Dual Runes and Frontline Advances
[Stat, Strength (0.0218) has increased.]
[Stat, Knowledge (0.0218) has increased.]
[Stat, Strength (0.0218) has increased.]
Having wrapped things up perfectly.
"Phew, good work."
He sat down with his companions to take a break.
"By the way, does recapturing a few more places like this wrap it up?"
Sung Min-woo asked, and Mu-hyuk shook his head.
"Nah."
"Then?"
"We'll push forward. To the Kairon Continent."
"Ah......"
"We need to gear up more, even just to prepare for that."
"Huh? Gear up?"
"Yeah. Push enhancements up another level, that sort of thing."
"Ooh......!"
"Oppa, ours too?"
"Of course."
"Kyaa, you're the best!"
Then, one person suddenly came to mind.
Hmm, at this point......
Some pretty good stuff must've come out.
He hurriedly opened the chat system.
The chat partner was the rune crafter user, Bandal.
A reply came quicker than expected.
He hadn't changed a bit.
What a good guy.
Mu-hyuk smiled and kept chatting.
If that was true, there was no need to hesitate.
He even spilled details he didn't need to.
Pure-hearted guy.
Mu-hyuk typed again.
Returning the old runes would net 15 gold each.
450 in total.
That came to a whopping 6,750 gold.
A hefty sum, sure, but for runes with those options, it wasn't a waste at all.
Especially dual Strength and Stamina—combat power would skyrocket.
Truth be told, from Mu-hyuk's perspective, melee skeletons were better off tanking a bit longer than dishing out raw damage.
Can't wait.
That's when the knight shouted loudly.
"Everyone, great job!"
His expression was beaming.
"I never imagined we'd recapture two spots so quickly. We'll take one more small city today, then get plenty of rest!"
They'd be moving again, it seemed.
Soon after, the knight departed.
The users followed on their warhorses.
"Hey, oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Checked the contribution rankings?"
"Not yet."
"You're at 6th right now?"
"6th?"
"Yeah."
He'd hoped for 1st or 2nd, but it was lower than expected.
War Contribution Rankings.
He took in the holographic display.
The gap to 1st was bigger than he'd thought.
"Hmm, what's up with that?"
He was close to 2nd, though.
As he pondered, Yerin clapped.
"Ah, maybe it's that?"
"What?"
"Like commanding those soldiers."
"Ah......"
That made sense.
"You could do it too, since you're a noble."
"I could."
"Then you'd rack up contributions fast?"
"Yeah, but I'm sticking with mercenary for a while."
"Huh? Why?"
"Gotta raise stats."
Mu-hyuk held up his dagger and grinned.
"Ahh."
His companions finally got it.
"Anyway, forget rankings for now."
"Okay!"
After sufficient rest.
They headed to the next destination.
On the way to the small city, they spotted a Kairon Continent flag planted in a small village. Since it was one of the areas they needed to recapture anyway, they didn't hesitate.
"Take down that flag!"
At the knight's command, the mercenaries advanced.
The battle began anew.
And by chance, it got caught on broadcast.
*
War stirred up a lot of people.
It was a massive issue.
Even TV programs were featuring Illusion's war right now.
"Can you see it, everyone?"
On the program Illusion's World.
MC Yura stared straight at the camera and spoke.
"Kairon Continent mercenaries and residents have come down to the Forma Continent. And right now, before my eyes, they're crushing a small Forma village."
"Such a brutal situation."
The male MC beside her chimed in.
"Right. Users might not get it, but residents die for real once they're gone."
"Mm."
Yura's eyes darkened coldly.
"Let's get a closer look."
"Let's go."
They risked danger to film.
But Yura didn't like this situation one bit.
I wanna fight.
With her bold personality, she wanted to jump in right away. But work was work, hobby was hobby—she swallowed her anger and stepped forward.
"They're getting pushed hard."
"Fortunately, the residents are retreating."
"At least they won't die."
"Yeah. It's just a game, but as a Forma Continent player, I'm pretty pissed."
Her expression already showed it.
And maybe because of that.
Viewers empathized.
Countless posts flooded the program site in real-time, proof of it.
"The village has fallen."
"Flag's up."
"Yeah, Kairon Continent emblem."
As the mood sank heavily.
"Huh......?"
The male MC spotted something and looked shocked.
"What's up?"
"Over there."
Yura followed his gaze.
And there, she spotted a group approaching.
The camera hurriedly shifted.
"Forma Continent flag?"
"Ah......!"
Anticipation lit Yura's eyes.
And that anticipation became reality.
BOOM!
They swept away the Kairon Continent users blocking the entrance with overwhelming force.
"F-Follow them!"
Yura and the male MC rushed toward the battle.
Massive explosions rang out in succession, but they were still at a safe distance. No—even if it was dangerous, they wouldn't have hesitated.
"Can you see it?!"
"Overwhelming! Totally overwhelming!"
No word fit better.
"Grraaah!"
Thud, BOOM!
They recaptured the village in an instant, and the Kairon Continent flag shattered.
Crash.
In its place rose the Forma Continent flag.
A strange sense of victory washed over her.
Then, into Yura's view entered a familiar man.
Mu-hyuk.
Definitely him.
The man who'd stirred odd feelings in her.
The man she'd naturally drifted from due to clashing personalities.
Now, she approached him with a relaxed expression.
"Long time no see."
"Hm?"
Mu-hyuk turned, surprise crossing his face. Then he smiled warmly and nodded.
"Yeah, it has."
"Didn't expect to see you here."
"Same."
"Ah, Min-woo, long time no see too, right?"
"Haha, yeah."
Yura glanced at Yerin and Kim Ji-yeon next.
"Hi."
"Oh, hi."
Mu-hyuk sidled up to Yerin.
"My girlfriend."
"Ahh."
"Hi! I love watching Illusion's World!"
"Oh really? Thanks!"
A weird vibe passed between the two women.
But only briefly.
Yura smiled softly.
"You two look great together."
"Ah, thanks."
"I'm filming, so gotta head back."
"Sure."
"Oh, you know the drill if you spot good content? Contact me. Last time you were on, ratings were killer. Lately, not so much."
"Really? Pay's good, right?"
"You bet."
"I'll hit you up if a good quest or situation pops."
"Looking forward to it."
Only then did Yura leave.
Yerin narrowed her eyes and clung to Mu-hyuk.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"I used to watch Illusion's World."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. Saw you save Yura back then."
"Did I?"
"Totally. You were so cool."
Mu-hyuk could only grin awkwardly.
How do I even explain that?
Couldn't exactly say they'd flirted briefly.
He buried his thoughts deep and took Yerin's hand.
"Well, I'm pretty cool."
"Pfft."
Meeting Yura after so long felt more comfortable than expected.
Illusion's World wasn't bad either.
It'd helped a ton financially during tough times.
Good memories.
"Everyone, good work."
The knight's voice snapped him out of it.
"We'll head straight to the recaptured small city without rest. This was a bonus on the way, so just a bit more effort, please."
The mercenaries nodded.
"Rack up more contributions, why not."
"Battles are fun anyway."
The mood was better than expected.
"Let's move out."
They advanced toward the real target small city.
*
Mu-hyuk's Illusion TV broadcast blew up too.
Not long after, they arrived at the real target: the small city.
The battle there went smoothly too.
Today's battles ended there.
But real growth started now.
Everyone forward.
He collected all the skeletons' gear.
"Hoo."
Pulling out his hammer.
Clang!
Enhancement grind time.