Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 79

■Loera

Level: 56

Race: Human

Class: Swordsman

Traits: ???’s Energy (A+), Master of the Holy Sword (A)

—

■Pien

Level: 53

Race: Trueborn

Class: Mage

Traits: ???’s Energy (A+), Blessing of Purified Blood (A)

—

■Pamon

Level: 65

Race: Dark Elf

Class: Mage

Traits: ???’s Energy (A+), Master of the Forest (A)

—

■Rona

Level: 35

Race: Human

Class: Priest

Traits: ???’s Energy (A+), Empty Vessel Filled with Purity (A)

—

■Perrin

Level: 50

Race: Half-Spirit

Class: None

Traits: ???’s Energy (A+), Pure Chaos (A)

—

■Ricir

Level: 42

Race: Human

Class: ??? (Unique)

Traits: …

—

*

[Displaying Character Information]

…

…

…

[The target’s status is too high.]

*

[Title: What a Trash Game]

Content: Now even the status window is draining my health and mana.

– It happens when you see the information of the end-game quest bosses and named characters from the ultra-late game, haha.

– [The target’s status is too high.]

– Target status.

– Dammit, I just had to recall that name and now I’m forced to praise it.

– Even seeing level 7 (60 levels), health and mana drop, but above level 8 (70 levels), it’s just unbearable.

*

“Ugh…!”

In an instant, I unknowingly squeezed my eyes shut.

It felt as if a thick liquid was flowing into my brain, an unpleasant and painful sensation.

At the same time, I could feel my mana and mental strength melting away inside me like butter on a hot stove.

“What the heck is this…?”

This happened as I tried to check the information related to me from the status window.

Even with my eyes closed, the status window became blurry and unrecognizable.

I decided to pull back the nerves and concentration that had been directed at the status window.

I felt the constant pressure diminishing.

“Huh…”

Opening my eyes again and regaining my composure made me sigh involuntarily.

“Seriously, what’s all this…”

Lack of language synchronization, and burning resources to the point of wastage; what a garbage optimization.

If there were app reviews, I’d immediately give it 1 star and request a refund.

“Hey fellow residents of this other world, was your status window this ridiculous too?”

Realizing that the status, which usually marks the starting point of a life-changing journey, was purely trash made my mouth drop open.

The only thing that was somewhat comforting was that it wasn’t completely useless, at least?

I began to organize the information I had just gained from the status window.

That’s when I couldn’t help but mockingly chuckle.

“…Why are these people’s levels so high?”

I had no idea what those level numbers precisely meant.

But one thing was clear: considering my level, my companions’ statuses far surpassed my expectations.

I already knew that my Master and friends were significant figures.

My Master, who single-handedly toppled an entire clan.

Loera, the genius bearing the hopes of her family.

Pien, a being managing a clan-sized fishery.

And Perrin, who had made an elf princess fumble in her own skin.

Yet, seeing that greatness quantified in levels left me dumbfounded.

“I’m at level 42 after reaching the 6th tier; what if they’re level 50? Is she perhaps at the 7th tier?”

Above all, what impressed me the most was that I was in last place.

Even Rona, the one laying the groundwork, was showing incredible growth.

To think, just not long ago, she had become a disqualified demon and lost all her abilities, yet here she was, catching up to my level.

It suddenly occurred to me about that trait I had briefly glanced at.

I felt as though my brain was getting hammered with a pork cutlet hammer trying to confirm each one, but—

“Everyone had ???’s Energy.”

Maybe that was the secret behind their extraordinary growth?

Do I have that too?

At that moment of pondering various thoughts about the status window.

Knock, knock.

I heard a knock from the front door.

*

“Hi, it’s Squiggly Wiggly!”

As I opened the front door, Verbandes came running in enthusiastically to greet the guest at the door.

Squiggly Wiggly.

It was none other than Sir Meltas.

“Squiggly” intended the many wrinkles on his face, while “Wiggly” referred to his braided hair and beard.

Despite the pure emotional vibe emanating from his name, it had the unfortunate downside of being extremely rude.

Tap.

I lightly tapped the little sandy girl’s head with my knuckles and said, “Hey! Verbandes! That’s not okay! Speak properly, Sir Meltas.”

