But Before That (1) – The Lofty Zero Mountains
The lofty Zero Mountains. Even so, a mountain is a mountain, and I resolved to climb it properly. What I needed was preparation. Thorough preparation for the hike.
“A mountain? One simply ascends it like stairs.”
Hey, Grandfell. Come on, anyone would think I was the weird one here. But no, you're the odd one out, aren't you?
'I've known it since those Mage Tower stairs.'
Who in the world climbs a mountain in shoes that go click-clack like that? And the outfit too. I don't even expect functional hiking gear from you. Even with buffs like [Warmth] and [Blessing of the First World Tree].
This isn't some backyard hill—it's the Zero Mountains. A suit just doesn't cut it, does it?
With that in mind, let's check on it. That new armor the dwarves are forging for me.
I'd already set aside my worries that my finicky sense of aesthetics might reject it. After all, High El had inspected it. It wouldn't be unwearable. The silver iron forging was done too.
By now, the armor should be in its final stages.
Speaking of silver iron, there's something I need to address.
The enigmatic item info window for silver iron.
[Effect: Unknown]
The reason its name is a question mark? Probably because its owner—me—hasn't named it yet.
“Naming, is it?”
……Please don't intone it so dramatically, Grandfell. I'm seriously worried about what name you'll slap on the silver iron next.
'The unknown restriction? Yeah, I can guess that too.'
It's a legendary item, rarer than even epic ones. Thanks to my [Achievement: The One Who Writes 'Legend'] effect, I knew legendary items require affinity. But others couldn't guess the restriction.
They'd just see it as listed: unknown.
'Then the effect...'
Suddenly, silver iron's words flashed in my mind.
—Foolish whelp, dare not measure this body.
It definitely said that to Segwin.
'Its power can't be measured, so it's unknown...'
That's the only explanation that fits. And honestly, even I couldn't gauge its performance.
'It overwhelmed Segwin.'
Sword on sword, no less. Sure, natural enemy was active, but without silver iron, Segwin could've ended me at any moment. Those swift moves were hard to track visually.
Coldly put, I needed natural enemy advantage and gear advantage to win. And Segwin hadn't even unleashed sword aura.
Once again, I realize my fragility.
But I won't lament it.
With the Zero Mountains stage open, levels are there to be seized. Since the update, top players' levels have skyrocketed.
Especially those three.
A one-level gap between each. Even I, with little connection to them, found it thrilling—a proper rivalry.
But a bit unexpected.
—But...
—What’s Skal doing now?
Normally unrelated to me. I'd be too buried in work to care.
But.
'Skal's activity has definitely slowed.'
For the [World Quest: Fallen Dragon Hunter]. And for that slim chance, I'd planned to talk to him.
Just business, really.
I murmured.
“To obsess over numbers is unwise.”
That stubborn pride. So silver iron learned it from you, huh, Grandfell?
Still, I could agree somewhat.
'Time to stop fixating on levels.'
In the Arcana system, levels? Each gives one point. One level equals one stat point.
That's why stat-boosting items fetch astronomical prices.
But experience taught me otherwise. Physical training rewards. Elixir effects.
Stats grow other ways too.
Maybe just for me.
Even so, my mind's made up. Grow the fundamentals now. The vessel itself.
I've felt it for a while. Even without realization, demon monsters showed it.
“True caliber cannot be overcome by mere numbers.”
Like normal mobs vs. bosses at the same level. Common demons vs. demon kings differ in presence alone.
So, concern is warranted.
The great evils. Just how strong are they?
Makes me uneasy.
'Definitely different from demon kings.'
From Decarabia to Yula eroding the Simuard family. Demon kings acted variably.
From Grandfell's view, too brazenly.
'Except reborn Greed...'
But the great evils? Eerily quiet.
Whether upper demon king Gamigin rots in hell or not. From start to now.
Yes. That's why I can't keep lamenting my lot.
If this peace is the calm before the storm...
For me. No, for humanity and the Arcana Continent, time is short.
Though the level system isn't meaningless. It motivates players through competition.
I spoke.
“Raymon Sean.”
Is that why he overlaid the Arcana system on players? Beyond me as Lee Hoyeol.
But.
“No arrangements are needed for me.”
As I said, he's marked by Grandfell.
“Dare not measure me with numbers.”
That's Grandfell's issue. I must fully exploit the system.
Max efficiency, minimal investment.
So, raise one level first.
