novelnext Chapter 241: Prelude to the Dimensional War (5)
Chapter 241: Prelude to the Dimensional War (5)
Translator: Dreamscribe
Arsilan Saga Episode 6 Prologue Part 2.
That single sentence delivered a massive shock to the Heroes. Ever since Episode 6 had gone live, they had been running at full tilt without a break. An enormous amount of time had been poured into it, and countless adventures and experiences had piled up. The Heroes' levels had climbed dramatically as well, with the top-ranked Hero NorthernGrandDuke becoming the very first to hit Level 200.
It had been a bit of a letdown that Erosion had managed to escape in the final ending, but if they treated that as bait for Episode 7, it was actually something to look forward to.
'They said it'd come back to attack, right?'
'When do you think it'll show up?'
'Hmm, considering the scale of Episode 6, we're probably gonna have to wait a pretty long while, huh?'
'No way it happens this year.'
Since Erosion had declared it would invade again, everyone had to wait until then. Common sense said as much, and people were soothing the pang of parting by reminiscing about all the fun memories from Episode 6.
And then, a map of the Dimensional Realm so vast it left them speechless unfolded before their eyes.
Beyond the Abyss that stood like a wall around Arsilan, countless points were scattered like stars across a galaxy. At their center sat a colossal empire, and there were also regions shrouded as if by mist.
The Kalsus Dimensional Empire.
A name they were hearing for the first time.
While they were still reeling in confusion, as if on cue, a video went up. It was posted one hour before its scheduled release, with a short note attached.
[Episode 6 Prologue Part 1 has concluded. Prologue Part 2 will be revealed shortly.]
All the sprawling content they had experienced up until now had been only Part 1.
"Insane...."
"It hadn't even started yet?"
"Is this for real?"
The Heroes, who prided themselves on not being easily shaken, were stunned into a daze. As they snapped out of it, a surge of excitement swept through them that they couldn't contain.
"L, long live the Creator God!"
"Kyaaaah!"
"Uwaaah! This is it! This is what a main episode is supposed to be!"
As countless Heroes roared with excitement, the whole of Arsilan felt like it was trembling with joy.
Jinwoo watched the scene with a satisfied smile.
This was precisely the sight he poured so much care into creating content for. The crew members watching from the Dimensional Transport Ship, and the FS Games developers who had helped him build so much of it, surely felt the same way.
Jinwoo gazed at the orb and quietly spoke.
"Arsilan, and the world beyond it..., it's something I never dared even imagine."
His voice wasn't loud, but every single person in the place heard it clearly. As Jinwoo began to speak, the excited voices gradually subsided.
"Did you hear them? From beyond that dimensional rift, desperate voices are calling out for help."
Jinwoo's eyes darkened.
"I, too, once looked up at the sky and begged for help. That was how hopeless Arsilan was. Thankfully, you Heroes came to Arsilan, and we were saved."
Even the Named Heroes, and the newbie Heroes alongside them, knew just how dire Arsilan's situation had been.
The entire world of Arsilan had been devoured, and it had nearly been destroyed by a single lesser entity.
"Among those countless worlds, there must surely be ones being tormented by Erosion, or by some other power, just as Arsilan once was. I wish to share the light of Arsilan with those who yearn for salvation."
The Heroes nodded.
"Kya! Sounds fun! I still have no idea what's what, though!"
"Either way, we've gotta wipe out all the Erosion, and we get to travel through other worlds while we're at it. Not bad at all!"
"Let's goooo!"
The Heroes' response was unanimous.
Kill the bad guys and save the oppressed. The journey of salvation was sure to be a fun one.
When Jinwoo smiled, the Heroes smiled with him.
"Then, we should examine the orb for a moment."
The imperial mages moved to Jinwoo's side and began inspecting the orb. As various discussions went back and forth, the time for the video's release arrived.
[Playing back the stored record.]
Right on cue, the orb opened, the surroundings dimmed, and a massive hologram rose into the air. The very same video that had been released on Arsilan Worlds was now playing out within Arsilan itself.
