Nothing More Than Childish Games

Thursday. The regular update details appeared.

Its contents were shocking. Beyond comparison to anything before.

New rifts and new named monsters. I wasn't surprised by their levels. Level 800 territory. Impressive on its own, of course. But in the [Cracked Dimensional Gap] and [Demon King's Castle] rifts, boss monsters ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even higher than that had appeared.

What made it incomparable to before was the numbers.

A total of twelve rifts. Depending on the rift, the number of named monsters appearing was several times that. And the regular monsters below them? Hundreds of times more.

That was why I could declare it confidently.

"This is a catastrophe incomparable to the Demon King's Castle rift."

The moment the regular update details appeared, the world falling into panic wouldn't have been strange at all. Twelve rifts had spawned simultaneously, far beyond what players could handle.

"I hate to say it, but... if these rifts collapse, humanity might suffer damage greater than the early days of the cataclysm."

That's how shocking the update was.

So the incongruity was inevitable. Wasn't it too quiet?

Put differently, the world was too peaceful. Even the AAU, which should have declared a state of emergency by now.

United Kingdom, AAU London Branch.

Baker gazed out the window. London's miracle. The Aquarius oak trees, its symbol, gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. The waves of golden leaves swaying in the breeze were dazzling enough to hurt the eyes.

Baker spoke.

"Are we allowed to enjoy this peace?"

From the early days of the cataclysm to now, the AAU's policy had been unwavering. Always assume the worst.

It might sound cold to some. But only then could they take smaller-than-expected damage as solace. Only then could humanity move forward again.

"...Because humans are fragile creatures."

It was natural to worry. Lee Hoyeol. Are you saying you can handle this peace?

In calm waters, even small ripples grow large. The more peaceful, the more a minor loss could shake everything.

Do you have the confidence not to waver at all?

To Baker's common sense, it was incomprehensible.

"I can't even begin to imagine."

The weight and burden he carried.

But Baker harbored no more doubts. Instead, he looked at the screen on the branch chief's office monitor. A live feed of the Yusra Kingdom's landscape.

Baker murmured.

"May it lighten his load, Shreyg."

*

The rifts' locations hadn't been detected yet. But there were records left. Comparing past regular update upload times with rift generation times...

"Even at the latest, they'll spawn within a few dozen minutes?"

The Yusra Kingdom was packed with players. All participants in the [Unending Holy War].

World event, [Demon King Struggle]. I didn't know exactly what it meant. But one thing was clear.

"The update is full of demons, right?"

"Yeah. Obviously an extension of the holy war."

"So, what're we all gonna do?"

A man suddenly jumped into the conversation. Sharp glares turned his way. He waved his hands frantically.

"No, not picking a fight—just genuinely curious! Honestly, at our level, it's impossible. Taking on named monsters like that? No way!"

Was he trying to redirect the fervent gazes? He held out his smartphone. The regular update details. Minimum level 700 to maximum 850.

He wasn't wrong. Most players gathered here were veterans by player standards. But that meant mid-to-late 300s at best. Level 400 and up earned the ranker title.

"And they're demons. Even stacked with buffs, our mental strength won't hold. We couldn't even take named monsters, let alone trash mobs?"

Even top players faced massive risks entering those rifts.

But the response wasn't an answer or rebuttal—it was laughter.

Snap!

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The woman snorted and flicked her bowstring at the man.

"We already settled those worries from the start, didn't we?"

"...Huh?"

"I mean, didn't we finish all that self-reflection crap before joining the holy war? That's how we proved our pride. Wait, no—hold up. Did you even complete your quest objective in the first place?"

...Wait, can archers see other people's quest windows? How'd she know?

The man hid his fluster and shook his head.

"O-Of course! Can't show it, though..."

Even as he made excuses, it made no sense. Pride? Enough to risk your life?

Finally, he asked point-blank.

"But it's our lives on the line! Not some bullshit—Lee Hoyeol said grand things, sure. But there are twelve rifts. While we're in one, another could collapse and cause a disaster...!"

Bam!

"Ow!! You scared me!!"

A massive shield slammed into the ground. A middle-aged man with graying hair spoke in a low voice.

"Something more precious than my life exists in this reality."

"...Huh?"

"I want my wife and kids to live in peace here."

"!"

"No way in hell I'm letting my bunny-like family see something ugly. Isn't that reason enough? Or do you need more?"

Awakening as a player doesn't change your mindset. Who wants to die?

