A Heart That Never Forgets

"W-what did I even do wrong...?"

"Then why did you go and take someone else's ring?"

"R-ring? What ring?"

A heart that never forgets what was stolen from him, even after more than a year! Of course, Burford had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. If anyone could hear the word "ring" in this situation and immediately think of Tae-hyun's ring, that would be a miracle in itself. In fact, it was highly doubtful whether Burford even knew that the ring was supposed to be Tae-hyun's reward in the first place.

"Now, move!"

"Um... where are we going?"

"Toward the gate fortress."

"...!"

The expressions of both the raider player and Burford changed at the same time. The raider player thought, Why the hell are we going to a place where we're guaranteed to die right now? while Burford thought, What is he thinking, heading straight into a place crawling with Sadique Paladins? Regardless of their thoughts, Tae-hyun urged them forward.

"Stop walking and I'll stab you. Run! I said run!"

"Y-yes, sir!"

"We're here! This is the place!"

"But... why don't we see any other players?"

"I-I don't know. But this is definitely the right spot."

"Ah! There's smoke rising up there! I can see flames too!"

"It's the fire of Sadique!"

While a fierce battle raged at the gate fortress and Tae-hyun was wreaking absolute havoc inside the headquarters, another group of players had arrived elsewhere. These were the very players who had raided Tae-hyun's territory and been forced to take on a quest! They had been completing quests to locate the Sadique Order when they heard about the sudden subjugation raid quest and rushed over. However, in their extreme ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠haste, they had failed to find the exact location. Instead of the main entrance leading to the gate fortress, they had arrived at a rugged, treacherous cliffside to the flank! Naturally, they couldn't meet up with the main subjugation force.

"Maybe they went in first?"

"No, but... did they really climb this cliff? That many players?"

"With so many people, it would've been totally possible."

"I don't think that's it..."

"Hey, now is not the time to hesitate! What happens if the subjugation ends before we even get there?"

"...!"

The faces of every player present stiffened. That was right. If they couldn't complete the quest here, they would have to play Pan-On with this wretched curse clinging to them forever!

"No way!"

"Let's climb the cliff!"

"Yeah! Other players have already climbed up here, so why can't we?"

There were no such players. Nevertheless, the gathered players resolutely began to scale the cliff.

"Argh!"

"It's a trap!"

Of course, it wasn't an easy climb. Traps designed to stop intruders were set up all over the cliff! If they accidentally touched even one wrong thing while climbing, a cascade of traps would rain down on them. The only saving grace was that there were no enemies guarding the top of the cliff. If there had been, they truly wouldn't have been able to climb up and might have been logged out right then and there.

"Huff, puff..."

"I'll throw down a rope, grab onto it! It'll make it easier!"

"You guys...!"

Their friendship was growing tighter and stronger by the second.

It's coming. It's coming.

"Now!"

Chairman Yoo's eyes flashed. In that instant, the fishing rod in his hand whipped out like lightning, skewering a fish that had leapt out of the lava.

"Ohhh!"

"To think a fisherman who just entered the mine for the first time could do that!"

"That rookie has the talent to become a legendary fisherman!"

Ignoring the chatter of the NPCs behind him, Chairman Yoo prepared for his next cast. Normally, Chairman Yoo's level was so low that he would have died instantly in this dungeon. His level was practically that of a novice. But Chairman Yoo did not die. He had the power of pay-to-win. Whenever he was on the verge of being struck down by a lava fish, he unhesitatingly chugged expensive potions. When he ran out of potions, he bought more without a second thought. A useful scroll? He just bought it. Whether it was equipment or consumable items, if Chairman Yoo felt it could be useful in his current situation, he splurged without holding back. The money he had spent in this dungeon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠alone had already easily surpassed tens of millions of won. Mad pay-to-win! This was a completely different side of Chairman Yoo, who had once said, "Why would anyone spend real money on a game?" Anyone who knew him would have called it absurd. But right now, Chairman Yoo was burning with sheer determination.

I will absolutely get out of here and whip that obnoxious punk's face with my fishing rod!

"Watch out! A big one is coming!"

A voice called out from behind. Chairman Yoo didn't panic like he used to. Instead, he closed his eyes. Even with his eyes closed, he could tell. He could feel the beast approaching from behind!

—Consecutive Hook Jab!

Roaaar! A massive lava fish shrieked as it was caught on the hook.

Chairman Yoo checked his inventory. He had already exceeded his quota. If he spoke up now, he could leave. But Chairman Yoo had no intention of just leaving.

I'm going to dump that Sadique Paladin bastard into the lava before I go!

One of the main culprits who had ruined the elegant and cool fishing trip Chairman Yoo had dreamed of! He planned to get his revenge on the Sadique Paladin watching him from behind before leaving.

Can I beat that guy? My level has gone up an insane amount, but...

Chairman Yoo checked his level.

The result of explosive leveling through pay-to-win in a high-level dungeon! However, Chairman Yoo still didn't know if he could defeat a Sadique Paladin.

I feel like I might be able to... No, let's raise my level a bit more before I challenge him!

"Are we really going to the gate fortress?"

"Your informal tone suggests you want your lifespan to be just as short. Yes, I understand perfectly."

"A-Are we really going to the gate fortress, sir?!"

The raider player hastily corrected his speech. How could someone try to stab him to death just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠because of a slight slip of the tongue? He was a pretty rough player himself, but he had never seen anyone like Tae-hyun. The quiet, timid appearance Tae-hyun had shown when they first met was completely gone, replaced by a battle-hardened wolf. A guy who knew exactly how to handle people!

Burford cautiously spoke up.

