Grout looked at Hyun-soo. Hyun-soo’s condition was serious. Due to a severe status ailment, he could barely stand, and his face was covered in blood. However, his eyes were still determined, full of fighting spirit. Grout wondered if Hyun-soo had some secret move up his sleeve, because he said:
“You’ve lost.”
Just like the most powerful blow from before, Hyun-soo shouted, “Friend, help me!”
“…?”
Could it be that this human had hit his head? Grout was especially baffled by what happened next.
Chirp, chirp-
Nothing happened.
[Summoning failed.]
Grout chuckled.
“What is that ridiculous name? Are you trying to play a joke on me?”
What amused Grout the most was that the summoning had ultimately failed. However, Hyun-soo continued to look at Grout with unwavering eyes.
[Temporary skill creation complete.]
[You have acquired the skill “Friend, Help Me (3).”]
(Friend, Help Me)
Active Skill
Grade: Unique
Level: None
– You can request help from those with whom you have a strong bond.
– If they approve, they will be summoned.
– If the approved ones are users, they will receive a -1 level penalty.
– If the approved ones are NPCs, they may experience severe mental exhaustion and may faint for a day.
– A maximum of 5 friends can be summoned.
– Summoned friends can stay for 5 minutes.
– Depending on the level of the crisis, a dramatic notification may be sent to them. Be cautious(?).
Hyun-soo was inspired by the skill being created called “Connection.” However, there was a reason why Hyun-soo did not waver.
‘Because I believe in the path I’ve walked.’
But just as Grout laughed at him, Hyun-soo heard the same notification again.
[Summoning failed.]
A small doubt sprouted in his mind, wondering if his path had not been so great after all. However, he soon brushed off that doubt. He was confident that he had walked a righteous and straightforward path.
‘But what is that?’
Hyun-soo, who was not good at naming things, decided on the skill he would create and left the rest to the system. But in the skill description, there was this line:
‘Depending on the level of the crisis, a dramatic notification may be sent to them. Be cautious(?).’
What did this mean? Hyun-soo didn’t understand.
At that moment, he received a notification.
[……Error.]
Seeing the notification, Hyun-soo’s heart burned with pride. It was proof of the path he had walked.
***
A few minutes earlier, a beautiful woman with silver short hair stood on the stage of a soldier training ground. Looking at the thousands of soldiers in training, she had recently become the commander of the Goyard Kingdom.
The second sword king candidate.
The Goyard Kingdom’s finest talent.
A knight beloved by the king.
She had many accolades.
After the former 1st Knight Commander, Benson, was appointed the Supreme Commander of Goyard Kingdom, Bella’s rise to the position of commander was dazzling. NPCs also steadily grow along with users. This was due to the high degree of freedom in the game, and also to prevent the gap between users and NPCs from widening.
[Knight Commander Bella Lv.401]
She was exceptionally strong, far surpassing ordinary NPCs. After receiving a new life from one person, she had worked harder than anyone else. The reason was to protect that person better. Bella looked at her arm and smiled slightly. Her once gaunt body now had proper muscles, and her eyes were clear.
At that moment, Bella saw a portal suddenly appear in front of her.
“What is this…?”
She was confused. And then, a notification, which an NPC like her shouldn’t hear, came.
[This is an extreme crisis situation.]
[Friend, Help Me!]
[A dramatic notification has been sent to them.]
Bella, who walked up to the portal, soon widened her eyes.
[Friend Hyun-soo is in mortal danger.]
[Friend Hyun-soo is in pain.]
[Friend Hyun-soo’s life is slipping away.]
[Friend requests your help.]
Bella’s eyes widened. Of course, the content of the notifications was true. Hyun-soo was currently in severe pain and was indeed on the brink of death. However, this was exaggerated by the skill. Seeing the extreme situation, Bella gritted her teeth.
Clench—
My benefactor.
My second sun.
[You will receive a penalty if you cross the portal.]
That warning did not reach Bella’s ears.
‘How dare someone…’
Goyard’s second strongest person crossed the portal.
At that moment, in the Kingdom of Praham, one of the most powerful NPCs on the current Korean server, one of the ten legends, and a king of a nation, was there. Recently, King Spear Heaven Ben had been causing a wind of change. A once aloof and powerful king, who did not communicate with his people and was known as a grumpy old man, now had countless children in front of him.
It was during the “Ask the King” event, which Ben personally hosted, where children from both commoner and noble backgrounds were present. Ben held a cute little girl and read her a storybook.
‘This isn’t… so bad…’
The change in Ben was due to a friend. That friend had said:
‘Don’t make yourself so lonely.’
Who would dare say such a thing to Spear Heaven Ben? Only a close friend who could converse without reserve could say such things. Because of this friend, Ben’s life was changing.
He was still an irritable king, but he was gradually getting closer to his people, alleviating his loneliness. Yes, the once lonely old man’s castle started to fill with people and laughter.
At that moment, the child in his arms asked, “Grandpa Spear Heaven, do you have something you cherish?”
“…I do,” Ben replied with a small smile.
Although still small and shabby, he cherished Spear Heaven. But Spear Heaven was a stern person. He did not coddle him nor give him everything. Surprisingly, this too was something Hyun-soo had said.
“Giving everything isn’t what a friend does, is it?”
With a chuckle, Ben gave the child in his arms an embarrassed smile. Then, the most precious person to him.
[Friend Hyun-soo is in mortal danger.]
[Friend Hyun-soo is in pain.]
Ben heard the message he sent. He remained calm. Gently putting down the child in his arms, he handed her a strawberry from the bowl in front of them. Patting her head, Ben smiled slightly. Then, he took the spear his friend had made for him and walked forward.
