RTGR 118

Chapter 118 …

At his words, Do-hyeon, Jihad, and Charlie’s eyes widened.

‘That thug-like old man had companions too?’

It was quite unexpected that someone who seemed like a lone wolf had comrades, but thinking back, it felt faintly familiar from when Gamilion first explained the history.

Kashyar, the royal of a small nation, had gathered the scattered remnants of humanity across various countries and led the war.

If that were the case, wouldn’t it be natural that there were kings of other nations among them?

At the same time, it made sense.

‘So that’s why those people are like that—they possess divine power.’

No wonder they were absurdly strong.

Well, they would have to be at least that level to grant a legendary-grade mark.

Do-hyeon accepted the divine authority she had shown, but Charlie clearly did not.

‘My goodness, to oppose the gods! My lord, may this lowly sword dare to ask what exactly is going on?’

It was oddly amusing to see his usually stern face so wide-eyed and flustered, but from Charlie’s perspective, it was understandable.

Charlie was a figure from several hundred years ago.

As a knight who lived in a world where the gods had already taken their places, he likely still did not know the true ancient history of humanity.

‘Hmm… it’s complicated. I’ll tell you later. Now’s not the time.’

‘…Understood, my lord.’

Though he could have pressed further, Charlie obediently stepped back.

That was only possible because his loyalty was maxed out.

For a knight devoted to the gods, it wasn’t easy to calmly wait when his own lord was opposing the gods themselves.

“I was certain all the kings died during the war against the gods… but perhaps a truth different from history is being hidden.”

[You have glimpsed part of the hidden truth of history.]
[Recorded in the Adventurer’s Tome.]

“I would like to discuss this further… but now does not seem to be the right time. This Gamilion will risk his life to uncover what truly happened. Successor, please continue as you have been.”

As he finished speaking, a notification rang out.

[Main Quest, ‘Second Fragment of Fate (2)’ cleared.]
[You obtained the second Fragment of Fate, ‘Hourglass of Faith’.]

[Fragment of Fate]

Grade: Main Stream
Description: Kashyar, the War God who sacrificed himself to save Abtartel. Gather all the fragments of the vessels he left across the world and complete fate.
Fragment of Fate 2 / 10
Collect all fragments to open the main event.

He had now gathered two Fragments of Fate.

‘Long way to go.’

He had only collected one-fifth so far.

There still seemed to be many hidden truths yet to be revealed, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the real beginning was only now.

There was still a long road ahead in many ways, but Do-hyeon grinned.

‘For now, none of that matters…’

Complicated thoughts weren’t important right now.

Do-hyeon slowly looked around.

“Hero…”
“Ahh…”

Countless high priests and elders were bowing in reverence.

Even the archpriests—and the famous High Priest Gildeti—were sincerely bending at the waist in respect.

They were welcoming the birth of a new hero.

‘Do they even know?’

That the hero they were worshipping was, in truth, the only descendant of humanity who would stand against the very gods they revered.

Even if they died and came back to life, they probably wouldn’t realize it.

He did wonder what their reaction would be if they ever found out—but that was a problem for later.

Ding—

[Rank evaluation complete.]
[Score calculated based on favorability, NPC admiration, and number of witnesses impressed.]
[Score: 4,561. S Rank updated.]
[The maximum rank for the Second Trial is S Rank; however, overwhelming performance grants enhanced rewards.]
[You have recorded an unbelievable score and taken Rank 1.]
[Second Trial rankings have changed.]
[Title ‘Unbelievable Score’ acquired.]
[Effect of Throne of Time Attack activated. All stats +5.]
[S Rank rewards granted.]
…
[Recorded in the Adventurer’s Tome.]
[RCD recording ended.]

‘Heh…’

Nothing else mattered—he could just enjoy this moment.

A new history was being written in Brion.

Meanwhile…

While Do-hyeon was going through various events in the Grand Temple hall…

The front of the Lyre Grand Temple was packed with users.

Murmur— murmur—

“Hey, stop pushing! The knights keep glaring at us!”
“I’m not pushing because I want to! I’m getting shoved too!”
“Ugh, what the heck is going on?”

It was because the knights surrounding the area were blocking entry into the temple.

Since temples were where players received job quests and met the gods, it was only natural that the most popular one—the Lyre Grand Temple—would draw crowds.

Normally, the temple was huge and had fast turnover, so it wasn’t an issue…

“Why are those knights blocking the place?”
“No idea. They’re saying something happened inside and nobody can enter.”
“They said you’ll be punished if you sneak in. What are we supposed to do?”

Because of the sudden blockade, the scene now resembled a weekend amusement park line.

For the users who were forced into a queue without explanation, it was frustrating.

NPCs did sometimes control players for the sake of peace—but never this excessively.

“Shouldn’t we report this?”
“Report it? To who? Gildeti’s basically the president here—like that’ll work.”
“Ugh… I need to get my job quest already.”
“Brion hasn’t had a quiet day lately. I’ve got two hours left—will we even get in?”

Complaints naturally erupted, but there was nothing they could do.

