Power Dash and the Mysterious Location

Mu-hyuk arrived in the Hemil Empire at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠1:55 p.m.

"Oppa."

"Yeah?"

"The emergency bell keeps ringing. I think I need to log out."

"Emergency bell?"

"Yeah, probably time for lunch."

"Ah."

Sung Min-woo chimed in.

"Yeah, gotta eat. Back by 3?"

"Sure."

"See ya soon!"

Yerin logged out first, followed by Sung Min-woo and Rudolph after a short interval.

Mu-hyuk planned to do some maintenance first, so he headed straight to the temple. After meeting the high priest, he was guided to the Hall of Achievements and stepped inside.

He selected Stage 2.

He confirmed the purchase.

Quantity: 23.

He'd used most of the 350 achievement points accumulated since facing the black mage Zikera. But he didn't regret it one bit.

His combat power had surged dramatically. His own attack power rose by 69, and the skeletons' overall average Strength increased by 7.

With the cavalry, Bone Swords, and Bone Bows hitting harder, hunting speed would pick up, leading to faster growth than others.

And that was impressive enough, but he still had contribution points left.

He could ask Duke Amur for access to the warehouse.

Should he?

But spending more contribution points on the duke's personal warehouse felt wasteful. He'd already cleared most of it anyway, and nothing essential remained.

Greed stirred. With his connection to the emperor now, he might gain entry to the imperial treasury if he played it right.

Treasures amassed over ages, steeped in history with unique engravings. Artifacts and gear infused with that power.

No noble's private stash could compare.

But how?

Even if he met the emperor outright, demanding warehouse access was too risky, noble title or not.

"Hmm."

The best way: rack up a major achievement for an audience with the emperor.

There, as the emperor offered rewards, he could request to spend contribution points—and the odds were high of unlocking the imperial treasury.

He couldn't just barge in demanding a quest for merit, so waiting was the play.

Soon enough, he'd be summoned.

Story flow suggested it. In the meantime, stockpiling more points wasn't a bad idea.

Decision made, he visited the forge, general store, food shop, and more.

He bought disposable crafting tools, cooking tools, ingredients, and sundries before logging out of Illusion.

The living room was quiet. Weekday afternoons meant everyone was busy with work or school.

Mom must be out too.

A note was stuck to the table.

He reheated the slightly cooled kimchi stew, cooked rice, and ate with the banchan. Bored mid-meal, Mu-hyuk grabbed his phone to check the Illusion homepage.

"Ho ho."

The time-attack dungeon post still topped the charts, views hitting 4 million.

By the time he'd browsed around, the food was gone.

"Huh?"

Guess he'd eaten it all.

Stomach full confirmed.

He cleared the dishes, washed up, and checked the time: 2:50 p.m.

Ten minutes to the 3 p.m. meetup. Plenty of time to brush teeth, handle business, and lie in the capsule.

He headed straight to the plaza.

"Oppa!"

Yerin was already there.

"Early bird, huh?"

"Yeah! Ate quick."

"The other two are farther out—let's chill a bit."

"Sounds good!"

They sat by the plaza edge. Water cascaded from the fountain behind, a soothing murmur.

"Feels like a date."

"Yeah."

Players bustled about, but it faded into the background. Clear skies, cotton-candy clouds, cool breeze—just pure refreshment.

"Ahh, nice."

Being here was happiness enough.

Time flew.

"Nice view, eh?"

Sung Min-woo approached with his thug line, Rudolph trailing.

All four gathered, but no destination in mind.

"Village first?"

"Nah."

"Huh? Why?"

"Nothing to do there."

Mines were mid-development—no real help needed. Funds were short for building anyway; best to wait.

Once mining finished and youths got to work, money would flow. Then growth.

"Right, cash-strapped."

"Yeah, small investments won't show. Wait for mines—shouldn't be long."

"Hmm, then mercenary quests?"

Silence ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fell.

"What's this vibe?"

"Merc quests are getting stale too."

"Yeah, oppa. Just hunting gigs anyway."

"Efficiency wins."

As they bantered, Mu-hyuk pondered.

Something fun.

Nothing sprang to mind. Idly scanning quests, he spotted many abandoned mercenary ones—ditched from boredom.

Then one at the bottom caught his eye.

Archer Guild Master Simon.

Memory clicked.

Reward from the Reviver Drake hunt. Level too low then, so postponed.

Warrior Guild contribution points unused too.

Forgot about these.

Low-level, but linked quest potential made it worth trying.

Before archers, grab a skill from warriors.

"Hey."

"Nah, quests over..."

"Guys?"

"Towers and dungeons ain't easy to..."

"Hey!"

He grabbed Sung Min-woo's shoulder.

"Uh, yeah?"

Eyes finally on him.

"Got something to say."

"Yeah, shoot."

"Old linked quest I picked up..."

Quick explanation, and Sung Min-woo and Yerin lit up.

"For real?"

"Whoa, oppa—let's do it!"

"Min level's low though."

"No prob."

"Yeah, linked quests? No one knows the payoff. Tense, exciting!"

"Shall we?"

"OK!"

"Sweet!"

Rudolph looked conflicted.

"What's up?"

"Hyung, quest popped for me too. Urgent."

"Yeah?"

"Gotta go."

He handed back the invisible arrow.

"Copied plenty. Back later."

"Cool, catch ya."

"Yeah! Good luck!"

Rudolph left.

The trio headed to Weibra Empire for the quest.

*

Warrior Guild first.

"Here to spend contribution points."

"Points?"

"Yes."

"This way."

Mu-hyuk glanced back.

"Wait here."

"OK."

"Sure, oppa."

Sung Min-woo and Yerin browsed the first floor while Mu-hyuk went up to the second. Left door: a slim table with a book in the center.

"Place hand on book, select item matching points."

"Thanks."

Man waited outside.

Mu-hyuk touched the book.

Items first.

1. Dozens listed.

Browsing, Mu-hyuk frowned. Options sucked.

Decent ones? Over 1,000 points. His 550? No chance.

Back. 2. Skills.

Not bad.

Different from Cross Slash days.

Focused scan: knockback aside, nothing appealed. High MP, low coeff.

2 and 3 skipped.

4: Mu-hyuk smirked.

Armor Knight skill.

Didn't need points for this.

5 meh.

Steady scroll.

12: jackpot.

"Ho ho."

Instant gap-close great; coeff perfect.

Quick math...

Brain spun.

Phys DEF ~530. Mag DEF ~470. Total 1,000. Damage: 2,500. Lv1.

Level it up? Outdamage most attacks.

Thanks, Zikera's tests. Nightmare then; boon now.

No desire for reruns.

Reached to buy.

Wait—better ones?

Checked rest. None better.

Power Dash it is.

Back to 12. Purchase.

Opened the skillbook immediately.

Satisfied grin, he left the room.