Chapter 281. Starting from Me (5)
Arcana Continent contained elements familiar to humanity. That was because Arcana had been a game developed and serviced by Cosmo, the predecessor to the AAU.
Nam Cheolmin swallowed dryly.
Of course, these days...
There were even claims from the AAU side that Arcana wasn't just some game but a world that had always existed... But what was certain was that Arcana held plenty of tantalizing hooks that felt welcoming.
From legendary creatures like dragons.
To, at this very moment, the weapon in Hoyeol's hand on the monitor.
The legendary holy sword from King Arthur tales, said to be drawable only by the chosen one from the stone it was embedded in.
The analysts buzzed with excitement, opening their mouths one by one.
"I-is that really Excalibur?"
"What are you even asking? Can't you see? The Commander pulled it out with his bare hand. That sword stuck so firmly it looked like it grew from the rock—and he just whoosh, yanked it right out!"
"And the location is anything but ordinary. The Small Champion's Sanctuary. In a place that holy... yeah, it makes sense something presumed to be Excalibur would be buried there."
Nam Cheolmin and the other analysts nodded in unison. If the man himself had been watching, they might have shrunk in embarrassment. But the subject was on the other side of the screen, deep in a cave, focused on discipline.
"Who said that?"
"...?"
"That if we release it as a press statement, they'll all shut up."
"I-it was me, sir."
"Great idea."
Nam Cheolmin clenched his fist.
Everything depends on the Commander's will.
But Nam Cheolmin was already thinking ahead. This world needed to show the Commander a little more respect. Wasn't Hoyeol already receiving plenty? No—the world constantly demanded proof. Humans were never satisfied, after all.
—Senior Official: "It's regrettable there's no information sharing."
—"Matters tied to public safety need to be certain..."
—"We should learn from the Tianxia Tongyi case..."
Far from gratitude. Korean players, including Hoyeol, had faced constant public pressure for not sharing intel with the government. Each time, Nam Cheolmin had scoffed.
Anyone can guess where that info would leak.
How deep in Tianxia Tongyi's pocket were they?
Not blaming the public. Biased info floods in, and skewed opinions pop up—nothing strange. But Hoyeol's path shone like the sun.
You can't cover the sun with your palm.
Cheap media plays? Easily crushed.
Just like now.
But Nam Cheolmin knew. Some would tirelessy bite at Hoyeol again. Knowing that made his chest swell more than ever.
The grand picture unfolding.
Lay the groundwork with the simultaneous Zero Mountains cave raid.
His lips curled up involuntarily.
A being rivaling the Black Dark Dragon amps expectations as a goddess.
The finishing blow.
Excalibur pulled from the stone seals it.
Just imagining it birthed an epic hero saga. Of course, whether to reveal all to the world was Hoyeol's call. But Nam Cheolmin didn't mind.
"You keep proving it, Commander."
Hoyeol made him proud just to march alongside. And this all happened within one hour of raid start. In other words, the real show was just beginning.
Nam Cheolmin sharpened his focus.
Can't miss a single detail.
Every action of Hoyeol held meaning. Uncovering them all—that was his job. The other analysts knew too.
"Can't tell if he had Excalibur from the start or just found it... but what matters is he drew the sword. The vessel of a king, Dragon Lord—not empty titles."
"Oh yeah, Dragon Lord too? So many epithets..."
"Maybe he's warning us to brace ourselves. You know the saying? Draw the sword, cut the grass."
Lively debate ensued.
"How about subtitles with annotations in the final edit? Keeping the deep meaning of the Commander's actions to ourselves feels like a waste!"
Nam Cheolmin nodded.
"Not a bad idea."
The proud would grasp it without explanation—but the world wasn't full of the proud. Surely the Commander would show mercy even to them.
Tap tap tap!
Analysts typed furiously, lest they forget the insights. But for a split second, they flinched.
"...?"
A chill prickled their skin.
Nam Cheolmin wasn't immune—quite the opposite, more sensitive.
"...?"
The unease felt familiar. But he couldn't pinpoint why yet. No time to chase it.
Focus, Nam Cheolmin. Zero Mountains are vast.
His analyst burden was heavy.
*
Tianxia Tongyi.
Zero Mountains Sector 7, assembly point.
Red flags marked "Seven" fluttered.
A giant and a short man whispered.
"Same on the continent or here."
"What?"
