Chapter 98 – Top Secret (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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AAU North America Branch.

The lights of the building did not go out even at night.

Because rifts are a scheduled but unpreventable threat.

They always had to respond swiftly.

“Uuugh!”

The sound of someone stretching rang out in the control room.

Fatigue poured in, but this week was lucky.

“Still, Wednesday isn’t bad. Right?”

“I don’t know. I’m busy.”

“What is it, what are you typing so much on a good day?”

Tomorrow is Thursday.

The day new updates come up.

Even an AAU employee with a strong sense of duty wouldn’t be able to welcome Thursday duty.

Figuring out the situation, briefing the higher-ups, and what not. On Thursdays, really, there was no time to even catch a breath.

“You sure are diligent. Writing a report already?”

“Because I have no intention of throwing away precious time like someone.”

“Whatever it is, you should take it easy. You’re too passionate.”

So what is she writing?

Glance

When he looked at the laptop screen, he felt like he knew right away.

“World Tree? Are you digging into that bait?”

Swampland of Predators.

The World Tree that was said to have bloomed in that rift.

That was one of the hottest research subjects even in the AAU.

Of course, despite their efforts, there was no information they found out but.

“It’s good that you’re making an effort but. Will typing that change anything? Why, things about the World Tree are probably information only Raymond Sean would know, right.”

“I know too. I’m just organizing it.”

Tap tap tap

Even while speaking.

Katrina’s fingers did not stop.

“Well, I don’t know about now, but it might be useful later.”

It might be useful later?

At those words, the man who had been glancing at the contents said.

“But, that just looks like praising Lee Ho-yeol though?”

From beginning to end.

The name Lee Ho-yeol isn’t missing from a single sentence, right?

Still, there was nothing he could say.

Because actually discovering the seed of the World Tree.

And sprouting that seed.

Were all things Ho-yeol accomplished.

“By any chance, what you mean by using it later is……. That you’ll write something like a biography of Lee Ho-yeol and sell it?”

“What are you talking about. I’d rather upload a video on Nettube. Who reads things like that these days.”

“……You already thought about uploading a video, huh.”

Shake shake

There was a believer of the Ho-yeol cult here too.

To the man who was clicking his tongue, Katrina replied.

“And it’s a kind of occupational disease.”

Occupational disease?

At that sound, the man realized.

“Ah! You said you were in the quest department during your employment at Cosmo, right?”

“Okay.”

“Then I acknowledge it. No, I shouldn’t be doing this, I should stop distracting you.”

Quest department.

In the days when Arcana was a game.

It was the department that constructed the large and small quest lines of Arcana.

The man shut his mouth and thought.

If it were the days when Arcana was a game.

By now on the Arcana continent, a Player who established a tremendous achievement.

Lee Ho-yeol’s name would be echoing.

“The birth of a new hero. Even with just one incident, the quests that can be linked are endless. And this even involves the World Tree. Don’t tell me, that’s what you meant by using it later?”

In the end, a story existed for all quests.

She must be organizing the inspiration that came to her while organizing Ho-yeol’s story.

And demonstrating her occupational disease…….

“As expected, you’re predicting the next quest that will pop up, right?”

Tap tap tap

Katrina shrugged her shoulders while typing on the keyboard.

“Well, the possibility of the prediction being right is less than 1 percent but.”

If it can be of help even a tiny bit, she had to try.

Unlike the Players who put their lives on the line to enter rifts every moment.

Because there weren’t that many things the AAU could do.

‘Even now, time is flowing.’

The Arcana continent is another reality and world.

Although it wouldn’t be exactly the same as when it was a game. Considering the level of what Lee Ho-yeol accomplished, that achievement was certain to shake the entire continent.

‘Moreover, time on the Arcana continent is faster than reality. By now, Lee Ho-yeol’s achievement would have spread throughout the entire continent and then some.’

Just what kind of changes would Lee Ho-yeol’s actions have brought to the Arcana continent?

Right, the reason she was typing on the keyboard without rest was to gauge that possibility.

“Phew. I’m craving sugar.”

Of course, it wasn’t easy to the point where her head was breaking.

Because currently, the Arcana continent would be no different from a wasteland.

Because it would be completely different from what she knew.

Considering all those variables and predicting the flow of the continent?

It means it’s nonsense.

Still, she could guarantee one thing at least.

‘At least that ‘race’ related to the World Tree will move somehow.’

Elves.

Of course, she didn’t know when that time would be but.

She could be certain.

That their appearance alone would inevitably turn the world upside down.

“Huh?”

“?”

“Ah f*ck. What is it again. Really……!!”

But before that.

The world ended up turning upside down.

Beep beep beep

A warning sound ringing throughout the control room, no, the entire AAU branch.

The man tore at his hair.

“No, an emergency update on Wednesday is really crossing the line!!”

Even while venting his anger, his response was swift.

He checked the update details.

And immediately…….

Immediately…….

