The Seal Breaks – Episode 2 Ignites
A sudden loud crash shattered the silence in the operations room.
One of the operators, glued to his screen, jolted back in shock, toppling over backward in his chair.
"What the hell?"
"Ugh... ow... that hurts..."
"What the hell was that?!"
The fallen man scrambled to his feet and cautiously spoke up.
"S-Senior... looks like an episode just triggered."
"An episode? What episode out of nowhere?"
The man addressed as senior tilted his head in confusion.
"A main episode."
"Huh...?"
A main episode, just like that?
"Hah, you dreaming or something? No signs at all, and now a main episode?"
"I-I'm serious!"
"Serious my ass. You trying to die?!"
"I swear, it's real!"
"Cut the crap, there's limits to jokes."
"Just look for yourself!"
"Ugh, if this is bullshit, you're dead."
The senior glared at the screen.
The seal on the hidden warp gate has been released.
The path to the continents opens.
Main Episode 2, 'Powers Hidden in Each Continent', has opened.
Holograms filled dozens of screens.
"Huh...?"
He dropped into his seat in a frenzy, pounding the keyboard to suppress his surging emotions.
And the truth revealed itself.
"Count Alteon broke the seal?"
Why the hell?
"Why the fuuuuuck?!"
"W-Well..."
"What? You know? Spill it!"
"A little."
"What is it?!"
"You know. Top ranker Mu-hyuk dismantling Paradox Guild."
"So what?!"
"They say Duke Amur ordered it."
"Huh...?"
"So, Hemil Empire found out Count Alteon was tangled up with Paradox Guild in some shady shit and forced the dismantle."
"That's what happened?"
"Sigh, pay attention, senior."
"How am I supposed to track every player move?! Anyway, so?"
"So what? Count Alteon had the seal-release scroll, and it was soulbound. To save his ass, he used it to flee to another continent."
"Damn it, so that's it."
"Yeah."
"Hah, this is bad. Real bad."
"That serious?"
"Yeah, dead serious. Main Episode 2 opening this early? Balance could collapse!"
"It was gonna open eventually."
"Sure, but too damn soon! If some player grabs hidden power and goes berserk before AI balances it? Ugh...!"
Nightmarish scenarios flashed through his mind.
"Shit, report to the bosses first!"
"Yes, sir...!"
Decisions came from above.
Damn it all.
But he already knew what orders would drop, and that just pissed him off more.
"Overtime again."
Yep. Overtime loomed right ahead.
*
Mu-hyuk blinked at the sudden hologram. Main Episode 2 had triggered way earlier than expected.
At least half a year early?
Normally, rivalries between kingdoms and empires on Forma Continent should've sparked first.
Skipping straight to this? Shocking.
But the shock faded fast, replaced by endless benefits from inter-continent paths opening.
Even basics meant money.
Cheap Forma goods fetched premium prices elsewhere—monopolize trade, stack wealth.
And beyond basics, the real prizes beckoned.
The episode name itself: Powers Hidden in Each Continent.
Whoever claimed them would rule Illusion.
"This is huge, right?"
Sung Min-woo's voice from beside him.
"Yeah, massive."
"Oppa, so we can go to other continents now?"
"Probably."
"Whoa...!"
Their excitement drew a smile from him.
A bit early, sure.
So what?
More fun ahead—that's what mattered.
"Back to Column Village first. Prep, then we hit the continents."
"Roger! Heh, can't wait!"
Plenty to do before crossing.
Stabilize the village, recruit allies.
Priests especially—one at minimum.
Organize intel too.
A day tops, and no one would snag the gains first.
The paths to other continents were treacherous anyway.
"Skeleton Warhorse summon."
On horseback, he opened settings to check Illusion TV chat.
Reactions were explosive, as expected.
Chats flooded nonstop.
Ugh, eyes hurt.
He closed the chat and opened the homepage.
Chaos here too, bet.
Free board first. Scanned it—every post screamed "episode."
"Wow."
