The Hidden Quest Goes Viral
The program hadn't even ended yet when the hidden quest became the hot topic.
The search portal site's rankings were flooded with content from the Illusion's World broadcast.
1. Hidden Quest
2.Illusion's World
3. Forma Continent
4. Arsen Kingdom
5. Skeleton Master Tips (Mu-hyuk's post title)
Searching that title linked straight to the Illusion homepage.
Thanks to that, Mu-hyuk's post views exploded.
As time passed, the fifth-place ranking climbed to fourth, then third. It even pushed past second to claim the top spot.
Of course, that was for part one—and once people saw part one, they had to watch part two.
The views from part one naturally flowed into part two.
Views skyrocketed. In no time, they jumped from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, then millions. It was such a blazing hot issue that it was hard to even touch.
Posts poured in.
People doubting if it was real.
People vowing to try it themselves.
Comments went wild too.
Some cursing it as fake.
Users declaring they'd test it.
Even folks saying if it was real, they'd just level up again since they were low-level anyway.
That day, the debates raged hot and heavy.
And the next day.
Mu-hyuk woke up to find his two posts holding fourth and fifth place.
Fourth was part one, fifth part two.
Part one's views: 2.2 million.
Part two's: 1.9 million.
Holy...
Just appearing on the broadcast had caused views to explode.
In a single day, no less.
They'd probably keep climbing fast for days.
Third place wasn't out of reach.
Very possible...
That meant 2 gold per view.
Good call sharing the info.
Mu-hyuk grinned in satisfaction as he left the house. He headed to the gym for his usual workout, then returned home and logged into Illusion.
Meanwhile.
Kim Min-ho PD, in charge of Illusion's World, checked the ratings the moment he arrived at the station.
The junior PDs had gathered to review them too.
"Ah, you're here, sunbae."
"Yeah. Ratings?"
"Coming up any second."
After a short wait, the ratings dropped.
He checked with bated breath.
Please...
Kim Min-ho PD's eyes widened.
"Wha...?"
The junior PD next to him tilted his head.
He rubbed his eyes and checked again.
"S-sunbae."
"This can't be wrong, right?"
"No, it's not."
"..."
If his eyes weren't lying, the ratings clearly showed 22.7%.
(Previous monthly avg: 19.7% | Peak: 20.5%)
The average over the past month had been 19.7%, with a peak of 20.5%.
But 22.7%? Insane.
He clenched his fist hard, finally grasping the reality.
Euphoria washed over him.
"Jackpot, sunbae! Absolute jackpot!"
"I know, man!"
That's when the contract with Mu-hyuk hit him.
They'd agreed to 650,000 won incentive per 0.1% rise above 19.7%.
So...
He did the math in his head.
About 19.5 million won.
A hefty sum, sure—but the gains from the ratings surge dwarfed it. He could pay with a smile.
Way higher than I expected.
The hidden quest.
Was it that big a deal?
He didn't play Illusion, but he figured he knew the value of info pretty well.
He'd aimed for maybe 1% boost this time. This blew expectations out of the water.
For a wild moment, he fantasized that Mu-hyuk had foreseen it and tweaked the contract terms on purpose.
Nah, coincidence.
Shaking it off, he dove into work prep.
In high spirits.
Mu-hyuk headed straight for Count Kairon's mansion in the capital.
Upon arrival, he spotted a group gathered out front. Count Kairon was addressing them.
As he approached, their eyes met.
The count smiled in welcome.
"Come here."
"Ah, yes."
"These are the ones aspiring to be squires. What do you think?"
About ten in total.
All looked young. The youngest seemed mid-teens, the oldest early twenties at most.
Aspiring squires...
Levels around 60 to 65.
Perfect.
"Looks good."
"Haha, right? They're the future."
The meaning differed slightly, but who cared.
"Take them with you."
"Understood. But the magic blocking the path..."
"Don't worry. I've left a scroll."
"Got it."
"No issues now, then?"
"Ah, yes."
"Good luck, then."
He turned to the aspirants with a charge.
"This man will lead you. Follow him well."
"Yes, Count!"
Mu-hyuk flinched.
Wait, hold up...?
Stunned, he stared at the count.
"Something wrong?"
"No, just now..."
"Ah, didn't mention it. You'll lead them."
"Pardon...?"
"Of course."
