Chapter 102: Cold Victory


    The ice caps were melting.


    Cold chill.


    He gradually felt an acute pain.


    Senios had a hunch.


    In the end, I cant ovee him.


    What was the purpose of his life?


    If anyone asked.


    Senios could answer that it was to prove his strength.


    Even when he looked back at himself, it was truly a simple and ignorant life.


    Until he became an old man.


    He never thought he would end up like this without being able to let go of his regrets.


    But it wasnt so bad. Yes.


    Compatibility.


    The rtionship between the Fire Dragon, Karimjeva, and his own ice magic was extremely terrible.


    At this moment, as you could see.


    Crack!


    Senios vision magic manifested.


    Countless icicles fall from the sky.


    Everything that touched each icicle froze in an instant.


    Out of all the magic that Senios could manifest.


    It was the most lethal magic.


    Useless.


    Rumble!


    However, the icicles didnt reach Karimjeva.


    Even if it were an ice cap, it wouldnt be able to freeze his mes.


    The icicles touching Karimjevas me scattered into the air, spraying mana.


    Hahaha


    Suddenly, Senios burst outughing.


    Karimjeva became puzzled.


    His magic, which had been overflowing uncontrobly, also calmed down.


    Senios must have noticed that he had no chance of winning.


    Have you finallye to your senses, Senios?


    Why was heughing?


    Still, wasnt it pretty good for the worstpatibility?


    What?


    I never thought about beating you in the first ce. Karimjeva.


    Senios suddenly recalled the past.


    Before his awakening.


    After entering the tower.


    Up until he became the elder mage.


    My goal? To freeze the mes.


    Senios believed in ice magic and didnt doubt it.


    Like the current senior mages, he thought his magic was the best. But over the years. He opened his eyes. When he could see the world of magic.


    Limitations are inevitable.


    Senios admitted.


    There was a limit to every magic.


    His own ice magic was no exception.


    However.


    Isnt oveing those limitations also a purpose of life?


    Knowing his limits.


    He didnt think he could beat Karimjeva in the first ce.


    He even thought of dying with that guy.


    Senios grunted.


    Fire and ice. If I ovee the worst odds and achieve a draw. Wouldnt future generations have a higher opinion of me, Karimjeva? What do you think? Dont you think so?


    A draw.


    Youve lost your mind.


    Karimjeva sensed madness in Senios.


    And he clicked his tongue.


    What can you do when even your heart is stopping?


    Hahaha. My heart is not stopping. Im controlling the speed at which my heart beats. You dont even know that? The quest for magic is an important one, Karimjeva. You must have been so absorbed in the truth that you neglected it.


    !


    His heart wasnt stopping.


    He was controlling its running speed?


    At his meaningful words, Karimjeva looked around.


    No, he didnt see anything strange.


    Drip


    The ice wings that surrounded Senios had long since melted.


    The stream of water that was gushing out of the ground was being converted into steam through his own destructive fire. Yeah, if he had to pick one thing strange, he felt a bit cold.


    Wait, I feel cold?


    It didnt make sense.


    Didnt he, too, surround himself with mes?


    Was it a physical illusion?


    He thought so.


    !


    It wasnt.


    Huft!


    White breath was reallying out of his mouth.


    Karimjeva frowned.


    Youre bullshitting until the end. Senios.


    It was a bit disappointing.


    Seniosughed.


    Huft


    As heughed, white breath came out from the corners of his mouth.


    Youre so merciless. What do you mean I am bullshitting? This one and only Senios of Eternal Snow, for the Fire Dragon Karimjeva. This magic is created just for you. Cant you consider my sincerity?


    Reaching the peak.


    When he came up with this magic.


    Ive really taken it all.


    Senios thought so and clicked his tongue.


    Will there evere the day when I can use this?


    He entered the Mage Tower after Karimjeva.


    However, before he knew it, he had risen to the position of an elder mage like Karimjeva.


    Even though he knew they couldnt settle the matter with each other. He didnt expect to create this meaningless magic.


    But who knew? I didnt know this day woulde.


    So he didnt even name the magic.


    If I knew this would happen, I wouldve given it a usible name.


    Karimjeva.


    You, me.


    The Mage Tower.


    He found out that he was deceiving the Tower Master.


    So without hesitation.


    Senios manifested hisst magic.


    What do you think is the essence of ice-cold magic?


    Huft!


    The chill didnt go away.


    Out of frustration, Karimjeva didnt reply.


    But Senios immediately continued.


    Some people say its beauty. The shape of ice that reflects light is as gorgeous as a jewel. But youre wrong. The essence of ice magic lies in coldness.


    Huft!


    Huuft!


    Karimzeba clenched and unclenched his stiffening hands.


    It became increasingly difficult to move and breathe.


    I wont hear it anymore.


    Karimjeva no longer stood still.


    He couldnt tell what kind of magic Senios was using.


