Naming (1)

Muon's outskirts.

Marcelo and a few senior mages watched the situation unfold.

Should we really just stand here?

Banggrit Tom, the senior pure mana mage, cautiously spoke up.

"Um... shouldn't we join them?"

"It's best to wait for his signal."

"...If that's what Chief Marcelo says."

Was it thanks to that scheme that had tricked them? Banggrit had come to understand demons to some extent. Dealing with them was something you could never afford to take lightly, no matter your abilities.

Banggrit recalled the sensation from the Crack in the Broken Dimension.

I didn't even realize when I'd started thinking that way...

By the time he snapped out of it, he was acting exactly as the demon intended.

If it had just been me, I'd blame my own shortcomings.

But even the elder mages had their judgment clouded by the demons.

Chief Lee Hoyeol needs to be careful too.

His abilities were beyond doubt, but... as he'd just said, the opponent was a demon. One that had toyed with the Goddess Church, no less.

As Banggrit's expression remained grim, Marcelo spoke.

"I can't speak specifically without knowing your exact concerns."

"...?"

"But there's no need to worry."

Unlike Banggrit, Marcelo knew. That Hoyeol wasn't a mage, but a demon hunter. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The one natural enemy that demons feared above all.

"This is practically his field of expertise."

...Expertise in dealing with demons?

What on earth does that mean?

Banggrit's brow furrowed even deeper at that moment.

"!!!"

Rumble—

With the vibration, far in the distance, tentacles rose from Muon's heart.

Even from afar, their size was unnerving.

"Repulsive."

Matis Din Karl, the senior black mage, suppressed his emotions.

He'd suspected as much since they'd reached out to the Mage Tower.

It seemed the Arcana Continent had truly been dancing in the demons' palms.

Perfectly controlling one's emotions was impossible for a human, of course. His rings darkened as a result.

"We've essentially let them run rampant."

If the Mage Tower had acted sooner, the Arcana Continent wouldn't have fallen into such chaos.

As Matis stewed in his anger, Marcelo replied.

"Indeed. Though late, correcting it is our duty as well."

That's right. Disposing of those demons should have been their responsibility too.

Yet for some reason, his lord had stepped forward again.

I can't know for sure, but there must be meaning in his actions.

But soon, Marcelo grasped Hoyeol's intent.

The paladins' eyes had changed. They charged at the demons, fearless of death.

Watching them, Hoyeol's words suddenly came to mind.

...Could it be to prevent the Goddess Church from collapsing?

So that the church, toyed with by the saintess and demons, could reclaim its final pride. Had his lord given them the chance to slay the demons with their own hands...!

Matis, who had guessed the same, exchanged a glance with Marcelo.

The two men spoke in admiration.

"I never even considered it until I saw it myself."

"Same here. His lordship truly..."

"Thinks on a whole other level from us."

Marcelo put himself in Hoyeol's shoes.

If I were in his position...

Even if tricked by demons, the Goddess Church had betrayed Akkshan in the holy war. They were no different from enemies to him.

Logic might prevail in the mind, but emotions would come first.

Yet what of Hoyeol?

Thinking of their pride even before enemies and demons.

He couldn't help but admire it. But thinking back, it wasn't the first time.

His lordship had generously forgiven even the Mage Tower's original sin.

So Banggrit Tom and senior flame mage Bensy William were the only ones who couldn't comprehend.

They exchanged glances too, whispering in frustration.

"...What are they even talking about?"

"A whole other level of thinking? If we can't get it, what does that make us?"

"...Should we just ask straight up?"

"You serious, Senior Banggrit Tom?! You know what I went through last time entering a rift with Senior Matis? Just thinking about it still chokes me up!"

*

Goddess Church Holy Knight Captain, Tarim Eber.

There were no new facts gleaned from their conversation.

Including him, everyone in Muon had simply been swayed by Nephthys's abnormal status.

Clink—

I set down my teacup and spoke.

