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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 135
‘Hmm?’
It felt as if a familiar, alluring voice had just brushed past him.
He couldn't hear it clearly, so he couldn't say for sure.
As Seonghyun was thinking that, it suddenly occurred to him.
He expressed his bewilderment at the fact that it was a Hidden Raid, not a Hidden Dungeon.
Because it was a solo raid?
Could that be it?
There was only one thing Seonghyun was concerned about.
‘Shouldn’t a Hidden Raid like this be live-streamed?’
That thought suddenly struck him.
The settlement for his last live broadcast hadn't even been processed yet.
It was a bit funny that it was already time for the next raid.
But it also felt a bit strange not to turn on a live broadcast when the opportunity arose.
Well, it wasn't like he could turn it on whenever he pleased.
Just in case, Seonghyun contacted Rapid.
[Seonghyun: Guild Master Rapid, do you perhaps have time right now?]
Because Rapid was thorough in distinguishing between public and private matters.
As Seonghyun sent the message…
A somewhat annoyed reply came back not long after.
[Rapid: I'm busy right now because of someone! Anyway, why?]
A reply that didn't clarify whether she had time or not.
Seonghyun pondered her reply for a moment, then quickly sent another message.
[Seonghyun: Ah, well, I think I'm about to do a Hidden Raid, so can I turn on the live stream right away?]
[Rapid: What? Live? Now? Huh? What? What did you say? Hold on?]
Did she not understand for a moment?
Just as Seonghyun thought he might need to explain again and was about to send another message…
A reply came immediately.
[Rapid: Wait, you're going to do a live broadcast right now?]
[Seonghyun: Yes, in about 30 minutes. Ah, time has passed, so maybe in about 25 minutes? I think it'll be then. If it’s not possible, I guess I can just make it into a video.]
[Rapid: Uh…… so, a live broadcast right now is…… diff…… icult. There's no personnel available right now. Even if we found someone, it would probably take over 50 minutes. Our guild is a bit short on video staff…… We haven't even finished processing the video you sent yesterday.]
‘She’s busier than I thought.’
With that thought, Seonghyun was about to let it go when something occurred to him.
Short on video staff?
And at the same time, he recalled his drinking session with his friend Lee Geondong a while ago, and something clicked.
Wasn't Lee Geondong the one who said he wanted to try video editing?
He had already asked him to edit one video.
Could this be an opportunity?
Although she spoke comfortably with Seonghyun now…
It was because he was a friend’s younger brother, and her workload had massively increased recently thanks to Seonghyun; Rapid was someone who strictly separated public and private matters when it came to these kinds of affairs.
Seonghyun carefully brought up the topic.
[Seonghyun: In that case, my friend said he's starting video work this time. How about if he records this and sends you the edited version? If it’s good, it might be nice if my friend could take it on as outsourced work.]
[Rapid: Hmm, we're short on personnel because we don't hire anyone unless they're skilled. If he sends an edited video, we'd be grateful, but there's no guarantee it'll be approved. Is that still okay?]
Normally, there would be a formal interview and various verification processes.
Because she was in a state where she'd even borrow a cat's paw for help…
Rapid gave her permission, albeit only partially.
At the same time, she gave Seonghyun a warning that wasn't quite a warning.
A request for his understanding that they might not accept it, so he shouldn't be disappointed.
This was only natural.
Seonghyun paid it no mind and sent a reply.
[Seonghyun: Of course. I'll send the original and the edited video together, so if the edited video isn't good, you can just consider it a failed interview, right?]
[Rapid: Yes, live streams are a bit complicated, so you need to tell me further in advance. Even if you can't do it, if you see even a slight possibility, let me know beforehand so we can at least prepare.]
[Seonghyun: Ah, yes, I understand.]
[Rapid: Okay, thanks.]
[Seonghyun: Not at all, keep up the good work.]
After ending the messenger conversation like that…
Seonghyun smiled.
So, he could help his friend out like this.
But first, to do that…
‘I’ll have to try and make an absolutely awesome video, right?’
He planned to be quite serious about this raid.
He wondered if it would be good to make the video really engaging, perhaps showcasing his retainers while he was at it.
‘Though we haven’t really practiced coordinating.’
They were all skilled individuals.
They should be fine even without that much coordination.
Thinking so, Seonghyun was able to happily pass the somewhat tedious waiting time.
And so, 30 minutes passed.
6.
The Master of Illusions, called the ruler of the village.
It looked around its massive body, awaiting the imminent time of the offering.
It had been dissatisfied lately because the village hadn't brought any decent offerings.
But sensing a powerful aura near the village, the creature’s antennae twitched as it rejoiced.
Then, from behind its back, a light pink energy undulated and filled the entire cave.
The offering it had eaten a while ago had also been delicious.
It seemed this offering was of a similar kind.
Outsiders, was that what they were called?
The creature was delighted at the thought, filled only with the anticipation of having a proper meal this time.
“Ssssssssss.”
Letting out a bloodcurdling sound…
It drooled profusely, thinking of the prey it would soon devour.
If it could eat this one…
Its illusionary energy would surely become much denser.
Then, it could be called the true Master of Illusions.
The Master of Illusions in the cave thought such thoughts and waited for a long time.
A special cave whose door only opened at a fixed time each day.
Believing that if it trained here, it could someday attain true illusion, it only went out when the cave opened and always returned when it closed.
It wanted to roam outside right away.
But it had to endure more.
Because it was not yet perfect.
And so, after a time of perseverance…
When the 30 minutes that felt like an eternity finally ended…
The sound of the cave opening was heard.
Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble—!!!
It was finally time to eat its prey.