The space around them transformed as if they were floating in the void of the cosmos. A massive, burning planet came into view. The planet zoomed closer, revealing the surface below.
[Long live the Kalsus Dimensional Empire!]
[We have enough slaves now! Sweep away the disgusting worms to the last one! Burn this entire dimension to cinders!]
Armored soldiers were massacring the planet's natives indiscriminately. The natives screamed and tried to flee, but-
[Haha! Wanna bet?]
[I've already roasted over a hundred of them alive. Sure you wanna go up against that?]
[A hundred's not even a handicap.]
The soldiers' voices came through translated.
Without a shred of hesitation, the soldiers incinerated everything in sight with what looked like flamethrowers. The natives collapsed to the ground screaming in agony, and the soldiers laughed gleefully as they watched.
Their armor was drenched in the blood and flesh of the natives.
Some of them even smeared it on like lotion. It was beyond barbaric; it was sickeningly cruel.
Cities collapsed.
Mountains and plains burned, and thick smoke stained the sky black. When an enormous machine activated, the once-beautiful seas and lakes all evaporated, and every living creature withered into dust.
"Insane...."
"That's...."
"Ah...."
The Heroes who witnessed the spectacle could barely get words out.
Where Erosion devoured everything, the Kalsus Dimensional Empire massacred with sadistic glee.
A mother clutching her child ducked inside a house to escape the soldiers.
[Stay right here! You got it?]
[M, Mom!]
The moment she hid the child inside a wardrobe, the soldiers burst in. They seized her by the hair, dragged her out, and beheaded her on the spot.
They clearly knew the child was inside the wardrobe, yet they didn't open it.
Was it out of pity?
No.
Even this was nothing more than a fun little game.
They rounded up captured children, stuffed them inside a house, and called in a tank. A massive warship descended, dropped off the tank, and rose back into the air.
[Haha!]
The soldier who climbed into the tank laughed loudly and slammed the pedal. He drove the tank straight over the house with the children inside.
The sheer horror of it enraged not only the Heroes but every Arsilanian and every Demon watching.
That voice pleading for help from inside the orb.
Now the sorrow and resentment laced in that voice made sense. An entire planet was being trampled with this much cruelty. The world was being utterly exterminated, to the point where not even a blade of grass would remain.
"Those are some absolute motherfucking bastards."
"Pieces of shit...."
"Grrrgh!"
As the mass slaughter continued, the sky split open, and an enormous Erosion revealed itself.
"The Lord of Greed, the Lord of Despair...."
"And that caterpillar, too...."
They were the upper-tier entities that had devoured Arsilan. The Kalsus Dimensional Empire's forces panicked and unleashed every attack they had.
The caterpillar opened its massive maw and chomped down on the very space where the recording was being filmed. It looked as if the orb that was playing the video got swallowed into the caterpillar's belly.
[Record playback has ended.]
As the video ended, the orb ceased its operation.
It was the video that heralded the opening of Arsilan Saga Episode 6 Prologue Part 2. And they had watched that very video together, here, with everyone.
Jinwoo gripped the Holy Sword tight, his eyes blazing with fury.
"I think I understand what happened. Erosion..., it likely devoured that dimension before coming to Arsilan."
Of all the things Erosion had swallowed, this orb had survived without being destroyed and had arrived in Arsilan.
The Heroes all looked to Jinwoo.
They could just as well turn a blind eye to that place. And yet, they wanted him to give the order. They wanted to explore that vast dimension and spread the light.
"You are under no obligation to follow. This will not be a journey for Arsilan's sake, but a journey for those countless dimensions out there. I want to share miracles with the dimensions drowning in despair. I hope that, under the name of Arsilan, all may dare to dream of hope."
Jinwoo looked at the dimensional rift, which had not yet fully closed, then turned his gaze back to the Heroes.
"I hereby declare the founding of the Arsilan Dimensional Liberation Army!"
"Uwaaaaah!"
