Royal Shop (2)
Peaks from around the world.
And even unofficial rankers hiding their power.
Many had crossed to the Asgan Continent after server integration to meet Hyun-soo.
The reasons varied.
Influencers and enjoy streamers sought fame by meeting the Master Craftsman.
Some wanted to challenge Hyun-soo, who had shone brighter than anyone in the continental war, to boost their own name value.
But they mustn't forget the core reason.
The essence of why they sought Hyun-soo.
—I want an artifact made by Hyun-soo.
The essence never changes.
One truth the whole world now knew.
'Hyun-soo is a one-of-a-kind existence with no substitutes anywhere.'
Artifacts from the Master Craftsman were said to fit perfectly, like a custom-tailored suit.
Commission requests?
Hyun-soo no longer needed to take them through Hyun's Forge.
Everyone in the world was dying to commission him already.
The issue was how to fulfill their desire for artifact creation.
They knew.
User Hyun-soo held a baron's title and was guild master of Hyun's Forge.
He wasn't allied with any guild and didn't serve under anyone.
In other words, the Master Craftsman aimed to remain independent and build his own power.
They couldn't demand he join their ranks or craft for them or their guilds.
Those seeking Hyun-soo faced choices.
Some would start with proposals.
Others, unyielding, would attack Atlas upon arrival to force submission.
Even those who proposed would resort to force if rejected.
But they'd wonder.
'Is this really okay?'
'Will forcing artifact creation yield anything good?'
Yes, at their core, they wanted excellent artifacts.
That was why.
The first event hosted by user Hyun-soo stood a chance.
The Great Atlas War was announced on Hyun's Forge.
Hyun's Forge Notice
America's peak, Kalli.
He emerged from the dungeon.
From Luxo, the second-in-command info broker replacing Kabel, he received the same intel as Musashi, drawing him unwittingly close to Atlas.
With about 1km left to Bahala, he frowned at his guild member's fussing.
'Why the fuss?'
Kalli checked the screenshot sent.
Hello, this is Hyun's Forge.
The reason for this notice is that many are struggling to find me and my territory on the Asgan Continent.
I believe what you all want is artifact creation for yourselves.
Of course, many of you also feel competitive and want to duel me.
Thus, Hyun's Forge proposes an event: the Great Territory War.
Those seeking me on the Asgan Continent—no, from around the world—can all join. I'll defend, and you'll attack.
If you lose, I'll select 20 participants for artifact creation.
Rules:
1. Entry fee: 1,000 gold.
2. Commissioners must provide materials.
3. Defenders protect their territory; attackers must conquer it.
4. Limited numbers for progression.
5. Participants won't invade Hyun's Forge after the event to prevent looting.
6. Violators mean Hyun's Forge stops all commissions and sales to everyone.
7. Details negotiated by attacker and defender representatives.
8. Event in 2 months.
Kalli viewed it impassively at first.
He cleared his throat.
One of them was him.
Nod.
Spot on.
The ultimate reason to meet Hyun-soo was artifact creation.
Even Kalli had a quest he aimed to clear.
Clearing it would let him chase the strongest, Bahala's tail.
True enough.
In the America vs. Russia continental war, Kalli was MVP.
But Hyun-soo shone brightest.
A fresh shock hit Kalli.
"A user hosting an event?"
Not that no one had thought of it.
But 99% failed or fizzled.
First, no interest. Rewards from some random user weren't enticing.
Second, so-called events that weren't real events.
Yet Hyun-soo declared it.
Still skeptical, Kalli watched.
Expecting the usual failures.
But his eyes widened.
This was different.
The reward satisfied.
It matched his core desire: commission from Hyun-soo.
Submission? Combat?
Might just earn resentment, yielding nothing good.
Another reason.
'Too much time chasing Hyun-soo.'
Server integration brought new content.
Yet wasting time on this.
The event provided a neutral ground, no need for direct face-time.
'If we win, we commission and build rapport.'
But a thought lingered.
