Independent Nation (1)

I'm going to create an independent nation.

This means breaking away from the Goyad Kingdom.

Hyun-soo had a clear reason for thinking this way.

'My growth is too fast. Too fast to handle.'

There had been physical growth, but his standing within Goyad had grown as well.

The side effect that came with it.

'Which side will the three marquises choose?'

The future king? Or the king they've served?

Of course, knowing those three men as he did, they would side with the one who could further revitalize Goyad.

That was his subjective opinion, at least.

And that subjectivity was the problem.

'People's thoughts differ in the end.'

The marquises might each lend their strength to different people.

The real issue was that this would split the people and soldiers into factions.

It was inevitable.

'Even in reality, princes of pure bloodline start rebellions to claim the throne faster.'

Barad's designation of an heir was his will, but various factions aiming to dethrone him could approach Hyun-soo.

Politics was like that.

Filthy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and reeking.

Of course, he knew the three marquises wouldn't stoop that low, but if they did, Goyad's national power would weaken.

And besides.

'I'm living in the present era. So, I'll do things my way.'

He didn't want to put his dear friend Barad in danger.

Did they all do that in the Joseon era? Was it similar in this medieval setting?

'Not my concern.'

Hyun-soo would become a king in his own way.

And the plan in his head was an independent nation.

'Of course, it'll be an independent territory in name only at first—one that doesn't even meet the conditions for nationhood. Yeah, let's start as an independent grand territory.'

What he needed for that.

Figures on the level of the three marquises who had built Goyad into what it was.

Or people like Sword Sage Laisen.

And the moment he oxidized Fenrir to ash, he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had a gut feeling.

'Now even named NPCs will target me.'

A great way to boost one's reputation: crushing the 'rising sprout.'

Those entrenched in their positions don't fight each other.

They know each other's strength too well.

But a rising sprout lacks experience, and Hyun-soo—still known for running a 'speck-of-dust territory'—was prime prey.

'And he makes artifacts so well.'

How could they not be tempted?

So he needed countermeasures, and preparations were underway.

First, his own growth.

'To wield the power of an independent nation, I need strength like His Highness Barad of that small kingdom.'

After slaying Fenrir, Hyun-soo hadn't even had time to properly check the notifications.

It had just given massive experience befitting a legend.

From level 403, Hyun-soo shot up to 415 in one go.

The 400s.

This put him in the upper ranks even among high-level players.

Meaning the experience needed for 5 levels at 300 was barely enough for 1 at 400.

And crucially, Fenrir was different from how it looked.

'A beggar...'

All it dropped was gold.

Over 400 million won, sure—but still.

Even the Gathering skill didn't trigger.

But Hyun-soo's lips soon twitched upward.

'Heh heh heh heh!'

Territory residents passing by startled at the sight of him standing there chuckling to himself, but he paid no mind.

The reason.

'The ability to turn beggars into riches!'

Hyun-soo recalled the moment he killed Fenrir.

***

The moment the notification rang, before it turned to ash, Hyun-soo had stabbed Fenrir's neck with the Desire Dagger.

Until now, the Desire Dagger's Trait Storage had always failed for Hyun-soo.

Against Legion Commander Robus, against Demon Gremory.

But against the legendary monster Fenrir, it was different.

Random.

All or nothing.

In truth, Fenrir was a monster sorely lacking in traits.

Sure, its special magic was impressive for a monster.

But skills that anyone with money could learn.

Hyun-soo's hope was this.

'There might be some unknown power.'

The problem: that unknown power could be a double-edged sword.

Trash, or something decent.

The first trait stored in the Desire Dagger.

Its name seemed utterly unremarkable.

'Fenrir Charge? Pikachu's Body Slam sounds cooler.'

Stored powers display at 60% strength.

When he first saw it, Hyun-soo wondered if it was any good.

'Trample? And then what?'

That was it.

Of course, at 60% effect.

At 100%, it would trample with 400% power, same for splash.

'Why didn't Fenrir use this?'

Worthless? The thought gave him chills.

'...It couldn't use it?'

