[Temporarily paused until the author's condition stabilizes.] [Reason for pause: author's health.] [Comeback: 1-2 months.] Kang Seongje, an S rank hunter from South Korea, transmigrated into the body of Arthur Rudolf, the successor to the duke who never appeared in his 2-volume novel "World of Level Up". The novel had been adapted into a game by his best friend. So, a lot of information was mixed up in his memory. He wanted to survive and prevent Adhitte, a dimensional mover, the original protagonist of the novel who wanted to destroy the worlds. He also wanted to get the protagonist to become his partner by seizing the position as the second protagonist candidate from Xavier Gladias. However, Xavier Gladias is the hidden villain in the second volume and he is a Crown Prince. Arthur Rudolf is not easy to fight. Muscles? His body is very thin. Political power? He is a neutral faction. Money? He is known as a philanthropist. This is why he worked his way up to hero for everything he wanted!
"W-what do you mean by mentioning Crown Prince—I-I mean His Highness?"
Arthur had expected the reaction he would receive. Jeff Goldy looked confused at what Arthur was talking about. How could the sole successor to the throne be the main culprit behind the terror incident?
"That's what the court found. That's why it's not over yet because there are still many upper nobles who played a role in the incident. Hmm... neutral nobles like you will indeed be late to the information because most of you don't care." Arthur continued to give little explanations that would make Jeff Goldy even more curious.
According to the notebook he knew, Count Goldy was the only neutral. Jeff Goldy, was interested in trying new things like his horse's livestock. He also definitely wanted to help Duke Rudolf from being toyed with by the nobles supporting the crown prince's faction.
"If so, what is His Highness' purpose? Even though he is the only heir to the throne. How could he do that? What does he want to accomplish?" Jeff Goldy still looked clueless.
Arthur threw in the bait. "Think about it, how can Crown Prince Xavier be listed as a circle 3 or 4 mage when his power reaches circle 5 or 6? Why do you think he's always meddling in external matters that His Royal Majesty King Gladias should be doing?"
Jeff Goldy was silent. Indeed, their kingdom was not like most kingdoms outside. Some nobles there were not used to occupying the inherited title before the previous owner died or retired. Therefore, most successors took the succession when they were fully mature, like in around 28 to 35 years old.
He did not like that custom. His father, who should have rested, continued to work. Even when Jeff Goldy married or had children, he still did not get his position.
It could be that Crown Prince Xavier wanted to hasten the succession as king because of the many external problems that came up and he was the only one who could handle them now. King Taylor, Crown Prince Xavier's father, has less work than his son. With so many problems and Crown Prince Xavier continuing to solve them, perhaps the nobles would demand Crown Prince Xavier to quickly ascend the throne.
That's what Jeff Goldy thought, but it's not. At least Arthur had provoked that Jeff Goldy would start moving.
"In that case, what can we do? His Highness is the only heir and even if punished, he will only get a light punishment." Jeff Goldy began to show his true colors.
That man looked worried and confused. Arthur was going to start playing here.
"In that case, we should add more competitors."
Jeff Goldy looked at Arthur. What did Arthur mean by that?
"There is no one who can be His Highness' competitor because he is the only child. Unless there is a nephew or cousin who still has royal blood—"
Jeff Goldy fell silent at his words. He immediately realized something after saying that. Arthur seemed to be smiling broadly at him as well since he heard those words. Apparently, Jeff Goldy already understood what Arthur meant.
He said, "Then, no matter what happens, I will support you, Young Duke-nim."
Arthur widened his smile, Jeff Goldy was very smart. "I appreciate your efforts. However, you must quickly persuade your father to speed up the succession so that you can support whatever the Rudolf family will do later."
Jeff Goldy nodded, feeling like he was still in a dream because he was being invited to move together. Arthur who saw Jeff Goldy's expression change said, "It looks like you've been preparing for a long time. I'm glad you are. There's nothing strange about your ledger. I'm going back to my room."
Arthur got up and made Jeff Goldy follow him. They both walked to the door of the room. After Arthur went out, Jeff Goldy closed the door.
"As has been rumored. A new prince will appear."
***
"Cough! Cough!"
