Write Greatly (2)

Justification is always important. Especially for someone like me, who heaps endless florid rhetoric even on the simple act of steeping a single teabag of green tea. But when it comes to the hunt? Justification must be weighed with utmost rigor.

'I've locked in the priorities, that's all.'

Yes. In the end, I, Lee Hoyeol, succeeded in monopolizing the potions and checking Tianxia Tongyi's unification ambitions.

Of course, to Grandfell, such efforts would be needless toil. But never forget, Hoyeol. Even if the whole world falls under his spell. I must not waver before Grandfell's tempest of pride...!

'Easier said than done.'

First off, Tianxia Tongyi isn't your average guild. Thanks to being the only one unbound by the AAU international accords. They're practically of one mind and body with their homeland. Proof? Just watch their operations in the Zero Mountains.

'It's like a guild commanding an army.'

To cut to the chase: my clash with Tianxia Tongyi could escalate into Korea versus China, a full-on national confrontation. And the showdown between me and Ryu Ojuncheon? It won't be some minor skirmish.

'Grandfell's convinced he's the prey.'

Depending on the circumstances, it could mean a fight to the death. Factoring in that scale... the risk of it blowing up into a Korea-China war was all too real.

So I, Lee Hoyeol, put my brain to work. Tianxia Tongyi's massive potion purchases? Common knowledge among players. To choke them out, I planned to sweep the market first.

They won't hold out long.

'Dark history and karma always come back around.'

According to Yong Seong Rak, a former Tianxia Tongyi member, Ryu Ojuncheon threw every high-level player who could give him XP into the meat grinder, class be damned. Their dealer, tank, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and healer ratios must be wrecked already. Without enough potions or healers to compensate, the fallout shows fast.

In the Yusra Kingdom's Golden Round Table, the Holy War Alliance meeting kicks off with a report on the Zero Mountains situation. Giant Alliance analyst Nam Cheolmin delivers the briefing.

"As you can see, the standout issue is Tianxia Tongyi's weakness. If they'd cleared the cave rift, they'd have blasted press releases like always... but the media's dead silent."

No surprise there.

'As someone said, everything has its procedures.'

I know full well what happens when you pour water into a cracked jar. That's why I frantically patched my own leaky one, right?

Nam Cheolmin's words make Nam Taemin scratch his head.

"Weird. With their recent momentum, failure seemed impossible..."

Honestly, my mouth itched to spill.

'In a way, it's a textbook strategy win.'

I'd served Tianxia Tongyi a proper dish of humble pie! The first phase hit dead-on. But Grandfell's pride? He sees plotting against prey as extravagant indulgence. No room for self-congratulation.

To soothe the regret, I needed at least a justification.

I spoke only after the briefing ended.

"At last, the moment has arrived."

"……!!!"

Gazes converge. Tension etches the faces of those gathered.

I continued.

"The time has come to set foot upon the Arcana Continent."

Yes. Between reality and the Arcana Continent. Full-scale traffic is no longer a dream.

'This entry confirmed it for sure.'

I'd infused Twilight Magic into the portal manifestation. Even passing through with Freyja, mana drain was negligible.

'If I can integrate that subtle sense—Grandfell's talent awakened—into the Mage Tower portal... I could move about twenty at a time.'

Ultimately, my magic manifestation had surged. But as always, Heaven and Earth Sole Respect. He'd never admit any shortcomings meekly.

I pressed on shamelessly.

"'Tis thanks to you all seizing your qualifications by your own hands."

"……Is it true, Sir Hoyeol?!"

"Finally...!"

"I'm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠honored to live up to the Commander's expectations."

I swallowed a sigh, watching them plunge into感動.

Feel a pang of conscience for once, Grandfell...!

Unintentionally pride-lighting felt uneasy... But in times like these, all I could do was shoulder the burden higher.

"Yet the Arcana Continent brooks no complacency. The current continent—unlike the past—is a tangle of timelines and all else besides."

Demon Realm linked to Arcana Continent, triggering continental shifts. Not content, Omen regurgitated deleted past entities. Even a grown Holy War Alliance faced unchanged perils. Full preparation was key.

And that was my justification for hoarding potions.

"Fear not, however."

"……?"

"All preparations proceed by my procedure."

"The Commander's words ring true."

Backing me was Yusra Kingdom's king, Hakuna. He rose and continued.

"Vast stocks of potions and magic tools for the Holy War Alliance pile up in the depots. Enough for continental-scale all-out war at a moment's notice."

No cheap knockoffs among these potions.

'Can't exactly sip potions from a teacup mid-battle...'

I couldn't tote unused potions in my inventory due to decorum. So I borrowed Yusra's Golden Palace warehouses.

A parchment summarized the details. Nam Cheolmin adjusts his glasses reading it, then mutters in shock.

"Wha—no way. How'd they amass this volume already...?"

"Bro, don't hog the shock—explain for us."

"This is beyond our Giant Alliance budget! Even Shining couldn't touch it... no, not even them?!"

Exactly as it should be.

'All bought at massive markups.'

Me, Lee Hoyeol. I steeled myself to "earn like a dog, spend like a prime minister." But reality exceeded imagination. A great house's spending outdid any minister!

Frugal honesty differs from stinginess, huh? Spending billions on elixirs instantly...

'Thought my liver would drop out.'

But my grand splurge left Tianxia Tongyi clueless, finger-sucking without countermeasures. Probably feels like a face-slap with cash bundles.

