Episode 43: Fortress Entrance Subjugation (1)
Afterward, I had a long talk with Hyun-ah.
We discussed money, fame, stability—what she wanted as an adventurer.
“You really want to be a top ranker?”
“Yeah! Totally! It’s my one life, and I got your privileges, so I want to earn my keep!”
I didn’t know Hyun-ah was so ambitious.
She’s smart—top of her school—so she’s got potential.
Her lack of game knowledge is a concern, but I can handle that.
So, step one: sign with Ascend Management!
Step two: learn the basics of Legend Seven from my apprentice, In-soo.
I could teach her myself, but my rule is no tutoring family—whether it’s driving lessons between spouses or gaming with siblings, you get why.
In-soo, having started from scratch himself, should understand Hyun-ah’s position and guide her well.
“…That’s the plan. It’ll be tough, but you still in?”
“Absolutely! You know me—when I’m into something, I go all in!”
“Like with Miracle Boyz?”
Hyun-ah’s murderous glare made me flinch.
“…Kidding. I’ll move forward with it.”
“I’ll give it my all! I’ll show results!”
“Good. No backing out or regrets later.”
“Got it!”
Her eyes burned with determination.
Alright, she won’t resent me later.
Even if she has to play the ‘villainess Astaroth’.
It’s not her first rodeo, after all.
‘Say what you will, Astaroth was modeled after 13-year-old Hyun-ah.’
Web novel enthusiast Hyun-ah, obsessed with gritty villainess romance novels since 13, with a dark history rivaling mine—she’ll nail it.
Though when she faces her own cringe past, she might come for me.
‘She said she’d handle it.’
A verbal contract is still a contract.
Especially since she only confessed after taking the privileges.
Deal with the consequences.
“Thanks! Really, thanks! Want anything? I’ll buy!”
“Isn’t that my money anyway?”
“Who cares! Get whatever you want at the store—I’ve got it!”
Hyun-ah, relieved everything worked out, was all excitement, unaware if she’d drunk poison or a holy grail.
Seeing her so happy, I couldn’t rain on her parade—that’s not family.
“Then let’s raid your wallet today!”
“Anything you desire, my lord!”
“Starting with the expensive stuff?”
“Okay!”
As we loaded up on snacks at the convenience store, my phone buzzed.
It was Son Tae-ha, Ascend’s representative.
‘Calling out of the blue?’
He usually texts to avoid disturbing me, so a call meant something urgent.
I picked up.
“Yes, Representative Son. What’s up?”
- Hyun-woo-nim! I have something to discuss. Are you free to talk?
“Yeah, I’m good.”
- If you have time, could you come to Inje County?
“Inje County?”
- It’s… about the fortress situation. You should see it.
Fortress situation?
It’s only been five hours since the raid started—did something go wrong?
“The media’s live-streaming it, aren’t they?”
- It’s something you need to see in person. Hard to share over the phone…
Sounds like a sensitive matter.
If it’s important enough to call me directly, I should hear him out.
“Alright, I’ll be there soon.”
I planned to spend the day with family, but duty calls.
As I hung up, Hyun-ah asked.
“Work?”
“Yeah, gotta go. Sorry.”
“It’s fine, go! I’ll explain to Mom and Dad.”
“Thanks. And don’t eat my snacks!”
“I won’t!”
***
At the location Son Tae-ha gave, a large parking lot housed the major guilds’ base camps.
Merchants, smelling profit, added to the bustling chaos.
Ascend Management used a large bus as their base, parked slightly off the lot—a Hollywood-style personal trailer, practically a mobile home.
‘As expected from Taepyeong Group’s backing. Money’s no issue.’
Inside, Son Tae-ha and Lee Jung-yul, a Tower of Records team leader, waited.
“Hyun-woo-nim! You’re here!”
“Yeah, sorry I’m late. Didn’t realize it was already this dark.”
“No, it’s perfect timing. We’ve gathered more info.”
More info, but his face wasn’t bright—full of worry instead.
“Have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
Sitting at the trailer’s central table, I asked what was on my mind.
“What’s going on? It hasn’t even been a day since the raid started, and you’re already calling me?”
Son Tae-ha bowed his head silently, and Lee Jung-yul, the Tower of Records team leader, looked grim.
“Let me show you the data first,” Lee Jung-yul said.
He shared the global ‘Elf Fortress’ raid status.
It wasn’t meant for individual eyes, but the urgency justified it.
With a heavy heart, I reviewed the data.
Major nations were progressing well, having cleared the entrance hours ago.
Even second-tier nations had passed it.
But Korea? Stuck at the entrance.
“Why’s Korea so slow? Even with weaker forces, they can’t clear the entrance?”
Son Tae-ha pulled up a map of the KR server’s fortress and guild distribution on his laptop.
Something was odd.
Most guilds were moving toward the entrance, but a few were facing outward.
“Why are these guilds looking outside?”
“…Deathside is blocking the entrance, obstructing the raid team.”
“So, infighting?”
“Embarrassingly… yes.”
‘You again?’
What gives them the nerve?
Controlling access is nothing new, but this is practically inviting a dungeon break.
Or do they think they can solo the fortress?
“Even for a guild like Deathside, taking on the alliance alone seems impossible.”
“They’re joined by Sword Realm and Fire God. With similar strength, it’s a stalemate.”
Not just Deathside, but Sword Realm and Fire God too? Are they insane?
No, wait. They must have a ‘card up their sleeve’.
Like during the Floor 100 race, they believe they can clear the fortress alone.
Their excuse for control? Only a select raid team can enter to minimize adventurer casualties.
But really, they want the rewards and glory for themselves.
‘They’re begging for trouble.’
Honestly, I thought, ‘They’ve walked right into a trap.’
I hadn’t touched them before because the top guilds’ unity made them too strong for my current forces.
But with infighting like this?
‘I can take them.’
Their greed handed me a golden opportunity.
The issue is, even with their forces weakened, I’d need my true power—my villains—to stand a chance.
Luckily, I have a skill perfect for staying hidden.
【Star Guiding the Shepherd】
Description: Allows summoning and controlling summons from a distance.
Current range: 5 km. Range increases with skill growth.
At 5 km, I can control my villains remotely to crush Deathside.
The range is a bit tight, though.
But I’ve got plenty of resources to level it up!
《Using 100 Mystic Crystals to upgrade Star Guiding the Shepherd.》
《Using 200 Mystic Crystals to upgrade Star Guiding the Shepherd.》
《Using 400 Mystic Crystals to upgrade Star Guiding the Shepherd.》
It’s precious currency, but no regrets.
This investment is necessary to operate covertly.
【Star Guiding the Shepherd Lv 5】
Description: Allows summoning and controlling summons from a distance.
Current range: 10 km. Range increases with skill growth.
This range is enough.
No one will suspect me.
“…That’s the situation. We don’t have a clear solution, but you needed to know.”
“Thank you for sharing.”
“Should we keep monitoring?”
I nodded to Son Tae-ha’s question.
“Please. I’m… going to step out for some air. The long drive’s got me dizzy.”
“Would you like to head in first?”
“No, just a walk.”
“Should I arrange security?”
“No need. I want to clear my head alone.”
I played it serious, acting troubled, exuding an air of big decisions, and stepped out of the trailer.
‘Now, how do I play with these fools?’
Got a fun idea.
I opened the UI, pulled up the map, and activated the skill.
《Star Guiding the Shepherd activated.》
《Please select a location for summoning.》
The Elf Fortress entrance, right behind Deathside.
《Location selected.》
《Please choose a summon.》
The first one’s obvious.
《Summoning Witch of the Apocalypse Hertia.》