The False Village
Fight after fight, they pressed on.
Exhaustion crept in bit by bit, but visions of rewards kept them enduring.
About two weeks later.
"O-over there!"
Someone pointed and shouted. Those on the left and right turned, wondering what was up.
Their reactions drew the eyes of nearby users, curiosity pulling more gazes toward the spot.
The phenomenon spread gradually until everyone was staring in the same direction.
"A village...?"
The word lodged in their ears.
It really looked like one.
Armed figures stood at what seemed to be the entrance.
The distance made it hard to be sure.
"It's a village, right?"
"Looks like it."
Excitement rippled through the group.
If it truly was a village, this was a massive opportunity—the first discovery of civilization in the uncharted zone.
Whatever rewards came later, they wouldn't feel excessive.
Thump, thump.
Hearts pounded involuntarily.
Everyone but one.
Mu-hyuk alone tilted his head.
Something was off.
This didn't match the subjugation force's path from his memories. No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't recall discovering a village. It wasn't certain, but that meant they needed to check.
Step.
He approached Vice Captain Kirk.
"Vice Captain."
"Oh, Thousand-Man Commander. What is it?"
"About that village we spotted."
"Ah, yes. Incredible, isn't it? The moment our efforts bear fruit is right around the corner."
His excitement bled into his voice.
This wasn't ideal.
Pouring cold water on the hype didn't sit well.
"It's not that..."
"Not that?"
"We should verify if it's really a village."
"Verify?"
"Just in case. If it's a humanoid monster tribe, we could get surrounded the moment we approach."
Kirk pondered briefly.
"Right, you're correct."
The flush of excitement had long faded from his face.
"Better to dispel even a shred of doubt. But how?"
"Send my summons first."
"I see. Summons don't truly die even if destroyed."
Kirk nodded.
"I'll inform the Captain."
"Thank you."
"No need. If it turns out to be a humanoid monster tribe, I should be thanking you."
Kirk headed to the Captain, and Mu-hyuk immediately summoned skeleton warriors. Moments later, Mook bellowed.
"We'll take a 5-minute break here!"
Users and knights halted. They buzzed with excited chatter and expressions, eyes on the village.
Mu-hyuk let their talk wash over him as he sent his enhanced bone and bone sword skeletons forward.
All units, advance.
He focused on the view from Secure Field of Vision.
Hmm, real people?
The entrance guards stood on two legs, helmets and armor gleaming, spears in hand. They looked human, but Mu-hyuk wanted certainty.
All units, charge.
Kirrik, kiririk.
The enhanced bone and bone sword sped up.
Distance closed.
The blurry face visible through the helmet sharpened—and then.
--------!
Magic flew from somewhere, engulfing the skeleton warriors.
Kwagwagwang!
You are the first to discover the Papang Tribe Settlement.
You have acquired the title Explorer.
All experience gain (+50%) and item drop rate (+50%) increased.
Contribution (+10,000) increased.
Weibra Empire Contribution (+100) increased.
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened.
Ah, damn.
He'd snagged the first-discovery buffs all to himself.
Unintended.
*
Papang tribe monsters, level 80+, were infamous for bipedal locomotion and proper weapon use like humans.
But they were monsters: horns on heads, red eyes, aggressive toward any in range.
They chattered in orc-like sounds incomprehensible to humans.
"Hmm, Papang tribe..."
"I was surprised too."
"A monster settlement after all. Truly grateful."
"No problem."
"Nonsense, you did us a huge favor. Without you, many here might have died."
Mu-hyuk felt uneasy.
Title, EXP, item buffs.
Contribution and empire rep too.
All his alone. He wouldn't spill, though—NPCs wouldn't care, but users might turn hostile.
"Good work."
"Ah, yes."
He'd keep it secret.
Resolved, he returned to position as if nothing happened. Uneasy, but curiosity won.
He checked the title discreetly.
◈ Movement speed +5%
◈ Reaction speed +1%
Solid options. Satisfied, but then the Captain stepped forward.
"Listen up! We've confirmed it's not a village—it's a Papang tribe settlement. Smarter than orcs, they have advanced architecture. Seizing and developing it will mark the starting point of the uncharted zone. The contribution won't be small, so give your all to conquer it! Form ranks and move out!"
Users took positions.
"Hah, not a village after all."
"Disappointing."
"Still, occupying it should boost contribution a lot."
"Better rewards too, right?"
Expectations rose, morale high.
"Move out!"
They advanced in unison.
Thud.
A heavy vibration rumbled.
*
The Papang were stronger than expected. Level 80+ baseline, black skin boosting destructive power like prior foes.
