But when the White King continued, the Great Earth Dragon was left speechless.
"He might be the only one who can kill me."
"......!!!!!"
It was the first time the White King had ever said such a thing.
If there was someone who could kill the White King, the Great Earth Dragon had no choice but to accept it.
The same went for the other Four Forces.
"The Fifth Force desires an 'equal position.' In other words, it means that the Fifth Force does not wish to turn against me as an enemy. Now that we have reached a mutual agreement, there's no reason not to accept the deal."
"But, Hao! Can't you be sure where the fang is?"
The Fifth Force made the offer at the last moment.
The fang of the White King, lost to Wilhelm.
He knows where it went after Wilhelm's death.
"No, the Fifth Force is telling the truth."
If he had simply said it was in the Labyrinth, it would have been dismissed as a lie.
But the Fifth Force provided a rather convincing story.
- The fang was handed over to a 'special place' after the owner's death, caw.
- Even if I tell you, it's a place you can never reach, caw.
The idea that the fang was handed over to a place that even the White King and the Four Forces could not reach implied that someone had intentionally moved it.
After Wilhelm's death in the Great Expedition.
Randolph believed he was the only one who knew and could reach it.
Thus, he asked what he would offer in return for the fang.
"Equal. I will not make a deal unless it is of equal value."
But something of equal value to his fang?
There was no such thing.
The fang of the White King was the most precious thing in the world.
How could he give up something so precious again?
"What must I give to retrieve the fang?"
"Are you willing to accept the deal...?"
The Great Earth Dragon spoke with a half-dazed face.
It was because the sudden influx of hard-to-accept stories.
The White King shrugged.
"Accepting the deal is not the problem. The real issue is what to give. It needs to match the value of the fang and satisfy the Fifth Force."
After a moment of silence, the Great Earth Dragon finally spoke, half-giving up.
"Isn't there... one?"
"...... One? Could you be talking about what I'm thinking?"
"Yes."
"You mean my daughter?"
"Yes."
"...... Hmm."
The White King stroked his chin.
He had a precious daughter, one he cherished more than anything.
A daughter as precious as, or even more so than, his fang.
"Is Randolph male?"
"Isn't he?"
"Hmm. He's still in training, I believe."
"Didn't you hear that the Black King's group has gathered in the 'Mountain of Trainees'? We have to take him out anyway."
"If it's a good plan, it's a good plan..."
The White King sighed deeply.
The only one with the potential to kill him, Randolph.
If he married him to his daughter, all the danger would be eliminated.
Moreover, he would gain a powerful ally forever.
The problem was elsewhere.
'Will he listen to me?'
He wasn't sure if the troublemaker would listen to him.
He sent him to the Mountain of Trainees for character correction and training, but given his bloodline, he didn't think his iron-hard personality had changed.
But if it were possible, there could be no better solution.
"Hmmmm."
The White King's contemplation deepened.
*
After the completion of the Abyss Labyrinth.
The player chat was also experiencing a change.
-Knight news? There's news about Randolph in Korea.
-Yeah, he's really bold.
-Kim Hana? Isn't she the one who interviewed Gracia?
-Yes, Kim Hana seems to have done a separate anonymous interview.
-"True hero Randolph fighting alone against monsters in another dimension."
-Well, it's not a lie, lol.
-Whoever said it is probably a Phantom cult follower.
-Aren't the Master's assassins scary!
-That's right. From the Master's perspective, the name Randolph is something he wants to erase from Earth no matter what...
News in Korea under the name of Kim Hana.
Not only the 'Dimension Warrior' who came here, but also the news about 'Randolph' fighting alone in another dimension caused a stir.
Of course, it's not a big deal.
It only mentions that there is someone named Randolph in another dimension.
The problem is the mere mention of the name Randolph.
-Can someone summarize the news content?
-The newly created warps are from the 'Labyrinth' in another dimension, created to invade Earth. A hero named 'Randolph' sacrificed his life to stop it.
-What, it's not a big deal?
-Not a big deal? Now people will start to wonder who Randolph is.
-Both the reporter and the interviewee are risking their lives.
-Or maybe they can't touch him because he's recently become famous?
-They won't make it an issue, they'll just cover it up.
-Do you think they only know that? They probably held back and only included that much content to make it news.
-Ah, I'm getting scared.
-Kids, this isn't the time. Pangea is in chaos.
At that moment.
While the player chat was noisy about the news.
Suddenly, players who had logged out started talking about Pangea.
-Why? What happened?
-It's always in chaos, but it's a big deal, lol.
-A notice was sent to all cities. And it's from the White King!
Suddenly, the White King.
No player was unfamiliar with that name.
-White King? The White King of Northern Kramdel?
-Yeah, really. Even the guilds that have taken over cities are in chaos.
-What is it? What's the content?
-Wait. He's officially declaring the Labyrinth City as his territory. It's the White King's second official declaration after Kramdel. It means he'll kill anyone who messes with it.
-What do you mean? Wasn't the one who dominated the Labyrinth City Randolph?
-The ruler who will directly govern the city is the Fifth Force, Randolph?
-...?
-?????
-Fifth Force?
-Yes. The fifth force newly ascended in Kramdel. King Randolph of the Corpse Crows.
-What, what?
-What the hell is this?
-So, the one who cleared the Abyss Labyrinth wasn't the Randolph we know, but the Corpse Crow Randolph?
-You mean it's a case of homonyms right now?
-I'm very confused.
-My head is spinning.
-So, it's not Phantom Randolph, but the monster Corpse Crow Randolph?
-What, is this... really?
-Who is this Corpse Crow Randolph?
-This is insane. The one we were enthusiastic about wasn't Phantom but a monster?
-There's no way Kramdel would accept a human, so he must be a real monster.
