Royal Shop (3)
Two months was, in truth, too short a time to lead the Great Atlas War to victory.
'There were no other options.'
If he hadn't bought that much time, Atlas's location would have been exposed within three weeks.
And if he'd tried to drag it out even longer, the participants wouldn't have waited patiently—they'd have lost faith.
Hyun-soo also harbored this thought.
'I know some of the hints.'
Those partial hints.
He could use Harvest on the lesser demon Lukio to gather materials.
Upon reaching a certain level, a path to the World Tree would open, leading to a new race.
'I hope the path to the World Tree guides me within these two months.'
Having grown mentally as well, Hyun-soo sensed it.
'The World Tree is calling me, and the elves of Elvenheim might become my strength.'
Another hint.
What had the Continental War been?
Simply a massive event for players?
No.
It was a miniature version.
When servers merged, it would happen naturally.
A contest of strength between those from different continents—the true Continental War.
'Soon, the NPCs' power struggles will begin, and wars between continents will erupt.'
Hyun's Forge might have to join this true Continental War as well.
The rewards for participation would surely be territory contribution points.
And through those, he might awaken guardians to protect the south and north.
Thus, though the remaining two months were short, for Hyun-soo, they were a time of opportunity and leap forward.
"I'll come back as fast as I can."
"The other guild members will focus on growth for a while too. Most seem to have headed out already, from what I've seen on the community sites, so go ahead without worry."
Just then, Hyun-soo spotted Bokdeongi approaching with Kyukyu riding on his back.
Bokdeongi had his favorite toy, the barbecue doll, clamped in his mouth.
He often brought it over, set it down in front of Hyun-soo, and wagged his tail begging to play fetch.
Plop—
Bokdeongi carefully placed the barbecue doll down.
As always, Hyun-soo grabbed it and flung it hard, expecting Bokdeongi to spin in ecstatic circles, tail wagging wildly.
"Mang!"
But unlike usual, Bokdeongi didn't bound off excitedly. Instead, he just gazed up at Hyun-soo.
Bokdeongi gifts you his favorite toy.
"……?"
Hyun-soo realized it was a gift for someone he wouldn't see for a long time.
The pup loved that barbecue doll so much he even slept with it clutched beside him.
The cute baby dragon hatchling Kyukyu hopped down and rubbed his head against Hyun-soo's leg.
"Kyuu, kyuu."
Bokdeongi padded over too and plopped down on Hyun-soo's foot.
Hyun-soo had studied a lot about dog behavior.
"Maaang……!"
Bokdeongi trusts you.
When dogs press their butts against their owner and sit, it shows trust, strong faith, and pure love.
Even knowing the hints, it was unclear if they'd truly pan out.
The path Hyun-soo was embarking on was grasping at straws, and that terrified him.
If he failed along that path, everything would crumble.
Atlas's NPCs were no different from real people, and he wanted to protect them—and his guildmates—too.
A road burdened with too much weight.
But Bokdeongi and Kyukyu's encouragement gave him strength.
That's how humans are.
Embarrassed, they can't be honest; sometimes they fail to offer true comfort or cheers.
But Bokdeongi and Kyukyu bared their feelings plainly.
That melted away Hyun-soo's heavy emotions and fears in an instant.
Just then, he felt a warm, gentle aura emanating from Bokdeongi.
Bokdeongi will soon evolve.
Hyun-soo froze in shock.
Bokdeongi had no special abilities (?), but his inner potential—proven through the altar—marked him for an evolution greater than any other.
'His worth is on Bahala's level.'
Bahala walked the path of the Sword God.
For Bokdeongi to evolve now...
Upon evolution, you will learn Bokdeongi's true identity.
'What kind of being is he? Some legendary monster, maybe?'
But there was something Hyun-soo didn't know.
The notification referred to Bokdeongi's identity as a being of immense power.
Bokdeongi was one of the Four Divine Beasts.
The known Four Divine Beasts included the Hydra, symbolizing evil, and the Phoenix, symbolizing good.
Like Phoenix or Hydra, learning Bokdeongi's true name was implied too.
"Bro believes in you. You'll turn into the greatest legendary monster ever!"
"Mang!"
Hyun-soo stroked the confidently grinning Bokdeongi's head, then set off.
Nel watched Hyun-soo's receding figure, hugging Bokdeongi and Kyukyu close.
Atlas's future rested in Hyun-soo's hands.
Sword God's Path
📍 Rank: SSS
📍 Restriction: Those who walk the Sword God's Path
📍 Reward: Unlock Sword God's Power
📍 Penalty on Failure: Cannot become Sword God's Heir
📍 Description: One who would become Sword God must achieve extraordinary feats and serve as an example to all sword users. This trial mirrors the traces left by the previous Sword God. Slay the lesser demon Lukio to save the continent.
Hyun-soo had received Bahala's shared quest.
"Sword Gods hunted demons, huh?"
As he headed toward the American server with Bahala, Hyun-soo remarked.
"Legends say Sword Gods have slain numerous demons and archdemons with a single blade, protecting the continent like gods."
"A god who guarded the continent? Sounds badass. So as Sword God's heir, you're starting with lesser demon hunting? First I've heard of lesser demons, though."
In truth, Hyun-soo had never heard of lesser demons before.
Demons were demons—what was "lesser" about them?
"I didn't know such demons existed until I got this quest either. But Lukio is undoubtedly powerful and poses a threat to the entire continent down the line."
