Chapter 52

◈ Chapter 52. Frost (3)

AAU.

The shock that the players felt was nothing compared to theirs.

Sighs of despair erupted from the branches of the organization around the world.

Frost had fallen.

It was something they had never even imagined.

"Let's think calmly. This confirms it. Time flows in Arcana World just like it does in reality."

In other words,

Arcana was not just a game.

Or rather, even if it was a game in the past,

It had now become another world, a fact they had to acknowledge.

"I had suspected that from the beginning. But this...! The speed is too fast. Everyone knows what kind of city Frost is, right?"

"...A siege difficulty comparable to the capital of the empire."

"Exactly! That's what I don't understand. How did those demon brats manage to capture Frost? Even considering the flow of time, it's physically impossible..."

Wait, the flow of time?

Oh no.

Why did I assume the flow of time was the same!

A sudden realization hit him.

"The flow of time is different...!!"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Damn, I completely forgot. One day in reality is four days in Arcana!"

24 hours in reality = 96 hours in Arcana.

This was a setting that remained from when Arcana was a game.

Perhaps because of this,

They had overlooked this simple setting.

"...Time flows four times faster in Arcana than in reality? Then it makes sense."

"The demon brats didn't suddenly become stronger?"

"Damn, then it's not surprising that Frost fell, is it?"

Everyone listening reached a terrifying possibility.

"...Then, what is the current state of Arcana World?"

Even Frost, with its towering walls, has fallen.

What about small towns and cities...?

There was no need to even mention it.

Sighs of despair echoed everywhere.

"Human counterattack? What human counterattack...!"

Arcana World is being trampled by demons.

And more importantly,

These demons are not only updating in Arcana World but also in reality.

AAU coldly tapped the calculator.

"What do you think is the possibility of players recapturing the demon-occupied Frost?"

"...Impossible."

"Minimum level 600. That's the point where top players can start eyeing the lordship of Frost."

The fact that such a Frost had been brutally destroyed meant

The demons that captured Frost were level 600 or higher.

Could the current players defeat such demon monsters?

"Damn...!"

No matter how he thought about it, it was impossible.

AAU came to this conclusion.

"...Wait."

Before Ho Yeol appeared.

Situation room.

Ho Yeol's image appeared on the monitors covering the wall.

His hair, the color of flying snow.

Again, a suit and shoes.

His impeccable appearance.

Since his first appearance, it had always been the same.

This alone did not surprise them.

No, what surprised AAU was the NPCs,

Or rather, the Arcanians, following Ho Yeol.

"It can't be."

The Lionheart Knights again.

Given their setting of swearing loyalty to their lord,

No matter how much they built relationships, they shouldn't be able to lead the knightly order...?

How could a mere player like Ho Yeol lead the Lionheart Knights, not just once but repeatedly?

This alone was shocking enough.

"...T, The Shadow Mercenaries!"

The Shadow Mercenaries.

They, too, appeared with Ho Yeol.

"Did he build relationships with those black curtains...?"

Black curtain (黑幕).

The reason they are called that is simple.

While they were hidden behind a black curtain until now,

They were significant figures who could influence the later stages of the game. If compared, they held a position similar to the Mage Tower.

"...They don't appear on the surface, but their influence is..."

"Enough to shake the continent, not just the empire, according to the setting, right?"

"It's hard for a player to understand their true value at this point...? Of course, one can guess to some extent from their ridiculously expensive fees."

"Haha..."

Suddenly, a hollow laugh burst out.

"The Mage Tower, Lionheart, and now the Shadow Mercenaries?"

It was simply unbelievable.

But the fact that they could even laugh hollowly

Meant that their spirits were not completely crushed.

It was too early to despair.

With Ho Yeol's appearance,

AAU.

Their conclusion changed in that moment.

"Let's observe calmly. Ho Yeol's actions...!"

*

Everything has a reason.

"Ugh, it's cold."

"Don't be weak, Miss Kichi. Remember, we have a mission to recapture Frost."

"Yes, I understand. But can't I say it's cold? Ugh, the Kingdom of Yusra was warm and sunny, which was perfect..."

My appearance with the Lionheart Knights

And the Shadow Mercenaries in Frost

All had their reasons.

.

.

.

'There were such reasons.'

I had a conversation with Harcon about Frost.

The Empire's strongest knightly order, the Lionheart Knights.

Harcon, the leader of the order, of course, had extensive experience in sieges.

I thought I might get some siege tips.

But Harcon's reaction was unexpected.

"...Frost has fallen? Sir, is that true!"

At the point when Harcon was updated to reality,

It was when they were on an expedition to a village not far from Frost.

The great Harcon gnashed his teeth in frustration.

"Sir, this disaster happened because I couldn't deal with the demon general! If I had at least carried out the last order of His Majesty...! Frost...!"

The demon general.

'While I don't know the full organization of the Demon King's army...'

It was clearly a class quest related to the Demon King's extermination.

I was secretly looking forward to it, thinking I might get a quick reward.

'If I can get information on the demon general...'

I could prepare in advance.

Why? There was a lot to prepare for even now.

Most importantly, I needed to buy demon items for the [Exorcism Ritual].

Thanks to the savings from the Mage Tower, I could prepare thoroughly.

I felt the value of living a clean and honest life.

However,

"Sir, the Lionheart Knights will join you."

...This was a response far beyond my expectations.

Harcon's eyes were resolute.

"The last order of His Majesty was to exterminate the demon general. Until His Majesty revokes that order, we will aim to exterminate the demon general, or rather, the demons in this world."

Harcon continued.

"Sir, our intentions align, don't they?"

...I had no reason to refuse.

What was my intention?

To clear the class quest.

