The Cost of a Free Ride
"Kim Tae-hyun!"
"Huh? How did you know?"
"Isn't it obvious because you're walking around with Yong-yong and Heuk-heuk right now?"
One dragon looked exactly as they remembered, while the other looked slightly different. Either way, the important thing was that there was only one crazy bastard in the entire world who would drag such creatures around!
"W-W-Why are you here?!"
"What do you mean why? I came to raid the lair too. But you guys were taking so long, so I just went in by myself and cleared it."
"Don't talk nonsense! How could you possibly clear that alone?!" Alcott cried out in disbelief.
The other rankers nodded in agreement. They acknowledged Kim Tae-hyun's abilities, but no matter how they looked at it, this lair was absolutely impossible to clear with that party size...
"Believe it or not. Golem, move forward."
—Moving. Moving.
"!!!"
Come to think of it, Tae-hyun was riding the very golem that had been attacking them earlier. How on earth did he tame that thing and ride it?!
"W-Wait. It seems like it's actually true."
"If he didn't clear it, how is he walking around with that thing?"
Confusion spread through the party. No matter how they thought about it, if he hadn't cleared the lair, there was no way he could be parading that golem around.
Crawford hurriedly called out to Tae-hyun.
"Kim Tae-hyun! Kim Tae-hyun!"
"Hey, why are you calling Kim Tae-hyun when he's just minding his own business and leaving?" Alcott asked, bewildered.
Crawford stared at Alcott as if asking what kind of stupid question that was.
"We need his help to get out of here!"
"Ah..."
Indeed. Now was not the time to debate whether Kim Tae-hyun had actually cleared it or not. Even if he hadn't, they had to beg for his help!
"Kim Tae-hyun! Meeting like this must be fate..."
"You want me to help you get out?"
"Y-Yeah."
In an instant, the rankers' faces flushed red. How humiliating! Honestly, at their level, entering a dungeon and not being able to get out on their own, having to beg for help, was incredibly embarrassing. This was the kind of thing only newbies experienced...
"Master Tae-hyun, why are those people avoiding our gaze like that?"
"They're probably embarrassed that they can't get out on their own."
"Failing isn't something to be ashamed of, is it?"
"They should be ashamed. With their levels, what kind of baseless confidence possessed them to come here?"
Stabbing words! One of the rankers protested.
"So, are you going to help us or not?"
"I can help you... but do I owe you something?"
"W-What?"
The ranker who spoke was flustered by Tae-hyun's cold tone. He had only chimed in because Tae-hyun seemed close to Alcott and Crawford...
"People should have some shame. Even newbies ask politely when they need help getting out of a dungeon..."
"You didn't say anything when they spoke!"
"That's because they're VIPs, and you guys are nobodies."
"VIPs?"
"What's that?"
"Is Alcott really that close to Kim Tae-hyun?"
The other players whispered among themselves. What was a VIP? Even Alcott was puzzled. Why am I a VIP?
Crawford covered his face with his hands. He had understood the true meaning of "VIP."
"Hey... it means we're suckers..."
"...!!!"
An ongoing relationship that had lasted since the Exile of the Great Pirate Gallardu! Thinking back to how much they had been extorted just to be rescued back then...
Alcott and Crawford felt a surge of anger, but with so many eyes on them, they couldn't argue. They had their pride to maintain, after all.
"If you guys become VIPs too, I can treat you a bit more kindly."
"VIP? How do we become that? Can we join if we want to?"
"As long as you have the will, you can join anytime," Tae-hyun said with a benevolent smile.
The warmer his smile, the more Alcott and Crawford wanted to die.
"Now then, before we head out... shall we settle the bill?"
"...?"
"Anyone who isn't a member of the Archisus Church, convert right now before we go."
Tae-hyun was blatant now. If there was an opportunity, sign them up first! Even if they withdrew later, getting them registered was a net positive.
"Forcing us into a cult is too much!"
"Yeah! Do you know how much progress we've built up in our own factions?!"
"Boo! This is tyranny!"
Despite the rankers' protests, Tae-hyun didn't even bat an eye.
