objective - 22

In a faraway land, a rock giant roared loudly at an intruder, though fear was evident in its eyes. This intruder had been there for a month, fighting the rock giants. Despite their superior defense, their lack of agility allowed him to survive.

Initially, the intruder was injured whenever he struck the giants.

However, as days passed, his skin toughened, his punches grew stronger, and his kicks became faster. The day before, he attacked the giants again. Underestimating him, they didn't take him seriously until one giant screamed in pain from a small crack in its toe—the first time they had experienced such an injury.

The giants tried to kill him but failed. The intruder had been fighting continuously for over 24 hours. His heavy breathing could be heard even over the giants' thunderous steps.

The intruder, a white-haired man wearing only black shorts, fought barehanded. His huge forearms, massive legs, and a torso as thick as a tree trunk belonged to the unofficial number one ranker.

Since the advent of VRMMORPG culture, gaming had become as popular as football, boxing, or cricket. Baek Sung Jin, the intruder, was the opposite of the official number one solo ranker, Kenjin. Sung Jin frequently gave interviews and interacted with fans, becoming an inspirational figure in Korea. His ancestors had migrated from North Korea, and he was bullied in school for his heritage.

His hardships increased after his mother's death when his father turned to alcohol and became abusive. Sung Jin's life reached a breaking point when he was beaten so severely that he had a seizure, laying in pain for three days. A failed suicide attempt led to a turning point when he defended himself from a bully at school, knocking the kid unconscious.

A group of 15 kids attempted to teach him a lesson, but Sung Jin fought them off. The video of the incident shocked the nation, leading to the expulsion of the bullies and minimal punishment for Sung Jin. His actions were seen as self-defense, leading to a new law allowing self-defense killings and stricter anti-bullying measures.

Despite his troubled past, Sung Jin excelled. He wrote a bestselling inspirational book and joined the senior Korean Taekwondo team, winning every competition.

In the VRMMORPG world, his character, JIN, had the special stat of Constitution and the special power of Growth. His passive skills were Indestructible and Man of Steel. Though Kenjin and Jin were rivals, they respected each other, their rivalry purely professional.

Determined to surpass Kenjin, Jin embarked on a new quest.

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As they traveled, Edge and King, the latter whose real name was Ram, conversed. King's in-game name reflected his ambition to become a king.

Edge's mask had slipped off when he received the shock of knowing his real name , revealing his dual persona to King.

"What's the plan? Where are we headed?" Edge, in his black armor, asked.

"North," King replied.

"What's in the North?"

"Everything."

King explained that while the other three continents were unified, the North was in chaos, full of powerful superpowers and kings. Even though they acted together against external threats, they were constantly at odds with each other.

Edge was skeptical about King's plan to become a king amidst such chaos. King explained that the North continent was vast and predominantly controlled by the demon and jungle kingdoms. The humanoid animals in the jungle were divided into tribes and could only be united by a strong force.

King believed that Edge's strength was crucial for his plan. King's special ability, intuition, told him that he needed Edge by his side.

Their plan was to conquer the North continent by first taking control of the seaports held by ten kings. Cutting off the North from other continents, they would then engage the demon territory, pretending to focus on the Animal kingdom. This would lead their enemies to underestimate them.

Their goal was to defeat the tribal chiefs one by one, a monumental task given that each tribe had over a million members and each chief was as strong as a demon king.

Though the journey seemed impossible, King had meticulously planned every detail, waiting for the right moment to execute his strategy.

King's encounter with Edge had accelerated his plans, and together, they were ready to embark on their challenging quest.

As the two warriors made their way through the rugged terrain, they shared stories of their pasts, forging a bond that would prove crucial in the battles ahead. Edge, known for his formidable close-combat skills, was intrigued by King's strategic mind and unwavering determination.

King elaborated on the complexities of the Northern continent. "The North is vast, too vast. The human forces are the least dominant. The demon kingdom thrives here with the second most land, while the Jungle Kingdom holds the largest territory."

"Why not call it the Animal Kingdom?" Edge questioned, sensing a deeper explanation.

"Because the jungle is immense and teeming with monsters. The humanoid animals there are divided into small tribes, and uniting them requires an overwhelming force. But if I come on too strong, they'll unite against me. Many kings and demon kings have tried but failed. They've never secured even an inch of land because the residents combine human intelligence with animal strength—a deadly mix. That's where you come in."

"Me? How can I help in all of this?" Edge asked, puzzled.

"You're powerful. I can sense it. Another reason is that I'm a ranged player and need a close-quarters combatant. But the main reason is my intuition—my special ability told me I need you by my side to complete my plans."

Edge was silent, contemplating the enormity of the task ahead. King's plan was audacious, but Edge could see the meticulous thought behind it. King's ability to foresee outcomes and his strategic brilliance were unmatched.

Their journey to the North continent would be grueling, requiring them to navigate hostile territories and face powerful adversaries. Yet, they pressed on, driven by their shared goal of conquering the chaos-ridden land.

King continued outlining his strategy.

"We'll first target the coastal kings. There are ten of them, each controlling vital sea ports. By defeating them, we'll cut off the North from external support and ensure no reinforcements can arrive."

"That's a bold move," Edge remarked. "How do you plan to handle the demon and animal kingdoms after that?"

"Once we secure the ports, we'll make a show of attacking the demon territory but focus on the animal kingdom. The demons will think we're avoiding them, and the humans will see us as foolish. By the time they realize our true intentions, it will be too late. We'll have gained a foothold in the animal kingdom, uniting the tribes under our banner."

King's eyes gleamed with determination.

"The key is to defeat the tribal chiefs. There are over 300 tribes, each with a chief as strong as a demon king. It won't be easy, but with you by my side, I believe we can achieve it."

Edge nodded, the gravity of the mission settling in. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but he was ready to face it. Together, they would carve their names into the annals of history.

ay from leveling up in the game, but his strategic mind was unparalleled.

King's encounter with Edge was serendipitous. He had been searching for a warrior with unparalleled strength to complement his strategic prowess. Edge's reputation as a formidable close-combatant made him the perfect partner. Together, they were an unstoppable force.

The two warriors complemented each other perfectly. King's strategic brilliance and Edge's combat prowess made them a formidable duo. Their plan to conquer the Northern continent was ambitious, but they were determined to see it through.