Volume 23 Chapter 10 (2/2)

“You really think the other Necromancers think the same way as you do? Let me make it clear. If you stay there, you will die. Come to this side if you are willing to join Hermes guild.

Zabrin and the Necromancers that planned to join Hermes guild walked to where Polon was.

But more than ten Necromancers stood still.

Jeanne, Otem, Harien, Gruzed, Varenna and other players that fought together in the canyon. Some were already in guilds but they voluntarily rejected Hermes guild. Marie stood on Hermes guild’s side because he had to protect Weed’s items.

“The story will not end like this… Looks like a song with good story will come up.”

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From KMC Media, adventures of Necromancers was being broadcasted live. Mainly because Weed was in the adventure, they started broadcasting live from the moment he revealed himself. Other broadcasting networks were broadcasting a program about Necromancers and The Undead Legion so there weren’t any changes to ratings.

This was due to CTS raising their ratings high with prodigious amount of funds from the parent company; LK gamers that broadcasted professionally with their established digital media system that was available 24 hours.

Beside them, new broadcasting stations and online broadcasting stations were established within a month.

As tons of people became interest int Royal Road and derived their joy from it, specialty channels also appeared.

Royal Road fis.h.i.+ng channel.

Royal Road golf channel.

Dungeon chef.

Child of Versailles Continent.

Bard’s old boots.

As the influences of online game broadcasts grew larger, the compet.i.tion got fiercer. KMC Media was a channel that secured a lot of fixed viewers based on support from a variety of players.

“Weed and The Undead have finally occupied the monastery.”

When Weed’s adventure went on air, general viewers visited the message board and responded. Besides game broadcasting channels, it was so popular that popular that it was republished on portal news sites. It was not only because Weed was a living legend of Continent of Magic, but he also kept having exciting adventures in Royal Road.

“Hermes guild suddenly appeared and started attacking. Ah, its an incredible force. There’s Polon, Crema Knights, ranger armies and Spellcasters.” When they were about to cut the broadcast with the scene of Weed clearing his last quest, hosts explained the sudden change of situation and even floated a subt.i.tle.

▷Appearance of Hermes guild.

▷Attacking The Undead led by Weed.

They decided to prolong the broadcast until the dispute between Weed and Hermes guild ended.

-The second round of Weed and Hermes guild.

-Hermes guild sent out an a.s.sault team to a place where The Undead Legion stood in force just to kill Weed.

-A battle!

Ratings went up dramatically.

However, Weed’s condition was too poor to make any meaningful variable. They announced that Weed performed remarkably but then went in the monastery and was eventually killed.

Although he wasn’t killed directly by Hermes guild, it still broke the record of undefeated G.o.d of War.

Soon, the viewers’ message board was filled with comments regarding Weed’s death.

- Those cheap dirty b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. They lost at Jigolaths and chased him all the way to there.

- These heartless cowards are all the same.

- They brought that much forces and ambushed only after the quest was cleared and he was exhuasted.

- Those guys were always way too far from fair and square.

- I don’t like a single action that Hermes guild makes.

The board was filled with comments criticizing Hermes guild harshly.

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There was a beach east of Morata.

When the Northern Region was barely known to people, no one came to this place. But now, there are always players because there were many monsters worth hunting. On a rainy day, players with mud on their faces were working.

“How many did you dug up?”

“About 1,430. 400 more clams and then I can buy a longsword.”

These were players digging up clams and c.o.c.kles to earn money. As Morata became a metropolis, the resident population inflated dramatically.

Food could be obtained by harvesting wheat and barley but novice players earned money by doing quests supplying the seafood market with fresh ingredients. When they were taking a rest stretching their backs, people came along with tide from the sea.

The Geomchis had finally arrived at the northern Versailles Continent.

<table><tbody><tr><td>- You have discovered a new sea route adjacent to Morata, the Northern Region.

By pioneering a sea route, your fame has increased by 420

By succeeding in your adventure, each stat has increased by 3.

Courage increased by 7.

Mastery of Sailing Skill increased.

