As Expected of the Chief Mage (2)

Lee Hoyeol had appeared in the Yusra Archipelago! That breaking news drew viewers flooding into Park Hwigang's stream.

With more eyes watching, the chat scrolled by even faster.

Just Hoyeol's entrance alone had the viewers buzzing. With numbers like that, anyone might get greedy for more airtime. But Park Hwigang cut straight to it.

"We'll keep the relay going only as long as it doesn't bother Mr. Hoyeol. If anyone's uncomfortable, please leave early. Sorry about that."

He bowed deeply toward the camera. It looked like he'd been drilled in etiquette by Hoyeol himself. But this was pure sincerity from Park Hwigang.

'The stream's success isn't because of me.'

Just good luck. He'd spotted Hoyeol's true value before anyone else. He knew that for a fact. So he didn't want to be even a minor nuisance to him.

"My presence is so low-key, right? Even in dangerous dungeons, I step on traps and they don't even trigger sometimes."

As always, Hoyeol moved without hesitation. After slaying Count Ascura, his presence had skyrocketed. So of course all eyes turned to him now that he'd shown up in the Yusra Archipelago. Some stares were blatantly hostile, even to a third party.

"...That glare looks pretty vicious, huh?"

Park Hwigang's instincts were spot-on. He caught a player glaring daggers at Hoyeol.

Kinber, a supernova notorious for his brutality. Rumors said truckloads of players had vanished—presumed dead—after partying with him and his crew in rifts. No proof, though. If there was, he'd be rotting in jail by now. And here he was, glaring at Hoyeol.

"...But it's not just Kinber, is it?"

Famous players. Even top-ranking guilds. None of their gazes toward Hoyeol were friendly. Like they were sizing up a fierce rival.

"...I'm getting chills just watching."

Even Park Hwigang, uninvolved in the stares, shrank back. But Hoyeol himself? Unfazed. Beyond that—regal. Those petty glares? They didn't even register. His gaze was on another level entirely.

Hoyeol headed straight for the palm grove.

And now—

Whoosh—!

A raging storm of flames. Searing heat palpable from afar. Park Hwigang let out an involuntary gasp.

"...Insane!"

When walls rose in the palm grove, he figured Hoyeol's signature battle had kicked off. The clever alchemy-based combat that players and experts alike had raved about. It seemed effective enough—the emerald tiger looked flustered amid the surging stone walls.

'But what the hell is that flame storm...!'

Beyond imagination! Chat exploded too.

He'd only just entered the Yusra Archipelago, yet Hoyeol was already dominating. The flame storm showed no signs of dying down. What kind of mana did he even have?

"...One-shot on the emerald tiger?"

A Lv.420 monster vaporized by a single spell! Level, class, mana—mind-blowing.

"...And no change in expression?"

The sheer capacity too. The more he watched, the less he could guess. But one thing was clear.

"...Anyway, Ho, Ho-men!"

*

...Did I just hear something I shouldn't have?

But amid the noise. And my personality that ignores others' opinions. I calmly checked my messages.

A total of 12 levels gained. Fitting for a Lv.420 monster. And above all, this fight was clean. No mess.

'Unlike with Count Ascura.'

Back then, it was all pathetic—raise walls, watch them crumble. Compared to that past, this was a massive leap.

But I didn't show it.

"As expected."

A brief remark. Not even for me—for Marcelo. He'd invented the spell, after all. Mastering it to this degree was impressive.

But Grandfell's lofty pride wasn't satisfied yet.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

And besides.

'Without the natural enemy effect, it would've been impossible.'

The natural enemy relationship was active on me now. Without it? No flame storm.

Simply put.

'Still a long way to go.'

So no complacency. Still, gotta claim the spoils. A Lv.420 emerald tiger. Its looks alone screamed quality.

'Sparkling like real gems...'

Probably dropped something decent. Yusra Archipelago—the legendary treasure island!

Black thoughts filled my head. But they stayed thoughts. Grandfell's setting transcended material greed.

