Pioneer City Napan (1)
All pioneer zones were like this, but the Gobi Plains outpost was a land of opportunity.
It had once been a monster-infested wasteland unfit for human habitation, but the Imperial Army's pioneer division had cleared it out, expanded the territory, and built roads, drawing people in to settle.
The Gobi Plains boasted some of the Empire's most fertile black soil.
Monsters had made developing this vast expanse impossible until now.
But things had changed.
With the land now habitable, those who staked their claim first owned it.
Residual monsters posed risks, but marking out plots, sowing wheat or beans, and harvesting made it all yours.
You even got priority rights to buy the land later.
The prices were ridiculously low.
Once pioneering wrapped up, people flooded in like a tidal wave.
Napan was one such city.
It had been settled less than three years ago.
A quick internet search turned up next to nothing.
The neighboring pioneer city of Barun, over a decade old, was already urbanized, its first-mover advantages gone.
Taeju had flown through the night and arrived at Napan's outskirts.
He walked into the city center.
Whoa... seriously.
This wasn't just rural—it was the back of beyond.
A few scattered concrete buildings rose three stories or higher, sure.
But this isn't a city. More like a township.
The only reason it was called a city was its sheer size.
Without mountains around, the tiny structures dotted across the vast plain felt utterly out of place.
First things first—find a place to crash.
No hotels in sight.
Just inns.
Shabbier than New Seoul's guesthouses.
Not thrilled.
Should Kim Taeju, chairman of Taehong Bio—the Empire's top tycoon thanks to Vitality Surge and Fresh Flesh Growth—hole up in a dump like this?
No choice.
His identity had to stay hidden here.
His face was too well-known these days.
How famous was he? Even that Jinn handler from Chinatown had bolted at the sight of him.
So he'd used disguise arts and bone-shrinking to alter his appearance.
His signature gray fox leather coat—complete with hidden weapon pockets—was neatly stowed in his infinite storage.
Now he wore standard raid gear: gym clothes reinforced with steel plates over vital spots.
Awakeners and mana compatibles were common here too.
They hunted monsters for byproducts or took farm quests.
Like: Monsters are raiding our fields and ruining crops. Clear 'em out, and we'll pay.
Suddenly!
Sam-baek wriggled out from Taeju's bosom.
"Nyaah..."
"Yeah, we're here."
"Nyang?"
"Wanna come out? Hang on a bit."
He popped a strip of jerky in its mouth, and Sam-baek ducked back inside.
Taeju picked a decent-looking inn.
Ger Inn—its name reeked of old Mongolia.
A young clerk greeted him.
"Got a room? Planning to stay a month."
"Oh! You're from out of town."
"That's why I'm at an inn."
"Heh heh, not what I meant. No ring on your finger."
Ring?
What the hell?
"As you know, this is a pioneer city. Easy for villains to sneak in... rumors say mines have infiltrated too."
"Mines?"
"Yeah! Those mines. New Seoul and the Imperial Peninsula are buzzing about 'em. So maybe Napan's got some too..."
Mines? That'd be perfect.
But what did that have to do with a ring?
"To operate here, you need identity verification. Whether you're a regular, compatible, or awakener—the ring proves you've got clearance."
"...Who vouches?"
"Oasis Guild. Want to do anything in Napan? You need their guarantee."
"And if not?"
"Can't rent a room from me. Hell, you couldn't even buy a bottle of water."
"Bet that ring costs money."
"No kidding."
Guilds were private outfits.
What right did they have?
Sure, private guilds sometimes handled city security.
Like Gurye's Nogodan Guild.
But Gurye was a free city with imperial autonomy.
"No government offices? Even for a pioneer zone?"
"There are. Gobi Plains Pioneer Legion handles it via military police."
The clerk glanced around and leaned in, whispering.
"But rumors say the MPs are in bed with Oasis Guild..."
Aha!
Military collusion too.
Civilians and brass, all reaching for a quick buck.
"Where's Oasis Guild?"
"Head out and go right—biggest building you'll see."
"Thanks."
"Get that ring and come back. Monthly rate's discounted."
