Taking Command
It had been a while since Mu-hyuk properly enjoyed a date with Yerin.
They spent a hot, long night together.
And welcomed the morning feeling each other's body heat.
"Ugh, I slept so well...!"
"Me too."
"Hehe, my oppa was the best yesterday."
"Ahem."
Yerin, who lavishly praised Mu-hyuk, whined that she was hungry.
"I'll drop you off after breakfast."
"Okay!"
In the end, they went out, shared a bowl of seolleongtang, and he escorted her to Seoul Station.
The high-speed train to Gangneung took only 30 minutes, so there wasn't much to worry about.
"See you in Illusion later, oppa."
"Yeah, get home safe."
"Okay!"
After a farewell kiss, Yerin boarded the train.
Only after confirming it depart did Mu-hyuk turn toward home.
Even after arriving home, it was only 8 a.m., so he did a light workout. After showering, he logged into the game, where about half the users had already gathered.
"We died so ridiculously last time."
"Who would've thought there'd be traps like that."
"We got totally backstabbed."
Then a familiar voice rang out.
"That's why let's win properly today!"
"Of course! No doubt!"
"Couldn't log in for 24 hours—it was so frustrating. If it happens again today, I might really lose it!"
"Same here!"
The users chuckled deeply.
Mu-hyuk approached them and lightly tapped one guy's head.
"What're you doing."
"Oh, you're here?"
The other users greeted Mu-hyuk too.
"You're here!"
"Ah, yeah."
"Hah, now that Mu-hyuk's here, let's talk strategy properly."
"Uh...?"
"Right. There'll probably be traps again, yeah?"
"High chance."
"So, Mu-hyuk, what do you think? Traps?"
"Uh, yeah? Probably."
He'd unwittingly been pulled into the debate.
"Don't worry, guys. This one's got skeletons to check the traps first."
"Oh, right. He has summons."
"Yeah. Honestly, if not just Mu-hyuk but summoner-class users step up to scout, traps won't be a big threat."
"We died because it was so sudden."
"We'll win this time."
Everyone wore pleased smiles.
They'd been too complacent last time.
It wouldn't happen today.
"Time for payback!"
"My hands are itching already."
This would be the day to avenge their defeat.
By then, Yerin and Kim Ji-yeon had logged in too.
The filming crew for Mu-hyuk gathered as well.
"Everyone's here."
The leading knight approached them.
Then he looked at Mu-hyuk.
"A word, if I may."
"With me?"
"Yes."
"Got it."
As Mu-hyuk moved, the filming team followed.
Yura did the same.
The knight hesitated, then lowered his voice to speak to Mu-hyuk, ignoring them.
"In the last battle, I realized I couldn't do much."
"Hmm."
"So, I was wondering if you'd take command this time. That's why I brought you here."
Mu-hyuk was a noble.
Taking command from a knight posed no issue.
"No problem, but..."
"Please. You're the most suitable."
Command Authority Delegation
📍 In the battle with Kairon Continent: During the recapture of villages and small towns, the knight felt inadequate leading outsiders rather than NPCs. He wishes to delegate command to you, who qualifies as a noble. Accept to pursue victory in this and future battles.
🎁 Activation Conditions: Noble, Knight's Trust
🎁 Rewards: Contribution Points, Experience
Accept?
Mu-hyuk pondered briefly.
Hmm.
Commanding users was tricky anyway. He had no intention of controlling them perfectly from the start.
Just point the direction.
Plus, it wouldn't hinder his stat growth much.
He nodded.
Quest popped up, after all.
All positives.
"Alright. Let's do it."
"Thank you."
You have acquired Command Authority.
He glanced at the message with the knight's bow, then returned.
"Looks like I've ended up in command."
"Ooh!"
"Even better. Conversation was awkward anyway."
"Glad to hear it."
The mood was better than expected.
"Good vibe."
Sung Min-woo approached, bowed exaggeratedly before Mu-hyuk.
"Well then, Commander Mu-hyuk, please explain our battle plan."
"Sigh..."
