From Today, I'm a Player

Chapter 21: The Battle of the Rhine River

About fifty people had been mobilized from the Northern Army Guild, including Choi Yeong-Seong, Choi Yong-Su, and Jeong In-Chang. Roughly sixty more were drafted from the other small and medium-sized guilds as well as individual Hunters. Including Lee Jun-Kyeong, a total of one hundred and eleven Hunters had entered the Rhine River Gate.

‘The Rhine River Gate.’

As the dungeon that had given birth to the Hero Gunther, people talked about the Rhine River Gate quite frequently in the future. Like it was mentioned before, the gate had been measured as a B-Grade. However…

[Due to the Gate’s characteristics, the Gate’s mana measurement has changed.]

“What?”

“What did it just say?”

"Damn it!"

“I was never told about this!”

Numerous Hunters who had already entered the Rhine River Gate began to raise their voices at the sudden announcement.

Someone shrieked, “This is impossible! The numbers… it has turned into a B+ Grade!”

Another gasped, “What did you say?”

Fortunately, some Hunters must have entered the gate with a Gate Grader. The gate had changed its mana rating as soon as they had entered into a B+. As a gate that had increased in power to contain a +, it was a given that it had a much higher level of difficulty than a B-Grade. The higher the grade, the more the difficulty would compound, even more exponentially, as the level rose. So naturally, confusion began to spread amongst the Hunters.

‘It’s a little early to fall into despair…’

Lee Jun-Kyeong looked at the Hunters, who were panicking. There was no way that the viciousness of the Rhine Gate would only amount to this. It was too early to be surprised and distressed.

[The gate’s trait has been activated.]

[The entrance to the gate has been blocked.]

No Hunters, regardless of who they were, could enter the Rhine Gate anymore.

“This is insane… we can’t leave at all?”

Just as the bewildered Hunter had said, they weren’t allowed to leave either. It was impossible for the group to get any extra aid or escape. There were only two options.

Attack or die.

But even this wasn’t the end.

[A large number of Incarnations have gathered into one place.]

[The Sponsors are avidly engrossed.]

Incarnation was the word the Sponsors used to refer to their chosen Hunters. They had become the focus of the Sponsors’ attention.

"Why is it like this…!"

"My body…"

"It's hot!"

It was a sign that the mana density had increased. The reason that the Sponsors’ attention had mainly been attracted within gates was that there was no interference of mana there. As gates were rich in mana, Sponsors would be able to watch their Incarnations comfortably, and when there was this much of a concentration of attention…

[The mana density has increased further.]

"The gate measurement just increased further…"

"No!"

…it would result in something like this.

‘It’s not like they wouldn’t know.’

The Association should have anticipated all of this. Even if the Association wasn't the true culprit and it was that person instead, they still should have known that this would have happened. Despite that foreknowledge, they let it continue.

‘Well, it makes sense that they would be flustered.’

Just because the Association had known didn’t mean that the Hunters would have as well. Most Hunters in this era likely would not have encountered this before as it was rare for an attack force of this size to be mobilized.

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However, it was fortunate that the increase in mana density due to the attention of the Sponsors didn’t only affect the monsters. The source of the powers of the Hunters was the very issue at hand, mana. This increase in density meant that the overall abilities of the Hunters would also increase. But, of course, it was a different matter as it depended on whether the Hunters could utilize the sudden increase in mana or be consumed by it.

Finally…

[The Incarnations have entered a special gate.]

[The interest of the Sponsors has risen even further.]

[The mana density has increased.]

The attention was focused again, giving birth to a terrifying result.

“A Grade…” someone gasped.

Another hollered, “Wait a minute, what did it say?”

“It said that the gate is now an A Grade, you bastard!” desperately shouted an already desperate hunter.