</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>- You have become the first person to cross the ocean by swimming.You have successfully led a near impossibly reckless challenge.Perseverance increased by 24.

Endurance increased by 31.

Vitality increased by 15.

Every stats increased by 9.

</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>- Fame increased by 2,980Every time you tell your story about crossing the ocean in a tavern, you gain extra 40 fameIf you talk to sailors or people with a special attachment to the ocean, you will be able to form very close intimacy.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>- Ability to understand water increased.Water-related magic resistance increased and affinity to spirits of water has been created.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>- You’ve obtained a t.i.tle ‘Legendary Iron Man of the Ocean’After experiencing the rough ocean with their bare bodies they left a legend in the ocean no one can dare to follow.Combat capabilities on the ocean increased.

You bring out unconditional supports from sailors.

Level of Sailing Skill increased by 3.

Among qualifications of admiral, an ability to read flow of currents increased.

Chance of a.s.sault from sea monsters reduced.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

The Geomchi obtained achievements and t.i.tles that players with the ocean as their base only dreamed of.

“It was a good thing we swam?”

“Yes, well, let’s swim again if we ever get to go back someday.”

“I’m hungry. Let’s go get some food.”

The Geomchi headed in the direction of Morata.

They achieved a great feat in the ocean but ironically they couldn’t make any promise on when they are going to return to ocean.

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KMC Media progressed with ‘Story of Versailles Continent’ after Weed died as was originally planned. It was a popular show hosted by s.h.i.+n Hye Min and Oh Joo Wan.

“A lot of things happened today. First of all, there was the celebration of the establishment of a new country in Haven kingdom.”

“That’s right. Many viewers were looking forward to this event. The celebration of establishment of Hermes guild was held today.”

“Looked like a lot of people partic.i.p.ated”

“Would it be an exaggeration to say that partic.i.p.ants completely filled the capital, Aren castle? Besides players from Haven kingdom, amba.s.sadors from each guild and other kingdoms visited as well.”

On the screen, the celebration of Haven kingdom newly reformed by the Hermes guild was seen. The fancy palace, interior castles and exterior castles were crowded with people. Bardray put a crown on his head, wore clothes representing the king and placed a sword around his waist.

“I appoint you as the count to rule Doria region.”

“I will devote myself loyally.”

“I appoint you as the viscount of Borask.”

“It’s an honor.”

He officially appointed high-rank players from Hermes guild as n.o.bles.

Haven kingdom was going to be re-established under centralism but by being appointinted as n.o.bles, various stats could be earned. In case of Bardray, he gained the most fame in the kingdom and a considerable amount of n.o.bility, leaders.h.i.+p, dignity and honor.

The king had a separate governance power.

The higher it is, the more loyalty they received from the nation and the morale of knights and soldiers increased. Governance power wasn’t not a stat that could be increased normally. It was depended on governed territories, population of residents, knights, magicians, business, and the development of technologies.

It could go up or down even from winning or losing a war, accomplis.h.i.+ng a large-scale trade, or suffered a flood or drought. If he governed excellently, many positive events would occur and he could even get the blessings of G.o.ds.

Bardray became the player with most level in Versailles Continent and the highest authority.

“It is a truly a spectacular scene. There were many spectacles of knights’ duels at the end of the celebration. We will bring it to you shortly.”

“I think many of the viewers are wondering about Embinyu Church. We have news ready today about the Embinyu Church, isn’t that right Oh Joo Wan?”

“Of course its prepared. There seems to be inquisitors wandering around the regions held by the Embinyu Church.”

The Embinyu Church that appeared like a storm and brought the Versailles Continent to chaos. The Embinyu Church was an evil influence that occupied several castles and possessed huge armies in the central continent where each guild was vying seriously for territories. They were an influence that represented malice but players were able to chose whether to join Embinyu Church of not.

With players’ joining their forces, the Embinyu Church spread around like wildfire. In the lands owned by Embinyu Church crops withered and rivers dried up. While the Versailles Continent was suffering with measles, only Thor, the kingdom of dwarves and the Northern Region have remained fine without the Embinyu Church’s activities.

