Volume 17 Chapter 1

Notorious Weed

The crowds gathered when Weed came out of the portal in the middle of Morata’s Town Square. Merchants were buying and selling in the town square, and parties were recruiting members to go hunting. The northern part of the Versailles continent was thriving thanks to Mora’s promise of adventure and the prosperous areas around it.

“Please look this way!”

“Hi Weed, Weed Hi! Come hunt with us. “

“Are you really Weed from The Continent of Magick?”

People were trying to get closer to Jeonshin Weed to ask him about the Wailing River’s quest, causing a commotion.

ReIt was a clamoring sight. Even on the walls people were waving and cheering towards Weed. Everyone was cheering at the return of Weed, The Hero of War.

Remembering his past of selling cheap sculptures in the Rosenheim Kingdom, Weed unconsciously raised his hand to stroke his chin, feeling flattered. “Heh, there’s a lot more people here now.”. He acted unconcerned and naturally confronted people, as if this amount of success was not a surprise.

Weed burst out a yell out of the blue.

“I went. I fought. I earned!”

“Woowaah ah ahh!” The Morata Square bursted with cheers.

“He must have earned a lot!”

“Wyverns! Please show us the Wyverns who hunted with you!”

“Weed! Weed! Weed!”

He faked his own popularity as their leader, it was a moment of uncontrollable joy.

On the Versailles continent even ordinary people had big hopes and dreams! Others did not get to hunt monsters, perform quests and have never experienced a comeback like Weed.

The soldiers of Mora and the paladins of Freya were calming and organizing the crowd, until all settled down again. Knights of the Order Freya politely bowed towards Weed.

“We would like to thank you for defeating the evil Embinyu Church. It is an honor to see you, the adventurer that will go down in history as the benefactor of our church.”

Weed humbly replied. “It was nothing, sir. It wasn’t much trouble. The fight with the Embinyu cult wasn’t that hard. It was easier than taking a nap on a bank in a sweltering summer afternoon.”

Weed had spent his valuable adolescence at what was once an excellent cultural facility.
His neighborhood had a few banks with sitting areas where he used to go to and relax.

It had all the latest magazines for guests that were arranged categorically.

The bankers would sometimes gossip, but things of that level could be ignored!

In the past, middle-aged men went there to become familiarly acquainted over a bad cup of coffee, but these days, young people are divided over their discussions of Weed.

“An example for all Paladins”

“He´s treated respectfully.”

The overwhelming crowd of people watched Weed talk with the paladin with envy. A bunch of merchants and warriors didn’t expect Weed to suddenly create a portal and pop out in the middle of the plaza, but because of that they were unable to do business

“It’s the first time I’ve see Freyas Paladins acting this friendly.”

“I’m guessing it’s because of Weed?”

“That´s obvious.”

Freya’s Paladins recklessly rushed to the square and tried to contain the crowd of people.

“Hmm.”

Weed waited patiently for the disturbances to calm down again and glanced at the square. The crowd looked like a bag full of bean sprouts.

‘There seems to be more people here now.’ Sitting in the stalls, in the open square, looking at the merchants, Weed thought of rising taxes!

`Hmm, should I raise taxes….Just by raising taxes by 1%,  I would make a LOT of money…..’

Weed focused and started calculating the profit at a blinding speed. Mathematics were a breeze, but the plan had one mistake.

‘No, no. It’s still too early. Taxes had been lowered in order to give off the impression that in the future taxes will not burden the people. I can’t suddenly change that.`

His face went pale, and he became frantic.

If I raise taxes it should have the feeling that I’m not raising them.

Looking at Weed’s troubled face, the large crowd of users gradually became quiet.

Seeing his horribly contorted expression from a distance, they couldn’t help but stare.

Sometimes, his face would show a burning grimace, then suddenly his chest would collapse.
The people here had never met Weed before and only heard the stories told by the other players.

“So earning chump change by selling sculptures was all a pretense?”

“It’s not a normal camouflage. Being able to kill Hydra, he´s gotta be a high level user.”

