Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Giant King Hunt (4)
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Hyun-soo was a player.
He possessed a different mindset from the NPCs of Ares, a world blending the Middle Ages with various fantasy settings.
Of course, Hyun-soo himself was also a man of remarkably upright and virtuous character.
In his mind, it was only natural. Mourning came before sharing joy.
But that very act produced a completely unexpected result.
[Marquis Lükburg promises to support your path to the throne more than anyone else.]
Hyun-soo looked into Marquis Lükburg's deep eyes.
'For someone who vied for the throne, his reputation is too good.'
After meeting Marquis Lükburg in the audience chamber, both Hyun-soo and Nel had looked into him privately.
Surprisingly, the people loved him, and many had mourned when they heard the news of his demotion.
And now a man like Marquis Lükburg was supporting him?
"Attend to him."
Lükburg's words, spoken with a gentle smile, confirmed that the notification was true.
Soldiers approached, helped Hyun-soo up, and escorted him respectfully.
And Hyun-soo was anticipating one particular notification.
'Isn't it going to trigger...?'
It was Grace of the Master.
The effect of Grace of the Master was described as follows:
'Activates with an 8% chance when someone judges that you have bestowed upon them a favor they will never forget for the rest of their life.'
Hyun-soo had clearly seen the power of Grace of the Master.
Thanks to this power, he had practically won over the miner Banya and the artisan blacksmith Pere.
He could now take all the members of the Gale Squad with him.
This had turned into an astronomical reward compared to the original plan of taking three ordinary level 220 soldiers from here.
But as the master of Guild Gwangmyeong, Hyun-soo was thirsty for more.
'Our guild is a small, elite group.'
Looking at the guild members one by one, they were the strongest.
However, a recent conversation with Nel had revealed that they would still lose if they went up against guilds in the top 20.
Moreover, Korea's number one guild, Hwarang, had over 500 troops.
NPC troops, not players.
They had no less than 30 knights and 470 soldiers.
But until the moment he arrived in the luxurious room the soldiers had guided him to in the Araham territory, the notification had not appeared.
Hyun-soo let out a small smile.
'It only has an 8% chance of activating, so of course it's not going to be easy.'
He felt a slight disappointment, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Then, Hyun-soo recalled another notification.
After hunting the Giant King, a great many notifications had descended upon him.
Among them, one that had come a bit later was this:
[The Wolf's Egg is preparing to hatch.]
[The Wolf's Egg will grow by consuming a Nutrient Rate through you for a certain period.]
[You have acquired a Nutrient Rate of 31%.]
[The Wolf's Egg is greatly pleased.]
Hyun-soo took out the Wolf's Egg.
'What kind of Nutrient Rate does it feed on to grow?'
Hyun-soo didn't know, but the Nutrient Rate stemmed from the achievements he had established as a nobleman.
Under normal circumstances, Hyun-soo should have raised it by about 7% to 10% through this subjugation commander quest.
But he had obtained a massive 31%.
However, even Hyun-soo, who didn't know this fact, could infer it from the notification.
'The Wolf's Egg is greatly pleased...'
The egg being pleased.
It meant the egg was satisfied with preparing to hatch in his care.
And Hyun-soo thought about that Nutrient Rate.
Ares had countless percentage-based quests.
For percentage-based quests, it was a given that a higher score yielded a better reward.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could figure it out.
'Does a higher Nutrient Rate mean a better wolf will hatch?'
Hyun-soo recalled the Ash Wolf that had dropped this egg.
'Even if it's just as good as that one, it would be excellent.'
He pictured it.
The Ash Wolf with its magnificent fur, guarding Hyeon's Smithy!
Then, Hyun-soo suddenly felt the egg vibrate.
[The Wolf's Egg is proud of you for doing a good job.]
[Since you did a good job, the Wolf's Egg asks you to pet it.]
“...?”
What a strange thing.
“I'm the one who did a good job, so why are you asking me to pet you?”
Hyun-soo let out a dry laugh. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
With a bewildered expression, Hyun-soo petted the egg.
[The Wolf's Egg is at ease.]
Petting the egg like that, Hyun-soo waited in anticipation.
The notification had clearly stated it.
That Marquis Lükburg would bestow upon him the greatest reward he could offer.
Having returned to his domain with his son Lukkeu, Marquis Lükburg would discuss that reward.
'It'll probably take some time to determine the reward.'
Hyun-soo felt a wave of fatigue.
Thinking the reward discussion would be over after he got some sleep, he logged out.
***
Araham territory's commander, Philip.
He watched in admiration as all 1,056 soldiers raised their hands.
An unknown thrill shot through him.
He was delighted that all five members of the Gale Squad he had trained had finally found their master.
And the lord of the Araham territory, Marquis Lükburg, had changed his assessment of Hyun-soo in just two days.
“I've finally come to understand His Majesty's will. It wasn't an act, nor was he appointed as my successor to cast me aside. He was truly worthy of the position.”
Philip was amazed.
He had never expected Lükburg, the kingdom's foremost nobleman, to speak in such a way.
This wasn't an assessment made simply because he had saved his son Lukkeu and hunted the Giant King.
Right now, Marquis Lükburg genuinely wanted to support him.
“It must be something that will be a great help on his path, Commander Philip. What kind of reward do you think is appropriate?”
Philip thought it over carefully.
He had, in effect, saved the Araham territory.
If the Giant King had awakened his full power, the Araham territory would have fallen within days.
The reward for that had to be taken into account as well.
In addition, he had saved Marquis Lükburg's son.
“For saving Sir Lukkeu, I believe it is right to repay him with money. Baronets are individuals with the potential to grow into barons, counts, and marquises later on. Therefore, what they need is money.”
Because one needed money to expand their influence.
