Ego (3)
Guild ranking 2nd, Cheonha Tongil. Its guild master, Ryu Ojuncheon, had set a new goal.
"We're surpassing Shining this time."
The opportunity was, naturally, the rift newly created by the update.
Topple Shining—the unchanging goal. But this time, he had no choice but to approach it with utmost seriousness.
Shining was currently shaken in an unprecedented way.
Rocks, you must have taken heavy losses to your forces.
Following Rocks, Shining's second-in-command, Jessie Haynes.
She had bolted from Shining's fold.
The reason was unknown, but the announcement was no dream. The plummeting Shining stock and their own skyrocketing shares were proof enough.
No time to waste in Muon.
The holy city of the Goddess Church, Muon.
At first, he'd gauged its utility. Friendly ties with the Goddess Church could benefit the guild in many ways.
But now that he knew Muon harbored hostility toward humanity, there was no reason to cling to it.
"Everyone, enter the rift!"
The golden chance to surpass Shining. Ryu Ojuncheon didn't hesitate before it.
He led Cheonha Tongil's elite forces into the rift.
"Don't fall back!"
"Grit your teeth and hold!!"
"What are you doing? Blast them with magic!"
The raid wasn't easy. Above all, every monster in the rift was ghost-attribute, which was a huge hurdle.
Even if they'd prepared by enchanting weapons with potions to damage ghosts.
"They're too fast, those things!"
"Damn. Hiding in the walls."
"They're flying overhead, making it hard to swing our swords...!"
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
The ghosts toyed with the large army like it was nothing.
But Ryu Ojuncheon had vast experience. From when Arcana was just a game to now.
The experience of elevating Cheonha Tongil to the top ranks.
"Don't chase. Maintain formation."
Tricky patterns. But he'd faced monsters with far trickier ones.
And with thorough prep for this prime opportunity.
"We won't dance to their tune."
Ryu Ojuncheon was confident in prolonged battles too.
Under his command, Cheonha Tongil steadily cleared the rift.
And now.
"All forces, hold position."
Dozens of scouts had scattered to map the mine's terrain.
Soon, they returned with their findings.
"Map complete."
No matter how complex the mine, sheer numbers prevailed.
Ryu Ojuncheon examined the skill-generated maps.
His eyes locked on one passage amid dozens.
"An unusual abundance of overgrown weeds."
Of course, he didn't dwell long. He had plenty of hands and feet to suffer in his stead.
At his gesture, several squads moved swiftly.
"We'll bring back the intel."
They vanished into the mine with the scouts' map.
Soon, good news arrived for Ryu Ojuncheon.
They'd found what could be the rift's boss monster.
"All forces, advance!"
Iron Noble. Topple it, and the rift clears.
A perfect clear of a new rift in record time? Guild rankings could flip—no pipe dream.
"Pathetic vermin, swarming needlessly."
The iron-armored giant exuded immense pressure with its size and voice.
Yet.
"All forces, charge!"
Ryu Ojuncheon and Cheonha Tongil's players didn't retreat.
Thanks to his class, Monarch's special effect.
Alpha
Upon battle start, until the Monarch takes first damage, players serving the Monarch activate the skill 'Morale Boost'.
'Morale Boost' effect scales with the Monarch's level.
Mega-guild. The reason Cheonha Tongil rallied around Ryu Ojuncheon.
His class, Monarch.
Ryu Ojuncheon watched his guildmates charge the giant.
They are my sword and shield.
Not just words. Their earned experience flowed to him at a fixed rate.
Yes, the might of the rare class Monarch!
China's full backing of Ryu Ojuncheon stemmed from that.
Of course, he knew the weight it carried. So he judged coldly.
"Graaaah!!"
Falling guildmates. Ryu Ojuncheon didn't blink.
Swords and shields were replaceable. A Monarch was one-of-a-kind.
No one can replace me.
Ryu Ojuncheon swung sword and shield.
"Never retreat!"
Thanks to Alpha, his guild moved in perfect unison under his command.
The Iron Noble spoke.
"You are of the kin I despise."
What did a mere monster matter? Ryu Ojuncheon's gaze held no tremor, even at its barbs.
Doubt before the enemy? Unthinkable for a Monarch.
"I shall shatter before kneeling to you."
Music to his ears. Ryu Ojuncheon relentlessly pressured the Iron Noble.
Its durability was impressive, rising after falls.
But as emphasized, numbers win out.
Crack—!
The sound echoed, mine walls glowing.
Only then did Ryu Ojuncheon realize.
"That rock was your true body?"
Destroy the core from the start for a quicker kill?
No matter.
"Doesn't change a thing."
Swords and shields abounded anyway.
The fact remained: They'd conquered Mantra Mine - District 2 with Cheonha Tongil's might alone.
Mantra Mine - District 2 rift cleared.
Ryu Ojuncheon smiled in utter satisfaction.
"Time to breathe the air at the top."
*
...Dizzying. Truly.
Imagine if I hadn't had Pure Knowledge's Five-Pointed Star.
Naturally, I wouldn't have known what noble iron was.
Just beating the Iron Noble would've been hell.
'Even if luck let me figure out noble iron was the core.'
Directly attack and shatter it to fell the Iron Noble?
A groan-worthy nightmare...!
It'd be like smashing the noble iron needed for ego swords—included all ego gear—with my own hands.
Just imagining it...
Gives me chills. For real.
Ignorance is bliss. If I stayed oblivious to the end.
But if I ever learned later.
