It had only been a few hours.
Even if you brought out the demon king.
This imposing attitude wouldn't change.
I certainly had thought so.
…Those weren't words, but even my thoughts became seeds [1] now.
[Class quest: Demon King Subjugation]
The king of demons.
His magical powers begin to reach out.
The last demon hunter.
Overthrow the throne.
– Train your weakened body. (Repeat)
– Investigate the Northern city of Frost. (In progress)
I stared at the flashing quest window.
King of the demons.
No matter how I looked at it, it really seemed to be the demon king I knew.
' Cold water, no, this is like pouring ice water [2] .'
Even if I liked twists.
These updates had crossed the line since the Yusra Islands, seriously.
I wanted to pull away and ask.
Can you handle the current atmosphere?
– It's nice to see NPCs after a long timeㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Mascot Malon will appearㅋㅋㅋ
– Malon? Who is that?
– You don't know Malon? It's the tsundere blacksmith
– His nickname was the Generous Tree, wasn't it? Probably?ㅋㅋ
Frost appeared.
The community was excited by that fact.
But I could guess roughly from the contents of the quest.
Frost wasn't as normal as players thought.
'It's solely related to the demon king.'
The demon king.
I could say they were close yet distant beings.
After all, Arcana was just a virtual reality game.
When I was in my second year of middle school.
Akshan's demon hunter NPCs always said this.
– The demon kings are our old enemies.
Perhaps because I had listened to it so hard that it stuck in my ears.
Information about the demon king was still in my memory.
I picked up a feather pen.
"Be honored that I remember you."
As if the demon king was listening.
I took a moment to say something outrageous. Wait a minute.
I moved my pen to sort out my memory.
──────
The demon king is stronger than ordinary demons
There aren't just one or two demon kings
There is also a pecking order between the demons…
──────
I'd written a lot more, but…
To sum it up in three lines, this would be apt.
I felt even more at a loss when I wrote it down and looked at it again.
'The counterattack didn't start.'
Isn't this the beginning of a full-fledged hardship?
In a word, the demon king was the boss monster of the demon race.
So let's think about that level roughly.
First of all, its first digit must be different from Count Asura.
'Then…'
The target of comparison was inevitably the great evil, Greed of the Seven Deadly Sins.
But even that couldn't be a good prediction.
I realized this through the demon hunter's intuition.
'Greed of the Seven Deadly Sins, he wasn't in the right state.'
The image of a young demon I had seen in him.
I didn't know how it happened, but he certainly wasn't in perfect condition. In other words, it was a different case from what I had heard from Akshan's demon hunters.
According to my memory.
The great evil was higher in rank than the demon king.
I mean.
I am not making a fuss just because I knocked down a great evil, you know.…!
After much consideration, I came to a conclusion.
Sk–
A one-line evaluation of the demon king.
──────
But, to me, it's just an insignificant demon.
──────
That's right.
It didn't matter whether it was a high-ranking demon or a demon king.
'…I wish the great evil dropped loot.'
He was a great evil, stronger than the demon king.
The level of loot would be unimaginable.
No, let alone the loots of the great evil.
If only the class quest had rewarded me…!
'Well, I would have been a little more confident.'
But my confidence.
Compared to Grandfel's pride, it was just a drop in the ocean.
I stood up from my seat and said.
"I believe that he will not die in a despicable way, claiming himself to be the king."
It was a warning.
"Don't let me down. Demon king."
After all, my job was simple.
All I had to do was struggle to avoid drowning under the weight of this heavy pride.
Please, let me keep my word.
I opened the status window, praying desperately.
[Luck: 3]
With such a wish
I thought of investing 1 point in luck, but I ended up spending a little more.
[Luck: 5]
Even if it was just a superstitious thing.
In a situation where I could encounter the demon king, the number 4 was ominous…
.
.
.
My two points that were like my blood and flesh…!
It was worth the two level.
Perhaps my desperate struggle reached me.
Luck didn't betray me again this time.
At the lab of the tower.
I checked the tools and items sent to my desk.
──────
[Vampire Count's Orb] – Rented
[Pure Emerald Crystal] – Made into an accessory
[Treasure of the Island, Silk Koi Scale] – Made into a handkerchief
──────
Except for the orb that I had approved to be rented.
