Chapter 474

“Seal? You mean the power is sealed?”

“Not completely, no.”

It’s not a full seal; I couldn’t feel it until I touched it directly.

To be precise, the influence on this bracelet has been greatly reduced.

“The power on the bracelet is just limited. All other abilities can still be used.”

“…I see. I guess it wouldn’t be a seal otherwise.”

As the Heavenly Horse naturally stood up, the bracelet it held slipped because of gravity.

It still felt as heavy as a ton of bricks.

“Then how can others wear this? Even if they somehow manage to slip it on like a breeze, they still have to wear it out.”

“That’s the problem.”

I managed to move the bracelet thanks to the Spirit King’s wind, but in the end, the condition is still to wear it and find a way out of the altar.

The moment they wear it, they’ll need to move the bracelet themselves, but they won’t be able to handle the weight of the now incredibly heavy bracelet.

“Unless they have outside help, it’s nearly impossible to get out by themselves.”

[Can’t teleport?]

[I feel like you could just jump out tho ㅇㅇ…]

[Logout confirmed]

[? Isn’t it easy?]

[Can’t you move it with wind?]

“Can’t you use that wind to move people too? Or wear the bracelet after taking it off the altar?”

“If it were that easy, I wouldn’t have set these conditions.”

I look up at the altar.

The colors of the altar are flickering.

[The Master of the Altar says so.]

[The Master of the Altar does not like shortcuts, so all magic has been blocked.]

“Does that include logging out?”

[The Master of the Altar has forbidden dimensional travel within the altar.]

Logging out is also impossible.

The Heavenly Horse clicks its tongue with a slightly stunned expression.

“…So we really can’t log out. Does someone with this much power even have the ability to block that?”

“In the end, it means we have to solve this ourselves.”

“Is there a way?”

“There are two.”

One is to unleash a force greater than the pressure of the seal.

The Master of the Altar holds power at the mid-to-lower angel, demon level, so we just have to show more power than that…

“There’s no one with that kind of power.”

You’d need power on the level of Duke Huangyeol, and there’s no user capable of that besides me.

Even I would need extraordinary strength to achieve that.

“What’s the second?”

“Well, it’s both simple and difficult.”

I gently stroke the surface of the altar.

My fingers brush against the engraved letters, intruding into part of the color.

The blue letters turn pure white.

[The Master of the Altar is surprised!]

“You can lift the seal. Then you’ll regain the influence over the bracelet and retrieve it.”

“…Is that even possible?”

“I told you. It’s a simple yet difficult task.”

Fzzzt…!

The color of the text returned.

I felt a slight tingle in my hand from the backlash of the seal.

I expected a worse shock than this, but it seems the Master of the Altar has endured it to some extent.

[The Master of the Altar smiles slyly.]

“It’s impossible to completely undo the seal, so we just need to interfere a little to make an escape possible.”

“Then wouldn’t it be better for you to do it? To release the seal on the person you desire…”

“I’m not planning to interfere.”

While the conditions set by the Master of the Altar are one thing, I also don’t intend to simply hand over the bracelet.

“It should go to someone worthy. If they understand the seal better, the raid will be smoother.”

“Well… that’s a valid point.”

[That’s true]

[For real lol]

[Stop with the elitism!]

[Fair and square, based on skill!]

[Wow]

[Just great Lily]

[Great Li Ly]

[But is there really anyone who can mess with the seal? lol]

[Who has the guts for that?]

“We’ll have to find out from now on.”

As I stepped down from the altar, the ground trembled, and a light brown sofa emerged.

It looked like a stiff material, but when I sat down, it was surprisingly plush.

The Heavenly Horse naturally sat beside me.

A table had even come up with snacks and drinks on top of it.

I took a bite of the snack.

“This is a cookie.”

“It’s delicious.”

[?]

[lololol]

[Why does this feel so natural?]

[What now?]

[lolololololololol]

[The Heavenly Horse looks cute eating too]

[Heavenly Horse is pretty]

[Didn’t they say they’re looking for people?]

“You’ve got to come yourself.”

Anyone is fine.

They just need to come and take the bracelet to become the main character of the last raid.

“Those interested should come to this island right now. And if you cause any trouble here, be prepared.”

[No way lol]

[If you act out, it’s game over!]

[With Lily here, who would dare?]

“With you here, who would do that?”

“You never know.”

There sure are a lot of crazy people in the world.

Of course, if they act out independently, it would be a big deal.

[The Master of the Altar looks meaningfully at the island.]

■

“Ugh!!”

“Ugh…!!!”

“…Ugh!”

“Please! Please! Let’s at least get closer!”

It’s been 30 minutes since the island’s ‘door’ opened.

Already over a hundred users have gathered, attempting the challenge, but it was of no use.

In fact, getting even close to the altar was the real problem.

[The Master of the Altar chuckles.]

“How troublesome.”

“We can’t let everyone in.”

Users weren’t able to even touch the altar, let alone get the bracelet.

Because the restrictions that were simply about the bracelet were now spread across the entire altar.

Because it exists.

