Starting from Myself (4) – Unwavering Confidence and the Weight of Command

Added to my ever-unwavering confidence, the weight of the Supreme Commander position. Thanks to that, I spoke arrogantly.

But even I mustn't forget to know my place.

I've ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠skipped countless intermediate steps so far. The experience I've gained from hunting high-level demons with Predator-Prey Relationship leading the way has been astronomical. So from now on, I need to accumulate experience befitting this frothy position I've bubbled up to.

That's why.

No questions asked. Restrain myself from ending it all with magic. Remember, I'm not a mage.

It's heartbreaking in so many ways.

They say the other person's rice cake looks bigger. I've ignored gathering info on other classes all this time. Just hearing about them made my stomach ache terribly.

But what's the weight of a Supreme Commander? I need to grasp the strengths and weaknesses of my members and utilize their abilities in the right places. To do that, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠know thyself and know thy enemy. I must possess knowledge of other players' classes as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠well.

Always taking on everything is the problem, isn't it?

That led me to open Pandora's box. As a demon hunter—a class forgotten even in players' memories, transcending the lowly peasant class—I now had to learn about the blessed classes' job skills that I never wanted to know...!

Can you believe that's a common mage's skill list? Even thinking back, it's infuriating!

If it were Jessie Haynes' class skills, I wouldn't feel so wronged. I was so incredulous I wanted to question it. I even wanted to vent my grievances to the Akkshan seniors.

...Forget it. Best not to say anything.

Of course, with their personalities, they'd just let it go in one ear and out the other.

If you're wondering why this sudden lament... The reason is simple.

Even if it's like eating mustard while crying, I have no rebuttal...

In the end, a demon hunter has no choice but to walk the path of a demon hunter. Even if I form circles and become a transcendent.

Specializing in one thing has its limits.

Of course, my magic is peculiar rather than true magic...

Peculiarity isn't limited to magic from the start. Combining two entirely different concepts shines brighter the more you apply it.

In that sense, it's fortunate. My self-cultivation method seems correct.

Anyone seeing this would think, what kind of trash character is this? With ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠strength, agility, and magic growing haphazardly, it looks like a jack-of-all-trades mess.

But I have ways and means to utilize these messy stats. All I need is experience to melt them into real combat.

In that sense, I won't waste this opportunity.

The moment I accumulate enough experience, I'll finally wield the total stats surpassing my level properly.

So choices were meaningless. The answer was set from the start.

"Choosing discipline. Wiser than you appear."

...Squeak?

Maybe because it's so huge, I can clearly see the rat's dumbfounded expression.

But as I said, the answer was set. So please cooperate quietly while I gain experience.

As expected of a named monster, its name and appearance are different. The most unique part is that it's equipped with gear. The helmet on its head wobbles for a moment.

Squeak!

It charges at me.

Swift manifestation.

"Before discipline, an eye-level education comes first."

If you ask where I sold the scouting and interference processes, as I said, I'm so accustomed to manifestations that I could found a school of architectural magic.

Float—

As if ascending the Crystal Hall podium, I looked down at it from the risen ground.

Then.

Clack—

I stepped into the air.

Of course, not real air. This too is a manifestation mimicking the Mage Tower's stairs. The moment I stepped, a platform rose to support my stride.

Whirr—

At that instant, the spirit iron at my waist resonated. Always stepping up no matter where, just like someone. But hold back, spirit iron.

If you step in, there's no point in choosing discipline.

Even without changing form, the spirit iron is a legendary grade weapon. The Sword Path of Pride aside, just swinging it deals massive damage.

"What they need is the rod."

I murmured, extending my hand into the air.

Yes. This too is a manifestation mimicking the Mage Tower's stairs.

Krunch—

At the spot I reached, rock floated up. Extending my hand another span, a hilt protruded from the rock.

This was the result of mana bullshit purely for form and flair.

The players witnessing it buzzed.

"R-rock! A sword came out of the rock!"

"Could it be, Supreme Commander's new weapon?!"

"My god. A weapon with its own entrance scene...!!"

Just a weapon rising from rock? That ignores all the mana being consumed right now. How many spells are manifesting for this action of style and procedure...!

Scout minerals buried in the ground.

Summon minerals into the air.

Deform their shape.

Simultaneously apply flame and freeze magic in an instant to increase hardness.

After unnecessary processes, I finally gripped the sword.

Mana consumed? Immense, but with First World Tree's Blessing, I'll overlook it generously.

Other efforts are plenty.

Among them, manifesting flame and freeze magic simultaneously is key. Without raising affinity with elixirs ingested during circle formation, it would have been impossible.

It's something possible only through real near-death struggles.

Mistaking my struggles for a mere item? How hurtful.

But as always, I can't show it. So I engaged nobly.

Shing—

Such stubbornness. Swallowing my lament, the moment I raised the sword, a message appeared.

Strength, agility, magic.

And finally, tenacity.

Is this the feeling?

I must not forget this sensation of wielding everything fluidly. No, I must develop it further.

I declared discipline, but somehow I'm the one learning more.

Yet my shamelessness remains.

"Prepare thyself, little beast."

I declared coldly.

"My teachings shall be exceedingly strict."

