Akkshan's Legacy (3)

[Quest: Trap Breakthrough]

Reach the portal while avoiding the intricate traps.

Rewards will follow according to your ranking.

─Current Ranking

●1st: 1 min 01 sec

●2nd: 4 min 41 sec

●3rd: 4 min 50 sec

The [Trap Breakthrough] quest. The rewards based on ranking. Those were directly beneficial for the next quest, the [Tournament] quest.

I checked my inventory, and one small mechanical device caught my eye.

A ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clean sweep, and three wins at that! Considering the [Tournament] quest's goal of 30 points, the item's effect was pretty impressive in its own right.

But I wasn't fooled.

'A reward for solitude that's just this much?'

What good is 9 points? The opposing teams would all be three players. Even if I handed them points, I'd just get buried at this rate.

So I racked my brain.

……I'll struggle to the end.

I won't waste a single thing.

I'll drag in everything I have and don't have.

True to my motto.

I hadn't skimmed the description either.

'Though simple in appearance, it embodies considerable technological prowess…….'

If I, Lee Hoyeol, a liberal arts grad, had seen this, I'd have glossed right over it. I'd have glanced at the device, thought it's more complex than it looks, and moved on.

But not Grandfell.

With a magic tome open, he'd read through the night until the end.

With a sword in hand, he'd train until exhaustion.

Would Grandfell's body just pass over such a description?

"Intriguing."

Impossible.

That's right. I didn't use the [Quirnburk Ascension Lever - 3rd Floor] right away. Instead, I stood rigidly atop the mechanical device and began examining it.

"Complex circuits. The exquisite technology that realizes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them."

Grandfell's talent and aesthetics affirmed as much.

"Magnificent."

No matter who the creator was, this was no ordinary item.

For any ordinary object, the examination would have ended quickly. But as I said, the lever was incredibly complex and intricate. Dozens of mineral types alone. Each part's design was so perfect it sent shivers down my spine.

"A flawless magitech device."

After an exhaustive examination, that was my verdict. My eyes were so dry from the focus.

'Without the forfeit win system, I might have been eliminated outright.'

Distracted by the lever, unable to mount a proper counterattack.

But talent is talent.

Regardless, I'd completed the examination. And thanks to that…

"I have been awaiting thee."

…I was brimming with confidence, enough to greet my opponents formally.

The source of that confidence? Simple.

'I've grasped the basic structure and circuits.'

In magic manifestation, the bulk of the effort is in exploration. Having finished that, I could now interfere with the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.

Just as I could interfere with the rock after examining it. I could now interfere with the visible mechanical devices.

In other words…

"No intent to return greetings, I see."

I didn't know why they wore those expressions. But they'd made a grave mistake.

'To refuse my courteous greeting.'

Grandfell's disdain for breached etiquette. My resolve toward the quest rewards. The moment those aligned…

There was no hesitation.

I drew up my mana.

Ultimately, victory or defeat hinged on claiming the gear floating in the center. It wasn't a fight; just snag the gear and done.

My odds of losing now that I could interfere across the mechanical tower?

'Just raise a mechanical wall and take it.'

Honestly, zero.

"……I concede defeat."

……What was this?

Sudden surrender?

I flinched. Internal strife in their team? Their expressions had looked grave.

Whatever their circumstances, it wasn't my concern.

"I respect thy decision."

Lest they change their minds, I snatched the gear. Up to then, I'd half-doubted, but…

Clank—!

Whiiiir—!

Watching their platform descend, confirming the quest window… only then did it sink in.

Three points gained, sole lead secured. Factoring in the 9 points banked via the [Quirnburk Ascension Lever - 3rd Floor]…

Just one more win. Win once, hit 30 points. Clear the [Tournament] quest in 1st.

Seeing the message, I thought:

'Who else will forfeit?'

But after forfeit wins on top of byes, hoping for more freebies might be pushing it.

*

The two teams in the lead.

15p → 18p

15p → 13p

The moment their points flipped, the onlookers gulped.

"One team was Rocks', right?"

Shining's master, Rocks. Including Rocks, their team didn't stream or broadcast personally. Their joint lead became known when the 4-win group clashed.

"I-I thought my heart stopped back then!"

The overwhelming pressure from Rocks, vividly transmitted via the opponent's view!

Player ranking a solid 2nd. One of the few in the 400s.

When such a Rocks appeared, excitement was inevitable.

True to expectations, Rocks dominated and claimed the gear.

Even with balance system matching average levels, stopping Rocks was impossible.

"Hah hah. Really earning that EXP value, Rocks."

As levels rise absolutely, Arcana's system demands exponentially more EXP per level-up. The skill gap matching that EXP was natural.

"Look at the top teams' members! Each has a top ranker. Rocks, Camilla, and even our Korea's Nam Taemin!"

Yes, even with balance, perfect equalization was impossible.

