Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 98 - Top Secret (1)

The AAU North American branch.

 

The lights in the building didn’t turn off even at night.

 

The rupture was scheduled, but a threat was unavoidable.

 

They always had to respond quickly.

 

“Ugh–!”

 

The sound of stretching echoed in the control room.

 

Fatigue poured out, but they were lucky this week.

 

“Wednesday isn’t bad, though. Don’t you think so?”

 

“Dunno. I’m busy.”

 

“Huh, what are you tapping so hard on a good day?”

 

Tomorrow was Thursday.

 

The day when new updates appeared.

 

Even AAU employees with a strong sense of duty wouldn’t welcome Thursday’s work.

 

It was all about figuring out the situation, briefing to high-ranking people, and stuff like that. On Thursday, they really had no time to catch their breath.

 

“You work hard. Are you writing a report already?”

 

“I don’t intend to waste my precious time like everyone  else.”

 

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

 

So what was she writing?

 

Sneak–

 

When he looked at the laptop screen, he recognized it right away.

 

“World Tree? You’re looking into that?”

 

Predator’s Swamp.

 

The World Tree that bloomed from that rupture.

 

It was also one of the hottest subjects of study in the AAU.

 

Of course, they couldn’t find any information despite their efforts.

 

“It’s good to try. But what difference does it make? Well, only Raymond Sean would know about the information regarding the World Tree.”

 

“I know that. I’m just organizing it.”

 

Click clack–

 

Even in the middle of talking.

 

Katrina’s fingers didn’t stop.

 

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

 

It might be useful later?

 

At that, the man who glanced at the contents said.

 

“By the way, that only seems to be nothing but praise for Lee Hoyeol?”

 

From beginning to end.

 

The name Lee Hoyeol dropped out in every sentence.

 

But there was nothing he could say to it.

 

In fact, the discovery of the seed of the World Tree.

 

The seed that sprouted.

 

It was all done by Hoyeol.

 

“When you said it might be useful later. Do you mean you’re going to use it and sell Lee Hoyeol’s biography or something like that?”

 

“What are you talking about? I’ll just upload a video on YouTube. Who read such things these days?”

 

“…You’ve already thought about uploading a video.”

 

Shake–

 

There was a Hoyeol believer here too.

 

Katrina replied to the man who was tongue-tied.

 

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

 

Occupational disease?

 

Those words made the man realize.

 

“Ah! You said you were in charge of quests when you worked at Cosmo, right?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Then I approve of it. No, not like this, I should stop disturbing you.”

 

Department in charge of quests.

 

When Arcana was a game.

 

It was a department that made up the large and small quest lines of Arcana.

 

The man shut his mouth and thought.

 

If it was the days when Arcana was a game.

 

A player who had made great achievements on the Arcana continent by now.

 

Lee Hoyeol’s name must be ringing out.

 

“The birth of a new hero. There are countless quests that can be connected with just one incident. Because this is connected to the World Tree. Is that what you mean when you said it might be useful later?”

 

After all, every quest had a story.

 

She must be organizing the inspiration that came up while organizing Hoyeol’s story.

 

And by exercising her occupational disease…

 

“As expected, you’re expecting the next quest, right?”

 

Click clack–

 

Katrina tapped the keyboard and shrugged her shoulders.

 

“Well, there is less than 1% chance that my predictions will be correct.”

 

She should try it if it could help even if just a little.

 

Every moment, unlike players who risked their lives to enter the ruptures.

 

There wasn’t much AAU could do.

 

‘Time is still ticking.’

 

The Arcana continent was another reality and world.

 

It couldn’t be the same as when it was just a game. Considering the level of work Lee Hoyeol had done, the achievement would certainly shake the entire continent.

 

‘Besides, time on the Arcana continent is faster than reality. By now, Lee Hoyeol’s achievements should have spread all over the continent.’

 

Indeed, what kind of change did Lee Hoyeol’s actions bring to the Arcana continent?

 

Yes, the reason why she kept tapping the keyboard was to gauge that possibility.

 

“Huft. I’m craving sugar.”

 

Of course, it was so difficult, enough to break her head.

 

Because the current Arcana continent would be nothing more than a wasteland.

 

It would be completely different from what she knew.

 

Considering all such variables and predicting the flow in the continent?

 

That was impossible.

 

But she could guarantee one thing.

 

‘The ‘race’ related to the World Tree will move somehow.’

 

The elves.

 

Of course, she didn’t know when that would happen.

 

She could be sure.

 

That the world would be turned upside down just by their emergence.

 

“Huh?”

 

“?”

 

“Tsk, not again, come on…!!”

 

But before that.

 

The world had turned upside down.

 

Beep–

 

An alarm went off in the control room, no, throughout the AAU branch.

 

The man tore his hair.

 

“No, Wednesday’s emergency update really crossed the line!”

 

He was quick to respond while venting his anger.

 

He checked the update history.

 

Right away…

 

Right away…

 

They had to move on right away.