"I understand."

Yeah, they had no choice but to go along with it.

Just like the Mage Tower couldn't intervene.

Muon seemed to be in the same boat.

Of course, unlike the Mage Tower, which had no interest in the holy war, Muon had dipped a toe in before pulling back.

They'd struck Akkshan harder in the back than the tower had.

But...

It's not my back they stabbed.

Over ten years of absence. Grandfell's unflappable nature. And finally, unyielding pride.

"Akkshan merely upheld its pride to the end."

The holy war. Akkshan's demon hunters had fought demons to the last.

Even if they'd fallen for a demon's scheme and been annihilated.

Their pride wouldn't fade.

Pitying their deaths? At least among demon hunters, they didn't pity each other's ends.

Grandfell's pride declared as much.

"...I'm sorry. And thank you."

Of course, Tarim couldn't know my complicated feelings.

To him, I was just a magnanimous demon hunter.

Proof: Tarim continued, moved.

"Our Goddess Church will no longer be toyed with by demons. If you saw through the saintess's true nature, you must know where we—the church—should head next."

With Predator-Prey Relationship, I could guess the direction.

But still, massive overestimation.

Though overestimation was natural for me now. I shamelessly nodded in acceptance.

Tarim's voice grew solemn.

"From now on, the Goddess Church will honor the promise we failed to keep with Akkshan."

The promise unkept with Akkshan. Simple enough.

"The Goddess Church will join this holy war."

With the Arcana Continent in demons' grasp and their influence creeping into reality.

It was a fair extension of the past holy war.

No reason to refuse.

Especially since I'd assessed their forces firsthand.

It must have been hopeless.

Tens of thousands of holy knights. Priests to support them.

If they hadn't escaped the abnormal status...

Just imagining the fallout made my head spin.

The Goddess Church joining the holy war meant after the continent's strongest force, the Mage Tower, now its largest religion too.

Solid reinforcements.

And strictly speaking, it wasn't just them.

Yusra Kingdom, Frost. And...

Guilds tied by business deals.

My allies were plentiful.

One fact solidified: I just need to do my part well, Lee Hoyeol. You just need to excel, Grandfell.

...Please don't let it be all show.

We wrapped up there. With Muon updated to reality, contact methods abounded.

Worst case, manifest a portal like now.

"Tarim Eber won't forget today's grace."

"Next time, I'll treat you to tea."

"...Thank you, Lord Lee Hoyeol."

...No, I'm the thankful one. Good thing the church had mana-regenerating elixir tea.

Without it, I might not have mana left for a portal.

Another lesson learned. Don't mimic advanced magic lightly...

Know your place. I resolved as I headed to the portal.

Coordinates: Mage Tower, naturally.

Level up from hunting Nephthys. Past messages. Acquired items.

Time for some maintenance.

.*.*.

Watching Hoyeol vanish through the portal, Tarim murmured.

"May the goddess's wisdom guide all things."

He says he doesn't believe, so he probably wouldn't want audible prayers.

But prayer was all Tarim could offer Hoyeol.

"I believe."

Tarim gazed out the window at the crowds. Specifically, those swarming the Tears of the Saint.

Hoyeol's words echoed in his mind.

—"It's not a miracle of the goddess."

Learning the saintess was a demon, even denying the saint's tears as a miracle.

His faith in the goddess had crumbled.

But Hoyeol had said:

—"Yet there's no definitive proof gods don't exist."

Tarim pondered alone.

Perhaps his lordship himself is proof the goddess exists?

That the goddess, pitying them ensnared by falsehoods like the saintess and tears, had sent Hoyeol.

Tarim smiled bitterly.

"...You'd call it nonsense too, wouldn't you, my lord?"

Hoyeol, who didn't believe in gods, as proof of their existence? Absurd even to him.

Yet Tarim murmured.

"Still, forgive me, my lord."

He looked upon Muon.

