Infinitely Deep Darkness (3)
Explorer Alliance. Their lofty fame and prestige stretched from the Arcana Continent itself. Even after the cataclysm, that renown held firm to this day. Much of their high regard came from the AAU's influence.
"Knowing information about Arcana doesn't solve everything. You need to predict variables through that information. In that sense, the alliance's explorers are true experts. Their emergence in reality might just be a great blessing for humanity."
In truth, the Explorer Alliance had cooperated extensively with the AAU and humanity at large. They'd shared Arcana Continent secrets known only to them. Of course, it wasn't for free. Obsessed with exploration though they were, they were sharply attuned to their interests. They'd reaped hefty rewards in exchange. That notoriety—not quite infamous, but close—spread among players.
"Explorers? Sure, they're great to have. But mediocre ones just get in the way, and even among alliance explorers, you need top-tier ones to make it worth it... Their fees are insane, right?"
Even rankers who raked in cash trembled at the cost! As a result, top guilds scouted players with the explorer class, nurturing them belatedly. It was cheaper in the long run, by their calculations.
In that light, this incident was bound to spark buzz.
The mighty Explorer Alliance had declared unpaid service. And with utmost humility, no less. The most baffled were ranker players who'd dealt with the alliance before. They wore ambiguous expressions.
"Should I feel vindicated? Or bittersweet?"
The attitude shift was too stark! Alliance Leader Fabian Delong—that curly-haired, nose-in-the-air princeling—bowing so low? Unthinkable! But feeling purely bitter pricked the conscience. After all, his counterpart was Hoyeol.
At that moment, in the Yusra Kingdom. Explorer Alliance headquarters. Senior alliance explorers sat assembled. Subtle power plays flickered in their exchanged glances.
'I'm the one joining the Teppern Labyrinth expedition.'
'They'll try to block me.'
'Even if there's no gain, I need the record.'
Alliance Leader Fabian caught the intent in those eyes.
'Everyone's got agendas. Some even eyeing my seat.'
The next alliance leader election loomed. Not one to cling to power, but Fabian had no intention of yielding easily. He trusted in his own prowess.
Crack—he turned his head lightly.
"For the record, I'm joining the Teppern Labyrinth expedition too."
"...!!!"
Fabian's declaration widened their eyes. It was rare for him to venture out these days.
Someone sneered. "Election season making you antsy?"
A clear provocation. Fabian shrugged nonchalantly.
"Antsy? Even after years off, I still claim to be the top explorer. But your votes are at stake, so I see this as a fine chance to prove my vitality."
Gulp—the explorers swallowed dryly.
'No bluff.'
Middle-aged by years, Fabian's form remained in peak condition—muscles rippling as he stretched proved it.
"Besides, the Teppern Labyrinth expedition stakes the alliance's honor. Just as the Mage Tower, Lion Heart Knights, and Muon showed their mettle. It's time we step up."
Silence fell. They grasped his implication.
Some players bit their lips.
'He's going all-in with elites?'
'No spot for us then.'
'...Damn, wanted that Hoyeol bus ride.'
'Fucking levels.'
The meeting ended with his declaration. Alone at the round table, Fabian shrugged.
"These young ones lack spirit. Spirit."
He muttered playfully.
"Since when do explorers lean on the alliance?"
Fabian held convictions. True explorers needed unbreakable stubbornness. Unyielding to anyone.
Those at today's meeting lacked it.
"No wonder I'm stuck doing something against my nature."
If this were the Arcana Continent, he'd have stepped down without hesitation. But here, in the players' world, he couldn't entrust the alliance's future to the unreliable.
"Impressive fellow."
Player Lee Hoyeol. He'd uncovered the Teppern Labyrinth via a darkness spirit? Labyrinths might mean little to some, but to Fabian—with hundreds conquered on Arcana—they were profound.
He was a labyrinth expert.
And who was Lee Hoyeol?
"At least no need to worry about this old man's life."
The man who'd felled Demon King Abyssal. Mage Tower's chief mage, Yusra's power broker. Savior of holy Muon, World Tree seed nurturer...
"...And wielder of the moniker Infinitely Deep Darkness."
All by one man? Fabian clicked his tongue unwittingly.
"No need for the world's ten wonders."
Thus, anticipation brewed. What kind of man was he?
But Fabian's hopes crumbled the moment.
"Alliance Leader Fabian. A reply has arrived."
"A reply?"
"A letter from Sir Lee Hoyeol."
"Ah, splendid."
Receiving Hoyeol's response, he recoiled. Ornate gold-embossed paper—the very letter he'd sent.
"...Hm?"
It had been returned unchanged? Unease rising, Fabian opened it—and froze.
"!"
Elegant script beneath his own words.
────── Proceed according to procedure and present a more detailed purpose. ──────
P.S. Unnecessary extravagance is unbecoming.
"...Procedure? Purpose?"
One line. Two with the postscript.
"Extravagance?"
Hoyeol prized formality; he'd chosen lavish gold paper to suit. To be called extravagant? And what more specific purpose?
Fabian muttered in disbelief.
"...Not easy from the start."
Tension gripped him after so long. Sweat beaded on his brow unbidden.
*
"Rejected. That purpose is unclear."
I could guess the reason. With the Mage Tower and other Arcana forces active, they felt compelled to contribute.
Teppern Labyrinth fit their expertise—a prime opportunity, perhaps.
