Another Predator-Prey Relationship (2)

Elves. Beings born from the World Tree. It seemed the World Tree's blessing was an innate law they couldn't defy.

Otherwise...

I gazed down at Elcidoir kneeling before me.

'With that rude personality, she couldn't possibly endure this humiliation.'

No matter how influenced she was by Grandfell.

I wasn't so far gone as to bluntly tell an elf to kneel.

If it were about enforcing formalities, maybe. But ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠no.

What I'd said to Elcidoir was just one line.

"A frog in a well requires lessons in etiquette."

...For a moment, I wondered if "frog" was more insulting than "kneel." But it wasn't wrong, right?

Having stayed cooped up in elven lands, Sisli, she lacked not just decorum but even basic manners.

Then, after a flicker.

Now.

"...How dare you."

Thud—

Elcidoir dropped to her knees. Not content with that, she let her sword slip from her hand.

This was the effect of Blessing's Hierarchy Order.

'She ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠can't defy my words?'

How harshly had the World Tree drilled discipline into them!

Even I, who vaguely knew the backstory, was taken aback by the sight.

No need to mention the onlookers' stares.

Apparently, extreme shock really does leave you speechless.

"..."

That explained the players' unnatural silence.

"Senior, this is...?"

Even Matis Din Karl trailed off.

Now they were realizing what I'd done.

Anyway, relief at last. Truly.

I glanced at Rackid.

'At least he's safe.'

Senior mages in the Mage Tower could manifest intermediate-level spells from other schools.

Matis could handle emergency treatment easily.

They'd all rushed here to save their comrade?

The Shadow Mercenaries had appeared at some point.

Wolf bowed to me in place of their unseen leader, Kichi.

With comrades here, no more worries for Rackid.

Then.

"...Don't think you'll get away unscathed for reducing me, Elcidoir, to this state."

Only the haughty elf's punishment remained.

This state? Unfortunately, she was sorely mistaken.

'The real punishment hasn't even begun.'

Now that I knew Blessing's Hierarchy Order's effects, my confidence had solid ground.

I spoke with unprecedented authority.

"This place ill suits conversation, Elcidoir."

"How dare you utter my name...!"

"Refrain from impudent remarks."

"...!!!"

First, shut that mouth and begin.

*

AAU.

No excuses this time.

US West Branch Chief Jim Joshua spoke gravely.

"We never anticipated this incident."

Back when Arcana was just a game, elves were unfinished future content.

Only a handful of lore settings existed.

They never imagined elves from those settings would openly hostile to humanity.

Butterfly effect, perhaps?

One scant setting: Elves live for eons.

Who knew such monsters would emerge from that brief line.

Unimaginably overwhelming.

A power that could only inspire terror from the unknown.

Strength on another level from anything seen, even demon kings.

Yet humanity had one player.

Before demon kings.

Before unknown horrors.

An unwavering hero stood tall.

"And we owe Lee Hoyeol another debt."

Lee Hoyeol. He'd not only halted the rampaging elf but forced her to kneel.

Did he use force? No.

Just a few words with the elf.

Jim Joshua bowed once and declared.

"From now on, America joins the Holy War. We withhold no support. We withdraw opposition to the AAU Yusra branch and will aid its development..."

Stubbornness finally broken?

"Unanimous now."

Park Minjae shrugged.

Of course, you never know what's in deep waters—or hearts.

Pride or calculation? Unclear.

But one thing was certain.

After the video call, Park Minjae murmured.

"Everything's changing, around Lee Hoyeol."

His lips curved.

"Raymon Sean, you didn't see this coming either, did you?"

*

Yusra Kingdom.

Golden Palace.

I housed Elcidoir in a palace annex.

'Why put such a rude thing in this luxurious palace?'

I'd have preferred the Mage Tower basement. Avici Hell.

I knew what that space did from the elder mages—no, demon worshippers' states.

Still questions for Elcidoir.

A broken wreck would be trouble.

But even urgent interrogations follow order and procedure.

I visited the annex only after handling chief mage duties at the tower.

Guarding the entrance: Lion Heart Knights Jessica Bright and Enoch Loren.

'Overtime because of me.'

As a salaryman who knew forced labor's woes, I offered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sincere comfort.

"You've worked hard."

"Not at all."

"More importantly, we heard from Captain Harkon!"

...News? What news?

Enoch's words startled me.

Memories flashed: umbrella fencing? Infinite darkness something? Fallen dragon hunter?

Harkon, why spread rumors to subordinates!

"Reaching a higher realm. Truly impressive!"

Ah, sword aura.

Damn, this was beyond thief's foot pain—shattered.

Too harsh for past karma...

Shame surged, but iron mask held.

