Hundred Man Commander of the Subjugation Force
“Ho ho, it was you.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“So, you're joining the subjugation force?”
“Yes.”
“You seem much stronger than before, which puts my mind at ease. I was just about to ask you for a favor related to the subjugation zone.”
“The subjugation zone?”
“That's right. Would you hear me out?”
If the quest was tied to the subjugation zone, there was no harm in taking it.
“Of course.”
“Good. Truth be told, I had a friend I traveled with in my younger days.”
His story continued.
A companion he'd journeyed with.
The man had a strong sense of justice and always helped the weak. Though he possessed great power, he never oppressed the vulnerable and always stood by their side, lending his strength.
He'd seemed like someone who would roam the continent forever with that smile on his face, but he'd died. And the place where it happened was this subjugation zone.
“He wasn't the type to die so pointlessly. There must be something more to it. Find anything suspicious, no matter how small.”
“I'll do my best.”
“Thank you.”
Traces to Find
📍 Location: Search for anything suspicious in the unexplored zone of Meshuran.
🎁 Reward: ?
⚠️ Failure Penalty: Favor with Krakshu decreases.
It was a vague quest, but that didn't matter.
There was no major penalty for failure.
Finding something would be great, but if not, there was no need to obsess over it.
“See you later, then.”
“Yes.”
He headed toward Sung Min-woo, who was waiting in line.
“Quest?”
“Got it.”
He tried sharing the previous quest with Sung Min-woo, but it wouldn't share, so he gave a brief explanation. Sung Min-woo's brow furrowed as he listened.
“That's too vague. No hints or anything.”
“Yeah.”
“Tch, good luck with that.”
It was finally their turn.
“Mercenary tags, please.”
The staff scanned the tags from Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo with a machine.
They must have checked the resulting information.
“Hmm.”
The staff let out a sigh of admiration.
“You two cleared it.”
“Yes.”
“Good work. Here's your confirmation certificate. Do not lose it.”
“Of course.”
He replied as he received the certificate.
Special Quest 'Unexplored Subjugation Force Participation' has been activated.
You have satisfied the special achievement conditions.
Mu-hyuk smiled at the floating message and stowed the certificate in his inventory.
*
The Illusion chat room was lively as ever today.
Their curiosity was resolved two days later at 6 p.m.
Kairon Baekjak personally visited the mercenary guild and called only 22 out of thousands of users forward.
“Those who exceeded the special criteria will be granted ranks.”
He called them one by one, announcing their positions.
“I appoint you as Ten Man Commander.”
“Th-thank you!”
“I appoint you as Ten Man Commander.”
“Thank you!”
Twenty users were appointed as Ten Man Commanders.
The remaining two were Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo.
“I appoint you as Hundred Man Commander.”
“Ah, thank you!”
Sung Min-woo replied and stepped back.
Only Mu-hyuk remained last.
“It's been a while.”
“Yes, Count.”
“I had a feeling I'd see you again, and my hunch was right.”
Kairon Baekjak smiled.
“Anyway, good work. I appoint you as Hundred Man Commander as well.”
You have acquired the reward for the special achievement.
You have been promoted to Hundred Man Commander.
There was no time to savor the words as murmurs rose from behind, furrowing his brow.
“They know each other?”
“Whoa, he knows the Count?”
“How the hell?”
Then the mercenary guild master stepped forward and stomped his foot.
Thud.
The sound silenced everyone.
Kairon Baekjak followed.
“This subjugation is a critical matter. Though I won't participate directly, I'm sending men as dear to me as my own limbs. I've instructed that those who earn merits receive solid rewards, so everyone give it your all.”
He stepped back.
Step.
A heavily armored knight stepped forward.
“I'm Vice Captain Kirk. I'll divide the personnel now. All Ten Man Commanders, step forward.”
The twenty Ten Man Commanders took position.
Kirk then pointed out users, having them line up in front of them.
“The ten in front are yours to lead, Ten Man Commander.”
“Ah, yes!”
“Next, Hundred Man Commanders, step forward.”
Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo took position.
Ten Man Commanders lined up in front of each, ten per group.
“Ten Man Commanders will follow the Hundred Man Commander's orders.”
“Yes.”
“I'll give direct orders to the Hundred Man Commanders.”
“Understood.”
The 'Contribution System' has been activated.
He immediately checked the system.
Acquires an additional 0.5% of subordinates' contribution.
'Current Contribution' rose when Mu-hyuk earned it himself, while 'Additional Contribution' rose from his subordinates' efforts.
Even at just 0.5%, with a hundred under him, it couldn't be ignored.
“I'll lead the rest personally.”
As the situation settled.
Thud.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled.
Thud, thump.
From afar, a group approached in formation. They were the 50 official knights guarding the subjugation and 1,000 apprentice knights thrown in for experience.
The 50 mounted official knights alone were a sight to behold. The orderly ranks of armed apprentices following behind were equally impressive.
“Halt!”
The knight captain at the front shouted.
They all stopped abruptly.
The knight captain approached, and Kirk went forward, kneeling sharply before him.
“You've arrived.”
“Yes. Preparations?”
“Complete.”
“Good.”
Knight Captain Muke turned.
