Chapter 196 – Witnesses

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The absolute rule of the Sociality of Space-Time or the skilled players’ community.

All hostile acts between each other are forbidden.

Naturally, it was a rule that wouldn’t be properly kept.

I don’t know from the perspective of the Arcana Continent.

But players have immense pride.

If you just turn on the internet right now and browse any player community, there would be more than one or two keyboard battles in progress.

Even if it’s the Sociality of Space-Time gathered with only skilled players and transcendents, what would be different?

No, if it’s worse, it might be even worse.

‘So they might have set such a rule as the first one.’

If there was no such restriction in the Sociality of Space-Time?

The smell of blood wouldn’t have left that luxurious space.

But conflicts cannot be stopped just because you try to stop them.

Above all, wouldn’t it be AAU who watched players fight day in and day out more than anyone else? It would be natural for a rule prepared for such situations to exist.

[However, duel content can be progressed through the skilled players’ community.]

It was stated in AAU’s data.

To translate those words….

『However, duels can be progressed through the Sociality of Space-Time.』

….You could think of it like this.

It’s uncompleted, but in its own way.

There were also additional rules and purposes related to it.

[Duels are broadcasted through the Arcana homepage]

[Expected to attract many viewers to the rankers’ duels]

[Additional streaming revenue from it is distributed to the winner]

[Possible to stimulate players’ desire to level up]….

When I checked up to there, I felt AAU wasn’t Arcana’s development team for nothing. Because they perfectly penetrated the players’ psychology.

Duels of rankers.

Broadcasting that live on the Arcana homepage.

And the winner monopolizing all additional revenue from it.

‘Even I would have salivated.’

As written.

It would have provided a huge spectacle for general viewers, and it would have become another goal for players that they must become rankers.

Of course, everything would be a story from when Arcana was just a game.

‘It’s unknown how that system will be implemented.’

That it is uncertain.

But as you can see.

I proposed a duel of space-time to Shegwin.

The reason is simple.

To break fake pride with true pride like Grandfell’s words?

No, Grandfell might not know.

I, Lee Ho-yeol, have no such cool reason.

The presence felt above my head.

The peak of the Zero Mountain Range.

Because a fierce aura began to rise from the dragon’s nest.

To have this level of aura even beyond the Mage Tower’s magic circle.

I could guarantee it.

If the dragon wakes up….

‘We really can’t block that!’

Isn’t there a sealing magic circle?

That’s just what the mass media, knowing nothing, babbled about!

The Mage Tower’s magic circle is not a magic circle sealing the dragon. In the first place, is it possible for the Mage Tower, which suffered a crushing defeat in the Dragon Demon War, to manifest such magic?

‘Truly, it’s just a magic circle to not disturb the dragon’s sweet slumber.’

Because the Mage Tower put effort into it unlike themselves.

To the extent that it wouldn’t even toss and turn.

Let alone wake up from any ordinary commotion.

I have no choice but to resent that damn vivace again, Grandfell…!

‘It can’t be helped.’

In that sense, this is the best judgment.

[The duel of space-time has been approved.]

Moving the battle location into consciousness.

Back when Arcana was just a game.

There wouldn’t have been worries about losing a life over a duel’s outcome.

But now is a different story.

‘It doesn’t change that lives are on the line.’

What changed is only that neither I nor Shegwin can run away.

Shegwin also seemed to be aware of that fact.

His black pupils met mine for the first time.

“To think you knew of such a rule. Indeed, unbefitting of a rookie.”

As expected from the Sword Saint.

A transcendent was a transcendent.

He was overcoming [Natural Enemy Relationship] with only strong mental power.

But this side also absolutely doesn’t lag behind in mental power.

“I praise your judgment in accepting the duel.”

Look, isn’t it nonchalant to compliment someone right in front of the opponent?

A duel of space-time.

Mutual agreement is naturally required.

Shegwin burst into laughter as if amused.

“No, it’s rather a matter I should be thankful for.”

Instead of being thankful when presumptuously complimented.

What’s with that uncomfortable reaction?

But Shegwin genuinely seemed thankful.

“Thinking that I can’t run away, my head is actually at ease.”

….Ah, so that’s what he meant?

