Like a rock transforming into a teacup.
The form of the teacup changed.
It was like a shield made of rock.
I changed the form of the teacup and erected it as a wall.
Arrows couldn't pierce through a rock wall.
Thud thud thud─
It meant that even shooting dozens, hundreds of shots couldn't reach me.
I checked my mana consumption.
'Isn't the efficiency abnormally good?'
Was it because it was no longer a [Skill] but 『Magic』?
It was certainly different from what the alchemist on NetTube had said.
-Ta-da! The form changed, right? Just changing the form has relatively little mana consumption. But that only applies when the size is small like a teacup. The bigger the size gets...
The mana consumption increases exponentially...
'I'm sure that's what they said.'
My mana remained fine even after erecting a barrier that was at least 3 meters tall.
Even with [Natural Enemy Relationship] activated, the efficiency was surprising.
Well, it would be one of two things.
Either the efficiency of 『Magic』 was overwhelmingly better than [Skills].
'Or the alchemist was selling snake oil on NetTube.'
You know, it's a type that's common in games too.
To avoid being pointed at for nerfs or character advantages.
Players who whine like weak characters.
'Try raising a demon hunter once and you'll see it's really a weak character.'
Of course, whatever it was.
At this moment, what I had to do didn't change.
I left defense to the barrier and prepared to counterattack.
I equipped bow and arrows.
I nocked an arrow on the bowstring.
'Crude arrow.'
A low-level arrow that gnoll archers used.
Naturally, its attack power was considerably lower.
'But what if I change its form?'
I had sufficient mana.
I quickly changed the form of the arrowhead.
Let's see, to make it look painful just by looking at it.
Like a drill or hook...
[Modified Arrow]
[Grade: Normal]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: When attacking, high probability of causing status ailment 'Bleeding']
[Description: The modified arrowhead maximized lethality.]
...What, this?
It was beyond expectations.
Not only attack power, but it even had an effect that caused status ailments with high probability. Indeed, it was worth scribbling with a pen all those nights. As expected, effort doesn't betray.
Creak─
Separate from that joy.
I calmly pulled the bowstring.
Right, I had only changed a single arrowhead.
For Granfell, it would be an action not even worth mentioning, let alone making a fuss about.
Swoosh─
Indeed, a composure that would make even an archery gold medalist cry.
Perhaps thanks to that.
The arrow I shot hit a bandit hiding in the bushes.
[Natural Enemy Relationship].
[Modified Arrow].
Plus [Archery Mastery] which was better than nothing.
The result of those three elements meshing together.
Thud─
Hit.
[The Blood-Stained Bandit suffers 'Bleeding'.]
Bleeding occurred.
Thud thud thud─
While taking cover from the rain of arrows pouring again.
[Level increased.]...
The bandit who had fallen into 'Bleeding' died.
My level rose by 4 again.
I opened the status window and checked the stats.
[Level: 80]
[Attributes]
Strength: 25 / Agility: 30 / Mana: 18 / Luck: 2
[Available Points: 13]
Arcana's system where the experience needed for leveling up skyrocketed with each level.
How much so that even the rank 1 player barely passed level 400.
Arcana had been in service for well over 10 years.
'Certainly fast.'
Considering that system.
My growth rate was at an absurd level.
But it was still too early to rejoice.
Before blaming Granfell's personality.
'This much is basic.'
If I raised a toast now.
By the time the class quest ended, there wouldn't be any way left to celebrate.
I invested my available points without the slightest waver.
'Strength and agility can be grown by repeating the class quest.'
So I would go all-in on mana that would help in combat right away.
[Mana: 31]
Let's check the sharply increased mana amount.
Naturally, the targets were the Blood-Stained Bandits.
I modified the arrow once more.
'Shall I try linking 'Ignition' this time?'
It consumed much more mana than magic that simply transformed form, but since I had invested in mana, it would be necessary to test its power at least once.
'If the efficiency is poor, I just won't use it next time.'
...Besides, I'm not in a position to be picky, am I?
Regardless of my heartbeat, this was clearly a crisis situation.
I was surrounded by monsters well over level 200!
Of course, there were other players nearby.
But I didn't expect them to care about my life too.
