Fools at the Iron Mine
The vice guild master of the Collection Guild faced off with a low-ranking noble he knew.
"This is truly valuable information."
"Hmm, if you tell me..."
"I'm sorry, but I must see Duke Amur in person. This is an opportunity for both of us. The moment I share this intel, our positions will change. You won't regret it."
The noble pondered for a long while.
"Can you really take responsibility for that?"
"Of course."
He nodded with a resolute expression.
Of course, his true intentions were different.
If it doesn't work out...
He was harboring a complacent thought that he could just flee to another empire.
"Fine, I'll pass the message along."
"Thank you!"
The noble couldn't overcome his own greed either. Mobilizing every connection he had, he barely managed to reach Duke Amur.
"A foreigner insists on seeing me?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Hmm, says it's very important information."
Duke Amur fell into thought.
What's going on today?
This was already the third such visit. Just hours after sending out the subjugation force with Mu-hyuk, these incidents kept piling up, stirring up suspicion.
And the bigger issue was that each one brought vague information and engaged in blatantly obvious schemes.
Until now, he'd simply chased them away, but if this continued, similar situations would keep arising.
I need to set an example.
"Bring him in."
"Th-thank you, Your Grace."
Duke Amur waved his hand dismissively. The noble, catching the irritation in his expression and gesture, bowed hastily and scurried out of the building.
He then fetched the Collection Guild's vice guild master, and the two returned together. Having met Duke Amur more easily than expected, he opened his mouth with confidence.
"The information I have is..."
Duke Amur's face hardened as he heard the story.
A natural aura of intimidation radiated from him.
"You dared to demand my audience for this pathetic scrap?!"
"Eh, ehhh...?"
"Throw this worm in prison immediately!"
Seize the Intruder!
Men in black attire surged from all directions—the duke's secret guards. They swiftly captured the Collection Guild vice guild master and bound him.
"Why—why the hell...!"
Who could have known?
It was merely to make an example. No, in truth, if the information had been even decent, it wouldn't have come to this. The intel was worthless, and his antics were utterly disgraceful—it was only natural to be furious.
In the end, it was anger born of greed. The Collection Guild's vice guild master wouldn't be leaving prison for a while. Perhaps never.
While Duke Amur dealt with this minor commotion, Mu-hyuk arrived at Column Village with the subjugation force.
*
The villagers were startled by the sudden large group, but they relaxed the moment they saw Mu-hyuk at the front.
"It was you, Village Chief."
"Yeah, I had some good news, so I went out for a bit."
"If it's good news..."
Mu-hyuk smiled at Rakak's words.
"We found an iron mine."
"Pardon...?"
Being of advanced age, he grasped the meaning immediately.
"N-no, it can't be."
"Now all that's left is to develop it."
"Ah, a-ahh..."
Rakak clasped his hands in prayer.
A place where he'd scraped by in desperate hardship during his youth.
Column Village.
He'd vowed to leave once he grew up, but as age caught up, he realized it wasn't so easy.
He had to abandon everything, yet he couldn't. The remaining villagers tugged at his heartstrings.
In the end, he became village chief to lead them, vowing at least not to let them starve—but things only worsened over time.
Then Mu-hyuk appeared. Like a miracle, he subjugated monsters, planted crops in the northern fields, and even provided food with spare funds. That alone was enough to be grateful for.
"To think something like this would happen in my lifetime..."
Now, it wasn't just escaping hunger. Perhaps—
Truly perhaps—
This tiny village might grow into something grand.
That hope alone moved him to tears.
"Thank you, Village Chief..."
"No, what are you doing?"
Mu-hyuk hurriedly helped him up.
How happy must he be?
Unable to fully understand, he could only smile awkwardly.
As he soothed Rakak, three figures peeked out awkwardly from behind.
Mu-hyuk met their eyes and approached with a friendly expression.
"There you are."
It was Sung Min-woo, Ye-rin, and Rudolph.
"We were hunting and stopped to rest. But what's this all of a sudden?"
"I told you, I went on a quest."
Ye-rin chimed in.
"Oppa, what kind of quest...?"
"Something like a mine development quest. There were tons of monsters around, so I needed a subjugation force."
"Mine? Subjugation force?"
"Yeah, want to join?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Great!"
Rudolph asked eagerly once more.
"Can I join too?"
"No reason not to."
"Thanks!"
"Do well."
"Yes!"
Starting the subjugation would mean traversing the entire Bamburk Mountains.
They'd planned to hunt anyway, so joining the force was a definite win.
Especially since they could share experience with the subjugation force NPCs.
"Wait here a sec."
"Okay!"
He turned and headed to the subjugation leader.