Mu-hyuk shook his head with a sigh, drawing laughs from some users.
"Tch. We've already discussed, but I'll summarize. Summoners: Call minimal summons first. We'll check traps around the gate together. Once clear, send surviving summons from the first wave into the entrance. If enemy users guard it, charge and break through fast. If not, assume interior traps—summon more and send inside."
Someone spoke up.
"Hmm, enemies will kill summons quick, though?"
"They'll try before traps trigger. I'll handle that."
"Ah, got it!"
"After that, obvious, right? Once interior traps clear, rush in and annihilate."
All nodded.
"Let's go."
Cheers erupted everywhere.
Riding the momentum, they closed in.
"Hydra summon, Skull Snake summon."
"Zombie summon!"
"Spirit summon!"
Summons called.
Enough.
Mu-hyuk at front raised his hand.
"Halt."
All stopped, eyeing the small town's walls.
"Scout traps."
Summons scattered at his words.
Boom, kwarung!
Traps as expected.
Impressive.
Mu-hyuk eyed them.
Handmade?
No traces.
Why unnoticed last battle?
Skill then?
Trap-laying class possible.
Intriguing if real.
But enemies—shook it off.
Pity.
Watched entrance blasts.
Skull Snake has been reverse-summoned.
Low-HP ones died fast—no issue. Their job: find traps.
Kuhung!
More traps than thought.
"Whew, insane."
"That's why we lost."
"Died to that many, and they made more in between..."
Blasts stopped.
"Done?"
"Dunno."
Sent more Skull Snakes forward.
Pik, pibibik.
Spears and arrows from ground. Some summons skewered futilely.
Just starting.
Past spears/arrows: cold air surged.
All area summons froze.
Moment later, ice shattered, shards flying.
Distant summons hit, HP dropping.
Still amazing.
More surprises ahead.
That one from before...
Electricity.
Survivors neared entrance.
Chiiiik.
Spot on.
Current from ground. Wet from ice—deadly.
Skull Snake 12 has been reverse-summoned.
[Skull Snake...]
Mu-hyuk's brow twitched watching.
"Hmm."
"What?"
"Impressive."
"The traps?"
"Yeah. So intricate, and the power..."
Most summons dead.
Not all.
"They made it!"
Survivors reached gate.
As passing: users appeared atop walls.
"Push!"
Huge boulders dropped.
Kung, kuung!
Never imagined direct like that.
Startled, command slipped— all summons crushed, reverse-summoned.
"What."
Preparation thorough.
Why go this far?
Just to win?
Overkill.
Whatever—find out after recapture.
No enemies at entrance.
Means interior traps likely.
As planned: summoners resummoned some, sent inside.
Exterior traps gone—entered unhindered.
Then interior barrage.
Kung, kuwaang!
Mu-hyuk raised hand.
"Charge!"
Tanks behind Mu-hyuk. Summoners/priests next.
Others rear. Marched.
Mu-hyuk accelerated.
Entered town amid ongoing blasts. Felt attacks from all sides.
Kneeled quick, shielded.
Force battered shield, pushed him back.
"Don't get pushed!"
Tank user helped.
"Can you hold?"
"Yes, for now."
Summons still clearing; dust lowered accuracy. Minor HP loss.
"Again."
Eyes gleaming, Mu-hyuk advanced.
Scan ahead fast.
Some summons survive.
Scattering.
You too.
Commanded surviving skeletons.
Most traps gone.
Users?
On walls or tight against.
Seemed no direct fight yet.
Felt odd danger—halted.
What...?
Entrance exploded.
Kwagwagwang!
Collapsed—dozens inside trapped.
"Damn, crazy..."
"What the!"
"We're trapped?"
"Mu-hyuk, what now?"
Front breakthrough impossible.
Only over walls.
"To the walls—"
Not end.
Kugugung.
Taller walls rose around Forma users including Mu-hyuk.
Much tighter space.
Still not over.
Whooo.
Wind formed shapes.
Grrr.
Hundreds of zombies. Narrow space—they closed in.