Chapter 101

Chapter 101
## Chapter 101: Phantom’s Unrivaled Score

And it wasn’t just a win; it was a total landslide.

For a long time, Gracia had held the throne with a record of 420.

Suddenly, an unimaginable total of 600 appeared on the board, seizing the top rank. The reaction was immediate chaos.

* Didn’t Gracia just hit sword mastery 24 before coming down?
* Correct, that’s how she secured the 420.
* Then what kind of level earns 600?
* Was 600 even a possible number?
* ;;; Is the system glitched?
* This is mental…. How long has it been since the Main Quest 6 group raid was finished?
* Was that the Demigod trait trial or something…?
* Does this make any sense? Word is it took Gracia three full months to reach level 24.
* If 24 is 420, 23 is 410, and 22 is 400, then a gap of 180 points suggests level 42?
* ???????
* Seriously, how did they pull off a 600?
* I thought everyone agreed even Phantom couldn’t take the lead in Main Quest 7 lololol.
* To be fair, we all assumed that.
* … Is this actually achievable?

The score and the timing shattered every expectation.

Faced with a reality that went beyond anything they could conceive, the player base could only flood the chat with symbols of confusion.

* Even if we’re talking about the five-forces fake named Abyss Labyrinth Randolph, this proves the standard Randolph is now a wall no one can climb.
* Gracia is finished lololol.
* Every ranker needs to take a long look in the mirror. Does everything they’ve built not even equal one Phantom?
* It was all a hype bubble anyway lolol.
* Total bubble, I’m with you.
* Hey, does anyone else think there’s a link between the Four Evils Baal and Phantom?
* Is Baal a creature that influences mastery levels?
* Records say the Rescue Empire’s Hexagon Heroes all got a massive power spike while they were taking down Baal.
* There has to be a secret there.
* Did Phantom actually trigger the Four Evils?
* ;;; That’s terrifying. If Phantom knows the trick to undoing the other Four Evils seals too…?
* If every Four Evils seal is broken, Pangeniar is toast, right?
* And then Earth is next lol.
* The Master needs to stop talking trash about Phantom and start showing some respect.
* Just the Master? lolol It looks like a lot of people here need to start bowing.
* Let’s be real, after the Great Expedition tanked, this chat was packed with people dragging Wilhelm. Just for stirruing the pot?
* Plenty of people claimed he was hoarding all the stars and uniques.
* How many of you thought Phantom was stealing loot you couldn’t get because you just weren’t good enough?
* Wasn’t this the same group that openly organized the “Sabotage Phantom” movement? Watching those same people put on masks and start chanting Phantom God, Phantom God is pretty sickening lolololol.
* What if Phantom decides to start a purge?
* … We are genuinely screwed.
* Rivers of blood and mountains of bones.
* Why on earth would Phantom set the Four Evils loose??? Use your heads.
* Don’t disrespect the great Phantom God!
* Phantom God!
* Phantom God!

—

Using the Teleport Book, I made my way back to the Labyrinth City, and the view had shifted significantly.

‘Warp technicians.’

Over ten warp technicians were busy establishing transport gates.

Several that were already finished stood tall at various entry points, radiating power.

‘No risk of the city falling because the warps are down now.’

I could spot about five gates just by looking around.

Given that setting up a single warp cost roughly 5 million gold, they were pouring tens of millions into this project.

“Welcome back, My Lord.”

Standing in the center of the activity was Hudson.

Since I had put him in charge of the city’s general operations, it was clear he was overseeing the warp expansion as well.

When he saw me, Hudson gave a wide, bright smile.

“I saw the leaderboard shift. Just as I expected from you, Lord!”

Lord.

It wasn’t an incorrect title, but it still felt strange to hear.

I gave a small shrug and looked over the work site.

“Aren’t we overdoing it with the warps?”

“The quantity of warps defines a city’s competitive edge. It’s a statement of security against the ‘Abyss.'”

He had a point.

When establishing a city, proving ‘safety’ is the top priority.

Hudson’s logic—that the first thing a visitor notices is the number of warps—as a measure of power felt right.

Hudson added with a sly look,

“… Should I scale it back?”

“Hm. No. It makes sense when you explain it like that.”

“By the way, where is Lady Saint?”

“Over in the Mercenary City Cartel.”

“Ah, she must have some duties to attend to there.”

I gave a nod.

In Cartel, Sea was currently providing medical aid to Aria, the daughter of the White King.

Meanwhile, Joaquin and the rest of the mercenaries had hurried to the local ruler to give an account of what they had witnessed.