A dreary silence had set around them. A gate they had expected to be B-Grade as they entered had suddenly transformed into an A-Grade, a grade that couldn’t be conquered with a large force, even to this day. It was a grade that was said to be impossible to attack without a Hero-grade Hunter. Their reaction was natural. While they had known it would have been dangerous, they had almost been certain that they would survive before.

But suddenly, that gate had become a cemetery. The Hunters were unable to pay attention to anything else due to the sudden rise of the gate’s grade. Some were even unable to show a change in their expressions even when faced with the dire situation.

Of course, one of them had already anticipated everything and prepared accordingly. It was true that he was nervous, but he wasn’t overcome by despair like the others. Lee Jun-Kyeong wasn’t the only one who hadn’t succumbed to fear. No one else had noticed though.

‘But it seems like most of them already knew as well.’

The Northern Army Guild was also watching the situation without any changing expressions; they most likely already had prior knowledge, as this was most likely a dish that had been set up for them.

"Whew…"

Lee Jun-Kyeong slowly took a breath and waited for the situation to calm down. The Hunters would have to come to their senses quickly. If they couldn’t feel the strange sensation and delay any further, they would die in the coming chaos.

[The wave will begin momentarily.]

***

Everyone understood why the Hunters were so confused now. They had been mobilized at the request of the Association, and it was the Association that considered them the most valuable resource.

“Did the Association betray us?” someone asked.

Another screamed, “There’s no way!”

All the Hunters who had been in the dark until now were feeling betrayed. Usually, when the Association would mobilize Hunters, it meant that they had already thoroughly verified the gate. This was because they wouldn’t have been able to deal with the possible consequences that could have occurred by ordering Hunters to raid an improperly verified gate.

However, this scenario was different. That was one of the biggest reasons the Hunters were confused. The fact that the Association had thrown them into a place where they would die was an impossible fact to accept.

However…

‘It is a betrayal.’

The Association, no, the person that the Northern Army Guild had spoken of, must have already known everything. This was the picture that man had drawn, bringing the Hunters into this pit of hell. The reasoning was simple.

‘Storytelling.’

The man ordering the Northern Army Guild had one simple purpose. By creating a hero from this gate, that person would be able to create a hero indebted to and increase the chess pieces at their disposal. Heroes were not easily created. Instead, they were like a single flower that would bloom in the midst of hardship. While surviving a great ordeal and getting the recognition of the Sponsors was an essential part of it, a story that could be widely publicized everywhere was also necessary.

‘The people must think of a Hunter as a Hero for that Hunter to become a true Hero.’

They needed a fatalistic story. It was easily imagined. To protect the people, the Association ordered the Hunters to risk their lives with the mobilization order. The Hunters responded to it and valiantly entered the B-Grade Gate. However, in reality, the gate wasn’t a B-Grade, but an A-Grade.

It had been a gate that only a Hero-Level Hunter could have raided. They must have already been broadcasting it externally as an accident, something that could even be described as a disaster. Rather than hide the current situation, it was clear that the Association would make it known more widely. The reason was straightforward.

'To make the Northern Army Guild, and especially Choi Yeong-Seong, into a true Hero.'

Having entered the wrong gate, into a horrifying accident where everyone had been sacrificed, they would have been the Hunters who rescued the others and raided the A-Grade Gate.

‘It doesn't matter how many victims there are.'

After all, completing the raid itself was already an achievement enough to overturn everything. It was what that person, the Northern Army Guild, and Choi Yeong-Seong had been aiming for.

‘Look at him. He’s like a dog.’?

Lee Jun-Kyeong gazed at Choi Yeong-Seong, who was standing there with a triumphant smile. The other Hunters would have to calm themselves down and hurry up and inspect the surrounding terrain. Only with that would their chances of survival increase just a little.

Right then, a loud, despicable voice shouted, "Everyone, calm down!"

