Baekho Clan's Retaliation
A new window popped up alongside the video.
Let's take a look.
He pressed play firmly.
The Mauring small city. A group from The King Guild appeared there.
They requested an alliance with the Baekho Clan.
The Baekho Clan barely mentioned their past grudge before slaughtering them all.
Not long after, a large number of martial artists emerged from the Baekho Clan's main gate.
One fearless user asked.
The martial artist at the front stared at him blankly before speaking.
At that response, confident players followed behind. The martial artist, now on edge, whipped around with a fierce glare.
The martial artist pondered, then reported to the squad leader.
The squad leader accepted readily.
The screen shifted again.
The martial artists arrived at The King Guild's base and unleashed their prowess.
"What the hell?!"
"Baekho Clan, you bastards. Just you wait…!"
The King Guild members fell pathetically.
They were a top-rank guild too. The average level of users at their base was around 170, but against the Baekho warriors' might, they were mere mice before a cat.
(The moment the base is raided.)
In truth, the ones at the base weren't the strongest. The real powerhouses—level 190 users—had already coordinated in reality, logged in, and gathered in front of the Baekho Clan.
(The elites gathered in front of the Baekho Clan.)
Players' greatest advantage over NPCs: swift communication.
"Ho."
Mu-hyuk's focus sharpened.
This is actually pretty fun?
He watched intently, eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Probably."
"Heh. They started it. Let's show 'em proper."
"Hey, you recording! Not trying to kill ya. Film it good—how we handle these NPC trash! Got it?!"
"Shut up. All guild members here?"
"Y-yeah!"
"Then let's go kill."
They headed to the Baekho Clan's main gate.
Creak.
The gates swung open.
Every martial artist in the clan who knew even basic arts—excluding the combat unit—emerged.
They spread left and right, forming ranks. A clear message: no one gets inside, no matter who.
A majestic voice boomed.
Thud.
The clan head, Baekho Un, and the chief steward appeared.
Killing intent radiated from Baekho Un.
He was a warrior at heart. Clan head or not, he'd honed his skills lifelong.
No mercy for those who sullied the clan's honor or trampled a martial artist's pride. A cold-blooded killer.
His icy gaze swept the players. Its weight crushed The King Guild members' shoulders; none dared move.
Strong…!
Instinct screamed it.
He was the predator.
Baekho Un vanished.
Every King Guild member guarding the spot was erased.
Erased, literally. They melted away in an instant.
Twenty warriors appeared from behind.
(From that moment until this morning, most of The King Guild's elites have reportedly lost their lives.)
The video finally ended.
"Whoa."
It felt like watching a full movie.
Though the ending was set.
Once Baekho Un decided, The King Guild's dissolution was inevitable.
Still, he wondered how it'd crumble.
Pathetically? Or force Baekho Un to move again?
"Whoa, this is fun."
"What is?"
"Found a video. Wanna watch?"
Mu-hyuk glanced over.
"Just finished it."
"Oh, yeah?"
He checked the top of his phone screen.
8:30 a.m.
Time to head out.
A bit later.
Mu-hyuk arrived at Seoul Station at 8:55, parked in the lot, and headed upstairs.
En route, he called Sung Min-woo to check his location.
"I'm here. Where you at?"
"How long?"
"Got it. Meet at the entrance."
"Oh, you call Ji-yeon noona."
"Hanging up."
He ended the call and waited at the station for Ye-rin.
About five minutes passed.
"Oppa!"
A stunning woman with long, slender legs appeared, instantly drawing every man's gaze.
"Yeah, here."
She ran up and hugged him.
"Hehe, missed you."
"Me too."
As he stroked her hair, he felt piercing stares.
Man.
Jealousy and envy in their eyes.
His shoulders puffed up involuntarily.
Meanwhile.
Sung Min-woo arrived at Seoul Station and scanned the area. No sign of Mu-hyuk, Ye-rin, or Kim Ji-yeon.
"Whew."
After agonizing, he hit call.
