The Ruined World Was Mistaken for a Game

Chapter 202: Descent of Heroes (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Heroes had come to Levannas!

Belzerad informed the confused citizens of Levannas about the realm's history. Starting from the fact that Levannas originated from the Demon Realm that was once connected to Arsilan in ancient times and shared its roots with Arsilan, he went on to explain in detail everything from the existence of Erosion to the Heroes.

However, he did not reveal how Levannas had been formed or how Erosion had been sealed. He simply described it as having received help from the Light of Arsilan.

With Tiris's assistance, the presentation was delivered using images created through Illusion Magic, making it much easier for Levannas's Demons to understand. Since Levannas had not only radio but also television, the information could be broadcast to all citizens.

The Demons had Heroes of their own.

They were none other than Sera and the Magical Girls.

They had safely guided the Heroes and saved Levannas! That fact became a source of pride for the Demons of Levannas.

Above all, those incredible Heroes absolutely adored Sera and the Magical Girls. Some practically worshipped them. Perhaps sensing a kinship in that, much of the fear toward the Heroes had faded.

"Greetings! Demons of Levannas!"

"Eek! Oh, h-hello?"

"Have a good day."

"Y-yes, okay!"

When an Undead Hero called out to a Defense Force soldier, the soldier was so startled he nearly collapsed on the spot. They were still afraid of the Undead Heroes. In fairness, even people from Earth would be terrified seeing one at night. Each Undead Hero was customized so uniquely that even fellow Heroes would flinch at the sight.

The Heroes had set up temporary shelters outside the protective wall and were installing a Dimension Gate. In any location outside Arsilan, it could be freely installed on top of a Hero's Flower. Of course, it required an enormous amount of materials.

"Almost done."

"There's so much True Magic Stone here, it's going faster than expected."

The Heroes were pouring materials into the Dimension Gate to complete it.

When they attempted to install a Dimension Gate on top of a Hero's Flower, the space cracked open and rippled. Feeding materials into that opening caused the Dimension Gate to construct itself automatically. While building a Dimension Gate required a great deal of materials, Levannas was an absolute paradise for that. Not only were there Erosion Insects, but digging into the ground frequently yielded large crystalline True Magic Stones.

This particular Dimension Gate was far larger than a typical field gate and consumed even more materials. By continuously feeding in the supplies they had crammed into the eggs along with True Magic Stones they had mined, they were able to complete the Dimension Gate quickly.

"Ooh!"

"It's done!"

A Dimension Gate the size of a large building revealed itself. It looked like a doorway cradling a space that shimmered with light. The rippling space filled with radiance and connected to Arsilan.

[The Dimension Gate has been completed!]

[Arsilan and Levannas are now connected!]

*You can freely travel between Arsilan and Levannas through the Dimension Gate.

*Goods can be transported through any Dimension Gate, but quantity limits apply. However, using the Dimension Gate in Alusion removes the quantity limit.

*Travel requirement: Level 130 or above, or equivalent qualification.

The Levannas Defense Force soldiers nearby gulped as they stared at the Dimension Gate. As it opened, countless Heroes poured through.

Massive carts pulled by Magic Armor were loaded with goods, belonging to merchant Heroes who had been waiting in Alusion.

Heroes emerging from the Dimension Gate rushed toward the Defense Force soldiers stationed outside the protective wall. The soldiers flinched at the sudden approach. They had received orders from the King not to fear the Heroes and to treat them with courtesy, so they held their ground.

"Is this Sera's country?"

"Y-yes, it is."

"Do you have merchandise too?"

"Um... I heard a museum was recently built in the capital. They're displaying items Sera used or donated, apparently...."

The Heroes' faces lit up with astonishment.

Those with a quick eye for profit were already thinking about buying up merchandise in bulk and selling it in Arsilan. Some Heroes cheered with excitement.

The Defense Force soldiers glanced at each other, then cracked slight smiles. Seeing the Heroes act so ordinarily put them at ease in an instant.

"Soldier, want to take a photo?"

"Oh, sure."

The Defense Force soldiers struck awkward poses. The Heroes snapped commemorative photos with them and immediately posted them on Arsilan Worlds.

"First, let's head to a major city and figure out what's worth buying."

"Do we need some kind of approval to trade?"

"Hmm, wouldn't the Levannas royal family handle that?"