High Priest Gildeti—the highest authority—was inside the very temple being guarded.

In the end, their only options were to wait helplessly or head back to the field.

“Man, what a waste of time. I’ll just do my job quest later. Let’s go hunt.”
“I’m logging out. Ping me when the lockdown ends.”

Most people eventually left or went hunting.

But quite a few stayed—either out of curiosity or because they had urgent business.

Among them… was Shield Best’s party.

“Seriously, what is this right after we arrive in Brion…”
“Yeah. I never heard anything about this.”
“Shield, do you know anything?”

They had just graduated from Raven and arrived full of excitement to meet the gods—but what kind of disaster was this?

At Yubin-kyung and Miganddaek’s question, Shield Best shook his head.

“The forums are full of this topic, but nobody actually knows what’s going on.”

Even Shield Best, who valued information advantage, had no clear answer.

But there was one strong suspicion.

“…People are saying it might be related to Kaiser.”

“Huh? Hyung? Why him?”
“They say he met the High Priest as soon as he entered Brion. And after he went into the Grand Temple, nobody’s seen him since.”

Kaiser—their benefactor.

Thanks to the Rank 1 record from the carry he gave them, Shield Best’s party had received major support from a large guild.

Even as late starters, they had rapidly risen and already reached Brion.

They were nothing but grateful.

“Kyaa! Hyung never disappoints.”
“I believed in him!”
“Wait, so this whole mess is because of Kaiser? I heard about his moves, but this is insane…”

Just hearing Kaiser’s name naturally boosted their excitement.

Even Shield Best, though hiding it, wore a faint smile.

He wanted to meet him soon and express his gratitude.

‘…Though I didn’t realize the Warrior set I bought was Kaiser’s.’

Sure, the price crashed right after he bought it—but who cared?

If anything, it meant more because it was Kaiser’s item!

Shield Best, now fully equipped with sucker(?) mentality, only wanted to help even a little more.

“Hey, the community says this is all because of Kaiser.”

Right then—

“Ugh, Kaiser again? Seriously useless to my life.”
“Because of that guy, scouts block roads, rookies run wild trying to catch him—and now we can’t even enter the temple? Spit.”
“What could he possibly have done to deserve this? He’s still below Verje anyway.”
“Exactly. I’m sick of seeing him.”

Where there were those who praised Kaiser, there were always those eager to tear him down.

Exhausted users who had wasted time and money waiting in line began viciously badmouthing him.

“Honestly, he’s all hype. Watch—he’ll crash soon.”
“Eh, even if I don’t like him, that’s a bit much. I saw him on NewTube—he is impressive… I just don’t like him. Why do we have to suffer because of him?”
“True. And what good is combat power? In Brion you need good affinity grinding. Look at Kaiser’s record—he’s only been meeting Lyre temple priests.”
“I hope he gets knocked down a peg. Kaiser fanboys are getting out of control.”

They were venting all the frustration they’d built up while waiting.

Loudly.

Relentlessly.

And Miganddaek was not someone who would just sit and listen.

How could he forgive people insulting his eternal hyung?

“Hey, what the hell are you bastards saying? Don’t stop me—I’ll wreck them—… huh? Yubin?”

Just as he rolled up his sleeves in rising fury—

“What did you just say? Excuse me.”

He flinched at Yubin-kyung stepping forward ahead of him.

Normally she would be the one stopping fights—but not this time.

She didn’t just step in.

She went on the offensive.

“Don’t spew nonsense just because you’re drowning in inferiority. Have you ever ranked #1 even once? From what I hear, you’re talking a whole lot of garbage—”

Her momentum was fierce, but the users who had been trash-talking Kaiser just snorted.

“Who’s this lady? Do I know you? Why are you picking a fight?”
“You should be grateful we’re in the city. Otherwise you’d already be staring at a gray screen. Talking big…”
“…What did you just say?”
“Y-Yubin, calm down a bit.”
“Y-yeah. Migand’s right. I get you’re mad, but if we fight here we’re screwed…”

Shield Best and Miganddaek hurriedly tried to stop her.

With knights stationed everywhere, starting a fight here meant straight to jail.

But their hopes were futile.

The flames had already been lit.

“Did I say anything wrong? Oh, I see—you’re a Kaiser fan too?”
“Ugh, I knew I smelled a Kaiser fan.”
“You fanboys are something else. Go pamper your little puppy at home instead~”
“Y-you…!”
“Oh? Wanna go?”

Yubin-kyung, fully enraged, pulled out her staff—and the others drew their weapons too.

The tension peaked, moments from exploding—

Flash—!!

“Hiiik!?”
“W-what?!”

Suddenly, a pillar of light burst through the roof of the Lyre Grand Temple and shot into the sky.

It was so intense it almost blinded them.

Yet strangely… instead of hurting their eyes, it filled their hearts with warmth.

Yubin-kyung and the others stared blankly.

“Whoa… what is that?”
“No way…”

It wasn’t just them.

Shield Best, Miganddaek, and countless users in front of the temple all looked up at the sky.

Some stood frozen in shock—