Chapter 5: The First Contractor (2)

The thrones of the Grand Illusionary Realm are the characters we have encountered in myths, legends, tragedies, and novels.

We have always considered them fictional beings, but in the Grand Illusionary Realm, they are undoubtedly historical figures.

There are various hypotheses about why this happens.

The most plausible hypothesis is that the historical facts of the Grand Illusionary Realm have influenced our subconscious, leading to their reflection in creative works.

The 'King of Revenge' Edmond Dantès, who stands before me now, is known as the protagonist of Alexandre Dumas's novel, *The Count of Monte Cristo*.

In the novel, he was originally a kind sailor. However, he was falsely accused and imprisoned.

After escaping, he concealed his identity and became the Count of Monte Cristo, seeking revenge on his enemies, which is the plot of *The Count of Monte Cristo*.

It is said that Edmond Dantès in the Grand Illusionary Realm also lived a similar life.

After his death, he was evaluated for his intense revenge drama and became a throne, gaining great fame as an S-rank throne that protects avengers.

However, it is known that he is very picky about choosing his contractors, and the number of people who have contracted with him can be counted on one hand.

"Nice to meet you, King of Revenge."

He is a major figure, but there's no need to be afraid.

After all, I am also an S-rank throne.

"Hmm..."

The Count seemed pleased with my attitude and smiled as he looked me over.

"Just call me Count. Formalities are unnecessary."

"Then... Count, what brings you here...?"

"I heard there's a throne playing an interesting game. Since you seem to be a new throne, I thought I'd come and say hello."

"Can thrones usually interact with each other like this?"

"You can if you want to. Of course, you need to know the coordinates of the other throne."

The Count said this and then looked around, smiling wryly.

"But it seems you are indeed a new throne. Your throne room is so desolate."

"Throne room?"

"I mean this place. It looks infinite, but the space given to you is actually quite limited."

As he said this, the Count tapped the floor with his shoe.

Below, an infinite universe seemed to stretch, but it made a tapping sound as if there were a transparent glass floor.

"Isn't it uncomfortable to sit on the floor like that? Haven't you bought a chair from the Herald?"

"Not really, I don't need one right now."

"Tsk. A throne is a sacred seat. Sitting on the floor doesn't look good, does it?"

Suddenly, the Count snapped his fingers.

A small window appeared beside his head, showing a jester's face.

"Hello, Count. What can I do for you?"

"17, prepare two chairs for this seat."

"Two chairs, you say?"

"A gift for the new throne."

"Understood. Please wait a moment."

The jester disappeared, and soon two chairs appeared. They were luxurious, like those found in a noble's mansion.

"Consider it a gift. No need to thank me, just accept it."

"Why are you being so kind?"

"This is not kindness but basic courtesy."

Saying this, the Count sat down first.

"Let's sit and talk. The climax is about to begin."

I had no choice but to sit down as well and look into the observer.

"You seem to have been a throne for a short time, right?"

"By my perception, it hasn't even been two hours."

"But you've already hosted an event and created a contractor. Impressive."

The Count leaned back in his chair and laughed.

"Most new thrones are swayed by the salesmen who come to them. Naive heroes are quickly stripped of their resources by the salesmen's persuasive skills, and wise heroes realize that being a throne is not as easy as they thought and become cautious. They become passive and spend a long time just observing."

"..."

"But you bought only the minimum equipment from the salesman and immediately hosted an event. And you created a contractor. What was your strategy?"

The Count narrowed his eyes and looked at me.

"You quickly gained 'practical experience as a throne' with minimal investment, without owing anyone."

"..."

"You've made a faster start than any other throne. I admire your boldness and decisiveness."

"Thanks for the good evaluation."

"It would have been more efficient if you hadn't advertised... but that's not a significant flaw."

The Count smiled wryly.

"Thanks to that, you caught my eye."

"..."

"By the way, it's almost time for the event to end."

On the screen, my first contractor was finishing his final battle, opening the facility's main gate, covered in blood.

"Seeing a human escape from oppression is always moving."

The Count of Monte Cristo was once imprisoned on the island of Château d'If and managed to escape. Perhaps he felt a sense of kinship with the contractor's escape.

His cold eyes were now filled with passion.

"Thanks to you, I had a pleasant story to watch, new throne. You have talent as a scriptwriter."

As I listened to the Count, I watched my contractor roar after defeating all his enemies.

* * *

Finally, freedom was within reach.

As Kang Yujin basked in the joy, a voice came from beside him.

"Event cleared, congratulations."

"You are...?"

It was the jester who appeared earlier.

"Many thrones are applauding your performance. I personally look forward to the path you will take."

"Throne...?"

"But now that you've come out into the world with nothing, you must feel insecure. If you don't mind, I'd like to support you."

The jester spoke in a gentle voice.

"Let me introduce myself again. I am Arlecchino 49. I provide the best service to all contractors..."

"I have a request."

"Yes?"

"The one who saved me. You called them 'the nameless one,' right?"

