Even If Your Ears Itch (1)
High El and Diend reported the situation.
"We have conveyed my lord's command to the spirits of the universe. Tianxia Tongyi—they shall receive no benefits from the causality twisted by the cosmic spirits."
A buff originating from the cosmic spirits.
Its effect? A staggering 50% increase in item drop rates.
But you wouldn't even know such a cheat-level buff exists, would you, Ryu Ojuncheon?
I almost feel pity for you as a fellow player... before you're the enemy.
But that's just the beginning.
Not a single one left behind.
I have no idea how grand your dreams were when you declared your kingdom's founding and set foot on the Arcana Continent.
But you made a clear mistake, Ryu Ojuncheon.
Catch up to me? In your dreams. From now on, you'll lag behind other players in real time.
I stated matter-of-factly,
"Tighten the noose, and their true colors show."
I wonder when you'll realize it?
I don't know, but one thing's certain: to close the gap, you'll scheme again.
Your class, Tyrant, has no other way.
"The moment you stick your head out will be your moment of annihilation."
Searching for Ryu Ojuncheon across the vast Arcana Continent is absurd.
Squeeze slowly, and he'll reveal himself.
Until then, focus on my own tasks—that's best.
"We shall report the next developments, my lord."
Of course, Ryu Ojuncheon wasn't my main concern.
This experience taught me something.
Grandfell might disdain demons, but I, Lee Hoyeol, cannot.
The upper demon king, Buer.
He ranked 10th among them.
Even after the colossal sin of Lust sacrificed itself as tribute.
A being so immense he could only manifest as a voice.
Yet Buer spoke clearly to me:
"Welcome... to the realm of Heaven Beyond Heaven."
The meaning was simple.
Only now had I reached a level where I could converse with an upper demon king.
As you know, as you see...
I recalled the past, when I had nothing and could only guess at their power.
Upper demon kings, so surely stronger than dragons? A wild estimate.
It was laughably off.
But having witnessed it, I understood their strength.
Baal, who annihilated the mighty Seorn Continent—stronger than Arcana—with one arm, needs no mention.
Even Gamigin, fallen to hell.
Not just anyone—hell's own veterans.
The Akshan demon hunters, who hunted demons ceaselessly after falling.
Even they clung to Gamigin's four legs, and only under my [Strange] manifestation, plus the hell gate opening, did they subdue it.
Impossible to gauge the level.
Beyond dragons—true heaven beyond heaven.
That's what upper demon kings are.
I can't just rejoice.
Being able to converse with them was joyful, yet daunting.
How much stronger must I grow to topple one with my own power?
"This concludes the report."
After High El and Diend finished, I made my decision.
Yes, I don't know how to surpass upper demon kings yet...
But start with what I can do now.
The holes I've diligently dug.
Thanks to them, plenty to do right away—a small comfort.
Advance steadily with Grandfell's flower-field mindset, and I'll reach it someday.
Heh, even the demon who jested leisurely at his natural enemy could not ignore it.
Soon, even demons will be true prey, not bravado.
Time to fill those holes one by one.
"Diend, reconnaissance is yours."
Let's see, prioritize what to claim first?
I sent Diend coordinates via telepathy.
Four in total, vividly remembered thanks to Grandfell's brilliant mind.
◈ Locations confirmed via [Map That Communes with All Things]
The set item Hexagram Brooch.
I'd pinpointed the shard locations using the demon king spoil, [Map That Communes with All Things].
But reality-Arcana discrepancies prevented retrieval until now.
I did snag one by chance in the London dungeon.
Just two so far.
But now, freely traversing Arcana Continent, time to complete the Hexagram Brooch.
Of course, don't forget the gear from Yunak Seus's legacy, [Dragon Skin].
I know its weight.
Even top dwarf blacksmith Walls Whale pours his soul into it.
Let's give it time.
Shameless, but I have a conscience.
Truth is, my gear overflows already.
No need to look far—I'm not fully utilizing even Gwigyeol.
So claim what's mine, but don't neglect fundamental growth, Hoyeol.
Like players heading to Arcana Continent.
Grow my way, at my level.
For that, first check the changed [Spacetime Salon].
I've unlocked top-floor access beyond the upper levels.
And top-tier spacetime quests.
I muttered,
"Though it irks me, if even the top floor desires me, so be it."
...The setting of disliking salons holds firm.
Anyway, after High El and Diend withdrew, I activated the skill, Spacetime Salon.