I to avoid the dragon, and Shegwin to suppress the demon’s instinct to avoid the natural enemy. It probably means the mutual interests matched and the duel of space-time was approved.

Soon, scenery began to overlay the space.

What filled it was a field.

The existence of even spectator seats made it unequivocally a circular arena, a colosseum.

Anyway, it really is splendid.

Even compared to the Sociality decorated with various gold and silver treasures.

An arena splendid enough not to fall behind.

Above all, large and grand.

To the extent that one would be overwhelmed just by looking at it if they didn’t know the concept of ‘consciousness’.

Swoosh

But both I and Shegwin know what consciousness is.

It means there is no hesitation.

Shegwin raised his sword.

Then smiled bitterly.

“Are you still not answering even after coming this far, Atlas.”

Did he not imagine at all that he would become unable to emit sword aura.

As if the path he had walked all this time was completely denied.

He is putting on a pathetic expression.

But do not misunderstand, Shegwin.

Apart from Atlas, Grandfell’s disposition has just begun.

I chanted.

“The vain pride you pierced through with even going as far as giving up being human.”

“….?”

“How does it feel to have that denied by the sword, Shegwin.”

….I’ve felt this since the past, but limited to demons, Grandfell’s way of speaking is born for nagging. Look at Shegwin’s face distorting even now.

Of course, you still have a long way to go, Shegwin.

“But I too shall deny it.”

From now on, it was purely due to Grandfell’s pride.

Fallen into a demon, Shegwin who couldn’t even emit sword aura.

Even so, I couldn’t be confident.

With the Natural Enemy Relationship, Circle’s magic, and the Demon King’s spoils.

Because he was an opponent I couldn’t blindly guarantee victory against. The Sword Saint.

“With my sword.”

But addressing a sword versus a sword, Mr. Grandfell…!

It’s an idea I truly couldn’t even think of if it weren’t for Grandfell’s damnably heavy pride. But it’s not like I babbled without any countermeasures either.

That’s right.

Everything is a consistent struggle.

It’s thanks to not missing a single word heard in my ears.

Shegwin, I’m talking about the words your side said.

-“I don’t care who wears that trivial crown. I just loaned my strength to the lords to obtain the magic tool, the Milky Way Whetstone.”

Finishing touch with the Milky Way Whetstone.

It means Gwicheol’s refinement is finally finished.

I opened my mouth.

“Hiel.”

Is spirit summoning possible in a duel.

If anyone asks, I can answer that it is natural.

If it’s impossible, it means Spirit Mages should suck their thumbs and lose in a duel.

Soon, Hiel revealing herself from the air.

For some reason.

It wasn’t just Hiel revealing herself.

Just as the Colosseum appeared in empty space.

Those revealing themselves one by one from the Colosseum’s spectator seats.

Wait, they are all familiar faces….?

Only then did I realize.

[Duels are broadcasted through the Arcana homepage]

….So it’s implemented in this way?

*

Zero Mountain Range.

The message floating before players’ eyes.

[Would you like to accept observing the duel of space-time?]

Voices erupting from all over.

“….Eh?”

“I’m not the only one getting this, right?”

“A duel of space-time? What is this again?”

It was a message with an unknown meaning that had never been seen before.

But system messages are not spam messages or the like.

The system does not lie.

The message floating means there is an appropriate reason for it.

If so, there was only one possible possibility they could think of.

“….Wait a minute.”

Ruuuuuumble

Where the ray of light is heading.

At the same time, the place where the roar is heard.

This was definitely related to Ho-yeol.

Swoosh

The message also floated for the guild masters of the Grand Alliance who were crossing the mountain range following the light’s procession.

Leoni, who was in the lead, stopped walking.

“….A duel?”

Class, Berserker.

It was a familiar word to Leoni.

A Berserker who must continuously repeat battles to improve the proficiency of class skills.

Because the most suitable place for that was not a hunting ground, but the Colosseum where battles are ceaseless.

Rumble, rumble….

The noise dying down at the same time the message floated.

Then the Light crossing the mountain range also stopped in place.

Leoni could be certain.

Turn

She turned her head and shouted.

“I dunno who he’s fighting, but it looks like he went to brawl!!”

