Chapter 231 – Don’t Make Me Say It Again

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Let’s think with common sense.

All this time, there were many clues that could unearth Raymon Sean’s traces.

First, Raymon Sean hadn’t completely hidden himself from humanity.

From the Arcana official webpage that operated unchanged even after the Great Cataclysm.

The astronomical rewards paid out to players.

And crucially, even sending a reply to Park Min-jae.

There were even such words circulating in the community.

-At this point, aren’t they just putting on a show together??

-If they trace the IP, won’t everything come out, real talk

-Not IQ but IP lol. Conspiracy theorist level lol

To the point there were people swayed by it.

Not being able to specify Raymon Sean’s location was a matter hard to understand with common sense. However, the moment I saw the unfolded sight, I ended up understanding.

“To think you were crouching in such a shabby place.”

Visible only to players’ eyes.

A space of anomaly that is neither reality nor the Arcana Continent.

Because an anomaly was seen.

He hid inside a rift, so he hadn’t been caught all this time.

Why, even with humanity’s technological prowess, they cannot capture all the rifts existing in reality. You can tell just by looking at the players who still rely on the update history, right?

Besides, there was no way Raymon Sean would upload the information of the rift he hid his body in to the webpage.

It’s a sight where it is instantly understood why he wasn’t found despite numerous clues.

‘But, as if that wasn’t enough.’

You hid underground, in a basement?

He’s meticulous in many ways.

A rift with its maw wide open while plastered flat on the floor is a first too.

Of course, just to look at a rift.

There’s no way my unyielding head would bend.

Since information would float up before my eyes as messages.

Indeed, the moment I approached the rift, my vision flashed.

[Dungeon : CODE-009]

A dungeon rift.

‘Well, that could be the case.’

There’s no knowing what kind of complex space exists below the ground I’m stepping on right now. A dungeon rift can emerge as long as conditions are met. Besides, since it’s not the first time, there shouldn’t be a reason to be surprised.

The reason I flinched was because of the rift’s name.

‘Code?’

Certainly, it was different from ordinary rifts starting from its name. To the point even if a green newbie player saw it, they would instantly notice the unusual signs and step back. It doesn’t end there.

The ensuing rift’s information.

[Appropriate Level : Entry available upon meeting conditions]

[Collapse Degree : Does not exist]

It’s shouting that it’s as unusual as its name.

The [Appropriate Level] I could somewhat understand.

It’s an area one can enter only by meeting specific conditions.

It was quite common back in the days when Arcana was merely a game.

But.

‘Collapse degree, what is this.’

The collapse degree, itself doesn’t exist?

It’s common sense among common sense.

The closer a rift’s collapse degree gets to 100 percent, the more unstable its inside becomes. Reaching 100 percent means it collapses as it is, and its inside landscape becomes reality.

‘Specifying the location of a rift also starts from there.’

Even if they cannot capture all the rifts generated in reality.

The presence emitted by a rift with imminent collapse is considerable.

From the early days of the Great Cataclysm until now.

Being able to clear rifts right before collapse without major damage was also.

Thanks to finding out the locations of rifts through such characteristic…

“It is a clear violation of procedure.”

There was another reason why it wasn’t discovered all this time?

Because the collapse degree itself did not exist.

It was never captured anywhere all this time.

Well, I wonder how something like this could exist, but it makes sense.

‘Since it’s none other than Raymon Sean.’

Honestly, I didn’t know what the extent of Raymon Sean’s abilities was. However, it would certainly be omnipotent to an extent unapproachable as an ordinary player.

I can guess just by looking at the fact that he generated a rift in this kind of reality.

‘I sure have lost my fear.’

To walk into such a formidable Raymon Sean’s hideout on my own two feet! But well, has this happened only once or twice? Compared to the past when I ran wild with truly nothing, my current situation is at least better.

“I will also factor this procedural violation into your disposal.”

…At this point, I’m slowly getting worried too.

The purpose of Raymon Sean contacting me was because he wanted to converse with me.

Would Granfel have the intention of mixing words with Raymon Sean.

Iron rule number one, do not converse with prey.

I was already worried ahead of time what to do if he just shuts his mouth.

Even if I have lost my fear, I still well know my life is precious.

‘There truly is no easy way out.’

If we can’t converse comfortably.

I should pray my heart doesn’t sink.

Anyway, this is my fate.

In that sense.

I hope you think carefully even from now on.

Raymon Sean.

[Checking conditions.]

I’m talking about you.

You’ve had more points deducted than Senior Banshee William.

Do you know how serious of a situation that is?!

*

Crash!

The moment the Branch Director’s office door opened, two men hurriedly stepped back.

Slide-

Park Min-jae peeked his head out and opened his mouth.

“Yoon Soo-gyeom, Sung Hyun-joon. From where did you guys hear?”

