Lantern (9)
Atlas's financial status is at its lowest.
Hyein was struggling desperately to change this notification.
Financial status: Lowest.
This was the stage where Atlas's residents were gripped by intense hunger.
'And on top of that, preparations for the Great Atlas War...'
Her head throbbed as if it might split open.
In this situation, Hyein had no choice but to enter the dungeon with her guildmates.
Player power was needed for the Great Atlas War, too.
So they couldn't stop leveling up.
Hyein's face twisted just as she was about to enter the dungeon.
Lord Hyun-soo has promised a portion of the true World Tree to the Praam Kingdom.
Failing to fulfill the promise may sour relations with the Praam Kingdom.
Lord Hyun-soo received 100,000 troops from the Goyad Kingdom, so he must pay compensation to the families of the fallen warriors.
Failing to pay may lead to resentment from the people.
"...?"
Through these notifications, she realized Hyun-soo had made a reckless move.
Of course, Nel had also received the notification that Lukio had left.
And the fact that Hyun-soo had been humiliated. So, Hyun-soo had asked Nel if it was okay to proceed with something related to that.
Nel had expressed her wish that it would be better to do so once they had grown stronger and Atlas had some leeway.
But Hyun-soo's push forward left Nel feeling conflicted.
She focused on conquering the dungeon with her guildmates and spoke afterward.
"There's something we need to discuss. Let's meet at the cafe."
"In two weeks, the territory residents might be starving. Our Atlas has racked up debts to both Goyad and Praam Kingdoms."
"The residents might starve?"
The guildmates grasped the gravity of the situation and understood why they had gathered at the cafe.
"Yes, I think we need to give Hyun-soo a good scolding about this."
It wasn't what she wanted, either.
But sometimes, these moments were necessary.
No one is perfect.
It was undeniable that Hyun-soo's charge against the Blood King had been driven by emotion.
The debts to Goyad and Praam could prolong Atlas's hunger even further.
"We need to make him realize how serious 'lowest' financial status truly is. It can turn from lowest to worst in an instant."
"What happens if it becomes worst?"
To Hyuk-su's question, Hyein answered honestly.
"Starvation deaths will occur."
"...!"
"...!"
The guildmates were stunned.
Hyun's Forge bore the mission to protect them. The shock of people starving to death in such a situation hit hard.
It also made them reflect on their own shortcomings, not just Hyun-soo's.
"I've been too focused on my own growth."
"While the territory fills with the hungry, and winter is coming soon. I was oblivious."
"What if I cover the funds?"
It was Tae-ha, the chaebol heir.
Hyein shook her head.
"It would only be a temporary fix. We can't keep pulling real-world money into the game's finances; it can't become a habit."
Of course, Hyein planned to use real money if it came to actual starvation deaths.
Tae-ha, now aware of the severity, said,
"This time, we really need to give him a stern talking-to. Of course, I'm reflecting deeply too."
"I didn't realize it had come to this. I know Hyun-soo's path was the best, but we missed what needed real attention."
"Yes, very sternly. We have to make sure he never acts unilaterally again."
Their resolve burned bright.
Just then, a KakaoTalk from Hyun-soo arrived.
Hyein took a deep breath and replied with a stern expression.
Thud—
Hyein set down her phone, her face cold.
"Everyone, log in."
"Sounds good."
"See you in Atlas."
They parted to log in and reunited in Atlas.
Among them, Riesel felt the greatest sense of duty.
As Hyun-soo's same-age friend, he could speak most candidly.
And seeing the residents, the thought of starvation deaths fueled his anger.
Upon logging in, Riesel saw Hyun-soo approaching with a bright smile.
"Everyone, long time no—"
"You idiot!"
"...?"
Riesel bellowed. Hyun-soo looked puzzled, so Riesel pointed around them.
"With the territory in this state, why go and do something we told you not to!? Huh!? Blah blah blah!"
Riesel led the charge in scolding Hyun-soo.
Some notification rang out amid it, but his rising anger drowned it.
Someone tugged his sleeve.
"Um, Riesel... that..."
"Ah, let go! Hyun-soo, if you keep acting like this from now on...!"
Hyun-soo, listening, fully understood.
His unilateral actions were indeed reckless—the World Tree promise to Praam and troop support from Goyad would burden Atlas later.
Hyun-soo addressed the guildmates.
"My thinking was shortsighted. I'll be more careful from now on. Thank you for pointing out my flaws."
On one hand, his sulking was obvious.
But Riesel believed scolding was necessary when needed.
"Don't do it again!"
"Yeah, thanks for calling out my shortcomings."
Did I go too far?
As that thought crossed his mind, Nel nudged him.
"No, I said don't do it."
"...Why?"
Riesel looked puzzled.
Then he realized—they had all agreed to speak up, but he'd gone solo.
"The notification..."
"Notification...?"
Soon, Riesel checked and was shocked.
You have recruited the Undefeated Knight Lukio to Hyun's Forge.
