Gift (2)
I'd already heard about Gui-cheol's reforging, but...
They were even making armor for me?
High El relayed what the dwarves had said on the matter.
"They were concerned about the master of the mountains."
So, to sum it up simply: Dwarves knew full well how powerful dragons were. They were forging equipment to ensure I wouldn't meet a screaming end facing one.
Truth be told, even without that...
My gaze naturally drifted to my outfit. There was no gear that satisfied Grandfell's finicky aesthetics stat while boasting top-tier performance. Which was why I'd been stuck running around in a suit with half-assed enchantment effects slapped on...
I'm totally grateful!
Dwarf-forged armor? That's gear you couldn't buy for any price!
And no need to worry about aesthetics either. High El was inspecting it, after all.
High El, who embodied Grandfell's appearance down to the last detail—close enough to call a clone. And...
...fashion sense.
A style that could rival the Spirit King. In some ways, it even surpassed Grandfell's.
Dwarves made it, so performance was a given. Just one issue, then.
Level restriction.
That made me grateful for Zero Mountains' sudden appearance all over again.
Not Recommended for Anyone
In Zero Mountains, you could gain experience based on your capabilities.
Of course, not knowing exactly how capable I was posed a problem.
I felt it once more—the pitfalls of skipping ahead...
Having leaped over every intermediate step. I didn't know the precise limits of my sword aura or magic circles.
At least circles came with system explanations of their effects. Sword aura? Much harder to gauge precisely.
In the end, Grandfell's words become reality again.
Pride and Zero Mountains. Let's see which reaches higher, he'd said.
Maybe it was time to crash right into my limits, size myself up, and grind levels.
Like Nam Taemin, Hisagi Kazuma, or Leoni Bellucci—full days of pure hunting.
"Finally, news on Gui-cheol."
In that sense, Gui-cheol. I hoped you wouldn't betray my expectations.
But High El's next words were enough to stun me.
For real!
How do they all end up with personalities like that? You guys...?
Dwarves' top blacksmith, still locked in a pissing contest with Walls Whale? No wonder it was an ego weapon.
If High El perfectly captured Grandfell's looks and aesthetics...
Diend embodied the dark history.
And Gui-cheol? Felt like it had Grandfell's stubbornness carved right in.
For a moment, I bristled.
The hopeless trio, what the hell?
But since those three made up me...
...it was just spitting in my own face.
Whatever. Let it go.
Anyway, what was that again, High El?
High El mimicked Gui-cheol's voice as it continued.
"It must become even sharper. To slice the stars in the sky, the demon eye. The grindstone of the earth is insufficient. I must be honed on the grindstone fallen from the heavens, the 'Milky Way Grindstone'..."
Milky Way Grindstone?
Sounded familiar. Right—Segwin's magic tool.
Segwin had lent power to the rebels in exchange for grabbing the Milky Way Grindstone from Antonium's warehouse.
Segwin had spilled it all himself.
What's your deal, Gui-cheol?
...How do you even know about a high-end magic tool like that?
Whatever, I'd grill it later.
One thing was obvious, though.
Milky Way Grindstone. No wonder Segwin coveted it—it was one hell of a magic tool.
The dwarves knew of it too, per High El.
A shadow crossed High El's face.
"Demanding a magic tool known only in legends left even Walls Whale at a loss. If my lord commands it, I shall persuade Gui-cheol through Diend. What say you, my lord?"
Di—Diend persuading someone?!
I wasn't even asking for that. Hell, I was scared Gui-cheol might get corrupted by it.
Tell it to stay out of this, High El. Please.
But I kept my dizzy inner turmoil hidden.
Just brazenly recited,
"No need for concern, High El."
"...My lord?"
"The whereabouts of the Milky Way Grindstone—I know them."
"...My lord!"
Just as expected, no teary-eyed awe or faith-filled gaze, High El.
Good thing I'd boasted big and could actually deliver.
Why? My influence and affinity in Antonium had maxed out, just like in the Mage Tower.
Borrowing a magic tool should be no issue.
I told High El,
"Relay this to Antonium."
"As you command."