"I just brought things that looked like they'd be needed in Levannas, for now."

Trade with a brand-new nation!

That made the hearts of commerce-driven Heroes race with excitement. Heroes who researched Magitech Engineering were just as thrilled.

"Wow, so that's an Airship...."

"What kind of technology lets it hover so stably like that?"

"The size is absolutely massive."

"I saw in a video that they even have cars."

"If we applied that to Magic Armor, maybe combining mechs would be possible...."

"The sheer romance of it all."

Led by HellDoctor, several Magitech engineers had been developing machines powered by Mana Engines, but they had hit a wall. Since Mana Engines running on True Magic Stones had only just launched, there simply hadn't been enough time to develop groundbreaking new technology. But here, such technologies were everywhere! They couldn't help but be excited.

In this way, Levannas filled the Heroes with anticipation for many reasons. The Heroes were ready to venture deeper into Levannas. But they still couldn't cross the protective wall.

[Entry is not yet permitted.]

An information window with this message appeared, and movement inward was restricted as if blocked by an invisible wall.

"Hmm."

"What's going on?"

"When will it open?"

"Open the door already! I'm in a hurry!"

Just as every Hero who had arrived in Levannas was wondering the same thing...

[The Dimension Gate responds to the light of Levannas. The memories of Levannas unfold.]

Light erupted from the Dimension Gate and surged high into the sky. As if in answer, light also soared from the Levannas Royal Palace far in the distance.

The light that reached the sky shattered into fine fragments and fell like snow across all of Levannas. When the beautiful light descended from above, the Demons of Levannas gasped in awe and poured outside.

The sight seemed to bless a new beginning, and they held each other's hands as they gazed up at the sky.

When the snow-like particles of light touched the Heroes, an information window appeared right before their eyes.

"Huh?"

"What's this...?"

The information window was connected not only to Levannas but to Arsilan as well. Even Heroes who hadn't met the requirements and couldn't come to Levannas were able to see the information window.

-What is this?

-I'm watching a stream and it looks like something's happening in Levannas?

-Let's just watch.

-Ah! I was just about to cross over! Is this an event?

Arsilan and Levannas were linked through the chat window.

All the Heroes quietly watched the information window. After a brief wait, a video began playing directly from the information window.

Accompanied by a somewhat melancholic and heavy soundtrack, the landscapes of Levannas unfolded.

Defense Force soldiers despairing at the oncoming swarms of Erosion Insects yet rising again, Airships maneuvering at full power amid urgently crackling communications, and turret operators loading shells with trembling hands as they pulled their triggers.

Everyone was fighting desperately to protect Levannas.

KABOOM!

Shells rained down on the Erosion Insect swarms and flames erupted, but the Erosion Insects pushed through the fire and advanced toward the protective wall.

It was a moment of utter despair.

[Will you share the Light of Arsilan that you created?]

In that instant, the music shifted.

The beautiful landscapes of Arsilan spread across the screen.

The sight of Arsilan, having endured countless hardships and reclaimed peace, never failed to warm the heart.

In beautiful Arsilan, Heroes and Arsilani people laughed, chatted, and lived joyfully together, and even Heroes struggling in fierce battles against monsters wore smiles on their faces. Even while fighting massive World Bosses tainted by Erosion, the smiles never left.

Joy.

That was the light everyone carried within them.

It was hope that overcame despair.

All the Heroes who had stood before the crystallized remains of the Planet Devourer looked toward Levannas and grinned. Without hesitation, they shared their light.

No matter how many times joy was divided, it never diminished.

Rather, it was a strange light that spread as if contagious, only growing larger.

-Oh...

-That's actually really moving.

-Same old flavor, but damn it's still good!

The light that crossed the vastness of space and arrived in Levannas created a miracle.

[After an eternity of despair, Levannas dares to dream of hope.]

Sera appeared and drove back the Erosion Insects.

Battered and covered in wounds, she endured and looked up at the sky with a smile. Then blazing eggs descended like comets, and the Heroes arrived in Levannas.

Everything that had happened so far had been turned into an opening cinematic.

Watching it as a video, it looked pretty cool.

-Getting into those eggs was insane though.

-We actually look pretty awesome.

-Oh, there's more?

Just when they thought it was over, the video continued.

The footage went back to the past.

