Know Your Place
Hisagi Kazuma's snake-like sharp eyes widened round. The other two were even more stunned.
Ahot— Nam Taemin patted his mouth, scorched by the hot green tea.
"We can see the state of the Arcana Continent? Us?"
Demon Eye Telescope
It was on cooldown now, so we'd have to wait, but there was no reason not to show them. It wasn't a one-and-done like some mass notification item.
Above all, we needed to view the Arcana Continent from multiple perspectives.
From the viewpoint of players, not Arcana natives.
Of course, I was a player myself. But I had over ten years of blank time. Even with modern knowledge and the internet, there were limits.
The three of them—Nam Taemin and the others—were different. Rankers who'd been active since Arcana was just a game. Naturally, they knew more about the continent than I did.
Viewing it through their eyes might reveal useful info.
I pulled out the telescope. I'd closed my eyes during cooldown, but the writhing veins were still visible. Definitely not aesthetically pleasing.
"An item, right? But I've never seen one like this."
"……Sorry. You went to the trouble. Ugh."
"What's with that? Hisagi, your eyes look way scarier now."
Nam Taemin shot back. Hisagi covered his mouth, but I magnanimously replied.
"I understand."
Yes, he had no choice. From Grandfell's aesthetic view, this telescope had failed inspection multiple times.
In that sense, Leoni's tolerance was impressive. She was still gripping her teacup tight after seeing it.
Does green tea suit European tastes too?
Well, it matched Grandfell's palate, so no surprise.
Anyway, we had to wait for the telescope to open its eyes again. I tossed out a question to check on them.
"May I inquire after your well-being during this time?"
"Ah, of course!"
"Grandmaster Hoyeol has been well, I trust, compared to us?"
"……Hey, Hisagi. Don't butt in mid-conversation. How about keeping your mouth shut? I'm asking politely, with full decorum."
The Giant Alliance. I didn't know whose idea it was, but it was a bold decision. Beyond mere interests, it tangled national relations. Three guilds that sacrificed much to unite.
"You've all achieved remarkable growth."
Not empty words—their levels told the tale. Nam Taemin and Hisagi in the 400s. Leoni, who'd lagged, at 399.
Filling the EXP for level-ups wasn't easy. Their steady rises meant nonstop rift hunting.
Nam Taemin looked sheepish. "Hearing praise from you again hits different."
From my position, praise came naturally. Allies already solid had merged forces, growing even stronger.
But Hisagi's tone as he continued felt off……
"Regrettably, at first, we doubted your decision, Grandmaster Hoyeol."
……Hold on. Decision? What decision? Did I make one?
Perplexed, but as always, no sign showed. A lesson from my dark history: stay silent, and half the trouble passes.
……Shut up and listen for now.
Listening quietly, it clicked.
……So I formed the Giant Alliance?! What nonsense is this?!
Even if it's wishful thinking, this is too much, guys?
I'd shown actions over words, sure. But only because……
I didn't want to spout nonsense.
[Predator's Swamp]. No, it started from the [World Tree's Secret Garden].
Thinking back, I'd sparked it.
Clink— Tilting my teacup leisurely, ignoring my turmoil. Soon, I spoke.
"You've suffered much from my sudden decision."
……This guy me! Shameless beyond belief, and not just once.
Even if the results were good, I couldn't gloss over it. My shoulders puffed unwittingly, fueling self-loathing.
"Nah, no suffering, Grandmaster Hoyeol."
"Forgive us. We've finally grasped your grand intent."
"I didn't fight. These two bickered nonstop."
They filtered my harsh words perfectly. I owed them even more.
So I couldn't delay the decision longer.
Shrrk— Cooldown over. The telescope's eyes opened.
Worse aesthetically, but Hisagi didn't cover up. He knew the moment's gravity.
"The item's name is Demon Eye Telescope. Its effect links your vision to the demon eyes floating in Arcana's skies. Through them, you glimpse the continent's state."
"……Demon Eye?"
Natural they wouldn't grasp it instantly. But seeing beats a thousand words. I activated it at once.
Flash—
The Arcana Continent appeared. A illusory landscape hovering in air.
The three gasped in unison.
"……Whoa, what kind of item effect is this?"
"As expected of an epic-grade item."
"Holy shit……? Ah, no! I mean, insane."
Perfect timing—nighttime. No need for extra explanation.
Admiration didn't last. Soon, they'd witness the horror.
"No way, all those in the sky are demon eyes?"
"……Wait, nowhere's intact."
"I suspected, but this bad?"
Ten minutes flew by.
Shrrk— Eyes closed, silence fell. Same as the roundtable.
They grasped the severity. Difference? Perspective.
Not their homeland.
Players vs. natives differed. Even if Arcana fell next reality, threat felt distant now.
Burden of Holy War participation natural.
Grateful, but must confirm clearly.
Because they're precious. Need ironclad certainty.
Nam Taemin broke silence.
Any answer fine. Even backing out now, I'd understand.
Human as I am, it'd sting a bit alone……
But his words were thanks.
