The Kingdom of Goyard, known as the Kingdom of Swords, was just a small principality, but it was one of the places many users visited. Especially popular among users who wielded swords, this normally peaceful place suddenly became tumultuous.
“Make way!”
From the entrance of the capital to the entrance of the castle, soldiers began to clear the way. Half of the tens of thousands of people gathered were users.
“Who is it?”
“Must be someone very important?”
“Must be a great noble!”
Amidst the users’ anticipation, soon a carriage appeared, escorted by five soldiers and accompanied by about a thousand ragged-looking people who resembled beggars. Initially, the users wondered why these beggars were there, but then the citizens started cheering wildly.
“Woooooow!”
“You’ve been through a lot!”
“Welcome back to the embrace of the kingdom!”
Among those prisoners, one who wore a sword cried out with a quivering voice.
“The hero’s procession!”
“Woooooow!”
The users were shocked because the NPCs fervently cheered at the mention of a hero. Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of the castle, and its door opened.
“A named NPC?”
“Could it be the Holy Sword?”
And the person who emerged from within. The users were shocked to see him. Covered in blood, he looked as if he could collapse at any moment. What surprised them more was something else.
“A user!?”
“A user is receiving this kind of treatment in Ares?”
Cleverly, he was concealing his face with a Wolf’s Helmet. Soon, an even more astonishing event unfolded before them.
[The appearance of Sword King Barad.]
Sword King Barad, one of the most famous named NPCs on the Korean server of Ares, hurriedly approached. He paused momentarily, lost for words as he looked at him. And what was even more shocking was that Barad slowly approached him and gave him a gentle hug.
“My friend, I knew you would not back down.”
“…!”
“…!”
For the users, it was literally a shocking scene. The most charismatic and famously aloof NPC in Ares was showing affection for a user.
“Let’s go inside for now.”
Watching his back, a novice user named Hen who had just arrived in the capital of Goyard Kingdom thought to himself as he saw the man in the blood-stained coat.
“I want to be like that person.”
And it wasn’t just him. Users of all levels, whether beginners, intermediates, or experts, looked on with envious expressions. Hyun-soo was unaware.
Unbeknownst to him, he had become the object of many users’ admiration.
***
Upon his triumphant return to the Kingdom of Goyard, Hyun-soo was shrewd. Amid the massive crowd welcoming him, he wore Fenrir’s Helmet to keep his identity concealed.
Barad said, “First, you must receive treatment. I will summon you tomorrow.” It seemed that Barad was most curious about Hyun-soo’s negotiation level, but he also believed that Hyun-soo needed some rest for now.
Upon entering an antique room, the kingdom’s best priests attended to Hyun-soo and healed him quickly. After the swift treatment, Hyun-soo lay down on the bed, planning to log out and rest for a while. Before doing so, something puzzled him, ‘What was that all about?’
During his fight with Kun, Hyun-soo had heard an unidentifiable sound in his head, ‘Even if it breaks, do not back down.’
It was a mantra Hyun-soo always repeated when pushing himself to the limit. He remembered thinking, ‘By all means necessary.’
When combined, the phrase completed as, ‘Even if it breaks, do not back down, by all means necessary.’
Hyun-soo believed that no alert in Ares was meaningless.
The mysterious sound he had heard would soon reveal its significance.
After resting and waking up, Ian would have finished appraising the value of the bow, and he could claim his rewards based on his negotiation level.
‘So tired…’
Hyun-soo logged out.
***
After Negotiator Hyun-soo’s return, nobles from all over the Kingdom of Goyard flocked in droves. The throne room alone was crowded with dozens of nobles, and hundreds of renowned knights had also arrived. Count Bau, aligning with the knights, represented them at this gathering. Many other nobles gathered due to rumors that the king favored this particular blacksmith named Hyun.
Barad’s close advisor, Count Vallo, represented them, expressing their concerns, “…the nobles are discontent. Knights of the same Viscount cy cannot comprehend that he might receive a higher title in such a short time.”
Count Vallo had seen Hyun-soo in the royal garden before. A potential future king, but Vallo always maintained neutrality. He would correct the king when he erred and reprimand the nobles when they did. Barad asked, “Count Vallo, had you been a negotiator, what level of negotiation might you have achieved? And what about the other nobles or knights here?”
After pondering, Vallo answered, “I think I would have achieved about 50%.” Even Vallo had come here with nothing but his own skills. “The ordinary nobles perhaps 30%. Honestly, I think the knights wouldn’t have managed any.”
Barad didn’t know the exact negotiation level Hyun-soo had achieved, and he didn’t wish to grant something even he couldn’t achieve. “I will follow your choice,” Barad conceded, understanding their sentiments. It had been only two months since Hyun-soo became a Viscount . Raising his title too quickly could lead to adverse effects. Those aspiring to that position must be able to bear its weight. The nobles were appeased.
Now the king had another matter to address. “Bring him in.”
Creak—
The door opened, and a figure dressed as a knight entered.
“You have become a pillar for many in the prisoner camp,” Barad stated.
“It is too much praise,” the figure replied modestly. The return of the prisoners had already surprised Barad, given that the entire group had been sent back from the Kingdom of Praham.
‘What exactly happened there?’
Even Barad didn’t know for sure.
“I am considering relocating you to the Albai Territory.”
