Chapter 140 – Celestial Castle (１)

The next day.

A shocking announcement was made.

It came from the Crusader guild.

[We must ask for your understanding.]

A post beginning with those words was published on the Crusader guild’s official website.

Its content was this:

That there was a Quest the Crusader guild was currently undertaking.

And the problem was that if this Quest failed, in the worst-case scenario, the Users might be hit with a ‘Curse’ that could restrict their access to the game.

[WTF does this even mean?]

[Don’t talk bullshit.]

[Why the hell are you dumping your crap on people who’re just playing the game?]

[I already didn’t like those bastards.]

[Abyss! Abyss! Abyss!]

Naturally, the Players’ reactions were far from positive.

It went beyond negative—they looked ready to launch a full-on terrorist strike against the Crusader guild right then and there.

[We, the Crusader, deeply feel our responsibility for this matter. We swear we will clear the Quest by any means necessary and prevent any unforeseen catastrophe.]

The Crusader offered no further excuses or drawn-out explanations.

Because they knew that was the best they could do.

“Did we really have to go this far?”

Yujin said.

“It couldn’t be helped. Hiding it as a secret would have been even more absurd.”

Of course, there had been a lot of internal discussion.

About whether or not to reveal this fact.

If they’d hidden the negative side and completed the Quest in secret, the Crusader guild could have built a better image.

But Martin had refused.

“Of course, handling the Quest without a hitch would be ideal, but don’t the Players have a right to at least know what kind of situation they’re walking into?”

“That might be true… but you never know. If the Quest fails, we’ll really end up branded as traitors.”

“Probably. But that’s a risk we have to take. And more than anything, I’m certain we won’t fail this Quest.”

“…Mmm.”

Yujin slowly nodded along.

By all logic, it was utterly incomprehensible.

The idea that adding just one mage named Jun could clear a Quest they couldn’t solve even with their full force mobilized.

But there was no choice but to believe.

Because the Oracle had descended.

And from Jun’s words and expression radiated an indescribable strength.

An Aura that demanded trust.

“Anyway, the results will show themselves soon enough. We’d be better off focusing on raid preparations.”

“Understood.”

And so Yujin and Martin ended their conversation and began getting ready for deployment.

The raid was now five hours away.

*

Around that same time, the Hwarang Guild was also moving at a frantic pace.

They had mobilized the full strength of their Knight Orders.

Of course, that wasn’t all.

The condition for the Crusader Guild’s request for Hwarang’s help was handing over all broadcasting rights for this Quest.

After all, the Crusader Guild had never been particularly interested in publicity.

But Hwarang was different.

Each of Hwarang’s videos came with astronomical ad revenue; every piece of content they produced was tied to major corporations and generated immense added value.

For them, this Boss Raid was a sweet prize they absolutely couldn’t afford to miss.

“And as you know, this is the moment a new region is revealed for the first time. If the Celestial Realm opens up after Tartaros, the ripple effect will be impossible to ignore.”

Hera spoke.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Not to mention, this raid features Jun, a once-in-a-generation rising star. Video team, editing team, filming team — make sure you deliver the best possible product.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Each team leader answered with a resolute expression.

They knew it, too.

Just how much money was riding on this single raid video.

Corporations that had already gotten wind of the news were requesting sponsorships, and the business affairs team was busy negotiating ad rates with them.

“Then it’s time we post the announcement too.”

Now it was time to reveal the truth to the public once more.

That Hwarang would be joining this raid — and that the mage named Jun would be there with them.

*

[Wait, what?]

[Hwarang’s joining too?]

[And Jun?]

The moment Hwarang’s guild post went up, the community exploded all over again.

And this was right in the middle of everyone uniting to tear down the Crusaders.

Now that fresh fuel had been thrown on the fire, it blazed hotter than ever.

[So you’re taking the heat with them?]

[Coming in as the relief pitcher?]

[This is it—Crusader couldn’t handle it alone, so they called in Saint for backup.]

[At this point, seems like there’s a real chance?]

With Hwarang joining the fray, public opinion seemed to shift somewhat.

If Crusader and Saint were pooling their strength, what monster could possibly stand in their way?

[My heart’s already pounding]

[Have these two guilds ever worked together before?]

[Nope. This is a first.]

[Damn, this is huge lol]

[I’d accept being locked out of the game for days just to see this]

Some people even declared they’d be satisfied if it meant they couldn’t log in for days.

That’s how much the collaboration between these two giant guilds was an event Real Spirit players had been longing for.

But questions arose at the same time.

[So what’s that mage doing butting in?]

[Just Hwarang pushing a bundle deal.]

[Ease up on the plugging lol]

It was about Gijun’s participation.