“Lord. We’ve successfully liquidated all the artifacts from the Rescue Empire that you placed in our care. The specifics are detailed in this folder.”

Hudson passed me a thick collection of papers.

It seemed to contain more than just the sales records of the Rescue Empire items.

I glanced through the report at a steady pace, then paused, confused.

“The total is higher than I anticipated.”

The earnings from the Rescue Empire artifacts: 1.5 billion gold.

When I questioned the surplus beyond my calculations, Hudson gave a nod of confirmation.

“Yes. Our negotiations with Arcana’s high council went very well.”

“But 1.5 billion isn’t the whole story.”

“Arcana is looking for a comprehensive trade agreement with Labyrinth City. I used that desire as a bargaining chip to secure several perks.”

You can’t offload that much Rescue Empire gear while keeping the source a secret.

Selling it in small batches wasn’t an option either.

They would inevitably link the items to the Abyss Labyrinth, so he had been transparent with the information and secured rights in exchange.

The casino with Hudson, and various banking interests.

It was logical—this city wasn’t just a place to hide Rescue Empire loot.

It was a city that enjoyed the direct favor of the White King.

Naturally, they would want a connection to the White King as well.

A moment later, Hudson pulled an envelope from his coat.

“However, one of the council members was from the Empire. He contacted me privately.”

“…… An imperial?”

The fact that an imperial was serving as a councilor for the Golden City Arcana was surprising, but the secret reach-out to Hudson was even more intriguing.

“Yes. He seemed quite intrigued by my position. He asked if I had plans to attend the Empire’s ‘special auction.'”

“And what about this letter?”

“He told me to read it if I was interested. I haven’t opened it yet……”

He had been waiting for my arrival.

I reached out and took the letter from Hudson’s hand.

*Rip!*

I broke the seal and pulled out a piece of highly decorative paper.

I scanned the text and gave a slow nod.

‘…… The inventory for this sale is incredible.’

The letter provided the venue for the special auction and highlighted several key items.

Looking at the main attractions, even I was stunned by the quality of what was being offered.

‘It’s possible Baal armor might even appear.’

At this caliber, Baal armor wouldn’t look out of place on the list.

Even if it wasn’t there, it was the perfect chance to slip into the Empire.

Standard methods wouldn’t get me anywhere close.

I did have the emperor’s seal from the Silver Fox Mask, but showing that would create a massive scene and blow my cover immediately.

I couldn’t afford to pass up this opening.

Empire, Darkan Territory.

“…… Hm?”

“Is something the matter?”

Hudson asked, noticing my confused expression.

I passed the paper back to him.

“Take a look. Notice anything strange?”

“M-May I really?”

“It was addressed to you in the first place.”

Technically, it was his mail.

Hudson took the sheet with shaky fingers and began to read.

“… These are the top items for the special event. ‘Ashmut’s Whip’, ‘Diaros’s Helmet’, ‘Berserker Set’…… Whoa! Every single one is legendary tier or better!”

“Items you won’t find through any regular trade.”

Treasures that were impossible to find without miraculous luck.

And they were putting them up for bids in exchange for gold.

“The Empire certainly lives up to the reputation. The scale is massive.”

“Keep going.”

“… Let’s see. Nothing seems too out of the ordinary, aside from it being a joint event held by the Darkan and Dersian families. Also…… Ah, you can submit items for consignment, but unless they match the quality of these examples, don’t even bother.”

“Darkan, Dersian. Do those names mean anything to you?”

Hudson rubbed his jaw as he thought about my question.

“Darkan is one of the Empire’s most prestigious martial houses. They’ve produced many imperial knights. Dersian…… Dersian, hm. I don’t think I’ve heard that one before……”

Unable to place it, he tilted his head.

Darkan was a household name for swordsmanship, but Dersian was obscure to him.

It made sense that Hudson wouldn’t recognize it.

‘Isabella’s home.’

Isabella von Dersian.

Isabella’s heritage was tied to the Dersian line.

She had been taken to the desert and branded the Snake Princess, but her true nature was Dersian.

Right now, Isabella had traveled alone to the desert city of Paysalmer, seizing the opportunity created by the Desert Queen’s passing.

She had departed with the goal of claiming her desert inheritance and then returning.

‘The timing is perfect.’

A special auction hosted by the Dersian family, of all people.

I knew the family existed within the Empire, but I hadn’t expected to cross paths with them so quickly.

Should I wait for Isabella?

I dismissed the idea.

