How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 152

168. An Unexpected Sign (5)

I returned to the inn and sat on the bed, lost in thought once more.

The problem that worried me.

There was no concrete evidence to point a finger and shout, ‘It’s this!’ yet.

But I had a hunch that it might be a sign of the events to come in Volume 23.

That damned original work, 《The Returning Great Hero》 Volume 23.

It was a commotion that arose to prevent certain demons from summoning their superior being to the continent.

According to the original story, the ritual site where those demons plotted their scheme would be discovered, and the protagonist and his companions would begin to attack it in the first half.

‘The problem is the second half…….’

In the original ending of that episode, despite the protagonist’s efforts, the demons’ goal was achieved.

In this industry, they call that a flag [a plot point that foreshadows a future event].

If there’s a being they want to summon, it’s only natural that it gets summoned.

As a result, a Demon King-level demon would descend upon the continent.

Eventually, it would lead to an episode where I had to suffer to subjugate it, something I never wanted to do.

‘Demon King’s Descent.’

And that’s Volume 24.

If you think about it, it’s a story from Volume 23 to Volume 24.

Thinking that far, I clutched my head and sighed inwardly.

‘If it’s really what I know? If the demons’ ritual site has appeared there now?’

That’s the worst.

There’s no chance of winning.

Volume 23 was one thing, but Volume 24, where a Demon King-level demon appeared, required gathering all sorts of experts and including the protagonist, who had become nearly maxed out, and even then, they struggled.

There were casualties, of course.

‘If that blows up now, there’s no way to deal with it.’

However, thinking that far, I suddenly had a question.

‘Wait? But why did I think it would happen now?’

I was jumping to conclusions too much.

Nothing was confirmed yet.

More than anything, it didn’t make sense.

‘No matter what, the content of Volume 23 being pulled forward to this time doesn’t make sense, does it?’

Every incident has an outline or context.

Is it possible to skip all the way to Volume 23 when the flow of Volume 4 has just ended?

And another thing that bothered me.

‘Originally, that incident has nothing to do with the Falzente Duchy?’

Originally, that incident in the original story takes place in a weak country on the eastern edge of the continent.

Because it was an incident that occurred in such a remote place, the demons’ ritual site was discovered almost right before the summoning in the original flow.

‘Does that mean it might not be the worst-case scenario?’

There’s no need to be so afraid.

Perhaps because I’m too conscious of the element of the original story, my thoughts are leaning too much in a bad direction.

Let’s think constructively. Positive, positive.

‘Assuming, for whatever reason, the sign of the incident leading to Volume 23 was accidentally discovered in advance.’

The cause is that the variables have changed.

I’m probably the only one in the world who has noticed this much with the current information.

Then isn’t the incident itself off track?

The reason I thought of it as a sign is that I know who the culprit behind the Volume 23 incident is.

The culprit is the demon summoned by Marquis Selrond.

A few who barely survived in Volume 4 hid and plotted for the future.

Those disgusting things hid themselves and secretly worked to cause the Volume 23 incident.

If so, it might not be as urgent as I feared.

‘But I don’t necessarily have to take care of it, do I?’

The reasons for not getting involved even though I knew about the incident were first, it’s annoying, second, it’s also annoying, and third, it’s tiring, but.

I was somewhat impatient that it might cause an unexpected incident.

But I’ve already sensed the sign.

Those demons are about to go into hiding as planned, and they’ll probably lie low for several years.

‘But do I really have to let the Volume 23 incident happen?’

The flow has been caught, and all that’s left is for them to cause trouble after time passes.

‘That…… honestly, wouldn’t it be a loss for me if the incident happens…….’

The Demon King-level demon that gets summoned is a real nuisance in itself.

However, that monster’s existence isn’t particularly linked to the development of the later volumes either.

‘Then it doesn’t matter if I get rid of the incident itself?’

If that kind of thing pops out, it’ll only make it harder for ordinary people to make a living.

The economy will shake, and families will collapse.

The protagonists will be excited because an incident happens where they can play a cool role, but from the perspective of ordinary people, they’ll want to tear their hair out and scream.

I’ll speak on behalf of all ordinary people.

It’s better not to have incidents!

Clearly, it’s an obstacle to my peaceful life.

‘Sylvester can get information through that incident, but I can provide it through other routes…….’

And I also want to test something.

Whether it’s possible for me to intervene in a specific incident and completely eradicate its results.

I want to verify that.

Most incidents involve the life or death of someone specific, so I don’t want to touch them if possible.

But this incident is just a matter for the demons.

That means I don’t have to feel any pangs of conscience.

If it doesn’t seem like it’ll work, I’ll back off, and until the time of Volume 23, I’ll guide Sylvester and the others according to the original flow.

‘Let’s think of it as a bonus stage.’

Looking at it from a personal gain perspective, that’s much more desirable.

‘The ritual site those demons are building is a place where rare materials appear like crazy, right?’

I’ll get materials that I can’t get now, so I might be able to make a killing.

If this goes well, I might be able to secure a proper base soon.

I’ve been wanting a place to stretch my legs and lie down.

It seems like the time has come to execute Phase 2 of the Aileen settlement plan.

I can’t keep living like this, can I?

I don’t know how much I’ll be traveling around the world, but I’ve started to think that I should at least have a home to return to these days.

Thinking that way, I feel motivated.

‘Then let’s stop it. For my wallet…… for my home…….’

