The outside world.
In other words, the amount of fame points earned on Earth inevitably surpasses those within the world inside Ventair.
The difficulty level itself is completely different.
In the outside world, gates and monsters run rampant, but from the perspective of the Bingija, it was far too easy.
So how was the fame gained compared to that easy difficulty?
The moment something was uploaded online, views skyrocketed by hundreds of thousands in an instant.
Rumors spread overnight through various media.
Of course, the fame was so shallow that it quickly faded away.
It was a matter of poor quality.
Because the rumors were light and insubstantial, the efficiency of fame gained relative to the speed of spreading was not good.
However, the sheer quantity was overwhelming, so there was no real problem.
In fact, despite the low quality, far more points were earned.
That was why the Bingija were strong, even though they hadn’t earned significant fame here.
In the outside world, they were accumulating fame points as the first awakeners, heroes, saviors, and so on.
My head… it’s complicated.
A world where everyone but Hio himself can log out.
Of course, there had been suspicions ever since the first logout.
‘Isn’t it strange?’
There was no way to log out, yet Sirbert was already enjoying fame in the outside world.
‘Could it be… that only I can’t log out?’
That’s why I checked over and over again with great care.
But still, there was no way to log out.
…Why?
The question “why” kept popping up in my head endlessly, but…
I don’t know.
So, for now, I’ll move on.
“How foolish can one be? Using this world as a test subject? And protecting the outside world intact? Do they really think that’s possible?”
The second problem.
Those trying to sacrifice this world to protect the outside world.
On the surface, it sounds like a plausible plan, but with a little thought, you can see the truth.
If this world is destroyed, the outside world cannot remain intact either.
There was no passage to conquer the Abyss in the outside world.
At Hio’s cold voice, Sirbert involuntarily swallowed and said to him.
“…Yeah. I came to my senses after meeting you then. That plan was wrong.”
“You had to try it to know that.”
Sirbert argued as if feeling wronged at Hio’s rebuke.
“No, back then Jijoncheonma, you weren’t here…”
“I’m Hio Pavlenko. Just call me Hio here.”
“…Alright. Got it.”
Giving up his argument, he simply sighed deeply.
No matter what, it was true that he had misjudged.
“The best way is to continue the Abyss conquest. Without a single failure.”
The ideal method was to prevent the Abyss Gates from appearing at all.
The problem was not knowing where the end was.
Because it was literally an abyss, even inside the game, it ended in destruction before the end could be seen.
But for now, it was definitely the best possible method.
“I think so too. We’re managing the conquest team carefully, so it should be fine.”
It should be fine.
“For the time being.”
For the time being, it should be fine.
“The number of forces obstructing the conquest is increasing.”
There are still those pushing their plans.
Those who want to use this world as a test subject and sacrifice it for the original world are increasingly interfering.
If Heuka smell this out and join in, the situation will get complicated.
“It’s bearable for now, but soon we’ll have to settle things.”
In that sense, the ranker among rankers.
It would be good if Jijoncheonma would step in…
Sirbert glanced at Hio cautiously.
I don’t know.
His expression didn’t look good, and it was impossible to read his thoughts.
Honestly, I don’t even know what he’s been doing all this time.
Well, it’s all a mystery, but one thing was certain: his strength.
Receiving the Imperial Guardian Knight Medal, surpassing the Sword Saint, meant at least that much combat power was possessed.
It was reassuring.
Yes, it was reassuring, but…
Sirbert checked the time and spoke carefully to Hio.
“But… I have to…”
We have to do what we have to do first.
“It’s time to give the lecture.”
Sirbert was genuinely committed to this world.
He was satisfied with being a professor and carried the responsibility accordingly.
“Do you want to come along if you still have something to say?”
“Rolland Bernstein.”
***
At Claire’s words, the purple sweet potato girl flared up.
“How dare something lowly like you say my name so casually!”
Rolland Bernstein.
The second daughter of the Bernstein count family.
A skill user who had awakened the Wind Skill and ranked among the top in grades.
The Bernstein family had considerable influence, and so did Rolland Bernstein within the academy.
And the biggest feature of Rolland Bernstein was this:
“Despite yourself, you come crawling to the professor’s lectures so desperately.”
She was an ardent follower of Sirbert.
And there was a special reason for that.
