Atlas Territory (1)
Hyun-soo's right-hand rehabilitation was still underway.
His primary physician, Dr. Jin-seop, couldn't give a firm guarantee on whether it would fully succeed.
Even so, Hyun-soo decided to press on without giving up.
'My left hand's up to 60% of my right now.'
In the process, he'd been practicing ways to use his left hand as well.
If it had started at just 40% of his right hand's performance, he'd made considerable progress.
And after more than five months of repeating right-hand rehab and left-hand training, he learned one key fact.
'How...'
Hyun-soo's skills were already exceptionally high.
Think of a gym. When you first start weight training, your muscles grow fast for the first three months.
But as time passes and you advance from beginner to intermediate to advanced, that growth slows dramatically.
It's like a sponge soaked in water. At first, you can wring out a lot, but eventually, only drops come out.
That's what elite skill means. You hit the ceiling of growth.
Yet using his left hand produced a shocking result.
In Ares, Hyun-soo could wield his right hand freely.
So he mainly used it for forge work, with his left as support.
And the amazing revelation: as his left hand's dexterity improved, forging became easier than before.
Forge work is grueling, day in and day out.
Like a pitcher throwing at full effort every single day—it's bound to wear you down.
And Ares was so realistic, it mirrored real life.
Overuse one arm too long, and it fatigues.
That's when Hyun-soo started switching to his left hand occasionally.
Something he'd never dreamed of before.
The effects were clear.
'Less fatigue.'
'Better gear production.'
That sparked a thought.
The game mattered, but so did real life for Hyun-soo.
And real-world skill gains could boost his game performance too.
'If I become a true ambidextrous blacksmith, how massive would the impact be?'
Ambidextrous blacksmith.
Just imagining it sent a thrill through him.
So he couldn't quit.
Not on raising his left to match his right.
Not on rehabbing his right.
But not all news was good.
When Dr. Jin-seop checked his right hand during a session, he said,
"It seems your right hand isn't keeping up with your efforts."
But Hyun-soo felt off.
"Doesn't more power go into my right hand now?"
"Yes, your grip strength's back over 10%. But that's not what I mean."
Dr. Jin-seop stared gravely at footage from Hyun-soo's rehab sessions.
"It's clearly improved, yet your right hand won't move to that full improved level. More like... it's resisting."
"My right hand is resisting..?"
"Yes. Hard to explain medically, but think of it this way: the optic nerves and muscle tissues already damaged once... and even..."
He pointed to his head.
"...the brain sending signals to move it. They're scared of breaking again. So it's holding back its full power, dodging. The problem? That slows rehab."
Dr. Jin-seop simplified it.
"To build muscle, you push 2-3 reps past what you think is your max. But your right hand gives up way before that."
In short, his right hand—and mentally—carried trauma.
As Dr. Jin-seop laid it out, he glanced at Hyun-soo's face and gave a small smile.
"But a way to treat this trauma might launch soon."
He spun his monitor to show a screen.
It was footage of CEO Lee Se-jin.
"This VVIP capsule boasts 100% synchronization. Synchronization... As a kid, I devoured fantasy novels like you all did. About 20 years ago, VR game stories were all the rage. They had 'synchronization' too."
"But I thought the novels' idea that 100% sync means 100% pain was nonsense. I'm a scientist, but a businessman too. No one wants a game with real agony."
"So Ares' sync is this: 100% on what you see, touch, feel. But pain, heat, cuts? Down to 1/100th."
"Daily life feels different."
"Texture when you touch, fingertip feedback when crafting—it tracks sync perfectly."
"And this capsule's 100% sync makes Ares identical to reality..."
Hyun-soo's eyes wavered.
To others, it sounded like "feels just like reality."
Not to him.
'Then I can craft even more precisely?'
After that part, Lee Se-jin continued.
"But the real highlight is the new mode added via sync."
"It's Rehabilitation Mode."
"...!?"
Hyun-soo's face lit with shock.
On screen, Lee Se-jin spoke confidently.
"Rehab Mode should help those in training."
"Activate it in Ares, and the capsule's devices send micro-shocks. Proven to aid recovery slightly—and FDA approved."
Dr. Jin-seop added,
"FDA approval means it's proven effective for real rehab."
Hyun-soo was stunned.
"I've gotta get one."
Dr. Jin-seop shook his head.
"Sadly, only 50 units. Likely for the world's tycoons needing rehab."
Hyun-soo couldn't grasp it.
"Something this good, why limit to VVIP?"
