The Witnesses
In the Spacetime Salon, the gathering place for the veterans—or rather, the transcendents—there was one absolute rule: all hostile actions between members were strictly prohibited. Naturally, no one expected it to be properly followed.
From the perspective of the Arcana Continent, who knows? But players had egos the size of mountains. Just open any player community online, and you'd find keyboard battles raging everywhere. What difference would it make if it was the Spacetime Salon, reserved for veterans and transcendents? If anything, it might be worse.
That's probably why they made it the first rule.
What if there were no such restrictions in the Spacetime Salon? That opulent space would reek of blood forever. But disputes can't be stopped just because someone says so. And who had watched players bicker endlessly more than the AAU? It made sense they'd have rules prepared for such situations.
[However, duels may be conducted through the veteran community.]
The AAU documents stated it plainly. In translation...
『However, duels may be conducted via the Spacetime Salon.』
...or something like that. It was incomplete, but there were additional rules and purposes related to it.
[Duels will be broadcast via the Arcana homepage.]
[High viewership expected from ranker duels.]
[Streaming revenue distributed to the winner.]
[Stimulates players' desire to level up.]
By the time I read that far, it hit me: the AAU weren't Arcana's developers for nothing. They had players' psychology nailed down perfectly.
Ranker duels. Broadcast live on the Arcana homepage. All the extra revenue going straight to the winner.
I'd be drooling too.
As written, it provided spectacle for regular viewers and gave players another reason to aim for ranker status. Of course, that was back when Arcana was just a game.
I have no idea how that system is implemented now.
It's uncertain. But as you can see, I proposed a Spacetime duel to Shegwin.
The reason? Simple. To crush his false pride with true pride, as Grandfell said? No, Grandfell aside—me, Lee Hoyeol, have no such noble motive.
The presence looming overhead. At the peak of the Zero Mountains. In the dragon's lair, an intense energy began to rise.
Even through the Mage Tower's magic circle, it felt this strong. I could say with certainty: if the dragon woke up...
I really can't stop that thing!
Isn't there a sealing magic circle? That's just clueless media chatter! The Mage Tower's circle doesn't seal dragons. How could the tower, crushed in the Dragon-Mage War, develop such magic?
It's truly just to avoid disturbing the dragon's long slumber.
They put real effort into it, uncharacteristically for the tower. It wouldn't stir from minor disturbances—not even twitch.
I had no choice but to curse that damn Vivache again, Grandfell...!
No helping it.
In that sense, this was the best call.
Spacetime Duel Approved.
Moving the battlefield into the consciousness. Back when Arcana was a game, no one worried about dying in a duel. But now? Different story.
The stakes are still life or death.
The only change: neither I nor Shegwin could run. Shegwin seemed aware of that too.
His black pupils met mine for the first time.
"To think you'd know the rules. Not so much a newbie after all."
Indeed, the Sword Saint was the Sword Saint. A transcendent was a transcendent. Overcoming the Predator-Prey Relationship through sheer mental fortitude.
But I wouldn't lose in willpower either.
"I commend your decision to accept the duel."
See? Composed enough to praise the enemy right in front of him.
Spacetime duels naturally required mutual consent. Shegwin chuckled as if amused.
"No, I should be the grateful one."
Grateful for my arrogant praise? What was with that creepy reaction?
But Shegwin seemed genuinely thankful.
"Knowing I can't run clears my mind."
...Ah, that's what he meant?
I wanted to avoid the dragon; he wanted to suppress his demonic instinct to flee from a predator. Our interests aligned, so the Spacetime duel was approved.
Soon, the landscape overlaid the space. A field filled in. Spectator seats appeared. It was unmistakably a colosseum.
Man, it's flashy. Comparable to the ornate salon, unyielding in splendor. Above all, massive and grand. Overwhelming to anyone unaware of "consciousness."
But neither I nor Shegwin hesitated—we knew what consciousness meant.
Shegwin raised his sword, then smiled bitterly.
"Even here, no answer, Atlas?"
Never imagined he couldn't unleash sword aura, huh? Like his entire path was denied. What a pitiful expression.
But don't misunderstand, Shegwin. Separate from Atlas—Grandfell's judgment is just beginning.
I intoned,
"The vain pride you clung to, forsaking humanity."
"...?"
"How does it feel to be denied by the sword itself, Shegwin?"
...I've noticed it before, but Grandfell's rhetoric scrapes demons raw. Look at Shegwin's twisted face.
But you're far from done, Shegwin.
"Yet I too shall deny you."
