The Archmage’s Destruction Strategy - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#049. Scout

The woman who introduced herself as Shindo Ayaka finished her greeting and carefully examined Sung-jun’s group.

Then she took out a small glasses case from her pocket and put on the glasses inside.

Her personal artifact received from the awakening ceremony and the legendary artifact that made her the clan master of ‘Goddess’s Guidance’, one of only five raid clans in Japan – the ‘Twilight Crystal Eyes’.

It was an artifact with the highest-level appraisal abilities that could reveal the capabilities and magical artifact characteristics of whoever she looked at while wearing the glasses, and she had used those glasses to see through countless Awakened’s abilities until now.

However, she didn’t know.

That the creator of her glasses was the Previous Demon Lord, Sung-jun’s teacher’s predecessor, and that Sung-jun was the direct disciple of those Demon Lords.

The moment she put on her glasses, Sung-jun noticed through the flow of mana that appraisal magic was about to activate and immediately released his mana to disrupt her appraisal magic.

‘Huh? The appraisal isn’t activating?’

When the text that should have appeared floating in the air like a game interface screen wasn’t visible at all, Shindo Ayaka showed a confused expression.

‘Even if there are appraisal interference items, they shouldn’t be powerful enough to nullify my artifact… Could it be that the opponent’s item is a higher grade than my artifact?’

After pondering for a moment, she put down the Twilight Crystal Eyes, which was nothing more than ordinary glasses as long as appraisal didn’t work.

Her judgment was that what mattered now wasn’t whether appraisal worked or not.

“I apologize. The glasses I just took off are an awakened item called Twilight Crystal Eyes. It was a legendary artifact with appraisal abilities that could analyze an opponent’s capabilities in detail.”

“Just because the appraisal failed, you didn’t need to reveal that you attempted appraisal, did you?”

“Proper negotiations start with trust between parties. Of course, information is also a good card for gaining even a slightly advantageous position, but if obtaining that card fails, showing our cards first is also one good way to earn trust, isn’t it?”

Simply put, since the appraisal failed, there was a high probability that the fact she attempted appraisal was already exposed, so she would build trust by being honest about it.

That would also help lower the opponent’s guard, and most importantly, this was a situation where she needed to make a request.

Sung-jun felt like he glimpsed one aspect of why she, who didn’t seem particularly outstanding in terms of combat power, could hold the master position of one of only five raid clans.

“Then I’ll also disclose some information from our side. I noticed the appraisal magic activated the moment you put on your glasses and reflexively nullified it. Instead, if you have questions, I’ll provide as much information as possible within the range I can disclose.”

“Appraisal magic… you say? Not a skill?”

“Basically, all artifacts that come from Pandora’s Box are artifacts made by mages. So whatever abilities they have, they ultimately fall within the category of magic.”

“Then saying you nullified it means…”

“You’re probably thinking what’s correct.”

With eyes that seemed to anticipate what reaction the other party would show, Sung-jun said.

“Let me introduce myself too. I’m a great mage and one of the seven Pioneers who came from the Otherworld to Earth, the direct disciple of the 21st Demon Lord Minastrias and the archmage who inherited the position of the 22nd Demon Lord. My name is Ma Sungjun.”

Among humans, there are types who experience thought paralysis when suddenly faced with an amount of information they cannot process.

And Shindo Ayaka became aware for the first time in her life that she was that type of human.

***

“A mage, you say… Even with clear evidence that you countered my appraisal right before my eyes, it’s still an unbelievable story.”

Only after taking some time to collect herself could Shindo Ayaka accept Sung-jun’s story with her usual calm expression.

“Certainly, I remember that there were seven Pioneers who initially visited Earth, as Ma Sungjun said. And I also remember that the Pioneer dispatched to South Korea introduced himself as a mage. But according to my memory, I heard that person was judged to be a fraud and expelled by the South Korean government?”

“My teacher is not a fraud.”

Sung-jun spoke with a voice mixed with coldly cooled emotions.

While it was true that his teacher Minastrias became unable to use magic, the magical theories he taught were definitely real.

Then Shindo Ayaka, who grasped Sung-jun’s change in mood, quickly stood up and apologized to Sung-jun.

“I’m sorry. I simply meant to convey information I had heard, not to disparage Ma Sungjun’s teacher!”

“It’s fine. In fact, before I could use magic after D-day, being treated as a fraud was daily life.”

“You continued your magic training even while receiving such treatment…”

“For me, even if it was magic I couldn’t use immediately, the learning process itself was enjoyable. More than that, I’d like to hear about why you sought me out now. Since you went so far as to use Takasaki’s Guild Master to detain us, there must be a reason you had to do so, right?”

Hearing Sung-jun’s words, Shindo Ayaka fell into thought for a moment.

Not just the real name instead of the alias she received from the Guild Master, but also nationality information and information about Sung-jun’s abilities that she tried to obtain with her appraisal skill.

The information Sung-jun provided was much more important than she had expected.

Being clever, she realized at this moment that the opponent was testing her.

Along with the fact that depending on the attitude she took here, the opponent’s attitude toward her would change 180 degrees.

‘I’ve done countless information trades as a clan master, but this is the first time I’ve been this nervous…’

Steeling her resolve, she smiled and said to Sung-jun.

