First Guild - Mercenaries Assemble
A single phrase slipped out unbidden.
Impressive.
Hm? What is?
Ah, I've wandered these parts myself and tangled with those monsters once.
Oh? Is that so?
Yes. It was stronger than the Troll King.
Duke Amur's eyes widened slightly.
Stronger than the Troll King? Truly?
Yes, Your Grace.
Duke Amur turned to the knight captain.
Ho, truly astonishing. I had no idea they were that formidable. You've earned a great merit, so a fitting reward is in order. But more pressing matters demand attention now, so see your current mission through to the end. Then I shall grant rewards without stinting. This applies to all gathered here—give your all to this task.
The group responded in unison, their voices steady and resolute if not overly loud.
Understood, Your Grace.
Their demeanor inspired confidence.
Very well. From now on, heed the instructions of Junbaron Mu-hyuk beside me. Treat his words as my own and obey.
Yes, sir.
Understood.
Mu-hyuk stepped forward.
Before we discuss what lies ahead, one thing first. While you're with me, none of you are knights, soldiers, mages, priests, or paladins of this land. You're simply mercenaries I've hired. Remember that, or our plans will falter.
Some faces soured at the words, but with Duke Amur's prior command, they had no choice but to accept.
When heading to Column Village, shed your current gear. We must erase any trace of Hemil Empire affiliation. You have two days—equip yourselves like mercenaries and report to Column Village.
Someone spoke up.
Why two days?
Lodging is critically short right now. We're rebuilding the inn; in two days, it can house more than presently.
Of course, lack of space wasn't the whole reason. Paradox would return in three days, so he wanted them inside the village before then. That way, the guild couldn't pick fights recklessly. Some soldiers might bunk in tents, but it couldn't be helped.
What exactly is the mission?
Join a guild and wage war against an outsider guild.
The word war sharpened the NPCs' gazes.
War, you say?
Precisely, a guild war.
Guild war...
Guild wars unfold under divine protection. Die there, and you're merely ejected—no true death.
Duke Amur, listening nearby, let out an exclamation.
Ho, these outsider guild wars are wondrous.
Yes.
At least no fear of losing life.
True. But defeat brings prolonged stat penalties and strips the guild of much wealth. Victory is our only path. We'll repeat the wars endlessly, grinding down their strength and claiming rewards until they collapse.
Duke Amur stepped forward again.
Those scum committed an unforgivable crime against Hemil Empire. Exposure would tarnish our honor irreparably. Conceal your identities and crush them utterly. With divine safeguarding the field, failure means answering for your crimes. Understood?
Yes!
We shall prevail!
Now their resolve ignited—win at all costs.
A phenomenon born of utmost regard for honor.
I trust you.
After covering a few more details, he dismissed the group.
You've worked hard.
You've borne the greater burden, Your Grace.
Merely a small aid. Handle this well, and we'll meet again with smiles.
Indeed. Farewell for now.
Exchanging farewells, Mu-hyuk left the castle and headed straight for Column Village.
*
Sung Min-woo and Yerin waited in the village.
You're here?
Yeah. Everything go smooth?
Mu-hyuk grinned.
Thanks to you two.
Heh, all our doing. Running around empires and kingdoms, hitting every tavern to spread the word—exhausting stuff.
Right, oppa. Ugh, so tired. Hug me.
Mu-hyuk approached Yerin.
Squeeze.
He pulled her into a firm yet gentle embrace.
You worked hard.
Hehe.
Sung Min-woo cleared his throat with a ahem and shook his head. As Mu-hyuk released Yerin, Sung Min-woo clapped as if remembering something.
Oh, right—you!
Yeah?
You said you'd introduce me to a friend!
Ahh...?
When?
Depends on timing.
Man, always putting it off?
Fine. Next time I head to Seoul to see my sis, I'll bring her along.
Ooh, for real?
Yeah.
Sung Min-woo switched targets to Mu-hyuk.
When we meeting?
Dunno?
This week? Call?
Hmm. Guild war might make it tough?
Damn. Okay. Right after guild war, no excuses?
Got it, man.
