Dark Enters the Fray
As the door closed, the atmosphere shifted.
Valsian began scanning Kalion with a piercing gaze.
"You got here pretty quick."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Kalion bowed his head.
Thump, thump.
Even though Mu-hyuk had brought him here and they'd coordinated their story in advance, the tension was unavoidable. What if Mu-hyuk changed his tune? Not only would he die on the spot, but he'd lose his class too.
Please.
Praying silently was all he could do while he waited.
"Fine, whatever. Spit it out. What's the deal? Did you advertise it or something?"
"N-No, I didn't advertise it."
"Oh? Then it must be...!"
The moment Valsian raised his hand, Mu-hyuk cut in.
"But I did tip him off, yeah."
"Huh? What're you talking about?"
"We got friendly hunting monsters together with this guy here before."
"Ho ho?"
"We chatted about this and that, and my class came up. I didn't tell him how to get it, though. Turns out, one of the guys he taught spilled the method everywhere like an idiot. That's why people are flocking here now."
At that, Kalion lifted his head.
"Y-Yes, that's right. I only learned how to get here because of this mess, and when they asked if I knew about Gangster Necromancer, I'd heard of it once before, so I said yes."
Valsian pondered, eyes on Mu-hyuk.
"You sure about this?"
"Yep."
"Hmph. If my prized disciple says so, I'll buy it."
Only then did Kalion relax.
"Th-Thank you!"
"Tch. My mistake anyway—take this."
It was a small box. Kalion took it without even checking, just bowing repeatedly.
"Sheesh, what a waste of energy."
"Still, good to see your face."
"Hmph, whatever. Things got pretty rowdy this time."
"Rowdy how...?"
"Heard they're holding some tournament."
"Oh, right."
"You entering?"
"Yeah, kinda got roped into it."
Valsian's expression turned odd.
"Oh yeah? You're in, huh?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Nah, nothing. Just win the damn thing."
"Got it."
"Now scram."
"Yes, sir."
Mu-hyuk smiled and replied, then left the room with Kalion. As they headed out to meet Sung Min-woo and return to Vir Kingdom, Kalion blocked their path.
"Th-Thank you so much."
"Ah, sure."
"C-Can I... add you as a friend?"
"Go ahead."
They shook hands.
User 'Kalion' has been added as a friend.
Kalion thanked him once more and hurried off.
"Tch, didn't even give us anything."
"Whatever."
"Just saying. Anyway, heading to Vir Kingdom?"
"Yeah, let's check the bracket."
"Roger!"
They warped to Vir Kingdom together.
Mu-hyuk stared quietly at the bracket in the square when murmurs suddenly spread through the crowd. It was enough to make even disinterested Mu-hyuk turn his head.
"What's going on?"
The noise died down, and conversations became clear.
"Hey, hey, that one!"
"What?"
"Look over there, idiot! Group F, slot 127!"
"Group F, 127?"
"Yeah!"
Mu-hyuk followed their gaze.
What was the big deal?
The name there hit him like a brick.
Nickname: Dark.
The rank 1 player had appeared.
Ho ho?
Mu-hyuk was genuinely surprised. He'd figured the new rewards would draw top players, but rank 1 showing up already?
This'll stir things up for sure.
More high-rankers would flock faster now.
*
The Strongest Tournament had been buzzing with hype but dismissed as "all hype, no substance—no real pros" until today.
Posts popped up fast, but the Illusion homepage chat exploded.
Dark's news spread, pulling in more top rankers and drawing out hidden experts.
"Ho ho, those guys?"
"Curious, right?"
"Eh, rewards got better, sure. Saw this item in a noble warehouse once—loved it, but not enough contribution points."
"Bet they'd hand it over if you asked."
"Exactly. And there might be even better stuff."
"Need intel too, huh?"
"Let's scout."
"So?"
"We're entering."
Players lurking in the shadows began emerging one by one.
*
Today was the last day of registration.
All the waiting or watching players flooded into Vir Kingdom.
The line stretched from the square far back, but it shrank quickly.
Each time, the bracket updated. Mu-hyuk eyed new names, mentally simulating tomorrow's fights.
