novelraw Chapter 156: Dimension Gate (1)
Chapter 156: Dimension Gate (1)
Translator: Dreamscribe
The opening of Episode 4 ended very smoothly.
Many people witnessed it through the Soul Glass, and it was also broadcasted in Arsilan Worlds, so many Heroes saw the scene.
The video recorded by an FS Games employee was uploaded immediately. Through the Soul Link and Soul Glass, it could be watched as if one were at the scene.
Jinwoo watched over the entire situation from the air, controlling it to prevent any unexpected incidents or accidents. Fortunately, the situation ended without any trouble.
‘Now, there’ll probably be more Gate of Souls applications.’
In the Reverse World, the broken buildings and the small shops that had moved in were destroyed terribly. However, the shop owners were smiling.
Since their real shops weren’t actually destroyed, there was naturally no damage. It was merely destruction within the Reverse World. Even that was restored to its original state as the Reverse World disappeared.
Heroes who had already seen the video were rushing in.
There were scenes even better than the video.
Shortly after the rift closed, Helby, who had vanished, appeared at the convenience store that had been shattered.
"Uh, uhh?!"
“Helby nim?”
The ‘Gate of Souls’ certification mark stuck on the convenience store’s door stood out prominently.
The Gate of Souls certification mark was divided into three levels.
Level 1 allowed Arsilan residents or Heroes to be seen coming into the store through the Soul Glass. Level 2 allowed interaction with such individuals or the sale of Arsilan goods to them.
The final Level 3 was the pinnacle of technology.
Helby passed through the gathered crowd and entered the convenience store bearing the Level 3 Gate of Souls certification mark.
The Level 3 certification mark was golden, surrounded by the emblem of the Arsilan Golden Alliance, with the emblems of Ella, the Guardian Dragon, and the Archmage encircling it.
Helby’s figure appeared clearly even without using the Soul Glass. It was displayed as an extremely vivid hologram. The people inside the convenience store stared blankly at Helby.
Helby looked over the displayed products, then pointed at a coffee can with her finger.
“Is that coffee?”
“Yes, it is! Would you like some?”
When Helby nodded, the store owner quickly rushed to the refrigerator. When he pressed the panel of the glass refrigerator door where the coffee can was located, it appeared as a hologram. The owner took out two coffee cans and handed both to Helby.
“I only ordered one.”
“It’s a one-plus-one offer.”
“Hmm, I see. A good system. Can the other one be a different item?”
“Of course. You can choose a different one!”
“Give me something very bitter.”
“Yes!”
The owner immediately brought it and exchanged it.
As Helby reached out her hand, a Platinum Coin was instantly deposited. As soon as the owner checked it, he gave back change in Silver Coins. Silver Coin was a lower-tier currency newly introduced beneath the Platinum Coin.
“This is a gift!”
“Don’t overdo it.”
“It’s from my heart.”
He took out products in a frenzy and handed them all to Helby.
Ding!
Helby looked at the owner for a moment, then nodded and pressed the Affinity switch once. When the Affinity increased, the owner clenched his fist tightly.
Once Level 3 was applied for, FS Games employees would come out and help display goods or products from partner companies. As partner companies increased, popular products at convenience stores could also be purchased in Arsilan.
In the case of self-employed people with shops in Arsilan, they could sell their own goods or food.
“Thank you! Helby nim! Please come again!”
The owner bowed deeply and greeted her loudly.
Gate of Souls registration was free, and not doing it would be foolish. Soon, more than 100 million customers would be visiting!
Helby approached a bench with a view of the Han River. Shortly after, Ella appeared with a halo of light. When Helby threw a coffee can toward Ella’s head with force, Ella lightly raised her hand and caught it.
“Ugh, bitter.”
“Not bad.”
Ella drank the coffee and frowned, while Helby nodded in satisfaction.
That scene could only be viewed through the Soul Glass or the Reverse World Observation App, but the Heroes felt a certain stirring emotion. The Heroes didn’t approach, and quietly watched the two.