“…It wasn’t that we were trying to eavesdrop.”

“I know, me too. That the office isn’t soundproof. Come in.”

The two men entered the office hesitantly.

Park Min-jae bantered.

“Isn’t this why I don’t stick around the Branch Director’s office? Just in case my snoring sound leaks out. No matter how important transparency is, glass exterior walls, what’s up with that, really.”

The first step in social life.

For the words of a superior high as the sky, agree with them first.

But right now, to the point of forgetting how to even walk.

Their minds were full of questions.

Yoon Soo-gyeom immediately opened his mouth.

“Branch Director, is it true? That Raymon Sean contacted us first! Rumors have already spread to all branches worldwide. Satellite photos also popped up.”

“Is that so? What was captured in the photos?”

“There was nothing. It was a desert.”

Sung Hyun-joon held out a tablet and brought up a photo.

It truly was a desert where not a single blade of grass could be seen.

As Park Min-jae fell silent, Sung Hyun-joon smacked his lips.

“…Were we baited?”

Park Min-jae shrugged turning his eyes away from the tablet.

“Even if we were baited, the General Manager wasn’t.”

“…The General Manager?”

“You two, can you keep your mouths shut tight?”

“Yes?”

What story was he trying to bring up.

Yoon Soo-gyeom and Sung Hyun-joon exchanged glances.

And then replied.

“It would make us crazy bastards if we didn’t keep our mouths shut tight, Branch Director.”

It wasn’t any other story but a story about Ho-yeol.

If, as the price for failing to keeping their mouths shut.

If they imagine facing Ho-yeol’s cold gaze…

Sung Hyun-joon readily took over the words.

“Truly, even if I have to sew my mouth shut, I’ll keep quiet.”

Only then did Park Min-jae bring up the main point.

“Actually, with my heart I wouldn’t want to tell anyone, even you guys… But I was given a request. To stay faithful to the rules. So by pouring it out to you guys, I’m saying I’ll keep the rules. You guys become my accomplices.”

The meeting of Ho-yeol and Raymon Sean.

What results would that meeting bring?

Park Min-jae didn’t dare to predict.

That’s why he didn’t blabber that fact to the AAU.

Thanks to that, even if the world came to know Raymon Sean’s purpose. At this moment, they didn’t know the news that Ho-yeol had gone looking for Raymon Sean.

Park Min-jae raised the corners of his mouth.

Middle age, was it because he had eaten a fair amount of age.

It was thanks to being able to roughly see how the world would turn.

‘They’ll probably have selfish expectations again.’

While they themselves do nothing at all.

The world judging Ho-yeol arbitrarily.

He didn’t want to see such a sight anymore.

If this is being a rebel, then it’s being a rebel.

Park Min-jae continued his words.

“Actually, Yusra General Manager Lee Ho-yeol has already gone to meet Raymon, that bastard. Perhaps around this time, he might be conversing with Raymon.”

“…Yes?!”

“Y- You didn’t say such words?”

“If it was you guys, would you want to blabber it to the world?”

“That’s…”

Sung Hyun-joon trailed off.

Likewise, it was because the future was clearly drawn.

The sight of the whole world relying on Ho-yeol, just like they had done until now.

Yoon Soo-gyeom nodded his head.

“That state of having a different inside and outside, I’m sick of it.”

“Oh, you speak a bit harshly, unlike you. Yoon Soo-gyeom?”

“You did well, Branch Director.”

Yoon Soo-gyeom knew.

That society isn’t a place overflowing with dreams and hopes.

He could tell just by looking at the ungrateful factions still existing that bite at Ho-yeol for their own benefit.

“So what do you guys think the reason is?”

For what reason did Raymon Sean seek Ho-yeol.

It was too difficult a question for mere AAU employees to answer.

However, one thing could be guaranteed.

“It won’t just be words going back and forth.”

“I also agree with Senior’s words.”

“Yeah? Why?”

“Aren’t you guessing it too, Branch Director?”

“Well, actually I think so too.”

Park Min-jae’s heart was still beating roughly.

Pride was wriggling inside his chest.

Not being able to leave Raymon Sean, that bastard, alone.

The pride as a developer of the Arcana Continent Chronicle.

Let alone, what about Ho-yeol?

Sung Hyun-joon spoke quietly.

“Perhaps… Because he might be an existence worse than demons.”

Ho-yeol and Raymon Sean.

A clash would definitely be bound to occur between the two.

In that sense, the three men sweated in their hands.

“Can’t predict easily.”

“Because it’s practically acting entering the tiger’s den.”

“But, is there even a chance of winning in the first place?”

No matter how strong Ho-yeol is.

The opponent was Raymon Sean.

Who would know all the secrets entangled in the Great Cataclysm.

He was an individual who could be said to be the creator of Arcana in a way.

At Sung Hyun-joon’s words, the two people fell silent.

