The Golden Key and the Magic Tower

"At this rate, we might really be in deep trouble!"

Back when they had each established massive guilds and run wild, boasting that they would become the absolute strongest in Pan-On 1, they had invested astronomical amounts of money and countless hours of human labor. Yet, the ultimate victors had been lone wolves like Lee Se-yeon and Kim Tae-hyun.

It was a textbook case of doing all the heavy lifting only to hand the prize to someone else on a silver platter!

Driven by this lingering fear and a deep-seated resentment toward Tae-hyun, several of the large guild leaders stepped forward in earnest.

"Let's merge! If we move as a single, unified force, not even Kim Tae-hyun will be able to touch us!"

Hearing of this movement, Su Ning slapped his knee in delight.

I guess living a virtuous life really does pay off!

When he first heard the news that Kim Tae-hyun had won the tournament and utterly annihilated the rankers, Su Ning had literally taken to his bed, groaning in agony. The sheer, gut-wrenching jealousy had been physically painful! He had seriously begun to question if there was any justice left in the world.

But he had been wrong.

Justice is still alive and well in this world!

Su Ning eagerly egged on those guild leaders, coaxing them into joining hands.

Of course, not every single guild leader in the Alliance wanted a merger. Some had no personal grudge against Kim Tae-hyun; others brushed him off, thinking, Come on, he's just one guy. There's only so much he can do. There were even those who remained stubbornly selfish, demanding, A merger? Why would we do that? Aren't you just trying to take a cut of my profits?

But there was no need to convince every single one of them. Once he persuaded about half of them and built up enough momentum, the rest would have no choice but to sweep along with the tide!

And now, that tide had finally turned.

"The guilds merged?"

"Yes, Big Bro—er, I mean, Guild Master."

"Those selfish, self-centered bastards actually did that? Why?"

Kim Tae-san muttered, unable to comprehend. Currently, they were busy developing their territory in the Auston Kingdom, living quite comfortably. Although there were many territories belonging to large guilds nearby, Tae-san's guild was thriving.

Powerful solidarity! Frequent pay-to-win cash injections! The relentless dedication of middle-aged men who had nothing but time on their hands!

When these factors combined, they possessed enough power to steamroll over any numerical disadvantage! They were living the good life, so why on earth would those other guilds go and merge?

"Hmm... Maybe we should hire more architects to prepare for siege warfare. We already have plenty of land, so there's no need to expand further."

"Come to think of it, isn't Tae-hyun going to join a professional gaming team?"

"Ah, that kid is seriously..."

Kim Tae-san let out a deep, heavy sigh. If he tried to explain the situation to anyone else, they would just look at him like he was a madman!

"Forget it. Let's not talk about it."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Yeah! A son like Tae-hyun is as good as they come. He takes care of his own business perfectly!"

To the other older players, Kim Tae-san's complaints sounded like nothing but humblebragging. Where else could you find a son like Tae-hyun? He handled his own affairs flawlessly, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now he was even gaining massive popularity on broadcasts!

"You guys would have to deal with him yourselves to understand how much he makes my blood boil!"

"Oh, stop exaggerating."

"More importantly, Guild Master, the chefs and farmers are asking for food ingredients. Our territory is running dry. What should we do?"

"Those damn rabbits, seriously..."

Kim Tae-san grimaced in sheer exhaustion. Currently, the continent was plagued by two major crises: the sudden onset of winter, and the crazed, rampaging rabbits! While they could somehow endure the former and keep farming, the latter was an absolute nightmare. No matter how many rabbits they slaughtered, more kept coming!

"Well, what else can we do? Let's hunt them! Just like we did back in the classic Lineage days!"

"Let's do it!"

Simple and brute-force! If there were too many rabbits, they would simply keep killing them!

Swoooooosh—

A bitter, freezing wind whipped across the face of the explorer player, Homa. Currently, Homa was standing in Frozeland.

