The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

The battle at Pioneering Site A-07 ended with Bae Dohyun’s decisive victory. Even after Liu Minghao’s death, the core leadership attempted to resist.

However, they couldn’t handle even half of Bae Dohyun’s full strength. To avoid unnecessary slaughter, Bae Dohyun focused on eliminating the rankers and leadership, causing the remaining guild members to scatter in panic.

When he placed the guardian statue, the Branch of the World Tree, in the vacant pedestal,

Uuuuuung.

The Town Tree, which had withered like an old tree, rejuvenated as it fused with the Branch of the World Tree. Simultaneously, the surrounding clearing expanded, and palisades were erected at the perimeter.

Once the transformation was complete, Bae Dohyun lightly declared, “Expel”.

All the other players hiding within the pioneering site were expelled outside.

“Now everything’s settled. Time to get started properly.”

Through a portal created by Rabel, members of the Hamart Household entered the pioneering site. The cooperative guild members who would manage the site in Bae Dohyun’s stead also arrived, marking the official start of the pioneering process.

Players and members of rival guilds loitering around the perimeter could only look up at the high palisades with regret. The first player ‘superhuman’ is born.

– Rank 1 Bae Dohyun showcases Aura Blade in a conflict with Champion Overlord Guild.

– One-man army appearance. Bae Dohyun single-handedly defeats Champion Overlord’s blood pact!

– Pioneering site secured in the Elemental Jungle! Located deeper than a mere entry point.

– Concerns from guilds strategy for the Elemental Jungle.

– Worried about monopoly by the Purple Guild.

Articles flooded in, and community reactions were varied.

– I expected this. What were the eastern guilds doing while the First Knight Order fully pioneered the western Forbidden Zone entrance? Complaining about monopoly instead of stepping up.

– Honestly, two months is more than enough time for the Purple Guild to be generous. If I were Bae Dohyun, I’d monopolize the entrances of all four Forbidden Zones and charge entrance fees.

– And that’s the difference between you and Bae Dohyun.

– But isn’t Bae Dohyun too strong, even for Rank 1? He soloed 2,000 players, including many rankers. Are top rankers really that untouchable?

– You’re just realizing this now? Newbie, perhaps?

– Wasn’t this proven during the civil war? Even among rankers, there’s a massive skill gap: Purple Guild > Cooperative Guilds > Regular Guilds. Plus, now that he’s a master using Aura Blade, he’s unmatched.

-“I thought level 99 was the cap. Purple Guild rankers were stuck at 99 for ages. But now that third job changes are confirmed, let’s hit the grind.”

Bae Dohyun had indeed become a legend, but he knew that this was just the beginning. The real challenge was yet to come with the following stages in pioneering the Elemental Jungle and beyond.

– I’ve heard that reaching level 100 isn’t just about leveling up and improving skills; you need some sort of enlightenment, like in martial arts games…

– Could you please refrain from spreading rumors without evidence?

– Anyway, will we be able to enter the Elemental Jungle in the east even if we’re not in a guild? I’ve heard the experience points and rewards there are far superior.

– Solo play is not recommended. Enter with at least a party. If needed, form alliances between parties before entering. The Elemental Jungle is much tougher than the Monster Forest. For detailed strategy, check out Blog **….

– What guarantee is there that the site will be open to everyone? The Purple Guild and their allies will hog everything. Don’t get your hopes up.

– Seriously? If they monopolize and restrict access like other big guilds, it’ll be disappointing.

– Tsk tsk, some people still lack faith. Do you really think Raul and Bae Dohyun are the same as other guild masters?

Exactly a week later, The Purple Association made an official announcement.

– The first pioneering site in the eastern Forbidden Zone, 『Armeda』, would be open for unrestricted use by all players.

Anyone could enter by paying a nominal fee required for the site’s maintenance. Even the Champion Overlord Guild, which had fought against Bae Dohyun, was granted access.

Everyone marveled at Bae Dohyun’s generosity. Of course, the terms for those who had been part of the anti-First Knight Order alliance were different. They had to pay an additional fee as a penalty.

However, even with the additional fee, it was cheaper than the entrance fees charged by the temporary camps at the Forbidden Zone’s entrance.

This underscored just how exploitative the major guilds had been.

“Are you really going to be so lenient? Considering what they did, isn’t this too generous?”

For once, even Rabel found it hard to understand, but Raul’s reaction was different from what she expected.

“Lenient? Who said that? Do you think I’m forgiving them?”

“Weren’t you? Wouldn’t it be better to completely block their access and hinder their pioneering?”

“Hmm. Do you really think that’s the case?”

Raul asked with a smirk.

“Rabel, do you honestly think the eastern guilds can pioneer the Elemental Jungle with their current skills?”

“…Hmm. It wouldn’t be easy. But if they use 『Armeda』, which you’ve set up as a base, it might not be impossible. The growth speed of players is incredible.”

“Of course. They might be able to secure up to B-rank Town Trees. But do you think they can hold on to them till the end?”

“…What do you mean? Wait, are you suggesting…?”

Rabel’s eyes widened as she realized what Raul was hinting at.

“Raul, I sometimes think you’re more ruthless than you appear.”

“Hmm. You might be right. I’ve been burned too many times already. If they’re enemies, they must be thoroughly crushed.”

If he forgot the lessons from his past life, he might end up walking the same path again.

‘Initially, the fruits of pioneering may seem sweet, but they will soon realize how wrong they are.’

When dealing with player guilds, a different approach was necessary. Unlike Raul, whose roots were in Connect, their foundation was Earth. Simply taking their lives wouldn’t cause significant damage.

