Atlas Territory (2)
Kabel thought the abilities of Pureum Corp's CEO, Lee Se-jin, who led the game, were truly remarkable.
Just recently, when people asked, "Is there a dragon?", Lee Se-jin had answered yes.
But everyone was disappointed.
They were convinced the dragon's level was at least 800.
However, Kabel knew more information than most, so he understood the meticulous intent behind Lee Se-jin's words.
Players couldn't even encounter a real dragon, let alone fight one.
Yet Pureum Corp already knew.
That players dreamed of hunting dragons.
'Same for me.'
Aulbear, yeti, death knight, dullahan, ogre, and so on.
These were familiar monster names to gamers.
But ask someone who knew nothing about games, and you'd get this:
"What's that, you weeb?!"
Dragons were different. Even five-year-olds knew about dragons.
They couldn't show a real one yet, so they'd indirectly reveal it through the lower-tier Dragon's Graveyard.
'Amazing.'
Kabel was genuinely impressed. He'd only known the info, not the location.
Then Kabel glanced back, picturing Bokdeongi happily wagging its tail.
It had been months since he'd come to Ballus Territory.
The reason? Bokdeongi's hidden quest: One Walk a Day with Bokdeongi.
That quest lasted a month, and just walking leveled up his assassin skill by 1.
Afterward, Kabel had planned to part ways.
But the linked quest popped up, so he couldn't.
Bokdeongi's Training!
📍 Rank: A
📍 Restriction: Those who have touched Bokdeongi
📍 Reward: 3 Stat Points
📍 Penalty on Failure: None
🎁 Description: Bokdeongi has grown fond of you after a month of walks. Teach it 'sit, stand, stay, bread!' perfectly. Training lasts 1 month.
This quest was excellent too.
For high-level players, 3 stat points were invaluable.
Considering elixirs that gave just 1 stat point cost billions of won, it was huge.
So Kabel stayed longer.
Truth be told, there was another reason he hadn't admitted.
After months with Bokdeongi, he'd grown attached.
A voice came from inside again.
"This is serious. Can we properly manage Ballus—and our new territory—with our current forces?"
It was Nel's voice. Hyun-soo replied.
"We should select territory folk who want to move and go together. I'm worried too—not a little. We need even stronger talent."
Kabel nodded unconsciously.
'Right. Hyun's Forge needs better talent.'
Soon Hyun-soo added,
"The problem is we can't take just anyone. Now that I'm and Hyun's Forge are famous, we can't blindly accept people with unknown motives."
Kabel nodded again. Nel responded.
"Exactly. Indiscriminate recruitment could cause big issues. Especially since China's targeting us. Post-server integration, Chinese players will hit us first."
Kabel nodded once more.
Then he resumed walking.
Their worries were justified.
They needed more talent, and with expanded territory, leaders to manage it.
'Not easy.'
Kabel thought,
'Bokdeongi can give more linked quests. It'll go to the main territory, Atlas. So I'll support and go to Atlas too.'
He still hid his true motive: the quests.
And there was one fun fact.
Leaving the lord's castle, Kabel spotted a few people.
'They'll go to Atlas too.'
The ones Kabel watched.
'They'll ease Hyun-soo's worries a bit.'
Who were they, and why did their eyes meet Kabel's?
It started not long after Kabel arrived.
***
In Ares, it's said 20% are unofficial rankers, 80% official.
Some couldn't understand unofficial ones.
"Being a famous ranker means money and perks. Why hide?"
Famous rankers get ads, SNS followers, profit chances.
So why 20% unofficial?
One unofficial ranker answered a question:
"Most famous rankers slowly drop in rankings. Some don't, but most do."
"Why?"
"Fame. Hunting spots? Players recognize you. Ads to shoot, stuff to do. Unofficial? They hide, so they focus solely on Ares and hunting."
"Ooh……."
"That's why unofficial rankers are rarer but stronger than average. They're not dumb—they want fame too. But they don't reveal yet because they know they're diamonds."
"Diamonds?"
"Yeah. Unofficial can become official anytime. Their reveal creates huge waves. Know why? Usually higher level, stronger than official rankers. No rush. Their hidden time polishes the diamond beautifully."
That's why unofficial rankers exist.
And for such reasons, one walked that path.
Bangbae.
He rivaled Korea's spearman rank 1.
Polishing himself more exquisitely.
Feeling his limits, he'd visited Ballus Territory for gear.
Then Bangbae looked puzzled.
"Mang! Mangmang!"
A white Shiba Inu-like creature appeared, wagging furiously, looking up at him.
Bangbae raised dogs.
Pet owners share this trait.
"Good boy, good job, so cute."