A genuine gasp escaped.
"Oppa, why?"
"Huh? Nah, just bored, checking homepage."
"Haha, total madhouse?"
"Insane."
"Lemme peek too."
As everyone browsed, Doran eyed Mu-hyuk.
"Milord."
"Yeah?"
"What's a homepage?"
"Kinda like outsiders' communication tool?"
"Like magic crystal balls."
"Spot on."
He closed the page.
Not hunting anything specific anyway.
Instead, chatted with bored Doran.
"Heard earlier—the path to other continents opened."
"Yes."
"Come or stay, your call."
"..."
Doran stayed silent.
"No rush. Decide by tomorrow."
"Yes, milord."
Doran was still weak.
Dragging him now helped no one.
NPCs needed training plus hunting to grow—pure grinding wasn't ideal.
Of course, if he wanted to go, Mu-hyuk would take him.
"Picking up speed."
"W-Wait?"
"Oppa, I'm browsing homepage...!"
"What's the point? Everyone's just freaking out."
Mu-hyuk led the charge.
"Argh! Fine, let's go see it ourselves!"
Sung Min-woo and Yerin followed.
Soon after.
Sung Min-woo and Yerin stayed in Hemil Empire to regroup; Mu-hyuk and Doran headed to Column Village alone.
Upon arrival, Doran went home to think; Mu-hyuk hit the Warrior Guild solo.
Inside, to the rear training grounds—an NPC instructor drilled a crowd.
"Hiyah!"
"Haat!"
Vibrant energy filled the air, unlike before.
Players just job-changed and learned skills; NPCs had to train for real acquisition—essential.
"You there!"
"Yes!"
"Your sword tip's shaking!"
"Sorry!"
"Again!"
"Haaaa!"
Level 120 instructor from Hemil—passionate about his work.
Not bad.
Next: Blacksmith Guild, Archer Guild, Mage Guild, Temple.
All impressed. Instructors poured effort; villagers absorbed eagerly.
Given time...
They'd become the village's strength.
Still lacking now, though.
Envisioning the future, he sought Rakak.
Checked village status en route.
Population boomed, security improved.
Development too.
Not satisfied yet.
Construction XP?
Level 4 (71%)
Inn, Restaurant, General Store, Butchery, Carpenter Guild, Blacksmith Guild, Weapon Shop, Armor Shop, Accessory Shop, Guild Management Office, Warrior Guild, Archer Guild, Mage Guild, Temple, Expansion Works.
Tons of buildings, yet only 71%.
Gonna take time.
Large-scale now, but still a village.
One more expansion for town status.
Level 5 was tough.
Not automatic—conditions needed, but Rakak could handle.
Start with doable stuff.
Mu-hyuk's hands flew.
Residential expansion construction plan established.
Residential expansion construction plan established.
Residential expansion construction...
Expanded homes for many residents.
Inn construction plan...
Added inns, restaurants, general stores, etc.
This much for now.
Rakak's house next.
Knock knock.
A welcoming voice answered.
"Who is it?"
"Me."
The door flew open.
"Chief, you've returned."
"Yeah, been hunting a bit."
"You look tired."
"I'm fine."
"Hm. Since you're here, let me brief you. Many residents' homes are still rundown..."
Mu-hyuk nodded as Rakak echoed his own plans.
"Do that."
"Understood."
"And from now, exercise chief authority in my stead."
"Pardon? Chief, what—"
"Heading far away."
"Ah...!"
"Keep growing the village while I'm gone. It's large-scale now—aim for small city. You've done great; I trust you. Oh, security's key. Boost it."
Rakak nodded firmly at Mu-hyuk's resolve.
"I'll do my utmost."
Chief authority delegated to 'Rakak'.
Seasoned Rakak would manage fine.
Finally.
Pulled 500 gold from inventory.
"Use if funds run low."
"No need."
"I know. Taxes rolling in fine. Still, take it. Just in case."
"If you insist... understood."
Village set.
Now, prep profitable goods for other continents.