Coronation Ceremony (1)
“Yes. The operators are giving a direct blessing as an event during the coronation, right? Isn't that why you came here? They announced that everyone attending the coronation would get a week of bonus experience gain and no death penalty.”
“Ah…… I've been grinding nonstop lately, so I haven't been paying close attention to announcements. I ended up missing the important stuff.”
Something had felt off. There were just too many users gathered for it to be only about watching the coronation. Unlike operators in other games who just had monitoring privileges, there were only three operators in Tayen—including the chief director. They could do virtually anything, like gods in the game world. That's why they rarely appeared in front of players, but today was special enough for a large-scale blessing buff event.
“Thief…… You didn't even know that? So you really came just for the quest item. Whew, we've gone and caused all this trouble controlling innocent people like you. I'm truly sorry.”
“No need. Why are you apologizing? It's the fault of those arrogant bully families and my own bruised pride. I don't want to stay here a second longer, but since I'll need to level up anyway, I might as well wait for the buff. Thanks for the info.”
I gave Yeon Woo a quick bow of thanks and turned to leave. But she hesitated, looking apologetic, then made an unexpected offer as if she'd made up her mind.
“Thief, the coronation's about to start, so even if you head to the plaza, you won't see a thing with all the crowds. You really came for the quest, and you've suffered because of us…… How about I sneak you into the main keep right now?”
“Pardon? For real?”
“Yes. Go in, get your reward from Raymond on the first floor, then head up to the next level. No guild members up there, and plenty of good rooms for watching. Enjoy the coronation comfortably and grab the blessing buff before you go!”
“Yeon Woo! What are you doing? If you're sneaking even one person in, why did we bother controlling the area since morning? What if someone spots them or trouble starts?”
“ApgujeongBaba, this person's not just some random. You saw everything—he's an innocent user here for a quest. He hasn't lied to us once. And he looks like a high-level thief…… He can probably sneak in with Stealth and avoid anyone. Right, Thief?”
“Ah, of course. If it's an area with hardly any users…… Stealth won't break easily. I maxed it at 5 stars ages ago.”
“Oh! Perfect!”
Stealth was the thief's signature skill for moving while invisible—their bread and butter—but it had plenty of counters and drawbacks, so it wasn't overpowered. Still, as a high-level solo player, I'd invested heavily and maxed it at 5 stars. Pouring skill points into Stealth often drew side-eye from party members, so maxed thieves were rarer than you'd think.
“But is it really okay? Those guys just went inside……”
“Ah, that family probably headed to the Grand Hall in the center of the first floor for the broadcast. You won't run into them here. Relax upstairs, and who knows—you might witness something fun firsthand.”
“Huh? Something fun?”
“Uh…… the operator! They'll show up to give the blessing, and seeing one up close is rare! You might spot guild events or rankers too!”
It didn't quite sound like that's what she meant…… Is Taesung planning some surprise event?
In the end, figuring it might be hard to trade the quest item later, I decided to head in now.
“I'm not involved. If there's trouble, you take responsibility alone, Yeon Woo!”
“Yes. I'll handle it all, so don't worry, Baba. Thief, use Stealth here and go in. Head to the right corridor on the third floor—there are rooms with great plaza views. Everyone's at the first-floor hall or the roof, so grab an empty one.”
“Yes, thank you so much.”
“No problem. Sorry we couldn't let you in sooner. Have fun and score some great loot!”
I slipped through the door Yeon Woo held open into the keep, then headed straight to the Golden Lion Knight Captain at the end of the first-floor corridor. With entry controlled since morning and Taesung members gathered in the central hall, not a single user was in sight. I crept into his office and dropped Stealth in front of him.
“What brings you here? Do you have business with me?”
Finally, Raymond! You have no idea how tough it was tracking you down. Normally I'd steel myself before claiming the reward, but no time now. I spat out the quest keyword and handed over the item without delay.
“Here's the 'Special Healing Potion' you've been desperately seeking. Hand over whatever you've got—make it a good one!”
“Oh! How could such fortune befall us! Lord Luilton, we are eternally grateful for your boundless grace and blessings! Now my beloved wife Marianne can recover! Haha, thank you truly! MagnumYoung3. This may pale against your efforts and sincerity, but please accept it with joy. It's one of our family's heirlooms.”
Necklace of Mana Regeneration
“Jackpot!! A necklace! And a mana item!!”
Even a cheap ring would've been solid, but the priciest necklace dropped—with the hottest mana option!
