Demon Summoning (1)
'No complaints means it's probably not that great, huh.'
Hyun-soo, still oblivious to its true value, took back Gremory's Ring.
But there was still work to be done.
Desire Dagger reacts.
The Desire Dagger, Hyun-soo's latest creation.
Its greatest power was Trait Storage.
As he infused mana into the necklace dagger, it grew in size.
He thrust it straight into the scattering Gremory.
Trait Storage activates.
Target is 100+ levels higher than you. Attempting Trait Storage with 20% chance.
The dagger was engulfed in black light. But the darkness soon faded away.
Trait Storage failed.
"Argh...!"
Hyun-soo wore a deeply disappointed expression but shook it off quickly.
Then, something flashed through his mind.
'Vassals usually offer raid rewards to their lords.'
He glanced at Lukio with subtly expectant eyes...
"Who're you?"
Hyun-soo panicked.
'This guy's on my side, right?'
It was like dealing with a rebellious teen. Of course, the faint smile at the corner of Lukio's mouth just moments ago revealed it was a joke.
Lukio, the one who had been sobbing until seconds ago, was embarrassed and trying to lighten the mood.
Lukio handed over half of the spoils he'd obtained.
"Thanks to you, I could settle a lifelong grudge. I offer my sincere gratitude."
Lukio was betrayed by the king and sent to Gremory.
Loyalty toward you is very low.
It was only natural.
It was a clear fact that Hyun-soo had helped him kill Gremory.
In Ares, there were three ways to earn a vassal's complete loyalty.
First: Bestowing an immense favor that inspires respect.
Hyun-soo had certainly done the former, but not the latter.
The reason? Lukio, betrayed by his king, found it hard to trust and serve anyone again.
Second: Being vastly higher level than the vassal.
Finally.
'When the vassal respects your position.'
Are kings always the strongest? No.
Barad and Ben were exceptions; most weren't.
Yet pure bloodline and the throne hold power.
Or the authority of a grand lord is beyond imagination.
Hyun-soo fulfilled none of these three.
Relative to this vassal, Lukio, of course.
Lukio still didn't use honorifics with Hyun-soo either.
"Lukio, come to my territory."
It was Hyun-soo's proposal.
He figured he'd need to resolve Lukio's various episodes.
At the very least, he was certain of one thing.
"...Even if the territory falls, I won't sell you out."
Here, Hyun-soo's Overwhelm stat shone.
Overwhelm applied to allies and enemies alike.
Hyun-soo's steadfast gaze.
The conviction that he would never betray him.
'You truly believe that.'
Quests didn't always convey 100% accurate info.
'My king sold me to Gremory for the kingdom's sake.'
If it had been such a noble reason, Lukio wouldn't hate the king this much.
Sacrificing one life to save millions was worthwhile.
'My king... made a deal.'
Another of Lukio's unrevealed episodes.
Yet the man before him was caught in a misconception.
Even if the territory crumbled, he wouldn't sell him out. Lukio glanced to the sides.
Legendary figures surpassing even him looked at Hyun-soo with affectionate eyes.
Like the three laws to earn a vassal's respect.
The same applied to friendships, bonds with the strong.
Hyun-soo met none for those two either.
Yet they cherished him.
Another flash.
Two years later, Gremory reappears.
Lukio's revenge unfinished, she threatens, and Hyun-soo says he'll be king by then.
'Shall I lend a sword to make him king?'
Or.
'Watch from afar and leave.'
He didn't know yet.
It all depended on how much Lukio came to respect the man before him.
For now.
"I'll follow."
He decided to join. No honorifics, no loyalty yet.
He just felt it.
'His territory must be impressive.'
As he turned to hide a subtle smile.
"Lukio."
The new lord's warm voice called. His first words to the one who'd agreed to join.
"Wanna hand over the Supreme Sword? The rest of the spoils too?"
"..."
Lukio gave all remaining spoils. He'd already tried the Supreme Sword and been captivated.
The new lord added,
"Oh, the 230,000 gold loan term is one year. After that, 20,000 gold per month."
"...?"
"Ah, vassal discount applied."
Lukio realized.
"I'll knock off 500 gold a month. Good deal, right?"
500 gold off a month and calling it good?
The new lord was a bandit without a blade...
'Ah?'
Lukio realized.
The new lord was a bandit—with a blade.
The greatsword Twin Dragon Swords, no less.
***
'Heh heh heh heh.'
Hyun-soo, sucking the rebellious Lukio dry.
Of course, from the certainty that Lukio had no choice but to follow now.
And a precise valuation of the Supreme Sword.
'Better for Lukio to hold the Supreme Sword.'
To maintain level 480+.
'All done... Ugh...'
Hyun-soo felt a dizzying headache. The precursor to "fainting Hyun-soo" again.
It was warranted.
A lot had happened in that prison.
First, log out for some sleep.
Knowing everyone would go their separate ways, Hyun-soo asked.
