Paradox Guild's Ultimatum
Mu-hyuk sank into thought, oblivious to Rakak's gaze.
Finally, it's gone large-scale.
Once saturation hit in its large village state, it could expand into a small city.
Of course, that meant building a ton of structures first.
Anyway, now at level 3, putting up the Warrior Guild and Archer Guild—plus a few more buildings—would rocket it to level 4 faster than expected.
First things first: the guilds.
Architecture Level: 3 (0%)
Inn, Restaurant, General Store, Butcher Shop, Carpenter Guild, Blacksmith Guild, Weapon Shop, Armor Shop, Accessory Shop, Guild Management Office, Warrior Guild, Archer Guild.
The moment he started planning the Warrior and Archer Guild constructions, Rakak called out to him.
"Lord."
"Hm? Ah, yes."
"Are you all right...?"
"Pardon?"
"You were gesturing at thin air, then just spaced out."
"Ah, my hand was just stiff. And the spacing out? Just mulling over something—not worth worrying about."
"I see. Then, may we discuss the village expansion?"
"Ah, of course."
"The population will skyrocket from here. The issue is the village is too small—no room for new buildings."
He'd overlooked that, distracted by the guilds.
Right—this comes first.
Mu-hyuk gave the order.
"We'll expand beyond the current log walls."
"Exactly."
That was the only way to make it a true large village.
"Let's get it done."
The jobless young men, kids, and elders all pitched in. Dismantling the walls, leveling the ground, and erecting new ones at the expanded territory's edge wasn't tough work.
"Everyone assembled?"
"Yes, Lord."
"Thanks to all your hard work, we can finally expand the village. It'll be tough, but wages are guaranteed—so let's make it fun."
"Woooah!"
"Lord, you're the best!"
"Thank you!"
The villagers cheered.
Loyalty of some villagers has increased.
A loyalty boost as a bonus.
"I'm counting on you."
"Yes, Lord."
Rakak led the villagers off.
"You, over there."
"Yes!"
"And you, head that way."
"Got it."
"Alright, let's work hard—meat for dinner!"
"Heh, sounds good."
The mood was better than expected, work flowing smoothly.
*
Duke Amur looked up from his paperwork at the knock.
"My lord, may I enter?"
"Come in."
The steward set down documents.
"The backlog."
"Ugh, still a mountain."
"My apologies."
"Not your fault—just a lot of work."
"And something to report."
"Out with it."
"Movements in the kingdoms and empires are off lately."
"Off how?"
"Seems they're using Outlanders to expand their influence."
Duke Amur's eyes gleamed.
"Using Outlanders?"
"Yes."
"Guilds, then."
"Precisely. The problem: a few nobles in our empire are tied to the worst ones."
"Certain?"
"Yes."
The steward pulled out more papers.
"Proof here."
Duke Amur skimmed them.
"Real enough. Has it spread?"
"Well..."
"What?"
"Paradox Guild—one in those papers—has bad rumors flying."
"Paradox..."
A Hemil Empire noble, no less—a count.
Less sway than a duke, but not ignorable.
"His Majesty must suspect."
"Likely."
"What now?"
"Hear the rumors first. What were they?"
"Main one: Paradox massacres villagers indiscriminately."
Duke Amur's face hardened.
"Villagers? True?"
"To some extent..."
"Damn Outlanders, how dare they...!"
He steadied his breath.
"Whew. Other rumors?"
"None yet."
"So the noble ties haven't leaked."
"Correct."
"Small mercy. Handle it before more spreads."
"How?"
"That's the crux. How to end it clean."
No easy fix—his worries deepened daily.
*
While expanding, Mu-hyuk enhanced items in a village corner, laser-focused on hitting red slots.
Clang, clang!
Success: +6.
"Whew."
As he paused, a group approached from afar. Closer, their armor crests came into view—realization hit.
Paradox Guild.
Right on schedule.
Today was the day...
Quick mental math.
Almost ready.
The group spotted him, heading straight over.
"Mu-hyuk?"
"Yeah."
"Ah, been looking—perfect timing."
The leader extended a hand.
"Paradox vice master."
"I see."
Mu-hyuk didn't shake.
"Ahem."
Embarrassed, he withdrew, smiling.
"Broadcasting?"
"Yes."
"Mind killing it?"
"Why?"
"Important talk. Huge opportunity for you. Can't have it leaking."
Classic ploy.
Off-stream, the real venom shows.
Sweet talk first, then threats if refused.
"Not interested if it means going dark."
"Haha, come on. You've killed it for other guilds."
Black Guild, probably.
"My call."
"..."
Tense standoff.
Then—a spark.
Think cold. Maximize advantage.
Mu-hyuk nodded.
"Fine. Killing broadcast."
"Smart."
He switched to recording—for later. The vice glanced back; a man nodded. He turned.
"Sorry—had Illusion TV on. Folks complain if you 'forget' to kill recordings."
"Got it."
"Anyway, recording off..."
He stepped closer.
"One offer: join us, focus on enhancements."
"Pass."
"Not done. Refuse? Forma top-20 megaguild Paradox targets you alone. Infinite PK till you quit. Averages: 130 overall, near-150 top 500. Over 2,500 members. Think you can handle?"
Mu-hyuk stared; vice smirked.
"If you refuse, of course. So, join?"
"I'll think."
"Think?"
"Or reject now if you hate that."
Even Paradox couldn't bulldoze him—a top ranker with skills to match. Bounty would cost them; his enhancement tech was too juicy. They'd bend on terms.
"Ahem, fine. We're busy. When free?"
"Five days."
"Five?"
"Yeah, backed up."
"Tch, deal. Heard that? Back in five. No selling enhancements meantime—we'll buy at fair price if you join. But sell? Bounty drops instant."
Mu-hyuk turned away, silent.
"Heh, stiff."
"Eh, he'll cave."
"Yeah."
He let their mutters slide.
Keep yapping.
They'll regret those five days.
*
Stream off, viewers griped.
Chat dragged on till the stream resumed.
Unaware of their cheers, Mu-hyuk hid a sharp dagger deep in his heart, awaiting that day.
Thankfully, next day brought the news he'd awaited.