The monarchs are stingy when it comes to spending coins.They are, during meditation. But this was a different story—this was an invasion to destroy another Eye Lord's dilemma.
[The Eye Lord Alliance has paid the price.][The soldiers of the Eye Lords are strengthened.]
The sound of a coin being inserted was heard.And a moment later, the soldiers of the Eye Lord Alliance were simultaneously empowered.A red aura burst forth from their bodies. With bloodshot eyes, they roared and continued their destructive rampage with even greater ferocity.
Fwoooosh!
"Gah, damn it!"
"Th-this is insane…!"
The Flemimers who were fighting the strengthened soldiers were horrified.They had used flame magic on the enemy, but the power was on a completely different level from ordinary fire magic.The Flemimers caught in the blast were reduced to ash in an instant.The tide turned heavily against them.
["You said... you have a proposal for me?"]
In the theme park where this brutal battle was raging,only Han Yuseong stood as if he belonged to another world.
"So, are you willing to hear my proposal?"["A proposal, in the middle of this chaos...? But before that, answer my question. You knew, didn't you? How did you know? A dream?"]["Tell me. I said, tell me. Aren't you going to answer? Speak."]
Han Yuseong tightly shut his eyes.It felt like watching a young hawk throw a tantrum.He didn't like handling hawks, nor was he familiar with them—so he wasn't good at it.
"We can talk about that later. Are you willing to hear the proposal?"["I said tell me! What's the proposal? Fine, just say it already. I'm curious."]"If you make me one promise, I'll resolve this entire situation."
The chaotic stream of messages suddenly stopped.An enormous eyeball appeared in the air—an eye drenched in pleasure and ennui.At this very moment, the Lord of Pleasure was watching Han Yuseong.As if intending to obliterate the human standing before it.
'The fastest way to end this situation.'
It was simple.Destroy the gate that appeared first.If that gate is destroyed, all the smaller gates that have appeared throughout the theme park will disappear as well—because it serves as a sort of "core."The eye swayed side to side.
["No… that's impossible. Human, you entered my domain, and so far, you've fulfilled my expectations more than anyone else ever has. But even you can't do everything. See that Oathkeeper over there?"]
The eye pointed toward the first gate that had appeared.Standing in front of it was the Oathkeeper—emitting a monstrous amount of red aura, incomparable to any of the other enemies.
["That's the Oathkeeper guarding the gate. Among those who've attacked this place, it probably has the strongest power, and with external support, it's become even stronger. If we're talking in levels… it's around level 90."]
["Even for you… defeating that gatekeeper is nearly impossible."]
And it was true.Not only that—soldiers were also guarding the gate.To the Eye Lord of Pleasure, the image of Han Yuseong falling to the gatekeeper was all too easy to picture.Just imagining the outcome sent a cold chill down its metaphorical spine.
"Isn't that what makes it even more interesting?"
At that moment, Han Yuseong spoke.So calmly, as if none of it fazed him.
"To defeat someone I could never match with my current power—what could be more thrilling than that?"["..."]
The Eye Lord of Pleasure fell silent.Because it couldn't deny what Han Yuseong had said.It was impossible. But when the impossible is overcome—that is precisely when the pleasure the Eye Lord so dearly craves blossoms into full bloom.Within the heart of the Lord, a new anticipation began to rise once again.
["…Human, what is the promise you want?"]"Reward. For this mini-game. The reward for clearing this dilemma. And for stopping this invasion. I want a reward that reflects all of that."["You want a high-tier item?"]"Exactly."
Han Yuseong stared straight into the Lord's eye.With absolute confidence.
"Something on the level of a mythical-tier item should do."["..."]
The Eye Lord of Pleasure opened its eye wide in surprise.Wasn't this an unreasonably confident demand?Was he seriously claiming he could defeat that gatekeeper?Was it truly worth granting a mythical-tier item over?
["Ohm… uum… hmm…"]
The Eye Lord quickly came to a decision.Was there any other way to resolve this situation?For the next 20 minutes, it would be unable to intervene in the dilemma.Calling for external reinforcements was also impossible—the dilemma had sealed itself off.It had to resolve this with only the forces currently inside the dilemma.
'Not good. There's a high chance I could lose this dilemma.'
The potential losses from losing this dilemma, the rewards it would have to grant every second it dragged on—And most of all, the pleasure it could have indulged in…If the same human who had satisfied it so far could satisfy it once again—
["Very well, human."]
It was worth it.In the Eye of the Lord, an unmistakable glint of excitement appeared.
["I swear upon my title, Lord of Pleasure. If you resolve this crisis, I will grant you a mythical-tier item."]"Glad to hear that. Straight and simple, I like it."["So then, human—how exactly do you plan to resolve this situation?"]
The Eye Lord asked with curiosity.No matter how it looked at it, Han Yuseong's current power was nowhere near enough to take down that gatekeeper.What method could he possibly have to be this confident?
