◈ Episode 231. Do Not Make Me Repeat Myself
Let’s think about this logically.
There had been plenty of clues that could have been used to dig up Raymond Sean’s whereabouts.
First of all, Raymond Sean had not completely vanished from humanity.
Starting with the official Arcana website, which had continued to operate unchanged even after the Cataclysm.
The astronomical reward money paid out to players.
And, decisively, the fact that he had sent Park Minjae a reply.
People in the community had even been saying things like this.
-At this point, isn’t this all just staged??
-Can’t they find everything if they trace the IQ? fr
-It’s IP, not IQ lol conspiracy theorist level lol
Enough that some people were tempted to believe it.
After all, logically speaking, it was hard to understand why they couldn’t pinpoint Raymond Sean’s location. But the moment I saw the scene before me, I understood.
“So you were crouching in such a shabby place.”
Visible only to players.
A bizarre space that was neither reality nor the Arcana Continent.
Because I could see a rift.
So he had been hiding inside a rift all this time, which was why no one had caught his tail.
After all, even with humanity’s technology, it was impossible to detect every rift that existed in reality. You could tell just by looking at the players who still relied on update logs, couldn’t you?
On top of that, there was no way Raymond Sean would upload information about the rift he was hiding in to the website.
A sight that instantly explained why no one had found him despite all those clues.
‘But as if that wasn’t enough.’
He hid underground, beneath the earth?
Meticulous in every way.
This was also the first time I had seen a rift lying flat against the ground with its maw open.
Of course, just to look at a mere rift.
There was no chance my upright head would lower.
The information would appear before my eyes as a message anyway.
Sure enough, the moment I approached the rift, my vision flickered.
[Dungeon: CODE-009]
A dungeon rift, is it.
‘Well, I suppose that can happen.’
I had no way of knowing what complex space existed beneath the ground I was currently standing on. Dungeon rifts could appear as long as the conditions were met. Besides, it wasn’t as if this was the first time, so there was no reason to be surprised.
What made me flinch was the name of the rift.
‘Code?’
It was certainly different from an ordinary rift starting from its name. Even a fresh newbie player would instantly sense something ominous about it and back away. And that was not the end of it.
The rift’s information appeared next.
[Appropriate Level: Entry possible upon fulfilling conditions]
[Collapse Rate: Does not exist]
It was shouting that it was as extraordinary as its name.
At least [Appropriate Level]
was understandable.
An area that could only be entered after meeting specific conditions.
Back when Arcana had been nothing more than a game, that had been fairly common.
But.
‘Collapse rate, what’s this?’
The collapse rate itself does not exist?
This was common sense among common sense.
The closer a rift’s collapse rate got to 100 percent, the more unstable its interior became. Once it reached 100 percent, it collapsed as it was, and the scenery inside became reality.
‘Pinpointing a rift’s location starts from there too.’
Even if one could not detect every rift generated in reality.
A rift on the verge of collapse exuded a considerable presence.
From the early days of the Cataclysm until now.
The reason we had been able to clear rifts on the verge of collapse without major damage
was also because we had located those rifts through that characteristic……
“This is a clear violation of procedure.”
So there was another reason he had not been discovered all this time?
Because the collapse rate itself did not exist.
That was why it had not been detected anywhere.
Well, while I did wonder what the hell this thing was, I could understand it.
‘Because it’s none other than Raymond Sean.’
To be honest, I did not know just how far Raymond Sean’s abilities extended. Still, it was clear that he must be omnipotent to a degree that an ordinary player could never approach.
I could tell just from the fact that he had created a rift in this damned reality.
‘I’ve really lost my sense of fear.’
To think I was walking into the hideout of such an outrageous Raymond Sean with my own two feet! But well, it wasn’t as if this was the first or second time. Compared to the past, when I ran around with truly nothing to my name, my current situation was at least better.
“This violation of procedure will also be reflected in your punishment.”
……
At this point, even I was starting to worry.
The reason Raymond Sean had contacted me was because he wanted to speak with me.
Would Grandfell have any intention of exchanging words with Raymond Sean?
Iron Rule One, do not converse with prey.
I was already worried about what I should do if he happened to shut his mouth. No matter how much fear I had lost, I was still well aware that my life was precious.
‘There really is no easy way, is there?’
If we couldn’t have a comfortable conversation.
Then I could only hope things did not go under.
Anyway, such was my fate.
In that sense.
I hope you think carefully from now on.
Raymond Sean.
[Checking conditions.]
You, I mean.
You’ve received more demerits than Senior Banshee William.
Do you have any idea how serious that is?!
*
Bang!
When the branch manager’s office door opened, the two men hurriedly stepped back.
Slide—
Park Minjae poked his head out and opened his mouth.
