◈ Episode 172. Nothing but a Childish Game
Thursday.
The regular update notes appeared.
──────A new World Event, ‘Demon King Contention,’ begins.──────
The contents were nothing short of shocking.
To a degree incomparable to anything before.──────A new rift, the ‘69th Throne,’ is added.
A new Named Monster is added.
Freak of the Demon Realm, Padondon: Lv.777
Demon of Exposure, Jyureubal: Lv.800…….──────A new rift and a new Named Monster.
It wasn't their levels that surprised him.
Around Level 800.
Of course, that alone was a high level. But in rifts like [Shattered Dimensional Fissure] and [Demon King Castle], boss monsters of even higher levels had appeared before.
What made it incomparable to before was the number.──────A new rift, the ‘64th Throne,’ is added.
A new Named Monster is added…….──────A new rift, the ‘72nd Throne,’ is added.
A new Named Monster is added…….──────A new rift, the ‘45th Throne,’ is added.
A new Named Monster is added…….──────A new rift, the ‘24th Throne,’ is added.
A new Named Monster is added…….
──────A total of 12 rifts.
Depending on the rift, the number of Named Monsters appearing was several times that.
The normal monsters appearing below the Named Monsters were several hundred times more numerous.
Therefore, one could say with certainty.
“This is a grand calamity that cannot even be compared to the Demon King Castle rift.”
The moment the regular update notes appeared.
It wouldn't have been strange for the world to fall into panic.
Because 12 rifts, the levels of which far surpassed the players' standards, had been created simultaneously.
“It may be presumptuous of me to say this……. But if the rifts collapse, humanity might suffer damage greater than the early days of the Great Upheaval.”
That was how shocking the update notes were.
So it was inevitable that something felt off.
Wasn't it far too quiet?
In other words, the world was far too peaceful.
Even the AAU, which should have declared a state of emergency long ago.
Britain, AAU London Branch.
Baker looked out the window.
The Miracle of London.
Its symbol, the Aquarius oak trees, were shining brilliantly in the sunlight. Whenever the wind blew, the waves of golden leaves swayed so dazzlingly it hurt the eyes.
Baker opened his mouth.
“Are we allowed to enjoy this? This peace.”
From the early days of the Great Upheaval until now.
The AAU's policy had been consistent.
Always assume the worst.
It might sound cold to some.
But only by doing so could they take smaller damage than expected as comfort.
And so humanity could move forward once more.
“……
Because we are weak. Humans are such creatures.”
It was natural to be concerned.
I Hoyeol.
Are you saying you can bear this peace?
Even a small ripple grows in calm waters.
It means that the more peaceful it is, the more one staggers at even slight damage.
Are you saying you are confident you won't stagger in the slightest?
It was something Baker couldn't understand with common sense.
“I cannot even presume to imagine.”
The weight and burden he must be carrying.
However, Baker no longer doubted.
Instead, he looked at the screen appearing on the monitor in the branch chief's office.
The view of the Yusra Kingdom being broadcast in real time.
Baker murmured.
“May you lighten his burden, Shureig.”
*The location of the rifts had yet to be identified.
But there was remaining data.
If one compared and considered the upload times of previous regular updates and rift creation times…….
“At the latest, they'll form within a few dozen minutes?”
The Yusra Kingdom was filled with players.
They were all players who had participated in [The Holy War That Never Ends].
A World Event, [Demon King Contention].
They didn't exactly know what it meant.
But one thing was certain.
“The update notes are full of demons?”
“Yeah. Must be an extension of the Holy War, no doubt.”
“So, what are you all going to do?”
A man suddenly cut into the conversation.
Sharp glares poured onto him.
The man quickly waved his hands.
“No, I'm not picking a fight, I'm genuinely curious! Honestly, it's impossible at our level, isn't it? Fighting those ridiculous Named Monsters!”
Perhaps trying to divert the heated gazes.
What the man held out was a smartphone.
It was the regular update notes.
From minimum Level 700 to maximum Level 850.
The man wasn't wrong.
The majority of players gathered here were veterans, but only by player standards.
At best, they were only in the mid-to-late 300s, and from Level 400 onward they were considered rankers.
“They're even demon-type monsters. No matter how much we're buffed, will our sanity last? Forget catching Named Monsters, we'll struggle even against the trash mobs?”
Even the top-ranked players.
Entering such rifts carried considerable risk.
But what returned was neither an answer nor a retort, but laughter.
Twang!
The woman scoffed and flicked her bowstring toward the man.
“Haven't you already finished that kind of worry?”
“……
Huh?”
“No, I mean, didn't you finish that kind of self-reflection before joining the Holy War? Is that how you're going to prove your pride? No, wait. Did you even complete the quest objective in the first place?”……
Wait, can an archer see someone else's quest window?
How did she know?
The man hid his flustered expression and shook his head.
“O-of course! I can't exactly show you…….”
Even while making excuses, he couldn't understand at all.
What is pride, that one could stake their life on it?
In the end, the man asked bluntly.
“But it's our lives on the line, my life! Mr. I Hoyeol spoke grandly, but frankly there are 12 rifts too, and a disaster could strike from another rift while we're entering one……!”
Boom!
“Ouch!! You scared me!!”
A large shield slammed into the ground.
A middle-aged man with grizzled hair.
He spoke in a low voice.
“Because something more precious than my life exists in this reality.”
“……
Huh?”
“My wife, my children—I want them to live in peace in reality.”
“!”
“Because I would never dream of showing my fragile wife and children anything gruesome. Isn't that reason enough? Or do you need another reason?”
Just because one awakens as a player doesn't change the way they think.
Who in the world wants to die?
But everyone knew.
