The Final Destination

The final destination before crossing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠over to the Kaion Continent.

"Whoa, it's beautiful..."

"They called it emerald waters, didn't they? Look at that."

They had arrived at the northern sea of the Forma Continent.

Duke Amur, with the help of mages, amplified his voice.

"Before we divide the personnel, I have one announcement to make."

This was now war.

That was why Duke Amur had dropped the formal speech.

"The foreigners mentioned as commanders, please step forward again."

Some users moved accordingly.

"I'll be right back."

Mu-hyuk was included among them.

"Take your positions in order."

"Yes."

Once they lined up, Duke Amur conducted a simple provisional ceremony.

"From this moment, I grant you the qualifications to serve as commanders."

Immediately after, a hologram appeared.

Mu-hyuk had become the 1st Commander.

The others were likely appointed as 2nd Commander, 3rd Commander, and so on, in sequence.

"Now, we will divide the personnel."

Duke Amur glanced back.

"Take your positions."

"Yes, Your Grace."

A few mages and knights stepped forward. Soon, the mages chanted spells, and a faint blue light enveloped a designated area like a barrier.

"I've cast a spell that can accommodate only 5,000 personnel and one commander. If more try to enter, they won't be able to step inside the magic circle. Head wherever you like. Once groups form, you'll be scattered to designated points on the Kaion Continent. Detailed instructions will be relayed to commanders through the mages. Commanders, think carefully and lead your groups wisely. That's all! Take your positions now!"

Users began ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to move.

"Eh, doesn't matter where we go, right?"

Mu-hyuk nodded at Sung Min-woo's question.

"As long as there's no other commander."

"Lucky. They could've split us up arbitrarily."

Ye-rin and Kim Ji-yeon, realizing the fact late, looked startled for a moment before sighing in relief.

"Where should we go?"

"Hm, the middle?"

"Sure."

They headed to the central group, accepting Ye-rin's suggestion.

The moment Mu-hyuk started moving.

"Hey, let's go there too."

"Where?"

"Let's follow Mu-hyuk."

"Why?"

"So we don't die!"

"Oh, right? Yeah, makes sense. Cool, let's tail 'em!"

But some shook their heads and stayed put.

"Idiots. Then they lose contribution points. No brains? Rack up points where there are minimal rankers."

"Nah, gotta stay alive steadily to build points."

"I won't die."

"Oh yeah? So confident."

"Exactly, so trust me and go there."

"Ugh, fine."

Thus, some distanced themselves from the rankers.

Meanwhile.

Geffen and his party headed to the center.

Following behind Mu-hyuk.

The first commander in the central group was Mu-hyuk.

"Oh, no other commanders here."

"Perfect, let's stay."

"OK!"

Looking around, familiar faces caught his eye.

Geffen and his comrades.

"Hey, Geffen?"

"Yes."

"You came here."

"Yes, seemed like a good spot."

"Hm."

That meant Geffen was now under Mu-hyuk's command. A portion of his contribution points would go to Mu-hyuk.

"Geffen?"

"Yes, Mu-hyuk."

"You wanted weapon enhancement, right?"

"Yes."

"What level?"

Geffen's eyes lit up.

"You'll do it?"

"If the price is right."

"Minimum +9. 50,000 gold on success. 100,000 for +10."

Mu-hyuk's eyelids twitched.

500 million won, 1 billion.

Not lacking even compared to auction house ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠estimates.

Of course, base weapon stats mattered, but still generous.

Who could refuse such sums dangling before them?

"Deal. Let's try."

"Thank you!"

"Show me the weapon first."

"Here."

Mu-hyuk checked the spear Geffen handed over.

An insanely optioned spear.

"Whoa..."

This could fetch thousands of gold even unenhanced.

"Incredible."

"Thank you."

"Let's aim for at least +9."

"Yes."

"Contract?"

"Got it."

To prevent theft, they drafted a merchant's contract.

"Contract established."

"Please take care of it."

Armor and shield enhancements would have to wait, but he wasn't disappointed. Excitement filled him instead.

What spear would emerge?

His heart raced just imagining it.

Mu-hyuk's group became Group 1.

Natural, as 1st Commander.

Accompanied by a mage relaying Duke Amur's orders and a knight for advice, they boarded a massive ship.

Plenty of room for 5,000.

"Whoa, huge."

"Gonna take a while."

"Obviously. Vast distance."

"Adapt to time difference en route."

"Time difference?"

"Yeah, Kaion's about 12 hours off."

"Oh..."

"Didn't know?"

"Nope."

"Good you know now."

Ignoring Sung Min-woo's blank stare, Mu-hyuk enjoyed the sea view with Ye-rin.

"So pretty."

