NOVEL NEXT WORLD 19 - Rank (4)
Despite various things happening, I couldn’t postpone the Rank 8 promotion any longer.
The warriors had long since departed on my orders, and Ulrisa, who had been fighting fiercely with Andel, was lying on the ground, breathing heavily.
“Get up, you.”
“It’s… hard.”
“Of course it’s hard after rampaging like that.”
Andel and Ulrisa had fought each other as equals.
What’s surprising is that Ulrisa is a witch’s body, while Andel is a warrior.
It’s nonsensical for a witch, a ranged class, to fight on par with Andel.
Moreover, Ulrisa was a girl around my age, while Andel was a swordsman who had wielded a sword for at least 20 years.
Of course, Andel probably fought while being very lenient, not wanting to hurt Ulrisa, but the fact that they appeared equal on the surface showed how outstanding Ulrisa’s potential was.
It’s quite ironic that such a girl is in the witch class.
When only four witches and one werewolf remained in this space, I looked at Silver Wand.
“Do, do you have something to say?”
“…?”
His waist naturally bent and his hands were neatly folded, seeming even more polite than before.
Thanks to promoting the warriors in an impossible way, he might think of me as a great being, not even daring to look me in the eye.
Well, it’s good if it’s good, he probably won’t even dream of betraying in this state.
Besides, the more ranked-up individuals, the better.
I thought of separate tasks for this guy.
There are various ways to utilize a werewolf.
The best is the characteristic of being able to maintain a form close to a ‘monster’.
If he wanted, he could safely go to the outermost part of this realm.
The monsters on the outskirts recognize a werewolf who has lost reason as a being similar to themselves.
The problem is that he loses reason and can’t properly control himself.
If that’s resolved, he could be quite useful.
“I have separate tasks for you, so wait.”
“Y-Yes!”
For now, I settled the matter with him and faced the young friends.
Some look at me with anxiety, some with questions, and others with joy.
Seeing each of them different, I thought what a coincidence this was, and put down the heart.
“The promotion ritual is simple.”
I explained about the Rank 8 promotion ritual I had done before.
Ulrisa didn’t think much of it, Sharen seemed to understand that was the method, but this time too, Belladrin wore a complex expression.
“From what I know, I’ve never heard that the ritual to rise to Rank 8 is this simple. A ritual simplified to this extent feels like it’s been forcibly extracted by finding the optimal method possible.”
Silver Wand, watching from the side, made an expression like he wanted to shout ‘That’s what I wanted to say!’
It’s fine with kids who don’t know, but for those with even a little knowledge about ranks, my appearance must look quite suspicious.
In the game, all users attempted the promotion ritual tens of thousands of times, and the most optimized method was organized from among them.
Of course, I had read that content dozens of times and it was completely engraved in my mind.
In the game, the optimization of the promotion ritual wasn’t achieved.
This is natural.
The ritual itself is an extremely important secret and asset.
If you perform this ritual, you can grasp transcendent strength by advancing one step further, so would they carelessly share and distribute it like users?
Moreover, it’s difficult to know the optimized method from the start.
A promotion ritual is an attempt that requires risking one’s entire life.
One wrong move and you might die insane, or the chance to promote might be taken away altogether.
So they tried with as many sacrifices as possible and excessive preparation, rather than doing it this excessively simplified.
To be honest, if even divine beings knew the nature of the knowledge I possess, they would rush to open my skull.
That’s how valuable this knowledge is.
But I couldn’t just let it rot away.
Having something this precious and holding back because it’s dangerous would mean not surviving later.
“The content of the ritual is certain, so don’t worry.”
“Well, as I said before, I said I believe you. Commoner.”
“Thank you.”
Belladrin sat down in front of the sacrifice.
A dark shadow on the back of her hand gradually began to envelop Belladrin.
I didn’t notice when I was conducting the ritual, but is this how it looks from the outside?
“Then, I’ll start too, Grace.”
“Fighting!”
“Fighting!”
As I raised my fist to encourage her, Sharen responded and shouted too.
She immediately concentrates to meet the demon.
While two witches were contacting demons, the barbarian here was scratching her belly.
And lifting the heart, she said.
Perhaps because it was freshly plucked, the heart was still beating.
“This, do I eat it?”
“No, no, no, first sit quietly and meet the demon you contracted with.”
“I just need to meet the mister?”
“Mister?”
Why is she calling the demon ‘mister’?
I frowned at this astonishing naming, but Ulrisa said it’s nothing difficult and immediately contacted the demon.
The ritual didn’t take long.
It’s optimized, and since they didn’t contract with a picky demon like mine, there probably won’t be instances of trying to take over the body through torture.
Certainly, perhaps because Belladrin was the most talented, the magical energy covering the surroundings gradually enveloped her, and the atmosphere began to change slightly.
She had safely risen to Rank 8.
“Phew…”
Of course, there’s no leisure to get up and have a conversation right after the ritual ends.
She needs to organize the realm she has risen to and sort out the knowledge of new powers engraved in her mind.
While waiting for that process, Sharen and Ulrisa also completed their contact with demons at a similar timing.
Watching this, the werewolf Silver Wand muttered with an extremely wronged expression.
“To think they can rise to Rank 8 so easily, what about my hardships? My efforts?”
Of course, the sense of deprivation he felt wasn’t my concern.
They too emit massive magical energy, then embrace that flowing magical energy again and transform their bodies.
I watch this strange yet interesting sight.
The talent for magic dwelling in my body could read the flow of magical energy moving in real-time.
And not long after, the haughty yet delicate voice of a girl rang out clearly.
“Dark Chain.”
“Eh?”
Black chains sprouting from the ground wrapped around me.