-Then where is the real Randolph?
-Isn't he in the Mountain of Trainees?
-Who can go and check?
-You can only go up to level 7 once.
-The number of monsters around the mountain has increased, and the path to the mountain is blocked. You'll die if you go.
-Wow... creepy.
-Amazing... ...
*
The Mountain of Trainees.
A section that automatically starts when you reach level 7 and complete the main quest 6.
You can only go up once, and if you don't achieve level 15 in class-related proficiency, you can't even come down.
'The key is how high a proficiency level you can achieve.'
While the White King was contemplating the price for the fang, I was planning to climb the Mountain of Trainees.
However, I had to thoroughly prepare and finish it.
There's only one chance.
There won't be a second.
From the moment I enter until I come down, I must achieve outstanding results.
'The maximum proficiency level varies by class.'
For a general class, like 'Archer,' you can max out the bow-related proficiency at level 15.
15 levels. That's the standard.
If you have a class of a higher caliber, the max level naturally increases.
In that sense, I was already in a favorable position.
'Pinnacle Swordmaster. A hidden class that can max out sword proficiency to level 30.'
Hidden class, Pinnacle Swordmaster!
I obtained a class that was recognized and promoted by both the Pinnacle Dragon and the Swordmaster Rylee.
A class with a maximum proficiency level of 30 was unheard of.
While there are cases where you can exceed the max level by consuming related stars, starting at level 30!
'I need to at least max out to level 23 and come down.'
However, after level 20, the difficulties and trials begin.
With the Baal Helmet and my crafting skills, I should be able to reach level 23 somehow.
And the number of people who have maxed out to level 23 in the Mountain of Trainees is probably countable on one hand.
"Let's go."
"Okay~"
Beside me, the Holy Maiden Seo-a answered.
She seemed a bit off, but she was the only one who had never entered the Mountain of Trainees.
Unlike Isaac or Isabella, who were player characters, she was Pangea's Holy Maiden from birth, so there was no need for her to enter the Mountain of Trainees.
A small smile formed on my lips.
The one in front of me now is not a Holy Maiden.
'Infinite healing shuttle.'
A being to restore my weary mind and body in the Mountain of Trainees.
For endless training,
Just a healing shuttle, that's all.
And not just any, but the strongest healing shuttle with formidable divine power.
Not only that.
'If things go as I plan, I might be able to max out to over level 23.'
If everything goes according to plan, I might even be able to put my name at the top of the Hall of Fame for Main Quest 7.
Perhaps, even more.
The Star of the Beheaded
Volcano.
A place known as the Sanctuary of Fire.
Kiaaa!
There, a giant bird made of fire screamed.
The Phoenix, a mythical creature of a different caliber!
But now, it was immobilized with swords embedded in both wings.
"Hand over the star, Star Guardian."
In front of it, Gracia twirled the Thousand Swords.
The Phoenix is a Star Guardian of the Star of Fire.
A special being that tests those who have achieved the qualifications and grants the star.
But the Phoenix shook its head as it looked at the man in front of it, Gracia.
-You are not yet ready to...
Krrr!
Kiaaa!
Under the relentless attack of the Thousand Swords, the Phoenix was slowly dying.
But Gracia didn't care.
The Phoenix was already out of his mind.
ใThe owner of the Abyss Labyrinth, 'Swordmaster Rylee,' has been defeated by the challenger 'Randolph.'ใ
ใPhase 5, 'The One Who Is the Abyss Itself' has been eliminated by 'Randolph.'ใ
ใ'Abyss Labyrinth' cleared! 'Randolph' rises as the owner of the Labyrinth City.ใ
... The memory resurfaced.
Gracia gritted his teeth.
The guy did what he couldn't.
Of course, he learned that it wasn't Phantom Randolph, but the Fifth Force of Kramdel, King of the Corpse Crows, Randolph, but the discomfort still lingered.
'I am still lacking.'
He admitted it.
His arrogance.
He was so engrossed in wielding the Thousand Swords, called the Swordmaster, that he neglected his growth.
As a result, he couldn't even defeat the old Swordmaster.
'I thought I had surpassed Phantom. I was wrong.'
Phantom's strongest character, Wilhelm, would have defeated the Swordmaster Rylee.
And if, by some chance, the one in question, Randolph, was indeed Phantom...
'I must become even stronger.'
Gracia turned his gaze to the Phoenix.
"Hand over the star, Star Guardian."
Ding!
Ding!
At that moment, the sound of a black bell rang from behind.
The Grim Reaper had followed him even to the sanctuary of the volcano.
Recently, the frequency has increased.
Moreover, the Grim Reapers that came to find him were different from those he had encountered in Korea.
The number and appearance.
Just two. Three horns on their foreheads.
But the oppressive presence they exuded was different.
Gracia's expression hardened.
"...... Alright, let's finish this together, then."
*
"...... This is the notice sent by the White King?"
"Yes, Master."
In the office of the Ruins City, a masked man answered.
At the same time, he handed over the notice that had just arrived in the city.
The Master, after reading the notice, frowned.
-To all city owners! I declare the Labyrinth City as the territory of the White King.
-However, the actual ruler of the Labyrinth will be the newly ascended Fifth Force, King of the Corpse Crows, Randolph.
-I am certain that those who play with fire will be burned to death.
There was not a trace of courtesy in the content.
What?
'If you play with fire, you'll be burned?'
No matter how powerful the White King was, sending such a notice to all cities was definitely crossing the line.
It wasn't even a declaration of war...
Was he not afraid of anything?
In the end, the Master could only bitterly say one thing.
"...... There's no one as crazy as him."
"Should we abandon the plan?"
"If the White King is involved, there's nothing we can do. We'll have to start the plan from scratch."