Mai, the Demon Hand.
As of 2040, he was a top 100 high-ranker and, along with Beta and Illyos, served directly under Platy as one of the Three Lords—the main pillars of Siren.
The Three Lords of Siren.
During the great Guild War of mid-2039, the primary reason why Siren did not easily collapse even under a coalition attack was because of them.
Among them, Mai, the Demon Hand, was like a grim reaper to the guilds opposing Siren.
Although his level was the lowest among the Three Lords due to his role in assassination and espionage within the guild, his schemes and conspiracies were so meticulous they were called perfect.
Mai’s plots were so well-crafted that surviving players and guilds without falling into his trap were said to be nonexistent.
In fact, during the Guild War, Mai single-handedly crushed Ido, the 12th-ranked guild with the 67th-ranked high-ranker Hong Ling.
Facing such a formidable opponent was overwhelming, and their level was nowhere near Mai’s.
If they clashed head-on, defeat was certain.
‘Fortunately, I know Mai’s true identity, and Mai doesn’t know mine.’
Like the saying “know your enemy, know yourself, and you will never be defeated,” this worked in Mai’s favor.
Of course, it was not an absolute advantage.
‘Rather, it’s a powder keg ready to explode.’
Dahav concealed his nervousness behind a smile and spoke.
“Hey! Nice to meet you. But what brings you here…?”
“Let me be direct. Contract fee: 2 billion. Come join Siren.”
2 billion—a shocking offer even among prestigious guilds—was made considering that Biik Yeonri had offered 1 billion.
The reason Siren started late was not just due to transcending the five senses or sheer luck.
By leveraging that, they were able to absorb everything, including those known as the Girasung, and grow rapidly in a short period of time.
Of course, had they stopped there, their notoriety would have risen, but their ranking would not have increased so drastically in such a short time.
‘They mercilessly hunted down the Girasung with relentless PK, targeting what they themselves could not obtain.’
If they can’t have them, they break them.
That was Siren’s First Commandment.
Thus, those who wanted to keep playing ASA had no choice but to join Siren begrudgingly.
Unlike other guilds, whose talent pipelines had been blocked, Siren’s ranks expanded rapidly and rose to prominence.
“That’s still just a sugar-coated trap.”
In 2039, Siren was a guild that had been defeated by Misty guild and had no future.
Moreover, Dahav did not want to commit the various crimes or uncouth behaviors that Siren’s members did, and above all, it could greatly tarnish the reputation of the Cheon Ae Group and his family.
‘Caught between a rock and a hard place. No matter which I choose, I’m in trouble.’
Still, there was no way to naturally slip away, and two headaches pressed on his mind.
‘If I make a mistake with a woman who specializes in these matters, she’d see right through me.’
In that case, he had no choice but to hide a big lie behind a small truth.
Dahav struggled but finally spoke, switching his tone between sharp and dull.
“Sorry, but I’m not thinking of joining a guild just yet.”
That half-truth seemed to fool Mai’s eyes.
“Hmm. Is that your answer? So, you won’t give in easily. But think carefully. Which guild will maximize your value?”
Mai raised his index finger mid-sentence.
Ting—!
A crimson bracelet flew toward Dahav’s hand along a curved trajectory.
More precisely, it was flying toward his temple, and Dahav almost instinctively raised his arm to catch it.
Dahav’s eyes went wide as he held the flying bracelet.
“Karzan’s Mana Circulation Bracelet?”
“Consider it an additional gift on top of the 2 billion contract fee. Plus, I’ll provide you with such top-tier items until you stabilize among the top 100 rankers.”
Although Mai handed over Karzan’s Mana Circulation Bracelet almost as casually as if picking up lost property, there was no hint of emotion or fluctuation on Dahav’s face.
There was hardly anyone who could reject such a shocking offer, and even if someone refused after receiving the bracelet—
“Just take it back then.”
Even the cold-hearted Mai could do nothing.
“I hate keeping others waiting. But more than that, I hate waiting myself. I hope you answer quickly before I change my mind. Could it be that this still isn’t enough to satisfy your ambitions?”
Layer upon layer of conditions, but Dahav could not resist Mai’s sincerity, who knew both Siren’s truth and its inevitable ruin.
“It’s a really good offer. Honestly, I’m tempted too. But I still can’t accept it.”
“Hmph. Then you must be worried about the ominous rumors surrounding the guild. Of course, you could see it that way for now. But look at the bigger picture, Dahav. Together with Platy, you could make a mark in ASA. If you miss this chance, you’ll regret it for a long time. Yes, I might make you regret it forever.”
Normally, Mai would have killed him immediately for hesitation, but Dahav was a first-rate talent.
Because of this, a very special player who had won Mai’s favor, he was given one more chance.
However, Dahav’s stance was only to buy more time.
If he refused, the result would be the same.
Mai’s team members, spread widely around, tightened their encirclement and exuded a deadly aura.
Still, Dahav stubbornly held his ground and ultimately refused.