It’s not that you can’t move at all like a bracelet, but taking even one step is quite a struggle.

[Hahahahahaha]

[Wow, it looks so intense]

[Watching Lily and the Heavenly Horse is hilarious, lol]

[Is it VIP seating?]

[Enjoying the struggle, lol]

[Hurry up and move, lower-class folks]

[Is it really that hard?]

[So boring]

Initially, the Heavenly Horse watched the spectacle in a somewhat uncomfortable position, but after some time, they comfortably leaned back on the sofa.

“It’s fun. I like seeing everyone trying hard.”

“That does happen. That person over there has made some progress?”

“It looks like a ranker. They’ve already taken four steps up to the altar. That person in the back has taken three steps too.”

“Well, it seems like there are some who can make it.”

Normal users might not, but rankers with some skill seem to manage to climb a bit.

The unfortunate thing is that they’re trying to ascend purely through strength without touching the seal?

It’s not easy for a user to mess with the seal, but still, it’s a bit disappointing that there’s no sign of even a little success.

Pat pat.

“Excuse me.”

“That person seems pretty… huh?”

A man with a sword approached us.

His level seemed to be around 60.

He wore what appeared to be generic swordsman equipment, looking quite ordinary.

The Heavenly Horse merely tilted their head slightly.

“What’s the matter? Can’t you see? Just step aside and speak.”

“Please help with that.”

“That’s your responsibility.”

“Aren’t you trying to get that for the raid?”

“That’s right.”

“Are those people just laughing and watching as others climb here? If you’re going to raid, do it right! What are you even doing?!”

[?]

[Are you insane?]

[???????]

[Lily, they’re asking to die]

[Who is that bastard?]

[?]

[What’s with that?]

[Attention seeker?]

As the loud voice erupted, all eyes on the island were drawn to one place.

Those climbing, those scratching the altar walls, and even those far away planning all turned to look over here.

The man stood proudly blocking our way as all eyes focused on him.

The Heavenly Horse momentarily looked dazed before chuckling and raising their upper body.

“You’re talking nonsense. We’re here to find the owner of the bracelet. This is merely the procedure to find the suitable person.”

“Isn’t the raid important? The alliance and people are moving quickly while you stand here idly watching? Even though you know how?”

“The procedure…”

“People are dying in the raid! Not just users, but NPCs as well! How can you act like this?”

“What you’re saying…”

Squeak!

At that moment, as the Heavenly Horse rose, the man took a step back.

A dark aura spread around her, but it merely guarded her vicinity without attacking.

“That sounds impressive. But don’t obscure the essence of the matter. Those who come to this place are the Ruler. And it is here that Lily Elbrite has created the opportunity for you to obtain the bracelet.”

“The one who has found this place is ‘The Ruler.’ And it is Lily Elbrite here who has given you the opportunity to obtain the bracelet.”

“Hmm.”

[That’s right]

[What’s up with that guy though?]

[???]

[Is she the spokesperson for the Heavenly Horse? LOL]

[The Heavenly Horse knows how to talk well]

[Do you want to get hit?]

[That’s true]

[Why the sudden awkwardness?]

[But Lily is a bit playful]

[For real, LOL]

[?]

[Suddenly weird people are gathering, LOL]

“You coming here was also because Lily gave you that opportunity. But are you asking for another chance?”

“So you can abandon people and joke about procedures?”

“It’s not a joke. Don’t forget. We are not volunteers. The raid will proceed again whether you plead or not.”

“In the end, you are the same. While pretending to give opportunities, you will give the bracelet to someone you know. Truly deceitful…”

“That is a joke.”

Crunch.

Crunch. Crunch.

[Lily?]

“…What are you eating?”

“Popcorn.”

Popcorn is delicious.

I mixed some leftover ingredients from making Celestial Skewers last time, and it tastes great.

By the way, it also temporarily boosts random stats.

The man’s face suddenly stiffens.

Specifically, he pretends to be stiff.

“What… are you doing?”

“It’s a joke. We’re picking the owner of the bracelet to boost broadcast views.”

If it’s urgent, you’d generally give it to someone trustworthy, so why would you choose random people with talent for a seal?

Considering the time I have and the favor shown by the Master of the Altar, this is how I’m selecting them.

‘It would be better if someone I know gets it anyway.’

If there’s a relationship, there won’t be any no-shows like some people.

[LOLOLOLOLOLOL]

[Great Lily]

[Broadcast is fun as long as it is, though]

[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]

[Just Great Lily]

[But seriously, who is that guy?]

[Starting trouble out of nowhere to make a scene, seriously;;]

[Crazy woman, LOL]

“People…!”

“You’re not the one to worry about someone’s life. But hey.”

Swish.

As the White Guardian flies, the man flinches.

He smiles just a bit, thinking he’s being attacked, but the spear doesn’t pierce him.

“…!”

The spear hits empty air.

Crack!

As the White Guardian shatters the void, a tiny blue-green circle reveals itself.

It’s one of Deoen’s streaming systems, a floating camera.

Now he’s really stiffened up.

“I never said I would do a collab.”

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