"Heal, heal me!"
"No, don't!"
Users dropped in droves.
"Hold the line!"
Combinations were tricky: mages, archers, warriors mixed seamlessly, each knowing their role.
Named monsters popping in mid-fight overwhelmed users.
Apprentice knights barely held even.
Bone Sword 5 has been reverse-summoned.
Bone Sword 6 has been reverse-summoned.
Bone swords melted away in seconds.
Enhanced Bone 1 has been reverse-summoned.
Even enhanced bones couldn't hold.
Enhanced Bone 2, all bone swords—retreat.
Strong bow, bone archers—rapid fire.
Storm. Powerful Arrow Shot.
Mu-hyuk loosed an arrow and fell back.
Too strong.
Time dragging would wipe most users. Fewer users meant harder fights ahead.
Worried, his gaze drifted to the formal knights. They bustled, prepping to sortie.
His eyes gleamed.
Finally.
Mu-hyuk targeted named monsters. Tough solo or with users, but knights changed everything.
Attacking their kills wasn't allowed—they grew stronger fighting monsters, treating it as training. Interfering bred resentment.
So...
He'd bait: attack first, lure knights in.
"Sortie!"
Formal knights moved.
That one.
He nocked at a presumed named Papang knight.
Krururuk!
Solid damage.
It raged, massacring nearby users.
Again.
Mu-hyuk drew.
Storm. Powerful Arrow Shot.
Damage piled on.
As much as possible.
He glanced back.
A bit more. Just a bit.
Named again. Critical hit. The slaughtering beast locked eyes on Mu-hyuk and charged.
Perfect.
Timing spot-on.
Flash.
Mu-hyuk turned and fled. Approaching formal knights saw him and the pursuer, drawing swords and shields.
Knight Captain Mook roared from the front.
"Battle ready!"
Distance narrowed.
Wind Step.
He dashed behind the formal knights.
Swish.
Drew there.
Mage magic attack.
Strong bow, bone archers—rapid fire.
Concentrated fire ordered, Mu-hyuk loosed too.
Right after.
"Attack!"
Formal knights clashed with the named.
Slash.
Mook's lead swing rent the named's skin effortlessly. Following knights bashed with shields, toppling it. Surrounders thrust swords.
Puk, puk.
Overwhelming. Speechless.
Whoa, as expected.
Mu-hyuk refocused attacks.
It died in moments.
Experience increased.
Named monster Naris defeated.
Materials dropped.
Measuring contribution.
Priority to NPC Mook.
One word flashed in Mu-hyuk's mind.
Damn.
That instant.
Flash.
Mook ignored the fallen Naris and charged the battlefield.
NPC Mook relinquishes priority.
Remeasuring contribution.
Priority to user Mu-hyuk.
The materials went to Mu-hyuk.
◈ Strength, Vitality
What luck.
*
Formal knights' entry flipped the battle.
Krururuk!
Papang pushed back relentlessly. They inched toward the settlement center.
Uninformed, one might mistake it for a human village—the architecture was eerily similar.
"Just a bit more!"
"Push!"
Mu-hyuk targeted only nameds amid chaos. Max damage, then lure knights. Secured plenty.
Good, keep it up.
Advancing further, a message appeared.
Traces to Find
He halted, checking content.
This...
Forgotten quest updated.
Traces to Find
📍 Uncharted zone, Meshuran — Find something suspicious.
Acquired Info:
1. Discovered Papang tribe. Architecture too human-like.
🎁 Reward: ?
Failure: Krakshu affinity decreases.
New info added.
Papang buildings mimicking humans suspiciously?
He scanned around.
Definitely odd. Smarter than orcs with advanced builds, but not this human-like.
Especially three buildings visible from here—uncannily similar.
Others were crude enough to pass as Papang, but these three? No.
Too human-made. He'd check after last named.
Moments later.
Last named down, he pulled back.
Quest changed here.
Three advanced buildings nearby.
One by one.
First, rightmost. Floors, walls, ceiling—nothing.
Next building. Small space, quick search.
Last one.
Hmm.
Started with floor.
Knock, press.
Kiiik.
Floor sank. Adjacent panels dropped, revealing hidden space.
Traces to Find
Acquired Info
1. Discovered Papang tribe. Architecture too human-like.
2. Found secret space in a building.
New entry confirmed suspicions.
Mu-hyuk squeezed into the hidden space.
Deep drop to land. Pitch black, nothing visible.
Expecting a mechanism, a few steps—and lights flared all around.
He reflexively shielded eyes. Adapted gradually, lowered hand, opened eyes forward.