That Difficult Thing (2)
Bzzz— Hisagi Kazuma's smartphone vibrated noisily. He checked the caller ID. As expected, it was them.
The bald-headed man beside him asked cautiously, “Kazuma. You sure about this?”
“About what?”
“We'll follow you anywhere, always. But can you handle the fallout?”
To the Korean player, Lee Hoyeol. Japan's pride and symbol, Inazuma, had bowed their heads. That scene, captured by players broadcasting live, spread across the world.
“We owe you a tremendous debt. Truly, thank you.”
There had been no directive from the Japanese government for that action. Indeed, it was Hisagi's unilateral decision.
Hisagi narrowed his snake-like eyes. “Well. What do you think?”
“……Us? Probably the same as you.”
“Isn't it obvious after what we saw?”
The tanned-skinned woman who cut in spat on the ground and continued. “Those shitheads. Talking without knowing jack.”
Frost. Having watched from the same space, through the same players' eyes. The Inazuma guild members could bow to Lee Hoyeol with sincere hearts.
If not for Lee Hoyeol, Hokkaido by now would be…
“To the man who saved hundreds of thousands—no, millions of lives, and we can't even give a proper thank you? Just because he's Korean? I've thought it before, but those higher-ups are…!”
“Don't get mad. You'll just hurt yourself.”
“……Hoo. So you're going, Kazuma?”
The bald man asked in a tone that didn't match his rough face.
Hisagi's snake eyes flashed. “Yeah. Gotta show those old fogeys reality.”
……
Creak— Hisagi dropped to his knees. Surrounding him were Japanese government officials. They began spewing vitriol at him.
“Don't you think it's a lack of ability, Hisagi?”
“Bowing to a Korean? You idiot…!”
“With Gaon surpassing Inazuma now. Do you not realize the gravity of your actions?!”
Lick— Should I just kill them? Hisagi moistened his dry lips and seriously contemplated it. Skewering those greasy bodies like kebabs. It wouldn't even take a few seconds.
But he had to hold back. For his own sake, if not. For the comrades riding on his shoulders.
I was a fool.
In Frost, Hisagi had realized it. The massive delusion he'd been under all this time.
[Frost Recapture].
Thanks to the sudden quest, he'd forgotten. Blinded by contribution points, he'd overlooked that the demons had appeared in Hokkaido.
He realized it after encountering Lee Hoyeol.
Even thinking back, I got nothing to say.
Precisely, after witnessing Lee Hoyeol rescuing survivors. Not content with saving the living, he even gathered the scattered corpses.
For a moment, Hisagi's mind reeled.
……If Lee Hoyeol had been even a little later.
Hokkaido's residents…
They could have ended up like that.
That thought made him feel like a complete idiot.
What the hell was I doing?
But the realization was Hisagi's alone. These higher-ups were the same as ever.
“Even prioritizing national interest isn't enough. Tsk.”
“Exactly. Didn't I say to delay their entry a bit more?!”
“You're right. If a few dozen Hokkaido civilians got caught up, and we used that as an excuse to launch missiles. It would've been far better than this.”
Men who treated others' lives like rags for their own gain.
Once the delusion shattered, reality came into focus.
In the end, I'll be used and discarded too.
Of course, Hisagi had no intention of going quietly.
Such a Hisagi rose from his seat. The men sipping sake flinched and asked.
“What are you doing, Hisagi?”
“Our talk isn't over!”
“Hey now. Sit back down!”
They were still deluded. Instead of answering, Hisagi exuded killing intent.
Class: Spear Master.
Player Ranking 6th.
His epithet: Spear of Lightning.
The killing intent he unleashed in earnest was thicker than a snake's venom.
“H-Hisagi!”
“There must be some misunderstanding in our words…”
“Th-that's not what we meant.”
Clang— Trembling hands. The dropped sake cup shattered, and their crotches soaked with something that might be sake or not.
Hisagi replied.
“From now on, Inazuma will not cooperate with the government.”
“……Wh-what?! What nonsense is that!”
“Do as you will regarding any punishment.”
Hisagi's eyes flashed. “If you can still draw breath after, that is.”
At those words, the officials realized reality.
“……!”
The position they'd thought they controlled— Hisagi's power…!
When it came to strength, he was a top-ten player worldwide. Even elite bodyguards would mean nothing against him.
To stop Hisagi, they'd need at least someone like Nam Taemin.
But.
As if that's possible…?
Players of that caliber didn't move for petty requests or money.
Hisagi's words were no bluff.
We're really gonna die…!
The frozen officials. Leaving them behind.
“Then, this snake will take his leave. Enjoy yourselves.”
Hisagi bowed and exited the room.
In the end, he'd done it. Hisagi shrugged.
“Might not be able to live in my homeland anymore, huh?”
For now, at least. They wouldn't let a snake that slipped the jar go free.
Hisagi pondered seriously. “Well, exile doesn't sound bad.”
His homeland was a needless superpower, after all. Considering tangled national interests. Few countries would take him in…
But one man who wouldn't care about Japan at all. No, wouldn't even give it a thought.
Hisagi knew one such person.
Inazuma bowing their heads. Accepting that courteous gesture as a matter of course. The dignity emanating from that demeanor.
Hisagi counted on his fingers, gauging his funds. “……How much for Yusra Kingdom investor immigration, I wonder.”
*
The liquor of this world was starting to suit his taste.
“Kya. I love these green bottles~”
“Cheap taste never changes. Captain.”
“Cheeeap? You're looking down on me 'cause I'm from the slums, huhhh?”
“……Whoa. Captain's already wasted. Total mess.”
