Bone-Shattering Advice
Cain, who received bone-shattering advice after teasing just once, fell silent.
I must be out of my mind! I should have just kept my mouth shut...
Kim Tae-hyun did not stop there and landed a follow-up blow.
"Is Cain's love life not going so well lately?"
"Since she's busy and Cain is busy, it seems like they're having a really hard time."
Ha-yeon was busy with her idol activities, and Cain was in the middle of a hectic schedule with leagues, quests, and everything else.
Taking advantage of the rare freedom Tae-hyun had granted to the other players, Cain had excitedly messaged her: Let's meet in Pan-On! I'll make you happy! Shall I show you around Frozeland? Huh? What kind of place is it? It's a place where 90% of players freeze to death, but I can survive there! What about you? Uh... well...
But since she had her own schedule, there was nothing he could do.
"Sob... sob, sob, sob."
Cain stared off into the distance with a sorrowful expression.
Tae-hyun lowered his voice and whispered, "You don't think he got dumped but hasn't realized it yet, do you?"
"Probably not... maybe."
"I am sure that is not the case... probably, sir," Jeong Su-hyeok added, using his usual formal register.
It was a possibility they couldn't entirely rule out!
As if suddenly remembering, Cain spoke up. "Right. Kim Tae-hyun. Is it okay if I go on a broadcast?"
"By yourself? Cain, have you still not lost your mind? If you go out alone, you'll be socially buried, you punk!"
Beside him, Choi Sang-yun scolded Cain.
In the broadcasting industry, Cain was nothing more than a delicious scapegoat. He was famous, and he was close to Tae-hyun, the most famous player in Korea. Since Tae-hyun refused to do most broadcasts, Cain was the only available gateway.
Furthermore, Cain was the type to speak before thinking. Whenever Cain appeared, whether it was a broadcast, an interview, or an article, it was guaranteed to blow up! In a different sense from when Tae-hyun appeared, ratings and public interest would explode.
...Of course, the price for that was Cain getting absolutely roasted online.
Because of these results, Tae-hyun had banned Cain from solo appearances. Broadcasts, interviews, articles—everything was banned! "At least have one person next to you when you go!"
"I know that, okay? Of course I'm asking you to go together."
"With whom?"
"Uh... anyone is fine, but the most famous and popular person would be best."
"......"
"......"
Choi Sang-yun and Jeong Su-hyeok grimaced.
You bastard! There's only one person like that!
"Why?"
"My girlfriend is hosting a program, and I thought it would be a huge help if I brought a super star like you."
It wasn't just a simple help. The moment Tae-hyun appeared, that host could walk with their shoulders high for months. Bringing a super star that no other program could recruit! It would be a massive help to Ha-yeon, who had newly taken over as MC.
"Was it Ha-yeon? Did she ask?"
"No. I'm preparing it secretly because I want to make her happy."
"......"
Tae-hyun paused. He got an ominous feeling.
"Cain... just tell her first."
"Why? It's a surprise..."
"Surprise or not, it's her broadcast. If you prepare it on your own and she hates it, what are you going to do?"
"......"
Cain had a look of sudden realization. Ah, right!
Do I really have to spell everything out for him?
"Anyway, what program is it?"
"It's called 'Pangaea Kitchen' where the cast members directly run a restaurant in Pan-On... Wait, you don't watch this?"
"Let me ask you in return. Do I look like I have time to watch TV?"
"...Sorry."
Choi Sang-yun and Jeong Su-hyeok also bowed their heads.
"Sorry, Leader!"
"If it's a program inside Pan-On... fine. I'll think about it."
"Re... Really?!"
"Yeah. So focus on the game. The World Cup selections are coming up, and I want at least one or two of you to get picked."
Everyone tensed up at Tae-hyun's words.
World Cup participation was a matter of honor for everyone (except Tae-hyun). If they could go, they wanted to!
But Kim Tae-hyun has the authority, can't he just pull some strings and pick us?
If you say that out loud, your head will be pulled and slammed into the floor.
......
"...In my opinion, this place is really bad for a dragon egg."
At Tae-hyun's words, Lee Da-bi and Lee Se-yeon nodded simultaneously.
They had returned to the fortress with the church NPCs.
With the Great Warrior of the Hungry Chaos defeated, the threat of the desert had temporarily vanished!
The heroes of the continent gathered here should now reconcile and disperse, but...
The fortress's discontent rises significantly!
Are you kidding me? Tae-hyun was furious. He worked so hard to build this fortress, and they're raising discontent??
"Let's test our strength! To see who is the greatest hero! A hero is all about strength!"
The Great Warrior of the Black Mane Tribe, Wardpeng, proposes a trial of strength!
The trial will be determined by the Strength stat...
"Nonsense! A swordsman should settle it with sword skills. You barbarian."
The Vampire Secret Sword Master of the Blood Archipelago, Drekal, proposes a trial of swordsmanship...
"Naturally, magic is..."
"An eating contest is better."
The heroes of the continent begin to bicker!
Their discontent has reached its limit. A fight will break out soon!
"Wow... these guys are seriously so annoying..." Lee Se-yeon muttered under her breath.
Tae-hyun and Lee Da-bi heard her clearly.
Lee Se-yeon must be under a lot of stress lately.
Isn't it better since she's with you, Tae-hyun?
I wonder...
"Lee Se-yeon. Calm down and handle them one by one."
"...You're right. First, the churches."
Lee Se-yeon called the church bishops.
