The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor

“You must not kill humans carelessly.”

- Yes, I understand.

“Well, the real bad ones you have to kill as painfully as possible.

- …

“Anyhow, I can’t just watch these brutal criminals eat and sleep in peace.”

- How should I take care of them?

“The criminals who are charged with murder and child sex offenders are to be transported to Russia.”

The prison in Russia was well known for being compact and harsh.

Life sentences were the baseline and one could not even take a glimpse of the sky. No warm sunlight, no exercise and only disgusting food provided merely as a means of ensuring survival.

A place without any glimmer of hope.

“The felons who have been perfectly convicted with enough evidence should be sent to Russia right away. You got it?”

- Of course.

“These criminals are to be put to labor, so that they aren’t feeding on the taxes paid by the people. In society, people work hard to earn and feed themselves, so why feed the criminals for free?”

- In the cases where they refuse to work?

“Don’t feed them.”

If they did not work diligently for that day, they would starve. If it repeated the next day, they were to starve again.

“Only when they are sick, treat and feed them. But, if they refuse work for other reasons, they have to pay for their actions.”

- As you requested, I will apply the changes to the prison system.

***

Weed logged into Royal Road again.

There was just so much to do after uniting Versailles.

- Mapan: The restoration of Morata is proceeding faster than expected.

“That’s great news.”

- Mapan: It’s because the players started the “build your own house” movement and also the free meal plan that put us forward. The prosperous financial status of the Arpen Empire should be a reason for the rapid recovery as well.

The surplus of novice players in Morata did not move to other cities. They remained in the ruined city, hunting and participating in the construction.

The essential shops were built right away and in the minds of the merchants, a reconstruction of a city meant a massive market.

Since the market streets near the town square were destroyed, the novice merchants too began opening signs.

- Mapan: The Northern merchant players are active revolving around Morata. Thousands of signs are opening up near the gates and it’s a spectacular sight at night.

“The growth of the Northern Continent began with Morata. It serves as the center hub of transport routes.”

- Mapan: It seems that the city’s history is attracting the players.

The restoration of Morata was beyond imagination.

The architects had concluded that extensive time and effort would be required to restore Morata to the state it had been before it had been destroyed, the largest city in the North.

However, the current Morata was also plenty enjoyable.

It was in ruins and was lacking in many ways, but as long as people continued to inhabit the city, it could never be truly destroyed…

Weed whispered again to his multi-use slave.

“How are the monsters?’

- Pale: Weed-nim, you’re presence has had a significant effect. Regions all over the continent are being secured. The monsters are returning to their original habitat and we are in the process of exterminating some herds that nested near the cities.

The assault squad had not disbanded officially. Pale still led them in the monster extermination and many players still remained because their activity was quite fruitful.

On the other hand, the Hermes Guild and the great lords returned to their own regions.

“What about Bard Ray?”

- Pale: He is clearing the dungeons of the Northern regions. This is something he is carrying out officially and he is being featured on broadcast. His skills are incredible.

Weed, as the emperor of the Arpen Empire, had profited greatly from the dragon hunt.

He grabbed the combat achievement for getting the final blow on the dragon, but the public spotlight shone on Bard Ray and the Hermes Guild.

Their fiery combat diluted the public animosity.

Bard Ray too regained his popularity as his fighting befit his title of the God Warrior.

Many speculated that he would start a public search for the four individuals suspected of bringing about his death so he could take revenge. But he appeared on broadcast and gave an interview that entirely discredited such speculations.

- The number of suspicions about Bard Ray-nim’s death are rising. There are claims that your death is not from the dragon’s magic attack, but the work of several players according to the analysis on the footage.

- That is true.

- So it is. Then there would be bounties put on their heads, yes?

- No. I let my guard down while fighting the dragon. My death was the result of my lack of power.

- Pardon?

- Anyone is welcome to challenge me. I always welcome the challenges from powerful players.

Bard Ray’s interview ignited the viewers.

After the dragon hunt, the atmosphere of the players swayed for great power. Some players ridiculed him for pretentious comments and named him the Continental Pushover.

- Pale: CTS Media is exclusively broadcasting the dungeon clear of Bard Ray-nim.

“I see. Is it going well?”

- Pale: The view rate is said to be over 10%. He’s clearing through the dungeons in the North that were never tried before, and his guards are alongside him.

Weed felt more comfortable about Bard Ray then he did in the past.

‘The man is hard working. Truly diligent.’

In Royal Road he was a rival, but now Weed had money, power and a beautiful girlfriend; he had it all. As the perfect winner in life, he had a bit of confidence to spare. Then again, if the professor did not inherit all his fortune, he couldn’t have been the way he did just now.

“Everyone.”

- Heint: Yes! Weed-nim.

He also whispered to the three mad sharks of Becky Nin.

He had pushed the matters for some time, but now he had to take care of the important deeds in his life. For that, the proper atmosphere and location was crucial.

“I am in search of an island. Preferably uninhabited with beautiful scenery.”

- Hye: Uninhabited and scenery… Are you planning a vacation?

“Not necessarily. It has to be beautiful. Spectacular, in fact”

- Hye: Then there are a few islands beyond the Croa pirate island. The ocean is great, truly an amazing place. The sea turtles may visit but their presence on the beach only adds to its elegance. There won’t be any players there. Let me just book an island first.

“Mapan-nim, what happened to the ice fragments?”

- Mapan: I have prepared them at the location where you requested them.