60% damage meant reduced mana cost.

Original likely over 10,000.

Hyun-soo's total MP barely topped 7,000.

No monster throws around 10k+ mana casually.

Another question.

'Does it summon Fenrir to charge, or do I charge...?'

Him charging was ridiculous.

'Hyun-soo, charge!'

A chuunibyou image flashed by.

He shook his head.

Given the description, likely summons Fenrir.

And his eyes widened at the truth.

"...Wait a minute, this."

Against one target, trash-tier.

But.

'What if unleashed amid 50,000 Blood Ghost Corps?'

Fenrir's massive body charging and trampling: massive casualties.

Of course.

'...Gotta use that 7,000 mana wisely.'

But he could think this.

'My total MP rises as I grow.'

The stronger he got, the more powerful this trait.

Ultimate PvP skill acquired.

Once a month, sure.

'Heh heh heh heh.'

How could he not laugh?

Jackpot from a nothing-drop mob.

And that wasn't even what he anticipated most.

Shoving aside the Fenrir hunt memory, he focused on what he truly awaited.

He hadn't checked due to talking with Barad.

Including Barad's final grant.

Hyun-soo anticipated the foundation for independent power.

And even he was stunned by the number.

***

"1.15 million...?"

Nel couldn't hide her bewilderment.

She trusted data more than anyone.

This siege.

And continent-wide wars elsewhere.

Average guilds: 60-100k contribution.

Elite guilds: 100-180k.

Top guilds with rankers: average 200-350k.

Yet Hyun-soo had 1.15 million.

'...I see.'

Nel recalled the experts' chatter during the siege.

Strength is relative.

To shatter relative strength, you need matching power.

And.

'Rewards are relative too.'

Depending on who hunts for rewards, 2x or 5x differences.

Take Bahala.

How was he so dominant?

Ignored relative strength.

One with absolute strength monopolized 4-5x general users' rewards.

And Hyun-soo had joined that rank.

Nel couldn't imagine.

'1.15 million... what talents can that awaken?'

Atlas: territory led by a sage king, gathering the strong.

"...Who first? No, buy talent scouting first."

Talent scouting: 200k contribution.

"No need. Unnecessary."

Unnecessary?

Scouting available talents was ideal.

And motivated gathering contribution.

But Hyun-soo saw farther.

"Awaken the best one. If he pledges loyalty, he'll tell us who's available."

"...True. Then, perhaps."

Nel was impressed.

She realized who Hyun-soo wanted to awaken.

A man he'd met shortly after arriving at Atlas.

The audacity to awaken him filled her with anticipation.

"Let's awaken Bon."

His name: Bon.

Atlas's commander.

Precisely, leader of the Black Wind Corps.

An absurd amount.

But watching Hyun-soo buy decisively, Nel asked.

"Do we need to spend it all?"

"...Buying in bulk is way cheaper."

She had no choice but to accept.

***

Atlas outskirts.

Statues rising from the ground began to crack.

Fissures spreading across them.

Among them, Bon was furious.

'...What were you thinking, awakening me?'

Even in slumber, Bon could sense.

Only two months since meeting the new lord, Hyun-soo.

The day he fell back asleep, Bon had thought:

'When I awaken, can you earn my loyalty?'

What he needed wasn't awakening him out of current need.

'Awaken me when you can prove you're a master worthy of me.'

The weak can't command the strong.

Unless by bloodline.

The man from two months ago: a novice.

His troops had scattered under attack, but Bon took little damage.

Awakening him after just two months.

'Blinded by power.'

And Bon's eyes were special.

They saw spirits of the dead.

Souls of those recently slain. Or sealed by him.

Crack crack—

As he opened his eyes, Bon planned to laugh maniacally at those Hyun-soo had killed.

Arrogant. Mistaken.

Opening his eyes, Bon was shocked to see Hyun-soo approaching in a brown coat, gazing at him like a king.

'What am I seeing right now?'

The death spirit above his head.

A massive-horned, seductive transcendent: Demon Gremory, looking down ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like at a bug.