“M-Melutadechu, my lord!?”

“Melutadechu, my apologies. I had her practice saying her name properly, but she’s developed a habit of mispronouncing difficult ones. It’s the downside of intensive education.”

“Haha, it’s alright. Squiggly Wiggly, quite a cute name it is. I rather like it.”

“Is that so? Then, Squiggly Wiggly, what brings you here?”

“You should address me properly.”

“Shall we head inside and talk?”

“No, it’s just a simple matter, so I’ll keep it short. Do you know the city councilor, Ran?”

I had familiarized myself with most of the key figures in Bondales for my wise social life.

Ran was indeed on that list of notable individuals.

She was the eldest daughter of the Pellroso family, one of the five families that made up the city council, governing their clan in place of her ailing father.

“You mean Ran of the Pellroso family. I’m aware she’s one of the most powerful figures in Bondales as a councilor.”

The city councilors.

Even the masters of the Mage Towers, who were politically independent within the city, and mighty nobles from beyond kept their heads down before them in Bondales.

“A powerful figure in the city wants to make a personal request of you.”

“Me?”

Having received multiple requests from guild leaders before, I had grown accustomed to outsider requests, but this one felt unusually sudden.

Councilors typically ask for favors rather than make requests.

Is there anything they can’t solve with their influence in Bondales?

If anything, perhaps something involving another councilor.

“Sounds suspicious. Why would she ask for my help?”

“I find that troubling too. Councilors seldom want to owe anything to our Mage Tower. Do you know why?”

“Because they fear the political influence of the Mage Tower in the city?”

Sir Meltas looked at me with astonishment.

“You’re spot on. You have a rather mature perspective for your age.”

“Aw, you praise me too much for something trivial.”

“You can only say that because you don’t know how ridiculous some nobles your age are. You have no idea how relieved I was that your response didn’t involve ‘I wouldn’t want to lose face!’ or something equally absurd.”

That made me chuckle unexpectedly.

Indeed, there are plenty of fortunate fools among the young nobility.

They might be foolish by Sir Meltas’s standards, but they’re certainly not foolish in mine.

I can’t afford to criticize others’ intelligence.

If we had to nitpick, they’re incredibly stubborn.

Insisting on their principles of honor and face while imposing their worldview onto others.

I’d seen enough of that in Bendel.

“Anyhow, as you said, the council tries their best to avoid giving the Mage Tower any leverage since they fear the political influence of the Mage Tower in the city. They have no need to. For individuals of their stature, bringing in mages from outside is child’s play.”

“And yet, they requested our Mage Tower.”

“Moreover, they specifically named you.”

“Is there a particular reason? Could it be related to my back-alley pals?”

“If you ever have issues with those back-alley pals, you’d be going to the councilor for help.”

“Right. So why exactly?”

“I had preemptively inquired about this. It’d be a lamentable situation if a promising mage got wrapped up in a political scandal.”

“Right, what did they say?”

“They said to take their advice.”

“Advice?”

Sir Meltas paused for a moment before continuing.

“From what I gather, Ran has recently taken a keen interest in a certain individual. A rather suspicious figure referred to as the ‘Saint.’”

“The Saint?”

“Yeah. Apparently, he’s been treating the sick in the poor districts of Bondales for free.”

“Sounds like a good person, doesn’t it?”

“It’s rather lamentable that I have to say this, but Ricir, be wary of those who offer kindness without reason.”

“Indeed, it’s quite lamentable. I partially agree. Those claiming they want nothing to do with money often turn out to be the ones obsessed with it. Therefore, this ‘Saint’ has advised the councilor, Ran, to seek my assistance?”

“What do you think?”

“With them showing affection for me, perhaps they’re surprisingly decent?”

“Precisely! If they like you, they’re a good person! So, Squiggly Wiggly is also a good person!”

Bendel chimed in as she had been admiring Sir Meltas’ beard.

A grandfatherly smile spread across Sir Meltas’s face as he looked at her.

“And as far as I know, that Ran also has quite a decent reputation. She would be what you’d call a hopeful councilor.”

