Frost (3)
AAU. They were just as shocked as the players. Sighs erupted from branches around the world. Frost had fallen? It was something they hadn't even imagined.
"Let's think this through calmly first. This confirms it. Time flows in the Arcana world just like it does in reality."
That meant Arcana wasn't just a game anymore. Even if it had been one in the past, it had become another world now. They had to accept that.
"We've suspected that for a while. But this...! The speed is too fast. Everyone knows what kind of city Frost is, right?"
"...A siege difficulty on par with the empire's capital."
"Exactly! That's what doesn't make sense. How the hell did those demons take Frost? Even accounting for the time flow, physically...?"
Wait, time flow? Oh no. Why had they assumed the time flow was the same?
A forgotten setting suddenly came to mind.
"The time flow is different...!!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Damn it, I completely forgot. One day in reality equals four days in Arcana!"
24 hours in reality = 96 hours in Arcana.
That was a remnant setting from when Arcana was still a game. Maybe that's why they'd overlooked that simple fact.
"...Time flows four times faster in Arcana than in reality? Then it all fits."
"The demons didn't suddenly get stronger?"
"Damn it, then Frost falling isn't so strange after all?"
Everyone listening reached a horrifying possibility in that instant.
"...So what the hell is happening in the Arcana world right now?"
Frost, with its towering walls, had crumbled. Small villages and cities...? No need to even mention them.
Sighs leaked out from everywhere.
"Humanity's counterattack? What counterattack? Damn it...!"
The Arcana world was being trampled by demons. And more importantly, those demons were updating into reality beyond Arcana.
AAU coldly tapped at their calculators.
"What's the chance players can retake Frost from the demons?"
"...Impossible."
"Minimum level 600. The point where ranker players could eye the Frost lord position."
For even that Frost to be brutally crushed meant the demons who took it were level 600 or higher.
Current players taking down demon monsters like that?
"Damn...!"
No matter how they thought about it, impossible.
That was AAU's conclusion.
"...Hold on."
Until Hoyeol made his appearance.
Situation room. Monitors covering the walls showed Hoyeol's figure.
Silver hair fluttering like snowflakes. Suit and shoes again. That impeccable attire, unchanged since his debut.
They weren't surprised by that alone. But what shocked AAU was the NPCs—no, Arcana natives—following behind him.
"No way."
The Lion Heart Knight Order again.
By their lore, sworn to their lord, no matter how much relationship you built, you couldn't lead the knights...?
How could a mere player like Hoyeol lead the Lion Heart Knight Order—not once, but repeatedly?
That alone was shocking enough. But then...
"...The Shadow Mercenaries too!"
Shadow Mercenaries. They appeared alongside Hoyeol as well.
"He built relations with those black幕 too...?"
Black幕. That's what they called the Shadow Mercenaries for a simple reason. Hidden behind a black veil until now, they wielded considerable influence even in the late game.
Yeah, if you had to compare, they were on par with the Mage Tower.
"...They don't step into the spotlight, but their influence."
"Enough to shake the continent beyond the empire, right?"
"Hard for players to grasp their true value right now...? Sure, their insanely high fees give some hint."
"Haha..."
A burst of hollow laughter escaped.
"Mage Tower, Lion Heart, now Shadow Mercenaries too?"
It was too unbelievable. But the fact they could even laugh hollowly meant they'd caught their breath.
Yeah, it was too early to despair.
With Hoyeol's appearance, AAU's conclusion flipped in an instant.
"For now, let's watch calmly. Lee Hoyeol's moves...!"
Everything has its reasons.
"Ugh, it's cold."
"Don't whine, Miss Kichi. Remember, we have a mission to reclaim Frost."
"Yeees~ I know. But can't I say it's cold when it is? Ugh, Yusra Kingdom was warm and sunny, perfect..."
Me showing up in Frost with the Lion Heart Knight Order and Shadow Mercenaries? There were reasons for all of it.
Such circumstances, who knew.
I spoke with Harkon about Frost.
The empire's strongest knight order, Lion Heart. Their captain, Harkon Kingsguard.
Naturally, he'd have plenty of siege experience. I figured I might pick up some siege tips.
But Harkon's reaction was unexpected.
"...Frost has fallen? Sir, is that true?!"
Harkon had updated into reality right around the time he was on an expedition to a village not far from Frost.
The great Harkon ground his teeth in fury.
"Sir, it's because I failed to slay that demon legion commander that this disaster happened! If only I'd properly carried out His Majesty's final order...! Frost...!"
Demon legion commander, huh.
I don't know the demon king's org chart, but...
Clearly tied to the demon king subjugation from the class quest. The name screamed it.
This could be a freebie if played right. I secretly looked forward to it.
If I can get info on that demon legion commander...
Prep in advance. Plenty to prepare for even now.
Top priority: buying demon items for exorcism ritual activation. Saving at the Mage Tower meant thorough prep was possible.
Living cleanly paid off.
But then.
"Sir. The Lion Heart Knight Order will join you."
...His words exceeded my expectations by miles.
Harkon's eyes burned with resolve.
