Rejecting Paradox

Mu-hyuk's eyes gleamed as he arrived at the village.

What the hell? They're not here?

He had expected a swarm of Paradox Guild members lurking around, but not a single one was in sight. Sure, there were plenty of NPCs and other users milling about, but none bore the distinctive Paradox emblem.

No, better safe than sorry.

What if they'd stripped off their emblazoned armor just to lure me in? There was no real reason for them to go that far, but nothing in the world was ever 100% certain, so he decided to keep watching a bit longer.

"As village chief, you must know all the best spots to eat."

"Yes, I do."

"Then lead us to a good one."

Mu-hyuk nodded and took the lead. The village wasn't large, so they reached their destination quickly. It was a newly built restaurant, but the chef's skills were exceptional.

"Let's sit here."

"Sounds good."

No sooner had they settled at the table than twenty members surrounded it.

"Before we eat, let's hear the terms."

"Terms, huh..."

Is this really everyone?

Might as well ask directly.

"Before you lay out the terms, one question."

"Shoot."

"You're here to recruit me, right? Is this all of you?"

"Yep, the whole crew. Problem?"

The vice ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guild leader tilted his head quizzically.

"What if I say no?"

"Pardon? Say no? Puhahaha, good one. As if. Hasn't happened before, won't happen now."

That's when it hit him.

These guys were blindly banking on the Paradox Guild's reputation. They were absolutely convinced no one would ever turn down their invitation.

"Heh."

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, just your conviction. Impressive."

"Join Paradox Guild, and you'll feel the same. Now, the terms. What do you want?"

Mu-hyuk smiled.

"Sorry, but I don't want anything."

"Hm?"

"Not planning to join."

"What? You sayin'..."

"I refuse your recruitment."

The vice guild leader's brow twitched.

"Ha, haha. This because you're live? Yeah, networking's a pain. Got some big shots watching, I bet. But remember this: Paradox never forgets a grudge. Mess with us, we hit back tenfold—no, a hundredfold. So drop the act and name your price."

Mu-hyuk didn't respond.

He just crossed his arms and stared down the vice guild leader. The attitude pissed him off; the man slammed his fist on the table.

"Last chance. Name it."

"......"

Mu-hyuk stayed silent.

A brief silence fell.

Thoughts raced through the vice guild leader's mind.

This was Mu-hyuk's village as chief. And he was a legit noble of the Hemil Empire. Would killing him cause issues? Was that why he was acting cocky?

That worry fueled rage at Mu-hyuk's calm refusal and nonchalance.

He's just some player anyway.

Paradox Guild didn't hesitate, no matter who the target.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

He raised his hand, decision made.

"Kill him."

The encirclement erupted in a barrage of skills. But before they connected, Mu-hyuk triggered Power Dash first.

No time to equip his shield, so a few hits landed, but his sky-high defense and HP shrugged them off.

Bursting through the explosions, Mu-hyuk rocketed forward on the skill's momentum.

In a flash, his shoulder slammed into the vice guild leader's solar plexus.

Boom!

He followed with Wind Step, charging the building's exit. No time to open the door—he body-slammed through.

Crack! Shattered wood flew as he emerged onto the street, halting to summon skeletons that ringed the entire structure.

Kirrik, kiririk.

Paradox members poured out the broken door. Those without helmets wore eerie grins, like they found the chaos hilarious.

"Ha, this is fun."

The late-arriving vice guild leader laughed too.

"Village chief perks? Column Village is hostile to our guild now. Means we can slaughter every NPC here, right? Heh heh."

Already annoyed, that pushed Mu-hyuk over the edge.

"You crazy bastard."

He spat the curse and commanded his skeletons.

Kiririk!

Armor Knights, Armor Cavalry, and the Giant Cyclops charged the twenty users. The sheer pressure forced shields out. The first Armor Cavalry's weapon clanged against them.

Clang, kagagak!

Some staggered back.

"Pushed back by mere summons?!"

"B-but...!"

"Fall back, and you're dead!"

Mu-hyuk smirked.

Mere summons.

Evolved Armor Knights were beyond "mere."

(Armor Knight 12)

Attack power over 700. Defense and magic defense a tad low, but massive HP covered it. Plus, high stats boosted attack/movement/reaction speeds.

This rivaled late-130s users with free item slots. Sixty-seven such Armor Skeletons.

Sixty-four basic Bone Swords and Bone Bows approximated level 100 users.

And the overwhelming Giant Cyclops.

132 skeletons encircled them—no way those twenty Paradox grunts survived.

"Wipe them out."

Armor Archers and Armor Mages joined the assault.

Boom, kwagwagwang!

The vice guild leader and members fought back, but couldn't match the skeletons.

One dropped, loot spilling. A nearby Armor Knight scooped it and brought it to Mu-hyuk.

Another melted away, loot dropped. Another Armor Knight delivered it.

Mu-hyuk checked the options.

Not bad.

Grinning, he stowed it and eyed the rest.

"Y-you son of a...!"

"You'll pay!"

Overwhelmed, they couldn't even fight properly, stumbling through curses.

Hold.

Mu-hyuk had his summons form a wall, then reached into his inventory.

Swish.

He drew a dagger.

He closed in on the survivors, slashing with the dagger.

Loot from their deaths was icing on the cake.

Now it begins.

The thought struck him. How much stronger would he be after this guild war?

Anxiety and thrill surged together.

*

Mu-hyuk's stream lit up like wildfire after ages.

The chat veered off-topic briefly before snapping back.

Some pessimistic, others hopeful.

All eyes on Mu-hyuk.

*

Mu-hyuk first apologized to viewers.

"Risk of Paradox getting my location, so gotta cut the stream. Back soon—wait a sec. I'll record privately and upload to Illusion TV later."

Signing off, he headed to the Troll King habitat. Far off, Doran struggled solo-hunting Troll Kings.

"Doran!"

"My lord!"

"The other two?"

"Headed to Hemil Empire."

"Empire?"

"Yes, to bring back reinforcements ASAP..."

Better than expected.

Smart.

Didn't know whose idea, but 1,700 strong arrivals would deter Paradox aggression. Amid the chaos, a guild war declaration could flip the script.

"Back to the village first."

"Yes, my lord!"

Riding his warhorse home, Mu-hyuk ordered Doran to rest, then soloed to Abenso Village.

Closest warp to Column—sure bet.

Elsewhere meant five hours even on warhorse. No big worry.

"Whoa."

Mu-hyuk halted mid-gallop.

Already...?

A horde approached distantly.

Not exact count, but numbers and vibe screamed Paradox. Over 500 at a glance, all mounted.

Hiding nearby, Mu-hyuk waited for them to close.

Buy time.

Keep them from Column Village at all costs. If they reached it? The massacre was predictable.

They'd slaughter villagers.

Not on my watch.

"How much longer?"

"At warhorse speed, 50 minutes."

"Finish quick, then rest."

"Yes!"

Close enough to hear chatter.

To block them:

"Revive."

He resurrected a monster horde.