The Unbreakable Sacred Battlefield
Mu-hyuk stared at the scroll. Is that the reward?
No, absolutely not.
This was the Sacred Battle Scroll he'd see crop up from time to time in the future. When used, it erected a kind of barrier that instantly scanned everyone inside, dividing them precisely into allies and enemies.
Friends, parties, guilds, subjugation squads—whatever the grouping, it sorted them flawlessly. The barrier wouldn't vanish until every enemy was dead... or every ally was.
Could you break the barrier?
Impossible.
It was utterly indestructible. Escape meant total annihilation of one side.
NPCs only deployed it in fights they were dead certain to win—or pivotal battles with no other resolution.
But what if you used it on outlanders?
They got trapped, unable to log out.
In a word...
It was a single sheet of paper declaring unbreakable intent to kill them all.
Riiip.
The subjugation squad leader tore the scroll with a cold glare.
--------!
Pure white light enveloped everything.
Sacred Battle Scroll has been used.
A barrier has been erected.
Allies identified.
Enemies identified.
The barrier will not dissipate until one side is annihilated.
Logout attempts are impossible.
Trapped in an inescapable barrier.
"Wh-what the fuck?"
"My eyes aren't playing tricks, right?"
Platinum Guild members panicked.
Their guild master was worst hit.
"Logout really doesn't work. It won't!"
"Th-this is insane!"
"You gotta be kidding! What the hell is this?!"
"Where does shit like this even exist?!"
"Fuuuuck!"
Meanwhile, the squad closed in.
"U-uh, w-wait! Hold on!"
The leader didn't stop.
No reply, no hesitation.
He wasn't dumb enough to miss why they'd crossed the line.
No reason to hear them out now. He kicked off harder, drawing his sword.
"Subdue and bind them!"
"Yes, sir!"
The leader targeted the Platinum Guild master up front.
"You fucking...!"
The guild master rationalized desperately.
"Fuck it, we just gotta win. Snap out of it, everyone!"
"Uh, uh-huh..."
"I said snap to it! We can win!"
"Y-yeah. If we win..."
"We fought knights before! They're not shit!"
"R-right. Yeah."
Not for nothing had he hit level 130. He rallied them fast.
Lucky this wasn't reality—they geared up in seconds.
Plus, their recent knight scrap helped. Kingdom knights, but weaker than expected.
Yeah, we can win.
Even the guild master bought his own hype.
Shield out quick.
"Hup!"
Blocked the leader's strike.
Kagak!
A bit short on power, pushed back—but held.
"See? Nothing special!"
Shifted balance.
Dagger slash at the leader.
Of course, it whiffed.
Leader had sidestepped.
"Wha...!"
Rolled to dodge the incoming blade.
"You bastard...!"
Cursed, activated a skill.
Kwa-gwang!
Leader skidded back.
Blast bigger than expected.
Boosted user confidence.
"We got this—wipe 'em out!"
Low levels, NPCs ruled—especially soldiers, knights untouchable.
But after three-plus years of growth? Top users matched most NPCs one-on-one, barring elites.
"Not bad."
Leader advanced again.
"Come at me."
"Tch, psycho!"
Not just them—users and squad clashed everywhere. But the stalemate shattered fast. After a few clashes, squad unleashed proper techniques.
"Wh-what the fuuuuck?!"
"What the hell outta nowhere?!"
They'd overlooked one thing: these weren't average NPCs.
Handpicked by Duke Amur himself, with imperial authority from Emperor Porn Armilo of the Hemil Empire.
"Outlanders have grown strong."
"Indeed."
"Need techniques now to stay even?"
"More training required."
"Right. Hell training on return. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"Got it!"
Mu-hyuk smirked from the rear.
Well, sure...
Squad members held off skill-spamming users without techniques—around level 170.
Leader probably over 180.
Skills from the start would've melted them, but he'd dragged it out, curious about outlander skill.
"Bindings?"
"Not one escaped."
"Good work."
Leader approached Mu-hyuk post-cleanup.
"Apologies for the unsightly display."
"Fine. Clean up around first?"
Leader nodded, ordered knights to haul bound users to imperial prison, left some to guard.
"We finish the job."
"Yes, sir!"
Subjugation resumed.
Kiyaaak!
Squad numbers down, but with Mu-hyuk, Sung Min-woo, Yerin, and Rudolph, hunt pace stayed brisk.
*
Platinum Guild dying was prime viewing.
User flood meant info overflow.
Chatter flew as squad wiped monster nests midway up the mountain.
Short break, then summit push. Illusion TV audience bantered over fights.
Answerers, askers, screen-starters, VR-immerseds.
Each shared Mu-hyuk's path their way.
*
Late night.
Bamburk Mountains summit cleared.
All monsters in the Bamburk Mountains have been subjugated.
Monsters will not respawn for a set period.
You have achieved Perfect Subjugation of a Region.
Gained Achievement Points (50).
Gained massive experience.
Level up!
Gained Fame (5,000).
Witness to Change title grants additional 500 Fame.
Message barrage.
Nice.
Rewards solid.
Achievements usable now, infinite value. Fame latent but soon essential.
"Baron Mu-hyuk, well done."
"You too, Squad Leader."
"We'll leave a detail and withdraw."
"Sure."
Some guarded the ore site; rest returned to Hemil Empire.
Mu-hyuk and crew logged out at village entrance, tomorrow's promise.
"See ya."
"Ok!"
"Oppa, night."
"Yeah."
Out of capsule, Mu-hyuk crashed into bed.
Same time.
Illusion HQ top floor, middle-aged man scanned docs.
"Hm."
Page by page.
"Unsettling user. Anything off?"
"No, standard player."
"Figures—Illusion's flawless, no bugs. Still, his track record's insane."
"Yes. This too..."
Ops Chief set down surveillance report.
"Anyway, just watch—"
Door burst.
"What?"
"S-sorry, urgent."
"Spit it."
"Special watch user found iron deposit, alerted Hemil Emperor, got aid. Mountains cleared now."
"What...?"
Grabbed report again.
"Nonsense? Report just came—how already?! Wait."
Chief breathed deep.
"Mid-subjugation?"
"N-no, done."
"Fuck!"
"S-sorry, one day..."
Door again.
"Now what?!"
"Hemil crew just started developing Bamburk deposit."
"This hour?"
"Yes."
"What the...!"
"Blazing pace. Days to mine, process, sell. His village explodes, gap to others unimaginable."
"I know!"
Chief pinched temple.
"Damn, no choice. Trust users."
"Hints?"
"Sigh, yes. Deploy. Hope they keep up with fast plot."
"On it."
Mu-hyuk grinned in dreams. Ops tore hair through night. Users snagged hidden hints, outpacing his memories.