The Awakening of the Ancient Paladin
— GodTaehyunFan: Kim Tae-hyun! Kim Tae-hyun! Kim Tae-hyun!
— PanOnScholar: I told you it's not him! There's no way Kim Tae-hyun is here!
— DragonLover: So you're saying that's a fake who just happens to have three dragon pets and uses bombs? lol
— FactSpitter: But honestly, even if it is Kim Tae-hyun, isn't it impossible to block that with a ragtag bunch of losers like them?
The viewers, who had been excitedly chanting Tae-hyun's name, suddenly froze. When they actually thought about it, the situation was grim.
— RunTaehyunRun: Kim Tae-hyun! Run away, at least you can survive!
— ScumbagHater: Don't die with these human scumbags!
“...”
“...”
The members of the Rudolf Guild seriously contemplated turning off the stream. *Who do these bastards think they're getting to see Kim Tae-hyun's face through?!*
“Can't we just turn it off?” one of the new guild members grumbled.
The veteran Rudolf Guild members immediately gasped in horror.
“Hey! Don't say things like that.”
“We must absolutely never anger them.”
No matter how dirty or unfair it felt, the viewers were the ones holding all the cards, not them. If they just turned it off and left, their income would plummet. And if the viewers took offense to this conversation...
— PleaseDontGo: No! We're sorry!
— MyBadBro: We were wrong! Don't turn it off!
— StreamAddict: Don't rage quit! If your guild stops streaming, we're doomed!
Huh? The reaction is different from usual?
— RudolfDefender: Hey, show some respect! Do you know how hard the Rudolf Guild members are working to stream this? We should be cheering them on!
— WhoMe: Was it just me? You guys were doing it too, why are you only blaming me!
— NameApologist: We won't make fun of your name anymore, just don't turn off the stream!
It was true. Since Tae-hyun hadn't turned on his own stream, the only way to watch this intense situation unfold in real-time was through the Rudolf Guild's broadcast. It was a critical moment where the viewers might literally die of curiosity if the stream cut out. For once, the audience was being incredibly sweet and supportive.
— RudolfFanboy: Rudolf fighting!! Let's go, Rudolf!!
If only they showed even ten percent of this attitude normally, those jerks, the Rudolf Guild members grumbled internally.
“Ugh.”
Tae-hyun groaned. This was proving to be more troublesome than he had anticipated. Just as the viewers had feared, trying to block a massive boss monster with a disorganized, uncooperative mob of players was a nightmare. The battle lines collapsed in an instant, devolving into a chaotic free-for-all. To make matters worse, they were severely lacking in healers.
I never thought the day would come when I'd actually miss Cain.
It suddenly occurred to him that his usual companions were actually incredibly competent. Not just his original party members like Lee Da-bi and Cain, but even new additions like Lee Se-yeon possessed undeniable, top-tier skills.
Carbanog is about to be slightly touched, wondering if his Avatar has finally realized the meaning of friendship and cooperation.
I must have gotten soft.
Carbanog says that's not what he meant...
I used to handle things like this perfectly fine on my own. Looking for party members the moment things get tough is a sign of weakness.
Carbanog gives up on trying to persuade you. He sighs deeply.
I need to get my head back in the game. I'll solve this myself.
“Screw this! Let's run! Everyone! If we all run together, even that bastard Kim Tae-hyun won't be able to catch us!”
One of the PKers, who had just been sent flying by the giant beast, began trying to incite the crowd. Defeating the Belladon was proving to be far more difficult than they had imagined. Of course, even in his attempt to incite a riot, the player didn't dare suggest attacking Tae-hyun, choosing instead to suggest they scatter and flee—a hilariously realistic compromise.
“Yeah!”
“If we all work together—!”
The players shouted in agreement and rushed forward. Then, they immediately grabbed the guy who had just spoken up.
“Kim Tae-hyun! This guy was trying to incite a riot!”
“We caught him! Good job, right?!”
“...You backstabbing bastards!!” the captured player shrieked in despair. How could they betray him without even a single second of hesitation?!
But the other PKers remained entirely shameless.
“You're the idiot here.”