I calmed my excitement and checked the specs.
Unique, Necklace
Defense +25
Magic Defense +65
Intellect +20, Mana +25
MP Recovery per second +7
Upon skill hit, 0.5% chance to recover mana spent on the skill.
A sapphire discovered deep in the Kelvin Mountains. This gem holds an unknown power—an astonishing force! The miracle that enables great reversals!
—Dmein Raymond, First Head of the Raymond Family—
“Whoa! Mana recovery option? Isn't that on legendary items? Total mega jackpot!”
I'd half-doubted it'd pay off, but back-to-back crits! A insane option recovering skill mana costs!
Today really felt like my lucky day…… but hasty optimism.
“Wait! It's not on skill use—on hit? And only 0.5% chance? Of all things……”
Mana accessories were hot for mages, but their skills were slow with long cooldowns. Even at +10 with ~5% chance, mages wouldn't feel much.
“Still, necklace mana accessory means solid rarity. Decent for other classes too—better than average for sure.”
Not the god-roll I'd hoped, but as unique accessory, it outclassed my current gear by leaps.
“Sell this, finish my gear set, then grind levels like mad. Especially this week with the XP buff—go berserk.”
I activated Stealth again, slipped out quietly, and headed to the third floor. After checking rooms, I picked one with a clear view of the inner keep plaza and settled by the window.
Looking down, a long red carpet stretched impressively from the main gate to the plaza center.
It's not even noon yet…… What a packed morning.
Alone with the quiet view, random thoughts surfaced. Events from the gacha pull to now crammed into half a day—like a dream.
“But none of it's a dream. Proof's right here in my inventory……”
The humiliation from Il Do Yang Dan and Taesung execs burned fresh. The powerlessness against their overwhelming gap, Darius's cold contemptuous gaze.
Instinct told me: let this slide, and it'd haunt me forever, fueling self-loathing for life!
“Pathetic? Lowlife? Don't make me laugh! You perfect-condition bastards got any right to say that? If sucking honey was enough, who couldn't be like you?!”
Darius, Park Taehu. Back when we started equal, he was no match. But his background pulled him so far ahead in Tayen, the gap seemed insurmountable.
“Doesn't matter. I'll climb to your spot no matter what. No—I'll surpass you and repay every bit. No more blaming unfair worlds or half-assed effort! If we started gapped, I'll grind insane to erase it!”
Maybe my fragile pride exploding, or a defense mechanism kicking in. Didn't matter. What counted: the lazy me, aimless till now, finally had a goal. For once, a dream to become top dog in this game!
Waiting for the rank 1 coronation……
I etched the resolve to become my life's true protagonist deep in my heart.
First goal: enter the rankings. Ranker status within a year, no matter what. Then revenge paths will open.
Sorting future plans eased my mind. Coronation time neared; glancing out, users packed the plaza, rowdy as ever. Especially eye-catching: four massive screens seemingly magicked up by the operator floating over the plaza. Users could watch the first-floor Grand Hall ceremony live, like street cheers under jumbotrons—a spectacle itself.
Amazed at operator powers again, Yeon Woo's words reminded me to check notices.
(Announcement) Congratulations!
The first user to ascend as king, Darius!
To commemorate this historic moment, GM Theosis will personally bestow the Blessing of Growth on all attending users.
Join us to witness history and claim your buff!
Date: May 13, PM 12:00
Location: Bernstein Inner Keep
Buff: Theosis's Grace (Growth)
1. 150% EXP gain for one week
2. No resurrection penalty for one week
So that's it…… Skimmed the title, thought it was generic. Didn't know about the EXP buff. Explains the crowds.
Operators personally buffing was ultra-rare, only for game-shaking events like this.
That guy's over-the-top commentary hasn't changed. Cringier hearing it live than on broadcast? Still impressive at his age……
Taitonic TV anchor Kim Seok Yong was a Tayen celeb, covering every major event without fail. From 20-year-old audition shows to midlife game anchoring—suddenly respectable. His lifelong dedication to one passion, something I'd never done, struck me as cool.
Parapapara bam! Pappapa bavam!
Amid his guild's triumphant orchestra, Darius strode solo through the main gate—like a fantasy film hero. Tall and helmetless, his rugged handsome face gleamed. His cynical-yet-confident smirk exuded charisma. Dazzling full plate and flowing red cape—he radiated kingly dignity befitting the pinnacle of ten million users.