From here, it was pure Grandfell pride. Even fallen to demonhood, unable to unleash sword aura—still, no guarantees. Predator-Prey, circle magic, demon king spoils... I couldn't assume victory.
The Sword Saint.
"With my sword."
Sword versus sword? Grandfell...!
Only Grandfell's heavy pride would conceive that. But I wasn't bluffing without a plan.
Yes. All part of consistent struggle. I hadn't missed a word whispered in my ear.
Shegwin, your own words.
-"Who wears the crown is none of my concern. I merely lent power to the vassals for the magic tool, the Milky Way Whetstone."
Milky Way Whetstone seals the deal. Gui-cheol's tempering finally complete.
I spoke.
"High El."
Spirit summons allowed in duels? Obviously yes. Otherwise, spirit mages would just sit thumbs-up and lose.
High El manifested in the air. But oddly, High El wasn't alone.
Like the colosseum appearing from empty space. Figures emerged one by one in the spectator seats.
Familiar faces...?
Then it hit me.
[Duels broadcast via Arcana homepage.]
...So this is how it's implemented?
*
Zero Mountains.
A message floated before the players.
Will you observe the Spacetime Duel?
Voices erupted everywhere.
"...Huh?"
"This isn't just for me, right?"
"Spacetime Duel? What's that?"
A message unlike any before, incomprehensible. But system messages weren't spam. The system never lied. If it appeared, there was reason.
Only one possibility.
"...Hold on."
Rumble—
Beams of light headed there. A roar echoed.
Definitely related to Hoyeol. Whoosh— The message appeared to guild masters crossing the mountains in the massive alliance too.
Leoni, leading the pack, stopped.
"...Duel?"
Class: Berserker. A familiar word to Leoni. To raise class skill proficiency, endless combat was key—not hunting grounds, but ceaseless arenas like the colosseum.
Rumble...
The noise faded as the message appeared. Raider halted too.
Leoni was certain. She whipped around.
"No idea who, but he's throwing down!!"
Throwing down? No time for formality in crisis. Hisagi's eyes narrowed.
"So it's that kind of duel, huh."
Nam Taemin shook his head.
"Dunno. We'll see when we check."
Even if a duel, questions remained. What duel invites observers to other players?
The three exchanged glances.
"Accept."
"We should."
"Obviously. Observe."
Entering Spacetime Duel Arena.
Their vision flipped.
"!!!"
Like warping through a portal. Scenery changed completely.
Leoni spoke first.
"Insane."
Spacetime duel arena—a colosseum, confirmed. But she never imagined this massive!
Even from Arcana's game days, no colosseum this grand.
Whoosh— Players appeared in seats like them. Nam Taemin and Hisagi beside her. Other familiar faces too.
"Rocks, Camilla, Shreyg, Ryu Ojuncheon...?"
Hisagi, snake eyes glinting, concluded.
"Looks like the message went to everyone entering Zero Mountains. No reason to decline otherwise."
Seats filled fast.
"Wh-where'd this arena come from?!"
Before grasping it fully, something more important hit.
...Where's Hoyeol?
Nam Taemin's gaze fixed center arena.
"!"
There: Hoyeol, ramrod straight as ever. Opposite: a man.
"...Who's that?"
Blue hair. Striking even from afar. Unforgettable if met before.
But no recognition.
If dueling Hoyeol...
No player that skilled unknown. Conclusion: Arcana native.
A voice from seats amid thoughts.
"...Wait, I think I know him?"
"Who?"
"That sword! Seen it!"
"Sword?"
Gazes locked on the man's sword. Easily recognized.
Rare even in game days—that splendor. Sword Saint's blade.
Nam Taemin muttered,
"...Come to think, wasn't the Sword Saint blue-haired?"
"Sword Saint, Shegwin."
"Yeah! That name!"
Leoni nodded at Hisagi. But baffling.
Players remembered Shegwin as middle-aged, near-elderly.
"Youth potion?"
"Even in Arcana?!"
"No, before that..."
Another mystery.
"...Why are those two fighting?"
The Zero Mountains rumbles? From Hoyeol and Sword Saint.
Even Nam Taemin's group, close observers of Hoyeol, couldn't guess.
Utterly incomprehensible.
"It's High El."
High El descending gracefully. In her arms: a sword.
Hoyeol took it.
Murmurs rose.
"...No way?"
"Sword-on-sword with the Sword Saint?"
"Against rejuvenated Shegwin?"
"Even for Hoyeol..."
Still incomprehensible to the end.
Clink— As Hoyeol raised the sword. Reason for the message clear.
I checked the rising system window. No change, even re-reading.
Gui-cheol...
...What the hell have you become?