You've Left Something Precious (2)
When the rift formed, I'd deeply scanned the structure of the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower. Why? Because back then, I wasn't at my current level. To triumph over high-level players like Rocks, I needed some tricks up my sleeve.
"……Are you truly alright, my lord?"
High El asked cautiously.
No, I told you I'm fine. Looks like words aren't enough—I need to show it through actions.
I drew up my mana.
The scanning process unfolded swiftly. Not as Lee Hoyeol or anyone else, but through Grandfell's talent. The kind of mind that doesn't forget a scanned target just because time has passed.
Especially with the effect of Pure Knowledge's Five-Pointed Star. Knowledge of all minerals at my disposal.
I immediately shifted to the interference phase.
Not manifesting in a new form. Simply reverting to its previous state. All I'm adding is the reversal.
Soon, mana seeped into the wretchedly shattered mechanical device.
Surprising.
The greatest advantage of reversal magic? Its exceptional mana efficiency.
But this was different from usual. A massive amount of mana was draining out.
Considering First World Tree's Blessing was active...
This is something to look forward to...
It was devouring my mana.
Yet I could endure. I wasn't the weakling scraping by on a pittance of mana anymore.
Soon, the reversal magic manifested. The core mechanical device began reverting to its pre-damage state.
High El murmured softly.
"Indeed, forgive my needless worry."
......That speech pattern shows no sign of stopping or changing.
No point in saying anything; it'd just hurt my mouth.
More importantly, now was the time to focus on the device, not High El.
Clank—clunk—clank— A structure so intricate it made my head spin just looking at it.
Soon, the interlocking gears began to turn. At the same time, mana rippled at the device's center.
......Is this why it was sucking up my mana like that?
It had used my mana as a substitute fuel for the mana stones.
The realization barely hit when a message blinked before my eyes.
Acquiring accumulated experience from the ultimate weapon, Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Acquiring accumulated fame from the ultimate weapon, Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Like a matured savings account coming to term. No time for感動.
Suddenly, an uncontrollable energy surged from the device!
Whoosh— My silver hair swayed into view, and even my impeccably arranged attire began to rumple from the force. That ominous energy enveloped my entire body.
Another message appeared.
No, not just once?
But I'd expected this. This was Akkshan. The Quirnburk Mechanical Tower, called the demon hunters' ultimate weapon.
How many demons had such an ultimate weapon slain before it shattered so pathetically? I could confidently say at least millions—enough to rival me, at any rate.
[Your level has risen.] ...... Messages kept blinking relentlessly amid my thoughts. The ominous energy showed no sign of waning.
At that point, I had a gut feeling.
This'll cap at 50 levels. Enough overwhelming experience to shatter the walls every 100 levels effortlessly...
The moment certainty hit, something rippled in my vision.
A message—but not a level-up notice.
Acquiring accumulated memories from the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Wait—accumulated memories?
At that instant, my vision flipped.
As if pressing play on a video. The Arcana continent's landscape, viewed through the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower's eyes, began scrolling before me...
Quest: The Awakened Ultimate Weapon's Request
📍 Objective: Akkshan's ultimate weapon, Quirnburk Mechanical Tower. Instead of answers to its doubts, it chose pride. The device's memory wishes to protect the surviving villagers.
🎁 Rescue the Dreadsden village survivors. (In Progress)
Vision restored, I opened my mouth.
"Thank you."
Until now, I'd seen Arcana through demon spoils or brief visits. But witnessing Arcana natives' lives and voices in such detail? A first.
I stared at the device.
"Thanks to you, I've confirmed something utterly precious."
Wretched. A tragedy beyond words. Worlds apart from rifts threatening reality.
Truly, survival felt miraculous.
The Arcana continent in the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower's memory was demonic territory, no different from the Demon Realm.
Let's think coldly.
Current odds of victory in the Holy War? No need to calculate.
We can't win. Simple math.
Yusra Kingdom, Frost, Muon, Mage Tower, players. Even combined, impossible against Arcana's demon hordes.
Yet I—Grandfell—wouldn't yield to logic before demons. Always first: the unyielding pride in my chest.
"Even if body seized by demons."
Natural Enemy, demon hunter's instinct spotted it instantly. The man was possessed.
Thus, fortunate.
"Human pride does not break."
Even in wretched Arcana, human pride endures. I'd confirmed it via the device's memory.
Body and mind stolen by demons, yet the man charged them to protect what mattered.
Defying possession anew awakens me to pride's power.
