Raise Your Heads, Arcana Skies
Arcana skies.
On the Iron Castle Ho, the dwarves moved with tireless energy. Night flight. Even though it was the kind of night when demons grew bolder as the Demon Eye opened its gaze.
The reason the Iron Castle Ho could keep flying through the night unlike usual?
"Unbelievable."
No need for extra words. It was all thanks to Akkshan's last survivor, the adventurer Lee Hoyeol.
"How could someone from another world obtain such intelligence?"
Chainwalker, leader of the dwarves, recalled High El's words.
—"You said there wouldn't be any major movements."
Yes, they could predict that much themselves. The Iron Castle Ho had swept away millions of demons with its ultimate weapon, after all—even if it was just a fraction of its power.
But.
"Chainwalker, do you think that makes sense? Grasping the state of the continent more accurately than us, looking down from the ground or flying through the skies!"
It was true. Information precise enough to navigate through clouds. Something even their technology couldn't predict.
"Last night too. Just what is the limit of that power...!"
Chainwalker smiled faintly and replied.
"Just trust him."
It was an achievement beyond belief. But with their oath-bound alliance, they had no choice but to believe. Besides, now wasn't the time to question reasons. They were already stretched thin fulfilling Hoyeol's "request"—not quite a request.
—"He asked to recover the remains of the ultimate weapons."
Akkshan's ultimate weapon, the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower. Even now, its towers hunted demons across the continent.
As the demons grew stronger, not all towers could remain intact. As their creators, Chainwalker could guess... At least five or six had likely reached the end of their lifespan and stopped functioning.
A bitter tinge colored Chainwalker's smile.
"...He even considered what we ourselves overlooked."
Iron was just iron. Machines made of iron were just machines. Their mindset had been that simple—and now it felt shameful. Hoyeol spared no reverence for Akkshan's legacy, the Quirnburk Mechanical Towers. That's why he wanted even the wreckage recovered.
Now that they understood his intent, even if belatedly, they had to hurry to gather the debris before the council convened.
"Alright, everyone—move quickly!"
Clank! Gears meshed once more.
At that moment, a warmth spread through the cold Iron Castle Ho.
"!"
High El appeared. Summoned by Hoyeol's call and returned to the ship.
Chainwalker hurried over.
"High El, did Sir Hoyeol say anything?"
High El nodded gracefully. In her arms was a peculiar stone lump.
More precisely.
"...!"
A talking ore.
What kind of race were dwarves? Arcana's greatest blacksmiths. Their skill rivaled the Mage Tower's magic.
No matter how rare, they'd hammered most minerals to submission.
Yet Chainwalker's face filled with shock.
"...Th-this is rare iron? Where on earth did you get something this precious?"
Akkshan's last survivor, Lee Hoyeol. His vessel was endlessly deep. Infinitely so.
*
Yusra Kingdom office.
...My ears are itching like crazy for some reason.
But picking at them from my desk would be improper. Besides, I've probably done plenty to make them itch. From that umbrella duel that's painful just to recall...
Never mind. Talking about it only tortures me.
"As prideful as ever."
...Sudden self-introduction? No, it was a murmur aimed at Arcana's demons.
Duration ended, the Demon Eye Telescope closed its eyes again.
Arcana's state was just as expected.
"The struggle."
The Demon King Struggle. Demons were starting to stir ahead of their civil war.
Recalling them, they were the kind who could challenge for a throne. Each one looked worlds apart from ordinary demons.
"Not content with calling themselves kings, they even rank themselves?"
From Grandfell's view, nothing could be more laughable.
"As expected of inferior scum, indulging in meaningless pursuits."
Numbering prey that was all the same anyway.
But I, Lee Hoyeol, am different.
The day I entered Arcana alone. The day I plunged into millions of demons.
That's when I truly realized.
'This scale is incomparable to anything before.'
Beyond large events—a world-class one. Generated only through updates as rifts. An incident that inevitably threatens reality.
Knowing that, I'd been flailing through quests like [The Unending Holy War] and more.
But I mustn't forget my own growth.
My gaze naturally turned to my status window.
"Numbers cannot define me."
...Consistent as ever.
But not wrong. Fundamental growth beyond levels matters. Accumulating magical knowledge. Refining sword aura to new heights. Maintaining the wells I'd dug—like archery—so they don't clog.
'But levels are just as crucial.'
Even beyond Predator-Prey Relationship, higher levels were never a loss. Grab what you can early.
But as I'd lamented countless times, nearing level 500 was no easy feat.
Surveying major rifts at present. If I grinded monsters all day like other players, levels and EXP might budge a bit...
But as said, no time. Can't split myself. These rifts had poor time efficiency anyway.
In that sense.
It was time to break open my long-saved piggy bank!
EXP accumulates in the Ultimate Weapon, Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Prestige accumulates in the Ultimate Weapon, Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Acquisition rights to accumulated EXP and prestige granted.
The EXP and prestige accumulated in the Quirnburk Mechanical Towers. That's what I meant.
