Empire's Hidden Secrets

Yabbe Mountains.

Monsters at level 60 appeared right from the start there.

As you climbed higher toward the peak, the monsters' levels increased, culminating in level 80 beasts at the top.

To conquer that place, you needed to be at least level 70—and that would take a minimum of three months.

"Somewhere in the Yabbe Mountains..."

"Finding out it's somewhere in there was the limit. I don't think we can pinpoint the exact location."

"Hmm, I see."

In the end, it meant he'd have to search every inch of it.

Which meant acquiring the item right now was impossible.

"Sorry I couldn't help more."

"No, I'm truly grateful for what you've done."

The librarian smiled softly at Mu-hyuk's words.

"Here you go."

"Ah, yes."

He finally took the map she offered.

After stowing it in his inventory, he bowed his head deeply.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Come back if you need more help."

"Will do."

It was disappointing, but there was no helping it.

Time would solve it eventually.

For now, he had to focus on what needed doing.

The empire quest.

It was time to crack it open.

After leaving the library, he headed straight for the massive wall at the rear of the empire's central district.

He could see the guards stationed at the entrance.

Level 200 NPCs.

They were inspecting everyone trying to enter the inner keep.

The line was longer than expected.

Especially with so many from merchant guilds—trade between inside and outside the keep promised hefty ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠profits, no doubt.

Nothing to do but wait.

The silver lining was that the merchant groups moved through in bulk, so progress was quicker than feared.

About 30 minutes later, only two teams remained ahead of Mu-hyuk.

"Cleared!"

One team passed as the guard stepped aside.

Now just the final team.

The guards searched their cart and carriage.

That's when he saw it.

An NPC trying to slip money to a guard, who refused to take it.

Hmm?

Unexpected.

A guard turning down a bribe.

Not that it mattered to him.

Soon it was Mu-hyuk's turn.

"Identification."

He handed over his mercenary tag. The guard scanned it with the device in his hand.

Then nodded.

"Cleared!"

He entered the inner keep without issue.

Passing through a small door beside the massive gate revealed a world apart from the outside.

If the outer areas were for commoners and users—nobles aside—then inside was purely noble territory.

The buildings everywhere were opulent beyond words.

The central palace especially screamed fitting for the empire's emperor.

"Whoa..."

Videos hadn't done it justice.

He couldn't close his gaping mouth.

Because of the luxury? No.

The overwhelming grandeur? Not quite.

It was the dignity that encompassed all the lavish structures around it.

A sense of tolerance that kept even the boldest spikes from jutting out.

That refined elegance held his gaze captive.

"Whew."

Only after a long moment of awe did he lower his eyes.

Regaining his composure, Mu-hyuk approached a passing merchant.

"Excuse me."

"Ah, yes?"

"Do you know where Kairon Baekjak's mansion is?"

"Of course."

The merchant pointed.

"Right there."

The mansion straight ahead from where ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Mu-hyuk stood was none other than Kairon Baekjak's residence.

"Ah, thank you."

"No trouble at all."

Alone after the merchant left, Mu-hyuk steadied his breath before entering.

He faced the guard at the door and presented his tag.

"A mercenary, eh?"

"Yes."

"State your business."

"I'm here to see Kairon Baekjak."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No appointment, but this should do."

He handed the document to the guard.

The man pondered briefly.

"It's up to the count to decide."

The guard nodded.

"I'll relay the message. Wait here."

How much time passed after the guard entered?

Instead of the casual demeanor from before, he returned with urgency in his expression, bowing politely to Mu-hyuk.

The butler who appeared next showed equal courtesy.

"This way."

"Thank you."

Following the butler inside, they crossed the vast hall and ascended to the second floor.

The study there.

"My lord, the guest is here."

"Send him in."

"Yes, my lord."

He opened the door with the reply.

"Please enter."

Inside, Kairon Baekjak—exuding a mature charisma—rose to greet him.

His face looked mid-30s, but his presence carried serious weight.

"Sit."

"Yes."

He certainly commanded many under him.

"You're the one who brought the document?"

"Yes."

"Hmm. You don't look all that impressive."

From his perspective, that made sense.

Even the guards were level 200.

No need to argue; Mu-hyuk just smiled.

"Doesn't matter. Thanks for delivering it anyway. But I'm not free to move about, and I can't just send someone out casually. So I have a favor to ask. Will you hear me out?"

Of course.

That was the whole point of coming.

"Naturally."

"Good. Then let me explain."

Kairon Baekjak continued.

"Recently, I learned some intel. About those devouring the world bit by bit. Their tendrils have reached our empire too. And not far away, either."

This sounded serious.

"The spot's outside the keep. Head south from the central plaza, and you'll see a large general store. There's an empty lot next to it. Inside that lot, look for a tall building with a sturdy sealed door. On the right side of that door, there's a brick that's subtly brighter in color. Press it, and the door opens. Check inside the building for me."

Rewards and failure penalties were both question marks.

But he had no choice but to accept.

"Understood."

"Appreciated. Report back when done."

"Yes."

After a bow, he left Kairon Baekjak's mansion.

Exiting the keep, he passed the plaza and headed south. Far off, the large general store came into view.

He confirmed the adjacent empty lot and the tall building within.

Hmm. What the hell is this?

Doubts nagged at Mu-hyuk the whole way.

It felt familiar somehow.

But no specific memory surfaced.

Frustrating, but he shook it off.

I'll figure it out once I clear it.

Then he meticulously checked the right side of the iron door.

Aha, this one.

A single brick noticeably more ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠vivid in color.

Pressing it hard elicited an unpleasant screech as the iron door swung open.

He peered inside.

Deep darkness reigned.

"Hmm..."

Just looking at it felt ominous, but Mu-hyuk stepped in without hesitation.

As he entered,

Kkiiiiiik.

The iron door slammed shut with a metallic groan.

Startled, he whipped around—only for lights to flicker on left and right. Steadying his breath, he pressed forward.

Was it the silence? His own footsteps echoed deafeningly.

To avoid distraction, Mu-hyuk checked the quest window as he walked.

Progress had ticked up slightly.

Hmm, this'll take a while.

He resolved not to rush.

Slow and steady.

That would raise it eventually.

*

After finishing his gym session and returning home, Mu-hyuk began drafting an email for the program Illusion's World.

He finished and hit send.

"Whew."

Current ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time: 8:30 a.m.

The broadcast would air tonight at 7 p.m. with this info.

Then post it on the homepage info board, and done.

Curious about current views, he logged into the site and checked the info board.

His own post had entered the top 10.

"Whoa."

15th place.

Faster growth than expected.

Views nearing 800,000.

With the broadcast...

It'd skyrocket.

This'll be fun.

A smile crept across his face.

Wiping it away, he logged into Illusion.

*

No rats in two days meant no monsters at all.

Mu-hyuk relaxed as he roamed every corner, just like mapping that maze dungeon.

Hmm...

He was sure he'd checked everywhere.

Yet progress stalled.

Just 1% short.

What did I miss?

He racked his brain, but he'd covered it all.

Definite.

So there must be a hidden space.

Mu-hyuk backtracked from the start, scrutinizing walls, floors, and ceilings for secrets.

It dragged on even longer.

"Haah, seriously."

Probably days more of this.

If the quest failed?

Total time sink.

Five days wasted.

But he doubted it.

It was an empire quest, after all.

Just linking up with the empire was profit enough.

Luck might even net empire contribution points.

Staying positive, Mu-hyuk redoubled his search.