Chapter 703 – The Right to Know (3)

“What the hell are they even talking about now?”

The destruction of Raymon Sean, the super-intelligent AI.
Because of that, the system no longer displayed messages.
Which meant none of the players even realized they had entered a curse, let alone knew its name.

And the only supposed guides they had—

“So it begins.”

—The Akshan demon hunters—had quietly folded their arms and stepped back.
That was the final straw for Leoniee’s patience.

Crack!

Her teeth ground audibly before her voice burst out, blazing with fury.

“You two, hold me back.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, sis?”
“I’m saying I can’t guarantee what I’ll do to those bastards anymore.”

Nam Taemin replied calmly,
“That’s fine—but do it after we get out of the Demon World alive.”
“What?”
“I mean, save me a seat when that happens.”

Leonie wasn’t the only one thinking it.

Akshan had a talent—
a talent for getting on people’s nerves with nothing but words.
Or, put more mildly, an infuriating knack for uniting players and Arcanians through sheer annoyance.

Shahin’s crimson eyes caught the meaning beneath the madness.

“Judging by their behavior, our next enemy won’t be a demon. For Akshan—the demons’ natural predators—to step back can only mean one thing.”

If the opponent wasn’t a demon, Akshan would only ever run their mouths from the rear.
The implication was clear enough that anyone could see it—yet the ever-brazen Akshan didn’t so much as flinch.

“…Guess that’s one way to put it,”

Taemin muttered, letting out a sigh as he lifted his greatsword.
He took a combat stance.

With the system barely functioning,
he had to rely solely on physical instinct to trigger [Wildness]—and it was harder than usual.

‘What is this, a riddle or something?’

The Akshan’s cryptic words kept breaking his concentration.

They said we’ve “earned the right,” didn’t they?
The right to know—about Hoyeol.
Not about anyone else, not even Claudi. Hoyeol.
The phrasing alone stirred up a strange sense of defiance.

What, they think they know him better than I do?

Sure, things like bloodline, school ties, or shared hometowns mattered in Arcana too—
and being demon hunters, Akshan might know Hoyeol more closely.
But Taemin knew better.

Even if they were ruined, they were ruined early, weren’t they? Akshan?

They didn’t even seem that close among themselves.
And besides—Taemin could swear on it—
the trials he and Hoyeol had endured together were far more intense
than anything Hoyeol might have shared with Akshan.

‘Mr. Hoyeol would have eaten more with me even if he had grown fond of you.’

So being dragged along by Akshan like this left a sour taste.
But his irritation didn’t last long.

“…Damn,”

Shahin muttered darkly.

“This is turning troublesome.”

KWA-RU-RU-RUNG!

The sky of the Demon Worldsuddenly changed.
Or—wait.

“Was… was the sky always like that?”

Taemin asked.

No—it was different.
Completely different from moments ago.
The silver Eye that had illuminated the realm was gone,
and the darkness that once stretched infinitely had vanished too.

“It’s not just storm clouds…”

Taemin murmured.

Yet the sky was now thick with thunderclouds,
ready to burst open at any second.
And the ground below—something felt off there too.

Fabian was the first to end the chain of questions.

“Looks like we’ve been caught in a curse.”
“A curse?”
“Wait, isn’t that like… a dungeon or something?”

[Curse]

Most of them had never experienced one,
but that wasn’t a problem—the Holy War Alliance had the Magic Tower’s finest minds among them.

“Y-yes!”

Vangrit Tom, Pure Magic Senior mage.
His voice cracked from tension, but none doubted his words.

“In short, a curse is like a dungeon manifested by a demon itself. In fact, it’s even more dangerous—since a curse moves entirely at the demon’s will.”

Bensch William, senior mage of Fire Magic, nodded.

“Seems your research paid off, Vangrit.”

Once manipulated by a demon-worshipping elder mage,
Vangrit hadn’t forgotten the lessons of that dark past.

‘Some might say you’re too timid.’

But—

-“Still studying demons, Senior Vangrit?
At this rate, people will think you’re founding a new ‘Demonology’ school.”
-“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind.”
-“…That was a joke!”
-“It’s just how strongly I feel about it.”

Bensch smiled faintly.
“You didn’t earn your senior title for nothing.”

Vangrit’s reputation had spread far and wide—even in a Tower full of egos.
So much so that he’d earned a moniker:

“The Timid Madman.”

