When Whales Fight, Another Whale (2)
I interfered with the collapsed ruins and altered their shape.
RUMBLE—!
'The most important thing is efficiency.'
That was something I learned from experience.
In the battle against the bandits, I realized just how dangerous it is to run out of mana.
If it hadn't been for those players' help…
I probably would've drowned in the underworld by now.
That's why I spent all night thinking about it.
'How do I fight with maximum efficiency?'
First of all, attack-type spells like "Ignition" were relatively inefficient.
Even in the last rift, my mana started depleting rapidly once I began using "Ignition."
'I need to refrain from using it as much as possible.'
So, which spell has the best mana efficiency?
If someone asked me that, the scene unfolding before me would be my answer.
RUMMBLE—!
Magic manifested from the ruins.
The aftermath of that spell reshaped the ruins.
A massive wall rose up.
It blocked the soldier who had been charging at me.
This wasn't an attack or defense spell—it was a spell inspired by an [Alchemy Skill].
That's right.
Alchemy-type magic had the highest efficiency among all the spells I used.
'The problem is that its usage is extremely limited.'
Of course, I could change the shape to make it more complex.
Like adding spikes to the wall for lethality…
Or forming it into a weapon from the start…
'Like how I maximized the heat retention of the teacup.'
But adding lethal, complex shapes like hooks consumed a lot of mana.
I learned that firsthand when modifying arrowheads. The larger the structure, the more mana required to make it complex.
'In other words, it's like the tail wagging the dog.'
Besides, it wasn't even necessary.
"This is enough."
And I wasn't bluffing this time.
Was it because of the enemy's high level?
Even when the massive wall rose up, he didn't hesitate.
The soldier quickly circled around the wall to approach me.
But I was confident.
Even so, I'd be faster.
RUMBLE—!!
"?"
This didn't require any extra mana or effort.
Just like turning a falling teacup back into a rock.
I reverted the stone wall back into the remains of the ruins.
CRASH—!
This wasn't some kind of destructive magic.
It was simply damage from height-induced impact.
I forgot the formula since I'm not a science major...
Anyway, it was an undeniable law of physics.
RUMBLEEEE—
The wall's height directly translated into powerful destruction.
I had an inkling of the potential through the teacup test…
But honestly, this was beyond my imagination.
I checked my mana consumption.
'...At this rate, I could keep using this.'
Mana was only used when raising the wall; reverting it barely cost anything.
Turns out, the all-nighter was worth it.
'…"Reversal Magic."'
It wouldn't be odd to give it such a grand name, considering its efficiency.
In the rising cloud of dust—
A pair of red eyes appeared.
Of course, I didn't expect to defeat the enemy with "Reversal Magic" alone.
There was a level gap.
But even with that gap, the damage couldn't be ignored.
Just as it showed:
['Fracture' occurred in Count Askura's soldier.]
I looked at the soldier buried under the rubble.
Only his face was visible.
He still bared sharp fangs at me.
Time to finish it.
I pulled out a silver dagger.
In the past, I would've hesitated out of concern for its durability.
But not anymore.
Swish—
I tossed the silver dagger into the air.
Search. Interfere. Manifest.
In that instant, the dagger changed shape—
Into something like a long, sharp awl.
THUD—
The silver awl pierced the soldier.
It cut off the breath that had barely lingered.
I then used Reversal Magic to restore it to its original shape.
The damaged silver awl returned to a pristine silver dagger.
When I checked its durability...
Thankfully, it was intact.
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]...
Experience points fitting for a level 300 enemy.
I gained 5 levels in total.
That brought me to level 91.
At first glance, it probably looked like a flawless victory.
As if I had effortlessly overwhelmed the soldier without even lifting a finger.
But if you said that, I'd be hurt.
'…I wish I could fight that easily.'
The truth was, this battle used everything I had.
From mana usage—
To weapon durability, and even the cost of repairing that weapon afterward.
I gave it my all while silently stressing over every detail!
But I didn't let any of that emotion show.
As if I really hadn't lifted a finger.
As if nothing had happened.
I moved forward expressionlessly.
Click—
Maybe it's just me being ignored.
I thought that as I watched my long coat flap dramatically in the wind.
…If I hadn't gotten a good drop, I swear I would've died from the injustice. Seriously.
Meanwhile...
Gaon and Inazuma have clashed!
Even if the world wasn't watching, Korea and Japan were.
Both countries' attention was naturally fixed on that rift.
In soccer, baseball, volleyball...
Even regular sports matches between Korea and Japan get heated.
So, it was only natural that this battle would draw unprecedented interest.
Honestly, even without the "Korea vs Japan" label, it was intense.
The context alone was thrilling.
"In the guild rankings, Inazuma is currently 4th, and Korea's Gaon is one step behind at 5th. But in terms of momentum, Gaon seems to have the upper hand, doesn't it?"
"Yes, that's right! Inazuma has dropped from their former rank of 2nd to 4th. But Gaon has been rising steadily since breaking into the top 20."
"Exactly. And you can't ignore the rivalry between the guild masters either."
Nam Taemin and Hisagi Kazuma.
In the player rankings, they were 11th and 6th, respectively—Hisagi was ahead.
But even back when Arcana was just a game—
Hisagi had always struggled against Nam Taemin.
Even in a one-on-one duel at the Colosseum.
Even in a boss monster raid.
Nam Taemin stood toe-to-toe with Hisagi, making their rank difference seem meaningless.
That's why no one could afford to miss this showdown.
That included Park Hwigang, a streamer making a living off the net.
When he heard the news late, he rushed to the rift.
