Seed of Tears (3)
A text message from Nam Taemin.
Is that so. Looks like the AAU has figured something out too.
Of course, I'd already roughly guessed the location of the dungeon depths through Natural Enemy.
"...After the cataclysm, the symbol of Chelsea Bridge Road changed to the AAU London branch."
London's geography felt so foreign. Without Shreyg's guidance, I might've had to pull up a map app and find my way.
Of course, manifesting a portal would be a hassle too.
What if there's a trap at those coordinates?
That portal could end up being a shortcut straight to the trap.
Besides, wasn't the trap in this dungeon rift related to rain? I'm already soaked from head to toe. It's plenty uncomfortable as is. No more forced showers, thanks.
"I still can't believe it, even seeing it with my own eyes."
Shreyg's voice trembled with emotion.
...His expression didn't look like empty flattery.
I wondered what had him so moved, so I followed his gaze and scanned our surroundings.
Rain-swept London streets lined with Aquarius oaks.
Just a dozen minutes or so. Far too short for them to grow into such mighty trees.
As expected of High El's blessing that sprouted the World Tree's seed. Their roots dug deep and firm, trunks shot straight upward. Lush branches spread out overhead, fresh buds sparkling at every tip.
...No matter how I looked at it, they were way too flashy.
Pure Knowledge's Pentagram.
The Aquarius oaks in my knowledge weren't like this at all.
I could guess the reason. High El's influence, no doubt.
Damn, it left a bitter taste.
I'm in no position to complain.
This feeling was just like looking at my own Aesthetics-infused 『Magic』!
Like parent, like child, huh? Sorry, High El.
As I stared, High El spoke up as if waiting for it.
"It seems that sublime nature has influenced me as well."
Yeah, it's all my influence. Sorry for rubbing off on you the wrong way, High El.
...Wait, sublime?
I couldn't just let that slide.
Sublime was the new title I'd earned on the Arcana Continent.
I opened my status window to reconfirm Sublime's effects.
Right. The opposite of the long, detailed Last Adventurer effect.
Just one line. But it didn't feel bad.
Even that single line had a tremendously imposing vibe.
'The Arcana Continent remembers me.'
I didn't know if it was influenced by Immaculate Integrity or what.
But it meant the system hadn't ignored my desperate struggle against millions of demons.
And the gains from that struggle? Plenty.
From lifting Marcelo's death curse, to the Demon Eye Telescope, to the insane experience that ignored death penalties.
So the title's vague effect? I could overlook it generously.
No expectations meant the surprise win felt even sweeter.
...There's definitely something more to it.
It wasn't just fancy words. Sublime clearly had unlisted additional effects.
Something even Grandfell's literary and martial talents couldn't discern.
"I see. Well done, High El."
I spoke calmly, belying my swelling emotions inside.
High El's lips curved up as they bowed gracefully.
"Such praise is too much for one as woefully inadequate as I."
Of course, we didn't have the luxury to keep chatting amicably.
The dungeon depths—AAU Britain branch—drew nearer.
Suddenly, Shreyg shouted urgently.
"...Enemies. About five of them!"
Shreyg, level 402.
Now on par with top players like Nam Taemin, but he'd once been one of the top three alongside Skal and Rocks.
Click—
His calm demeanor amid the sudden foes proved it.
I knew Shreyg's class well.
He was one of the few players I'd known even before awakening.
Why? Simple. It was cool as hell.
Swordsman subclass: fencer.
A true gentleman from the land of gentlemen, poised elegantly.
Shreyg drew his weapon into a combat stance. His rapier-like fleuret gleamed like a giant needle—a piercing sword specialized for thrusts.
"Zachary, you hear me? What's the situation? The civilians?"
Even focused on battle, he didn't forget the fallen citizens' safety.
Grandfell's pride couldn't help but approve.
"No monsters appeared yet? Good, that's a relief. Then form up and prepare now. Seems monsters are spawning from the dungeon depths."
Shreyg assessed and reported swiftly.
I stood beside him and looked ahead.
Exactly five.
Like mannequins filled with water. Five water humanoids approached us.
Assessment complete.
Shreyg ended his call and addressed me.
"Per the patch notes, they're called Melancholy City's Specters. Levels 600 to 650. And this is just my hunch, but..."
Grind—
Shreyg gnashed his teeth.
"As specters, physical attacks probably won't work on them."
I could agree to an extent.
Names aside. There's an old saying for a reason: you can't cut water with a sword.
They looked immune to physical attacks.
Shreyg's hand trembled on his firmly gripped sword.
Not fear. Rage.
These things had ruined his hometown, London, and now stood before him.
"Damn it."
He must be furious that his sword couldn't do a thing.
I understood completely.
But that's why I only agreed "to an extent."
I spoke up.
"Can you swear to it?"
"...Pardon?"
"Are you certain physical attacks won't work?"
"W-Well..."
Shreyg looked baffled.
The old me would've thought I was spouting nonsense, inwardly groaning about some cringey line incoming.
But I'd learned something dying and coming back.
In the end, we need the players' power.
On Arcana, maybe not. But in reality, I couldn't face millions of demons alone.
Player cooperation was essential.
Especially from those with pride as baseline—and exceptional skill.
So watch closely, Shreyg.
I slowly raised my hand into a combat stance.
In it: a black long umbrella.
"...!"
I told the stunned Shreyg,
"Your task from here is simple. Watch."
Then I channeled sword aura—no, sword beam—into the umbrella.
"More precisely, witness the sword aura."
"...S-Sword aura?!"
Sword aura.
A realm demanding high qualifications just to behold, let alone wield.
