Chapter 113

In <Arcane Punk 1009>, various types of magic existed.

Among them, Minaz chose Rune Magic.

Since it could handle various situations based on different runes, it was rare to find something better than Rune Magic in terms of versatility.

But does that mean Rune Magic has a low ceiling?

Not at all.

When multiple runes are combined to create a synergistic effect, the ceiling of Rune Magic becomes immense.

The power to twist the world was imbued into runes, which were once mere secret symbols, after Odin offered himself to himself.

Mysteries arose simply by completing these divine characters.

[ ᚲ Kenaz]

A rune symbolizing flame is completed.

Simultaneously, a red wave engulfs Akane. Staring intently at the flames that heated the cold world, Akane gathers her magic power.

Pure, clear magic power gathers at Akane’s fingertips, illuminating the dark dawn.

The magic Akane chose was Dawn Magic, a magic that delves solely into magic power.

Dawn Magicians study the earliest form of magic power, the beginning of its existence.

While others use magic, they witness the moment magic is born.

Thus, the magic they wield is incredibly pure—so pure that it rejects all other impurities.

In other words.

Any magic that encounters a Dawn Magician’s magic cannot maintain its form and shatters.

The light of dawn, cutting through the void, pierces the flames of destruction. Beyond the crumbling waves of fire, Minaz prepares his next spell as if he had anticipated this.

[ ᛇ Eihwaz]

A rune symbolizing connection to the world is completed. After contacting great beings, Minaz swiftly completes more runes.

[ ᛁ Isa] [ ᚢ Uruz] [ ᚦ Thurisaz]

Runes symbolizing ice, primal power, and giants are completed.

And then.

――――!

A primordial lifeform, the progenitor of great giants, descends into the world.

The power is so immense that Minaz only manages to summon Ymir’s left arm.

But that alone is enough to shatter the world.

A massive fist formed in the air strikes down at Akane.

Kwaaaaang―! The ground caves in, shaking the world. The Sky Garden collapses and plummets to the ground.

Amidst the falling debris, Minaz looks up.

Not far away, Akane stands in mid-air, looking down.

What was meant to be a decisive blow was easily dodged by Akane.

Did she use teleportation? Minaz clicks his tongue and braces for impact.

As the Sky Garden crashes to the ground, a massive explosion reverberates through the world. Buildings collapse, and a huge crater forms at the epicenter.

In the midst of the devastation, Minaz waves away the dust with a gesture. Then, a barrage of magic power rains down. Condensed magic bullets—simple yet highly effective.

Quickly completing a protective rune, Minaz blocks the magic bullets and slowly closes his eyes.

<Unique Magic>. This was a concept that didn’t exist in the original <Arcane Punk 1009>.

It was a system only seen in the mod added by Han Yoorim.

Obtaining <Unique Magic> itself was easy. By diligently mastering a specific magic system, a <Unique Magic> acquisition event would eventually trigger.

However, utilizing the <Unique Magic> obtained this way was difficult, for a simple reason.

The <Unique Magic> each person obtained was entirely different.

Minaz wanted to be number one. He endlessly challenged himself, never losing his drive for improvement, never settling.

People praised Minaz for his wisdom. Maintaining such drive and refusing to settle was no small feat.

But everything has two sides.

Is there only an upside to constantly moving forward without settling?

Not quite.

Believing that someone who never stops to reach the top would stop once they achieved it is naive.

Minaz didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop.

He climbed higher, devouring motivation, juniors, seniors, and legends. Even if he failed, he continued endlessly.

Thus, Minaz’s <Unique Magic> was <Greed>.

A magic of insatiable desire that devours everything and never stops.

A virtual rune of [Greed] formed in the void, absorbing everything.

Magic bullets, the magic power touching the beginning, the remnants of Dawn Magic—everything.

And then.

Minaz swallowed the [Greed] rune.

With that, Akane’s Dawn Magic became Minaz’s.

Pure magic power gathers at Minaz’s fingertips.

With this purest of magic powers, Minaz completes a single rune.

[ ᚨ Ansuz]

A rune symbolizing the gods.

A path to the heavens opens.

From the great Asgard, the greatest god descends.

A massive spear appears in Minaz’s hand.

Gungnir.

As Minaz swings his arm with all his might, the divine judgment tears through the air, hurtling toward its target.

This spear cannot be dodged. It will inevitably reach its target. Such is its power.

Thus, the target of Gungnir has only one choice.

To face it head-on and shatter it with sheer force.

Any other strategy is consumed by Gungnir’s power.

As Gungnir reaches its target, Akane slowly draws upon her magic power.

Akane never gives up. No matter how dire the situation, she smiles and faces the challenge head-on.

Whether there were 10 viewers or none, even when Novella coldly decided to shut down the business after concluding it was a failure, Akane remained consistent.

Akane does not change. Whether the situation is good or bad, it doesn’t affect her.

Thus, Akane’s <Unique Magic> is <Invariance>.

A magic that reverts everything to its original, pure state.

Primordial black flames consume everything.