Title: As Persistent As a Cockroach! Hwigang's Live Broadcast~
Viewers swarmed in the moment the livestream began.
Is this the Gaon vs. Inazuma broadcast too?
Try a different camera angle lol
I can't watch it in 3D, at least give me some variety in views~
Already 10 viewers?
Park Hwigang was surprised at the unusual level of interest.
Indeed, the battle between Gaon and Inazuma was hyped.
The viewers' chat was brimming with excitement.
"Yes, I'm a little late, but I'll try to catch up as quickly as possible!"
Park Hwigang's class was Explorer.
He had no combat abilities, but there was no better class for a livestreamer.
He spotted some tracks on the ground through a magnifying glass.
"Looks like they all went this way. I'll try to follow carefully."
He activated the Explorer movement skill, Dash Away.
As he rushed forward, the chat exploded with requests.
Bro, there are already tons of Korean streamers covering Gaon;;
If you wanna stand out, don't you need to differentiate?
Just focus on Hisagi, will ya?
We're all watching multiple streams anyway, it's fine
I wanna see Hisagi's pissed-off face lmao
Now that they mentioned it, it made sense.
How many streamers and broadcasting guild players had gathered in this rift?
Since he joined late, he needed a unique angle.
"As expected, the viewers know better than I do!"
Right, let's focus on Hisagi.
Sure, Japanese streamers would naturally cover Hisagi.
But a Korean streamer covering Hisagi? That'd be rare.
Just as he made up his mind—
RUMMBLE—!
"Wh-What the hell?!"
A massive sound erupted nearby.
??? What was that?
We're already late, might as well check it out
OMG it was so loud it echoed across other streams too
Everyone seemed curious.
Hwigang ran straight toward the source of the noise.
And then he saw it.
"Wh-Who is that person, guys?"
A man in a long, charcoal-black coat.
Contrasting silver hair.
The chat was filled with question marks.
?????
Who the hell is that??
That player's not from Gaon… from Inazuma maybe?
Nah, no way a guild member would be wandering alone
Is he even a player? What's with the long coat???
Park Hwigang gulped and watched.
He had a good guess about the source of the sound.
A massive stone wall stood before the man.
It had to be at least 10 meters tall.
"That's probably what made the sound when it shot up."
Hwigang whispered to the camera.
…Wait? Did he summon that stone wall?
There's a skill like that??
Holy crap the mana cost must've been insane! Look at the size!
Just as he was checking the chat—
A terrifying soldier burst out from behind the wall.
Hwigang flinched.
'A demonkin!'
He was level 220.
Due to his class, he often had to explore high-risk zones, so he'd seen monsters above his level.
But demonkin were something he could never get used to.
'Good thing there's distance.'
Otherwise, he would've definitely been hit with a status ailment.
He barely had time to breathe when realization struck him.
"Th-That guy?!"
The man was unarmed.
No weapon, no armor.
Not even a combat stance.
He had to know the soldier was approaching, yet…
His posture hadn't shifted in the slightest.
"He... He's in danger, isn't he?"
But it wasn't the man who shifted—
It was everything around him.
As if he'd been waiting for the enemy to come close.
RUMMBLE—!
"?!"
The stone wall shattered into pieces and collapsed.
It was like a meteor strike.
The impact shook the ground and filled the area with dust.
"Ugh, hang on!"
Hwigang hurried to wipe his camera lens.
When the dust cleared, the man's back came into view.
Whoa;; what was that? Did he plan it?!
lmao the skill usage is insane
What class is he even??
Not sure what he is, but that confidence is wild
fr lol that coat wasn't for show
So composed.
He seemed to have anticipated everything:
The collapse of the wall.
The enemy getting crushed under it.
His attitude said he knew it all in advance.
And it didn't stop there.
"!"
Something shot into the air above the man's head.
Just a moment—but enough for an explorer's sharp eyes.
"...It looked like a sword?"
No, it was a sword.
But in an instant, it transformed mid-air.
The sword became a sharp awl and pierced the crushed soldier cleanly.
Then, it turned back into a sword again.
"Wh-What kind of gear is that… guys?"
Everyone watching—including Hwigang—was stunned.
Is that a living sword or what???
fr that has to be at least Unique grade
Just Unique? If it's alive, it's an Ego Weapon! That's more than Unique!
...But even just changing shape like that is insane. You ever seen that? Cuz I haven't
Same here
And that was a level 300 demonkin monster.
The kind of monster even high-rankers hesitated to fight.
Yet he overwhelmed it.
Wearing nothing but a long coat and dress shoes.
lol I forgot about Gaon while watching this
You too? Same here lmao
Honestly more curious who that guy is than watching Korea vs Japan
True lol
An unknown man appearing out of nowhere.
It was only a matter of time before rumors spread.
And the numbers said it all:
Title: As Persistent As a Cockroach! Hwigang's Live Broadcast~Current Viewers: 2,229
Click—
I checked the item I'd obtained from Count Askura's soldier.
My first time ever touching something purple as a player.
That meant it was a rare item.
[Necklace Cursed with Blood][Grade: Rare][Requirement: Lv. 300][Effect: Sealed][Description: A curse of demons and vampires seals its power. Must be purified to reveal its true effects.]
So-called Demon Items.
That's what players called them.
They were added along with the new demonkin update.
Items sealed by demonic curses—the concept behind them.
'Depending on the effect, it's considered either jackpot or junk.'
Basically, it's a gacha item.
And gacha…
Anyone who's played a game knows the pain.
A truly cruel system.
'"Demon Item" was a double entendre, huh?'
But I knew better.
'Sorry, but you're using it wrong.'
Only a Demon Hunter could unlock its true power.
And for now, that meant only me.