Demon King's Castle (1)
The dwarves had kicked their 'activities' into high gear. And by activities, of course, I meant hunting demons across the Arcana Continent. Or rather, wiping them out entirely.
High El delivered the chilling report with elegant poise.
"The flames pouring from the airships incinerated the demons without leaving a trace."
The decisive weapon, the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower. I'd felt it the first time I laid eyes on that tower emerging from a rift. The dwarves' technology was nothing short of miraculous.
But honestly, nothing beat the endorsement from the world's Mage Tower. That single validation outweighed a thousand words.
However.
"In response, the demons' resistance has intensified. Ever since the emergence of the new World Tree, they've been desperate to reclaim the shifted momentum of the Arcana Continent."
High El's follow-up made me flinch.
...Demon kings were rampaging across the Arcana Continent. Three of them, all at once.
"The three demon kings haven't allied or combined forces, but each is at the peak of their power. Even the dwarves' airships were halted before one of them."
We'd raised the curtain on our counteroffensive. Activated the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower. Sprouted the World Tree's seed. And yet, the Arcana Continent still lay in the demons' palm.
As if to prove it, just three demon kings stirring had already quelled the winds of retaliation blowing across the continent.
But I knew the truth. This was the first time demon kings had fully revealed themselves on the Arcana Continent since the cataclysm.
'They're getting cold feet over there too.'
But here's the thing. You made a mistake. Reviving demon kings—three at once, no less—turned this into a full-blown major event.
A major event that could shake the Arcana Continent! From the days when Arcana was just a game right up to now, players always found a way to dive into those.
I dredged up a hazy memory from over a decade ago.
'Take the Empire's conquest war back then.'
It was a major event, after all. Even me, holed up in Akkshan, got the quest. Every player in Arcana did. We picked a side—the Empire or its foes—racked up contributions, and claimed rewards when it ended.
So no, I wasn't jumping the gun.
'One? Maybe. But three? No question.'
I was certain. The next regular update would feature demon kings somehow.
Of course, with three of them...
'No telling which one we'll draw.'
And their power levels? Unknown. But one thing was sure: leagues beyond Decarabia.
Decarabia had descended into reality's Frost—a summon in our world's dumpster fire. No match for the Arcana Continent, already fallen to demons.
A demon king reborn there might unleash the full demonic force.
But.
"Demons or demon kings—it matters not."
Naturally, I wasn't intimidated in the slightest.
『The pride of Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo rises highest, paradoxically, before demons.』
"Be it one demon king or three. It matters not."
Grandfell's lore? Sure, it played a part. But even without it, I'd been busting my ass diligently.
Far harder than they'd fought for the Arcana Continent!
The Yusra Kingdom and Frost, empowered by the [Authority] function. The Mage Tower. Even Muon's holy site of the Goddess Church.
Those solid backings—er, foundations—bolstered me.
My head held high. Back straight. Shoulders squared boldly.
All ensuring I wouldn't shrink.
I concluded calmly.
"To me, they are mere prey."
There's something about bonds between the contracted. High El bowed deeply, sincerity in every gesture.
"I too shall deliver results worthy of the name bestowed upon me."
...I get the sentiment, but let's drop the name-giving talk. Especially the full name around others.
I wasn't the type to sweat those details anyway. Straight to business.
And business was simple.
'Entered a rift? Clear it and GTFO.'
With days until the next update, even scraps of EXP add up.
Plus, this rift had usable loot.
[Shelter of Toxic Spores]
Fierce venom plants for poison ingredients. Rare antidotes sprouting amid them.
Yeah. My task never changes.
'Just do my part.'
So, time to check my tools.
Level-appropriate 350, [Shelter of Toxic Spores]...
Perfect to gauge High El's power as a {Unique Spirit}.
"High El, can you clear a path?"
At this level, no [Natural Enemy] needed. I could handle surprises solo. Demon hunter or not, level 390 wasn't wasted.
But.
"As you command."
...What the hell.
I flinched at the sight before me.
Nothing flashy. High El just swept an elegant hand through the air.
Yet—
Crush—
Crumble—
Shhh—
The [LV.300~LV.350] plant monsters filling the area disintegrated. Returned to dust...!
I'd hoped for impressive, sure. Senior spirit mage Payan Lot had raved.
That hype taught me {Unique Spirits} transcended ranks.
But expectations set high lead to big letdowns. So I tempered mine.
This? Beyond expectations.
High El spoke.
"Before the name, I could only bestow blessings. Now, I can also revoke them."
High El was a forest spirit, after all.
'Limited to plants...'
Even accounting for that, devastating power.
Satisfying. High El's growth alone thrilled me. I could infuse {Nature} with new concepts for [『{Strange}』].
"Splendid."
Even by Grandfell's lofty standards, a pass.
But High El's next words shut me up.