Naturally—there was a method.
"Eye Lord of Pleasure. Activate the buff exactly when I say."["A buff? Oh… ah, I see. So that's what this is about."]
The Eye Lord's gaze shifted with interest, forming a curious expression.The Lord of Pleasure could not intervene directly in the dilemma for the next 20 minutes.It couldn't support or assist its Oathkeeper or soldiers in any way.
However—
[Pleasure Gauge: 100%.]
The system of the dilemma was still active.When the Pleasure Gauge is full, a corresponding buff is granted.Of course, if the destruction value continues to rise, the system itself will eventually collapse.But as long as it's still holding, it means it can be used.
["I see… direct intervention is impossible, but with this…"]"It's possible. Don't forget, Eye Lord of Pleasure."
Han Yuseong clenched his fist.
"The promises you made to me."
The sound of his foot slamming into the ground.In the very next moment, a violent wind swept across the circus arena.
"Hoo… heh heh…"
Power surged within him.
The Oathkeeper of the Nameless Eye Lord—Logan—grinned so widely it looked like his mouth might tear open.The power granted by the support of the Lord Alliance surged through every fiber of his body.Having made a pact with a Nameless Eye Lord, Logan was now being empowered in full by their combined strength. It was so overwhelming, he felt like he might drown in it.
"Haha… Kuhahahaha!"
The wave of energy Logan released swept over his enemies.The foes before him were scattered like trash.Even someone like Logan—usually proud and confident in his own skills—had never seen a scene quite like this.
KWAAMMMMM!
"So all I have to do is guard the gate with this power, right?"
Logan glanced around at the surrounding enemies.Every single one of them was frozen in fear—none even thinking of fighting back.A cruel smile curled on his lips.
"Slaughtering them still counts as guarding the gate, doesn't it?"
Logan charged into the ranks of the players.His spear, wrapped in crimson energy, pierced through enemies mercilessly, and the soldiers behind him surged in through the opening he created.He had to finish everything before the Eye Lord of Pleasure could intervene again.Until then, he would indulge in this overwhelming power as much as possible.
Chrrrk—
But just then—behind the resolute Logan, a shadow descended.A massive, dark shadow spread across the ground, devouring even the surrounding space.In an instant, the battlefield dimmed.The soldiers' movements stopped cold.
And then—
CRACKKK!
—Kuhahahack—!!
A storm of blood erupted from within the shadows.It was Han Yuseong. Concealed in shadow, he mercilessly cut down the soldiers blocking his path as he advanced forward.Bloodstorm Blade was drenched in blood, and the bloodstorm itself grew even fiercer.
'Time… I don't have much of it.'
The Destruction Value was rising rapidly.Once the 20 minutes passed and the Eye Lord of Pleasure could intervene again, the advantage would shift entirely to the Eye Lord Alliance.It had to end before then.
'Hmph. That gatekeeper… Looks like he's receiving a Lord's support for the first time.'
Judging by how wildly he was acting, drunk on power—that much was clear.The Eye Lord Alliance must have granted him substantial support.That meant he'd gained significant strength… but also that he was likely intoxicated by the power he was experiencing for the first time.If Yuseong could exploit that properly, this fight might not be as hard as it seemed.
The real problem was the lack of time.
[You are facing an overwhelmingly strong opponent.][Due to the 'War God's' effect, the buff 'Giant Killing' has been activated.][All stats +20, unarmed damage +30%, speed +20%.]
Han Yuseong confirmed the buff granted by the War God's effect.Still not enough.Even with this, the gap between him and Logan couldn't be closed.
And naturally, Logan knew that too.
"What the hell are you? Some worthless piece of trash…."
Logan had finally recognized Han Yuseong, who was charging straight toward him.At first, Logan was wary—Yuseong's bold approach made him wonder if he might actually be powerful.
But that wasn't the case at all.That guy was far too weak—even unworthy to reach Logan's toes.
"Are you actually coming at me? Don't tell me… you're planning to attack me?"
But he didn't stop.Han Yuseong kept cutting through the soldiers that blocked his path, ignoring them as he closed the distance with Logan.Seeing this, Logan frowned.
This weakling… is ignoring me?Fine then.
"I'll kill you in one blow."
He'd just have to make Yuseong pay the price.Logan gripped his spear tightly. He watched and measured the distance as Han Yuseong approached—Waiting for him to enter striking range.
And then—
"Now!""What—?"
Han Yuseong shouted, kicking off the ground.Somewhere, the sound of laughter echoed.A laugh that burst out uncontrollably—because the situation was just too entertaining to suppress.
At that very moment, Han Yuseong vanished, as if he had melted into the shadow beneath his feet.
"What the hell…?"
He reappeared—In the shadow cast directly behind Logan.
"Consider this my greeting.""Wha—Gah?!"
