Castle Life (1)

"Yeah, it does feel like I pulled off something pretty amazing... Three achievements in one go?"

Achievements, which he'd only managed to snag two of over three whole years. Ones that were damn near impossible to get even one per year. And today, in a single day, he'd bagged three.

Of course, looking at the descriptions, they were all legitimately tough ones. But with his absurdly overpowered character and the Holy Sword in hand, they'd come almost too easily.

"Well, if a cheater character like mine can't rack up achievements, who can? Time to go full achievement killer mode from here on out. I'm grabbing every single one I can get!"

Tayen favored latecomers making a comeback, so there were 'first-come-first-served' achievements aplenty, but true 'exclusives' were rare. Even if Darius had a mountain of them, in theory, anyone could catch up and claim the same ones.

Sure, he wouldn't snag ultra-exclusive ones like those for becoming a king. But Sandro had the ultimate S-rank achievement: +20% additional experience. As his achievement list piled up, his confidence in topping the charts only grew.

Even if Darius snagged a titan soon!

But that was for later. Compared to the perks of becoming lord of Kaljen Castle right now, achievements might even seem trivial.

In the main hall of the keep, the key NPCs of the castle stood in a neat row beside the lord's throne.

Sandro approached the special NPC closest to the throne and spoke.

"Benedick?"

"Lord Sandro of Kaljen Castle. What business brings you here?"

"I want to know the current 'tax rate' for this castle."

"Lord Sandro of Kaljen Castle. The tax rate for Kaljen Castle is currently set at the maximum of 2.0%."

Along with the reply, a guide window popped up. It listed five villages, including Kaljen Outer Village, with arrows next to each for adjusting rates—but they were all maxed at 2.0%, so no room to raise.

It's only been five minutes since we took the castle, and taxes are already rolling in? 40,000 gold already? Damn, I wonder how much it'll be when I wake up tomorrow!

Talking to the other NPCs one by one revealed their roles. Hire more NPC soldiers to bolster defenses, invest gold to build extra walls and facilities. Even Holtain, who'd taught him Taming Monster ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠back in the day, could post quests at the castle's labor office.

But... it all costs ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠money.

Irrelevant for someone planning to hold the castle just one month. Sandro ignored them and set off to find the castle's exclusive dungeon.

The biggest perk of owning a castle: a private hunting ground.

Kaljen had only recently been captured, so no one knew what it held. Speculation ran high on its level range given the recency, but that was it.

Not knowing himself, Sandro questioned every NPC in the castle.

Amid that, his ears rang nonstop with whispers. His new ID, Sandro, had been revealed in the conquest.

…………………

Block, block, block, and block again!

Lucky Tayen didn't allow alts, or this flood of whispers would've been worse. Even filtering below level 250, it was insane. He checked each one, blocking the worthless IDs.

But this one... he couldn't block right away.

His arch-nemesis. The user who'd handed him his luck. A whisper from Darius.

He'd anticipated this moment when his identity went public. Expected a barrage of insults, but the response was surprisingly calm. Knowing Darius's true nature, Sandro played dumb and kept it going.

Classic Darius. Arrogant tone dripping with pride, backed by his chaebol wallet.

"......"

Twenty... two hundred billion?

The sum stunned him speechless. Enough for three generations to live off easy. Life-changing money.

No reply after the offer, and the whispers flooded in. Calm facade, but his desperation for the sword was obvious.

But no matter the sum. No matter the concessions!

No way in hell I'm selling you the Holy Sword.

Burned once before, he trusted Darius about as far as he could throw him. More than that, the sword had shown him what it meant to truly live for the first time.

Forgive? Who was forgiving who? You... forgive me?

Final reply sent, Darius blocked.

"What? 'Never lost'? What was that Galaxy War clash then? Can't even pretend with you, you disgusting bastard!"

Old grudge flared, rage unquenched even in-game. Darius was the type he loathed most: born lucky, coasting on privilege, then shitting on others' efforts.

He'd envied that birthright, blamed the unfair world, lived like a loser. They mocked his lack of effort, lived like winners.

But now he had their privilege too. Time to settle who truly deserved the winner's throne.

Ding!

Shortly after blocking Darius, another surprise whisper. Thief ranker #7, Dodak Tong—from that broadcast.

Even in text, his broadcast airhead vibe shone through.

The chat turned surprisingly fresh. He admitted 'speculating' wrong on purpose about Sandro. Taesung had a special team tracking him; he faked recklessness to warn him off.

He didn't care if Sandro died. But the sword respawning to Darius? No way.

Lucky drop right after Darius got it—he'd block that repeat at all costs.

Never been ranker himself, so unaware of their playstyle.

Ranker gear was top secret, but predictions fell short. +9 Legendaries across the board—two sets? Insane, even with instance drops half field prices.

Known for analysis and info, mistaken for airhead babbler. Clearly sharper. But what did he want?

Anti-Taeseong ranker assassination squad. Dodak Tong's hidden side revealed.