"Very Good."
"Very good." Tae-hyun watched them with a satisfied grin. These soldiers were mercenaries hired by the McCraney Merchant Group!
"Once they leave, start doing business under the name of the McCraney Merchant Group. Sell potions and things like that, just like you would in front of a dungeon. You know what I mean, right?"
"Of course I do. What kind of profit margin are we looking at? Fifty percent? One hundred percent?"
"Are you an idiot? If we squeeze them like that in a place we're setting up for smuggling, people are going to complain. Do you want to draw attention to us? I don't care if we don't make a profit at all, just make it look convincing."
On the surface, it looked as though Tae-hyun, the Count of this fief, had set up a few makeshift stalls for the benefit of other players hunting in the area. Of course, the reality was entirely different. It was merely a facade to disguise his secretly constructed hidden warehouse!
The winding caves inside the Valley are absolutely perfect for building a secret warehouse.
The gold generated from smuggling would be split amicably between Tae-hyun and McCraney. While others dreamed of generating revenue by managing their fiefs properly, Tae-hyun dreamed of generating revenue by turning his fief into a smuggling hub. Talk about thinking outside the box!
"Huh? A new shop opened up? They're doing business here? What a bizarre NPC."
"You know Kim Tae-hyun, the guy who cleared that quest and got appointed as a Count? Apparently, this is his fief. That's probably why he set up these shops."
"Ugh. I wonder how much tax he's going to squeeze out of us..."
There was only one reason to set up new shops right where players frequently passed by. Money!
"Why is there a line?"
"No idea. Maybe they're selling a bunch of new items."
After waiting a short while, they finally reached the merchant NPC.
"How much for a bundle of ten Health Potions... Huh?!"
An absolutely shocking price tag! For a second, they thought their eyes were playing tricks on them.
"A-Are you really selling them at this price?"
"Of course, valued customer."
"I'll take them! Give me all of them!"
It was nearly half the price of what merchant players usually charged! Only then did they realize why there was such a long line. Word had spread. A shop this cheap and high-quality...!
"Wow. Honestly, I thought a player becoming a lord would mean even heavier taxes. Isn't this amazing?"
"Seriously. No taxes, and look at this shop. It's practically free. I think he's selling them at cost."
There was only one reason Tae-hyun didn't collect taxes: The moment I tax them, they'll just go to a different hunting ground.
This Valley wasn't attractive enough for players to pay taxes just to hunt here. But to the players, it felt like Tae-hyun was showing them immense consideration.
In an instant, praise for Tae-hyun flooded the community boards. Of course, not everyone was a fan.
However, the moment anyone criticized Tae-hyun, they were instantly dogpiled and ridiculed. Just as Tae-hyun's reputation was about to pierce the heavens, MBS aired its first special broadcast.
An exclusive broadcast of the Katerand Island quest! Hosted by Kim Su-a and featuring famous guests, it was a gaming show where they analyzed and commented on Tae-hyun's gameplay footage. Of course, most viewers tuned in not for the guests, but because of the title of the special.
The hype was real even before the broadcast began. And once it went live... the response was absolutely explosive!
Watching the actual broadcast, Tae-hyun tilted his head in confusion. "Did I really say that?"
He had clearly intended to abandon the other players, only returning to save them because of the quest requirements, but the broadcast painted him as an incredibly righteous hero. Well, whatever. Tae-hyun shrugged it off. He had only signed the contract with the broadcasting station to show his mother some results. How they chose to package him was none of his business!
His good deeds (?) in the Valley of Despair and Sorrow, followed by the consecutive broadcasts. At a time when Tae-hyun's popularity was soaring to new heights, he found himself on his university campus.
The happiest moment for any college student is definitely taking a leave of absence! It was ridiculous that he still had to physically visit the campus to submit a leave of absence in this day and age, but he was too thrilled to care. Now, he could fully focus on the game!
"Senior!" a gruff voice called out from behind. Tae-hyun turned around.
"...?" A completely unfamiliar face stood behind him. The guy had a fierce, intimidating face and a massive build, just like Tae-hyun. He practically radiated the aura of a physical education major!
"Do you have the wrong person?"
"You're Senior Kim Tae-hyun, right?"
"I am... but I'm in the Korean Language and Literature department?"
"Yes? I'm in the Korean Literature department too."
"What? You're not a P.E. major?"
"..."
"Haha, well, anyone could make that mistake. So you're my junior?"
"Yes! I'm Jeong Su-hyeok from the Department of Korean Language and Literature!" his voice boomed, stiff with military-like discipline.
No matter how I look at him, he's built like an athlete. Tae-hyun thought, but he didn't say it out loud. After all... when it came to looking intimidating, Tae-hyun was second to none!
"So, junior. Why did you call me? Just so you know, whether it's department orientation, membership training, the welcome party, or whatever... I don't attend department events." Tae-hyun put up an iron wall before the other guy could even speak!
"Oh, and I'm not paying any dues either. If you're looking to collect money, find someone else."
"Ah, no! That's not it at all." Jeong Su-hyeok waved his hands in a panic. It looked incredibly awkward coming from someone even larger than Tae-hyun.
"I heard that you're amazing at gaming, Senior! That's why! I came to ask you for a favor!"
"...?"
"Won't you run passionately alongside me in Fantasy Online 2?!"