They love any dog.
Then.
Bokdeongi Cuteness Activates.
Bangbae felt odd.
He'd planned to rub that pink, chubby belly anyway, but his arm moved on its own.
'What is this……?'
Irresistible force.
Touching the belly.
Your body fills with vitality, mind at ease.
Bokdeongi Cuteness target.
Cannot harm Bokdeongi.
Weary body and mind melted away, mind cleared.
Even touching Bokdeongi brought inexplicable joy.
Then.
One Walk a Day with Bokdeongi!
📍 Rank: A
📍 Restriction: Those who have touched Bokdeongi
📍 Reward: +1 Level to Chosen Spearman Skill
📍 Penalty on Failure: None
🎁 Description: You've been chosen by Bokdeongi. Walk it 1 hour daily for a month for special rewards.
Bangbae's eyes widened.
'Wh-what……!?'
He couldn't hide his shock. He had one spearman skill he desperately wanted to level.
'Choose and level a skill?'
From that day, Bangbae set Ballus as his return point.
Hunt, return, walk first.
But…….
"Hey."
Someone approached.
Raon. Looked like an ordinary territory folk.
Bokdeongi wagged happily at him.
"……You seem to know about this one. Better not spread the info."
"……?"
Bangbae was flustered.
He wasn't the only one with this hidden quest.
"Of course. A being that gives absurd blessings can give absurd curses too."
High-level players knew this.
And there were notices too.
Bokdeongi's existence must not be known to many.
If known to many, all effects from it vanish.
However, if Bokdeongi wills it, this restriction lifts anytime.
So Bangbae never planned to tell.
"How about I walk mornings, you lunch?"
Bangbae agreed readily to Kabel's suggestion.
Days later…….
"……?"
"……?"
They saw Bokdeongi with another player.
Chosen too.
As Bangbae moved to approach, Kabel said,
"Watch for a week, see who he is, then approach."
Bangbae realized Kabel had watched him first.
Bokdeongi approached many, giving quests.
They found commonalities.
1. Mostly to unofficial rankers.
2. If the walker's character(?) is bad, quest cuts off.
3. If good, linked quest.
"What's the criterion for 'good'?"
To Kabel's question, Bangbae said as a dog owner,
"Pet owners say: No bad people among those who truly cherish and embrace dogs."
Makes sense.
Bangbae added,
"Bokdeongi feels it best during walks—who's good, who's bad."
Yes, Bokdeongi tests them while together.
Time passed…….
Morning walker, lunch walker, evening walker, anytime walker emerged.
"Let's properly introduce ourselves. We're in the same boat."
They learned about each other.
"……To meet famed unofficial ranker Kabel."
"Crimson Flame Mage Jane—that name's impressive too."
"Wanted to meet Spearman Bangbae."
"Glass turns any territory to gold just by touching it, right?"
Unexpectedly, four gathered.
Then red-haired mage Jane, like a descriptor herself, suggested,
"Since we're here, let's name our group."
They focused on her.
"Bokdeongi Fan Club?"
"Bokdeongi Fan Club……?"
Jane smiled brightly, explaining.
"Yes. The club that loves Bokdeongi."
Ending the flashback, Kabel met eyes with the Bokdeongi Fan Club members.
They nodded subtly.
Kabel knew.
They'd go to Atlas too.
Thus, unbeknownst to Hyun-soo, the Bokdeongi Fan Club was joining Hyun's Forge.
***
Special User Management Team.
Tae-seok, knowing of the club's birth, wondered,
"Why does Bokdeongi walk so much? Four times a day—must be tiring."
Tae-seok had never raised a dog.
But Lee Se-jin and Lee Ji-hee had.
Se-jin sent off his 15-year companion. Ji-hee still raised hers.
"Really don't know? I think I do."
"Me too."
They smiled warmly, mysteriously.
Tae-seok looked puzzled.
Soon Lee Se-jin said,
"The reason is……."
***
Bokdeongi in Hyun-soo's arms looked up.
"Now, off to our new territory, Atlas."
With their lord's words, a meager group headed to the new land.
'Maang…….'
But Bokdeongi saw them.
The Bokdeongi Fan Club watching.
And Bokdeongi looked at worried Hyun-soo.
Recalling his confessions.
'Can I do this?'
'I need power.'
'Can't collapse.'
His heart poured to it occasionally.
Watching him, Bokdeongi smiled reassuringly, tiny.
"Mangmang!"
The reason Lee Se-jin and Lee Ji-hee knew: why Bokdeongi gathered strong ones on walks.
If it could speak, it'd say:
-I'll protect you.
Yes. Solely to protect Hyun-soo.