You Are Not Special (1)

Like taking a deep breath.

I concentrate to handle magic, sword aura, and Tenacity as naturally as possible. It's the perfect opponent for that practice.

'Level 820.'

A named monster at that. An opponent that demands tension because you can't afford to let your guard down.

Practicing against a monster like that? My guts really are spilling out.

But what can you do? The daily training quest that pushes my limits every single day. Excalibur swung with added Tenacity.

...No, even the sword manifested from the rock.

This was my conclusion, the path I had to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠take.

Still, a series of grueling ordeals forms the basis of my confidence. And the knowledge I've accumulated as the chief mage of the Mage Tower? That counts as a foundation too.

'If the power falls short, it's unacceptable.'

Magic tools crafted solely from magic exist even in the Mage Tower. That's what enchantment studies primarily deals with.

Their performance? 'No jackpots, but a guaranteed minimum.'

There's no reason for impurities or disruptions to mix in during the refining process. In Arcana system terms... they're classified as minimum rare, maximum unique grade items.

The problem is their horribly low efficiency.

'That's why the enchantment school handles the Mage Tower's deficits.'

Refining magic tools with pure mana is the epitome of creating something from nothing with magic. But with First World Tree's Blessing in my possession, mana worries are off the table for me.

"Stand straight."

"...!"

"Did I not warn thee? My teachings shall be stern."

"Squeak!!"

Whoosh!

As expected, the grit that challenged a champion hasn't vanished. It snaps back to its senses even under my icy reprimand. It charges with its massive fangs bared.

'Whether magic or swordsmanship, I can deflect it effortlessly.'

But the key is operating magic, sword aura, and Tenacity as fluidly as flowing water.

I immediately convert Tenacity to manifest magic. The spell I'm invoking is the ever-familiar architecture magic. Tedious processes are boldly skipped in this special lecture.

Boom!

A rock wall rises abruptly. Having perfectly omitted exploration and interference, it doesn't even show the process of emerging.

I'm not just patting myself on the back. The players' reactions are proof.

"Wha—what? A wall just appeared out of thin air?!"

"What the hell is that? I-I've never seen anything like it even in the Mage Tower...?"

"Another step forward, Grand Commander."

Among them, Hisagi's meaningful words with those snake eyes wide open are especially burdensome...

But as always, I can't show it. Moreover, I, who values procedure above all, can't afford to divert attention in front of a trainee.

"If thou canst not focus on the discipline, I shall make thee."

I'm the one who's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not focusing. As expected, shameless words slip out. The giant rat tilts its head as if baffled.

...Squeak?

But soon, rock walls rising from all sides completely surround it.

Boom boom!!

Caught in the sudden restraint, it slams its bulky body against the walls. But these are walls set by me, Lee Hoyeol—the founder of architecture magic.

"Rowdiness is forbidden. Thus, no choice remains."

Crack!

Even if cracks form.

Shhh—

I can simply reverse them with Reversal Magic, the true creation of mine.

So accept thy fate, pitiful little beast of the mountains.

"From this moment, I shall intensify the chastisement."

Magic, sword aura, Tenacity. The path to the trinity disguised as discipline. Cooperate obediently in this march.

...

Squeak—

The giant rats collapse with a final screech.

Hisagi scanned the battlefield, ignoring the blinking message.

The atmosphere had completely reversed with the goddess's arrival. Above all, First World Tree's Blessing played the biggest role. Its effect was as immense as expected.

"Any casualties?"

Hisagi's question drew an immediate booming reply.

"All safe!"

No losses after battling level 800 monsters? An achievement beyond words.

Hisagi continued proudly.

"Thanks to the goddess of victory being with us."

"...?"

...Since when did the goddess get a modifier?

Toyomo flinched while catching her breath, but it was fleeting. The battle had concluded. The players' gazes naturally shifted to Hoyeol.

'And yet, it's no walk in the park.'

Beyond imagination. The Zero Mountains' 100,000 caves were no joke.

Take dungeons or labyrinths as examples. Named monsters usually number fewer than five per boss.

'That's why demon kings were special.'

Demon kings commanding named monsters. Demon legion commanders averaged ten or more.

But common sense didn't apply in the Zero Mountains.

"That's the 10th one...!!"

They were barely at the entrance. An unknown sanctuary stretching who-knows-how-far. And already, named monsters at the threshold exceeded countable fingers.

Hisagi narrowed his eyes, assessing their forces.

'Our survival is thanks to...'

As mentioned, First World Tree's Blessing's effect. Plus, the giant rats were regular monsters. Simple patterns allowed skillful handling once you got the knack.

Toyomo murmured softly.

"If the Grand Commander hadn't been here..."

"Blessing or not, we couldn't have coped."

"Right?"

Just watching the movements confirmed it. No discernible patterns. Those Champion Challenger Giant Rats charged at Hoyeol. It was obvious, but Hoyeol didn't allow a single effective hit.

Hisagi chuckled softly.

'I'm ashamed beyond words.'

Hoyeol's consideration, felt skin-deep. Even in the Zero Mountains' caves, to the Dragon Lord and Black Dark Dragon Grand Commander, it was mere hunting grounds. No, considering Hoyeol's unfathomable level, not even that.

'Even level 820 named monsters.'

Given Hoyeol's required experience, thousands hunted would be negligible.

