Housewarming (2)
The Goyad Kingdom and Praam Kingdom had once stood on the brink of war.
Yet a single thread—Hyun-soo—had woven peace between them.
For centuries, a cold war had simmered between the two realms, only to be ended by one man. What an extraordinary feat.
With the war averted, Barad and Ben found themselves with unexpected leisure.
Sometimes Barad would cross into Praam for conversation; other times, Ben would visit Goyad. It became their routine.
Then Nel arrived, requesting tea time.
Since Hyun-soo had praised her effusively, the two kings received her warmly.
But the word "housewarming" piqued their interest.
Nel explained it as friends and close allies visiting a new home, touring the place, enjoying a feast, and departing.
The kings nodded, envisioning it simply—until shock struck them.
"A housewarming gift."
Something they had overlooked.
The phrase drew their full attention, and Kabel spoke smoothly.
"Housewarming gifts are typically practical items for the new homeowner."
"Practical gifts for someone who's just moved?"
"Yes. They carry the guests' heartfelt intentions, varying by their circumstances."
"By their circumstances?"
"Exactly. Those short on means bring tokens of goodwill. The affluent might offer something lavish. There's no one 'right' gift."
"Does the gift leave a lasting impression?"
Suddenly, Kabel recalled a community post.
A friend had brought dog treats to a housewarming.
Ordinary, they said.
But the hosts didn't own a dog, making it an unforgettable prank.
Kabel smiled faintly.
"Yes. At the very least, they'll remember exactly what you brought—for a long time."
Ben sighed.
"Heh, I thought just showing up would suffice."
"Same here."
The two glanced down at themselves.
They looked like beggars.
Deliberately so.
In case of tails or if Atlas were exposed.
Kabel suggested, "Why not prepare gifts on the way?"
"Ho, you can arrange that?"
Papers listing dozens of nearby dungeons emerged from Kabel's pocket, instantly aging and fraying under his Item Camouflage skill.
"A map discovered in Atlas, marking local dungeons. A housewarming gift is about 'heart.' If you two sweat for it, the host will cherish your sincerity forever."
Ben and Barad smiled subtly.
A brilliant idea.
Soon, the trio entered a dungeon for gifts.
And Kabel was left speechless in awe.
What am I seeing right now?
Clearing one took less than five minutes.
How is a level 380s dungeon...?
Then realization dawned.
They were level 480s.
Both wielded legendary artifacts forged by Hyun-soo.
And levels alone didn't make them strong.
They were among the fewer than ten super-named NPCs on the Korean server—legends.
Super-named NPCs and monsters dominated peers through unique traits, overwhelming power, and skill.
Emerging spotless, without a speck of dust.
"Tch, sword-swingers are pathetic as ever."
"...Spear-jab, you know I fought hundreds while you killed the boss?"
"Pups I handled at ten."
"...Next dungeon, I'll show you real power."
They were even burning with rivalry.
"..."
In that moment, Kabel realized.
This is a bus. Not just any bus—a speeding madhouse!
He heard the absurd.
Seed of Life acquisition exceeds limits.
Consolidating for measurement.
But Kabel wasn't the passenger.
Hyun-soo was in Atlas, yet riding this insane bus.
Thirty minutes.
Over ten dungeons crumbled.
"Damn sword-slinger, you're slowing us down!"
"What? You took five; I handled seven."
The prideful kings' rivalry intensified, accelerating the hunt.
And then.
"Who do you think is stronger?"
"Heh, obviously me."
"Me."
"Heh, has to be me."
"..."
Their killing intent slammed into Kabel as they eyed him.
Br-breath... guh...!
Overwhelmed, Kabel fainted.
"Kid, what's wrong? Snap out of it."
"Heh, such a weakling."
Indeed.
By their standards, Kabel was frail.
***
"If issues arise, I'll take responsibility."
China branch chief Tao's words during the video call, handing Atlas to the MVP.
Of course, the MVP had to meet their high standards. Tao subtly hoped.
For Atlas, planned by China's branch, to go to a Chinese player.
Many ancient territories were designed worldwide.
But Tao was confident.
In five years, Atlas will be the finest.
Balanced for slow start, endless growth into a grand territory.
Atlas's potential was boundless.
The ancients awaken.
Perfectly fitting.
Yet the five-year timeline was shrinking rapidly.
Even.
Player Hyun-soo approaches the Saint's legacy.
