The Player Who Can't Level Up

Outside the Bukhan River gate, the scout players the Iron Guild had dispatched were patrolling and investigating the area. They rushed toward them as soon as they saw the Blue Dragon Guild players leaving with slumped shoulders.

A scout shouted, "I can see the players leaving the gate! I think they are the Blue Dragon Guild members!”

“As expected… They failed in closing it,” another scout mumbled in disappointment. The Bukhan River gate remained unchanged as the players left one by one. Moreover, the number that left the gate was definitely smaller than the one that had gone in. All of these things indicated that the team failed to close the gate.

Many injured players were being helped out by their teammates. The looks on their faces indicated that things did not go well.

The scout team leader ordered, “Make sure they get everything they need. Get them some healers and prepare a resting place for them.”

“Yes, sir,” his subordinate answered.

The scout team leader was about to leave to make his report when he suddenly remembered something. He turned around and added, “Get me a comparison list. It should have the details of everyone who went in and left.”

“Pardon? But why…?”

“There isn’t much information out there about Kim Gi-Gyu’s skills. But we do know that he’s a strange one. There is a chance he might have mixed with our team to leave the gate in disguise.”

“Of course, sir.”

The scout leader seemed satisfied with his logic. He was finally ready to leave to report to his superior when another subordinate scout yelled from afar, “Sir! Guild Master Choi Chang-Yong of the Blue Dragon Guild has an urgent message for you.”

“What is it?”

“He said he needs to talk to you in person. It’s about what happened inside the Bukhan River.”

“Hmm.” The scout leader was surprised. He planned on having this conversation, but he had assumed this conversation would take place later. Choi Chang-Yong also looked wounded, so didn’t he want to get treated first?

‘Unless he has very urgent information to report. Yes, it must be something that can’t wait.’

The scout leader replied, “All right. I’ll go to him right now.”

“And…” The subordinate player seemed hesitant.

“And?” the scout leader asked in frustration. Was this player a newbie? Why was he so slow and stupid?

The scout leader ordered, “Just spit it out. When you’re reporting to me, report everything at once.”

“I-I’m sorry. Umm… I was told that our own team was almost annihilated.”

The scout leader’s eyes widened in shock.

The subordinate player continued, “The leader of our own guild’s team wants to see you along with Guild Master Choi Chang-Yong.”

The scout leader nodded and answered, “All right.”

R-r-r-ring.

Just then, the scout leader’s cell phone rang. He was about to head out to meet with Choi Chang-Yong, so he looked down at his phone in frustration. Why was he being constantly interrupted?

But when he saw the caller ID, he gasped.

The scout leader quickly answered the phone, “Hello, sir! This is the managing chief of the Bukhan River region… Yes! Oh! Yes, sir! Yes, of course!”

After ending the call, the scout leader looked up tensely.

His subordinate asked, “Who… was that, sir?”

In confusion, the scout leader waved his hand and muttered, “The deputy guild master will be arriving soon, so get ready.”

“Ah, of course, sir!”

The Deputy Guild Master Rohan was on his way to the Bukhan River.

***

“It’s an honor to meet you in person, Deputy Guild Master! I’m the managing chief of the Bukhan River—”

“Got it,” Rohan cut the scout leader off quietly. He didn’t look that old, so it seemed like he didn't have much experience, but his mature and solemn voice indicated otherwise.

“Ah, of course!”

“Could you give me some privacy?” asked Rohan.

“Ah, yes!” The scout leader left quickly after finishing his report. There were now three men inside an office near the Bukhan River: Rohan, Choi Chang-Yong, and the Iron Guild team’s leader.

Suddenly, Rohan knelt deeply and greeted, “Master, it’s an honor to see you again.”

Rohan’s current behavior was worlds apart from how he had treated the scout leader. Choi Chang-Yong’s eyes widened in shock.

The Iron Guild team’s leader replied, “That’s enough. Stand up.”

Lou had killed the real Iron Guild team leader inside the gate. The man with his appearance in the room was actually Gi-Gyu. Although he looked completely different, Rohan recognized him immediately because he was synced with him. After all, Rohan was one of Gi-Gyu’s Egos.

“Halloween is pretty useful, huh?” Gi-Gyu touched his face and mumbled. The Iron Guild team leader’s face and physique gradually disappeared, replaced by Gi-Gyu’s own.

Choi Chang-Yong and Rohan watched in amazement. Choi Chang-Yong was clearly impressed by Halloween—the mask Ego—but he was even more shocked by Rohan. Choi Chang-Yong muttered, “Huh… I had doubts when you told me this, but I guess it’s true. So the Iron Guild’s deputy guild master belongs to you…”

Based on how Rohan treated Gi-Gyu, it was apparent that Rohan was just like one of Gi-Gyu’s creatures. Choi Chang-Yong shivered, wondering just who and what Gi-Gyu really was. Remembering how he had disrespected him when they first met, he felt embarrassed.

