The Frozen Citadel's Threshold
“...Huh?”
The department head's eyes flew wide at the unexpected warning. His face went blank, like he'd actually taken a hit. Meanwhile, Riwei turned his back and walked off.
What the hell? The department head was baffled. Far from accepting the offer, he'd been told not to cross the line. Even reviewing the message, it had been a perfectly reasonable proposal.
Did Black Dragon already tip him off? The two seemed to know each other. If there was any shared info, it had to be about the assault threat. But from the vibe, they weren't exactly buddies. No way a guy like that was close to famous pioneers anyway. Their connection was purely transactional. Just business.
Pioneers are pioneers, alright. He'd heard Riwei wasn't all there. Looked like he'd touched a nerve, so he'd play it cool and bide his time. When push came to shove, he'd choose the department head's hand over Black Dragon's. Best not to provoke him until then.
“Alright, we're good. Get lost!”
With his plan adjusted, the department head grabbed his spear and stood. As everyone resumed moving, Riwei—who'd been leading—doubled back to Hanbit.
“What's the plan? Sticking to the same one?”
“Big picture doesn't change. Legacy's the goal, after all.”
He'd messaged Riwei a simple outline. One core objective. No distractions until it was secured.
“Then watch out for Blood. Guy's a psycho.”
“Psycho?”
“Doesn't play fair. Or talk straight, really.”
-That the problem?
- Psycho = won't take my bet.
-Just butt-hurt?
-But yeah, psycho for real.
-Info) Red line on his name.
-Ex-con whoa
-Kills if you piss him off. lol
Viewers echoed Riwei's take. A red line by his nickname, despite not being in a PK guild? No normal player had that.
“What's his deal? Feels like he'd charge the Snow Drake solo.”
“Can't say for sure. Locks onto a goal and wipes anything in the way.”
“Got it.”
Blood sounded trickier than expected. Hanbit had hoped he'd rush the boss, but that might not pan out. Not that it'd matter—the legacy was safe.
Kruk-!
The monster pack blocking the path got swept by Riwei. A few minutes later, their destination appeared.
“There it is!”
“Told you this was it!”
“Shut up and wait.”
The vast chamber teemed with players, their murmurs buzzing in Hanbit's ears.
What's going on? A massive ice door barred the way—clearly the citadel entrance. Yet no one touched it.
“That's Blood over there.”
Avant-garde pointed to the woman right in front of it. Young human with red hair, black bracelet flickering darkly.
“Pioneers turned out in force.”
Kim Jaeha scanned the rest. Exactly twenty visible—slightly fewer than the White Wyverns handing out entry tickets.
Some teamed up too. Pioneers weren't all lone wolves. Guildmates, shared goals—alliances formed.
“Let's get closer.”
Hanbit led the group forward.
Sruk-
Cold fiercer than a White Wyvern heart poured out, oppressive even with the door shut.
“Hey.”
Blood, standing nearby, spoke up. Kicking the door hard, she said without looking, “You know how to open this, right?”
Hanbit shrugged, still eyeing the door. “Can't you, Miss Pioneer? Why ask a regular like me?”
“Cut the 'regular' bullshit. Don't make trouble—just open it.”
-Sigh….
-So bold it pisses me off;
-Shoulda left it to him?
-Just flop and let her deal.
-Info) Blood really flops.
-Help us, Riwei hyung.
No hidden agenda in Blood's tone—just raw emotion.
“We could settle it with a match?”
Riwei cut in from a few steps back. Blood whipped around, scowling.
“Piss off before I kill you.”
“Duel mode? That works too...”
Shuk-!
Blood's fist flew, cutting Riwei off. The black flicker from her bracelet intensified.
“Told you you'd die.”
“Not that easy.”
The pioneers locked eyes, sparks flying.
“Enough. No commotion.”
A burly man boomed in a deep voice.
“Wait, Mars uncle. Gonna kill this punk first, then open it.”
“Think Black Dragon'll let that slide?”
Whoosh-!
Mars thrust his shield between them, face impassive. “Pioneers, uphold our dignity. We're RP's face.”
-Mars too?;
-Shield king.
-Wall incarnate.
-Mars all about pioneer pride.
-This dude like rank 5k+?
-4,300ish?
-Pride explosion checks out
Chat flooded with explanations. His vibe screamed tank—shield, wall, unbreakable.
“So, why can't we get in?”
“Pushed with all we got—no reaction. Not even a scratch.”
“Hm.”
Blood's explanation didn't click. Anyone who'd reached here should open it. Unprecedented.
The only change since then...
“...Ah.”
Something hit Hanbit. He stepped forward, hand extended slowly to the cold door.
Touch.
Ding-
[Cutscene transition.]
Sruk-
Vision blurred to black. When it cleared, players were gone.
“The day has come.”
Gorik stared at the ice door, face grim, clutching a small metal plaque. Emotions poured from his grip.
“A Snow Drake lair here...”
Zenon gaped, stunned. The legendary snowfield lord—beyond this door. Shocking.
“Best head back to the guild. Form a raid with the guild master and top fighters.”
Veteran B-rank Zenon urged retreat. He and a Snow Drake? Worlds apart. The pressure from the sealed door said it all.
“No. Can't go back.”
Gorik was firm. Dwarf legacy this close—no retreat.
“Too reckless. I get wanting it, but this is suicide...”
“What do you know!”
Gorik bellowed at Zenon's plea, fist trembling on the plaque. “Might be our only shot. If we return and can't find it again? Who's accountable?”
“Search thoroughly again. I'm not walking into certain death.”
“Then you go! I'll enter alone.”
No compromise. They locked eyes, then turned simultaneously.
“Black Dragon, what's your play?”
“Black Dragon, sir, your thoughts?”
Ding-
[Ongoing sub-quest detected.]
[Choices granted for progression.]
1. Return to Ifrit guild.
2. Enter the citadel.
No details. Both valid, but pick one.
Tick-
Hanbit tapped 2.
Thud-
Viewpoint shifted to the door. His hand pushed the massive ice.
Drdrdr-
It slid open smoothly, cold biting. Interior revealed instantly.
Sruk-
Blackout. Scene shifted.
“Whoa, insane.”
“This the citadel?”
“Scale's nuts...”
Players gawked at the sight beyond. Towering ice cliffs encircled it—befitting a Snow Drake's lair.
-Whoa, epic;
-Devs poured soul into this map.
-Two devs made it, one died—idk.
-Tears real.
-Like live-action?
“Fuck, debuff's brutal.”
The department head, trailing behind, grimaced at the entry message.
[Field Effect: Enhanced Freeze Debuff applied.]
[Attack & Movement speed -50%.]
[Cold resistance -100.]
Worse than White Wyvern fields, with cold resist penalty. Nasty.
Same old. Hanbit shrugged it off—routine from past Snow Drake hunts. Message even explained nicely.
“So, where? Legacy's location?”
Department head whispered urgently. Hanbit glanced at Gorik beside him.
“Can see it now, right?”
“...Yeah. Checking.”
Gorik caressed the plaque carefully.
Pop-!
Silver light burst from it.
“That way.”
The beam stretched to the citadel's heart, intensifying nearer the legacy.
“Watching the stream? Follow that.”
“Hey! Tell me on the sly! Everyone's seeing!”
The department head panicked, voice rising. The light—visible only to Hanbit's party—broadcast to all monitoring streams.
“Got the spot?”
“Move. First strike wins.”
“We flank rear.”
Players scattered fast into the citadel.
“Fuck...!”
Department head clawed the air at their backs, then scowled at his staff.
“Move it!”