Logan hurriedly turned his body.He saw it—an unfamiliar red aura and a fierce bloodstorm.And flying through that storm—a fist aimed straight at him.
Startled, Logan quickly took a defensive stance.But that was just a feint.
KWAAMMMMM!
"Kh—ugh…!"
Tricked by the feint, Bloodfang Spear pierced Logan straight through the heart.Logan let out a breath of agony.In contrast, Han Yuseong took a deep breath—and with Logan's movements frozen for a brief moment, drove his fist straight into him.
A follow-up strike, enhanced by Bloodstorm, slammed across Logan's entire body.
'What… what is this? Why is he suddenly faster? Why is he stronger?'
In the middle of the relentless barrage, that was all Logan could think.The human before him—Han Yuseong—had been pathetically weak just moments ago.But now… now he was different.Still not Logan's equal, but—
CRACKKKK!
"Kuhhhack!"
—strong enough to inflict meaningful damage.
The reason was incredibly simple.
[Pleasure Gauge: 100%.][Due to the effect of the Pleasure Gauge, all stats have increased by 50%!]
It was the buff granted by the Pleasure Gauge.Until now, Han Yuseong had deliberately rejected the buff—but now, he accepted it.And the gauge, as if it had been waiting all along, unleashed tremendous power upon him.
The power needed to stand against Logan, who had been enhanced through the Eye Lord Alliance's support.
Han Yuseong held his breath and ducked low.
FWOOOOSH!
A Spear of the Abyss sliced through the air just above his head.As Logan realized his strike had missed and tried to bring the weapon down again, Han Yuseong spun sharply and kicked Logan's leg.
A burst of electricity exploded from the point of impact, disrupting vision.
"KRAAAAGHH!!"
BOOM!
The spear Logan had swung with full force once again cleaved through empty space.Using the rebound from his kick, Han Yuseong had already pulled back.
Then he dashed forward again, closing the gap with expert footwork and unleashing another flurry of attacks.
"Y-You wretched little fly…!"
A fierce clash unfolded between Logan and Han Yuseong.But… could this even be called a clash?It was far too one-sided for that.
Logan's attacks no longer reached Han Yuseong.It was only Han Yuseong who delivered strike after relentless strike.
["Unbelievable… That human—how is he fighting like that? He's not even a high-level player… and yet this?"]
The Eye Lord of Pleasure, watching the battle, expressed pure admiration.Han Yuseong had gained power from the Pleasure Gauge buff.But that power merely put him on par with Logan—Logan still held the upper hand.The strength the Eye Lord Alliance had gifted Logan was enough to obliterate Han Yuseong with a single blow—If it hit.
["Innate combat sense? No… this is something else—it's experience."]
That was what Han Yuseong's movements revealed.He seemed to anticipate how Logan would attack, how his spear would move, how he would react to Yuseong's counters.It was as if he could read everything.Such perception wasn't something granted by talent alone.Only someone who had lived through an enormous number of battles could move like this—An instinct honed through blood and survival.
["You've fulfilled my expectations—and even shown me something I didn't foresee."]["It's fascinating, entertaining—I can hardly contain myself. This unknown human… the spectacle you're giving me is simply… magnificent!"]
It was something that shouldn't be possible—something nearly impossible.Which is why it was thrilling.
The Eye Lord was satisfied—And the Pleasure Gauge responded.
[The Eye Lord of Pleasure is delighted by the unbelievable spectacle.][Pleasure Gauge: 102%, 110%, 120%…][All stats increased by 70%!]
The gauge, having surpassed 100%, began to explode upward.Even Han Yuseong noticed the change.His body felt lighter—evading attacks became easier.
"KRAAAAAHHH!!"
A violent surge of aura engulfed Han Yuseong—But before it could hit, shadows surged upward.Using the magic
'His movements are getting sluggish—he's being consumed by the power.'
It was a classic case: a pact-holder overwhelmed by their sponsor's power.Was Logan a weak player?Not at all.He had the skill and strength to be entrusted with guarding a Gate by the Eye Lord Alliance.
The real issue was that this was his first time receiving this level of support.He didn't know how to control it—or how to wield it effectively.
"This is more boring than I expected.""What…?!"
Normally, this kind of situation would have thrilled Han Yuseong—A battle of life and death.The clash of strength between warriors. The tension of a worthy fight.
But Logan, who was being dragged around by his borrowed power, made it meaningless.If anything, Logan without the Lord's support would've been a more entertaining fight.
"Let's finish this. I'm already tired of dragging it out."
Han Yuseong stamped his foot into the ground.
And moments later—
KWAAMMMMMMMM!
A massive explosion erupted, soaring toward the sky.It was so enormous, so deafening, that everyone in the theme park—no matter where they were—had no choice but to turn and look.
A blast so overwhelming, it split the air, shook the ground, and left behind only a single, undeniable fact:
Something had just changed.