“She is indeed a relatively clean figure among councilors, but as a result, her power is limited.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll go and hear what she has to say. Opportunities to gain points with a councilor are rare.”

Surprisingly, the Mage Tower does not hold much influence in Bondales.

Saying ‘I’m a Mage Tower Mage’ might only get a 50% chance of someone respectfully bowing their head.

On the other hand, saying ‘I’m a friend of the councilor’ would probably guarantee a 95% chance of especially polite treatment.

Sir Meltas’s why he brought me such suspicious news must not be random.

This was a tremendous opportunity.

A chance to solidify my footing within both Bondales and the world of nobility.

I accepted Sir Meltas’s suggestion to seize that opportunity.

*

—

■Ricir

Level: 42

Race: Human

Class: ??? (Unique)

Traits: ??? (Unique), ??? (Unique), Breathing Iron (S-), Energy of Pure Chaos (A-), Mirage of the Celestial Sphere (B+)…

—

*

Ricir headed to meet Councilor Ran Felos at a large mansion located in the second district, the wealthiest residential area in Bondales.

They gathered in a reception room presumably much larger than an ordinary home.

“Ma’am Ran, Honorary Mage Ricir has arrived.”

As Ricir entered the reception room guided by the butler, attention instantly focused on him.

The emotions captured within those gazes were mostly mixed.

Even those smiling with curiosity did not display entirely friendly sentiments.

Ricir quickly understood the reason.

‘It’s just me being the rookie.’

*

The councilor, Ran, had summoned people to resolve the urgent issue at hand.

They were all figures deserving of the councilor’s polite invitation.

“I’m Talrod from the Red Mage Tower.”

A man with sharp eyes stated.

“Meeting the Red Lance here is quite the surprise.”

Then a female beastkin with red fur and tail spoke up.

“I’m Shakan of the Skywalker Tribe.”

“It’s an honor to meet a descendant of a great warrior.”

“And you?”

“I’m Maldad.”

“The Demon Hunter of Kardum. I’ve heard of you.”

After the last participant introduced himself wearing a hooded robe, everyone revealed satisfied expressions.

All were names widely respected across the continent.

Except for the rookie who was the first to unveil his name.

Honorary Mage of the Gray Tower, Ricir.

Not someone they’d ever heard of.

Did the councilor assign them an ambiguous person for political reasons?

If not, shouldn’t this gathering typically include notable figures like Master Meltas or Star Mage Marina?

As discontented stares turned toward the councilor, she cleared her throat and began to speak.

“Everyone, thank you for coming.”

“Is that perhaps why we’ve gathered you?”

The Demon Hunter of Kardum, Maldad, pointed to the table in the center of the reception area.

On it lay a black crystal orb.

“Indeed. The demon sealed inside holds the information our family seeks. Yet no matter how often we plead or threaten, it refuses to divulge anything. Thus, I ask for your assistance with this matter.”

Demon.

The mere utterance of those two characters without warning enhanced the weight of the atmosphere.

“A hundred explanations are worth less than one experience. Would you care to check it out?”

Councilor Ran cautiously gestured toward the orb.

“Hm~”

The beastkin warrior.

Shakan leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on the black orb.

After a moment, she rose and approached the orb, placing her hand on it as she spoke.

“Oi.”

“…”

The orb did not respond.

Next was Talrod, the Master of the Red Tower.

“O demon, reveal your name.”

“You worthless beings have no name to share.”

While observing all of this, the Demon Hunter, Maldad, crossed his arms and sighed.

Despite being at a distance, the eerie energy it radiated was vividly perceivable.

Clearly, this wasn’t a low-tier demon.

For example, it likely regarded humans not as an object of interest but as a target of outright contempt.

To extract specific information from such a demon?


Without any distortion and accurately?

He instinctively felt this request would be no easy feat.

After a brief back-and-forth between Shakan and Talrod with the black orb, they returned to their seats.

As they were about to start their serious discussion, a sudden voice rang out.

“Chuinny! Chuinny! I wanna go and talk to the black one too!”

A little girl surprisingly jumped up and grabbed the black orb.

Before they could react and yell to stop her, she shouted.

“Hey, black! If our Chuinny asks, you gotta answer, okay!?”

“…Willingly.”

—