The Player Community Goes Wild
But honestly, there was no need to even check the community forums. The news channels were nonstop with coverage of the new update.
"The AAU has confirmed that Viscount Ascura is a vampire—a demon-type monster."
"Major guilds are expressing strong reservations. They can't recklessly enter a rift with such obvious dangers."
I finally checked the update myself. And I was stunned.
……What? Level 430?!
Level 430—that's higher than the current world No. 1 ranker!
I wanted to take back my earlier words calling it an inferior breed.
And not only that, it's a demon-type. Among players, demons were notoriously tricky monsters to deal with. The common wisdom was that to safely take one down, you needed to be at least 10 levels higher.
So.
They updated this thing expecting us to clear it?
No wonder the reaction was total chaos! Now I got why the world was flipping out. With the risks so clear, it made sense for the big guilds to play it safe.
But if they kept eyeing each other and the rift collapsed? That'd be hell on earth for real.
Of course, I was fully aware.
Predator-Prey Relationship
Combat power surges dramatically against demons.
Predator-Prey Relationship.
The demon hunter class skill's effect was way more insane than I'd thought.
But the imp was only level 200, right? Hunting Viscount Ascura, who was more than double that? Unthinkable.
But that was just the conclusion from my, Lee Hoyeol's, puny brain.
Right now, my heart was pounding the same as always.
Yeah—the beat that said no demon mattered, whatever it was.
No demon's temptation, deception, or trial can even scratch Grandfell's lofty pride.
Imp or vampire. Even in front of a demon king.
This arrogant pride would never bend.
Talk about peak chuuni—straight-up courting death.
Of course, I had zero intention of dying stylishly while screaming.
Long and thin as possible. That's the life I wanted.
Wait a sec.
But right now, even my brain was on board.
A glittering quest window.
Hunt the Vampire (In Progress)
● Notify that the hunt has begun (In Progress)
Looking at those quest objectives brought back old memories.
I recalled the demon hunter's way of hunting demons.
And that gave me certainty.
If I follow the quest like back then……
I might actually be able to hunt the vampire.
That kind of certainty.
Suddenly, my mind filled with visions of flower fields.
How much EXP would I get from beating Viscount Ascura?
Maybe some sweet loot too? Oh right, can't forget the class quest rewards.
But my lips didn't twitch a millimeter.
To Grandfell, my fancy flower field was less than the family garden he'd glance at in passing.
Simply put, it was all a given.
Things he was meant to seize.
I spoke in a cold voice.
"Even accounting for the hassle of hiding, the punishment shall be compounded."
*
The Mage Tower.
Its interior was indescribably mystical.
"Holy shit. Nothing like the outside?!"
Vast space, like different laws of physics applied. Countless books decorating it.
And the centerpiece: the glowing portal in the center.
"Russia? No tower there—nightmare fuel just thinking about it."
"Master's call was spot on, huh? Lucky we set up in Korea quick. Look at Japan or China guilds—stubborn asses stuck taking flights to Russia."
"Even after landing, it's a five-hour drive from the airport."
Portal. Mass teleportation magic. High-tier, as expected—only a handful of players could use it.
Comparing player portals to the Mage Tower's? Impossible.
"When do I get to cast something like this?"
"Even at max level? No shot."
"……Max level? Does Arcana even have one?"
"Nah. So impossible forever."
"Dude, the way you're saying it."
Player portals were emergency escapes, not travel tools. Mana drain was insane.
"Still, when else do we get to spam portals like this?"
The tower's portals weren't free originally. But the world changed, and so did the tower.
Crowds swarmed the portal area.
Top draw? Undoubtedly Gaon.
"Has Gaon found a strategy for Viscount Ascura?"
"Why decide on an expedition before other guilds?"
"Even if Gaon fails, should you share the intel with others?"
World rank 5. Korea's top guild, Gaon.
Guild master Nam Taemin answered the barrage.
"Regrettably, no strategy. Since when have we weighed strategies before challenging rifts……? Why first? To stay ahead in the race, obviously."
His words brimmed with confidence, fitting the occasion.
"And what? Share intel if we fail? Sorry, not happening. 'For humanity's peace' or whatever—they can shove it. If they're salty, tell 'em to challenge the rift themselves. That's real peace, right?"
The reporters flinched at his momentum.
But unlike his bold front, Nam Taemin was burning inside.
Gaon had bet big on this expedition.
