The Million-Strong Army (1)
Hyun-soo discussed the conditions for becoming king with Nel.
1. Command at least four million people, including soldiers and territory residents.
2. At least five thousand knights.
3. At least fifteen elites like Bon.
Hyun-soo had his doubts.
"Four million is ridiculously huge, but it's still way less than little Goyad Kingdom, right?"
Nel pinpointed the issue sharply.
"It's the obvious path, but users commanding more population than NPCs is impossible."
Nel explained why.
"To them, users are just outsiders first and foremost. There's no reason for them to settle on user land for life. So becoming king as a user is far harder than expected. That's why we set the minimum numbers."
"Setting the minimum means we'll get attacked a lot by other kingdoms and such, doesn't it?"
"Exactly. But it's the only way. We'll build with the bare minimum—fewer than little Goyad, but a solid kingdom. And you, Hyun-soo, must become the prime example."
Nel's expression was grave.
"You need to get much stronger. So strong that enemies fear a single king and won't invade. We've already shifted our path for that."
That shifted path meant breaking free from Goyad's shadow.
To do it, Hyun-soo had to grow stronger.
Just like how Goyad's Barad deterred others.
Hyun-soo already wielded the finest transcendent Twin Dragon Swords and had hit level 400+, so explosive growth like before was gone.
On top of that, crushing responsibility choked him.
Was he the strongest user, excluding Bahala and Kabel?
The answer was no.
Among peak users he'd beaten, only China's Fond remained.
Peak users from dozens of countries, plus silent top rankers still growing.
Pondering how to surpass them, he'd concluded there was almost no way.
But the Great Atlas War he'd hosted changed things.
Hosted by Pureum Corp, it became high risk, high return.
In exchange for promising twenty artifacts, victory meant the ultimate material.
◈ Defense +420%.
◈ Magic Defense +380%.
◈ Max HP & MP +60%.
◈ Strength & Vitality +35%.
◈ 80% Damage Reflection Chance.
◈ Defense Multiplied up to 5x Momentarily.
◈ Guardian God Hyeonmu's Power Grants Ally Buffs.
Well-deserved hype.
Staking twenty crafts meant possibly landing absurd materials.
'I've got exclusive intel.'
Among divine beasts, only good Phoenix, evil Hydra were known.
Now, Hyeonmu—guardian of protection.
Likely human-friendly, given its nature.
And utterly broken material.
'Those are max values.'
No defense +420% ever seen, even maxed.
Max HP/MP +60%, 80% reflect, 5x defense burst.
'And ally buffs like Hyeonmu's title.'
Ultimate invincible armor defending self and allies.
Enabled by this.
Plus.
'High max means top blacksmith maximizes it.'
Ares's best armor material meets its best handler.
Assuming Great Atlas War victory.
Victory unlocks more.
Ultimate armor.
With it and Twin Dragon Swords, Hyun-soo gains huge footing.
Plus base for lean kingdom he and Nel want.
His heart raced.
No expectations before Great Atlas War.
Win meant little.
Now? Fired up.
So, maybe visit Lukio again.
Three weeks left.
Win his heart, he'd shine in Atlas War.
But he shook his head.
Forced approach bad.
Better let him blend naturally into Atlas.
'Plan Atlas War without Lukio.'
Right then.
Vassal Lukio departs from your side.
"......!?"
Shock like a hammer to the head.
He snapped to, rushing outside.
Bokdeongi sat whining before him.
No direct pet talk, but notifications indirect.
Bokdeongi explains why Lukio left.
He left of his own accord for Atlas's sake, due to impending danger.
"......Impending danger?"
Lukio shrouded in mystery.
Week with him revealed only he'd walked tyrant's path.
He shared nothing.
Maybe fearing coming danger.
"Mang, mang!"
Bokdeongi led, tail wagging.
Sniffing ground, urging follow.
"You can track him?"
"Mang!"
Hyun-soo dashed after Lukio.
Time with him too short for bonds.
Not chasing for strength or war feats.
Lukio's status window.
Lords viewing vassal status sometimes glimpse deep feelings.
• Passive: Commander's Bearing
• Passive: Absolute Training
• Passive: Unwavering Loyalty to Brad
• Passive: ???