Expectations swelled accordingly.

"Then the other team must be Lee Hoyeol's, right?"

The overwhelming force shown in the Demon King Decarabia raid. Some had speculated his level from that feat.

But this was the perfect chance to gauge it accurately.

Clank—!

"……Th-the mechanism is descending!"

The duel for sole lead. Who lost?

As attention peaked, the reveal was…

"Rocks?!"

Rocks, dropped to the 13-point group with a loss. Questions poured on him.

"Lee Hoyeol was up there, right?! Right?!"

"Was it really Lee Hoyeol? Someone had to see."

"……But why those faces?"

With high levels came vast experience. Meaning more knowledge than most.

Knowledge reveals more. Rocks' shock lingered.

'Definitely alone.'

Rocks assessed himself coldly. Could he handle three players solo? No, impossible.

Balance system? He'd retort.

'Rifts have appropriate levels.'

[Quirnburk Mechanical Tower Rift]. Appropriate level: 400. Central tournament area: even higher at 450.

Most players wouldn't dare enter.

'Minimum 300 to…….'

No, even that was lowballing. Yet Rocks couldn't shake the shock.

Because…

'Then Lee Hoyeol's level, at absolute minimum……?'

Equivalent to 900. Post-Decarabia raid, Rocks had pegged him at 700. He'd thought no underestimation.

'I was way off.'

900. Daunting, no thought of catching up.

Compared to Hoyeol, he was nothing—but as a top ranker, he knew the effort per level.

Suddenly, Hoyeol's actions made sense. Heaven and Earth Sole Respect. Unwavering confidence. Dismissing demon ailments. Unnamed flashy skills. And just now…

—I have been awaiting thee.

The casual greeting.

'……Not strange at all.'

Considering his level, all natural. Realization cleared his mind.

'Bigger goals are better.'

Like shedding ill-fitting clothes.

'Since when did I look down on others?'

Yes, always from the bottom. Underdog rising from depths fuels more drive.

Rocks' eyes sharpened.

"Still too early to give up."

"……Pardon?"

"Rules say first to 30 points."

A massive wall named Hoyeol loomed, but no need ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to topple it directly.

Beating other teams nets 3 points too.

His teammates caught on.

"……Right! Hoyeol has to wait too!"

At least one team. Until another hits matching points, Hoyeol must wait.

Rocks planned to exploit that.

He grinned at his team.

"Unfair, right? Only we feel Hoyeol's terror."

"Yeah. Couldn't put it into words. That was……."

"How does he greet in that situation……!!"

Yes, the crux at 27 points minimum. But from one win remaining.

'Need strategy.'

When Hoyeol faces a 27-point team, they face another 27-point team. Win first. Reach 30 first.

'Easiest way. Only way.'

Easier than beating Hoyeol—manipulate other teams' points.

Rocks raised his sword.

"W-wait! Rocks! We weren't planning to fight right away……!"

Just a question, yet sword drawn. Panicked players waved hands, but Rocks was unmoved.

'Last chance.'

Now gauging Hoyeol's level, competing was futile. Any rift, any raid—outshining him impossible.

'Maybe the last shot to surpass Lee Hoyeol.'

Whoosh—!

He couldn't miss it. Rocks charged the gear.

But Rocks didn't know.

About the [Quirnburk Ascension Lever] granting 9 points instantly.

That Hoyeol needed just 3 more.

Nor that, at that moment…

"Tough climb, but alas."

…Hoyeol had claimed the final gear!

.

.

.

As expected, clean sweep.

Sealed players' movements with mechanical walls. Casually took the gear.

"……H-Hoy, Lee Hoyeol—you alone?!"

"Indeed."

"H-how did you reach here solo……?!"

"Etiquette and procedure must be observed."

"?!!"

Last time they surrendered. This time, no wild resistance either. Just matching stunned faces, like they'd seen a ghost.

'Outcome the same anyway.'

Even if they rampaged, couldn't breach the walls. Dozens of minerals alloyed—far tougher than stone.

21 points achieved. No hesitation.

[Quirnburk Ascension Lever - 3rd Floor]. Combined with mechanism.

Clank—!

Pulled the lever.

Shwoooo—!

Platform rocketed up. Quest window blinked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠simultaneously.

……How long will this acceleration last? Gyro drop or what?

How high, how fast? Ears ringing!

Of course, no outward awe.

"The pinnacle of brilliant technology."

……Yeah, better bravado than retching.

Then, the scenery shifted.

"!"

Like peering through glass. View outside Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.

The sight was, as expected, 【Bizarre】.

But I knew. Bizarre scene. Yet reality and Arcana blended.

So I realized.

'……That's the Arcana Continent?'

Nam Cheolmin, Hakuna, Baek Isul… The reason demons swarmed reality.

That instant, the quest window blinked.

Twice.