The view of Claudy Territory outside the window.
Suddenly, vision brightened excessively, revealing the Spacetime Salon.
Is this the top floor's realm?
Clack—
My first words upon stepping forward...
*
The current Arcana Continent. Before the cataclysm.
Can't compare to game-only days.
"Whoa, what's that eye in the sky?"
"Demon Eye, they say? Like the demons' artificial satellite. Creepy, right? A living eye the size of the moon watching us."
"Instead of gawking, how about moving?!"
Demon monsters.
"Don't let your guard down. They're literal demons!"
Players knew better than anyone they weren't ordinary monsters.
Post-cataclysm high-level meant clearing countless rifts.
Grip—
Weapons clenched tight.
Resolve etched on players' faces.
Memories of past experiences flashed.
"Drop my guard? In front of those? Am I crazy?"
It was that universal.
Every player entering Arcana Continent had lost something precious to demon monsters.
"They're blood enemies to me."
Whether comrades or family.
In reality, demons were one-man armies.
But things had changed.
Players who'd faced demons amid reality's negative aura.
"Wraiths ahead! Target fast!"
Even outnumbered by Arcana's demons, players didn't break easily.
Thanks to those cheat buffs, of course.
Second Sun guild master.
Shk— Shreyg shook off his second sword, Flore, like an extension of himself.
Post-London miracle, the weight on his shoulders long forgotten.
"Feels like ages. Combat-only entry."
Reality or rift battles? Too many worries.
Monitor rift closure in real time, for starters.
Mixed reality-Arcana scenery took adaptation time.
Executive Jackery chimed in.
"Yeah. Feels a difficulty step down?"
"You think so?"
"...No, rethink it—not really."
"Good, own it."
Shreyg smirked, checking his status window.
Dense buff effects floating.
Enough to mistake lower difficulty.
The leisure on Arcana Continent?
All thanks to the Holy War Alliance's total commander.
Scratching his helmet-mussed hair, Jackery asked,
"But that 'gentleman' in the buff message—is it really the commander? Not doubting, just player common sense doesn't compute."
Shreyg and Jackery.
Comrades syncing since pre-Arcana days.
Shreyg shot his old friend a glare.
"What? The commander's power?"
Shreyg was already irritable.
Top ten worldwide, Britain's best.
Hard to ignore grasping hands.
—"How long in the Holy War Alliance?"
—"Remember, you're British."
—"Reality's harsh. Think Lee Hoyeol will protect you forever? Arcana's land of opportunity. Act wisely..."
Not just him—even AAU London chief Baker backed Hoyeol.
Yet temptations outnumbered fingers.
For Shining and other rankers...
...even more.
Shreyg couldn't respond kindly.
Even Second Sun's No.2 Jackery faced similar.
Jackery waved it off.
"No! Not doubt—just can't grasp it! Ease that glare. Common sense? EXP skyrockets exponentially per level!"
Shreyg nodded.
"Sigh, whenever it's the commander...!"
Jackery continued,
"That's why! Commander's feats? Hard to level on normal stuff. Can't hunt demon kings, colossal sins, dragons daily."
Nod.
"Yet opens Arcana to rivals like us? EXP buffs, cheat continent packed?"
Shreyg finally replied.
"Different caliber, so incomprehensible. Natural."
"...What? You get it?"
"No, different caliber, so I don't."
If that worry, Shreyg agreed.
London miracle.
He'd vowed never forget Hoyeol's grace.
But opportunists riding coattails existed.
If they grow buff-backed...
Not good news.
Reality proved it—no unfounded fear.
Humans waver before immense opportunity, Shreyg knew.
Yet.
Even that was proof to someone, time to manifest.
Sudden flashing vision.
Rising message.
"...Huh?"
Not just near Claudy Territory players.
"What the...?"
To Ryu Ojuncheon and his Five Stars in Langery, continent outskirts.
And the empire's capital.
Antonium.
"!"
To Yong Seong Rak, ex-Tianxia Tongyi player.
Yet only he fully grasped it.
"Finally moving, Commander Lee Hoyeol...!"
[Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo begins a mythic quest.]
Yes.
Knowing the full name's meaning?
Only him among players...
.
.
.
Spacetime Salon, top floor.
[Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo begins a mythic quest.]
Seeing the flashing message, I vowed once more.
Raymon Sean.
I'm not letting you sit idle for real...!!