Beyond Imagination
Everyone gathered here was a sly fox. They knew their positions better than anyone and knew exactly how to wield their authority with cunning precision. Even if the AAU had started as a global pact, time had passed. The founding purpose of protecting the world from Arcana's threats? That had long taken a backseat to self-interest.
They were the AAU branch chiefs, experts at walking the tightrope between governments and players, solidifying their positions by crossing lines as needed. Masters of tightrope walking, in a word.
Thanks to that, they brimmed with confidence.
'Don't treat us like those reporter nobodies.'
'Lee Hoyeol, you're getting too cocky.'
'It's an offer no one could refuse.'
Player Lee Hoyeol. They were certain they wouldn't lose their nerve even facing him.
Of course, that flimsy confidence didn't last long.
Clap—
The sound of applause cut short.
What? Skipping the welcome?
At first, they thought they'd misheard. Not declining out of politeness, but straight-up omitting it. The nuance was subtle.
It wasn't like he was burdened and refusing. It sounded more like this was a welcome he was due, but unavoidable time constraints forced him to skip it.
“……!”
The atmosphere chilled rapidly.
The branch chiefs froze in awkward poses. Then a thunderous voice made them flinch.
Bang!
The conference room door slammed shut. The ripple of mana confirmed it was Lee Hoyeol's magic.
Jim Joshua, the US West Branch Chief, panicked.
'Why'd he have to go to the damn bathroom.'
The East Branch Chief hadn't entered yet, and now the door was shut.
'……Damn it, facing him alone is too much.'
Including the President of the United States, Jim Joshua had held private meetings with all sorts of big shots. But even for him, Lee Hoyeol was overwhelmingly intimidating. Exchanging banal pleasantries would be one thing, but today...
'He said there's much to discuss about the future.'
They had planned a serious proposal to negotiate with him. So Jim Joshua forced his mouth open, as cautiously as possible.
“It seems some branch chiefs who haven't entered yet... Wouldn't it be better to delay the start by a few minutes?”
But the response was firm.
“There is no business with those who cannot even respect the time.”
“……!!!”
Not even a few minutes? Too ruthless.
But no amount of aggrieved expressions would help. Click— Hoyeol strode straight to the podium.
His gaze swept the room. AAU branch chiefs wielding influence across the globe. One might shrink before them.
Yet he didn't falter. His posture was impeccably upright.
And...
“……!!!”
His eyes were anything but ordinary.
Unlike the chilling stares from some players that sent shivers down spines—like flaunting raw power with overt killing intent—this was different.
Almost serene, bordering on indifferent.
Yet somehow, it felt like he was peering straight into their souls.
Gulp— Swallows echoed from all around.
Tension kept anyone from sitting easily. The pressure made their earlier thoughts seem laughable.
......A grave miscalculation.
Lee Hoyeol was no mere player.
The branch chiefs' pupils quaked.
.
.
.
Let's see. [Predator-Prey Relationship] hadn't triggered, for starters.
But I couldn't overlook demon worshippers. I'd gotten blindsided hard at the Mage Tower by relying solely on it.
'No presence detected.'
Small mercy? Aside from AAU London Branch Chief Baker, no one seemed possessed or deeply involved with demons.
But why the weird expressions? Like they had something to hide.
Well, a few probably did.
Unlike Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo's boundless magnanimity—save for demon-related improprieties—my own heart, Lee Hoyeol's, wasn't so forgiving.
I still remembered vividly, thanks to my lingering grudges.
[AAU Official: “Holy War? No way to confirm if it's really underway.”]
If it were just one or two articles, I'd understand. But...
'They poured out like they'd coordinated.'
Especially those anonymous overseas officials—way too chatty.
No wonder Grandfell spat out, 'Know your place.'
I opened my mouth.
“Shadows have fallen upon your faces.”
......No, I didn't mean to babble without context.
Yet flinches rippled through the room.
They really do have guilty consciences.
Anyway, enough. I didn't want to create new black history while venting old grudges.
Straight to the point.
“I shall ask you all.”
How much did the AAU really know?
Whether demons lurked within AAU ranks—that's what I wanted to confirm.
Even if Arcana's situation had veered off-script, settings like [Labyrinths] and [Dungeons] still held.
Proper use of that info would hugely aid future updates.
“Do you know aught of the Holy War?”
Start from the incident's origin.
A few flinched noticeably at my words.
Gotcha. Now I know who those chatty anonymous overseas officials were.
They especially should answer sincerely.
“If not, is there reason you failed to discern it?”
Not just my grudges—the Holy War tied to Akkshan's annihilation. Grandfell's pride wouldn't yield easily.