*

Zero Mountains.

Giant Alliance headquarters.

Nam Cheolmin stared at the monitors flipping in real time.

The player POV angles on the numerous screens were three times more precise than usual. Naturally, the number of deployed analysts was bustling more than ever.

One new analyst grinned broadly.

"Three at once. Cave clears at that! Not even appropriate level trash—minimum 800? Honestly, I wanna upload the recording as press material."

Gaon, Inazuma, Berserker's Giant Alliance.

The alliance's initial momentum easily toppled the empires built by Shining and Cheonha Tongil.

But who knew Cheonha Tongil would strike first before their own alliance solidified.

"Showing this would quiet the antis for a while."

"Antis? You were worried about that?"

"Of course! There's quite a few."

Nam Cheolmin tilted his head.

Antis, whatever...

Probably all Cheonha Tongil's schemes anyway.

Nam Cheolmin had encountered Cheonha Tongil's tricks countless times since Gaon was rated rookie.

Obvious at a glance.

So he dismissed it lightly.

"Doubt it'll quiet them. And above all, this clear isn't because we're great. It's all thanks to Supreme Commander making time."

"Ah... True."

"Still, it means something, right? Our Giant Alliance is close enough to tackle Zero Mountains caves alongside Lee Hoyeol Supreme Commander..."

"Such a spineless statement."

"...Gulp. I'll shut up."

Before Supreme Commander chews them out, he needed to drill etiquette into the newbies.

As Nam Cheolmin resolved, full raid updates started coming in.

First to act was Nam Taemin.

-Formation favors us!

Lucky, Taemin.

Not a cave with special rules.

Just like the countless dungeons cleared back when Arcana was merely a game.

"Level gap means slow clear speed, but mobs have simple patterns. And with such outstanding aggro holding, no support needed for a while!"

Nam Cheolmin nodded.

"Agreed."

His brother Nam Taemin's true value shines in raids.

Movements like a beast losing reason. No strong foe could ignore that physique.

As long as Taemin's stamina holds.

No special support seemed needed.

Leoni's side was the same. Or rather, from the start...

Unless extreme crisis, support unnecessary.

Berserkers, blood mages, bow dancers, etc. Leoni's party was mostly Berserker guild members.

The guild's color—stronger in corners—was too thick.

Nam Cheolmin adjusted his glasses.

"Don't look away. Watch closely."

"Yes. Noted."

Taemin or Leoni's personalities wouldn't request support first.

Judging situations fell solely on him.

As Nam Cheolmin rolled his shoulders to shake off the weight,

"This one's no joke."

Hisagi was on the serious voice's screen.

As expected of the highest appropriate level cave, unique rules applied.

"Sanctuary, right?"

"Yes, precisely the Small Champion's Sanctuary."

"Atmosphere's totally different."

Pressure, scale, monster quality pouring in via screen.

An analyst trailed off watching the battle.

"Didn't expect a 50-level gap to make this much difference..."

Nam Cheolmin shook his head.

"Maybe the days of judging everything by level are over."

"...What do you mean?"

"Can't gauge difficulty by appropriate level alone. Like how same-level monsters have wildly varying clear difficulties."

Not from his analytical prowess. Just realizing from mulling Hoyeol's words.

-Appropriate level and stats are mere numbers to me.

Of course, even if [Mountain Underground Small Champion's Sanctuary] was full of annoyingly troublesome elements beyond imagination, no worries.

Hoyeol was with Hisagi, after all.

Nam Cheolmin nodded firmly.

Supreme Commander's presence is immense.

Immense to the point of concern. Even with him along, could others keep up?

The gap might widen instead of closing.

But Nam Cheolmin overlooked one thing.

Hoyeol's words surely included:

-With me here, no need to worry.

"S-Senior Analyst!"

Urgent call for him. Nam Cheolmin looked up at the monitor.

Dazzlingly bright light pierced his eyes. Precisely, from the screen.

"...?!"

A massive 'something' emitting radiant light.

Player POV footage, so identity unclear.

But an accompanying voice transmitted:

-It's the goddess!!

...Wait, goddess?

Surely the Goddess Church's goddess?

Clack!

Nam Cheolmin sat at the monitor, donning his headset.

He asked the players.

A goddess in the sanctuary. Could be info more vital than the clear.

"Can you explain in more detail?"

-Nam Analyst?

"You said goddess?"

-Y-yes! No matter how you look, that's all it can be. It's got the absurd buff First World Tree's Blessing active...

"...First World Tree's Blessing?"

Effects unknown, but World Tree? Sounded mighty just by name.

Shocking enough, but not the end.

-L-look there!!

Buzzing players again.

Switching camera view.

Hoyeol's figure appeared on the monitor.

Clack.

Clack.

Clack.

Hoyeol walked the air, adorning stairs.

Amazed, but not first sight.

Why Nam Cheolmin and analysts gaped:

"Fr-from the rock, a sword...?"

Krunch!

Hoyeol drew a sword from the rock.

Already knowledgeable analysts. Their imaginations were vivid and plausible.

Even Nam Cheolmin uttered in disbelief.

"Eeeek, Excalibur...!!"

Words that would horrify Hoyeol if heard.