The moment Sirbert gained decisive fame was when he wiped out an orc tribe in the western Lugo region in half a day.
The Lugo region was ruled by the Bernstein family.
In other words, Rolland Bernstein witnessed from afar how Sirbert dealt with the orc tribe.
It was a huge shock.
‘How could someone wield such elegant skills?’
‘How could a person be so strong?’
Sirbert’s career skyrocketed after that.
He received the title Master of Telekinesis from the royal family and joined the academy as a professor.
Around the same time, Rolland also enrolled in the academy.
At this point, it was fate.
Though there was a big gap between professor and student, who was she?
Rolland Bernstein.
The only problem was… the sudden appearance of the red-haired one.
A trial that appeared between herself and Sirbert.
It was extremely bothersome.
Well, it made sense to receive attention from professors for being an outstanding student and a fire skill user.
‘But what?’
A child personally brought by Sirbert?
What was that baseless rumor?
Moreover… from careful observation, they really seemed close.
She could bear many things, but that she could not tolerate.
It looked like a rolling stone trying to push out a firmly embedded one.
“Yeah. Right.”
What angered her most was Claire’s attitude.
Ignoring her as if she didn’t even exist.
Claire passed by ignoring Rolland with that same attitude this time as well.
“Ugh…”
In the end, she alone got worked up and followed Claire into the training ground.
***
In the spacious indoor training ground, students gathered in small groups.
Each was somewhat tense, waiting for their professor Sirbert.
Combat training.
A mock battle among students held about once every two weeks, aimed at fostering powerful individuals, making it an important practice for the academy.
Skills and abilities of each individual were revealed, so outsiders were strictly forbidden from entering.
Only the professor in charge and related faculty, and those managing the safety Artifacts inside the training ground, were allowed in.
Outsiders could only come during the final comprehensive evaluation at the end of the semester.
However… today was special.
Professor Sirbert entered through the door.
But he was not alone.
Alongside him was a clown of all things.
And they walked while exchanging serious expressions.
A man wearing a large pointed hat and holding a staff taller than himself walked side by side with Sirbert.
Everyone watched curiously and whispered among themselves, but there was one person who froze in shock.
“…Hio?”
It was Claire.
Her usual indifferent face, unbothered by combat training, suddenly widened in shock and her body stiffened.
Only Sirbert and Hio noticed this reaction.
Ravena, who stood next to Claire, and Rolland, who was glaring at Claire, noticed as well.
“Huh? Hio? That clown’s name is Hio?”
“Not a clown. More importantly, why is Hio here… and why today of all days.”
She had expected this day to come at some point, but the suddenness was too much.
She hadn’t even worn makeup learned from Ravena.
And of all times, he showed up wearing training clothes…
Those thoughts rushed through her mind as Sirbert and Hio climbed the stage in front.
Sirbert scanned the students and spoke.
“Pair up with the assigned opponents for combat training. I trust you all know the rules… ha.”
A concise and smooth proceeding typical of Sirbert.
They sat down on the prepared chairs—Sirbert and Hio.
There was no introduction of Hio.
There was no need for one.
The students glanced at Hio with curious eyes but lost interest quickly.
“Javal, Rubel. Put on your Artifacts and enter.”
Under Assistant Professor Hoppen’s call, the duel began.
The two entered the transparent training ring and took their positions.
Still, Claire’s gaze did not turn that way.
She was watching Hio, who was sitting next to Sirbert, still exchanging serious conversation.
And Rolland was watching Claire.
Her sweet potato-like eyes gleamed.
It looked like there was something there.
If she dug a little deeper, she might find Claire’s weak point.
***
“Jijoncheon… no, Hio. What’s the plan for the Heuka?”
Even as the training progressed, the conversation between Hio and Sirbert continued.
The current status of the rankers and future plans.
“Thanks to you, two of the three big problems have been safely solved. Now only the Heuka remain…”
Before the Abyss fully emerged, three major problems needed to be resolved. Two had been handled.
Uniting the Holy Nation was one.
Though accidental, this was solved with the discovery of Irina.
The Holy Nation would unite, and Irina could partially alleviate the Curse of the Abyss.
The second problem, the Empire’s civil war, was also resolved.
Actually, the civil war itself wasn’t the issue, but the war after it was a bigger problem.
