A Simple Problem – Appropriate Level 900

A rift at appropriate level 900. No, later on it even reached a whopping one thousand. It wasn't your average rift. It had to be a bug.

"Where does a rift like that just pop up out of nowhere?!"

"Isn't it really because of that senior mage who went missing?"

"You go in there, you're just asking for a dog's death."

So when Lee Hoyeol stepped into a rift like that, the world flipping upside down was only natural.

"I can't believe it even watching it..."

What was the host's job? To fill the air no matter the situation. But the host couldn't utter a word. The silence stretched from seconds into minutes—a clear broadcasting accident. Not just the viewers, even PD Hyunyong-seok empathized with the host's stunned state.

"...What the hell are we watching?"

"Sunbae, this isn't a dream, right?"

"No way. Even for Lee Hoyeol-ssi, that's..."

Hoyeol's feats so far? Plenty surprising. No, a chain of shocks. From Count Ascura to Demon King Decarabia. Compared to top ranker players, he'd only taken down foes in overwhelming superiority. But this was on another dimension.

That rift looked sudden and dangerous to anyone. Yet Hoyeol didn't hesitate. As always, he plunged straight in. And that footage aired ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠live.

The host's voice from the TV droned on.

A step for humanity's peace. The epitome of nobility. A hero transcending players.

Rocks, who had been listening quietly, shrugged.

Impressive, Lee Hoyeol.

His experience in the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower rift. Through that, Lee Hoyeol was at least level 900. Rocks had gauged his level.

"But for Lee Hoyeol, even this is no big deal."

So when he heard Lee Hoyeol had entered a level 900 rift, Rocks wasn't surprised. Just, Lee Hoyeol being Lee Hoyeol. That sort of sentiment.

But there was one thing that did shock him.

"Jessie? Are you insane?"

Because Jessie Haynes said she'd follow Hoyeol into the rift.

Camilla asked in horror.

"You just said it yourself. If it's tied to a senior mage from the Mage Tower, better stay out. No good comes from sticking your neck in. So why go to a place like that...?"

She trailed off. Jessie's cold expression told her it was futile. No words would bend that stubbornness.

If it were normal circumstances.

She wouldn't have bothered stopping Jessie. Colleagues more than comrades. Business partners, really. Jessie could leave Shining anytime.

But Jessie was clearly misunderstanding something. Time for business advice.

"You'll just be in the way."

"...What?"

"What do you take Lee Hoyeol for, Jessie?"

Worry for the wrong person. Besides.

"Lee Hoyeol isn't alone."

"!"

"You should know better than me, Jessie? What the chief mage of the Mage Tower is. The top among those vaunted senior mages—the chief mage?"

Chief mage, Marcelo.

As Rocks said, Jessie knew his abilities better than any player. Her pointed hat atop her head reminded her again.

—Yeah, with Marcelo there, you can relax, right?

Not just to ease a disciple's worry. Marcelo could handle even a hostile senior mage with ease.

But that raised questions.

—Though I have no idea how he ended up accompanying him.

The pointed hat knew the Mage Tower's pointless rules well. And that Marcelo, the skinny runt, knew their contradictions yet never broke them.

Yet Marcelo broke the rules and stepped outside...

—The Mage Tower's gonna be in an uproar for a while.

Change coming to the unchanging Mage Tower? All because of one man. Hoyeol alone.

Only someone like this could pique my interest.

'I know that.'

Jessie finally relaxed her clenched fist. So tight her already pale fingers drained of blood, turning ghostly white.

'I know, but...'

She knew she couldn't help, as Rocks said? Realized her own weakness? Feared never seeing Hoyeol's magic again?

No answers now. Her eyes fixed only on the rift on screen.

Of course, the wait wasn't long. Steady stride. Impeccable attire. Even the interview unchanged.

—"No questions. Internal affairs."

Safe return. As if nothing happened. Hoyeol reappeared.

*

Yeah, my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠internal affairs aren't over yet.

Portal manifestation. Return to the Mage Tower. Marcelo, Banggrit, and I climbed the tower stairs.

"I'm sorry. Because of me..."

"It's not your fault, Banggrit."

"Save your apologies for the audience awaiting your presentation."

How could the same words differ so much! Marcelo's comfort absolved Banggrit, yet this mouth never spared a kind word.

Yet.

"Of course. I won't miss this recaptured chance."

Was this the same Banggrit scheming bribes? A total personality shift.

Not my doing, whatever the reason.

'So stop straining your neck uselessly...'

All I did was hurl insults at him. In that dire situation, yapping about conferences.

"Banggrit. Above all, your safety matters most."

I checked the quest at Marcelo's words.

Yeah, the quest was still in progress. Not over yet.

Marcelo was thorough like that.

Thud—

Resonating with Marcelo's mana, the massive door opened, revealing the Crystal Hall.

There, Banggrit included, all senior mages gathered.

The seniors, waiting, spoke up.

"Banggrit, you're safe!"

"Sorry for the trouble."

"No idea what happened, but glad you're back."

"Chief Marcelo! What is going on?!"

