Shadows of Paradox
A single sentence slipped from his lips as he wiped the smile from his face.
"Before that, could you turn off the broadcast?"
"Ahh…."
Mu-hyuk nodded and ended the broadcast.
"It's off."
"Then let me tell you. Do you know of the Paradox Guild by any chance?"
"I've heard of them."
In truth, it was more than just hearing about them.
They had quite the notorious reputation.
A place infamous for all the wrong reasons. Like the Black Guild, they'd steadily grown their numbers. But as they expanded, so did their infamy, naturally turning them into targets of avoidance for most users.
Yet Paradox Guild hadn't crumbled. Their motto was to repay favors with betrayal and grudges two hundredfold—and they lived by it. Even Mu-hyuk had no desire to tangle with them if he could help it.
"Those items sold via instant sale ended up with the Paradox Guild."
"Paradox?"
"Yes. Apparently, they approached the users who bought those weapons."
A picture was already forming in his mind.
"No way…."
"I don't know what you're imagining, but they got them dirt cheap through threats."
It was enough to furrow his brow instinctively.
But if that was the end of it, it would be disappointing.
"The real story starts now."
Hyuk-su continued as if he'd anticipated that reaction.
"They're targeting you, Mu-hyuk."
Was that a mishearing?
He broke the ensuing silence with a question.
"What did you say?"
"You look surprised."
"Yeah, a bit."
"The Paradox Guild is gunning for you."
"Gunning for me—how exactly?"
"First, they'll offer you a spot in their guild."
"And if I refuse?"
"They'll probably slap a kill order on you."
"Ha…."
Being checked when you're ahead of the curve.
It was only natural.
That was why he strove to grow stronger—to endure it, to shatter it.
But if it was the Paradox Guild and not some middling outfit, things changed. They weren't some minor pest you could brush off with sheer willpower.
His gaze shifted momentarily to Hyuk-su sitting across from him.
"Why tell me all this?"
"To get exclusive access to item enhancements."
"Just that?"
"I also want to keep a good relationship with you, Mu-hyuk."
"That means…."
"We can't go picking fights with Paradox ourselves. But we can keep feeding you info on anything related to them."
His mind spun for a moment.
Village, enhancements, nobles, Paradox Guild, information….
A jumble of thoughts surfaced.
Scattered pieces slotting into place one by one.
"Hmm."
One faint possibility emerged.
Could it work?
Doubts alone wouldn't solve anything. Pure thought would just lead to delusion. Only action, only execution, would yield even the smallest results.
"Whew."
A sigh escaped him unbidden, but there was no helping it.
"That was very valuable info, at least."
"Glad to hear it."
"We'll sell some enhancement slots exclusively to you."
Hyuk-su smiled.
With a smooth motion, he pulled a contract from his inventory.
"Can we draw up the contract now?"
"Ah, sure…."
Mu-hyuk used contracts himself, but being on the receiving end felt oddly strange. Still, nothing was more solid than this, so there was no reason to refuse. He read every detail carefully before signing.
*
Assuming the worst, Mu-hyuk explained the situation to Sung Min-woo and Yerin, then made a few requests.
"This is my specialty."
"Oppa, I'll do my best too."
"Thanks, both of you."
Once Sung Min-woo and Yerin left, Mu-hyuk returned to the village.
"Village chief, you're back."
"Yes. How far along are the carpenter's guild and blacksmith's guild?"
"It'll take about a week."
Too long.
With Paradox Guild forcing the issue, he needed to revise his plans.
He'd originally intended a leisurely pace—repairing the shabby houses, gradual growth. But now that was impossible. Priority one: raise architecture level to 3.
"Can you shorten it?"
"We could with more hands… but."
Money, in the end.
"200 gold."
"Village chief…?"
"Three days. Finish within that."
Mu-hyuk opened the village system.
Still at 0%.
Once the guilds finished, it'd probably hit 40%.
He needed level 3.
Sorting his thoughts, Mu-hyuk selected the inn, restaurant, and general store.
"Add three more inns, two restaurants, one general store."
Ten percent each.
Completion would push architecture to level 3.
"All at once?"
"Yes. Emergency. Please."
"If the chief insists. 200 gold is more than enough—plenty to spare. We'll prioritize speed, of course."
"Exactly."
"Funds allocated for maximum speed."
"Good."
"Work's piling up—I'll get to it."
