The Second of the Seven Divine Weapons (4)

『Yang Min Ah, the star of the show today was dazzling as ever, right?』

『If he shows up, he steals the spotlight every time! Kim Seok Yong announcer, with his performances repeating every siege war like clockwork, I bet plenty of viewers are counting down the days to the next one!』

『No other player in Taitonic has made this kind of impact in such a short time. Everyone's waiting, so let's dive right into the highlight reel from today's Kaljen Castle siege!』

Pop! It had been a while since I'd cracked open a cold beer can and taken a swig. Flicking on the TV, Taitonic TV news was just starting. Watching my Luitus's dominating performance from a viewer's perspective? It was surprisingly entertaining. That's why I'd logged out early just to catch the evening broadcast.

'I'm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not a narcissist or anything, but hearing how amazing I am over and over... now I kinda crave it. Was I always like this and just never realized?'

Of course, anyone riding Luitus could pull off those feats. It was designed that way from the start, and it was still the only one in existence... But even so, no current player could wield it better than me. Just look at that clip playing now—when the titan was forcibly recalled, who else could have survived that?

『That scene right there! Kyaa! Check out that rampart leap onto the red drake! Who could resist falling for it?』

『The titan alone is jealous-making, but that red drake stirs every man's dreams! Actually, from what I've heard through contacts, companies are desperate to snag Sandro as an ad model. But since he's so elusive, they're getting rejected as soon as they reach out.』

It was true. I'd gotten offers from about four places, though nothing major. Of course, ad deals meant exposing my real identity, so I'd shut them down quick before things got deep.

『Announcer, we've seen the highlights. Time for some serious talk? Seeing Sandro show up at Kaljen Castle, it's fair to assume he's deeply tied to Phoenix Guild, right?』

『He helped Phoenix at last month's Rozentas siege too, and joined them here. Safe to say so. Especially since he protected Phoenix members so fiercely the titan got recalled. Honestly, it's like he handed Kaljen Castle to them on a platter.』

『And now they're reaping the rewards. Phoenix hit 6-star, Taesung dropped to 4-star—the tide's turned! Heard skilled neutral players are flooding Phoenix with join requests thanks to their momentum. Taitonic's getting more thrilling by the day—who knows what tomorrow brings!』

『Who'd have thought Taesung, the unchallenged leader, would get such a fierce rival? It's all butterfly effects from one man's arrival!』

『Butterfly effects?』

『Yeah. If Sandro hadn't claimed the holy sword, would Taitonic be like this?』

『Ah, true!』

Beep! It was getting too embarrassing to watch, so I killed the TV ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and flopped onto the bed.

'Am I really doing the right thing?'

My siege plan had stabbed Taesung where it hurt, and everything went smoothly as planned. But looking back, there were some close calls hidden beneath the surface. Even Luitus's massive HP couldn't tank the melee DPS focus fire as long as I'd hoped, forcing a retreat. Escaping the obelisk, Taesung's ranged dealers fixated on me way harder than expected. And those eight high-level thieves with killer control... If I hadn't stripped their Shadow Steps first with the priest's headpiece, shaking them might've been impossible.

'Maybe I've been too complacent with all the wins. Enemies are leveling up steadily as I grow, and titan counters are being figured out. If they crack it and start mass-producing...?'

Multiple legendary gears. Over 20 million gold. A solid ally in Reverse Kingdom... I'd milked my solo divine weapon and titan edge pretty well. Time to go quiet, level up to ranker tier like originally planned. Grow in the shadows until I'm PvP-ready, then unleash unlimited guerrilla warfare. Make them dread logging into the field with that Taesung mark—like a nightmare incarnate!

Reviewing the siege and future plans, I drifted off to sleep.

Five hours into hunting, the awaited whisper from Hellfire arrived at 10 AM. Unlike my solo play, as a nation leader, he'd probably sieged with hundreds in a massive capsule room. No way they skipped afterparty—especially after crushing Taesung.

(Me: Sure, I played a big role, but your bold calls made it possible. Rozentas, Kaljen—you deserved those lordships.)

(Hellfire: Thanks to Yeon Seok—er, Last Chance! He connected us. Anyway, can you come to Dumein Castle? I'd visit, but stuck with stuff here.)

(Me: Collecting pay? I'll come. Be there soon.)

Quick recall to Dumein outer village square—Hellfire waited alone.

"Congrats, first 6-star lord!"

"Haha, two stars thanks to you. Still no on joining Phoenix? We'd stack the best perks on top."

"Solo suits me. Busy as you are, let's trade quick?"

Exchange window up for success fee—2 million gold incoming. Spot on, so I hit confirm... but it didn't close.

"Hellfire...? Not confirming?"

"One sec, digging in inventory... Ah, here!"

The extra item: 'Ancient Vampire Noble's Sapphire Ring'—my character's must-have, now lifelong staple.

"You wanted this before, right? Felt the pay was light for your help, so grabbed one."

"Ah... Perfect, but isn't this too much? Legendary, y'know."

"No sweat. Phoenix guild master here. Use it freely."

This guy had endless charm. Back in Galaxy War prime, his flair, control, and aura made me a fan. A month ago, a Phoenix recruit offer from Hidden Card floored me; now, legend treatment from a pro icon... I was a Taitonic heavyweight.

"Can't refuse that sincerity. Means another enchant shot."

"Haha! Casually talking legendary enchants—rare breed."

"Didn't get it before, but top-tier, tiny edges matter huge. So I bump specs bit by bit when I can."

"I get that drive. Felt it from Galaxy War ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to now. Oh, you busy?"

"Nah? Need help?"

"Not help, exactly... Mind tagging along briefly? Quick thing."

His formal tone warmed to brotherly.

"Sure, easy. Where to?"

"Why's Dumein's private hunt vampire dungeon? Dark god Debes's temple right here. Heading there now."

"Dark temple? Why... Wait, no way?"

"Yep. Phoenix hit 10 million national achievements with Kaljen conquest."

Two months since Rune Paytona dropped. Short or long? Didn't expect another guild to hit 10 million achievements so soon.

-Incheon Union had 1-star but tons from arena grinders. Merged fully to us. Plus siege/defense achievements lately.

Taesung probably overshot 10 mil for their post-founding draw. Phoenix's 3+ years made it plausible.

"Sure about quiet draw? Guild's hyped."

"They're beat—don't wanna stir. No live stream like Darius. With you, holy sword's luck symbol, good odds. Thanks for indulging."

"Pfft, I'm full of gacha superstitions too. Taitonic folks get it. Let's channel my holy sword to summon another!"

I drew my sword, gripped two-handed, fake-infusing aura. But no way divine drops again—known lore: two hand blades in 7 divine weapons. Holy Sword Rune Paytona, Demon Sword Rune Jesbera. Hellfire, knight class, picked dark temple chasing the demon sword. Me as luck buffer.

But gacha's gacha. If it dropped on wish, no "7 Divine Weapons" exclusivity.

Hellfire, prepped all night, approached the cardinal ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠boldly. Dumped all achievements—no hesitation.

The cardinal bellowed skyward.

"Ruler of silence and rest, Dark God Debes! Grant your miracle here!!"

Unlike Luilton's Roberta gathering light, this one birthed thick darkness from hands, spreading like ink. Temple plunged to pitch black—hands invisible.

Suddenly, all darkness coalesced between Hellfire's palms!

Darkness lifted; world alert filled my cleared vision. Same phrasing as before.

Demon Sword, Rune Jesbera. The cardinal's cry manifested miracle here.