The Protagonists Are Murdered By Me Chapter 3: 16-20, a 13 tzameti fanfic

While staying at Vivienda Magic Academy for a month, I had learned one amazing fact.

That the rice here is incredibly delicious.

Lunch time, I took three plates after arriving at Vivienda's cafeteria.

I watched as the nobles hardly ate the food on their plate.

In terms of this world, I had the taste of a commoner while the nobles found the food here unsatisfactory.

A greasy whole roasted chicken, a medium well steak, and a cheesecake that when it enters my mouth, I become drunk on its savory taste.

The cafeteria was buffet-style and you could take as much food as you wanted, but not a single person beside me did so.

I usually stayed until very late, eating.

It's because I take a lot.

Today as usual, when I went to fill my seventh plate, I saw a student who arrived late to eat.

Araceli Linecare.

She entered the school as the top student, but was unlucky to meet Fiolen who suppressed her in every way, and now even the professors have turned their backs on her.

She looked so weakened, and even her movements were sluggish, so I wondered if it was the same child from a month ago.

"Miss, the time is over now…"

"Ah…"

Araceli sighed softly at the chef's words, picking up her plate.

She was the one who broke the mealtime regulation anyways, so there is no excuse.

She nodded helplessly, then turned around.

'Well…'

I don't have to mind her.

But somehow I felt a little sorry.

The child was a victim of the protagonist.

"Araceli."𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕓.𝕔𝕠𝑀

"…Hm?"

She turned her head when she heard me.

Then, I was slightly surprised.

Because hidden in her eyes was still a fighting spirit.

Well, how many people would become dull after a month?

Although much confidence was lost, Araceli is still Araceli.

A person of great talent who became a legendary mage.

"I accidentally took too much rice, so eat this."

I handed over the plate in my hand.

It wasn't exactly wrong.

I brought over ten plates when I was only going to eat seven.

"Ah…"

I don't know if this will suit her taste, but it's better than starving.

When she hesitated to accept the plate, I thought for a moment and spoke.

"The 'Six Circuit Principles' paper you wrote the other day was good. A little more polish and it'll be really 'pretty.'

It was a strange thing to say.

Was the word 'pretty' right for a paper?

Besides, the fact is, I don't even know what the theory is about.

However.

The Six Circuit Principles will be completed by the supporting character Araceli in three months.

That's why I said what I did.

"Th…ank you."

"Yeah. You should eat well and study hard. Then, I'm going."

I turned around and left the cafeteria.

For some reason, I wasn't feeling very good.

The main topic I taught in my class was combat magic, and rather than teach theory, I had real demonstrations.

Why?

Because I don't understand the theory.

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And the students were human after all, so they preferred real demonstrations opposed to reading books.

For that reason, I was quite a popular professor.

I assume that's why physical education teachers were the most popular in elementary school.

"Professor! Walebun finally did a mana shot!"

'Crazy.'

Sometimes there were students who surprised me after my lectures because they used magic that looks like the embodiment of science.

Just like how my aether dispenser was made with science, but looks like the embodiment of magic.

But, is it okay spreading science to this world of magic?

It's not without problems, but it pales in comparison to the damage the protagonist has done to their world.

It's a relief if that's the case.

Also, I was thinking about how to steal the magic and the problems that might occur if I'm caught.

I'm not going to come back here anyway.

I slowly turned to look at four students practicing magic on the side.

Fate or coincidence, Araceli, Gurim, Mazelon, and Fiolen are all enrolled in my class.

So these lectures have been the most tense for me.

Because I was trying to figure out Fiolen's combat capability.

'It's impossible to shoot him.'

There's already a massive Tier 4 magic circle on Fiolen's heart.

Tier 4 and higher magic circles are called 'Cast Magic' and can be activated immediately.

In modern terms, it's right to say he's 'loaded' with magic.

Most mages tend to cast defensive magic that is casted immediately upon impact.

Since I'm not confident I can break through that defense with my gun, I should not mess with it for the time being.

If I fail to kill him, I will have to face a Level 70 mage.

And in addition to not being able to win, Fiolen had the adoration of the professors and schoolgirls, which is impossible for me to deal with by myself.

Come to think of it, Fiolen was still among the girls.

"That's not how you use Circle Spiral Cut."

"Oh my…!"

When fiolen grabbed a female student's arm and pretended to be calm while giving her mana, her cheeks blushed.

Do they really like that guy?

I couldn't understand it, but I didn't say anything because it was the protagonist's cliché.

I was imagining how those girls would kill me if they became hostile.

Fiolen has a personality that liked to show off, so if there were any students who had even a little trouble, he would run straight to them and teach them using knowledge from the future.

In fact, it's not wrong to say that this is Fiolen's class and not mine.

Of course, Fiolen only taught girls.

Only pretty girls at that.

In a way, he was a genius.

At the age of 17 he's dealing with magic that even professors found difficult.

By combining knowledge from the future, he used magic as if he created them on the spot.

Fiolen excelled in magic, and was now naturally compared to Araceli.

Exclamations erupted when Araceli fired a white arrow from her fingertip 50 meters in front of her.

This is because it was aimed so quickly and accurately.

However, Fiolen soon produced three bigger arrows and fired it one after another.

Thus, the attention switched to him.

"I think Fiolen is even greater?"

"His arrows were more powerful. I can't believe he shot three arrows at once."

Araceli's expression naturally darkened.

Normally I wouldn't interfere, but I took a step forward.

To pity her?

To side with him?

No way.

The game of slowly observing was now over.

From now on, I intend to 'build up' to the hunt.

The first way to do that.

The image and confidence of Fiolen in other people's eyes need to be destroyed.

"Fiolen. In a battle are you going to waste that much mana?"

"What?"

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Fiolen's eyes widened because he did expect me to single him out.

Then his expression returned to normal.

For a month he was wary of me, probably due to not having any memories of me before the regression.

Since he came from 20 years in the future, he couldn't possibly remember every professor, so he thought I was a professor with no presence.

"You used 10 times as much mana to remove only one target. If it's not flaunting your power, what is it? Are you going to flaunt your magic to the enemy in a real battle?

"I just practice to efficiently subdue any enemy I encounter. Although it was one target, I practiced as if it was 10."

"Efficient. Do you really think your magic was efficient?"

I slowly pointed at the target.

"Yes. The destructive power is strong. However, how many seconds did it take to cast that magic?"

"…It took six seconds."

It was fast enough.

However, in practice it was not.

"Six seconds is enough for a healthy adult to reach you from 50 meters away. What if it were a magician or knight? Would your neck still remain?"

"That…"

"Look at Araceli. From the magic casting to the hit on the target it took less than two seconds."

Assistant Willis from the sidelines added, "Araceli is more efficient, not only with accuracy but also with the efficiency of mana consumption."

I don't know what that means, but it's probably true.

"Battle isn't a show. Don't think the enemy will welcome your fancy, shallow magic."

Everyone around me began to share my opinion.

"Indeed. I'm starting to feel embarrassed because I thought Fiolen's magic was better."

"You're right. Combat…Well, it's not like sitting in a small room, reading a book, and writing down magic theories."

Somehow, I had the image of an outstanding Battle Mage, intentional or unintentionally, so I will make use of it.

Even if it is a false image.

Most of the professors here had no real combat experience, so thanks to that, I came up with roughly plausible terms.

Actually, I don't really know magic that well, but there was nothing wrong with what I said.

While Araceli's expression slightly became brighter, Fiolen's expression gradually crumbled.

Bastard, you must be at least eight years older than me, but you can't control your expression at all.

You can't take a loss, can you?

"…Professor, can you prove what you said is correct?"

I knew it.

He's worried about his pride being tarnished, and his harem garden.

"Yes. I fought on the battlefield for as much as 15 years."