Everything touched by the magic of the beginning rewinds as if time itself is reversing.

Gungnir, the magic of greed, the fallen Sky Garden—everything.

On the rising Sky Garden, Minaz…

She cried out as if sighing.

“Akane, Senior! You’ve been playing the game way too hard!”

Just how hard did she play to make the magic this powerful?

Seeing the city, destroyed within a radius of several kilometers, being restored, it must have been at least 8th-tier magic.

“Akane isn’t a senior. She’s the Demon King.”

“You said that last time.”

—

Akane is way too strong lol

The grand senior is indeed the grand senior.

This magic system is interesting. Where can I download this mod?

You’ll have to ask Han Yoorim.

—

Minaz’s chat window was also buzzing.

It was a battle worthy of the climax, and everyone was thoroughly satisfied.

Minaz tilted his head and asked,

“Does this mean the senior won?”

“Akane’s grand victory.”

“So what happens now? Does the world end?”

“From now on, the world is, you know.”

“Akane-sama. You finally have the chance to return everything to perfect nothingness and reset the world, right?”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

—

In the midst of some incomprehensible banter between Han Yoorim and Akane, Minaz shook his head vigorously and slowly opened his mouth.

It was the perfect moment for an ending.

—

‘We had a spectacular explosion? It’s a shame we didn’t win, but Minaz also showed he’s good at the game? The mood is just right, so if we end it here, it’ll be remembered for a long time.’

And so.

Just as Minaz was about to deliver the closing remarks.

BOOM!

The spot where Akane was standing exploded.

“Good morning.”

And then, the hero appeared.

Descending from the sky with a tiny Han Yoorim on his shoulder, the hero smiled and said to Minaz,

“Junior, if you’ve lost, maybe you should step aside for a bit.”

“Huh?”

Mai, setting Han Yoorim down on the ground, prepared for battle.

“Huh?”

To Minaz, who still hadn’t grasped the situation, Han Yoorim spoke up.

“Hero of Prophecy, you can rest now. The fake hero has something she wants to do.”

The hero chosen by the gods (listeners). The hero who chose to become a hero herself, leaving Minaz behind. Mai stood before Akane.

Akane quietly gazed at Mai. Mai did the same.

Akane had almost no friends. Her highly exclusive personality was to blame.

Mai also had almost no friends. She had many acquaintances, but in the end, Akane was the only one she could call a true friend.

That’s why Akane immediately knew what Mai wanted to do.

Mai also knew what Akane would do.

Whoosh—. Behind Akane, magic bullets aligned, and the bombardment began.

In response, Mai also used her magic.

Heavenly Wolf. The power of the noble sky wolf protected the surroundings.

Celestial Magic. The magic that borrows the power of stars and celestial bodies was activated.

Amid the rain of collapsing magic bullets, Mai prepared her next spell.

Mai is diligent.

She always fulfilled the roles given to her.

If she had to broadcast diligently, she did.

If she had to be a stepping stone for motivation, she did.

If she had to do external activities for the company, she did.

She always smiled, even when she had to act like nothing was wrong.

That’s why no one denied that Mai was diligent.

But that wasn’t her true nature.

Mai was actually more self-willed than one might think.

In fact, she had clear desires.

She just kept them hidden.

Ready to unleash them at any moment.

Thus, Mai’s <Unique Magic> was <Liberation>.

A magic that elevates all beings to a higher level, the magic of evolution.

Light gathered in Mai’s hand.

The Emperor’s Star, the most noble star.

The center of the sky. The source of divinity.

The guide for all travelers.

The light of the North Star, infused with the power of liberation. The North Star changed. No. It evolved, as if being pushed to a higher place.

And then.

A sword made of starlight, created by Mai herself.

It left a pure white line across the dark night sky.

—

“Han Yoorim, you’re good at directing, huh?”

“Yeah.”

I casually responded to Minaz’s comment while watching Akane and Mai.

Around them, a bunch of Novel Live members had gathered.

After the ending, a party. A cliché.

Seeing that warm atmosphere, a happy smile naturally came to my face.

This is how an ending should be.

Minaz continued.

“A perfect finish. As expected of a top-tier game developer. Minaz never thought of an ending like this.”

“Of course.”

I completely agreed with Minaz and subtly canceled my magic.

“…Yoorim? What did you just dismiss from your hand?”

What a sharp guy.

I replied in a nonchalant voice.

“It’s nothing.”

“Just now, there was black flame in your left hand and a holy sword in your right? Were you planning to appear as the final hidden boss, using Akane and Mai’s unique magic?”

“What are you talking about? Minaz. That couldn’t be.”

“No? Not even Minaz’s <Greed>? Do you not know the meaning of ‘moderation’?”

Oh dear.

What a sharp guy.

I clapped my hands to wrap things up.

“Well, that’s it… The Novel Live Life Server is now closed!”

“It’s not over yet. We have to keep going for another week.”

“Ah.”

That’s a long time.

Anyway, I’m out. You guys have fun without me.

Well then, see you.