'Is this not an offer to help with the quest? And continuously!'

Could there be a more reliable support force?

To prevent any change of heart,

I immediately responded to Harcon.

"I respect your pride, Sir Harcon."

.

.

.

That was the reason the Lionheart Knights joined.

The reason for the Shadow Mercenaries?

There wasn't much to say about it.

'If I have to, I will.'

My relationship with the Shadow Mercenaries

Was a strict client-provider relationship from the start.

The first meeting with the leader, Kichi, was vividly remembered.

"Hiccup─"

"Is there a problem?"

"No, no. I just... felt a bit... startled."

Why, he started hiccupping as soon as he saw me.

I coldly said while listening to Kichi's introduction.

"Do you want to start anew here in Yusra?"

The Shadow Mercenaries.

They would do anything for money.

Kichi defended them like that.

"...Haha, that's right? You see through us so clearly. Hiccup."

That was the truth.

It was known just by searching.

They were a mercenary group with exorbitant fees.

Strong enough to handle any request.

But their cost-effectiveness was so poor that no one wanted to hire them.

"However, it's a pity."

It wasn't because they were unknown or had bad reviews.

They only moved for money?

"I dislike people like you."

The epitome of integrity.

To Granfel, there was no more prideless group.

I understood why Hakuna had asked me to judge them.

"...Hiccup!"

Misunderstandings are to be avoided.

That was a hiccup, not a sob.

The shoulder shaking was also due to the hiccups.

Of course, even if he had shed tears,

Granfel would not be swayed by tears.

However,

"But I will believe in your resolve."

"Hiccup? Yes?! Resolve?"

"Your resolve to leave the past behind and start anew."

Swish─!

I signed their documents without hesitation.

"I will watch to see if you can find your pride."

At that moment, Kichi was visibly moved.

Of course, the emotion wouldn't last long.

Before long, I declared to the Shadow Mercenaries.

"This is your chance to prove your resolve."

I forcibly involved the Shadow Mercenaries

In the Demon King's extermination.

Everything has a give and take.

Since I had saved the Kingdom of Yusra with my life,

'If you want to leech off, prove your worth.'

Kichi tried to hedge.

"It's a request that doesn't pay and is only dangerous...?"

An offer unimaginable in the past.

But they had said they would leave the past behind.

To start anew,

"...I'll do it. No, I have to. No, I will. No, just give it to me. Hiccup!"

If I have to, I will.

I am skilled in organizational matters.

.

.

.

The Lionheart Knights joined voluntarily.

Kichi and the Shadow Mercenaries were semi-forced.

That was the reason I appeared with them in Frost.

But there was one thing I overlooked.

'Why here...!'

Why Hokkaido, so close to Russia, again?

Not even a puffer jacket.

My attire, without even a coat.

I just blame the local conditions...

.

.

.

However, the bone-chilling cold did not last long.

The hell that appeared in reality.

Frost, engulfed in flames.

The surroundings were filled with heat, not cold.

Harcon's emotions were clearly restrained.

"...I will definitely recapture it, Your Majesty."

Frost, which had little to do with it.

Even I couldn't express my feelings.

The Lionheart Knights must have felt even more intensely.

But the empire's top knightly order.

They were not the type to be swayed by emotions in the face of the enemy.

"Sir, there must be survivors there, too."

Chivalry.

They become stronger when they have something to protect.

Thump, thump─!

The lion's heart began to beat roughly.

"We will recapture Frost from evil today!"

The morale soared with the cheers.

'...The Lionheart Knights will continue to help with my class quest?'

There can't be anyone with a more solid backing than me.

There was no hesitation in the hearts of these brave knights.

Harcon got to the point.

"Sir, the priority is to enter Frost."

I agreed.

[Class Quest: Demon King Extermination]

The king of demons.

Their influence is spreading.

O last demon hunter,

Topple the throne of evil.

─Train your weakened body. (Repeat)

─Investigate the northern city of Frost. (In progress)

The quest's top priority was also to investigate Frost.

First, we need to open the tightly closed gates of Frost.

Or, if not, to break down the walls.

Thinking about it,

'...This is overwhelming, isn't it?'

Isn't this a siege?

A real siege, incomparable to the time with Baron Ascura!

It was common knowledge that the defenders had the advantage in a siege.

'Ultimately, it must have been because they were demons that they could capture it.'

After all, the demons had status effects.

They didn't capture Frost through a proper siege but through underhanded tactics.

And yet,

They are keeping the gates tightly closed.

"How arrogant."

It's only natural that I can't stand this.

In a siege,

What is needed to attack the gates or walls is a siege weapon.

If the goal was to destroy Frost,

Launching bombers would be the most effective.

'It's not like we can't approach like a crack.'

This is the power of modern civilization.

What do you think, demon scum?

I might feel a bit smug.

But I can't do that.

"...There are survivors!"

"What, really? Let's see."

"...They seem to be being dragged somewhere? Or are they already dead?"

"What are these demon brats up to?"

The video taken by the drone in the sky.

According to the players, there were definitely NPCs,

Or rather, Arcanians, inside.

We can't know if they are alive or dead.

But we can't risk involving them in an explosion.

So there is only one way.

'Something that has the power of a missile but...'

Something that can control that power delicately.

Of course, that something can only be 'magic'.

I confirmed the message that came to mind.

[Skill, 'Predator-Prey Relationship' has been activated.]

Demon King.

The evil aura (惡氣) emanating from Frost was enough to affect me outside the walls.

I gathered my mana.

Search, interfere, manifest.

A series of processes carried out swiftly.

I aimed at the tightly closed gates.

And I manifested the magic.

Then a message appeared.

"......!!!"

In front of all the players, including me.