"The experience doesn't matter. What matters is if you're right."

Everyone around me was going 'Oh, no. I can't believe you said that about the professor's career.'

The reactions were immediate, but the protagonist didn't have the time to respond because I was going to add the 'carrot.'

"Since I'm a professor it would be unprofessional for me to dual you…So what about the Maelka Dungeon?"

Maelka Dungeon.

It was a kind of event where Vivienda's students and professors teamed up to attack a dungeon together.

The competition between each magic department and school year was very fierce.

This is because if you do well in the Dungeon, you'll become a national mage or be offered an apprenticeship in the mage tower.

In other words, Maelka Dungeon is a kind of auditioning stage for students with no connections.

Of course, Fiolen knew that the Maelka Dungeon was a big event, and must be aware of every 'unexpected situation' that will happen inside.

Because he was a regressor.

"The Maelka Dungeon?"

"Yes. Right, I'll team up with Araceli who showed the better performance here."

The corner of Fiolen's mouth crept up.

Yeah, I thought as much.

I knew it well.

Maybe he couldn't stand it.

He must be very excited at the thought of fighting me, who embarrassed him, and proudly winning.

This is a competition that you can never lose as a regressor.

Only a regressor would know what will happen in the Dungeon.

"Okay."

Looking at Fiolen nodding confidently, I inwardly laughed.

Because.

[Protagonist Fiolen has begun to interfere with the chapter 'Maelka Dungeon Hell Beasts (3).']

[Changes detected in this chapter.]

The future that I saw was different.

Two weeks have passed since the carrot was dangled in front of Fiolen, and three days were left until the competition at Maelka Dungeon.

Even though it was early morning, I couldn't sleep and had to patrol the academy.

I didn't expect the damn faculty would even ask me to patrol at dawn for the safety of the students.

The current world's time dilation is…2.7021x

Looking at the message that appeared in my mind, my worry was for nothing.

Time flies 2.7 times faster here than on Earth.

In other words, ten days on Earth is almost four weeks here.

I've been here for six weeks.𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕓.𝕔𝕠𝑀

I've spent more time than I thought, but it doesn't really matter.

I don't even have a guild to report to anyways.

Ever since I first held a gun at the age of 14, no one has waited for me to return.

Rather, right now the priority is dealing with Fiolen.

Fiolen, who is treated like the academy's ace, can't be killed by normal means.

I have to thoroughly and flawlessly destroy the power and image Fiolen has.

Maelka Dungeon.

Yeah, it's good that I have information on the future.

But beyond that, I can't think of any good ways to use it.

At best, I'll just do better than Fiolen in the Maelka Dungeon.

'Well, there are many chapters. Should I aim for the next chapter instead?'

I was absentmindedly walking in the hallway thinking when I suddenly sensed something somewhere.

Unknown that might have gone unnoticed before.

But now that I have the sixth sense skill, I can clearly feel it.

'Reading Room?'

During this time, all areas like the reading rooms, the libraries and the study rooms were closed.

I thought something must be going on, so I slowly opened the door and walked inside.

What is this?

Araceli, with bloodshot eyes, was looking at something.

"Uh…Professor?"

"What are you doing here?"

"T-that. I'm sorry. I have a symposium coming up."

"…"

What's a symposium?

Interpretation: An academic forum where students must present their own magic findings every quarter.

Ah, I see.

"But it's curfew now."

"…Yes. I'm sorry."

"Go back."

I said roughly, but then Araceli hesitated and slowly spoke.

"But…"

"…?"

"If I don't do this, I'm going to be ruined at the symposium again. This time, I…I don't want to have to endure it."

"Hm."

Desperation in one's eyes.

I thought I knew that look well, but honestly I'm not sure.

Unlike me who had always been defeated and was used to losing, this child had just entered the path of a loser after walking the path of a winner.

But in the end, the result was the same.

Just like me at one point, this child must be struggling to get out from being a loser.

She looked me in the eyes and spoke.

"Actually, I'm not confident."

"…"

"No matter what. I can't beat Fiolen. I know this. I'm far more lacking."

You're wrong.

"But…If I don't do this, I won't have the confidence to learn magic anymore."

Even if I lose, let's lose doing my best.

That's what Araceli thought after resigning herself to losing, but she was still determined.

I deeply sighed.

Even so, I can't make an exception.

That's all, it's troublesome.

There are a lot of things to think about right now, so I couldn't be held up by a single student.

So, the moment I was going to tell her to go back.

Looking at the thesis on the table, a message appeared in my mind.

The thesis written by Araceli will be completed in six months.

'Uh…?'

I approached Araceli and took her thesis involuntarily.

There was a magic formula written on the thesis and translucent formulas overlapping it appeared in my mind

'What is this…?'

The theses from the present and future Araceli were overlapping each other.

I've never seen something like this before.

One possibility came to mind.

'No way, was this because of Fiolen's interference?'

Unlike the regressor, I could see the future any time.

I could see the overlaps by comparing the original timeline with the current timeline the protagonist has interfered with.

So unless it's related to Fiolen, the theses from the future would not overlap with the current one.

'The future has changed.'

Originally, it was a thesis that would have been published half half a year from now, but Fiolen pushed so hard that Araceli eventually moved ahead with her future.

'Hold on, this…?

The other day, when Lee Yeonjun was in a crisis he suddenly acquired a skill.

That's because the world was correcting Lee Yeonjun's misfortune.

But Lee Yeon-jun was the protagonist, not a supporting character.

Particularly, in the case of regression, skills were not given without a cost.

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In the first place, the word 'regression' itself is improbable, so there must be some restrictions to it.

'Hey. Client.'

Yes.

'What happens if a regressor is in a crisis or face a loss?'

The regressor's future chapters will change into chapters that could be overcome, or their future losses will be minimized or erased.

Wow.

So it's like that.

I was convinced upon hearing the Client's answer.

Araceli can be used.

I slowly looked over her thesis.

It's like 'spotting the difference.'

"Here."

"Y-yes?"

She was startled when I pointed my finger to a part of the formula on the thesis.

"Can you see what's wrong with this shape?"

The future Araceli drew a triangle, while the current Araceli drew a circle.

That's at most what I could understand.

I don't know what any of this is since I am a total stranger to magic.

However, Araceli who is a genius had a shocked expression and realized something the moment I made such a comment.

"Ah…!"

"And this. And this and this."

Araceli who had a sullen look for awhile hurriedly took out her pen and began checking the things I pointed out.

Her appearance was haggard.

However, since she had a lot of worries it was only normal that fatigue followed.

Somehow Araceli looked happy as if she's flying.

"When did you start studying this?"

"Ah…before I entered the academy."

Replied Araceli meekly, feeling ashamed that she hadn't completed one of these theses given such a long time.

I didn't care about that, so I continued asking about this and that.

It was incomprehensible to me, but it didn't matter because she understood the important points.

Things that even the regressor didn't know.

I handed Araceli a recorder.

A cheap recorder called a 'mysterious wand with light' by the students.

"Take it, go to your room and study quietly."

"…Ah! T-thank you."

I don't need it right now, but Araceli will need it.

It was the last thing she said before leaving, but I didn't bother to look back at her.

I was using Araceli, so I didn't deserve to look her in the eyes.

Time passed quickly, it's now the day of the academic debate.

1st year freshmen present their own thesis at a gathering of faculty members.

Since it's a prestigious magic academy, they must show what they've learned since entering the academy.

Here, twenty years ago, Fiolen did not write a thesis.

As a commoner, he barely managed to enter the academy's doors, and Fiolen only had about a month worth of knowledge compared to other students who already received an early education.

Now, it was different.

It is because Fiolen has countless knowledge from the future, and most importantly, Araceli's thesis 'Waveform 4th Equation,' which is scheduled to become a hot topic half a year later, was now in his hands.

