Achievement Rewards and Total Command
[Achievement Points Stage 2]
As expected...!
Raising Strength boosts attack power by 3, plus attack and movement speed. On top of that, summons get a 0.3 boost to their Strength stat. At 15 points each, it was more than worth it.
No, it was a steal.
He couldn't help but grin.
Purchase Strength Potions (5)?
[Yes/No]
Buying five cost 75 points.
90 left.
Three each of Agility and Vitality Potions used up the rest exactly.
He downed them all right away.
After exiting the space, he bid farewell to the high priest and left the temple.
Illusion TV on.
He turned the broadcast back on.
And carefully monitored the chat.
Fortunately, no backlash.
They just thought he'd stepped away.
Seemed usable occasionally.
Mu-hyuk turned off the screen and stopped by a general store. Sold off his junk loot and picked up a few potentially useful items.
"Thank you!"
Next, the restaurant.
"Welcome."
"Uh, yeah."
"Looking for something specific?"
"I'll browse."
Politely declining, he slowly scanned the interior.
This, and this.
Inventory halts time anyway, so he bought meat in bulk. Even spices to enhance flavors.
It was all virtual—no need to worry about health.
Tasty was king.
"I'll take these."
"Got it!"
The clerk packed the food. He added the spices to inventory and left.
With nothing else pressing, Mu-hyuk pondered, then checked a few mid-tier equipped items—ones safe to show.
Pretending to prep, sort of.
A little fan service.
Nothing more to do, so he logged out.
Tomorrow.
Out of the capsule, he rolled around bed but sleep wouldn't come. He headed to the living room.
Plopped down next to Kang Ji-yeon watching drama.
"Fun?"
"Yeah. What's up, no Illusion?"
"Episode—you know?"
"Duh. Whole world's buzzing."
"Gotta prep to join. Hunting time's tight."
"Ah."
"You joining, sis?"
"Obviously."
"Prepped?"
"Prep? Lowbie here—no need."
"Right."
"Yup. Quiet now."
He shut up.
Watched the drama intently, but it wasn't that great.
"This fun?"
"Men don't get women's subtle feels."
"Feels, huh."
"Piss off, idiot."
"Whoa, messing up big time?"
"Mess? Piss off!"
"I'm the total user commander for the episode..."
"Shut up and piss off!"
Kang Ji-yeon started kicking.
Mu-hyuk reluctantly got up and retreated.
"Don't regret this."
"Nah."
"For real!"
No reply now.
Just laughing at the drama.
Back to his room.
Thud.
Lying on the bed, he pondered seriously.
What spot would be the worst for her?
The absolute shittiest position to give Kang Ji-yeon.
After Mu-hyuk left Illusion TV...
Funny thing: even those saying they were off to bed didn't actually close the stream.
Left it running.
Time passed, morning came.
At that moment, the black screen rippled.
The familiar scenery filled his view.
The audience was spot on.
Ugh...!
Too many users—Mu-hyuk spawned wedged in the crowd. Spotting a suitable building nearby.
Whoosh.
Kicked off hard and leaped up.
"Whoa..."
"He climbed that?"
"Skill probably."
"Oh, yeah."
"Idiot, it's Mu-hyuk!"
"Mu-hyuk?"
"That gangster necromancer?"
"Gasp. Top ranker...!"
"Whoa, gear looks badass."
"I recognized him instantly."
Ignoring the stares and chatter, he confirmed the path to the palace.
That way's clear.
No users around the palace. More precisely, soldiers were blocking them.
Badge should work.
Shelving the thought, he leaped across another building.
Landed farther ahead.
Someone nearby gasped.
"That user's screwed."
"Why?"
"Soldiers guarding, but he just waltzed in."
"So? Big deal?"
"Huge."
"They gonna kill him?"
"You missed it."
"What?"
"Some user went in earlier, soldier told him to leave, he resisted."
"And?"
"Boom. Dead."
"For real?"
"Yup."
As eyes locked on Mu-hyuk, soldiers moved.
"Halt!"
Five soldiers approaching, spears ready.
"Whoa, intense."
"You beat soldiers?"
"Dunno."
"You lose?"
"Gotta fight to know. Used to lose 100%, but I'm 130 now. Knights yeah, but soldiers? Maybe. Five though? Dead."
"Fair. But that guy's ranker."
"Top ranker still dies. Bet."
"Me too."
"Dumbass, no bet then."
The soldier stopped before Mu-hyuk.
"This is a controlled area. Leave now."
Under the pressure, Mu-hyuk pulled out his badge.
The soldier's eyes widened in recognition.
"Here to see Duke Amur."
"D-Duke Amur?"
Even more shock at the name.
A rear soldier rushed up.
"Ah, Mu-hyuk!"
"Meet again."
The usual escort to Amur.
"You know him?"
"Yes, close to the Duke. Clear the way."
"Yes, sir!"
They advanced together.
Onlookers gawked.
"What?"
"Why so polite?"
"Whoa, epic."
"Jealous!"
"Mu-hyuk, take me too!"
Shouts pierced his ears.
Amid them, a familiar voice and title.
"Wait."
"Yes?"
"Two allies—mind if we bring 'em?"
"Those two from before."
"Yes."
"Of course."
Grinning, he scanned left and right.
"Here! Here!"
"Oppa!"
Sung Min-woo and Yerin, buried in the crowd.
"Hold up!"
"Make way...!"
They shoved through.
"Whew, throat hurts."
"Same."
"Didn't expect this crowd."
"Massive. Thought you guys wouldn't hear me."
"Heard fine."
"Oppa, we can come?"
"Yeah, cleared."
"Phew, saved. So suffocating."
The watching soldier approached cautiously.
"To the palace then?"
"Yes."
Under envious gazes, they entered.
"Finally breathing."
"Our oppas best!"
Mu-hyuk patted Yerin’s hugging head.
"Where's the Duke?"
"Preparing to march. This way."
"Thanks."
Following to the central training ground.
Even before arriving, he sensed the destination.
Far off, overwhelming aura prickling his skin.
"There."
"You feel it?"
"Of course."
Closing in, the pressure intensified.
Intense.
Soon, the training ground filled with elites entered view.
On the platform: Duke Amur and nobles. Below: knights and combat NPCs in formation.
Archers, mages, priests too.
True elite force.
"...We will eradicate them utterly!"
Duke Amur's voice.
Roooar!
Cheers followed.
Amur descending the platform as they approached slowly.
"Ah, you."
Good—he greeted first.
"Yes. Came in instead of waiting outside."
"Good. Total commander belongs with me."
Amur eyed Sung Min-woo and Yerin.
"You two as well."
"Pleasure."
"Hi!"
"Hoho, bright bunch. Let's go."
Amur moved; all followed.
Nobles, mages, priests behind him; then knights; archers last.
Leading them felt burdensome.
"I'll follow from rear."
"Fine."
Amur nodded understandingly. Mu-hyuk waited, took rear position.
"Pressure's no joke."
"Heard kingdoms and empires sending too..."
All gathered?
Chills just thinking.
"What was that earlier?"
"Huh?"
"Leading outsiders."
"Ah, I'm total user commander."
"No way?"
"Yup."
Sung Min-woo grinned slyly.
"Sweet gig."
"Depends on performance."
"Why!"
"Oppa, me?"
"Yerin's always by me."
"Hehe, best!"
"Whoa, love over bro?"
"Kidding, man."
Chatting away, they reached the gate.
It opened.
Revealed before countless waiting users.
Innumerable they would move under Mu-hyuk's command.