"You've worked hard, and I hope we never see each other again!"
"Understood, dirty Necromancer Emperor!"
"We agree!"
Quest completed!
The Phytos Church can now proselytize in the Asbian Empire...
They cleared the quest, but their relationship didn't improve at all. They despised each other! But the churches got the authority they wanted, so they had no complaints.
"Archbishop of the Phytos Church! I'll visit you sometime!" Tae-hyun waved and shouted at the departing Phytos Church NPCs.
The Phytos Church bishop flinched in anger. Why is that guy acting so friendly?
"As expected, has the Phytos Church joined hands with the Archisus Church..."
"They probably did it for aggressive expansion in the Asbian Empire. Truly bloodless and tearless bastards."
"We in the Henen Cult are often called thieves, but honestly, isn't the Phytos Church the real thief?"
The churches dispersed quickly. If they lingered, they might get caught by Tae-hyun and get "Archisus-ed"!
Tae-hyun watched their retreating backs with satisfaction.
Carbanog asks what you are thinking.
Once they set up their churches, I'm going to visit and plunder them.
Once the churches were established in the Asbian Empire, Tae-hyun would have plenty to extort. From the newly acquired treasures of the empire to mobilizing various NPCs! The church temples were basically vending machines with all kinds of benefits.
"Now, the problem is how to quiet those guys down."
Tae-hyun took the initiative. Lee Se-yeon was slightly touched by this. Why is he being so nice?
If my fortress gets destroyed here, it'll be a disaster.
Last time, he extorted the church NPCs to build it, but this time, there was no one around to extort. He had to protect the fortress!
"Listen to me, heroes of the continent!"
Your level is too low to face the Great Warrior of the Black Mane Tribe, Wardpeng...
As Tae-hyun stepped forward, Lee Se-yeon's guild members were on edge. The continental heroes Lee Se-yeon brought were notorious for being the most arrogant heroes in Pan-On. The moment you talked to them, they would shatter your mental state with system messages like 'Your level is too low', 'Your reputation is too low', 'Your strength and sword skills are too low, you're just too weak'. You didn't even have the right to speak to them!
...But Tae-hyun was different.
Your reputation is extremely high! Wardpeng recognizes you!
Your infamy is extremely high!
Titles and achievements are being calculated...
Even if his level and strength stats dragged him down, Tae-hyun possessed astronomical reputation, infamy, titles, and achievements. Achievements that even the Great Warrior Wardpeng had to acknowledge!
"From a Demon Duke to a Dragon! I have no choice but to acknowledge you!"
The others were the same. First, Ba-eorma, the Great Mage of the Uruk primitive human tribe, had a special relationship with Tae-hyun. He had helped the Uruk primitive tribe during a quest in the Uruk region and became close.
"Ah. Are you the successor of Chief Bama-eo?"
"He is my uncle! As expected of the King of Atali, your memory is excellent!"
Affection with Ba-eorma is high!
Contribution points within the Uruk Primitive Human Tribe are high!
The two became close instantly!
Drekal, the Vampire Secret Sword Master of the Blood Archipelago, was not much different.
"I am not swayed by achievements, titles, reputation, or infamy. Your sword skills are far too lacking..."
"You're a vampire from the Blood Archipelago, right? Do you know who Count Scabio, Count Andalto, or Count Vlad are? As a vampire of the Blood Archipelago, there's no way you don't know them, right?"
Flinch! Drekal was flustered when Tae-hyun brought up the counts.
Count Scabio was an elder of a distant relative, and Count Andalto was a noble elder close to his parents. Count Vlad was the wicked and terrifying count who newly ruled the Blood Archipelago...
"Did you know they are all my vassals? Should I call them here? Where does a mere swordsman vampire think he is..."
Supreme Eloquence skill is being applied!
Threaten successful!
Eloquence skill increases!
Drekal submits!
"I... I was wrong, Your Holiness. So please, do not tell the Counts!"
Drekal was a fairly old vampire, but he was young compared to the other vampire counts. He didn't want to be summoned at his age to be scolded.
After subduing Drekal, Tae-hyun looked at Igwadu. The ferocious blind giant, the Destroyer of the Giant Mountains! Seeing Igwadu made him flinch as he remembered the ancient giants.
How do I persuade this one?
"I know you! You are the Miracle Chef! The prophecy told me about you! You give lots of food!"
Cooking skill recognized!
Title: Friend of Giants is being applied!
Igwadu appoints you as the Miracle Chef!
You have successfully persuaded all the continental heroes gathered at the fortress!
Eloquence skill increases significantly!
"M-My goodness..."
"No, how does he have connections like that?!"
Lee Se-yeon's guild members were dumbfounded. Tae-hyun had just walked up, talked to them, and subdued them one by one! No matter how they looked at it, nothing had changed. He really did persuade them all. Was that tongue of his even humanly possible??
Settle the Dispute of the Heroes
📍 Description: The heroes gathered to fight the Hungry Chaos are bickering among themselves instead of fighting. Determine a winner in a way that satisfies them all! If you accomplish this difficult task, they will gain trust and goodwill toward the Archisus Church.
🎁 Reward: ?, ???, ????
🏆 Quest Grade: Legendary
"Why do these Legendary quests keep piling up like this?"
Looking at the difficulty, it was indeed Legendary. Not a single one of them was reasonable. Though the quest content was a bit absurd...
How do I settle this?
Was there a way to determine a winner that would satisfy all four of them?