“I'm Muke, in charge of this force. Remember one thing, all of you here: Subjugation is the goal, but prioritize your lives. That goes for apprentices too. Use this subjugation as fertilizer for growth. No deaths allowed. Any territory claimed in unexplored lands along the way would be a tremendous achievement. Orders will come through Kirk. Understood?”
His gaze overwhelmed the users and apprentices alike.
“I ask again. Understood?!”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
The apprentices' voices boomed.
*
Knight Captain Muke divided the users.
Half to the front with apprentices, half to the rear. Even separating the Hundred Man Commanders, Sung Min-woo and Mu-hyuk, was unavoidable.
“Move out!”
Finally, the subjugation force marched.
The massive group passed through Weibra Empire's south gate.
Downward, ever downward.
“Hmm.”
Except for official knights, everyone moved on foot, so progress was slow.
Did he have to keep walking too?
Mu-hyuk pondered, then approached Kirk.
“Vice Captain.”
“Hm? Ah, the Hundred Man Commander.”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“I have a special skill. May I use it freely?”
“Special skill?”
“Yes.”
He didn't mention summoning a horse.
Even apprentices weren't mounted; a Hundred Man Commander riding might draw ire.
So he phrased it cleverly, planning to show what it was once permitted.
A knight wouldn't easily retract his word.
“You seem acquainted with Count Kairon, so as long as it doesn't cause harm, permitted.”
“Thank you.”
Mu-hyuk smiled and immediately summoned the Skeleton Warhorse.
He mounted it.
Kirk's eyes widened slightly.
“Ho, you can summon?”
“Yes.”
“A bone horse. Impressive ability.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, as Hundred Man Commander, it's fine. You have two—why not lend one to the other Hundred Man Commander up front?”
“I'll do that.”
He rode forward briefly, aligning with Sung Min-woo.
“Whoa, what's this?”
“Hop on.”
“Huh? Everyone's walking.”
“Official knights are riding.”
“Yeah, but they're official...”
“Got permission, so it's fine.”
“For real?”
“Yeah.”
“Sweet, thanks man!”
Sung Min-woo mounted, they chatted briefly, then Mu-hyuk returned to the rear, not wanting to be away too long.
Users' piercing stares followed, but he ignored them. As Hundred Man Commander, attention was inevitable.
Clop, clop.
A user approached Mu-hyuk at the rear.
Ten Man Commander Han Jumeok.
“Mu-hyuk-ssi?”
“Yes?”
“Necromancer?”
“Yeah.”
“Whoa, a bone horse. First time seeing one.”
“Is that so.”
He gave an awkward smile.
“What's your level?”
“Not that high.”
“C'mon, how else'd you make Hundred Man Commander?”
“Haha...”
Mu-hyuk's face showed annoyance, but Han Jumeok wouldn't leave.
Chatter, chatter.
Nonstop yapping.
“So...”
“Yeah.”
“And then...”
“Yeah.”
He half-listened, letting it flow out the other ear, for about 30 minutes.
“Everyone, halt!”
Muke shouted then.
“Halt!”
Apprentices echoed, stopping in place.
“We're crossing the Ayak Mountains now. Switch to combat formation! Kill any monsters on sight.”
Subjugation Force Participation Quest has been activated.
Cross the Ayak Mountains.
Contribution rises when killing monsters or assisting kills.
It was finally here.
An environment to stack contribution.
Step.
The silent advance continued.
Tension hung in the air.
Grrr, grrr.
Soon, monsters ruling the Ayak Mountains appeared.
“Monsters!”
“Haaap!”
Users charged.
Swipe.
Mu-hyuk nocked an arrow from horseback.
Aimed at an approaching monster.
Storm.
Powerful Arrow Shot.
He released at the beast.
Bang!
The arrow struck between its eyes.
Lucky!
Critical hit.
Contribution (+0.7) rises.
Contribution (+1.4) rises.
Contribution seemed to rise 0.1 per 100 damage.
Hmm, rises pretty slowly.
As he thought, messages flooded nonstop.
Additional Contribution (+0.0025) rises.
Additional Contribution (+0.003) rises.
Additional Contribution (+0.0035) rises.
Out of curiosity, Mu-hyuk checked his contribution status.
Acquires an additional 0.5% of subordinates' contribution.
It was truly minuscule.
But additional contribution kept rising. Once it started stacking, it became impossible to ignore.
“Whoa...”
It had already hit 1 point.
1.1, 1.2, 1.3...
Mu-hyuk smiled and looked up again. Monsters had increased slightly, but apprentices hadn't moved. They saw no need.
In that case.
Mu-hyuk decided to milk this spot for maximum contribution.
First, he summoned skeletons.
“Skeleton Archer Summon.”
“Skeleton Mage Summon.”
“Skeleton Warrior Summon.”
Sixteen warriors roamed the flanks, eight archers loosed bone arrows in all directions, and five mages bombarded distant monsters with spells.
Contribution (+0.2) rises.
Contribution (+0.4) rises.
Contribution (+0.1) rises.
Too many messages; it felt good but broke focus.
Mu-hyuk opened the system, blocked messages, and once the small text vanished from his view, he could fully concentrate on battle.
Storm. Powerful Arrow Shot.
A wind-infused arrow cleaved the air.