Even Beasts Recognize Their Master (1)
Arcana's common sense. Skill effects don't last forever. No matter how powerful the buff or debuff, after a set time. Or once the caster gets too far away, the effect simply fades.
"...You son of a bitch."
It had been ages since their false loyalty hit rock bottom.
There was no way back to reality from the Arcana Continent.
They'd realized that the moment they learned the truth.
"That bastard Ryu Ojuncheon."
The man they'd served as their monarch had only ever planned to exploit their loyalty.
If he could, he'd gouge out his remaining eye with a twig.
He didn't want to share even a single Arcana landscape or sensation with Ryu Ojuncheon.
"Tch."
But hadn't he already paid with one eye?
If he lost his sight completely?
He wouldn't last in this unfamiliar Arcana Continent.
Kieeeek!
A grotesque screech echoed from beyond the bushes.
"Damn it."
The Arcana Continent was still in chaos.
The demon king might be deleted, but not all demon monsters had vanished.
Did they think they no longer needed to watch their step without a king?
Or did they aspire to become kings themselves?
Either way, demons big and small were rampaging across the continent in packs.
"Ptui."
Crunch crunch.
Chewing on a withered fruit, Jang Anrim muttered. His massive frame was hunched tight, ill-suited to his build.
"How long do we have to stay cooped up like this? Better to die than scrape by like rats. And knowing that bastard Ryu Ojuncheon is watching my pathetic state? It pisses me off too much to bear!"
The pale man opposite him, Yong Seong Rak, replied coolly.
"Consider yourself lucky so far."
"Lucky? What the hell?"
"Compared to the five who died first, aren't we blessed with heaven's luck? We just happened to land close to each other. Hunting, foraging roots—we've kept alive."
"..."
Jang Anrim, about to snap back, deflated.
Yong Seong Rak was right.
If they'd been isolated by bad luck?
[Carnivorous Plant Nepenthes: Lv.530]
[Death Winky: Lv.550]
...They'd have been ambushed by forest monsters and died early.
Jang Anrim calmed, swallowing the fruit with a gulp.
Then he ventured cautiously.
"So, got any bright ideas?"
Jang Anrim's sanity was on the brink.
Yong Seong Rak seemed more rational.
But he just shook his head.
"If I did, I wouldn't be sitting here."
"Shit, same as me. My fault for expecting more."
"But isn't it time for one last desperate gamble?"
"...Last gamble?"
"Remember? The message that popped up the moment we entered the continent."
"Message? Of course."
How could he forget?
His status window was still packed with active buffs. No need to check—it proved he was alive.
Those cheat-level buffs let him survive a forest swarming with Lv.500 monsters.
Tsk. Yong Seong Rak clicked his tongue.
"Not the buffs."
"Then what?"
"Everything was the black evil dragon's arrangement. Remember the final message?"
"...!"
Super-giant guild, Cheonha Tongil.
In that den of schemes and intrigue, one thing survived: judgment for survival.
In a word, instincts.
Jang Anrim swallowed dryly.
Then whispered.
"...You mean what I'm thinking?"
"Who knows what you're thinking."
"No, seriously...!"
"Haha."
Yong Seong Rak chuckled dryly and continued.
"Our way to survive in Arcana? Find the Empire. Or at least a village. Remember what cities and villages did back when Arcana was just a game?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Jang Anrim nodded vigorously.
Even a rickety village inn on the verge of collapse was safer than forests or caves.
Plus, resting your eyes there avoided debuffs like [Insomnia] or [Reduced Focus].
Yong Seong Rak added.
"Not just for survival. Secure basic safety, hunt like in the game days? With our buffs, one level per day isn't a dream."
"One level a day...?"
Gulp!
'One level a day? Thirty in a month?'
His mouth watered despite the bitter juice; his limp body surged with energy.
But above all, survival meant revenge on that bastard Ryu Ojuncheon.
One massive obstacle remained.
"That's why I asked. Remember the final message? The problem isn't Ryu Ojuncheon peeking at our view. The entire Arcana Continent is under Lee Hoyeol's influence—like it's in his palm. We're basically his enemies."
"Goddamn Cheonha Tongil..."
Intelligence my ass.
Free from Ryu Ojuncheon's rule, the chains felt heavier than ever.
Then a question hit amid his rage.
Not reality, faces unknown.
Guild affiliation?...
"Can't we just hide that if we try?"
Wrong answer, as expected.
"Think why we were thrilled."
"'Cause Ryu Ojuncheon chose us..."
"Right. Rare chance. The only way into Arcana Continent: access devices. Lee Hoyeol has one; Cheonha Tongil monopolized the other seven."
Meaning.
In Arcana.
Any player Lee Hoyeol doesn't know? Cheonha Tongil member.
"No, that goddamn Cheonha Tongil...!"
He had no confidence hiding "player" from Arcana natives.
Just as Arcana folk looked alien to them, they were outsiders to natives.
Yong Seong Rak's point clicked.
"So, it's a gamble. Whether Lee Hoyeol shows mercy to thorns like us. Stake it on luck. Only way we survive."
