The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

‘So, this is the Forbidden Zone? It doesn’t seem impressive enough for all the fuss.’

Rustle, rustle.

A group of players cautiously proceeded step by step through the dense bushes. Leading the way was Cho Minchan, a ranker from the New Star Guild, clad in thick plate armor like a knight.

His former guild, saebyul, which was central to the anti-First Knight Order alliance and the core of the Ripple Association, had disbanded.

An order for their capture was issued by all the kingdoms, and bounties were placed on their heads, making normal gameplay impossible.

But as they say, riches endure for three generations. The officially disbanded New Star Guild was replaced by the newly formed New Star Guild.

Despite having to raise the guild’s rank by accumulating guild honor points from scratch, money solved everything. With the powerful financial backing of the New Star Group, former guild members rejoined, and within half a year, they regained a similar position.

‘But it is hot. I wonder when I’ll be able to ditch this stifling mask….’

Cho Minchan wiped the sweat under his mask and grumbled. Although the dissolution of the guild removed the official nationwide bounty, many players still harbored animosity towards them.

While few players posed a threat to a ranker like him, the Purple Guild was a different story. He couldn’t risk being tracked by them.

So, the notable players of the New Star Group had to wear different masks and move cautiously.

‘But that won’t last much longer.’

Cho Minchan clenched his fists and opened his system window.

—

『Scenario: Forbidden Zone Opening – Pioneering』

Explanation: The monster invasion from the Forbidden Zone has been halted, but the weakened barrier will not regain its original strength. Leaving the Forbidden Zone unattended could lead to unknown threats in the future.

However, crises can also be opportunities. The weakened barrier has opened a path for players to enter the Forbidden Zone.

Head to the Forbidden Zone and pioneer the land. The lands you claim will belong to you. Reclaim the lost lands of humanity and establish territories for players, not residents.

Entering the Forbidden Zone requires a certain level of ‘contribution points’. To delve deeper into the Forbidden Zone, continue to secure more ‘contribution points’.

Only players have the right to pioneer the Forbidden Zone. NPCs cannot enter the Forbidden Zone without permission. To pioneer, you must discover ‘pioneering sites’ that can be developed.

Pioneering sites range from F to S rank, and the difficulty of pioneering increases with the rank.

Accept the quest at the center of the discovered pioneering site. The first to restore the guardian statue of the site will be granted temporary management authority.

By completing the ‘Pioneering Site Reconstruction Quest’ as a temporary manager, you will become the true manager (Lord).

As a temporary manager, you can receive help not only from other players but also from Connect residents. Use the residents appropriately to expedite the reconstruction of the pioneering site.

Once you become the manager of a pioneering site (territory), you must start developing the territory seriously. Protect and develop your territory from not only monsters but also other threats.

The siege system (territorial war) for the pioneering site will be activated. Please refer to the attached rules for details. A territory exclusively for players.

This was an incredible opportunity.

Although an enormous number of players had entered the world of Connect, NPCs still ruled the world. The powerful armor users and Masters of the kingdoms were monsters that players could not handle.

As a result, players often had to bow to noble whims and endure unfair treatment. But if one became a lord?

If one could genuinely own a territory?

One wouldn’t need to deal with the arrogant nobles of the continent who saw players as mere mercenaries.

‘And also get rid of the thorn in our side, the First Knight Order.’

According to the notices, the manager of a pioneering territory would be like a king. Like the mayor of a free city, they could expel unwanted individuals and enjoy protection from external invasions for a certain period.

This scenario seemed specially designed for Cho Minchan and the New Star Guild.

‘Securing a pioneering site and growing the territory will make defeating the First Knight Order just a matter of time.’

This scenario and land were for players only. No matter how formidable the First Knight Order was, as long as they were not players, they could not exert power in the Forbidden Zone.

‘First, we’ll build our power in the Forbidden Zone, then defeat the Purple Guild, and eventually take over the kingdom…!’

Player growth rates were incomparable to NPCs. With the player population exceeding two million and aiming for ten million, and if they reached the levels of the so-called superhuman NPCs, connect would eventually belong to the players.

‘Guild Master wasn’t crazy to keep throwing money around after all.’

Politics would be handled by Guild Master Kim Leesung. All Cho Minchan needed to do was to keep enhancing his gear and level with the robust support.

‘I’ll stand at the pinnacle of Connect someday!’

Currently, the Purple Guild, backed by the First county, might be thriving, but the true victor was the one standing last. And with the endless investment from the New Star Group, that victor would be New Star Guild and him.

“Vice-guildmaster! There’s an unusual tree up ahead!”

A guild member who had gone on reconnaissance reported.

“Where is it?”

Cho Minchan hurried over, and in front of him stood an enormous tree.

‘Was this here? It wasn’t visible just a moment ago.’

The gigantic tree easily exceeded a height of 100 meters. However, no matter how dense the jungle they had traversed, they should have seen such a tree from afar.

This could only mean that the tree was something special. Cho Minchan’s lips curled upward as he quickly moved towards the center of the tree.

Entering through a gap between the roots, he found that the inside of the tree was hollow, resembling a massive cave, with branches entangled in vines forming a staircase.

“Found it!”

As he ascended the tree staircase, a statue made of intertwined leaves stood before him. Reaching out to the empty pedestal and infusing it with mana, a quest window appeared.

“Yes!”

Cho Minchan couldn’t help but cheer.

The quest window clearly displayed ‘S-Grade.’

‘Amazing! Finding an S-Grade pioneering site right off the bat! If we claim this…!’

Given the high rank of the pioneering site, there were likely very few of them. This place must undoubtedly be a key pioneering site in the eastern Forbidden Zone, the Elemental Jungle.