    He couldnt keep up with his rhythm.


    Crackle!


    Karimzeva showed fire.


    He pped the wings of fire at Senios.


    And he witnessed it.


    What?!


    An incredible sight.


    His spreading me looked so slow.


    What? Did time slow down?


    No, it didnt.


    Because Senioss mouth was stillughing.


    How about the chillness that freezes even your senses, Karimjeva? The moment you notice, your body and internal organs are already half frozen.


    Karimjeva didnt believe it.


    There had been no opportunity to manifest that level of magic.


    Huuuft!


    But as if his words werent a lie.


    Neither his body nor his me listened.


    Karimjeva thought hard.


    Where did this kind of magic happen?


    He hadnt even noticed?


    And soon, when he saw Senios breathing white steam like he was.


    He realized it.


    Its breath!


    The magic cooled the air he inhaled.


    Because the air in the area was cooled indiscriminately.


    His body was freezing, too.


    But why could he talk at a normal speed?


    Did I tell you? Its not stopping, its just being controlled.


    A chill that even froze his senses.


    Thumpthumpthump


    Senios heart was beating in tune with that frozen sensation.


    Senios counted as he looked at Karimjeva, who couldnt even answer.


    Even 1 second.


    If he couldst longer than Karimjeva.


    The Fire Dragon could be put to sleep under the eternal snowfield.


    Of course, regardless of the oue, Ill be frozen in the cold.


    Yeah, as expected.


    At best, it would be a draw.


    Well, if its a draw by sacrificing the life of a spoiled old man.


    Thats not too bad of a deal, is it?


    And that was his atonement for the Mage Tower.


    Senios smiled.


    Even if I took a lot of things, it was a very good life. Yeah.


    But the Fire Dragon was not easy.


    I never thought you would risk your life. Thats surprising.


    !


    Karimjeva was speaking just fine.


    More than half of his body should have been frozen already.


    Senios was shocked and looked at Karimjeva.


    mes gushed out of Karimjevas mouth.


    However, I am risking my life too.


    He swallowed the mes.


    In other words, he was melting his frozen body, the organs.


    Senios spat out augh.


    Thats the worst.


    He wasnt called the Fire Dragon for no reason.


    He swallowed fire to melt the frozen organs.


    It was amazing that he made such a decision.


    To think he could spit out words even after doing that.


    Are you saying you wont even allow a draw?


    Did this mean that limitations couldnt be ovee no matter what?


    Damn it.


    His eyes were slowly closing.


    His senses be dull.


    The moment Senios clenched his teeth.


    Tap tap


    He heard the sound of shoes stepping into the frozen ground.


    Senios, your magic was excellent.


    A voice called to him.


    But the interference process is disappointing.


    And that voice was criticizing him.


    Senios managed to answer.


    Is that so?


    He knew who it was without even having to check.


    Because Senios knew the protagonist of this bold voice.


    Yes, Chief Lee Hoyeol.


    You need a new concept to ovee the limitations.


    Seniors saw him confidently stepping forward to Karimjeva.


    Yeah, he remembered seeing that back, too.


    At the regr conference, when Hoyeol criticized the presentation of the senior mage, Banglet Tom.


    His back was as upright as it was then.


    The exploration that the essence of ice magic lies in cooling was excellent. However, there is some disappointment in the interference process. If an object is to be cooled, how far should it be cooled? Unrestricted abstract interference only leads to inefficient manifestations.


    Karimjevas me swayed.


    How dare you brat?


    Wasnt the same as giving a lecture in front of him?


    He wanted to burn that cheeky guy right away.


    The senses of his body were not yet intact.


    There was no way the body that repeatedly got frozen and burned could be fine.


    However.


    Its practically over for Senios.


    He just had to deal with the adventurer brat.


    He could do it even with an unhealthy body.


    Karimjeva opened his mouth thinking so.


    I will surely kill you.


    But Hoyeols lecture continued.


    It continued regardless of Karimjevas words.


    Senios could understand why.


    Youre being considerate of the old man. Yes.


    He knew that Senios didnt have much time left to breathe.


    Thats why he hurriedly tried to finish his sentence.


    Senios concentrated on Hoyeols words.


    If the goal had been specifically set during the interference process, more effective manifestation would have been possible. But even so. It wouldnt have been possible to ovee the magicpatibility. However, if it is [oddity] rather than magic, it would be a different story.


    [Oddity]?


    Understanding the concept right away.


    It was impossible even for the two elder mages.


    Therefore, a revtion was needed.


    Of course, Karimjeva was not one to quietly sit back and watch.


    Its over.


    His senses were back.


    He would take the brat immediately


    In the interference process, you need to add a [concept] that ispletely different from [magic].


    Crack!


    ?!


    For a moment, Karimjevas body stopped.


    Karimjeva could feel it.


    It was different from Senios magic.


    I cant resist it?!