“Jeonshin Weed, does he look like he can wipe us all out? “

“I heard he was a lone warrior during Continent of Magic ‘s  just a bit of fuss or hassle was not welcomed by him…..”

After hearing that the people’s excitement subsided, because it gave them the creeps. Weed from CoM was a notorious figure. In the square’s corner merchants were chatting and exchanging stories with each other. The traders were talking about Weed’s CoM infamous deeds!

“Soo-il, is it true he has killed a lot of people?”

“Yeah. But Weed’s mischievous deeds cannot be spoken aloud. I’ve died five times myself.”

“Why were you killed? Did you make an enemy out of Weed?”

Weed could hear the young merchants conversations. The story of his young self in the Continent of Magick deeply interested him. It was an important story because depending on the crowd’s opinion, tax rates can be changed accordingly.

“For no particular reason. Once was when I was inside a shop waiting in line. Once in a stream. Once in a dungeon while hunting. And the remaining two times as a group, we had formed a coalition in order to repress his misdeeds and we died.”

“He killed people for no reason?”

“I am not just killed. Literally “butchered”. Even though I surrendered he still did not leave an injured person. Everyone is alike to him, he left no one alive..”

In the Continent of Magick, Jeonshin Weed wasn’t just a monster. To the other users, he was merciless slaughterer. With his extremely high level, amazing skill management, and unique items, he was a powerhouse. Challengers who recovered, were once again trampled on and killed, because they were a nuisance to him.

‘In my eyes there was no difference between human and monster.’

Weed briefly recalled his days in the Continent of Magick ‘In my eyes there was no difference between human and monster.’

It was really hard to differentiate between users and monsters. So to save time, he indiscriminately killed them all. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t hunt. High level users were said to walk arrogantly, intentionally bumping into others and killing them. even when he was faced aginst A large powerful guild?  He didn’t care. ‘No matter how united they were, after three or four deaths they start to lose morale.’ As an example one guild has been thoroughly wiped out. The public opinion was extremely worsened by the news. Then again it was crushed. Every last one will fall. When that happens all over again the other guilds also provide help. Coalition of guilds have been organized a few times to kill him in a dungeon but he annihilated them using divide and conquer tactics.

Weed fought with his brains.

Dealing with a large group of mobs on your own is a very difficult feat to achieve, yet Weed using his surroundings, had dedicate himself to loot and kill everything that moves!.

The Merchant asked.

“Nevertheless, it seems like Weed’s name did not remain malicious. A lot of players from Continent of Magick did not speak dishonorably against Weed.”

The Merchant nodded his head in agreement and explained.

“Continent of Magic, which was losing popularity suddenly has become increasingly popular, sometimes players wanted something new, and then he would solve unsolved quests, passing through labyrinths, finding mysterious secrets in dungeons and encountering extremely strong monsters, unlocking and revealing secrets within the game to satisfy people’s curiosity. Can anyone surpass him?. Even in Royal Road, Weed’s recklessness is unmatched when it comes to hunting and completing a quest. No one would blame him if he refused to share his high prestige quest, but instead he commissioned them.. Many only look at the rewards but do not take into account all the steps in the middle. Accumulating abilities and raising stats is boring and repetitive to most people but for Weed it’s just pure fun. Most guilds tried to expand their territory by hunting in newly found areas, Weed prefered to hunt repetitively and was completely hostile to any guild and any players that were with them in the dungeon.

“Even a notable guild that likes to fight is afraid of Weed and were completely destroyed.”

“It was that bad?”

“Everyone tries to keep a distance, but there are those curious ones that want to die. At least they will have their name stamped on a tombstone.

“I was witness to the amazing atmosphere he gave off.”

“When news of Weed appearing near a hunting ground was spread, people around the area felt goosebumps, unless they were new to the game.”

Meeting with friends and having a friendly conversation is a common thing while hunting. but when Weed comes in, the atmosphere suddenly changes. The problem was not the quest nor the monsters, but when Weed shows up, just about every party turned to flee. However, those interested in Weed’s behavior and followed him soon ended up dead.