I gazed at the device. Mission complete by replaying memories?
Gears slowed to a halt. With EXP and fame acquired, no need for more mana.
I addressed it.
"As Akkshan's ultimate weapon, yours was an utterly honorable end."
......Talking to a machine mid-repair. Embarrassing, perhaps.
Well, I'd spoken to a dragon's tooth too.
As if understanding, clank— the device stilled.
Of course, the device stopped—but I didn't.
A new quest had appeared.
Quest: The Awakened Ultimate Weapon's Request
📍 Akkshan Tradition: Requests unsolved by one Akkshan demon hunter pass to another.
The ultimate weapon Quirnburk Mechanical Tower was Akkshan too. Like it or not, as the last demon hunter, you must accept.
🎁 Rescue the Dreadsden village survivors. (In Progress)
"Moreover, your pride shall be mine to inherit."
No conflict with Grandfell's pride doctrine, of course.
I wasted no more time.
Dreadsden, huh? First I've heard.
Inevitable, with a decade-plus gap. No clue where, no way to find even if I knew.
But no issue.
I had reliable backup.
I stared into the void.
......This name's harder to adapt to than High El's.
I chanted desperately.
"Heed my call."
*
Sunset yielded to night.
In the forest. Fire needed to ward beasts, yet...
"Then I'll put it out."
Hiss— Dreadsden survivors extinguished their torches.
As Lancy doused hers, tiny hands clutched her skirt. Wide eyes glistened in the dark.
"Lancy sis, scary."
"It's okay. Nothing'll happen."
"......Not that, that star's scary."
Her chubby finger pointed: a demonic eye.
Seeming to search for them.
Lancy turned the child's face to her, sternly.
"Don't look."
"......Okay."
"And no star's that ugly and hideous."
"True. Hehe."
Tending kids and elders deepened the night.
Lancy and survivors gazed downslope.
The continent burned as ever.
Lancy eyed her sword. In weakness, Matte's face surfaced. She gripped the hilt he'd given.
......I'll live. You said so.
Mid-vow—
"S-Something's off!"
Retired mercenary Gardner stood.
Demons, quiet lately, stirred oddly. Frantic demon soldiers. Imps hauling weapons nonstop.
Like...
"That's movement before 'war'!"
War? Lancy felt absurdly incredulous.
Grabbing Gardner:
"Yesterday, today—it's war! They took our village, Dreadsden, him...... What more from us with nothing left?!"
"I get it, Lancy. But I don't know either."
Not just Dreadsden. No intact villages or cities nearby.
Yet massive war prep? Beyond a mere mercenary's ken...
Gardner flinched.
"No, not now!"
"......?"
"Everyone, hurry. We must leave this mountain!"
War consumes supplies fast. Demons would scour every mountain, mine for resources.
"Explanations later. Wake the kids, Lancy!"
As Gardner shouted urgently—
"......!!!"
Demons visible downslope.
Gardner gritted teeth.
"Damn, right on the descent path!"
"Battle stations!"
"Evac kids and elders first!"
Low demons like imps, but Dreadsden tiny. Warriors long dead.
Shing— Lancy raised her silver sword. Beside Gardner.
"Lancy, what're you doing?!"
"I'll fight too!"
"No, not foes you can handle!"
"No. I won't run anymore."
Lancy thought of Matte. You wouldn't want this.
Yet she smiled bitterly. ......Then don't give me this sword.
Even in death by demons, she'd face it proudly.
Thus.
Gardner cursed.
"Damn. Never hated my weakness more, Lancy!"
Buy time for escape. They gripped weapons before demons.
Twang! Gardner loosed taut bowstring.
Thud! Hit.
"Shit."
But the demon showed no pain.
Still, Gardner, Lancy, others held firm.
Tiny weight on her skirt hem. Yes, bearing their burdens.
That was pride unbent by trials.
Pride sparks change.
Change brings miracles.
Hummm— Rippling energy in the air.
A black silhouette emerged. So dark, imperceptible without scrutiny.
"......Gardner, what's that?"
"What're you on about, Lancy?"
Buried in deep night. Form barely visible.
Yes. An alien darkness never seen before.
Yet a voice echoed.
The darkness spoke.
"I am Diend Creciad Eternal Darkness."
"......?!?"
"My lord commands: I shall save Dreadsden."
......
"Unique spirits transcend contracts. Thus, the moment High El became your unique spirit, prior contracts dissolved! Theoretically, you can form new contracts with new spirits independently of High El! Ah, if I've overstepped, my apologies......"