Debuff Master

“No way…” Siegfried muttered, freezing in shock upon hearing Betelgeuse's words.

Inzaghi? Could it be that Inzaghi from the Inzaghi’s Set?

‘I have to find out,’ Siegfried flashed his Rune of Insight without delay.

[Inzaghi]

[A blind mage.]

[He's blind, but he was born with a talent for magic.]

[His Heart of Eyes allows him to perceive and comprehend everything around him as though he has sight.]

[He lives with the dream of traveling the world as his ultimate goal.]

[Type: Named NPC]

[Class: Wandering Sorcerer]

[Titles: Master of Spatial Awareness, Wielder of Heart of Eyes]

“He really is Inzaghi?!” Siegfried exclaimed, totally floored.

Just to be sure, he flashed his Rune of Insight at the blind man's wooden staff.

[Inzaghi’s Wooden Staff]

[A wooden staff used by Inzaghi.]

[It guides the user in the right path at all times so they do not get lost.]

[Type: Staff]

[Rating: Unique]

[Durability: 10/10]

[Effect: Guides the user to the exit at all times.]

[Inzaghi’s Clairvoyance Set]

[Inzaghi’s Compass]

[Inzaghi’s Map]

[Inzaghi’s Wooden Staff]

“...!”

Siegfried’s suspicions were confirmed when he saw the details of the staff. The blind young man was indeed none other than the Inzaghi, the creator of the legendary Inzaghi’s Set items.

Judging by the way Inzaghi was looking at him, Siegfried realized that the former had noticed something as well.

“You… carry artifacts I’ve crafted,” Inzaghi said in a calm yet intrigued voice.

“What do you mean by that?” the young man called Siegfried asked, glancing between the two.

“That person over there has my artifacts,” Inzaghi explained.

“What?! How is that possible?”

“It's probably because of our location.”

“How so?”

“Because… these individuals are from the future. Isn’t that correct?”.

Inzaghi turned to Siegfried, looking completely calm. Judging by his calm demeanor, it seemed that he already knew what was happening. Unlike Amundsen, who had dismissed Siegfried as someone mentally ill and needing help, Inzaghi had immediately grasped the truth.

“Yes, I am from the future,” Siegfried confirmed, nodding firmly.

“I thought so,” Inzaghi replied. Then, he added, “This place appears to be a place where multiple timelines overlap, allowing people from different eras to meet. It’s fascinating to see my deductions to be proven true.”

“You are correct. It is an honor to meet you, Inzaghi-nim. I have been using the artifacts you created, and I cannot thank you enough for how invaluable they have been to me,” Siegfried said with a low bow.

“And it’s an honor to know my creations have been put to good use,” Inzaghi replied, smiling gently. Then, he asked, “But if I may ask, why have you traveled here in the future?”

Siegfried hesitated briefly before replying, “An evil cult intends to destroy the world, and they have hidden themselves somewhere in these ruins.”

“Ah, this place does sound like a fitting hideout for such a group. Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet you. Your mission is admirable, and I’m glad to hear that my artifacts have assisted you.”

“Thank you.”

“So, what do you plan to do next?” Inzaghi asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“We will hunt them down and eliminate them,” Siegfried answered with resolve.

“Oh? Alright, I will help you,” Inzaghi offered without hesitation.

“Wait… Help me?”

“Of course. It is only natural to assist those striving to do good.”

“That is… very generous of you.”

Just then, the young man, Siegfried, frowned with a dark face.

“Hey, what’s this? You’re going to help even though it’s such a hassle?” he asked Inzaghi.

“Yes,” Inzaghi replied calmly.

“Why?”

“Because they’re doing something noble.”

“Still, it’s such a pain.”

“Didn’t you come here hoping to encounter stronger opponents?”

“Tsk… That’s because you wanted to explore this place.”

“And who brought this place up first?”

“W-Well…”

The young man, Siegfried, fell silent. It seemed that a cat had gotten his tongue, and it became evident that he was the one who had insisted on exploring the Suzdal Empire Ruins.