"His Majesty's final order was to slay the demon legion commander. Until His Majesty recalls that order, we will hunt this world's demon legion commanders—no, all demons."
Harkon continued.
"Our will aligns with yours."
...No reason for me to refuse.
What was my goal? Clearing the class quest.
They're helping with the quest? And ongoing too!
What sturdier backup could there be?
Lest he change his mind.
I replied to Harkon immediately.
"I respect your pride, Sir Harkon."
That was how the Lion Heart Knight Order joined.
Shadow Mercenaries? Nothing much to say there.
If they say suck it up, I suck it up.
Me and the Shadow Mercenaries. Our relationship started as pure superior-subordinate.
Captain Kichi's first meeting stuck vividly.
"Hic—"
"Some problem?"
"N-no. I just got startled... uh, hic."
Why, she hiccuped nonstop staring at me from the start.
During her self-intro, I said coldly.
"You wish to start anew here in Yusra?"
Shadow Mercenaries. They'd do anything for money.
Kichi defended them that way.
"...Haha, yeah? You see right through us. Hic."
True. A quick search showed it. Insanely expensive fees. Strong enough for any job. But cost-performance so bad no one wanted them.
"However, regrettably."
Not unknown or bad rep. Just money-driven?
"I despise folk like you."
Pure integrity. To Grandfell, no baser breed existed.
I saw why Hakuna left judging them to me.
"...Hic!"
Misunderstanding forbidden. That was a hiccup, not a sob. The shoulder shakes too.
Of course, even tears wouldn't sway Grandfell.
But.
"Yet I shall trust that vow."
"Hic? What?! Vow?"
"To discard the past and start anew."
Scribble—!
I signed their papers without hesitation.
"I shall watch if you find your pride."
Kichi looked deeply moved then.
Of course, it didn't last.
Soon I declared to the Shadow Mercenaries.
"A chance to prove your vow."
Yes, I semi-forced the Shadow Mercenaries into demon king subjugation.
Everything involves give and take. I'd staked my life defending Yusra Kingdom.
Want a sip? Prove your worth.
Kichi trailed off.
"No pay, just danger...?"
Unimaginable in their past. But they vowed to discard that past.
For a fresh start.
"...We'll do it. No, we must. No, we will. No, just entrust it to us. Hic!"
If ordered, they obey.
I'm adept at org dynamics too.
Lion Heart joined willingly. Shadow Mercenaries, semi-forced with Kichi at the helm.
That was why we appeared in Frost together.
One circumstance overlooked, though.
Why of all places...!
The North Sea right in front of Russia again?
No parka, not even a coat. My attire left me cursing local conditions...
But the bone-chilling cold didn't last.
Hell manifested in reality. Frost ablaze with flames.
The area around it brimmed with heat, no chill in sight.
Harkon barely suppressed his emotions.
"...We will reclaim it, no matter what, Your Majesty."
I felt something indefinable, unrelated to Frost. For Lion Heart, tied to it, their feelings must be immeasurable.
Yet the empire's finest knights. They wouldn't let emotion sway them before foes.
"Sir, survivors there too?"
Knightly honor. They grow stronger protecting what's precious.
Thump thump—!
The lions' hearts pounded fiercely.
"Today, we reclaim Frost from evil!"
Cheers surged with morale.
...And these Lion Hearts will aid my class quests ongoing?
No one has better backup than me.
No hesitation in those valiant lion-hearted knights.
Harkon got to the point.
"Sir. Entering Frost is top priority."
I agreed.
Demon King Subjugation
📍 The King of Demons.
📍 Their demonic influence begins to spread.
📍 Last demon hunter.
📍 Topple the throne of evil.
─ Train your weakened body. (Repeat)
─ Investigate the northern city Frost. (In Progress)
The quest's top goal was investigating Frost too.
First, open those sealed Frost gates. Or tear down the walls.
Thinking that way...
...Feels daunting.
This was a real siege. Beyond even Count Ascura's!
Common knowledge: defenders hold the advantage in sieges.
Demons could take it thanks to status ailments.
Not fair siege. Sneaky tricks obvious.
Yet they seal the gates tight.
"Utterly insolent."
Of course I couldn't stand by.
Siege tactics. Siege weapons for gates or walls.
If just blasting Frost, air strikes most effective.
Not inaccessible like rifts.
Modern civ's power. How 'bout that, demons?
A bit smug possible.
But no.
"...Survivors!"
"What, really? Where?"
"...Looks like they're dragging them somewhere? Or already dead?"
"What're these demon bastards up to?"
Drone footage from above. Players said NPCs—Arcana natives—definitely inside.
Couldn't tell life or death. But couldn't risk explosions.
One option left.
Power rivaling missiles, but precisely controllable.
Obviously, only magic.
I checked the rising message.
Natural Enemy Relationship
The demon king. His malice leaking from Frost was enough to affect me outside the walls.
I drew up mana.
Search, interference, manifestation. Swift process.
I manifested magic toward the sealed gates.
Then a message appeared.
"...!!!"
Before me and every player present.