Yet Another Whale Joins the Whale Fight (1)
The rift collapse rate had skyrocketed.
[Earldom's Outskirts] rift clearance rate has reached 95 percent. Meanwhile, breaking news: the [Count Family's Territory] rift collapse rate has surpassed a staggering 60 percent.
It had only been a day.
The rift's collapse rate had broken through 60 percent.
Since the cataclysm.
Countless rifts had appeared and vanished.
—But... this is a first for me too.
Such a rapid surge in collapse rate was unprecedented.
The panelists even speculated on the reason.
—Collapse rates vary slightly by rift, right? Generally, the stronger the monsters inside, the shorter the rift can hold out.
—So you're saying the monsters inside are stronger than expected?
—Exactly. The problem is the accelerating collapse rate. To put it precisely... the monsters inside have gotten stronger than before. Than just a day ago.
The panelists fell silent at that.
They'd heard endlessly about this rift's high difficulty.
But now the monsters had gotten even stronger on top of that?
—...There must be a reason for it, right? Healthy monsters don't just suddenly power up out of nowhere.
Yeah, there had to be a reason.
If they could just figure it out.
Maybe they could stop the monsters from getting stronger.
And halt the rift's skyrocketing collapse rate.
But no matter how they brainstormed, no answers emerged.
In the end, the anchor could only close with this.
—Here's hoping the players bring us good news.
......
I pulled my eyes from the screen.
I didn't know about other players, but...
...Somehow, I feel like I know what's going on?
Why the monsters in the rift had powered up.
Why the collapse rate had surged.
If you asked how I could know, fresh off a 10-year hiatus from Arcana.
I could boldly fire back.
Sure, but I know way more about demons than you do?
The endless Akkshan training that never ended!
Demon intel drilled into my ears until they blistered.
Of course vampires were part of it.
—Vampires can share their powers through blood. Of course, they can also reclaim what they've given.
—So never let your guard down until the end.
Vampire, Count Ascura, had bestowed his powers on the [Blood-Soaked Beasts] and [Blood-Soaked Bandits].
As those monsters fell to players, the powers naturally returned to Count Ascura...
'That's why the collapse rate skyrocketed.'
Yeah, it all clicked into place.
I could even predict the next development.
'Hold on, so clearing the territory will spike the castle's collapse rate?'
Considering it was already over 60 percent...
'It'll hit at least 90 percent, easy.'
The castle rift might even collapse.
Manifest in reality.
It was the worst-case scenario, but the odds were high.
And Count Ascura, level 430 by stats alone.
The thought of that monster getting even stronger was daunting, sure.
But my actions didn't change.
I opened the wardrobe in my usual stance.
Selected my attire per protocol.
Naturally, a suit just a shade different from yesterday's.
Still, I'd learned from shivering in the cold.
I draped a moss-green longcoat over the suit.
......Yeah, longcoat.
Might drag in the rift, but better than freezing solid.
Whatever. Think positive.
But separately, my mood wasn't great.
I murmured softly.
"A noble grants and does not take back. Count Ascura."
It was the pride of a Claudy family head.
Of Grandfell's idea of nobility.
That pride despised Count Ascura's actions.
Click—
I slipped on my shoes and added,
"Nay, even the title of count is too good for thee. Ascura."
Anyone watching might've thought I looked decent enough.
If not for...
Squeeze—
...the green tea teabag clutched in my hand.
Grateful no eyes were on me.
I headed for the Mage Tower.
*
The serious assault begins.
Confirming the rift info again.
Reactions erupted everywhere.
"Recommended level 350 to 400?! They're insane."
"Collapse rate up 6 percent in under an hour."
"If the territory's this bad, what the hell's the castle like?"
All hundreds of [Earldom's Outskirts] rifts were cleared.
Clear the remaining thirty-odd [Count Family's Territory] rifts, and they could enter the [Count's Castle] rift with Count Ascura.
With far fewer rifts left, the staring contest among players intensified.
It was inevitable.
Recommended level 350~400.
High-level rift meant insane EXP and loot no one could ignore.
Fewer rifts meant competition was mandatory.
Hence the game of chicken for easier opponents.
Gaon's guild master, Nam Taemin, had it relatively good.
"Eh, as long as we don't overlap with Shining."
Anyone but Shining, he could handle.
Nam Taemin was confident.
Sure, Berserker sniped first clear, but it was razor-close with Shining.
