The honorable position that protects the Empire.
A symbol of the Emperor’s deepest trust, as well as proof of possessing one of the strongest fighting forces imaginable.
The Imperial Sword Saint, Vitalianus Mahel, had long held the role of Guardian Knight, solidifying this perception.
The strongest figure in the Empire.
A reliable shield and the mightiest sword.
So, when the Imperial Guardian Knight Insignia was shown, a small commotion arose.
‘…This is more effective than I thought.’
There was no doubt about the Imperial Guardian Knight Insignia’s authenticity.
Showing it and stating the reason for visiting Sirbert allowed entrance to his room without question.
Of course, there was a process to verify if the insignia was genuine.
Still, Sirbert kept glancing at Hio with eyes full of confusion, not fully understanding the situation.
But at least, as planned, Hio had comfortably gained access.
“Ah, old memories are flooding back. Even though there are a few new buildings, it’s mostly the same. Back then, if you said you came from Tetradia, the fledgling magicians would freeze up, trying so hard to get noticed…”
Furnel’s voice trailed off into nostalgia.
Hio listened half-heartedly and then formed his own impression of the Academy.
‘Overall, it feels similar to Tetradia.’
The architectural style and appearance resembled the ancient city of Tetradia as seen from the Mage’s Tower.
Unable to contain himself, Furnel jumped in.
“Well, the Academy was originally established to create a systematic training system for magicians, so it makes sense that it feels similar.”
Hio nodded, accepting Furnel’s words.
If that was the case, it only strengthened his certainty.
‘There must be a hidden Magician’s House inside.’
There were a few suspicious spots, but since the Academy grounds were so vast, he’d need to search diligently.
Before that, though, he had to finish his conversation with Sirbert.
“Kid, you succeeded.”
In the professor’s building of the Academy—specifically Sirbert’s room on a relatively high floor of the main building.
Spacious, splendid, and neat.
“That guy who used a nickname like ‘On Vacation’ or something.”
Hio thought about how embarrassing that nickname was, especially as a fellow Korean.
While Hio was surveying the room, the door suddenly swung open.
Confident footsteps came in without hesitation.
A rather tall man with neatly slicked-back hair.
“Sirbert.”
Sirbert’s gaze shifted to Hio and widened in surprise.
“…Jijoncheonma?”
“What on earth is that outfit… More importantly, the Imperial Guardian Knight Insignia? You’re the one who got it instead of the Sword Saint?”
Sirbert, sitting opposite, asked, and Hio nodded.
“It was because information got leaked, you know.”
Information about the Imperial Princess had been compromised on Sirbert’s side, forcing Hio to step in.
Sirbert bowed his head deeply.
“I have no words for that… It was unexpected.”
“Who was it? Where did the leak come from?”
“If I’m right… no, I’m almost certain, it’s Airlights.”
“…Airlights.”
Hio removed his hat and set it aside, letting out a deep sigh.
If Airlights was the culprit, everything would make sense.
‘…This is more effective than I thought.’
There was no doubt about the Imperial Guardian Knight Insignia’s authenticity.
Showing it and stating the reason for visiting Sirbert allowed entrance to his room without question.
Of course, there was a process to verify if the insignia was genuine.
Still, Sirbert kept glancing at Hio with eyes full of confusion, not fully understanding the situation.
But at least, as planned, Hio had comfortably gained access.
“Nothing.”
Hio answered briefly and hurriedly continued as if to excuse himself.
Sena the Knight
“I’ve never met him, but I’ve seen enough of him to know. He truly wanted to protect the world inside that game as much as we did.”
“No, no.”
This time, Hio shook his head.
“I don’t know much about him either, but one thing’s for sure.”
“Rank 3, Airlights.”
“That was all an act.”
“He’s a twisted pervert. A stalker.”
“He was imitating me. The relentless stalker of Jijoncheonma.”
Why?””
“Why he did it, no one knew and no one wanted to find out, so they just let it be…”
“His bold actions mimicking Jijoncheonma must have seemed quite convincing to the other rankers.”
“Of course, Hio never thought Airlights would betray so openly.”
“Or rather, was it betrayal?”
“Were they ever really on the same side?”
He was that unfathomable.
“A stalker of yours… Airlights?”
For Sirbert, it was hard to believe so easily.
