First Guild Members and Early Intruders
The first guild member was, naturally, Mu-hyuk.
"We'll sign you up as a mercenary."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Next up..."
Sung Min-woo and Yerin.
You have joined First Guild.
And just like that, all three became members of First Guild. With that, the major hurdles were cleared. It felt like a weight had lifted off his shoulders. Now, all that remained was to hunt, enhance items, and wait for the NPCs from the empire.
"Alright, let's go hunting."
"Okay."
"Farewell, my lord."
Mu-hyuk turned his head.
"What're you talking about?"
"Pardon?"
"You're coming too."
"Me as well?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I'm a bit weak, so I thought I'd train separately and join up later..."
"So when were you planning to catch up? Come on."
"Understood, my lord."
The four emerged from the guild management office and headed straight south. By the time they reached the Troll King habitat after a long trek, Doran was already half out of his mind.
"Th-this place..."
Doran's eyes shook violently.
"Tr-Tr-Tr..."
"Troll King habitat."
"Y-you're training here?!"
"Yeah."
At level 131, they were indeed terrifying monsters. Unlike players, NPCs only had one life.
"Ugh, it's scary, but I'll make sure you don't get hurt, my lord! I-I'll..."
"Enough. Take these."
Mu-hyuk handed over a bow and some armor pieces.
"These are...?"
"On loan. Until the guild war ends."
Doran trembled as he took the items, his hands shaking from shock. Years of wandering had honed his eye for gear, so he instantly knew how exceptional they were without a word.
"M-my lord."
"They've got foreigner powers infused too, so they'll serve you well."
That power was enhancement.
All +5 or higher, they'd make a huge difference. Enough to damage Troll Kings and level up fast.
"Equip them and let's hunt."
"Yes, my lord!"
Doran, face alight with emotion, donned the gear.
A surge of elation welled up.
Immense power coursed through him, making him feel invincible.
"Th-this..."
"Feels good, right?"
Doran couldn't gauge the exact caliber, but he knew it was extraordinary. Courage surging, he loosed an arrow at a distant Troll King without hesitation.
Kaboom!
A massive explosion rocked the air, and the Troll King screeched.
Kieeeek!
Flesh tore from its mid-right flank. It was regenerating fast, but landing a real hit felt miraculous.
"Ha, haha..."
"Whoa, you were shaking in fear, but you struck first!"
"Well done."
Sung Min-woo and Yerin cheered him on, then...
"Alright, our turn."
"Sounds good."
They charged the Troll King.
Boom! Kaboom! Crash-crash!
Doran gaped at the overwhelming display. The duo melted the Troll King in seconds and returned. He bowed deeply.
"I shall serve you with utmost devotion!"
"Uh...?"
Brushing off the minor hiccup, they dove into serious hunting—everyone except Mu-hyuk, who focused on enhancements.
The next morning, Mu-hyuk ate breakfast and flipped on the TV in the living room. He'd missed the guild war recap on Illusion TV yesterday, so he planned a quick watch. He knew the events inside out, but wanted to catch any discrepancies or misconceptions.
The screen shifted.
The explanation matched what Mu-hyuk knew—no surprises. If anything, it skimmed details he was privy to. Still, he watched every second.
Mu-hyuk finished the highlights and logged back in. He summoned his skeletons and checked exp from the Demon Realm first.
Current Summon Exp Gained: 145,750
Convert to Stats? [Yes/No]
Weeks without distribution had piled it up. He selected Yes and dumped it all into Giant Cyclops.
Giant Cyclops selected.
Select desired stat.
Strength first.
Using 50,000 exp.
Giant Cyclops's Strength (5) has increased.
Then Vitality.
Using 50,000 exp.
Giant Cyclops's Vitality (5) has increased.
Finally, Agility.
Using 40,000 exp.
Giant Cyclops's Agility (4) has increased.
He scattered the Giant Cyclops and skeletons to hunt Troll Kings, then pulled out items for enhancement.
Clang! Clank!
After +5-ing two items, Doran approached from afar.
"My lord, you're here."
"Yeah. Sleep well?"
"Yes, very refreshing."
"Hungry?"
"A bit."
"Let's eat something."
Mu-hyuk stowed the items, unpacked cooking gear and ingredients, and shared a simple meal with Doran.
Satisfaction fills you.
After a short break, Doran resumed hunting. Mu-hyuk kept enhancing. Sung Min-woo logged in, gave a quick greeting, and joined the hunt.
"Oppa!"
"Hey."
"Yeah! I had a weird dream last night..."
Yerin chattered a bit by Mu-hyuk's side before standing.
"Summon!"
She advanced with her squirrel. When hunger hit, she'd eat Mu-hyuk's food, log out for real food, then reconnect.
"Back to hunting!"
"Ugh..."
"Oppa, more enhancements?"
"Yeah. NPCs tomorrow, so gotta stock up."
"Got it, fighting!"
Doran, Sung Min-woo, and Yerin hunted. Mu-hyuk enhanced all day. The next day, he did the same, awaiting Hemil Empire NPCs. But a group arrived sooner than expected.
"Oppa, look over there."
Mu-hyuk frowned, turning. Too far to identify if they were the empire NPCs.
Players hunting?
Or really NPCs?
This early?
The sun had just risen overhead—early, but not wrong. He paused enhancements to watch. Minutes later, faces clarified.
"Huh...?"
"Those bastards...!"
Not who he'd expected.
"Haa."
Paradox's vice-guild master and crew, due tomorrow. As distance closed, the vice-guild master grinned and offered a hand.
"Early, huh? Earlier than planned?"
"..."
"Yeah, stuff wrapped quick. Weird face? Shocked? Why no handshake? Whatever. Joined the guild, right?"
Situation: awkward.
What now?
Refuse, and combat erupts. Twenty with him—no problem killing. But consequences worried him.
Left guildmates in village?
News spreads, they slaughter villagers. Penalty's steep, but even slim chance unacceptable.
Doran too.
Sung Min-woo and Yerin could die once—respawn. Doran couldn't. NPC, one life.
No long deliberation.
No choice.
Buy time, play along.
Mu-hyuk extended his hand.
"Huh?"
The vice-guild master chuckled darkly.
"Finally decided, eh."
Hands clasped.
Mu-hyuk spoke first.
"Details in the village."
"Necessary?"
"Hungry anyway. Eat, discuss terms."
"Ah, right. Top ranker with enhancements—gotta treat you right. Let's go!"
Vice-guild master led; Paradox members followed. Mu-hyuk signaled the others to stay, then trailed. Once far, Sung Min-woo eyed Yerin.
"Gotta head to Hemil Empire."
"Huh? Why?"
"Get the NPCs ASAP."
Their arrival would resolve this mess easily.
"Hurry!"
"Yeah!"
"Doran, rest up!"
"No, I..."
"That's helping us!"
Doran halted mid-stride.
Helping—that dug at his chest.
Damn...!
Couldn't deny his weakness compared to them. But no self-pity wasted time.
"Troll Kings, let's kill you all today!"
Focus on what he could: hunt, train.
Only way to prepare for tomorrow.