Sweet. Busy times—let's head in and get to it.
A message popped up just then.
The Guild Management Office has been completed.
The most urgent issue resolved.
Yeah, let's do it.
Where from?
Start with recruiting our future guild master.
Future guild master?
Yeah, guy named Doran.
He sought out Rakak right away to ask Doran's whereabouts.
He's hunting monsters near the south gate, my lord.
Thanks.
And the Guild Management Office is complete.
I'll check it out shortly. Good work.
Hoho, no trouble at all. Now to focus on inn expansion. I'll push to finish as much as possible within two days.
Appreciate it.
After a brief exchange, they mounted skeleton warhorses and rode to the south gate. En route, Sung Min-woo asked who Doran was.
Like a trusted retainer?
Retainer?
Yeah, NPC but high level.
Oho, how high?
131.
Whoa, insane. Such an NPC in this tiny village?
That's why I'm handing him the guild.
Oppa, you trust him that much?
Yeah, system shows loyalty rating.
Whoa, really?
Of course.
So cool.
Chatting as they rode, they soon arrived. A lone figure loosed arrows, massacring nearby monsters.
Hey, that guy over there?
Yep.
That was Doran.
Doran!
At Mu-hyuk's call, he turned.
My liege!
He rushed over and bowed crisply. His precise movements and potent aura left Sung Min-woo and Yerin momentarily stunned.
O-oppa?
Circumstances led there.
Huh, my buddy's got skills.
Skills, my ass.
Doran glanced at the pair.
My liege, these are...?
Ah, I'm IronFist—that's my buddy. And she's my girlfriend, Yerin.
I see! I am Doran, your liege's faithful servant. Pleased to meet you.
Ah, y-yeah.
K-kind of intimidating, but...
No need for unease.
R-really?
Yes! I serve only my liege, forever...
Mu-hyuk cleared his throat at the rambling.
Ahem! Stories later. Village first.
Yes!
Skeleton Warhorse Summon.
Summoning one more, they returned to the village with Doran and headed to the Guild Management Office. Freshly built, it gleamed neat and handsome. Inside, a man arranged tables and chairs. He turned at the footsteps.
Oh? Village chief!
Recognizing Mu-hyuk, he checked the man's status window.
Amusing specialties.
Cleaning? Guidance?
Cleaning aside, guidance wasn't bad. Developed right, it could evolve to scouting or command. Level 21 sans job was notable too. With proper growth, he'd prove solid.
We've met before, right?
Pardon? Ah, yes! I was there for the stockade. Now temporarily running the guild office. Name's...
Kahomer.
Eh? You know my name?
Yes.
Wow, t-touching. Ah, sit here. Just finished setting up.
Thanks.
Seated, he got to the point.
Can we establish a guild now?
Yes, of course!
Then let's make one.
Column Village's inaugural guild.
Guild master: Doran.
Doran behind him widened his eyes.
Pardon? M-my liege! Me, guild master?
I'm Hemil nobility—awkward for this incident.
Ah, the Paradox issue.
Right. Just till resolved. We'll disband and reform guilds repeatedly anyway.
Understood, my liege! But...
Yes?
Will you not join the fray?
Of course I will.
No guild master role, but he'd fight as mercenary. Essential to boost win rates.
Grueling to dismantle the foes, but post-incident, he'd raise village NPCs into his own force.
High-loyalty aides meant betrayal-proof steady growth.
No more stress from mega-guild bullying.
He could sweep away brute-force idiots with private troops.
So, guild name?
Hmm, hadn't thought.
Sung Min-woo leaned in with a suggestion.
Disbanding anyway, right?
Yeah.
Then whatever. First—how's that?
First?
Yeah. Next one's Second.
Maybe.
Yerin chimed in approvingly.
Sounds good, oppa. Wrap this up, then proper guild with a real name later.
Alright, First it is.
Kahomer double-checked.
First, correct?
Yes.
Guild master is that Doran fellow?
Yep.
He scribbled on the form.
All set, village chief.
Messages appeared simultaneously.
The guild 'First' has been established.
'Doran' has been appointed guild master.
Now just fill the ranks.