Mu-hyuk watched Rakak leave for a moment, then turned toward the inn on the right. He scanned the passing youths.
Huh…?
One's info made his eyes widen.
"Doran?"
"Hm? Oh, village chief?"
The passing Doran spotted him and looked surprised.
"How do you know my name…."
"Think I heard it once before."
"Hmm, really?"
"Yeah."
Of course, he'd only just read it.
Level 131?
And specialties: scouting, tracking, training.
Was there an NPC like this?
A level 131 in this tiny village was astonishing. He had a backstory, no doubt, but Mu-hyuk wasn't curious enough to dig.
"Got a minute?"
"Sure, I suppose."
"This way."
He led Doran into the inn and sat at an empty table.
Glancing around.
Not many people.
Needed to wait a bit.
"Two black beers, please."
"Right away!"
The innkeeper, knowing Mu-hyuk was chief, was exceedingly cautious.
"Here you go, chief."
"Thanks."
"N-no problem."
The rough-faced innkeeper bowed his head.
Mu-hyuk watched, brow slightly furrowed. He'd felt it talking to Rakak—their deference was uncomfortable.
Still, he'd have to get used to it. He nodded calmly. Not that he'd take it for granted. No guarantee this mindset would last; he'd seen power corrupt many. But he'd try.
"Enjoy!"
"Yeah."
Innkeeper gone.
Mu-hyuk slid a glass to Doran across the table.
Clink.
Glasses touched with a crisp sound. Gulping the black beer sent cool refreshment down his throat.
"Ahh."
Doran set his down.
"So, why'd you call me?"
"Nothing big. Just play along with some acting for me."
"Acting?"
"Yeah. Match my lead."
Doran tilted his head.
"Anyway, feel free to drop formalities. You're a noble, right?"
"This feels natural."
"Ahem, if you say so."
As they chatted.
Bang!
The inn door flew open as a group entered.
"Gimme a black beer!"
"Me too!"
"Man, today was brutal."
"Work's good, but tiring."
"Tch, no entertainment either."
"Yeah."
"Wish it'd develop faster."
"They're building a lot, though."
"Tch, when'll it finish and grow?"
Dialogue alone screamed NPC.
Seats close enough.
Mu-hyuk eyed Doran.
Doran nodded.
"Sigh, these outsiders forming guilds left and right. Causing tons of trouble, huh?"
"Guilds everywhere. The assholes pick fights randomly."
"I know one guild—they're beyond the pale. They don't care about harming fellow outsiders, but get this: they even killed villagers."
Villagers—Illusion's term for NPCs.
The group turned, glancing at Mu-hyuk and Doran.
Hooked.
"Whoa, what guild?"
After Doran's question, a pause.
"Heard it's Paradox Guild."
Their name dropped.
Surely lodged in the listeners' ears.
*
For three hours in the inn, he repeated the tale.
"Damn those psychos. Who the hell are they?!"
Doran's acting improved.
"Who?"
"Yeah! Let's crush those bastards!"
"Haha, tough."
"Why?!"
"Guild's huge."
"Where from…?"
Mu-hyuk always paused here.
"Paradox Guild."
"Paradox…!"
"Filthy scum."
NPCs showed two reactions.
One: ignore it.
Two: rage alongside.
"Those dog bastards!"
This group was the latter.
"Hm?"
Mu-hyuk turned.
"Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop…."
"No worries."
"Ahem, those trash anyway. Paradox Guild, right?"
"Yes."
"Needs to reach the higher-ups…."
Mu-hyuk smiled at the man's words.
"That'd be ideal."
Hoping they'd spread the word.
After more rounds with Doran, he left the inn.
"Acting got me thinking."
"Yeah?"
"Those Paradox guys—total trash."
"Right. And there's a bigger issue I didn't mention."
"Bigger?"
"Yes."
"Not that curious, but…."
Mu-hyuk eyed Doran.
His specialties screamed usefulness.
If only loyalty were higher.
No—raise it from now.
"They say they're targeting me."
"Pardon?"
"Me—and eventually this village."
"…!"
Doran's brow twisted.
"Skilled archer, right?"
"How…!"
"Your hands and leg muscles tell."
"Hmm."
"Help out? Village'll grow, more people. We'll need soldiers then. Be archery trainer captain? No rush to answer. Think it over carefully."
With that, Mu-hyuk turned to leave.
Doran called after him.