Gi-Gyu didn’t bother answering Choi Chang-Yong. He was busy admiring Old Man Hwang’s newest Ego, Halloween.

‘So this mask allows me to change not only my face but also my body shape.’ The mask also gave him parts of the player’s memories he was disguised as. The only condition was that the player had to be a victim of his Ego. For Halloween to work, the player’s data had to be inside an Ego synced with Gi-Gyu.

“Stand up, Rohan,” ordered Gi-Gyu.

“Your wish is my command, Grandmaster—”

“Be quiet already.” Gi-Gyu waved his hand. Like all his other Egos, Rohan was a bit too respectful and loyal. While he didn't mind the latter, he did find the overly respectful thing annoying. All his Egos acted this way except for exceptions like Lou, El, and Old Man Hwang.

Gi-Gyu asked, “You remember what I told you earlier, right?”

“Yes. You ordered me to create a new team with only the Iron Guild players loyal to our cause. And I am to arrange a meeting between Guild Master Choi Chang-Yong, the survivors of this expedition, and the other Korean guilds. I must also distract Andras and…” Suddenly, bloodthirst flooded Rohan’s eyes. Realizing he had shown hostility before Gi-Gyu, Rohan flinched and knelt.

Rohan apologized, “I-I’m sorry. I a-am to find where Ironshield is located.”

“There is no need to apologize. I know how you feel about Ironshield,” Gi-Gyu reassured Rohan.

“But I should have never shown hostility in your presence, Master,” Rohan whispered.

Gi-Gyu had successfully redirected all of Rogers’ anger toward him to Ironshield. This was why Rohan was desperate to get his revenge on Ironshield. This also flamed Rohan’s loyalty toward Gi-Gyu.

Gi-Gyu continued, “Anyway, I’m counting on you, Rohan. How is Go Hyung-Chul by the way?”

“He is away completing the mission you gave him.”

Gi-Gyu had asked Go Hyung-Chul to find out the location of the Iron and the Caravan Guilds. On top of this, he had recently ordered Go Hyung-Chul to find the kings.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Sung-Hoon opened the door and walked in. He wore a light disguise, but it certainly wasn’t enough to hide his identity. However, no one stopped him because Rohan had ordered him to be left alone.

Gi-Gyu commented, “Rohan, you haven’t been able to access useful information within the Iron Guild yet. But I can see you have decent authority within the guild, huh?”

“Ah, yes. My influence inside Korea is extensive. Soon, I will be able to access the Iron Guild’s more sensitive information,” Rohan replied proudly.

“You should have been able to access everything already. You’re the deputy guild master, after all. This just proves something fishy is going on in that place,” Gi-Gyu muttered. Turning toward the others, Gi-Gyu announced, “Now! Shall we discuss the details?”

Everyone nodded and followed.

***

Whir.

A sound, loud enough to shake the space, rang in the air.

“Sir, is… I mean… Is it done?” Choi Chang-Yong sounded confused. As Gi-Gyu wanted, he tried to treat Gi-Gyu like nothing had changed, but he found acting nonchalant around Gi-Gyu near impossible. The memory of Gi-Gyu’s overwhelming power and potential prevented him from behaving normally.

Gi-Gyu answered, “Yes, it’s done.”

“That was simpler than I expected.” Choi Chang-Yong nodded.

Before them stood a gate glowing in a blue hue. Choi Chang-Yong was shocked by how easily Gi-Gyu could summon a gate. He murmured in awe, “To create a path to your enemy’s headquarters… Sir, I’m… I mean… I’m glad I am working on your side.”

They were currently standing on the land where the KPA headquarters used to be. This place led to the Tower; now, it was being maintained by the Iron Guild and the Caravan Guild. Therefore, this was basically their enemy’s headquarters.

“Well, I wouldn’t say this is their headquarters. Their real headquarters would be where Andras and Ironshield are,” Gi-Gyu stated.

Choi Chang-Yong nodded in agreement and replied, “But this is still very impressive.”

With this gate, Gi-Gyu could frequent the Tower freely. There was still the problem of going through the portal, but with Halloween, Gi-Gyu didn’t have to worry.

“And we can attack this place whenever we want now,” Choi Chang-Yong added.

“Well, I suppose.” Gi-Gyu shrugged nonchalantly, but Choi Chang-Yong still stared at the gate in wonder.

