To Protect Our Pride (1)
[Authority] is incredibly powerful, but it's not omnipotent. I can't just issue quests on a whim. Sure, maybe something trivial—a simple errand any decent player could handle without breaking a sweat.
Of course, within the limits this damn pride allows.
And especially not now. Issuing a quest that pops up as a message for every player in Yusra Kingdom, Frost, and Muon? No amount of authority could pull that off.
I spoke sincerely for the first time in ages.
"It gladdens Grandfell to stand with thee."
Truly, thanks for not complaining for once...!
Truth be told, I hadn't been too worried. Hakuna, Harcon, Tarim—they all had grudges against demons, even if not quite on Grandfell's level.
Harcon was especially eager.
"'Tis time to sharpen this dulled blade once more."
Harcon, who'd been stuck playing acting lord in Frost—a role ill-suited to his nature—seemed itching for action already. Though his loyalty to the Empire was undoubtedly the real driver.
"My lord, might thou recount the state of the continent once more?"
Harcon asked. Hakuna and Tarim watched, awaiting my words.
I laid out the unvarnished truth. From the Arcana skies adorned not with galaxies but countless demonic eyes—ma-an—to the fact that the millions of demons I'd slain were mere drops in the ocean.
"Benefactor, 'tis a relief thou hast returned safely."
Hakuna spoke with evident relief.
...I'd died once—could you really call that a safe return?
Anyway, Harcon and Tarim analyzed from a knightly perspective.
"Thousands of ma-an floating in the skies... They have a clear view of the battlefield."
"No blind spots left on the continent, then."
"Hiding anywhere means we're still in the demons' palm."
"And per thy account, millions assembled in mere minutes... Millions might be but a fraction."
...I'd told them because they asked, but damn, it painted a bleak picture. No wonder they looked so grave.
The reason for their serious discussion was simple: hopelessness.
Even recruiting adventurers—players—via quests, how many could we muster? The gap with the demons overrunning Arcana...
No need to look far—just recall when demon kings appeared in reality.
'Even the lowliest, Decarabia, was too much for us.'
In that light, I couldn't help but marvel once more. Charging into millions of demons with just a crossbow and a sword.
How fearless could you get, Grandfell? Peak stormy adolescence, when you truly believed yourself the center of the world.
But thanks to that. Even after entering Arcana and witnessing utter despair, I could maintain composure and ponder the next move.
All because of you.
"Yet all is well."
Of course, this motormouth is your fault too.
"?"
My declaration silenced the three men. In the brief quiet, I continued calmly.
"For this is not our battle alone."
"...?"
But we're not alone. The dwarves on Arcana Continent are fighting with everything they've got, too.
I couldn't forget the message from my moment of death.
Your deeds echo across the Arcana Continent.
The lives of Arcana speak of thy sacrifice.
Yes, if the new World Tree's emergence marked the true counteroffensive, my sacrifice served as its fertilizer.
Of course, now that I'm revived, calling it a sacrifice feels a bit grandiose...
'But hey, nothing says I can't provide more fertilizer.'
Once is the hard part. The second time's easy.
Now that I know [Last Adventurer]'s effect persists. If I can just find a way back to Arcana, I could supply fertilizer daily.
'Sacrificing my body turned out to be a hell of a bargain.'
Even with Arcana's massive death penalty. The gains far outweighed it.
Talking rewards would take ages. And right now, procedure demands addressing their doubts first.
I continued.
"Even on Arcana Continent, many join the Holy War."
"...!"
"Dwarves. The decisive weapon inheriting Akkshan's pride, Quirnburk Mechanical Tower. And all who uphold their pride amid despair, battling demons. They all fight in the Holy War."
"...Indeed."
"Thy words ring true, my lord."
From that angle, we might even be the latecomers. Having joined late, we must shake the war decisively.
Hence the quest.
"As ye know, no material rewards await at Holy War's end."
Not due to this damn incorruptible pride. Wars for spoils wouldn't bear the name Holy War.
This was no conquest. A war to protect Arcana and reality—two worlds.
"Yet pride endures."
For it was also a war to defend pride.
Now, shift perspectives. From a purely pragmatic player's view.
How many would gladly accept a quest with no rewards? Not some game war from Arcana's VR days—this was life-or-death.
I hadn't expected much, but even less than that, probably.
One thing I could guarantee, though.
