Declaration of War (3)
“Haha! Surprised you, huh? I just went for it recklessly, but damn, I was shocked too. Heh heh, who knew a day like this would come for me!”
“Whoa! Aren’t you totally insane? Do you know how much that costs? How many times did you hammer it? And even if it kept succeeding, how did you even think to push it to +6? I’d have stopped at +4, shaking in my boots……”
“You wouldn’t know, hyungnim, but back when I was in Phoenix, my nickname was Rush King. They begged me for rushes so much that I changed my ID to Last Chance—you didn’t know that? I even got your drake armor to +5 for you, Hyukya hyungnim…… Anyway, from now on, if you need any reinforcing done, just leave it to me!”
No matter how I thought about it, life was still unfair. The ones who were meant to succeed just did, no matter what. I wasn’t in a position to say that anymore, but this reinforcing luck was on another level historically.
A top-spec Legendary weapon hitting +6 reinforcement made it rival Divine gear without envy.
“Hyungnim, so here’s the thing—I think +6 is good enough to last me through Tayen. If I push it further, it’s bound to shatter.”
“Huh? So you’re selling the other one?”
“No. Just take it and use it, hyungnim. Even a thief needs a bow for swapping, right?”
“What? What kinda nonsense is that?”
Were they all under some mass hypnosis? Not content with dumping their drops on me, now they were handing over gear they’d slaved to craft themselves…… I’d never seen guildmates like these anywhere else.
“You know it too, hyungnim. Gear synergy shines more when you have multiple pieces rather than just one killer item. The spare bow wouldn’t even hit +3 before exploding anyway. And it’s too good to sell outside the guild. I figure it’s best in your hands.”
“I really appreciate the thought…… but I can’t equip it. Why do you think I learned Weapon Toss as a swap skill? The moment I swap to a bow, all the option effects on my holy sword vanish. So I’ve got no use for it.”
“Oh right! Come to think of it, you can’t even swap weapons for a second. It’s got such a long range too—it’d help a ton. How reinforced is yours anyway?”
“+2 right now. Got lucky.”
Last Chance’s unexpected reinforcing success nearly landed me over-specced gear for kiting, but I decided to just accept the sentiment.
“Just sell it to someone you know and use the gold for what you need. As long as it doesn’t end up with Taesung.”
“Ah…… I wanted you to have it, hyungnim. Well, weapons are settled, so let’s gear up some armor next.”
“And I’m busy right now, but…… I’ll escort all your tamings personally, so let’s head out quick.”
“Hey, no need!”
“No chit-chat—let’s tame first. Then I gotta meet the rest of the guild quick. No one’s learned their special skills yet, right?”
“Probably not? Not many dive in without hesitation like you, hyungnim.”
“I was gonna let everyone build as they wanted without interfering, but I’ve changed my mind. Time to coach them into the best choices.”
“Yes, sir! My lord! Let’s move out!”
Luckily, they’d all been mulling it over carefully, so I could advise on special skills that fit their tech trees.
The day before the imperial army arrived.
With that, we finished prepping to face them.
* * *
The day of reckoning dawned.
I’d been grinding levels in a ruin instance—basically no different from busywork—when the imperial army’s announced time approached, so I warped to Rozentas Castle.
Whoosh!
Arriving in the outer castle village via space teleport, the plaza was packed solid with users—no room to step.
“Whoa! Haven’t seen a village this jammed since the achievement share event. Wait, has the Tayen pop really spiked lately? Feels even busier than back then. Summon Ferari!”
High above the plaza teeming with thousands, a magic circle etched in midair, and Ferari burst out like a cork.
I jumped straight onto the hovering, circling Ferari, and the sight flipped the plaza into chaos.
“What? Ferari’s out! Sandro’s OP!”
“Whoa! Seeing a drake in person is straight fire!”
“Kyaa! Sandro oppa, I’m a fan!!”
I usually summoned Ferari in villages like this for hunts. But with the crowd density, the reaction exploded.
Ah, feels kinda embarrassing now that I’ve pulled an attention grab. Couldn’t walk through, though…… But someone definitely said ‘oppa,’ right? Heh heh.
I’d been making waves in Tayen lately, so my fame had skyrocketed—and my popularity with it.
Even random users in hunting grounds stared in awe more than aggression. If I had to describe it, their eyes held ‘admiration,’ with greetings to match.