    If Senios magic had merely caused his bodys senses to malfunction, this truly felt as if it stopped his body. Even the flow of his magic power!


    What have you done to me!


    It was iprehensible.


    A magic that even stopped the flow of magical power.


    Karimjeva also thought hard about it.


    There must be a clue in his words to ovee this magic.


    Just like how he had seen through Senios magic.


    But no matter how much he reflected on Hoyeols words.


    There was only one conclusion.


    Yeah, this is [oddity].


    It wasnt magic. It was called [oddity].


    Its specific goal, a manifestation of oddity that cools the object of interference to absolute zero.


    Absolute zero.


    He didnt know what that meant, but.


    One thing was certain.


    Senios opened his mouth quietly.


    Absolute zero, lets name it that. It sounds good.


    Through his cloudy vision.


    Senios raised his head.


    I shouldnt have been worried. Yeah.


    Chief Lee Hoyeol.


    Wasnt he the man Marcelo acknowledged?


    Senios understood how Marcelo felt when he rmended Hoyeol.


    So he had no more regrets.


    It wasnt the ice magic that wascking, it was me.


    As you could see, wasnt Karimjeva helpless against the oddity that Hoyeol had manifested?


    The Fire Dragon was frozen because his mes werent enough.


    Senios continued.


    You will do better than I do.


    That was the old-fashioned elders first andst regret.


    Nevertheless, please take good care of the Mage Tower. Chief Lee Hoyeol.


    He added a word with a smile.


    Thest lecture of my life was absolutely wonderful.


    .


    .


    .


    Senios was dead.


    Karimjeva looked at Hoyeol.


    How?


    He still didnt understand.


    The magic power he felt was terrible, not onlypared to himself but also to Senios.


    His doubts didnt go away. Thinking about it, he didnt understand it from the beginning.


    He was unharmed even by my mes.


    No, not only that, Hoyeol had definitely dealt with the demons. Karimjeva knew very well what kind of race the demons were.


    Those who came into contact with the demons, no matter how strong they were, were deprived of their mental strength.


    It shouldnt bepletely impossible.


    Even the elder mages had been swayed by them.


    However, Hoyeol was fine.


    No, beyond that, he was calm.


    To the point that he could incessantly chatter about the structure of magic.


    Wait a minute.


    At that moment, Karimjeva felt a sense of distortion.


    How did he recognize Akampathams possession?


    Unless Hoyeol was a demon worshiper like he was.


    It was almost impossible to notice a demon possessing someone.


    And for a mage, his magic power was absurdly low A thought passed through his mind.


    Are you, by any chance, a demon hunter?


    Tap tap


    At those words, Hoyeol turned his back and looked at him.


    Karimjeva was convinced.


    Yes, this guy was a demon hunter.


    Karimjeva rolled his brain.


    Maybe


    He might be able to get away from it.


    This damn magic. No, this oddity.


    Karimjeva opened his mouth.


    Demon hunter. All I want to do is witness the true truth. The demons are just a means. Dont you know that? What the Arcana continent needs is the true truth!


    Yeah, if he was none other than a demon hunter.


    He would have no choice but to understand the true truth.


    Karimjeva thought so and said that.


    However.


    Why?


    There was no change in Hoyeols expression.


    There was a chill in his cold gaze.


    If he was a demon hunter.


    Thinking of the end of Akshan.


    He could never react like that.


    Karimjeva opened his mouth in wonder.


    Perhaps, do you not know the truth of the Holy War?


    .


    .


    .


    Holy War.


    What is that?


    Did it happen when Arcana was a game?


    Whatever had happened, of course, I wouldnt know.


    Because for me, I had a ten-year gap.


    Karimjeva mumbled.


    If you let me go, Ill tell you everything. About the Holy War, about the true truth! If youre a demon hunter, Im sure youll understand what I mean. I swear on the name of the Fire Dragon, Karimjeva!


    I could feel it in my head.


    Holy War, demon hunter.


    It might have something to do with Akshan.


    But I didnt answer.


    At this moment, for me.


    For Grandfel, Karimjeva was no different from the demons.


    I told you.


    I didnt talk to prey.


    The true truth was bullshit. Not only it messed up the world, it even resurrected the demon king, how could you call it the truth? Of course, there was no reason for me to pause for such things as Holy War.


    Holy War.


    The moment Karimjeva took that word out of his mouth.


    A message appeared.


    [ss quest: Akshans Annihtion]


    Yeah.


    Therefore I manifested my magic right away.


    No, I manifested [oddity].


    Absolute zero.


    An extreme temperature at which even molecules stopped moving.


    I!!


    Soon, Karimjevas pride was nowhere to be found.


    He froze with an ugly look.


    At the same time, a message appeared.


    [Youve cleared the rupture Cracked Dimension Gap: .]


    Dispose of the runaway demon worshiper. (Sessful)<ul><li> Stop the resurrection of the high-ranking demon king. (Sessful)</li></ul>