“Yun Su-gyeom, Seong Hyeonjun. From where did you two hear?”
“……It’s not that we were trying to eavesdrop.”
“I know, me too. I know the branch manager’s office isn’t soundproof. Come in.”
The two men shuffled awkwardly into the branch manager’s office.
Park Minjae joked.
“This is why I don’t stick around in the branch manager’s office, you know? In case the sound of my snoring leaks outside. No matter how important transparency is, what kind of nonsense is an exterior wall made of glass, honestly?”
The first step in social life.
For now, go along with whatever your sky-high superior says.
But right now, their heads were so full of questions
that they had forgotten even how to walk.
Yun Su-gyeom immediately opened his mouth.
“Branch Manager, is it true? That Raymond Sean contacted us first! Rumors have already spread to every branch worldwide. Satellite photos came out too.”
“Really? What was in the photo?”
“Nothing. It was a desert.”
Seong Hyeonjun held out a tablet and brought up the photo.
It truly was a desert where not even a blade of grass could be seen.
When Park Minjae remained silent, Seong Hyeonjun smacked his lips.
“……Were we baited?”
Park Minjae looked away from the tablet and shrugged.
“We may have been baited, but the Chief was not.”
“……The Chief?”
“You two, can you keep your mouths shut?”
“Pardon?”
What was he about to say?
Yun Su-gyeom and Seong Hyeonjun exchanged glances.
Then they answered.
“If we can’t keep our mouths shut, we’d be lunatics, Branch Manager.”
This was not just any story; it was a story concerning Hoyeol.
If, as the price for failing to keep their mouths shut,
they imagined themselves facing Hoyeol’s cold gaze……
Seong Hyeonjun quickly took over.
“I’ll keep silent even if I have to sew my mouth shut.”
Only then did Park Minjae get to the main point.
“To be honest, if I had my way, I wouldn’t want to tell anyone, not even you two……. But he asked me to. To remain faithful to the rules. So I’m telling you in order to keep the rules. That means you’ll be my accomplices.”
The meeting between Hoyeol and Raymond Sean.
What result would that meeting bring about?
Park Minjae dared not predict it.
That was why he had not blabbed about it to the AAU.
Thanks to that, even if the world had learned of Raymond Sean’s objective, at this moment, it did not yet know the news that Hoyeol had gone out in search of Raymond Sean.
Park Minjae raised the corners of his mouth.
Perhaps because he was middle-aged and had eaten no small number of years.
He could roughly see how the world would turn.
‘They’ll start expecting things as they please again.’
Even though they do nothing themselves.
The world assessing Hoyeol however it wanted.
He no longer wanted to see that sight.
If this was rebelliousness, then so be it.
Park Minjae continued.
“The truth is, Chief Lee Hoyeol of Yusra has already gone to meet Raymond, that bastard. Perhaps by now, he may already be conversing with Raymond.”
“……Pardon?!”
“Y-you didn’t tell us that.”
“If it were you, would you want to broadcast that to the world?”
“That’s……”
Seong Hyeonjun trailed off.
Because he, too, could clearly picture what would happen next.
The sight of everyone in the world depending on Hoyeol, just as they had until now.
Yun Su-gyeom nodded.
“I’m sick of that two-faced behavior.”
“Oh, that’s a little harsh, unlike you. Yun Su-gyeom?”
“You did well, Branch Manager.”
Yun Su-gyeom knew.
Society was not a place overflowing with dreams and hope. One only had to look at the fact that there were still ungrateful forces that tore into Hoyeol for their own profit.
“So what do you think it’s about?”
Why had Raymond Sean sought out Hoyeol?
It was too difficult a question for a mere AAU employee to answer.
However, there was one thing they could say with certainty.
“It won’t end with just talk.”
“I agree with Senior.”
“Really? Why?”
“Don’t you already suspect it too, Branch Manager?”
“Well, to be honest, I think so too.”
Park Minjae’s heart was still pounding fiercely.
Pride was stirring in his chest.
The pride of a developer of Arcana Continent Biography,
the pride that could not let that bastard Raymond Sean go.
In that case, what about Hoyeol?
Seong Hyeonjun said quietly.
“Perhaps…… he may be an existence worse than a demon.”
Hoyeol and Raymond Sean.
A collision was surely inevitable between the two.
In that sense, the three men’s palms grew sweaty.
“It’s not easy to predict.”
“He’s basically gone into the tiger’s den.”
“But does he even have a chance of winning in the first place?”
No matter how strong Hoyeol was.
His opponent was Raymond Sean.
A man who must know every secret surrounding the Cataclysm.
In a way, a man who could be called the creator of Arcana.