“Come on, just go along with it. Who knows? You might actually meet a worthy opponent here, right?” Inzaghi said with a smile.

“Ha! The so-called strong opponents we’ve met so far have been nothing but trash,” replied "Siegfried" while shooting a disdainful glare at Betelgeuse.

“...”

Betelgeuse clenched his jaw in silence, and his face turned red from shame.

‘W-Why am I enduring this…? Why do I have to go through this again…?’ Betelgeuese thought while fighting back the urge to cry. He had finally reached the realm of a Grandmaster only to be dismissed as a weak noob by these youngsters.

It was an unbearable humiliation for him—Sword Emperor Betelgeuses.

***

‘But who is he…? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere… No, I’m sure I’ve seen him somewhere before…’ Siegfried couldn't shake his curiosity about "Siegfried."

His face seemed familiar, but no matter how hard Siegfried tried, he could not put a finger on the man’s identity.

He tried flashing his Rune of Insight at the young man, but that was of no help. The only thing that the Rune of Insight told him was that the young man’s name was Siegfried, and he was extremely strong, which was proof of how he managed to force Betelgeuse to eat his knuckle sandwiches in just five minutes.

‘Oh well, I guess that doesn’t matter.’ Siegfried decided not to dwell on it too much and shrugged it off.

What was important to him now was that someone so powerful was willing to help him take down the Church of Osric.

“What do you plan to do now?” Inzaghi asked.

“First, I need to find my comrades,” Siegfried replied.

“Hmm…” Inzaghi pondered for a moment before pulling something out from his belongings. Then, he extended a spool of red thread and said, “Here, try using this.”

[Inzaghi’s Thread]

[The bonds of fate shall never break.]

[Type: Thread]

[Rating: Unique]

[Effect: When unraveled, the thread will seek out the locations of those with whom you share friendly ties.]

It was not part of the Inzaghi’s Set, but its special ability was extraordinary.

“Try unraveling it,” Inzaghi said.

“This?”

“Yes.”

“Alright.”

At Inzaghi’s suggestion, Siegfried began unraveling the spool of crimson thread.

Sssk! Sssk!

The red thread glowed brightly as it unwound itself. Then, as if alive, it extended and slithered on the ground in search of its target.

“What do I do now?” Siegfried asked.

“Just wait,” Inzaghi replied, sounding confident.

“Is that it?”

“Yes, that is all you have to do.”

“Okay, if you say so…?”

Siegfried trusted Inzaghi and stood by, watching the red thread work its magic.

An hour later, there was still no result.

Bored, Siegfried struck up a conversation with "Siegfried" to pass the time.

“Why are you looking for strong opponents?”

“Because I want to become even stronger.”

“And after that?”

“After that… I’ll find those bastards I couldn’t beat before and crush them.”

“Revenge?”

“Not quite. I’m just someone born in the wrong era.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If I had been born in a different era, I would’ve easily become the ultimate being. You know, the strongest man alive.”

“But now?”

“There are too many powerful individuals in this era. People with… talent far beyond my own.”

“Ah…”

“Damn it… I’ve already reached the realm of a Grandmaster, but I still can’t claim the title of the strongest. Do you know how frustrating that is?”

Just then, a familiar voice called out to Siegfried.

“Hyung-nim!”

Siegfried turned around and saw Seung-Gu running toward him while following the red thread.

“What?!”

“Hyung-nim! Over here! Finally!”

Seung-Gu was not alone, as following behind him were Yong Seol-Hwa and Gosran, who also had been led by the red thread straight to Siegfried.

“Oppa!”

“Tae-Sung oppa!”

Inzaghi smiled and remarked, “It seems it will take a bit more time for everyone to arrive. It is only natural for those further away to take longer.”

“I see. Thank you so much, Inzaghi-nim,” Siegfried said with a bow.

“No need for thanks,” Inzaghi replied, coolly waving it off.

Siegfried waited for another three to four hours before Cheon Woo-Jin and Daode Tianzun finally arrived, reuning the party once again.