Unsurprisingly, players couldn’t easily accept him being part of this.

[No matter how well he’s doing, this is too much]

[What difference does one mage make?]

[Isn’t this a bit too obvious lol]

A choice no one could comprehend.

No matter how famous Gijun had become, a question mark naturally hung over whether he had the skill to join the main raid party of two mega-guilds.

[Still, it’s definitely making waves.]

[Look at the community heating up lol]

[Hera sure knows how to stir up hype.]

[Bet the ad revenue is sweet.]

Yet, no one could deny that Gijun’s appearance had stoked the event’s buzz even further.

And then.

[The stream’s live!]

[Let’s go in!]

It was the moment Hwarang Guild’s official channel went live.

*

Gijun and Hera’s main raid party had all gathered in one place.

Crusader Guild’s forces had already arrived at the agreed-upon spot.

‘So this is it.’

Gijun slowly looked around.

The place he stood now was called [Celestial Castle].

As mentioned, it was a new area not yet revealed to the world.

True to its name, it was a colossal castle perched above the clouds.

‘I didn’t know a place like this existed.’

The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful just to behold.

The entire massive fortress was painted pure white, radiating a noble atmosphere as if it would tolerate not a single speck of dust.

‘It really looks like a palace where gods live.’

If the Olympus of Greek and Roman mythology had been real, this might have been what it looked like.

And yet, a place so grand and beautiful had been conquered by Magin.

Looking only at the surface, that was hard to accept.

But he knew better.

Because inside that place lurked a monster that even the Crusader had failed to Raid.

‘I absolutely cannot take it lightly.’

In front of the others, Jun had spoken with overflowing confidence, but he knew well that he must never let his guard down.

‘And I absolutely cannot lose.’

And he knew just as well that he had to win, no matter what it took.

[Do not be tense.]

Libre’s voice reached him.

[Were you not always the best?]

At Libre’s words, the corner of Gijun’s mouth curled upward.

Right.

He had always given his all and produced the finest results.

Just as he always had.

Now too, he would bring about the best outcome.

“Thank you all for gathering so well.”

At that moment, Martin, having confirmed everyone was assembled, spoke.

“Right now, beyond that point, the bastard awaits. I will now begin the briefing on the Boss Monster.”

Before entering the Dungeon.

Martin began laying out every piece of information they had on the Boss Monster, one by one.

“…That is everything we have gathered on the Boss Monster.”

“….”

“This won’t be easy.”

After Martin’s explanation, Hera and Klaim let out sighs with hardened faces.

As he’d said, the Boss Monster was no pushover.

No, perhaps it was trickier than any Boss Monster they had ever faced.

“Everyone, do a final check on your Equipment and Potions!”

Hera barked out.

At her command, the Saint Guild Members swiftly rechecked their status.

The Saint Guild Members gathered here numbered about a hundred in total.

That many Elite Players moved in perfect unison.

“We will also conduct a final check.”

At Martin’s words, the Crusader guild’s Players likewise performed their last status checks.

Thus, a total of two hundred some Players had just finished their final preparations for the large-scale Raid about to begin.

[Truly a great number.]

Libre’s voice came through, tinged with wonder.

[This is the greatest strength the human race possesses.]

‘That’s right.’

Jun nodded without speaking.

But the enemy beyond that was a bastard tricky enough to make even the mighty Crusader lose their will to fight.

‘Doesn’t matter.’

Jun thought.

‘Was there ever an easy opponent?’

Right.

There never had been, not once.

So rather than fear, the presence of a powerful foe at this very moment only made his heart race.

‘And… I can do it.’

And just a moment ago.

The instant he heard Martin’s explanation, Jun was convinced once more.

The Boss Monster waiting beyond was definitely something he could finish with his own hands.

Of course, if it were a foe he had to fight alone, it would be a losing battle.

But wasn’t he not alone now?

The current environment was optimal for maximizing Jun’s abilities.

‘It won’t go according to plan.’

Jun muttered to himself as he slowly turned his gaze.

Martin too, after scanning the surroundings, exchanged a look with Hera.

“It seems we’re ready on this side.”

“Yes. We’re ready on our end as well.”

The two of them turned to look at Gijun.

They were asking if he was set, probably.

Gijun answered.

“Yes. I’m good too.”

“Alright, then….”

Martin swept his gaze over everyone gathered there.

“Then… we move out.”

After the assembled fighters finished their last checks, Martin strode to the castle gate and threw it open.

In that instant.

A blinding flash erupted.

From beyond the threshold, a pair of massive, burning eyes locked onto the gathered Players.

“Going in immediately!”

Hera’s voice cut through the air.