Negotiation (1)
‘I can do this.’
Just learning that fact alone sparked a profound shift in the hearts of the Black Wind Corps and Bon.
The two thousand Black Wind Corps members stood in perfect formation before Hyun-soo, with Bon at the forefront.
Bon stepped forward, right in front of Hyun-soo.
And then he extended his hand.
“Pledge your loyalty to me.”
Moments ago, under that despairing sky, the Black Wind Corps had been trembling in fear. But not anymore.
Bon and the Black Wind Corps will train and grow stronger in preparation for Gremory's invasion two years from now!
A faint smile tugged at Bon's lips.
It was a completely different expression from the one he'd worn when he first awoke an hour ago—and an even greater change was underway.
Hyun-soo was certain.
‘Bon has no choice but to take this hand.’
His eyes proved it.
But the biggest change shook even Hyun-soo's pupils.
“……That day, when even the lord couldn't protect me, I will protect you.”
Bon didn't vow eternal loyalty, not exactly.
But his casual speech had shifted to formal respect, and his mocking smirk had transformed into one of genuine faith.
Bon grasped Hyun-soo's hand.
“Loyalty!”
The two thousand Black Wind Corps members, already prepared, saluted in unison—fists clenched over their left breasts.
Yes, it wasn't just Bon.
This was the moment the entire Black Wind Corps clasped Hyun-soo's hand.
With just over six hundred days until the demon invasion, a new hope began to stir.
Meanwhile.
The Black Wind Corps members who had pledged their loyalty felt a massive tremor in their chests.
The new lord they had chosen to serve.
And behind him stood two reliable figures.
One was Lukio, munching on almonds like they were dessert. The other was the Asura, Kabel.
They were now aligned with the three who had sealed the demon Gremory.
A question arose in their minds.
‘What's with that dog?’
“Mang! Mang!”
The little dog stood tall in a majestic(?) lion-like pose, boldly surveying the Black Wind Corps with an arrogant, cool expression, slowly nodding its head.
But as they watched snot drip from its black nose, the corps members were thrown into confusion.
‘Why's it acting so cool……?’
‘It looks like it sealed a demon itself.’
And truthfully, that's exactly how Bokdeongi looked.
Ahem, I'll protect you all, so let's get along from now on.
To the Black Wind Corps' eyes, that Shiba Inu breed could only look utterly adorable.
They didn't know.
That on that day, from afar but fighting alongside them, this tiny flickering light—Bokdeongi—had been one of their beacons.
The loyalty pledge also served as a gauge.
For Hyun-soo, the buffs it granted allowed predictions of potential and current strength.
Bon was undoubtedly powerful.
But compared to Lukio, the loyalty buff was about 30% weaker.
‘Probably because Bon's a named NPC.’
In Ares, same level didn't mean same strength.
It was influenced by countless factors.
Like how a legendary class holder could beat a normal class over 100 levels higher.
‘Lukio's definitely a high-tier named NPC I didn't know about.’
The phrase "one who walked the path of the Overlord" proved it.
‘Bon may not measure up to Lukio, but he's still valuable.’
No denying that.
Just recruiting Bon and the Black Wind Corps had Atlas in an uproar.
Atlas territory residents' respect for you surges dramatically.
Previously, some Atlas soldiers and many residents had awakened.
To them, Hyun-soo was just the unfamiliar new lord. But Bon was different.
“Commander Bon!”
“It's the Black Wind Corps!”
“The Black Wind Corps is here!”
The residents couldn't help but cheer as the guardian from their past appeared so suddenly and swiftly.
“Thank you, Lord!”
“Long live Lord Hyun-soo!”
“Long, long live!”
They knew it too.
Bon and the Black Wind Corps were untamable wild stallions.
For them to awaken and choose to defend this place again was monumental.
Your bond with the territory residents deepens.
You acquire Overwhelm 100.
Atlas military strength increases by 30% due to recruiting Bon and the Black Wind Corps.
Just awakening them boosted military power by 30%.
‘Well, yeah.’
Hyun-soo gazed at the Black Wind Corps.
The Black Wind Corps were elites just a notch below the Blood Ghost Corps.
But Hyun-soo held one conviction.
‘Born from a sage king's hand, the Black Wind Corps will fill their gaps serving Atlas's new master.’
Atlas had Bella, the sword genius.
Bon and Bella.
With them, the Black Wind Corps could surpass the Blood Ghost Corps swiftly.
And there was an even faster way to accelerate their growth.
Heading to the forge, Hyun-soo issued orders to the blacksmiths.
“Commence crafting artifacts for the Black Wind Corps. Make them full black plate armor with horned helmets and black cloaks—fitting the Black Wind Corps name.”
“As you command.”
Their current gear was merely average.
These blacksmiths would craft something magnificent for the Black Wind Corps.
Hyun-soo could picture it.
Two thousand Black Wind Corps in nothing but pitch-black artifacts—an awe-inspiring sight.
Enemies would falter at the mere sight of them.
Yet Hyun-soo felt it wasn't enough.
Securing Bon and the Black Wind Corps was just preparation for a greater undertaking.
