Chapter 11

◈ Chapter 11. The Limit of Patience (1)

Just as a rock turned into a teacup.

The shape of the teacup began to change.

It transformed into a shield made of stone.

I had changed the shape of the teacup to form a wall.

An arrow couldn't possibly pierce through a stone wall.

Crack—

No matter how many dozens or hundreds of arrows were shot, they couldn't reach me.

I checked the consumption of my mana.

‘Isn’t this efficiency abnormally good?’

Is it because it’s no longer a [Skill] but a 『Magic』?

It was certainly different from what the alchemist said on NetTube.

-Here it is! The shape has changed, right? Changing the shape alone consumes relatively less mana. But that's only when the size is small, like a teacup. The larger the size, the more...

The mana consumption increases exponentially...

‘He definitely said that, didn’t he?’

My mana was still intact even after creating a wall that was at least three meters tall.

Even with the [Predator-Prey Relationship] active, the efficiency was astonishing.

Well, it could be one of two things.

Either the efficiency of 『Magic』 is overwhelmingly better than [Skills].

‘Or the alchemist was just selling snake oil on NetTube.’

Why, it’s a common type in games too.

To avoid being called overpowered or relying on character buffs.

Some players pretend to be weak and whine.

‘I should try raising a Demon Hunter to see if it’s really that weak.’

Of course, no matter what it is.

At this moment, my task remains the same.

I entrusted my defense to the wall and prepared to counterattack.

Equipped the bow and arrow.

I strung the arrow on the bow.

‘A crude arrow.’

The level of arrows used by novice archers.

Naturally, its attack power was quite low.

‘But what if I change its shape?’

I had enough mana.

I quickly changed the shape of the arrowhead.

Let’s see, something that looks painful just by looking at it.

Like a drill or a hook...

[Modified Arrow]

[Grade: Normal]

[Limit: None]

[Effect: High chance of causing the status effect ‘Bleeding’ on hit]

[Description: The deformed arrowhead maximizes lethality.]

...What is this?

It’s better than expected.

Not only the attack power, but it also has a high chance of causing status effects. Indeed, the effort of staying up for days scribbling with a pen was worth it. Effort never betrays you.

Creak—

Despite my joy.

I calmly drew the bowstring.

Yes, I only changed the arrowhead.

To Granfel, it’s probably not even worth mentioning, let alone making a fuss over.

Whoosh—

Indeed, the composure of an Olympic archery gold medalist.

Perhaps because of that.

The arrow I shot hit the bandit hiding in the bushes.

[Predator-Prey Relationship].

[Modified Arrow].

Even the mediocre [Archery Mastery].

The result of these three factors working together.

Thud—

Hit.

[The bandit, stained with blood, has been inflicted with ‘Bleeding’.]

Bleeding occurred.

Crack—

While dodging the rain of arrows.

[Level Up]...

The bandit, afflicted with bleeding, died.

My level increased by four.

I opened my status window to check the stats.

[Level: 80]

[Attributes]

Strength: 25 / Agility: 30 / Mana: 18 / Luck: 2

[Available Points: 13]

In the Arcana system, the experience required for level up increases sharply with each level.

No wonder even the top-ranked player barely surpassed level 400.

Despite Arcana being in service for over ten years.

‘Indeed, it’s fast.’

Considering that system.

My growth rate is at an unreasonable level.

But it’s too early to celebrate.

Before blaming Granfel’s personality.

‘This is the bare minimum.’

If I start celebrating now.

By the time the class quest is over, there might be no way to celebrate.

Without any hesitation, I invested the available points.

‘Strength and agility can be improved by repeating the class quest.’

So, I’ll focus on mana, which will help in immediate combat.

[Mana: 31]

I checked the sharply increased mana.

Naturally, the target was the bandits stained with blood.

I transformed the arrow again.

‘This time, let’s combine it with ‘Ignition’.’

It consumed much more mana than simply changing the shape, but since I’ve invested in mana, it’s necessary to test its power at least once.

‘If the efficiency is poor, I won’t use it again.’

...Besides, I’m in no position to be picky.

