Atlas Territory (4)
Ares, the virtual reality game, emphasizes high freedom and realism.
This sets Ares apart from typical games in one key way: you can't indiscriminately recruit 'troops' or 'territory residents' from a territory.
In most territory-building games, as long as you have resources, you can summon thousands or even tens of thousands of units in an instant.
But in Ares, no such territories exist.
'I was born one day because my lord bought me!'
Lee Se-jin had rejected that kind of setup.
Someone once posed this question:
'Doesn't that make recruiting residents and troops way too difficult?'
Lee Se-jin thought it was half right and half wrong.
If you performed great feats and were granted a territory, you might gain thousands of residents and hundreds of troops.
And if you rose to marquis and received a grand territory, you could potentially command tens of thousands of residents and thousands of troops.
Territories were privileges for the top 1% of selected users from the start.
Interestingly, from Ares' early days, there were dozens of alternatives to the 'instant resident purchase' system within territories.
The Atlas Territory, where user Hyun-soo had arrived, was one such example.
And the reason Atlas had fallen into Hyun-soo's hands stemmed from a branch managers' meeting one week before the Continental War began.
In a video conference before the Continental War kicked off, the American branch manager, John, spoke up.
"Isn't it about time we released one of the ancient territories?"
An ancient territory.
It had been planned from Ares' inception.
There were five in total, not limited to a single continent.
Each ancient territory held different powers based on its owner from distant ages past.
China's branch manager, Tao, chimed in agreement.
"Exactly. The guild that shines brightest in the Continental War proves itself the greatest existing guild. Doesn't it perfectly align with Ares' principle that the exceptional claim the best rewards, while the weak get scraps?"
Lee Se-jin knew why Tao was pushing so hard.
Chinese players probably thought they'd sweep Korean players aside easily.
But there were opposing voices.
"Isn't it too soon?"
"An ancient territory already?"
"I don't think so yet."
Watching the clashing opinions, Se-jin fell deep into thought.
Did players deserve such power already?
Tao's words partially convinced him.
"After server integration, Ares enters its second act."
The first act had been adventure.
And the second act, now being planned at Pureum Corp.
"Since the second act is the path of kings, wouldn't that fit? If a major issue arises, I'll take responsibility."
No one had known someone might become a king in the second act.
With branch opinions evenly split, Se-jin made the call.
"What if we give the opportunity only to guilds participating in the Continental War that meet our set benchmark?"
"Oh?"
"Our benchmark? Then it must be set sky-high."
"Exactly. It'll be an absurdly high bar. They'll be tackling an invisible challenge. And the immensely powerful ancient territories are still too much for players right now."
Not ready for a complete ancient territory.
That was the dissenters' point, and Se-jin addressed it.
"So we'll release the growth-type territory, Atlas."
"Growth-type Atlas..."
"That's good."
"They get one ancient territory, but face another trial: succeed for something greater, fail for mediocrity."
Just as one branch manager said.
Growth-type Atlas was still one of the ancient territories.
But conditions had to be met within a given timeframe.
Those conditions were notoriously harsh and complex.
Se-jin judged 80% of players wouldn't even glimpse its true nature.
If benchmarks weren't met, the growth-type territory's power would vanish.
That was another reason Se-jin approved releasing an ancient territory.
'Tao said it himself. He'd take responsibility.'
And now.
Se-jin smirked wryly at the monitor showing Hyun-soo arriving at Atlas.
'Some branch managers' greed sent an unwanted player to Atlas.'
That greed? Wanting their nation's player to claim the first kingship.
And Atlas's reward went to the strongest guild.
But was Hyun's Forge the strongest guild?
'Not at all. It's woefully inadequate compared to Hyun-soo's personal power.'
They'd reached that lofty benchmark as a top guild thanks to the Continental War system.
Limited participants per guild favored small but elite ones like Hyun's Forge.
'Post-integration, Hyun's Forge lacks noble clout. But Atlas could change that—or not.'
As mentioned, Atlas was growth-type.
More precisely, the territory might choose its lord.
It could also seem the least impressive ancient territory.
'But the reverse could happen anytime.'
A fully awakened Atlas could surpass other ancient territories.
'Meaning, it could become a grand territory.'
Of course, it all depended on Hyun-soo's achievements.
And there was an amusing fact.
Team leader Kim Tae-seok visited.
"As agreed, the Chinese Special User Management Team will monitor user Hyun-soo for two weeks. So, all responsibility for Atlas's outcome falls on the Chinese branch."
Se-jin eyed the thrilled Tae-seok curiously.
"You're losing two weeks monitoring your favorite(?) Hyun-soo. Aren't you bummed?"
Tae-seok shook his head.