 

“Crazy.”

 

Without blaming anyone, the two people stopped at the same time.

 

“This is the rupture from that time.”

 

That rupture.

 

Indeed.

 

[Cracked Dimension Gap].

 

That rupture that was created with an emergency update like now.

 

In the emergency update history that appeared.

 

At that moment, it was written [Cracked Dimension Gap].

 

But the length of the update was alarming.

 

──────

 

A new rupture, ‘Cracked dimension Gap: ה’ is added.

 

A new rupture, ‘Cracked dimension Gap: מ’ is added.

 

A new rupture, ‘Cracked dimension Gap: ל’ is added.

 

A new rupture, ‘Cracked dimension Gap: ש’ is added…

 

──────

 

Even the hand that was tapping the keyboard.

 

And the chattering mouth, it all stopped.

 

It was because he realized the seriousness of the situation.

 

The recommended level wasn’t written, but they naturally were able to guess.

 

It wasn’t the first time the rupture [Cracked dimension Gap] appeared.

 

In other words, they could predict the recommended level.

 

[Recommended level: Lv.900]

 

Although he had knowledge through experience.

 

He couldn’t shake off his panic.

 

Even if the recommended level wasn’t up to 900 levels.

 

The number of ruptures created was so high.

 

He also knew from experience that the recommended level of the ruptures could rise.

 

The man murmured.

 

“…This is not a matter that can be dealt with by our level.”

 

Branch…

 

No, it wasn’t an issue at the AAU level.

 

This was a catastrophe that required consensus from all over the world.

 

The news spread quickly.

 

Some suggested extreme solutions early on.

 

“So you’re just going to let the ruptures collapse?”

 

“Is there a way? This is a catastrophe that would have been better wiped out with a missile. We have no choice but to make small sacrifices for the world.”

 

“Why don’t you refrain from saying that when the location of the ruptures hasn’t yet been specified?”

 

“No. The location doesn’t matter. Even if the rupture appeared in the middle of my country, the capital, my decision wouldn’t change. The fact that we can’t help it. Don’t you all know?”

 

If it had been like the usual.

 

Super-strong force, which wouldn’t have been mentioned, was seriously discussed.

 

Yeah, because everyone knew.

 

“This is not the level that players can step up to, is it?”

 

Urgent update on Arcana’s homepage.

 

The details were available to the public as well as players.

 

So, no matter which community you looked at, the atmosphere was not much different.

 

– No, didn’t you see the rankers in the [Predator’s Swamp]?

 

– Even at the recommended level 500 rupture, everyone was bleeding

 

– This update really crossed the line…

 

– And there’s not just one of this ruptureㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

 

However, it was the players who realized the seriousness of the situation more than anyone else.

 

Union.

 

Guild Master Liu Jinchun had already drawn attention to the rupture early on.

 

“It’s none of our business.”

 

He didn’t care about the circumstances of the people.

 

He didn’t intend to foolishly give up his life.

 

Whether they would bomb the collapsed rupture with missiles or send a nuclear.

 

It was none of their business.

 

“That’s really vicious.”

 

“Is this also Raymond Sean’s work?”

 

“It’s an urgent update that suddenly appeared. It must not have been planned.”

 

Yusra Kingdom.

 

And Frost.

 

Players who stayed there also got updates.

 

No matter how thirsty they were for levels and fame.

 

Entering this rupture seemed like a suicide.

 

But as it had been told.

 

Everyone knew from experience.

 

Such a ridiculous rupture.

 

One player had cleared it.

 

“In the end, is there only Lee Hoyeol this time around?”

 

Yeah.

 

Recommended level 900 to 1,000 levels.

 

It was Lee Hoyeol who cleared the [Cracked Dimension Gap].

 

Knowing the fact.

 

There were players who had no choice but to move.

 

The place where they met was, of course, the Mage Tower.

 

“…What are you doing?”

 

“You too. Don’t talk to me. Because I don’t want people to misunderstand.”

 

“You’re good at saying unpleasant things.”

 

Leonie.

 

Nam Taemin.

 

And Hisagi.

 

The three stared at each other with disapproving eyes.

 

[Predator’s Swamp], the uncomfortable union that began there.

 

How many questions, interviews, and media had they suffered from it?

 

“Seriously, if it wasn’t for Hoyeol-ssi. Huh.”

 

The thought still made Nam Taemin shudder.

 

Especially with Hisagi, it was better when they growled whenever they met like before.

 

Back then, they were able to relieve stress by criticizing each other.

 

But it was Hoyeol who brought them together.

 

He didn’t know what Hoyeol was thinking when he united them together. It was impossible to immediately deny Hoyeol’s decision.

 

In the end, there was no comment on the union.

 

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

 

The result was now.

 

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

 

“Do you know the seriousness of the situation?”

 

“I know and come here. Don’t we need to help?”

 

“If you receive something, you have to pay it back.”

 

Glance-

 

Leonie looked behind them.