"The nobodies make the most noise. Ptoo!"
Rackid lifted his mask and spat. Not a crow mask—Tianxia Tongyi's self-proclaimed Five Stars' masks.
"Hahaha! Can't fight nature."
"Nature?"
"Humans are beasts at heart. Ever seen predators hunt in packs? Weaklings bunch up—it's natural!"
"Ah, that's why I roll solo."
"Hah! We vibe, man."
Matching Rackid's bravado: 3rd seat, Henderson.
For their infiltration, utmost caution was needed. Eye-catching pair? No denying it.
Far from the site, pale eyes flipped white.
"Vice Captain... did it have to be those two?"
8th seat, Nadibo. His ability: Sensory Sharing. He linked Henderson and Rackid's senses to all Shadow Mercenaries.
A sigh answered Nadibo.
"Knew it'd be like this. Those idiots! Some infiltration. And Rackid, why pick that mismatched rabbit mask?!"
Not pig or wolf—a rabbit! Isabelmal spared it once; otherwise, instant suspicion, plan ruined.
And did they boil mandragora? Voices booming.
"Why are their voices so damn loud...!!"
5th seat, Herkiora clutched her head.
"...They've got a plan, right?"
4th seat, Pimbi asked worriedly.
"Why fret?"
Alkari chuckled.
Captain Kichi was unreliable at times. Vice Captain Wolf? Far more capable than he looked.
"Relax. On plan."
Wolf observed relayed senses calmly.
Ragged remnants' leader. Dishonorable past helped now. Familiar sights, smells. Know one, know ten.
Tianxia Tongyi's warped structure bred rivalry. Thus, the assembly was a battlefield.
Why those two? Simple.
"They shine in battlefields."
Barring himself, Henderson and Rackid were most field-hardened. Quick to read vibes.
Those vibes reached via Nadibo.
"Feels like calm before the storm..."
All nodded at Pimbi's words.
"Hm. Like a flask about to blow."
Alkari nailed it.
"Who entered doesn't matter. Even without us, blood would spill. Assembly's a powder keg."
"Blood...? They'll actually draw blades?"
"Even if we stir expertly, allies turning on each other like that?"
Wolf answered Pimbi and Herkiora's doubts.
"Structure forces it."
"Forces?"
"Tianxia Tongyi's."
Groups form for mutual gain. Tianxia Tongyi? Alien. Not for members—for one man. Sovereign, Ryu Ojuncheon.
"Arcana lords are like that."
Turns irrational to rational. Thus, dangerous. But only for the sovereign. Loyalty was his alone—not group's or others'.
Alkari backed Wolf.
"Even with the young lord intact, it's festered to bursting. We just poked the pus. Heh."
Blades drawn freely proved it. Members got it now.
Wolf reconfirmed the plan.
"More chaos draws higher-ups. When our cold sovereign appears... unknown."
Soon enough. Ryu wouldn't budge to threats, but with life on line? He'd yield the connector.
"Till then, better to stir loud."
Henderson and Rackid fit perfectly.
"Yeah, those two are loud."
Herkiora's grumble ended talk. Doubts cleared.
Just watch? But Wolf felt off pre-plan.
Really clueless?
Ryu Ojuncheon. A lord like that blind to rot? Beyond ignorance—fomenting strife. Flaws glaring.
But Wolf shook head.
No reason to knowingly do it.
He'd taken over ten sovereign lives. Knew him well. Lord's power scales with group. Weaken it, weaken self. No sense rotting his own.
Alkari right: just inexperience. Adventurer, not true Arcana lord.
Wolf shook head.
Focus slipping, Wolf Sakarin.
With Kichi gone, captaincy thrust on him. Overthinking small things?
All per plan.
He steeled, watched. Then, in Henderson and Rackid's view—a distracting figure.
"...?"
Mismatched Tianxia Tongyi adventurers' heavy gear. Biggest trait...
"Who?"
The man lacked a right arm.
.
.
.
Demons feed on negative emotions. Their essence.
Gluttony no exception.
Yet even Gluttony can't evade natural enemy. Nay—its vastness dooms it. Can't hide in vast Zero Mountains.
Even deep cave reeks.
Natural enemy.
Demon hunter.
Predator-Prey Relationship
"Presumptuous, showing before me again."
A cold voice echoed.
"Await disposal, Demon of Question Marks (???)."