“What have you even learned while playing this game? You're too slow-witted to make it as a PKer anyway.”
Tae-hyun stood before the captured runner and activated a skill.
“If you refuse, I'll make your life in Pan-On a living hell. Accept it.”
“Wh-what? Accept what?”
Sacrifice of Archisus
One of your party members has been sacrificed to Archisus!
A powerful buff has been applied to the entire party!
[Due to your high Infamy stat, an additional bonus is applied...]
[Due to the high level of the sacrificed player, an additional bonus is applied...]
[The buff is further amplified by your Highest-grade Tactical Skill!]
Perhaps because the captured player's level was decently high, an incredibly potent buff washed over the group.
“!!!”
“Wh-what is this?!”
The fighting PKers gasped in shock. What kind of insane buff was this to boost their stats so drastically? Did he just sacrifice someone's soul or something?
Archisus's Divine Territory
Flash!
Tae-hyun realized now was the time to press the advantage. He had to seize the momentum before the PKers lost their nerve or collapsed entirely!
As the divine territory expanded, the shadow-wielding Belladon flinched and retreated.
“Now is our chance. Give it everything you've got!”
Tae-hyun activated Tactics and Advanced Tactics. Instantly, the wildly rampaging Belladons fell into a state of confusion, scattering backward or even turning to fight among themselves.
When dealing with massive beast-type monsters, their charging attacks were always the most troublesome. If one could block those charges and bind their feet, the hunt was already half-won.
Awakening of the Ancient Archisus Paladin Commander
You temporarily awaken by channeling the power lent by the Ancient Paladin Commander!
You can now use Swordsmanship skills!
To seal the deal, he activated the skill he had recently acquired from the ancient temple. While the situation wasn't life-threatening, he needed to test it out at least once to understand how to use it later.
Flash!
A brilliant, intense light enveloped Tae-hyun's body. The sword in his hand flashed with a blinding radiance. It was divine power. The divine energy manifested directly into a thick set of heavy plate armor and a glowing blade.
His massive, imposing figure now resembled a radiant holy knight.
You temporarily transform into the Ancient Paladin Commander!
[All stats are significantly increased...]
[Exclusive skills have been unlocked...]
Rather than reading through every single notification, it was faster to test it in battle. Tae-hyun used Explosive Leap to launch himself violently into the air, then rained down strikes upon the Belladon.
The Ancient Paladin Commander's Sword triggers an additional effect!
The Light of Great Archisus strikes the enemy!
He had only executed a basic attack, but a powerful wave of energy erupted from the tip of his blade, slamming heavily into the Belladon.
“Screeeech!”
The Belladon is immobilized due to the massive impact!
“Roar!”
From behind, another Belladon whipped its shadow and shot out shadow thorns. Massive shadow spikes erupted from the ground, surrounding Tae-hyun and launching a fierce assault.
The power of the Ancient Paladin Commander blocks the Shadow Thorns!
[Your Constitution is extremely high! The Shadow Curse has absolutely no effect!]
[Your HP is extremely high!...]
After a few exchanges of blows, Tae-hyun fully grasped the power of the Ancient Paladin Commander. High defense, massive HP, and heavy, crushing blows—the absolute pinnacle of a paladin!
Wait. The Archisus Church actually had someone this talented?
The ancient Archisus Church was far more impressive than Tae-hyun had originally thought. Intoxicated by the sheer power of the Archisus Paladin Commander, Tae-hyun swung his sword. In truth, this style of combat was much closer to how he had played in Pan-On 1 rather than Pan-On 2. Block the opponent's attack perfectly, then deliver a heavy, crushing counter!
Wave of Great Divinity
This time, he used a swordsmanship skill exclusive to the Ancient Paladin Commander.
Your current Swordsmanship skill level is too low to fully manifest this skill.
[A penalty has been applied...]
Rumble!
The PKers' jaws dropped as the divine power manifested into a literal tidal wave, sweeping away the enemies before them. Since when did Kim Tae-hyun have access to such massive area-of-effect skills?
What a monster...!
Was Kim Tae-hyun always this strong?
No, the real madman was the guy earlier who actually thought we could run away from him.