 

Like her, their guild members were nowhere to be seen.

 

Well, they knew the seriousness of the situation.

 

‘It’s like a real suicide.’

 

A reckless decision.

 

She had no intention of drawing the guild members to this stubbornness.

 

Yeah, that was how it should be.

 

They weren’t the only ones being stubborn.

 

“Found you. Idiots like me!”

 

A sly voice.

 

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

 

They could see familiar faces behind her, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

 

“…Are you guys crazy?”

 

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

 

Not all guild members were there, but at first glance, there were dozens of them.

 

Many payers followed their guild masters.

 

“Nam Taemin. I knew you’d be here.”

 

“Unnie, do you think you’re the only one who’s stubborn?”

 

“I guess someone really is a snake. Without the knowledge of a mouse or a bird. I finally found you.”

 

Camilla shuddered.

 

“Does it mean it’s a bond that even death cannot separate? Good time.”

 

Of course, there was nothing to envy about that touching reunion.

 

‘Because my position is no different.’

 

On that day, Camilla.

 

She remembered Jessie’s eyes.

 

So now that the rupture [Cracked Dimension Gap] had reappeared.

 

“I can tell what she’s thinking.”

 

She could see what judgment Jessie would make without asking.

 

Of course, she didn’t know how helpful it would be for them to join that ridiculous rupture.

 

“You have to know to be able to do whatever you want~”

 

Why was a princess called a princess?

 

They were called princesses because they needed a lot of handling.

 

When she looked around, she couldn’t see Jessie.

 

“…I hope she’s not gone yet? I hurried here too.”

 

Camilla rushed to the Mage Tower.

 

And she witnessed it.

 

Jessie Heinness, who suddenly stopped.

 

“Jessie?”

 

Camilla’s senses could detect even a small breath.

 

Jessie’s breathing was clearly different from usual.

 

“Jessie. Come on. What’s wrong?”

 

Camilla hugged Jessie from behind.

 

Those who followed her also witnessed the sight.

 

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

 

“…Is the portal gone?”

 

There wasn’t even a trace of it.

 

The portal, which was always guarding the lobby of the Mage Tower, was nowhere to be seen.

 

What it meant was simple.

 

The players that gathered here, the Mage Tower…

 

“Some ruptures have been created. How can we get there without a portal…?”

 

There was no way they could get to the ruptures in a short time.

 

Soon, Camilla noticed why Jessie had stiffened.

 

Camilla bit her lips.

 

Why did the portal disappear?

 

It wasn’t known exactly.

 

There must be a reason.

 

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

 

They weren’t sure, but it was impossible for a senior mage to do something like this. Yeah, at least you had to be a chief to be able to make this decision.

 

“…I’ll have to say something harsh.”

 

Only then did everyone realize.

 

It was Hoyeol who shut down the portal.

 

“…Why?”

 

Unlike them.

 

They knew that Hoyeol was looking far away.

 

There must be a meaning in this behavior.

 

Yeah, for players including themselves.

 

They might have thought this rupture was a daunting one.

 

Even so.

 

But still…

 

This was too harsh.

 

“Damn it. Are you saying we can’t do anything?”

 

To themselves, too.

 

“How many cracks are there? What are you going to do about it alone…!”

 

Hoyeol, to them.

 

He was always confident.

 

Because he was always the same.

 

They didn’t think about it.

 

Why did Hoyeol stop the operation of the portal?

 

Not only that, the feeling as though he was heading towards the ruptures alone.

 

And why were they.

 

Why was it only now that they thought like this.

 

This wasn’t the first time that Hoyeol had such a burden.

 

It was an indescribable feeling.

 

In silence.

 

Clench–

 

They heard the grinding sound of teeth.

 

“But this is too much. Alone, all alone..!”

 

*

 

I couldn’t involve outsiders in internal affairs.

 

‘And furthermore, for group action like this.’

 

The senior mages of the Mage Tower were on the move.

 

Even if no one said the specific circumstances.

 

If you had any tact, you would know that something was happening in the Mage Tower.

 

‘I want to avoid reprimand.’

 

I wanted to go through it as quietly as possible.

 

It was the parachute that took responsibility if something happened.

 

I knew that because I’d seen it in society.

 

Therefore.

 

As quickly as possible.

 

As stealthily as possible.

 

It was best to deal with the internal affair that way.

 

A total of 11 ruptures were created.

 

Locating these ruptures wasn’t difficult.

 

‘Even if I didn’t know at first.’

 

[Cracked Dimension Gap].

 

I had grasped the characteristics of the imperfect rupture through experience.

 

All we had to do was track down the magic marks of Karimjeva, the person who planned this situation.

 

Of course, I didn’t have the magic power to do that.

 

But I had the reliable mages of the Mage Tower.

 

Sure enough, Marcelo didn’t hesitate.

 

Exploration, interference, manifestation.

 

Soon, Marcelo’s eyes narrowed.

 

“We have captured the coordinates.”