Chapter 111

"How could you… ?"

Berg still couldn't believe what was happening right now. Ironblood' adventurers were quite skilled and competent, but they couldn't even set foot in Shahav. They were not __________?

"Those people followed me."

Seojin, who had created this situation, spoke as if it was nothing.

Such nonchalance at a subject struck dozens of people without even lifting their fingers.

"Do you have anything else up your sleeves?"

"I didn't actively hide anything, I just didn't bother to show off."

"So, you're a wizard."

"No, and my name isn't Harry either."

Berg frowned.

"I'm sensing a tremendous amount of magic. It's an absolute… impossible level of power."

"I'm not a wizard."

Seojin only just about managed to hide his laughter as he knew what Berg was talking about. The magical contract. The magic contract that he and Robert had signed was absolute, and from the moment Ironblood broke it, it was its power. It was only natural that Seojin found the entire thing hilarious.

'What was he thinking sending his people here?'

Robert must have known the effects of the contract, so Seojin could only think up two possible scenarios.

'He's either sent someone to screw me over, or he hasn't told his guild members about the contract.'

Both were plausible. Robert cared a lot about PR and the morale of the guild, so it wouldn't be easy for him to screw his minions over, even if he had absolute power.

'Maybe it's someone like Henrite, a token idiot that Robert can't share secrets with.'

Either way, one thing was certain, and that was that the guild members who came to pay a visit to Seojin were now in serious trouble.

"You said that they followed you."

"That's why I have to take care of them."

"I like your sense of responsibility. So, are they not intending to go into the desert then?"

"Are you implying that they're not your problem?"

"You heard me right. It's your problem."

"I think you're mistaken, Berg."

Contract terms have taken effect.

"Another one bites the dust."

Seojin made eye contact with Berg after checking the system message.

"I said I'd prove my abilities."

"…."

"I'm just proving what I can do to you, and that I can keep up with my word. You've already heard about my intentions."

"Even though I never intend to allow it?"

"You will, Berg."

Seojin carried on confidently.

"Because you are a harmonious elf. Things have already begun to move on, you will fit yourself in that time."

* * *

"Boris, find out what the hell is going on! Preserve our remaining forces. Damn it, this is…"

Boris the Archer, Hansen's right-hand man, hurried his way to the highest vantage point to see what was happening at the border of Shahav, but…

-I can't see anything. We're being logged out as soon as we get close to the border. There's no skill effect or trap effect.

-What is it then? Are you saying it's a bug?

-I don't know, but if it isn't… it's not the kind of power that players in Shahav can use.

-So it's a bug.

Hansen concluded as such. It had to be a bug. There was no other possible hypothesis to explain how guild members of around Level 100 were dropping like flies.

Bug Reporting: Audio reports possible.

"There's a bug here. We're getting disconnected every time we go near Shahav. Our guild members can't reconnect, so I guess they're being treated like they're dead…"

He could just neutralize the target in an instant, and get recognized by Robert if things went as his plan. What if Seojin ran away while they were wasting their time like this?

Reviewing…Developers are reviewing your report.

Priority: Top

First to report severe bugs will be privileged with the Devs' Reward.

Please wait…

…Devs' Reward! Hansen's eyes widened the very moment he saw it.

'Jackpot!'

Any player with decent experience in Midgard knew what that meant: legendary gear, superior skills, stat points, achievements, and skill points. The rewards had changed every time, but he could say for sure that they would be at least worth billions.

'That was so random… is this how you feel when you win the lottery?'

Hansen couldn't believe that he had gotten so lucky trying to teach that stray kid a lesson.

'Yeah, sitting still and doing nothing won't get you anywhere. Fortune smiles upon those who take action.'

Hansen waited with a face full of joy as he had already half-forgotten about Seojin.

However…

Ticket resolved

Response: it's not a bug, but a normal phenomenon within the scope of the game's system.

End of report.

"… It isn't?"

That was unacceptable. What could it be if it wasn't a bug?

Bug Reporting: - You may try again after 24 hours.

"Damn it!"

'Those devs failed to recognize the severity of this bug yet they want me to try again in twenty-four hours? !'

-Hansen! The target is here!

-… Where? Inside Shahav?

-Outside the border! He just came out, and…

There was a brief pause before the report continued.

-He's giving us the middle finger.

"…Cheeky bastard. We'll get him at all costs."