"...?" Tae-hyun tilted his head. Did this guy watch the broadcast and come to leech off me?
It's highly possible. Naturally, Tae-hyun despised those kinds of people. What Tae-hyun liked were people who worked hard and found their own way, regardless of whether they had talent. He was relatively kind to those types. In contrast, he loathed people who refused to put in any effort and just wanted a free ride on an easy path. For those people, Tae-hyun showed his true, ruthless colors. If this guy had come to leech off him after watching the broadcast, there was no need to be nice! Just as Tae-hyun was about to speak, Jeong Su-hyeok beat him to it.
"If you haven't started playing Fantasy Online 2 yet, I can carry you! I might not look like much, but I'm level 63, so I can easily support you with gold and beginner gear!" Jeong Su-hyeok thumped his chest confidently. Hearing this, Tae-hyun became even more confused.
Wait, he didn't watch the broadcast? If he had, there was no way he would take this kind of attitude.
"Hey. Did you not know I was already playing Fantasy Online 2?"
"Huh? You're already playing?! That's even better! Let's play together!"
"No, that's not the point. Why do you want to play together?"
"Well, because everyone in the department says you're good at games..."
"I'm not just good at games, you know. I'm good at studying and sports too, but no one ever came up to me asking to study together. What's the real reason? Why are you suddenly asking to play together?"
"Well... that's..." Jeong Su-hyeok hesitated before finally confessing.
"It's because I'm terrible at games..."
"...?"
"I'm level 63, but I'm so bad that I can't even get into parties. I'm falling further and further behind... I thought if it was you, Senior, since you're known for being great at games, you might be able to help me..."
"But where did you even hear that I'm good at games? I haven't participated in department activities for ages."
"Uh... well..."
"Kim Tae-hyun? That bastard? He's a son of a bitch who has nothing going for him except being good at games!"
"But he's the top student in our department."
"His family is loaded too."
"And he's good at fighting. Remember when you picked a fight with him and got beaten to a pulp..."
"Shut up."
Jeong Su-hyeok had eavesdropped on this conversation between Tae-hyun's classmates, who clearly held a deep grudge against him.
"Well, whatever. It doesn't matter where you heard it. What's your class?"
"Mage."
"What? You're a Mage and you can't get into a party?"
What was the defining characteristic of classes like Mages or Priests? They were so highly sought after that parties were always desperate to find them! In contrast, common classes like Warriors or Rogues were a dime a dozen. And yet, he was getting kicked out of parties? Just how terrible is his gaming sense?
People often assumed that melee classes like Rogues, which required getting up close and personal to execute various skill combos, demanded the most sense and talent. However, Mages required an immense amount of talent as well. Even if they seemed to just stand still, they had to quickly assess the situation and cast the necessary skills in rapid succession. Slow and clumsy guys can't handle being a Mage.
"B-But I can still carry you, Senior! You'll catch up to my level in no time, so once you do, please help me! I really want to be good at the game!"
"Ho. I like your attitude." Tae-hyun appreciated that the guy wasn't just blindly begging for help, but was trying to make a fair trade.
"But I don't need your carry."
"Huh? Is your level higher than mine?"
"Uh... yeah."
"I see." In truth, Tae-hyun's level wasn't higher, but Jeong Su-hyeok jumped to his own conclusions and slumped his shoulders. If Tae-hyun's level was already higher, Jeong Su-hyeok had nothing left to offer.
"But why do you want to be good at the game so badly?"
"Pardon?"
"It's not like you'll die if you're bad at a game. If you don't have the talent, you can just quit and do something else. Or you could just play casually. Is there a reason you're putting your life on the line for this?"
"Yes, there is!" Jeong Su-hyeok clenched his fists tightly. He looked incredibly fierce, but Tae-hyun didn't bat an eye.
"What is it?"
"Fantasy Online 2 is the hottest game in the world right now. And it will continue to be."
"Probably."
"In that case, the most popular gaming broadcasts in the future will also be Fantasy Online 2 streams."
"True."
"So, to succeed as a streamer, being good at Fantasy Online 2 is the best way!"
"Hmm... I guess so. But what do you want to achieve by succeeding as a streamer? Was your childhood dream to be a broadcaster?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"If I succeed as a streamer, I'll become popular!"
"..."
Tae-hyun doubted his ears for a moment. What?
"And if I become popular, I might finally get a girlfriend—Gah! What are you doing?!"
"Ugh, you pathetic idiot!" Tae-hyun swept Jeong Su-hyeok's legs with a brilliant footwork technique, sending him crashing to the ground. Jeong Su-hyeok curled up, completely bewildered. He was massive, but his body was slow and utterly lacked any combat sense!
"You're doing all this just to get a girlfriend?!"
"I-I'm dead serious!"
"Sure. I'm sure you are. Doesn't make it any less pathetic, though..."
"It's not a bad deal for you either, Senior! I'll make sure you benefit too!" Jeong Su-hyeok declared confidently. Tae-hyun tilted his head.
"How?"
"Once I make it big as a streamer, I'll treat you as my absolute top priority. I'll always speak highly of you..."
"Hey. Hey." Sick of listening to this nonsense, Tae-hyun cut him off and snatched his phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Hold on." Tae-hyun opened up one of the videos of himself that had been uploaded to the community boards. Then, he handed the phone back to Jeong Su-hyeok.