We need results.
The Mage Tower drew major guilds worldwide to Korea. Good for the government or public, maybe. Not for Gaon.
Their home turf advantage was shrinking daily.
Gaon's moves spurred the others.
The reporters buzzed.
"……Huh? Isn't that Shining Guild?"
World rank 1. Unquestioned strongest, Shining.
Their expedition force arrived at the tower.
"Yeah, that's how it's done."
Shining moved. Others would follow.
Reporters shifted to Shining.
Now Nam Cheolmin approached, patting his brother's shoulder.
"No need to rush. It's a long game anyway."
"I know. Just got fired up."
"First day on the job and it's this intense. Wild."
"Bro, just call it good vibes."
Nam Cheolmin joined as Gaon's analyst.
Didn't expect a massive raid from day one……
But he stuck to his duties. Parachute drop was fine.
Didn't want a faulty one.
"Briefed the guildies."
"Briefing?"
"Yeah, this new rift's layout is weird."
He pulled out a tablet PC. Three overlapping circles.
Nam Cheolmin pointed to the outermost.
"This is the territory outskirts rifts. Drew circles for clarity, but hundreds of perfectly round rifts."
"……Hundreds? Then the next circle?"
"Viscount's estate rifts. Smaller—about 30."
"Innermost one's the castle, huh."
He nodded.
"Yeah, Ascura's in the central castle rift."
"Wait, it legit looks like a real castle……?"
"Right? Made me think."
"?"
Swipe—the screen changed to a medieval castle image.
"What if collapse summons the actual Viscount Ascura's castle?"
"……Bro, that's too far-fetched."
"Why? Towers popping up everywhere."
"……."
Nam Taemin had no comeback. Bro was right.
But if it collapsed and summoned the castle……
"……Siege warfare?"
"Yeah, that's my worry."
"This is nuts. Already on the edge as is?!"
In Arcana, sieges favored defenders hugely.
Here, defender was Viscount Ascura.
Nam Taemin was sure.
"Then it's straight-up impossible."
Nam Cheolmin shrugged.
The brothers fell silent briefly.
Nam Taemin spoke first.
"Just give it our all."
"Good mindset."
"You too, get hyped."
"First gig's too heavy."
Nam Cheolmin had gripes.
"Was focused on recruiting rookies. Renegotiating contracts, polite texts…… then boom, update."
The rookie? Obviously Hoyeol.
Even now, Nam Cheolmin fretted over him.
Nam Taemin too.
"Tch. Every player's precious for this raid."
"Told ya, bump the split!"
"Bro, it was 9.5-0.5. We were 0.5! Where's more to give? House, car, activity funds—and it'd take 10+ years to recoup."
"Ugh, your fault."
Bickering paused.
"Anyway, time to prep."
Portal entry time.
Nam Taemin tilted his head.
"……What? Already ready?"
"What does an analyst prep?"
"No, bro—you didn't smoke?"
"Oh, smokes?"
Nam Cheolmin grinned.
"Quit. Worries gone, no cravings."
*
I opened the closet.
New rift: Russia. Average temp around 2°C. Need thick clothes.
But I wore a suit.
Blame the formality-obsessed settings.
Adapt or die.
Lucky break: my few jackets were thick.
Checked the mirror.
Silver hair like born with it. No black roots left.
Face changed too. Features sharper? Aura totally different.
Build firmed up from training quests. Loose suit now tailored.
Noble tastes enforced strict diet. Muscle gains expected.
I eyed mirror me.
"It is I."
Yeah, this changed look was still me.
No one else.
My, Lee Hoyeol's, black history.
Knowing that, no hesitation.
Prep done.
Off to Russia.
Via Mage Tower.
……Wait.
Almost forgot.
Stopped at door, shoes on.
Opened sideboard, grabbed barley green tea bags.
Stuffed jacket pocket.
……Yeah, tea-time addict was me too.
Of course, tea bags alone don't brew.
Didn't matter.
I could detect, interfere, manifest.
Yeah—I'd succeeded in manifesting magic.
Eyed teacup on table.
"No need for the cup either."
Stack of papers beside it proved it.
……
Arrived at Mage Tower.
Gazed at radiant portal.
"!"
High magic only top players could use—portal.
Cast by tower NPCs rivaling grand mages.
Yet.
Why?
To my eyes, this high magic looked simpler than that ignition from NetTube.