Hansen gritted his teeth and notified everyone.

-Jump the guy. Don't enter Shahav, kill him while he's still out there.

* * *

-They're approaching. Be careful.

-Don't worry. What about their leader?

-He's not moving. I'll keep watching him.

Flappy immediately scanned the situation and reported back to him. There were around one hundred guild members there, with nearly half of them specializing in hunting and tracking, while the other half specialized in combat.

They could even wage a war with other guilds with that quantity and quality.

'He's a bigger fish than I expected.'

The guy must have been right beneath Robert if he could gather one hundred elite players like that. Ironblood valued their image, and that man could play the role of a representative of that image.

'I'd be able to draw a huge reaction by leaking it on the community, but… that's not something I can do.'

It would be a good blow to Ironblood, but Seojin was also in the middle of a quest. What if adventurers swarmed in, searching for any possible profit? All of Seojin's efforts would most definitely go to waste.

-Hey! Move!

"Oh, shoot."

Seojin took a step back and found the translucent blur of a player being logged out of the game right before his eyes.

Contract terms have taken effect.

-You saved me.

-Be careful next time! You said that you'd be fine on your own.

-Okay, I'll focus.

Seojin focused on the current situation following that. He was only a step away from the border of Shahav, and those Ironbloods could crush him like a bug on the outside of the town.

"Another one bites the dust, tcha tcha!"

Contract terms have taken effect.

Contract terms have taken effect.

Two more players disconnected, leaving the rest of the guild members surrounding Seojin in a semi-circle. They would never miss a chance if only Seojin gave them one.

"What? Are you guys not jumping in?"

Nobody answered. With that, Seojin waved to Hansen, who was looking down at him from a distance.

"Hey, captain! Did you get permission from Robert? If you didn't, I can call him for you now!"

"Don't worry, I have Robert on my friend list! I'll contact him now!"

-They don't believe you. They're saying that you're lying.

'Well then.'

Seojin reached out toward his friend list with a smile on his face.

Robert – Lv. 199

-Hey Robert, it's been a while!

Robert didn't reply, but Seojin saw a tick next to his message right after he sent it. Seojin finished writing and sending his second message while making sure to keep his guard up.

-Your minion is here, his name is Hansen. You broke the contract. What do you want to do?

-Did you say, Hansen?

Seojin grinned as he looked at Robert's reply.

-Yes, Hansen. He's from the main Ironblood Knights guild, isn't he?

* * *

Robert frowned deeply as he messaged Hansen.

-Hansen. Where are you now?

-Oh, I was hunting.

-Where and what?

-I'm at the Winter Sea, hunting

-…Are you in Shahav?

Hansen didn't answer the sudden question, confirming his suspicions. Robert went on, feeling choked with anger.

-Are you confronting Seojin?

-… Yes. Come back right now. How many people accompanied you?

-One hundred and seven. But union master, the target is right in front of us…

-Come back. Right. Now.

-We're just having one minor problem, union master! I will definitely end that guy!

-There's only one outcome if I have to tell you three times, Hansen.

If his members followed his instructions at once, they wouldn't have to bear any responsibility regarding the outcome. If they refused him at first, they would at least have to answer for their actions. And if they refused him twice…?

-You'll be the only one responsible for this incident, Hansen. I mean both penalty and reward.

He had already broken his contract with Seojin, even if it was against his will. Retreating now wouldn't change anything, leaving Robert with no choice but to hope that Hansen had at least gained something.

-There was a bug, union master. That's why there's an issue.

-A bug?

Robert anticipated his response, albeit only slightly. Midgard was a game, and as such, bugs were found from time to time. The first to report them would be privileged with a considerable reward. Of course, that was only if Hansen was right…

-Our guys are treated like they've died if they set foot in Shahav. When I inquired, they said that it wasn't a bug, but I guess the monitoring team must have misjudged it. If I ask again in 24 hours…

Robert palmed his forehead, amazed by the guy's stupidity.

-Hansen.

-Yes, sir.

-Why do you think your predecessor failed?

-Because he was careless.

-That's what you seem like right now.

-I'm different! Unless it's this bug…

-I hope I'm wrong, Hansen.

Robert disconnected and pressed his finger to the chat window with a gloomy look on his face.

-What do you want as compensation?

Robert had to control the damage by negotiating with Seojin.