Imperial Reinforcements Charge
Mu-hyuk had arrived at the Hemil Empire, but he couldn't enter the capital.
"Ah, damn it. Don't you know Mu-hyuk? He's a viscount!"
"Please let us in just a bit."
The guards just stared at Sung Min-woo and Yerin with sharp eyes.
"I said no."
"We're acquaintances of Duke Amur!"
"Show us your pass."
"Ha, this is driving me insane!"
"If you don't have a pass, step back."
The soldier slammed the butt of his spear into the ground.
Thud.
The force rippled out, but it wasn't overwhelming for Sung Min-woo.
Should I just...!
But he couldn't hit an NPC.
Especially not one guarding the empire's capital entrance.
"Ha, come on, please."
"I said no!"
Even Yerin's pleading gaze had no effect.
"Please."
"No."
Silent refusal, nothing more.
Damn it.
In the end, they gave up and set up camp nearby.
"He'll come out soon. Let's wait for now."
"Okay."
"I'll check Illusion TV."
Sung Min-woo turned on Illusion TV to gauge the situation.
"Huh?"
"What's up, oppa?"
"No, Mu-hyuk turned off Illusion TV."
"Really?"
"Something must be going on."
He could roughly figure it out from the incoming messages.
"Looks like they're fighting."
"Against Paradox Guild?"
"Yeah, this is bad..."
At that moment, the firmly shut gates creaked open.
Screeech.
About 150 knights in helmets appeared. Their powerful presence drew the eyes of nearby users. The 150 knights moved away. Soon after, the gates opened again. This time, 150 knights and 100 mages emerged. Appearing twice in a row raised some questions.
"Oppa, could it be...?"
"The numbers are too small. I heard 1,700."
"Hmm."
He knew that, but something felt off.
Next came 300 infantry and 100 mages.
Users in the plaza murmured.
"What's going on? Is it a special day?"
"Yeah, tons of NPCs coming out."
"Are they heading out for a subjugation?"
Less than two minutes later, another large group appeared: 200 infantry, 200 archers, and 100 cavalry.
"..."
Sung Min-woo's brow furrowed.
Something's weird.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"The NPCs so far add up to about 1,300."
"1,300...?"
Just 400 more would make 1,700.
No way...!
Right then, the gates opened again, revealing 100 cavalry, 100 archers, 100 holy knights, and 100 priests marching forward with dignified gazes fixed ahead.
"Ah, crap! Let's go quick!"
"Huh? Where?"
"Abenso Village!"
"Why...?"
"Just follow. I'll explain on the way."
"Okay."
They hurriedly warped to Abenso Village. Sung Min-woo scanned the area, sighed in relief, and explained to Yerin.
"The NPCs from the gates total about 1,700. Their formation makes it easy to count. In short, they came out separately."
"Separately? Oh, right. You said they feel like mercenaries."
"Exactly. They probably split up, swapped gear, and are gathering here."
"High chance. Let's wait here."
The two set up camp by the warp gate.
Please, hurry up...!
Finally, numerous NPCs emerged from the warp gate. Unlike those from the capital, they wore no helmets, their armor and gear looked rugged, and they rode horses. Still, Sung Min-woo couldn't shake the feeling they were the knight order.
"Those guys, right, oppa?"
"Seems like it, but not all are here yet. Let's wait."
"Okay."
Soon, more NPCs gathered.
"All here?"
A man finally spoke.
"Yes, all arrived."
"No issues."
"Ours too."
The man who asked nodded.
"Then we move out."
"Yes."
Judging they couldn't delay longer, Sung Min-woo stepped forward.
"Excuse me."
"Hm?"
"Not sure if anyone remembers my face, but I'm Viscount Mu-hyuk's friend."
"Viscount Mu-hyuk's?"
"Yes."
"Anyone know him?"
A soldier and knight from the back raised hands.
"I do."
"I've seen him."
"I see."
But the leader's expression remained stern.
"First, the important question: how did you know about us?"
"Well, Mu-hyuk told me the exact numbers and gear swap plan. Things went south, so just the two of us rushed here. Couldn't enter the capital, so we waited at the gate and counted 1,700 exiting in short time. Rushed here."
"I see."
"Look, the situation's urgent now. What happened is..."
Sung Min-woo explained briefly.
"Got the situation. Let's hurry."
"Thank you!"
"You two?"
"Summon."
Sung Min-woo summoned spirits.
"These guys are faster than expected. Ride them."
"Then follow well."
"Yes."
"Move to Column Village—now!"
"Yes!"
The 1,700 NPCs advanced.
Clop, clop.
Gradually speeding up, they left Abenso Village at full gallop. The distance to Column Village shrank rapidly.