Formal request to borrow the Milky Way Grindstone.
High El bowed politely and soon returned to the Arcana Continent.
Right, time for me to get moving too.
Max out my level as much as possible.
To keep new gear from being a picture on the wall, I needed a vessel big enough—a higher level.
And the perfect spot had appeared.
"Zero Mountains."
Zero Mountains: vast as Australia, peaks piercing the stratosphere.
Such a thing popping up overnight—it hit home why the Mage Tower stepping in had kept 80% of Earth from flooding.
"A stage so vast and towering."
In that sense, it might prove exhausting.
Enter Zero Mountains and bam—straight into monster fights and grinding.
Why? I wasn't like other players.
Can't ignore a decade-plus gap.
Last demon hunter. Meant I was sharp on demons, but...
Plain old monsters? Knowledge gaps aplenty.
"Perhaps some fitting discipline is in order."
...Grandfell spoke of monsters like animals needing training.
But Zero Mountains' beasts were no joke.
Not even the Explorer's League had reached the mid-slopes.
All talk, probably.
But I wasn't my past self.
Not the Lee Hoyeol whining at search results.
AAU Yusra branch chief—weight of duty brought intel.
"One hundred thousand caves."
Exactly: one hundred thousand caves.
Zero Mountains, Arcana's endgame stage. Planned content alone was massive.
One hundred thousand caves.
[Dungeons], [battlefields], [labyrinths], [coliseums], etc. Each with unique traits.
Safe to call it one hundred thousand pieces of content.
Of course, cataclysm hit before full dev.
AAU intel on the caves? Bare scraps.
Scraps are better than nothing.
Plus, unlike before, I had allies bound by pride.
As I'd led them against demons, I could follow them against regular mobs.
Yes, Grandfell. Your beloved give-and-take. Mutual aid.
But.
[AAU Intelligence]
And the manifested Zero Mountains.
Grandfell's interpretation raced ahead of mine.
If it were wrong, I'd argue—but no, too grandiose, yet spot-on again.
"In the end, this too shall be a marvel."
Yes, another marvel this time.
And pride again.
I manifested a portal at once.
Coordinates: freshly risen Zero Mountains.
Stepping in, I intoned,
"None shall surpass me in marvels."
Clack—
"I shall light the path; follow at will."
*
Roooar—
Empire's top mage, Naysh William.
As Naysh channeled mana, the sealed imperial warehouse creaked open.
Imperial knights rushed in swiftly.
"Hmph."
Crunch—
Naysh bit his nail.
How the hell did he know?
The Milky Way Grindstone's existence... even I didn't.
As seen, the warehouse brimmed with treasures.
Not even emperors knew every era's, region's hoard.
Naysh eyed the sealing array.
Perhaps pierced and peered through it...?
Then shook his head.
No, impossible.
A grand mage's array. From empire's founding to now—never breached. Even if the empire fell, none could open this vault. Ultimate magic.
I can only interfere thanks to my pact with the empire...
Deep in thought, Naysh's eyes hardened resolutely.
Brother Bensy, seems I can't hide my mage's nature either.
Thirst for unknown mysteries surged.
Naysh resolved.
I'll ask him.
That abyss-deep darkness, Sir Lee Hoyeol? An explorer too, wasn't he?
Short time on Arcana Continent.
Even knowing what the Milky Way Grindstone was? Astonishing enough.
Clank—
Imperial knights emerged with it; Naysh resealed the warehouse.
Then sought audience with the emperor.
Naysh opened cautiously.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say."
"Speak, Naysh."
"It's just..."
Whoosh—
Naysh's gaze turned outside the palace.
Precisely, to Antonium's skies.
A massive ship afloat: dwarves' Iron Castle Ho.
Naysh continued.
"I seek permission to leave the palace, Your Majesty."
High El, noble beyond rank.
Naysh had heard of Hoyeol via High El, but it wasn't enough.
Someone might ask: Dwarves in Antonium isn't proof enough?
True, heroic tales paled beside it.
Naysh couldn't deny.
But I want to confirm myself.
Yes, a mage's thirst for discovery.
