A Being of Love and Hate (1)
High kill contribution. That was why I was checking the spoils I'd automatically acquired.
But what caught my eye first was none other than the necklace.
A demon item. The very necklace chosen as the offering for the exorcism ritual. I'd assumed it had evaporated, of course...
◈ Restriction: Lv. 300
◈ Effect: Low chance to activate skill Intermediate Protection upon taking damage.
◈ Description: A necklace for a lover heading into battle. Infused with mana from the wish for their safety, it possesses outstanding effects.
It was there. The curse lifted, no less.
Did the exorcism ritual handle the purification for me?
To sacrifice my first-ever rare item as an offering... It was all because of Grandfell's setting, unconcerned with wealth and glory. I couldn't show it, but how my gut had twisted!
But this changed everything.
And the effect of activating Intermediate Protection upon taking damage? Not jackpot-level, but definitely a winner.
◈ Restriction: Lv. 400
◈ Effect: Sealed
◈ Description: Cursed by a demon, its effects are sealed. It must be purified to reveal its true power.
That alone was a solid gain, but a unique item on top of it? I had to admit it—this was astonishing.
Yet I showed no sign of agitation, shifting my unwavering gaze.
The orb. It was a bright red sphere, roiling as if filled with fresh blood.
A demon item, this one too. With its effects sealed, I couldn't be sure what it was yet.
But one thing was certain: its grade was unique. A unique item with a whopping Lv. 400 restriction.
...This thing's gotta sell for a fortune, right?
I couldn't help thinking it.
Articles I'd skimmed in the past came to mind. Items trading for hundreds of millions, even billions, right?
But that thought didn't last.
Hand my possessions to another? Just for money? Grandfell's lofty pride would never allow it.
Yet I felt no regret. Lv. 400. For some reason, that number—distant as it should feel right now—seemed within certain reach.
Simple confidence? Childish bravado from my youth? No, this was conviction backed by evidence.
I opened my status window.
The experience from hunting Viscount Ascura. Even after sharing the hat and EXP, I'd jumped a whopping 34 levels.
In Arcana's EXP system, a 34-level surge in one go? ...A new record, for sure.
And on top of that level-up...
Hunt the Vampire (Complete)
📍 • Announce the start of the hunt. (Success)
📍 • Make them feel the terror of being hunted. (Success)
📍 • Hunt the vampire. (Success)
...the class quest too. With that evidence, I could stand tall as I was.
Even before the acquired items.
"Wow! What's this?"
Even before the pointed hat at a realm I couldn't yet touch.
By the way...
I shifted my gaze to the pointed hat. So what is that, exactly?
Tap, tap— She poked the ashen remains of Viscount Ascura with her staff. The ashes amounted to barely a handful.
Yet smoke endlessly rose from those remnants.
"No smell at all!"
My brow furrowed involuntarily. Partly Grandfell's obsession with dignity, but my own feelings weren't far off.
No, you don't need to sniff like that...
But it was odd, for sure. Too vivid for mere smoke. Visible even from afar, probably.
That was when I thought it.
"!"
The quest window blinked.
Class Quest: Stirring
📍 The prelude has begun, and the beacon rises.
📍 Last demon hunter, illuminate the world shrouded in evil.
📍 — Train your weakened body. (Repeat)
From Prelude of the Counterattack to Stirring. Progress in the class quest.
I read the new window and nodded in understanding. That smoke wasn't rising for nothing.
No immediate goals beyond body training. As always, the next quest would trigger at the right time.
Until then, personal maintenance time. After feeling that gap, I needed time to struggle accordingly.
"Jessie!!"
Footsteps approached then. Jessie—the pointed hat's name? I'd heard it somewhere.
Anyway, maybe because Jessie had called the lightning. Players started gathering one by one.
Then they gasped in shock.
"Where's Viscount Ascura? I don't see him?"
"Wait. Jessie, that you're poking with your staff... what is it?"
"...W-what? Jessie, don't tell me?!"
Stare— Jessie didn't answer, just looked at me. Drawing all eyes my way.
Jessie cautiously spoke first.
"Etiquette... I'm not sure, but I'll do my best!"
Followed by untimely self-introduction.
"My name is Jessie Haynes! If it's not rude, may I ask your name?"
I glanced around at her question.
Unlike the plaza battle, things were different now.
...Gulp.
Everyone held their breath, focused on me. Like Jessie.
They were all top-tier players, no doubt. Waiting on my every word.
...A situation that should feel burdensome.
Yet I was satisfied with their demeanor. Sensing decorum in that restrained silence.
Unimaginable for the me of just moments ago.
But no illusions. I knew this change was part of my dark history too.
So answering was easy.
"I am Lee Hoyeol."
*
Lee Hoyeol. The mysterious player who hunted Viscount Ascura alongside Jessie Haynes.