There's no hurdle.

Again this time, he just needs to prove his 'genius' and undermine Araceli's upcoming thesis.

Just like this, if he keeps doing it.

'That woman who thoroughly destroyed my self esteem, this time I will…'

However.

There's a problem.

"There will be an announcement by freshman Araceli."

[Waveform 4th Equation]

Looking at the message that rose in the air by magic, Fiolen unconsciously widened his eyes.

'How come…?'

Obviously, Araceli from the original future had published a thesis.

It was also great, but from Fiolen's perspective, who had knowledge of the future, the thesis was nothing but sloppy.

'I've been working very hard to defeat Araceli.'

'No, that's not the point!'

With cold sweat, Fiolen scrunched the paper in his hand.

It's because he also brought a thesis on the same topic.

'What should I do?'

In such a scenario, it was advantageous to be the first to present it.

Araceli's presentation was also logical and neat, and her voice naturally carried a charm that sways people.

"Thank you."

Clap clap clap!

When she finished her presentation, the faculty gave out a series of exclamations.

It was truly a great thesis.

"…Next, Fiolen."

'What should I do…'

"Fiolen?"

"…Yes."

It was too late.

He brought the same thesis as Araceli, and had to present it.

'Will I not present here like the past?'

No.

It's too early in his academy life, and he doesn't want to experience being insulted by everyone for failing to make a presentation at the first symposium.

Above all, he didn't want to lose to Araceli anymore.

So.

He decided.

"Concerning Araceli's thesis, I raise the suspicion of plagiarism."

That one sentence from Fiolen caused a commotion in the hall.

The principal raised his hand, then everyone quieted down.

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Raising suspicion of plagiarism.

It was a shame that didn't fit the image of the elite academy, but it did happen once or twice a year.

So if these suspicions were raised it had to be proven on the spot until it was resolved.

Who plagiarized who.

The faculty looked around the hall with interest.

They've seen it a few times before, but this time, it was Araceli, the top admitted student, and Fiolen, the highest recorded mana power.

Wasn't this really exciting?

"Before raising allegations of plagiarism, is the freshman Fiolen confident it is your own work?"

"Of course, it's definitely my thesis."

"I see. When did you write this thesis?"

"I've been writing it ever since I entered the academy. And I can prove it."

"Present your proof."

In the magical world, a thesis begins with the perfect understanding of the formula.

No amount of plagiarism could completely explain all the dozens or hundreds of formulas that went into it.

So, as a way to solve the suspicion of plagiarism, a 'who can explain their thesis better?' check was done.

Fiolen was confident regarding this.

No matter what Araceli's explanation was, Fiolen has the knowledge of the future.

He can just add a few university-level formulas to make it look more efficient and complete.

Fiolen, who came forward, smoothly wrote down formulas on the blackboard in the air with no tension at all, then exclamations erupted among the faculty.

Formulas that even the 2nd year students don't understand.

It was the same with Araceli who became paler and paler.

Soon, a commotion broke out in the hall when Fiolen completed a more efficient formula that was completely different from Araceli.

"What. Don't tell me Miss Araceli plagiarized…?"

"I can't believe it. It's more efficient. It's obvious…"

Obviously, Araceli must have plagiarized.

They had no choice but to believe so.

Fiolen was enjoying the atmosphere with his eyes closed.

The thrill you feel when you step on a genius from above!

Exhilarating!

It was an intense pleasure incomparable to anything.

So, when Fiolen was about to enjoy the triumph of victory.

"Principal. May I say a word?"

The guest professor of combat magic opened his mouth.

Different from Fiolen's slow reaction because he was basking in his moment, the principal nodded.

Because the opinions of every faculty here were important.

Seodam, who had obtained permission, slowly rose from his seat, looked at Fiolen, and then spoke.

"First, I'd like to congratulate you, freshman Fiolen, on your equation. It's a very clean thesis."

"Thank y-"

"However."

It was my first and last praise.

It was simply to show the audience my politeness.

Now that I've gotten their attention, it's time to push.

"There's one thing that's a little strange…"

Seodam, slowly looking into Fiolen's eyes, asked.

"Freshman Fiolen. Whose formula did you reference in the 17th section, 'Octal Fractionation Parameter?'

"Huh?"

He didn't expect such a question, so Fiolen was flustered for a moment, but soon cleared his throat and spoke.

"This… My hobby is reading thesis papers. You can't remember every book you've read either, right?"

Yes.

It was nothing.

You just have to flip it around.

"That's strange."

Yoo Seodam tilted his head.

"Octal Fractionation Parameter…I'm sure it's the first formula Araceli wrote on her entrance exam."

Then.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall fell.

Fiolen, too, quivered his lips with a puzzled look.

Regressors have future information.

However, they don't know everything.

Seodam is able to grasp the information of the world in the original and second timeline simultaneously, and was able to catch a regressor's gaps in knowledge.

Just a little piece of evidence that's really nothing.

But the little evidence was so obvious that it left Fiolen speechless.

The principal slowly turned his head.

From Yoo Seodam, to Araceli, and then Fiolen.

What felt like eternity, after 30 seconds passed.

The principal slowly opened his mouth.

"Freshman Fiolen. I'm sure you've written this thesis after entering the academy. But, can you tell me the reason why the formula freshman Araceli wrote during the entrance exam, a formula that only the faculty should be aware of, is in your thesis?"

At the question, Fiolen clenched his fists and teeth.

He has to come up with an excuse somehow.

He has to say something.

However, the regressor did not expect such a situation.

The criminal, a fake genius, could do nothing in this unexpected situation.

As a result, there was only one answer Fiolen could give.

"…No, I can't."

As if waiting for him, the principal with a determined voice, spoke.

"We will now hold a disciplinary committee regarding plagiarism against freshman Fiolen."

At the same time, Araceli collapsed to the floor.

"Haha…"

She didn't give up.

She proved her efforts to the professor.

And, for the first time, was able to triumph over Fiolen.

Araceli, who couldn't control her overwhelming emotions, shed tears without realizing it.

And with that.

[A crisis has been detected for the protagonist Fiolen.]

[The target Yoo Seodam has been designated as a villain.]

[Chapter Maelka Dungeon's Hell Beast (3) will now be hostile towards the villain.]

The future has changed.

The day of the Maelka Dungeon event.

Araceli and I who teamed up were now standing in front of a black hole, one of the entrances to the dungeon.

There are sixteen entrances to the Maelka Dungeon.

16 teams of pairs will compete to see who can attack the dungeon more efficiently, skillfully, and quickly.

As their 'first dungeon,' the students were very nervous for this special event.

As many as the top 16 professors will be joining the students to attack this dungeon.

The three supporting characters who got first, second, and third places, as well as Fiolen, received the highest marks during the preliminary exam.

Fiolen, who had a disciplinary committee held against him, was able to join the competition, no matter if he is found to be guilty or not.

It was not surprising, and frankly, it is the natural outcome.

It wouldn't make sense if the protagonist couldn't participate in the main event of their world.

Obviously, the cliché must have twisted it somehow.

Come to think of it, did Fiolen seduce a female professor in her late 20s to join him?

I couldn't believe it and can't help but to laugh.

Does he like women that much?

"Erm…Thank you. Actually, the other professors don't really like me these days, so I was wondering who I could ask to the Maelka dungeon."

"Thanks to you. I was able to come here."

"What? Is that so?"

Suddenly, she clenched her fists.

"I'm sure we'll get a good result!"

I felt strange when I saw Araceli full of fighting spirit.

Pipipi-

Three black fairies appeared out of thin air.

These fairies were probably in charge of transmitting the video of this event.

I felt that it was only proper, considering it's a world of magic and not technology.

Scenes inside the dungeon will be broadcast live not only to the academy, but also to the nobles, the mage' towers, and everyone who came here to watch.