“Heroes! Stay strong today too!”
Ella turned her head, looked toward the Heroes, and waved her hand. Then she disappeared along with the halo of light.
“Well, live moderately well.”
Helby glanced toward the Heroes and then vanished as well.
All the Heroes present there flocked to the convenience store that Helby had visited. The store owner printed out a photo of Helby’s visit and posted it in front of the shop.
“I’ll take that too.”
“This is the one Helby nim bought, right?”
“Give me the Holy Water Ella nim drank!”
The convenience store’s sales exploded!
And Gate of Souls applications began to increase explosively.
‘Nice.’
Jinwoo watched the scene with a smile, then moved to the rooftop of FS Games. Jinwoo shifted his gaze toward the Soul Gate floating in the sky above Seoul.
The Soul Gate, which held the history of Arsilan, now boasted a far more majestic appearance than before. It looked like a gate to heaven, or perhaps the entrance to a temple.
The great hearts and wishes of Arsilan and the Heroes were gathered in the Soul Gate. That miracle was now waiting for Jinwoo’s will to move on to the next stage.
Ella and Helby appeared on either side of Jinwoo. Since joining FS Games, Helby had also become strongly connected to the Soul Gate and could see it clearly.
“What will you wish for?”
Ella asked.
This time, Jinwoo thought he didn’t even need to hesitate.
There was a condition that had to be resolved for Arsilan to move forward. It was a condition absolutely necessary to confront Erosion in the future. Now that Ella’s divine power and Helby’s starlight were embedded in the Soul Gate, the wish could be granted.
Helby could feel the immense power held within that Soul Gate. Like the days when she longed for golden light, she felt greedy again.
“Right now, you could become a mighty being beyond even a Transcendent. Perhaps…”
It was possible to obtain a terrifying power, like Erosion.
Helby said so while looking at Jinwoo. But the moment she saw his face, she had no choice but to fall silent.
Seeing his so clearly joyful expression, she was sure he would never wish for such a thing. His face, so satisfied and pure, was enough to erase even the long-dormant greed that had briefly risen.
“Hmph, I spoke needlessly.”
“As long as you understand.”
Ella spoke in Jinwoo’s stead. Helby was about to cast a spell at her, but stopped herself.
The Archmage was always like that.
Of everything he had done, there was never anything for himself. And there would never be. That’s how he was able to lead everyone here.
He really is a consistent guy. Helby thought so and let out a small smile.
“What I wish for has already been decided.”
Jinwoo’s voice was filled with excitement and anticipation.
It was a wish he had dreamed of for a very long time.
Now, he could definitely achieve it. As Jinwoo closed his eyes and made his earnest wish, a brilliant light burst forth from the Soul Gate.
Golden light, starlight, and the miracle light possessed by the Heroes blended together, coloring the sky brightly. It even affected the sky over Seoul, turning the night sky momentarily bright like midday.
[Transcendent] Soul Gate +6
A gate imbued with all the light of the world.
The happier Arsilan and Earth become, and the stronger and more prosperous Arsilan’s existence grows, the Soul Gate is further enhanced, and accordingly, its divine power also increases.
The Soul Gate had completely changed.
Originally, the gate strengthened as more Heroes were summoned and the Heroes grew. But now, it had expanded to include Arsilan and Earth. The boundary between Heroes and Arsilan residents had disappeared and they had been unified. As a result, Arsilan gained a new divine power.
*(NEW) All beings belonging to Arsilan within the Soul Gate are no longer affected by Erosion.
All beings of Arsilan could now fight against Erosion alongside the Heroes. There was no longer any need to worry about Corruption.
The moment the Soul Gate granted Jinwoo’s wish, Ella and Helby’s faces were filled with astonishment.
“The soul itself…”
“…has been imbued with the Hero’s light.”
The Hero’s light also settled into the souls of Ella and Helby.
