The Shadow Over the Eight Clans
Dimension World 2's service had already surpassed half a month. Considering it was billed as the ultimate VR game that would last years or even decades, half a month was merely the tip of the iceberg. But just like in Dimension World 1, this game—drawing the eyes of the entire world—had proven more than enough time for the powerhouses to make their mark.
Until now, the undisputed powerhouses of Dimension World had been the Eight Great Clans. America's Los Clan, led by Rerto Karen, shone with the most dungeon clears. Japan's Kabbalah Clan, dubbed the "Information Tribe" for their superior intel network and ferocious Flame Unit, under Itsuki Minami. And China's ANA Clan, Asia's largest mercenary group of martial arts experts, commanded by Lushin.
They broadcast their feats boldly, as if to prove their reputations.
Yet astonishingly, despite the daily barrage of feats from the Eight Great Clans dominating headlines worldwide, the global community forums buzzed with a different issue entirely.
A massive banner dominated the community homepage.
1st: Anonymous 21,600 points
2nd: Rerto Karen 7,500 points
3rd: Itsuki Minami 4,200 points
4th: Lushin 3,100 points
A player with overwhelming feat points that even crushed Rerto Karen, the pinnacle of the Eight Great Clans. It was too vast a gap to dismiss as just a promising rookie.
Loose-lipped folks jumped at the chance to post about the "fall of the Eight Great Clans," while others speculated that the devs were pulling strings to check the clans' power.
"What do you think?"
Thud—thud thud—
The club hall brimmed with people, the air thick and suffocating. DARIS Club, LA's hottest spot, lived up to its fame—celebrities you could spot with a glance packed the place.
"Worth worrying about? Like in Dimension World 1, rushing ahead early doesn't mean shit. If it did, we'd all be max level by now."
At the round table, a handsome man with sharp features posed the question. A black-bobbed woman replied.
Unlike the dazzling main hall, this room was dim. While big-name celebs crowded the noisy hall thumping with music, these folks looked down from a higher perch. The VVIP room was a world apart—silent as another realm. Not just for the famous; only the chosen, or rather, the choosers, entered here.
"Agreed. Whether you snag a good class, gear, or position—everything changes your life. Who still thinks Dimension World's just a game? Losers who amount to nothing in reality or VR."
The black-bobbed woman crossed her arms, scowling like she wanted out right then.
"Is that so? I'm just enjoying it as a game."
The short-haired man in a rider jacket across from her chuckled lightly, joking.
"That's why you always lose out in power struggles. Your brother's got most of the company now, right?"
"……."
The jacket guy's face stiffened instantly.
"Oh yeah? Even if I lost the boardroom, I could still crush a little Japanese outfit. You're smart—you get what I mean."
"Try it."
"Lushin, don't ruin this meet with personal grudges. Itsuki, stand down too."
Rerto Karen, Itsuki Minami, and Lushin. Shockingly, these were the heads of the Eight Great Clans, gathered together. Not just them—the eight around the table matched the clans exactly. The ones who pulled Dimension World's strings, all in one spot.
"……."
The icy tension from the two broke at the first speaker's words.
"Right. Rerto's got it. Let's keep it civil. We won't have many more chances to meet like this."
The man twice their bulk flashed an exaggerated grin, removing his sunglasses with thick arms. A vicious scar tore one eye.
"Wild Mamont. Say that after cleaning up your own mess. You handed over the Land of Savages whole—why aren't you even on the rankings yet?"
Itsuki spat venomously, unfazed by his beastly aura.
"Heh, the island princess is pissed, huh? If you're bitching over that anonymous ranker, worry about the guy above you first."
Despite her barb, he lounged back casually on the sofa.
Russia's Shaveliger Clan. Among the Eight, they were the premier guerrilla warriors, mostly ex-military. Clan master Shummel Chernov, aka Wild, was rumored special forces too.
"Bickering among ourselves is pointless. Like Itsuki said, we've all been grinding hidden classes behind the scenes—takes time."
"So everyone's done their first job change?"
"No need to spill that much."
Shummel smirked at Lushin's reply.
"Fair. We're not pretty faces like Rerto anyway. Allies? Nah. Perfect timing to sweep rivals, actually."