Latest pop song rang.
Seconds dragged like minutes—worse, time crawled.
Finally, the connect tone.
Brief silence.
"Ah, hi!"
"Uh, where are you about…?"
"Oh, really?"
Sung Min-woo scanned again.
At the bottom of the stairs.
Ye-rin on the escalator.
Their eyes met from afar.
Thump.
His heart raced wildly.
She raised her hand delicately—so cute.
"……."
"Ah…?"
Sung Min-woo snapped out, shaking his head vigorously.
"Y-yeah, I see you!"
He was mesmerized as she ascended.
Yes, pretty…!
The closer she got, the stiffer he became.
Her in-game robe vs. now in hot pants and crisp white blouse—worlds apart.
First time seeing her IRL; tension maxed.
"Um…."
She reached him.
Heart pounding so loud she might hear.
"Y-yeah! You came?"
"Yes."
"Th-then, sh-should we wait?"
"Sure."
He felt pathetic—stammering, no lead. But head, body, mouth all separate; couldn't control.
First time…!
This insane thrill, excitement.
Mind blank.
Dated before, but this feeling? Brand new.
Moments later.
"There you are."
"Unni!"
Mu-hyuk and Ye-rin emerged, approaching the awkward pair. They led the still-tense duo to the parking lot.
"Weather's perfect. Amusement park? What do ya think?"
"Sounds good."
"Me too. Been ages; should be fun."
Kang Ji-yeon nodded beside.
Parking lot reached.
"I'll go with oppa, so unni go with Min-woo oppa."
"Uh, th-that…."
"See ya there!"
Mu-hyuk and Ye-rin hurried off, hopped in their car. Sung Min-woo had no choice; headed to his, seated Ji-yeon shotgun.
"L-leaving now."
"Yes."
Hands trembled starting the engine.
Idiot. Get it together.
Less shaky than driving test.
Ultimate tension, but gripping wheel calmed him oddly.
Sighed relief, glanced at her.
Thump.
Mind fogged again.
No!
Prime chance for calm chat, but feared botching drive. Lips clamped, eyes forward.
In heavy silence, Ji-yeon's gaze subtly shifted to him.
*
At Yongin Amusement Park, they bought all-day passes and entered.
"Whoa, been forever."
"Gonna be fun!"
Weekday, not crowded.
"This first!"
"Th-this…?"
Park's fastest rollercoaster.
"Yeah, wanna ride."
"Alright."
All but Sung Min-woo beamed.
"Ji-yeon noona okay?"
"Yes, love rides."
"Good."
Short line; turn quick.
"Front row!"
"Th-then second for me."
Sung Min-woo sighed, boarded beside Ji-yeon.
Coaster accelerated fiercely.
"Eeeeeek!"
Mu-hyuk, Ye-rin, Ji-yeon enjoyed purely; Sung Min-woo screamed in terror.
Similar on most rides, but he endured.
For time with her.
"Urghhh."
Eventually, puked.
What to say.
Not the best date.
*
Late night.
Sung Min-woo and Ji-yeon headed home; Mu-hyuk spent day with Ye-rin.
Passionate night, breakfast together, escorted to station.
"See ya soon, oppa."
"Yeah."
After parting, homeward.
Vroom.
Speed crept up unconsciously.
Illusion, Illusion…!
Just one day away. Non-game stuff. Now, only Illusion filled his head.
Especially The King Guild.
And Baekho Clan.
Wondered their fates.
Speed rose.
Arrived.
Home at last.
Parked, entered; Kang Ji-yeon on sofa turned.
"Finally back?"
"Ahem."
"What'd ya do?"
"Just, drank with friends after ages."
"Oh? Met Ye-rin?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Right, no prying into others' romance."
"Good you know. Mom?"
"Out with friends."
"Hm, off to Illusion."
"Go."
Room, PC on.
Baekho Clan, search.
Myriad posts unseen for 24+ hours flooded.
Mu-hyuk grinned, scrolled fast.