Hyun-soo crafting 20 artifacts would take nearly a year.
'Nothing left for him. Maybe to buy time for his territory...'
Reading on, Kalli admired.
He couldn't help but marvel.
"1,000 gold?"
One million won in Korean currency.
Chump change for peaks like them.
But not for Hyun-soo.
1,000 participants? Ten billion won.
More entrants, more profit for Hyun-soo.
"Clever. But rule 5 is naive."
Rule 5: No invading Hyun's Forge post-event to curb looting.
A matter of conscience.
Many would break it, Kalli thought—until rule 6.
"...This crafty bastard."
Violators become enemies of all seeking Hyun-soo.
Defy it, and face everyone's wrath, not Hyun-soo's.
Two months later.
Sensed as buying time, but Kalli smirked.
'What can two months do?'
Hyun-soo didn't know.
It bound him too.
Post-notice, Master Craftsman Hyun-soo must host.
Kalli's choice.
"Succeeded in sending me away."
Closing on Atlas, Kalli turned without hesitation.
Not just him.
Across Asgan Continent.
"Sounds fun? But can Hyun's Forge withstand our assault?"
Vietnam's Mio returned to her continent.
Russia's Cassandra.
"I'll be one of those twenty, so not bad."
Everywhere else.
Ares supercomputer's red dots—80% fled Asgan Continent.
Aiming for two months later.
"To prepare for contingencies, we'll bar external NPCs from participating."
Nel—Kim Hye-in—said it over coffee with Hyun-soo.
Shaping the Great Atlas War.
Hyun-soo noted representatives would negotiate.
Without that, users wouldn't have left.
Hyun-soo said.
"We've bought two months."
Hye-in agreed.
Two months.
Short if short, long if long.
"No external NPCs, but Atlas talents awakened in that time and new loyal NPCs can join."
That was key.
Hyun-soo monitored reactions too.
Worst possible.
Nel, checking with him, said.
"I see win rate under 1% too."
Hyun-soo felt the blunt truth hit.
Full war in two months against them? Insane.
"Twenty artifacts..."
Nel thought the urgent fire was out, but a bigger blaze loomed in two months.
Loss meant 1-2 years crafting solely for them.
Neglecting territory, falling behind as Hyun-soo.
But Hyun-soo said.
"As defenders, we'll assemble Atlas's finest guardians."
"...Guardians?"
Guardians.
Nel wondered what that meant.
Limited to users or Atlas denizens.
Soon, shocking words.
"I see our current win rate at about 15%."
"15%...?"
Nel panicked.
From his arrogant claim.
Not 15%—truly under 1% chance now.
More shock: he actually believed victory.
"Heading out to catch lesser demon Lukio first. For two months of max growth and prep. Oh, my chosen guardians will each hold a gate."
Hyun-soo's eyes gleamed.
"One at east gate, one south, others west and north."
"Already decided who?"
"Not all, but east and west are set. They are..."
Hearing who, Nel's eyes shook.
'Real 15% chance. Maybe more.'
She'd fixated on current Atlas.
Hyun-soo's guardians.
He whispered to one.
East gate guardian.
World rank 1, Bahala.
Elsewhere.
Hell Path, Ares's most dreaded hunting ground.
A man slashing hellish beasts madly.
Approaching Asura.
'Two months—must hurry back.'
Future west guardian, Asura Kabel.
And in Atlas.
A beautiful knight training soldiers.
Bella.
'Atlas in peril. I need a path to legend.'
Sword King candidate Bella, south guardian.
Hyun-soo envisioned only east, west, south.
One more unknown.
A snub-nosed pup roaming Atlas with young sibling Kyukyu on back.
"Mang! Mang mang!"
Kyukyu sensed.
"Kyuu...?"
Warm power emanated from Bokdeongi.
Young Kyukyu knew.
Brother and divine beast Bokdeongi.
Evolution will begin soon.
About to rebirth as another being.
Bokdeongi, north guardian.