He had only guessed Airlights had some gain that drove him to create chaos during the war.
But that wasn’t the case…
“So you’re saying the reason the war turned into a mess was all… because of you?”
“More precisely, because he wanted to confirm if I was really Jijoncheonma.”
“Insane…”
To cause such sacrifice and chaos just to stalk and confirm his identity.
It was unbelievable.
There was another reason it was hard to believe.
“I never mentioned you. I only designed things so the Princess’s plan would succeed—like taking out insurance.”
Given that, how did Airlights know about Hio’s existence and act?
Hio roughly guessed the answer.
“He must have… seen me before.”
Somewhere, someone had witnessed Hio and suspected he was Jijoncheonma.
That place had to be before the civil war broke out.
Since Hio had few moments to show his power, it wasn’t hard to guess.
The city of Sauer.
The city where the Holy Maiden was born and where Hio confronted the Sword Saint.
Also… the place where the Ma-in first appeared. Where traces of Heuka were found.
That implication was far more serious than expected.
Hio’s expression stiffened.
“It looks like Airlights is working with the Heuka.”
For someone as powerful as Airlights to appear in the city where the Ma-in showed up—
And to do so while hiding his true identity—what other reason could there be?
Only that he had joined forces with the Heuka.
Having nothing else to suspect, Hio’s expression grew grave while Sirbert’s face repeatedly showed disbelief.
Sirbert’s feelings were understandable.
Hio himself was shocked by what he was saying.
A top-five ranker moving with the Heuka was an unfortunate event that darkened an already uncertain future.
After each had sorted out their own thoughts,
“Yeah… now that I think about it, Airlights was kind of strange.”
Sirbert spoke quietly.
“I just thought he was an eccentric guy… but I’d seen him a few times not caring who got hurt if it benefited him.”
Hio nodded.
“I never expected him to be like this.”
He thought he was just another crazy guy in the game.
When someone is ranked first, there are always those who follow, imitate their behavior, and wear similar gear.
It happened often during Jijoncheonma’s time, and Airlights seemed just one of those.
It was strange for a third-ranked player to act like that, but the world has many incomprehensible people.
…But apparently, he was worse than that.
Enough to cause trouble even in a place that had become reality, not a game.
“Anyway, we’ll talk more about Airlights later…”
Hio leaned toward Sirbert.
“One more question.”
He locked eyes with Sirbert.
‘What was the real reason he had come?’
To talk about the Abyss, wasn’t it?
“Why haven’t you cleared the Abyss?”
Now, the real topic began.
“Why hadn’t they cleared the Abyss?”
“How could Nam Tae-min of Earth and Sirbert coexist?”
“Why was Sirbert revered as the first awakened?”
Sirbert’s expression turned serious as he replied.
“Well…”
He took a sip of prepared tea before saying something rather unexpected.
“Most of the rankers living in this world don’t regard this place as reality.”
Most Bingija didn’t accept this world as real.
Though it was clearly real, many denied it.
The reason was clear.
“You can buy logout tokens at the Point Shop, you see. That’s why.”
“…Logout…?”
Sirbert nodded as if it was no big deal.
It seemed natural to him.
“Logging out costs quite a few points, but it’s more beneficial overall. Because outside, you can earn even more points.”
His nonchalant words hit Hio like a shock.
A logout item in the Point Shop?
…Impossible.
He had checked dozens of times and could confirm it.
No such item existed in Hio’s Point Shop.
Unaware of Hio’s shock, Sirbert continued.
“Even if you gain fame with your achievements, points accumulate. Though the quality isn’t great, quantity-wise, the outside world overwhelms this place. News travels faster out there, too.”
There was a time limit, but being able to go outside lightened the rankers’ minds.
“That’s why most Bingija don’t think of this world as real.”
Even though the environment forced them to accept it as reality, they didn’t.
Because it was easier for their peace of mind.
This world was doomed to perish.
They were destined to die. Actually, they were NPCs to begin with.
So they’d just earn points and watch over their original world.
That was the common mindset.
“The plan to not clear the Abyss came from that.”
If the Abyss wasn’t cleared, Abyss Gates would appear, releasing Abyss Monsters.
If that was all, Bingija wouldn’t care about the Abyss.
Their original world was more precious than this strange realm.
But if the Abyss wasn’t cleared, Abyss Gates would also appear on Earth.