• Active: ???
• Active: Demon Slash
Detailed emotion view.
He possesses unyieldingly noble knighthood. Like his passive 'Unwavering Loyalty to Brad', he'll do anything for his sworn king.
Yet deep down, he's confused and weeping. He trembles most at what's coming.
He's accepted his fate, but in his heart's depths, he yearns.
For someone to save him.
Yes, Lukio trembled now.
Hyun-soo didn't grasp all his feelings.
But adults swallow pain and sorrow silently.
'Scared? Then hide behind me—I'm way stronger than you think!'
Hyun-soo gripped Twin Dragon Swords, following Bokdeongi.
He was stronger than Lukio thought.
Recently slayed legendary Fenrir too.
He could protect him.
Racing on, the vast forest parted, revealing a scene.
"......"
Witnessing it, Hyun-soo realized.
How many hills left to climb.
How hard protecting fear-struck Lukio would be.
You've encountered the Blood King.
First Legend title activates.
Legends cannot suppress other legends.
The Blood King differs from normal legends.
One of five kings leading this era.
You face the Blood King and his 300,000 troops.
Powers synergize.
All Stats -25%.
Movement -30%, Reflexes Slowed.
Attack & Defense -27%.
"......"
Bursting from forest, Hyun-soo faced a colossus.
Three greatest kings once led an era; now five lead this one.
Blood King Brad among them.
Bloodstained red armor.
Handsome, Hyun-soo's age.
Not just Brad caused debuffs.
Blood King's Deputy Sun Lv.481
Blood King's Knight Karo Lv.467
Bloodstained-armored knights.
Ten thousand strong, plus 290,000 elite army eyeing him.
Fewer than Blood Ghost Corps.
But then, Goyad backed Hyun-soo.
These soldiers outleveled them.
Now, alone vs. one strongest king and 300k.
Frankly, Atlas felt like kindergarten.
Blood King's gaze appraised him.
Like worthless bug.
Hyun-soo's body twitched.
'I feel this gap......?'
Words failed.
"......A wretch like you had him."
Blood King smiled bitterly.
His long, elegant hand reached.
That instant.
'Demonic qi......?'
Hyun-soo sensed massive demonic concentration surging at him.
"......I'll go quietly. He turned me human—spare my life, my first and last request."
"......"
Blood King withdrew finger.
"True, you saved him—that doesn't change."
Army turned.
Hyun-soo shook oppression, shouted.
"Lukio, that's not your place!"
Blood King and Lukio halted.
Fleeting sadness in Lukio's eyes, gone.
Blood King approached slowly.
"If you truly deem yourself vessel for him, that's arrogance."
Finger touched Hyun-soo's solar plexus.
"More pathetic than thought. Waking Lukio raised hopes, shattered now. Little noble can't breathe before my army."
"......"
"Your army won't reach our heels—remember."
Explosion from fingertip smashed Hyun-soo.
HP Drops Below 50%.
Massive Impact Taken.
Faint Status Applied.
Fading mind beyond.
"I spare you from no need. Accept it—you're no vessel for Lukio. Return to your pitiful territory, live forgotten as its lord."
Blood King walked away.
Knights, soldiers followed, mocking.
"......Just a count."
"Goyad's a pipsqueak kingdom, right?"
"Yeah, just a count. Commands maybe thousand troops, idiot. Haha!"
"Such a guy dares for Sir Lukio......"
Amid jeers, Hyun-soo blacked out.
Bokdeongi nudged fainted Hyun-soo.
"Mang mang!"
Bokdeongi worried.
Expected self-loathing on waking.
But no.
Hyun-soo rose.
Overwhelmed, frozen—true.
Mocked by soldiers, knights—undeniable.
Rising, he petted Bokdeongi's head.
Yes, wanted to save Lukio big time.
But something bigger born.
'Pathetic?'
He wasn't. Vessel for Lukio?
'Who decides the vessel?'
Hyun-soo eyed where Blood King vanished.
"Bokdeongi."
"Mang?"
Bokdeongi awaited.
Expected 'Get strong, fetch Lukio.'
Or 'Sneak in to save.'
But no.
"Call all our friends."