“Players from the Continent of Magick were desperately looking for Weed, though it was hardly possible because Weed always undertook hidden quests and challenges and you’ll only find out about it from hearing the news.”

“Were there any quest that he failed?”

“Of course. There were lots of times when he failed. But eventually, he succeeded. Only monster remains were left in dungeons when Weed went through it; those were the best memories.”

Weed’s achievements in the Continent of Magick continued to spread.

“That sounds like Weed.”

“The more I hear, the more amazing it seems. Man, it’s fun listening to firsthand stories of Weed.”

“The strongest in the Continent of Magick, Weed. The person I’m talking about is Morata’s Lord.”

The crowd’s respectful young eyes!

Weed folded his arms and looked up.

A quiet cyanic light emitted from the portal, creating suspense in the middle of town.

After excruciating and agonizing inner conflict, he overcame his greed.

“Not yet. I’ll secretly raise the taxes. In a way that people won’t feel it…..”

If taxes were raised all of a sudden, a lot of people won’t stop at merely resisting.

“It needs justification. I must raise the taxes. But if I raise it, it must be for a justified cause! Without proper reasoning, the people will not be convinced.”

Weed overcame his greed, put his backpack down and sat on the ground. he did not have any personal luxuries, he was completely penniless. Visiting a fancy restaurant like most people, especially while inviting female users, was not in his mind. Blacksmith tools or pieces of goods were self-made or obtained through hunting. For the benefit of future investment into Morata other funds were required.

Eummeoeoeoeo!

Emerging from the portal, mooing cows can be heard, becoming louder and louder. Rover was already used to carrying items. The size of the backpack, that Rover carried was massive.It all was obtained loot, while hunting in the Western river. They have prepared a special backpack, which was filled with fruits.

“Had to be somewhere around here ……”  Weed took out a sword from the backpack. The black sword finally got to see the light of day!

“Rare loot! Loot ranging from clothing, armor, weaponry and even accessories!”

Japtem sale! The nice atmosphere in the plaza suddenly became very heavy and cold.

***

At that moment, the heavy atmosphere in the Town Square disappeared.

“Eh, he’s selling something.”

“We were needlessly shocked.”

Weed has gained infamy and recived the murderer mark and Morata´s soldiers gathered around to keep an eye on him. Swords were drawn, but they were surprised to see Weed, and although the serious situation had been averted, the usual distinctive noisy atmosphere of the square was now replaced with silence.

“Excuse me.” A nearby merchant emerged from the crowd and bravely approached Weed, who sat in front of the portal together with Rover in the middle of the square.

“Yes.”

“Is it true that you are the real Weed from CoM?”

“In the flesh.”

He was not familiar with Weed. However, another merchant spoke up.

“Sounds like he’s not.”

“No, you say?”

“Yeah?”

“Tell me all about it, murderer.”

“……”

Merchants arbitrarily determined him as such. Weed, on the other hand, the god of war, the CoM players who knows him believes it. Many people thought that Weed the sculptor and this Weed is different, since their level and jobs were significantly different. Still not sure, but either way the vast majority of people were afraid. Weed and Rover unloaded a backpack full of enviable items.

“But that’s quite a lot of loot you got there.”

“Because I hunted diligently.”  Weed insensitively replied as he continued dumping out his loot. Customers were yet to come, but the stall was ready for trade.

The staggering amount of loot catched the gaze of the neighboring merchants.

“Do you want to sell all that loot to me? I’ll give you a good price for it.”

Weed shook his head. “I can sell it myself.”

“It will be better to sell it using my trading skill. Obtaining a good deal is not that easy.”  Merchants advised Weed, but he turned a deaf ear to their words. He was already pretty good at selling things from his teens. Selling herbs on the market in a much inflated price is one of the experiences he had learned!

“Bug antenna! Wild black boar fangs! I won’t just sell it to anyone. Cheap loot that I want to throw out in bulk.”

