Independent Nation (2)
Great territory, Atlas.
That was the term ancient people used to describe Atlas.
The whole world acknowledged it.
Because the grand territory of Atlas could stand toe-to-toe with any kingdom.
In fact, Atlas had once clashed with a full nation—and though it wasn't a total victory, the territory had undeniably come out on top.
A mere territory, not even a kingdom.
The reason it could achieve such a feat was its saintly ruler, who commanded a host of mighty warriors.
Those warriors could single-handedly sweep away hundreds of knights.
And when outnumbered foes faced overwhelming force, their morale naturally crumbled.
That was Atlas.
A land just one-twentieth the size of a kingdom, yet never inferior in power.
But even this place had vanished into oblivion.
Commander Bon recalls it well.
The representative transcendent being of this land: a dragon.
That single dragon had obliterated the magnificent Atlas in an instant.
And the only one who could awaken us again was not Haron, but a new master.
Thus, Bon and all the dormant souls here prayed for the same thing.
'Whoever leads us, we hope they can stand against a transcendent being.'
That was Bon's final thought as he turned to ash.
But even then, he couldn't help scoffing.
'...Humans have clear limits. It's impossible for a mere human to slay a transcendent being.'
His own hopeful imagining was impossible from the start.
Bon remembers.
The young man from two months ago, fresh-faced and lacking any real presence.
He'd only recently become lord, and his dignity, Charisma, and qualifications were all in doubt.
Is lordship just about being strong?
No—even a terminally ill lord exudes an aura no ordinary person can approach.
But this man had none of that.
Yet when Bon opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was this man striding forward with majestic confidence, and that aura crushed him.
The Overwhelm stat had risen by over 500 points recently.
A Legend stat, no less. Now surpassing 1,000, its power was immense.
"Urgh..."
"Nngh..."
The Black Wind Corps, Atlas's elite guardians freshly awakened, groaned just from laying eyes on him.
And Hyun-soo was clever, too.
The pride of a Master Craftsman, a power only Legends could wield.
Bon could somewhat resist it.
But not the Black Wind Corps.
Status ailments like this were devastating against enemies but manifested differently for potential allies or those without hostility.
As Hyun-soo approached, the Black Wind Corps was first engulfed by an immense pressure.
'How can such an aura...'
'Can't breathe...'
They searched for reasons.
'Young, but those eyes are straight, resolute, unwavering.'
'Look at that broad frame—born for it? True, but...'
The Black Wind Corps were exceptional.
Their discernment far surpassed ordinary soldiers.
Their sharp eyes scanned his body.
'Calluses thick on his hands. How many repetitions to build those?'
'Left and right arms different sizes. What field did he pour himself into?'
'Eyes like someone who's danced with death countless times.'
Yes—the aura radiating from Hyun-soo felt less like a lord's and more like something else.
Like a great general who wouldn't flinch before a million-strong army.
That was the pride of a Master Craftsman activating on allies.
And up to here, Bon accepted it without much thought.
He's gained a fine gaze in just two months. That was it.
Naturally so.
Even if the Black Wind Corps might waver, the level gap between Bon and Hyun-soo was vast.
Bon had planned to appraise his recent kills through his signature skill, Commander's Eye, and chide his arrogance.
But then he saw the massive demon above Hyun-soo's head: Gremory.
And Bon panicked.
'...'
He'd hoped.
For someone who could slay a transcendent being.
For that great someone to be the lord who led them.
In that moment, Bon doubted.
His Commander's Eye had a flaw.
It only shows those you've contributed to killing.
Even if just a minor blow.
So Bon had denied it, assuming minimal contribution—and now he shut his mouth.
The Gremory above Hyun-soo.
Fists clenched, face twisted in rage like 'Damn, if only I could just...'
Her expression screamed: 'How do I kill this bastard?'
Anyone could see Hyun-soo had slain her and pissed her off.
'Something even worse...?'
The Commander's Eye also gauged between slain and sealed souls.
Gremory's death spirit was far more defined than a typical one.
Meaning not a dead soul, but a sealed one.
'Sealing a transcendent being is incredible in itself.'
But it wasn't enough. And since it was "sealed" not "slain," there was another sticky point.
'Is that all?'
Did he seal the demon and get cocky?
Then, as Gremory's spirit dispersed, another appeared.
"..."
A colossal figure rising slowly, like Mount Tai itself.
'Grrrrrr...!'
'Fenrir?'
Popular monsters revealed their full glory upon death.
Fenrir lived in Atlas's era.
They knew its defense and HP well.
And Fenrir brimmed with hatred toward Hyun-soo.
"..."
Gulp.
It was certain.
Fenrir had met its end at this man's hands.
The man now stood before him.
Bon, momentarily flustered, saw the extended hand.
"Pledge your loyalty to me."
"...!?"
Bon knew this power better than anyone: the force of a saintly ruler.