It was the time when the Legion of Light had defeated the Lord of Despair. Defeated by Arsilan, the Lord of Despair had fled through the Great Rift.

For something that had appeared as arrogantly as a god, the sight of it scrambling to escape was utterly pathetic.

-We let that bastard get away.

-If we'd just landed the final blow!

-Pisses me off so much.

The Lord of Despair was a massive cluster of tentacles.

The mangled Lord of Despair slipped through the Great Rift and cut across the void of space. The Planet Devourer could be seen gnawing away at Arsilan. Thanks to the Heroes having wrecked it beyond repair, it was no longer consuming Arsilan, which was a relief.

-Huh? Levannas?

-That's Levannas.

-Are they connected somehow?

The image of Levannas appeared.

The fleeing Lord of Despair headed behind Levannas and burrowed its way inside. Upon reaching the center of Levannas, an enormous sphere came into view. The sphere looked as though it had been sealed.

This was no ordinary being.

It was on an entirely different level from anything they had faced before.

Though it was only a video, the Heroes could feel its overwhelming presence.

-That's terrifying

-Looks insanely powerful

-What even is that...

Through the cracks in the sphere, glimpses of a colossal being were visible. Looking at it yet being unable to comprehend it produced an eerie sensation that sent chills down their spines. As the Lord of Despair slipped into those cracks, Erosion Insects began pouring out.

The Heroes realized the truth.

-So the Lord of Despair was just like an avatar.

-More like a piece of its body, maybe....

-What is this scale? How are we supposed to beat that?

To the Heroes' eyes, the Lord of Despair appeared to be nestled within the core of Levannas.

They were burning with curiosity.

What story could possibly explain this? But the video offered no answers this time.

The screen changed, and Ella's figure appeared.

Ella floated above Arsilan, reaching her hand toward the faintly visible Levannas in the distance.

[Heroes! Your courage to overcome despair is needed once more.]

Helby, buried among the starlight, watched the Heroes, let out a quiet chuckle, and turned her head away. Leon stepped out into the garden, and when light burst forth from the Dimension Gate, he nodded with a smile and looked up at the sky.

The screen went dark, and then,

[Episode 5: Light of Miracles.]

The message heralding the start of Episode 5 appeared.

"Yes!"

"Finally!"

"Here we go!"

From the moment the Erosion Insects invaded the Dimension Gate's field to the arrival in Levannas, all of it had been the prologue to Episode 5. The Heroes clenched their fists, overwhelmed with excitement.

Everyone turned their heads to look at Levannas. Heroes who hadn't met the requirements and couldn't reach Levannas yet resolved to level up as hard as they could.

[The path to Levannas has been opened!]

*Combat is prohibited within Levannas towns and cities.

*An Arsilan Embassy has appeared in Levannas!

*If caught engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior, you may be imprisoned in a Levannas jail. Release requires negotiation through the Arsilan Embassy. This takes a long time, so please be cautious.

The moment Episode 5 began, the path to Levannas opened. The invisible wall that had blocked the Heroes was lifted, and the gates of the protective wall swung wide open.

[Levannas] Descent of Heroes.

Levannas has been unlocked.

Explore Levannas and discover what needs to be done.

The first Main Quest of Levannas appeared.

Knights in uniform emerged before the gates of the wall to welcome the Heroes.

"I'm going first!"

"Let's go!"

"Aaaaah!"

Whoever arrived first had the advantage, no question about it!

The Heroes charged toward Levannas all at once. The knights who had come to greet them under Belzerad's orders recoiled in shock at the sight.

And so, Episode 5, upon which the fates of both Arsilan and Levannas rested, began.

* * *

Two weeks had passed since the Heroes descended upon Levannas. Arsilan Worlds was constantly flooded with posts about the cultures and innovations discovered in Levannas. Levannas possessed highly advanced Magitech Engineering, providing enormous inspiration to Arsilan as well.

Belzerad established a Technology Exchange Center in the Levannas capital and arranged for technological exchange with Arsilan.

There were quite a few concerns about the meeting between Heroes and Demons, but Jinwoo pushed ahead boldly. There was no time for a cautious, gradual introduction.

Like it or not, they needed to mingle.

'Still, they seem to be getting along well.'

When the Heroes approached the Demons without any reservations, the Demons were initially awkward, but as time passed, they grew reasonably accustomed to it.