At Seong Hyeonjun’s words, the other two fell silent.
Did I maybe throw cold water on everything?
Realizing it belatedly, Seong Hyeonjun hurriedly spoke.
“Um, could you please refute me?”
“No. Excellent, Hyeonjun. There’s no room for rebuttal.”
“Exactly. You’re precisely right.”
“Ugh, please……!”
Though he said that,
perhaps because he had experience facing Raymond Sean,
Park Minjae could picture Raymond’s behavior in his head.
“But Raymond, that bastard, is no ordinary old fox. Before a collision happens, he’ll use whatever means he can to have a conversation with the Chief. After all, I was on the receiving end once.”
“When you say you were on the receiving end, do you mean that thing during Cosmo?”
“That’s right.”
Park Minjae recalled the past when he had confronted Raymond Sean head-on.
The corners of his mouth raised from beginning to end.
An expression that never revealed his true thoughts.
Instead of clear answers, only riddles came back.
It was an unpleasant memory even when he thought of it again.
They said society was full of people who were different on the inside than on the outside.
But there was no existence as different inside and out as Raymond Sean.
“Do you remember how people outside praised him to the skies, calling him the best CEO and all that? But what was it like inside the company? Was there ever a time our opinions were properly reflected in the operation of Arcana Continent Biography?”
“Um…… no?”
“He wouldn’t even let us touch a single broken balance issue. While spouting bullshit about how Arcana was perfect. Me, an old fogey? No. Raymond Sean, that bastard who tried to trap us in a frame that had already been decided, was the real old fogey.”
Was it because he had a lot of resentment toward old fogeys?
Whenever the phrase “old fogey” came up, Park Minjae’s voice grew especially forceful.
He gathered himself and continued.
“It’s obvious. Just like back then, he’ll try to engage in a battle of wills. One way or another, he’ll try to break his opponent’s spirit enough, then lead the conversation in the direction he wants.”
“So Raymond Sean was that kind of person.”
“That’s right. In that sense, I’m looking forward to it.”
“……Pardon?”
Park Minjae gave a faint laugh.
“Can you imagine it?”
“What?”
“Our Chief losing in a battle of wills.”
…
I stared at the flickering message.
[Checking conditions.]
I wondered what those conditions were, but was it only this?
[Quest: Disarmament]
Fulfill the entry conditions of the dungeon rift.
─Unequip your weapon. (In Progress)
A weapon.
Aside from Gwicheol at my waist, all I had were the two crossbows in my inventory. As for Gwicheol, even if I put it into my inventory, there would not be much difference in my combat power.
‘If I happen to be in danger.’
An Ego Sword.
Gwicheol, which possessed a self, would leap out of my inventory and try to protect me. So it was a condition I could play along with without much issue. But hadn’t I said it?
“Do you intend to take my garments as a gesture of hospitality?”
Words continued coldly.
“However, I decline your welcome.”
It was not because I was desperate that I had come to find Raymond Sean.
Raymond Sean had been the one to seek me out first.
That meant there could be no compromise.
‘Besides, the opponent is Raymond Sean, isn’t it?’
To me and to Grandfell alike,
Raymond Sean had thoroughly earned our displeasure.
Knowing that fact, I opened my mouth.
Bringing up pride
and raking at the insides.
That was also Grandfell’s specialty.
“I did not accept your proposal.”
That was right.
I had come to dispose of you, Raymond Sean,
depending on whether you possessed pride or not.
So do not think you can control me with some quest.
─Unequip your weapon. (Failed)
A rift.
A space of [『Oddity』].
In other words, since I had entered the realm of Oddity, it meant I could interfere with rifts, which were spaces of Oddity, to some extent as well.
Even if I could not tear through dimensions like a dragon and cross over to the Arcana Continent, I could at least interfere with a rift that had already been created.
“Therefore, whether or not you open the door is your freedom.”
Because from now on, I would make it open one way or another.
Soon, mana drawn up in earnest.
No sooner had I done so than my vision flickered.
[You have fulfilled the conditions.]
It seemed he had finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
Unfortunately.
Too late.
Wasn’t it enough that I had seized the initiative?
No, the important thing was not victory or defeat in a battle of wills.
The mistake began with daring to attempt a battle of wills in the first place.
“The fact that you tried to judge me.”
It would be best to prepare your excuses from now on.
“This too shall be reflected in your punishment.”
Though even I did not know whether Grandfell would listen to any excuses.
In any case, you remain consistent even before Raymond Sean, Grandfell.
In contrast, my mind was spinning without pause.
And that mind produced an estimate.
‘This is doable.’
Whatever came out from Raymond Sean’s tiger’s den.
Because I had just gained one more “reliable backing.”
An unexpectedly dependable ally.