A Fitting Flow (2)

One ironclad rule of demon hunting. 'Let's see, maybe around the hundredth one I can sneak it in.'

Akkshan seniors or Grandfell would think nothing of it. But I, Lee Hoyeol, ever faithful to my material desires, hadn't forgotten. That demons possessing something don't drop loot when killed...!

I screamed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠internally.

A whopping item dropped by one of the Seven Deadly Sins. A set item where seven become one.

For starters, great. I didn't know the effect upon completion yet. But through the Hexagram Brooch and Dawn Set, I knew the power of set effects, so I had some expectations.

But thinking again...

'...Even if I collect them all, it's only six, right?'

The seat of Gluttony from the Seven Deadly Sins is empty! The problem isn't that the bastard was freshly born. It's that it fell into hell while possessing Hakuna.

I'd lamented back then too, after barely catching a great evil with no loot to show for it.

'...Who knew it'd come full circle like this.'

The difference between a complete set and an incomplete one? Confirmed through the Dawn Set as well. Bitter taste in my mouth.

But I had to shake it off.

'No use crying over it, Hoyeol.'

Plus, it's not a useless item. Even with just two of six Hexagram Brooches, it had decent set effects.

Looking at the info window was some small comfort. Thanks to that, I shook off the lingering regrets and shifted my gaze.

Demon item. I checked the new item that popped from the cocoon.

It was so small I wondered what it was. Alive? Worthy of an item from the cocoon, huh.

Anyway... I stared at the item quietly.

Grandfell's attitude was always unwavering, so his gaze should be too. But mine right now? Probably ice cold.

'No surprise. Not an item he'd welcome given his personality.'

Grandfell even shuns cats because of flying fur. And the name? Parasite?! Legendary or not, considering his lofty aesthetics, he'd recoil from even touching it.

However.

'Good, evil, neutral...'

It couldn't help but pique Grandfell's temperament too. Who is Grandfell? Put nicely, a champion of humanity; bluntly, a flower-headed dreamer. Plus, stubbornly realizes that mental world.

Tormented by such a Grandfell, I opened my mouth.

"A demonic bequest indeed."

I spat toward Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins, fallen to hell.

"To the last, oblivious to its place."

Good and evil effects? Unknown in neutral state now. But obvious, right? Especially evil state. The item would unleash some nasty aftertaste effect.

"Then I shall deny even your final legacy."

Yes. Grandfell's noble pride couldn't tolerate such trickery.

I reached toward the huddled Envy. It looked like a tiny snowball—kinda cute.

'What a fate.'

Honestly, Lee Hoyeol-me would've ignored something this creepy. But not Grandfell. Unshakable composure in any situation, right?

'Not sure about good, but neutral I can maintain.'

So no hesitation in acting. Item changes with user? Message pops immediately.

Without even manifesting aesthetics, it changes form. Truly legendary—ever-shifting.

Envy had become a transparently sparkling gem.

The two watching and one cat spoke.

"...Quite the unique item."

"Indeed, only Your Excellency could wield such a magical tool."

"Turning into a gem. Quick on the uptake, that one. Nyang."

Perfectly crafted as jewelry from the start. I gazed at Envy, harmonizing with the Dawn Jacket. Color changes with good/evil states, probably. Of course, with Grandfell's piercing glare...

"Count it an honor."

No chance of that.

Reason doesn't matter—new skill acquired. Forget set regrets; check what needs checking.

Legendary item skill. Expecting epic performance like Ghost might lack conscience?

'Even matching average hits would be nice.'

With faint hope, I checked the effect. Then drew up mana immediately.

Sun had set. Perfect spot: Mage Tower top floor. As scheduled.

I manifested a portal to the Arcana Continent.

Baek Isul flinched at the surging mana.

"This is the phenomenon appearing over the Mage Tower!"

True, few players know. No need to hush her. Baek Isul isn't the loose-lipped type.

I got to the point.

"Return without delay."

Marcelo bowed lightly; Baek Isul hid surprise and bowed quickly. Tower Master? Licking fur with tongue.

And I, Lee Hoyeol, was thrilled. Hidden excitement. Cursed since dawn, Baal torment. Gre Mory afternoon. Unexpected delays. Seemed hurrying for procedure, but not all.

'...Somehow its size seemed excessively huge.'

New skill [Absorb] effect. Couldn't wait to test—reeking of cheat-level potential!

Humanity's forgotten crisis sense revived.

Arcana's common sense defied. High-level monsters invading low-level zones? Impossible before or after cataclysm.

One or two? Brush off.

But.

No exaggeration. Zero Mountains guilds active there, dragon at peak. Constant global watch post-update. 24/7 drones, helicopters. Footage from all angles.

Anchor watching replay sticks out tongue.

"Viewers, you see it? Monsters flooding specific area like tsunami. Measured 300km radius... Seoul to Busan monsters all status-afflicted!"

Vivid footage made it real.

Demonkin danger.

Stir crisis for greater good, build forces. Doesn't that empower demons? Holy War Alliance criticism died down.

But more reevaluated than them: Akkshan.

Salmon-haired woman presumed demon. Seven demon hunters surrounding her. Combat recorded via afflicted players' body cams.

Players knowing or not Akkshan, all awed.

Demon hunters swinging at players? Exorcism ritual step. Truth from saved players ignited Akkshan interest.

Akkshan. Their underrated legend finally reclaiming honor, as boasted.

And resounding with Akkshan: a name.

The man who dragged Akkshan back: Lee Hoyeol.

Shout Homen! Another legend. For the Arcana Continent outsider stepping in per procedure, a new legend swells unknown for now...

Arcana Continent. Through portal, I thought.

Long time, but no big shocks. High El briefed me roughly. Omen-spat forces, long-vanished.

Didn't expect ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠instant harmony.

'Even small nations feud over hills; decade in, generations clash. Ancient kingdom vs Akkshan? Years apart.'

Eras, reasons varied; swallowed by Omen. Language barriers, looks? Harmony weird. No meddling intent.

'That's human world anyway.'

Players knew Arcana as such. So no expectations.

Stepped calmly. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Why then? Vision flashing nonstop.

Nearly fainted at messages...!! What buffs?! Not just buffs—detailed backgrounds. Too many to process.

And insane effects! Wanted to exploit immediately. Me with most loose ends? Prime buff user.

But couldn't act.

'!'

Last message. From game-era Arcana: world message grabbed eyes.

Just like old Arcana Continent. Nostalgic.

'Yeah, endless turf wars.'

No intent to meddle in fights. Arcana's nature.

But this different.

Maxima, Yugric, Kansel, Akmond. How forget? Four families. Black history witnesses I can't ignore.

Lips spat cold words.

"Freedom and indulgence are starkly distinct."

This, declaration as Claudy family head.

Absolutely.

"Time to tighten the slackened leash."

Not fearing my black history rampaging...!