I surveyed the thrilled assembly. Harcon Kingsguard and others brimmed with fresh emotion, understandably.

But alas.

"Yet all matters demand proper procedure."

Time for a damper.

"From this moment, I shall select an advance vanguard of exactly twenty to set foot first on the Arcana Continent. Their purpose: to carve a path. The criteria? Solely my judgment."

"……!!!"

As I said, even with Mage Tower portals, twenty was my current limit. I could've admitted my shortfall honestly. But "advance vanguard" sounds plausible, no?

The innocent crowd stirred. Hisagi Kazuma's eyes narrowed slyly.

"Then... from now on, we're all rivals."

That ignited fiercer glares. Amid them, guilt stabbed me again.

A total criminal, a heinous sinner...!

The Orc Auction network spans Arcana's underworld like roots. Kichi strolls the orderly subterranean city, idly prodding decorations.

Thud.

"Jealous."

Thud.

"Our hideout just reeks of rot."

Thud.

"Skimming middlemen live better? How bloated must your guts be to hoard mana stone magic tools like this?"

The guiding orc squeezes his eyes shut.

'Sir Ullichu mustn't see this...'

Mana stones—imbued with Arcana's mana—fetch top prices. Valuable as materials, but prized as fuel for high-end magic tools.

Wobble~

Those precious tools teetered under Kichi's rough touch. Considering Ullichu's prickliness, intervention was urgent. He'd blame the escorts for any failure.

But.

"Right?"

"……Yes."

The problem? Her client ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was Shadow Mercenary leader Kichi. A ruthless syndicate feared in shadows and sun alike.

'...Better a scolding than death.'

To the orc's hurried steps under Kichi's nonchalance, a hulking shrink.

Hummm—

After countless mana stone portals, Ullichu's office appeared.

Creeeak—

Opening the door. Low-pulled glasses. Vintage fountain pen. Ullichu, mid-scribble, looks up. Merchant-sharp, he cuts to purpose.

"What're you after, causing this ruckus, Kichi?"

Kichi grins.

"This sly orc plays dumb?"

The orc, cowed by their auras, bows out.

"Th-then, talk freely."

Once gone, Kichi presses.

"Hand over the hair."

"Hair? Why seek your own severed locks from me?"

"Oh? Joking now?"

"Not amusing? Short hair suits you, anyway."

"Cut the crap and fetch it."

A joke to lighten the mood. But Kichi's edge hardened Ullichu's face.

Voice dropping, he replies.

"The Shadow Mercenary leader graces Orc Auction... not to sell, but buy. I suspected from the rumors. What you seek is one-of-a-kind, unstealable."

His pupils gleam.

"Yes. Claudy hair, gone from the world. Planning to break Orc Auction rules for it, Kichi? Think it outvalues what I sold long ago?"

"Hoo."

Kichi sighs shortly. Where to start? That money alone wouldn't move her? Or days scouring Arcana for mere hair? Or correcting why Claudys don't exist?

"Pity. Words won't cut it."

Her head throbbed. No wonder—fate rebelled at unwonted deeds.

Hand to her waist.

"Sorry. Ancient history to me, but a successful deal for you. Ruining it ends Shadow Mercenary's ties with Orc Auction."

Ullichu nods.

"True, Kichi. Even if Arcana crumbles, that's surface-world talk. We underworld folk survive. You know that."

Pleading now.

"No desire to make enemies, Kichi. Gamond Phil of Diamond Merchant Guild encroaching from the light is headache enough."

"Yeah?"

Yet Kichi draws her dagger.

"But I'm not Shadow Mercenary anymore."

"……What?"

"Quit. Leader and all."

"......Quit? Shadow Mercenary? The leadership?!"

Ullichu's quick on math.

"Hmm."

He'd feared losing Shadow Mercenary ties. None matched them in the shadows. Invaluable asset.

But if she's out...

"Then killing you costs Orc Auction nothing."

"Right. Kill you, and Shadow Mercenary keeps dealing."

"Same thought, huh. Leader's burden."

Ullichu eyes his papers.

"Pity. Wanted to finish these."

"Wait?"

"No. Not a day's work. Facing light-world giants like Diamond Guild taxes us."

Pens down.

"Whatever."

Even dying by Kichi's hand, Orc Auction rolls on. As always. Strict rules and procedures ensured it.

So now.

"Truly think you'll find it, Kichi?"

"Must. Killing obstructors if needed."

"Then I'll block you, even if slain dozens of times."

Time to prove loyalty to 'That One' who forged those rules and procedures. Belatedly.

Ullichu sheds his robes. Thick neck. Rough hide. Innate brawn. Orc physique fit for "warrior race."

Drawer yields a weapon—but doubt strikes.

"One question, Kichi?"

"Shoot."

"Why suddenly seek hair? Not for money—your sigh proved that."

"Annoying question."

"Grant a dead man's wish; can't sate a dying orc's curiosity? After all our history, dying ignorant feels unjust."

Kichi pauses, pondering.

...How to explain this tangle?

Finally.

"......Pride. Whatever it is, probably that?"

Ullichu's eyes shift.

"......Did you say pride?"

"What? Can't repeat?"

"No, it's..."

His hand wavers briefly.

How... does she echo 'That One'?

As said.

'...Could the hair's purpose be?'

Quick calculations.

"Perhaps no need to fight, Kichi."

"Sudden bullshit?"

"The hair I acquired..."

Thud—

Not a weapon, but a jewel case on the desk. Opening bathes silver hair in light.

"...I kept for pride too."

"……!"