"Everyone! I! Am! In Frozeland! To break this continent-wide cold spell!"

Homa shouted, and the stream's chat section erupted with enthusiastic reactions.

"According to my investigations, the secret behind why the Central Continent was suddenly plunged into winter is hidden right here in Frozeland!"

Having finished his speech, Homa quickly downed another cold resistance potion. If he didn't chug one the moment the timer ran down, he would be hit with a severe status debuff in the blink of an eye.

Hehe, if I pull this off, the number one spot in the streaming rankings will be mine for a long time!

Although Homa was a top-tier explorer ranker who constantly vied for the top spot alongside Jekas, the general consensus was that he was a step below his rival. The reason? His tendency to make critical mistakes at the most decisive moments!

As an explorer, one had to piece together clues ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to bypass all sorts of traps and labyrinths, meaning there was absolutely no room for error. Of course, the viewers who watched Homa's stream actually tuned in hoping to see him mess up.

"Instead of cheering me on... Here I go!"

Homa dashed forward to lift the curse of Frozeland!

Having finished the initial deconstruction and sorting of his gear, Tae-hyun pulled out his next item.

There's absolutely no way this can be a dud!

Even if the rankers' equipment had been melted down by the dragon's breath, this box was the real deal. Tae-hyun caressed the box with deep affection. At that moment, a voice drifted in from behind him.

"...What are you doing?"

"Whoa! When did you get here?"

"Just now... Were you seriously caressing that box?"

"N-no, I wasn't?"

Lee Da-bi eyed Tae-hyun with deep suspicion. I could have sworn he was stroking it...

"Are you going to open it? Can I watch?"

"W-wait. I'm not mentally prepared yet..."

"Why do you need to be mentally prepared just to open a box?! You're acting just like the people out there!"

Lee Da-bi was well aware that the players who had settled in the Valley were slowly losing their minds to gambling. Whenever they crafted a single item, they would take deep breaths, close their eyes, and pray to whatever god would listen!

"A-alright. I'm opening it."

"...Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened, okay? It's just that all the gear I went through the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trouble of PK'ing got completely melted by dragon breath, all construction in the territory has ground to a halt, and the people are currently building some god-awful statue of me..."

"..."

"But I'm perfectly fine!"

"I... I see."

Click.

Tae-hyun opened the box along with his words. And what emerged was...

"..."

"..."

Having identified the item using his appraisal skill, Lee Da-bi fell dead silent. Tae-hyun's hands began to tremble violently.

"I... I didn't go through all that hell in the tournament just to get a piece of junk like this..."

"A-at least your popularity skyrocketed, and you won the prize money!"

Clench.

Tae-hyun squeezed the key tightly. It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at that exact moment that Cain arrived.

"Hey! Good morning! Look at everyone gathered here!"

Cain's face was stretched into a massive, beaming grin. Although he was slightly anxious because no professional gaming teams had contacted him yet, his mood was otherwise at an all-time high. He was thoroughly enjoying the spring days of his life!

"What is everyone up to... Huh?"

Lee Da-bi quietly took a few steps backward. She could already see exactly what was about to unfold.

Thanks to Cain's noble sacrifice, Tae-hyun was finally able to regain his sanity.

It was so absurd that I panicked for a moment, but a key coming out of a chest like that can't possibly be ordinary. There will definitely be a use for it later.

Tae-hyun told himself. No, he had to believe it! Otherwise, he would have no choice but to go plant a mountain of bombs in the Prika Arena!

"Ugh... What did I even do wrong..." Cain muttered, nursing his bruises. He had merely shown up with a happy face!

"Now then. That's not what's important right now."

You're the one who threw a tantrum...!

Cain seethed inwardly at Tae-hyun's sheer shamelessness, changing the subject so casually after doing whatever he pleased.

"Now that the tournament is over, I'm planning to go clear my class quest."