An intriguing tale.
It meant the lesser demon Lukio still had room to grow.
"And Ares has no official classification for lesser demons. That's why I can hunt him."
Bahala was peerless.
Even he had limits on what he could or couldn't do at times.
Be it archdemon or regular, without them on the surface, he couldn't touch them.
Suddenly, Bahala recalled the notification about Hyun-soo hunting a demon.
"How'd you take down that demon before?"
"He was super weakened since he was on the surface."
True enough.
Grout back then was at about 50% strength.
"The rest is trade secret."
"Hm."
Bahala didn't pry. Player hunting secrets were sacred.
Hyun-soo also felt a bitter taste, thinking his contribution hadn't been that great.
'Heavenly Spear, Sword King, Sage, Sword King candidate Bella, guildmates, and me.'
Would he ever see that lineup again?
You have entered the Karaon Continent.
That's why Hyun-soo saw this as a one-time chance.
'Just like how Bahala said he couldn't hunt it if it wasn't a lesser demon.'
Hyun-soo grew curious.
'What materials do demons drop, anyway?'
First up: their blood, with its regenerative properties—a demon hallmark.
'Demons mean horns, right?'
Grout had horns too, come to think of it.
As a blacksmith, he could apply them to composite bows, like water buffalo horns in traditional ones.
Then a thrill shot through him.
'In these two months, I'll grab everything and come back.'
If he scored the ultimate bow material—World Tree wood—plus demon horns in the process?
'Heh heh heh heh.'
Hyun-soo couldn't help grinning at the thought.
It would surpass the Jumong's Composite Bow he'd made for Ian by leaps and bounds.
Anyway, the pair reached the Plains of Hell.
"The Plains of Hell hold one of the few gates to Hell across the continent. But Lukio isn't in Hell proper."
Following Bahala, Hyun-soo arrived before a grotesque door.
He frowned in confusion.
"This doesn't look like a dungeon entrance—more like a prison."
"It is a dungeon, crawling with demonkin."
Before crossing, Bahala emphasized once more.
"Hyun-soo. It's not that I don't trust you."
"Don't people usually say 'It's not that I don't trust you'?"
"……Anyway, just try not to get in the way."
"I'll do my best."
Bahala gave a wry smile and opened the door.
His mind eased a bit.
'With Babylon in hand, I'm way stronger than before.'
Especially the 160% attack boost against evil—it was incomparable to last time.
He could protect Hyun-soo and reach Lukio.
Bahala secretly hoped too.
'Please get good materials.'
Win-win: he became Sword God, Hyun-soo got loot.
Creeeak—
Bahala flung open the door concealing the interior.
In that instant, he panicked.
Gremory's Prison Gate opens.
Hellhound hidden behind the door lunges to bite your nape!
Please be careful!
As the door swung open, a Hellhound—2 meters at the shoulder, its body grotesquely melted—leaped out.
"Grrrrrr!"
'Why's it different from when I came?'
Bahala soon realized.
'I had Sword God's Dignity active.'
A clear mistake on his part.
Sword God's Dignity barred lesser fiends from even approaching him.
The Hellhound last time had fled at the mere aura.
Monsters were relative, after all.
Bahala was level 480s.
On par with continental legends, with the skill to match them.
But Hyun-soo was different.
A 120-level gap between them.
Hyun-soo's core was blacksmithing, and this was among the hardest dungeons even on the American server.
No high-ranker could hunt it easily.
And this sudden Hellhound was lunging straight for Hyun-soo's head.
Bahala moved to intercept.
'Too late.'
Even if he slashed it, the bite would land.
No time for Hyun-soo to react.
Bahala had analyzed Hyun-soo's Great Atlas War MVP footage from two months ago.
Frankly, he was impressive for a blacksmith—but not Bahala's level.
His overall stats were too low in Bahala's eyes.
Yet...
"……?"
Bahala was stunned.
Before he could react, Hyun-soo had already drawn the Twin Dragon Swords from his back, stepping forward.
Shing—!
Critical hit triggered!
You have hunted the Hellhound.
'In one strike...!?'
The Hellhound's head was cleanly bisected.
Bahala was genuinely shocked.
First reason.
'How did a mere blacksmith get this strong in two months?'
He recalled his warning before coming here.
'Gaining talent and strength to defend Atlas in just two months—that's too reckless, isn't it?'
Hyun-soo had replied:
'What do you take the world's only Master Craftsman for?'
Bahala felt it now.
The Hyun-soo he'd called weak was two months past.
This Hyun-soo was at least 50% stronger.
More chilling still:
'The whole world thinks this Hyun-soo—who grew 50% in two months—will face them after another two?'
Bahala was certain.
The world's apexes would feel Hyun-soo's unexpected might.
He pictured Hyun-soo smirking 'Ahem.'
But oddly, he looked flustered.
Hyun-soo asked:
"Bahala, was Lukio in human form by any chance?"
Bahala was the only player to face lesser demon Lukio, knowing his appearance.
"……Thinking back, he didn't look like a typical demon. Closer to human, as you said. How'd you know?"
Hyun-soo was truly rattled.
It tied to the recent power that might pave his path to true saint-king.
Its description read:
'May react if someone who might pledge loyalty is nearby.'
And now, that power was reacting.
Pledge your loyalty to me shines.
The target had to be Lukio.