Old Debts Settled (1)
After the servers opened.
Ayaka checked the concurrent user count.
The reason concurrent users mattered was simple—it showed just how desperately people had been waiting for the second coming of Ares.
It also let her estimate daily logins.
'And it proves even more watched Hyun-soo's preview.'
Aside from the main NPC Barad, everyone had no choice but to focus on the lead player, Hyun-soo.
"Typical gamers."
Most users were high-rankers who ignored top monsters or ultimate whatever. In fact, nearly 50% only knew a famous one or two—they just grinded their own games.
But this Server Integration preview was different.
They had to watch whether they liked it or not.
Why?
Because post-integration, the preview was mandatory—no skip button. About 1 minute 30 seconds long, every login saw it, and only afterward could they skip.
'That's not all.'
Ayaka glanced out the window.
Purum Corp's headquarters sat on prime Gangnam real estate.
The billboard visible from there replayed Hyun-soo clashing swords with Sword King Barad.
Early-morning Gangnam Boulevard was jammed solid with traffic.
Users stuck at lights couldn't peel their eyes away.
And ordinary folks not playing thought:
'That's the VR game Ares...? Looks fun.'
Of course, the billboard looped just a 20-second teaser—making its impact even bigger.
'To see the full preview they glimpsed, they'll have to log in.'
That meant more eyes on Hyun-soo.
And once it leaked that Hyun-soo starred in the Server Integration preview, the ripples spread fast.
People Hyun-soo knew.
His friend Ji-hoon logged in early for the preview—and froze at his buddy's face.
'Why the hell are you in there...?'
National Museum.
The restored Chiljido was already on display.
Reporters hounded staff:
"Who the hell is the artisan who restored the Chiljido?"
"Appraisers call him a once-in-a-century genius!"
"Young Japanese sword fans want to meet him!"
No mad movie reveal yet, so identity stayed secret.
Museum staff gawked at the screen showing Hyun-soo crossing blades with Barad.
Chaebol chairmen heard reports boarding luxury sedans for work.
"That kid's name is Master Craftsman Hyun? And he became king?"
"Not exactly from the preview, sir, but..."
"Our guy snagged the spot over global bigshots."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Prep to sign him. You know I don't meddle in ads."
Chairmen didn't bother with such trivia—except this time.
"Y-yes, sir. What terms?"
"The best we got!"
Politicians too.
"I'd love a handshake photo: 'Walking Korea's King Path.' Great title, right? Pitch it."
"We did."
"And?"
"Blocked."
"...?"
Even politicos eyeing Hyun-soo for clout.
Breaking news spread:
But one clear fact stood out.
Side effects galore—more headaches to endure.
Like that.
Peak players—national reps—eyed Hyun-soo in interviews.
China's Fond, top ranker.
Japan's Musashi.
Vietnam's Mio.
They burned with rivalry, hungry for glory crushing Hyun-soo.
Russia's Cassandra turned arrows on Korea's top ranker.
Reporter cornered Korean I-hwan.
They got zilch.
Global rankers fell silent; Cassandra panicked.
She expected I-hwan to echo them—didn't know.
'Hope Hyun sees this. Maybe discount rental or better than Twin Dragon Swords.'
Hwarang Guild master I-hwan—first disciple of Hyun-soo Church.
Ask who'd waited most for Server Integration, many name one.
Fond.
China's Sword Emperor, Sword Sovereign heir.
Continental war footage made him want to crawl into a hole.
China's rankers got wrecked by Hyun-soo.
Integration day.
'Finally, my chance.'
As interviewed, Fond outmanned Hyun-soo: 1,000 guildmates, Poison King Riu at side.
Integration freed him for Korea server—and he set foot there.
Hyun's Forge peril began day one.
"Informant intel solid on Hyun's territory spot?"
Riu's question; Fond nodded.
"Informant's world-best on info. Cost a million dollars."
One million bucks.
That's how bad he wanted this.
Leading 1,000, they trekked dark, damp woods.
Then Riu startled.
"This the spot we passed earlier?"
"Huh? Really?"
Looped once?
"Korea servers got crap paths."
They walked again.
And.
"This again..."
"What the—?"
They panicked.
Tree marks, veered right instead of left—same direction.
Unbeknownst, Korea's toughest zone.
One hour in, hell dawns.
You are trapped in the Endless Maze.
You cannot leave for 2 weeks.
Fond and Riu freaked.
"Whisper the informant quick."
Fond messaged informant.
You have been blocked.
"...?"
A pigeon flew in.
Pigeon bore a gift: gold worth a million dollars refunded.
They realized.
"Trapped here two weeks...?"
Server Integration bred change.
Some chased better content; others fought to hold theirs.
Flutter—
Kabel released the pigeon, million refunded, eyed Bokdeongi ahead.
"...Fine. No more informant life."
First legend's birth heralded second, third.
Kabel's time to go.
"Mang! Mang!"
Kabel smiled at Bokdeongi's don't-go barks.
Orphan Kabel, unloved life—now cherished this fluffball truly.
No one awaited him before.
Log in, Bokdeongi dashed over, tail-wagging hug.
Escorted to territory gates for farewells.
So he hoped it lived.
Last gifts: maze or Korea's hardest dungeon for Hyun's Forge location queriers.
"Two weeks survivable."
New path called.
Gaze hit forge.
'Dragon bone craft?'
Week ago, Hyun-soo forged intently, deeper focus.
Now nearing end.
Before leaving, Kabel watched forge, thought of Hyun-soo.
'Like me.'
Guild master Hyun-soo felt kindred.
His life failure, darkness; Hyun-soo's too.
But difference.
'Your side overflows people; mine, empty.'
Envy he couldn't name.
'What is he making?'
Curious Kabel used skill: Piercing Gaze.
Peeks foe's windows.
Alert popped:
Unique grade.
Blacksmith's Soul activates.
'Blacksmith's Soul?'
Deepest immersion crafting this dagger.
Born of care for an nameless friend's future.
Obsessed beyond any moment for superior artifact; soul burned for unknown bond—complete.
The eleventh legend is written.
Kabel awed.
'Eleventh legend. Insane.'
Last look; Kabel turned.
Time to go for real.
Mulled alert.
'For nameless friend's future... what friend? So many...'
Kabel startled.
"Hey."
Hyun-soo blocked path, proffered dagger.
"Take it."
Whoosh—
Wind blew between them.
Master Craftsman Hyun and Asura Kabel's saga began.