It goes without saying how big this event was for the students and protagonist.

After a while, the fairies spoke.

[The dungeon will begin in one minute.]

A minute quickly passed, and as soon a fairy said, 'please start attacking the dungeon,' I took out my mega shooter.

"That big thing…?"

"My wand."

Chikchik!

Dungeon attacks were too easy for me.

This is something I've always done, and in the first place, this event was created with the strength of the students in mind, so it wasn't too dangerous.

Trap - break.

Monster - destroy.

It was enough to just destroy everything.

Wavelength detectors could even detect magical traps, and aether firearms were very effective against the monsters here.

Originally, I was a bit nervous hearing that it was a dungeon made by mages, but my worries turned out to be unwarranted.

"Wow…This is amazing."

Is this the power of equipment?

Frankly, I wanted to use a sword, but I couldn't because it was a world of mages.

Each bullet I used cost a lot of money, but I had to maintain the image of a mage until the event ended.

"Let's head to the next area."

There were three stages in total.

Eight teams are allowed to pass the first stage, and four teams are allowed to pass the second stage.

Which means the teams that can clear faster will have an advantage.

And only four teams could enter the 'boss room.'

Therefore, there was no time to waste.

While rushing with Araceli, suddenly, a red glow came from the wall and a hot liquid spewed out.

"Oh my god…!"

I hurriedly lifted my wrist, formed a barrier, and blocked it.

Its durability was quickly reduced by half.

"W-what was that?"

'Hm.'

Since it was a dungeon meant for students, such dangerous traps shouldn't have appeared.

So, it was because of this.

[Chapter Maelka Dungeon Hell Beast (3) shows hostility toward you.]

Evidence that the world is slowly beginning to twist in favor of the protagonist.

The corner of my mouth curled up as I looked into the air.

There were originally only three video fairies, but now it has increased to dozens.

It meant there were more viewers.

As we broke through the dungeon at an incredible speed, more people began to take notice of us.

"Ermhm."

After clearing my throat, I looked at the fairies, and spoke.

"Hello, everyone. This is Yoo Seodam, a professor in the Combat Magic department."

Araceli, seeing my abrupt behavior was puzzled, then asked.

"…What are you doing?"

"Viewers public relations."

"Huh?"

Noisy child.

What do you know?

All the professors and students of this academy were nobles, so they did not like associating themselves with commoners.

In other words, I'm probably the first in this world.

"Ladies and gentlemen, starting now, let's investigate this dungeon together."

The first dungeon attack live broadcast.

Fiolen calmly recalled the events of this dungeon from his memories.

First stage, monsters and traps.

Although it was a memory from 20 years ago, the memory of this place was clear to Fiolen.

He hasn't forgotten this day.

It was his first stage as a commoner mage.

The elders in the mage' towers from all over the world were watching this event, as well as countless nobles and professors.

To see Fiolen, a commoner genius mage, unprecedentedly emerge victoriously!

But…

'Why are there fewer video fairies?'

In his memory, there were supposed to be even more.

Of course, 20 years ago only one basic video fairy followed him, but Araceli had dozens, if not hundreds, of video fairies.

In other words, he should have that much.

But now there were only 20 video fairies following him.

'…Why?'

[Crisis detected for protagonist Fiolen.]

Kugugung…!

Suddenly, a rumbling noise came from somewhere.

But Fiolen didn't pay much attention to it.

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Because he thought it was just someone having a tough battle.

'If I recall, the hell beast hasn't appeared yet.'

Second stage, passage through a maze of complex magic circuits.

The first stage tested one's combat capability and the ability to improvise.

Somehow it seems there was a team faster than him.

However, it was impossible for others to be faster than him in the second stage.

The teams had to identify and interpret the magical structure throughout the maze that blocked them from advancing and find the exit.

The process had to be repeated dozens of times.

For Fiolen, it was not very difficult.

Because he has already solved the maze once.

So he pretended to solve the magic circuit, quickly taking a shortcut, and decisively claimed first place in the second stage!

However…

'Why are there so few video fairies?'

Still, it was fine.

In the end, the process will be the same.

After finally reaching the entrance to the long-awaited third stage, Fiolen took a seat at a corner of the plaza.

"Well, Fiolen. That's amazing. By the way…How were you so fast?"

Asked Yoo Seodam in a surprised and questioning tone.

Originally, professors and students would tackle the second stage maze together.

Fiolen completed it alone and unrivaled.

Fiolen smiled and gave a simple reply.

"I have my ways."

He would never reveal the secret that he returned from the future, and will take the secret to his grave.

That's the only way for him to stand out as a genius.

Besides, is there any benefit to telling anyone he came from the future?

Fiolen thought as such.

As time went by, a couple more people reached the plaza after passing through the second stage.

Only four teams are allowed to pass the second stage.

As expected, Gurim and Mazelon, the second and third enrollee, arrived at the third stage.

But strangely enough, I couldn't see Araceli.

'That's strange. The original Araceli worked with her professor to clear the second stage quicker than anyone else.'

Thinking so, Araceli barely made it, arriving in fourth place.

She looks exhausted for some reason.

"Uwu. Professor…I can't believe you left me alone…"

"I wanted to see your ability."

Yoo Seodam cleverly lied.

The fact is, Seodam was completely helpless in the second stage.

He couldn't see the future properly, so he barely managed to find the correct path.

On the other hand, Araceli was able to break through the maze with her own strength.

Managing to find the right answers to the advanced formulas after struggling was both thrilling and exciting to the viewers!

"You're a TV star."

"Huh?"

Araceli couldn't quite understand what Seodam said, but somehow it sounded like a compliment, so she smiled happily.

[4 teams have arrived at the final stage. Now, let us show you the long-awaited boss room!]

The boss monster wasn't really a monster.

The monsters we've encountered on the way were created through alchemy, and the boss monster was no different.

So simply hitting the boss monster was not the way to defeat it.

In order to defeat the boss monster, we had to understand and analyze all the abstract patterns and gimmicks it used.

And.

Fiolen also knew the boss monster was actually fake.

Once it's defeated, a monster from hell called 'Hell Sphinx' will pop out.

That was the real highlight of the event.

[Proceed to the boss room.]

Four professors and four freshmen.

With the power of the combined elites, the boss monster prepared for this event quickly lost its strength after being bounced around like a ball.

In the first place, the gimmick created for ordinary students was helpless in the face of the professors, and the freshmen who got 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Fiolen purposely did not go all out against the boss monster.

Finally, with a plop.

[The boss monster has been defeated!]

As everyone was approaching the boss monster to collect the spoils.

Fiolen grabbed the wrist of his partner, the female professor he brought along.

"Wait a minute. Something feels strange."

"Huh? Strange?"

Strange?

There's no such thing.

He's only saying this because he knows the future.

"Somehow…"

The moment Fiolen deliberately slowed the end of his sentence.

The boss monster's body suddenly exploded.

From all sides, strange red lines appeared, then it became a strange magic circle.

A magic that feeds and grows through death.

It was 'black magic' that was strictly forbidden in the world of mages.

Fiolen knows who used this magic.

However, it was not important right now.

At this moment.

The stage was set for him.

Hell Sphinx.

A beast from hell with a monstrous mana power of at least 150!

The professors and freshmen who have never fought it won't be able to defeat it.

After many casualties, the Araceli from 20 years in the future managed to find the weakness of the Hell Sphinx, and defeated it after gathering many expert mages.

At that time, while the whole world was celebrating her great achievement, she was trying to figure out how a S-Rank hell beast had appeared.

But at this moment, the spotlight belongs to Fiolen.

"Ack!"

"D-damn it!"

[Emergency! Emergency!]

In a grim world made of red, 7 mages looked around in a panic, then Fiolen calmly spoke.

"Everyone, please listen to me. I have a plan."