A brawl.

But there was no time to observe formalities in an unexpected situation.

Hisagi’s eyes narrowed.

“As expected, was the duel that duel.”

Nam Tae-min shook his head.

“I dunno. Whatever it is, it’s something we can check directly.”

Even if it’s a duel, questions remained.

Just what kind of duel is it.

To even float an observation message to other players?

The three exchanged glances again.

“Let’s accept it.”

“I think it would be better to accept.”

“Of course we should. Observation.”

The message rising again.

[Entering the arena of space-time.]

And the vision inverting.

“!!!”

As if warping through a portal.

All scenery inverted.

The first to open her mouth among the three was Leoni.

“Crazy.”

Because it was said to be the arena of space-time.

She was certain it was the Colosseum.

But she couldn’t imagine such a massive Colosseum would appear! Even counting from the days when Arcana was just a game, this was the first time seeing such a grand Colosseum.

Swoosh

Soon, similar to themselves.

Players revealing their appearances in the Colosseum spectator seats.

Nam Tae-min and Hisagi in the next seats.

Familiar faces were seen besides the two.

“Rox, Camilla, Shraeig, Liu Guanzun….?”

Hisagi with his snake eyes concluded.

“It seems the message floated for everyone who entered the Zero Mountain Range. Barring a special reason, no player would have rejected the message.”

Thanks to that, the Colosseum’s spectator seats were quickly filled.

“W-Where did an arena like this suddenly pop out from?!”

The brief moment for everyone to grasp the situation.

Something more important than the vast Colosseum came to mind.

‘….Where is Ho-yeol-ssi?’

Nam Tae-min’s gaze headed to the center of the Colosseum.

“!”

Ho-yeol was there as expected.

Ho-yeol, upright as always.

And there was a man across from him.

“….Who’s that?”

Blue hair.

It was an individual appearance that stood out even from afar.

To the extent that if you had met him, you couldn’t easily forget him.

However, nothing came to mind.

‘To be at a skill level that brawls with Ho-yeol-ssi….’

There shouldn’t be cases where a person of this skill isn’t recognized among players.

The conclusion came out right away.

That man is an Arcanian.

While thinking, a voice was heard from the spectator seats.

“….Wait, I think I know who that is?”

“What? Who?”

“That sword! I’ve seen it before!”

“Sword?”

At those words, gazes headed simultaneously toward the man’s sword.

Everyone could easily recognize.

From the time when Arcana was just a game.

A sword that splendid was rare.

That’s right, that was the Sword Saint’s sword.

Nam Tae-min muttered.

“….Come to think of it, didn’t the Sword Saint have blue hair too?”

“Sword Saint, Shegwin.”

“Right! That name! I, I’ve heard it before!”

At Hisagi’s words, Leoni nodded her head.

However, it was an incomprehensible matter.

The Shegwin players remembered was a middle-aged man.

No, a man closer to old age than that.

“Did he take a potion of youth or something?”

“Even if it’s Arcana, such an item exists?!”

“No, before that….”

There was another incomprehensible matter.

“….Why are those two fighting?”

The loud roars that were heard in the Zero Mountain Range.

The protagonists of those sounds were Ho-yeol and the Sword Saint.

Players, naturally.

Even Nam Tae-min’s party, who had watched Ho-yeol from the side.

Couldn’t easily guess the circumstances.

Therefore.

As expected, it was an incomprehensible matter.

“It’s Hiel.”

Hiel descending elegantly from the air.

Because a ‘sword’ was embraced in such Hiel’s arms.

And because Ho-yeol accepted such a sword.

Murmur, murmur

The spectator seats began to stir.

“….No way, right?”

“Don’t tell me he’s clashing swords with the Sword Saint?”

“And with Shegwin who regained his youth at that?”

“No matter if it’s Ho-yeol-nim, that’s…!!”

Therefore, they couldn’t understand until the end.

Clang

The moment Ho-yeol raised the sword.

The reason the message floated before their eyes too.

[Achievement: Witness a ‘Legend’.]

.

.

.

I checked the rising system window.

No matter how many times I looked again, nothing changed.

Gwicheol….

[Grade: Legend]

….Just what did you become?