"Yeah. Nice."

Naturally, she nestled into his arms.

After ample relaxation.

"Alright, time to work."

To handle Geffen's request, he found a quiet spot, set down the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Crimson Spear, and drew his hammer.

Artisan's Enhancement.

Activating the skill, he struck the blue enhancement point.

Clang, clang!

Enhancement level rose: +1, +2, +3.

But failed at +5, then again at hard-won +6.

Sighing at the dropped +5 Crimson Spear.

Tougher than expected.

Amortherth's Spear hitting +10 must've been pure luck that day.

Luck hasn't run out, right?

Shaking off unease, he dove back in.

+6, +7, +8.

Slipped to +7, then.

Failed again, down to +6.

Ugh, damn...!

Irritation furrowed his brow when.

"Oppa, you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Fine."

Forcing a smile for Ye-rin.

"Tough, huh?"

"Yeah, not going well."

"It's okay, take it slow."

"Thanks."

Her comfort melted his tension.

"It's already evening."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. We should log out for dinner."

"Right."

Sung Min-woo approached then.

"Still working? Man, your focus is insane every time. Anyway, let's eat."

"Yeah."

Sung Min-woo and Kim Ji-yeon logged out.

"See you soon, oppa."

"Have good dinner."

"Yep!"

Ye-rin and Mu-hyuk logged off too.

Hiss.

Exiting the capsule, he checked his phone first.

Dozens of messages.

Mostly broadcasters, so ignored for now.

Oh, right.

Remembering Lee Han-gyu, he called.

(M-Mu-hyuk?)

"Yeah. Busy?"

(No! All good!)

"You uploaded the video?"

(Yes. Didn't expect this buzz.)

"Thanks."

(Pardon?)

"Loved it."

(Th-thank you!)

"Make another sometime."

( entrust it to me! Oh, and revenue from end of next month!)

"Thanks. Talk later."

Good mood after the call, ate dinner with family. Dozens more messages in mute mode, unchecked.

After eating, checked senders.

All unknowns, as expected.

Back to room, tossed phone on bed, logged into Illusion.

Comrades not back yet.

Might as well work.

Mu-hyuk resumed enhancing the Crimson Spear.

While enhancing it, he also worked on skeleton gear.

Had to +7 the mercenaries' weapons who helped with Zombie's Book.

Intermittent spear work, but +9 proved elusive.

Bad luck.

Time dragged.

A day, two.

Adapted to time difference too.

Over 12 hours, grueling days.

"Ugh, tired."

"Logging out hits dawn. Wake to evening. Messed up."

"No choice here."

Finally, just before arrival, hit +9 on Crimson Spear.

"Whew..."

Exhausted from backlog.

No more.

Stopped, sought Geffen.

"There you are."

"Yes, Mu-hyuk."

Geffen gazed at sea from deck.

">+9 success."

"Really?"

Geffen's lip twitched.

Rare expression from him, amusing.

"Yes, check options."

"Got it...!"

Tense Geffen.

His body jolted dramatically.

Mu-hyuk understood fully.

Options were monstrous.

Even to him, impressive.

Monstrous weapon.

Geffen's unusual reaction?

Nearby Bull Bear user tilted head, snatched the spear.

"Why so shocked? Lemme see."

"Uh, uh..."

"What's up? Like you saw a legendary first time."

"..."

"Tsk tsk."

Bull Bear clicked tongue, checked options.

"Huh...?"

Stunned long, then bowed 90 degrees to Mu-hyuk.

"Mu-hyuk! Respect! Can I request too...? I'll call you big bro! Bro! Make me one!"

"Haha..."

"Bro! I'll pay more than this guy!"

Perplexed, Mu-hyuk just smiled.

Received 50,000 gold from Geffen.

Whew.

With Amortherth's Spear, over 160,000 gold.

Buy Illusion stock.

Cash conversion impossible now.

Hm, earn more?

Seriously considering Bull Bear's request.

"Commander Mu-hyuk."

"Yes."

Mage offered crystal orb.

"Duke Amur's orders."

Light burst, Duke Amur appeared.

His directives.

"Understood."

"No worries."

Bowed farewell, stood.

Ship halted perfectly.

Kaion Continent's southernmost point, foot touching land, Mu-hyuk's expression chilled.

Waited for all users to disembark, then amplified voice via mage.

"Enemy territory from now. Kill any user on sight. Let presumed NPCs pass."

All users nodded.

Even now, Illusion world players filmed Mu-hyuk.

Broadcasts sparked NPC controversy; no need to kill them and draw ire.

"Small town 5km ahead. Start there."

For some, enjoyment.

Items or nobility for others.

Battle thrill for some.

5,000 advanced, each with resolve.