"Not at all. First, Hyun-soo was our team's special focus, but another branch covering us for two weeks is a relief. Second, I know what's coming for the Chinese team."
"What's coming? Bad blood with the Chinese team?"
"Yes, they've been dismissive of us. Now we can hit back hard."
"???"
Se-jin sensed employee grudges he hadn't known about.
Tae-seok grinned wide.
"Overtime hell awaits them."
***
Every global branch had a Special User Management Team, and rumors swirled about the Korean one.
'The Korean team suffers from the three great diseases.'
'What are they?'
'Neck disc, carpal tunnel, dark circles.'
'...?'
'And they're all turtle-necked.'
'Why turtle necks?'
'Too focused on monitors.'
'So they stock the three great nutrients.'
'Three nutrients? What's that?'
'Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine.'
'...?'
'Can't survive without 'em.'
Such tales about the Korean team.
But Chinese team leader Wang Uk scoffed.
"Bullshit. Koreans exaggerate everything."
All turtle-necked? Ridiculous.
And work intensity bad enough to need 'nutrients'?
"Why the drama? Tsk."
Wang called the Korean team.
Lee Ji-hee answered.
"Hohohoho, yes, handle it that way, hohoho... for two weeks... hohohoho..."
"...?"
Wang looked puzzled.
'Why's she so happy?'
She continued.
"You'll manage, fighting! Whoo!"
Overly energetic employee? Wang chuckled at her next words.
"Call us anytime for questions..."
"Won't need to."
Openly dismissing Korean competence. Wang expected flustered outrage from a mere staffer.
But...
"Really? Great, saves us the trouble. Hohohohoho, no need to stand on ceremony~"
"...?"
Wang hung up, scratching his head at the odd unease.
Shouldn't monitoring their user by another nation sting national pride?
Even if just during Atlas growth.
Anyway, Wang reclined, hands clasped behind his head, legs propped on the desk, crossed.
Prime viewing posture.
He knew why they got Hyun-soo duty.
'Atlas planning originated in China's story team.'
So the Chinese team knew Atlas inside out.
Monitoring comfortably, Wang snickered.
"Look at that dumbstruck face!"
Hyun-soo, the first legend, arriving at Atlas with a shocked expression!
Pure bewilderment.
Then Wang startled from his lounge.
'Isn't that NPC the woman to lead Ares' second act? Just a quick visit?'
Soon, Wang was aghast.
Bella has become Hyun-soo's vassal.
"...?"
He straightened unconsciously.
Special teams didn't know everything happening abroad.
'What? Why would the next legend...?'
He couldn't hide his shock.
Unwittingly, he craned his neck forward like a turtle toward the monitor.
A team member noted.
"Boss, why're you sticking your neck out like a turtle?"
"...Me?"
Wang panicked.
The turtle-neck legend flashed by.
'No way that's true...!'
He refocused on the monitor.
Hyun-soo asked Atlas leader NPC Karn.
-Who was the previous lord?
Wang recalled Atlas lore.
'Ancient territories had owners long ago.'
All absolute legends.
Atlas was special.
'Led by the greatest legend ever. How dare a mere Hyun-soo encroach... Huh?'
Wang was genuinely stunned.
"What the—...? Hyun-soo linked to Atlas's founding lord!?"
True shock etched his face.
And unknowingly, his neck thrust forward again like a turtle.
The Korean team's curse began descending on the Chinese Special User Management Team.
***
To know a territory's history, learn about its former lord.
With Bella as his vassal, Hyun-soo asked Karn, their leader.
"Who was the previous lord?"
"That was me."
"...?"
Karn was a grubby middle-aged man. Hyun-soo, recovering from shock, pressed.
"Then the one before?"
"That was me too."
"The one before that...?"
"This guy, that guy, the other guy."
"...."
Hyun-soo was speechless.
Did they rotate leaders yearly like class reps?
Karn smirked wryly amid the tales.
"Previous lords don't matter. What counts is the founding lord, the first true owner."
"Founding lord?"
"Yes. Starting here, he expanded his domain until he became king. Astonishingly, he was the only king ever to receive direct aid from the Ares Church."
"Ares Church?"
Hyun-soo was genuinely surprised.
The Ares Church was the mightiest faith.
Rooted across the entire server, beyond any kingdom or empire.
'A king with worldwide influence...?'
Hyun-soo was truly amazed.
Suddenly, this territory felt like it hid something profound.
"His feat of single-handedly sealing the demon gate became legend. He's hailed as one of history's greatest legends."
Karn's face lit with reverence at the holy figure.
Then Karn added.
"He was called the Saint."
In that instant, a notification rang for Hyun-soo.
Saint's Favor shines.
The Saint's aura flows through you.
Dual Class. You learn about Saint.