What Bloomed (3)
The ripples from the London incident refused to settle easily. Above all, the world took notice of Britain's dramatically shifted attitude.
Britain, a nation that had operated independently around Second Sun ever since the cataclysm. It was Shreyg, the guild master of that very Second Sun, who made the declaration.
"From this moment, we join the Holy War."
He announced their entry into the Endless Holy War.
Since Second Sun maintained close ties with the British government, this was effectively Britain's declaration of participation.
"Second Sun's getting involved too?"
"You think even Cheonha Tongil might jump in now?"
"Come on, say something that makes sense."
"Hey, Director, can't I even joke? Anyway, what a spectacle."
The Aquarius oak trees blooming across London's streets. Those trees were undoubtedly the primary catalyst for transforming the once stiff and austere Britain. Or, to be precise, perhaps Lee Hoyeol himself—the one who sprouted them—was the true hero.
"This goes beyond the influence of a single player."
Setting aside the secretive Skal, who clung to mysticism, just look at Rocks, who held the number two spot on the rankings. Rocks had immense fame as a player, but wielding power to move an entire nation? Impossible.
But Lee Hoyeol was different.
"It's not about brute force—it's that he moved their hearts first. That's the truly remarkable part!"
Indeed, his feats were worthy of being called the "Miracle of London."
Of course, something else garnered just as much buzz as the Aquarius oaks.
The sky was perfectly clear, yet people clutching umbrellas were a common sight on the streets.
"This the spot? Where Lee Hoyeol took down that wraith!"
Hoyeol's umbrella combat. Here and there, people hoisted umbrellas high, mimicking the iconic scene. It was barely a fight—just one elegant swing of the umbrella—but ordinary citizens could imitate it without issue. The phenomenon even spread via broadcasts, becoming a full-blown syndrome featured on the news.
Yusra Kingdom.
Nam Taemin, who had been silently watching the screen, finally spoke.
"......This guy's no joke."
A barbarian swinging a greatsword. No one knew better than Nam Taemin how exhausting it was to face a wraith immune to physical attacks.
Leoni Bellucci, a berserker, shared a similar sentiment.
"Did he infuse mana into that umbrella or what?"
What the hell was that, seriously?
Reviewing the footage of Hoyeol's umbrella duel made it sink in anew. Even after their growth, the gap between them and Hoyeol remained vast.
Hisagi Kazuma's spearman eyes sharpened keenly. Wrapping weapons in mana was his specialty, so he spotted the telltale signs first.
"He didn't use mana."
Which only deepened the trio's bewilderment.
"Then is that umbrella some unique item or something?"
"Fuck, say something sensible......"
"No, but that look in Hoyeol's eyes—does that make sense?"
"......That doesn't make sense either, damn it."
Footsteps approached the puzzled trio.
From Frost to Yusra Kingdom, on a mission to reorganize the Lion Heart Knight Order: Harcon Kingsguard.
"Ah. Captain Harcon, long time no see."
Nam Taemin and Leoni had shared hardships with the Lion Heart Knights during Yusra's reconstruction. Hisagi, who joined later, had also exchanged formal greetings with Harcon.
Thus, Harcon asked without reservation.
"Discussing Sir Hoyeol, were you?"
"Ah, have you heard the news?"
"If it's news of Sir Hoyeol, do you mean the rift clearance?"
"Even in Frost, rumors of Hoyeol spread like wildfire, huh?"
No need to seek them out—the tales reached them effortlessly: Sir Hoyeol moved, cleared a rift, shone brilliantly.
But wait......?
Harcon's gaze fixed on the smartphone in Nam Taemin's hand.
"......Sir?"
Harcon's sudden mutter. Was this his first time seeing a smartphone? Or was he shocked by the umbrella fight like them? The trio racked their brains.
"This!"
But knowledge reveals more—and none guessed right. Harcon saw something entirely different.
A jet-black long umbrella, cloaked in ascending silver aura.
Unmistakable.
"......So that's it. Sir's unique light?"
Harcon continued in a trembling voice.
"When did he reach the realm of sword aura!"
......Sword aura?
They had no clue what that meant, but rankers weren't rankers for nothing. Their honed instincts from countless battles kicked in.
Sword aura must be the power that felled the wraith with an umbrella.
The trio's eyes sparkled as they asked.
"Captain Harcon, could you tell us what this sword aura is?"
*
Mage Tower office.
"Rejected. Bensy William."
I was buried in the chief mage's endless duties when a vibration jolted me awake. My thigh's smartphone buzzed relentlessly. I knew who it was without checking: my love-hate family.
......I desperately wanted to ignore it.
But this damn etiquette wouldn't allow it.
Memories of piled-up group chat messages flooded back. No need to mention the one saved as "Infinitely Deep Darkness"—I didn't want to.
I squinted at Number Two's message too.
But...... even Big Sis and Sis? Come on!
One video in the group chat: Arang. My one and only niece, holding a pink umbrella.
The world swinging umbrellas? Fine, no grounds to control them.
But my sole niece staining herself with my black history? Unbearable......!
"Indeed, a splendid form."
Don't judge Arang seriously, Grandfell.
