The thrill of the Infinite Blade's power coursed through Gok Sun Ji as he annihilated yet another horde of monsters. Leveling up had never been this easy, not even when he was the Rank 1 player. With each swing of the blade, entire zones were left in ruins, and his experience bar filled faster than he could keep track.
> SYSTEM ALERT:
Level Up! You have reached Level 100.
Gok paused, staring at the notification. The number felt monumental, not just because of the milestone but because it marked his first major step toward reclaiming his position at the top.
"Level 100," he muttered, clenching his fist. "It's time to stop running solo."
---
The idea of starting a guild had been in the back of his mind since his fall. As Rank 1, he'd avoided guilds, relying solely on his strength. But now, he needed allies—players who could complement his abilities and help him ascend faster.
Pulling up the menu, Gok began crafting the foundation of his guild.
> CREATE GUILD:
Enter Guild Name:
He grinned and typed a single word: MAD.
> Guild Created Successfully! Welcome to MAD, Guild Leader Gok Sun Ji.
With the name finalized, Gok began his search for members. But before he could take a step, a familiar voice echoed behind him.
"Guilds are for the weak, aren't they?"
Gok spun around, his eyes narrowing. Standing there was a tall, muscular man with piercing golden eyes and a confident smirk. His features were sharp, almost regal, and there was something unsettlingly familiar about him.
"Who are you?" Gok demanded, gripping the Infinite Blade.
The man chuckled, crossing his arms. "You don't recognize me? I'm hurt. After all, you just killed me a few hours ago."
Gok's eyes widened. "Ragnok?"
The man bowed theatrically. "At your service. Or rather, I suppose I should say, as your first guild member."
---
Ragnok explained that upon his defeat, the Infinite Blade's power had done something unprecedented. Instead of merely vanquishing him, it severed his ties to the World Boss system, granting him freedom from his scripted role. He was now a unique NPC, capable of independent thought and action.
"You freed me," Ragnok said, his golden eyes gleaming. "And I owe you my life. Consider me your most loyal follower."
Gok crossed his arms, skepticism etched on his face. "What's the catch?"
Ragnok smirked. "No catch. But let's just say... the world's going to notice. The system doesn't like when its rules are broken."
"Let them notice," Gok replied, his confidence unwavering. "If you're loyal, then welcome to MAD."
---
As Gok and Ragnok discussed plans for the guild, something in Ragnok's demeanor shifted. His smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"Gok," he said, his tone low. "You're not just a player anymore. That blade… it's changing things, both in here and out there."
"What are you talking about?" Gok asked, frowning.
Ragnok hesitated before continuing. "The Infinite Blade isn't just a weapon. It's a link—between this world and yours. The line between reality and Rankers is thinner than you think."
Before Gok could press for more answers, a loud ringing sound jolted him out of the game.
---
Back in his small apartment, Gok ripped off his VR visor. The world felt almost alien after hours in the game. The source of the ringing was his alarm clock, reminding him of his upcoming shift at work.
He glanced at the clock, groaning. "Great. Reality calls."
With a sigh, he got dressed and headed out. His job at the local convenience store was mundane, a far cry from the grandeur of Rankers. But as he stocked shelves and rang up customers, Ragnok's words echoed in his mind.
"The line between reality and Rankers is thinner than you think."
Gok shook his head, trying to focus. "It's just a game," he muttered to himself. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was happening.
---