Choi Yeong-Seong was shouting at the Hunters while using mana to amplify his voice. "I understand your confusion! We are also confused… as to how a bad situation like this has occurred…"

Everyone’s attention was now focused on the Northern Army Guild Master, Choi Yeong-Seong. The Hunters, who had been trembling in despair, looked towards him one by one. Among the Hunters who had gathered here, there was no one as strong as Choi Yeong-Seong, nor anyone who led as strong of a force.

“There was no way the Association would have known! We all know that these types of accidents happen from time to time at these gates, don't we?” he shouted.

"What kind of…"

"That’s impossible!"

A few Hunters had voiced distrust after hearing his remark. "That’s right! There is no way the Association would betray us."

"Of course!"

However, they were soon buried by other voices.

Most likely…

‘They’re most likely planted provocateurs.’

Even if it weren’t the work of the Northern Army Guild, someone with that person’s level of abilities would be able to insert any number of hunters they wanted. But that wouldn’t have been the end of it. It had been a while since he had expected something like this. Lee Jun-Kyeong observed the third-rate drama carefully.

Choi Yeong-Seong raised his voice even more, “What is the most important thing right now?!”

All of a sudden, everyone had focused on Choi Yeong-Seong, as if they had thought that listening to the words of the strongest Hunter was the best way to survive.

The guild master continued, “Is it finding fault with the Association? Is it falling to despair?”

Lee Jun-Kyeong thought to himself, ‘Did that person seriously write such ridiculous lines?’

If that were the case, he definitely would have to reevaluate his thoughts on that person. As he was thinking about it…

“No, it’s survival! Shouldn’t we live past this? As long as we can survive this situation, we can worry about whether or not it's the fault of the Association…”

Still, the composition was good.

“We’ll receive a large reward!”

He had inserted a ray of hope in the midst of their despair, a hope that was even a fantasy within their dreams.

Suddenly…

"Yeah, he’s right. Isn’t the first thing to live?"

"First, survey the terrain!"

"The wave? When does the wave start?"

The hunters had caught on to hope and began to move, which was a shocking development for Lee Jun-Kyeong.

‘To think they would fall for this cheap of a play.’

He reviewed it with an objective mindset. Since he suspected everything, he instantly tell that the Northern Army Guild had suspicious intentions. However, the Hunters were moving as if they had no brains and had been instigated without any suspicions. Again, though, Lee Jun-Kyeong didn’t curse at them but rather understood them.

[<The Ruler of the Riverside> tries to dominate the riverside.]

[Under the influence of <Sky of the Apocalypse>, you have resisted incitement and coerced leadership.]

[Achievement]

[You have achieved ‘The One Who Cannot Be Taken Advantage Of.’]

[Mental Resistance has increased slightly.]

It was because they weren’t strong enough to face a strong Authority.

***

“Regardless of whether or not they are at fault, the Association will still grant us great rewards!”

In the ears of the screaming Choi Yeong-Seong…

[The Authority, Rule of the Riverside is activated.]

…the sound of the activation of an Authority could be heard. Rule of the Riverside was an Authority that had been gifted to him by his Sponsor after he had recently risen in rank. It was an authority that only the chosen ones among the sponsored Hunters could have. Its effect was obvious.

“Go survey the terrain!”

“Let’s try it!”

The screaming Hunters were overflowing with hope. They had been engulfed by the effect of the Authority, Rule of the Riverside.

[Rule of the Riverside.]

‘In places with a river, the ability to incite and coerce leadership is increased by at least three times. In addition, it is possible to enforce one’s commands randomly.’

It was a skill true to what its name suggested. He already had a reasonably high ability to incite and coerce others such that they took his lead. When combined with the Authority, it was a piece of cake to subject the low-ranking Hunters to his powers, especially as he had now become an A-Grade.

When the Hunters began to set out, his brother Choi Yong-Su approached and asked, “Hyung, should we start to prepare as well?”

“No,” replied Choi Yeong-Seong while shaking his head. “That person said the waves at this gate would last a long time.”

