Coronation Ceremony (3)
‘I figured it’d be tough, but... I didn’t set myself an impossible goal, did I?’
Thoughts like that swirled chaotically in my head, but meanwhile, Taesung’s fireworks show and potion drop extravaganza went off without a hitch. The fireworks were led by thousands of mage-class guild members unleashing their firepower, with even the casual users gathered in the inner castle joining in, painting the plaza skies with a dazzling array of skills and spells. Of course, it wasn’t some official fireworks item or game-system gimmick. But the sight of tens of thousands of spells and skills colliding with shield magic and bursting apart was a spectacle in itself—a memorable moment worth commemorating.
Then, as promised, came the 100,000-potion drop show. Taesung’s riders on rare griffon and pegasus pets—scarce in Tayen—along with guild members casting Fly spells, soared over the inner castle, showering potions down on the users below. Watching them stack potions on the main castle rooftop and relentlessly replenish and scatter them, I nearly bolted out the window without thinking.
‘Ah, just ten of those potions would net me tens of thousands of won! Ugh, what a waste! Still, Taesung’s really something else. They’re dumping billions in potion value alone right now, aren’t they?’
Of course, it was feasible thanks to the broadcast revenue from this coronation coverage, guild and corporate promo effects, and future tie-in commercials. But the sheer scale left me quietly impressed. It was the height of a grand festival in every way.
Once the potion drop—the part users loved most—wrapped up, the long-awaited operator blessing buff finally descended.
“Range set... Total targets: 53,921. Growth’s Benediction!”
You have received the 'Theosis's Benediction (Growth)' buff effect from GM Theosis.
* Growth’s Blessing: EXP gain increased by 150% for one week.
* Resurrection’s Blessing: No resurrection penalty upon death for one week.
As the light seeped into me, a buff icon shaped like GM Theosis’s silhouette appeared in my HUD’s top buff bar.
‘Perfect—now with the operator buff secured, I can focus solely on leveling up!’
Things were off to a great start. I’d resolved to become a ranker and immediately snagged the EXP blessing, plus a unique item to gear up with. With months of living expenses saved from pocket-change grinding, I wouldn’t even need to sell gear for grinding funds anytime soon.
‘Desra Desert’s lizardman colony might be the best bet. Solid EXP, but overlooked due to no big drops.’
It wouldn’t cover potion costs solo, but the dense monsters meant non-stop hunting. In this game, gear mattered, but hitting the top levels first was key to supremacy.
Just as I pulled out my village return scroll to exit the castle, Darius reappeared on the screen with the announcer’s voiceover.
‘Should I stick around just for the draw? Dying to know what’ll pop... Yeah, watch the result then log out. Darius is the endgame anyway—better scout what divine gear drops.’
As a three-year heavy user of Titan Chronicles, I couldn’t resist even if I was in a rush. Odds favored armor or accessory, but if specs got revealed, I’d learn divine gear’s power level.
‘Not like a sub-1% divine weapon’ll drop, though.’
Unaware of the anticipation gripping everyone—including me—the conversation continued.
‘That shameless prick...’
Born a chaebol heir, top ranker—you’re not lucky? Then who in Korea is?
With Kim Seok Yong’s sign-off, Darius approached the remaining Cardinal Roberta. He must’ve converted guild achievements to national ones and offered them, as she knelt, arms outstretched to the heavens, and cried out.
“Merciful Guide of Light, Luilton! Grant your miracle here!!”
Kuwoong! No sound from mere light, but the visuals hit like thunder. A massive, blinding pillar of light pierced the hall ceiling from the sky onto Roberta’s upraised hands. The castle seemed to quake in a majestic, holy spectacle of radiant chaos.
“...”
Plaza users fell silent as one, plunging the world into hush. Overwhelming, heart-pounding.
Then, the system world alert flashed before every user.
The holy sword Rune Paytona of the God of Light Luilton has appeared in the world.
The emergence of the first divine weapon unseals the Titan system.
Waaaaaaaaah!
Users stared blankly at first, then realization hit—the plaza erupted in deafening cheers.
“Insane! How does he pull a sub-1% divine weapon on try one? Life’s so fucking unfair! That guy has everything—now luck too?!”
I blurted in shock. Hadn’t I just vowed to catch that bastard and claim supremacy? Despair and envy crashed in; even in VR, I clenched my jaw till it hurt. No real gods around, but I wanted to throttle this game god Luilton. Hand him the holy sword?
“Haha... Hahaha! Uwahahahaha!!”
His laughter swelled, echoing into my room. Fading at last, the screen showed him hoisting the sword skyward, a beam piercing the ceiling window to bathe him in blessing light. Back turned to the throne, radiant holy sword in hand—he looked like a myth-made-flesh knight, sacred and divine.
A knight of glory in light. And a mere thief, crouched in shadows, watching.
Miserable... My resolve and plans melted like snow before it even began.
* * *
[Maintenance in one hour for game update. Estimated time: 2 hours.]
[Please log out in a safe location.]
Indifferent to my turmoil, the system popped the alert. My fire was already dimming—now ice water.
‘Argh, screwed. Log out, grab lunch, regroup.’
Onscreen, Darius fielded interview questions amid hyped announcers. Close-ups of the gleaming sword drew endless gasps.
That’s when faint footsteps echoed from the hall. The door to my room creaked open. In came archers and mages; I dove behind the sofa, stealthed.
Perception!
They scanned with the common skill right away, but I’d hit their blind spot by the door—no detection.
“Empty as expected. Grab spots by the window.”
“One more time: we might be visible outside. Heads down, everyone!”
Whispering precautions, they advanced to my window.
‘Weird? Ceremony’s ending soon... What’re they up to?’
I stayed hidden post-positioning till Perception likely expired, then slipped out.
Tat-tat-tat!
Hugging the hall wall, I peeked—dozens streamed up the stairs, dispersing orderly into third-floor rooms. Oddly, only plaza-facing windows.
‘Wait—they’re all Taesung rivals? Entrance was controlled... How?’
Phoenix, Gojoseon, Atlantis, Incheon Alliance—ten-plus guild marks dotted IDs. Confirming that, I bolted to the fourth floor, stealth risking breach.
‘How’d so many hostiles infiltrate? Main gate guarded by Taesung subs. Unless... Yeon Woo’s “fun stuff” warning?’
Putting it together: betrayal within Taesung. Their goal? Obvious.
‘Soon, here... Darius’s assassination?!’