I Never Run Out of Mana - Chapter 113

Chapter 113

113 . Is There a Way to Take the Meat to Go?

“Human . I’m only telling you this . The way to return back from the demonic realm… . ”

“Yes, of course . ”

“Keru . It is possible if you’re the demon king . ”

“That’s obvious . I’m asking you how I can return back though? Do I need to obtain Authority somehow? Isn’t there a way?”

“Kel . Human, it is possible if you become the demon king . The demon king . If you have more magical energy than any other monster, you will obtain powers that will make you omniscient and omnipotent . ”

“Oho… . . So I just need to have the most magical power in the demonic realm, right? I like the sound of that . ”

“Keru . However, why are you asking me this? When you go to the demonic realm, you won’t be able to return, human . You will be sacrificed to sir Berdan . ”

“Just because . Humans around my age are curious about many things . ”

“Seems pointless . ”

“This is enough for now . Are you going out later?”

“Keru . I was going to originally, but I love steaks too much, human . ”

“Right? Going outside is a pain and there’s not much to see . Let’s just stay at home . ”

“Keruru . All right . Speak with the woman who cooks the steak for me . I want to eat more steak . ”

“All right . For now, let’s sleep . I’m tired . ”

“Keru?”

During the 6 hours I tried to sleep, Karin didn’t cease for even a moment jumping up and down on the mattress .

I felt anger towards the furniture salesman who guaranteed me that the mattress would not shake even if an elephant was running around .

I brought him steaks every hour, but it was no use .

He did not calm down in the slightest, and even followed me to Jong Ho’s room when I tried to escape in order to catch some shuteye .

After the 6 hellish hours passed, I opened my eyes .

“Karin . Aren’t you going back to the demonic realm yet?”

“Keru? There is still two more days left . ”

I probably have already obtained most of the information I needed .

Thinking about the times when I lost so much sleep over nightmares, the 3 day period felt far too long .

I continued to question Karin while avoiding going too far to the point that it would cause him to become suspicious .

I asked about the weaknesses of the monsters, the Authority that Berdan and the demon king possessed, and such topics, but he shrewdly kept himself from giving straight answers .

Even though it was clear to me that he was a dumb goblin, he probably thinks for himself to a certain degree .

Also, I had to acknowledge his loyalty to Berdan .

Maybe it was a specific trait of the monsters .

After all, it was the same case for the thousands of monsters that gave their lives without question to Zekill’s command .

I waited and waited until the 3 days he decided to stay passed .

Just like how he tore the fabric of space open when he appeared, he did it again to make a gateway back to the demonic realm .

“Keru . I feel sad that we have to part ways, human . I think I’ll miss you . ”

“Huh? I think you’ll miss the steak, not me though?”

“Kel kel kel . You’re sharp despite being a lowly human . You didn’t forget, right? There are 77 days left . When you come to give yourself up as a sacrifice… . bring me steak . ”

“You think I’ll bring steak to my own funeral? You really must love steak . ”

“Keruru . Human! Since you’re my subordinate, I will put in a good word with sir Berdan . Perhaps I could convince him to take enough humans to replace the need for your magical energy . ”

“My my, how gracious of you . Hurry up and go . ”

“Keruru . All right . ”

Karin carried a sack several times greater than the size of his body that was filled with beef and entered the tear in space .

The tear mended itself and he disappeared from view .

“Ah…… . So tired . ”

The saying “To cut one’s flesh to obtain the enemies’ bones” fit so perfectly in this situation .

It meant that one would cut away at their own flesh to give to the enemy in order to break apart their bones .  1

Of course, the meat I gave was not my own, but beef . However, what I obtained was definitely the bones of the demonic races .

After all, I had obtained a lot of information about the demonic realm that was once a mystery .

I would be better prepared thanks to the information, and instead of being on the defensive, I would be able to bring forth a fierce offensive .

****

Even though I was heading for the demonic realm, I could no longer gain additional stats using the Butcher’s Sword .

It could only take stats from those that had stats to begin with, which mean that the only valid targets were other Awakened .

That was why there wasn’t that many ways I could grow stronger right away .

I could only gain a small 5 points of stat increase per level up .

Another method would be to obtain a cheat like skill .

Perhaps I could obtain artifacts far more amazing than the ones I already have .

However, it was near impossible to obtain better artifacts .

It would have to come from either the Unknown Dungeon, hidden bosses, or from a mimic .

Other than these 3 methods, it would be be difficult to obtain gear superior to the current setup I was running .

The chances of encountering these events were low .

Not only that, but there was no guarantee that the drops from these events would be better than the ones I have currently .

“The requirement to enter the Unknown Dungeon is too difficult to even consider . Perhaps a hidden boss… . ?”

I needed to run dungeons at least level 35 or higher in order to grow stronger quickly .

However, humanity did not have information regarding such high level dungeons, especially information regarding which dungeon has hidden bosses .

Of course, this lack of knowledge extended to the stats of the artifacts that would drop from the hidden bosses .

I was currently stuck running the level 34 dungeon in Paju that Ho Jin informed me of .

Since I’ve cleared the dungeon countless of times, I knew that a hidden boss existed there .

It was where I obtained Balrock’s Treasure Storage ring that Jong Ho was currently using .

I faced the hidden boss multiple times after that, but artifacts worth greater than that did not drop .

It probably meant I had obtained all that I could from this dungeon .

Even if I focused on leveling during the remaining time, I couldn’t expect much of a growth in strength .