“Gather all the guild members! We’re staking the guild’s future on this quest!”

Cho Minchan, who had received the guild command authority from the Master for this pioneering scenario, called upon hundreds of New Star Guild players.

And a day later, the pioneering site he discovered was enveloped in light.

*

“Master, we have arrived safely with the pioneering team.”

Philip bowed his head.

“You’ve done well, sir Philip. Please take care of Kupiditas Fortress.”

“I will do my utmost.”

Raul had now ventured quite deep into the Monster Forest. They had reached about a quarter of the way on the map. Essentially, this was the deepest part of the forest humanity had reached in his past life.

And the current pioneering site he occupied was the S-Grade fortress 『Kupiditas』.

In ancient language, ‘Kupiditas’ meant ‘Hope’. This place would become the center of the forthcoming scenarios.

‘The reconstruction quest is challenging given it’s S-Grade, but….’

He never doubted they could protect it. Expedition, the first pioneering city, was already complete, and quests for three other A-rank cities were simultaneously in progress.

With just one Master stationed at each, the rest of the knights’ strength was concentrated here. Additionally, with support from Marquis Ashton’s territory, they had over fifteen Masters at Kupiditas Fortress.

No matter how deep within the Forbidden Zone they were, defending for a month should be manageable.

‘If worse comes to worst, I can return.’

With the portal set up, there was no need for him to remain here.

“Raul, where do you plan to go next?”

“Well, where should I head next…”

Raul pondered Rabel’s question for a moment as he opened the Connect community.

– Lackluster Pioneering Quests: No significant results from the other Sanctuaries except the Monster Forest in the west….

– Game company’s difficulty miscalculation? Players wiped out by S-Grade pioneering quests from the start. Petitions submitted against the game company.

– Experts’ consensus: “Expanding from lower-ranked pioneering sites is more advantageous than targeting high-ranking sites from the beginning.”

– Purple Guild strikes again? Foolish players at the mercy of the First Knight Order even in the pioneering scenarios.

“The Pioneering Scenario in Connect should be achieved solely by player power….”

Japanese Prime Minister Kitashiro Azuki’s statement backed by world leaders. However, players are uneasy about politicians involving themselves in the game.

It had been a month and a half since the start of the 『Forbidden Zone Opening – Pioneering』 scenario.

Yet, apart from the western Monster Forest, there had been no significant achievements. Newly formed national and large guilds tried to conquer the other three major Sanctuaries but faced disastrous failures.

‘Of course. They bit off more than they could chew without knowing their limits…. Tsk tsk.’

Raul clicked his tongue internally, but he wasn’t in a position to be too proud either. In his past life, Bae Dohyun had also met a bitter end by attempting the S-Grade pioneering quest at the entry of the Elemental Jungle.

Honestly, the only Forbidden Zone feasible for players at their current levels was the Monster Forest in the west.

The Elemental Jungle in the east was filled with high-difficulty pioneering sites from the start, seemingly rejecting human entry.

The northern Ice Mountain Range posed inherent difficulties, requiring the search for underground pioneering sites buried in snow amidst extreme cold.

The southern Demonic Seas were untouchable without first securing vessels capable of navigating the rough seas. Finding a proper strategy(攻略) and achieving results would likely take at least six months.

‘And not many have such patience. Especially those with resources are even less patient.’

Once they concluded the strategy was tough, their next moves were predictable.

‘They’ll flock to the already successful western Monster Forest.’

Though they dare not touch the joint pioneering site of the Purple Guild and First county, they would covet the lower-ranked pioneering sites held by allied guilds.

While issuing statements and warning players could have short-term effects, it would likely foster resentment in the long term.

‘The Monster Forest should not become a battlefield just yet. The pioneering sites need to be firmly established before they can be revealed to prepare for the future scenarios.’

To achieve this, distracting their attention was necessary.

“Rabel, prepare. We’re heading to the eastern Elemental Jungle.”

“Haha. I’m always ready. I have a strong feeling that I need to shine this time.”

Raul gave a thumbs-up in response to Rabel’s confident demeanor.

“Count on it. I’ll need your help a lot this time.”

“Leave it to me. I’m an expert in that area.”

Even without Raul’s request, Rabel’s spirits were already high. It was natural, considering the Elemental Jungle was where her homeland, 『Forest of Dasos』, was located.

Though sealed within the spellbook for ages, she had only heard about her homeland through written texts. Even though it had burned down, she still longed to see her homeland once again.

‘Based on the information, it’s deep within the Elemental Jungle. It might be difficult to go there immediately…’

Having received so much help from her, Raul was determined to take Rabel to her homeland. Sensing his thoughts, Rabel smiled and said, “You don’t need to overdo it. After all, it’s been thousands of years, so being a bit late won’t matter. Actually, it might be better not to go at all.”

She feared disappointment if they found nothing.

“No, that won’t do. I promise on my honor. I’ll do my best to help you find your kin. That’s my duty as your ‘partner’.”

From the moment he accepted her into the skill compendium, Raul hadn’t made her any promises, although it might have seemed calculated. Simply allowing her to stay in the skill compendium had saved her life.

But in his heart, he always planned to fulfill her wish. And that moment was approaching.

“If you say so, Raul, thank you. I, I need to prepare for a bit. See you in a moment.”

With a soft pop, she disappeared into the ether with the skill compendium. Raul noted the slight blush on her face. Feeling slightly awkward, he scratched the back of his head and stretched.

“Well then, shall I start moving too?”

His gaze was already set towards the east.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:
Raul needs a bait.