Albai Territory was known as one of the best cities to live in within the Kingdom of Goyard. “Are you satisfied with this?”
Barad drew a small smile.
This was a small reward for those who had suffered.
Soon, a man named Eden said, “I am profoundly grateful, Your Majesty. Both I and the prisoners wish to follow only one noble.”
Barad looked puzzled.
“I wish to become a vassal of Viscount Hyun-soo.”
Barad looked puzzled again.
The leader of the civilian militia, Eden, says, “It’s fine to start on barren land. It doesn’t have to be the most desirable Albai territory. I want to work and start anew with him.”
Barad was impressed.
‘Already, a thousand people…?’
A thousand vassals.
Indeed, many nobles had come to this place, wondering if they might be granted prisoners.
A thousand vassals could also become excellent manpower.
The value of these thousand is unimaginable.
However, there was a problem.
‘…A viscount cannot have vassals.’
Even becoming a baron, accommodating a thousand is not easy.
For now, Barad bit his tongue.
“Viscount Hyun-soo is coming.”
Barad recalled a previous conversation with Bella.
‘What kind of negotiation would it take for Viscount Hyun-soo to be granted a new territory without raising objections?’
‘I guess, it must be something that even I and the other nobles would find extraordinary.’
Extraordinary.
To an extent that the king and nobles would find it wondrous.
‘You need something right now that will astonish everyone here.’
Soon, Hyun-soo entered.
***
Negotiation is a kind of overall score.
Like entering a dungeon in an RPG game, the score you achieve by clearing the dungeon determines the rewards.
The same applies to negotiations.
Until you completely prove this score, the reward is unknown.
Hyun-soo was curious too.
About the achievements Hyun-soo had made in the Kingdom of Praham. How far they would go.
Entering the audience chamber, Hyun-soo felt an unknown tension.
He had never seen so many nobles looking at him with anxious eyes.
As he walked toward Barad, he drew a small smile.
Barad believes that negotiation power is the driving force of peace.
Depending on how much he has secured, the future narrative between the two nations will change.
Then, “Your Majesty, may I come in?”
“…Let him in.”
Barad looked puzzled as someone entered at this crucial time.
A minister, who usually does not seek him out unless it’s urgent, spoke with an amazed voice, “The Kingdom of Praham has sent an extraordinary gift. Chancellor Ben instructed his ministers to say.”
The minister spoke as if in disbelief, “‘The friend of my friend Hyun-soo is also my friend,’ he said.”
The nobles in attendance were abuzz.
“A friend!?”
“A friend indeed!”
“Has Ben extended a hand of peace to Your Majesty first!?”
“Can it be, that proud old man!?”
Barad was astonished.
What exactly had Hyun-soo done there?
Barad finally confirms,
[King Spear Heaven Ben of the Kingdom of Praham extends a hand of peace first.]
[With possible exchanges, numerous trade activities can now take place.]
[Through the link known as the blacksmith Hyun, perhaps they can assist each other from time to time.]
[The national power of the Kingdom of Goyard increases by 5%.]
A rise of 5% in a nation’s power was something not even a king could easily achieve.
Swallowing dryly, Barad asked Hyun-soo, “…What is the negotiation score you achieved?”
Dozens of nobles.
Everyone who leads this kingdom is now looking at Hyun-soo.
Hyun-soo pulls out his record of the past 10 days, “227%.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
From the 180% range, including winning over the prisoners’ hearts, annihilating the Red Bandana Guild by the guild member Ian, and the rewards given by Ben.
And all the previous events as well.
In the now quiet hall, Barad looked at them.
“Is there anyone who objects to my decisions from now on?”
The nobles who had been worried and disapproving just moments before. One of them said,
“…Whatever you decree, we seem to be able to accept it, Your Majesty.”
Barad took in the sight of his ministers.
The initial distrust in their eyes had faded, and they were now looking at Hyun-soo with a different perspective.
Some seemed hopeful about his path to kingship, while others appeared excited about the influence Hyun-soo’s negotiation prowess could have on Goyard.
Amidst these gazes, Barad spoke in a serious tone,
“Esteem Hyun-soo.”
Hyun-soo, kneeling on one knee, felt his heart race.
‘I did my best.’
He had no regrets, desiring to climb higher.
‘Even as a baron, I could bring 50 soldiers from the Arham territory.’
Soon, Barad’s voice was heard,
“I appoint Viscount Hyun-soo to a rank higher than a baron, that of a count.”
Hyun-soo’s eyes widened.
‘A, a count…?’
It was unexpected.
A count is the rank directly below an earl.
Moreover, there were only two earls in Korea, and only eight counts.
[Congratulations.]
[You have become the ninth count among the users.]
[A count receives 50,000 gold from the state each month.]
[You can command up to 150 soldiers.]
[You can become the owner of a small territory.]
Being able to become the owner of a small territory sounded incredibly valuable to Hyun-soo.
He imagines it.
Standing in front of countless vassals. Himself standing before them.
‘When can I obtain the territory?’
Then Barad continued without pausing,
“Moreover, Count Hyun-soo will take 1,000 prisoners and govern them in his own territory.”
Hyun-soo looked puzzled.
‘My territory?’
What does that mean?
Soon, with a small smile, Barad announced the final reward,
“I will grant the Ballas territory to Count Hyun-soo.”
Cliche Novel 