Episode 172. It’s just childish play
. Thursday.
A history of regular updates that surfaced.
──────
A new world event, ‘Demon Lord Conquest’ begins.
──────
The contents were shocking.
Incomparable to what it was before.
──────
New crack ’69th Throne’ will be added.
New named monsters are added.
Fadondon, the demon of the demon world: Lv.777,
Zurbal, the demon of discovery: Lv.800….
──────
New cracks and new named monsters.
I wasn’t surprised by their level.
Around level 800.
Of course, it was a high level by itself. [Cracks in the cracked dimension] [Demon Castle] Boss monsters with a higher level appeared in the cracks.
It was that number that was incomparable to the previous one.
──────
New rift ’64th Throne’ will be added.
A new named monster will be added…
──────
A new crack ’72nd Throne’ will be added.
A new named monster will be added…
──────
A new crack ’45th Throne’ will be added.
New named monsters will be added…
──────
A new crack ’24th Throne’ will be added.
New named monsters will be added…
──────
A total of 12 cracks.
The number of named monsters that appear along the rift is several times that number.
The normal monsters that appear under the named monsters are several hundred times that.
So I could guess.
“It’s a catastrophe that can’t be compared to the time of the fissure of the demon castle.”
The moment when the regular update history came to mind.
It wasn’t strange that the world was in a state of panic.
Because 12 cracks far beyond the level of the players were created at the same time.
“I hate to say this, but… if the rift collapses, humanity may suffer more damage than the early days of the cataclysm.”
It’s such a shocking update history.
So, I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.
Isn’t it too quiet?
In other words, the world was overly peaceful.
Even AAU, which should have been in an emergency.
London Branch of AAU, UK.
Baker looked out the window.
London Miracle.
Its symbol, the Acquariu oak trees, are shining brilliantly in the sunlight. Every time the wind blew, the waves of golden leaves were dazzling.
Baker opened his mouth.
“Are you saying we can have fun? this peace.”
From the beginning of Cataclysm to now.
The AAU policy was consistent.
always assume the worst
It may sound harsh to some.
Only then can we take comfort from the smaller damage than expected.
Because mankind was able to move forward again.
“…Because I’m weak. Humans are animals.”
It was natural to be concerned.
Lee Ho-yeol.
Are you saying you can afford this peace?
Even small waves in calm waters grow bigger.
In other words, the more peaceful it is, the less likely it is to stumble at the slightest damage.
Are you confident that you won’t stumble in the slightest?
Baker’s common sense was incomprehensible.
“I don’t even dare to guess.”
The weight and burden he must be carrying.
But Baker no longer doubted.
Instead, I looked at the screen that appeared on the monitor in the branch manager’s office.
A view of Yusra Kingdom relayed in real time.
Baker muttered.
“Please lighten his burden, Schraig.”
*
The location of the crack has not yet been captured.
But there were still materials.
If you compare the regular update upload time and crack creation time in the meantime, considering it
…
Yusra Kingdom was full of players.
All of them were players who participated in the [Unfinished Crusade].
The world event [Demon Lord Battle].
I couldn’t figure out what exactly it meant.
One thing was certain.
“Isn’t the update history full of demons?”
“that’s right. It is an extension of the Bona Mana Temple.”
“So what are you all going to do?”
A man suddenly interrupted the conversation.
Warm eyes fell on him.
The man quickly waved his hand.
“No, I’m not arguing, I’m genuinely curious! To be honest, it’s too much for our level. Dealing with such ridiculous named monsters!”
Are you trying to divert your attention?
What the man held out was a smartphone.
It was a regular update.
From minimum level 700 to maximum level 850.
The man’s words were not wrong.
Although most of the players gathered here are veterans, it has always been based on players.
At most, I was only in the mid-to-late 300 level, and from level 400 onwards, I was called a ranker.
“It’s even a demon-type monster. No matter how much buffing you do, will your spirit remain? Let alone catching the named monsters, they will be in trouble with the trash mobs, right?”
Even top players.
It means that the risk of entering such a crack is considerable.
But what came back was a smile, not an answer or a refutation.
Bang!
The woman snorted and bounced her bowstring at the man.
“Didn’t you finish all those worries in the first place?”
“…yes?”
“No, didn’t you finish all that self-reflection before participating in the holy war? Only then can you say that you have proven your pride. no wait. Did you achieve your quest goal in the first place?”
…No, can archers see the male quest window?
How did know?
The man shook his head, hiding his embarrassment.
“Sure! I can’t really show you…”
Even while he was making excuses, he didn’t understand at all.
What is pride that you can risk your life for?
Finally, the man asked directly.
“But nothing else, it took my life, my life! From Lee Ho-yeol, he spoke grandiosely. To put it bluntly, there are 12 rifts, and while entering one rift, there could be a catastrophe in another rift…!”
bang!
“Oops!! It’s a surprise!!”
A large shield slammed the ground.
A middle-aged man with gray hair.
he said in a low voice.
“Because there is something more precious than my life here in reality.”
“…yes?”
“Because my wife wants her children to be at peace in reality.”
“!”
“Because I have no intention of showing my ugly side to my rabbit-like wife and children even if I die. Why isn’t that enough? Or do you need some other reason?”
Awakening as a player does not change the way you think.
Who in the world wants to die?
But everyone knew.
If you avoid it because you are afraid, you have no choice but to keep avoiding it.
If you avoid it, the rift will come back as a bigger boomerang.
