True Natural Enemy (2)
Why had my body, drained of mana and utterly limp, suddenly recovered? It must be the synergy effect.
If the demon hunter's natural enemy relationship with demons simply boosted combat power, then the bond between Grandfell and demons must enhance additional stats like mana regeneration.
Unyielding pride. Making me ever upright, as always.
I should be thrilled, but I couldn't simply rejoice. Because experience had taught me one thing: Grandfell's settings were never omnipotent.
...It's already terrifying.
Realizing those settings required effort. Even the stamina training from repeat quests wasn't enough—I had to fill A4 pages densely. How many days and nights did I pull all-nighters because of that "prodigy" setting?
But now, even that hardship seemed worthwhile.
It's not just any demon—it's a colossal evil.
To be precise, an incarnation of colossal evil, but still. An enemy that even made the great Harcon tense.
Facing such a foe in a mana-exhausted state would be absurd. First, I should be grateful.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, Harcon approached.
"Sir Hoyeol, surely the reason you came to the Yusra Archipelago is...?"
It was because of the updated quest. To put it plainly, yes, because of the colossal evil.
I answered matter-of-factly.
"Indeed, Sir Harcon."
"...!"
His pupils dilated for a moment. Harcon muttered to himself.
"...My oversight, Your Majesty. If only I'd known sooner."
To Harcon, "Your Majesty" meant the emperor, no doubt. There was no reason to respond to his mutterings. Nor was this a situation to puzzle over what he meant by "oversight."
"...Everyone, battle stations! It's coming!!"
The palace, as if embodying greed itself, glittered magnificently. Soldiers began emerging around it.
Not summoned—they were literally sprouting up. Scrape, scrape—! Crawling out from underground, truly.
Someone shouted.
"Undead!"
Indeed, that was spot on. What clawed through the soil were skeletons.
Undead aren't demons, but...
The natural enemy relationship was active, as expected. It had triggered even when the colossal evil was crouched in hiding. Now that it had fully revealed itself, no check was needed.
But I had to judge coldly. I surveyed the battlefield.
Hurried players were visible.
"We gotta take 'em down to push in, right?"
"Fight in a way that minimizes casualties!"
"Yeah, that's best. Competition inside will be fiercer anyway!"
Unlike me, a demon hunter, the players didn't grasp the gravity. They seemed excited, eager to raid the golden palace and colossal evil.
It was understandable. The golden palace looked like it would spill legendary loot just from its exterior. Greed incarnate. Its mere presence clouded the players' judgment.
Of course, to the symbol of incorruptible integrity, Grandfell, greed was nonexistent. My judgment remained clear.
Thus, I could make a rational call.
I need to conserve mana.
The incarnation of colossal evil—its strength was incomparable to Count Ascura. I had no mana to waste on mere skeletons.
In that sense, it was fortunate. I had the sturdiest allies imaginable, at least limited to the Yusra Archipelago.
"Sir Harcon. Does your vow still hold?"
"Of course."
Harcon donned his helmet with a clank, then raised his sword and shield alongside his knights.
"Here, I vowed to Your Majesty to be your sword and shield. Sir Hoyeol, you have authority to command the Lion Heart Knight Order."
He added one more thing.
"Moreover, knowing you've come to slay demons makes it certain—I won't retreat a step before the enemy."
Perfectly in sync. The Lion Heart Knight Order lined up before me. No swelling pride at seeming like a great man. I simply took their loyalty for granted.
...Exhausting thoughts.
But with great responsibility comes duty. Noblesse oblige, in a word.
Why did past me saddle myself with such a tiresome setting...!
At least one thing was clear: I'd just slapped on a cool-sounding phrase.
Regardless of that truth, I opened my mouth confidently. Addressing the players.
"To face the undead, the Lion Heart Knight Order needs blessings and divine protection. Cooperate, and I shall be deeply grateful for your favor."
...So brazen to even ask!
In short, I needed buffs. Divine blessings and protections were the undead's greatest weakness—skeletons included.
Naturally, I had no such skills.
I thought.
Orders are one thing, but asking? Never imagined I'd say this.
Maybe maturity from responsibility. And gratitude for favors? Of course, to players, it still sounded arrogant. No specific reward, just thanks? Plus those unkind glares aimed at me.
No one would respond...
"We'll help... yeah."
"We'll cooperate!"
...Or so I thought. Responses came simultaneously.
I looked at the two—a man and a woman.
...Wait, aren't we acquainted?
*
In the end, the collapse progress maxed out. And with it, the golden palace emerged.
Nam Taemin muttered.
"In the end, it turned out just like hyung said."
The Yusra Archipelago felt too serene for a legendary treasure island. Even with ten named monsters guarding the treasure.
The bait tossed since Arcana was just a game had been massive.
Nam Taemin stared blankly at the golden palace.
...Why am I staring so intently? Gazing at it felt hypnotic.
"Huh? Oh, right, hyung. Gotta stay sharp."
Nam Taemin shook his head and addressed his Gaon guildmates.
"Opponents are demons. Gear up mental strength items, buffs—prep everything in advance. Battle could start anytime... Well, no need to say it."
Skeletons rising from the earth. Demons, now undead too?
"This is bullshit."
As Nam Taemin forced a grin.
"Cooperate, and I shall be deeply grateful for your favor."
...That voice?
Hoyeol's. Nam Taemin, and even Nam Cheolmin listening via earpiece.