"Simple. Effects aren't quantified—1%? 10%? 30%? Capsule's 450 million won. They sell to tycoons because..."
He nailed it.
"Their money's worth differs. 0.5% effect? They'd buy. Purum Corp tests on them; if strong, mass-produce later. Priority: get you one. You're the first legend, after all."
But Hyun-soo knew reality.
Purum Corp gave no favors.
His rehab mattered.
Globally? Others needed it more desperately.
He'd checked ways to buy one.
'Impossible.'
That was the verdict.
Then he sat at the contract table with Ayaka, Purum's global promo director.
He showed her his value.
And he knew.
'At her level, she can snag one with her authority.'
Hye-jin's words: her power rivaled a department head.
Rehabilitation Mode starts.
Hyun-soo's chest burned. A loophole? Unfair?
No. Earned at the negotiation table with his achievements.
Because he proved his power to Ayaka.
Pure Hyun-soo strength made it happen.
Logging into Ares, he headed straight to the forge.
There, he gripped the hammer first.
'The texture, smell—everything Lee Se-jin mentioned...'
Hyun-soo marveled.
True 100%.
Pain at 1/100th, but everyday sensations? Full 100%.
'If this aids rehab...'
He'd advance as a true ambidextrous blacksmith.
'I'll make it happen. Ambidextrous blacksmith.'
Finishing forge business, Hyun-soo went to the lord's castle.
Right on login, he'd gotten this.
You can become the lord of Atlas Territory.
Now, he'd accelerate becoming king.
Extra guild reward from the continental war.
Cool territory name.
Spotting his login, Nel came to the audience chamber.
She'd heard about Atlas Territory already.
A sudden curiosity hit Hyun-soo.
"Not granted by His Highness Barad—is that an issue lore-wise?"
Nel answered smoothly.
"No problem. Purum Corp nailed the setup. Atlas wasn't Goyad Kingdom land. But owning it incorporates it now. In Ares lore, it's 'New Ares' gift to one who achieves the impossible.'"
World-building perfection awed him again.
And his other question.
"Sadly, I don't know Atlas details either. Info's scarce. Gotta go see. Guild map-marked it, so easy for members."
Hyun-soo checked his map.
"Super hidden, huh?"
"Still near Goyad. Probably considering Hyun's Forge guild."
Mid-chat, one being popped to mind.
Hadn't seen it awhile; Hyun-soo missed it.
Speak of the devil—a voice rang out.
"Mang! Mang-mang!"
Hyun-soo watched a snowy-white Shiba Inu-like Bokdeongi bound in like a bullet.
'Bunny?'
Helicopter tail whirring, it charged him.
"Maaang!"
Bokdeongi is happy.
Hyun-soo spread his arms for a hug.
"Agoo, my Bokdeongi! Been good!?"
Then Bokdeongi, mid-air, dropped to the ground.
It slumped limply and waddled off.
Plopped headfirst in a corner, sprawling flat.
Bokdeongi is sulking.
"Maaang..."
Dogs were so cute.
They think if they can't see you, you can't see them.
Hyun-soo chuckled softly.
Plump from good eating lately, Bokdeongi's fluffy butt was adorable.
"Bokdeongi, mad I was gone so long?"
"Maaang..."
Bokdeongi is sulking.
Yet at his call, that tiny precious tail wagged wildly.
Hyun-soo snuck up and scooped Bokdeongi.
Snot-dripping, mopey-faced.
But...
"Treat?"
"Maaang..?"
Bokdeongi likes it.
Bokdeongi is happy.
Droopy eyes widened; tail frenzy, pure joy.
Set down, it spun three times.
"Mang! Mang!"
"Yeah, I'll walk you today."
Then a man entered.
Territory resident Raon. Or rather, still-staying info broker Kabel.
"It bolted suddenly; I lost it."
Hyun-soo felt massive healing from this enthusiastic welcome.
"Got it. I'll handle today's walk."
"As you wish. I'll go then."
After Raon left, Hyun-soo hugged Bokdeongi and chatted with Nel.
"We leave tomorrow."
Outside, Kabel looked intrigued.
One of the world's top assassins, his senses outstripped normal users.
Hearing included.
He caught what others missed.
So he'd clearly heard "Atlas."
Kabel, king of info.
He knew vast worldly secrets.
'Is it that Atlas I know?'
Atlas: Kabel knew of it, not its location.
Why the interest?
'Nearby's something special. What was it...? Ah...!'
It hit him; he muttered.
"Dragon's Graveyard."