How Undignified (1)
Shining and Cheonha Tongil. The clash in the rift over the title of the world's strongest guild. The victor was Shining.
The deciding factor between the two guilds was Count Asqura's minion. A demon monster at a whopping Level 390. Given the demon trait of inflicting status ailments left and right, there weren't many players who could stand up to it.
Shining, which boasted four players in the top 10 rankings, had built up resistance to it. But Cheonha Tongil, with its relatively lower average levels, couldn't keep up.
"Hmm."
Shining, defenders of the world's strongest title. Yet Guild Master Rocks showed no sign of joy on his face. After all, the development awaiting him upon exiting the rift was something he hadn't anticipated in the slightest.
"What the hell is that? What do you all think?"
Base camp, master room. Rocks was joined by four men and women. A projector screen filled the wall. A black man watching the replay spoke up.
"Don't ask me, Rocks. I got no idea."
Player Ranking No. 8, Dmitri. He found this precious time a waste. He'd just spent the last hour rolling around in the rift.
Why call a sudden meeting?
"Rocks, a guy like you with women lining up can't understand my desperation. Do you know how I scored that date? I squeezed it in during my busy schedule! You trying to make me waste all that effort on some nobody?"
Dmitri's frustration was aimed at the man on the screen. A silver-haired man in a long coat. At his gesture, walls and pillars rose in the plaza.
Player Ranking No. 7, Camilla opened her mouth.
"Well~ I wouldn't know, being an archer and all~"
Twirl— She twisted her long, curly red hair. Then she straightened up from where she'd been lounging on the sofa.
"You think he's worth our attention? Really?"
Rocks didn't answer. It wasn't because the man was impressive. He was just annoying.
"Who knows. Jealousy, maybe?"
"Jealousy? Our leader's got some greed too~"
"Rocks, it's common. The media hyping up some no-name rookie for views and clicks. They're desperate to manufacture stars."
Dmitri was right. Countless players had shot up like comets only to vanish without a trace. Hundreds had probably died in rifts after making a big show of it.
But why on this day of all days?
Sure, it was a surprising debut. Starting with that outfit. But that was it. Nothing special.
Player Ranking No. 2, Rocks. He'd seen monsters far beyond that, including No. 1 Skal. A sword that changed form did pique his interest in the weapon, though.
"No more to say? I'm out."
Camilla and Dmitri stood up.
"I splurged big today—rented out a whole hotel lounge. Non-refundable. Gotta make this date count."
"I'll head out too~ Leader~ Don't be so sensitive~"
Bye-bye, pretty one. While Rocks was momentarily distracted, the two bolted.
Now only one remained. Player Ranking No. 4, Jessie Haynes.
"......?"
Rocks tilted his head. Jessie was staring intently at the man on the screen. It was a look he'd never seen from her before. Those sparkling eyes, even during monster hunts just hours ago.
Rocks asked cautiously.
"......Why? You know something, Jessie?"
"......It's so intriguing."
"Intriguing? That's more surprising coming from you."
Was there something worth noting? He'd asked to find out why. But no answer came. Jessie was too absorbed to reply.
What kind of skill is that?
Class: Mage. One of the most common classes, but Jessie was special. Among players of the same class, only one could undertake the class quest. Jessie was in the midst of her mage class quest.
Through it, she'd felt, comprehended, and mastered countless Arcana magics. Yet the magic unfolding on the screen...
It's different.
Definitely different. The biggest difference: no incantation. Sure, she could cast without one too. But efficiency tanked—more mana drain, weaker effects.
But the man on screen...
No drawbacks at all!
Or maybe the opposite. If he pulled off that effect with reduced efficiency? What was his mana like?
Jessie's eyes sparkled with curiosity. It only irritated Rocks more.
"......?!"
Then a subtitle flashed: an article line about the man.
[Mysterious Player: "How undignified... I won't take questions."]
......He really said that?
Rocks was stunned. If anyone lived off their own hype, it was him—no one could top that. But even he had never imagined such arrogance.
What kind of lunatic...?
Not content with burying Shining's victory and his own Level 400 milestone. Now Jessie was interested. And that personality even he had to admire.
Unbelievable points piling up.