That if you run away because you're scared, you'll only keep running forever.
That if you avoid them, the rifts will return as an even greater boomerang.
And of the era when even that simple fact wasn't realized.
The one who stood alone, Hoyeol.
Clank—The middle-aged man stood up, shield in hand.
He placed his hand on the shoulder of the whining player.
“If you're scared, it's fine to take a step back and watch.”
“……?”
“Why, wasn't it written in the quest window that appeared before your eyes? That there would be no rewards, no spoils. That only the pride in your heart would remain. So…….”
The middle-aged man continued.
“No one is forcing you, or us. So there is no one to criticize you.”
Everything was an individual's choice.
And so the responsibility for it must be borne by oneself.
All the players knew this.
“The help we received from the Magic Tower alone is immense.”
“I never thought I'd get to train with the Lion Heart Knights in my life. Of course, the knights had a hard time because of us…….”
“It's a nuisance, but it's fine if it ends at training, right?”
They had received much help from the Arcanans while preparing for the Holy War.
To hope for their help even inside the rifts?
If one had a conscience, it was unthinkable.
“Because they're the ones doing something greater than us.”
Objectively, the Arcanans' level was higher than the players'.
And by a lot.
Why, even Myuon's holy knights numbering in the tens of thousands were on par with or above most rankers.
The Lion Heart Knights, the Shadow Mercenaries, and the Magic Tower needed no mention.
“It makes no sense to use those precious forces to protect us.”
“Right. It's better to catch one more demon in that time.”
“Let's fight well among ourselves, everyone.”
Just as the players who thought so finished their final preparations.
Flash—A quest window flickered.
A new quest objective had been updated.
[Quest: The Holy War That Never Ends]
From Arcana to reality.
The holy war against demons is not yet over.
At the end of this war, there exist neither rewards nor spoils.
All that remains is pride.
Prove your own pride.
─Prove your worth in the designated region. (Success)
─Join your main force in the designated region. (In Progress)
“……
Huh?”
The designated regions differed per player: Yusra, Frost, Myuon, and the Magic Tower.
More than that, main force?
The meaning of that word was simple.
“……
We have an affiliation?”
Because they had decided for themselves.
Because they took responsibility for their own lives.
They were players who had steeled their resolve.
The quest objective to join the main force was inevitably bewildering.
But the doubt didn't last long.
Via the Magic Tower's portal.
What awaited those heading to their respective destinations was.
“Commander Harkon……. Lion Heart Knights?”
“Chief Mage Marcello?”
“Talim, and the priests?”
They were the Arcanans who had been together during the short yet long time from the Holy War until the start of the Demon King Contention.
“Adventurers. We have been waiting for you.”
At Harkon's voice, the players flinched.……
Waiting for us, why?
Someone muttered.
“……
We would only be a burden.”
It was a pessimistic statement, but no one could refute it.
Because it was true.
The level difference was at least double.
They knew that even if they tried to play an active role in a rift where those demon-type Named monsters rampaged, they would amount to little. As if pointing out that fact, Harkon continued.
“We know your level better than anyone, having trained you ourselves. It would be impossible for you to stand on equal terms with the demons that drove the continent of Arcana to ruin.”
Harkon was smiling.
But it wasn't a sneer.
It was a smile more benevolent than ever.
“Therefore, in this battle, rely on us.”
“……!!!”
“Believe in us and depend on us.”……
What am I hearing right now?
It was a declaration that made one doubt their perfectly functioning hearing.
Rely on us, depend on us—objectively thinking.
“……
What does that even mean?”
That they would carry the incapable us on their backs.
It was impossible to understand.
But it wasn't just Harkon.
Marcello of the Magic Tower spoke.
“For those of you taking your first steps, simply watching is enough. The experience in the Demon King Contention will be invaluable nourishment for you.”
Talim of Myuon shouted.
“The Goddess's protection, the holy knight's shield shall protect you.”
As if to say there was no need to doubt those words.
Even a message appeared.
─Join your main force in the designated region. (Success)
At a development none had imagined.
At the unexpected turn of events, all the players froze.
Even the rankers who had been through all manner of hardships were no exception.
Shining.
Camilla curled her lips into a smile.
“That's the first time I've seen them like that~”
“……
Were Arcanans always like that? No, even if I concede for the others, why is the Magic Tower acting like that?!”
“Why~ hearts can change. Look at Jessie, you know how fickle mages are~ Right, Rox?”
Rox was silent.
He searched through all his Arcana experience and knowledge.
But never had the Arcanans ever sacrificed themselves for the sake of players.
‘Then this too is a new change?’
I Hoyeol.
Minimum Level 900.
A reputation transcending imagination.
Did this change come from the relationships and influence built with countless factions? No, this was impossible even with those.
Because this was literally a change that transcended Arcana's system.
In the end, Rox let out a hollow laugh.
“Well. I don't know no matter how much I think about it.”...
It's simple.
Just as the players realized pride.
Pride also existed in the hearts of the Arcanans.
Yes, everything is according to pride.
I too.
Spoke swayed by the heavy pride in my heart.
“There is no sacrifice we bear for such a childish game of kings.”
The Demon King Contention against Granfel's pride?
The demons' play-acting wouldn't even qualify as a holy war.
It means we cannot tolerate even a single ally's sacrifice for such child's play.
Whether they become Arcanans or players.
Not even a single sacrifice.
If someone asks if that is possible.
I will answer.
“The Demon King Contention will be nothing but nourishment for us.”
I may not know, but.
Our Lord Granfel, once he speaks words.
Because whatever words he speaks are a ‘setting’ destined to come true, you see.
“It is time to pay the price for arrogance. Foolish demons.”