Chapter 237 – True Discipline

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The General Manager of the AAU Yusra Branch.

I am more faithful to the weight I bear than anyone else.

Thanks to that, the day the dragon Eunaxus tore the dimension and crossed over to the Arcana Continent.

I had also thoroughly read the AAU’s records.

‘Energy reaction unmeasurable by modern equipment.’

Indeed, that was understandable.

The moment I raised my magic power, I intuitively felt it.

This, it’s impossible to manifest right now!

The role of an access device was virtually no different from a portal.

If there was a difference, it was that a portal’s magic power consumption increases exponentially the further the destination’s coordinates are from the current location.

Since I set the destination coordinates from reality to the Arcana Continent, it was natural that a massive amount of magic power was consumed.

‘Even if I was in perfect condition, it seems entering by myself would be the limit.’

Currently, I am holding onto the rift with the anomaly of reversal.

It means I’m pouring all the mana being regenerated by the [Blessing of the First World Tree] into the rift. Under such circumstances, could I manifest a portal leading all the way to the Arcana Continent!

Sss-

I withdrew my magic power.

Even though there were such inside stories.

My mouth brazenly spit out.

“No matter how urgent it is.”

I had just spat out.

That I would return to the Arcana Continent.

On top of that, there was also a quest.

[Class Quest: All Dragon Convocation (全龍召集)]

The Old Dragon cried out.

That a ‘Great Family’ had returned to the Arcana Continent.

All dragons desire to grasp the truth of an incident.

-Witness the dragons gathering on the continent. (Failed)

-Encounter the dying Old Dragon, Eunaxus. (In Progress)

It wasn’t my quest, but the Dragon Knight Skal’s Class Quest.

But I also needed a conversation with Eunaxus.

Starting from what exactly my mother, the World Tree’s, intention was.

‘I hate to bring it up from my own mouth but…’

Until the story regarding the Claudi family.

Because I needed to hear it surely.

In that sense.

‘Please wait a little longer, Eunaxus.’

Because it seemed I had to settle matters here in reality before going.

Suddenly settling matters.

If someone asks, I will gladly answer.

“The wavering of discipline cannot be tolerated.”

As I said before.

A situation where I considered Raymon Sean as prey.

Thanks to that, it was clearly visible to my Demon Hunter eyes.

The hidden intention of Raymon Sean putting forward the World Quest!

Now that I know that.

Do you think I’ll stay still?

I withdrew the magic power from the rift I was holding onto.

Then the message floating up once again.

[You have cleared the rift, ‘Dungeon: CODE-009′.]

Paaaht!

Amidst the shattering scenery.

I recited.

“Know your place.”

No one else but.

It was a discipline I established by struggling and suffering tremendously.

Do you think I’ll just watch such discipline crumble?

“Do not attempt to defy discipline when you are merely prey.”

*

Each AAU branch builds a close relationship with the government of their respective nation.

Because the agency responding to the surreal disaster called the Great Cataclysm was exactly the AAU.

It meant the nation and AAU had no choice but to build a cooperative relationship for the safety of the citizens.

AAU Branch Directors Meeting.

From prototype monsters.

To the appearance of prototype access devices.

The branch directors who realized the severity of the situation moved intimately.

Just as Park Min-jae mentioned, so that World Unification wouldn’t pull the trigger. Government officials of each nation were requesting cooperation from the Chinese government upon AAU’s request.

However.

North America Branch Director, Jim Joshua opened his heavy mouth.

“Even our United States is completely wiped out.”

There wasn’t a reply from the Chinese side to any nation.

Tokyo Branch Director, Okazaki tilted his head.

No matter if China was a nation not part of AAU.

“…Is this not unprecedented?”

They have never shown such uncooperative attitude in front of the Great Cataclysm. It meant they had maintained at least a minimal cooperative relationship when citizens’ lives were at stake.

Park Min-jae nodded.

“That’s the reason why Liu Ouzhunchun and the World Unification guild members could freely visit other nations until now. Even if they are not part of the international convention, World Unification’s combat power was clearly helpful to humanity.”

But then, why.

“It’s making me increasingly anxious.”

London Branch Director, Baker swallowed a groan.

“The General Manager who discovered the access device, his actions will have a considerable impact on the players. If it’s the General Manager I know, he will enter the Arcana Continent without hesitation.”

The Arcana Continent ravaged by demons.