It was an A-Grade Gate. The longer the waves continued, the stronger the monsters that appeared. According to that person, there could be up to ten levels of waves…

He finally said, “The Northern Army Guild will conserve as much power as possible.”

“What?” his brother shouted.

"As I said before, we will proceed as planned,” Choi Yeong-Seong said, looking at Choi Yong-Su with a cruel and solemn smirk on the corner of his lips. “The Northern Army Guild will conserve as much power as possible. We’ll survive by using those stupid Hunters.”

“You mean you’ll let them all die…?” Choi Yong-Su had thought he was as cruel as Choi Yeong-Seong, but his older brother had already exceeded expectations.

The guild master shook his head. “I won’t let all of them die.”

Numerous shadows reflected within Choi Yeong-Seong’s eyes, the shadows of the countless Hunters that were somehow moving their bodies in order to live. Looking at them, Choi Yeong-Seong said, “We’ll need a few storytellers… until I give the orders, the Northern Army will only focus on conserving power.”

“Do you think that’s feasible?” Choi Yong-Su asked.

The Hunters were not idiots. While they were currently in a state of being incited by the Authority, they would eventually notice if the Northern Army was hiding behind them.

“I told you as much as possible,” his older brother responded.

Choi Yong-Su blinked. “Ah…”

To say to conserve as much of the Northern Army Guild’s power had meant they wouldn’t conserve all of it.

Basically…

‘Is he going to sacrifice even the guild members?’

Choi Yong-Su trembled, thinking to himself that his Hyung had become crueler than he had thought. It was to the extent that he would abandon the guild members that he had cherished and nurtured for his plans.

According to that person’s judgment, Choi Yeong-Seong was planning on shedding suspicions by abandoning the useless Northern Army Guild members. Or rather, he intended to instigate the Hunters by sacrificing those members. Choi Yong-Su set off to avoid Choi Yeong-Seong, who seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts.

‘How…’

As Choi Yong-Su left, Choi Yeong-Seong thought more deeply. There was only one thing that was on his mind.

‘How much could that person know?’

He didn’t show it, but from the moment he had entered the gate, goosebumps had appeared on Choi Yeong-Seong’s forearms. Everything had gone like that person had said, and not a single thing had deviated from that person’s expectations. So what kind of person would have this sort of ability?

Choi Yeong-Seong shook his head.

‘I’ll follow, then.’

He may have been a king, but that person was a monarch. No, that person could be even higher than a monarch. Then, as someone who was just a king, it was only fitting for him to follow that person. Choi Yeong-Seong’s gaze shifted, feeling a little refreshed. There was still one punk who was irritating to the eyes.

He muttered, “Lee Jun-Kyeong…”

He wondered what that punk was thinking. He had already uncovered that the punk was exhibiting an astonishing growth rate. But, as Choi Yeong-Seong looked at him, he called his trustworthy guy, the other deputy guild meader. While he hadn’t shared much of his plans with him due to the man’s good-natured disposition, alongside his skills…

‘This punk is a faithful dog.’

…his loyalty was unquestionable. He was someone who could be trusted, with devotion comparable to Choi Yong-Su.

"Jeong In-Chang!" Choi Yeong-Seong called his name. Jeong In-Chang had been checking the condition of the Northern Army Guild members, but he came over quickly.

“Go continuously monitor that punk. And if you get the chance…” ordered Choi Yeong-Seong in a quiet voice. “Kill him.”

He pointed a finger at Lee Jun-Kyeong. Jeong In-Chang’s expression hardened like a rock.

But, as if he had felt it, Choi Yeong-Seong tapped Jeong In-Chang on the shoulder and continued with a smirk, “It’s for us brothers, no, it’s for the Northern Army Guild.”

In the end, Jeong In-Chang nodded. At that moment…

[The wave will begin.]

The water of the Rhine River began to churn. Though the Hunters hadn’t even been able to take their places properly, hideous blue-skinned fishmen and mermen emerged from the river and began to run outward…

"Ke-e-e-e!"