“Since you’re a clever person, you probably expect this, but…”

“A scout offer, right. To help conquer the lowest floor of Tokyo Dungeon.”

“Yes. As expected, you know. I formally request the great mage and one of the seven Pioneers who came from the Otherworld to Earth, the direct disciple of the 21st Demon Lord Minastrias and the archmage who inherited the position of the 22nd Demon Lord, Ma Sungjun. Please lend your strength to the 53rd Layer raid of Tokyo Dungeon that the Goddess’s Guidance Clan is pursuing.”

***

“Their movement was faster than expected. What do you plan to do?”

Sung-jun requested Shindo Ayaka for some time to consult with his companions, and Ayaka, receiving Sung-jun’s request, arranged for only Sung-jun’s group to remain in the Guild Master room for conversation.

Then Sung-jun, as soon as he confirmed Shindo Ayaka left the room, cast a sound-blocking magic covering the entire room.

Others couldn’t hear the three people’s conversation, but those inside the room could freely talk among themselves.

“First, I’d like to hear your opinions. What do you think?”

“Hmm… I feel like we lack the information needed for judgment right now. Of course, that woman’s proposal would be an express ticket to reach the deepest part of Tokyo Dungeon where a Corrosion Entity is expected to be fastest, but unlike conquering dungeons by ourselves, it seems like we’d have to give up a lot.”

“Give up?”

To Seoa’s question while listening to Shirasaki Miyu’s words, she answered.

“First, there’s a risk of our information being exposed too much. Like what happened in China, Japan might also try some scheme to keep strong Awakened under their influence, right? And that scheme would probably be force using Awakened power.”

“That’s highly likely.”

“Second is that we can’t monopolize the rewards. Looking at the pot we got from Nagano Dungeon, dungeons don’t just give equipment but also special items that help with conquest. There are dozens of dungeons in Japan, and collecting all rewards from unexplored dungeons would be a great help for our future journey.”

“Future journey, you mean…”

Looking at Seoa watching her with expectant eyes, Shirasaki Miyu let out a small sigh.

Then she scratched her head and said to Sung-jun.

“If possible, I’d like to continue with you all. Of course, my ability is just a minor version of Ma Sungjun’s, and there’s probably no possibility of getting stronger in the future… Still, when I was in Japan before D-day, I was among the top five Awakened. Now that Ma Sungjun upgraded my Grimoire, I’m stronger than back then. I think even if I can’t help, at least I won’t be a hindrance. The problem is…”

“Whether the Japanese government will let you go after defeating Japan’s Corrosion Entity.”

“Right. According to my prediction, we can solve the ‘black rain’ problem by defeating the Corrosion Entity, but that doesn’t mean the food problem will be immediately resolved. Moreover, in a situation where maritime material transport is blocked, magic stones that can replace fossil fuels are important resources managed by the state. In such circumstances, they wouldn’t want to send an Awakened as strong as me overseas.”

“Isn’t it a bit embarrassing to say you’re strong with your own mouth?”

“How strong are you then?”

Hearing Shirasaki Miyu’s words, Ma Sungjun leaned back against his chair and crossed his arms.

“Well… I can’t be certain, but at this point, aren’t I the strongest human?”

“Tsk… That’s an incredibly arrogant statement, but after seeing you fight, I can’t deny it… Anyway, I want to travel with you all if possible. Of course, making the Japanese government give up on me comes first. In the worst case, I plan to use the Grimoire to cast recognition inhibition magic and secretly escape.”

In fact, considering Shirasaki Miyu’s current abilities, escaping Japan while avoiding the Awakened Association’s eyes wasn’t a problem.

It was just that even using the upgraded Grimoire’s abilities from Sung-jun, long-distance sea travel by ship was unreasonable.

Therefore, for her to continue following Sung-jun’s group in the future, getting Sung-jun’s permission was essential.

The Sung-jun she knew seemed like he could somehow break through any dangerous path.

Thinking this, Shirasaki Miyu deliberately slipped the word ‘future’ into the conversation to ask Sung-jun for permission to accompany him.

“You might die.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Even if the path of following me might make you an ‘enemy of humanity’ if things go wrong?”

“That’s even better. If you become humanity’s enemy, humanity will be annihilated anyway. You’d at least spare your close associates, right? Honestly, I’m not interested in humanity’s salvation or being a hero. The reason I want to follow you is simply because that side looks more interesting.”

“Then if you judge that following me won’t be interesting?”

“Then I’ll resign and leave.”

“That’s a perfect relationship. Good. If you want to follow, you can follow. If there’s something you don’t like along the way, you can quit. If you keep just one promise, I’ll also protect you as much as possible within my capabilities.”

“A promise?”

“Don’t betray me.”

Sung-jun said.

“Getting tired and leaving is fine. Quitting because it’s hard is also fine. I’ll even acknowledge giving up halfway if what I’m trying to do seems unbearable. But promise me just one thing. Never betray me without telling me.”

“That seems like a sensitive issue. Do you have memories of being greatly betrayed before?”

“No. Not particularly.”

Hearing Sung-jun’s following answer, Shirasaki Miyu and Seoa couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Because Sung-jun’s reason for absolutely not betraying him was so very Sung-jun-like.

“I terribly hate having my plans ruined for reasons I didn’t anticipate.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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