But everything by procedure. Clarity above all. No room for later complaints. Even tower exit requests needed clear purposes.
"Bensy William. You seem tireless."
Rejected. I tossed Bensy's exit request aside, thinking.
Still, present a proper purpose... and I'll review positively.
Labyrinths. Infamous even in Arcana's game days. Vicious traps, named-boss-level monsters. Sometimes tougher than same-level dungeons...
'Experts are essential.'
With demon activity down, natural enemy triggers were low.
'I lack confidence. Confidence.'
No better reinforcements than the Explorer Alliance.
Dragging Mage Tower mages en masse could conquer it, sure.
"Alone is sufficient."
...Sufficient my ass. All talk.
This lofty pride wouldn't tolerate commandeering mages for personal ends.
For now, I shelved thoughts on Teppern and the alliance.
'No point dwelling.'
Reply sent. Rift not even up yet.
So, for now.
Chief Mage's Burden (Repeat) ▼
● Successfully conduct the Round Table Conference. (In Progress)
Stay true to the weight I bear.
I checked the quest. Amid many, a new one surfaced.
Round Table Conference. Not the old one with Tower Master, elders, and chief mages.
Impossible now anyway. Tower Master absent. Only one elder left of five.
A new Round Table Conference.
Mage Tower's change to avoid past mistakes.
I rose, murmuring.
"Time is like afternoon tea—best enjoyed precisely."
In plain terms: time is money...
...Why not speak plainly?
No tardiness in my dictionary.
I straightened my attire and headed out.
To the Crystal Hall for the Round Table Conference.
*
Murmurs filled the Crystal Hall, refusing to die down. First time for everyone.
Mage Tower's fledglings—apprentice mages—craned necks like chicks.
Representing apprentices, yet they couldn't maintain dignity.
"...Whoa, that's Senior Mage Bellie!"
"First time seeing all seniors together!"
"They look so cool!"
Twenty senior mages, all seated. Rare even at regular conferences.
"Others must be so jealous, right?"
"Totally!"
"Jealous of what? Next conference's mine."
"Oh yeah! Takes getting used to."
The new conference welcomed all: apprentices, skilled, seniors, chiefs, elders—regardless of rank.
Unlike wide-eyed apprentices, skilled mages—longer in the Tower's waters—eyed keenly.
Jibril scanned the air, then spoke.
"What do you all think?"
Some skilled mages replied.
"As lovely as ever, Jibril."
"Spare the flattery. About the Round Table."
"Ah, sorry."
All mages gathered? Unthinkable in the old insular Tower.
Jibril's eyes sharpened.
"...Tower exits too. The Tower's changing."
Of course, they welcomed it. Just curious about the catalyst.
Jibril poked silent Cley's arm.
Poke.
"J-Jibril?"
"Must be his influence, right? Cley?"
"Haha, probably."
"No ordinary man."
No need to go far. Recent tower exit sufficed to shake the Tower.
"Subduing a darkness spirit."
Senior Payan included. Spirit school skilled and apprentices had mobilized.
Varied ranks meant the Teppern Barrier events spread Tower-wide.
Thus the murmurs.
"Infinitely Deep Darkness..."
"A spirit calling him that? Impressive."
"Fits him. Right?"
"Heard he wields the sword masterfully too."
Infinitely Deep Darkness. Hoyeol's moniker echoed naturally.
Seniors weren't immune. They teased Payan.
"First senior out, and you got the show, Payan."
"Achieved purpose and spirit intel. Regular conference worries gone? Envious."
They'd all benefited from this chief.
Payan smiled awkwardly. "Not wrong. Haha."
Flame senior Bensy William pleaded earnestly.
"How'd you write that exit request, Payan? I'm wronged! No senior craves it more! Look—dozens of pages already...!"
But his rant cut short.
Black mage Matis spoke. "Bensy William, learn silence."
"......"
Bensy's endless laments when triggered.
Payan nodded thanks to Matis.
Matis nodded back, pondering.
'Darkness spirit.'
Black magic and spirit school's lone overlap. Like Payan, even labyrinthine Matis knew little of darkness spirits.
But why Hoyeol subdued it? He guessed.
'...Darkness consumed by deeper darkness.'
From talks on black magic's nature. Chief remembered.
Obvious, really.
'Hoyeol's black magic potential is immeasurable.'
Transcendent mana affinity. What past forged that?
Matis once worried.
Darkness yields to deeper darkness. He knew black magic best.
'...Blackening.'
If affinity rampaged... Unthinkable fallout.
But worries gone. He'd witnessed.
-"Elder Mage Senios..."
In Where Eternal Snow Slumbers. Hoyeol mourning Senios.
Yes, Chief Hoyeol balanced perfectly. Unshakable poise, as always.
As Matis finished thinking.
Clack—clear heels echoed in Crystal Hall.
Hoyeol and Marcelo. Last chiefs arrived.
Murmurs hushed. Eyes locked on them.
...Gulp. Yet Hoyeol's gaze seemed deeper, colder than usual. Beyond calm—chilling.
......Too late for quiet now. I'd heard everything outside.
Whispers calling me Infinitely Deep Darkness!
Genuine worry. Will embarrassment kill me before my time?
Fortune: no sign shows.
I strode calmly to Marcelo.
"Let's begin."
This Infinitely Deep Darkness title burdens too much for enjoyment.
Can't avoid or revel? End it swiftly...