Taeju headed straight for Oasis Guild.
Turned out it was Napan's tallest: five stories.
A desk clerk—likely the receptionist—stood waiting.
"Welcome. Quest? Raid team?"
"Nah. Heard I need a ring to operate here."
"New registrant, huh? Fill this out and hand over your ID."
Taeju slid over his forged imperial ID.
Matched his current face.
Not really fake—existed in the system.
He'd picked the alias himself.
"Kim Gunak? Unusual name."
"Hear that a lot."
"Compatible? Want on the monster extermination waitlist?"
"No thanks."
"Raid team?"
"Got my own crew."
Pretty organized.
Felt like a government office.
Processed fast too.
She entered his info on the computer and pulled a small box from under the desk.
"Wire ten million won, and the ring's yours."
"...Steep."
"Think of it as a registration fee, not ring price."
"Can I see it?"
"Sure."
Plain ring.
No mana stone or crystal.
Just copper, engraved with a serial number.
Ten million for this?
"That serial lets you buy, sell, take quests, join raids—anything."
"Hmm."
Pure control.
Everything he did or bought in Napan would track back to Oasis Guild.
A measly guild...
Even Gurye's Nogodan wasn't this bad.
Suddenly!
Rumble of footsteps!
Group poured in through the first-floor entrance.
Dark facial tattoos—mostly awakeners.
"Guild master! Welcome back."
"Yeah."
The guild master headed upstairs.
His eyes met Taeju's incidentally.
He paused, came back down, and eyed the clerk.
"Who's that?"
"Huh? Oh, new registrant."
"Yeah? Name?"
"Kim Gunak."
The guild master approached Taeju slowly.
"Kim Gunak? Where you from?"
"New Seoul."
"Oho! Capital citizen. So why crawl into this backwater?"
"Figured I'd make some cash."
"Cash, huh. Plenty to go around here. ...But you've been talking pretty casually."
"Short fuse coming in—can't have a long one going out."
The guild master stared, incredulous, then burst out laughing.
"Kekekeke! Ballsy kid. I like it. But you know who I am?"
"Guild master here."
Oasis members nearby bristled.
"Fuckin' punk, staring us down?"
"Gonna gouge those eyes!"
"Wanna die?"
"Think Oasis in Napan's a joke?"
Chaos erupted. Sam-baek squirmed in his bosom—Taeju pressed it down.
"Turf too heavy. Who'd work here?"
"Turf? Fine! I'll show you real turf."
Shing! Swish! Clack!
Swords, blades, spears, guns—out came the weapons.
"Hey! Weapons away. People watching—what's this?"
Guild master reined them in, then,
"Gunak, Gunak—read the room. You'll shit blood like this. But you're here for money, so one pass. Buy the ring, register, grind hard. Got it?"
Pat-pat on the shoulder, then up the stairs.
Oasis goons glared daggers before following.
"I remember your face."
"Watch your back outside."
"Pfft! No tattoo even."
Taeju stayed put.
Endure it.
No point stirring trouble.
No mine scent on them anyway.
Clerk approached cautiously.
"Still registering?"
Ten million? Pocket change.
He made billions hourly.
"Guess I have to. To operate..."
Then!
Bzzzzt!
Delivery signal.
"Where's the bathroom?"
"Around that corner..."
Taeju checked the shared warehouse en route.
Huh?
What the...?
Check later.
Emptied it, loaded prepped items.
Including the gourd bottle stuffed as extra sub-space.
Time for a proper multiplex—needed a mall vibe.
Now, received goods: burner smartphone, empty sub-space bag, fifty celestial coins.
Sigh...
Heartache.
Shipments from the celestial realm dwindling.
Didn't matter how little.
Taeju knew Dang Gunak.
The immortal who gave till it hurt.
But this meager haul meant tough times up there.
How bad is it?
Poor Dokseon.
Here he was, Empire's richest, blowing cash freely.
Even shrugged off ten million for a ring moments ago.
Felt guilty toward Dang Gunak.
Suddenly furious at himself.
Needed an outlet.
Time to smash and grab.
Oasis Guild.
Hated it from the start.
