To Protect Our Pride (3)

[Omanseong of Pure Knowledge]. [Map that Communicates with All Things]. And finally, the [Demon Eye Telescope].

As befitting spoils from a demon king, their effects weren't confined to reality or the Arcana Continent alone. Epic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grade lived up to its name.

Of course, the effects are cheat-level, so the conditions are equally stringent.

It wasn't a one-time use like Map that Communicates with All Things, but the telescope had its own condition: a reuse cooldown.

No need for further explanation.

In the Crystal Hall, the eyes projecting the Arcana Continent onto the air closed shut.

The effect lasted just over ten minutes, yet the cooldown was six hours... It didn't seem worth the cost-benefit.

But hey, beggars can't be choosers.

Having witnessed the continent with these eyes firsthand. I couldn't rely on High El as an intelligence source forever. Not to mention, if High El were spirit king-level strong, that'd be one thing. But I knew all too well it took after someone with a grand facade but little substance.

I withdrew the telescope and declared,

"This is the current state of the Arcana Continent."

Indeed, the demons' claim that even millions were but a fraction rang true. Demons as far as the eye could see—demons everywhere.

If we'd really died together back then, it would've been an unjust end. But equally ubiquitous amid those demons?

The trampled cities and inhabitants of Arcana.

"......"

Silence fell.

It was understandable. They'd suspected as much, but the shock was real. Whispers gradually swelled in the hush.

"......No way."

"Is there even one intact city left...?"

"I swear I saw smoke rising from the direction of the empire's capital...!"

The moment one entered the Mage Tower, ties to the secular world were severed. Marcelo was proof enough—no need to look far.

Mage Tower mages were bound by rules against deep involvement in external affairs, even if tied to their own families.

Yet.

"......Damn it."

Senior mage Banggrit gnashed his teeth.

Natural worries couldn't be helped. Especially for Banggrit, from an ordinary family—he had more reason to fret than most.

But I knew the truth.

"That devastated sight is the Arcana Continent mounting its counterattack."

"......!!!"

Yes. Even in this hopeless vista devoid of any glimmer of hope.

Even now, Arcana's people stood against the demons. There was Akshan's Legacy, the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower. Dwarf airships soared.

"The reason I showed the continent unfiltered is simple."

Not because words alone couldn't convey it.

"Arcana holds its pride to the very end."

As I'd said all along, the system never lied—from Arcana's days as a mere game to post-cataclysm.

The self-proclaimed strongest force in Arcana, the Mage Tower, had never stirred in any crisis.

But I knew. Even if the system remained unchanged, NPCs were no longer the old NPCs. They were Arcana's people, unbound by the system.

So I was certain. No need to invoke authority functions from the Mage Tower.

Arcana's people had their own pride as Arcana's denizens.

Thud—

Someone stirred. The Mage Tower's sole elder mage at present, Yugweed Lupeng. She rose from her seat.

Among players, debates raged endlessly.

The reason was simple.

"So, are we joining this or not?"

A quest named Holy War—grand from the title alone. Explicitly naming demons as foes to boot.

With demon-type monsters scarce now, players ironically felt their threat anew.

"It's hitting harder 'cause we don't see 'em anymore, right?"

"Obviously."

"I really never wanna see those bastards again."

The quest's emergence meant they'd return someday. As humans before players, they had to agonize.

"Back in the Arcana Continent full-clear days, sure."

But this was reality, life-or-death—not a game. Sans rewards or spoils, decisions weren't easy. Truthfully, they'd dodge if possible.

"But we can't dodge it? Demons invading reality via rifts is inevitable... and only we players can enter those rifts."

"We're not the only players, though..."

"Passing the buck solves nothing! Rifts collapse, demons and kings loose in reality—that's it!"

"Why snap at me?!"

"I'm frustrated too! Beyond frustrated!"

No choice felt right.

"They toppled Frost, the North's iron wall. Even united, we're split already..."

"Can we really repel demons Arcana couldn't alone?"

"Frost ain't the old Frost anymore..."

Yet some ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠moved without hesitation.

The Giant Alliance.

"......Are they insane?!"

Gaon, Inazuma, Berserker.

In a way, it made sense. These guilds had wielded influence since Yusra Kingdom's founding.

Still surprising.

"They've got too much to lose."

The more you have, the more at stake. Unlike Yusra Kingdom with gains, this quest explicitly offered none.

"Repaying past favors?"

Yusra Kingdom, King Hakuna. Player Lee Hoyeol with equal [Authority].

Moving to repay debts to Hoyeol.