"Let's go!"
"For Arsilan!"
"For the Dimensional Realm!"
The tremendous cheer turned into light and flowed into the dimensional rift. That was something even Jinwoo hadn't anticipated. That light would surely leap across space and time to reach the many dimensions steeped in despair.
[Dimensional Realm] The Light of Miracles
'Arsilan pushes forward through despair: let there be light for all.'
The Dimensional Realm suffers at the hands of Erosion and the Kalsus Dimensional Empire. By their designs, worlds are slaughtered, violated, and devoured.
Had you not been there, Arsilan too would have met the same fate.
The light you have brought is an everlasting flame of hope. You may kindle that flame within the despairing Dimensional Realm and ignite radiant miracles.
Find a way to pursue the fleeing Erosion, and put a stop to the Kalsus Dimensional Empire's atrocities.
Arsilan Dimensional Liberation Army!
March forth!
Requirement: Heroes of Level 150 or above
Reward: ???
A quest appeared.
From now on, the main quest's designation was no longer 'Arsilan' but 'Dimensional Realm'.
"Your Majesty, based on the information in this orb, I believe we can operate the Dimension Gate. Crossing the Wall of the Abyss was the problem, but fortunately, the coordinates are recorded in detail."
Tiris, who was playing the role of the Imperial Chief Mage, reported respectfully.
"Complete it as quickly as possible. This is an imperial decree."
At Jinwoo's command, Tiris bowed deeply.
The orb was immediately transported to Alusion.
And so, the Arsilan Saga Episode 6 Prologue Part 2, which no one had seen coming, had begun!
* * *
Jinwoo incorporated every restored region of Arsilan into the Sillion Empire, and distributed territories to the Heroes who had shown outstanding performance in Prologue Part 1. A massive number of Arsilanian nobles were born all at once.
He also handed out generous rewards and unveiled the Enlightenment System.
[With Arsilan fully liberated, dormant knowledge awakens.]
*By paying a cost, you can attain enlightenment in a variety of fields of knowledge.
*If you train your skills and magic to the extreme, enlightenment may come to you.
The setting was that the power of a liberated Arsilan had taken effect.
Realistically, to operate within the Dimensional Realm, knowing the Kalsus Dimensional Empire's language, along with various others, was essential.
He made it possible to learn digitized languages and various abilities at the cost of Arsilanian gold or Dimensional Realm achievement points. He also made it so that training one's skills or magic to the extreme could lead to the awakening of new techniques.
For the current crop of Heroes, this would pose no difficulty at all.
'Arsilan's journey is wrapped up now.'
He was relieved it could end on a happy note. Every single episode had been a crisis, and they had narrowly escaped annihilation each time. Even if he regressed back into the past, he wasn't sure he could pull it off again. This was the best possible outcome, built on miracles, sacrifices, dedication, effort, and luck all stacking together.
The Heroes began gathering in Alusion one after another.
Once the orb was installed at Alusion's Dimension Gate, it immediately synced up and began to grow larger and larger.
[Long live the Kalsus Dimensional Empire! Long live the Kalsus Dimensional Em..., Kalsu....]
An information window rose from the orb mounted atop the Dimension Gate. The window flooded with light, then seeped into the orb itself.
[Long live the Sillion Empire! For Arsilan!]
The orb was completely swallowed by Arsilan's light.
It was a piece of theater announcing that ownership had fully transferred from the Kalsus Dimensional Empire over to Arsilan. The sudden change of tune made the watching Heroes burst out laughing.
Jinwoo emerged dressed in formal attire, even wearing his crown. Once the Dimension Gate opened, the Heroes would pass straight into the Dimensional Realm, so he had come out with the Imperial Knights to see them off.
Most of the Heroes at Level 150 and above had gathered.
The lower-level Heroes were leveling up fast, too. Arsilan's Great Blessing had been bestowed, and a 300% experience burning event was underway.
"No one here hasn't hit 150 yet, right? Hehehe!"
"I think I'll hit 150 before the day's out."
