The Picture I Drew (2)
It was said to be a severe injury.
“Are you really, really okay?”
Blood pouring from my side, walking endlessly... Yeah, that's why I must have passed out.
Thinking that, I recalled the effect of First World Tree's Blessing.
No matter how severe the injury.
After the battle ended, recovery wouldn't have taken long.
Shall I look back at my memories? Recall the time I ingested two elixirs at once.
Back then, really...
Passed out from excruciating pain. Dropped the teacup. Halfway dipped in the afterlife.
It didn't take long to regain consciousness.
No need to go far—even now. Just a few hours after returning to the Iron Castle Ho, my injury was already perfectly healed.
So it was puzzling. Why had I been walking while bleeding?
Did First World Tree's Blessing fail to activate?
Otherwise, there'd be no reason to walk bleeding. Know thyself—this needed confirmation.
Whether Heaven and Earth Sole Respect or Blackening was the culprit, I couldn't tell. But knowing precisely would help prevent disasters.
Hiding my inner thoughts, I replied.
“As you see, same as always.”
Swoosh.
My gaze soon turned to the blood-soaked Dawn Jacket.
...Even in this situation, still obsessed with my appearance.
Anyway, it was fortunate. The Iron Castle Ho buzzed with excitement. I was perceptive enough to guess why. I could see the gazes directed at me shift from worry to relief in real time.
I muttered inwardly.
I'm still scared out of my wits, though.
As always, it was Nam Taemin's voice that woke me.
Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo...!
Before he could chant that full name, I'd hastily gathered my wits, draped the jacket over my shoulders, and stepped out of the cabin.
Of course, without revealing the specifics, I said,
“May I hear the mission report?”
They'd already seen me passed out anyway. With my memories hazy, I could just say I didn't remember what happened...
That silver tongue seems fully recovered.
My lofty pride remained as grand as ever. At least the Holy War Alliance was accustomed to Grandfell's manner of speech.
Hisagi Kazuma spoke first.
“A world message appeared. A single ray of light dimmed in endless darkness. We assumed something had happened to you, Grand Commander, and set out to find you immediately.”
...Starting off with a jolt.
Not content with flashing my full name, what the hell now? A title too?!
I bristled briefly at Raymon Sean, that devilish bastard, but the details continued.
“As you know, Grand Commander, the Arcana Continent was shrouded in thick darkness. Even the permanent rift to the Demon Realm, Behemoth's Maw, was no exception.”
Walls Whale stroked his beard with a groan. His precious hands, worth more than gold, were wrapped in bandages. He'd been injured in Behemoth's Maw, no doubt.
Even hearing it described, I don't remember.
Probably because Heaven and Earth Sole Respect activated after I passed out, triggering the abnormal status Blackening. That's why my memory film cuts off during the battle with the Sin of Wrath.
Like sinking into deep sleep. While I, Lee Hoyeol, lay unconscious in darkness, I needed to retrace what Grandfell had done.
Maintaining my poker face, I continued.
“I wish to hear your honest impressions.”
And I was stunned.
...Did I really do all that?
Hunting the Sin of Wrath was plausible. I'd come to in Behemoth's Maw. Grandfell of all people wouldn't abandon such prey for elsewhere.
But.
“Discus, a lich from the Demon Realm—an undead monster.”
They said I'd hunted a boss-grade monster that burst out from the Demon Realm. The next words were even more shocking. Discus wasn't just any boss.
Chainwalker adjusted his gear.
“Indeed, worthy of the king of corpses! This adamantium armor is damaged, after all. If we'd clashed properly, even we couldn't guarantee victory, Grand Commander.”
Dwarf-forged gear. Its renown spanned the Arcana Continent. Dwarven work started at unique grade, with epic items commonplace.
Dwarves in their own gear on the battlefield? Not blacksmiths as a combat class, but factoring in their equipment, they'd rank just below Mage Tower seniors.
Add the Iron Castle Ho's full might, and it's Mage Tower level.
Yet they couldn't guarantee victory. I, Lee Hoyeol, excel at self-assessment. Naturally, even with me joining, toppling Discus wouldn't have been easy.
And he's not even a demon.
Why was demon hunter a trash class? Natural Enemy targets were extremely limited. Demons and undead. They look similar, but Natural Enemy doesn't trigger against undead.
Gunner, the dwarf pilot who witnessed everything, spoke cautiously.
“Forgive the impertinence, Grand Commander... Witnessing that scene, I came to see you as a calamity. But it couldn't be helped. To bury that Demon Realm lich in darkness without lifting a finger!”
Apparently, I'd dispatched Discus with ease. With so many witnesses... it still didn't feel real, so I checked my status window.
Raymon Sean might be desperate to screw me over. But the system doesn't lie.
I checked my level first.
Let's see, then...
Maybe around level 100 up? I'd hunted Sin of Wrath and Demon Realm lich Discus. Arcana caps level gains at 50 per entity. Even massive EXP, max 100 levels total.
The level after sending corrupted Yunak Seus to hell. Add 100, should be 926...
I jolted at the held points too. 50 levels more than expected.