What exactly happened in Thor kingdom was unknown but the Niflheim Empire in the Northern Region collapsed because of the Embinyu Church. Weed drove the Embinyu Church out and began re-establis.h.i.+ng the Northern Region and Morata. It was only an a.s.sumption that if they dispelled the power of Embinyu Church in advance, there wouldn’t have been damages from sudden rage.

“If you get caught by the inquisitors of the Embinyu Church, they will attack you in the name of judging heresy.”

“I heard if you are a paladin or priest the hara.s.sment will be harsher?”

“That’s right. If you get captured by them, you lose fair amount of faith so please be careful.”

“Fix your channel as a guest will talk about the Embinyu Church in our second part! Do not forget about this. Let’s continue with other stories.”

“Yes, next on the news….”

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Lee Hyun went out of the capsule and went to the market.

There was no rest for a Dark Gamer. Versailles Continent was always open so to stay ahead of everyone else, they can’t afford to take a break. The only opportunity was when they lost their lives and could not connect for the next 24 hours.

“Let’s make some Kimchi.”

It was a day for him to make kimchi for the winter period. Lee Hyun stacked delivered chinese cabbage and ingredients in his yard and started making kimchi.

Every time he ripped cabbage off, he whispered.

“Polon”

RIIPPP.

“Hermes guild…”

RIIIIPPPP.

“How dare you touch me.”

BUUUWWONG.

“My j.a.ptems.”

PUK!

“Experience….”

RIP!

“To upend my rice bowl.”

More grudges stacked up as he soaked about 200 chinese cabbages!

The impact was too severe. His valuable items could be taken too.

He turned on his television and watched KMC Media as he was making kimchi for winter. Even though he was fairly aware of many things happening in Royal Road through the board, he had little interest in the accidents happening in irrelevant lands. But as broadcast program usually selected important incidents it was watched in detail.

“Expansion of Embinyu Church...”

They were a force that even Alveron, the pope candidate for Church of Freya, kept strict vigilance. The strength of Daymond from the guild ‘Predators of the Land’ that put the Versailles Continent in danger was actually from the Embinyu Church. Lee Hyun was able to know about this by getting close to Daymond through the chat room of Dark Gamers Union.

When members of Predators of the Land’ die, their bodies are offered to the G.o.d Embinyu forever as sacrifice. It meant the complete deletion of a character so they had to start over as beginners and they chose to start in Morata.

It was said that Daymond and his people seem to take quests covertly. Someday he will die too but until then, he has been living his life as a Dark Gamer faithfully to get as many items he can.

“Well, Embinyu Church is not what I should focus on right now.”

Morata was being invaded by the Undead Legion and the Hermes guild sent out an a.s.sault team to bother him.

“This won’t be resolved peacefully.”

Lee Hyun killed every guild that was in his sight in the Continent of Magic so he was well aware of how useless it was to discuss a cause or justification.

Power!

It was a world decided by the rule of power.

His sister came back from library, helped him make kimchi and ate boiled pork with him at dinner.

“Eat up, brother.”

As she became a university student, his sister was more grown-up lady feeding him some pork and peeling fruits.

‘I never knew a day like this would come...’

Just five years ago, Lee Hyun had some extreme thoughts.

But what always made him change his mind right before the final moment…

‘This current situation… I can’t even die.’

He didn’t have any relatives to collect condolence money and to build a coffin and holding a funeral cost money, so he couldn’t afford to die.

It was a moment when he desperately craved for a free fish cake soup from a cart bar. But now, he was able to cook things from purchased ingredients and he has his own house in his name. Lee Hyun was living his life feeling small happiness every day.

“I should sleep early today.”

Early next day, he went grocery shopping and didn’t forget to train his body at the dojo.

‘Hermes guild….’

Lee Hyun swung his sword gnas.h.i.+ng his teeth carefully in anger, there was no industry like the dental industry that charge the most fees.

It was a murderous sword filled with his grudge.