Perhaps, did I rain on the parade?

Sung Hyun-joon who belatedly realized it hurriedly said.

“Um, could you please refute me a little?”

“No. Excellent, Hyun-joon. There’s no room for refutation.”

“Yeah. It’s exactly the right words.”

“Ugh, please…!”

Although he spoke like that.

Was it because he had the experience of facing Raymon Sean.

Park Min-jae pictured Raymon’s actions in his head.

“But Raymon, that bastard is no ordinary sly snake. Before clashing, he’ll converse with the General Manager using whatever means possible. Why, because I’ve suffered it too.”

“Saying you’ve suffered it, perhaps you mean during Cosmo?”

“That’s right.”

Park Min-jae recalled the past when he rammed into Raymon Sean.

Consistent raised corners of the mouth.

An expression that doesn’t reveal his inner thoughts.

What came back instead of a clear answer was a riddle.

It was an unpleasant memory even recalling it again.

Though they say society is overflowing with people whose inside and outside are different.

Because there was no existence as different inside and outside as Raymon Sean.

“On the outside, he was the best CEO, or whatever. Remember it was full of praises? But how was it inside the company? Was our opinion ever properly reflected in the operation of the Arcana Continent Chronicle?”

“That… There wasn’t, right?”

“At the very least, he didn’t even let us touch a single off-balance element. Rambling that Arcana is perfect. Did he call me a Kkondae? No. Raymon Sean, the bastard who tried to trap us in an already set framework, he’s the real Kkondae.”

Was it because he harbored a lot of grudges about being a Kkondae?

Park Min-jae whose voice exceptionally carried strength when the word Kkondae came out.

He calmed his mind and continued his words.

“It’s obvious. He’ll try to engage in a battle of nerves like back then. By whatever means, he’ll try to lead the conversation in the direction he wants after sufficiently breaking his spirit.”

“So he was that kind of human, Raymon Sean.”

“That’s right, in that sense I’m looking forward to it.”

“…Yes?”

Park Min-jae laughed softly.

“Can you guys imagine?”

“What?”

“The sight of our General Manager losing in a battle of nerves.”

.

.

.

I looked at the flashing message.

[Checking conditions.]

I wondered what that condition was, but it’s merely this?

[Quest: Disarmament]

Fulfill the entry condition for the dungeon rift.

-Unequip your weapons. (In progress)

Weapons.

Excluding Gwicheol at my waist, two crossbows in the inventory are all I have. As for Gwicheol, even if I put him in the inventory, there wouldn’t be a huge difference in combat power.

‘Just in case I’m in danger.’

Ego sword.

Gwicheol, with an ego, would pop out of the inventory and try to protect me. So it was a condition that wouldn’t cause much of an issue even if I play along. However, I said it, didn’t I?

“Are you saying you will keep my clothes in the meaning of receiving a guest.”

Coldly continuing words.

“However, I shall decline your hospitality.”

It wasn’t me who sought Raymon Sean because I was in need.

It was because Raymon Sean sought me first.

It meant compromise cannot exist.

‘Besides, the opponent is Raymon Sean, isn’t he?’

Both to me and to Granfel.

Raymon Sean who caught us in a very bad way.

Knowing that fact, I opened my mouth.

Using pride as a pretext.

Provoking someone’s insides.

Is another specialty of Granfel, you see.

“I did not accept your proposal.”

That’s right.

I came to dispose of you, Raymon Sean.

Depending on whether you have pride or not.

So don’t think of controlling me with a quest or something like that.

-Unequip your weapons. (Failed)

Rift.

The space of [『Anomaly』].

In other words, if it’s me who has entered the territory of anomalies, it meant I could interfere to a certain extent even in a rift, the space of anomalies.

Although I might not be at the level of tearing dimensions and crossing over to the Arcana Continent like a dragon, it means interfering with an already generated rift is possible.

“Therefore, forcing this door open is up to my own freedom.”

From now on, I’ll force it open somehow.

Soon, magic power drawn up with full earnest.

Right after, the front of my eyes flashed.

[You have fulfilled the conditions.]

It seems you realized the seriousness of the situation even now, but.

Unfortunately.

It’s too late.

You say isn’t it enough to suppress his momentum?

No, the important thing is not the victory or defeat of the battle of nerves.

The very fact that you dared to try and do a battle of nerves means you were wrong.

“The act of trying to judge me.”

You’d better prepare an excuse starting from now.

“I will also include this in the disposal.”

I don’t know either if Granfel will listen to the excuse though.

Anyway, you’re consistent even in front of Raymon Sean, Granfel.

Contrary to that, I spun my head non-stop.

Such head came up with an estimate.

‘It’s worth a try.’

Whatever pops out from Raymon Sean’s tiger’s den.

I was just about to have one more ‘reliable corner’ (reliable backup).

An unexpectedly reliable ally.