And the days when they didn’t even realize that simple fact.
Ho-yeol, the only person who stepped forward.
Clack—
The middle-aged man stood up from his seat holding a shield.
He put his hand on the shoulder of the whining player.
“If you are afraid, you can step back and watch.”
“…?”
“Why wasn’t it written on the quest window that popped up in front of you? There are no rewards or loot. The only thing left is the pride in my heart. So…”
the middle-aged man continued.
“No one forced us to do that. So no one can criticize you.”
Everything was a personal choice.
So, you will be responsible for it yourself.
All players knew that.
“Even the help I received from the Magic Tower is worth it.”
“I never thought I would be training with the Knights of the Lionheart in my life. Of course, the knights suffered a bit because of us…
”
While preparing for the holy war, he received a lot of help from the Arcana people.
Hoping for their help even within the cracks?
If you had a conscience, it would be unimaginable.
“These are the people who will do bigger things than us.”
Objectively, the level of the Arcanaians was higher than that of the players.
that much too.
Why, even if only tens of thousands of Muon Paladins were of a higher or similar level compared to most rankers.
Needless to say, the Lion Heart Knights, the Shadow Mercenary, and the Magic Tower.
“It’s ridiculous to use that precious power to protect us.”
“Right. It’s better to catch one more demon in that time.”
“Let’s fight each other well. everyone.”
It was time for the players who thought so to make final preparations.
Twinkling—
the quest window flickered.
The new quest goal was updated.
[Quest: Unfinished Crusade]
From the Arcana continent to reality.
The crusade against the devil is not yet over.
At the end of this war, there are no rewards or loot.
All that remains is pride.
Prove yourself proud.
─Prove your worth in the area. (Success)
─Join your main unit in the area. (in progress)
“… Huh?”
The area was Yusra Frost Muon Magic Tower, which was different for each player.
Did you see more than that?
What the word meant was simple.
“…We have a affiliation?”
Because you judged yourself.
They are also responsible for their own lives.
That’s why they were players who were determined.
The goal of the quest to join the main force was inevitably questionable.
But the doubts did not last long.
Via the portal of the Mage Tower.
What was waiting for those who went to their respective destinations.
“Captain Harkon… Knights of the Lionheart?”
“Chief Mage Marcelo?”
“Talim and priests?”
Participation in the holy war Until the fight against the demon king begins.
Short if short, long if long.
It was the Arcana people who were together.
“Adventurers. I was waiting for you guys.”
The players were taken aback by Harkon’s voice.
…Why were you waiting for us?
someone muttered.
“…We’ll be nothing but burdens.”
It’s a pessimistic statement, but no one could refute it.
because it was true
The level difference was at least twice.
It was because they knew that they would be at an incomplete level if they played an active part in the rift where such demon-type named monsters ran rampant. As if pinching that fact, Harkon continued.
“We, who trained you, know your level better than anyone else. It would be impossible for you to stand on equal footing with the demons who drove the Arcana continent to ruin.”
Harkon was laughing.
But that wasn’t a mockery.
It was the most benevolent smile ever.
“So, lean on us in this battle.”
“…!!!”
“Trust and depend on us.”
…What am I hearing?
It was a declaration that made one doubt one’s normal hearing.
When you think objectively to expect or depend on.
“…what the hell are you talking about?”
You want to carry us incapacitated?
Because I couldn’t understand it at all.
But it wasn’t just Harkon.
Mage Tower Marcelo continues.
“For you who are taking the first step, it is enough just to watch. The experience in the battle for the demon lord will be the best food for you.”
Muon Talim shouts.
“The goddess’ protection and the paladin’s shield will protect you.”
I guess there’s no need to doubt that.
Even the message came to mind.
─Join your main unit in that area. (Success)
Never imagined.
All players froze at the unexpected development.
Rankers who had gone through all the battles were no exception.
Shining.
Camilla raised an eyebrow.
“I think it’s the first time I’ve seen something like that~”
“…were the Arcana people originally like that? No, even if it is assumed that the other side can do that by conceding a hundred times. Why is the Magic Tower doing that?!”
“Why can I change my mind? If you look at Jessie, you know that wizards aren’t whimsical~ isn’t that right, Rocks?”
Rocks was silent.
I searched all my arcana experience knowledge.
But the Arcanaians are for the players.
There was never a single time when I made a sacrifice.
‘Then is this also a new change?’
Lee Ho-yeol.
At least level 900.
Reputation beyond imagination.
Does it mean that the relationships built up with numerous forces are also changes brought about by interlocking influences? No, this was impossible even with those things.
Because this was literally a change that transcended Arcana’s system.
In the end, Rox let out a laugh.
“well. No matter how much I think about it, I don’t know.”
.
.
.
Simple.
As the players realized their pride.
Because pride existed in the hearts of the Arkans as well.
Yes everything according to pride.
I also.
It was said that he opened his mouth swayed by the heavy pride in his chest.
“There are no sacrifices for us to bear in playing childish king.”
Fighting for the demon lord in the pride of Grandfell?
You won’t be able to participate in the axis of the temple, like playing house with demons.
It is said that the sacrifice of an ally in that house play is also unacceptable.
Be it an arcana or a player.
Not even a single sacrifice.
If anyone asks if that’s possible.
I will answer you.
“The fight against the demon lord is just food for us.”
I don’t know.
What our Grand Fel said.
It’s because it’s a ‘setting’ that makes it come true.
“It is time to pay the price for arrogance, foolish demons.”