The fear of Erosion disappeared like a sun rising in the darkness. Not only Ella and Helby, but all beings in Arsilan must have felt it.
A deep smile formed on Helby’s lips. It looked incredibly fierce. The path to repay the humiliation she had endured had finally opened. The same went for Ella.
At last, it felt like they were truly standing at the starting line.
“Then, keep up the good work.”
Jinwoo said, looking at the two.
Until the Grand Rift opened, they had to show themselves frequently to the Heroes. That was because Ella and Helby were sealing the Rift.
Anyway, that was the setting.
***
The world had changed drastically!
There was no sentence that better described the current situation. The moment Arsilan and reality were connected, its potential exploded, creating an enormous buzz. And this was the response even before Arsilan and reality had officially connected.
What would happen once Arsilan and reality were linked, and Heroes began to pour in?
It was already a given that the number of users logging into Arsilan Saga would reach the hundreds of millions. Such active customers would travel between the cities of the world and open their wallets.
There was no need to take a flight, nor any need for a passport.
Worldwide Gate of Souls applications flooded in, and FS Games and its overseas branches were having hectic days. A large number of new recruits were hired for Gate of Souls installations, and personnel dispatched from Ohsung Electronics came to assist.
A map of Korea appeared in the FS Games control room.
Locations with installed Gate of Souls were marked. Nearly all of Seoul was covered, and installations in regional areas were expanding. The enthusiasm was so intense that there was no need to seek cooperation from local governments; they came on their own. Some even secured large areas to build entire towers.
Gate of Souls were also being installed one by one in foreign cities, famous tourist attractions, and historical sites, making it a global-scale project. Its potential and projected profits were said to be nearly incalculable.
‘Cosmetic items at the Leaning Tower of Pisa?’
‘The Statue of Liberty as a monster? Bold idea!’
‘Actively negotiating with FS Games to create ancient Egyptian items.’
‘Japan promotes its culture in preparation to welcome Heroes.’
‘Italian pizza for everyone in Arsilan!’
‘Even countries where Arsilan Saga was restricted are now rushing to grant service approval, but when is the official launch?’
Through cooperation with governments in many countries, various cosmetic and premium items were being developed. Episode 4 was, without exaggeration, a global festival.
‘It’s good if we all prosper together.’
The prosperity of Arsilan and Earth.
It would be difficult, but it was the most ideal goal Jinwoo was aiming for.
“The Heroes have finally entered the Main Quest.”
“Looks like we’ll barely make it in time?”
“They’re faster than expected.”
Just as the FS Games employees said, the Main Quest completion rate was progressing quite well. Heroes were advancing the Main Quest simultaneously in the cities of various races. As long as Jinwoo adjusted the pacing properly, everything would proceed as planned.
Jinwoo checked Arsilan Worlds.
Title: My Heart Hurts.
There are only a few days left before the Grand Rift seal ends...
Ella nim and Helby nim look so exhausted.
(Photo attached: Ella nim and Helby nim maintaining the seal)
They were pouring out their power near the Han River at dawn to block the Grand Rift. They looked like they were in immense pain, and when I approached, they asked me to keep it a secret. But how could I?
Anonymous1 (KR): Once the Grand Rift opens, it’s going to be a mess. I’ll arrive in Seoul in my Hero form and kill all those fucking Erosion bastards.
└Anonymous2 (FR): Level 98 DPS ready and waiting.
└Anonymous3 (JP): Level 97, second-class Sorcerer standing by.
└Anonymous4 (IN): I’m level 50, please take me with you.
HohoGamMan: I’ve taken leave. I’ll be playing full-time during my vacation^^. Just bought a Soul Link Dive too.
└SockThief: Oh, a big name. How does it feel?
└HohoGamMan: More comfortable than expected. It was a bit embarrassing at first, but once I got used to it, it’s incredibly convenient. I think my skin is being taken care of better than when I managed it myself. People are saying I look younger these days.