Two items were arranged neatly on the desk.
I requested it to be made into an accessory.
Indeed, it was as requested.
I picked up a ring decorated with emeralds.
[Emerald Ring]
[Grade: Unique]
[Restriction: Lv.200]
[Effect: Restores vitality when attacked]
[Description: A ring made in a special way. Even a renowned blacksmith will not be able to bring out any more effects of the emerald.]
Made in a special way.
It was because there was no blacksmith in the Mage Tower.
From smelting, processing, and to composition.
The whole process was carried out with delicate magic.
It must have been thanks to this that they were able to bring out the best effect.
'…Wait, this isn't normal.'
The effect was written in one short line.
However, it meant there were no specific conditions attached.
In other words, if I got hit, I would definitely recover my vitality.
Of course, I wouldn't know how great the recovery effect would be until I got hit.
'Anyway, it's no different from continuing to eat potions.'
…This is more than I expected.
When I thought about it like that, I naturally moved my gaze.
I lifted up the neatly folded handkerchief.
It was a handkerchief made with [Treasure of the Island, Silk Koi Scale].
Sure enough, its appearance was extraordinary.
A subtle yet brilliant light.
Even just looking at it, it was obvious that it was a valuable item.
"Indeed, it's great."
It was great enough that even before I could confirm the information.
Words of acceptance came out.
However, unlike Grandfel, what was important to me was the effect.
Above all, it was because I was about to face a super-large class quest called 'Demon King Subjugation'.
Then, the information on the handkerchief appeared.
[Masterpiece – Koi Scale Handkerchief]
[Grade: Unique]
[Restriction: Lv.200]
[Effect: When equipped, increase flame property affinity / Increase all attack evasion rate / Open aesthetic stat]
[Explanation: Made with extremely rare materials and a special manufacturing method. Its value is so great that no one can dare to evaluate it. The title masterpiece won't be a waste on it.]
…Wait, to think it's a masterpiece!
Masterpiece, just by adding that title to the item.
Its value was indescribable.
That's right. Masterpiece items weren't easily found in Arcana.
'Even blacksmiths wonder whether or not to make one once in a lifetime.'
There was even a rumor that just putting a masterpiece item on an auction house would maximize your relationship and influence with the auction house.
Of course, what was more important was its immediate performance.
The other effects were confirmed in advance.
What was left was the effect of the [aesthetic] stat that even the Mage Tower couldn't figure out.
Without delay.
I put my handkerchief straight into my jacket's chest pocket.
Then a message appeared.
[The aesthetic stat is opened.]
"!"
At the same time.
The knowledge of [aesthetic] flooded into my head…!
I thought as I looked at the newly emerging status window.
[Stat]
Strength: 38 / Agility: 42 / Mana: 186 / Luck: 5 / Aesthetic: Low
[Point you have: 0]
As expected, it was expressed in a different way.
'It must have been classified as high, intermediate, and low.'
Considering the effect of the aesthetic stat, this was a reasonable expression.
I wanted to check its effect with my own eyes right away.
The lab at the Mage Tower was not an appropriate place.
And before that, I had a calculation that needed to be done.
'It's scary. I am scared.'
Did I say I wanted the best result regardless of the cost?
Pure integrity my ass.
'Grandfel, you sucker!'
But it was in the past.
What was the point of resenting myself for the past?
Besides, there should be money going out in order to get money coming in.
Above all, I still had the reward for the Yusra Kingdom, which I hadn't checked yet.
'So I am not going to express it and I will pay the terrible bill…'
No, I checked the parchment.
Let's not be surprised if it cost billions or tens of billions.
Determinedly.
And then I realized again.
──────
Postscript.
The Mage Tower does not charge commission fees for mages with authority above that of the chief mage. To reach the truth. I would like to ask you to repay me with more in-depth research.
──────
Indeed, the 2 points invested in luck were not a waste!
*
A new update that attracted global attention.
Frost, the northern city, had finally appeared.
The moment its location was captured.
Guild Master of Inazuma.
Hisagi Kazuma clenched his fist.
"… Alright!"
Frost was in Hokkaido, Japan.
It appeared in waters near Hokkaido.
The opportunity had finally come.
An opportunity to turn everything upside down!