He had to move on to the next action immediately but.

“Crazy.”

Without anyone to blame, the two people ended up freezing at the same time.

“This is that rift from that time.”

That rift from that time.

That was right.

[Broken Dimensional Crack].

That rift which was generated along with an emergency update just like now.

In the emergency update details that popped up.

It was written [Broken Dimensional Crack] just like that time.

However, the length of those update details was unusual.

──────

A new rift, ‘Broken Dimensional Crack : ”’, is added.

A new rift, ‘Broken Dimensional Crack : ‘, is added.

A new rift, ‘Broken Dimensional Crack : ‘, is added.

A new rift, ‘Broken Dimensional Crack : ‘, is added…….

──────

Even the hands typing on the keyboard.

Even the chattering mouth froze.

It was because they realized the seriousness of the situation.

Its Recommended Level wasn’t written, but it’s natural it could be guessed.

Because it wasn’t the first time for a [Broken Dimensional Crack] rift.

It meant they could predict its Recommended Level.

[Recommended Level : Lv.900]

Although they had knowledge through experience.

They couldn’t shake off their bewilderment.

Even if its Recommended Level didn’t reach the level 900 mark.

Because the number of generated rifts was far too many.

As if that wasn’t enough, they also knew through experience the fact that the Recommended Level of a rift could be adjusted upwards.

The man muttered.

“……This isn’t a problem we can handle at our level.”

The branch…….

No, it wasn’t a problem on the AAU level.

This was a great disaster that required a global consensus.

News spread quickly.

Some were early to present extreme solutions.

“Then are you saying we should just let the rifts collapse?”

“Do we have a method? I am saying this is a disaster where it’s better to wipe them out with missiles. For the world, we have no choice but to endure small sacrifices.”

“In a situation where the locations of the rifts haven’t even been specified yet, how about you refrain from saying such things?”

“No. Location does not matter. Even if a rift appeared right in the middle of the capital of my country, my decision will not change. That it can’t be helped. Don’t you all know?”

If it were ordinarily.

A super hardline measure that wouldn’t have even been mentioned was seriously discussed.

Right, because everyone knew.

“This isn’t at a level where Players can step forward, right?”

The emergency update that popped up on Arcana’s homepage.

Players, as well as ordinary people, were able to obtain those details.

So no matter which community you looked around, the atmosphere wasn’t much different.

-No, didn’t you see the rankers in the [Swampland of Predators]??

-Everyone shit blood even in an Recommended Level 500 rift

-This update really crossed the line…….

-Not to mention this time it’s not just one rift……………

However, the ones realizing the seriousness of the situation more than anyone else were the Players.

Unification of the World.

Guild Master Liu Ojun-chun had cut off his interest regarding this rift early on.

“It is not a matter for us to step forward.”

The circumstances of commoners didn’t matter at all.

Because he had no intention of foolishly throwing away his life.

Whether they bombard the collapsed rifts with missiles or drop nuclear bombs.

It meant it wasn’t a matter for them to care about.

“Really wicked.”

“Is this also Raymond Sean’s doing?”

“Since it’s an emergency update that popped up suddenly. It must mean it wasn’t scheduled.”

Yusra Kingdom.

And Frost.

The Players staying there also encountered the update details.

No matter how thirsty they were for levels and reputation.

Entering these rifts seemed no different from a suicidal act.

However, as I said.

Everyone knew through experience.

One Player who had cleared.

Such a nonsensical rift.

“In the end, is there no one but Lee Ho-yeol this time too?”

Right.

Recommended Level 900~1,000.

Lee Ho-yeol, who had cleared the [Broken Dimensional Crack].

Because they knew that fact.

There were Players who couldn’t help but move.

The place where such individuals met was naturally the Mage Tower.

“……What’s with you guys. Again.”

“You too, you too. Seriously, don’t talk to me. Because I hate getting misunderstood.”

“You sure have a knack for saying unpleasant things.”

Leonie.

Nam Tae-min.

And Hisagi.

The three people glared at each other with displeased eyes.

[Swampland of Predators], the uncomfortable alliance that started from there.

Just how many questions, interviews, and media did they suffer from because of that?

“Really, if it weren’t for Ho-yeol-ssi. Huh?”

Nam Tae-min still felt his teeth grinding when thinking about it.

Especially with Hisagi, it was to the point where the days when they growled at each other when they met were better.

Because back then, they could at least vent their stress by slandering each other.

But the one who made them ally was Ho-yeol.

Although they couldn’t know with what thoughts Ho-yeol made them ally. They couldn’t just immediately deny such a decision of Ho-yeol’s either.

In the end, no comment regarding the alliance.

Since in today’s world, silence was no different from affirmation.

The result of that was right now.

Leonie looked up at the two men with a crooked gaze.

“Do you even know the seriousness of the situation?”

“Of course I know, that’s why I came. We have to help.”

“Since if you’ve received something, it’s right to repay it.”