"Grandmaster Hoyeol, thank you for showing us the truth."
Gratitude I'd never imagined.
……
Not just Nam Taemin. Hisagi, Leoni—all three had experience.
Staked lives before.
Emergency update. Simultaneous [Cracked Dimensional Rifts]. Estimated level around 900, right?
In 300s, weaker than now, they'd faced death.
They hadn't truly risked it. Thanks to "someone," portals vanished from Mage Tower like magic.
That day taught them: power needed to help. Without, just burden.
So feelings renewed.
"Grandmaster Hoyeol, thank you for showing us the truth."
Nam Taemin grinned. Finally acknowledged.
Qualified to advance together.
But confirm thoroughly.
The Holy War That Hasn't Ended
📍 From Arcana Continent to reality.
The holy war against demons continues.
No rewards or spoils at war's end.
Only pride remains.
Prove your own pride.
▸ Prove your worth in the designated area. (In Progress)
Like the quest goal. Must prove worth.
Hisagi spoke gravely. "We will surely prove our worth."
Nod nod— Leoni nodded fiercely.
Truth, purpose achieved serving tea. But Leoni knew.
I'll shoulder it alone again, like before.
Reasons varied, conclusion same. Prove worth, any trial.
Hoyeol spoke to them.
"No need."
"……?"
"I fully know your pride."
Quest windows blinked simultaneously.
……Success? For what?
To the confused three, Hoyeol continued calmly.
"By my 'authority,' I waive the proof process."
Gotta lock them in before second thoughts. Giant Alliance too vital.
Such ulterior motives never showed on his face.
"Feels more successful than hitting ranker."
Smiles natural on their faces.
*
Elder Yugweed. Chief Marcelo. All twenty senior mages.
Mage Tower's leadership gathered in Crystal Hall.
Not roundtable extension. No secrets from skilled/apprentice mages.
Just opinion exchange. Attendance optional.
Yet all came. Even prideful high mages couldn't decide without hearing others. That frustrated.
"What do you think?"
Elder Yugweed, eldest, spoke first. Scanned the room.
No reply.
"One absent, and it's quiet."
Chief Lee Hoyeol's presence tops all past Mage Tower mages, right?
Yugweed shrugged, eyed Marcelo.
"Victory odds in this war, Chief Marcelo?"
Marcelo shook head. "Slim."
Conditions too lopsided.
"Enemies reach adventurers' world beyond Arcana. We just started exploring rifts."
Marcelo's research. No breakthroughs. Even that, thanks to Chief Lee Hoyeol.
Silent Bensy raised hand. "But! Chief Lee Hoyeol visited Arcana, right? Demon king spoils helped, but…… Studying that magic tool might yield clues?"
Magic tool research. Eyes to enchantment senior Kiko Armin.
Kiko shook head. "Chief Lee requested it. But enchantment level can't extract from such a tool……."
She bit lip.
Never dreamed one-time effect.
No hint given. More time…….
Sleepless nights, would've found way.
—"Sorry to steal your golden time, Senior Kiko."
Left one word, exited Garnet Hall without regret.
Tsk. Bensy smacked lips. Marcelo continued.
"Our joint research with Chief Lee Hoyeol aims to equalize disadvantages. But can't guarantee theory soon."
Summary simple.
"We fight unfair war."
No way to Arcana. Victory gains no counterattack or control.
But Marcelo knew. All Mage Tower mages now knew.
"Yet Arcana fighters resist demons. Our victories boost them."
Mage Tower's task clear.
Smile— Yugweed kindly spoke. "Simply sever demon tendrils perfectly?"
Nod— Resolve in twenty seniors' eyes.
Arcana's strongest united.
Marcelo closed eyes briefly.
……Coincidence?
Among millions Chief Lee hunted, odds demon tied to Simuard family 'terminal curse' included?
Millions mere drop, he said.
Marcelo shook head. Endless thoughts, just headache.
But.
Can't miss chance.
Curse not fully gone? Fine. Body peak now.
Without Chief Lee, dead already.
Marcelo murmured to demons.
You overstepped.
Recalled Mage Tower's founding: true truth pursuit.
Demon worshiper Karim Jeba craved truth to death. Maybe rotten from start.
But Chief said:
—"If deviated, correct it."
As said. Not too late.
Marcelo opened eyes.
"Now, time to right 'true truth'."
……
Whoa. Vision flashed suddenly.
Quest window. Nothing special, why?
……Class quest training upped? Nah.
Checked quest window dubiously.
Reconstruction of the Mage Tower
▸ Find the true truth. (In Progress)
Forgotten Mage Tower quest. Why now? Final goal blinking.
Ah. Mage Tower moving seriously? Progress in dormant quest.
Don't know true truth, but good news.
As expected of Mage Tower.
Satisfy quest goal, done.
Of course, not twiddling thumbs. Reality tasks pending.
Scanned rising news headlines.
In my way, I mused.
"The brighter the light, the darker the shadow. But shadows trail behind. I had no intent to interfere if order kept."
No, a warning.
"Overreaching shadows must recognize their place."