His three-syllable name spreading worldwide was inevitable.
It had been an achievement beyond words.
"Viscount Ascura was a whopping Lv. 430. Most predicted strength beyond that level. Yet they took him down, just the two of them!"
"Truly shocking not just Korea, but the world. What do you think?"
"Overseas reactions are scorching hot."
VBC's flagship program, Today Arcana. The expert panel ranted briefly.
"Cue."
At PD Hyun Yong-seok's signal, footage appeared.
Hyun pulled off his headset with a sigh.
"What am I gonna do with you?"
Camera director Yoon Jong-jin sat beside him.
Yoon scratched his head furiously.
"No, hyung. No time to think, seriously? Put yourself in my shoes. Chasing Gaon Guild's tail, then bam—castle crumbles? Not enough, monsters stampeding! Lightning strikes!"
Eyes closed. Hyun signaled to continue.
Excuses upon excuses followed.
"Thought I was done for. Die now or miss the scoop to you—same thing. So I ran. Got there, and boom—Jessie Haynes. But wait, that silver hair from before?"
"And?"
"Heart dropped. How bad did you chew me out for Berserker? Missed that, plaza battle hits. No way I miss this. Nail the interview, whatever it takes. So..."
"So?"
So all you got was that one line?
"I am Lee Hoyeol."
Hyun burned inside. A chance in a lifetime.
But who to blame?
"...Yeah, no headspace to ask properly."
Who'd expect just a plain name in that moment!
Arcana official homepage. Rankings search—no results.
No player nicknamed 'Lee Hoyeol.'
Some existed, sure. But just coincidences. Not the real one.
"...Who the hell is this guy?"
New rift incidents tied to Lee Hoyeol? How many?
Berserker's first clear. Gaon-Inazuma joint front. Jessie Haynes' Ascura raid.
Any one could've skyrocketed his career. From nobody to ranker. Beyond.
Boost his value massively.
Yet all he left was...
"Step aside. My patience reaches its limit."
"No decorum to be found."
"Thus, I shall take no questions."
"I am Lee Hoyeol."
That was it! Even the name—real or alias?
He'd seen every celeb and player grinding at the station.
"First for me too. Stop blaming yourself."
Yeah, not just Hyun's first. Players felt it too.
*
"Hyung. At least it's a relief."
"...What's relieving?"
Lee Hoyeol's value soaring to the heavens. Realizing Gaon couldn't realistically snag him, Nam Cheolmin slumped on the sofa in loss.
Nam Taemin shrugged at his brother.
"Your eye for people. Still sharp as ever?"
"What? Didn't expect that level."
"No, that's beyond common sense. Not your fault."
But Hoyeol recruitment war wasn't over.
Taemin pulled out his smartphone.
"Odds down, but we're still best positioned. We have his number. And a perfect pretext to approach with decorum."
"...Pretext?"
"The spoils from the plaza battle."
Knight under Viscount Ascura, felled in the plaza. Gaon claimed those spoils. Split half with Inazuma, but quantity and quality immense.
"Without Hoyeol's feats, no spoils. Share proportional to contribution. That's etiquette, decorum, right?"
Cheolmin pondered. From his actions, Hoyeol wasn't money-driven. Obvious from history.
But this had solid justification.
Soon, fire reignited in Cheolmin's eyes.
"...Taemin. From now on, you're in charge."
Shining Guild. Camilla twirled her red curls.
"Jessie. You really know nothing~?"
"Nope."
"Gonna play dumb like that?"
Camilla knew Jessie's power best. Chosen mage. She'd witnessed that firepower up close.
Yet this Ascura raid? Near impossible.
"Don't know. Don't ask me."
Persistent questions. Jessie told no one what she'd seen.
It was etiquette toward Hoyeol.
Camilla sighed, raising her hands.
"Fine. Won't ask. Don't be so cold~"
But what's she staring at so intently?
Jessie glued to her tablet PC.
Glance— Archer's wide field of vision. Camilla checked the screen, dumbfounded.
"Korean greetings? Hand on belly? Why that again?"
The world buzzed only about 'Lee Hoyeol.' Especially his homeland, Korea.
Bound to find out soon.
"Huh?"
Puff— Puffed cheeks. Twin braids. Cute finger pointing at TV.
Beam— Face lighting up, desperately seeking mom.
"Mom! Uncle Hoyeol!!"
......
Bzzz— I eyed my vibrating smartphone. It's here at last.
Caller: Sister No. 3.
But I knew. Answer, and 1, 2, 3 all pile on.
Odd, really. Kids, they fought nonstop. Grown now, inseparable.
So from then till now, the one dying is me.
I hit accept.
As expected, No. 1's icy voice.
"Hey, Lee Hoyeol. Got nothing to say to us?"
Lots to say.
"Calm yourselves, my sisters."
...Starting with this speech pattern, anyway.