To protect my own life.
To not sink under this heavy pride.
It meant I had to try every possible struggle.
Whoosh─
Soon, flames rose from the tip of the arrowhead.
So-called, homemade 'Fire Arrow'.
I thought while watching the fire arrow fly.
...Well, the speed seems much faster than the original?
* * *
"That guy is really insane?!"
Leonie had shouted that.
Soon that sentence trailed off.
"...Whaaat?!"
Wa, wait a minute.
What's that?!
The teacup transformed into a giant stone wall!
Leonie was a ranker, for what it was worth.
She had sufficient knowledge and experience about Arcana.
Yes, she could guess what kind of skill it was.
Since it transformed from a teacup rather than rising from the ground.
It was definitely an alchemy-type skill.
But the reason she couldn't understand was different.
'Why is an alchemist in a rift? And alone?'
Alchemist wasn't a combat-type class.
Like blacksmiths or craftsmen.
Alchemist was classified as a production-type class.
But, as if that wasn't enough...
How far is that stone wall rising?
"Crazy, boss. What is that?"
That height looked like 3 meters.
Arrows breaking helplessly blocked by that stone wall.
Leonie flinched.
"...As expected, he's not ordinary."
Alchemy was rumored to have extremely poor mana efficiency.
If he created such a large stone wall with such alchemy...
Just how much absolute mana did he have?
But the surprise didn't stop there.
Because the man suddenly drew out a bow.
Leonie surveyed the situation with a ranker's eye.
'Still, his mana must be depleted.'
He summoned such a large stone wall.
Logically, it couldn't be helped.
He's thinking to buy time with the bow until mana recovers.
But she wondered if it had meaning.
Would it make sense for an alchemist to even shoot arrows well...
Thud─!
"...Th, that doesn't make sense?! Boss?!"
Just one shot.
One bandit staggered and soon collapsed with a thud.
By then, their attention was drawn to the mysterious man rather than the bandits surrounding them.
One guild member who couldn't contain his curiosity activated 'Hawk Eye' and stuttered.
"...Wait, what is it this time?"
"Why? What is it, again?"
"That looks like Fire Arrow? What is he? Scary."
Alchemist.
Archer wasn't enough.
Now a mage?
Instantly, Arcana knowledge flowed through Leonie's mind.
'I really don't know?'
But no matter how much she retraced her memory, she had never heard or seen such a class.
Of course, one player could use alchemy, archery, and attack magic.
But look.
At the trajectory of that Fire Arrow shooting out.
The speed alone was incomparable to ordinary mages.
The mages of the Berserker Guild whispered among themselves.
"You, can you shoot like that?"
"...No. Would that even work?"
"But that person isn't even holding a staff, right?"
There was even no hesitation in all those actions.
It looked elegant beyond just being confident.
Click─
The man's attire played a part in that.
Leonie was now beginning to understand the man's suit attire.
'It's not just crazy but an expression of confidence?'
Even wearing a suit and dress shoes is sufficient.
Because monster blood and such would never splash on him.
Something like that?
"As expected, it wasn't easy from the start."
I thought it was warm-up, but to think a hidden master would appear from the beginning.
The berserker's instinct began to stir.
Leonie raised her dual swords.
Clang─!
"We're not planning to just watch either!"
"Let's go!"
"Buff please."
Thud thud thud─!
Good, it's a competition.
Leonie and guild members charged toward the bandits.
The man, Ho-yeol, looked at the falling bandit and thought.
'Should I have shared even one tea bag if I knew they'd help?'
***
Outside the rift.
In the airspace nearby, countless filming drones floated.
Broadcasting stations from around the world.
NetTubers.
Even guilds.
Though their affiliations varied.
Everyone was watching the rift for the same reason.
"Indeed, which guild will the title of first clear of the new rift go to?"
A scene commonly seen with each update.
It was natural.
Because countless interests were entangled with guilds and players.
According to their performance, stock market prices, and further, even the order between nations would fluctuate.
"Especially this Ascula Castle conquest can be seen as having very significant meaning. Isn't it Count Ascula, the highest level monster since the demon race update?"