Regardless of my heartbeat, this is clearly a crisis situation.

I’m surrounded by monsters over level 200!

Of course, there are other players around, but.

I don’t expect them to care about my life.

To take care of my own life.

To not sink under this heavy pride.

I have to try everything.

Whoosh—

Soon, flames burst from the tip of the arrow.

So-called, a homemade ‘Fire Arrow’.

I thought as I watched the extending fire arrow.

...Well, it seems to be much faster than the original?

*

“Is he really out of his mind?!”

That’s what Leonie shouted.

Soon, her words trailed off.

“...Wh-what?!”

Wait a minute.

What is that?!

The teacup turned into a giant stone wall!

Despite this, Leonie was a ranker.

She had sufficient knowledge and experience with Arcana.

Yes, she could guess what kind of skill it was.

It wasn’t something that sprouted from the ground but transformed from a teacup.

It was definitely an alchemy-related skill.

However, there was a reason she couldn’t understand.

‘Why is an alchemist in the rift? And alone, at that?’

An alchemist wasn’t a combat class.

Like a blacksmith or a jeweler.

An alchemist was classified as a production class.

Moreover...

How high is that stone wall going to rise?

“Crazy, man. What is that?”

It looked to be at least three meters tall.

The arrows breaking helplessly against the stone wall.

Leonie was taken aback.

“...He’s definitely not ordinary.”

Alchemy was rumored to have extremely poor mana efficiency.

If he could create such a stone wall with alchemy...

How much absolute mana does he have?

But the surprise didn’t end there.

Suddenly, the man drew a bow.

Leonie, with the eyes of a ranker, observed the situation.

‘His mana seems to be depleted.’

After summoning such a large stone wall.

Logically, it couldn’t be any other way.

He’s probably buying time with the bow until his mana recovers.

But would it make a difference?

If an alchemist could shoot arrows well, that would be...

Thud—

“...No way?! Man?!”

A single shot.

A bandit staggered and soon collapsed.

At that point, the focus shifted from the surrounding bandits to the mysterious man.

One of the guild members, unable to contain his curiosity, activated ‘Hawk Eye’ and stuttered.

“...Wait, what’s this now?”

“What? What is it?”

“It looks like a Fire Arrow. Who is he? He’s scary.”

An alchemist.

Not just an archer.

Now a mage?

Arcana knowledge flowed through Leonie’s mind.

‘I can’t figure it out.’

But no matter how she searched her memory, she had never heard of such a class.

Of course, a single player could use alchemy, archery, and attack magic.

But look at it.

The trajectory of the extending Fire Arrow.

Its speed was incomparable to that of ordinary mages.

The Berserker guild’s mages whispered among themselves.

“Can you shoot like that?”

“...No. Is that even possible?”

“But he’s not even holding a staff?”

Moreover, there was no hesitation in all his actions.

It was not just confident but elegant.

Click—

His attire played a part in this.

Leonie finally understood the man’s formal attire.

‘It wasn’t just madness but a display of confidence?’

A suit and shoes are sufficient.

Because there’s no way monster blood would splatter on him.

Is that it?

“Indeed, he’s not easy from the start.”

Thinking it was just a warm-up, a hidden master appeared from the beginning.

The instincts of a berserker began to stir.

Leonie raised her dual swords.

Clang—

“I’m not just going to stand by and watch!”

“Let’s go!”

“Please buff us.”

Whoosh—

Good, it’s a competition.

Leonie and the guild members charged at the bandits.

The man, Ho-yeol, watched the falling bandit and thought.

‘If I knew he would help, I should have shared a tea bag.’

*

Outside the rift.

Countless drones hovered in the nearby sky.

Broadcast stations from around the world.

NetTubers.

Even guilds.

Though their affiliations were different.

They were all watching the rift for the same reason.

“Indeed, which guild will earn the title of the first to clear the new rift?”

A common sight whenever there’s an update.

It’s only natural.

There are numerous interests entangled with guilds and players.

Their performance can affect stock market prices and even the order between nations.

“Especially, the Ascura Castle assault has significant meaning. After the Demon Race update, the Ascura Baron is the highest-level monster, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right. A demon race monster at level 430. It’s currently considered an impregnable monster... We must hope our players do their best.”