I wanted to crawl into a hole.
"High El Chrisia Four Seasons Leaf. Worthy of the name granted, I can be their warm spring... or harsh winter. You alone decide."
Loyal. Rock-solid words.
Damn my naming sense...
Heat rushed up, but I played it cool. Shamelessly.
"Soon, you'll wield that power, High El."
With this firepower, invaluable for the looming major event. Even against demon kings.
And to forget the past? Live the present fully.
I stepped onto the path High El opened.
Clack—
*
Frost brimmed with life. Once a living hell, its streets now teemed with adventurers like old times.
"Of course, the sight still feels foreign."
In Frost's citadel, following protocol as acting lord, Harcon Kingsguard gazed down briefly.
Who'd have thought he'd survey Frost from an adventurer's world?
"Getting used to it, bit by bit."
Even alien scenes adapted. But his aching body? Not so much.
Harcon rolled his shoulders idly.
"...Makes me want to bolt out there."
Swinging a sword suited him. Not quill-pushing at a desk.
Itchiness was inevitable.
"Can't dump it on him if I can't handle it."
No burdening Hoyeol again.
In that sense, Harcon deeply respected him.
He'd glimpsed Hoyeol's routine once.
Morning sword drills. Afternoon Yusra Kingdom affairs. Nights to dawn: Mage Tower research.
And with adventurers flooding Frost, news flowed in.
Hoyeol's feats, daily.
Daily was tame. Hourly, even minutely, chatter nonstop.
"Bet he's more exhausted than His Imperial Majesty."
Having watched both up close, Harcon could say it.
Not just him.
Yusra Kingdom. Golden Palace square corner, Golden Calf tavern.
Prime TV spot: Rackid, hogging it with his bulk. Rear viewers got half-screens.
"Hey! Move it!"
Luckily, with Shadow Mercenary leader Kichi, he'd at least pretend to listen.
Today? Solo Rackid.
"...Can't we shove that monster aside?"
"Nuts? Talking to that beast?"
"Yeah, settle for him being quiet today."
"Damn. Need the big screen."
Whispers. Prickling stares on his nape.
Rackid ignored them.
"The more I watch..."
Hot-tempered, filthy, cranky—opinions split on his personality. Not his skill.
Colosseum champ. Underworld giant. War machine. Titles praising his prowess.
"Guy's insane."
Gulp—
Down went the massive mug. Even Rackid deemed him mad: Hoyeol.
He eyed the screen's replay.
War machine fitting. Rackid simulated combat mechanically.
Conditions: real battle.
'S-rank assassination. Target: Lee Hoyeol.'
First, potions from Alkari. Top-tier resistance for every element.
Payday gone pre-start.
'Even max magic resist won't fully block.'
Hoyeol wasn't just a mage.
Seeing as you know. Rackid knew his swordplay.
"Sigh. Fuck."
Dozens of sims. No win scenario.
Most grating: Hoyeol's demeanor. Arrogant confidence. Casual poise.
Untapped full power.
"Tough break for him, though."
Unlike Arcana Continent, adventurer world had chains. Power there meant freedom. Here? Scrutiny, duty.
No schooling needed—Hoyeol showed it.
Rackid, who thrived on eyes? Even he knew limits.
Imagine that talking portrait as him?
Tongue instinctively clicked.
"Must be exhausting."
Even Rackid felt Hoyeol's load.
Those closer? Same, unspoken.
So Hoyeol's letters arriving? Pure joy.
"...Music to my ears!"
Harcon and Lion Heart Knights.
"Too peaceful. My fate can't be this kind."
Kichi and Shadow Mercenaries.
"May the Goddess be with us always."
Tarim and Muon holy site.
"The news we'd awaited."
Mage Tower, via parchment.
Motives varied. No hesitation.
Content? Irrelevant.
Arcana Continent's top knights. Dark underbelly. Largest faith. Pinnacle.
Mega-powers. Fleeing over a letter? Absurd.
Even demon king-related.
Thursday. Arcana regular update stunned the world.
New rift: 'Demon King's Castle' added.
────── A Demon King's Castle manifests in reality. ──────
────── New rift: 'Demon King's Castle' added....... ──────
────── And three of them. ──────
The world reevaluated AAU's words.
Yes. Beyond prediction. Off-spec. Not one, but three castles.
But the world soon learned.
"...Hold on. That's...?"
As if foreseeing the absurdity. Unfazed.
Hoyeol appeared.
And not alone.
Same time. Frost. Yusra Kingdom. Muon. Mage Tower movements spotted.
World shocked again.
"...N-no way. All of them for player Lee Hoyeol?"
Unimaginable twist.
....
Not mere hunting.
Demon kings out front. Needed decisive victory, not grind.
Hence the letters.
Yes.
Today, I—we—
Crush the demon kings.