"Huh? What are you talking about!"

"Hey! Fiolen! You're just a commoner, stop talking nonsense!"

"…Let's hear him out first."

Of course there was such a cliché.

One who gives doubt, one who tries to stir the situation, and one who tries to stay positive.

However, Fiolen didn't care about the freshmen, so he slowly opened his mouth to speak.

"Hell Sphinx has the same patterns and gimmicks as the boss we just faced."

"I-is that true? How do you know this?"

"I've read it in a book before. I didn't expect to see it here."

Fiolen calmly began to explain the Hell Sphinx's weakness while glancing at Yoo Seodam.

An annoying professor who had ruined his plans.

He also has no memory of this person.

In other words, it means that he was an insignificant existence and was just an extra that died at some point.

However, he didn't want to see such variables.

'You die today.'

Fiolen deliberately placed Yoo Seodam in a dangerous position, regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of each person.

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Coincidentally, the raid against the Hell Sphinx was only possible with eight people, with each taking on an important role, such as being in the forefront, attacking the Hell Sphinx, or drawing magic circles.

Grawr…!!

Hearing the roar of the Hell Sphinx, Fiolen signaled everyone and shouted.

"Now!"

Fiolen's instructions were perfect.

This is because he has been preparing for this moment ever since he regressed.

A thought that everyone had at least once in their life.

'Oh, if I could go back, I would put in more effort and do it differently.'

Even before regressing, Fiolen had constantly imagined what it would be like to be in Araceli's shoes.

That's why he was able to copy Araceli's work easier than anyone else.

'Ha, this is the result of my efforts!'

S-Rank hell beast.

A monster so powerful that if released into a small city, the city itself would disappear from the map.

But now, under Fiolen's command, all the students and professors were coordinating perfectly to attack the S-Rank hell beast.

Without a single casualty.

As if it was planned.

A clean and perfect raid.

Kuung!!

The moment the Hell Sphinx fell…

Fiolen slowly looked up and took a deep breath.

It was exhilarating.𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕓.𝕔𝕠𝚖

To the point where his whole body trembled, and the refreshing feeling overwhelmed his mind.

He had constantly imagined this very moment.

If only he could go back to the past with the knowledge of the future, he could do better.

This was his first step towards becoming a mage, so he had desperately thought about it.

A freshmen 1st year who completely subdued a S-Rank hell beast without backing down.

From now on, the name Fiolen will go down in history.

…That is the only possible outcome.

'…Huh, the video fairies…?'

Strange.

He was the conductor here, and positioned himself to be more noticeable than anyone else.

But why were there even less video fairies?

Somehow, he had a weird feeling.

He turned his head to look at Yoo Seodam.

Seodam has been broadcasting every moment since the beginning to when the Hell Sphinx was defeated in front of the hundreds of video fairies floating in the air.

"It's certain now. All the anomalies in the dungeon as well as the S-Rank hell beast, Hell Sphinx."

Huh?

Shortly after.

"…Freshman Fiolen, it's clear what you did."

This…

Fiolen with a puzzled look, turned his head.

The professors and freshmen, who had just listened to his commands without question, were all pointing their wands at him while distancing themselves.

He was so absorbed in himself that he had forgotten.

The fact that a professor was constantly broadcasting the anomalies that occurred in the dungeon.

He had no idea at all.

Because it wasn't something that happened in his memory.

A regressor could not respond at all to what they did not know.

"Wait, hold on. I worked harder than anyone else to defeat this boss monster."

"…How do you know so much about the Hell Sphinx?"

Asked a professor.

It was a trivial question.

Under normal circumstances, the question would have simply fallen to the cliché of 'protagonist correction.'

However, there was a character here who could compromise the protagonist's 'correction.'

Yoo Seodam.

He had constantly voiced his doubts while attacking this dungeon.

[Why did this anomaly occur in a safe dungeon?]

[Something suspicious is happening.]

[The state of this dungeon is strange.]

Little by little, these doubts began to form a question in everyone's mind.

As if answering their question, the Hell Sphinx appeared.

It was only when the freshmen attacked the Hell Sphinx, something they've never even heard of before, that it seemed everything was too perfect, for one person.

No matter who saw it, it was doubtful.

They had no choice but to doubt.

"Y-yahiren, professor…I read about it in a book…"

Said Fiolen to his partner, but she too, pointed her cane at him with a trembling look.

"The Hell Sphinx is not registered in any books. Because it's forbidden. Even if it did exist, it's like a fable…It's the kind of book that doesn't even exist."

"Professor…!"

"Fiolen. The price of using black magic is your soul…Did you know that when you used it?"

"N-no! I didn't use black magic!"

"If so."

How come.

"The Hell Sphinx, and this dungeon. You've done everything perfectly, when even our professors couldn't?

With a wailing voice, professor Yahiren spoke.

"Even now you're making excuses. Please. I really want to believe you. You're not that kind of kid. Right?"

But.

He couldn't answer.

That he knew about it after regressing.

Could he say that?

Would they even believe?

Even if they believed him.

What happens when they'll inevitably ask, 'Then why didn't you tell us about the danger earlier?'

"Wait, hold on! I know the real culprit. If we get out of here, I can prove-"

Pang!!

"Kuck!"

When Fiolen was screaming, from somewhere, a shot rang.

A very unusual magic used only by Vivienda's guest professor of Combat Magic.

It was Yoo Seodam.

"We can't let the Black Mage leave."

Then, they saw Fiolen standing up without a scratch even after being shot.

"I'm issuing a field command as a Combat Mage. Right here and now, the Black Mage has to be neutralized."

Yoo Seodam reloaded his mega shooter.

How did it come to this?

Fiolen couldn't understand.

This didn't happen in the future that he knew of.

There was no future more perfect than this.

So why.

Then.

Fiolen instinctively looked at Yoo Seodam.

The corners of Seodam's mouth moved slowly where only Fiolen could see it.

'Dumbass, this is how you rewrite the future.'

If a regressor had wings and flew high up using knowledge from the future.

Now because of that future information, it's time to thoroughly crash.

Maybe, I had expected it from the start.

[Protagonist Hunter Lv.2 has activated.]

[The talents and skills of the successfully hunted protagonist will be shown.]

Yes.

Fiolen was not a magic genius.

What Seodam needs more than anything else was a magic talent.

In the end.

[You've successfully hunted a Level 70 protagonist.]

[Your Level has risen by 5.]

[700 days of lifespan has been rewarded.]

[Remaining Lifespan: 2075 Days, 11 hours, 47 minutes.]

[Fiolen's skill Araceli's Mana Circling 40th Iteration (SS) has been absorbed.]

Looking at the slightly disturbing skill window with a bunch of 'Araceli' skills, I absorbed the first skill I had seen Fiolen use.

I wish I had gotten the SSS-Rank Special Magic Formula skill.

But, I was positive.

The skill I absorbed in itself was quite good.

No, it was amazing.

The best 'mana absorption method' that exists on Earth is only C-Rank.

Although I couldn't absorb mana very well before, I've now acquired an SS-Rank skill that could do so!

Araceli's Mana Circling 40th Iteration.

This skill, which allows even ordinary people to absorb mana, has the fraudulent effect of allowing the flow of mana throughout the body by filling all areas of the brain, heart, and stomach with mana.

Araceli is an extraordinary genius who was credited with advancing the magic of the continent by more than a few hundred years.

One of her greatest achievements, Araceli's Mana Circling, will allow everyone 20 years from now to be able to use magic.

Araceli will become a Tier 9 mage in the future, a well deserved title.

If her talent was shown, perhaps it would be [Magic (SSS)].

That's how overwhelming and devastating Araceli's talent is.

'By the way, Self Regression.'

This SSS Rank skill allowed the protagonist, Fiolen, to return to the past.