Arcana levels have invisible walls every 100. Crossing them spikes EXP requirements massively.
Level 900s. Boss raids aside, normal hunting won't cut it.
Simple, then. Between burying Wrath and Discus in darkness... I'd crushed something on their level.
Who? Guessing wasn't hard. Everyone seemed to know.
Chainwalker nodded at Gunner and added,
“But we can't relax yet. The king of corpses was surely pursuing a demon king. Yes—the Ten Thrones' demon king, Buer.”
Buer.
-Welcome. To stepping into the realm beyond heaven.
An upper demon king like Buer would drop more EXP than Wrath or lich Discus, if anything.
But...
I took him down?
I just couldn't believe it. Upper demon kings—true kings, beyond heaven—acknowledged just recently.
...Even for Grandfell.
Defeating Wrath, upper demon king Buer, then Discus—who challenged Buer—in succession? Unbelievable.
Proof. I need proof.
Naturally, I opened my inventory. And witnessed.
Sin of Wrath's spoils. Set item Neutral Parasite set. Following Envy and Lust.
Wrath's drop, seemingly. Effects later...
Next spoil. An unfamiliar item caught my eye.
◈ Leather cover of unknown origin.
◈ Adorned with blood-red gems.
◈ Bound with chain-like straps.
Unknown leather cover. Blood-red gems decorating it. Chain-wrapped straps. Looks like something a lich would carry. Obvious—Discus's spoil. A book? Skillbook? Curiosity piqued, but effects later.
Shifting gaze.
...Gone.
Spoils ended there. Buer was a demon king. A bottom-tier upper one. Should have dropped demon king spoils. But scouring inventory, nothing.
I reconsidered.
Maybe what I hunted wasn't Buer.
Arcana Continent is vast, Demon Realm too. Maybe another unknown demon of similar caliber.
That moment.
“...!”
I spotted it in my status window. Proof that I—not anyone else—had slain Buer.
But the proof was ominous.
Wait—Master of the Ten Thrones? That means king, right? Did I claim Buer's throne?!
*
There was always subtle rivalry between branches. Even aiming for world peace, human affairs inevitably tangled with national interests.
At the AAU General Assembly.
“Didn't know ties were this suffocating, Senior.”
Fidget.
Seong Hyunjun fiddled with his tie, whispering to Yoon Sugyeom beside him. Meant to ease tension, but alas, Yoon Sugyeom didn't hear.
“...My stomach's churning.”
Indescribable player, Lee Hoyeol. And Nam Taemin, who claimed Arcana's official ranking 1st via Yunak Seus raid heroics.
Their homeland, South Korea. The AAU Korea branch's influence surged accordingly.
Historic: AAU General Assembly in Seoul. Proof enough.
Yoon Sugyeom calmed his nerves, taking it in.
“Worlds apart from the monitor. So grand.”
The Mage Tower's Crystal Hall scenery.
All AAU branches' staff attend the assembly. Mage Tower perfect venue. Vast space, portals solving geography.
No one imagined using it as assembly hall, though.
“Senior, look there!”
“...Huh?”
“There, Branch Chief Park!”
Snap.
Seong Hyunjun's finger pointed to Park Minjae. Precisely, new Tower Master Marcelo, to whom Park Minjae bowed repeatedly.
Yoon Sugyeom assessed honestly.
“Seems the new Tower Master finds it burdensome.”
Obviously, Marcelo lacked 'someone's' iron mask. Overdone courtesy embarrassed him.
Seong Hyunjun grinned at his boss's new side.
“Chief Park's not flattering—he's genuinely thrilled, bowing like a rice cooker bobblehead? Hosting AAU assembly in Mage Tower! Saw it earlier—shoulders puffed among the chiefs...!”
Perfect timing. Marcelo's election spurred Mage Tower's aggressive opening. Heavily influenced by Hoyeol valuing Strange Phenomena.
Mage Tower's regular conferences and AAU assembly. Ripe for new outcomes.
Seong Hyunjun checked his watch, whispering.
“Starting soon.”
Why Thursday? Simple. Agendas needed. Thursday's regular update perfect stage to test new Strange Phenomena.
Yoon Sugyeom's tension stemmed from that.
“Materials are all set...”
At least ensure Mage Tower un-disappointed. Deliver solid results. He knew it.
But unfortunately.
“...!”
Thud.
The regular update details appeared, freezing Yoon Sugyeom's fingers. Not just him. All AAU, even Tower Master Marcelo's face stiffened.
Park Minjae ground his teeth lowly.
A new incident approaches those around you.
Demon King Struggle: Proof of the Ten Thrones
📍 Upper Demon Kings and new challengers appear.
📍 'Behemoth's Maw' no longer attacks demon monsters.
“Raymon Sean, that bastard really...”
*
I stared at the rising messages.
Will you challenge?
Will you prove?
The choice is yours alone, O King.
...They've got some serious misconception.
What were they thinking, dragging me into the Demon King Struggle?
I summed it up in one word.
“Checkmate.”
“Che-checkmate...?”
Damn, overlooked the ears around...!