Imperial Audience and Nobility
Bandal, who had been reveling in joy for quite some time, suddenly had a question pop into his head.
“But why’d you only leave one?”
“Guess he doesn’t need more.”
“Yeah, probably.”
Bandal blinked in surprise.
“An inquiry? Already?”
“Inquiry? From who?”
“Uh, from a user named Mu-hyuk...”
“What? Mu-hyuk?”
“Yeah, do you know him?”
Baekho clicked his tongue in disbelief.
“Crazy, you don’t know Mu-hyuk?”
“Well, I’ve just been holed up grinding...”
“Oh, right.”
“But who is he?”
“Top ranker! The first Gangster Necromancer! The guy who opened Episode 1! Winner of the strongest tournament! And that’s just scratching the surface—he’s a monster.”
Bandal’s pupils dilated massively.
“That big a deal?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would someone like that...”
“What’d he say?”
“Uh, he wants to keep buying runes from me.”
“No way, for real?”
“Yeah.”
“What’re you hesitating for? Just say yes!”
“You think? No weird motives?”
“Dude, what’s he gonna see in you?”
“True, but...”
“Sigh, so frustrating. Just send him your thoughts!”
Finally steeling himself, Bandal sent a reply.
Meanwhile.
Mu-hyuk waited for Bandal’s response.
Mu-hyuk smiled softly.
Perfect.
This sealed the deal.
Skeletons could equip up to three runes each. With over 120, that meant at least 360 runes.
It’d cost a fortune, but crafting took time, so the gold wouldn’t drain all at once.
Anyone else might struggle, but one crafter’s output? He could handle it easily.
More than enough.
Full runes would skyrocket his forces’ power.
But thinking of Episode 2, even that felt insufficient.
He should’ve formed a guild earlier for Episode 2, but Episode 1 hit too soon, and he forgot.
Need a solution.
Too late to start one now.
Join one?
A good guild meant benefits, sure.
But personalities clashed.
Needed more thought.
“Hmm.”
Shaking off distractions, he scanned the auction house again—no more gems.
Closing it, he traveled far before reaching a small village.
“Welcome.”
“To Hemil Empire.”
He used the warp gate there.
“Teleporting.”
Light enveloped him.
Flash.
When he opened his eyes, familiar buildings filled his view.
*
He assumed a private meeting with Duke Amur. Wrong.
“What?”
“His Majesty wants to see you himself.”
“Me?”
“Indeed. Word is you’ve earned great merit.”
Mu-hyuk tilted his head.
“Weren’t you captured?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard outworlders have their own ways of communicating.”
“Ah...!”
Apparently, users mentioned info via Mu-hyuk. Duke Amur and the emperor saw it as outworlder ability.
“Not so?”
“It is, but...”
“Then it’s settled.”
Duke Amur stood.
“Let’s go.”
“Ah, yes.”
They headed to the palace center—the safest, most imposing stronghold.
As it neared, needle-like pricks stabbed his body.
Hidden guards?
Tighter security than noble quarters.
The emperor’s domain.
Mu-hyuk nearly laughed.
Never thought it’d be this soon.
First user inside, probably.
Just entering netted fame and achievement points.
His smile deepened, but laughing here would be odd, so he held it back.
Duke Amur, noticing, patted his shoulder.
“Nervous, eh?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Relax your face. Once inside, show proper etiquette first.”
“Etiquette...?”
“Right, outworlder.”
“Yes.”
“His Majesty won’t demand full formalities from an outworlder, but kneel on one knee and bow your head at least.”
“Understood.”
They’d passed half the corridor mid-talk.
Knightly dignity emanated from both sides.
The pressure intensified nearing the iron door at the end.
Aura stimulates your entire body.
Fatigue accumulates.
Fatigue continuously drains HP.
Stamina stat exceeds 110—resisted.
HP exceeds 10,000—resisted.
Mu-hyuk endured it stoically, stepping forward.
His skyrocketing stamina and HP blocked it all.
Duke Amur couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Impressive.”
“Pardon?”
“Most newcomers can’t even breathe under the knights’ dignity.”
“I see.”
Duke Amur nodded.
“My eyes didn’t deceive me. Heh.”
“Thank you.”
They reached the end.
The ornate door opened.
A middle-aged man sat on the distant throne.
Mu-hyuk inwardly cheered at the messages.
What’s with today?
Already 100 achievement points and 16,500 fame. Massive rewards, and quest prizes still pending.
Distracted, he sensed movement beside him.
Duke Amur knelt on one knee, head bowed.
Ah...!
Mu-hyuk hurriedly followed.
Only then did the emperor speak.
His voice echoed softly through the vast hall, piercing Mu-hyuk’s ears.
“Come closer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He raised his head, stood, eyes downcast, and advanced. He stopped before the stairs, resuming the pose.
“So, you’re the outworlder.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“They say you provided great aid this time. I wished to see your face myself.”
The emperor eyed him curiously.
“No troubles on the way here?”
“None, Your Majesty.”
Mu-hyuk’s complexion was serene indeed.
“Passed the knights’ path unfazed, then?”
The emperor glanced at Duke Amur, who nodded promptly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Ho, is that so.”
The emperor smiled, continuing.
“I grow talkative with age, outworlder Mu-hyuk.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I commend your efforts.”
“Thank you.”
Episode 1: Vanguard of the Dead completed.
Massive experience acquired.
Massive fame acquired.
Level up!
Forma Continent Public Contribution (2,500) acquired.
Due to the title Witness to Change, additional Contribution (250) acquired.
Sub-quest: Authority of the Chief completed.
Experience acquired.
Fame (5,000) acquired.
Due to the title Witness to Change, additional Fame (500) acquired.
Quest: Swarming Darkness completed.
Quest proceeds to To Valsian.
He rejoiced first at the level up, then the public contribution, and finally clearing Swarming Darkness—felt like owning the world.
Perfectly clean.
Episode 1 wrapped flawlessly.
“Moreover, you’ve caught my eye. Thus, a special gift.”
“Pardon?”
“Undesired?”
As if.
“I gratefully accept.”
“Good.”
The emperor rose.
Step.
He approached the kneeling, bowed Mu-hyuk and drew a sword before him.
“Though simple, my words will spread across the continent.”
Mu-hyuk’s breath caught.
This can’t be...!
The sword circled slowly over his head.
“Emperor of the Hemil Empire, Porn Armilo, bestows upon outworlder Mu-hyuk the title of baronet. Further, a modest territory is granted—revive it.”
Mu-hyuk became nobility in an instant.