Vlad the Trash
"No, I didn't do that..." Vlad tried to make an excuse.
It was Tae-hyun who had attacked the vampires in the meeting, starting with the envoy, not him! Of course, such an excuse wouldn't work.
"Wow. What a shameless bastard."
"Well, a vampire's character doesn't change."
The knights cursed Vlad from behind. Vlad felt wronged.
Even if others do that, you guys shouldn't!
If they were the ones who followed that Archisus bastard around, they should know the situation! But the knights believed Tae-hyun was a hero.
All the bad things Tae-hyun did must have been because Vlad enticed him!
Vlad was frustrated, but there was no way to explain.
"You piece of trash..."
"?!?!"
Even the vampire who came as the envoy muttered a curse under his breath.
"Y-you! You dare insult me when you're just an envoy?"
"When did I do that?"
"That's right. He didn't."
A bizarre situation where a knight took the enemy envoy's side! Vlad wanted to cry.
"So, Lord Trash. My master's proposal is as follows."
"Did you just call me trash... No, forget it..." Vlad gave up on arguing.
Even if he argued, the knights would just join in and say, "When did he do that?" and curse him!
This is so sorrowful! Vlad suddenly felt a deep sorrow. To think he would actually miss that Archisus bastard!
"What is the proposal?"
"If you give us a few gifts as proof of friendship, we will withdraw from Knema Island and recognize Vlad's... no, Lord Trash's legitimate right to rule."
"...!"
Though it bothered him that the envoy deliberately switched his name to "Trash" midway, Vlad let it slide. The proposal was incredibly generous. Recognizing his right to rule!
For one of the nobles of the Blood Archipelago to publicly declare, "The new Count of Knema Island is Vlad!" carried immense weight. The noble society of the Blood Archipelago was closed and exclusive. This meant they were letting him in.
Of course, I have no intention of actually attending their gatherings...
Normally, he would have happily run over, thinking, Wow! I've become a vampire noble! Live long enough and anything can happen! but he couldn't do that now. Vlad had a brain and could read the room. If he went, he'd die! Or even if he didn't die, he'd be humiliated so badly he'd wish he were dead!
They'll probably call me Vlad the Envoy-Attacker, Vlad the Corrupted, Vlad the Trash...
Even if he didn't attend the gatherings, just having his right to rule recognized was a massive reward. Vlad asked quietly,
"What kind of gifts do we need to give...?"
"What! Lord Trash! You're negotiating with the enemy?!"
Clang! Clang! Clang! The knights immediately drew their swords. Trying to negotiate instead of fighting the enemy? His Majesty Kim Tae-hyun did not raise you that way!
"N-no! We should at least hear the proposal!"
Terrified as the knights pointed their blades at his neck, Vlad shook his head frantically. I'm just trying to listen!
Seeing this, the envoy cast a suspicious look.
What are they doing? Is this a show?
For Vlad, who supposedly held absolute authority, to be threatened by his subordinates like this. Could it be...?
...! Is he putting on an act to reject the proposal!
So he could use the excuse that his subordinates rebelled and he had no choice! How truly wicked, Vlad!
"We do not ask for much. You only need to hand over the rabbits from this territory and the facilities related to them."
"If it's just that, right away—!"
Shhhk— The blades pressed against his neck dug in deeper.
"...is what I would say, but I must think about it. Ah, wait! Wait! You actually cut me! You really cut me! Hey! Pull it back!"
They weren't just pointing the swords; the blades were actually digging into his skin!
"Well, since I have delivered the proposal, I shall take my leave."
The envoy stared at them as if they were absurd, then leaped down from the castle wall. Seeing that, one of the knights said with regret,
"Should we attack him now?"
"He came as an envoy."
"So what? Lord Trash would have liked it."
You have successfully cleared the Legendary Dungeon!
Acquired Title: Conqueror of the Legendary Dungeon
Swordsmanship skill level has increased.
Engineering skill level has increased.
...
The skill duration has expired. Authority of Alexeos has disappeared.
Item acquired.
...
Not only the prize money in reality, but rewards in the game were also waiting. The dungeon the two teams entered in the finals was a legendary-grade dungeon. Such rewards were only natural.
Though it's a loss compared to the time spent clearing the dungeon...
Tae-hyun's thought wasn't wrong. In fact, some Pan-On rankers gave up on the tournament entirely to focus on leveling up their characters.
It's much more profitable to skip uncertain tournaments, raise character levels, and do personal streams!
Whether it was a dungeon tournament or an arena tournament, it required a significant amount of time and effort. In the process, class quests inevitably had to be put on the back burner!
It was Tae-hyun's team that was abnormal, accepting every single quest while simultaneously running in the tournament. Normal players preparing for a tournament postponed their quests and focused entirely on the competition.
At least this makes up for it.
It was a relief to get some rewards like this!
The EXP is nice, but not highly meaningful. The increase in skill EXP is decent. Did my skill levels go up? Though they are skills I won't be able to use once this is over...
The Authority of Alexeos was a skill he had stolen by sneaking into another order's training ground. It was hilarious that it could even be stolen, but to use it properly, he had to complete the class quest.
The only reason Tae-hyun could use it in the tournament was thanks to the generous Authority of Alexeos! The blessing drastically reduced skill cooldowns, and the authority granted various warrior skill buffs...
Once the Authority of Alexeos and its associated skills expired and disappeared, it would truly break his heart.