Weed began advertising his rich booty (P/N: Yummmm) to the users among the crowd.

“Antenna? Fangs? How much is it?”

Sales in bulk, like in grocery stores, were usually worth a great value of money. Weed collected exclusive loot from hunting in the river of lament. No other player had crossed the river of lament with the portal yet.

Since this was the first loot ever from the river of lament, calling it a specialty was not an exaggeration. Weed appearing out of the portal, made the crowd watching him want to ask many questions about the Quest and regarding Jeonshin Weed!

However the curious crowd began flocking closer eyeing the quality of the loot, not really interested in actually buying it.

Merchants and wizards were quite surprised to see all the benefits that the bug antenna had. It was magical material that can amplify mana in magical staffs. To bring something like this to Enchanters could net loads of gold. The wizard shouted out loud after checking the item info. He wanted to buy as much as he possibly could.

“I’ll buy it! I’ll buy as many antennas for 350 gold!”

“I am willing to buy for 533 gold.”

“539 gold!”

“I have 540 gold.”

“I have 555 gold to buy all your stock.”

Loot value is generally fixed. With their trading skills merchants can sell loot from users to the stores at higher prices. If the accounting skills of merchants is at a high level they can buy goods from the store at a cheaper price. They have a mutual relationship.

Also, depending on the village contribution to the development, merchants could receive a higher price. Wizards can pass the material directly to the blacksmith to process it.

“I’ll buy for 570 gold!” Seems like the merchants are trying to elevate the price.

“580 gold!”

“I’ll buy at quantities worth 600 gold.”

Rare first loot will sell for a big income. Trading skills also increased alongside a good reputation from someone who purchases from them! Weed lured the merchants’ noses.

Weed had a whole lot of antenna worth 620 at the final bid, fangs worth 320 gold. Those can be sold in stores for a much higher, more satisfying price. Merchants also could sell specialty products without having to spend a little money for other benefits, like raising trading skill level and reputation. Weed pulled out another backpack.

“Well, here is the headband of Embinyu high priest. Leader of the Alliance quests and loot acquired! Souvenirs for those who want it,but you have to get in line. Will sell for 15 gold each.”  Embinyu headbands with inscribed marks of the church. In addition to three properties the armor also has a high defense rating. Even though the loot items looked expensive, it was actually pretty cheap.

“That looks good.”

“My treat.”

“One for me, please.”

Weed sold souvenirs and the crowd ate it up. ‘The atmosphere has heated up now, I’ll take my time to sell.’ Sales discounts and special deals, like buy five – get one free, was also promoted. The headbands sold in a flash!

“Then the next thing ……”  Weed released goods that were actually loot with much less importance! Obtained from hunting the undead. Undead cracked bones and weapons such as rusty swords. Rusty weapons have much less durability, used by the undead, so they crumbled rapidly. Weed who was buried with customers selling his loot like hot cakes, because of the massive discounts, was measured by envious looks from the merchants nearby.

“Please be patient, Sir.”

Weed used the grind sword skill and polish armor to improve the outer appearance.

“Selling lucky charms and souvenirs! It’s not everyday you can have this chance of a lifetime. After today, I won’t sell the same thing again.”

In terms of available stocks, there wasn’t nearly enough stuff to be sold. Skeleton bones sold for whopping 1 gold. Rover now with an empty backpack quietly walked away. He then waited in a location at Morata for a secret meeting with a man. A shady person waved from the alley. Covering his face with a robe, that man was waiting in the dark alley.

“I’m Rover. I’ve heard so much.”

Eummeoeoeoeoeo!

“Everything is here. 60/40 revenue share, exactly as Weed talked in private.”

Rover, getting the deal, nodded his head. And the empty backpack is was filled to the brim with loots. The man waiting in the alley was Mapan.

“I can’t miss this opportunity, to sell loot at a much more expensive price.”

Usually disguised as a souvenir, some of the worthless loot has been tricked out to be sold with more money. Weed is carving the bone with some inscribing.

Be happy. Weed.

I wish you a happy hunting. Weed.

