Can You Keep Up? (1)
The Zero Mountains had existed even back when Arcana was just a game. There was no way a mere discovery would trigger a message like this.
It was a message straight out of the pre-cataclysm era. But that made sense. The Zero Mountains were the first true region to update into reality.
Rifts are bizarre spaces, so maybe that's why it didn't pop before.
Whatever the case, welcome achievement. The effect and duration were modest, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.
I opened my magic circle. My dramatically enhanced manifestation power made basic spells like light a breeze—no strain on my mana reserves.
Illuminating the vast entrance to the Zero Mountains? Piece of cake.
Float—
One slip of the tongue, and now this. Seriously.
Not difficult, but did it have to be this flashy? At least the achievement effect soothed my nerves a bit.
Of course, Grandfell scoffed as always.
“Wealth and glory are but illusions.”
Sure, whatever you say, you self-righteous prick! Grandfell aside, I needed to keep my eyes peeled and my wits sharp, Hoyeol.
There was plenty to watch out for in the Zero Mountains.
Back when [All-Channel Notice] effects were active, I'd grilled it on every scrap of info I had to break even.
The key ones? Elixirs and the [Hexagram Brooch].
Yes. Somewhere in these sprawling Zero Mountains.
Lay the [Hexagram Brooch] and those elixirs.
And not just any elixirs. Rare wonders that had vanished from the Arcana Continent since the ancient kingdom era.
Thanks to the dragons, probably.
No matter how tempting, how many in continental history had dared climb the Zero Mountains where dragons slumbered?
Even the allied explorers had given up midway.
I murmured softly.
“The sentinels fulfill their duty well.”
The ultimate creatures. Don't call dragons glorified watchdogs, Grandfell.
I'm scared they'll wake up from your nonsense...
Shivering, I reviewed the info in my head.
Nothing I can grab right away.
Elixirs grew midway up the Zero Mountains and above—untouched spots.
I'd expected as much.
But the Hexagram Brooch was the real headache.
“A cave untouched by light.”
Back then, I figured find any cave in the Zero Mountains.
Now, knowing about the hundred thousand caves? Utterly daunting.
No, caves are supposed to be dark, duh?
Couldn't search a hundred thousand alone anyway.
Fine. Look at the forest, not the trees—I'm not alone.
Any player would do. Spot a “lightless cave,” enter, snag the [Hexagram Brooch], and I'd buy it fair and square.
I'm not greedy. Just broke.
But I blabbered again.
“Darkness is most familiar to us.”
Spare me the ambiguous lines, Grandfell.
I sighed as usual and ascended the Zero Mountains.
Float—
With each step, glowing orbs of light drifted up.
In the unpredictable Zero Mountains, who knew what monsters lurked.
Am I basically advertising my position?
Worried, but nah. Light was mana incarnate. Any monster pops out? Interfere instantly, manifest a spell, counter.
“A midnight stroll is not unpleasant.”
Grandfell might seem chill, but to avoid sinking, I'm racking my brain nonstop...
*
The sole AAU non-signatory nation on Earth: China.
Zero Mountains appeared. China mobilized independently at once.
Their movements were easy to track.
“China's fleet is heading for the Zero Mountains!”
“Never seen such aggressive action.”
“...What are they plotting?”
Non-signatory or not, China hadn't pulled nonsense before.
Why no AAU? Not ambition—solidifying their power structure.
But dispatching a fleet to the hazardous Zero Mountains... with Ryu Ojuncheon and Cheonha Tongil aboard.
AAU branch chiefs' meeting. Korea's chief, Park Minjae, scowled at the docs.
“Departure time's awfully early.”
“Indeed. Right after the regular update notice. High risk.”
“Definitely suspicious.”
Fleet launched amid doomsday chatter over Zero Mountains.
Hadn't Mage Tower and Hoyeol intervened, Earth might've ended.
In seas that could've swallowed them, full Cheonha Tongil guild to Zero Mountains...? No coup or infighting worries?
Arguably a bold gamble. Non-signatory China, non-Holy War Cheonha Tongil. Zero Mountains their only shot to solidify position.
But China I know wouldn't.
Post-cataclysm, they stuck to dominating China—no world conquest vibes.
But now, shift.
“Seems internal changes in China.”