Not just anyone—Hoyeol's favor. Others might not know, but the brothers did. How many times had they witnessed his power firsthand?
Couldn't miss it.
"We'll cooperate!"
He responded reflexively. Their eyes met.
"...The fuck?"
Leoni glaring daggers.
"We'll help... yeah."
Leoni's reason for stepping up with forced politeness was simple. Her guildmates poked her ribs relentlessly.
"Unni, he said favor!"
"Hurry, hurry!"
"No, fuck."
Of course, Leoni had some will of her own. Like the Nam brothers.
That monster.
She too had witnessed Hoyeol's power up close. And thanks to him, Berserker Guild claimed the grand title of first clear on a new rift.
Repaying the favor, yeah.
Pay favors when you can. And Leoni knew well.
Leoni stifled a giggle inwardly.
But he offered first this time. If it ends well, maybe snag some tea?
As she licked her lips... a massive intruder called Gaon appeared.
Zzt—
Gaon and Berserker. Barbarian and berserker. Tension crackled with Hoyeol between them.
But the standoff, unlikely to end soon...
"I remember you."
"...!!"
Ended with one phrase.
*
The world is so warm. Acquainted or not, barely spoken, yet they step up so readily. I feel affection still lingers in the world.
Regrettable.
Nam Taemin and Leoni—both tied from the Count Ascura rift. Back then, to such kind souls, I said...
Lacking decorum. No tea to offer.
...Spouted every possible rudeness.
Of course, regret was alien to Grandfell. I spoke calmly, that was all.
"I shall not forget your favor."
"Psh."
Nam Taemin waved it off.
Korea's top guild, Gaon. Its master, Nam Taemin. Even I, once indifferent to players, knew him. In Korea, he transcended players—a hero.
"This much favor? Nothing. Sir Hoyeol... no, Hoyeol-ssi? Anyway, you've helped us too!"
The "help" meant the plaza battle, surely.
Just luck.
Even my magic back then just raised walls. Victory from favorable matchup against cavalry. But like regret, humility was foreign to Grandfell.
"Is that so. All things involve give and take."
Lion Heart not enough? Now Gaon too? ...I'm starting to fear this self.
I regarded Leoni.
"I watch your steps as well."
Berserker Guild. Top-tier, if not Gaon level. Her dual-wield form lingered in memory. Though I lacked a sword to mimic properly.
"Eek."
Why flinch so?
Leoni startled visibly. Her blunt nature wouldn't overlook.
"What alarms you so?"
"N-no, alarmed? Me...?!"
But Grandfell wasn't petty enough to pry awkwardly.
"Then all is well."
Nor time for friendly chat now. Only breaching the golden palace left.
Harcon addressed them.
"My thanks, adventurers. Your blessings will greatly aid our fight against evil."
The buffed Lion Heart Knight Order. A healer-like player approached me.
"Any buffs you need? Goddess's Prayer or Blessing? My skill proficiency's highest in Gaon!"
I replied indifferently.
"I believe in no gods."
...I'm going insane. Me, spouting cringy lines. Face unchanged. Honestly, opening my mouth scares me more than the colossal evil...!
Prayer boosts mental strength, blessing physical. Useless to me.
Just saying no buffs needed. Damn internal shame boils.
So I didn't hesitate. Toward the palace of greed.
Clack— Before anyone could nitpick...!
*
AAU Korea Branch. Seong Hyunjun logged into the Arcana official homepage. Checked the belated update log.
"...Knew it!"
"What? Extra patch?"
"Yes, sunbae. Definitely. Even Raymon Sean didn't predict this!"
Yusra Kingdom—not archipelago—was massive content prepped since Seong's dev days. No Arcana dev team ignored it.
"If solo, just discharge already!"
The target of resentment: Raymon Sean. What did he touch?
"...Hyunjun. Not just me imagining?"
"No illusion. Yusra Kingdom was set to have fallen. Even after Raymon vanished and Cosmo collapsed!"
"Then why now...?"
Golden palace nonexistent now, reappearing? With unheard colossal evil?
"Seven Deadly Sins Greed? Adding what I know."
Fortunate: update log posted late. Extract helpful info for players. AAU's role.
But.
"...S-sunbae?"
Seong couldn't speak.
"Fucking insane."
Sunbae Yoon Sugyeom no different. Minds blanking.
Seong forced words.
"B-but Lion Heart Knights are there! And Lee Hoyeol. Top guilds intact..."
"Lion Heart? Think they'll risk lives? Luck till now, no more help."
"...True, but."
He trailed off. Yoon dialed frantically.
"Impossible! No one—absolutely no entry!"
New Collapse Rift: 'Golden Palace' added.
Recommended Level: Lv.600~650
New Boss Monster: 'Seven Deadly Sins, Incarnation of Greed' : Lv.650
New Monsters added: 'Sleepless Soldiers' : Lv.500
Yoon shouted.
"Everyone's gonna die!!"
.
.
.
But predictions erred. No one died.
Like a single flash of light. It cleaved the Lv.600~650 collapse rift, the Golden Palace.
Predictions erred again. Lion Heart Knight Order at the vanguard.
"Knights of the lion's heart."
Harcon's sword gleamed sword aura. His eyes burned resolute, no less.
All predictions wrong.
"Offer your hearts. So Sir Hoyeol reaches the colossal evil!"
They truly staked their lives.
"Found you."
In the distance, the throne—the Incarnation of Greed, one of the Seven Deadly Sins—came into view.