However, she did not know.
The fact that she herself could become the hunted.
7.
Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble—!!!
As if an earthquake were occurring near the village, the sound of stone dragging could be heard.
Then, a massive hole could be seen forming on the side of a distant cliff.
A hole too massive to be called a cave.
From that place, which looked as if the cliff had collapsed, a light pink mist spread, and a gigantic snake-like form revealed itself from the cave.
A long, writhing, flexible body like a snake.
However, on each segment of its body, thousands, no, tens of thousands of other wiggling things were attached.
Where its mouth should have been at the end of its body, long antennae were wriggling and moving.
Seeing that form, Seonghyun thought.
‘Wow. Good thing the live stream isn't on.’
The sight of it, with tens of thousands of legs covering its body and venomous fangs bared as it drooled profusely, was so grotesque that even Seonghyun, who usually had no particular aversion to such things, almost flinched.
The true identity of the Master of Illusions was none other than a giant centipede.
And it looked considerably strong too.
As the creature revealed its body, boasting a length comparable to the village, a light pink gas was being emitted from holes all over its form.
That seemed to be the illusionary aura.
[Hidden Raid Boss『Master of Illusions, Mirajine』has appeared.]
[The Hidden Raid will begin soon.]
!!!Warning!!!
You are currently not in a party!!!
This is dangerous!!!
Crescentra had also been a Hidden Raid Boss.
But he hadn't received such a strong warning then.
Seeing such a prominent warning this time, it seemed this one was considerably powerful.
The more it was so, the more satisfied Seonghyun’s smile became.
Ireumi, not yet noticing Seonghyun preparing for a raid, spread his arms wide and shouted towards the Master of Illusions.
“Ah! Oh, Master of Illusions!!! Please accept the offering we have prepared!!!”
This isn't even funny.
Seonghyun looked at Ireumi and clicked his tongue as if in pity.
“To think you’d sell people out like this.”
“Wh-What!? Y-You definitely d-drank the beverage, didn’t you?!”
“Well, enough of that. Guys.”
As Seonghyun called out…
The three retainers, who had been concealing their presence, revealed themselves.
Ireumi’s eyes widened in that instant.
When on earth did they appear!?
As he stared in disbelief…
The Master of Illusions, Mirajine, also looked at Ireumi with displeasure.
How dare he fail to properly cast the illusion on the offering.
The Master of Illusions, Mirajine, openly displayed its displeasure and spat something out towards Ireumi.
Kwaaaaaah——!
“Uwaaaaargh! Ugh! S-Save……”
Ireumi melted instantly in the vicious venom.
Seonghyun had no intention of saving him anyway.
Seeing as he couldn’t even lift a finger, this seemed to be an event scene before the boss fight.
It appeared to be a way of showing the boss’s attributes.
‘It seems poison has no effect on it.’
Any poison-related combos would clearly have a reduced effect.
Thinking that, Seonghyun recalled his own skills and his eyes sharpened.
Well then, shall we begin the hunt?
As Seonghyun thought that and lightly loosened his body…
The first skill Seonghyun used was.
Snap!
The moment he snapped his fingers, the brightly shining sun was obscured, and a black sun rose.
The area was engulfed in darkness, and black flames rained down from the black sun, all of them burning the Master of Illusions, Mirajine.
“Ssssssssss!!!”
It wasn’t excruciatingly painful.
But the creature shrieked as if displeased, and in that instant, Seonghyun opened the gate to the Netherworld and brought out Anemor and Karisha.
He had only intended to summon those two.
But from the entrance of the Netherworld, Balthar, with his dark red skin, and Drakhanos, being carried piggyback by Balthar, popped out.
Huh?
Is it okay for those two to come out?
As Seonghyun thought that…
-Mutter-mutter, grumble, whisper-whisper.
Hearing the still unintelligible, low muttering…
Seonghyun turned his head to look at Balthar.
-Lord, Master says he will assist just a little.
“……???”
At Balthar’s words, Seonghyun momentarily wondered what he should respond to first.
Since when was Drakhanos a ‘Master’ anyway?
Had he always been a Master?
And more importantly, he’s going to help?
“Uh……”
Wouldn't it be more helpful if the frail-looking Drakhanos just rested?
Such were Seonghyun’s disrespectful thoughts.
But Drakhanos carefully bowed his head to Seonghyun.
Then he got down from Balthar’s back.
He then briefly gripped his one-edged sword and thrust it forward, still with its scabbard.
Simultaneously, the Master of Illusions, Mirajine, was flying towards them as if shot out, aiming for Seonghyun’s direction, along with venom that could melt everything.
Could Drakhanos, looking like an old man about to collapse any second, actually do something here?
Just in case, Seonghyun prepared to follow up.
But Balthar and all the other retainers, far from stopping Drakhanos, were watching him with expressions full of anticipation.
What is this?
Curious if there really was something to it, he watched.
Kagagagagaga—!!!
The Master of Illusions, Mirajine, flew forward, leading with its venom and fangs.
And just as Drakhanos moved to draw his sword from its scabbard towards the creature…
Drakhanos’s form completely vanished.
Ssssssssss—!!!
With the sound of something rapidly cutting through the air…
Drakhanos reappeared atop the Master of Illusions, Mirajine.
And then.
Jjeo—!
Jjeo-jeo-jeo-jeok—!!!
Kwajiiiiiiiii—!!!
“Ssssssssss!!!!!!”
The shell on the Master of Illusions, Mirajine’s back was cleanly cut, and from its back, blood mixed with venom and the light pink illusionary aura gushed out like a hot spring erupting.
“What in the world……”
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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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