But put differently, it could mean a land of opportunity as stated in the World Quest. Park Min-jae scanned the Arcana Continent status records received from Ho-yeol.

‘Even the capital city Antoniutum is in a precarious state…’

Even the empire that ruled the continent was in such a state.

The situation in the border regions must be beyond words.

Park Min-jae judged cool-headedly.

‘But heroes are born in turbulent times.’

Furthermore, considering the system of Arcana…

‘Quests and rewards truly won’t stop.’

The 10 adventurers including Ho-yeol would be able to grasp massive rewards that would make current rankings meaningless. It’s not for nothing players were salivating.

Of course, there was no intention of blaming them.

‘Because humans are such animals.’

That’s why it felt hopeless.

In the silence.

Joshua slowly opened his mouth.

“Then let us hypothesize.”

“What do you mean, Branch Director Joshua?”

“Let’s think of what to do if we continue to fail contacting the Chinese government like this. Regardless of the reason, World Unification will definitely take action in some way. They might withdraw from the Zero Mountain Range right now and commit their forces to find the CODE rift.”

Joshua’s eyes sank seriously.

“We have no justification to stop them. Unless they violate the convention, we cannot control players’ actions to clear a rift. Am I wrong, Branch Director Okazaki?”

“You are correct.”

When the Frost appeared in Hokkaido.

The Japanese government violated the convention and restricted players.

As a result, they paid a massive price for violating international convention.

Someone let out a hollow laugh.

“That’s a damn discipline for sure.”

“I totally agree.”

“Who is this discipline for?”

It was a discipline highly advantageous only to those who didn’t follow it.

The bigger problem was that they weren’t the only ones who realized this fact.

“However, unlike the government or AAU, players won’t just stand by and watch. Because they are not restricted in their actions just like World Unification.”

What those words meant was simple.

“…Perhaps a massive armed conflict will break out among the players. We also cannot overlook the possibility of Arcana factions like the Carpen Rebel Army interfering.”

An objective grasp of the situation without any exaggeration.

Clench-

Park Min-jae clenched his fist.

‘With this temper of mine.’

He wanted to hit everything, be it discipline or whatever.

“Damn it.”

He felt stifled.

He thought he could add even a small amount of strength for Ho-yeol. As you can see, he wasn’t being of any help. Even so, Park Min-jae desperately suppressed his emotions.

‘If it wasn’t for the discipline, I would have…’

That’s right.

Because Ho-yeol was stricter about discipline than anyone else.

If Ho-yeol finds out he broke discipline for his sake.

He might actually be placing a burden on him instead.

“You look exceptionally serious, Mr. Park.”

“…I have a little reason to be.”

“I can guess.”

“……?”

…How do you know my feelings?

A rebellious temperament unyielding even in this situation.

Soon, what entered Park Min-jae’s raised eyes was.

“!”

Baker, who had a complex expression just as much as he did.

No, it wasn’t just Baker.

Baker opened his mouth.

“Since at least everyone gathered here is thinking the same thing as Mr. Park.”

“…I briefly overlooked pride.”

Park Min-jae laughed lightly.

Yes, the situation has changed a lot from the past.

Many hands make light work.

If they have to wrack their brains, they could do it together with many people.

“If we agonize together, wouldn’t some method come out?”

Park Min-jae opened his mouth enthusiastically.

“Then let’s all work overtime together today!”

“Mr. Park, why is your conclusion like that…?”

“Overtime suddenly? Such harsh words.”

Including Joshua, some were seen flinching, but.

They had boldly spat out words just moments ago.

Moreover, it wasn’t for nothing that employees of other branches shuddered at the three letters of Park Min-jae’s name. Ultimately, under Park Min-jae’s persistence, the branch directors had no choice but to nod.

“Phew.”

Now that communication with China was cut off.

They have to find the next best alternative.

It was the moment Park Min-jae took a breath.

Ding!

Suddenly, a notification arrived in the video chat room.

Soon, the news shared with the branch directors.

At that news, the branch directors’ mouths opened wide.

“H- Hold on.”

“If this news is true…?”

“This, it seems we might not need to work overtime…?!”

Park Min-jae swept away the goosebumps.

“…I truly cannot fathom your discipline, General Manager!”

.

.

.

The Mage Tower.

It was a sudden round-table conference that wasn’t planned.