Nam Cheolmin thought the same.
He tapped his tablet PC.
"Shining's pissed too. No way they'd pick the same rift as us. Only leads to mutual destruction."
So this rift it was.
Gaon swiftly claimed the base camp.
Then, an unwanted guest arrived.
Nam Taemin's eyebrow twitched.
"...Ha, look at these bastards."
Guild ranking 4th, Inazuma.
Japanese guild, as the name implied.
Even with the Mage Tower, they couldn't root in Korea.
Stubborn as hell.
They flew in, arriving in Russia after a full day.
Inazuma's guild master, Hisagi Kazuma, eyed Nam Taemin.
Nam Taemin didn't look away.
No words exchanged.
But they knew each other's intent.
Nam Taemin said,
"That bastard wants to throw down. What do you think, bro?"
Nam Cheolmin shrugged mid-tap.
"We got here first. Backing down looks bad."
Korea vs. Japan.
Gaon vs. Inazuma, same rift.
The rumor spread fast.
Media crews buzzed.
"Gaon and Inazuma clashing?! Prime scoop."
But scoops were everywhere here.
Endless breaking news.
Some rivalries drew equal eyes.
"Second Sun and Bohemian. Two rivals on one rift."
"Berserker nabbed first clear and now it's messier."
"No honor. European Union my ass—they fight each other more."
But the juiciest?
Guilds 1st and 2nd.
Shining vs. Cheonha Tongil.
America's Shining.
China's Cheonha Tongil.
A rivalry worth the world's attention.
The outcome could shake global order.
"Cheonha Tongil just spamming chili powder or what?"
"Mutual sabotage?"
"Both clash, nothing left."
Obviously, lose-lose for both guilds.
Sharing high-level EXP and loot with the top rival?
But neither would yield.
Fun for spectators only.
"Alright, time for a poll!"
Media wasn't the only excited bunch—netuber players too.
Only players entered rifts.
Yesterday, they'd raked views relaying internals.
So netubers played chicken too.
"Chat it up! Sponsoring messages get priority!"
Which rift maxed viewers?
Chicken within chicken.
Only one escaped it all.
......
Current temp: minus 5°C.
For real.
Dropped over 5 degrees in a day.
Good thing I wore the coat.
Or I'd freeze before entering.
Steam rose—
I warmed my hands on the teacup.
Worth the extra care in scrying and interference.
More complex shape, and it held heat against the biting wind.
'Getting used to it.'
Magic, not [skills].
And Grandfell's talent for mastering it fast.
I drained the cup, released the handle.
Thud—
It reshaped midair.
Stone form as it fell.
'Reversion cuts scrying and interference effort.'
Another trick from growing magic-fluent.
I pondered seriously.
'...Though using it in combat's the real test.'
Learn by doing.
Of course, I wasn't underestimating this rift.
'Count Ascura's Retainer': Lv.390
'Count Ascura's Knight': Lv.350
'Count Ascura's Soldier': Lv.300
Levels too high to take lightly from the start.
Soldiers and knights, maybe gloss over.
But retainer? Over 300 levels gap.
Since when did I care about that?
Click—
Not my first rodeo. I'd accepted it.
『Even if I sink and drown under that weight.』
This was my fate.
So I thrashed with all I had.
Like a graceful swan paddling furiously below.
I flailed in the shadows.
Like from yesterday to dawn.
Hoping it mattered.
Click—
I entered without hesitation.
......
First sight upon entry: crumbling ruins.
Too pathetic for [Count Family's Territory].
Even blended reality-Arcana, this was excessive.
Noble aesthetics recoiled.
"A wretched domain. Ascura."
Coat billowing, I advanced.
"!"
Soon faced a 'Count Ascura's Soldier'.
Eyes blood-red.
Fangs protruded.
Drool endless, like thirst-mad.
It sensed me, charged.
I stared it down.
Yeah, confirmed again.
Not loyalty.
Just a wretched victim.
Tormented by vampire curse in power's guise.
I spoke again.
"Wretched even on second look."
Scryed the ruins, interfered with form.
"Yet too good for thee."
Magic manifested.
Boom—!!
......
Rumble—!
"?!"
Two men whipped around simultaneously.
Faint dust cloud rose.
Grind—
Nam Taemin and Hisagi Kazuma gnashed teeth in sync.
'...Whoever it is, chill out?'
They were barely handling each other.