After finis.h.i.+ng his agenda for today, he came back home, cleaned, and watched some television to pa.s.s the time.

And then time for Royal Road had finally come.

Lee Hyun entered the capsule without any hesitation.

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The Geomchis visited eight restaurants in Morata.

“This place is delicious too.”

“There was a reason why this place is doing good business, Sahyung.”

It wasn’t that they had expensive taste that they sampled food and came out right away. They ate generously from the eight restaurant that they cleared out the ingredients.

Overeating and gluttony!

In Royal Road if a player ate a lot they could get fat, but that was something very far from these Geomchi that often fought and moved around. While wandering around, eating to their heart’s content they heard something from a pa.s.serby.

The second advance of the Undead Legion!

It seemed that the combatant-cla.s.s players were deployed to protect Morata and the arts-cla.s.s players were cheering them on voluntarily. Not only did they draw symbols on armor, bards and dancers followed them in the battlefield and performed.

Most requests from the lord’s castle, Church of Freya, Church of Lugh, and mercenary guilds were about hunting down Undead. Due to the emergency situation, Morata was operated on the war basis.

In front of the castle gate, there were many novice players that just started and the square was still filled with players selling things. Visits from tourists weren’t affected but anyone in Morata felt a sense of crisis due to the advance of Undead Legion.

“It’s outrageous that the Undead are advancing to the land of our youngest.”

“Looks like we were too careless.”

“Shouldn’t we return the favor for all the free food?”

“Let’s get warmed up.”

With their hands full of food, they headed to the battlefield where The Undead Legion was approaching.

The Undead soldiers brought chariots with blades on their sides and middle-sized Undead made out of corpses of Morghis and Nukalis were on a rampage. The Armies of Morata, the Priests of the Church of Freya, Paladins, and players placed in a long line fought Undead while maintaining their defense formation.

There were tremendous amount of players holding flags of Gra.s.s Porridge religion and high-level players from across the central continent.

It was not an exaggeration to say this place was a true battlefield.

“I like this place. Disciples, let’s go!”

“Yes, Sahyung!”

The Geomchi walked towards Undead. The Undead jumped in fiercely without knowing anything and the Geomchi simply slashed them and walked across the battlefield.

‘Everyone bring it on.’

‘Stronger, the better.’

Combat chariots, Morghis, Nukalis, Dullahan, Death Knights.

There was no need to differentiate them. Whatever comes into the Geomchi’s range, they would just beat into a pulp. As they entered the area swarming with Undead, they split from each other and all they could see was Undead everywhere but that was okay.

The Geomchi slashed every Undead they could see.

A complete trance!

In reality, they were many frustrating situations for them. Even if they master swords and train their bodies to a high level, they barely got to use it in real life. When someone messed with them, they had to pretend and tolerate like nothing happened and just pa.s.s on by.

They trained themselves taking patience and self-control as a virtue. Their hot blood pumped hotter than anyone else but there was no place to blast it.

Royal Road was a small outlet for them.

Only thinking about strength, they looked for stronger men and fought. They don’t have to hide the wild nature hiding deep within their masculine instincts.

“Bring it on, Undead! Bring someone stronger than you!”

The Geomchi were extremely excited.

They swam across ocean and trained but nothing was better than using their bodies to fight like now. The irresistible pleasure coming out when you forget about everything and purely focus on each ongoing battle!

“Not enough, I want more!”

The Geomchi slaughtered undead at random.

They hop on rhinos and fought, they killed every undead they saw. They mainly used swords but they picked up any kind weapons like blades, iron maces, axes and chains and used them. Because the Geomchi mastered Weaponry skill, they can use any kind of weapon they wanted.

There was a difference in the center of gravity and striking point for each weapon, but the power of rotating the waist while heading the weapon to slash enemies in half remained the same.

Melting into the fight with techniques forged in wild battles!

- Undead Legion is retreating.The battle ended with a victory for Morata’s defense force.

While the Geomchi were taking care of the main force, Paladins were able to kill the witch named Bianca that controlled the Undead Legion armies and claim victory.

To Be Continued.