‘It’s better if I reach out first.’

Outside of the name itself, I was clueless about the Dersian family.

Why an imperial like Isabella ended up in the desert, her history—it would be wiser if I looked into it myself.

“Any connection to those houses?”

“A legendary sword house hosting a public ‘auction’ feels a bit strange.”

“Hmm. You’re right…… And the isolationist Empire inviting outsiders with potential? It might be more than just a sale.”

It wasn’t just about buying and selling.

It was an imperial social gathering.

A way to scout talent and approach notable figures behind closed doors.

With a family like Darkan involved, there was definitely a hidden agenda.

They weren’t the type to be motivated purely by money.

“Making a purchase is one thing, but selling might be the real key.”

“Show them something they haven’t even dreamed of owning.”

Basically, to get on the radar of Darkan or Dersian, buying was important, but consignment—’showing off’—was just as critical.

Establishing a link could provide deeper access to the Empire.

And with some luck, I might even find the Baal armor.

“Do you have something you want to put up for sale?”

“Don’t worry about that part.”

I had options.

Consigning the Baal helmet might lure out whoever owned the armor.

They would be desperate to complete the set.

The new Skull Destroyer would certainly cause a commotion as well.

Or I could list the ‘Throne of Light’ to capture the attention of the entire Empire.

“Even if we don’t sell anything, the families will likely come to us.”

“Because of the gold?”

“They won’t exactly see us as being separate from the White King, will they?”

“Ah. That’s a good point……”

Hudson nodded in agreement.

The fact that they invited him was likely because of the connection between the Labyrinth and the White King.

There was no way they wouldn’t report this, so there was a high chance they would try to make contact even if we didn’t join the auction.

The White King and the Empire had no relationship to speak of.

Then Hudson, representing a sudden five-forces city, starts selling Labyrinth artifacts—it was worth dangling a hook.

Since I had shown interest, the Empire would be planning their next move.

How to approach us.

They would be eager to figure out the goals of the five-forces and the White King.

“By the way, Lord. If you don’t mind me asking…… Were you the one who woke up ‘Four Evils Baal’?”

“It wasn’t my intention.”

“…… *Cough! *Cough!”

Hudson started coughing.

He had been holding onto a shred of hope that it wasn’t true, but the reality hit him hard.

“Don’t let it worry you. It’s not something I can’t manage.”

It was an accident, but since I was the one who woke up a Four Evil, I would find a way to resolve it.

If I could get the Baal armor, I was told it would allow for control. It was worth a shot.

And even without me, the local forces would likely organize a suppression team.

Unless they were fools, the surrounding cities would combine their strength for a raid.

They just needed to secure one of the five neutral cities that linked to Cultivator Mountain—simple enough.

‘They won’t be doing anything stupid like cutting off warps for single-bridge strategies. They are city leaders, after all.’

If they failed to hold the line at the neutral cities, the Four Evil’s paths to escape would grow exponentially.

Dozens, hundreds of routes—trying to coordinate after that would be a nightmare.

If the Empire or the Goddess Church got involved, the cities that tried those early single-bridge tactics would be the first to take the blame.

There would be a high risk of their territory being seized by force.

It was smarter to combine their power before the situation spun out of control.

“On another note, where is Isaac?”

“Ah…… Well.”

Hudson began to scratch the back of his head.

He looked hesitant to speak.

As I watched him closely, he let out a long, heavy sigh.

“…… He took off.”

“············?”

—

White King Citadel.

The White King stared in silence at the person standing before him.

“…… You’ve come back alive.”

“Were you expecting me not to?”

The White King’s daughter, Aria.

She had woken up and made her way back to Kramdel.

The White King shook his head slowly.

“I knew it wouldn’t be simple. I intended to send my swiftest falcon rider to help, but I was a moment too late.”

“The Black King must have intimidated you.”

“I was not intimidated.”

“Well, I was.”

“By what?”

“Raktusha. He was more powerful than the entire falcon force. The rest of his elite subordinates are likely just as strong.”

They had once been on equal footing.

But now, the forces of the Black King had overtaken the White King’s.

Raktusha wasn’t even the strongest among the Black King’s inner circle.

Yet he outmatched the falcon force.

If Aria perceived it that way, it was the truth.

“Do not fret. I have no intention of doing nothing.”

“Are you preparing a way to fight back?”

“I am. The entire falcon force is going to be strengthened. And we have the five-forces on our side now.”

“…… The five-forces?”

Aria had picked up on the rumors as she was traveling back to Kramdel.