“Quite fitting, isn’t it, Senior Bellier?”
Bellier nodded quietly.

You came to my chambers so many times, asking questions…
Vangrit, perhaps now your research will finally shine in the Demon World.

Fabian, President of the Explorer’s Federation, nodded as well.
“Now I’m convinced. Lorenzik often mentioned it too—
that some rifts are far more dangerous than mysteries or dungeons.
But, well… you know his type. He never explains anything straight.”

Leonie muttered under her breath,

“Still better than those guys.”
“Those guys? You mean Akshan?”
“At least they don’t spew nonsense.”

With that, the Holy War Alliance organized their understanding.
Taemin translated it into player terms.

“Basically, we’re trapped in a demon-induced debuff zone.
The twisted scenery, the clouds, the rain—all proof of that.
So don’t panic.”

And then—

A thunderous roar that shook their very bodies.

“Even if a dragon suddenly shows up out of nowhere!”

KROOOAARR!

A sudden Dragon Fear.

While chaos spread, the senior mages—Bellier among them—stepped forward.
Without chanting, they cast [Shade of Repose].

No mage could truly defeat a dragon, as the Dragon Mage War had taught them—
but there were mages even greater than those seniors present.

“We’ll assist with the manifestation.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank us. This is our duty.”

They were the Descendants of Twilight,
the very pinnacle of magical lineage.

With Mary and the others joining in, the twilight mana deepened within the shade.

“…Tch.”

The system flooded with corrupted symbols ■—no messages readable—
but Leonie stretched and cracked her neck.

“Well, if you can move, that means the Dragon Fear’s neutralized.”

She was right.
Though the roar was filled with hatred,
they could withstand it.

The real reason they hesitated wasn’t the dragon’s aura—

“Wait—what the hell?!”

A booming cry split through the dimensions.

“That… that’s—”

From the skies, a familiar dragon emerged.
Taemin and Leonie exchanged silent looks.

“…That’s Eunaxus.”

The leader of dragons. The Elder Dragon.

Torn wings, weathered scales, a massive form—it was unmistakably the corrupted Eunaxus.

“So… it really is all an illusion,”

Taemin muttered.

They had seen Eunaxus’s fall with their own eyes,
and yet—
this sensation crawling through every cell in their bodies felt exactly the same.

“Watch,”

Shahin ordered.

“I don’t think we’re the targets.”

The Red Eyes, never ones to avoid battle, were restraining their bloodlust—
and the reason was simple.

They hadn’t ignored Akshan’s earlier words.

They mentioned Claudi first… then Hoyeol.
The distinction hadn’t escaped Shahin.

And so he held his breath.

If they weren’t referring to the same person…
Then this curse, just as Akshan had said,
might be something Hoyeol himself had manifested—
to show them something they needed to know.

Though I don’t know why dragons are involved…

The Holy War Alliance hid their presence and focused on Eunaxus’s voice.

Each word felt like it could trigger a cataclysm.

“Why… do you repeat the same choices?!”

The very air boiled with rage, draining the moisture from their skin.

They didn’t know who Eunaxus was shouting at—
but the fury was tremendous,
far greater than when he had fallen into corruption.

Almost pitiable, in a way.

Whoever it is… they’re in serious trouble.

Even a light blow from Eunaxus had once sent Taemin and Leonie into weeks of recovery under Bellier’s care—and now, it wasn’t just Eunaxus burning with hostility.

Crackkkk!

Another dragon tore through the fabric of space—
then another, and another.

The Dragon Legion, led by Eunaxus himself.
Their grandeur was overwhelming—nothing like the corrupted remnants of reality.

“We can no longer overlook your atrocities.”

At this point, pure curiosity took hold.

Who could it be?
Who could have angered the dragons so deeply?
What kind of power could make them all appear together?

Unfortunately, the Holy War Alliance didn’t have to wonder long.

“…I see it.”

Far, far in the distance—
too far to make out clearly,
but unmistakably human in form.

And that was why no one panicked.
Why someone even sighed in relief.

It wasn’t silver-haired.

But Akshan’s gaze stayed fixed.

Black hair.
A boy, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old.
A demon hunter whispered quietly—

“So… he intends to show that truth as well.”

Unlike before, there was a subtle emotion in his tone.

“…So this really is the last.”