Recently, a hot topic on the Connect forum was:
-When will the ‘protection period’ end, allowing us to leave the Free City?
Due to the nature of a full-dive virtual reality game, it couldn’t progress as quickly as other conventional games. Instead of clicking to move or hunt monsters, players had to walk and swing their swords as if in real life.
However, after being confined to a designated area for months, players naturally began to crave change.
“When is the next update?”
“Honestly, the game’s progression explanation is too vague.”
“It seems like we need to complete the second job advancement.”
“Hitting level 50? That’s going to take forever….”
Compared to the initial rapid leveling, the current rankers’ leveling speed had significantly slowed down.
Six months into the game, the highest-level player was Bae Dohyun at level 50.
Several dozen players followed closely at level 49.
There was rampant speculation on the forum that the next update would probably require someone to complete the second job advancement first.
The problem was that players had already experienced life outside the Free City. The recent territorial battle involving the First Knight Order had been broadcast worldwide through official channels and streamers.
Naturally, players cheered for the massive battle and wished to participate in such events.
However, in reality, they were confined to the Free City, running through predetermined dungeons and hunting monsters, which was beginning to cause dissatisfaction.
*
Clang!
At the First Knight Order branch in the Free City of Mira, two figures were engaged in a duel at the exclusive arena for the Purple Guild.
“Plum Blossom Strike (梅花路傍)!”
With a shout, the sword shadow split into two, thrusting at the opponent.
Clang, thud!
But the attack was easily deflected by a sword and shield.
“Take this! Plum Blossom Dance (梅花蝶舞)!”
With a complex step, the sword flickered here and there as if performing a sword dance. But that sword dance was simply blocked by a shield.
“Stop attaching fancy move names to your attacks.”
“Hmph. This is a sacred ritual! How could a commoner’s eye understand the anguish of a knight-errant?”
Ilwoo shook his head as he watched Wang Tianming’s recurring knight-errant behavior. With Bae Dohyun away from the guild for a while, there was no one to control him, and his condition was worsening.
‘To be honest, purely in terms of skill, he’s exceptional.’
His true personality and character were calm and easygoing, unlike his appearance. The problem was that he changed when he wielded a sword or engaged in a duel.
‘It seems the only way is to make him learn through experience.’
These were the words Bae Dohyun had passed on before he left. Correcting such bad habits was best done by those around him for his own sake.
“Haa, Plum Blossom Brilliance (梅花吐艷)!”
As Wang Tianming uttered another technique name, Ilwoo infused mana into his shield and sword.
As expected, with his “Swordsmanship (S-)” trait, Wang Tianming, who wasn’t even an Expert yet, emitted sword qi that flew toward Ilwoo.
Bang! Drip.
Although the power was much weaker than that of an actual Expert, sword qi was still sword qi. Ilwoo was pushed back a few steps as he blocked it.
‘Why announce the technique name before using such a good skill?’
To Ilwoo, who already knew what the technique names meant, such obvious attacks were futile. The others observing the duel shared the same thoughts.
“Should we call this stubbornness or a unique trait?”
“If it hinders combat, isn’t it just stubbornness? That’s what Bae Dohyun said too.”
“Well, from an opponent’s perspective, it’s convenient, right? Honestly, it would be harder to defend if he didn’t shout those ‘technique names’ or whatever.”
“You can’t deny his skills. In some ways, it’s quite impressive.”
Even with a few additional recruits, the Purple Guild’s members numbered less than 30.
Of course, that was only for combat roles. Including non-combat roles like production, art, and administration, nearly a hundred players were part of the guild.
These members were already engaged in practical tasks at various workshops, merchant guilds, and administrative offices of the First Knight Order.
In any case, the fewer than 30 combat members were all rankers within the top 50 overall rankings. Among these rankers, Wang Tianming’s skills were exceptional, with fewer than ten members able to withstand his sword strikes and only about five able to compete equally with him.
“Come to think of it, it’s starting to look a bit more impressive.”
“Right? At first, I thought, what’s he doing?”
While watching the duel, Louis Blake, an American martial artist, and Han Seohyun, a Korean summon master, discussed their thoughts on Wang Tianming.
“Recreating martial arts through skills. It might actually be possible.”
“Bae Dohyun said it: Don’t confine yourself within the framework of skills. If you internalize the skills and make them your own, you’ll see a new path.”
Following Bae Dohyun’s advice, Wang Tianming was the first to start pioneering his own path. From the academy days, he began integrating various skills with real martial arts, and he was now starting to see significant results.
“Of course, he’s also undermining his own efforts.”
“Indeed. If he doesn’t realize that, it’ll be tough for him to win this duel.”
By now, the number of people in the training ground had increased to five. Or more precisely, Ilwoo had multiplied into four, surrounding Wang Tianming.
And shortly after, the duel ended with Wang Tianming, tattered and exhausted, collapsing in the training ground. Within the Purple Guild, only two people could decisively defeat Wang Tianming:
Bae Dohyun, and Ilwoo.
“Cheating bastard. You used your special ability again!”
Wang Tianming glared at Ilwoo with a look of frustration, but Ilwoo just shrugged.
“You used your trait too. If you really want to beat me, stop shouting those unnecessary technique names.”
“This is the code of a knight-errant and a martial artist! It’s an ancient formality established for fair and honorable duels. How can you not understand such a romantic ideal for a warrior?”
As Wang Tianming looked at Ilwoo with an expression of disbelief, Ilwoo sighed and muttered softly.
“Ugh, I don’t know. This isn’t a martial arts world anyway… I just hope you realize that fighting like this will make it hard to even beat me.”