"Northern dragon hunted. One of only six in the world—half a month after servers opened."
Tension gripped them at Shummel's threat, but Rerto ignored it like a bad joke, cutting to the chase.
"What do you think? You've seen it already, right? Reports say the desert dragon in Land of Savages—wingless wyrm Lintburum or something?"
Shummel nodded slowly at Rerto's question.
'Dragon?'
'When did he... Shaveliger and Los sharing intel?'
'If they scouted that lair, Los probably wrapped up the Steel Kingdom one too. We haven't even started.'
'Gotta hurry...'
One question, but eight minds raced differently.
"Of course."
"How was it? Even fastest leveling, you're around 20 after half a month. Say 30 tops... Possible to hunt a Spirit Devourer?"
"Me? I'd run on sight. Did, actually. Faced a wingless wyrm—hated admitting it, but my legs shook."
"……."
Shummel ground his teeth, loath to confess.
"Level 30 vs. dragon? I guarantee—even dozens or hundreds, they'd get stomped. Fighting that monster's insane."
"……."
"Sure, dragons fall eventually. But not now."
"That anonymous ranker's points scream involvement in the Spirit Devourer hunt. Worth watching."
"Come off it. Even if not a player—"
Shummel shook his head at Rerto.
"Regardless, he's piling points too fast. Whatever magic he's pulling, he's a roadblock for the Eight Clans."
He pressed on.
"You all know how feat points work in Dimension World."
"Right. Can't let him keep stacking, whoever he is."
"But isn't it weird? No hack could net this many points so quick."
"Hacking Dimension World? Laughable. Devs would've shut it down already. Right?"
Rerto turned left. A blonde woman sat silent through it all. She opened her eyes slowly at his prompt.
"Suspects?"
Kingdom Clan's master, Daiana Hazel.
"Two prime candidates."
Her low voice answered.
"Hidden Eater, Isabel Silver."
The six, including Rerto, took it in stride—not surprised.
"She cleared every quest in DW1, even scraps. Makes sense she'd rack up feats."
"The other?"
"Kim Do-hyun."
Unlike the first, faces showed mild confusion.
"Hmm... Kim Do-hyun did snag the unprecedented Supreme hidden class. But his style's different, no?"
"He found the Supreme job change quest no one else did before servers shut."
"Plan?"
"Couldn't pin Kim Do-hyun, but tracked his two DW1 party mates. Deus Union's their spot. Got eyes on 'em—no red flags yet."
"Hidden Eater?"
"Slippery. No tail."
"Good. Start with Deus Union. If those two are there, Kim Do-hyun likely started nearby."
Rerto nodded at Itsuki.
"If we find him?"
"Confirm anonymous status. If yes..."
Rerto downed his glass at Shummel's question.
"We hunt him."
"How's it looking?"
"Like you said. Tails on us."
Chan-ho arrived at the capsule room, popping sugar balls, voice low.
"Deus Union—probably Kabbalah Clan. No clue what that fox woman's after, but some had scan magic. Makes moving tricky."
"How many?"
"Dunno. Five, six? Must suck for them—prime leveling time wasted tailing us."
Jin-su beside him smirked at my question.
Probably think the anonymous is me. Tails on other suspects too.
I'd expected it, nodding calmly.
Starting apart from them drew the Eight Clans' eyes too.
"When do we job change? We're grinding skills over levels like you said, but..."
Chan-ho prodded gently. Deus Union, magic-focused, offered little for his DW1 archer/tank roles.
"Soon. Gathered all the pieces. Meet up, straight to job changes."
"Trust me, hang tight. Something that'll make the Eight Clans shit bricks is coming. Till then, max skills and stats. Where we're headed ain't easy."
They nodded.
"You watch out too. They're tailing us, so you're target one. We're keeping 'em spinning in Deus for now."
I smiled faintly at Chan-ho.
"No worries."
Hiss—
"Eight Clans can't work 48-hour days. Leveling time's equal. Plus reputation grinding for hidden classes? They're even lower level."
Capsule door opened; I popped the last sugar ball, settling in.
"If we meet? I'll welcome it."
They stared, puzzled, not getting it.
"I'll show 'em who gets hunted."