Guild Wars Ignite
Mu-hyuk tuned into Illusion TV for confirmation, watching the broadcast of a massacre user who'd climbed to 4th in the viewer rankings.
The viewers reacted fiercely to the massacre user's words.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it.
The viewers showered coupons in response.
Mu-hyuk ended the broadcast there.
It's starting.
Guild war content had finally opened. And since it matched his expected timeline almost perfectly, his plans wouldn't hit any snags.
Time to move to the next phase.
Logging into Illusion, Mu-hyuk decided to erect a few buildings in the now much larger village before executing his plan.
Guild Management Office construction plan established.
Warrior Guild construction plan established.
Archer Guild construction plan established.
Weapons and Armor Shop construction plan established.
Accessory Shop construction plan established.
Rakak appeared soon after.
"Village chief! There you are!"
"Yeah."
"The territory's expanded so much."
"It has. Finally feels like a proper village."
"Heh heh, never thought I'd see this in my lifetime. But enough sentiment—I've come because this expanded territory needs some buildings."
"What do you think we should build?"
"At this scale, it's time to establish guilds."
"Then let's set up the Guild Management Office, Warrior Guild, and Archer Guild. Add a Weapons and Armor Shop and an Accessory Shop too."
Building multiple structures at once cost a fortune.
Mu-hyuk pulled out the gold again.
"200 gold."
Early investments were unavoidable for rapid village growth. Once it scaled up, the taxes would be enormous. A portion of those would become his assets, so no need to skimp now.
"Such a huge sum again..."
"It's fine. Focus everything on the Guild Management Office. Mobilize all hands there first, then Warrior Guild, Archer Guild, and the rest simultaneously."
"Understood."
"I'll head to the Hemil Empire briefly."
"Don't worry. I'll oversee every detail meticulously."
Rakak's handling of affairs was always reliable.
Mu-hyuk nodded with a smile.
"Thanks."
"Yes, village chief."
He summoned a warhorse afterward, warping from Abenso Village to the Hemil Empire. Upon arrival, he entered the castle for enhancement materials, then headed to Duke Amur's mansion.
"It's been a while."
After greeting a familiar knight, he entered. The butler guided him to Duke Amur's study.
Knock knock.
The butler spoke.
"A guest, Your Grace."
"Who is it?"
"Viscount Mu-hyuk."
"Send him in."
"Yes."
Duke Amur welcomed him warmly.
"Ho, good to see you. How's the village faring?"
"Thanks to your great help, it's thriving."
"Haha, what help? Anyway, perfect timing."
"Thank you."
Light greetings exchanged.
"But what brings you here so suddenly?"
"I came for some materials and stopped by to say hello."
"I see."
"Yes."
"Then have some tea."
"I'd be honored."
They sat on the sofa, chatting idly.
As the one who'd arranged his audience with the emperor, Duke Amur treated Mu-hyuk with genuine warmth.
In the midst of the congenial atmosphere, Mu-hyuk sipped his tea and set the cup down.
He's probably heard the reports.
Or maybe not yet.
Time to test the waters.
He cautiously broached the rumor.
"By the way, heard the latest talk?"
"What talk?"
Mu-hyuk lowered his voice.
"As an outsider, news reaches me fast. Seems one guild made by outsiders is stirring up serious trouble."
"Hmm, which one?"
"Paradox Guild."
Duke Amur's eyebrow twitched.
He knows?
Hard to tell from the reaction alone.
"I've heard it mentioned here and there."
Mu-hyuk let a faint smile slip. That confirmed the rumors he'd spread himself had reached the duke's ears. He quickly schooled his expression to feigned seriousness before the duke noticed.
"Ah, you're already aware."
"I've been pondering the Paradox Guild myself."
"Pondering...?"
"How to handle them."
The duke clearly trusted Mu-hyuk. Sharing even this showed it. Of course, it doubled as subtle leverage. By confiding this much, Mu-hyuk was now firmly in the duke's camp. Betrayal would bring consequences he could already intuit.
"I see."
"It's been giving me headaches lately."
Mu-hyuk pretended to mull it over.
"What if...?"
"Got a good idea? Speak."
"Just learned today: outsider guilds can wage small-scale wars against each other."
"Ah, yes, the report came this morning. Power builds up, so they vent it. Tsk."
"Exactly. And losers hand over hefty assets to the victors."
"So?"
"If one of my village residents forms a guild, and you lend a hand..."
Duke Amur's eyes sharpened as Mu-hyuk explained briefly.
"Ho."
Admiration followed.
"Clever. Never thought of that."
"Yes. And repeat until they break and quit."
"Kuhaha, excellent! Perfect!"
"Then...?"
"One question before I commit."
"Yes."
"Why go this far?"
"Truth is, I have bad blood with them too."
"Ah."
He nodded decisively.
"We're both in the same boat against Paradox Guild. I'll help."
Relief. Real relief.
If the duke had refused, Mu-hyuk might've had to quit Illusion for real.
Or live a life of endless pursuit and battles against Paradox Guild.
Not over yet, but the foundation was set. Now, show everything he'd built to crush them.
"One thing: keep my involvement secret."
He'd planned for this from the start—no surprise.
"I'll need new gear first."
"And form the guild? Creating one in Hemil Empire might draw eyes."
"No worries. Building the Guild Management Office in Column Village right now."
"Already?"
"Yes."
"So, create it there."
"Exactly."
Duke Amur nodded.
"When's completion?"
"Two days."
"Perfect. Some troops return from subjugation today—I've been training them hard. They'll suffice."
"See you in two days."
"Yes."
He bowed and left the study. Until the office finished, he'd grind enhancements nonstop.
He had some prepped, but nowhere near enough.
Even max effort in two days wouldn't suffice, but arming the duke's NPCs with extras... Just imagining it brought a smile.
Two days later.
Visiting Duke Amur again, he led Mu-hyuk to the rear training grounds, where NPCs awaited.
"These are the ones I've nurtured lately."
300 knights, 200 mages, 100 priests, 100 paladins, plus 500 elite infantry, 300 archers, and 200 cavalry. A total of 1,700, all with sharp, vital eyes.
"What do you think?"
"Great spark in their eyes."
"Haha, of course. Fresh from subjugation two days ago."
"Subjugation?"
"Yes."
"May I ask what?"
The duke glanced at the knight captain.
"Main prey?"
"Ten-meter steel-skinned serpents with calf-sized horns on their heads."
Mu-hyuk's lips curved into a half-moon smile.
Unicorn Serpents.
Level 160 powerhouses. Surviving them meant solid skills from the start. This force could definitely take on Paradox Guild.