I'd conveyed this grand plan to Chainwalker via High El.
Recovering even one...
'...Should net at least dozens of levels, right?'
High expectations lead to big disappointments, but this time it was warranted. Not just anything—Akkshan's ultimate weapons. The Akkshan that pushed back giant evils and Demon Kings amid the Holy War's overwhelming disadvantage.
"I shall not forget your pride."
Yes, I'd put it to proper use.
Of course, I couldn't spill my rambling inner thoughts to Chainwalker and the dwarves. So I kept it concise for High El.
And added the rare iron at the end.
'No reason to delay smelting any longer.'
Rare iron, material for ego equipment. Its immense potential begged the question: how to smelt it?
First concern was level restriction.
'No point in great gear you can't equip.'
Prioritize levels, performance suffers. Prioritize performance, levels skyrocket. A dilemma.
But experience taught me: performance first!
The level 800-restricted [Wicked Earth Dragon's Fang]. I'd wielded it beyond equipping via magic and aesthetics. Its power was no joke—probably gear scaling. Same for the ego gear from rare iron.
'...Wait, doesn't having an ego boost utility?'
A promising idea flashed, but I could ponder it once the ego gear was done.
Entrusting the rare iron to the dwarves was wise, Hoyeol.
My final addition to High El wasn't so wise.
—"Also, convey that I'll pay any fee required."
That damn "any fee"! Aristocratic indeed—turning my clean savings into lavish spending.
What's said is said. Pray the smelting fee isn't exorbitant.
"I trust you without doubt."
I rose slowly. Appointment time neared.
I had zero doubts in dwarven skill and pride. But human hearts are unpredictable. Face-to-face reveals truth.
My destination: AAU Korea branch.
Straightening my attire. I drew up mana, manifesting a portal.
"As I said, time is like afternoon tea."
Meaning now, in the afternoon, was the day's most precious slot. Everyone, please keep to the schedule.
Even senior mages at the Mage Tower didn't faze my nagging side. AAU branch chiefs wouldn't either...
*
AAU Korea branch. Main conference room.
First to arrive: AAU London branch chief, Baker Chat.
Baker spotted Park Minjae and beamed.
"Mr. Park, you look much better!"
Wasn't this guy ever so warm? Britain had been uncooperative despite AAU ties. Baker too, in Park Minjae's memory.
First time seeing him smile.
"You're early. Mr. Baker."
"I owe you so much."
"Owe me? You mean Lee Hoyeol, right?"
Figured there was a reason for the friendliness.
No needless misunderstandings with the man himself attending. Park Minjae released the handshake and continued.
"Hard to believe, but this is my first time meeting him too."
"Yes, first time face-to-face with you too, Mr. Park!"
"...No, I mean even I have never met Lee Hoyeol in person."
"Ah, that's what you meant!"
Baker finally grasped Park Minjae's fidgeting.
But his greeting wasn't thanks to Hoyeol.
"Then no need to hold back."
"...?"
"I won't convey my gratitude with mere words."
Possessed by a demon. Baker realized it after Shreyg relayed the full story.
General staff had lower mental resistance than players. He'd lost all control, consciousness gone.
'Lee Hoyeol saved me.'
Beyond that, saved London. Repaying such debt with a word wasn't gentlemanly.
Not just him. That day, the Prime Minister caught in a rift. Even the Queen conveyed the same.
"Mr. Park."
"Yes, listening, Mr. Baker."
"From now on, Britain will act."
"...Act how?"
Like China, going fully independent? Park Minjae tensed.
Needless worry. A familiar phrase from Baker.
"According to our pride."
"...!"
As the two ended their meaningful exchange, branch chiefs from around the world gathered right on time.
As Park Minjae predicted.
'They had to rush here.'
Secret emergency meeting, unannounced. Skip it, no intel on discussions.
Missing a Lee Hoyeol-attended meeting? Unknown secrets lost.
Plus their own agendas.
'Especially America.'
Only nation with two AAU branches: East and West. One sufficed, yet both chiefs coming...
Transparent motives.
Tremble.
'Nothing unfair for me, but it's annoying.'
Park Minjae's leg shook with tension briefly. Then, on the dot—appointment time.
The air shifted palpably.
Rooooar!
Mana shimmered in midair. Portal opened, Lee Hoyeol emerged.
No prior coordination.
Yet all rose. Baker first.
Clap clap clap! Applause erupted here and there.
Yes. Beyond interests, Hoyeol's feats perfectly matched AAU's founding purpose.
Cheering a true hero was natural.
But applause died quickly. Sudden cheers might burden, yet Hoyeol's expression unchanged, he spoke.
"Due to time, we'll skip welcomes."
Cold voice. Atmosphere chilled rapidly.
Colder still, his gaze to the conference clock.
Then, unforeseen words.
"Moreover, I have nothing to discuss with those who can't even keep time."
"...!!!"
Simultaneously.
No one touched it.
Yet the door slammed shut.
Bam!
...
Good. No escape now.
Demons, raise your heads.