It could only be used once, and it allowed a person to return to the point where they were the most vulnerable.

Obviously, if I had gotten this, the acquisition would have been canceled, so I wasn't really disappointed.

I flopped down on the floor of my lab.

A day had passed since the expedition and death of Fiolen who was declared as a Black Mage.

Seodam, who withheld his return to Earth, was still staying at the academy.

Magic.

To successfully use at least one magic spell.

Having drawn a complex magic circle on the floor, I sat down in front of it and took a deep breath.

This magic circle looks complicated at a glance, but in fact, it was the most basic and easiest magic where even the students attending Vivienda Academy would scoff at the sight of it.

If compared to Earth, it was at the high school level.

However, unfortunately, I had no prior education with magic at all, and I had a feeling that 'learning' is also a talent.

Although I studied magic earnestly for nearly two months, I didn't understand the formulas, and just memorized and imitated it.

Yeah.

My magic circle was crude.𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕓.𝕔𝕠𝑀

I closed my eyes and reached out towards the magic circle.

I could feel an unknown energy burning from my heart; soon it passed through my brain, then back to my heart again, and finally reaching my stomach in an instant.

The only experience I had with mana absorption was picking up grains of sand on a beach with chopsticks.

Before, I could see and recognize the presence of mana, but surely it was impossible to scoop up sand with chopsticks, right?

However, the SS-Rank Araceli's Mana Circling skill was like a forklift.

If before I was picking up sand with chopsticks, now that chopstick has become a forklift!

Hwiing…!!

Slowly, the magic circle began to glow.

It was the first time magic has responded to my unique mana.

Magic is truly a very profound subject.

If superpowers are from absorbing aether into the body and taking shape, then magic is the need to mathematically calculate and develop the shape.

That is, whoever studies magic can do something similar to superpowers.

As proof.

The paper that was placed in front of me slowly rose into the air.

The wind was moving in accordance with my will.

Soon the wind lost its strength and the paper fell to the floor, but it was enough.

No, it wasn't just enough.

It was great.

I wanted to cheer for myself right now.

A person like me, who has no talent for superpowers at all, has succeeded in magic!

With this, I was certain.

Even if I don't have superpowers, I can learn and use magic.

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I only lifted a simple sheet of paper, but I felt as if my heart was full and the whole world was within my grasp.

Geniuses will never know this feeling.

'Huuu…'

Soon after, I slowly rose from the floor.

Then, I stumbled as I tried to put strength into my legs, so I hurriedly grabbed the desk to support myself.

I only moved a sheet of paper using magic, but this was the result.

If it wasn't for the Araceli's Mana Circling, I might have been exhausted without the magic spell even working at all.

Now that I've checked my ability to use magic.

It's time to return to Earth.

With that in mind, I cleaned up my lab.

It was a place we had been together for nearly two months, so I felt a bit attached to it, and now I won't be able to come back here.

Knock, knock!

"…?"

When I was about to return to Earth, a knock came from the door.

I can just return, but for some reason, I wanted to find out who it was.

"Who is it?"

[Professor, it's me, Araceli.]

"…Hm? Come in."

The door opened, and Araceli, with her untied long black hair, entered cautiously.

Somehow she hasn't fully regained the confidence she had when we first met, and I couldn't understand why.

Fiolen is dead.

With the fake image he had created, it should have also crumbled with him.

But that didn't mean Araceli's image would suddenly improve.

Instead, for the past two months, Araceli's image continued to fall.

"What is it?"

"You…"

Araceli peeked around the lab when she saw Seodam's attire.

"…I thought you were leaving. I came to say goodbye."

"How did you know?"

"That, I just had a feeling."

I didn't tell anyone I was leaving.

I had conversations with the professors, but I didn't get close to them.

I thought I would never meet them again once I left this place.

Likewise, I didn't get close to any of the students.

Now, and in the future.

I will wander through worlds and dimensions meeting many people.

But if I give my affection every time, I will not be able to hold out.

I've already lost many ties, and I'm worn down.

"Before you go, I really wanted to say thank you."

"Thank me? Thank me for what?"

"Just…Everything you've done. Thank you."

Araceli slightly bit her lips.

Actually, I already knew.

What part of me was she thankful for?

Although it was a short time, one thing I found out about her was that she had a fragile mentality.

She was publicly suppressed by Fiolen and wondered if she should quit magic altogether.

I couldn't believe she's so mentally weak that it only took two months of bullying.

I can't understand her.

Araceli was almost as good as the protagonist, but there were considerable flaws in her mental state.

"Still. Thanks to Professor, I gained confidence. Now I can learn magic with confidence…So, I really wanted to give my thanks before you left."

Araceli is a supporting character.

A supporting character who lost all her achievements to the protagonist.

So, was it fate that the protagonist took everything from her?

Will she become a villain in the distant future?

I don't know.

However, there was one important point.

She became a great mage in the distant future with her own strength.

Because she had the self-confidence of someone who is considered a genius and was able to advance the magic of this world rapidly.

But now, her confidence had been shattered.

Perhaps the future of this world has slightly been shaken by the presence of Fiolen.

And, originally, she would have made her name widely known at the Maelka Dungeon, thus gaining the opportunity to interact with the numerous master mages and completing more outstanding magic.

But now even that starting point was twisted.

I didn't have to be nosy.

But for some reason, I just wanted to.

"The mastermind behind the Hell Sphinx summoning, is in fact, a different person."

"…Huh?"

"He's still active behind the scenes at this academy. And I don't know what he'll do next."

I could only say this much.

Just knowing that a villain exists, Araceli will use her brilliant mind to catch the Black Mage.

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If she does, the reputation she would have gained, will return.

"Catch him."

I didn't say the reason.

Perhaps, she can't understand it as it is now.

The reason why I was doing this.

However, maybe she will understand it in the distant future.

The countless opportunities that comes by hunting the Black Mage.

"…Then, are you leaving now?"

"Yes. This isn't where I belong…Maybe this will be my last time here."

"That…I see."

Araceli hesitated for a moment, then asked.

"…By any chance, can you tell me where you're going?"

"Well. It's a place you'll never find."

Nowadays, dimensions were actually fairly common on Earth.

The protagonists with the 'travelor' hashtag and the dungeons on Earth had to do with dimensions, and even I, a dimensional traveler.

However, it was not a result from human ingenuity.

Humanity can't just randomly pick up knowledge of dimensions.

It was just a coincidence, following the course of nature.

So the possibility of Araceli realizing dimensions with human ingenuity is bound to be zero.

For that reason.

As an eternal parting gift, I gave her a present.

It was also a kind of ritual to completely disengage the affection that I almost felt for a moment.

"This is…"

"It's a bullet."

"Bullet..?"

A small, dainty, yet destructive thing that can kill a monster instantly.

"Also, let go of your lingering feelings."

"Huh? What are you saying…!"

After saying what I had to say, I opened the door to the lab and went out.

With the bullet in Araceli's hand, she followed right after him.

"Huh…?"

No matter where she looked.

She couldn't see him.

Gone.

Without even saying goodbye.

Like he was never here.

"…What. Are you really gone forever?"

Holding the bullet in her hand, Araceli bit her lips.

The words spoken by Seodam echoed in her mind.

'It's a place you'll never find.'

However, she thought differently.

"Magic…the word 'absolute' does not exist."

All magic prohibits the use of the word absolute.

Everything was possible with magic because it has infinite possibilities.

Therefore, the professor's words were contradictory.

"The next time we meet, I'll point out the contradiction."

Thinking so, Araceli took a step forward.

The road has been carved.

Now, the only thing left to do is to run along it.

For some reason, I had a bittersweet feeling.

Is it okay just leaving like that?

With such a thought, I let go of any lingering feelings.

Because it was for the best.

[Mission Completed. Returning to your original world.]