Unlike the people of Arsilan, the Demons were a bit rougher around the edges and had a somewhat prickly side to them.

'Oh, typical Demons....'

'Even the bad attitudes have a certain charm.'

'You want big sis to set you straight?'

The Heroes firmly put the Demons in their place whenever they crossed the line. Since the Demons still carried faint traces of their ancestors' blood that revered strength, they integrated reasonably well. Of course, the Magic Tower was working behind the scenes to keep things from escalating too far.

The Affection System was implemented through Illusion Magic based on the Demons' status and information.

The people of Arsilan tended to keep a wall up until a certain level of familiarity was reached, but the Demons were different. Once they acknowledged someone, they opened up wholeheartedly and held nothing back.

'Must be because of Belzerad's love.'

There were even sightings of Levannas knights, stationed to attend to the Heroes, going on secret dates with them.

'Dates, huh... that's nice.'

Dates.

A truly wonderful thing.

But why were they so wonderful?

Well, obviously because....

Jinwoo closed his eyes and tried to recall a date he had been on before.

"......"

Oh no! Nothing came to mind.

During his game developer days, he had been obsessed with game development, and after coming to Arsilan, he'd been so consumed with studying magic that there had never been a chance for anything like a date.

When he finally had some free time after becoming Archmage....

'That's when Erosion invaded.'

He was a complete novice.

Even if someone slapped a kindergartener's cap on his head, he wouldn't be able to protest.

Let's think positively.

Maybe that was exactly why he had become Archmage!

Jinwoo felt a little sad. No, very sad.

"Master."

"Hm? Is there a problem?"

"I propose a joint festival between Arsilan and Levannas."

Jinwoo blinked, then nodded.

For Tiris, it was a surprisingly sensible suggestion. It seemed like a good opportunity to foster mutual cultural understanding. Jinwoo could tell that Tiris was hiding something.

"What's your real motive?"

"With no Erosion Insect incursions lately, the Magical Girls have gotten complacent."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"No. If we leave them idle like this, they'll lose the qualities that win over Heroes' hearts. Then the Heroes will naturally lose interest in Levannas and won't fight as actively. As a result, Levannas could fall, and Arsilan would be put at risk as well."

It seemed like a stretch, but there was a certain logic to it.

Sera was the key figure in making Heroes feel attached to Levannas. Since they shared the Light of Holy Sword, she also served as a bridge between Arsilan and Levannas.

Since quite a few Heroes had come to Levannas specifically to indulge their fandom, it was better for Sera to make frequent appearances.

"I plan to create a spectacular stage."

"You don't just want to torment them, do you?"

"About half of it is that, yes."

Tiris admitted it without hesitation.

"It's all yours."

"Thank you."

Jinwoo approved Tiris's plan. He wanted the Demons of Levannas to experience the same joy that Arsilan felt. Tiris would take the lead, and Jinwoo intended to stay out of it.

Jinwoo was a bit busy with matters in the real world, so he returned to the laboratory right away.

Just as he had protected Arsilan, he needed to safeguard Earth as well. To that end, a new technology and product reveal was being held at the hologram center.

"Boss!"

"We're all set."

Two handsome men approached with gleaming eyes. They were Hasman and Halon, wearing artificial bodies crafted on Earth. These days, the two spent more time operating on Earth than in Arsilan.

Tia appeared in a suit, carrying a briefcase.

"Let's get going!"

She was officially affiliated with the laboratory.

New identities had been created for them, so there were no issues operating on Earth. Tia had even put on glasses to project the image of a sharp-minded secretary.

"I could go alone, you know?"

At Jinwoo's words, all three of them deflated. Come to think of it, he had barely spent any time with them lately. He had only made a brief appearance in Levannas as well.

"Let's go."

When Jinwoo said that, the three nodded and broke into wide smiles. They rode together in the car, heading for the hologram center.

"What do you think love is?"

At Jinwoo's out-of-the-blue question, all three wore confident smiles. Halon spoke first.

"Mating and reproduction, of course."

"A strategic alliance."

Hasman followed up.

Each of them was satisfied, convinced their answer was correct. Tia shook her head and clicked her tongue.

"Obviously, it's ruin!"

Tia snorted as she spoke, and her glasses fogged up.

"Oh...."

You're all just like me! Thank you!

Jinwoo nodded and broke into a wide grin.

A true sense of camaraderie welled up within him!