#005
A video had been uploaded to YGGTUBE, the largest video streaming site in existence.
The uploader was [Ryu7017].
There was no record of any other videos uploaded until now. This was the first video.
The title of the submitted video was…….
Unknown's Abyss Escape 1 – Hunting the Chaotic Dark Knight in World of Phantasm.
In the current world, the most popular content was naturally related to the Game Labyrinth.
The Game Labyrinth was the center of this era, and current society was sustained because of the Game Labyrinth.
Gamers who fought on the front lines enjoyed popularity surpassing that of celebrities or idols.
Among them, there were many who used their popularity as gamers to engage in entertainment activities.
Because of this, everyone and their mother was creating content related to Yggdrasil and the Game Labyrinth, and there were many videos without much substance.
The first person to discover the video *Unknown's Abyss Escape 1* also thought that something strange and not particularly funny had been uploaded.
"There's no way an Unknown would have a game account, right?"
An account was essential to access Yggdrasil.
To obtain an account, one needed to pass a qualification exam, and to take that exam, one needed to reach at least Silver Rank or receive a recommendation from a high-ranking guild.
There were cases where an 'account creation ticket' was drawn from a random box, but actual instances of this could be counted on one hand.
It wasn't something an Unknown whose rank had been stripped could possess.
But on top of that, 'hunting the Chaotic Dark Knight'?
The Chaotic Dark Knight appearing in the tutorial section of the Game Labyrinth World of Phantasm was quite famous.
A boss monster with specs that should appear in the mid-to-late game had somehow been placed in the early tutorial section.
Even famous gamers of World of Phantasm couldn't avoid the baptism of the Dark Knight.
Just to kill some time, he played the video.
The figure of a gamer standing in the Forest of Beginnings, the tutorial zone of World of Phantasm, was visible.
It was a gamer he had never seen before.
Could it be a newbie putting on an 'Unknown' concept to get famous?
Since there were all sorts of concepts out there, it wasn't that unusual.
'What is that weapon? He's holding a strange weapon.'
Before long, the gamer in the video clashed with the Dark Knight, the tutorial's notorious boss.
If it was a video of him getting smashed to bits, it would have been fun. He watched the video without much expectation when…….
"Huh?"
He tasted a moment of exhilaration.
After watching the video to the end, unable to contain his excitement, he immediately posted on the community.
Someone else who saw that post watched the video and wrote a new post.
In less than half a day since the video was uploaded, it surpassed 300,000 views.
The view count didn't stop and kept rising.
Related communities were noisy with talk about the video.
With modern technology, videos could be manipulated easily. Since it was a situation that defied common sense, many claimed it was fabricated.
But Yggdrasil clearly retained the subjugation record of the Dark Knight.
A method of exploiting a systemic loophole.
Simply put, a 'bug'.
In a normal game, gamers who abused bugs would naturally be subject to sanctions.
The Labyrinth was also built based on a game, but it was a space that prioritized survival over enjoyment.
Therefore, one had to use everything available. Every gamer did so.
The gamer who accomplished the impossible.
Everyone who watched the video took an interest in Ryu7017.
* * *
A great commotion also arose in the Rinjea Guild.
Naturally, the cause was the video of hunting the Chaotic Dark Knight.
Since the guild's main focus was World of Phantasm, they couldn't help but react sensitively to this topic.
"Amazing."
Rageuna, in his second year since joining the Rinjea Guild this year, exclaimed in admiration as he watched the video.
He had also gathered various information related to World of Phantasm while working as an analyst for Rinjea for two years.
Active gamers in World of Phantasm would snort in contempt if they heard it, but Rageuna prided himself on having fairly expert-level knowledge.
But even with Rageuna's knowledge, he couldn't understand the video titled *Unknown's Abyss Escape 1 – Hunting the Chaotic Dark Knight in World of Phantasm*.
"I have no idea what they did to fight like this. What in the world is this weapon? Was there a weapon like this in World of Phantasm? The best you can get in the tutorial area is an old sword, isn't it?"
Not long ago, a gamer who had been active in another Game Labyrinth transferred their guild to Rinjea.
Because the Game Labyrinth they had been playing was 'closed.'
After converting their account avatar to World of Phantasm, they confidently challenged the Chaotic Dark Knight.
The result was a crushing defeat of miserable proportions.
Perhaps because they had originally been active in the 'action genre'? They couldn't understand how unreasonable level correction was in an RPG.
Having witnessed that, Rageuna was all the more unable to understand.
"Proper attacks only landed twice. Even high-ranking gamers would take quite a while to defeat a boss monster of that level."
