this kind of RPG game, not hunting was the same as falling behind.

And that would eventually lead to...

\'Baal\'s invasion.\'

It would lead to that.

Just like when I couldn\'t stop Baal in the game.

Even though it was just a story in a game, I still couldn\'t forget the tragedy that happened that day.

I didn\'t want that to happen again.

Anyway.

“Whew, we\'re finally here.”

Having memorized the route after passing through it several times, we quickly arrived at the passage leading to Sector 6.

The only difference from before was that the number of demons in Sector 7 had increased.

Other than that, there weren\'t any major changes.

However.

“...It\'s incredibly busy.”

Quite a few changes were happening in Sector 6.

Countless barricades were lined up in front of the residential complex, and the market street, where various foods were displayed on the stalls, was completely empty as if someone had swept it clean.

The shops that sold artifacts and equipment had also all withdrawn.

It seemed that the news of the war had spread to the point where everyone knew about it.

“This, it seems like all the equipment we were going to buy has already been taken.”

Other things aside, this part was a bit troublesome.

Barundel\'s axe, Thompson\'s robe, and all the other consumables needed for the war.

There was a mountain of things we needed to get.

“Is there any other way?”

“How about stopping by the Request Office? They might have some spare equipment.”

“…That\'s a good idea.”

Barundel\'s suggestion certainly made sense.

Usually, Request Offices would keep a minimum amount of equipment in preparation for situations like this.

Besides, we had currently completed a large number of requests.

Among them, there were quite a few pieces of equipment and artifacts that we should receive as rewards.

Well, most of them were things we didn\'t need, but even those could be used to try and exchange for other equipment.

With that in mind, we headed straight to the Request Office and soon came face to face with a familiar face.

“Lena.”

“Oh, you\'ve returned safely.”

Lena, who was still at the Request Office, guided us with a relieved face.

“I\'ve been so busy lately that I didn\'t even realize how much time had passed. Are you all uninjured?”

“As you can see. By the way, why is it so busy outside?”

“Why, because of the war, of course.”

“So it\'s that after all.”

Lena pressed her temples as if she had a headache and continued,

“The royal family made a public announcement a few days ago. They said the [The Prophecy of the Blood Moon] had fallen, and that the war with the demons would soon break out.”

“The royal family themselves?”

“Yes, and because of that, they said they were accepting volunteer soldiers. They also said that if they were short on personnel, they might have to resort to forced conscription.”

“Forced conscription…”

The fact that the royal family, who could check the contents of the prophecy in more detail, was considering forced conscription meant that the scale of the war was large.

Most of the wars so far had been handled with existing troops.

Well, that\'s why they called it the \'Great War.\'

\'It\'s not for nothing that there\'s such a commotion about the [The Prophecy of the Blood Moon].\'

If the scale was what I knew it to be, the royal family would inevitably have to choose forced conscription.

It would be the only way to protect Asternon.

Well, anyway, it wasn\'t something we needed to worry about.

“Where do you sign up for that volunteer soldier thing?”

This was what I needed to worry about now.

How many volunteer soldiers there were, how much safety was guaranteed, how the compensation was paid, and so on.

I needed to know that to decide whether to participate in the war as a volunteer soldier or to fight the demons on my own.

“You\'re going to apply for that?”

“I\'m thinking about it. I can\'t just sit back and do nothing while a war is going on.”

“That\'s true, but... isn\'t it too dangerous?”

“I\'m not one to shy away from danger. And you can actually gain a lot from participating in a war.”

“Hmm, that\'s certainly true.”

Had she experienced this kind of war several times?

Lena immediately agreed and continued her explanation.

“I heard they set up a checkpoint in the center of Sector 4. If you go there, the royal family will probably give you more detailed information.”

“The center of Sector 4...”

Sector 4 was the sector where the Asion Academy was located.

It was a good thing, since I was planning to stop by the academy anyway.

\'Oh, come to think of it.\'

Thinking about the academy reminded me that Asion Gale, the dean of the academy, was friendly towards me.

If that was still the case...

\'Could I get material support?\'

The academy had a lot of useful things for mages, not just various kinds of equipment.

For example, magic-related artifacts and magic books.

If I could get support for those, it would be a great help in the war.

\'And I can check on Roan\'s situation while I\'m at it.\'

That solidified my resolve to stop by the academy.

By the way.

“Shall we talk about business now?”

It was time to get down to business.

“Ah, right. How many requests have you completed? Demon-related requests are not easy, so...”

Thump!

I placed the stack of documents before Lena finished speaking, and she stopped talking.

Her expression was noticeably stiff.

“Could this be...”

“That\'s right. I\'ve completed them all.”

“You\'ve completed them all...?”

Judging by her expression, it seemed she hadn\'t expected our party\'s performance to be this outstanding.

Well, completing the requests was good for us and good for the Request Office.

It was a win-win situation, so I spoke without hesitation.

“Lena, you have the rewards ready, right?”

Two weeks of hell outside the border.

Now it was time to enjoy the sweetness that came from it.