'Makes sense. Didn't flinch at tens of billions.'

So I indifferently picked up the loot.

A unique crafting material?

'Tricky...'

Crafting items' value depends on the maker's skill. Same unique material? Could yield unique or better based on the crafter.

Hence, tricky.

Until I knew the Mage Tower. Yeah, I had ties there! Specifically with Chief Mage Marcelo.

"All is in service of research."

I said shamelessly. Not wrong, though. I'd proven his spell's power in real combat. So I had every right to ask.

'Wait.'

Suddenly, Mage Tower standards hit me. The loaned magic tools? Scary level restrictions. Far beyond my reach.

But if this crystal crafts gear I can use now...

'Might be better than ready gear.'

My happy circuit ended there. Someone approached.

"Thank you. You're Lee Hoyeol, right?"

Players struggling against the emerald tiger. They greeted me. I nodded.

Emboldened, maybe. "Man, you're the real deal. I was half-doubting even after the videos! Media hyping another star player or whatever..."

The guy rambled to his point.

"...So, wanna team up with us? Just for Yusra Archipelago, not forever. What do ya say?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

My answer was simple.

"I refuse."

"...Pardon?"

Unnecessary suspicion. Envy and jealousy. And that sneaky casual switch at the end.

'Mostly the casual talk, though.'

Grandfell's old-man formality obsession spoke.

"Regrettably, there shall be no companionship with thee."

No entanglements with them, ever. My tone must've been firm. They backed off.

I moved on, leaving them behind.

The quest was still ongoing.

...

Guild ranking 7th. Britain's top guild, Second Sun. They aimed to restore their pride in the Yusra Archipelago.

Above: 3rd-ranked EU guild Bohemian. Below: Berserker guild closing in fast.

"The Count Ascura raid was humiliating for us. Berserker snagged first clear, and we've got nothing to show."

Player ranking 3rd. Guild master Shreyg. He made his call.

"Yusra Archipelago is our chance to make it right."

Second Sun split up. To maximize achievements and loot across areas.

But the plan went south from the start. Yusra monsters were tougher than expected.

"Damn. Already tricky enough!"

And rivals everywhere. Too much to handle.

Finally, Shreyg admitted it.

"My greed got the better of me. We're merging."

Of all guilds, Cheonha Tongil. 2nd and 3rd— just one spot apart. Yet an invisible wall between.

Shreyg planned to lead the main force elsewhere.

"Palm grove closest?"

He radioed right away.

Not his usual gruff tone. Shrinking, almost.

Shreyg asked warily.

"Someone hurt?"

Emerald tiger respawn? Casualties made sense at Lv.420. Time to merge fast.

Shreyg grabbed his gear.

"Merging up. Hold tight. Heading there now."

Shreyg was baffled. Stronger than rumored? Impossible. Lee Hoyeol was already top-rank treatment.

Call ended while he blanked.

"...Anyway, we're coming."

"What the hell?"

Bzzz—

Vibration again. Seoul this time. Guildmate from Mage Tower conference.

Shreyg connected—and his face crumpled again.

"...What? You too, Lee Hoyeol?"

Didn't take long to get serious.

"Quest and Mage Tower upper floors?!"

Did that even make sense? Lee Hoyeol. Way stronger than rumored. Suddenly, it clicked.

*

Quest goal: Investigate the giant evil. Always.

From that, I inferred. The giant evil wasn't fully awake yet.

'Feels coiled up.'

The presence underfoot. Demon hunter senses, rare few had.

Thanks to it, I grasped the quest intent quick.

'Investigation secondary.'

Priority: Don't wake it. Of course, wake conditions unknown for now.

'Even Akkshan demon hunters might not know.'

With current info. So investigate identity, slay without waking. Quest heads that way?

'Best case.'

As I pondered—

...Collapse progress? Not just me—players panicked.

"Collapse progress?"

"No rift in patch notes!"

"1/10? Not even percent?!"

But I stayed calm.

"So that's it."

Puzzle pieces clicked. A memory surfaced.