"Suit yourselves. I'll give you ten seconds. 10. 9. 8..."
"Alcott! Persuade Kim Tae-hyun!"
"Crawford, you too!"
The allied party desperately called out to Alcott and Crawford, who seemed to be the only ones on speaking terms with Tae-hyun.
"Huh?"
But Alcott and Crawford were already standing on Tae-hyun's side, pretending not to know them. Why? Because they...
Had already joined the Archisus Church a long time ago!
"..."
"..."
The party members were slowly beginning to realize what "VIP" truly meant.
No matter how much they resisted, the outcome of this battle was already decided.
Total enlistment!
"Yes, wonderful."
"Then let us out quickly."
"We're not done yet. Now, if you want to ride this golem out, the usage fee is..."
"...Hey!!"
"Is this your first day doing business? This is how DLC works—everything gets added on."
He was fully prepared to charge them for everything, from the "poison avoidance option" to the "front gate opening option."
"Can we just pay in gold?"
"Gold? Do I look like someone who does this for money?"
"...?"
What kind of bullshit is that? Weren't you doing this exactly for money? Everyone thought so, but no one had the courage to say it to Tae-hyun's face.
"Forget gold. Give me items. I'll take just one, but it has to be good."
The advantage of dealing with rankers was that the "I have nothing, so do your worst!" excuse didn't work. If you shake a ranker, something falls out! If you squeeze them, a hidden treasure is bound to appear from their pockets.
"Come on, let's be honest and pay our taxes voluntarily, guys. Archisus really dislikes liars. You might get cursed."
The sheer audacity to sell out his own god for business! In the end, the allied party was thoroughly fleeced before they finally began moving toward the exit.
As they emerged, Alcott glared at Toba.
"What? A spy? You punk?"
"S-Sorry..."
Heuk-heuk quietly called out to Tae-hyun.
"—Master."
"—What?"
"—But at the front gate, wasn't there that... crazy giant guy earlier?"
"—Ah, right."
The mad giant warrior, Langdberg! Heuk-heuk was anxious. Even though the master of the lair had changed, would that crazy guy have gotten the memo?
"—It's fine, it's fine."
"—I suppose so, right? Hehe. Even if he's crazy, he must have been made to recognize a change in ownership..."
"—Huh? No. I meant we already got everything we could from these guys, so it doesn't matter if they die."
Always collect payment upfront! That way, even if things go south, there's no loss!
"—Ah. Yes."
As it turned out, Heuk-heuk's worries were completely unnecessary.
"—Hakkarias became small...?"
Langdberg did indeed recognize the change in ownership.
Tae-hyun stared at Langdberg covetously. Could he find a way to utilize this powerful boss monster?
"By any chance, do you have any desire to go outside the lair to fight, under the pretext of protecting it?"
He was trying to drag him out to use him under a flimsy excuse!
But Langdberg was resolute.
"—Protect here!"
An absolute stubbornness that refused to listen to anything! Even the silver tongue of Archisus was useless if the target wouldn't listen.
Still, Tae-hyun didn't give up and tried to strike up a conversation a few more times.
"The weather today is..."
"—Protect here."
"That weapon looks nice..."
"—Protect here."
This bastard isn't even listening to me. Tae-hyun smacked his lips and backed away. I'll find a way to use you eventually!
The group safely passed through the dreaded front gate and exited the lair. The swamp, which had been spewing poison earlier, was now completely quiet. It was a fascinating sight the more they looked at it! How on earth did he pull this off??
"Hey... by the way, since you raided the lair, did you get the treasure?"
Alcott asked quietly, suddenly remembering. If Tae-hyun had plundered a dragon's lair, this was no small matter. An astronomical amount of wealth! It would be enough gold to leave a massive surplus even after developing the Atali Kingdom like crazy.
"No, there was no treasure."
"What? Really?!"
"Why would I lie to you? I checked, and it seems Hakkarias carried his treasure with him. Those Black Dragons..."
"Ah..."
Alcott was convinced. Indeed, for a dragon of that caliber, it wouldn't be strange to carry their treasure on their person.
