How to Leverage the Interview (1)
After switching to a new capsule and logging in with a refreshed mind, a whisper popped up right away, as if it had been waiting for me.
I'd felt it on the broadcast too, but having such famous people treat me with this level of respect really drove home how much I'd changed. Back in the day, even kids would pick fights with me...
No matter how urgent things had been with taming Ferari, I hadn't suggested the interview on a whim. Whatever happened in Tayen, I planned to use it as a stepping stone for my growth. The interview was no different. Especially now that I'd claimed a castle—a few ideas for making the most of it had already come to mind.
"Heh heh heh."
The proposal was so out of left field that even I, who'd sent it, couldn't help chuckling. Selling a castle had never happened in Tayen before—let alone advertising an auction on a broadcast? But it was a castle I'd have to give up after just a month anyway. If I could squeeze taxes out of it for that time and sell it off to another guild right before the next siege, nothing could be better.
We ironed out a few more details and locked in the appointment. The interview was set for three weeks later—exactly one week before the next siege—and the broadcast would air the day after. That schedule left plenty of time to sell this massive Kaljen Castle before the siege kicked off.
"Money's made in real estate, right? Never thought I'd buy a house in my life, but somehow I'm already planning to sell one. Life's full of surprises, heh heh!"
Sieges varied in difficulty by castle, but one truth held: defenders had a massive, overwhelming advantage. Even at Rozentas Castle, attackers outnumbered defenders dozens to one and still couldn't breach it. Kaljen was no different, just a matter of degree.
Kaljen lacked terrain bonuses or castle relic buffs for massive AoE effects. But it had powerful NPCs aiding the defense—a far higher number than other castles, and the highest average level among them. A well-organized guild with numbers could make it hell for even Taesung to retake.
Look at the Bernstein siege: Taesung threw everything in and barely reclaimed it from Olympus with just three minutes left. So if I announced I was selling Kaljen Castle, some guild would bite for sure.
'Perfect timing too—everyone knows guild mergers can transfer castle ownership now.'
It hit me after Phoenix merged with the Incheon alliance, the first time castle rights transferred between guilds. If my 'Homeownership' guild got absorbed by another via merger, they'd get not just the castle but my guild's achievement points too. A golden opportunity for any guild aiming to found a nation—they could snap up a castle for cash, no sweat.
Plus, it checked Taesung. I'd abandoned defense here, so Kaljen would be up for grabs next siege. With equal conditions, Taesung had the best shot. Selling kept it from them, built a rival power for others, and got me paid for something I'd ditch anyway. Win-win-win.
'And while I'm at it, throw in an event for image control.'
The Holy Sword and Titan's overwhelming power would breed jealousy and hate the more it showed. Anti-fans would hinder me later, so image management was key. This interview was a prime chance to test it all.
"My first house, and I'm squeezing every last drop out of it before handing it over!"
I was already farming the castle's exclusive hunting grounds with mob trains for max value—and brainstorming even more ways to milk it.
Whoosh—!
Cleaving through fierce winds toward the Shifon Forest in the Ashen Mountains, I got the whisper from announcer Kim Seok Yong. Stuck hunting instanced dungeons in the castle, three weeks flew by. Just as I was heading out for the interview, a quest-window-style alert popped up. I dropped everything and hopped on Ferari—it was the one I'd waited days and nights for.
[Message from Chief Administrator Holtein: Orc Lord Sighting]
• Hunters report the Red Mane Orc Lord's Zumbaka (!) appearing near the territory in Shifon Forest.
• Subjugate Zumbaka (!) to protect the territory's residents.
One perk of owning a regional stronghold like a castle: field boss respawn alerts. Sent 30 minutes after spawn, they let me track the boss's location in real time.
'This Zumbaka took a full week to spawn. Last one was trash, so this has to be prime loot. Can't miss it!'
Thirty minutes was short but long enough. Other field bosses like Red Drakes got sniped in under five, but Orc Lords were different. Kaljen territory and the Ashen Mountains were top high-level zones. Shifon Forest was far from town, few hunters, and even a first-discovery party needed more than one or two to take it. Without a Titan, even I wouldn't dare. First alert, I missed it due to siege cooldowns and just watched others snag it.
'But the last four? All mine. Heh heh.'
NPC reports at 30 minutes plus Ferari's speed was perfect for soloing field bosses. That's how I'd monopolized Zumbaka these three weeks before parties formed.
Five minutes from castle to southern Shifon Forest at top speed. From above, I spotted Zumbaka's massive bulk flickering between trees deep in the dense woods. Unspotted so far—or maybe a party wiped trying.
I leaped off Ferari mid-flight, self-buffed, and charged without hesitation.
Three weeks post-capsule upgrade, my controls felt natural. I wasn't the timid Sandro who'd feared death.
"Graaah! Dare enter my mountains without fear! Humans, quench my rage with your screams! Wail, you doomed fools!"
The familiar battle cry kicked things off. Zumbaka pulled aggro and summoned minions right away. Even raid groups stayed tense—this solo run? No sweat.
My level: 305. Three weeks of blood, sweat, and tears in Kaljen's hunting grounds. Top-tier player territory now.
Swish! Swish!
Cool and quick, I kited minions while chipping Zumbaka's health. When MP dipped from cumulative damage, a spinning slash refilled nearly 10k—no healer needed.
'Spinning Slash for the win! Shreds packs like nothing!'
Now hitting everything in a 3.4-meter radius for 130% power, maxing stars was worth it.
"You will shed a hundredfold the blood I've spilled!"
Berserk phase hit—insane attack power. Even I couldn't tank it solo anymore.
"Luitus, summon!"
Zumbaka ballooned, but shrank in my view. Now it was a DPS race. Summon early and Titan HP might not hold, so I soloed to 25% first. Insane solo feat—impossible for most.
"Whoa! Special One's soloing Zumbaka?!"
"Insane! Luitus looks badass up close!"
While hammering the Orc Lord, a few players from the same party spectated.
Special One. A broadcast coined it, and Tayen players ran with it as my nickname. Cringe at first, but it felt like recognition for my grind—kinda grew on me.
Thud!
Amid gasps, Zumbaka crumpled under sustained damage.
"No way! Solo Zumbaka? For real?"
"First time seeing a solo field boss feast like that. At that level, gold's pouring in!"
Bit awkward with the interview looming, I looted quick, mounted Ferari, and flew high before using a return scroll—safer than risking the 10-second cast on ground.
"Alright, let's see what dropped... Whoa!"
Inventory glowed with a massive axe, begging attention. No effects on Unique or below—this was...
"Holy crap! It drops Legendaries too? Jackpot!"
Four Orc Lords, three Legendaries total: one Valiant Orc Lord's Token, two Orc Lord Fangs (materials). Thought it only dropped necklace Legendaries, but weapons too? Nice.
"Level up and the loot game's on another plane!"
Field Legendary drops beat instance ones in quality and price—glanced at killer options. Heart pounding, I headed to the interview at Ostarg Palace.
"Glad you're not late."
"Welcome, Sandro!"
Party invite to Ostarg Palace's Rose Garden: two staff with camera items and announcer Kim Seok Yong. Kept numbers minimal as requested—small for a broadcast interview.
The imperial palace's Rose Garden was an instance dungeon for maze mini-games like snacks. Famous for beauty, vibrant roses everywhere. Video recording allowed, so popular for in-game interviews.
With the entrance as backdrop, the one-on-one with Kim Seok Yong began.