I brazenly replied.

"On the brink of life and death, sword energy thickens."

"...!"

"Enlightenment will come to you too."

Just Last Adventurer effect.

Don't embellish mysteriously, Grandfell.

Silence profits half. Shut up, please.

"We'll remember."

Don't nod solemnly, Jessica.

More talk was self-harm.

I opened the annex door.

Intense glares poured in.

Elcidoir glared, mouthing.

"□□. □□□. □□□□."

Precisely, gibberish.

Blessing's Hierarchy Order active.

I'd commanded her not to leave or speak.

"Command" fit perfectly.

She obeyed like a true order.

Admiration aside.

'Elves live eons...'

Even confined to Sisli, vast experience.

Likely rich Arcana knowledge, maybe secrets.

Ask slowly.

"Permission to answer questions granted."

"...?"

"Are elves involved in the Holy War?"

Priority: Grandfell's pride.

Elves and Akshan's annihilation?

That determined interrogation intensity.

"Those vermin's affairs mean nothing... "

Stop.

Hey, still clueless?

I cut her coldly.

"Answer yes or no."

"...No."

See? Polite answers are nice.

Grind—

Elcidoir fumed at her own outbursts.

To me, Lee Hoyeol, it was mild tantrum.

'Much better than me.'

Past black history insufficient; adding live.

Compared, she was fine.

Thus, guilt-free hierarchy use.

Grasped situation.

"All because of the World Tree's blessing?"

"...Yes."

"Not Arcana Continent, nor demons."

"...Yes."

Elves.

From Sisli, first World Tree's root land, their home.

Reason for emerging: One.

Reclaim first World Tree's stolen blessing.

"Crushed all obstacles."

"...Yes."

I thought unwittingly.

No pride at all, these guys!

Only immortality matters.

Thought mere lip service; Grandfell was right.

Even as World Tree, I'd revoke sincerely.

'Who knew the blessing was originally elves'?'

Thought mere buff.

Never imagined this backstory.

Now understood hostility toward me.

'Thinks I stole it.'

Delusion of delusions.

I declared again.

"I need no such blessing."

"...No."

...I don't need it; why no?

Question, then realization.

Hierarchy.

No mistakes; disciplined.

"A blessing traded for pride."

"...?"

"Is meaningless."

First World Tree's blessing to Grandfell?

Simple buff, nothing more.

I'd coldly refused healers' buffs, citing no faith in gods.

Same for me.

Blessing effect? Incredible.

Demon king struggles aside, facing upper demon kings? Unwilling to lose.

But horrifying.

'Eternity.'

...Endure Grandfell forever!

Wiser with age? Grandfell's pride bends not to time.

"...No!"

But Elcidoir ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠raised voice.

Thief denying stolen prize.

'Her anger's understandable.'

Fine.

Everything trades.

I'll share info.

Clink—

Set teacup, continued.

"Desire the World Tree's blessing back?"

Fleeting twitch in Elcidoir's face.

"...Yes."

Expected.

But useless to me; transfer method? Don't know.

I only received from first World Tree.

Thus.

"Want it? Try taking."

"...?"

"As I was chosen."

"...!"

"Prove pride before World Tree."

Not giving freely.

*

Mage Tower.

(Success)

Players proving worth gained opportunity.

Prime chance to grow as apprentice mages.

Of course, first steps in Mage Tower weren't easy.

Squeak!

"Urk!"

"Careful!"

"Th-thanks."

Stairs like this in the world!

Mage Tower stairs appearing/disappearing midair.

Admiration before adaptation.

"...How'd she go up/down so straight?"

Even humans slip sometimes.

No wobble from Hoyeol ascending/descending.

"Just Homen. Homen."

Muttering player approached suddenly.

"Wha, whoa!"

"Homen. Mind if I ask what that means?"

Braided hair swaying cheerily.

"...Pardon?"

"Ahem, I'm Jibril, proficient mage."

Confident voice.

"Proficient means...?"

Senior.

Player grasped, answered.

"So Homen is Lee Hoyeol player. No, Chief Lee Hoyeol..."

Jibril listened quietly to Homen-Hoyeol tales.

Her eyes widened gradually.

Misunderstood badly?

"Not mere great lineage..."

Godlike in adventurers' world!

Fledgling adventurer getting such news.

Can't just walk away nobly.

Jibril smiled satisfied.

"Then, for you unaware of Chief Lee Hoyeol's status here. I, proficient mage Jibril, will explain from one to ten."

"Ah, yes! Please!"

"First, Chief Lee Hoyeol slew millions of demons in two hours..."

"Pardon? Wh-what did you say?!"

Wordless words sprouted wings and soared.