Hmm. Is there any way to get Alexeos to extend it further...?
Actually, he did need to visit the Asbian Empire one more time. If he went to Emperor Uipoatl and said, "I took the head of the Black Dragon!" even that arrogant and obnoxious emperor would be delighted and shower Tae-hyun with rewards.
When it came to hating dragons, Emperor Uipoatl was second to none in the empire!
Yes. I have to squeeze him one more time.
Carbanog wonders if you shouldn't head to the Asbian Empire because of the Authority of Archisus.
Ah. There was that too, wasn't there?
[......]
However, there was one concern.
Hmm. Uipoatl won't get mad and ask why I haven't brought back his broken crown, right...?
Tae-hyun had smashed the Soul Crown that could fully resurrect Uipoatl with a hammer, and then lied, "The Auston Kingdom bastards stole it!" On top of that, he had even promised, "I will retrieve it!"
It was about time Uipoatl started asking, "Are you ever going to find my stuff??"
Well, I can just make up some excuse.
Now, even the emperor seemed like a pushover.
Tae-hyun organized his plans in his head.
I have a lot to do. Wrap up the Blood Archipelago quest, go to the Erangs Kingdom and ask them to return the Atali Palace treasure in the bank, and I also want to raid the Demon Realm connected to the World Tree... but I'll do that later. After that, I should head to the Asbian Empire first...
With that, Tae-hyun checked his items. What did he get as a tournament reward?
◈ Durability: 1/1
◈ Usage: Usable. Destroyed upon a single use.
◈ Description: A lamp that can summon a powerful spirit residing in the dungeon. It will be of great help in conquering dungeons.
...?
Tae-hyun was puzzled by the unusual item.
A dungeon-clearing item?
Based on the description, it seemed meant for clearing dungeons...
But I can clear most dungeons with my own strength anyway.
A rather mediocre item! Tae-hyun moved on to the next one.
◈ Durability: 100/100
◈ Effect: Can summon the Animated Cannon.
◈ Description: If the giant cannon is destroyed, it can be summoned again after a certain period of time.
No way...! This is...!
Tae-hyun blinked in disbelief. Was he seeing this right?
The Animated Cannon he had summoned using his skills during the tournament! The very cannon he thought he would never see again once the skill duration expired!
Tae-hyun summoned it immediately.
Summon!
Clank! Clank!
The Animated Cannon is summoned.
[Warning] The infused holy power is weak. The power of the Animated Cannon is reduced.
[Warning] The power of the skill is absent. The power of the Animated Cannon is...
It was much weaker than when Tae-hyun had summoned it before, but that didn't matter.
Summon complete.
"Cannon!"
Tae-hyun hugged the cannon tightly. Buddy! I missed you!
- ...
- ...
- ...
Yong-yong, Heuk-heuk, and Golgol-i all stared at the cannon with cold eyes. What is this rolling stone that just rolled in?
- Awaiting orders. Awaiting orders.
"Haha. Go join the Archisus Artillery."
With the Animated Cannon, the Archisus Artillery was gradually becoming a monster.
- Master. Why only that cannon...
"Haha. It must be your imagination."
Tae-hyun stood up with a very pleased expression. Just then, the rest of the party was logging in one by one.
"Let's go up to the castle wall. I hope Vlad hasn't messed things up too much."
Looking inside the vampire castle, it seemed they hadn't lost control of it yet. If we had lost it, I was going to hang him from the wall. What a relief!
[......]
Under Carbanog's watchful gaze, Tae-hyun headed toward the top of the wall.
- Karreung!
Carbanog translates: "This piece of trash!"
Towang-i bared its teeth and growled at Vlad. It was because of the proposal Vlad had delivered.
"Y-Your Majesty. This is truly a great proposal..."
An offer like this didn't come every day! Vlad desperately tried to persuade Tae-hyun.
"A person needs to know how to compromise. If you stand too rigid, you might snap, Your Majesty."
This was a massive concession from the counts. If they lost any more face here, the counts would come at them with everything they had! They could even summon the warriors from their own islands.
Fortunately, Tae-hyun nodded.
"I understand what you're saying, Vlad."
"Your Majesty...!"
For the first time, Vlad felt deeply moved. Archisus wasn't a brainless god. Rather, he was a god whose brain worked exceptionally well!
"You mean I should threaten those vampire counts like that, right?"
"What?"
"Go and tell those counts down there. If they don't compromise and keep acting stubborn, I'll break their backs."
Tae-hyun had completely misunderstood! Vlad waved his hands in a panic.
"N-no! That's not what I meant!"
"What? Threaten them even harder? Well, you have a point. Call the players! Let's go attack!"
"Woooooo!"
"As expected of Your Majesty! Absolutely ruthless!"
The knights went wild with excitement. In the Erangs Kingdom's 4th Knight Order, which specialized in subjugating the undead, Tae-hyun's popularity was practically at idol level!
Your reputation within the 4th Knight Order of the Erangs Kingdom has reached its maximum!
The knights swear absolute loyalty to you, deeply moved by your stance of refusing to compromise with the undead and insisting on their eradication!
The knights' dissatisfaction drops to 0.
The knights will rarely express any complaints. They will follow you with absolute trust.
"..."
Tae-hyun, who had drawn his sword and shouted, turned his head in bewilderment upon seeing the message window. No...
These clingy bastards...!