“In that case, how about this? I’m currently working on an important quest. I want to finish it first and then decide.”
Between persuasion and firmness, Mai’s sharp gaze slowly cooled.
“This is your last chance. Become a pawn of Siren. If you don’t want to be crushed before fully blossoming your talents, you know what the wise choice is.”
Having started from poverty and endured a rough life up to becoming a boxing athlete, Dahav could read the murderous intent behind Mai’s gaze.
‘Plain and clear murder.’
Siren’s method for handling those they called the Girasung was simple.
As mentioned before, if one refused to join, they would be killed immediately, their respawn points occupied, and the killing would continue upon revival.
Once caught in that cycle, escape was impossible.
“There are plenty who quit the game after going through that.”
But Dahav hadn’t refused without thought.
‘This should buy me enough time.’
The bitter smile blooming on Dahav’s lips was enough for Mai’s instincts to pick up the subtle change.
“I wondered where you were hiding.”
Turning toward the source of the voice, Dahav saw NPC, Shazam, approaching with a warm smile.
Dahav smiled back at Shazam’s face.
‘Lucky.’
Before entering Shinaga, Dahav had noticed someone following him.
He had immediately contacted Shazam through a messenger after entering the city and asking the guards.
In other words, he had been waiting for Shazam all along.
Whether this would buy enough time was uncertain, but thanks to Dahav’s long conversations filled with various pretexts, he had succeeded.
“Well, it’s been a while.”
“What are you doing here? Since you returned to Shinaga, you should hurry and report to the Lord, not dawdle here. Hahaha!”
Shazam approached with a loud voice, and Dahav, wearing a faint smile, looked at Mai and said,
“I wanted to come quickly, but there was someone blocking the way.”
“Someone blocking the way to see the Lord? Is there really such a person in Shinaga?”
Shazam’s eyes narrowed, shooting a sharp glance at Mai.
‘To prepare such a move and back up the rear…’
The delay and stalling tactics did buy some time, but no one had expected they would use Alexandra, one of Shinaga’s NPC elite soldiers.
Of course, Shazam and Dahav could easily kill her since she belonged to the active first squad within Siren.
But killing her would definitely leave a bad aftertaste.
Of course.
Shinaga’s NPC soldiers were like Alexandra’s faithful servants, and Shazam was her most trusted confidant.
Killing a member of Alexandra’s household, her confidant, was akin to declaring hostility against the Palestan Kingdom.
The more entangled it became, the greater the losses—not just damage but also Dahav’s original goal of infinite PK would become impossible.
‘A hit taken.’
It felt like he had been tricked, but he wasn’t displeased.
Rather, the fact that he was now juggling both martial and literary pursuits stirred his ambition even more.
‘I’ll definitely get it.’
And so, if he was to prepare for that day, now was the time to retreat.
“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to block the way. But words can be ambiguous, so I guess there was some misunderstanding in our conversation.”
Dahav barged in as if he had been waiting.
“So, can you clear the path?”
“As much as you want.”
Already decided, he nodded and opened the way.
Dahav strode confidently following Shazam through the opened path.
Just as Mai and his team silently stared at their backs, Dahav turned around.
“Oh, I almost forgot to say thanks. I’ll use the gift you gave me well.”
Dahav shook the ‘Karzan’s Mana Circulation Bracelet’ Mai had handed over.
***
Lord’s Castle of Shinaga.
“I’ll inform the Lord you’re here. You should rest a bit.”
After Shazam said this and left the room, the tension that had been held in check suddenly snapped.
Dahav involuntarily let out a long breath and slumped back in his chair.
Cold.
Though he tried to put on a tough front in front of Mai, it would have been a lie if he hadn’t been trembling.
Cold sweat dripped down, his clothes clinging to his body.
To exaggerate, it felt as if a contortionist was stuffing his entire head into a crocodile’s mouth.
The process had been exhausting, but the rewards were definite.
[Karzan’s Mana Circulation Bracelet]
- Grade: Unique (Exclusive)
- Category: Mid-High Grade
- Usable Level: 30 and above
- A legendary bracelet made by Karzan in his youth, known as the Spirit King Summoner.
- Though young, Karzan was so capable he was called a prodigy, and this piece fully embodied his unfiltered talent, granting remarkable abilities.
- Main Stat: Spirit +20
- Special Options:
- Mana Recovery Amplification – Increases mana recovery rate by 100%.
- Mana Circulation – Recovers 10% of the mana consumed during skill use and maintenance.
“I never imagined I’d get my hands on Karzan’s Mana Circulation Bracelet… Jackpot!”
Since the secret room was thoroughly guarded, Dahav alone wildly celebrated.
“After the Skill Rune: Servant Contractor, to now acquire Karzan’s Mana Circulation Bracelet…”
With mana recovery rate and efficiency rising dramatically, the Undead Legion could finally take a step toward becoming as formidable as the army once led by Wilhelm Rothschild.
Simply put, not only would his hunting method change, but even the efficiency itself would be transformed.