Of course, true pros were grinding quests or hunts for every last EXP bit.
Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo were no different.
"We'll squeeze out at least one level today, right?"
"Obviously."
"Hell yeah! Top ranks looking more likely!"
They charged the monster horde ahead.
"Haaap!"
One difference: no summons assisting Sung Min-woo.
They'd fought with summons countless times. Now, prepping for tomorrow's solo tournament battles.
Sure, summons allowed in the tourney, but you'd stand alone at the end—had to sharpen that edge.
"Hup!"
No summons made it brutal.
Storm Blade, Powerful Arrow Shot.
No breaks, naturally.
Wind Step.
Endless movement to avoid encirclement. Hesitate a split-second, and attacks chipped HP.
Boom!
He blocked with his shield this time, but Mu-hyuk's face soured.
Tough without summons.
Sung Min-woo struggled too.
Still, push a bit more.
He closed in again.
Staring down claws at point-blank, he ducked low. Twisted, swept the ground with one leg for a sharp pivot. Flashed behind, sword slashing.
Storm Blade, Cross Slash.
The tail whipped his side simultaneously. Overthought the dodge? He kicked off, leaping airborne.
Ah, crap.
Couldn't evade the next now.
Better to tank it.
Another lesson learned.
Problem: in that instant, three monsters surrounded him.
Block with shield?
Still dead.
"Skeleton Warrior Summon."
No choice—called them out.
Kirrik, kiririk?
Armor Knights tanked the hits.
"Whoa, what?!"
"Thought I was gonna die."
"Hoo, too rough. Let's just clear 'em!"
Sung Min-woo summoned his spirits.
Monsters wiped in seconds.
"Whoa, what a difference."
"Duh."
"How's it feel?"
"Learned one thing."
"Nice. Back at it?"
Mu-hyuk nodded.
The next day.
Vir Kingdom's north gate swung open.
First time in Illusion history the castle interior opened freely.
No qualifications needed—for entrants, press, or spectators.
The castle was vast enough to hold them all.
Several times bigger than the outer city where players roamed freely.
"Whoa, inside the castle?"
"Where nobles and the king hang?"
"First time, dude."
"Kugh, so grand."
"How's it bigger inside than out?"
"Noble perks."
"Ugh, rigged. Want a title too."
"You'll get one someday."
Players chatted with friends, exploring the castle.
"So majestic."
"Kugh!"
Guards everywhere blocked forbidden zones. No funny business.
Still, crowds bred chaos.
Sure enough, commotion brewed somewhere. Curious folks rushed over—including Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo.
"What's the fuss?"
Pushing through, two groups faced off: three vs. five. Tensions high, glares lethal.
"Bump into someone, you apologize!"
"Ha, bullshit—you stepped on my foot first!"
"Fuck off."
"Fuck off? You say that?!"
"Yeah. What're you gonna do?"
"This prick...!"
The groups closed in. Sung Min-woo mixed excitement and worry.
"Fight incoming?"
"Should be fun."
"No intervening?"
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened at the question.
"Why stop 'em?"
"Uh, just...?"
"They'll handle it."
"True, adults here."
Fireworks and fights—prime spectacles.
Mu-hyuk crossed arms, watching intently. Tension peaked fast; weapons drawn.
"Fuck it, kill 'em!"
"You bastard!"
3v5 kicked off.
Nonstop skills from the start.
Five overwhelmed with numbers; three countered with combos.
"Fighting better than expected."
They watched from a safe distance, intrigued.
"Ho ho."
"Whoa, nice! Keep going!"
Others cheered wildly.
"Everyone, freeze!"
Guards appeared, killing the vibe.
The eight fighters, lost in rage, kept swinging.
A guard slammed his spear butt on the ground.
Kuuuung.
Vibrations rippled out.
Your body is temporarily paralyzed.
Players gawked in disbelief.
Then it was over quick.
All eight bound and dragged to jail.
"That fucker started it!"
"Lies!"
Utterly anticlimactic.
But one thing clear: guards were no joke.
No more disturbances after that.