Chapter 173 – Molang Fantasy (11)
The creation myth of the virtual reality game <Molang Fantasy>.
「In the perfectly Molang world created by Molang, when Molang spoke the word ‘Molang,’ life was conceived.」
Here, most of the life conceived through Molang consists of monsters that exist only in this game’s world.
“Kweeeek?!”
“Kek?!”
No matter how many you kill, they respawn starting from midnight Saturday in the Holy Roman Empire—where the headquarters of the game company servicing <Molang Fantasy> is located.
Here’s the problem.
Even if you barely conquer an area and secure land, monsters pour out every Saturday at midnight, making land development impossible.
In other words,
“Really no one around.”
Ever since the hunting ground I was using surpassed level 700, even the imperial princess couldn’t follow me. It was simply too dangerous.
Monsters that treated even the black dragon offered by the empire’s loyal subjects as a mere snack swarmed everywhere. It was only natural she couldn’t come.
(Things turned out just as you wanted.)
“Yeah, but…”
The problem is I can’t find proper food or a place to sleep!
The level 710 hunting ground where I ran into the convenience store owner was the last development zone permitted to users. Beyond that?
No villages, no cities, no temples.
There were no peaceful villages with naïve villagers averaging level 900 like in typical RPGs, and no level 500 rabbits stronger than regular knights.
Crackle~
The rabbits living in the level 950 hunting ground were level 1, just like those in other regions. The level 3 horned rabbits in beginner hunting grounds weren’t animals anymore—they were already monsters. Right now, one was being roasted over a fire to restore my hunger.
[Rabbit Meat]
Can be obtained at a low probability when hunting rabbit-type creatures, including monsters.
[Grilled Rabbit Meat (F)]
A beginner dish anyone with intelligence at least equal to a primitive human who knows how to handle fire can make.
It took quite a while to finish.
“Grrrr!”
“Grrrrr!”
Monsters drawn by the smell of roasting rabbit swarmed in.
“Damn bastards.”
The level 950 hunting ground wasn’t filled only with level 950 monsters. Alongside them were created prey that could survive until next Saturday midnight.
But to eye my rabbit roast?
They deserved to die.
Swoosh—
Thud thud thud~
The heads of human-like monsters fell to the ground in bunches.
“…Is it just my imagination?”
The higher the hunting ground level, the more the monsters’ forms resembled humans.
Zombies? Demons? Vampires? Werewolves?
Those were already pitiful existences massacred by users every week. This was fundamentally different.
“Grrrrrr!”
“Grrrr!”
If I had to compare them to something similar, they were closest to ‘Sword Demons.’
(You’re frustratingly slow like eating sweet potato most of the time, but insanely strong in real combat.)
“Huh?”
Really?
(Don’t get cocky—watch your front.)
“Kraaaang!”
“Kraang!”
In the virtual reality game <Molang Fantasy>, levels are not illusions or decorations. They are a pure measure of combat power.
Level 950.
Even a single one of these released into humanity’s domain—where the strongest users linger only in the 700s—could cause a horrific massacre.
Of course, the ‘angels’ assisting users’ revivals and escape systems around activated temples would prevent the absolute worst wipeouts.
Boom—
When not in combat, they move sluggishly at about level 10 speed, but once battle begins, they become level 950.
Supersonic movement generating shockwaves is basic! Anything below level 750 would die from the shockwave alone without even approaching.
Whoooosh~!
The following gale swept or overturned the previously intact land, and once they launched full attacks?
BOOM!
They completely reshaped the terrain.
“What a waste…”
I looked regretfully at the rabbit roast now covered in dirt despite my efforts to protect it, then counterattacked the monsters.
(Counterattack? If you’d cleanly killed them first before they attacked, the rabbit roast would’ve been safe. Who are you blaming when you brought this on yourself?)
“Ugh…”
Thank you, senior, for always humbling this junior with your perfectly correct words.
“Kraang!”
Level 950 monsters resembling long-armed apes whipped their arms like lashes.