Meanwhile, "Siegfried" observed the newcomers and grumbled under his breath, “This one’s only a half-rate, and that old guy is an Archmage…”

His interest was piqued at the sight of Daode Tianzun, but it faded quickly.

“Meh, useless.”

He waved his hand dismissively and lost interest upon realizing that they were not formidable enough to challenge him.

“Is this everyone?” Inzaghi asked.

“Yes, they are all here,” Siegfried replied. Then, he added, “Now the problem is finding those cultists hidden somewhere in this place. We will probably have to scour the entire area…”

“There’s no need for that,” Inzaghi interjected.

Then, he handed Siegfried another artifact, the Inzaghi’s Map.

[Inzaghi’s Map]

[One of the artifacts used by Inzaghi while he was still alive.]

[You will not find yourself lost if you place your trust in this artifact.]

[Type: Map]

[Rating: Unique]

[Durability: 10/10]

[Effect: There is a high chance that the boss monster’s location will be shown on the map when entering a dungeon.]

[Set Item: Inzaghi’s Compass, Inzaghi’s Map, Inzaghi’s Wooden Staff]

“Use your clairvoyance with this map,” Inzaghi advised.

“Oh! Okay!” Siegfried replied and used the Inzaghi’s Clairvoyance on the map.

Woooong!

The two artifacts resonated, and a marker appeared on the map.

[Suzdal Empire Ruins: 458]

An additional piece of information was added to the marker.

[Suzdal Empire Ruins 458: Church of Osric Base]

The Church of Osric’s hideout was finally revealed.

***

As soon as the location of the Church of Osric’s hideout was revealed on the map…

“Is that the place?” Inzaghi asked.

“Yes,” Siegfried replied with a nod.

Inzaghi wasted no time after that. He gripped his Inzaghi’s Wooden Staff and synchronized it with the Inzaghi’s Map in his hand.

Woooong!

A mana resonance manifested, and then a luminous green arrow materialized before the party. Moments later, a clear route appeared on the ground, leading them directly to "Suzdal Empire Ruins 458."

It was as if a magical navigation system had been activated and was guiding them in their every step.

“Unbelievable…” Siegfried muttered under his breath.

He couldn't help but be impressed, as the synergy between the fully assembled Inzaghi’s Clairvoyance and the other Inzaghi’s artifacts was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

'So, this is what happens when they are used together… It would be awesome if I could take those with me too…' Siegfried thought. However, he quickly shook the thoughts off, as he knew better than to act on them. These artifacts were imbued with power and history, so there was no way they could coexist in two different timelines simultaneously.

Accepting that fact, Siegfried stepped forward and led the way.

“Let’s move,” he commanded, and the expedition party followed his lead.

With the green arrow illuminating their way, they sped through the labyrinthine "Suzdal Empire Ruins," heading for the Church of Osric’s hideout.

To reach their destination, they had to navigate through nearly two hundred separate maps with their own challenges and red herrings.

‘No wonder no one had been able to find this place…’ Siegfried thought.

The complexity of the path alone made it painfully clear why so many Adventurers had ended up becoming trapped in this cursed place and why the Church of Osric had chosen it as their hideout.

Without Inzaghi’s Set, finding the right path was akin to winning the lottery.

In other words, a near-impossible feat.

Armed with Inzaghi’s Set, however, Siegfried’s party cut through the labyrinth’s chaos until they eventually arrived at their destination.

[Suzdal Empire Ruins 458: Church of Osric Base]

The message popped up in front of Siegfried’s eyes.

A piercing shriek tore through the air.

“Kyaaaah!”

“Raaaagh!”

A horde of green-skinned monsters emerged from the shadows and erupted in a frenzy before changing straight at the expedition party.

Tokki's Thoughts

I was thinking why don’t we have some fun with Siegfried and “Siegfried”?

Come up with your best tongue twister for Siegfried and “Siegfried”!

Siegfried spotted "Siegfried" sneaking snacks Siegfried saved for the siege. “Siegfried” smiled and fried sixty-six seeds sending sizzling scents to Siegfried.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!