No grudge against Lee Hoyeol post-Ryu.
But Lee Hoyeol's view? They'd be vermin to crush.
Jang Anrim and Yong Seong Rak ended resolute.
"At dawn, flip a coin."
Next day.
They moved as planned.
Then realized.
"...Hahaha."
The goddess of luck still favored them.
[War for Continental Hegemony Begins.]
[Golden Maxima Declares War on the Empire.]
[Forest's Yugric Declares War on the Empire.]
[Brave Kansel Declares War on the Empire.]
[Thrilling Akmond Declares War on the Empire.]
War quest.
Targeted at the Empire.
Meaning...?
Jang Anrim blurted in disbelief.
"Th-these factions versus the Empire! So, Lee Hoyeol's enemies?"
"Exactly."
"Hey, Yong Seong Rak. Isn't this our chance?"
Nod.
"That too."
With Shining, Cheonha Tongil had the most war experience in Arcana's history.
They knew war quest rewards well.
Yong Seong Rak murmured.
"War quests: victors take all..."
No long deliberation.
"Better to seize by skill than gamble?"
*
I headed straight for the Empire.
War declared.
Wish I could portal to the palace.
But this procedure-obsessed body won't allow it.
I stood tall before Antonium's main gate.
'First entry was pure showmanship.'
...What to be proud of?
Manifesting the black evil dragon legend to prove it, marching grandly amid cheers—every embarrassing act under the sun.
No need today.
"Open the gates!"
The guard spotted me, saluted, shouted.
Then smooth sailing.
Antonium regained capital dignity, not fully but close.
Clop clop. Procedure restored.
Carriages ferrying guests to the palace—leisure returned.
Thus, I pondered in the rattling carriage.
'Is this okay?'
The four families' declarations reached the Empire.
Window views bustled—proof.
VIP treatment amid crisis?...
Shameless thought bubbled.
"Excessive fuss over minor unrest is unbecoming."
...As if!
Better shut up than suffer foot-in-mouth.
Finally, palace arrival.
Face-to-face with emperor, I spoke.
Not on grand throne, not standing—he rushed out to greet.
"How shall I repay your grace, black evil dragon? As Empire's emperor, I convey infinite thanks."
If truly grateful, first...
Drop the black evil dragon bit?
Reason simple.
'Honestly, deserved.'
Akshan's superweapon, Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Placed around Antonium to aid reconstruction.
Raged fiercely even against rampant demon kings.
Now, post-deletion, Omen-swallowed, demon eyes closed, low-tier demons rampant—its presence? Obvious.
"Scouts reached Dreadsden Village, our farthest territory. Ruins, can't rebuild soon, but news bolsters our people."
Scouts to Empire-edge Dreadsden.
Closer areas secured long ago.
Emperor continued.
"Heard new factions emerged. Unwelcome for our unified Empire. Yet."
His lip twitched up.
"As emperor, I'm glad. Arcana feels like Arcana again, threat or not. And it's your arrangement, black evil dragon."
That damn black evil dragon again!
"Thanks once more."
Even emperor's formality burdensome once.
Chatted with president in reality? Or thicker skin.
No longer awkward.
Straight to point.
"Is that all?"
"...!"
Emperor flinched, smile bittersweet.
Moment's silence, he spoke.
"Forgive me. You, observing from afar, couldn't miss it. Yes. Four families declared war. Just as hope sprouts..."
Yeah, timing absurd.
Business ethics exist.
Four families, not restored from deletion.
Why declare now?
'Not sensitive from dark history.'
See.
...Right! Pride forbids such acts.
But emperor's reaction off.
Empire's place in Arcana?
Practically unified endless wars.
Vast territory.
Meaning: aggressive, unyielding, merciless to foes, brave.
Recent rebellion proves.
Sword Saint Shegwin-led.
Nobles, guards plotting Antonium's fall.
Empire outmatched.
Minus transcendent Shegwin, still.
Post-demon slaughter, barely 10,000 soldiers.
Yet Empire, emperor never yielded.
Now better odds.
'Why so cowed?'
Realized four families? Settings too.
Victory doubt understandable.
But Empire I knew didn't forfeit pre-battle.
Emperor closed eyes.
"...Has the time come, ancestors?"
Opened, faced me.
"Ancestors will understand. No secrets from Empire's savior, black evil dragon?"
Secret to hide.
Big one.
"Imperial house, Sericrose. Roses didn't conquer Arcana throne by strength. Unifying with frail thorns? Absurd."
Emperor laughed.
"Yes. Sericrose became emperors because they wished it. Four families.... So perhaps time has come."
Resigned, hollow laugh.
"Past puppets they installed ousted, reclaiming their throne as true masters."
...Wait.
Can't follow.
Four families that rampant?!
Not impossible.
Even Claudy's realized acts elude me.
Yet one certainty.
Four families Empire's masters?
...Then what am I?
I, Claudy, their master?!
My sentiment erupted Grandfell-style.
"Even beasts recognize their master."
Chilling tone.
"Seems demons possess you."