A treatment I’d never experienced in 28 years. Being cheered by a sea of people wasn’t everyday either, but it felt damn good despite the fluster.
I waved to the crowd briefly before flying toward Rozentas inner castle.
“Whoa! So many people gathered! The plan’s a total success!”
From above, the inner castle brimmed with Phoenix and allies. Walls and towers sagged like overloaded buses—rails packed, fearing someone’d fall.
Beyond the cliffs encircling the castle, users streamed from the outer village, filling the fields bit by bit.
“Oh! You’ve arrived, Sandro-nim!”
“Hello, Hellfire-nim.”
Ferari flapped down slowly into the inner plaza. Hellfire, new vice-guildmaster Dubai, and Phoenix execs approached to greet me. Nearby, Atlantis and other allies’ leaders mingled, including our Burning Star crew.
“Hey! Five minutes left and you show now? Should’ve been here ten minutes early!”
“Sorry, sorry. Meant to do one more instance lap and…… Sorry I’m late!”
After Hyunjung’s ribbing and my apologies to the group, Hellfire spoke up.
“Haha! You’re not late, Sandro-nim—no worries. First off, thank you. Your idea let us prep for war perfectly.”
“No big deal. It’s all the goodwill you’ve built—normies joined without pushback. Congrats, by the way. Saw on the way: your guild and allies must’ve ballooned these past days.”
You might top Tayen guilds soon.
I held back with alliance eyes around, but Hellfire would get it.
“Whatever happens, we’ll see after repelling the imperial assault. Anyway, looking forward to your stellar performance again, Sandro-nim. Battle’s starting soon, so I’ll head to the walls.”
“Yes. Good luck!”
“Good luck……!”
With that, Hellfire hustled up with his execs. Seemed he’d waited to see me.
Other alliances moved to positions. But two users approached me instead of prepping: Atlantis guildmaster Aristo and vice Baragi.
“Wanted to meet you ages ago, but no chance till now. Nice to meet you. I’m Atlantis’s Aristo.”
“No need for that. Nice to meet you, Sandro here.”
“We met at Kaljen sale. Long time.”
“It has been, Baragi-nim.”
Phoenix’s surge had dimmed their presence a bit. Still, Atlantis ranked top-tier. Their leaders juggled guild duties while ranking holy knight and magic swordsman—pure potential.
“War’s about to start, so……?”
“Ah! Our guildmaster insisted on meeting you personally.”
“Your skill’s one thing, but those punchy ideas of yours? Genius. Like your playstyle’s optimized for Tayen. Care to show off in Atlantis sometime? We’d reward you handsomely, of course.”
Wondered why the greeting now amid chaos. Predictably, an angle.
“Sorry, Aristo-nim. My top priority’s toppling Taesung, as I’ve said. Phoenix aligns, helped heaps en route, so we’re together. No time or interest for other guild squabbles. Appreciate the thought, though.”
“Ah, really? Had hopes…… Shame.”
Aristo oozed disappointment like a musical actor. Another Tayen roleplayer like Darius.
But one more roleplayer lingered: his loyal subordinate, eyes on his lord’s rejection.
“Phoenix yes, us no—fancy way of saying it. Other divine weapons and titans’ll drop soon anyway. Cocky much? Though you won’t get days like this with us later!”
“What’s that, Baragi-nim?”
“You stole the holy sword from us, basically. We were main guild when you killed Darius. So help us like Phoenix!”
“Baragi-nim, I’m truly sorry about that. But I didn’t plan it—I wasn’t even there ahead. Even if Merlin got it, it wouldn’t go to the alliance. And…… might be overthinking, but seems you’re unaware, so advice:”
“Rejection’s rejection—what advice?”
“Tayen’s been Taesung solo till now, but it’ll change big. You know better than most how Taesung shifted these months. If they fall from the throne…… who takes it?”
“……”
Phoenix’s sudden rise might irk them—same tier, yet only difference was my aid.
But 28 years taught me…… life’s like that. Meetings with mentors, benefactors, enemies—all start as chance. Turning them into bonds? That’s competence, not luck.
Darius repaid our meetings worst. Hellfire gave ample rewards and trust, so ours thrived.
Thus, no betraying him for petty gains.
“Drop any funny ideas. Hope you don’t…… but wrong choices could threaten your guild’s survival.”
Still, touch me or mine, and war starts instantly.
These words? A declaration of war.