At this sudden ambush, I looked at Belladrin, who was aiming magic with a triumphant expression.
“Commoner, now that I’ve risen to the same rank as you, I can win, right?”
“Ehhh?”
“I haven’t forgotten the pain of pressing my calves when I was shivering with muscle pain, the humiliation of being hit by magic you fired whenever I acted a bit arrogant, the long times of contempt and oppression!”
Wait, wait, you’ve been holding onto that in your heart?
It was just a joke, ehhh.
“Kyaaah!”
Belladrin instantly completed Rank 8 magic and began firing.
From Rank 8, you can’t automatically know it, and you need to acquire it separately through magic books, but it seems she had studied everything in advance like me.
No, no, that’s not important.
I thought she would throw it moderately, but looking at the level of magic, if this hits, it will really break bones!
Bang, bang, bang!
The magic flying towards me shattered part of the building.
A very vicious hole was drilled in the floor.
As I tried to evade while sweating coldly, Belladrin approached instantly.
Dark magical energy pours out from her breathing.
“?!”
Wait, she got an additional power here?
While I got the demon’s power after even being tortured, Belladrin somehow seems to have gained her own unique power.
Chains are shot from one side, and sharp awls are created on the other.
It’s a great power that ranks at the top among countless abilities.
It’s an ability that only those with the highest talent in specialized classes like dark mages and mages obtain, but it unfolds in Belladrin’s hands.
Two magics attacking simultaneously can be considered impossible to deal with.
Chains tightly bound my arms, and a black awl shot towards my forehead.
Of course, there was no final moment of closing my eyes tightly and taking a hit.
A golden shield blocked in front of me.
At the same time, I use
Slash-
The chains are cut and I gain freedom of movement.
I don’t have the ability to fire magic simultaneously, but I could transcend the limits of rank.
Of course, it’s too much to go all out against Belladrin, so I should use about Rank 7 at a light level.
Whiing-
I feel a sharp pain in my head.
It’s more strenuous to use Rank 7 magic than using Rank 8 magic when I was Rank 9.
When I reach about Rank 4, if I use Rank 3 magic by transcending limits, wouldn’t my brain burn out?
Thinking such idle thoughts, I flicked my finger.
Snap-
[Shadow Curse]
Kwaaaang-!
“Ugh!”
Belladrin, who was about to fire chants again, stopped dead.
Shadow Curse has the effect of fixing the target’s shadow.
In other words, you can’t move while under the curse.
Of course, such great magic would soon wear off or be resisted, but Belladrin, who had just risen to Rank 8, couldn’t easily resist.
I approached the tightly bound Belladrin and gave her a flick on the forehead.
“Ouch!”
“You’re still far off, Belladrin.”
“Ha, I can’t beat you even with this? The Witch of Condemnation clearly assured me I would become the greatest witch, but there was a separate monster.”
“Hmm?”
I don’t know exactly what the Witch of Condemnation said to her, but there certainly was a reason why she would be offered recruitment.
With such outstanding magical talent, even I would recruit her.
“Well, that aside, why did you rush at the others like that? You should know how important the ritual is.”
“…How would a genius like you understand my feelings?”
“Hmm, don’t tell me you…”
I was about to ask if she had an inferiority complex but closed my mouth.
It seemed like we might fight again if I did.
It’s a thought I always have, but no matter how excellent a witch’s talent is, there’s no reason to throw away a noble position and come here.
Surely, she must have her own circumstances.
Wanting to bloom her evil-aligned talent, having to throw herself into the Witch Society.
I didn’t want to dig too deeply into such complicated circumstances.
“Enough, and everyone has risen to Rank 8 now.”
I looked at the two witches who stood up, scattering black magical energy.
Sharen’s expression became more complex, and Ulrisa placed the double-bladed axe she had put down on her shoulder with a more refreshed face.
“I, I’ve become a bit stronger! The axe feels lighter!”
Of course, even if physical toughness increases after rising to Rank 8, it doesn’t exceed a certain level.
To become superhuman, you need to be at least Rank 7.
I just looked with disgust at Ulrisa swinging that huge double-bladed axe like a toy.
If she gets
Demon Eyes, which insight into and predict the opponent’s movements and respond accordingly, is an ability that really suits close combat warrior classes.
Many witches engage in close combat with just these Demon Eyes.
While thinking such thoughts, Sharen looked at Belladrin with a somewhat worried expression.
“Bella… did something go wrong? Why are you standing still like that?”
“Ah, that’s because of unavoidable circumstances.”
“Urggghh! Let this go, commoner!!”
Of course, she had to pay the price for ambushing me.
It might be different if we had a fair duel.
Moreover, she tried her best to smash magic into my face.
Even though I often throw magic at others, this is different.
I did hit quite often, but hey? It’s just a joke, I’m telling you.
Therefore, I sentence you to one hour of Shadow Curse. Bang bang.
Sharen looked at Belladrin with a very complex expression and then turned her head to me.
Her gesture clearly conveyed her intention not to get involved.
“Grace, this is the new power I gained.”
“Huh? You too?”
Is it some kind of power harvest season?
Belladrin too, and even Sharen, who was somewhat ordinary, gained a power.
Honestly, unique powers are something that only about one in twenty might obtain.
A unique power that can be obtained besides the basic powers given when rising to a rank and special powers obtained through hidden pieces.
Something not seen unless, like me, a demon forcibly tortures and spits out a power.
As I tilted my head, black fur poked out from her bosom.
Seeing that somewhat familiar sight, I involuntarily opened my mouth.
“…No way?”
A black cat that flowed out smoothly floated in the air and circled around.
That was the power she had gained.