Glance

Leonie glared behind the two people.

Like herself, their guild members were not seen.

Well, they do know the seriousness.

‘Since it’s really no different from a suicidal act.’

A reckless decision.

She had no intention of dragging guild members into this stubbornness.

Right, that’s how it should have been but.

They weren’t the only ones being stubborn.

“Found you. Idiots like me!”

A slick voice.

It was Shining’s executive and top-tier ranker, Camilla.

Behind her who appeared out of nowhere, familiar faces were seen.

“……Are you guys crazy?”

They were the guild members of Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker.

It wasn’t all the guild members, but easily dozens at a glance.

A not insignificant number of Players had followed their Guild Masters.

“Nam Tae-min. I knew you’d be here.”

“Unni, did you think only you are stubborn?”

“Like a snake indeed. Without a mouse or bird knowing(secretly). I barely found you.”

Camilla shuddered.

“Is it a bond that even death cannot part? Must be nice.”

Of course, she didn’t have to be jealous of that touching reunion.

‘Since my situation isn’t any different.’

Camilla remembered Jesse’s gaze from that day.

So right now that the [Broken Dimensional Crack] rift has reappeared.

“I can understand without even asking.”

She could know without specifically asking what decision Jesse would make.

Of course, she didn’t know how much help they would be even if they joined that nonsensical rift.

“You have to acknowledge her doing as she pleases~”

Is a Princess called a Princess for nothing?

She’s a Princess because she requires a lot of care.

Looking around, Jesse was nowhere to be seen.

“……She didn’t already go, did she? I hurried quite a bit in my own way, me.”

Camilla hurriedly entered the Mage Tower.

And witnessed.

Jesse Heinness standing frozen vacantly.

“Jesse?”

Camilla’s senses which could perceive even a small breath.

Jesse’s breathing was clearly different from usual.

“Jesse. What’s wrong. What happened.”

Camilla hugged Jesse from behind.

The individuals who entered following her also witnessed that sight.

To be exact, the changed scenery of the Mage Tower lobby.

“……The portal disappeared?”

There wasn’t even a trace of it.

The portal that was always guarding the Mage Tower’s lobby was not seen.

What those words meant was simple.

To the Players gathered here in the Mage Tower…….

“How many rifts were generated. Without a portal, how can we go to all of them……?”

That there is absolutely no way to head to the rifts within a short time.

Soon, Camilla realized the reason Jesse had frozen completely.

Camilla bit her lip tightly.

The reason the portal disappeared?

She couldn’t know for sure.

There must be a reason.

However, she could guess the person who had the authority to make the portal disappear.

Although she didn’t know well, something like this would be too much for even a Senior Mage. Right, it must be at least the Chief to make such a decision.

“……Ah this, I’ll have to give him a stinging remark.”

Only then did everyone realize.

That Ho-yeol had stopped the operation of the portal.

“……Why?”

Unlike themselves.

They knew well that Ho-yeol was looking at a distant place.

There must be a meaning to this action as well.

Right, to the Players including themselves.

He might have thought this rift is an overwhelming rift.

Still.

Still…….

This was far too harsh.

“Damn it. Does it mean we can’t do anything?”

To themselves.

“How many rifts are there. Just what and how is he planning to do that alone……!”

And to Ho-yeol, himself.

Because he was always confident.

And because he was consistent.

They hadn’t thought about it beforehand.

With what feelings did Ho-yeol stop the operation of the portal.

As if that wasn’t enough, what feeling it is to head to the rifts alone.

And why did they themselves.

Only come to have such thoughts now.

It wasn’t even the first time now that Ho-yeol carried such a burden.

An indescribable feeling washed over them.

Amidst the silence.

Grind

The sound of teeth grinding was heard.

“No matter what, this is too much. Alone, doing everything alone……!”

*

One cannot drag outsiders into internal affairs.

‘Furthermore, into group actions like this.’

It’s a situation where the Senior Mages of the Mage Tower are mobilized in full force.

Even if we don’t tell them the specific circumstances.

If they had any tact, they would know an incident broke out in the Mage Tower.

‘I want to avoid things like reprimands.’

I’m saying I want to pass it over as quietly as possible.

Those parachuted in take responsibility and step down when incidents occur.

Because I knew this from seeing it often in society.

So.

As swiftly as possible.

As secretly as possible.

I’m saying it’s best to handle internal affairs.

A total of 11 rifts generated.

It wasn’t a difficult task to specify the locations of those rifts.

‘Even if I didn’t know at first.’

[Broken Dimensional Crack].

Because I grasped the characteristics of that incomplete rift through experience.

It means we just need to track the magic power traces of Karimzeva, who planned this situation.

Naturally, I don’t have such magic power.

But there are the reassuring mages of the Mage Tower.

Indeed, Marcelo did not hesitate.

Search, interference, manifestation.

Soon, Marcelo’s eyes narrowed.

“I have captured the coordinates.”