"Yes, that's right. A whopping level 430 demon race monster. Currently evaluated as an impregnable monster... We must hope our players do their best."
"Fortunately, victory reports are coming from everywhere. Let's watch the submitted footage together."
Broadcasted footage.
Indeed, it was a smooth start.
The outskirts of the territory.
With an appropriate level in the mid-200s, it wasn't a big problem for famous guilds or high-level players.
Of course, occasionally there were videos showing the viciousness of the demon race.
"Oh my, there was a player who fell into a status ailment."
"Ah, it's fine. Isn't there a reliable healer supporting from the rear? They should be able to cleanly recover from that level of status ailment. Now, let's see."
"Indeed, world rank 1! It's Shining."
PD monitoring the monitor.
Hyun Yong-seok sniffled.
Indeed, the Russian wind was harsh.
He curled up his body as much as possible inside his padded jacket.
"Sniff. But, certainly the demon race is tricky. That Shining slipped up from the start, didn't they?"
"Aw, director. They recovered right away~ That's a no-count."
"Well, that's not wrong... But has there ever been something like this?"
Today Arcana.
A program directed by Hyun Yong-seok with an average viewership rating of 11 percent.
Despite not being a terrestrial broadcast, it had viewership exceeding 10 percent.
At least in South Korea, there was no other program that provided as broad information about rifts and players as Today Arcana.
That viewership rating was a measure showing public interest in rifts and players.
'...As expected, there hasn't been.'
Hyun Yong-seok had directed Today Arcana from episode 1 until now.
But even looking back at past episodes, there had never been anything like this.
What kind of guild was Shining?
It was undisputedly the world's strongest guild, possessing a whopping four top-tier rankers in the top 10.
That Shining took damage in a mere appropriate level, 250-level rift.
"Certainly the numbers are unusual from the start."
Monsters surrounding Shining Guild.
If they let their guard down even for a moment, they'd be attacked.
Hyun Yong-seok concluded.
"Demon race. There must be something that can't be expressed by level."
In that sense, the current development was even more anticipated.
Spin spin─
Hyun Yong-seok gestured to the cast.
It was a signal to raise the tension a bit more.
"Indeed. As much as that difficulty, attention must be drawn to the guild that clears the rift first, right? It's as good as making a clear mark on the world."
It was the moment the caster said that.
The assistant director monitoring the filming drone shouted.
"Huh?! Senior, it's up! First clear!"
"Where's the rift location? Quickly dispatch the coverage team!"
"Let's see. Where is it? If it's this area... First, it's not Gaon."
"Tsk, it's a shame but can't be helped."
Inevitable Korean.
He had secretly hoped Gaon would take the first clear.
But it didn't seem to be the case.
The assistant director scratched his head vigorously.
"Damn. Mother Russia. What kind of trees are so dense?"
"You zoomed in to max, right?"
"Yes. I zoomed in but couldn't see because of trees. Where is it, exactly?"
Then a radio came from the coverage team running to the drone location.
-Senior, are these guys really the first clear?
"Right. Would I joke in this situation? Where?"
-...It's Leonie. Berserker Guild?
"...Wha, what? Berserker?"
-Wait, who's that man in front of Leonie? He looks Korean? Wait, senior! Other coverage teams are starting to gather, okay? First, I'll try to get an interview!
...Korean?
Was there a Korean in Berserker, a European Union guild?
When Hyun Yong-seok was searching his memory.
Soon the radio crackled again.
Hyun Yong-seok pressed urgently.
"What? Korean? What relationship? It's Berserker Guild, right?"
-...Yes, senior. He seems to be Korean.
"So?"
A bewildered voice c
ontinued from the radio.
-He suddenly said 'Move aside.' so I couldn't properly interview...!
Whiiing─
"...So you missed the interview?"
-N, no! Senior, it's not that but 'Move aside.', 'The limit of patience.' He just said that. There was this irresistible aura...!
"Ah, his words have an aura. And my words don't have an aura?"
-...
"Chase after him and get it, the interview. Got it?"
Cold radio transmission.
Whiiing─
Siberian high pressure is equally cold.
Hyun Yong-seok wrapped his padding tighter.
Indeed, Russia is cold.
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