You Too, Pride?
Giant Alliance. Water and oil were mixing in their own way.
True to its status as a level 650 named monster, its movements were no joke. Whoosh—the wolfdog darted through the forest. Crash—ancient trees toppled in an instant around it. Floating in the air—a drone. Nam Cheolmin, watching the battlefield, spoke up.
"Clever. It's reshaping the terrain to suit itself."
Not for nothing did it have a sword in its mouth all by itself. Like a field commander, the wolfdog was turning the battlefield into favorable ground for itself and its kin.
Hisagi revealed his discomfort. "Must be the wolf blood. It's acting awfully feral for a dog."
Due to the changed terrain, their movements were restricted. But as I said, water and oil that seemed utterly incompatible. Gaon and Inazuma were gradually blending.
Nam Taemin grinned, lifting the corner of his mouth. "They're delusional, those mutts."
"...?"
"No wonder a wolfdog wouldn't know what true ferocity is."
Barbarian. Nam Taemin declared to Hisagi.
"The one with the sword in its mouth is mine. Beasts always break when you take down the leader. Then we pick them off one by one. Got it?"
The terrain formed by the fallen giant trees was anything but easy. No matter how agile, walking on two legs meant restrictions on movement. But that didn't apply to Nam Taemin.
Berserk
Activating his unique skill, Nam Taemin charged forward, crouched low as if running on all fours. Thud thud thud! A movement befitting a beast that retained its primal instincts. Even the wolfdogs yelped in surprise at that ferocity.
Hisagi muttered, "Truly dog-like."
Not an insult or double entendre—just his honest impression. Nam Taemin was barreling toward the leader like a hunting hound that had spotted its prey.
Hisagi didn't stand idle either. Magic Spearman. Whoosh! Sharp strands of mana poured from the spear tip. As Hisagi's spear sliced the air, the massive trees blocking the paths split into pieces.
Under Hisagi's command, Giant Alliance players began encircling the wolfdog pack. Nam Taemin and Hisagi. And their guildmates. They might never admit it, but...
"They're syncing up perfectly."
What, rivals? If it weren't for Hoyeol, they wouldn't even associate? That's not even funny anymore.
"If you're gonna bullshit, at least make it convincing."
This wasn't just about Nam Taemin and Hisagi. Gaon and Inazuma—every guild member was covering each other's weaknesses. Of course, that was possible only because of their history as bitter rivals, scrutinizing each other's flaws with burning eyes.
A Berserker guild member subtly remarked, "Sometimes we feel left out, sis."
"Crazy talk about feeling left out."
"Of course, you wouldn't feel it."
"Hmph."
Berserkers grew stronger in isolation. A class whose combat power rose as health dropped and battles dragged on. Few players could match their breathing rhythm anyway.
Leoni raised both hands. "If you're lonely, wield two like me."
Maybe that's why she was drawn to dual swords.
Soon, Giant Alliance went wild in their own ways. Second Sun flinched at the sight. Executive Jacker cautiously spoke up.
"Sh-Shreyg. Think we came to the wrong place?"
Shreyg nearly nodded. Second Sun had officially joined the holy war. Thinking to sync with their allies, Giant Alliance, they followed—but the scene was beyond expectations.
Jacker continued, "Can you even call that an alliance?"
Too individualistic! Second Sun, as a top guild themselves, could see it. No systematic coordination or breathing here.
But Shreyg was starting to see. "...No, maybe that's the best way."
Gaon, Inazuma, Berserker—guilds with distinct styles among the top ranks. Especially Gaon and Inazuma, dominant in Korea and Japan. Their unique styles, earned through rankings, wouldn't change easily.
"Rules within chaos, huh."
A paradoxical phrase. Could it even be real? Anyone would doubt it. But Shreyg brushed it off with a smile.
"Well, pride might make it possible."
Indeed, Shreyg's thought wasn't wrong at all. After the battle ended, he conveyed his intent to join to Giant Alliance's guild masters. It wrapped up swiftly.
"Pride?"
"Of course, pride."
"Matching breaths doesn't sound bad."
Leoni, except for one. "???"
What the hell? Some secret code just among them?
Leoni was dumbfounded. Then, a clop clop! sound reached her ears. Alexander's hooves. Neigh! Ignoring Shining and countless players, Skal rode past and finally halted before Giant Alliance.
