A Sorcerer's Journey - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Sweep Across Five Areas III

A day later.

A scarlet sun descended from the sky as a student cried out in desperation while crushing their badge.

The blaze gradually withdrew. Beneath the Ashen Mask, the number on his forehead increased a bit but Grimm did not look happy—on the contrary, his eyes were red and bloodshot. He was feeling somewhat savage from being extremely tired.

The twitting twig already lost its effectiveness. Grimm also knew at last what curse he had received.

Every time Grimm closed his eyes, he would get an indescribable feeling of an attacker suddenly being behind him or Lefay and Robinson’s group facing him and calling for help—it was that kind of bewildering phenomenon which harassed the mind. But as soon as he opened his eyes, everything would return to normal with nothing having actually happened at all.

Grimm might be able to rationalize and ignore the calls for help from Lefay and Robinson’s group, but the ominous sensation of a sudden surprise attack which made him break into a cold sweat, however, constantly set Grimm on the edge, causing him to suddenly turn to look behind him, the psychological strain and his instincts unceasingly putting out signals to defend.

Because of this, letting his eyes rest—blinking—was basically a luxury as far as Grimm was concerned.

If it were one or two days, Grimm could still persevere. However, if it were a full ten days and he was still striving for the reward of being the top of the Holy Tower tryouts…

But even when Grimm changed his personal information, this unknown curse still didn’t disappear as if there was some kind of unusually greater depth to this strange curse. In merely a day, it had tormented Grimm to become somewhat absent-minded.

I must not be weak!

Grimm compelled himself just like that time he had charged alone to beat the tower, just like a madman that would force himself to go on as long as he was still alive. Underneath the Ashen Mask were a pair of scarlet-red eyes. Veins bulged on his forehead hidden by the pale mask. Following a forceful breath, Grimm continued onward and flew.

Now, in the large 12th Section with its numerous students, there didn’t exist a single person capable of being Grimm’s opponent, as Ice Age Millie and Primal Curse Althio were already defeated by Grimm’s hands. Only the Ten Top Experts forming a team might possibly make Grimm hesitate a bit.

It was natural, since those kinds of students were none other than those who were preparing to fight for the right of becoming Demon-Hunters. Besides, the possibility of them forming a team was small.

…

After a half-hourglass of time.

*SHU! BANG!*

A silhouette fell from the dusky sky, followed closely by another figure, ruthlessly chasing down the other. There was an unresigned snarl, after which space twisted before the falling silhouette departed the Holy Tower tryout Mirror.

On the ground, Grimm unhurriedly put the Hydra Greatsword away. He remained unmoved as the mark on his forehead increased yet again. His bloodshot eyes slowly looked towards the three students not that far away who were shocked and dumbfounded.

Hm?

Brother Varro?

Originally the three students were nothing of interest, all their marks valuing less than 100. But after Grimm unexpectedly recognized one of the people who was actually his Senior Apprentice-Brother Varro, he intended to go over to give his greetings.

With a few flickering movements, Grimm appeared in the sky near where Varro was. With another flicker, he flew right before Varro.

“Go!”

One low yell and the two students beside Varro actually broke their badges without the slightest hesitation, completely vanishing as space twisted. How would they dare hesitate when just a moment ago they saw how this frightening guy wearing a pale mask chased down the number one member of the Top Ten Experts from Black Isotta. Afterward, when the other headed towards them, he gave them no option but to break the badges.

Heaven knew if they’d have another chance to break the badge otherwise.

Eh?

Varro naturally recognized Grimm. Grimm’s terrifyingly imposing manner had also made him jump from fear. Even before he could explain to his companions, the two guys were already scared away.

Of course, Varro could understand his two comrades’ feelings.

When all was said and done, the three students were not adventurous. Seeing a true expert before them, they basically did not want to vie over the qualifications of preparing to become a Demon-Hunter Sorcerer. Varro and his friends were the same type, classified as students who researched arcane knowledge. They had a lot of Sorcery skills but were weak in fighting strength.

Grimm saw the two leave the Mysterious Realm, staring blankly for a bit, before he understood the entire story, not caring for it. He merely turned to look at Varro and softly said, “Senior Apprentice-Brother Varro.”

Varro stuck out his tongue and teased, “Seeing you coming so quick scared them to death. Terrifying appearance.”

Despite his words, Varro still could not help but size up Grimm from the corner of his eyes. He gulped, “You, this guy, what’s with this flashy appearance? Ordinarily, you’re actually pretty low-profile, y’know. You really amazed the world with a single brilliant feat in this Holy Tower tryout. Just a moment ago, even that Dulanche guy was snappily driven out of the Mirror by you.”