A pledge of loyalty that strengthened the lord through obedience.
Bon stared at the hand, then made his choice.
Death Spirit's Eye activates.
If Hyun-soo willed it, he could resist this power easily.
But he didn't.
'Peering into my achievements will benefit me.'
And through it, Bon would see Gremory.
Hyun-soo judged it feasible.
'Even if not full loyalty, it'll make Bon follow me.'
With that, he extended his hand.
Pledge Your Loyalty bent wills based on the target's reasons.
'How strong would I get if Bon pledges loyalty?'
Lost in such fantasies, Hyun-soo's face twisted.
"I have no intention of taking that hand."
Bon does not pledge loyalty to you.
Hyun-soo was baffled.
He couldn't pinpoint the issue.
'In two months, I've gained strength Bon should respect. Isn't that enough for Atlas's lord?'
Most of his plans had succeeded so far.
He'd assumed fully subduing Bon would too.
But Bon's next words were reasonable.
"Did you not know? The Atlas I desire isn't a territory strong only because of its ruler."
"..."
Only then did Hyun-soo realize.
Atlas needed a strong ruler, yes—but also powerful subordinates to back him.
Bon knew from experience.
"...The lord and territory I want won't cower before transcendent beings. And if possible, we avoid them. But."
This hinted why Bon led the Black Wind Corps.
"Sealing a demon means you'll face her again soon."
Plain fact.
Hyun-soo still got these alerts occasionally.
You are the one who sealed Demon Gremory.
The moment Demon Gremory awakens, she will lead 22 legions to invade Atlas.
587 days, 12 hours, 54 seconds remaining.
Prepare for the Gremory invasion.
Atlas's greatest threat was ongoing.
"Sealing the demon means she was weakened then—and Gremory commands legions. The system judges you killed her in that state. Can you stop her?"
Bon asked.
"22 legions and Demon Gremory."
Bon could already picture that day.
No matter how fast, no matter if he went alone.
He couldn't block Gremory and her 22 legions.
"That's why I refuse."
If loyal, Bon would serve for a year.
Train the troops better.
Work to earn wealth, like old Atlas.
Yes—gaining Bon's loyalty meant he didn't serve lightly, but gave his all when he did.
"No fool pledges loyalty to a territory that crumbles in an instant."
Thus, Bon refused.
Yes—Hyun-soo's feat of sealing Gremory.
It was holding him back.
When buying Bon and the Black Wind Corps, Hyun-soo had gotten this alert.
Insufficient loyalty to earn their allegiance.
You can awaken them, but they may not pledge loyalty, and they may return to dust.
Recommended: Level up to 100 before purchase.
Power belongs to those who can wield it.
But Hyun-soo's rapid growth had broken that.
And as the alert warned, this result followed.
Bon and the Black Wind Corps wish to return.
Territory contribution spent will not be refunded.
Penalty for grasping what you can't hold.
But Hyun-soo had no intention of giving up.
No begging like 'Stay by my side anyway.'
He acknowledged it plainly.
Making Bon his easily wasn't simple.
Not everything could be 100% perfect.
Fix a derailed plan—that was all.
To enact that fix, he spoke.
"...You're wrong, Bon."
Wrong? What was wrong?
Bon thought the lord couldn't accept his logic—dumber than expected.
The next words flustered him.
"I've already prepared for it, preparations for that time are nearly complete, and you are merely one part of those preparations."
Merely one part?
He grasped the meaning.
Current Atlas was impressive enough to captivate him and the Black Wind Corps.
"Choose."
"...?"
"Pit your Black Wind Corps against my territory's forces. The choice is yours."
An intriguing idea.
It meant current Atlas was preparing against demon assaults and evolving into the strong territory he desired, with lord and subordinates together.
'Troublesome.'
Bon saw it as desperate clutching.
"Kalm, step forward."
"Yes."
He summoned his finest.
A powerhouse who could fell 50 knights.
Master of swift swordplay.
Like Bon, a ruthless bastard.
"You heard. Pick anyone."
"Yes, I'll designate one."
Vice-Commander Kalm was annoyed too and fully understood his commander's heart.
'Better to sleep than live feeling powerless again.'
So he'd finish quick and depart.
Kalm grinned slyly.
"New lord."
"...?"
"You said choose anyone—no rule it had to be a 'soldier.'"
Hyun-soo's eyes widened. He'd caught Kalm's clever twist.
Kalm pointed at his target.
The moment Hyun-soo saw it, his face hardened horribly.
"Of all people..."
His expression screamed regret over his slip-up.
Kalm tsked inwardly. Words matter from a lord—tsk.
But Hyun-soo was two-faced.
'Heh heh, heh heh...'
Grinning maniacally at the pointed man.
Ehehehehehe!
Yes, of all people—why him?
"I'll fight that guy walking the dog over there."
A man held a leash there.