"By the way, did you see the infighting in the Guild Alliance? It looks like they're about to split."
"Good riddance."
Due to their defeat on the plains and the death of Hakkarias, the Guild Alliance was going through its darkest hour. The worst part was the defection of member guilds! Large guilds from the Erangs Kingdom had decided to actively recruit them.
"—How long are you going to watch those Chinese players run everything? Come over to our side!"
"—The era of the Guild Alliance is over!"
Guilds from the US, Europe, Korea, and other regions that had suffered under the Guild Alliance's tyranny were making their moves. Alcott was also in a dilemma.
"To be honest, based on nationality alone, I fit in better with the Erangs side... I don't really get along with the Chinese guys either."
"No, you need to stay in the Guild Alliance."
"Is that so?"
Alcott paused at Tae-hyun's words. Indeed, it would be a waste for Alcott to just leave the Guild Alliance. Among the Guild Alliance rankers, Alcott received quite good treatment because of his many achievements! He had obtained a territory, and he had even dedicated Archisus-related artifacts to the guild...
"Since I have a territory, if I leave, I might be targeted as an example to others."
Alcott nodded as he spoke. In the current climate where the Guild Alliance was fracturing, what they needed most was a scapegoat. A scapegoat to beat down mercilessly!
"—This is what happens to those who defect!"
If a scapegoat appeared, the unrest would temporarily quiet down. Thinking about it that way made Alcott shiver.
As expected, this guy is brilliant... It was frustrating, but Tae-hyun's mind worked several times faster than his own. That was why he could play the entire Guild Alliance like a fiddle all by himself!
"Thank you, Kim Tae-hyun."
"...?"
Tae-hyun stared at Alcott, wondering what he was talking about. I just told him not to leave because I need to keep using him as a spy... Yet Alcott had reached his own conclusion and was looking at him with strangely touched eyes.
"Hmm. I'd like to recruit more people..."
Chairman Yoo muttered. The undersea kingdom of Arantis was relatively small in scale, but the loyalty of its players was immense. A nation of hardcore anglers! On top of that, there was Chairman Yoo's insane financial support, which could be summarized as: "We provide top-tier fishing gear for free!"
"If you're interested in fishing, buy a boat immediately and head to Arantis" was advice that flooded the newbie bulletin boards. Despite this, the player base of Arantis Kingdom didn't grow much. Fishing itself was a rather minor profession in Pan-On!
Chairman Yoo hoped that players of other professions would also discover the joy of fishing. There was no rule saying only dedicated anglers could fish!
"Should we try to recruit the bandits?"
"Those guys are a bit..."
Currently, Chairman Yoo and his anglers were sweeping the seas near Bectel, a northern port city of the Auston Kingdom. Bectel was currently experiencing an unprecedented boom as a lawless haven due to the "Great Bandit Era" triggered by Tae-hyun! Thanks to this, it was also a great environment for anglers. With so many people, the demand for food skyrocketed! Every fish they caught was bought up instantly.
"Everyone! When are you going to finish?!"
"We're waiting!"
There were even merchants waiting nearby in small rowboats. They intended to buy the fish as fresh and fast as possible, return to land, and sell them at a premium!
"We will sell them on our own terms, so do not concern yourselves," Chairman Yoo said.
"Gasp!"
"How can you do this to us?!"
"Too cruel! It's fine if you just fish, but why are you doing the merchants' job too?!"
"...Please chase those people away."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
At Chairman Yoo's command, the anglers swarmed forward, rowing their boats to push the merchants back.
"Get lost! You're interfering with His Majesty's fishing!"
"Do you want to get smacked with an oar?! Move!"
Watching this, Secretary Jeong thought to himself: Isn't that exactly why we aren't getting any new players? People had to watch them play and think, Wow, that looks fun! to join. But fishing was fundamentally a hobby that was hard for newbies to find fun.
On top of that, the veteran anglers were terrible at welcoming newbies.
"—How do you fish? You just cast your line like this and wait for an hour. What? It's boring? You insolent brat... Do you even know the true joy of fishing? This is exactly how fishing is meant to be enjoyed!"