The Saint.
Alert before Tao and Team Leader Wang.
Unlike Atlas awakenings.
The new lord, Hyun-soo, neared the power of the great king who became a saintly ruler.
This aids the saintly path, drawing talents.
Tao hoped a Chinese player claimed it.
Far in the future.
Why this anomaly?
"Does this make sense, Chief?"
Gulp gulp—
Wang, eyes bloodshot, downed a venti iced Americano.
"How can a single player's housewarming...!"
He wailed.
"Legends attending! And why didn't the Korean team report?!"
Chief Tao struggled to stay sane.
Why?
All responsibility fell on him.
Gulp gulp—
He chugged coffee, forcing alertness.
"Who reports every NPC a player befriends?"
Tao's logic held.
But...
"They're just that extraordinary."
Yet Tao clung to faint hope.
"Approaching legend stats doesn't mean obtained."
Yes, approaching could fizzle.
Hyun-soo's absurd seed haul and speed triggered it.
But sustained pace might prevent...
Atlas Seed of Life acquisition surges explosively—and accelerates further.
Acquisition volume difficult to measure.
Acquisition volume difficult to measure.
Abnormal acquisition volume.
"What the hell is thaaaat?!"
Tao, Wang, and China's Special User Management Team wailed.
***
Saintess Aria was the holiest woman, the world's acknowledged pinnacle of priest classes.
An indisputable fact.
Players joked her heal revived the dead.
But her true value lay beyond healing.
She could elevate an ordinary holy knight to supreme in an instant.
Her buffs and debuffs defied common sense.
Some said: In war, the greatest performer won't be mighty legends.
It would be the Saintess, reshaping the battlefield.
Thus, the noblest Saintess Aria shared tea with Nel.
'Lord Hyun-soo has become Atlas's master.'
Ares Church legend.
On the church's peril, the Saint would save them.
Aria, who believed and had bestowed the Saint's blessing on Hyun-soo, marveled.
'A fate forged by the gods.'
She asked, "Why share this with me? For ties between the Papal Court and Lord Hyun-soo?"
Nel was direct.
"Long ago, Lord saved Saintess Aria's life. But you're no ordinary soul."
Aria agreed.
"Most would exploit it to manipulate me. To Lord Hyun-soo, it was duty done—then over."
True.
Unlike greedy foreigners, Hyun-soo ended it there, earning her deeper fondness.
"Even if Lord lacks greed, I am a greedy foreigner."
Aria was impressed.
Villain or merchant—she didn't care.
"My greed: enthroning my lord as king. Atlas festers with plague, incurable ills. Don't abandon your greedy ex-Saintess's benefactor."
Nel vowed to handle all, keeping Hyun-soo a good lord.
Aria laughed.
He'd chosen well.
Then it hit her.
'Good people keep good company.'
A being of mystic power.
For Ares Church, befriending Atlas's new lord—who might walk the Saint's path—was wise.
'Like the Saint, once the church's sole liaison.'
Not swayed by Nel alone.
Gratitude to Hyun-soo.
Future ties with Lord Hyun-soo.
Potential battles against evil ahead.
Aria headed to Atlas.
Flanked by one holy knight.
Yet that knight was Pao, Ares Church's strongest, nearing legend.
They pushed through underbrush toward Atlas.
Then.
An elder and a burly giant appeared.
"You heading to the housewarming too?"
Housewarming?
Aria tilted her head at the unfamiliar term.
The elder tsked.
"Tch, going empty-handed?!"
The giant chimed in.
"He's right. Can't go bare. We planned ahead. Right?"
The elder and giant turned to a pale, ordinary territory folk.
He nodded frantically at light speed.
***
One hour later.
Territory Quest: Gathering Seeds of Life in progress.
Total daily acquisition revealed at noon sharp.
Hyun-soo wove through four thousand blacksmiths, teaching fundamentals to build their foundation.
Nothing fancy.
Just basics for future growth.
Then a notification halted him.
Noon approached.
The Seed of Life quest tallied daily totals at precisely twelve.
Yesterday's was dismal.
121.
So Hyun-soo tempered expectations.
I already have over 500. That's enough to awaken slowly, right?
Comforting himself.
He shook off anxiety, awaiting noon calmly.
Maybe 300 today...
With four thousand blacksmiths, vast improvement was natural.
But Hyun-soo's eyes widened.
What... is this?
The number shattered his wildest guess.