But everyone knew. Flee from fear, and you'd keep fleeing. Avoid it, and it'd boomerang back bigger.

And back when they hadn't grasped that simple truth, the one who stepped up alone: Hoyeol.

Clank—

The middle-aged man lifted his shield and stood.

He placed a hand on the whining player's shoulder.

"If you're scared, step back and watch."

"...?"

"It's written in your quest window, right? No rewards, no loot. Just the pride in your chest. So..."

The man continued.

"No one's forcing you—or us. So no one can criticize you."

It was all personal choice. And the responsibility came with it.

All the players knew that.

"Just the help from the Mage Tower is plenty."

"Never dreamed I'd train with the Lion Heart Knights. Sure, we made them suffer a bit..."

"We're a nuisance. Just survive training, right?"

Preparing for the holy war, they'd received tons of help from Arcana natives. Expecting more inside rifts? If they had a conscience, they couldn't even imagine it.

"They're handling bigger stuff than us."

Objectively, Arcana natives outclassed players. By a lot. Even Muon's tens of thousands of holy knights matched or exceeded most rankers.

Lion Heart Knights, Shadow Mercenaries, Mage Tower—obviously.

"Wasting that precious force protecting us? Ridiculous."

"Right. Better to slay one more demon in that time."

"Let's handle ourselves. All of us."

As the players finished their final preparations with that resolve—

"...Huh?"

The designated area varied per player: Yusra, Frost, Muon, Mage Tower.

More than that—main force?

Its meaning was simple.

"...We have an affiliation?"

They'd chosen for themselves. Taken responsibility for their own lives. They'd steeled themselves.

A quest to join the main force felt baffling.

But the doubt didn't last.

Via Mage Tower portals. At their destinations awaited—

"Captain Harcon... Lion Heart Knights?"

"Chief Mage Marcelo?"

"Tarim, and the priests?"

Arcana natives they'd spent time with. From holy war participation until the Demon King Struggle began. Short if short, long if long.

"Adventurers. We've been waiting for you."

Players flinched at Harcon's voice.

...Waiting for us? Why?

Someone muttered.

"...We're just baggage."

Pessimistic, but undeniable. It was fact. Level gap at least double. Against demon named monsters rampaging in rifts, their contributions would be negligible.

Harcon continued, pinpointing that truth.

"We who trained you know your levels best. Standing equal to the demons that nearly destroyed the Arcana Continent? Impossible."

Harcon smiled. Not mockery. Kinder than ever.

"So in this battle, rely on us."

"...!!!"

"Trust and depend on us."

...Am I hearing this right?

It was a declaration that made healthy ears doubt themselves. Rely? Depend? Objectively—

"...What does that even mean?"

Carrying our incompetence? Unfathomable.

But it wasn't just Harcon.

Mage Tower's Marcelo continued.

"For those taking their first steps, just watching is enough. Experience from the Demon King Struggle will be priceless nourishment for you."

Muon's Tarim shouted.

"The goddess's blessing, the holy knights' shields will protect you."

As if to affirm no doubt needed, a message appeared.

📍 Join your main force in the designated area. (Success)

An unimaginable development. Players froze entirely. Even seasoned rankers.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Shining. Camilla's lips curved.

"Never seen them like that~"

"...Were Arcana natives always like this? Fine, maybe others, but the Mage Tower?!"

"Hearts change~. Look at Jessie—mages are fickle as hell~ Right, Rocks?"

Rocks stayed silent. He scoured his Arcana knowledge.

But Arcana natives sacrificing for players? Never once.

'Then this is a new change?'

Lee Hoyeol. Minimum level 900. Transcendent fame. Relationships and influence with countless factions meshing into change?

No, even that couldn't explain it. This transcended Arcana's systems entirely.

Finally, Rocks chuckled dryly.

"Beats me. No clue."

.

Simple.

Just as players realized pride. Arcana natives harbored pride too.

Yes, everything by pride.

I too. Swayed by the heavy pride in my chest, opened my mouth.

"The sacrifices we bear for childish king games do not exist."

To Grandfell's pride, the Demon King Struggle? Demons' playtime wouldn't even touch holy war fringes.

Such playtime sacrificing allies? Unacceptable.

Arcana native or player. Not one sacrifice.

If asked if possible.

I'd answer.

"The Demon King Struggle is mere nourishment for us."

I might not know. But Grandfell's uttered words become 'setting' to realize inevitably.

"Time to pay Pride's price. Foolish demons."