Since Sylvia—not the princes—was about to ascend the throne, the problem was considered solved.
Only one remained.
The Heuka.
The Heuka must be defeated.
“Let’s finish up at the academy first and talk about that later.”
With that, Hio stood up.
The training had already ended.
Sirbert followed him, curious.
“But don’t you want to acknowledge Claire? You’ve been watching only her since earlier.”
“…Oh, right.”
Only then did Hio’s gaze move to find Claire.
“Stupid Hio. Foolish Hio.”
***
Claire muttered as she kicked the innocent ground lightly.
She hadn’t even made eye contact during the entire training.
“That’s too much.”
She had won the duel splendidly.
She worked hard to show that side of herself.
But he didn’t even look, as if absorbed in some serious conversation…
It felt quite bitter.
‘But what could she do?’
Looking back, she barely knew anything about Hio.
Only that he was incomprehensibly strong and probably of high status. Nothing definite.
“That’s just how close we are. Yeah.”
Thinking that only made her feel even more down.
Just as she was about to leave the training ground in that mood, a particularly annoying voice sounded.
“Lowly Claire.”
The purple sweet potato girl—Rolland.
Normally, Claire would have ignored her, but somehow today she didn’t want to.
She was genuinely in a bad mood.
“Pathetic Rolland. Why?”
“What? How dare a commoner…”
Perhaps Rolland was surprised that Claire snapped back.
Her face shifted to a calm smile as she spoke confidently.
“Lowly Claire. What’s your relationship with that clown from earlier?”
“Not a clown.”
Claire’s unusual reaction made Rolland all the more convinced.
That clown was definitely Claire’s weak point.
Covering her mouth elegantly with one hand, Rolland showed an annoying smile.
“Not a clown? Who else would he be, if not the professor’s clown brought in to entertain us students?”
“That mouth, Rolland.”
Perhaps due to her sour mood, anger rose strangely within Claire.
She could ignore insults and mockery directed at herself, but she would not let Hio be insulted without reason.
Claire’s eyes flashed like fire.
“Calling him a clown is wrong, got it? Want me to cast a skill? Huh? Try calling him a clown once.”
“You’ll be expelled that day.”
Strange.
‘Had Rolland really been so annoying?’
Claire felt like pouring skills on that annoying purple-haired girl.
But she barely held back.
Doing that would bring severe punishment, just as Rolland said.
“Still… hitting her a few times with my fists should be fine.”
As long as it wasn’t skills.
They wouldn’t punish just a fistfight that harshly.
“W-what? Are you crazy?”
As Claire stepped toward Rolland, a large staff blocked her path.
A familiar yet strange figure from behind.
Hio Pavlenko.
“You’ve got talent.”
Suddenly appearing between them, Hio smiled slyly and muttered something to Rolland.
“What’s with this clown?”
Rolland looked back and forth between Hio and Claire.
“You two are quite the matching pair.”
Hio waved his hand dismissively at Rolland.
“Wait a moment, just watch.”
With his other hand, he rummaged through a pocket at his waist.
From the small pouch, he pulled out a book.
The title, written in a crooked script, was strange as expected.
[Endure and You Will Be Blessed!]
Clutching the book firmly, Hio nodded to Rolland.
“Ready. Let’s start.”
Rolland looked at him bewildered.
“…Lowly people really do the most incomprehensible things.”
She spat out the contemptuous words, but…
“Oh, good. Do more. More.”
Surprisingly pleased by the strange reaction, Rolland involuntarily stepped back.
“You’re crazy.”
At that, Hio furrowed his brows and tilted his head.
“Ugh… that’s a bit weak.”
“…What the…”
“Try harder. Your hair color suits you. You should be good.”
“Speak in a way I can understand…”
“Don’t stress. Just do as you did with Claire just now. Huh? You can, right?”
Hio stepped closer to the increasingly retreating Rolland.
The madness in his eyes made Rolland’s steps quicken.
“D-don’t come…”
Only then did Rolland realize.
This guy wasn’t a clown.
He was a mad pervert.
“P-pervert!”
She ran off without looking back.
“Hmm?”
Watching her retreating figure, Hio licked his lips with regret.
Years of training in nonviolence told him this instinct.
“…I guess I’ll have to visit often.”
That purple sweet potato girl would definitely be a precious person to improve his patience.