“Well, it’s all done now. We can travel through here.” Gi-Gyu said to Choi Chang-Yong before turning toward Rohan. Gi-Gyu ordered, “Don’t be stingy with your resources.”

“Of course, Grandmaster.” Rohan knelt again and added, “I will give up my life if necessary.”

“And don’t be so melodramatic,” Gi-Gyu muttered. Rohan was once Rogers—the guy who had tortured him to within an inch of his life— so he couldn’t help still feeling a little resentful. However, he also understood that Rohan was his Ego now, so it was high time he forgave him.

Rohan raised his head and asked, “Will you be going to the Tower right away?”

“Yup. I’ve created a path for Sung-Hoon to travel too, so it’s all set.” Gi-Gyu thumped his chest a few times, Brunheart’s toughness filling him with reassurance.

After the secondary job change, Brunheart had also become more powerful. She now could take different forms. This was why Gi-Gyu could turn Brunheart into a necklace when he had handed her to Old Man Hwang.

‘Having her on my chest sure is awkward, but this just feels right to me,’ Gi-Gyu thought.

Brunheart, in her sphere form, was embedded in Gi-Gyu’s chest. It sometimes felt awkward, but it also gave him a sense of security. He also knew Brunheart liked this form the best.

Gi-Gyu remembered what Old Man Hwang said when he had handed Brunheart to him.

“Brunheart is evolving at the moment. Unlike Lou and El, Brunheart is a pseudo-Ego. It’s no wonder her way of evolving is different from others. Your other pseudo-Egos will experience similar things. Their evolution will be much slower. Just think of it like this: Her evolution has sent her into hibernation. The closer she is to you, especially your root, the better she will adapt to you. Please take good care of her.”

Old Man Hwang had explained that Brunheart was evolving just like El and Lou. This must have been triggered when Gi-Gyu became an Ego Master. Gi-Gyu studied the Egos on his body: Oberon, Hermes, and Bi. It appeared that they would evolve sometime soon too.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Gi-Gyu mumbled.

Choi Chang-Yong and Rohan watched him quietly.

Gi-Gyu had created a safe path for Sung-Hoon to travel. And even Choi Chang-Yong didn’t know the path’s location. Although Choi Chang-Yong was officially on Gi-Gyu’s side, he couldn’t trust anyone, apart from his Egos, fully. Choi Chang-Yong and Sung-Hoon will have to work together, but Gi-Gyu felt it necessary to keep certain things separate.

Gi-Gyu announced to Rohan and Choi Chang-Yong, “Then I’ll get going now.”

He then whispered, “El.”

El, who had been in her ring form, transformed into a beautiful goddess.

Choi Chang-Yong admired, “I can never get used to this.”

“El, you will accompany Guild Master Choi Chang-Yong and filter out all the demon players. You do not need to take care of them yourself. Just remember their names or faces. Or you can make a list and give it to Guild Master Choi Chang-Yong,” Gi-Gyu ordered.

“Yes, Master.” El seemed upset that she had to be apart from Gi-Gyu.

Noticing her sadness, Gi-Gyu said quietly, “Don’t worry. You won’t have to stay away for too long.”

El had become rather emotional lately, so Gi-Gyu tried his best to be considerate. Her face brightened a little. She answered, “All right. I hope to see you soon, Master.”

Gi-Gyu then turned toward Rohan and said goodbye, “You have done a good job so far.”

“I will wait for the day I see you again, Master.” Rohan bowed deeply.

Turning around, Gi-Gyu finally left the room where he had placed the gate entrance. With Old Man Hwang and Rohan’s help, this room would remain concealed from the rest of the world.

Choi Chang-Yong stammered, “Umm… I mean… Miss El?”

“You can address me informally,” El blankly replied.

‘Gosh, she’s so cold,’ Choi Chang-Yong thought in annoyance. How El behaved around Gi-Gyu was utterly different from how she treated everyone else.

‘But she is so goddamn beautiful.’ For some reason, Choi Chang-Yong wasn’t offended by her coldness. He offered, “Shall we go now?”

“All right,” El replied.

Choi Chang-Yong nodded awkwardly. No matter how beautiful El was and how attracted he was to her, he knew he had no chance.

After all, El was Gi-Gyu’s woman.

***

“Haa…” Gi-Gyu exhaled deeply. The air was filled with magic, but it couldn’t compare to the Bukhan River landmark. The energy inside Eden was much thicker and refreshing.

Gi-Gyu looked around to see if he was alone. He was standing on the 51st floor, far from the 51st-floor landmark.

Fwoosh.

His appearance slowly changed. After returning to his real form, Gi-Gyu whispered, “Haures.”

He called for the demon he had hunted inside the Caravan Guild’s secret branch.