“Hmph. Just wait until my martial arts are perfected. We’ll see if you can still say that.”
“Whatever.”
Ilwoo extended his hand to help Wang Tianming up, and they left the training ground together.
“Well, seeing that, Ilwoo does seem like a monster.”
“Yeah. At first, I was a bit annoyed why such an ordinary guy was made the vice guild leader, but now it makes sense.”
“Honestly, in a one-on-one duel, I can still manage against him, but once you factor in his clones, there’s no way.”
“I can’t even imagine how strong he’ll become. But isn’t that the same for you? After your second job advancement, you’ll likely have more summoned beasts.”
“Who knows? Handling three at a time is already a struggle. I’m worried about how I’ll manage them in the future.”
They were impressed by Ilwoo’s strength, but they were also some of the top rankers in Connect. No one could predict how strong they would become in the future.
“By the way, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“You mean the guild master?”
“Yeah. It feels like it’s been almost two weeks now.”
Bae Dohyun had informed the guild members that he would be away for personal quests and his second job advancement.
In reality, he was busy dealing with the territorial battle and the internal conflict within House Ashton.
“Well, he was always hard to catch anyway. Since he said he’d be back after the job change, I guess he’ll return then.”
“Yeah, probably. I understand he’s busy, but I still wish he’d show his face more often. It’s a bit disappointing.”
Han Seohyun, slightly pouting, petted her summoned beast, Eunbyeol, sitting on her lap.
“Hehe, is that so?”
“What do you mean?”
Blake chuckled meaningfully, causing Seohyun to narrow her eyes.
“Nothing. I didn’t mean to meddle in someone’s love life.”
“It’s not like that!”
As Seohyun sprang up defensively, a global notification message popped up in front of them.
『Announcement』
Player ‘Bae Dohyun’ has completed their second job advancement, the first among revealed players. Please congratulate them.
-With the advent of the first second job advancer, the main quest 『Advent of the Savior』 and related quest 『Proof of the Savior』 have been generated.
-Towers of Graduation have appeared in each Free City.
-The 『Towers of Graduation』 contain trials prepared for each combat class and non-combat class.
-Party play and guild-exclusive raid trials are also ready, so feel free to challenge them.
-At the top floor of the 『Towers of Graduation』, instructors await as part of the opening event 『Defeat the Instructor』. If you earn their recognition, you can pass the trial even if you fail to defeat them.
-Once a graduate from any class emerges, the 『Free City Travel Restriction』 imposed for new players will be lifted, and you can fully embark on the main quest.
-『Caution!』 Failure to clear the trial will incur a cooldown period before retrying.
-Recommendation level for challenges: Minimum level 50, completion of second job advancement.
“Awesome.”
“This is undeniable.”
With a thumbs up, Blake stood up from the spectator seats.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to finish polishing my experience and proficiency to complete my job advancement. The graduation order will probably be recorded in the tower, and I can’t fall behind.”
“Tch. I’ll go with you. Actually, why don’t we gather a few more people and hit a dungeon?”
“That works too.”
The rankers of the Purple Guild, who had fallen into a bit of a routine, began to move again.
***
“The time has come for the players to shine.”
Raul was conversing with Dalton in the First Knight Order’s conference room.
“Indeed, their growth is unbelievably fast. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes and guided them myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
In just six months.
For a typical Connect resident, even with formal training, it would take much longer to become a capable soldier.
However, in that short time, tens of thousands of outsiders who arrived in the Free City had surpassed the level of squires, advancing toward the level of Experts.
Moreover, anyone who met the conditions could potentially become an Expert!
Dalton felt increasingly burdened by the rapid growth of the players.
“Don’t worry. They won’t be taking over or ruling Connect. You know they have a significant flaw.”
Raul reassured. Dalton knew this well even without Raul’s words. After all, they were outsiders. Eventually, they would have to return to their world. Given that these weren’t their actual bodies, their sensory and proficiency levels couldn’t match those of the residents.
“But we can’t take them lightly. Tens of thousands of knight-level experts spreading across the continent could disrupt the balance of power.”
“Exactly. That’s why we’ve invested so much effort into the players. Imagine if even a fraction of them aligned with us? Or if we could influence their actions even slightly? Can you imagine the possibilities?”
There was a peculiar fervor in Raul’s words and expression.
‘Yes. This is that feeling.’
Dalton recalled meeting Raul. Despite his youth, Raul had something different about him.
His thoughts and aspirations were unlike any typical noble. That’s why Dalton decided to stay by Raul’s side, and now, he felt he understood the reason a bit more.
‘The scale of his thinking is different. He’s already several steps ahead, planning the future for himself.’
What seemed like pointless tasks (like buying useless lands or constructing buildings in desolate areas) turned out to be part of a grand plan. When Dalton first met Raul at the academy, he seemed just another wealthy noble scion.
But now?
Raul was a viscount with seven baronies, held the most influence in four Free Cities, commanded over 500 Experts, and mastered 200 power armor users.
‘And now he’s planning to take control of the players too.’
Dalton realized again that evaluating Raul by ordinary standards was foolish.
“…So remember, your role is crucial.”
“Okay, leave it to me. Honestly, besides you, I understand the outsiders better than anyone in this world.”
“Right. Let’s give those who don’t yet comprehend how the world is changing a rude awakening.”
Raul and Dalton bumped fists.
‘Things are going to get interesting from here on.’
Dalton’s expression had changed from one of concern to one brimming with excitement.
Holding the incredible card of the player bomb, Dalton looked down at the map with a mischievous smile.
(To be continued)