Hisagi shuddered.
How much humiliation had he been suffering?
"5th place in the guild rankings. Hisagi, this is a shame. A shame!"
Yeah, the guild rankings changed from time to time.
So he could understand it if it just dropped in the rankings.
But on top of Inazuma.
Those two stepped up.
"…Those ignorant bastards!"
It was hard to accept Korea's Gaon.
However, the opportunity to reverse the situation had come again.
Whiing–!
A private plane headed to Hokkaido.
Hisagi checked the mail on his smartphone.
Everything was going according to plan.
'Everything is on our Inazuma's side.'
Because Frost appeared in Hokkaido, Japan.
Just like him.
The Japanese government also took this opportunity to risk everything.
The moment Frost was captured in Hokkaido.
They meticulously launched into action.
They put forward a cumbersome procedure to prevent guilds from accessing Frost first.
'Of course, it is a violation of the AAU Convention.'
According to the AAU Convention.
The Japanese government didn't have the authority to block players.
But even at the risk of the social criticism that would follow.
They did that to give Inazuma priority.
'I have to repay my country.'
A private jet landed secretly in Hokkaido.
The north wind was violent.
Hisagi led the Inazuma guild members.
"Ugh, it's cold. This is why I hate Hokkaido."
"Did you just demean the region? This is why Kyoto people."
"…What? Weren't you the one disparaging my region?"
"Everyone, quiet. Move as stealthily as possible."
Inazuma's solo entry to Frost.
As well as the Japanese government blocking other players.
All of this was possible because Frost had no risk factors.
But the government's grip on the other players' ankles wouldn't last long.
"The time given to us is an hour or two at best."
Other countries also knew the value of Frost.
"In the meantime, quickly secure Frost's relationship and influence."
So they had to move quickly.
The most important thing was to be ahead of Gaon.
Hisagi recalled the information he had previously grasped.
'Nam Taemin was one of the most influential players in Frost.'
Nam Taemin's class was barbarian.
Barbarian was a class where job transfer could transpire in the forest near Frost.
Nam Taemin was no. 1 in the barbarian class rankings.
'He must have cleared a lot of quests in Frost.'
As an individual, he wouldn't be able to follow Nam Taemin.
But in terms of guilds, it was different.
Hisagi was confident.
'In addition, Gaon invested a great deal in the Yusra Kingdom.'
Naturally, they couldn't pay too much attention and investment in Frost.
Looking back, it was a really great opportunity.
Hisagi's snake eyes flashed.
'We'll rise above Gaon again!'
But that resolution soon collapsed.
"…W-What is that?"
In the high walls of Frost.
Something loomed over the wall.
One of the guild members was startled after activating the skill clairvoyance.
"A-A human head! That's a human head…!!"
"Why are there so many?"
"Wait. That beard is Malon's…?"
"You mean Marlon the blacksmith? Are you saying Malon's dead?!"
Yeah, it wasn't just Malon.
Dozens and hundreds of heads were adorned on the walls.
Crackle–!
At that moment, flames rose from within the walls of Frost.
Chill ran down his spine.
Gulp.
Hisagi swallowed his dry saliva and immediately shouted.
"Contact them now! Don't detain the players like a fool!"
.
.
.
As much as the expectations were high, the shock was inevitable.
Naturally, everyone panicked.
"…How do you get into that place like that?"
"This demon is strong enough to take over Frost."
"Not only that, this one is a real siege."
"Raymond Sean, you crazy bastard! You stab me in the back again!"
Shining and Union.
Even giant guilds like them were unable to enter Frost.
It was a perfect reversal.
So to reverse this gloomy atmosphere again.
A comparable shock was needed.
For example.
"…That's Lee Hoyeol."
Like now.
"No, wait. It's not just Lee Hoyeol?"
Indeed.
Hoyeol was not alone.
Soon, the faces of the players were colored with astonishment.
"It's Harkon."
"What, the Knights of Lionheart came out again this time?"
"No, even if that's the case. I-Isn't that Kitch and the Shadow Mercenary Corps? Why are those monsters with Lee Hoyeol…? Maybe it's because the Knights of Lionheart aren't enough…?!"
1. 'Words became seeds' = Watch what you say
2. Pouring cold water = ruins an event that is going well