"Kabel, I figure you know where you're headed. Bahala, you?"
"I must leave for a new quest."
As expected. Regret lingered on Hyun-soo's face.
He added,
"...Next time we meet, I'll be even stronger. More than now."
"...You're this strong already, and still so greedy."
Bahala meant it.
Hyun-soo had changed vastly since entering the prison.
He couldn't chase Bahala's tail before; now he was close.
So Bahala planned to clear his quest with all he had.
'To keep the year's top spot from you.'
And so, the four who stood together.
Beacons illuminating the world.
They who brightly lit any darkness returned to their places.
You have logged out.
Hyun-soo dove straight into bed.
Before sinking into sweet, long-overdue sleep.
'Hope the territory's fine.'
Gremory's Prison blocked whispers and guild chat.
Plus, overwhelming drowsiness hit Hyun-soo; near "Another Fainting" state, he couldn't log back in.
Capsule devices block access in extreme fatigue.
To check recent events just in case, he grabbed his phone—then fell asleep.
Another world-illuminating beacon.
He'd never stayed long anywhere.
But now, he sought a new base.
Walking a familiar path, bitterness welled.
'I know everything you did was to protect Hyun-soo.'
He knew, yet that existence had taught Kabel what it meant to protect.
Kabel had few to protect.
No family, friends, or benefactors.
With so few, he could burn hotter than anyone, give everything.
Hence the greater bitterness.
The pup's true master was Hyun-soo.
'This time of day, obvious.'
Kabel smiled faintly.
The pup would be curled up in Hyun-soo's lounge, in his scent, as always.
Then Kabel froze.
"Mang! Mang mang mang!"
Far away.
Atlas's entrance, just coming into view.
A cotton-ball pup clearly waiting ages for one being.
Short-legged, still young, its run awkward.
As if spotting Kabel, it charged from afar.
Falling, it sprang up; falling again, pink tongue out, grinning wide.
Bokdeongi, sprinting her best on tiny legs.
"..."
First time.
Anyone waiting for him like this.
Kabel, solitary warrior through short or long times, opened his arms to someone for the first time.
"Mang, mang mang mang!"
Bokdeongi has been waiting for you.
Plop!
The embraced pup beamed happily.
"Maaang...!?"
Its face, actions, notifications all told.
To it, Kabel was now as precious as Hyun-soo.
"...Let's go."
Holding Bokdeongi, he entered the territory at last.
No more false guise of Raon.
Gazing at the set-down Bokdeongi, he said,
"...Today's walk is two hours."
"Mang! Mang!"
The one called a beacon.
He now illuminated Atlas.
Meanwhile.
Another beacon.
"..."
Lukio, the undying knight, little devil strongman.
Still alone in the prison.
Not what Hyun-soo wanted.
"Why just me...?"
Hyun-soo was in a bind too.
If he hadn't logged out, "Another Fainting" curse would've knocked him out there.
But knowing Hyun-soo would return, he waited.
Where he'd shine as a beacon? Only time would tell.
At that moment.
Days ago, per Volond's order, Parion Empire forces arrived on Asgan Continent.
True to its imperial name, Parion commanded millions, but sent a small elite force with tamed monsters.
To show even few could topple a nation.
And those elites and monsters were exceptional.
"...Your Highness, Parion Empire's 50,000—Blood Ghost Corps—have breached the fortress and march on the capital."
Barad couldn't believe it.
He didn't fully know other continents' might.
Were so few soldiers that strong?
"50,000 troops. The Blood Ghost Corps are Parion's finest elites. The real issue: their tamed monsters are Fenrir."
The subordinate's face paled.
"With Fenrir at the fore, the Blood Ghost Corps overruns every castle."
"...How long to the capital?"
"Half a day."
Barad's expression darkened.
Fenrir, one of the legendary monsters.
Parion Empire tamed and wielded that mighty breed.
Barad declared,
"...I'll go myself."
"Your Highness!"
The subordinate tried to dissuade. Knowing it was what the enemy wanted.
But Barad felt he must go.
'Only I can kill the Fenrir.'
Barad left the castle, resolved to die.
Some time later.
Logging in, Hyun-soo saw the quest popped for him.
Goyad Kingdom
📍 Rank:SS
📍 Restriction: King's Heir
📍 Reward: Territory Contribution x2
📍 Failure Penalty: Barad's death
Your liege and friend, Barad, has resolved to join the battlefield with death in mind. A battle of unknown odds looms; Goyad Kingdom may fall. As king's heir and Barad's friend,
Save crisis-stricken Goyad and Barad.
Hyun-soo knew the quest's meaning.
'Success opens my era.'
And more. Territory contribution doubled.
'Chance to awaken Atlas's sleeping commander Bon.'
War was crisis—and sometimes opportunity.
Hyun-soo's fist clenched.
Kwaaak—
'Barad...!'
Truth be told, anger for his friend outweighed opportunity.