Gravity Blade

At the exact moment Carpe acquired his third relic.

In the real world, every community related to RaSe was exploding simultaneously.

Gaming journalists typed faster than ever before, and channels covering the issue scrambled to produce videos.

The overwhelming defeat of one of the top 10 guilds, Silver Lion, was that shocking.

Of course, they could lose.

Top 10 guilds didn't always win. Even they failed live raids from time to time.

Especially since this was RaSe's first national-scale quest.

It was understandable to fail... but the problem was how utterly pathetic it looked.

Silver Lion members hastily ended the broadcast, but you can't cover the sky with your hand.

The live stream had over ten million global viewers at the time, and fans clipped highlights that spread like wildfire across communities.

Silver Lion threatened lawsuits for copyright infringement... but they couldn't stop the spread.

Players pinned the overwhelming defeat on Silver Lion's incompetence—specifically, guild master Evans's lack of game sense.

Like Mammonism among the top 10 guilds, Silver Lion treated RaSe as a business venture, not a game.

And they said it openly, making them hard to like from a gamer's perspective.

Impressive as a businessman, but a total newbie gamer.

Silver Lion's downfall might've been inevitable.

In the highlight videos, the mysterious figure rampaging through Silver Lion.

A robed user who wiped out their rear with overwhelming firepower and casually downed several rankers.

Many pegged the robed user as The Sun's vice master, Kate.

Permafrost was her signature skill.

No other confirmed ranker had mastered it publicly.

And right now.

The suspect in question was frowning at community sentiment.

"Everyone's blind or something? How does this look like me? Clearly a guy!"

She was just quietly playing her game, yet somehow branded a meddlesome troll without knowing.

Some posts like "Not Kate. He's got world-conquering talent. I fought him myself" got dismissed as bait.

"Ugh, so frustrating. Can't even clear it up."

Actually, she had a simple way to shake the accusation.

Just release her play log.

A quick disclosure of where she was during the war... but.

"Sigh. Timing overlaps perfectly."

Unfortunately, she was deep in a hidden quest and couldn't reveal her movements.

Magic Kingdom Jenonia.

Home base for top 10 guild The Sun, where they pursued a top-secret hidden quest.

"What're you muttering about? Stress wrinkles your skin."

"...Aren't you mad? We didn't do it."

"Old news. Happens all the time."

Whoosh!

The Sun's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guild master and world #1 ranker, Gunter Lauhel, swung his greatsword through the air in reply.

They were in an underground ruin in Jenonia, hunting items for their hidden quest.

"Gotta explain? Let 'em think what they want. Like always."

"Opponent's a top 10 guild this time. If Silver Lion nitpicks..."

"Nitpick? Hahaha!"

Gunter burst laughing, pausing his training.

"Hope they do. Yeah! RPGs need massive guild wars! Hey, why not claim we did it this time..."

"Gunter!"

"Kidding. Don't get mad. Wrinkles."

"...I'll handle it. Ugh, annoying. Who's using Permafrost? Unofficial ranker?"

"Kate. Don't tell me you're mad someone else learned your solo skill?"

"Dunno!"

"...You are. Sheesh. Not a kid anymore. Shake it off and hunt that Frozen Flame or whatever."

"I'm not mad! Whoever it is, just wait till I catch 'em!"

Meanwhile, oblivious to anyone's grudge, Carpe prepared to leave Ramark.

-...It's fine. Not the first time.

Gillian chuckled contentedly.

Carpe worried Cheonma and Gillian's strong personalities might clash, but it was unfounded.

'Gillian's one thing, but bro's surprisingly chill.'

-No need to rock team chemistry over creaks? NPCs have feelings too—smooth it over.

'Harmony best. Anyway, one more Cheonma follower. Holy Leader.'

-Oho. Elder recruited—now spread the new faith. March to the central plains and proclaim Cheonma's arrival.

'...Taking it well. Feels like you're enjoying it more lately.'

-Caught it from you? Anyway, let's move. Destination set, right?

'Yep.'

Carpe nodded.

Completing the third relic quest triggered alerts and a new one.

Next stop: one of the four great kingdoms, Magic Kingdom Jenonia.

As a "deceased" Gillian, Ramark Castle felt off.

Staying longer raised discovery risk!

Even as 1st Prince begged him to stay for the coronation, haste had reasons.

-Coronation give levels? Items? Better farm one more mob.

Knock knock.

"Holy Successor. May I enter?"

"Ah, yes. Come in."

But Gillian's wish went unfulfilled.

Drek arrived suddenly. Gillian instantly hid behind Carpe, statue-still.

"Pardon the intrusion."

"Welcome... oh? Queen too."

"Yes. Heard Carpe was leaving, came for farewells."

Drek wasn't alone—with the queen.

Her attire differed sharply: uniform with light armor over it, not her usual simple dress.

Noticing Carpe's puzzled gaze, she smiled faintly.

"Taking grandfather's place as border fortress commander. No longer queen."

With Ramark's guardian dead, Gilliant Empire would eye them hungrily.

Her, the kingdom's top fighter, heading to the border was inevitable.

Former king demoted to lowest officer there too.

He'd serve the nation lifelong.

"And Successor... about Sergail."

Drek shared intel extracted from Sergail (methods unspoken).

Shocker: When Carpe first got a relic, Luana's gravekeeper Geas's assassination linked to Sergail.

"That priest likely Gilliant Empire too."

-Plausible. They worship Patron Spirits more than most. Fanatic groups? Normal.

'Hmm. So the Gilliant Empire was the mastermind behind the Magic King scenario?'

Carpe nodded, vowing chaos next chance.

"Thanks for the info."

"Heh. Just duty. And finally, a gift."

"Gift?"

"Your massive contributions deserve reward, no?"

"Ah!"

Contribution exchange.

Trade special quest gains for items—common in RPGs like RaSe.

A scroll unfurled before Carpe's eyes with the chime.

'3,871. That's a lot, right?'

-Slew that many foes? Obvious. Nice haul.

'Yeah. Whoa, unique weapon in the list?'

Solid two-handed spear, 2,000 points. Carpe could buy it and have 1,800 left.

'Whoa, random box too?!'

Top: 'Random Gear Box' above 2,500-point unique ring. Rare to Legendary, 3,200 points!

'All-in. Sharp odds.'

-...Know it won't hit, but say it: Pick unique quietly? Legendary odds under 3%.

'3%? Free pull!'

-Sigh. Do you. Talking's pointless.

'Watch. It'll pop now!'

Hit hit. Hit hit. Exciting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠song!

No choice for gacha addict Carpe.

Or shouldn't have been.

"Heh. Successor needn't see that list. Would we give you ordinary stuff?"

"Huh?"

Not ordinary? Random box!

But next alert erased those thoughts.

Drek called outside; two servants entered with a massive greatsword.

Familiar blade. Carpe felt Gillian twitch behind him.

"Hope it pleases."

"...Exclusive weapon?"