The Limit of My Patience (1)

Like a rock turning into a teacup. The teacup's shape shifted. It was like a shield forged from stone. I'd reshaped the teacup into a wall. Arrows couldn't pierce a rock barrier. No matter how many—dozens, hundreds—they wouldn't reach me.

I checked my mana consumption.

Isn't the efficiency abnormally good?

Maybe because it was no longer a skill, but true magic. It was definitely different from what that alchemist had said on NetTube.

He definitely said that.

My mana was still fine even after erecting a barrier at least three meters high. Even accounting for Natural Enemy being active, the efficiency was astonishing.

Well, one of two things, then. Either magic's efficiency crushed skills.

Or that alchemist was peddling snake oil on NetTube.

Hey, it happens in games all the time. Players whining about nerfs or character favoritism. Pretending to be weak to dodge the finger-pointing.

'Try raising a demon hunter—you'll see what a real weak class is.'

Of course, whatever the case. My task right now didn't change.

I left the defense to the barrier and prepared my counterattack. Equipped bow and arrows. Nocked an arrow on the string.

Crude arrows.

Low-level arrows used by noob archers. Their attack power was predictably pathetic.

But what if I reshaped them?

Mana was plentiful. I swiftly altered the arrowhead's shape. Let's make it look painful just to see. Like a drill or a hook...

...What is this?

Beyond expectations. Not just attack power, but a high chance for bleeding status too. Worth those sleepless nights scribbling with a pen. Effort never betrays.

Kreeeak— Regardless of my glee. I calmly drew the bowstring.

Yeah, just reshaping one arrowhead. To Grandfell, it was hardly worth mentioning, let alone fanfare.

Shoosh— A composure that would make an Olympic archer weep.

Thanks to that. My arrow struck ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a bandit hiding in the brush.

Natural Enemy. Modified Arrow. And my barely-there Archery Mastery.

Those three synergized.

Thud— Hit.

Bleeding triggered.

Plip plop— Dodging the next arrow rain.

...The bleeding bandit died. Four levels up in a row.

I opened my status window to check the stats.

Arcana's system, where EXP needed per level skyrockets. No wonder even rank 1 barely hit 400 after ten years of service.

Definitely fast.

Considering the system, my growth was absurd.

But too early to celebrate. Before blaming Grandfell's personality.

This is just baseline.

Popping champagne now? By class quest's end, I'd have nothing left to celebrate with.

I invested points without hesitation.

Strength and agility grow via class quests anyway.

So all-in on mana for immediate combat help.

Mana: 31

With mana surging. Target: the blood-soaked bandits.

I reshaped arrows again.

This time, link to 'Ignition' too.

Way more mana than plain reshaping. But I'd invested in mana—worth testing the power once.

If efficiency sucks, just skip it next time.

...Plus, do I have the luxury to be picky?

Heart pounding aside, this was a clear crisis. Surrounded by monsters over ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠200!

Other players nearby, sure. But no expecting them to save my skin.

To protect my life. To not sink under this heavy pride.

I had to try everything.

Fwoosh— Flames bloomed at the arrowhead's tip. Homemade fire arrow.

I watched the blazing arrow fly.

...Well, speed's way faster than the original?

*

"That guy's totally lost it?!"

Leoni had shouted that. But her words trailed off.

"...Whaaat? Huh?!"

Wait, hold up. What the hell?!

The teacup turned into a massive stone wall!

Leoni was a ranker, for all her looks. Plenty of Arcana knowledge and experience.

Yeah, she could guess the skill. It wasn't summoned from earth—the teacup transformed.

Definitely alchemy-line skill.

But the incomprehensible part was elsewhere.

Why's an alchemist in a rift? Solo, no less?

Alchemists weren't combat classes. Like blacksmiths or jewelers. Production job, classified as such.

And not just that...

How high does that stone wall go?!

"Crazy, boss. What the hell is that?"

At least three meters high. Arrows shattering harmlessly against it.

Leoni flinched.

"...Not normal after all."

Alchemy's infamous mana inefficiency. Making a wall that size...

How insane must his total mana be?

But the shock didn't stop.

Suddenly, the man drew a bow.

Leoni scanned with a ranker's eye.

Mana must be depleted.

Such a huge wall. Common sense said so.

Buying time with arrows till recovery. Smart.