[Time has returned to normal.]

For a little while, I felt like I was floating in zero gravity.

A familiar smell struck my nose.

My small studio apartment.

The unique smell of an old building built more than 30 years…and beer?

I instinctively placed a hand on my aether blade, and hurriedly looked around my surroundings.

Then.

I saw the TV in the middle of the studio was turned on.

There, sat in their underwear was a person casually drinking a beer.

"…Taylor?"

When our eyes met, the owner of the short silver hair gave a 'happy to see you after such a long time' expression.

Her name is Taylor Nine.

A S-Rank superhuman working in Russia.

And an acquaintance I made a pact with 15 years ago to walk the path of a hunter.

Taylor, who had beer stains on the corner of her mouth, soon wiped it off, then blinking her golden eyes, spoke.

"W-what are you doing…?"

…Shouldn't it be me asking that question?

There were eight people, both boys and girls.

Although they had different nationalities and ages, they all had a hatred for monsters, and all dreamed of becoming hunters.

Ever since they were kids, instead of toys, they had knives, and ever since they could hold a pen, they were holding guns.

And, they have never regretted embarking on this path.

Fifteen years later, all seven were scattered after the death of one girl in the group.

'I want to be a singer.'

'I want to work in business.'

'I want to work at sea.'

'I…"

Each had a higher dream and ambition than the last, and everyone achieved great success in their respective field.

Except for me.

When they were at the top of their field, I was still a F-Rank hunter.

So I was reluctant to contact them, and we inevitably grew apart.

Except for one person, Taylor Nine, who, like me, remains a hunter.

"…Long time no see?"

She was the most familiar face to me because she often came to Korea.

At my ungrateful words, she dropped the beer that was dripping and jumped up from her seat.

Suddenly, she stared at me suspiciously with her golden eyes.

"Y-you…What the hell? Teleport? No, not teleport…Punk, don't tell me you're a Dimensional Returnee?"

Dimensional Returnee, a person who has returned after falling into another world.

Dimensional Returnees are known to be capable of using new types of powers completely different from Earth, called 'unorthodox' by people.

It is said that Dimensional Returnees could wield ordinary swords or use their barefist to exert tremendous power without the use of aether.

For some reason, most of them chose to live in hiding.

"Dimensional Returnee…I guess it's something like that. Or maybe Dimensional Traveler would be more correct?"

Because instead of just coming back, I went back and forth between dimensions.

"W-what, crazy punk. What really happened while I was gone?"

I was going to tell her everything.

I hope you don't tell anyone about the protagonist hunting contract.

It's only a simple request, so you can tell her if you want.

The Client asked for a favor.

She didn't pressure me not to speak, but simply requested.

So I decided not to.

In the first place, it would be funny telling someone about a contract where I had to kill people.

"I can't tell you any more than that."

Hearing my answer, she seems to have mixed feelings as she stared at me for a long time.

Seeing the unrealistic scene of me, an ordinary person, appearing out of thin air, what would a normal person think?

But there were many incomprehensible things in this world, and when people had useless curiosity about him, she was always the one to stop it.

She says it's out of consideration for others.

Seeing me reluctant to speak, she didn't push it.

I think in many ways, that's what I've always liked about her.

"Kid, you've grown in my absence. Have you gotten taller?"

"I've always been taller than you."

"Hm…"

Staring at me, she soon calmly smiled.

"Yeah, well. What does it matter if you're a Dimensional Returnee or a Dimensional Traveler?"

'All that matters is that you're alive.'

Huh, maybe it was my imagination, but I thought I heard her saying something.

"Anyways, punk…Do you know how long I've been here waiting for you?"

"How long?"

"I've been staying here for almost three weeks. I thought you weren't coming back at all, you bastard."

"Huh."

So what have you been doing in my home for three weeks?

Somehow, the apartment was filled with her stench, the stench of a lonely man.

In addition, from the looks of it, there was trash everywhere.

She didn't clean up after herself at all.

"I'm shaking looking at this pigsty."

"Ahaha, yeah. You should have cleaned up like usual."

"Bastard, this is all your doings."

I said, while tapping on a beer can that rolled near my feet.

"Anyways, what are you doing in my home? You're still bizarre as always, hanging a ribbon on your panties."

"This…"

She was barely dressed.

A white sleeveless shirt and black panties.

She looked down at her panties, then up, and soon her eyes became serious.

"The ribbon is the point. It's damn pretty."

"…Aren't you going to wear pants over it?"

"So? What's wrong if it's inside? And, can't you still see the red ribbon ?"

What?

"I originally wore this to show you. Why else would there be a ribbon?"

"Huh."

It's definitely bullshit, but it's a little plausible.

So I couldn't refute it.

"Never mind. Just tell me why you're here."

"Why else. I came because I missed you."

"Is that all?"

"Uh…about 3%?"

"Oh come on."

"Also. Huhu, this sister came to see you, the least you could do is be grateful."

Looking at the half eaten food on the floor, I don't feel grateful at all.

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I slowly took off my combat uniform and hung it on the hanger, changing my clothes without qualms.

We've fought on the battlefield together and practically knew everything about one another.

She glanced at me changing my clothes, tilted her head, then spoke.

"Oho. There's something strange about you."

"What now?"

"Your muscles are strange."

"What?"

Come to think of it, I've only been to the hospital once since I became a 'protagonist hunter.'

At that time, I didn't even understand the skill properly.

What if the abilities I absorbed from the protagonists harmed my body?

I never thought about it at all…

"Your muscles have become a piece of art."

"…?"

"No, really. Look. Do you know how much you've changed? It's crazy. Seriously, your muscles have gotten so much toner. Though, your face is still smudged."

Saying so, she snorted, leaving me speechless.

Taylor always had a pretty face, so if I tried to argue about our appearances, I would lose unconditionally.

In the meantime, she clinged closer and closer to my upper body, examining it with a serious expression.

I saw myself in the full-body mirror too, but honestly, I don't see the difference at all.

How could she tell the difference?

"For old times' sake, can I touch it?"

"No."

I lightly pushed her away, then spoke.

"Anyways, if you're here, then it means there's a pretty good case, right?

"That's right."

For Taylor Nine, a S-Rank, to come to Korea, it must have been a good case.

"Was it settled after three weeks without me?"

"As expected, you were somewhere strange, weren't you? You didn't even watch the news?"

"I don't know, so tell me."

"A 'deformed' dungeon appeared off the coast of Incheon."

I frowned after hearing it.

Deformed dungeon.

It's a dungeon that's hard to rank because it was impossible to measure.

Dungeons weren't common sense in the first place, but a deformed dungeon deviated so much from what people knew and had studied about dungeons.

Ever since monsters appeared 30 years ago, deformed dungeons have always caused quite a commotion.

I can't believe it appeared in Korea this time.

"What's the progress on the dungeon so far?"

"Not only the Hunter Association of Korea, but also guilds from foreign countries came to support in many different ways. But fuck, none have been able to even enter."

"What? Does that make any sense?"

"I don't know. I have no fucking clue either."

She shook her head with a sunken expression.

"You don't have superpowers, but you're a little smart, aren't you? So I came to ask if you want to work with me."

In this world, 'hunters' are unconditionally considered superhumans, no matter the ranks.

Even if I took it for granted.

For example, if you're going to take three hunters, who would you rather take?

A F-Rank hunter or a high Rank hunter?

It's also the case that no matter how knowledgeable a F-Rank hunter is and how well their brain works, it's more useful to take a person with superpowers that can fire lasers out of their hands in cases of emergency.

However, if you're a superhuman at the peak.

Like the case with the S-Rank hunter, Taylor Nine, who would rather take brain over brawn because she has the ability to cover the other roles alone.

She came to me from time to time.

"But first, we can't even get in. These crazy bastards, I guess they're planning to force a 'time over.'"