......
Yes, a shocking debut. The mysterious player, Hoyeol's appearance was a bombshell.
What blew up most was Hoyeol's actions. Programs even analyzed his every move.
"See here, he's completely unarmed."
"Suit under the long coat too?"
"No rings, necklaces, earrings—nothing."
"So he cast that magic bare-handed?"
"Does that even make sense, Expert Park Nambong?"
Just mismatched gear for formality. No accessories, so none equipped.
"His battlefield awareness is top-notch too. Spotted the enemies' mobility issue and reshaped the terrain on the spot."
"A bit later and it would've been dicey."
"That quick call saved Gaon and Inazuma."
No intent to save anyone. Just the laws of action-reaction. Did his absolute best.
"And not just that—here, he just watches. That's consideration. Like, 'Gaon, Inazuma—have at it.'"
"Consideration? In that rift?"
"Yes. No other explanation."
Mana depletion, not consideration. Only Hoyeol knew.
Even sharp-eyed rankers couldn't tell.
Guild Berserker base camp.
Whoosh— Leoni threw off her blanket and yelled.
"I fucking told you! That guy's no ordinary bastard!!"
"Sis, got it. Calm down and cover up. You'll catch a cold."
"What're these idiots? Am I blind? Fuck, should I flip the table?"
Guild Inazuma.
"That silver hair's Korean..."
"We must pull him to our side no matter what."
"Hisagi Kazuma. I shall execute the mission decisively."
Even Gaon's Nam brothers.
"Should've grabbed him by the collar and convinced him."
"Sigh— My mistake. Missing that potential."
"......But his formality was on point, right?"
"Yeah. That interview was straight-up marketplace vibes."
"His eyebrows twitching—he held back a lot. Thought I misjudged. Figured 'no formality' was 'cause I'm a barbarian."
"......Might not be wrong."
"What? Even you, bro?!"
Twitching eyebrows? Mana exhaustion aftereffect. No one could tell.
Interest in Hoyeol wouldn't fade anytime soon. Especially in Korea—every channel buzzed with the mysterious player.
And that atmosphere? Perfect for demons to stir.
"......Wh-what? It was 90% a second ago?!"
"E-everyone, evade!!"
"Get as far away as possible!!"
Collapse at 100%. Rift crumbles, castle manifests in reality.
Vampire, Count Asqura. He appeared in Russia.
Sudden collapse. Screen switches; anchor breaks the news.
The feared scenario upon new rift update: realized.
"Guilds worldwide are gathering around the castle. Shining Guild Master Rocks announced immediate entry..."
But Hoyeol had anticipated this too.
-Vampires can share powers via blood. And reclaim them.
So no letting your guard down.
No complacency.
Sweat-soaked body. Piles of papers on the table again. Even the status window.
Proof everywhere. To maintain noble poise. A swan never rests its legs, even for a moment.
* Burning the midnight oil. I crammed Arcana knowledge. A 12-year gap for me.
But even I grasped the gravity easily. Common sense.
Defenders hold the advantage in sieges.
......And psychologically crushing.
Count Asqura's castle. Chest-thumping grandeur just looking at it.
"Lose your way and you're screwed."
"Send scouts first?"
"......No, can't split the main force against that."
Gates wide open. As if intruders always welcome.
Most players waited at the entrance. Clack— But I advanced.
Overwhelmed by the majesty? Fortunately—or unfortunately—no.
My dark history's Claudy mansion dwarfed this dump.
I scanned the interior and declared.
"Cramped. Scarce even for hiding, Asqura."
Added with utmost confidence.
"Yet still too grand for thee."
As if hearing me. Rumble— A garden statue stirred.
......Big. At least 10 meters.
The colossal stone beast lumbered toward me.
But I neither fled nor dodged. Stood ramrod straight, scrutinizing its facets.
Then I spoke.
"Material, texture, depth, form—all abysmal workmanship. To place such trash in the garden as a boast."
Grandfell's discerning aesthetics declared it so.
Agreed. Especially 'material.'
How many walls and pillars have I raised and shattered?
Stone statue carved from rock. Familiar material to me.
Meant Exploration and Interference required no effort.
Crack—!