He'd wanted aspiring squires, sure—but he never imagined no NPCs to lead them.
Damn, what did Knight Veron say!
Too much goodwill was a problem too.
Then the message popped.
Empire's Hidden Secret 4
Quest 'Empire's Hidden Secret 4' activated.
He quickly checked the quest details.
Objective: Lead the aspiring squires to conquer the ruined building.
📍 Reward: Varies by number of survivors.
⚠️ Failure: No reattempt possible.
The quest triggered changes immediately.
⊳ You are recognized as Party Leader.
⊳ Aspiring squire levels now visible.
Now he could check the aspiring squires' levels.
Sigh...
Count Kairon chuckled.
"I'll leave it to you, then."
"..."
Mu-hyuk couldn't respond.
Not what he'd planned, but so what.
He just had to reach the top somehow.
Ten level 70+ NPCs—what was there to fear?
Plus 25 skeletons. Failure meant no redo, but success? Smooth sailing.
No need to panic.
Second floor: Variant Mad Dogs.
Level 60 monsters.
Assuming 2 levels per floor, seventh floor would be level 70s.
This was definitely a quest to unlock Tower content.
So no sudden difficulty spikes in one building.
Mu-hyuk concluded based on past knowledge.
We can clear it. Easily.
They arrived at the target building.
He turned, taking in the ten aspiring squires watching him.
"I'll drop formalities for ease."
"Yes."
Aspiring squires, they had that raw recruit tension, like privates in boot.
Takes me back.
Once he'd gone from private to PFC to corporal, he'd whipped newbies into shape.
Then squad leader as sergeant—his first leadership gig.
Leading just eight or nine guys had felt heavy.
He adapted over time, of course.
Messed around too. Pretending to be a private to buddy up with rookies, subtly dragging a corporal into gossip.
Once got into a brawl with the corporal, ended with a barked "Drop and give me twenty!"
The furious corporal's face twisted, then he hit the deck in panic. Rookies gawked; squadmates snickered.
Pfft.
A chuckle escaped.
Good times.
All fond memories now.
He noticed their puzzled stares.
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat, he shook off the nostalgia.
"Monsters start on floor two. Seven floors total, probably. You'll gain solid experience here—build the foundation to become squires. Give it your all."
Foundation for squires.
That fired them up.
"Understood."
But the ones in back looked off. They hadn't really responded either.
Front row was loud; back was whisper-quiet.
He noticed late but shrugged it off.
Bound to have a few like that.
And he could change their attitudes.
"Let's move."
Mu-hyuk pressed the right brick, opening the door.
Creeeak.
They stepped into the darkness.
They cleared up to the third floor fast.
Fatigue from respawned Variant Mad Dogs on two, so Mu-hyuk ordered rest on three.
No summons yet.
He'd hunt with just the aspirants a bit longer.
Level them up for stable high-floor clears.
He sat too, checking exp.
Definitely fast.
As party leader, he'd set exp split to equal.
Ten-way split, but fast kills compensated.
Monsters higher level than him too—nice exp hauls. No way he'd miss this.
Full clear to seven...
At least three levels. Maybe four or five.
Excitement bubbled.
"Rested enough. Moving out."
"Yes."
Leading the ten, they advanced.
Cautiously.
About 50 meters in.
Whiiirrr.
The alien buzz pierced footsteps and breaths, hitting his eardrums.
He raised a hand.
The followers halted.
"..."
Silence broken by the monster.
A level 62 Giant Bee.
Even tiny bees buzzing ears gave chills.
That signature whir.
A one-meter bee's wingbeat?
Goosebumps just hearing it.
Giant Bee, huh.
Mu-hyuk recalled the strat instantly.
Easier than it seems.
Must clear all monsters per floor to ascend.
Variant Mad Dogs weren't hard with the right method either.
He didn't know every strat, though.
That's why he'd scout as many as possible here.
To maximize gains when Tower content dropped.
"Everyone, battle ready!"
Could clear easy per strat, but he held back.
Let aspirants feel the bee's power first.
Then solo it to jolt the few still doubting him.
Feel it yourselves.
He sent the knights at the Giant Bee.
"Haaah!"
"Hold formation! Left flank's open!"
The bee body-slammed, then stung a right-side aspirant.
The knight froze.
Panicked eyes rolling, the bee twisted—wing slicing toward his face.
Wing so fast, even a graze would shred flesh.