Leoni panicked momentarily. What's with this guy?
Her head was already spinning from the pride talk. And now Skal out of nowhere.
First time seeing him in person.
Leoni and Berserker had grown rapidly lately. No connection to the reclusive rank 1, Skal, was natural. But not for the other three.
Has the monster finally started moving in earnest?
Back when Arcana was just a game, Skal holding the top spot? Plausible.
Class advantage or whatever, somehow.
But post-cataclysm, before Hoyeol's rise. Seeing Skal unbeatable changed Nam Taemin and other rankers' minds. Experience piled naturally.
The monster remains a monster.
Rifts demanded life-risking entry. Even with trusted guildmates, tension never eased. But Skal had no guild. Nor companions.
He rarely even showed himself. Yet...
"Ahem."
That Skal stopped before them, clearing his throat. Clearly with purpose. Not necessarily friendly. Everyone stayed alert, waiting for his words.
"I have a question."
Skal continued with uncharacteristic seriousness. "What, exactly, is pride?"
As his mouth opened—snap—the tension released. Leoni clicked her tongue.
...No way, for real, even you with the pride thing?
*
"Interfering with the march of pride."
...Don't misunderstand. Not my words. Diend's nonsense.
Every time Diend spoke, I itched to send it back to Arcana. Well, a hundred concessions—it wasn't entirely wrong. It was hindering progress.
The heat is insane.
Fitting the Lava Siren dungeon name, a vast sea of red-hot lava awaited. But what did that have to do with pride!
Fine. Explaining just tires me out.
Ignoring Diend hastily, I surveyed the lava sea. Now I truly felt it wasn't an ordinary cave. Not a lake— a sea, for good reason. Endless like the ocean.
"It harbors the undeserved."
...At least it omitted "lord," Grandfell. Won't look like I'm talking to a mountain now.
Anyway, good timing with new gear. No need for fire-affinity enchantments; the heat didn't faze me. Epic-grade prowess. Materials ensured baseline defense and affinity.
That said.
No path in sight. In a dungeon, no panic. Like others, some device to cross hidden.
Explorers essential for clears for a reason.
My eyes on walls or ground? Futile. Had to cross my way.
Sensing that, perhaps...
"My darkness can swallow even this intense lava heat, my lord."
Diend first. "On flame-nurtured plants, you know more than I, my lord? If my blessing needed, say anytime."
High El followed gracefully. Unique spirit High El. Diend, tensing upper spirits. Lava like this? Child's play. Reliable. Very reliable. But beyond that, guys...
With you both chiming in... my head spins a bit.
Lord this, lord that...!
Don't dye each other! Why I hesitated summoning both.
Reason simple: Get familiar with spirit magic.
Spirit magic, a branch of magic. To utilize circle-boosted manifestation.
Some mage with tower-level zeal might ask: Spirits' {nature} ability and magic different concepts? Sharp. Grandfell-worthy praise, green tea bag prize.
Yes, spirit magic merely assists spirits' {nature}.
Even Payan senior's magic didn't escape that.
Inevitable. Magic's limit, sans {oddity}.
But Grandfell and I must advance. Realized: Oddity might be my sole edge, bubbles cleared.
Think I'd neglect that oddity?
Worked on upper demon king Gamigin too. Conclusion: Hone oddities diligently from now.
"High El, Diend."
"High El hears."
"Your command, my bottomless darkness."
...Why so verbose? Already drained, but point: No mana waste on lava.
"Conserve strength."
"?"
"Ignore the lava."
Other players or Arcana folk? Maybe issue. But me, oddity pioneer? Lava sea no problem.
Perfect to test new gear too.
"...!!"
No need for that awed look? Amid burdensome gazes from both sides, I raised mana.
!
Jacket fluttering. Platinum embroidery rippling with mana. What I manifested: Oddity, Absolute Zero.
Effect tremendous. Bubbling lava froze solid, form and glow intact. Absolute zero landscape breathtaking.
I intuited.
Aesthetics seemed to rise a rank. But this dishonest mouth couldn't be honest.
I blabbered as always. "Excess heat declined. No need to boil tea water."
In this situation, boast new cold-brew green tea? Fine, stepping forward...
"?"
Suddenly, a message appeared.
Effect of reaching Upper Aesthetics activates.
...Wait, additional effect unlocked!