The Big Red Bear Awakens
From 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
After sleeping for seven hours, Mu-hyuk woke up feeling the homepage was even more buzzing than usual.
Something going on?
Eye-catching titles dotted the front page.
He clicked through them one by one.
"Hmm."
Users leveling up this fast? The doubt crossed his mind, but he shrugged it off as no big deal. To the current Mu-hyuk, these were hardly impressive anyway.
Lots of small stuff popping up.
It was the result of operators scattering hints everywhere, but with no way to know that, Mu-hyuk chalked it up to the natural chaos of a growing user base—or maybe just a lucky day. Either way, he didn't care much.
"Huh?"
But even Mu-hyuk couldn't scroll past this one.
A level 150 boss monster.
Can't miss this.
He grabbed his phone right away.
He pulled Sung Min-woo, Yerin, and Rudolph into a group chat and sent a message.
The count dropped from 3 to 2.
Yerin replied first.
Then Sung Min-woo.
Finally, Rudolph.
As he lay down in the capsule, his phone rang. It was Bandal.
"Hello."
(It's me.)
"Yeah."
(Got a bunch of runes made.)
Mu-hyuk's eyes lit up.
Perfect timing.
"Hemil Empire, right?"
(Yes!)
"See you at the plaza in an hour then."
(Got it!)
He ended the call and logged into Illusion. He looked around—no one else was there yet.
Plenty of new faces, probably drawn by his streams. Some looked like NPCs too.
Just then, a subjugation squad member caught his eye.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, Baron Mu-hyuk."
"Yeah, you recognize me."
"Of course. We hunted together."
Mu-hyuk smiled and asked a few questions.
"How's the progress?"
"You haven't heard?"
"No."
"They're blasting the iron ore site and developing hard. Hemil Empire keeps sending reinforcements."
"I see. Development will take time then?"
"Yeah."
The timing was perfect.
No tasks for a while. He could leave village ops to Rakak, hunt the boss, and return.
After thanking the squad member, he headed to the village center and knocked on the rundown house door. It creaked open, revealing Rakak's face.
"Ah, Lord."
"You're here."
"Of course. What brings you...?"
"Got somewhere to go briefly. Mind watching the village?"
"How long?"
"A day or two."
"No problem. Go worry-free."
"Thanks."
As he turned, Sung Min-woo appeared.
"You made it."
"Yeah. Others?"
"Not yet."
Right on cue, Yerin and Rudolph showed up.
"All here."
"Yup!"
"Let's go. Hemil Empire first."
"Why?"
"Need some items."
"Fine, whatever. Warp gate anyway."
The four mounted Mu-hyuk's summoned warhorses and headed to the warp gate village, then straight to Hemil Empire for personal prep time.
"Plaza in a bit."
"Okay!"
Mu-hyuk bought a few things and met Bandal at the plaza.
"Wait long?"
"Nah, just got here."
"Good. How many runes?"
"Fifty now."
"Let's check options first."
"Sure!"
He inspected them one by one.
◈ Summon Strength +2
◈ Durability: Infinite
The basics were the same.
Others...
Mu-hyuk smiled as he found a stat +3 one.
◈ Summon Vitality +3
◈ Durability: Infinite
He looked at Bandal.
"Standard runes 23 gold, +3 stats 30 gold. Right?"
"Yes."
After paying—over 1,200 gold gone in a flash—Mu-hyuk didn't regret it one bit.
They were worth it. Hell, over 30 gold easy. Equivalent to three levels. Not expensive at all.
"Perfect."
"Phew, glad."
Bandal relaxed and stood.
"I'll hit you up when I need more."
"Sure."
Mu-hyuk headed to a quiet spot, summoned skeletons, and absorbed the runes one by one.
Skeleton 'Armor Archer 1' absorbed Rune of Minor Agility.
Agility +2.
Skeleton 'Armor Mage 1' absorbed Rune of Moderate Knowledge.
Knowledge +3.
Now the ratio was about 7:3 minor to moderate, but next batch might hit 5:5 or better. Maybe even +4 stats.
Skeleton 'Armor Knight...'
Strength +2...
He assigned runes by class and returned to the plaza.
About five minutes later, Sung Min-woo led Yerin and Rudolph over.
"Yo."
"All prepped?"
They nodded.
"Let's roll. Summon warhorses."
"Up we go."
The four rode to the warp gate.
"Where to?"
"Karas Village."
Paid and warped. The bustling village was expected for a boss spawn—no one frowned or complained.
"Everyone here for the boss?"
"Probably."
"Gotta hustle. Late and we won't even hit it. We struggled before, but now levels are higher, more users—should go quick."
Mu-hyuk chuckled at Sung Min-woo's words.
Doubt it.
A level 150 boss was leagues above past ones. A whole other dimension. At least three skills, maybe four for elites.
One-skill boss vs. three- or four-skill? You'd have to experience it.
Words wouldn't convey it.
"Get cocky and you're dead."
"Psh, no way."
Sung Min-woo swallowed at Mu-hyuk's expression.
"That strong?"
"Likely."
"Hmm, can't ignore you."
"Listen up then."
"Tch, got it. Staying sharp."
Yerin clenched her fists tight—adorable, drawing a smile. Rudolph looked tense too.
A little tension's good.
Users they overtook eyed them enviously.
"Warhorses again."
"Jealous."
"Shoulda partied with a Gangster Necromancer."
"Next time."
"Next time? Now's the issue."
"Walking there? Forget it."
"Beg one if we see?"
"Maybe."
They sped past the chatter.
Whoosh.
The destination neared.
A black dot appeared.
Whoosh.
Wind slapped their faces.
"Whoa, what?"
"Vibrations?"
"Crazy. That far and we feel it?"
Yerin's face paled.
"Oppa, can we take it?"
"Don't get too close. Harass with squirrels."
"Got it."
"Hyung, me?"
"Arrows from range."
"Okay..."
"What about me!"
"Smash with spirits, dumbass!"
"Roger!"
They bantered as they closed in.
BOOM!
A massive explosion shook the air again. Closer now, the dot grew into a monster shape.
Other dots emerged—countless, like black earth.
Users surrounding the boss, no doubt.
As they sped up, shapes clarified. The boss was fully visible now, trampling users overwhelmingly.
"Fuck..."
Sung Min-woo cursed.
Yerin and Rudolph looked awed.
One man smiled.
Mu-hyuk.
Thump, thump.
His heart raced at the prospect of a real fight.
Faster.
They pushed harder.
"Here."
Attack range reached.
"Careful, everyone."
"Got it!"
"Yeah, you too oppa."
"Yes, hyung."
Mu-hyuk dismounted, summoning skeletons, Giant Cyclops, and Dark.
Before positioning, cavalry charged ahead, forming ranks. Giant Cyclops, Dark, Armor Knights, Bone Swords, and Mu-hyuk followed.
The rampaging level 150 boss monster.
Big Red Bear.
The battle began.