Server Reprogramming
> [Server Programming Reallocation]
> [Activity 30%]
> [Reallocation Rate 88%]
> [Collecting SPL Module Database]
> [MAT Design 77%]
“……”
Staring at the complex array of numbers scrolling across the monitor, Han Se-hyun let out a low sigh, his face etched with exhaustion.
“This can't be happening.”
“But it did. So, what's your plan now? Are you still going ahead with that interview for the game section program you had lined up?”
“Cancel it.”
Despite his immediate, unwavering response, Manager Jeong nodded as if he'd expected it.
“At least it's a silver lining. The Dragon Hunt achievement got leaked to the servers, but they still don't know about the Mythic class.”
“It's only the first job change, after all.”
“As expected from the top player. Who would've thought Kim Do-hyun would clear the Chilya quest... The Dragon Hunt itself was absurd enough, but even if that was doable with item power... how the hell did he clear Chilya? Our simulations pegged the appropriate level at 100.”
Manager Jeong shook his head in disbelief.
“No idea. Worldview protection laws keep operators from viewing player actions directly. We can only check the results.”
“……Being an operator isn't easy.”
At Han Se-hyun's reply, Manager Jeong wearily grabbed a canned coffee from his desk. Empty cans were already piled up messily around it.
“In simulations, with the current max level at 100, Chilya Sword Master is basically the second job change and final content. That's when the next update was supposed to hit, right?”
“Same with Dragon Hunt.”
“Yeah. But he cleared both at first job change... So when Kim Do-hyun hits level 100, he'll get another class after Chilya Sword Master? That's a total monster in the making.”
“The good news is the update schedule hasn't shifted, so the level cap hasn't been reallocated yet. We can still tweak the difficulty.”
Manager Jeong glanced at the monitor at his words.
“Kim Do-hyun taking down the Spirit Devourer and grabbing Chilya Sword Master has completely twisted Dimension World's history.”
Han Se-hyun pointed at the 88% reallocation rate on the screen.
“That means 88% of the story has diverged from our initial setup. It's a whole new tale now.”
“Then……”
“Yeah. From here on, even we have no idea how Dimension World will change.”
“Hey, you hear? It wasn't one of the eight major clans that took down the Spirit Devourer.”
“Really? Then who the hell was it?”
“No clue. The achievement popped up, but it's private. Community was buzzing yesterday that China's ANA guild used illegal programs or some crap.”
“What nonsense. Hacks in Dimension World? Typical ANA bullshit……”
“Word is they even put a bounty on it. The other major clans are watching closely, even if they're not saying anything yet.”
“Honestly, those arrogant pricks got wrecked. No way they saw a level 100 dragon dropping before level 50s even showed up.”
The usually quiet village was buzzing with players for some reason. Probably because the first field monster in the Northern Plateau had finally been slain.
The rumors have spread, huh.
Fortunately, my identity was still hidden. I smirked faintly at their chatter.
The conversations weren't anything special after that—just endless speculation about the eight major clans dying to figure out who I was.
Right on plan.
Rumors spread fastest among loose lips. But fingers were even looser.
Famous players like the eight major clans posted under their names, but most were anonymous, of course.
People turn into keyboard warriors when they're hiding behind screens.
Ironically, the community was already debating whether Dragon Hunt was a player achievement or just an NPC event.
Not wrong guesses. Dimension World does throw non-player events now and then.
Like world quests between kingdoms. Players grow stronger with levels, but everyone starts the same.
Dimension World had its own living world—kingdoms and tribes where people gathered.
It feels like players are the protagonists, but strictly speaking, there are kings and chiefs. We're just outsiders hitching a ride on their power.
Yet people dismissed NPCs as mere quest-givers. That's why no one wanted to admit it—either a player outpacing them or some lowly NPC slaying a sixth dragon they couldn't touch.
Let them fight it out online. Pointless drama, but the bigger the Dragon Hunt debate, the better for me.
With my identity secret, the eight major clans couldn't avoid eyeing each other suspiciously. And as I'd hoped, ANA's prideful leader, Lushin, made the first move.
The more they hold back, the freer I am.
No matter how fast I grew, I couldn't take on over a thousand of them alone yet.
If they tear into each other, even better.
In a race against the masses, slowing their growth was as good as speeding up mine.