I remembered my hard-fought battle against Undead Lord Bar-Khan. Weed.

Weed was tricking people into thinking that the bones are from fighting with Bar-Khan, actually it’s just a normal undead bone.

‘To be honest, I did not fight with Bar-Khan. It’s largely derived from some undead barbarians who ambushed him!’

Royal Road’s Jeonshin Weed bulletin became a hot topic. Quests from the Continent of Magic, which he was one of the few people who solved many of them had garnered him respect from many people. But more people were tipped off to his evil deeds.

- Equipment, I asked how much for a pair of it!

- Was killed while skipping queue at stores.

- But there are reasons for you two; I was first killed by Weed when hunting in a dungeon.

- Killed for yawning.

- I just killed a man.

- I died 12 times. The village. Square, Every time when I go hunting. Later on I heard from him, he said he did not like the name.

- What was the name?

- Overview of Weed stupid shit.

- Then killing you is worth it.

Enormous amounts of Weed’s infamy were pouring out.

The main proportion of the message board is talking about Weed. Other topics that usually gain attention were buried with posts about Weed.

- I’ve died to Weed for thirty times.

-Thirty-times? Do you think that’s it then? I died more than fifty times. Weed harasses me all the time.

- Bamtori sir. Can Weed win fights single-handedly on the street?

- Huhu. Game Masters do not fight him. Even if you’re dead, no matter how often people wanted GM there? Word with me I believe I was in the top 50 on the continent. I have a rare circlet of protection. Weed killed me when I was wearing it.

- Envy. – Weed to steal an item like that… Is Weed longing for that item so much?

- in Heilongjiang Province, i was wearing it when hunting. Keuhaha!  Too much pride! Weed, among other high level users is very famous.

Royal Road did not hide the number of downloads from the Hall of Fame videos. Users from CoM posting stories about legends and feats of Weed were added one after another. From raiding, to exploring dungeons Weed’s user record is truly excellent.  The fastest record? Surrounded by the crowds of monster, he quickly made them into dead bodies like in the horror films. With his combat skills, battles are just an afterthought. Seriously wounded while chased by Weed and almost got into a trap.

- What dungeon it was? – What do you got from the boss monster? – That I’m not entirely sure. I was dead, caught in the middle of Weed’s battle.  Weed usually avoids dispute and hunt alone.  Weed lone hunter did not get mixed up on minor dispute. Only you do not like the eyes to kill.

-A guild was also killed for being bothersome. Gained some notoriety as a ruthless and cold killer.

***

CTS Media had massive amounts of funding which were used to gather information.

“We can’t fall behind in the news.  There are a lot more important stories to broadcast than something about artists.  “

The Royal Road users were growing exponentially. In Republic of Korea, as well as around the world someone who does not play Royal road is treated like a caveman. Africa and the Middle East, Latin America are also ripe with users. Arab royal family and even drug dealers in Latin America are hooked enough to Royal Road! Many foreign users are considerably confused by this situation, but they quietly enjoyed the new world. Collecting items, leveling up and watching your character grow was only a small part of the real fun. Some people were desperate for extreme growth, leveling up and collecting items. Settling mainly in Central and Western continents, many users also migrating to the northern region. As families enjoying the beauty that the new world has to offer many people do not object paying for it. CTS Media focuses in pushing “Heroes of the Versailles Continent” that will be interpreted and televised around the world. Royal Road’s explosive growth is also closely related to revenue the broadcasters can generate.

“There’s no greater news that can attract such attention. The program will be forced to broadcast without a good headline!”

CTS Media had bought a significant amount of Unicorn shares, making Unicorn Directors afraid to oppose them so CTS Media reporters can roam free and block other broadcaster’s reporter from taking exclusive headlines.