The Great Atlas War.
To discuss it, Hyun-soo met Nel.
“At 6 PM, we'll hash out the rules at the Korea Hotel, then sign the contract.”
The Great Atlas War was the first user-hosted event.
With top global players participating, it drew massive worldwide attention.
But since users were hosting, clear rules had to be negotiated between both sides.
“The issue is whether they'll concede that one month.”
Hyun-soo agreed with Nel.
Time was the most critical need for the Great Atlas War right now.
“They have no reason to wait any longer for the Atlas War.”
On the flip side, the alliance had no incentive to delay.
They wanted to crush Hyun-soo ASAP and claim the twenty artifacts he'd promised.
“They'll likely propose two weeks from now, so I'm not sure our stance will be accepted.”
Hyun-soo asked calmly.
“What's our win chance with Atlas's current forces?”
“Rules aren't set, so it's hard to say definitively. But assuming fair rules both sides accept……”
Nel ran a cold analysis in her head.
Considering who would fight for them in the Great Atlas War.
Excluding the unknown guardian Bokdeongi—who they didn't know about—and replacing with Bon.
“I can't predict it. Not at all.”
“……?”
Hyun-soo was surprised.
Nel was unmatched at win-rate calculations.
Her understanding of Ares far surpassed his.
“The enemy are each nation's apex players. They'll unite, leading their countries' rankers straight to Atlas. We have surprises—powers beyond expectations—but they're apex too, so we don't know their recent growth.”
The trait of the strong: they hid their power.
“We fill one gap, and it's still not enough. No path to victory. In the worst case, we'd crumble easily. What we need now is what you did—recruit more like Bon to boost the unknowns.”
Nel caught her breath, her voice tinged with a sigh.
“Then, drag out time until the Great Atlas War erupts. Grow as much as possible.”
Buying time was key.
Hyun-soo, convinced, felt the bitterest pang.
“We've pushed like mad, and it's still not enough.”
No clear path to victory.
Not a guaranteed loss, but the utter uncertainty stung.
“It's not your fault, Hyun-soo. It was unavoidable to protect Atlas. Without it, Atlas wouldn't exist now.”
Nel meant it.
Just three months into server integration.
In that time, rumors swirled about Atlas.
Atlas supposedly had eight hundred troops and Bella.
Only Hyun-soo as a real threat.
Reality was different.
Atlas brimmed with absurd variables.
They even had more soldiers than the rumored eight hundred.
‘Right, it's not me that's lacking. Just bad circumstances.’
No one could criticize Hyun-soo; Atlas's growth was irrational.
“But I can tell you what we need.”
Nel glanced somewhere.
Ares time had turned to night.
A man stood on a rooftop, staring vacantly at the stars.
Lukio.
Newly arrived in Atlas.
His presence had helped awaken Bon.
But his eyes held no purpose for living.
“……We need him.”
Hyun-soo had already broached the Great Atlas War with Lukio. The reply was icy.
‘……I've repaid enough grace. Taking over fifty commanders' heads, awakening the Black Wind Corps. Now I'll stay quiet.’
He understood.
Hyun-soo hadn't gone there to save him.
It was coincidence; he was just one who sealed Gremory.
Demanding more was greed.
But he felt it.
‘……I need you, Lukio.’
He kept it inside, unspoken.
Lukio's words rang true.
He'd done plenty.
Wanting more was selfish. Hyun-soo harbored a small wish.
‘May your emptiness be filled, and from it, a new purpose born.’
A purposeless, hollow life was just drifting through time.
“I won't force Lukio anymore. I just hope one day he'll pledge true loyalty to me.”
“……”
Nel thought it typical of Hyun-soo.
Not seeing him as a mere subordinate or tool here. Hoping for genuine loyalty someday.
“It's time. If not Lukio, we have one play: negotiate to buy time.”
The two logged out.
Korea Hotel.
Hyun-soo's brow furrowed.
“One month? Hyun's Forge must think we're fools. This stalling is ridiculous. We're not that idle.”
“Thanks to you, each nation's apex flew here to Korea. Show some courtesy and sincerity. We've pinpointed your territory's location.”
Alliance leader Kalli cited nearby Atlas landmarks to prove it.
Spot on.
“We want it in one week. If not, no Great Atlas War.”
The alliance had entertained Hyun-soo's input only for the twenty artifacts.
They showed iron resolve, ready to burn that bridge.
Listening, Hyun-soo felt bitter.
Victory in the Great Atlas War yielded just months of non-aggression from participants.
The alliance, meanwhile, would seize twenty artifacts—Hyun-soo's entire year.
‘What do I even gain from winning?’
Hyun-soo gained too little.
A contract stipulating one week was slid toward him.
At that moment.
Outside the Korea Hotel.
Reporters gawked at a sudden white Bentley.
They gasped at the passenger who stepped out.
“It's CEO Lee Se-jin.”
“Ares's creator!!”
Buttoning his suit, his destination was the conference room where both sides' reps met.
‘Neither Hyun-soo nor the alliance can refuse my offer.’
He brought something for Hyun-soo, who had nothing to gain.
Something enormous.