But would it work? An alchemist good with a bow? Ridiculous.

Thud—!

"...I-Impossible?! Boss?!"

One shot. A bandit staggered and collapsed.

Attention shifted from surrounding bandits to the mystery man.

A guildmate, curiosity peaked, activated Hawk Eye and stuttered.

"...Wait, what now."

"What? Spill it."

"Looks like a fire arrow? Who is that guy? Scary."

Alchemist. Archer too? Now mage?

Arcana knowledge flashed through Leoni's mind.

No clue.

Scoured her memory—no such class.

Sure, one player could multiclass alchemy, archery, offensive magic.

But look at that fire arrow's trajectory.

Speed rivaled top mages.

Berserker mages whispered among themselves.

"You shoot like that?"

"...Hell no."

"And no staff either?"

No hesitation in his actions. Beyond confident—elegant.

Click— His suit played a role too.

Leoni finally got it.

Not crazy. Expression of confidence.

Suit and dress shoes? Fine. No monster blood would splatter him.

Something like that?

"Not a pushover from the start."

Thought it was warmup. Didn't expect a hidden master right away.

Berserker instincts stirred.

Leoni raised her twin swords.

Clang—!

"We ain't just watching either!"

"Let's go!"

"Buffs, please."

Thud thud—!

Good. Competition.

Leoni and guild charged the bandits.

The man, Hoyeol, eyed the falling bandits.

Thought they'd help. Should've shared a teabag at least?

*

Outside the rift. Countless camera drones swarmed the skies.

Broadcasters worldwide. NetTubers. Even guilds.

Different affiliations. Same reason: watching the rift.

"Who'll claim first clear of the new rift?"

Common sight during updates. Natural, really.

Guilds and players tangled in interests. Stocks fluctuated. National orders shook.

"Especially this Askyura Castle siege. Huge stakes. Highest-level post-demon update: Viscount Askyura."

"Yes. 430-level demon monster. Currently impregnable... Hope our players give it their all."

"Good news everywhere. Let's see submitted footage."

Footage aired. Smooth start.

Territory outskirts. Mid-200s appropriate level—no issue for famous guilds or high-levels.

Occasional demon cruelty clips, though.

"Oof, player hit with status ailment."

"Nah, solid healers in back. Minor debuff—easy recovery. See?"

"World rank 1! Shining."

PD monitoring screens. Hyun Yong-seok sniffed.

Russian winds bit hard. Curled deeper into his puffer jacket.

"Sniff. Demons are tricky. Even Shining slipped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠early."

"C'mon, director. Recovered instantly~ No-count."

"Fair, but... ever seen this before?"

Today Arcana. Hyun's program, averaging 11% ratings. Terrestrial-level without being terrestrial.

No other Korean show covered rifts and players so broadly.

Ratings gauged public interest.

...Never seen this.

Directed from episode 1. Past episodes? Nothing like it.

Shining: top 10 rankers x4. Undisputed world strongest.

Damage in a mere appropriate-level 250 rift?

"Quantity's off the charts."

Monsters swarming Shining. Momentary lapse = hit.

Hyun concluded.

"Demons. Something beyond levels."

Thus, current developments excited more.

Spin spin— Hyun gestured to cast.

Raise the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠energy.

"First clear on that difficulty? Instant fame stamp."

Then, monitoring AD yelled.

"Whoa! Senior, it's up! First clear!"

"Rift location? Send reporters!"

"Checking. Nearby... Not Gaon."

"Tch, shame but whatever."

Korean bias. Hoped Gaon. Apparently not.

AD scratched head.

"Damn. Mother Russia. Trees everywhere."

"Max zoom?"

"Yes. Trees block it. Where?!"

Then, radio from rushing reporter team.

"Yeah. Joking now? Where?"

"...What? Berserker?!"

...Korean?

Berserker—EU guild. Any Koreans?

Hyun racked his brain. Then radio crackled again.

Hyun pressed.

"What? Korean? Relation? Berserker confirmed?"

"And?"

Absurd voice from radio.

Whoooosh—

"...So you missed the interview?"

"He has 'force,' I don't?"

"Chase and get that interview. Got it?"

Cold radio.

Whoooosh— Siberian high pressure matched it.

Hyun bundled tighter.

Russia's damn cold.