CTS media was among the top broadcasts, and had signed a deal with overseas broadcasters. Given that a parent company with world-class multinational companies, their active mobilization was because of their connections. All rights to the vast flow of resources, contracts and sales were received in accordance with certain royalty payments. International users also buy the capsule and paid the fees, as the broadcast industry expanded, the Royal Road is generating a huge capita to the Republic of Korea.  The market share of CTS Media is far ahead because they are investing their money on Royal Road. Buying stocks from Unicorn increased their influence at the board of directors so they have a commanding vote. Even for Unicorn, comparing the total revenues or relative cash earnings was not enough. Unicorn’s dependancy on the world’s business community has lessened, since someone had already bought the majority of their shares since they sold their stock in the early days

CTS Media dispatched reporters straight to the users to acquire information in Royal Road. Those who were talked to include many of the mainstream and hardcore users, and even some governors.

“We are broadcasters and we want to do an exclusive interview with you.” The vast majority of users are easily swayed in front of money.

“It seems okay to me….are you going to give me some money?”

“Of course. And please give us information about what is happening inside the governing territory. Please make sure that other broadcaster agents can’t gather information here.”

Guild with difficulties in governing their region was not asked. Reporter’s activities and identities were hidden, and they try to block other broadcasters from receiving a headline. To cover such activities at such extent was hard and it cannot be sustained for a long time. Guilds claiming that they haven’t eaten for a day or two to appear in headline stories are not that difficult.

“Yes, sir, we appreciate it.”  CTS Media has struck a deal with many small and medium-lords at Versailles Continent.

But the negotiation between larger guilds has not been that easy. The smaller kingdom has several sources of income. Tax, small amount of donations from the guild, hunting fees, selling weapons and armor, etc, and so much profit being made. Prestigious guilds are already commercial-minded, operating in the level of small scale-enterprises.

“This is the amount listed on the contract.”

“We will not move on the amount of this degree.”

A contact with the Director of the Broadcaster has been lost. Virtual Continent of Versailles lacked any factions and forces in it so a great ruler is needed. Even broadcasters that violate the rules cannot get any coverage. If they could not get any new coverage they will be in a weak position. Larger guilds cannot exert their power to abuse because they are afraid to be portrayed in a negative light.

“We managed to contact the representative of Central Continent to no avail. What about the progress in south and west?”

“Today, no, tomorrow we will contact with representatives from the users.”

“What’s their reaction?”

“Thanks to the central continent, the trading decisions are decided faster. We managed to contact the majority of the bigger guilds.”

“It’s not bad news.”

West Continent of Versailles is much different from those in other regions. The Central continent has strong centralized country that take place. Fertile land and mines, which boasts the biggest population and power. Great potential are in those emerging countries in the East, and in the Southern part the development of magic is quite advanced. But the northern part is more active in terms of adventure and innovations.

Versailles is a continent with a very wide area, but away from the central continent, there is less information available.The western part tends to have a strong nationalism, especially when a guild is composed mainly from one ethnic origin (Chinese only guilds, or American players guild for example).

In many western grasslands and deserts, nomadic warriors forged a strong kinship with their other nomads and created strong bonds. If you are not some wanderers from the center of the continent, most guilds were determined according to ethnic origin. Compared to the Central continent, the size of the territory of each guilds and their members tended to vary

“It’s good. Who’s getting in touch with the north? “

CTS Media’s managing director in the conference room was presiding over the meeting in person.

“If the northern representative is truly the Weed from Mora. Then in the past, we also have a deal before.”

“Who’s contacted him? Who’s in charge?”

“President’s Secretary Nahee Yoon.”

“The President’s secretary has a direct contact before, but why?”

“The president decided to purchase his CoM account, and we also called him for the 8 heroes program, but it didn’t get any popularity. She was in charge of liaison with RAM.”

“That’s too bad to be true. We literally used to have a jackpot that would have been broadcasted on ……”

8 people chosen to be given coverage have fairly good ratings. But the early reaction to the Weed’s beginning video was quite bad and the interest died out. Weed battled vampires and Undead Immortal legion, also having a victory against the undead dragon. Weed entering a contract with KMC Media in the broadcasting business, the contract is still in effect, so they have to back off for now.

“Make sure to contact Weed in the future.”

“I’ll make some preparations.”