“You and I are of the same mind.”
It was a matter that required no other consideration.
After a moment's thought, Lükburg decided on the amount.
“Bestowing 300,000 gold upon him should suffice.”
300 million won in Korean currency.
It was an eye-poppingly large sum.
However, to Marquis Lükburg, one of the wealthiest men in the kingdom, it was not a significant amount.
Moreover, in his heart, Marquis Lükburg wanted to give him ten times that amount.
That was why he intended to fulfill that desire with another reward for the future.
But that was a matter not easily decided.
Just then, a completely unexpected person entered.
Because of this person, Lükburg was able to prepare the most meaningful and, for Hyun-soo, most necessary reward in the world.
***
Nel had spoken with Hyun-soo last evening.
'He's truly an amazing person.'
Hunting the Giant King, winning Marquis Lükburg's heart, the Gale Squad.
Every story felt so incredible to an ordinary person.
But even within those stories, Nel found what Guild Gwangmyeong needed.
[Guild Master Hyun-soo has logged in.]
As soon as the notification sounded, Nel greeted Hyun-soo.
[Nel: Hey~]
[Hyun-soo: Yes, good morning.]
[Nel: Are you on your way to get your reward now?]
[Hyun-soo: Yep, I'm planning to head back to base after meeting Marquis Lükburg. I'm excited to see what kind of reward I'll get ^^]
[Nel: You achieved something amazing, so you'll receive something worthy of it.]
Hyun-soo was quick on the uptake.
[Hyun-soo: Is something up?]
[Nel: There's something I think Guild Gwangmyeong needs.]
After hearing Hyun-soo's story last evening, Nel had been thinking hard about something.
[Nel: I'm thinking of hiring a skilled knight.]
[Hyun-soo: A knight? Why, when we're bringing the Gale Squad with us?]
Hyun-soo was a person with a lot on his mind.
That was why it was Nel who thought about the things he might overlook.
She explained the reason.
[Nel: The Gale Squad are soldiers, but they have the strength of knights. Of course, our guild members' levels are much higher. The problem is that the one who commands and leads them shouldn't be a player. We need someone strong who can control the Gale Squad in an emergency when no one is logged in. I haven't met them in person, but I'm sure they have immense pride.]
[Hyun-soo: Ah... I think you're right.]
Hyun-soo was quick to understand.
[Nel: Because they're like that, we sometimes need someone with the power to forcefully suppress and control them. The problem is, I don't think an ordinary knight would be enough.]
[Hyun-soo: That makes sense. They already wield the power of knights.]
Now it was time for the most sensitive and important part of the conversation.
[Hyun-soo: How much does it cost to hire a skilled knight?]
[Nel: About 10,000 gold a month ^^;;]
A huge sum, equivalent to 10 million won.
[Hyun-soo: It costs that much?]
Nel calmly explained why skilled knights were so expensive.
[Nel: It's expensive for guilds to hire NPC knights. Of course, ordinary knights are about 2,000 gold, but the value of intermediate-level knights and above is beyond imagination. Also, once hired, they no longer receive their monthly pay from the kingdom, and we have to pay it instead.]
Knights were also divided into ranks.
The beginner level.
Next was intermediate.
Advanced and master.
The next level was Bella's class; these were named NPCs who usually held a title.
[Hyun-soo: How much would a named knight cost?]
Nel gave a bitter smile.
[Nel: Unfortunately, a small guild like ours can't hire named knights. But if you were to put a price on it, it would be at least 50,000 gold a month.]
Knights who received titles were extremely rare.
In addition, their growth potential was beyond imagination.
Just then, Hyun-soo spoke.
[Hyun-soo: I just received my reward. 300,000 gold. Oh, wait a second. It seems he's... bestowing a knight on me...]
[Nel: What?]
A knight?
Nel, with a puzzled expression, thought about the Araham territory.
The Araham territory was located so far on the frontier that it was unlikely to have any skilled knights.
But then a puzzling whisper arrived.
[Hyun-soo: I don't think we'll need to hire a knight after all!]
***
Hyun-soo, having been granted 300,000 gold by Lükburg.
He, who had been whispering with Nel, wore a puzzled expression.
Marquis Lükburg gave a small smile.
“I am thinking of sending a knight to you.”
Usually, wouldn't one say 'bestow' rather than 'send'?
Also, through his whispers with Nel just now, Hyun-soo had learned how valuable a good knight was.
And the doors opened, and a knight with a magnificent physique began to enter.
Hyun-soo's lips parted.
“...I am not the one sending him.”
Marquis Lükburg's gentle tone warmed Hyun-soo's heart.
“He came to me and pleaded.”
The knight slowly knelt before him.
The look of blind faith in his eyes.
“He said that serving you is for the well-being of the kingdom, and that he would make you a king and become your commander.”
The kneeling knight placed a hand firmly over his chest.
“Please, take him with you.”
Hyun-soo felt an indescribable fluttering in his chest as he watched the man make a gesture of loyalty.
[He is one of the 5 Great Talents of the Goyad Kingdom and is called a potential Sword Saint.]
He stated the reason he had volunteered.
“When I heard the words 'Mourning comes before celebration,' I realized something.”
Grace of the Master had not activated. That was why Hyun-soo's heart was pounding like crazy.
“That by following you, I would be able to learn a great deal.”
This wasn't because of a skill, nor was it brought about by a special system.
'This is something I accomplished with my own strength.'
Hyun-soo took in the familiar face of the man, who spoke in a powerful voice.
“I pledge my loyalty to you.”
[One of the kingdom's 5 Great Talents. Lukkeu pledges his loyalty to you.]
Lukkeu, a potential Sword Saint who couldn't be bought with money.
He had become Hyun-soo's subordinate.