The sisters who never touched booze. The kid who hated hassle. The geezer dodging with age.
Excluding those few, the Shadow Mercenaries held a booze-up disguised as a regular meeting.
Kichi hiccuped and yelled. “Hey, fatty! Pipe down!!”
“Argh, hold on. I'm coming out. Right here.”
“Mess plus mega-mess. Ugh.”
The blaring TV noise.
Fatty— Rackid— was glued to the screen. His massive muscles made even the 100-inch TV look small. Contrary to that intimidation, Rackid's eyes sparkled.
“Whoa. They kept this good stuff to themselves.”
He'd thought it was just a picture frame. But touching something made a moving image appear. A live one, at that.
In Arcana Continent, this was priceless, no matter how much gold you offered.
Enough to make eyes bulge in wonder alone. Rackid focused on the news.
I don't think so. According to Japanese government sources, Inazuma's actions do not align with the government's views at all…
Boring, uninteresting chatter. Amid endlessly popping data screens. There was a familiar face: Lee Hoyeol.
“So. Next is. Me.”
Yeah, Lee Hoyeol. Rackid magnanimously understood.
Well, that guy's done some feats.
But this Rackid had rampaged fiercely too. Praise him like Lee Hoyeol, lift him up too.
“……So how long are you gonna show the same damn face?!”
But vainly waiting. No matter how long, no matter the channel. All Lee Hoyeol, all the time.
“……Same crap front to back?! Suddenly. What the hell.”
When the breaking news ended and an annoying CF popped up. Rackid's patience exploding was inevitable.
Gulp gulp— Fuming, Rackid approached and downed whiskey like water. Matching his bulk, three bottles empty. With an aggrieved face, he demanded.
“What makes me worse than that Lee Hoyeol?!”
Here we go again. The usual ignored grumbling from the low seat.
The only response came from the tipsy captain, Kichi.
Kichi giggled. “……Can't use magic. Can't fight either.”
“Magic, fine. But fighting?! What fighting does a mage do…”
“Tsk tsk tsk. You know nothing, Rackid. Hic.”
That monster, wielding sword aura freely…
“Hic—”
So much to say. But body and tongue wouldn't obey.
Still, this had to be said. Kichi drove the nail in.
“And above all…”
“……What. More drunken bullshit.”
“Lee Hoyeol's way handsomer than you.”
“Wha?! What did you sayyy?!”
Everything else he could take, but not that! Rackid's face turned beet red.
To such a Rackid, Kichi sincerely added. “Hic— Anyway, don't mess with him. Unless you wanna die.”
Rackid had street smarts.
Geezer and now captain too?
Alkari, and now Kichi. They rated Lee Hoyeol highly.
There must be a reason. Rackid had no objections.
……That magic wasn't ordinary.
So Rackid could only wail. “Then where do I vent my injustice!!”
As expected, only the plastered Kichi answered.
“Lee Ho-yeol? Probably at the Mage Tower by now?”
Rackid inwardly whistled.
Diligence had limits. He'd felt it watching from Yusra Kingdom. No one lived as exhaustingly as Lee Hoyeol.
Makes that strength make sense.
By the way.
“……But you say don't touch him. Why tell me that?”
“Too noisy. Thought a beating might shut you up.”
“Ain't planning to go get beat. And what? Mage Tower? Why go to a monster den again? Am I crazy?!”
*
Drip drip. Beads of sweat poured.
You have met the conditions.
Reward will be granted.
I panted heavily and said, “Quite effortless.”
This damned bravado.
The class quest boosting strength and agility. Me, repeating aerobic and anaerobic exercises daily. Digesting massive volume. Naturally, base stamina rose beyond stats.
“Post-workout tea isn't bad either.”
Clink— Tea time enjoyed amid thirst.
As always, I tossed out a question. ……Am I really gonna die like this?
Drowning in pride and formality.
But I felt it with my body. From all the struggling, maybe. Now I couldn't sink even if I wanted…!
“Even this is becoming familiar.”
Yes, humans were animals of adaptation. Enhanced stamina left vitality even after grueling routines.
Truly, a conundrum.
Why, even now.
Before, physical fatigue excused legal rest. But with stamina up. Endless Grandfell pride rants. I had to play along.
Back from demon king slaying straight to Mage Tower. The lab, no less.
But whining more was pointless.
……Fine.
I knew this pride never bent.
I discarded lingering thoughts and checked the quest window.
“Akshan, was it. A nostalgic name.”
Akshan's Legacy
📍 The beacon of survival has been firmly delivered.
Final demon hunter.
Reclaim your legacy lost to evil.
◇ Train your weakened body. (Repeat)
As predicted. The smoke from demon remains was indeed the beacon.
Since it confirmed delivery. Specifics unknown. But slaying Decarabia fulfilled conditions.
Wait till next objective pops.
Akshan's legacy.
Logically.
Probably high chance at Akshan Base. Duh.
Problem: Akshan Base vanished from Arcana overnight.
Past players dismissed it.
Yeah, I'd think that too. If Arcana was a normal game.
But experience taught otherwise. Arcana wasn't normal.
Even Yusra Isles, mere treasure island, had ancient kingdom and great evil story.
Akshan Base likely had backstory.
And that's the class quest…
Got it. I spoke.
“The day of reunion with thee draws near.”
Not remembering faces or names. Shameless to the end.
Quest objectives will pop when due.
For now, stick to tasks.
Thoughts sorted. Sitting rigidly. Whoosh— Text appeared on parchment.
Sender: Chief Mage Marcelo.
Clink— I calmly tilted my teacup.
Read the rising text.
……This?
But the content was unexpected. Quite so.
From: Chief Mage Marcelo