But master it, and a swordsman's combat power skyrockets exponentially.
I'd seen it in sword aura users like Harcon Kingsguard, Jessica Bright, Enoch Loren—stronger than their levels suggested.
Naturally.
A sword cloaked in such aura...
Even if it was just an umbrella.
...Could damage the specters.
"Sword aura? I don't know what you're suddenly talking about, but...! It's dangerous alone. And with an umbrella...!"
But Shreyg couldn't know that.
His shock was understandable.
That's why I said just watch.
Seeing it once will make it clear.
The five specters charged.
I aimed the umbrella at them.
Silver aura swirled up the shaft.
Shing!
A resolute strike.
The specters crumbled simultaneously.
Shock etched across Shreyg's face.
"...What the hell?"
I wasn't surprised at all.
No joy at felling monsters with an umbrella.
Five level 600s in one blow.
My near-500 level, plus triggered Natural Enemy? Or experience from battling millions of demons on Arcana?
They barely registered as a threat.
I've grown a ton, Lee Hoyeol.
No wonder I entered this rift solo.
...
Player, Lee Hoyeol.
Estimated level: at least 900.
I'd long anticipated his strength.
Shreyg knew Arcana's common sense.
Having hit player ranking 3rd meant he'd faced the struggles and emotions other rankers now felt—earlier than them.
So I couldn't comprehend it.
What was this guy?
Main attack: magic.
But sword? Wouldn't surprise me. I'd seen it on the news.
But this went too far.
An umbrella.
Felling five level 600s with an umbrella!
Shreyg clenched his fist.
...Is this the gap in levels?
Not just with Hoyeol.
All I had left was past glory.
I knew it better than anyone.
I've hit my limit long ago.
Precisely, the fencer class's limit.
In reality, no high or low jobs.
But Arcana classes had hierarchy.
At the pinnacle: rare, noble classes.
Like Skal or Jessie Haynes as advancers.
Their power and potential? Words failed.
Below: popular ones like barbarian, healer.
Chosen by many, backed by solid performance.
Lucky class quest? It could evolve—or fully advance—to rival top classes.
And at the bottom: unpopular ones like mine.
I could swear: fencer was flashy trash.
If I could turn back time, I never would've picked it.
Basic swordsman, sure.
But attack power based on Strength, while fencer needed sky-high Agility for weak points.
Dump points in both? Efficiency tanked as levels rose.
A power I can only dream of.
Damn.
Shreyg eyed his fleuret.
The bottleneck: attack power.
Thrust-focused style had glaring weaknesses.
What even is his class?
Mage Tower chief.
Bottomless darkness.
Evil dragon hunter.
Titles gave no clues.
Magic. Swordsmanship.
...Umbrella combat.
Even watching didn't reveal it.
But one thing was certain.
Shreyg smiled bitterly.
Someone I can never catch.
Truth be told, I'd sized him up back in Yusra Kingdom.
No disappointment expected.
But I was pissed.
"...In the end, I'm useless, huh."
London.
My birthplace, my home.
This morning, streets I'd walked were drowned in rain and fog.
Family, comrades, citizens in peril.
And I could do nothing with my hands, my power.
It infuriated me.
"I'm so damn incompetent."
As Shreyg bowed his head,
"Are you focused, Shreyg?"
...Hoyeol's voice rang out.
Shreyg looked up.
His stance unchanged, umbrella gripped like a sword, Hoyeol continued.
"You must witness the sword aura."
Sword aura again. What the hell was he on about?
Shreyg recalled Hoyeol's words.
-"Your task from here is simple. Watch."
-"More precisely, witness the sword aura."
Overestimation. He had me all wrong.
Shreyg spat bitterly,
"Sword aura? You might not know, but I'm not like other swordsman players! I'm a goddamn fencer—weak as shit with clear limits. I don't even know what sword aura is, expecting it from me is...!"
"I know."
"...Pardon?"
Know what? My fencer class? My limits?
Before the questions cleared, Hoyeol pressed on.
"But it doesn't matter."
"...?"
"Believe in yourself. If you lack that courage..."
His voice deadly serious.
"Believe in the me who believes in you."
...
I know, right? Shreyg was one of the few players I knew pre-awakening.
And what? Fencer weak and limited?
Part of me wants to let him try a day as a demon hunter.
It's less obvious now that I've grown, but...
Back when I first awakened, hunting goblins way below my level left my legs shaking.
Bet fencer can't match demon hunter, no matter what.
Where else is a class dumping points into Strength, Agility, Magic, Luck simultaneously?
So I declared confidently.
"Believe in the me who believes in you."
I vouch for it.
Arcana ranking 3rd? No talent gets you there.
So lift your head and watch closely, Shreyg.
You need to witness and comprehend sword aura.
"If you want to protect what's dear with those hands."
To face the demons ahead, too.
As Grandfell's phrasing escaped my lips,
More Melancholy City's Specters entered view.
...A lot more this time?
Enough to make my earlier form look silly.
Alone, I'd handle them leisurely with the umbrella.
But fainted civilians nearby.
Rescue over lesson.
As I gathered mana,
"!"
A message appeared.
Sublime one. Your sublimity has triggered a small change.
...I triggered a small change?
What change?
And sublime one? A bit much, no?
As I pondered,
A voice trembled roughly. Shreyg's.
"L-Lee Hoyeol, player. That shimmering silver on the umbrella! That haze—is that the sword aura you mentioned? Wait, before that, do you know what Sublime is? I just got a message...!"
You witnessed it, Shreyg.
And thanks to you, I realized too.
The hidden effect of the title Sublime was this?