‘I need to drain their Earth-based financial resources.’

Ideally, he would directly pressure their parent companies or organizations on Earth, but there were still many constraints. So, he needed to draw their funds into Connect and burn them away.

The current Forbidden Zone development was a perfect opportunity for that. Securing a pioneering site wasn’t the end. It needed to be developed through investments and constantly defended against attacks.

The required funds were beyond what a single guild could manage.

‘They’ll have to attract sponsors and engage in massive in-game gold transactions.’

This was particularly true for establishing dominance in unclaimed lands. What if the heavily invested and developed pioneering sites were obliterated in an instant?

Even the most successful guilds wouldn’t be unaffected. Raul’s lips curled into a sly smile. They were already stepping into the trap he had laid.

*

– Bae Dohyun, now a superhuman, continues his unstoppable strategy.

– Bae Dohyun of the Purple Guild secures an A-rank outpost in the Northern Forbidden Zone Ice Mountains!

“I want many players to enjoy the pioneering scenario.”

– Bae Dohyun, ranked 1st in humanity, an exclusive interview!

– Southern Demonic Seas conquered! Bae Dohyun captures an islet with a single combat ship.

– Sea enthusiasts with dreams of sailing flock to the Southern Seas….

– Golden Pioneering Era! From small to large guilds, a wave of pioneering sweeps through Connect.

– Official territorial wars erupt! The Forbidden Zone is now in the Warring States period.

Six months passed.

The pioneering wave initiated by Bae Dohyun had turned into a tidal wave, sweeping through the Forbidden Zone. Once key outposts were secured, the previously stagnant development accelerated uncontrollably.

Guilds formed alliances, unions, and betrayals to establish their power. Smaller guilds that struggled to defend lone outposts sought protectors. Medium-sized guilds allied with each other to climb over larger ones.

Large guilds frequently engaged in territorial wars for regional dominance. It was a chaotic era, a tumultuous period, described either as a time of great opportunity or a total mess.

“…Meanwhile, the development of the western Forbidden Zone’s Monster Forest is proceeding according to our plan. We are establishing a robust defense line by linking key pioneering cities.”

A map of the Monster Forest was displayed on the magic screen, showing the pioneering progress clearly. Starting from the southeastern entrance (First County), the pioneering formed a semicircular line pushing inward.

For some reason, however, the pioneering stopped at a long defensive line stretching from north to south near the border of Ashton Marquisate. Overall, it looked like half of a bottle gourd.

“Fortunately, our partner guilds seem to have heeded our advice.”

Raul remarked.

Kane replied with a slight smile, “They would struggle to venture deeper on their own. The partner guilds seem to appreciate the cooperation with Ashton Marquisate as well.”

“That’s expected. Without the support of the marquisate, their development speed would be exceedingly slow.”

It had been nine months since the Forbidden Zone scenario commenced. Fields outside the city, visible through the conference room window, were rippling with golden grains.

The harvest season was upon them.

“And as you mentioned, the Purple Guild reports that the barrier hasn’t opened yet. However, they feel that its strength has weakened.”

“Indeed, the time for it to begin is nearing.”

Although the Forbidden Zone was opened, not all areas were accessible. Just past the initial player line, another barrier blocked further progress.

The reason seemed to be:

‘It’s likely that the current player levels can’t handle what lies beyond inside.’

The exact criteria were unclear, but Raul had some rough information from his past life. The average player level. The number of players connected to Connect.

And the ‘size’ of the pioneering sites secured within the Forbidden Zone. These three conditions were likely the primary factors determining when the next scenario of the barrier would open.

Which meant:

‘I can manipulate the pace of the next scenario’s initiation.’

In his past life, securing pioneering sites in the Forbidden Zone had been exceedingly slow. Thus, the next scenario didn’t unfold until player levels and numbers had sufficiently increased.

But this time, there was the First Knight Order and Raul.

‘We’ve accelerated the pioneering speed to offset the shortage of levels and numbers.’

The timing of the next scenario’s start had its pros and cons, but it was certainly undesirable for it to be delayed too long.

To grow stronger, players and even the subordinates of the First Knight Order needed tougher enemies and real combat experience. The Forbidden Zone was the perfect place to fulfill that requirement.

The true competition for pioneering the Forbidden Zone wasn’t the player guilds; it was the ‘Empire.’ The longer the barrier took to open, the more territory the Empire could occupy.

In his past life, the large guild alliance had betrayed the kingdoms and sided with the Empire for good reasons.

‘This time, I won’t let that happen.’

No matter what, he couldn’t allow the Monster Forest to be lost to the Empire. Of course, there were significant obstacles to surpass before that could be addressed.

“When the barrier opens, we have no idea what variables will come into play. Focus on fortifying the defense lines and continue your reconnaissance using players.”

“Understood.”

“Also, don’t neglect the development status of other Forbidden Zones. Ensure that cooperative guilds form final defensive lines there as well.”

“We’ll proceed accordingly.”

Overreaching would only invite resistance and envy. Thus, the First Knight Order had concentrated on the Monster Forest. However, they hadn’t completely ignored other areas.

Through branches in the free cities of various countries, an alliance of cooperative guilds was quietly securing initial pioneering sites just beyond the entrances of other Forbidden Zones.

They focused on slightly remote areas rather than the most lucrative locations.

‘In case of a worst-case scenario, it’s crucial to prevent the war from affecting the kingdoms directly.’

A few days after finalizing these plans, a popup appeared before all players logged into Connect.

『Notice』

Thanks to the efforts of players, the Forbidden Zone is becoming human territory…

A new scenario has begun.

(To be continued)