If a dungeon isn't cleared in time, the inside and outside world will synchronize.

But what if the environment inside the dungeon is worse than Earth?

It means the environment of Earth will be greatly damaged.

I don't know about normal cave type dungeons, but in most cases with high rank and deformed dungeons, the ecosystem was destroyed after synchronization.

In other words, we may have to give up part of the sea off the coast of Incheon after 'time over.'

"The Korean government would not have allowed it."

"Of course. But what can they do? Nobody can even enter."

"Didn't the Cooperative of International Anomaly organization come in? They're experts on this stuff."

"They're here. They're losing hope too. Actually, this sort of thing is normal."

Yes, deformed dungeons were often impossible to enter, and even if it was possible, the traps inside were difficult to understand, so it was rarely cleared.

I've also seen a few deformed dungeons in the past, but I wasn't able to break through any of them.

"…To be honest, I don't know what will change if I come."

"I know. It's impossible to even enter the deformed dungeon, so it's mostly frightened little chickens crowding the place. I know you won't go in anyways, so just come to fill a spot. And I'm so annoyed with the sightseeing cowards that every time I see them, I swear to god, I just want to strangle them."

"You still have a nasty temper."

I was considering whether to go or not.

Deformed dungeon.

I never went unless I had 1st-Grade equipment.

In the first place, even A-Rank dungeons were too much for 2nd-Grade equipment.

The same was true with my E-Rank physical ability.

Maybe it won't matter if I'm commanding from the backline.

But, I've wasted too much bullets from the mega shooter this time that my wallet is tattered.

"If you go and show your face, you'll get paid, and if the dungeon opens, you can take a bus home. That would kill two birds with one stone."

Right, there was nothing to lose.

Next day.

Seodam and Taylor Nine headed to Eurwangni Beach in Incheon.

This place was famous for being quite popular throughout all four seasons.

30 years ago, when a deformed dungeon appeared, it 'time over' and the environments synchronized, leading to the mysterious existence of the 'silver corals.'

Just because a dungeon synchronizes with reality doesn't mean all outcomes were bad.

Eurwangni was one of the places that had a positive outcome, seen by the fact that nature became cleaner and beautiful natural forests grew.

Currently, not a single civilian can be seen at Eurwangni Beach, which was developed into a tourist attraction.

Dozens of reconnaissance drones were hovering over Eurwangni, and many soldiers and military helicopters could occasionally be seen.

There were so many temporary barracks near the beach as well as accommodations everywhere that Seodam wondered if there was a need to build such high quality barracks.

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Feeling the chilly sea breeze, Seodam pulled up his collar.

The problem was that the 3rd-Grade aether coat had no heating function at all.

Taylor Nine was dressed very lightly, compared to him who was cold.

Black hot pants short enough to reach her hips, a fluffy blue baseball jumper, and a blue baseball cap.

There was also a silver baseball bat hanging from her back.

Seodam knew that although it looked like she was going to play baseball in a neighborhood somewhere, that outfit and even the baseball bat were actually 1st-Grade or the higher 'named' grade.

Most aether clothes were uniform in appearance, but sometimes named-grade looked ordinary.

Perhaps her clothes have temperature controls that are several times better than Seodam's.

Though, it was easy for S-Rank superhumans to control their own body temperature without it.

Hut!

The Soldier saluted when they saw the F-Rank and S-Rank hunter certificates.

Rather than focusing on Seodam, the focus was on Taylor Nine, which is presumed to be for other reasons and not because she is a S-Rank.

Even if she didn't have superpowers, her presence would have caught people's attention.

"Ah, there are so many bugs. They're not even going into the dungeon."

Taylor grumbled when the hunters looked at her.

Chewing bubble gum, her face was full of discontent, partly because of the order of no smoking on the scene, but also because of the hunters who showed their faces.

From time to time there would be a hunter who tried to get close to her.

"Can you fuck off? Son of a bitch, what are you looking at?"

"Are you trying to hit on a girl in this situation? Are you a hunter or a rabbit? Do you still want to keep that thing down there or should I cut it off?

"Who the fuck do you think you are to call me by my name?"

…They were all blocked by her impenetrable wall, and scurried off.

"Oh, look at the black pill bugs over there."

At Taylor's words, Seodam turned his head.

There were dozens of hunters with the Lost Day armband, and three were S-Rank hunters.

Although these S-Rank hunters are treated like celebrities in Korea, the oldest hunter of them all, Taylor, also known as Ahn Huigon, saw them as mere bugs.

"Hey, are you ready to blow up the image of those cheaters again?"

Recently, Lost Day has been plagued by their involvement in the mutant issue.

Taylor Nine found the situation funny, but knew their image would soon recover.

Because Yoo Haram, the guild master of Lost Day, was one of the only three SS-Rank superhuman in Korea.

"Those bastards, one day I will crush them…"

"Why are you angry? They haven't done anything to you."

Suddenly, Taylor's face twisted like that of a demon with the expression of 'what nonsense is that?'

"Those fuckers screwed you over, yet you don't look upset. Aren't you angry?"

"What, of course I'm pissed."

It's not that Seodam wasn't angry.

It's that there's nothing he can do right now, so he's just waiting for the right time.

While walking with Taylor to the entrance of the dungeon, Seodam took out his phone when it suddenly vibrated.

[Incoming Call – Celeste]

"Huh?"

Come to think of it, the call history can be checked after returning to Earth.

Seodam, who was wondering if he should answer the phone, soon shook his head.𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕓.𝕔𝕠𝗆

He can't do it near the dungeon because he doesn't know when an anomaly would happen.

When he was about to reject the call.

He saw something strange.

[Missed Calls – 56]

'…What is it?'

'…What?'

'…No, nevermind.'

Most of the missed calls were from Celeste.

'Did I forget to return something I borrowed from you?'

He didn't think so.

He was wondering if he should call her, but Seodam soon turned off his phone.

Because he has arrived near the entrance of the dungeon.

"That's a little…strange?"

Dungeons have always appeared at different locations, but they were very similar.

The entrances were like a black hole, with a split at the entrance so you could see the inside of the dungeon.

However, in front of Seodam at this moment is a huge floating door, a first for him.

"So that's the deformed dungeon. It's my first time seeing something like this. Wasn't the last time on a paddle boat?"

"Oh, that? You almost fell to your death."

"Shut up."

As soon as Seodam tried to get a closer look at the door, which was floating in the air like a mirage, soldiers and agents from the Cooperative of International Anomaly organization approached him.

"Excuse me, but can you state your business?"

"Get out of the way, he's going to open the door."

"Hey, what…"

Seodam looked at her with a ridiculous look, but Taylor giggled indifferently.

"Oh it's hunter Taylor Nine. Thank you for your hard work today as well."

"Uh. Have a nice day."

Fortunately, the agents understood that her words were a joke.

Taylor Nine used to scold everyone here everyday asking when she could enter the dungeon, and somehow that unexpectedly created a good image among the people here.

While other hunters were just sightseeing, she acted as if she would smash the dungeon to pieces if given the chance.

There was no one who hated a S-Rank hunter doing their job.

"So. Do you have any idea?"

Taylor asked Seodam without much expectation.

In the first place, even an organization specializing in this kind of thing couldn't do anything, so she thought it was even more impossible for a hunter.

That was the case with Seodam who was about to shake his head.

But then, a message appeared in his mind.

This leads to the world the fallen Julexa Empire's Magic Palace.

Julexa Empire?

At this question, another message appeared.

This world has already finished its 'Epilogue', and 'Protagonist' does not exist.

"Huh…?"

Blinking his eyes, Seodam stared at the huge door.

Peculiar patterns that seem to have some principle behind them, familiar yet different from what he remembers.

Yes, it was unmistakably a magic circle.