“Fortunately, we’re hearing good news from various places. Let’s look at the provided footage.”

The footage being broadcast.

Indeed, it was a smooth start.

At the outskirts of the territory.

With the appropriate level being in the mid-200s, it wasn’t a big problem for famous guilds or high-level players.

Of course, there were occasional videos showing the viciousness of the demon race.

“Oh, some players are afflicted with status effects.”

“Ah, it’s fine. With a solid healer in the back, they can recover from such status effects. Look.”

“Indeed, the world’s top-ranked player! Shining.”

The PD watching the monitor.

Hyun Yong-seok sniffed.

The Russian wind is indeed fierce.

He huddled as much as possible in his padded jacket.

“Hmm. But, the demons are indeed troublesome. Shining stumbled right from the start, didn’t they?”

“Director, they recovered immediately~ That’s a no-count.”

“Well, that’s not wrong... But has this ever happened before?”

Today’s Arcana.

A program Hyun Yong-seok directed, with an average viewership of 11%.

Despite not being a terrestrial broadcast, it had a viewership of over 10%.

There was no other program in South Korea that provided such broad information about rifts and players as Today’s Arcana.

The viewership rate was a measure of the public’s interest in rifts and players.

‘...I don’t think this has ever happened before?’

Hyun Yong-seok, who has directed Today’s Arcana from episode 1 to the present.

Even when he reviewed past episodes, this had never happened.

What kind of guild is Shining?

A guild that undeniably ranks among the world’s strongest, with four top-tier rankers in the top 10.

For Shining to suffer damage in a rift of the appropriate level, 250.

“Indeed, the numbers are not ordinary.”

The monsters surrounding the Shining guild.

If they let their guard down even for a moment, they could be attacked.

Hyun Yong-seok concluded.

“Demons. There’s something beyond just their level.”

That’s why the current development was even more anticipated.

Whirl—

Hyun Yong-seok gestured to the cast.

A signal to raise the tension.

“Indeed. With the difficulty, the guild that clears the rift first will naturally attract attention. It’s like making a strong impression on the world.”

At that moment, the assistant director monitoring the drone footage shouted.

“Huh?! Senior, it’s up! The first clear!”

“Where is the rift? Quickly send the reporting team!”

“Let’s see. Where is it? If it’s in this area... It’s not Gaon, though.”

“Tsk, disappointing, but what can we do?”

The inevitable Korean.

Secretly hoping Gaon would secure the first clear.

It seems that’s not the case.

The assistant director scratched his head.

“Damn. Mother Russia. Why are the trees so dense?”

“Is the zoom at its maximum?”

“Yes, but the trees are blocking the view. Where is it, exactly?”

At that moment, a transmission came from the reporting team rushing to the drone’s location.

-Senior, is this really the first clear?

“It is. Would I joke in this situation? Where is it?”

-...It’s Leonie. From the Berserker guild.

“...What, what? Berserker?”

-Wait, who’s the man in front of Leonie? He looks Korean. Wait, senior! Other reporting teams are starting to gather. Let’s get the interview first!

...Korean?

Was there a Korean in the European Union guild, Berserker?

As Hyun Yong-seok tried to recall.

Soon, the walkie-talkie crackled again.

Hyun Yong-seok pressed for an answer.

“What? Korean? What’s the connection? Is it really the Berserker guild?”

-...Yes, senior. It seems to be a Korean.

“Then?”

A bewildered voice continued from the walkie-talkie.

-He just said, ‘Move aside.’ and wouldn’t let us conduct a proper interview!

Whoosh—

“...So you missed the interview?”

-No, no! Senior, it’s not that. He said, ‘Move aside,’ and ‘The limit of patience.’ There was something irresistible about it!

“Ah, his words had power, and mine didn’t?”

-...

“Chase after him and get the interview. Got it?”

A cold transmission.

Whoosh—

No less cold than the Siberian high pressure.

Hyun Yong-seok wrapped himself tighter in his padded jacket.

Indeed, Russia is cold.