Misunderstandings, suspicions, distrust, unease—they'd spark infighting among the eight clans, widening the gap between me and them.
Tap, tap, tap.
I knocked on Unto's tool shop door, leaving the noisy crowd behind.
“Come in.”
The door swung open, and Unto, the shop owner, greeted me like he'd been waiting.
“Kael told me you'd come. Divine beast powder for real... I half-doubted, but I didn't misjudge you.”
“You lied about not knowing its use, didn't you? It's for dragon hunting.”
“Some have it but don't know how to use it. Others know but lack the guts. No need to force it.”
Unto gave a cryptic smile.
“Here's the rest. No need for it here anymore.”
Quest item or not, it's not limited—they give it to anyone who shows up.
Figuring out he was from the south wasn't easy to begin with, so getting the item was no small feat.
But the real payoff came after completion. The Northern Plateau route for divine beast powder was now gone for good.
Mine is the only divine beast powder available up here now. No one else can get it from this place.
“Never thought I'd pull this out. Take it.”
Unto fetched an old box from the basement. The second Dragon Hunt quest reward.
Even the quest log marked it as unknown, so I was curious too.
Click.
Dust puffed up as the lock sprang open with a surprisingly crisp sound.
“Hm?”
Unlike expectations, inside was just a weathered compass.
“What's this?”
“What's inside?”
Unto seemed clueless about the item too, turning the question back on me.
“Heh……”
Showing him the interior, his face subtly stiffened.
“……A compass, huh.”
A curt reply for such a reaction.
Hiding something?
I watched him closely, missing no detail.
“The engraving on the bezel is unfamiliar. Doesn't match any current kingdom's style... Know anything?”
Pulling out the compass revealed gold-embossed wing motifs along the edges.
“First time for me too. Wings symbolize ancient gnomes... Their tools are special. Could be theirs.”
“Where'd you get it?”
“Hm... Pure chance. Ever hear of the Mirage Merchant? Got the divine beast powder from him, and he left this. Said to give it with the powder to its user.”
“Mirage Merchant……?”
I frowned at the name. I'd heard of him.
Dimension World's deus ex machina. Appears out of nowhere with rare items, no one knows why or how.
Unlike other NPCs, he has no name tag—looks like a player. In DW1, Rerto Karen's legendary Absolute Spirit God armor came from him.
His wares are pricey and bizarre—sometimes trash without knowing how to use them, sometimes game-changers like Rerto's armor.
Everyone, not just the eight clans, hunted for him. But he was impossibly rare.
Spawn conditions unknown. Not level or fame—pure random.
A super rare NPC you could only meet by luck. Never thought I'd hear his name in a starter village.
“Know anything else?”
“Nah. Bumped into him 30 years ago by chance. Learned about the box thanks to you.”
“Hm, got it.”
Disappointing, but expected. I nodded.
“Oh, one thing he said sticks out. Why he wanders.”
“What?”
“Looking for a disciple.”
Unto said it casually, but knowing the Mirage Merchant's rarity from DW1, I couldn't help but perk up.
His disciple...? A hidden class maybe?
“Headed south, he said.”
“South……”
Unto shrugged.
“Who knows. 30 years ago. South from here could be Deus Union, Land of Savages, Green Dragon's lair, or even one of the Forbidden Isles across the sea.”
He shook his head, clueless.
“If fate allows, you might meet him someday. Ask then. Compass might be busted after all this time.”
The needle spun endlessly inside the glass, as if broken.
“I'd say skip waiting on luck and head to the hidden gnome kingdom west for a craftsman... But finding gnome country ain't easy. Heh.”
“Mirage Merchant's disciple……”
Despite his advice, the phrase lingered in my ears.
Grade: ??
Durability: ??/??
Usable Level: ??
A compass said to be made by ??.
Rumored to point to ????, but it's broken now—points nowhere.
Probably needs repair.
[Note: This item is currently inactive. Can be used after unsealing.]
No real clues here. If I knew the maker, I could search.
I fiddled with the compass, clicking my tongue in frustration.
But one thing was sure: it could be fixed, and wherever it pointed was real.
Click.
Then—
“Huh?”
Flipping it over, a decorative plate popped open, revealing an engraved phrase inside.
“……What's this?”