Above all, how Hoyeol knew of the Milky Way Grindstone.
Why he needed it.
Dwarves would know the reason.
Soon, the emperor spoke.
"Naysh."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I deny your request to leave."
"...Y-Your Majesty?!"
Yet the top mage's seat was heavy.
Couldn't vacate on a whim.
The emperor continued.
"Naysh, your mere presence comforts Antonium's people. Best stay put for now."
Irrefutable wisdom, Your Majesty...!
In the end, Naysh sighed inwardly.
Brother, seems I'm lacking.
...If it were Bensy brother, he'd reassure emperor and people while leaving freely, right?
This little brother has far to go.
...
Mage Tower.
Floating Garden.
Bensy sat with Banggrit Tom, chatting.
Topic: naturally, Zero Mountains.
Bensy's lip curled.
"Having a blast, eh, Senior Banggrit?"
"No, haha."
"How about dropping the fake laugh?"
Chin propped, finger tapping: Bensy William.
He mused inwardly.
The world's so unfair.
How'd this klutz Banggrit get such luck?
Our connection was special from the start.
...If I'd known it'd end like this, I'd have fallen for Karimjeba's ploy.
Bensy grumbled incomprehensibly.
"What do you like about such lame tower-exit reasons...?"
Grand, flashy, blazing tower-exit goals!
To leave great Mage Tower, needed great purpose, right?
Thus, Bensy's applications got rejected, each more bloated.
Borrow advanced magic tool to incinerate demons.
Borrow advanced magic tool to incinerate demons and their lairs.
Borrow advanced magic tool to incinerate all rifts.
...Direction utterly wrong, yet.
"If you're so keen, want me to review it?"
"What? No thanks, Senior Banggrit."
"If you hate it that much, oh well."
Bensy's lofty pride wouldn't show rejection slips to others.
This time too.
Bensy submitted after much deliberation.
Borrow advanced magic tool to incinerate Zero Mountains.
At least his face lit up.
"Your showboating ends today, Senior Banggrit. My application passes this time."
Zero Mountains' rise meant more Mage Tower duties.
Why? Summit held their nemesis: sleeping dragons.
Should those awaken? Only Mage Tower could handle the fury.
Smug—
Arms crossed sometime ago, Bensy pressed on.
"No stage suits Bensy William better."
Fire with fire.
More duties meant more tower-exit slots.
Bensy brimmed with true confidence.
Until checking the parchment.
"...Wh-Why?!"
Even if Mage Tower's role in Zero Mountains is vital,
not all seniors can vacate their posts.
Thus, Bensy William, your tower-exit application is denied.
Bensy wailed.
"Why must the remaining senior be you?! Senior!!"
*
Zero Mountains.
We'd be first to tread it.
Tianxia Tongyi's guild master, Ryu Ojuncheon, clenched his fist.
"At last, my turn."
Biggest hurdles: Shining and Giant Union.
While they slammed into the absurd wall of Demon King Struggle, Tianxia Tongyi built strength.
Player-wise, real-world-wise.
That internet staple: If a superhuman player rebels against a nation?
Ryu Ojuncheon answered.
Snap—
Salute to Ryu Ojuncheon.
"Awaiting your safe return, my lord."
Yes. In isolated homeland, Ryu seized all power.
Fear-based rule? Fine by him.
[Monarch] class didn't care.
Red fleet slicing Pacific.
Ryu eyed risen Zero Mountains.
Then smiled.
"Savor the current praise while you can, Lee Hoyeol."
With Zero Mountains' grand stage unfurled.
You wasting time watering flowerbeds.
Catching you was just time, now.
Vowing so, Ryu entered Zero Mountains.
"...!"
He sensed wrongness.
Twinkle—
Glowing orb in midair.
Someone's magic.
Light brilliantly lit Zero Mountains' dark.
Simple implication: Someone beat them here.
"...Who?!"
Ryu Ojuncheon's face twisted.
...
Had to be me.
-"I shall light the path; follow at will."
To uphold those words.
No one else suffering this much.
Good thing even the system recognized my misery.
I checked the message.
First for everything is best, right?