Of course, the video wasn't all. Blood ties prevail even over grudges—they all checked on my well-being after the teasing.
'Though the nuance was off.'
They'd heard about the Holy War quest too. Solo to teaming up with friends? Relieved I had company now, unlike before.
"No need for concern."
Per etiquette, I replied politely.
Enough. More chit-chat with those grudges, and Lee Hoyeol's sanity crumbles.
I turned back to work.
Endless Holy War
From the Arcana Continent to reality.
The Holy War against demons rages on.
No rewards or spoils await this war's end.
Only pride remains.
Prove your own pride.
Unlike other players, my Holy War quest lacked a "prove your worth in the designated area" objective.
Frankly, I'm not in a position to be judged by anyone.
Of course, players' quests continued.
The murmurs outside the office proved it: players flocking to prove themselves at the Mage Tower.
Mage-class players seemed excited. Excluding me and Jessie Haynes, no players held positions here.
'They see it as a chance.'
Prove worth, gain recognition, entry, position—and Mage Tower knowledge.
Understandable excitement.
However.
"The bar will be strict."
This wasn't some ordinary foe—it's a Holy War against otherworldly demons. Demands top-tier player ability and levels.
Still, count it as fortunate.
'If I handled evaluations.'
Senior mages as baseline, Bensy William-style rejections rampant—even to veteran mages.
I'd worried: if I judged, zero entries possible.
"A pity."
Pity my ass. Be grateful for everything, Grandfell.
Besides, evaluations would kill me—dead.
Temper the Weakened Flesh (Repeat)
......Exhaustion could kill.
Post-investment in [Strength] and [Agility], class quest demands skyrocketed. Dizzying numbers.
Of course, no sign of weakness shown.
I merely intoned calmly.
"Great power brings great responsibility."
My [Strength] barely hits 100—hardly "great."
Anyway, overflowing tasks from class quests to evaluations.
Bzzz—
Smartphone vibrated again. A call this time.
Grudge Lee Yerim escalating to verbal assault?
Suspicion unfounded—Nam Taemin, whom I'd planned to contact.
"I'm listening."
......Hello?
Can't you greet normally without thorns in your mouth? Why avoid calls.
Thankfully, Nam Taemin brushed it off.
-"Huff. Huff. Hoyeol, you free to talk?"
Voice gasping regardless.
Curiosity didn't last— he continued.
-"Sorry to spring this, but does sword aura really exist?!"
......Sword aura?
Instinct hit: training under Harcon.
Music to my ears.
"Indeed."
Can't suffer alone, right?
*
"Sword aura is a realm far beyond you all. First, conquer the mountain of sword energy."
Harcon continued.
"To awaken sword energy requires a fitting body."
Run to forge it!
Nam Taemin, mid-call with Hoyeol. Leoni asked immediately after.
"......What'd he say?"
Please, no sword aura. Harcon's joking—say it.
'Combat's different drain.'
Lungs screamed. Agony revived curses.
But hopes dashed.
Shake— Nam Taemin paled, nodding no.
"......Captain Harcon was right. He confirmed it."
"This? For real?!"
"Miss Leoni, no more excuses."
Hisagi's face hardened with resolve. Nam Taemin too.
Initially, Harcon joking? Sword aura unheard-of in Arcana.
"If Sir Hoyeol has it, sword aura and energy exist."
But they do.
"He's training endurance too. We follow."
And he did.
Crazy zealots. Leoni tongue-clicked at their madness.
The men gritted teeth, charging ahead.
Damn, doesn't make sense—but can't lag.
Missing rifts already.
Leoni gnashed, legs moving.
By the way......
"Hey, Nam Taemin! What's this AAU thing?!"
.
. . .
Ding— Park Minjae checked the sender.
[Nam Taemin].
Korea's top guild Gaon. Guild master Nam Taemin knowing AAU Korea chief? Natural.
But him initiating? Rare.
"Let's see."
Glance at calendar. No scheduled events.
Not close enough for private chats.
He checked, blinked in disbelief.
"......What?!"
Still unbelievable. Scanned repeatedly.
Finally accepted.
Lee Hoyeol attending AAU meeting......!
AAU Korea—and global AAU—courted him relentlessly.
No response ever. All gave up long ago.
Yet the indomitable Lee Hoyeol signals via him.
"OK. Absolutely OK!"
No need coordinating branches. Time for jet lag?
Alpha's eternal Lee Hoyeol. Beta follows.
Park Minjae fired off a reply.
"Wh-what's happening?"
Brief thrill quelled by sudden propriety.
Thud! He bolted from the office.
Unlucky collision: Seong Hyunjun.
Straight to the point.
"Hey, Hyunjun. I ditched the old-man vibe, right?"
"......Pardon? Ah, yes. Sure."
"Right? But even casual, keep hands outta pockets......"
*
With massive Demon King Struggle update looming, avoid needless incidents.
No repeating London.
Need to review AAU lineup.
But first.
Yusra Kingdom office.
I scanned desk documents coldly.
Meeting request. Submitter: past and present, Skal, player ranking 1.
But procedure flawed.
"Rejected. Skal."
"Infinitely Deep Whatever" enough.
Apologize first for spreading "Fallen Dragon Hunter" moniker......