The Commander's Authority
Soldiers had set up a boundary line.
Duke Amur halted his steps within it.
The castle gates closed.
Thud.
A mage from the rear began chanting a spell. Moments later, Duke Amur scanned his surroundings and spoke, his voice booming to fill the entire space.
It wasn't just loud—it carried precisely far, very far. Thanks to the amplification magic the mage had cast.
"I thank you all for answering this call. The black mage is an evil that must be eradicated. To those who lend their strength to this cause, I promise fitting rewards once the matter is resolved."
The word "rewards" drew a reaction from the users.
"Wooooh!"
"Rewards? Hell yeah!"
Duke Amur raised his hand.
Silence fell in an instant.
"However, precise division of roles is essential, so you must obey the chief commander's orders. Allow me to introduce him now—the total commander responsible for you outsiders."
Duke Amur looked at Mu-hyuk.
He had no choice but to step forward.
"Ahem…"
Clearing his throat to shake off the awkwardness, he raised a hand to adjust his helmet. At least his face was hidden, sparing him further hesitation.
The users buzzed.
"Mu-hyuk?"
"Gangster Necromancer, right?"
"He's the total commander?"
"But he's just another user?"
"Makes sense, though."
"Why?"
"He's the one who triggered this episode."
"No way? That's huge."
They recognized him just from his items. Impressive.
Had he become that famous?
Thinking back, he'd come this far through a path no ordinary user could imagine.
It was possible only because of his prior knowledge, but in the end, Mu-hyuk had risen to this position.
He would draw both envy and admiration from the masses.
Knowing that, he paid it no mind. He'd always focused straight ahead on growth, and that wouldn't change.
"Any directives will come through this total commander."
"Given the gravity of this matter, I will show no mercy to any who disrupt the mood. Please follow orders faithfully so as not to hinder the black mage's subjugation."
In that moment, a hologram appeared before every gathered user.
Sub Quest: Total Commander's Authority
📍 Objective: Guide the users as total commander to keep them in line. Maintain your authority until the black mage is dealt with for a special reward.
Total Commander's Authority.
That was the quest Mu-hyuk received.
Sub Quest: Black Mage Subjugation
📍 Objective: Follow the total commander's orders and achieve feats for a special reward.
Black Mage Subjugation.
That was the quest for all the other users.
"We'll settle the details after joining the others."
Duke Amur glanced at the knight order.
"Let's move out."
"Yes, sir!"
The knights stomped in unison.
Thud.
They marched off with perfect discipline, and the users, snapping to attention, followed with cheers.
No doubt captivated by the promise of special rewards and the knights' overwhelming presence.
*
Mu-hyuk, ranked third in subscriber count.
Nearly 98,000 viewers had tuned into Illusion TV, sharing the journey of Episode 1 as it kicked off.
While they killed time in chat, the group departing Hemil Empire had reached a vast plain stretching endlessly before them.
Crossing it would lead to their destination, the Alpono Mountains. It would take hours, but the thrill of facing a powerful foe kept boredom at bay.
"Man, this is tense."
"Still?"
"Yeah! I wanna fight already!"
Mu-hyuk shook his head at Sung Min-woo's words.
"We're still far off."
"Still…!"
Sung Min-woo kept clenching and unclenching his fists.
"And they'll give special rewards if you just follow orders."
Truth be told, Mu-hyuk liked that too.
It bolstered his authority.
"Hey, oppa. Over there."
"Hm?"
Ye-rin pointed.
Looking where she indicated, he spotted the group waiting. Elites from various kingdoms and empires, arrayed together. Their mere presence was intimidating.
As the distance closed, their piercing gazes pressed down like a physical weight.
"Their charisma is no joke."
"Kinda scary."
"I'd get wrecked fighting those NPCs."
"Heh, same."
"But damn, they look cool."
"Gotta be the knight order vibe. And those items… insane."
"Jealous."
Overheard from nearby users.
Charisma? Pressure?
Of course.
This was Episode 1.
The black mage Zikera was no pushover. They were gathering like this, but victory wasn't guaranteed.
Duke Amur knew that too.
Yet they pressed on for one reason.
Zikera was still in preparation. Striking now would spare villages and cities from devastation.
"Everyone, hold position!"
A shout from the knight order.
They'd closed the gap sufficiently.
Duke Amur stepped forward to confer with their representatives, but it was too far to hear—and knights blocked the view.
About five minutes later, he returned and called for Mu-hyuk.
"A bit further is the destination."
"Understood."
"Now, have the outsiders under your command form a wide encirclement around the Alpono Mountains. Then advance to flush out his hiding spot."
"Got it."
"As you know, the main force is from the kingdoms and empires. So when battle begins, don't charge ahead—block any escapees from the rear."
"The rear?"
"Don't underestimate it. The black mage… he's truly powerful."
He knew without being told.
The upper regions of Alpono Mountains, their destination. Most monsters there were already under Zikera's influence.
Meaning hordes of darkness-empowered monsters—and chimeras too.
Just holding the rear would demand full effort.
"No complacency."
"Good. I entrust the details to you—show your full potential. Ask him if you're unsure."
A young man in robes.
"Understood."
"Go on, then."
"Yes."
On the way back, Mu-hyuk asked.
"Mage?"
"Right."
"Can you do amplification magic?"
"Want me to?"
"Please."
Light from the man's hand enveloped Mu-hyuk.
Amplification effect applied.
Even a whisper would now boom.
"Everyone, focus up."
All eyes turned to Mu-hyuk.
"We're dividing into squads now. Ten squads, each with 5,000 members excluding the squad leader."
As he spoke, he gestured.
No one above 160, naturally.
Mu-hyuk checked details on the 11 at Lv150~160.
Six at 150.
One at 151.
Two at 152.
Sung Min-woo and Ye-rin at 154.
Total 11.
Pick 10.
"Squad leaders first."
He looked at Sung Min-woo.
"Squad 1 leader: IronFist."
"Y-yeah!"
He grinned, clearly expecting it. Ye-rin, beside him, stuck close to Mu-hyuk and whispered.
"I'll stay by you, oppa."
"Sure."
Smiling, he announced Squad 2.
"Casium."
"Ah, yes!"
"Squad 2's yours."
"Got it!"
A Lv152 archer-type user.
"Squad 3: Bellosia."
A female mage user.
"Squad 4…"
And so on, up to Squad 10.
All Lv150+ rankers.
Some recognized them.
"Casium's a ranker, right?"
"Yeah, Bellosia too."
"IronFist's higher ranked, though."
"All squad leaders are rankers?"
"How'd he pick 'em so fast?"
"System, probably."
"Oh, right?"
Mu-hyuk's voice overlaid.
"That leaves 455 after 5,000 per squad. They'll form a separate detachment first. The detachment scouts ahead while others rest, checking dangers. It'll be tougher and more annoying than regular squads."
Users frowned.
"Don't pick me."
"Seriously."
"If I get picked, I'm logging out."
"Crazy. Heh."
A mischievous glint in Mu-hyuk's eye.
"Detachment leader: WhiteEye."
"…"
"WhiteEye, respond."
Still silent.
"Who?"
"Why no answer?"
Mu-hyuk again.
"WhiteEye, respond."
"Y-yes…"
A weak voice finally.
Character name: WhiteEye.
His real older sister, Kang Ji-yeon.