Ten million for a junk ring?
Who were these clowns to control people?
Taeju returned to the desk.
"Guild master's office—which floor?"
"...Fifth. Why?"
"Forgot to mention something earlier."
"W-wait! You can't go up there!"
Too late—he was already climbing.
Clerk hesitated.
Report Kim Gunak to the master?
※ ※ ※
Oasis Guild Master Ju Cheol-yong was mid-meeting with ten executives.
"Tomorrow the army grunts show?"
"Yes. They called."
"Tribute?"
"Ready."
"Fuckin' dogs. Ignore us as hicks, stick to Barun—never forget tribute day."
No helping it.
In pioneer cities, army was the law.
"Guild master."
"What?"
"That Kim Gunak from downstairs—letting him slide? Looked like trouble brewing."
"First-timer. Let him simmer. He'll learn who we are, fall in line."
"And if not?"
"Handle it yourselves."
Could've let it go.
But that eye contact—odd vibe.
Shrewd glint.
No regular.
Definite compatible.
Tested him.
Worth recruiting—till the attitude.
Kicked away his own fortune.
Might still bend knee.
Seemed useful.
Then!
Ring!
Desk call.
"What? ...What?"
Ju Cheol-yong's eyes bulged.
"...He's coming up? Here? Got it."
Click.
Bang!
Door flew open.
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Who the fuck?"
Man with a cat.
Taeju set Ilbaek by the door.
"Guard this. No one out."
"Nyang!"
Then,
"Tried to play nice, but you'd keep coming. Let's settle it clear. All of you, heads down! Bow, and I won't hit."
"...What?"
"Unbelievable."
Ju Cheol-yong was stunned.
Crazy?
"Hey! Hack off an arm."
"Yes!"
"Got it."
"Don't kill."
Goons charged.
Taeju stepped forward.
"Selling trash rings for ten mil? Think I'm a sucker?"
Slap!
"Kuh?"
Dodged the faller, slap!
"Gahk!"
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap...
No qi, no fists.
One slap each.
Light swings dropped them like flies.
Thud! Thud! Thud...
Wha...?
Ju Cheol-yong froze, watching.
All awakeners... this guy wasn't.
Staged?
B-movie action had more realism.
What the hell?
Slap-slap-slap!
Necks snapped around.
Crack!
One's jaw shattered.
A bit harder, head would've spun full circle.
Then Ju Cheol-yong got it.
Strong.
Monstrously strong.
Goons realized late.
After seven slapped out, one bolted.
But a cat blocked the door.
"Nyang?"
"Shoo, get—outta the way!"
Kicked at it, yanked door—but,
"Kyaaak!"
Tszzt!
Wham!
"Aaaak!"
Ilbaek's paw sent him flying into the wall.
Whoosh! Crash!
"Nyang."
Taeju approached Ju Cheol-yong, still seated.
"W-wait!"
"What?"
"Th-the ring's free! Haha..."
"Don't need it, punk!"
Slap!
"Kek!"
Two teeth flew from Ju Cheol-yong's mouth.
Damn, tried not to make waves.
Planned to lay low.
Grab a room, hunt poison beasts solo, scout mines.
Ruined now.
Fine—take over Napan first.
※ ※ ※
Geomseon fumed watching Dokseon cherry-pick fine swords at his place.
Legendary blades anyone would know.
"That one's 100 celestial coins minimum—200 at least..."
"Deal's done."
"Grr."
Infuriating.
How could this immortal share a soul with Great Hero Taeju?
"Dokseon."
"What?"
"Seonmyeong aside, Gunak? Name's too hick."
"So?"
"Look at me: Wonbin, Hyeonbin, Woobin, Dongbin."
"..."
"Tsk tsk. No 'ak' in the name ever prospered."
Grind!
Dang Gunak gnashed his teeth.
Clatter!
Flung the swords to the floor.
"Not buying! Deal's off."
"Wha—why?!"
"From now on, push your Harley by hand."
"W-wait! My bad. Calm down, please."
Geomseon clung to Dokseon's pant leg.
End of Pioneer City Napan (1)