“Revenge!”
Swoosh—
I cut through the storm-like shockwaves, beheaded one, and killed it.
Swoosh— Crack.
I killed the second one,
Swoosh— Snap.
“Haa?”
While beheading the third, my sword couldn’t hold up and broke.
A blade obtained from hunting the boss monster in a level 860 hunting ground.
I was convinced there wasn’t a better weapon among those possessed by users in the virtual reality game <Molang Fantasy>.
But after abusing it without repairs, its lifespan finally ran out.
(This one really lasted a long time.)
“Ugh…”
To craft or repair level 850 equipment, you’d need at least a level 780+ blacksmith.
But there isn’t one, so what can you do? Just like now—push it until the blade wears down and snaps.
‘Guess I’m nearing my limit too.’
I was approaching the ceiling of solo growth without the benefits of civilization or support.
“Grrrr—”
“Shut up!”
Thwack!
I could beat them bare-handed, but since my class and aptitude aren’t combat-oriented, going weaponless drops my combat efficiency to something like an ‘unarmed farmer.’
[Title] Challenger King (A)
[Level] 954(+120)
[Class] Seeker (7th Job)
[Achievements] 1206082
[Aptitude] Priest
I’m still overpowering them with raw levels, but the absence of suitable equipment has noticeably slowed my growth.
Hunting is getting harder too—the levels of prey and mine are now almost the same—and the complete lack of nearby cities or villages where I can rest safely is wearing me down.
(Junior.)
Yes.
(How about trying the challenge soon?)
“Hmm…”
My goal isn’t to become the strongest in the virtual reality game <Molang Fantasy> or to see the ending.
Ranuvel the 10th.
It’s to meet her—the one who reincarnated as a dragon in this world—and persuade her.
(Think about real-world time too.)
“…Yeah, I should, huh?”
If users noticed my growth speed, they’d call it a cheat, but even to me, this pace wasn’t satisfying.
Because the avatar disappears once I wake from the dream. No matter how hard I raise it, it’s all for nothing.
(It’s not for nothing.)
Really?
(Trust me. Have you ever lost out by trusting me?)
Never.
I can say that with certainty.
(At your current level, you should be able to easily take down the gatekeepers guarding the nest. How strong Ranuvel the 10th herself is remains unknown, though.)
“…Let’s do it.”
I was already planning to head to the village near the level 710 hunting ground anyway—my inventory was completely full.
[Adamantium Ore (B)]
[Romantium Powder (S)]
[Heart of the Enraged Legend (A)]
[Solonium Fragment (S)]
……
The safe zone that all top guilds had combined forces to pioneer two years ago and succeeded in building a temple in.
The spoils I’d stockpiled in the warehouse I opened there were enormous.
(Even after leaving the dream, something will remain.)
Even if my avatar vanishes, the items stored in the warehouse will stay in this world.
However,
“No.”
I’ll distribute everything to the people who helped me before I leave.
(You’ve grown a little.)
Thank you.
It’s time to challenge the final gateway.
***
In the virtual reality game <Molang Fantasy>, there’s a setting that the heavier the equipment, the better its performance.
However, heavier gear also makes movement slower, so it’s only natural to question the necessity of good equipment.
This drawback is overcome by the attributes or abilities attached to high-grade materials.
Romantium Powder (S)
Powder of a perfectly Molang substance that grows stronger the more it is loved.
It seems to be powder from an ore that becomes stronger the more it is loved.
I was the first to acquire it.
[Solonium Fragment (S)]
Fragment of a perfectly Molang substance that grows stronger the more lonely it is.
The opposite concept of Romantium—this mineral was also first acquired by me.
Both are S-grade minerals.
Considering that even minerals obtained with great difficulty by ranker guilds like the one the convenience store owner belongs to are only B-grade, it really feels like I’ve been playing in my own little fantasy world all alone.
“…This is a bit… bewildering.”
The imperial princess, having heard from the senior about my return, came out to greet me.