Kang Yujin looked at the jester.

"I want to talk to them directly. Please help me."

"What?"

"You said you're a representative. So, you should be able to contact the nameless one, right?"

"No... wait. That's a bit difficult."

"But if it's difficult, it's not impossible, right?"

"No, thrones don't directly talk to contractors. That's the rule."

"I don't care about thrones or contractors. I just want to talk to the nameless one."

"Ah... really. This is a first."

The jester shook his head in frustration.

"Wait. Let me ask first."

"Please."

* * *

"...What do you think?"

"This is quite refreshing."

As 49 finished his story, the Count smiled.

"A contractor asking for a direct call to the throne. Does a unique throne attract a unique contractor?"

"Hmm? Anonymous, is there someone else there? It can't be another Herald, right?"

Since we are only connected by voice, 49 won't be able to see the Count.

"49, as far as I know, a throne needs to go through a procedure to talk directly to a contractor, right?"

"Yes, it's not common and requires a lot of power."

Thrones generally don't talk directly to contractors.

They just send system messages when they feel like it.

Thrones have contracts with countless contractors and don't have the time to talk to each one individually.

Of course, there are exceptions... but generally, that's the case.

"Are you thinking of talking directly? I suggest you don't. There's no benefit."

"I know. But..."

I fell into thought.

"49, can you relay my words to the contractor?"

"What?"

"You and I can talk directly, and you and the contractor can talk directly. So, you can relay my words to the contractor, right?"

"No, Anonymous, that's a bit..."

"Is it impossible?"

"Not impossible, but it might look... what would other thrones or Heralds say?"

"The event is over, and the broadcast has ended. No one is watching anymore."

I glanced at the Count.

"I won't make it complicated, don't worry."

"..."

"Just say this: 'I am watching over you. Your voice will reach me.' That's all."

"Well, if that's all..."

On the observer screen, 49 approached the contractor.

After listening to 49, the contractor looked up at the sky.

And he shouted.

"O God!!"

God?

"Thank you for saving me! I believed that if there was a God, they would help me! Not those who commit evil in the name of God, but you!"

His face, looking up at the sky, was filled with faith.

"My name is Kang Yujin! I will live serving the great God! Please guide me! Illuminate my path!"

After saying this, he prostrated himself on the ground.

"..."

"This is quite interesting."

The Count muttered beside me.

"Did you create a follower instead of a contractor? Did you plan this from the beginning?"

"Maybe..."

"Instilling loyalty in a contractor. Impressive."

Most contractors don't feel loyalty to the throne they are contracted with. They just see them as a source of buffs.

But if someone extends a hand in a dire situation, like Kang Yujin... it's reasonable to expect a different emotional response.

"So, what do you plan to do next?"

The Count looked at me with interest.

I thought for a moment.

'How much should I tell this guy?'

Would it be beneficial for me to share my information with the Count?

From what I can see, the Count approached me out of curiosity.

As an S-rank throne, the Count wouldn't try to exploit a new throne like me, and he could potentially become an ally.

'The Count of Monte Cristo was a very intelligent and perceptive being.'

In the novel, after escaping from prison, the Count of Monte Cristo acquires a treasure.

But he doesn't stop there; he uses the treasure to amass a vast fortune, becoming a legendary tycoon with assets on the scale of a national budget.

He is not just a simple avenger but also a genius with a keen sense of opportunity.

'If I can gain his recognition and make him an ally...'

After some thought, I made up my mind.

"Count, I have a proposal."

"What is it?"

"Would you consider investing in me?"

"Investing?"

"You are known as a powerful S-rank throne, but you don't easily create contractors or offer support."

"..."

"I think you only approach those who truly interest you."

I once heard that the Count of Monte Cristo only lent his power to avengers.

I don't know if that's true, but it's clear that the Count is very selective.

"Your interest in me suggests that I have piqued your curiosity."

"..."

"Am I wrong?"

"One thing to tell you, Anonymous throne."

The Count spoke in a low voice.

"I am the King of Revenge. But I'm not only interested in those with a desire for revenge. What truly interests me is a burning, intense will."

"..."

"When such a person appears, they naturally catch my eye."

The Count's cold eyes turned to me.

"At first, I thought the contractor was such a person. But he was a bit lacking. It seems your will is what drew me in."

"..."

"From what I can see, you are different from other thrones."

The Count's voice was cold, but it carried an unknown passion.

"Most thrones became thrones after living their lives. Therefore, they have no particular desires. They spend their time like retired elders, occasionally giving pocket money to their grandchildren."

"Count, what about you?"

"You know the story of the Count of Monte Cristo, right? After completing his revenge, I lived a peaceful and happy life. The passion from my vengeful days is no longer with me."

"..."

"But you are different. Even as a throne, you have a gaze that doesn't belong to a throne. It's as if you still possess human desires."

After saying this, the Count smiled.

"If that's the case, you might be worth investing in."

"Count..."

"Before that."

The Count raised a finger.

"I want to see your throne skills."

Throne skills?