In that sense, it could be meaningless time-wasting. Yet...

'He's giving us his precious time solely for our sake.'

His pride remains endlessly profound. Realizing that, Hisagi had no time to stand idle. To repay the valuable time, he must meet expectations.

Hisagi commanded.

"Begin full exploration."

Giant Alliance explorers with class-specific gear and magnifying glasses scoured the caves. Spoils, perhaps quest-linked info.

'I doubt this repays him.'

Hoyeol might know more about these caves than the explorers. Not blind faith. Seeing one reveals ten. Hoyeol drew Excalibur from some buried sanctuary.

Still, Hisagi knew. What mattered was pride above all. So he murmured softly.

"Please do not refuse our pride, Grand Commander."

A pledge that would chill the spine if heard by the man himself...

The monsters' caliber? Given the level gap, it's naturally tough. But Leoni's class is berserker. A class that grows stronger in adversity.

Damage over time is commonly called DoT damage. "Bleeding" is a prime example.

Drip—

Blood-soaked Leoni spat blood.

"Tch."

It was spitting in her own face, but berserker has too many flaws. Facing high-level monsters, you must risk life every moment to perform.

'I wanna grab the creator by the collar, for real.'

Back when Arcana was just a game, logout ended it. Post-cataclysm? Game over for life. One slip, and you're crossing the Styx.

In that sense, bleeding sucks but is essential. Converting crits to DoT prevents sudden incapacitation.

Kaboom!

Leoni's twin swords relentlessly assault. Her guildmates are no different. A combat style pushing limits. Berserker Guild only accepted the similarly cursed.

"Haa—"

But now it's overwhelming me...

"Fucking heeeell—"

A deep sigh rises. Even berserkers specialized in tough fights can't bridge a 250+ level gap. And prolonged battles naturally erode focus. That's common sense, yet berserkers contradict it.

"This is fucking annoying!"

A class that shines only when body and mind are ragged. She had to endure this tightrope pressure to advance.

"Sis..."

The Giant Alliance knew. Berserker guildmates pitied Leoni. Constant self-torment made her prickly...

"You think I'm being a bitch right now, huh?"

"...Uh, what? What're you talking about."

"Don't play dumb, asshole."

Leoni laughed. Some said personalities changed post-awakening. Maybe she was fully affected. To vent limit-pushing pressure each battle, she had to curse.

So now she thought: limit reached.

"Bet you all think it's been a while since I was a total bitch, right?"

Yeah, for that damn decorum. Holding back words that didn't suit her. But no more.

Leoni muttered softly.

"...But isn't pride more important than decorum, Grand Commander?"

Her vision reddens facing the monster. Blood from bleeding trickled into her eyes. Lukewarm, sticky mess.

Grand Commander Lee Hoyeol. If he, so meticulous about attire, saw her...

He'd be appalled. Leoni smirked.

'But... what if this is my pride?'

Leoni remembered. The day Giant Alliance began. The public's verdict.

Not wrong evaluations. That's why it burned more. Of course, not one to cower. To chase Nam Taemin and Hisagi, she gritted teeth and swung her sword.

Only then...

'Did it feel like I could catch up.'

But Giant Alliance activities taught her: following those giants while minding decorum was impossible.

'I'm not elegant or noble like you.'

She had to be herself. Berserker-style, desperate. Only then could she tail them.

"Ha."

Leoni burst laughing. Yeah, she still didn't get that damn pride.

"But this way, you all get it, right?"

Thud—

With those words, one sword slipped from her hand.

Ah. Damn it. See, formal speech drained her strength...

The moment she thought like true Leoni.

Hummm—

A ring of light appeared in the air. Clack. Familiar footsteps. A voice.

"Thou art greatly mistaken about decorum, Leoni."

"...?"

"Yet, I shall overlook it."

The jacket no longer flutters. With a halo brighter than ever, Hoyeol continues.

"For now, grasping pride suffices."

...

I manifested a portal immediately.

Analyst Nam Cheolmin, briefing three caves simultaneously. He judged Leoni's side needed support, so portal straight there.

Hummm—

...As expected, massive mana drain. Post-arrival, sword aura for a while. Stepping into the portal after planning.

Hisagi asked politely.

"If you need assistance, I shall follow."

Appreciated, but...

'Cost-benefit...'

Moving one by one via portal costs more mana than their aid.

Conveying that, I replied in my way.

"I suffice alone."

Bow—

Hisagi bowed as if expected, seeing me off. Even with debts from Frost, his reaction burdens me, Hisagi...!

'...Never mind, too complicated to explain.'

Swallowing a rising sigh. As I entered the light.

In the darkened vision, a message rose.

Arcana Continent experience. Class quest tracking primordial evil sharpened senses. It warns: at the instant coordinates flipped. Not cave, but Zero Mountains presence.

...What kind of coincidence is this?

"Thou darest show thyself before me again."

I might forget. But Grandfell wouldn't forget a faced demon.

This was Mage Tower's regular conference, senior mage Banggrit berserk. Dimensional Rift question-mark demon. Unmistakable presence. The massive one that fled, offering its right arm, tearing dimensions.

Perfect timing. I'm finally fully prepared.

Finally wearing it properly. That grandiose name.

Jacket of the One Who Awaits the Dawn!