Because of that, attendance wasn’t mandatory.

However, the Crystal Hall was already fully seated.

Adept Mage Linne let out a short exclamation.

“Oho! Are all the seniors present? Not just Chief Marcelo, but even Elder Yugweed? By the way, what on earth is that cat? I’ve been seeing it around recently… Shouldn’t we chase it away? Its fur is shedding.”

The one who silenced Linne’s chatter was Jibril.

“How about you take a seat first before you get chased out, Linne.”

“…Yes?”

“The moment you let out an exclamation, for a brief second, piercing gazes poured onto you. Did you see Klee? Especially the glare from Senior Banshee William looking at you disapprovingly.”

“Gasp.”

Senior of Flame Magic, Banshee William.

He was renowned for being prickly even among the seniors.

Of course, to those who knew his true nature, it would be a questionable reputation.

“W- Why does it have to be Senior Banshee of all people!”

Because when he was keeping his mouth shut, Banshee had a noble and sharp appearance. Of course, Banshee didn’t have the mental leisure to care about an adept mage.

Banshee whispered to Bangrit.

“Certainly, a huge incident must have occurred. Senior Bangrit!”

“…You look somewhat happy.”

“No, it’s not that I’m happy…! Senior Bangrit, you will understand if you become in my position too. Do you really know how stifling I find it?”

Infinite rejections.

Continuously returning applications for leaving the tower.

Banshee only ever got a breath of fresh air outside the Mage Tower when major incidents like the subjugation of the Demon King’s castle or the appearance of Zero Mountain Range occurred. Banshee vented with an appealing voice.

“Do you think I want to become this miserable! Really?”

In that sense, Banshee was anticipating.

No one else but.

It was an emergency round-table conference convened by Ho-yeol.

“Since Chief Lee Ho-yeol is someone who doesn’t violate rules easily.”

Put differently.

It meant this matter wouldn’t be an ordinary one.

Could he pick up some crumbs of leaving the tower falling off?

It was the moment Banshee was feeling anxious with a pounding heart.

Step-

Ho-yeol revealed himself on schedule.

Once.

He looked around the Crystal Hall and immediately opened his mouth.

“The objective of calling an emergency round-table conference is simple and clear. However, since time is limited. I will show you instead of telling you to aid your understanding.”

Then, magic power flickering in the air.

‘Something’ revealing itself from the subspace.

Banshee narrowed his eyes.

“That’s…”

…An animal’s egg?

The moment he thought so.

Ho-yeol continued his words.

“This is exactly the path leading to the Arcana Continent.”

“…!!!”

Apprentices, adepts, seniors, the Chief, and even the cat Tower Master.

There was no exception for anyone.

Crystal Hall, everyone’s pupils widened.

.

.

.

What is pride?

This pride inside my chest is so heavy, you see.

If I were to explain it in words, it probably wouldn’t end even if I chattered all night.

However, one thing is clear.

Swallowing an access device like this all by myself.

Is an act Granfel’s pride cannot tolerate.

‘Actually, I don’t really think that far though.’

Integrity and innocence.

Granfel, who transcended material desires, might be like that.

But not me, the snob Lee Ho-yeol.

Nevertheless, the reason I could remain so calm was simple.

As I said before.

I, who have entered the realm of the Anomaly, fully grasped the structure of the access device.

‘Even without an access device, as long as I have magic power.’

I could tear through dimensions and enter the Arcana Continent.

That’s why I can confidently reveal the full story.

I can puff out my chest correctly as usual.

I recited.

“I know that everyone, as well as you all, has a purpose to return to the Arcana Continent. No one can weigh the importance of that purpose. However, since opportunities are limited, someone must bear the role.”

How dare you try to break the discipline I established with pride, Raymon Sean.

You seem to have a talent for scamming somewhat but.

I’m also sick and tired of keeping up discipline over here.

“That role and all the responsibilities that follow.”

I’m also someone who has gotten the hang of bearing burdens.

“…!”

The moment I was about to finish my words, I made eye contact with Marcelo.

Your eyes are half filled with surprise and half with concern, Marcelo.

But there is nothing to worry about.

Didn’t I say I got the hang of it?

Since this wasn’t the first time.

I declared calmly.

“I will bear it entirely.”

Why, because the process will be no different from the screening to leave the tower.

So…

You probably won’t have any reason to be happy like this, Senior Banshee William?