— StyleWatcher: That's way too different from how Kim Tae-hyun usually plays, isn't it?
— ToldYouSo: I told you! He's a fake. To tell the real one apart, you have to look at how he attacks...
— TheoryCrafter: It looks like Kim Tae-hyun used a special skill to transform. Isn't that an Archisus Paladin?
— RealPaladin: I changed my class to an Archisus Paladin, but I don't have a skill like that.
— RankerSimp: Are you seriously comparing yourself, a regular player, to the Pope?
It was a massive shock to the viewers as well. Everyone knew Tae-hyun was strong, but his playstyle had always been that of a close-range, high-evasion dealer—essentially a rogue or an assassin. He relied on his absurd evasion to get in close and stab his targets to death. Yet here he was, fighting like a brainless paladin, trading blows face-to-face.
And he wasn't just clumsily imitating the style; he was executing it with overwhelming, terrifying power!
You have successfully executed the Ancient Paladin Commander's skill!
The next skill has been unlocked!
Wrath of Great Divinity
Tae-hyun swung his sword, thoroughly enjoying himself. After constantly relying on bombs just to squeeze out basic attacks, being able to swing a sword and unleash world-splitting power was pure bliss.
You have successfully executed the Ancient Paladin Commander's skill!
The next skill has been unlocked!
And the next one is...
Hammer of Great Phytos
“Screeech!”
“...Wait, what??”
Tae-hyun blinked in confusion. *Did I just use a really weird skill? Why is a Phytos Church skill mixed into the Archisus Paladin's swordsmanship tree...?*
Carbanog says that learning and mastering any good skill you find is a commendable attitude.
You have completely annihilated the monsters in the Beast Nest!
[Your Reputation has increased!]
With the subjugation of the Beast Nest, the surrounding area has become much safer. Rumors are spreading among adventurers.
Thanks to the various buffs and Tae-hyun leading the charge, the battle ended in a resounding victory for the PKers.
“Tsk. We ended up doing something totally out of character.”
“Yeah, we don't usually do stuff like this.”
The PKers, who had somehow ended up saving the local villagers, rubbed their noses sheepishly. Such heroic play really didn't suit them. Yet, they couldn't deny that it felt surprisingly good. Was this the joy of playing a good character?
Your Infamy has decreased.
Due to the decrease in Infamy, you are no longer allowed to enter the Outlaw Haven!
“...”
“You rotten bastards!!!”
The PKers exploded in rage. They had actually done a good deed, and this was how the game rewarded them?!
“Are you talking to me?”
Tae-hyun, who had been busy harvesting materials and looting items from the beasts, turned around in confusion at the sudden shouting.
“No, sir! We were cursing the Sun Bandits! Getting banned just because our Infamy dropped a bit is just too much...”
“If a tiny drop like that gets you banned, doesn't that just mean your Infamy was pathetic to begin with?” Tae-hyun tilted his head. When he visited, they treated him like a VIP.
“...”
“...”
It was the first time in their lives they had ever been looked down upon by someone for having *too low* of an Infamy stat. The PKers could only blink in stunned silence. What was this bizarre, unprecedented sense of injustice?
“What in the world is happening here?!”
“!”
In the distance, an NPC was running toward them.
*Is that an NPC from the retired assassins' village?*
Judging by his attire, his level seemed exceptionally high. He wore simple leather armor with a pair of razor-sharp daggers strapped to his waist.
Carbanog says he looks like an assassin.
“Could it be... is that Your Holiness the Pope?” the elderly assassin asked, gasping in shock as he recognized Tae-hyun.
“Oh. How did you know?”
“Well, the only person who has a contract with a Gold Dra—ahem, a sucker... I mean, who commands a Gold Dragon is the Pope...”
“...Did you just almost call me a sucker...?”
“You must have misheard.”
“Kyaho! Kyaoo!”
Heuk-heuk and Bulbul-i quickly shut Yong-yong's mouth. Yong-yong glared at the assassin with an incredibly aggrieved look. *That human bastard...!*
You have discovered an Archisus Church Secret Assassin!
[Your Reputation has increased!]
[The influence of the Church has expanded...]
Found you!