Matching the frivolous atmosphere, Grimm smiled, although the smile was very forced.

Abruptly, Varro seemed to think of something and fixed his gaze attentively on Grimm’s Ashen Mask as well as his bloodshot eyes. His expression turned disbelieving, “Grimm, starting from yesterday our 12th Section had started to spread rumors of the Blood-Eyed Ashen Face. It can’t be they’re talking about you, right?”

Grimm stared blankly, slightly stunned, and asked, “Blood-Eyed Ashen Face?”

Varro looked at Grimm’s pair of very red eyes and the deathly pale mask he wore. He was immediately certain of his guess and gulped down a mouthful of saliva. Chilled to the core, he said, “You, you… you, that guy is actually you! You swept across our entire 12th Section in one fell swoop, playing with all our Top Ten Experts until all of them were scared into lying low. Everyone was alarmed, believing another Section’s legendary level student came over when it was you the entire time…”

Speaking up to that point, Varro couldn’t find a word to describe his feelings, wanting to burst into expletives, but felt the mood wasn’t the most appropriate to do so as Varro faintly sensed Grimm was clearly not in the best of states.

“Hey…”

Varro said dully, “Wait until you get out. The old man would be so absolutely pleased with himself. This time his inheritance was completely passed to you and you’ve succeeded in making full use of it. Some of those old guys like to brag. You have a bit of that graceful bearing of Eldest Senior-Apprentice Sister Quiet Spring from those days!”

Grimm shook his head, “If Master found out you called him old guy behind his back, he’d absolutely get rid of you with his own hands.”

Smirking, Varro replied, “If you don’t tell him, then how can he know? Go, go. You collect more points without delay, OK? I’ll move quickly, I don’t dare to stay in this place alone.”

Having said this, Varro broke the badge in his hand.

After Varro left, Grimm’s completely bloodshot eyes slowly turned overhead. Looking at an alluring woman slowly walking out from behind a stone obelisk. His eyes narrowed as he coldly asked, “Claudia?”

Behind the obelisk, a female student wearing a long dress with colors that alternated between red and green slowly walked out. A large expanse of snow-white skin was bared and the red decorative motif on the dress was actually a fiery-colored scorpion.

The long dress, on one hand, covered what was meant to be covered but, on the other hand, also accentuated and exaggerated the shape of an impressively lithe body. On a perky snow-white bosom, a sparkling gold mystic necklace slid in-between the gap of two high peaks, drawing attention and then rousing countless fantasies. Only, right now, the beautiful and attractive face of Claudia, known as the Charm Desperator during the time as First-Years, was full of astonishment and incredulity as she looked at Grimm.

“Ashen Mask Grimm is actually you?” Claudia’s voice sounded deeply husky, inciting the longing of the opposite sex.

Regarding this student who was known as the Charm Desperator in the First-Year Trial, Grimm didn’t find her of interest. Looking at the other’s mark which was also black as ink, appearing as if it had reached over 100, his eyes which were filled with fatigue and malevolence trembled as he made to attack. Claudia, however, hastily shouted, “Don’t attack! I took the initiative to look for you!”

Slightly startled, Grimm icily interrogated, “Took the initiative to find me? Why? To give me your points?”

Claudia choked, hastily waving her hands. Her face assumed a smile that was as “clean and honest” as possible as she showed a humble attitude and said, “Honorable Grimm, during the First-Year Trial the two of us indeed had no enmity with each other, right? In that case… might there be a possibility for us to cooperate?”

“Hmph, cooperate together with you?” Grimm’s sinister, scarlet-red eyes contained ridicule as he disdainfully asked, “What kind of strength do you think you have to be worthy of working together with me?”

Claudia nevertheless smiled and slowly shook her head. “It’s precisely because my strength is not worth mentioning. There is a prerequisite to cooperate, right? If I had strength capable of threatening you, I’m afraid you would have absolutely not given me a chance to speak.”

Claudia actually was extremely confident as she looked at Grimm. This made him curious. Holding back the disgust of his mental exhaustion and wasting time, he indifferently said, “Speak then. What kind of collaboration do you want? What can you offer me?”