"Pride unyielding to any trial."
Those joining a rewardless Holy War quest? They wouldn't flinch before any demon.
Just like me, diligently tackling demon hunter quests with their meager rewards.
So my task was simple. Watch how many players like me there are. And wait.
In that spirit, take it easy.
Clink—
At the golden round table, I raised my teacup.
"Best eat before it cools, gentlemen."
"...Ah, quite forgot."
"Th-that green tea... 'tis a first for me."
As always, the 300-won green tea bag bobbed gently.
*
From Arcana Continent to reality. The Holy War against demons rages on.
No rewards or spoils await this war's end. Only pride remains.
Prove thy own pride.
─Prove thy worth in thy region. (In Progress)
Quest in Yusra Kingdom, Frost, Muon.
Even when Arcana was just a game, war quests were rare. Three regions getting one simultaneously? Bait overload, naturally.
The unnatural demon surges? A Holy War on Arcana explained that. And why players got the quest.
AAU emergency meeting.
"Britain skipping again? Whatever."
Situation demanded no pleasantries. Straight to business.
"Holy War, they say! A Holy War we didn't even know about."
"Any guesses?"
"...Who knows."
"Anything. Even a hunch."
In the heavy silence, someone spoke.
"Goddess Church is involved, right?"
"Makes sense. Explains Muon. Frost too—nearly swallowed by a demon king, so enemies. But Yusra Kingdom?"
Yusra Isles aside, Yusra Kingdom was an ancient realm revived in reality, no?
AAU Korea branch chief Park Minjae clamped his mouth shut.
'Lee Hoyeol again.'
Anyone thinking straight could infer it. Lee Hoyeol activated [Authority] in Yusra Kingdom.
His consent was needed for Yusra's involvement.
'Which means I can't play dumb.'
Park Minjae scanned the monitors.
AAU: International org against Arcana's erosion. But beneath the noble goal, national interests tangled.
"Chief Park, your thoughts?"
He read the intent. 'Probing?'
Assuming he was tight with Hoyeol. Projecting their own ties.
'Wish I could, but fat chance.'
Park Minjae wanted no false purity act. He'd wallowed in society's muck too long.
But he wouldn't splash it on Hoyeol.
'He never needed my help anyway.'
Not just him. Hoyeol outpaced AAU intel.
A mere branch chief's aid? Overestimating himself.
But admitting that didn't mean sitting idle.
'You think I'll watch you splash filth on him?'
His clothes were already filthy. A few more drops? Nothing.
He could roll in the mud outright.
'Just don't interfere.'
Lee Hoyeol differed from others. No materialism, no fame-chasing.
One path only.
'Don't intrude on his path for humanity.'
From [Cracked Dimensional Rift] to [Demon King's Castle]. He soloed crises no superpower could.
Yes, his path was the untouchable hero's road.
So Park Minjae resolved.
'If I can't walk beside, I'll clear the obstacles.'
That's my role.
Park Minjae spoke, striking the core.
"No knowledge, no guesses. But one thing's clear."
"...?"
"Player Lee Hoyeol's path? Best not meddle. Help if you can, but if you're thinking of tripping him..."
A blatant warning.
"Be ready to offer your own ankle."
...
AAU meeting end.
"Grown a lot, huh."
Post-cataclysm. Mage Tower in Seoul skyrocketed Korea's growth.
Luck plus outlier Lee Hoyeol. Korea's global clout rivaled US or China.
"But this time, thoroughly mistaken."
Park warned of ankles? No need to grab any.
This quest had no give-and-take. No aligned interests.
"Overestimating humans."
Sip— The man inhaled smoke.
Foolish yet cunning, humans. Players too.
Risk life for no reward? Pride, humanity's peace—insufficient motives.
Exhale—
"Pride? Ha, ridiculous."
Smoke scattered with his sneer.
...
"...?!"
But his sneer didn't last a cigarette.
Breaking news on monitor. As if timed perfectly.
US pride Shining threatened by rising power: Gaon, Inazuma, Berserker alliance.
"The grand alliance joins the Holy War?"
"Quick decision—special reason?"
"Why join a quest with no rewards or spoils?"
Amid questions, Gaon guild master Nam Taemin raised his fist.
Thump-thump— Pounded his chest.
As if the question was absurd.
"To protect the pride in our hearts."