Boss monsters were naturally set with high HP.
Yet Ryu7017 took it down in just two hits.
They had definitely used a 'bug' that deviated from the norm.
"Senior, shouldn't we recruit this gamer to our guild? Senior?"
Rageuna's senior was watching the video with a terrifying expression.
"It can't be......"
"Senior?"
"Yes, it can't be. There's no way an Unknown would have the authority to create an account...... I must be mistaken......"
The senior kept muttering while watching the video.
Rageuna watched his senior like that for a moment, then looked around.
'Come to think of it, the guild atmosphere seems bad today. Is it because the Dark Knight, whom no one thought could be defeated, was subjugated?'
Rageuna couldn't figure out why the atmosphere in the Rinjea Guild had become strange.
Since he wasn't very interested, he watched the video again.
'Unknown....... It's just a concept, right?'
It was impossible for an Unknown to obtain a game account.
Unless they were blessed with heavenly luck, literally.
'But if, just if, the protagonist of this video really is an Unknown.......'
Something interesting would definitely happen. Rageuna had that premonition.
* * *
"Ryu Hwi?"
Rinpel, the ace of the Rinjea Guild, frowned.
Luxurious facilities only available to Gold Ranks.
Rinpel had been happily drinking at a place prepared solely for pleasure and hedonism.
"No idea. Who's that?"
He downed his drink again as if he had no interest whatsoever.
Gabriel Darius, Rinpel's older brother, glared at him. Snake-like, cold eyes gleamed behind his glasses.
"He's someone who worked as an analyst at Rinjea a few years ago. Always submitted strategy plans."
"Hmm...... Was there such a guy?"
He wasn't playing dumb.
Rinpel had even forgotten the existence of a human he had buried with his own hands.
From the start, the number of humans finished off by Rinpel's hand wasn't just one or two.
It was to the point where memorizing them all was a hassle.
"So why does that bastard matter?"
"He uploaded a new video today. The Chaotic Dark Knight was subjugated."
"Hmph."
It was big news that no gamer in World of Phantasm could miss. But Rinpel wasn't very interested.
"I took a quick look, but he was using some kind of bug? What's so great about using a bug to catch a mere Dark Knight."
The Chaotic Dark Knight was only special because it appeared in the tutorial zone. It had no value beyond that.
That was what Rinpel thought.
"Have you forgotten? You drove him out of Rinjea. I handled the aftermath."
Gabriel remembered the human called 'Ryu Hwi' well. The strategy plans Ryu Hwi submitted boasted considerable completeness.
He was too good to remain a mere analyst. But Rinpel had trampled him before that talent could properly bloom.
"Dunno. I'm sorry he annoyed you, but do I really need to pay attention to every piece of trash?"
"I see."
Gabriel closed his mouth.
Watching Ryu Hwi face the mutated Dark Knight in the video had sent chills down his spine.
It wasn't a matter of swordsmanship or systems. A terrifyingly intense obsession was felt.
An obsession condensed and mixed with anger, resentment, hatred, and countless emotions.
Who was the target of that obsession?
There was no need to even ask.
"Don't let him grab your ankles."
"Yeah, yeah."
Rinpel downed his drink.
* * *
[Video upload complete.]
Ryu Hwi nodded lightly upon hearing Yugeuon's report.
[Do you intend to widely publicize your exploits? Are you a fool? Have you not considered the possibility that Master's enemies will target Master?]
"I know that much risk. But those guys are famous in this field, so they won't move carelessly."
There were many slanderers and gamers who disparaged Rinjea. Rinjea didn't deal with them individually either.
"Besides, every gamer uploads their own gameplay videos. Recognition increases, and if views go up, money comes in too—killing two birds with one stone."
Since the Chaotic Dark Knight was a monster that had never once been subjugated until now, if the video spread, he could gain some degree of notoriety.
"There's no harm in raising my notoriety. I'll need it absolutely to escape from being an Unknown someday."
To escape from being an Unknown, one had to participate in large-scale public works and projects hosted by the country to accumulate social contribution points, or leave evidence of contributing to society through other means.
This video would become that evidence.
[Do humans drive themselves to death for money and fame? Truly a foolish creature. To have been drawn by such a Master, UR System Yugeuon laments.]
"If that's what you thought, then UR isn't all that great either? That's just a bonus, a bonus. I have a real purpose."
[Ignoring UR means war. War!]
When Yugeuon got angry, the vacuum cleaner's surface turned red.
An automatic color-changing function? Ryu Hwi examined Yugeuon with interest before opening his mouth.