*
Mu-hyuk, using Wind Step, whipped through the extremely tight space.
"This is insane!"
"Grab him!"
"Close the gap more, you bastards!"
"Shit, you think it's easy?!"
"Ah, screw it. Just spam skills!"
Sensing nearby foes about to skill, Mu-hyuk raised his dagger high.
A Paradox Guild member's shield shot upward, exposing a gap. Mu-hyuk lunged in.
Staring at the panicked Paradox member, he stowed dagger and shield, grabbed both wrists, twisted, and swung the man.
"Ugh, uwa, wait, wait!"
He used the man to block incoming skills.
Kaboom!
The man's body jolted from the blasts.
At the right moment, Mu-hyuk released one hand, drew his dagger.
Storm, Cross Slash.
The dagger plunged into the man's abdomen.
The notoriety accumulated in the Red Dagger transfers to the character.
Agility (+0.1) increases.
Mu-hyuk flashed a sinister smile at the dying man, eyed the dropped items. Pity, but the heat from behind meant bending for loot would mean eating skills.
No choice.
He leaped sideways, subdued another Paradox member. The stat gap made it easy.
"Hup!"
He hurled the man behind him.
Kaboom!
Hit by a Paradox skill, the man bounced toward Mu-hyuk. Into the widening back, Mu-hyuk indifferently stabbed.
The notoriety accumulated in the Red Dagger transfers to the character.
Stamina (+0.1) increases.
He quickly drew his shield, held it forward.
Bang, bang!
Remaining skills hammered the shield.
-91 damage.
-117 damage...
Attacks from behind slashed his HP massively.
Damn...!
Remaining HP around 3,000.
He eyed the right-side user, used a skill.
Power Attack
His body surged, dodging several incoming attacks.
Ixchange
Consumed surging MP to refill HP once more. Still under 5,000, and frequent Ixchanges left MP below 500. Stopping meant instant death.
Wind Step
Relentlessly moving, pouring attacks, dodging skills. He subdued and threw another Paradox member, dove into the gap—but it closed. Another filled it. He'd tried breaking the encirclement multiple times, failing each like now. Negative thoughts rose from throat to crown.
Can't do it?
Time would kill him.
He accepted that quickly.
It's a game.
Death anytime.
But one thing.
Column Village falls too.
Losing the village he nurtured was hard to accept. Time with those NPCs, memories built—gone. Unlike users, NPCs don't revive.
Damn it...!
That frustration fueled him now.
"Won't die easy, bastards!"
His wildly swung dagger sliced a man's throat.
The notoriety accumulated in the Red Dagger transfers to the character.
Stamina (+0.1) increases.
Another Paradox down. Terror flickering in users' eyes at Mu-hyuk wasn't illusion.
*
Daepotan's fingers tapped his arm rapidly, arms crossed.
Tap, tap.
Unbelievable he still held.
Monster...?
Hating facing him.
Too dangerous.
Kill now, he logs back in. Repeat forever? Paradox loses time, chances, money, levels. Can't pretend nothing happened—hundreds already dead. Inflict damage and stop? No, can't stop with only losses.
"Ha, insane."
Daepotan shook head, uncrossed arms.
"Clear a path."
"Ah, yes!"
Even superhuman monster should break now.
Watch the end myself.
Daepotan, pushing through tight encirclement, suddenly stopped.
What?
Far off, black dots kicked up dust approaching. Wanted to dismiss, but unease surged.
Dots grew fast, trailing dust filling sky. Unlucky dust cloud formed demon's torn grin.
Shit, what is it.
What if... Mu-hyuk's reinforcements?
Kill him first? Get swept by them? Numbers huge—clash head-on? Would Paradox survive? Doubts swirled.
"Driving me crazy."
Chose nothing, waited.
Meantime, group neared. Precisely, one man arrived first, far faster, reining horse.
"Whoa."
Rugged feel and heavy pressure emanated.
"Paradox Guild?"
"Who're you?"
"Answer first."
Daepotan bit lip.
"And if so?"
"It is."
The man drew paper from bosom.
Sacred Battle Scroll used.
Allies identified.
Enemies identified.
Barrier vanishes only when one side is annihilated.
Logout impossible.
Sacred Battle Scroll—used only in sure-win fights—activated now.
The man raised hand, lightly swung as if ordering advance without pause. Rear cavalry, slowing, reformed and spurred horses faster.
Neigh!
Passing the knight captain, horses hit top speed.
"W-Wait...!"
Daepotan reached out to stop, but they leveled lances and charged. Crashed into Paradox encirclement.
Boom!
Mashed them mercilessly.
200 cavalry at max speed—power beyond imagination.