However, it would still be better than staying at home .

I contacted Ho Jin .

-click

“Yes, Mr . Min-Cheol!”

“Hey mister . How are you?”

“Ho ho . Each day is quite busy . ”

“Is the commander with you?”

“No . I was assigned to separate mission, so… . .  What’s the matter?”

“There’s something I need to tell the two of you, as well as something I need help with . ”

“Is that so . How should… . . Should the commander and I go to your home?”

“No, that’s okay . I’ll go to the association building . Would an hour from now be okay?”

“Of course! Absolutely . Please contact me 10 minutes before arriving and I’ll send someone to see you in . ”

“Yes . I’ll get ready and meet you there . ”

“Yes, ho ho . I’m quite excited that you’ll be coming to the association building in person . ”

“Haha . It’s true that I’ve only contacted you guys for purchasing skill books in the past . ”

“That’s true, ho ho . I’ll be waiting for your call . ”

“Yes . ”

The sun was about to set .

Ho Jin, one of the top representatives of the the current government and a member of the association, and the commander were still here .

Despite how late it was, it seemed that they wouldn’t be leaving work anytime soon due to preparing against the oncoming invasion by the demonic realm .

Jong Ho would probably be back by dawn .

Sharing information that I obtained from Karin with Jong Ho was important, but it probably wasn’t important enough to interrupting his hunting .

There was plenty of time to spare .

I prepared to leave the house .

Almost as if CCTVs were installed all over place to let the butler know of my day to day life, the butler walked out on cue .

His timing was astonishing .

“Young master, are you departing?”

“Yes butler . ”

“Where will you be going? Will you be going for hike again?”

“Ah… . I have a some business to attend to at the Awakened association . ”

“That’s quite the distance . ”

“Yes . I don’t think I’ll be that late though . ”

“Then I’ll chauffeur Hwang to prepare a ride . ”

“Hm… . Yes, could you do that for me?”

“Of course . That’s part of our work . ”

“Then I’ll be counting on you . ”

“Yes sir . ”

****

“Young master . We’ll be at the association after this intersection . ”

“Ah, yes . ”

I contacted Ho Jin again .

It was to let him know that I will be soon arriving at the association .

The sun head already set and darkness followed .

“Thank you for your hard work, chauffeur . ”

“Young master . If you have anywhere you need to go, please contact me . ”

“I feel as though I’m bothering you though… . ”

“You’re saying the same thing as the madam . This is my work . I’m even beginning to wonder if I’ll be out of a job at this rate, hahaha . ”

“Yes, I’ll contact you from now on when I need to go somewhere . See you . ”

As I left the vehicle, the window rolled down .

Chauffeur Hwang stuck his head out as much as he could before speaking .

“Young master, please contact me 30 minutes before you’re ready to leave . I’ll leave right away to bring you home . ”

“No, no! It’ll be late . You don’t need to go out of your way to do so . ”

“Hey . It’s because I’m worried . ”

“Ok… . . I’ll let you know in advance then . ”

“Then I’ll be seeing you soon . ”

Honestly, with the amount of growth I’ve achieved, I could run faster than most vehicles that traveled the highways .

After all, I could run without being limited by traffic signals .

Of course, it would leave ditches in the road and it would be a huge issue if I collided with anyone .

My thoughts lasted only a short while as it was interrupted .

I saw many men in black suits rapidly run out from the association building .

Looking around, I saw a man who was standing in front of the entrance to the association building approach me .

He appeared to have come to escort a guest at the command of the temporary president of the association, but seemed to hesitate after seeing how young I seemed .

To the men who were hesitating, I spoke first .

“I am here to see the commander and department head Kim Ho Jin . ”

“Ah! Yes, I’ve heard many things about you . ”

“Yes . ”

“We shall escort you in . They’re waiting for you . ”

With 3 men on each side of me, they moved in a formation .

If someone saw this scene, it would look like I was being escorted in, but I wondered if I should be the one protecting them due to the difference in strength .

Whatever . I followed them to the association building .

It reminded me of the time when I escorted in by the Noblesse guild’s secretaries in training that served Park Hyun .

Not only that, but it it also reminded me of how I was forced along with the midget’s two underlings before, making the whole ordeal feel more awkward .

I entered the association building .

Passing the civilian center on the first floor, we headed for the elevator .

Skill books could be purchased on the first underground floor .

Since I had visited there many times over, nothing felt new up until here .

“This way please……”

“Yes . ”

The elevator rose to the top floor at high speeds .

Since the commander was doing the work of the president of the association, it would make sense for his office to be on the top floor .

“We’re here . ”

“Thank you . ”

“It was an honor to meet you in person!”

“Huh? O-ok… . ”

‘Honor?’ They haven’t seen me fight before though . What did the commander say about me, exactly? Oh well, whatever . ’

I had already taken care of the faction that was against me .

To be clear, the enemy I faced now was no longer humans, but instead monsters .

I immediately entered the room they guided me to .

“Oho! You’ve arrived!”

“Hohoho . You’ve arrived?”

“It’s been awhile, commander . And how have you been, mister?”

“I’ve been well . But commander! You greet him with great enthusiasm unlike myself, hoho . ”

“Hey! How can you compare my age with your youth! Isn’t that right, lad Min-Cheol?”

“Hoho . I’m rather jealous of how energetic you are . ”

“Yes, I am thankful for your warm greeting . ”

“Of course, it’s to be expected . For what reason have you come all this way to visit us at the association?”

“That’s… . . ”