Anonymous5 (KR): I want to give them something, anything, but they say you need to be connected to Arsilan to send gifts…
└Anonymous6 (UK): Hope the gift feature opens soon.
└HohoGamMan: Got 1,000 Platinum Coins locked and loaded^^.
The original plan was to portray Helby and Ella barely maintaining the seal while suffering, but Jinwoo adjusted it moderately, thinking the Heroes might become too emotionally drained.
As time continued to dwindle, the crack etched into the sky over Seoul grew larger and larger. Not only domestic news broadcasts but also foreign media were covering it as a top story. Many overseas news outlets had even set up teams stationed in Seoul for continuous coverage.
Jinwoo began full-scale preparations for the direction within Arsilan.
Most Heroes who had crossed the Magic Barrier were gathered in the cities of various races. Some Heroes had plans to connect the railroads, but that wasn’t a priority for now.
They had to clear the Main Quest and complete the Dimension Gate. As soon as the Arsilan residents heard that the world of the Heroes was in danger, they actively stepped in to help.
[Reiner (Elvens) has joined the party.]
[Hamir (Elvens) has joined the party.]
Now, Heroes could invite Arsilan residents into their parties. All party settings and functions could be used seamlessly, to the point where one could no longer distinguish between Arsilan residents and Heroes.
“Thank you!”
“No, Hero nim, it is only natural as a fellow comrade of Arsilan.”
“Hehe. I’ll buy you a drink when we get to Seoul.”
“Fufu, I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Parties that included Arsilan residents began to increase.
As the Main Quest progressed, this naturally became the norm. Once all the Main Quests in the cities settled on reclaimed lands were completed, the final quest to head toward Earth finally appeared.
[4 hours remaining until the Grand Rift opens.]
The Heroes gave it their all and joined forces to reach the final stage, but time was running dangerously short.
[Arsilan] Gather everyone’s strength
‘Our pure hearts shall cross dimensions and reach you.’
The pure hearts of Arsilan possessed a powerful force strong enough to pierce through dimensions. If those hearts could be given form, they would be able to deliver light beyond dimensions.
Long ago, the Goddess and the Guardian Dragon called it a holy relic.
Let the power of the holy relic be connected to the Goddess and Guardian Dragon who reside beyond the dimension. If this is done, Arsilan and Earth will be linked, and the Dimension Gate will be completed.
Hurry!
There isn’t much time left!
May the blessing of light reach your world!
“Ooh! Is this the end?”
“Nice!”
“Four hours is plenty! Let’s go prepare!”
“We’re finally going! Those bastards are dead meat!”
In Elvens, Lunatie, and many cities inhabited by the various races, Heroes and Arsilan residents gathered. Representatives of the cities, including Luceren, prepared the ritual to create the holy relic.
Jinwoo smirked as he watched the excited expressions of the Heroes.
‘Can’t let them get through that easily.’
Things like this weren’t fun if players arrived early or were overly prepared. To deliver that delicious tension, the timing had to be dragged out until the last possible moment.
Jinwoo: Time to get ready
Ella (Goddess): Act like it's extremely hard and go almost to the point of death?
Helby (Guardian Dragon): Hmm, got it.
Ella and Helby began preparing their performances in advance.
Because they would miss the timing, Ella and Helby were scheduled to get injured and struggle while blocking the Grand Rift. The key point was to show them protecting Earth with all they had, even prepared for annihilation.
That scene was to be shown to all the Heroes and residents of Arsilan.
‘This’ll be fun.’
And since this was the first time going into the Reverse World, it needed to be a worthy event.
It was no exaggeration to say the entire world’s attention was focused on it. Word had already spread that viewer numbers had surpassed those of a World Cup final.
From the Dimension Gate to the Grand Rift in Seoul.
An event not only for Heroes but also for Arsilan residents to enjoy to their hearts’ content!
He wanted to show it all, properly, to everyone.
Tiris (Director): Then I'll begin.
Everything was already prepared.