"These are my friends. Can they join the force?"
"Of course."
The leader looked at the three and asked,
"Will you join the subjugation force?"
A quest window must have popped up, as they all nodded with smiles.
"We'll head out first."
"Yeah, we'll catch up soon."
As the subjugation force departed, villagers approached. No matter how benign, the warriors' aura was too much for ordinary folk.
Only after they left did peace return.
"You've heard everything, right?"
"Yes, Village Chief!"
"Developing the mine means hiring laborers. Jobs will come naturally."
"Aah...!"
"Prepare in advance."
Rakak nodded.
"I'll select the best."
"Thanks."
"Don't worry, Village Chief."
He nodded and left the village with his comrades. Summoning warhorses, they mounted and sped up. The distant subjugation force, dot-like at first, drew closer.
*
Greed blinds some everywhere.
"Think it'll work?"
"Yeah, we just guard the area."
"Then we negotiate?"
"Exactly."
"Hmm, still worried. What if we get dragged into a fight?"
"No problem. As long as we don't attack, we can log out anytime. Don't get cocky and start shit. No issues then. And if someone slips and attacks? We'd enter combat state, right?"
"Yeah."
"I'll stall up front."
"For real?"
"Yeah, you guys back off, switch to non-combat, and log out. But if I end up in jail, bail me out with everything you've got."
"Obviously."
"Good, good. More questions?"
"..."
"Then let's go strike it rich!"
With final confirmation, they nodded in satisfaction.
Some 300 gathered.
All over level 130, and with the guild master showing such resolve, they felt a big score was possible.
"Let's move."
"Fuck yeah, let's do it."
Even the vice guild master was fired up, infecting the members with greed. United, they headed to the Bamburk Mountains.
"Kekeke, that user's such an idiot."
"Mu-hyuk?"
"Yeah, exposing the location like this? Obviously people like us will come sniffing."
"Hmm, true."
"What confidence? Just a fool?"
Hours of chatter later, they arrived.
Kiyaaak!
Clearing monsters en route to the suspected iron deposit, they encountered a small group of users.
"Huh? What the?"
"And who are you?"
"Us? Owners here."
"Crazy bastard, we found it first."
They were after the iron too.
"Kekeke, they're done."
The Platinum Guild master assessed and commanded.
"Fuck those punks up!"
"Ooh, yes!"
"This'll be fun."
Outnumbered, the small group scowled.
"Fuck, what the hell?"
"We found it first!"
The Platinum Guild master laughed at their desperation.
"Bullshit. We know you saw it on Illusion TV, assholes."
"Y-you...!"
"Die!"
The barrage left no time for logout—they melted away. Ignoring the corpses, the Platinum Guild settled in.
"Alright, now we wait."
With smug expressions, they overlooked the mountainside.
For Mu-hyuk and the subjugation force.
To greet them.
At the same time.
Mu-hyuk's group merged with the subjugation force before reaching the Bamburk Mountains entrance.
Recognized as Subjugation Force Party.
Hunting began with the message.
Heading left first, they swept visible monsters—the speed was tremendous. Even small amounts of experience poured in nonstop.
Experience increases.
Experience increases...
Experience...
Of course, possible only because everyone contributed a little.
Ye-rin's squirrels, Sung Min-woo's spirits, and Rudolph's AoE attacks aided decently, while Mu-hyuk matched the subjugation force's prowess.
Thus, they cleared the perimeter monsters swiftly.
Monsters will not respawn for a set period.
They took a brief rest.
Resuming, they passed the entrance and climbed midway.
Again, total monster wipe en route—until they spotted users camped nearby.
"What are those users?"
"Who knows?"
Mu-hyuk tilted his head.
Saw it on Illusion TV?
But why?
Greedy for the iron mine?
With the Hemil Empire subjugation force present, Mu-hyuk figured no one could be that stupid. He stepped forward beside the leader.
"Know them?"
"Not at all."
At Mu-hyuk's reply, the leader eyed them coldly.
"Who are you to linger here?"
"And who are you?"
"I am captain of the Hemil Empire's White Knight Order."
"Captain? I'm just a traveler."
"Then step aside. We're on imperial business."
The Platinum Guild master smirked.
"What if we don't?"
"Don't...?"
"Gotta give us something to move, right?"
"What do you want?"
"Cash to avoid a fuss, items, whatever."
The leader frowned.
He glanced at Mu-hyuk.
"May I handle this my way?"
"Go ahead."
Eying the Platinum Guild master, the leader drew something from his bosom.
Reward?
The 300 users watched eagerly.
Swish.
Out came a single scroll.
Ah, that's...!
Mu-hyuk recognized it instantly.