The King Guild's Crushing Defeat

Users scanned their surroundings, murmuring among themselves.

"Ugh, what the hell... who's this guy?"

"Why are there so damn many of them?"

Players from the Forma Continent and Kairon Continent alike mingled, all staring at the Sega gates.

"Did someone actually go in?"

"Haven't seen it yet."

"Should I go check it out myself?"

"You?"

"What's wrong? I can just ask if they need anything."

"Hmm, yeah, maybe."

Then a shout came from behind.

"All of you, move!"

It was only about ten people, but every one of them was clad in heavy armor. At a glance, it was clear their gear far exceeded any reasonable standards for defense.

"What kind of items are those...?"

"Rankers?"

"Whoa, check out that armor shine."

The users were busy gawking in admiration.

The man who'd shouted removed his helmet.

"I said move, you bastards!"

The sudden profanity silenced everyone.

Whispers erupted from all around.

"Who the hell's that prick?"

"Swearing out of nowhere, looking to die."

Ignoring them, the man drew his sword.

"Anyone who doesn't move now or opens their mouth again will be under a kill order from The King Guild. Got it?"

Lower-level users and those familiar with The King Guild's infamy naturally stepped aside to the left and right.

But players from the Forma Continent, unfamiliar with The King Guild, milled about in confusion, unsure what to do.

The King Guild advanced without regard, unleashing attacks on anyone blocking their path.

"Wh-what the hell, suddenly?!"

"We said we'd kill anyone who blocks us."

"Y-you crazy...!"

A few tried to fight back, but The King Guild members were overwhelmingly superior.

"Trash daring to rush us."

In the end, after a few users died, the confused crowd hurriedly cleared a path.

"Would've been nice if you'd done this sooner."

The King Guild members smirked as they stepped forward.

"This the place?"

"Yes. Right here."

They stopped in front of the Baekho Clan's main gate. Even if they hadn't, they couldn't go any further.

Two Baekho Clan warriors guarding the gate emanated fierce auras, blocking the users.

"What business brings you here?"

The King Guild leader stepped forward and removed his helmet.

Hah, so stiff.

The gatekeeper's attitude rubbed him the wrong way, but as an NPC responsible for such a massive clan, he had to be pretty skilled. Besides, they needed a quest from him just to get inside, so the leader forced a smile and showed courtesy.

"I'm the leader of The King Guild."

"..."

"I've come to see the Clan Lord."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"Then I'm afraid that's not possible."

"Is he inside?"

"He is, but..."

"I have important matters to discuss."

"It's late..."

"If you don't relay this message, can you take responsibility for the misfortune that will befall the Baekho Clan?"

"What do you...!"

"If you can, then we'll leave."

The King Guild leader turned away.

The two warriors exchanged uneasy glances.

Trembling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pupils.

Their resolve had already broken.

"W-wait a moment!"

"What is it?"

"Ahem, let me speak to the Chief Steward first."

"I'm busy, so hurry."

"Understood. But you'll take responsibility for those words just now."

"Of course."

The warrior nodded and entered the clan grounds.

Moments later, he returned with a middle-aged warrior—the Chief Steward who handled most of the Baekho Clan's affairs.

The steward eyed the guild leader with a impassive expression.

A chill ran down the leader's spine for some reason, but he forced another smile.

"Are you the Chief Steward?"

"I am."

"I'd like to see the Clan Lord."

"Speak to me."

"Hmm, as I told the gatekeeper..."

"To me."

There was an eerie power in the steward's words.

The King Guild leader swallowed involuntarily.

"Ahem, got it. The King Guild is the top guild on the Kairon Continent, packed with elite players. We're here proposing an alliance with the Baekho Clan. Think of the countless benefits. Even simply speaking..."

He thought himself clever as he spoke.

Yeah, an alliance makes it simple.

That way, they could naturally receive quests from the Baekho Clan.

Maybe even sweep up secret, unrevealed quests.

Once they'd cleared them all, they could just dissolve the alliance.

Heh, they're just NPCs anyway.

Swoosh.

At that moment, the steward raised his hand.

"Is that all?"

"Pardon?"

"I asked if that's all."

"Yes, but..."

"You dragged me out here at the end of the day for that pathetic alliance pitch?"

The guild leader furrowed his brow.

"'Pathetic alliance'? That's a bit harsh..."

"Shut your mouth."

A powerful aura erupted from the steward's body.

It whipped up the wind, fluttering his robes.

"You're treating the Baekho Clan like a joke. Barging in at this hour, suddenly babbling about our 'misfortune'."

"That's..."

"So, what exactly is this 'misfortune' you mentioned? Planning to slaughter us if we refuse the alliance?"

For a split second, no retort came to mind.

The steward had hit the nail on the head.

"So it really was."

Might as well show a bit of force now. Establish dominance for smoother negotiations.

"Hah, fine. What then?"

"What will we do, you ask?"

The steward approached the guild leader.

Step.

From point-blank range, he thrust out his hand.

"You've made a grave mistake."

As those words ended.

Thud.

The guild leader's knee hit the ground.

The floating holograms left his mind blank.

What the...?

In that instant, the steward struck the guild leader's temple, jaw, and throat in rapid succession.

His HP had already hit zero.

"Crazy..."

With a hollow voice, the guild leader's body began to fade.

"G-Guild leader...!"

"These NPC bastards are insane!"

As they moved to act.

Swoosh.

The steward looked up at them. His figure blurred momentarily, freezing the charging King Guild members in place.

"Where...!"

As they scanned around.

Thud thud thud.

A heavy impact from behind sent their HP plummeting to zero.

Not just one.

The entire King Guild experienced the same.

Utter domination.

Only after dispatching them all did the steward stop.

"Hoo."

His fluttering robes settled.

He ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠returned to the gate and instructed the two warriors.

"Remember that emblem from moments ago?"

"Yes, Chief Steward."

"Sound the third-level alert if you see them."

"Understood!"

As the steward entered, a shadow detached and followed.

"We've located The King Guild's base."

"Inform the Baekho Unit and prepare for mobilization. I'll report to the Clan Head myself."

"Yes, Chief Steward."

What started as a casual plan to snag a quest had unwittingly dragged The King Guild into war with the Baekho Clan.

*

Mu-hyuk woke up, ate breakfast, and lounged on the sofa, checking the Illusion homepage on his phone.

Can't log in today.

He figured he'd at least catch up on the latest trends.

As soon as he entered the free board, related thread titles popped up.

"Huh, what the hell."

"What?"

Ignoring Kang Ji-yeon's question beside him, he focused on the screen.

"Hey, what is it?!"

She shoved her face in, and Mu-hyuk frowned.

"So annoying, seriously."

"You watching porn?"

"No."

"Grown-ass man..."

"I said no!"

"Then what?"

Mu-hyuk sighed and showed her the phone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠screen.

"Illusion homepage. Happy?"

"Oho, intriguing titles?"

As Kang Ji-yeon lunged for the phone, Mu-hyuk pulled it back.

"Hey, no fair."

"Want to see? Use your own phone."

"Fine, fine."

Kang Ji-yeon focused on her own phone.

Whew, finally.

Now he could quietly browse the homepage again.

Baekho Clan and The King Guild?

Curious, he read through several posts.

Now he grasped the full picture.

Ah, because of the video I uploaded...

Mu-hyuk suddenly thought of Baekho-un.

That overwhelming presence.

Just from that, The King Guild's future was clear.

Disbandment.

The moment he pitied The King Guild.

Then he spotted something in the comments.

What caught Mu-hyuk's eye was one thing.

The highlight video.

Intrigued, he clicked the link.