[You will receive a penalty…]
That warning did not reach his ears. He had received much more than that.
“Just this once, Hyun-soo.”
There were many things he wanted to repay him for. But this once would be enough. The greatest spearman crossed the portal.
Elsewhere, at the tomb of the Sword King family in the Goyard Kingdom, a man with a robust build, praised as the Sword King of generations, stood.
[My son, Ban. Rest here.]
Looking at the tombstone, he muttered to himself, “It’s okay. This father is not lonely these days.”
His son, lost at the tomb of Ifrit. A life plunged into despair. The sorrow and pain swallowed behind the title of king. He had wanted to die after avenging his son, but the man who survived laughed.
“There is a child who resembles you. Though still lacking, he is endlessly growing. I hope that child will take my place instead of you. Haha, what? You’ve already seen him?”
Talking to himself, he felt joyful. He looked at the withering chrysanthemum placed beside the tombstone. He hadn’t brought it.
“I have made a good friend. He asked me where your grave was. He said he’s never seen this father smile so brightly.”
Barad is a king. It was hard for him to warmly smile at anyone and even harder to open up. But in front of his son’s grave, he was just a father.
“…Yes, I am happy these days.”
He brushed the tombstone. “Don’t worry, your dad. He’s a stubborn man with rigid principles. He won’t coddle him, just wait. And when that boy reaches here,” he hesitated before saying, “I will give him my place.”
Swoosh—
The wind fluttered his cloak, bearing the kingdom’s emblem.
At that moment.
[Friend Hyun-soo is in mortal danger.]
[Friend Hyun-soo is in pain.]
He heard the notification as well.
Barad, looking at the tombstone, turned around.
“I must go now. What? Did I just contradict what I said earlier?”
Barad chuckled.
“That rascal Hyun-soo saved me at the border not long ago. He came running to save his friend.”
It wasn’t through physical strength.
“This time only. Just this once, I’ll fight for my friend.”
Swish.
The Sword King drew his sword from his waist and walked toward the portal. His face was twisted with anger.
Meanwhile…
“It seems certain he’s in an area where whispers can’t reach.”
“It feels like something serious has happened. What could it be?”
The members of Guild Bright Future, except for Nel, had gathered in the lord’s castle of Ballas Estate. They sensed that something had happened to Hyun-soo because their whispers weren’t reaching him.
At that moment:
[Friend Hyun-soo is in mortal danger.]
[Friend Hyun-soo is in pain.]
They heard the notification.
The first to rise was Bark, the growing one. Bark, one of the best tanks in Ares and also the top real estate tycoon in the country. Following him, Lisel stood up. The youngest in a conglomerate family and ranked 21st nationally with a molten sword.
Clench—
Saint Belia did the same, nodding with a resolute expression, while Ian grabbed the bow on his back.
Then three others, Tae-hoon, Han-ul, and Hye-ji, looked at the portal.
Just as they were about to step forward, they stopped. A person came to their minds: Nel.
They had come during a short break and were doing their best to develop Ballas Estate. Such a mass movement of forces would be detrimental to Ballas Estate. Nel was the most cold and analytical person. Furthermore, Hyun-soo’s death as a user was just a forced logout in the game.
When thinking calmly, it was likely that Nel would not allow everyone to move for the forced logout of one user. She was strict and smart enough for that.
At that moment, the door opened, and Nel entered.
“…What are you all doing?”
Nel asked, looking at those who had stood up.
“Why haven’t you crossed the portal yet? Go save Hyun-soo right now!”
Rush—
Nel was the first to cross the portal.
“…?”
They had forgotten. Hyun-soo was also precious to Nel.
Friend, Help Me.
Under the trivial and insignificant name, that notification reached those he had passed by. It was just a unique skill. The truth was, it wasn’t powerful enough to capture a demon. Moreover, Ares’ balance was strict. Those who responded to the friend’s summon would receive penalties. NPCs would faint after returning, and users would lose levels.
Moreover, summoning an ‘ordinary friend’ is not such an extraordinary power. It’s just that the friends he made were particularly special.
***
[Summoning failed.]
Grout laughed for a long time as he continued to hear that sound. The unyielding mental strength. The eyes that never lost their fire. The pride that would not give up on Arte. Grout wanted to crush him.
“Humans believe they are incredibly special beings. You are no different.”
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Grout clicked his tongue.
“So, this is the path you’ve walked, unwavering. Why did you come this far?”
He asked why he had come this far. In response, Hyun-soo spat out the blood in his mouth. His vision was slowly returning. There was a notification in front of him that Grout could not see.
[Summoning failed.]
Hyun-soo smiled.
[An error has occurred.]
The notification changed and updated.
[Too many responses received.]
[Summoning will take some time.]
[Current progress: 13%… 32%… 58%…]
He was no longer afraid. He knew who would come and with what intentions.
[Summoning 100% complete.]
Hyun-soo aimed his supreme sword at Grout.
[All friends are summoned.]
Simultaneously.
Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop—
The world’s strongest swordsman, a robust man, appeared by his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. An old man with his hands behind his back appeared, glaring at Grout as if he would kill him.
“Was it you? Are you the one who did this to my friend, Hyun-soo?”
A usually cold woman spoke with a worried expression.
“We’re here now, so don’t worry.”
They blocked the way in front of him. They guarded his left. They aimed their weapons from his right.
Looking at them, Hyun-soo smiled. The demon asked him,
“So, this is the path you’ve walked, unwavering. Why did you come this far?”
This is the proof.
Hyun-soo, seeing the bewildered demon with cold eyes, said,
“This is the path I’ve walked.”
Cliche Novel 