"The real goal is to slowly strangle the necks of those who buried me. The more famous I become, the more they'll find me a nuisance."
[Then won't your enemies move as well?]
"Yes, eventually they'll move too. This is a warning sent to them."
The one you buried has returned.
This time, it's your turn.
[Do you intend to provoke them without hiding your identity?]
"Hiding my identity would be even more dangerous. Notoriety will serve as a minimum defensive measure and an excellent loudspeaker."
[A loudspeaker? I cannot follow such a crude plan; whatever are you thinking?]
"The enemy's ace has an extremely short temper and can't tolerate those who defy him."
Ryu Hwi's target was Rinpel Darius.
He had already secured the means to finish off Rinpel Darius. To certainly draw in Rinpel Darius, Ryu Hwi's existence needed to be a clear irritant.
"Some will have forgotten me, and some won't have. I'll reclaim the name they stole from me."
The weak existence who had fallen into the abyss flashed his two eyes.
To bite into his prey.
* * *
Leaving the Forest of Beginnings, the tutorial zone, a vast plain welcomed him.
Plains that stretched widely everywhere.
A great lake and village visible in the distance, majestic mountain ranges encircling the world, and a massive tower standing at their center.
Even those who bashed Ratia's games as trash unanimously praised the gorgeous world created by its art directors.
"Ah......"
It was a place he had seen countless times through the simulator.
But it was completely different from seeing it beyond a screen.
Even if it was created based on a game, this place was a real world.
He realized that fact once again.
Wind blew from somewhere.
It was a refreshing wind.
Watching the plains sway in the wind, Ryu Hwi took a breath.
[Now, let's spin the random boxes. It's random box time! Tickets and points have piled up tremendously. It's a jackpot, a jackpot.]
He had no time to feel moved...... by that scenery.
[Sudden mission clear, boss hunt success, achievement attained. 20 Yugeuon Tickets, 2 SR Guaranteed Tickets, 15,000 Random Box Points. Let's spin the random boxes. Right now. Random box! Random box!]
A robot vacuum flying in the sky shouted noisily.
[Random box! Random box! Ran! Dom! Box!]
It was to the point where one might suspect it was a ghost that died unable to spin a random box.
"Shut up. First, cross the plains and arrive at the village. After 10 days of connection time, you have to exit the Labyrinth for physical safety, right?"
The maximum connection time to Yggdrasil was about 50 days in-game time, but it was recommended to log out every 10 days for physical safety.
On the 10th day, a warning to log out would appear.
"So first, until a safe village......"
[What are you talking about? That's talk for low-level tricks like avatars.]
"Huh?"
[Their actual physical bodies are separate, so long-term connection carries great risk. But Master entered the Yggdrasil Game Labyrinth with his physical body converted as-is, so there's no particular problem.]
Ryu Hwi examined his own body.
Not an 'avatar' like other gamers, but an actual physical body.
[Ah, still, I recommend exiting Yggdrasil once in the near future. Because the conversion was forcibly executed in an emergency situation, we need to check your condition.]
The robot vacuum, which had been shouting *random box* like a maniac until just now, displayed a calm attitude that made one doubt if it was the same machine.
[Anyway, let's spin the random box. Quickly, quickly. It's random box time. Random box. Random box.]
Though that lasted only a very brief moment.
"Shut up! That's why I said after we reach the village! There's a lot to prepare."
[Preparation? You don't need preparation to spin random boxes. What you need are points and tickets!]
Ignoring Yugeuon, he took a step forward.
He calmly formulated a strategy for *World of Phantasm* in his head.
This game's structure was relatively simple.
A world structured around the Tower of the Demon God.
Similar in form to the current world being centered on the World Tree Yggdrasil.
The Tower of the Demon God was the main content and core of World of Phantasm.
But gamers couldn't head to the tower immediately.
Various 'dungeons' were prepared around the tower, and gamers had to first have their skills recognized in those dungeons.
Ryu Hwi naturally intended to aim for the tower as well.
But that alone wouldn't be interesting.
The goal was the pinnacle.
Not just of World of Phantasm, but the pinnacle of the entire Game Labyrinth.
To do that, he had to leave a more definite record.
And.......
'I'll drag you down from the celestial realm. Rinpel, Rinjea Guild.'
He would drop that trash to the very bottom.
[Master, you are making a truly wonderful expression. It's so wonderful children would burst into tears if they saw it.]
"Oops."
Ryu Hwi covered his mouth.
There was no need to be impatient.
Because he had waited three years.
Suppressing the dark emotions writhing in his heart, he walked on.