[Tenacity: Converts mental strength to stats. Increases further with rising tenacity.]
To calculate tenacity's efficiency, at least.
'My fate.'
In that sense, life's full of twists. Back as a salaryman, skipping boss-forced weekend hikes.
Now, Hoyeol, you're hiking for real...
*
Iron Castle Ho.
Dreadsden survivors settled safely in Antonim. The bustling ship quieted.
The flowing silence—dwarves naturally taciturn? No.
Dwarves cling to metal and booze like life. Booze brings booming laughs.
So, this silence has a reason.
Clunk!
“...What’s wrong with you lot?”
Dwarves' top blacksmith, Walls Whale, who'd bested silver iron and collapsed for days.
Dwarves boast stout constitutions. Forging's as natural as breathing.
Yet Walls Whale was shocked by his fatigue after pouring his soul into it.
But.
“Why are you all sprawled out?”
Chainwalker and every dwarf lay on the frigid deck.
A young dwarf lifted his head.
“...Walls Whale, you're awake?”
“Yes. But what happened?”
“We... burned the midnight oil.”
“Burned what white?”
“While you rested, we finished the forging.”
Yes. While exhausted Walls Whale slept, dwarves poured everything into Hoyeol's gear.
Hammering nonstop, gem-setting, even sewing.
“What?”
Walls Whale flinched. Silver iron's rare materials explained his fatigue.
But armor? No such extremes needed.
Not that materials were poor. Mana platinum. Pure mana stones. Indigo butterfly thread...
Gear for Hoyeol against dragons. In Arcana's prime, one would rival a territory's worth.
Meaning.
“How much did you overdo it?”
Exhaustion-level effort.
Walls Whale wanted to see the result.
“Chainwalker!”
“...Awake?”
“Where's the gear you forged!”
“High El already took it to Sir Hoyeol.”
“Already?!"
Shake shake!
Unsated curiosity, Walls Whale shook Chainwalker's collar.
Escaping the grip, Chainwalker laughed.
“Haha. No worries.”
“...?”
“We forged armor worthy of your ego sword. I guarantee it. We can't match your skill, but...”
Chainwalker's eyes gleamed resolute.
“We gave our all. Trust us.”
“...”
“We wanted to help Sir Hoyeol too.”
“...!”
Top blacksmith title earned. Silver iron's month-long pride battle no fluke.
But Walls Whale relented.
“Fine. If you say so.”
Chainwalker sighed relief.
“Thought you'd chew me out.”
“You too? Who else?”
“You slept like the dead.”
“?”
Chainwalker whispered.
“Thought it was silver iron.”
“What?”
“The two spirits.”
Chainwalker recalled High El and Diend's demands rivaling silver iron's.
—“Insufficient for endless deep darkness.”
—“Needs flashier gemwork.”
—“Then utmost flashiness required.”
—“Agreed.”
Burning white? Literal. Chainwalker's pale face proved it.
That sparked Walls Whale's curiosity anew.
Rough hands grabbed Chainwalker's collar again.
Shake shake!
“What did you make?!”
“Please, stop shaking?”
“Explain! Now!”
“...Gonna puke. Urk!”
Dwarves sure are lively.
...
100,000 Caves. Don't think they're scattered across Zero Mountains like that—Australia-sized area. Height piercing the stratosphere.
'Hard to find without coords.'
Proof: No player found even one. Despite AAU intel.
Not for me.
I have 「magic」.
Light manifesting across the range. Probe the mana clumps.
'Add vision share in interference...'
Pinpoint the cave.
Portal at the entrance.
Whoooosh—
I manifested and entered.
Sounds simple, but Marcelo would gape. Vision-share interference from [Demon Eye Telescope] idea.
'Magic mimicking item effects too.'
Circles are amazing. Finally wielding Grandfell's talent fully.
He'd puff up, but atmosphere didn't allow.
Standing before the cave, message appeared.
As expected, rift-treated cave. Difference: collapse at 0%.
Zero Mountains already collapsed, basically.
'Lv.800 dungeon without natural enemy.'
Monsters alone? No worry.
But London taught dungeon dangers. Variables make solo risky.
Who said solo? I have trusty allies. No, three familiars.
High El, Diend, silver iron.
Problem: All a bit embarrassing to show off...
I entered the cave. Called High El first.
High El appeared in midair.
But... what's that in your arms?
My new armor, High El?
Wait. What armor sparkles like that?!