From their glances, Marcelo had invoked chief authority to summon all seniors.

I could guess why, but they needed explanations.

"For Banggrit's protection and to avoid needless suspicion. Wait a moment. I'll return with answers or send a signal."

Indeed, Marcelo. Twenty senior mages assembled. No one could threaten Banggrit under their eyes.

Avoiding suspicion made sense too.

'Suspicion points upward.'

Upward, the leadership. Not content with afflicting Banggrit, an elder mage sent him into a demon-spawning rift.

I and Marcelo, knowing this, didn't delay. We climbed again.

"I suspected the elders hid something. But demons? Shameful to show you this."

I hadn't imagined demons reaching the Mage Tower either.

But mere speculation still.

'Until I see for myself.'

Just guesswork until confirmation. High likelihood, though.

To somber Marcelo, I said,

"The ones bowing heads aren't you, Chief Marcelo."

"...?"

"Those without shame are them."

We reached the Mage Tower's pinnacle. My "them" meant the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠elder mages, naturally.

Noblesse oblige. Higher status, heavier duty. Ignorance no excuse.

Grandfell's pride couldn't tolerate their incompetence.

...But why so bright?

Light poured from the ceiling. Backlit faces invisible, but shadows numbered four.

Four, huh. One tied to demons among them. Or possessed. Combat possible depending on talk.

My fate, but damn fierce...

Comedy from afar, tragedy up close? Those envying my chief mage entry would love this.

Mage Tower. Turns out, even bean powder holds together better. Not even the life-gambling Shadow Mercenaries rotted like this.

Clear water above for clear below? Seniors' tensions no coincidence.

'Missed demon EXP? Fine, hand it over.'

If so, I'd politely decline. Elders oozed pressure just standing there.

Stronger than Marcelo, at least. No doubt.

But pride stirred. No fear, no tremor.

Drown in pride if needed. Must confront.

Worst case prepared from start. Seniors in Crystal Hall my prep.

Banggrit explaining now.

—I'll return with answers or send a signal.

Yes, Marcelo's signal starts full war.

But no catastrophe.

"!"

Marcelo spoke. Teeth grinding.

"Why only four of you?!"

...Wait, not always four?

.

.

.

Roundtable delayed. Banggrit Tom missing. Demons involved.

Marcelo considered all possibilities. Even all-out war with elders.

But not this.

"We know about senior mage Banggrit Tom."

"Deeply regrettable, Marcelo."

"A demon worshipper among us elders. Too late when evidence surfaced. Tower's honor at stake. We pursued late, as you see."

Demon worshipper...!

Elders bringing it up first. Marcelo swallowed dryly.

Unforeseen reaction.

'Where to even believe them?'

He knew rationally.

'Can't trust a word from them!'

Elders' contradictions endless. Even sans demons, untrustworthy.

Enough headache already. Demons in mix? Head spinning.

'...Sure it's just one worshipper?'

Can't trust? Then what? Their attitude left no pretext to rally seniors.

'Damn it.'

Marcelo gritted teeth. Gazed at floating Tower Master in globe.

'You know, don't you, Tower Master!'

No answer possible, but frustration screamed.

"Indeed, that's the truth."

...An answer came. Not Tower Master. Hoyeol.

Silent Hoyeol spoke.

"Demon worshipper stench lingers here. But strange. By your words, the worshipper left the Tower."

"...!"

No complexity or turmoil on Hoyeol's face. Only conviction.

"Lingering scent from long stay? Or another worshipper dares remain?"

"!"

"Your thoughts?"

Marcelo glanced at elders. No reactions visible in backlight. No replies.

Yet Hoyeol continued, as if anticipated.

"Tough question? I'll rephrase."

Even Marcelo missed this crux.

"Who approved Banggrit's exit—majority?"

...Right!

Senior Banggrit's outing needed leadership majority.

Elders grasped it too.

"!!!!"

Four shadows split to two. Ominous air between.

"Fugitives make three. Now majority clear."

Hoyeol eyed Marcelo.

"Isn't it, Chief Mage Marcelo?"

.

.

.

Why run my mouth? Simple. No other chance for quest success.

Difficulty absurd. Mage Tower mages. Elders, no less.

Normal circumstances? Can't even glimpse faces.

Even facing them, pressure alone—stronger than Marcelo, surely.

And now? Demon worshippers too?

Tied demon no joke. Fled after sacrificing one arm to mana-infused strike.

Summary: No success intended! Scale too vast.

Grow to challenge elders first? After today's mess?

Banggrit plan failed. Next tighter. Block all while leveling? Impossible.

But now? Possible. With prep.

No need to voice why. Marcelo got it, acted.

Yes, the signal.

Mage Tower pinnacle. Manifested portal. Linked to Crystal Hall.

Emerging in light: twenty senior mages.

Elders and worshippers? So what?

Here: two elders. One chief. Twenty seniors. And me, Lee Hoyeol.

The Transcendent Tiger Guard.

Knowing, I brazenly declared,

"Time to pay for deception, foolish worshipper."