“Absent just cause, I deem it incompetence.”
Live up to your name, AAU.
“What say you?”
.
.
.
Since Nam Taemin's call, Park Minjae hadn't slept a wink. Even if Lee Hoyeol led the meeting, he was the responsible party.
Responsible. Literally.
Park Minjae intended to shoulder everything.
'Whatever the outcome, I don't care.'
He'd warned them: if they planned to drag Hoyeol down, prepare to offer their own ankles.
He'd vowed to bear society's filth himself.
'Sandbag role's familiar anyway.'
But the meeting veered unexpectedly. Hoyeol was grilling them!
Their soaring confidence? Vanished. All mouths clamped shut.
If he could record this, he'd never need antacids again. A shame it was closed-door.
Suddenly, Tokyo Branch Chief Okazaki beside him spoke.
“Looks like no one has anything to say.”
Hoyeol's point boiled down to: AAU, utter incompetence. Noisy without ability.
Village philosopher, indeed.
He wasn't exempt, but he'd grasped the situation early and shut up.
Unlike those clueless fools.
“If you have a conscience, stay quiet. Like me.”
Some, with consciences fuzzier than most, brazenly spoke.
“Interests are quite complex, really.”
“Must report up, get approval before sharing info...”
“Rifts always carry risks, as you know. Citizens first, before players? Regulations unavoidable for safety...”
All so eloquently plausible. No wonder they'd clung to branch chief seats.
But tongues should gauge the audience.
“Improper procedure is as good as none.”
Even in rare interviews and pressers, Hoyeol never minced words. Straight to the core, no circumlocution.
And always right.
No more excuses.
In heavy silence, Hoyeol continued.
“I ask in earnest. Does pride yet linger within you?”
“…….”
No one answered easily.
Park Minjae smiled bitterly.
'Want to nod, but...'
Too late to chase pride now. He'd soaked in society's muck.
'Can't even prove it.'
Unlike players, he couldn't risk life in Holy War quests. Empty words meant nothing.
Prolonged silence. Enough to embarrass the questioner.
Park Minjae glanced at Hoyeol's face—and flinched.
“……!”
Expression and eyes unchanged. Yet somehow, Hoyeol's emotion transmitted.
Like he benevolently awaited answers.
'No way...?'
The indomitable Lee Hoyeol. Sometimes you wondered if he even had emotions.
Must be delusion.
As Park Minjae averted his gaze, his eyes met Baker's across the seats.
'......What? Why's he staring?'
Their sudden eye contact. Baker smirked.
A conversation flashed in Park Minjae's mind.
—“We shall act according to pride.”
......No way?
Park Minjae's suspicion became reality. Baker spoke.
“I wish to believe it lingers. But even if pride has fled our hearts...”
Resolve hardened his face.
“I shall act to reclaim it.”
“……!!!”
Soundless shock—such words from London's representative?
The London incident's impact on Britain that profound?
All were stunned. Save one: Lee Hoyeol.
“Is that so. Then I shall rephrase.”
“……?”
“Do you possess the will to reclaim your pride?”
“……!!!”
Park Minjae finally understood. That warmth wasn't illusion.
Not chasing money or fame. Solely for humanity's peace.
Lee Hoyeol, delving bug-level rifts, conquering them.
Now he grasped the warmth's source: the sublimity flowing from a hero.
Park Minjae chuckled.
'Do scum like us deserve to chase pride?'
Well, that's not for him to judge. The superior remained Lee Hoyeol.
“Hoo—”
As Park Minjae breathed deep to speak...
“Our Japan...”
“Then...!”
“No, us too...!”
Change stirred.
A small change occurs due to the effect of Sublime.
Gathering AAU branch chiefs worldwide and preaching pride had paid off.
When icy silence reigned, I'd feared disaster...
'Lucky all around.'
As expected of a title's effect. No wonder the acquisition conditions were harsh.
Grateful to Grandfell's pride once more. Even cheat-level titles had triggers.
Sublime too—my actions had to incite change for activation.
'This damn pride can be useful.'
In that sense, Grandfell's pride was sublimity itself. Consistent actions triggering effects? Natural.
Of course, the current stares were burdensome. No teary-eyed admiration for my black history, please. You too, Grandfell. Don't puff up more proudly.
'Whatever. Fine.'
Process doesn't matter. Seize this momentum.
Yes, time to drive the wedge. Or rather, stake it.
'Trust isn't built easily.'
Grandfell with his flowery head aside, salaryman me knew human nature well.
To prevent London-like debacles, AAU needed equal oversight.
“Finally, I propose to you all.”
Under my authority, of course.
“I desire the establishment of an AAU Yusra branch.”
“!!!”