'Insomnia starts that day.'
Of course, I couldn't gauge noble iron's monetary value.
Like ego swords, that info was sealed.
But I could infer.
◈ No restrictions
◈ Effect: Grants 'Ego' to crafted items
◈ A mineral infused with soul. Its rarity is legendary, its value inestimable.
Yes. That incredible noble iron was now mine.
All thanks to sword aura.
As mentioned, two ways to acquire noble iron.
Subjugate it. Or earn its recognition.
I'd done the latter.
"Your sword aura is already supremely noble... Yet your potential remains boundless."
The noble iron's assessment of me.
It felt oddly familiar mid-hearing.
Ah—similar to what Harcon Kingsguard said.
—"I've long suspected, but today I can say with confidence. Sir Hoyeol! You must walk the path of the sword. Five fingers? At least top three on the continent...!"
The noble iron continued.
"I've awaited one like you here. Will you take me to your sword realm? I'll burn my form to aid your ascent!"
Magic has realms. Sword has them too.
Why not?
I won't waste Grandfell's talent.
Besides, pity to abandon the well I've steadily dug.
I'll struggle as far as I can.
Thus, I claimed the noble iron.
'No experience gained, though.'
Shatter noble iron for exp? What lunatic would?
Of course, the Iron Noble vanishing cleared the rift all the same.
Mantra Mine - District 1 rift cleared.
The message rose before crumbling rift scenery.
Accustomed now? The nymph bowed formally.
"Until next we meet, fare well."
...Her speech growing ever more refined?
Can't nitpick tone myself.
I reverse-summoned the nymph, sought Cley Odia.
"Ah, finished, Chief Mage Lee Hoyeol...?"
As expected, Cley fretted amid the collapse.
Even a Mage Tower expert startles first time.
I calmly reassured her.
"No need for fear."
Yes. Close eyes, open—back to reality.
Like now. Amid skyscrapers.
Players appeared. All baffled expressions.
"...What? Already cleared?"
No wonder. Even I startled.
Nymph shortcut to noble iron aside.
Acquisition far quicker than expected.
"Wait, silver hair, that outfit... Lee Hoyeol, right?!"
"Damn, makes sense."
"Lee Hoyeol? When'd he enter the rift?"
Murmurs rose. I'm used to stares.
But.
"...Who's the one bowing beside him?"
Not Cley. Once Mage Tower's full involvement leaked.
Its mages would draw massive attention. Obvious.
Yes, so.
"Lee Hoyeol's group?"
"...Dunno, but interview?"
"Wait, gauge the mood first..."
I'm with the Tower, right?
Clack—
Straight to portal.
"Let's go."
At my word, Cley followed.
Enough. Players and press eyeing her swallowed regret, turned away.
Thanks to my consistent demeanor.
-"Silence."
-"Mind decorum."
-"No answers to rude queries."
Of course, Cley unaware.
Even at Tower via portal, she looked puzzled.
But I'm chief, she's expert mage. No need for details.
Society's like that.
Obey orders blindly—class hierarchy.
Ascending stairs, I brazenly spoke.
"All schedules cleared on time."
"...Ah, yes!"
"Hope this outing aids your research."
No, please let it.
Magic realms aside, now sword realms too.
Grand goals demand buffs...!
*
Post-raid. Questions flooded returning Cley.
Expert mages surrounded her, eyes sparkling curiosity.
"How was the outside, Cley?"
"The rift? What about the rift?!"
"Everyone, wait. Quiet down."
...Silence fell.
Braided Jibril quelled the din.
Imperial nobility scion. Already prominent among experts.
She cleared her throat.
"Ahem, curiosity aside, order matters."
Gently continued.
"No issues, right, Miss Cley?"
Cley nodded; voices followed.
"And with Chief Mage Lee Hoyeol?"
...Ah, right!
Sighs erupted everywhere.
Forgot amid raid focus: Cley solo with Chief Lee Hoyeol.
"So prickly... Er, curt."
"Right? So blunt."
"Honestly, a bit scary...?"
Rapid-fire chatter.
Shake—
Silent Cley unwittingly shook head.
"...Miss Cley?"
So vehement, crowd startled.
Massive misunderstanding.
Chief Mage Lee Hoyeol isn't like that!
Cley recalled the raid.
Kindly sharing mana herb lore.
Warning of wraith ambush.
Direct aid from him? Several times.
'And even my research...'
Barring Bellie Yusia, no one cared about 'mana herb cultivation'.
Yet he'd pondered it more seriously than her.
Jibril sensed oddity.
"What's that reaction? Something happened, right?"
"Spill. What? What went down between you two~?"
"Cley! You gonna clam up like that?"
But Cley sealed lips.
Recalling Hoyeol's words.
-"Just act with decorum."
Decorum.
'No word on Chief Mage matters.'
But letting Hoyeol be misunderstood?
Couldn't just watch.
Resolved, Cley spoke.
"...Chief Mage Lee Hoyeol."
Yes, just facts.
No illusion. She'd seen clearly.
Exiting rift.
Why? Amid chaos, massive attention on her.
Voice heard.
-"Let's go."
Yes. That word from Hoyeol parted the crowd.
Unseen even in Arcana.
Imperial decree? Maybe...
But Cley never met emperor.
She pondered seriously.
Perhaps Chief Mage Lee Hoyeol was this world's nobility. Not just any—lofty nobility...?
It clicked with his decorum obsession.
Cley continued meaningfully.
"He might be far greater outside the Tower than within...!"