From their perspective, it wasn’t this fake world, but their real world under threat.
So the plan was this:
“Use this world as a testing ground.”
Since it was doomed to perish, protect the original world.
Don’t clear the early parts of the Abyss and use it as an experiment.
To find a way to resolve the Curse of the Abyss.
Sacrificing this world.
Because it was going to be destroyed anyway.
Because all were originally NPCs.
Because this wasn’t reality and all their precious bonds were in the outside world.
…That’s how they justified it.
“Sigh…”
Having heard all that, Hio ran his hand through his hair and wiped his dry face, letting out a sigh.
Being the only one unable to log out in a world where everyone else could—
‘What on earth was going on?’
While those who treated this as a fake world lived normally, Hio was treated like a test subject.
How was he supposed to fix this?
His mind grew more and more tangled.
***
At the central plaza fountain of Imenia Academy.
A girl with red hair was crossing it.
“Claire!”
At the cheerful call, Claire turned her head.
“Come with me!”
Smiling brightly, the girl running up was Ravena.
One of Claire’s few friends.
Though it was mostly Ravena who approached, they were close enough to be friends.
“Is the next class Professor Sirbert’s?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a combat practicum… Do you think I’ll do well?”
Ravena frowned, while Claire wore a ‘what’s so hard about that’ expression.
For Claire, practice or test didn’t matter.
Her goal was far above such things.
A simple mock duel among peers wasn’t worth stressing over.
Seeing Claire’s usual reaction, Ravena laughed and linked arms with her as they walked.
“But still, I’m glad it’s Professor Sirbert! Isn’t he amazing? So gentle, knowledgeable, and incredibly strong.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
“Ha, I knew you’d say that.”
Ravena teased Claire with a knowing poke.
Her smile deepened, clearly enjoying teasing her.
“Hmm? Who’s the one Claire’s fallen for?”
“F-fallen? That’s not true…”
Claire’s response was obviously awkward.
She only cared about getting stronger, so whenever this topic came up, she always reacted like this.
For Ravena, it was hard to hold back teasing.
“Isn’t it about time you told me? Give me a hint? Is he handsome?”
“Umm…!”
Normally, Claire would turn bright red and avoid the subject, but as she hesitated slightly, Ravena pushed harder.
“What kind of amazing person is he? Is he even greater than Professor Sirbert?”
Even with Sirbert being called a ‘Master,’ Claire usually showed little reaction, so Ravena was truly curious.
If Claire reacted like this, how incredible must that person be?
At this point, Ravena was genuinely curious.
“Well…”
Claire began to think seriously about her goal.
A person who punishes evil with overwhelming power.
Yet doesn’t flaunt it or even get angry at neighborhood kids.
In short, “A cool person.”
Someone with power who doesn’t show off.
Not ordinary power either.
Someone who could summon lightning with just a glance, yet chooses not to boast.
Instead, lowers themselves and controls their emotions.
She now understood how difficult that was.
Especially after entering the Academy, she’d felt many moments of arrogance.
Talent that clearly outpaced others.
High rankings despite a late start.
Praise from professors.
Jealousy and envy from rivals.
When she felt like bragging, she was able to shake her head because she knew someone truly extraordinary.
What being an overwhelming powerhouse was like.
What composure from such a position looked like, having seen it with her own eyes.
“My goal is to be someone who wouldn’t be ashamed standing beside that person.”
Before she knew it, Hio had become Claire’s very goal.
To emulate his composure and strength.
So how could others catch her eye?
She had already set her sights far too high from the start.
“Ah… I see.”
Ravena was caught off guard by Claire’s serious answer.
She’d asked lightly but got a serious reply.
“So Claire really likes him, huh.”
“That’s not true!”
Claire shouted, face bright red, while Ravena laughed.
Seeing Claire’s firm goal and complete disinterest in anything else, Ravena couldn’t help but wonder who this person was.
As the two bickered on their way to the combat practicum,
“I was wondering where that foul smell was coming from.”
A girl with purple hair, also in student uniform, blocked their path.
She lightly pinched her nose.
“Lowborns with nothing but their bodies…”
Elegant movements, adorned with expensive jeweled accessories.
And her long purple hair flowing gracefully…
“Cluelessly crawling to the professor.”
She looked like a piece of bitter gourd.