“Why?”
“I thought a situation where a single virtual reality game user shakes the real economy could only happen in a dream…”
The value of the spoils piled up in my warehouse is said to be equal to—or greater than—the total in-game assets of all users combined.
…Is this for real?
The convenience store owner once bragged that selling his weapon alone could make him a building owner, but even that felt like exaggeration.
“Really?”
“Are you planning to sell?”
“No. Just simple curiosity.”
I was already shocked by the 201x sports betting payout, but where on earth is my life heading?
“Very few users actually have the purchasing power. Not many are willing to sell even their underwear just to buy high-grade materials they can’t use right away.”
“Ah…”
“Still, if you gradually release small quantities to wealthy users or organizations and maximize profit… within three years, you could enter the world’s top 10 conglomerates. Assuming you survive that long.”
“The follow-up line is terrifying!”
The imperial princess casually tossed out what sounded like a death threat if I got too cocky.
(Frustrating junior. That’s advice not to rush.)
Isn’t it the same thing?
(Completely different.)
Ah, yes.
“By the way, Your Highness. This is the first time I’ve seen you in light attire.”
The imperial princess, who was always fully armored head-to-toe in gear crafted by the empire’s loyal subjects with no gaps whatsoever.
Today, though, she wore thin everyday clothes made of light fabric.
“I sacrificed the armor to deliver this sword in person.”
She extended a single sword toward me.
Tremble tremble.
“Your arms are shaking.”
“…Do you wish to die for the crime of mocking the imperial princess?”
“Sorry!”
I quickly accepted the sword she offered.
Whoa—
For a moment, my center of gravity lurched forward from the sheer weight. Now I understood why her arms had been trembling.
“It took some time negotiating since you’re not one of the empire’s subjects, but production proceeded without delay.”
“Ooh!”
“Do you like it?”
[Truly Pathetic Solonium Sword (A)]
“An A-grade weapon…”
I’d never seen one before. The name sounded so pathetic it probably couldn’t even cut a rabbit.
“I had hoped for an S-grade since we used S-grade materials, but the blacksmith’s level was too low, so it failed.”
“Can’t be helped.”
The best blacksmith among users is only in the late 600s. Just not wasting the S-grade materials in thin air is already fortunate.
“What will you do with the remaining materials?”
“That sounds suspiciously like you’re asking me to leave a will, like Nam Hae-soo did.”
“Then you heard correctly, Mr. Kang Moon-soo.”
“Ugh…”
The imperial princess continued.
“Don’t take it the wrong way. Whether you succeed or fail, the assets need to be disposed of.”
“That’s true.”
(The debt to the witch has been repaid. So don’t feel burdened—just speak your mind.)
Debt.
She probably means cleaning up the mess I made.
“One Romantium Powder to the convenience store owner who hasn’t forgotten me. Dispose of the rest for cash and distribute it to everyone who helped me.”
“Most of them are the empire’s subjects you asked for help from, though?”
“Nationality doesn’t matter.”
“…Mr. Kang Moon-soo suddenly changing like this is taking some getting used to.”
“Experiencing death can change even the most frustrating human.”
The virtual reality game <Molang Fantasy> was completely different from the old dreams that vanished cleanly upon waking. My decisions and actions had affected reality.
Despair that seeped into my very bones. Regret and reflection!
I doubt I’ll ever forget it.
“Fine. But as I said earlier, your assets are enormous. Unless you plan to evenly distribute and turn your helpers into overnight millionaires, there will still be a huge amount left over.”
“If anything remains, I’ll give it all to you, Your Highness. Just don’t torment only me with that money.”
“…I really can’t get used to this. The plan’s so sloppy it clearly isn’t your wise senior’s work.”
“Thank you.”
100% pure original plan by me.
“What about you? I could sell it and deposit the money into your account.”
“I only need this one.”
[Truly Pathetic Solonium Sword (A)]
Asset disposal complete.
Now it’s time to go meet Ranuvel the 10th.
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