Players speculated.

-"It is to protect the pride in our hearts."

Thud thud—until Nam Taemin thumped his chest.

"......Pride? What kinda bullshit is that?"

But the Giant Alliance was just the start.

Another movement spotted in Frost.

"It's to provoke others. No other reason."

Shining, the other megaguild alongside Cheonha Tongil. They too committed to the holy war.

Not them alone.

Goddess Church holy land Muon. Europe's top guild, Bohemian.

Guild master Gaiber hammed it up on camera.

"Well, my arrow wound and the throbbing nape still ache. But a holy war without holy knights? Unthinkable. Plus, debts get repaid to those demon scum."

The Giant Alliance's commitment shifted the tide. Guilds and solo players alike headed to Yusra Kingdom, Frost, Muon.

The Mage Tower, perfect for gauging player trends, swarmed.

"The Mage Tower portals are mobbed with players!"

To fulfill quest goals. Players entering portals, broadcast worldwide.

A novel sight to onlookers.

"Players acting like this? First ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time."

To civilians, players were no longer idolized heroes—long past.

Players prioritized self-interest over heroism anyway.

But this was different.

"Risking life with no gains? For real?"

"What's gotten into them?"

"Dunno about pride, but... kinda romantic?"

Above all, Lee Hoyeol was there.

"Suppose Ryu Ojuncheon were involved."

No rewards? Pride be damned—maybe his ploy to hog them. Suspicion natural.

Not just him. Anyone but Lee Hoyeol.

He shunned wealth and fame. Hoyeol proved it in actions.

In Yusra Kingdom, unmoved by colossal evil's golden palace temptation.

-"Is it not foolish? For in closing one's eyes, only the pride within the heart can be taken."

Striding rigidly into untouchable Frost.

Regular or emergency updates—silently clearing humanity-threatening rifts.

No doubts. Concerns, yes.

"......Fine, I get it."

"Ugh, what's the issue now?"

"So, do we have a shot in this holy war?"

Objective worry.

"Lee Hoyeol, Yusra Kingdom, Frost, holy land Muon. All players join—even then, foes are demons who razed Arcana!"

But such fears were unfounded.

In the Mage Tower lobby. Hesitant players at portals saw the message.

The quest's appearance.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"......!!!"

Meant simply: Arcana's undisputed strongest force.

The Mage Tower, never once officially mobilized.

Was joining the holy war.

"......Wait, that changes everything!"

Possibility, odds, hope dawned.

*

Elder mage Yugweed Lupeng spoke.

"We recently learned a harsh lesson."

She smiled.

"We can't lose what's precious again, bound by mere rules."

A kindly smile—but to demons, more chilling than any grimace.

Yugweed meant the Mage Tower, Arcana's mightiest, was enlisting...!

Frankly? Finally, I can relax.

Yes. Mage Tower mages were one-man armies at minimum.

No stronger allies than the Mage Tower, even including the continent.

Dragons, victors of the dragon-horse war, existed—but...

I'd rather not tangle with them.

Too soon for endgame content of unknown allegiance—my level too paltry.

Roundtable ended. My vision showed [Quest: The Unending Holy War].

Not just me—other players in the Mage Tower too.

Everyone will know.

The Mage Tower's involvement. Many players would commit, trusting it.

Thus, I headed straight to Yusra Kingdom.

Before the Mage Tower joined. Those who'd pledged despite zero odds deserved thanks.

When I first saw the headline...

What the hell?

Wondered if my [Luck] investment caused it—seriously pondered the absurdity.

But what mattered the reason?

Reassuring.

Giant Alliance of Gaon, Inazuma, Berserker!

Ignored how former rivals Gaon and Inazuma allied—didn't need to know.

Grateful they joined first.

"As expected of those who know pride."

Especially since it was to protect pride. No wonder Grandfell approved more than I.

Thus, grand welcome in order.

Of course, by my austere standards, hospitality was modest.

Golden Palace's symbol. The golden roundtable.

Doors opened, familiar faces appeared.

"H-Hoyeol? You're here?!"

"Long time, Merchant Hoyeol. Didn't know you were around."

"......Gasp."

Their eyes widened round.

That surprised?

I spoke calmly, as ever.

"Before we talk, shall we have some tea first?"

Tea meaning 300-won green tea bags.

"......Yes! Please! I mean, serve it, sir?! Finally!"

Leoni's fervent reply made me think.

Even teabag green tea has class.

No wonder the five-star rated ones shone.

Clatter!

No one led. The three, teacups in hand, startled and coughed.

......What did we just hear?