Couldn't pinpoint, but guessable. As ex-Arcana creators.
“...!!!”
Chiefs silent, but all thought one man.
Yes. Inevitable ruler, Monarch class holder, Cheonha Tongil master.
Park Minjae spoke.
“Ryu Ojuncheon. We'll monitor him closely.”
*
Mage Tower portal. Players caught wind too.
“Damn, ballsy move.”
“Dmitri, you look pregnant... Muscles were your only saving grace. Heartbreak binge?”
“...How'd you know?”
“Your teary selfie yesterday~”
Why always the worst traits? Bickering—Camilla and Dmitri at it.
Briefly.
“Praise their speed?” Rocks muttered.
Shining vs. Cheonha Tongil. Rocks vs. Ryu Ojuncheon.
Rivals knew each other's minds best. Top ranks since game days.
“Cheonha Tongil's gambling big.”
“Gamble? Why?”
“First achievement outweighs Zero Mountains risks. Ryu's [Monarch] maximizes effects.”
[Monarch]. Not a class, but ultra-rare.
Only one top ranker had it: Ryu.
Practically a class.
Dmitri nodded.
“Monarch effects, yeah...”
[Monarch] siphoned subordinates' EXP—including buffs, achievements.
OP on paper.
But.
“Growing it that far's impressive~”
Modern society deemed Monarch unviable. Pledging players lost out.
Dmitri pouted.
“Born lucky.”
“Jealous?”
“Crazy talk. Free spirit here.”
“So freely kicked around~?”
Bickering again—Rocks agreed amid noise.
No state backing, no Lv.500 breakthrough for Ryu.
But not this blatant.
Fleet to Zero Mountains? Concerning.
Rocks glanced around. Two towering heads in the crowd. And the unseen one nearby.
“They're thinking the same, right?”
...
Nam Taemin's blood boiled.
“Hitting first like this?!”
Cheonha Tongil... Moving before AAU announcement.
Non-signatory or not, foul play!
“No player sportsmanship.”
Hisagi calmed him.
“They took risks too.”
“Risks? What?”
“Real-world Zero Mountains differ from Arcana's.”
“...?”
Rival title, just “friendly” added.
Nam Taemin's pride hated mere listening.
But racking brain yielded zilch.
...Dragons? No, Hoyeol sealed 'em. Same as Arcana.
Finally.
“Hold up, tying my shoelace.”
“...Where on that armor?”
“Figure of speech.”
Despite Hisagi's cold snake eyes, Nam hunkered down.
Looked up at sulky Leoni, mouthing.
“...What the hell?”
Leoni pondered: Kill 'em?
No malice made it worse.
Watching these hulks always irked her.
It's obvious, you meatheads.
She shot icy glares.
Nam sighed.
“Fine. Barbarian and berserker, what brains?”
“?!”
...Punch 'em?
Impulse surged, but hold. Promised elegance.
Leoni spoke first.
“Rose from sea. Low-level base submerged.”
“...Genius.”
“Your brain's not all muscle. Use it.”
Crude, but progress—no swears.
Hisagi nodded.
“Yes. Pre-cataclysm info useless. Low areas Pacific'd.”
...Eavesdropping?
Nam stood casually.
“Makes sense.”
Sea-level Zero Mountains—true scale only on clash.
Cheonha Tongil gambled right.
“We stay sharp.”
Level-ups, Lion Heart aid—hubris killer.
Holy War far off.
Players entered portal.
View shifted—blinding light.
“What?”
Jet lag? Or Mountains blocking sun?
From dark, lights shone vivid.
“Cheonha Tongil?”
Nah, why would they?
Too many orbs anyway.
Cheonha mages couldn't sustain.
Thoughts drifted naturally.
Strong enough for Zero Mountains.
Kind to light the dark.
Mass light mastery.
One fit: all.
Same wavelength? Nam, Hisagi, Leoni eyes met.
“...Hoyeol?”
...
A minor change occurs due to the effect of Sublimity.
...What? Another noble deed I didn't notice?
Spill it, Grandfell.
But my tirade? He intoned leisurely.
“Do they pursue? Our light.”
And advanced.
“Then we shall proceed without concern.”
Skill, Natural Enemy Relationship has been activated.
Toward the demonic presence.