"...?"
Undefeated Knight.
The legendary knight had returned to Hyun-soo's side.
Bearing the true name of Undefeated Knight.
In truth, the guildmates had scolded Hyun-soo for recklessness partly because of Lukio's loyalty to Brad.
To them, it made little sense for Hyun-soo to step in when Lukio held such loyalty to Brad.
But now that he'd brought him back, the situation had changed. Lukio hurried over and asked,
"...What's going on? Did that kid bully you?"
Shing—
"...?"
Just days ago, Lukio would have laughed "Puhahaha" even if Hyun-soo tripped while walking.
Now, he was genuinely worried, ready to draw his sword.
"No, it was my fault. Thank you, Riesel, for speaking up. I don't know if this comforts you, but somehow, people who'll help us came along."
"...?"
Riesel looked puzzled, then panicked.
Bwoooo—
The belated sound of horns from the arriving group.
Not a fake million-strong army, but a real million souls entering Atlas.
They carried farming tools like pickaxes and shovels on their shoulders, shouting,
"Let's go develop Atlas!"
"Develooop!"
The million from Enya Kingdom will aid Atlas's expansion until they find their rest.
"...."
Riesel was speechless.
Even 1,000 in the hall would be crowded.
An endless million-strong procession entered Atlas.
And they'd help expand Atlas, even if just for a few days?
Considering one person's salary, it was an astronomical value.
And that wasn't all?
Hyun-soo cautiously broached the topic.
"Fortunately, I managed to get some money too."
All guildmates focused.
How much?
The reason they'd held back Riesel was that they already knew the notifications.
Atlas's finances change from worst to best!
Changing from worst to best was incredibly difficult. Then another notification froze everyone.
7,113,100,000 gold is deposited into Hyun's Forge vault.
"...?"
"...?"
"...?"
71 billion won in Korean currency.
This happened just two days after Hyun-soo returned from Enya Kingdom.
"Buy food with 3.5 million gold, raw materials with another 3.5 million, and have the million work on expansion for four days."
"Hic!"
A hiccup escaped Riesel upon hearing it.
Hyun-soo said,
"Even with this outcome, it was just luck. I'm sorry to all the guildmates."
Hyun-soo bowed his head again.
Flustered Riesel looked to Nel for help.
The Nel who had "betrayed" him in an instant made a finger heart.
"...L, love... no, I like it."
"...?"
Lightning-fast attitude shift!
Hyuk-su gently took his hands and said,
"...Ignore him. I knew you'd pull it off. He's been in a mood lately. Hysterical as always."
Hye-ji chimed in.
"Why pick on our Hyun-soo!"
Tae-hoon said,
"Hyun-soo, hurray!"
"Hurray hurray!"
"...."
Hyun-soo said,
"No, I was in the wrong. Thank you, Riesel, for scolding me. I'll improve and move forward."
Suddenly the bad guy alone, Riesel said,
"...I want to be alone. Everyone, leave."
A whisper came.
"...."
Riesel went to a corner alone. It was a beautiful day.
Anyway, with ample resources and manpower secured, Atlas changed rapidly.
"We'll build more structures and shops."
"In just four days?"
"With a million people?"
"...Ah."
The number of residences and shops in Atlas increases by 321%!
"We need to plow and improve fields to expand farmland."
"In four days...?"
"A million, so possible."
"Ah...."
Atlas's fields expand to 11 times their usual size, greatly increasing the territory's scale!
"We'll stockpile all food to last the winter."
"In four days?"
"Yes, a million makes it quick."
Atlas stores over 10,000 kg of meat from various animals to last the winter!
Four days later.
"...May you all rest in peace."
At the end of Aria's prayer, they left behind the world's most precious gift and closed their eyes in utmost peace.
Their blessings and aid descended on Atlas, forging new history.
200,000 souls now reside in Atlas territory.
Residential satisfaction: Best.
Food reserves: Best.
Financial status: Best.
Congratulations.
In just three months.
Hyun-soo stood on a path no one else had achieved.
Atlas territory is the first to promote to grand territory.
You may ascend to marquis.
Ding!
You do not ascend to marquis.
"I declare."
Before 200,000 subjects, he proclaimed,
"The grand territory of Atlas hereby declares independence from Goyad."
Completely free of Goyad's shadow, he began building his own power.
Yes.
This grand territory was the start of the world's smallest kingdom.
And the moment Hyun-soo had awaited arrived.
Many watched with concern.
Purum Corp's Special User Management Team.
"No way, for real...?"
And in the CEO's office, Lee Se-jin.
"An impossible feat has occurred, but he pulled it off."
The tale that would terrify the Five Army Seats' kings somewhere was beginning.
Before Hyun-soo, who had declared complete independence, Lukio approached.
Vassal Lukio has not spoken a word of the past.
Lukio's loyalty to you is now high.
"I have words for you."
Hyun-soo looked at Lukio with eager anticipation.
"I'll teach you how to become the Hegemon King."