"Ah..., guess I'll just have to watch it on stream for now."
KUGGGGGGG!
The Dimension Gate fully opened, revealing the dimensional rift. Unlike the side stories, this dimensional rift was enormous and stable.
[Colonial dimension coordinates have been entered.]
[We hope you enjoy your journey.]
The Heroes stepped toward the Dimension Gate.
The doorway to an unknown world stood right before them. They had been tempered through the side stories, but their hearts still wouldn't stop racing. And a corner of their hearts burned hot with a sense of duty.
Not just saving a world, but saving the entire Dimensional Realm.
That was no different from saving everything there was.
"Arsilan Dimensional Liberation Army! March forth!"
When Jinwoo drew the Holy Sword and raised it high, the Imperial Knights drew their swords and followed suit. They saw the Heroes off, the ones going to save the Dimensional Realm, with all their respect and formality.
"Let's go!"
"Uwaaaah!"
A massive guild composed entirely of Named Heroes hoisted their flag and advanced into the Dimension Gate.
NorthernGrandDuke, Haebyul, and LifeHunter were among them.
Heroes affiliated with various guilds and domains followed, each carrying flags representing their allegiance.
"Hope there are plenty of things to kill over there."
"For His Imperial Majesty!"
THUD! THUD!
Undead Heroes mounted on Magic Armors marched in after them, and massive vehicles loaded with cargo rolled through the Dimension Gate.
'Alright then....'
Jinwoo immediately posted on the Episode 6 villain forum.
Jinwoo (General Gord): Get ready.
└Ignis (General's Bloody Spear): Finally!
└DeGong (General's Cruel Hammer): At last!
└Lulurara (General's Cold Staff): The time has come!
└ElfyaHaeYot (General's Flashy Whip): In the end!
└UnbarkingWolf (General's Loyal Fang): It's our villain debut!
After returning to the imperial office, Jinwoo transferred straight to the Dimensional Transport Ship, swapped bodies, and entered the equipment room.
When he pressed the button in the equipment room, a wall slid open, revealing a set of mechanical arms. The arms fitted General Gord's armor onto Jinwoo's body.
ZZZZZZT!
Unlike the quick fitting from before, this time the bolts were tightened and the armor sealed completely shut.
CHZZKT!
The seams of the armor heated up and fused together cleanly. A core loaded with powerful energy was attached, and ornate rank insignia and emblems were etched into the armor.
SHRRRRK!
Finally, a black cloak that looked like a storm cloud dominating and spreading through the space was attached. When Jinwoo exhaled a long breath, a rough sound blended with mechanical distortion escaped.
Jinwoo stretched his hand forward.
CLACK!
The personal weapon that had been on display flew straight into his hand. He fastened it to his waist, turned, and walked out of the equipment room.
When he headed toward the Dimensional Transport Ship's exit, a luxurious warship came into view. A warship made for General Gord alone.
In front of the warship, the Executioners who served General Gord stood at crisp, disciplined attention.
"Salute General Gord!"
"Annihilate! Slaughter!"
"Annihilate! Slaughter!"
Jinwoo nodded to accept their salute.
The crew had fully immersed themselves in the role of the General's Executioners. That meant Jinwoo had to immerse himself too. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. When he opened them again, he had become the perfect General Gord.
"The vermin of a backwater dimension are swarming in. Slaughter them as cruelly as you possibly can."
"By your command!"
"By your command!"
As Jinwoo moved toward the warship, the Executioners stepped back like machines. Maintaining perfect formation with razor-sharp discipline, they fell into step behind him and boarded the warship.
KUOOOOOOO!
The warship's engines ignited, and it slowly rose into the air.
[General Gord is setting forth! All hands, rise from your seats and render the highest honors!]
[Long live the Kalsus Dimensional Empire!]
The Dimensional Transport Ship, now linked with the warship, also began to fully immerse itself in the role.
General Gord and his Executioners had finished every last preparation for their debut in the Arsilan Saga!