"If you're going to the gate fortress to fight alongside us, you didn't have to treat me like—"

"Ah, you talk way too much. Move instead of wasting breath."

Tae-hyun didn't bother answering Burford and kicked them forward.

"Halt!"

As they drew near the gate fortress, a guarding Sadique Paladin shouted at Tae-hyun. Even though Tae-hyun was wearing the same Sadique Paladin attire, the guard did not lower his guard! It was only natural, considering the gate fortress had been smashed and bombs had gone off inside the headquarters. Tae-hyun left Burford and the raider player behind and stepped forward. Then, he spoke in a low voice, making sure the two behind him couldn't hear.

"I have brought the culprits who caused this commotion."

"What?!"

The Sadique Paladin stared at the two with startled eyes.

"Those guys?!"

"Yes! Please let me see the Archbishop! I must report to him directly!"

"Understood. The Archbishop is up ahead. He is resting after casting a powerful spell. Hey! Watch those two!"

The surrounding Sadique Paladins swarmed over. Since all the forces in the vicinity had gathered near the gate fortress, paladins were overflowing.

"U-uh?"

"What's going on?"

"Silence, you traitors!"

"Shut your mouths and stay still!"

The raider player assumed he had been caught betraying and attacking Burford. So, he quietly shut his mouth, not even knowing what they were actually talking about. But Burford was different.

"No, not me! It's only this guy!"

"I told you to shut up!"

"I'm telling you, it wasn't me! I was only trying to stop him!"

Meanwhile, Tae-hyun walked up the path, following the paladin. In the distance, the Sadiq Archbishop came into view. Surrounding him were other high priests of Sadique, along with high-ranking paladins guarding them. Heavy security! It was a necessary precaution, given that mages and priests were vulnerable in close combat. Neither the Archbishop nor the priests cast particularly suspicious glances at Tae-hyun. With this level of security, it was only natural.

"What is it? You have discovered the cause of the commotion?"

"Yes! Traitors allied with Antonio set the fires!"

"I knew it! That bastard Antonio!"

As if proving their terrible relationship, the Archbishop immediately suspected Antonio. Tae-hyun took a step closer. If he could just take down the Archbishop and escape, he couldn't ask for anything more from this quest.

Can I just rush in and stab him right ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now?

—Hey! The Paladin Commander is here!

—!

Cain's urgent voice came through. Lee Da-bi and Cain had arrived at the gate fortress first and were scouting the surroundings.

—He looks absolutely terrifying! Was he always this scary?

Cain spoke in a terrified voice as he watched the Paladin Commander. The sheer bloodlust radiating from him made it clear he was determined to kill someone!

"..."

Tae-hyun realized he didn't have much time. If he hesitated, the Paladin Commander would make his way up!

"In any case, you have done well to bring the culprits. Kneel. I shall bestow my blessing upon you," the Sadiq Archbishop said to Tae-hyun.

Tae-hyun promptly knelt. Just like when he received a buff from the Paladin Commander earlier, there was no reason to refuse a free buff.

"Thank you!"

"Yes. Continue to strive. Bring those two before me."

After bestowing the blessing, the Archbishop turned his attention away, seemingly wanting to inspect the two captives himself.

Twitch—

Tae-hyun tensed the muscles in his knees. Kneeling was merely to gather momentum!

Boom!

The moment Tae-hyun lunged forward, the Paladin Commander appeared from below. The commander's face was contorted like a demon's.

"Stop him!"

"?!"

But in that split second, Tae-hyun had already reached the Archbishop. He had already stacked Lucky Strike to its absolute maximum. He would unleash the most powerful attack he could muster in a single blow! Although the Archbishop was a boss monster whose level was several times higher than Tae-hyun's, he was still a priest class. That meant his HP would be relatively low! Tae-hyun bet everything on that.

Squelch!

...Well, that's a bust.

Tae-hyun instinctively realized upon seeing the message window. He didn't know what kind of skill the Archbishop had just used, but taking him down here was a failure!

"You bastard!!!"

"Ah, Commander! You're here?" Tae-hyun greeted him cheerfully!

Wreathed in flames, the Paladin Commander charged at Tae-hyun.

"I will slaughter you!"

But Tae-hyun had absolutely no intention of fighting the Paladin Commander head-on.

—Aki-sus's Divine Territory!

Tae-hyun first used his wide-area domain skill to block the attacks of the surrounding priests. If he took hits from both the priests and the paladins at the same time, even he would be in grave danger!

—Come forth, Heuk-heuk! It's time to bail!

"It's Kim Tae-hyun."

"Huh? Where?"

"He's fighting over there."

Lee Se-yeon had been using magic to spy on the Sadique forces. A random Sadique Paladin had appeared, approached the Archbishop, launched a surprise attack... and was now being attacked by the Paladin Commander. At first, she wondered who it was, but seeing his antics made it absolutely clear. It was Kim Tae-hyun.

"Let's go. It's about time I made my move too."

"What? Unni, it's dangerous to go now! We should wait until the other players fight more..."

"No. Now is the perfect time."

Lee Se-yeon summoned her wyvern again and climbed aboard. The Archbishop was unable to move as he recovered from the attack, and the Paladin Commander was completely distracted by the commotion.

"Shall we wrap this up?"

"Lee Se-yeon! Lee Se-yeon! Lee Se-yeon!"

As Lee Se-yeon prepared to move out, the players of the subjugation force erupted into cheers. Watching them, Lee Se-yeon thought to herself:

I'll put a definitive end to this in front of everyone...

"...!"

Tae-hyun suddenly felt a shiver run down his spine.

—Master, what is the matter?

"N-no, it's nothing. But what was that? I just felt a sudden wave of danger."