Proudly lifting up her head, she locked eyes with Grimm and confidently said, “Right after the First-Year Trial ended, I researched the Sorcery School’s imprint molding theory as well as waves from the beginning. Because I knew that in only twenty years, it would be very difficult to have an opportunity to ensure my chance to earn the Demon-Hunter Sorcerer Qualifications in the Holy Tower tryouts. Only, if I could assist someone who was limitlessly powerful…”

That’s right, starting early from more than ten years ago, Claudia actually had only one true goal. After a victor emerged during the fight between Millie and Althio, she would use her ability to search for imprints as a selling point. She’d assist the victor and get some points in return!

This was none other than Claudia’s own wisdom.

Grimm doubtfully asked, “This chain mark?”

“Yes! Exactly this chain mark! The present me, so long as the other side is not capable of controlling Natural Force, no matter how they hide, I can clearly see the general position of any student with a mark over 300 within a five-kilometer range. This is exactly the result of my research for over the past ten years!” After saying this, Claudia actually showed a thread of pride on her face.

Grimm was stumped for words, coming to a stop for a moment, quietly staring at this female student.

This kind of wisdom truly was taking a different approach; the common student wouldn’t think to this level at all, although this was a type of “cheating” conduct with regards to the Holy Tower tryouts selecting the best. But, nevertheless, it was a kind of wisdom making use of a Sorcerer’s ingenuity and consequently did not violate any rules. It couldn’t be said for sure if there was a Formal Sorcerer who was aware of this. But she was possibly a genius who would be greatly lauded.

However, Grimm wasn’t immediately convinced by Claudia’s words. Gazing at Claudia’s eyes, he indifferently asked, “Then how many accumulated points do I have right now?”

“Between 6300~6400!” Claudia immediately replied.

With this, Grimm was completely convinced that the other truly had the wondrous ability she talked about. With a deep voice, he inquired, “Then what is it you want?”

Claudia licked her lips but did not reply immediately. Instead, she excitedly spoke, “Originally, I only thought I was capable of helping you look for prey. Now, it seems I might possibly help you with one more matter. You are presently plagued by a curse that is difficult to deal with, yes? My guess is that it’s definitely Primal Curse Althio’s arcane curse.”

Grimm replied in a somewhat strained voice, “That’s right. Do you know how to remove it?”

Catching sight of Grimm acting this way, Claudia completely relaxed. With roaming eyes, she said, “So long as Honorable Grimm can first agree to sign a contract guaranteeing to hunt two-thousand points for me within the next several days, I will immediately tell you the means to break the curse. Naturally, I will stay by your Honorable side in these 10 days to search for the necessary prey.”

Two thousand points. Even if Claudia was expelled from the Mirror afterward, 1000 points were enough to guarantee Claudia to qualify to be a reserve Demon-Hunter.

According to Grimm’s assessment, there should be between 200-250,000 students in the entire Holy Tower Tryouts Mirror—that was 2 to 2.5 million points altogether. It was possible to take away half the points of those students who left the Mirror. Even if killing other students could net all their points, there should be around 150,000 points all the students were fighting over, possibly more.

Losing two thousand points as the price to get more resources and information in return…

Grimm didn’t hesitate in the least. He affirmed in a deep voice, “Deal!”

A moment later, upon finding out the root cause of being cursed was the Hydra Greatsword, Grimm’s complexion was extremely unsightly as he abandoned the sword. It was presumed that Althio had contaminated the blade using his own blood at the time Grimm used the Hydra Greatsword to chop off his arm.

After the Hydra Greatsword was discarded by Grimm, he was barely 10 meters away when a soft-bodied organism actually struggled to get up, appearing to be some unknown thing twisting around the sword. At the same time, some kind of indistinct aura saturated the air. Apparently, it was some kind of Mysticism object.

(Mysticism objects will be further mentioned together with the protagonist’s gift to connect dimensional intervals. It involves things with “Science Fiction” meaning and has a little to do with the underlying layers of the story. But don’t think too much of it, such as the dimensional wars, there aren’t these things in the story. It is still in accordance with a “fake materialistic system” premise.)

After Grimm went away from the sword for several hundred meters, that faint phenomenon which had been harassing his spirit immediately started to dissipate. Grimm’s exhausted body and mind could finally take a breather. Claudia was wearing a pleased smile at his side, her sleek tongue softly licking her red lips.

…

A period of seven to eight hourglasses later.

Under the guidance of Claudia who stayed by Grimm’s side, they hunted down all the students she sensed nearby who had chain marks with values over 300, thereafter expelling them from the Mirror. Then, Grimm took the female Sorcerer-Apprentice and exited the 12th Section, leaving this forest of stone pillars trembling in the wake of Grimm’s might.