Tae-hyun's class quest—specifically, the quest to locate the Authority of Archisus.

Tae-hyun recalled his previous conversation with Galakpad.

"They were searching Frozeland for the Authority. Do you happen to know where any other Authorities might be?"

"Of course, Lord Tae-hyun."

"Oh? Tell me everything."

"I know of quite a few places where the probability of an Authority being present is slim. There are a few places with a high probability, and there is one place where it is guaranteed to be—because I have confirmed it with my own eyes."

"It's best to start with the guaranteed one. Where is it?"

"The Magic Tower of the Erangs Kingdom."

"!"

Tae-hyun stared at Galakpad in sheer shock. The Magic Tower of the Erangs Kingdom? Wasn't that a literal demon's den crawling with NPC mages whose levels were several times higher than the current average player level? And an Authority was hidden in a place like that?

Well, it's not like I absolutely have to fight them... If I go peacefully and negotiate a deal...

Tae-hyun, who was planning to resolve it using his Count title, high Reputation, and Speech skill, suddenly froze.

Ah! My Infamy is sky-high right now!

His Infamy had skyrocketed to absurd heights thanks to summoning Heuk-heuk. While nobody in the Valley of Despair and Sorrow would dare say a word since it was his personal territory, the moment he showed his face in other regions, NPCs would immediately scream, "Aaaah! A mass murderer!" and flee. That was just how notorious Tae-hyun had become.

"When I was at the Magic Tower, I managed to confirm the location of the Authority, but I was unable to retrieve it. The mages of the Magic Tower were simply too powerful... I am deeply sorry."

Galakpad bowed his head in shame. Seeing this, Pelmas sneered from the side.

"You should be sorry! Ha! Imagine not even being able to bring that back!"

"...You, shut your mouth."

Hmm, should I summon Ed-an and try to infiltrate the place together?

Tae-hyun fell into deep thought. Could he and Ed-an successfully raid the Magic Tower and make off with the Authority?

I already have enough enemies as it is. Making enemies out of the Magic Tower mages would be a bit much.

"Lord Tae-hyun. If I may be so bold, may I offer a word of advice?"

"Feel free to speak. Don't mind Pelmas blabbering over there."

"I strongly advise against attempting to sneak into the Magic Tower to steal it."

At Galakpad's words, Pelmas immediately picked a fight.

"Galakpad, you bastard! Are you saying you don't trust Lord Tae-hyun?! Lord Tae-hyun is the great being who burned down the Sadiq Temple and even deceived demons! Pulling off a simple theft against those Magic Tower fools is nothing to him—"

"Hey. Shut him up."

"Mmph! Mmph-mmph!"

Galakpad's subordinates immediately swarmed Pelmas and gagged him.

"Why are you telling me not to do it?"

"Because it is truly, exceptionally dangerous."

Galakpad's explanation was short and to the point. Because of its simplicity, it hit home even harder.

This must be seriously dangerous.

Even the highly unhinged Galakpad was warning him, "Do not attempt to steal from them," so Tae-hyun didn't dare push his luck. In that case, he had to walk through the front door and persuade them...

But what do I even have to offer the Magic Tower? Grinding contribution points there would take an eternity. And I don't have anything to trade with them...

How did one enter the Magic Tower of the Erangs Kingdom? One either had to be a Mage class, join the Magic Tower, and diligently clear quests to earn contribution points... Or borrow the influence of a noble or royal to secure a letter of recommendation...

This is it!

Tae-hyun smiled in satisfaction. Compared to the other options, this was by far the most viable path.

First, I need to call Su-hyeok.

Before Jeong Su-hyeok had converted to the Archisus Church, he had a different class. Since most aspiring mages starting in the Erangs Kingdom focused their gameplay around the Magic Tower, it was only natural. Although his class had changed, the relationships he had built with the mages at the Magic Tower wouldn't have just vanished. Jeong Su-hyeok was bound to be of help.