The sound of coughing filled the hallway. Not a single guard was in the hallway. Only the people behind the iron bars occupied the place.
A few minutes later, a man was dragged away in handcuffs. The exotic-skinned man was covered in blood. However, there were no visible wounds on his body, only blood.
Brugh!
He was pushed into the cell room by the two guards dragging him. The man looked ordinary as if he had been through this over and over again for a long time.
He stared forward, met with red bloodshot eyes. His lips lifted as if he knew someone was waiting for him.
"Well, I knew you'd survive, Young Master Newt." The newly arrived man, number 101 tried to speak to Adhitte who was already in the cell.
Adhitte approached the grate door. Her body was smooth, with no torn clothes or blood on it. Her gaze was as flat as ever.
"You didn't fight, did you? Did they find out your identity and you surrendered?" Mouth of number 101 continued to spout baseless insults.
Suddenly, that man who used to speak with number 101, the strange knight interrupted. "Cough! I-it's not like that... cough!"
The one who had been coughing was that knight. It seemed that he had fallen ill due to his lack of sleep. That man tried to keep talking to 101.
"Number 017... finished the battle in less than 5 minutes. So he was quickly locked up again." The man continued to explain nicely.
Number 101 was somewhat surprised, but only briefly. He kept commenting, "Are you facing new kids?"
Suddenly, the knight beside him pointed somewhere. His index finger pointed at an empty cell that had no one in it.
Unexpectedly, a guard passed by while humming approaching the empty cell. "Hmm... it's been a while since I've had this light work."
The guard picked up the number 691 on the cell door. As if to say that the owner of the cell room was no longer occupying the room.
"A super rookie didn't come back. Where did he go?" Number 101 looked curious.
That strange knight suddenly pointed at Adhitte who remained standing in front of his cell. The hand gesture was followed by number 101's eyes well. However, he showed no expression of trust.
"Number 691 lost? It doesn't seem possible. That guy is no match for the fighters here. Look at that skinny body and that strange body odor. Even you asked me for help." Number 101 continued to speak scathingly.
Before the match, Adhitte had asked number 101 to help her. However, that beast people man turned her down because he was not interested.
"Apparently your race likes to measure one's strength by appearance. Looks like I'll have to bring out a little of my strength here." Adhitte muttered a little.
Adhitte's previous gesture made the knight cough more severely. Even number 101 was widening his eyes now.
How could it not? Adhitte bent the cell with ease. Even though the cell was coated by the magic of a circle 4 witch, she easily destroyed it.
Number 101 even tried to kiss Adhitte from afar. No mana or aura came out when bending the cell. It was really like using her physical strength. How could that small body do such a thing?
Adhitte approached number 101. Of course she could bend the cell with his power because there was a passive skill running as a result of his battle with number 691. The skill activated suddenly and will continue to be active for the next 24 hours with a cooldown of two to seven days.
[The skill 'Stats Strengthening' is active!]
[You can strengthen your stats up to 10 times more than usual!]
[The higher the power level you set, the longer the cooldown!]
--
[Stats Window]
Name: Adhitte (Yoon Dalmi)
Age : 25 (+1550)
Lv: 38 (380)
Class: Dimensional Mover
Title: (Locked)
HP: 19.995/20.500
MP : 14.950/15.000
Str : 73 (730), Int : 70 (700), Vit: 125 (1250), Agi: 80 (800), Sen: 140 (140)
Physical Damage Reduction 5% (50%)
Magic Damage Reduction 3% (30%)
--
Adhitte could see for herself the results of her stats being strengthened. Most of them were even similar to his level which reached hundreds. Even elephants were easily lifted.
She walked out of the cell, heading towards the door of cell number 101. That strange knight at the side was still coughing from pain and shock. Meanwhile, number 101 remained silent.
"I don't like small talk. You're right, I'm not the real number 017. I came in to look for something rotten in the pocket of Mr. Kasry, the owner of this illegal battle arena. Actually, I could have done it myself. However, I'm interested in you." Adhitte extended her hand to number 101.
She grinned, but looked like a predator. That woman was probably the only person who could intimidate number 101 freely.
"I ask again, are you going to help me or not, Nix?"