After the uproar, young priests wept in shock. Holy knights wore complex expressions like his.

Yes, they rested on his shoulders.

"Be the strength that keeps me from crumbling, even if just for a moment."

Of course, as much as Hoyeol had been his pillar, he and the church must become indispensable strength for him.

That required resolve.

In Tarim's view, the saint's tears still gleamed.

"First, reveal the truth of the goddess's miracle."

*

Who'd have thought such coincidence?

Easy to mistake.

The saint's tears. The Dmun Moonstone at the basin's bottom drawing out Aria Moss's effects? Unimaginable.

Aria moss was unremarkable in nature.

With its true value unknown, its worth matched its effects.

Of course, couldn't buy it now anyway.

I'd bought it all up ages ago. Preparing birthday gifts for Madam Choi, that is.

The elixir tea bags I'd sent her? Made from Aria moss.

The effect had her sisters more excited than ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her.

What was that tea called? Joking aside, they said we looked like four sisters out together.

Recalling that, Sister Number 3—the thorn in my side—echoed in my ears.

Ugh, shut it.

Anyway, unless Tarim spoke first, Aria moss's secret stayed buried.

Better for players that way. Imagine learning they'd dumped something with that effect for pennies.

If it were me, I'd lose sleep over the injustice.

Even Gwichul. Ignorance is bliss for a reason.

Though knowledge is power too. I'd stockpiled plenty of Aria moss.

"Research demands ample materials."

Incarnation of integrity. Not greed, but for Elixir Cultivation Methods. Pure ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠research.

Saintess Freyja. Hunting the true-named demon Nephthys netted 10 levels.

Now it finally felt real. Laughable compared to the hype, but decent enough.

Ranker territory.

Maybe that's why I got what rankers meant. Leveling's a grind. Demanding insane EXP.

Their whiny interviews? Totally relatable now.

Just 10 levels. But sharing EXP with tens of thousands of holy knights? Not bad.

Even so, my contribution topped theirs.

I'd manifested near-advanced magic for it.

Acquired defeating Nephthys. Unique grade, no restrictions.

Past me might've lamented the dud. But now? Even enchanted items were fair game.

Hope the effect's worthwhile.

Extract and infuse elsewhere.

Oh, demon item reminded me of the one I'd... lent the tower.

From slaying Ascura. The once-distant Lv. 400? Just 10 away.

Well done, Lee Hoyeol. Holding pride without sinking so far.

Claim it at 400.

Thought before. Bonus damage? Infinitely versatile.

I hadn't forgotten Gwichul in my inventory.

If I can reforge it into something impressive...

I might not be a big shot, but gear? Could be top-tier.

Not drooling yet, though. Especially on Gwichul's use.

After meeting the dwarves.

Good. Wrapping thoughts—

Suddenly, text appeared on the parchment.

Scribble—

.*.*.

"Phew—"

Senior spirit mage Payan Lot set down her quill with vigor.

I messed up!

What could she do?

Munch munch—

High spirit contractor. Poor physical efficiency from the pact. Big eater Payan munched cookies habitually.

"Chief Marcelo. Munch. I trust only you. Munch."

You said he wasn't that heartless despite worries?

Why she'd scribbled with the quill anyway? Rumors about Chief Lee Hoyeol.

That he'd contracted a spirit!

Shocking as a spirit studies senior, but not the only reason for the letter.

Another rumor. From Fire Drake in the rift. Arcana-wide gossip.

"If only you'd named the spirit that sprouted the World Tree seed..."

That spirit would've surged in rank. Enough for all Arcana spirits to notice.

Yet her summoned Fire Drake heard nothing.

So she wondered. Even basics might help.

Spirit studies knowledge wasn't widespread.

"Not sure if it'll help or offend."

Payan mumbled excuses.

"It's no hassle. Naming a spirit boosts its rank. Sprouting the World Tree? Definitely 'unique spirit' territory, unbound by class. No special reason not to name it either...!"