If there was no benefit, I would have tried to blend in behind Sylvester, but this time, let’s change the policy.

Let’s get properly involved this time.

The goal is to completely block the development of Volume 23 from happening in the future.

I think it’s a worthwhile attempt.

* * *

However, what’s needed before that is power.

Even if it’s the beginning of the incident, the demons’ ritual site won’t be an easy place.

The environment. The enemy. Everything will be challenging.

‘I need a little more upgrade.’

First, I checked the remaining points at the current time.

“……Is this enough for now.”

I thought about saving it, but I should use it.

First of all, what I’m most concerned about is.

Whether to fully acquire Space Control.

‘Whether it’s good to fully master Space Control or not is actually subtle at this point.’

My current achievement level in Space Control is Low-grade.

In fact, complete mastery itself was possible at any time.

Because I have points left over now.

‘However, obtaining it and fully digesting that power are separate issues.’

The problem is whether I can properly utilize it even if I fully master it.

‘Using Low-grade is different from using the complete version…….’

As abilities become stronger, the difficulty of handling them increases dramatically.

For example, Gravity Control.

This is an authority almost equal to Space Control, but if you ask me if I’m using that power properly, I have to shake my head.

I guess I’m not even drawing out 20% of it properly.

To make an analogy, it’s like giving a toddler who rides a tricycle the latest fighter jet and telling them to ride it.

‘It’s a dilemma.’

Whether to fully acquire the ability or just gain power within the abilities I can currently handle.

There’s probably no answer to that question.

‘But it’s better to learn it now…….’

Originally, I had planned to achieve complete mastery of Space Control much later.

But now I need it.

‘Even just having a higher-level ability makes it difficult for even beings who use high-level magic to easily interfere…….’

Space-type abilities can be canceled by anyone who uses high-level magic.

Even more so if it’s a demon, and if it’s a low-level ability, they can interfere as much as they want.

Until now, even if Space Control was low-level, there weren’t many beings who could interfere.

But this time it’s different.

So let’s fully master it.

‘I have to run away in case of an emergency, and it’s a headache if my space abilities are blocked.’

In a way, it’s for escaping a crisis.

That’s how I wanted to achieve complete mastery of Space Control.

Yeah. I will.

“Huh? It consumes fewer points than I thought?”

I was prepared to consume all the remaining points.

The required amount when I first tried to get this was 273 points.

Of course, I’m much stronger now than I was then.

The phenomenon of the required point amount increasing to obtain the next ability as I get stronger has been seen since before.

Even if I get this early, I’ll have to consume that much more points when I get another ability instead, so I thought there was no problem in the long term.

I have a few points left, should I be happy that I got a bargain?

‘Ah…… maybe…….’

It’s just a guess, but.

Perhaps the conditions that determine the point consumption amount are related to my current ability status as well as the acquisition time?

I vaguely had such a suspicion.

‘If it’s also considered whether it’s an ability needed for my growth stage and situation at that time…… hmm…… it’s still ambiguous.’

Let’s not jump to conclusions too much.

The phenomenon of obtaining abilities like this has so many unspecified aspects.

Actually, I don’t trust it all.

Anyway, I have no complaints since I’ve achieved complete mastery of Space Control.

Now, the key will be how much my vessel as a human can handle this ability.

Now I can’t complain that I can’t use my power because the ability’s grade is low.

In addition.

Thanks to strengthening my abilities, my mana amount seems to have increased slightly.

Anyway, I’ve completely obtained Space Control, so should I test it out?

“……I also had business with the Selbas Kingdom.”

Let’s test it out as if I’m going for a stroll.

I immediately went into concentration to unleash the ability.

If I activate it with the same feeling as before, I’ll only be able to move short distances.

Further, to a distant place.

‘Strongly grasp the image of the place…….’

Where should I make the destination?

Yes, that place would be good…….

There’s a perfect place.

I immediately closed my eyes, exerted my ability to the fullest, and used Teleportation.

Unlike before, mana drains away.

A rapid consumption that can’t be compared to before.

‘The consumption of fully mastered space-type abilities is tough…….’

If I used the ability like riding a bicycle until now, I should compare it to handling an engine-powered machine now.

The difficulty has changed.

I barely endure and control the ability.

And as soon as I succeeded in moving, I looked around at the surrounding scenery and.

“Ueeeeeeck…….”

I felt nauseous from the dizziness and immediately lay down.

‘Mana…… is lacking…….’

It was close.

I consumed almost all of my mana to the limit, so even symptoms like sudden anemia occurred.

‘Unless it’s an extremely urgent matter, it’s better to refrain from long-distance teleportation until I get completely used to it…….’

It’s strange.

Perisha, the Witch of the Eyes, an expert with numerous abilities, used them freely without feeling any burden…….

A monster who not only has Space Control but also uses various powerful abilities that consume a lot of energy.

……Now that I’ve used it, I know for sure how absurdly strong she is.

And I still haven’t caught up to her level of strength, not even by a toenail.

Well, it’s funny to compare the top of this industry with a rookie who has just started to climb.

To make an analogy, even if a level 10 has a fraudulent ability, it’s only natural that they’re weaker compared to a level 99 with the same ability.

Isn’t it the principle that a skilled person can beat up a Demon King or whatever with just a twig in their underwear?

Isn’t it the principle that a beginner can die because they can’t control even with a full set of top-notch items?