The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

『First Player Association Announcement』

We are announcing the association’s official stance regarding the current scenario. The association has decided not to intervene in the players’ choice of factions. You are free to choose based on your judgment.

However, to improve players’ rewards and treatment, the association is negotiating with several factions and forces. Once the negotiations are completed, we will post group quests related to each faction, and those interested are encouraged to apply.

Even if you participate in factions not involved in our negotiations, the association will not penalize you.

For those participating in the Ruben Kingdom Scenario, here are some special notes:

This is a response to the most frequent inquiry:

‘Which faction will the First Knight Order and First Viscounty join?’

The First Knight Order will remain neutral and observe during this scenario. Players who intended to proceed with the scenario alongside the First Knight Order should consider selecting a different faction for now.

The power structure in the Ruben Kingdom is currently very complex compared to other kingdoms. We advise you to be cautious in choosing a faction and to consider forming short-term contracts.

Also, be aware that the McNeil Marquisate and Randal County are factions hostile to the First Knight Order.

You are free to choose, but be cautious, as any existing merit points earned from participation with the First Knight Order and estate might be lost. If you are having difficulty selecting a faction, we recommend participating in the association’s group quests.

-Players not participating in the scenario are encouraged to engage in 『Sub-Scenario』 quests provided by the guild.

As the announcement was made, players began preparing in earnest for scenario participation.

“We must have horses! Even if they are expensive, without being part of a cavalry unit, earning merits will be tough.”

“Let’s increase our numbers first. Without enough people, it’s hard to even meet with an official.”

Guild masters shared information to gain even the slightest advantage in negotiations and prepared for war. Ordinary players also recruited parties on the bulletin boards and fueled their enthusiasm for the scenario.

Of course, the main issue on the bulletin boards was:

-Which faction should we join?

The discussions were less intense for the Leslie Kingdom, Marcus Kingdom, and Brennan Republic. The power structures of these three realms, divided into two to three factions, had been analyzed and disclosed over the past two months.

The choice was whether to join a powerful faction for stable rewards or to take a risk and support a promising underdog for a potential big gain.

-Of course, you should join the strongest faction!

-Why get treated like cheap mercenaries when we can aim for a big win with a smaller side?

While some expressed their opinions:

-Why bother? Just follow the association’s quests for the best outcome.

-Exactly. Look at the negotiation targets. Even well-off guilds find it hard to meet with Barons’ chiefs, while the association negotiates with Viscounts and above. And the quest participant numbers are entirely different. Doesn’t it just make sense?

-Huh. What’s in it for us by being loyal to the association?

-Loyalty? Not about that. Don’t say there’s nothing in it. By accumulating merit points, becoming a full member allows you to move into the First Viscounty, get free equipment rental, trade fee discounts, special quest tickets, and various other benefits.

-All those benefits will become useless if the First Viscounty falls.

-Ridiculous. If you’re so sure, go against the association. I guarantee nine out of ten will stick with the association’s quests.

-Got issues with the First Player Association? The new 『Real Player Association』 is being established. Visit our website * and join as a full member now!

-What’s with the random ad?

-They’ve been spamming the boards recently. It seems some prominent guilds created a new association. Check it out if you’re curious, lol.

Most users on the bulletin boards leaned towards following the association’s quests. Despite over a year in Connect, players still didn’t hold a high status.

They were seen as temporary hires or half-status mercenaries. Even though the number of lords seeking players had increased, trust was another issue entirely.

“How can you trust drifters who might disappear anytime? If they cause trouble and flee, how do you catch them?”

Connect residents, at least, have families, friends, and acquaintances to hold accountable. But players could just log off and disappear.

Since it’s impossible to chase them to Earth, there were no countermeasures. Even if they were highly skilled and cheap, it was natural not to entrust them with crucial missions.

This is where the 『First Player Association』 came in. Unlike players with no solid presence, the First Knight Order and First Viscounty were parts of Connect.

Moreover, with a certain level of reputation and backed by the noble Ashton County.

“If it’s the First Player Association, it’s somewhat trustworthy. They’ve even pledged to send knights to resolve any issues. Of course.”

For nobles who valued face, negotiating directly with Raul, a viscount himself, was easier. And with an expert-level knight always in charge of negotiations, trust naturally followed.

Thanks to this, the First Player Association currently offered the best pay and a wide variety of quests. Despite the main scenario, few opted to take individual commissions over the First Player Association’s structured quests.

***

『Real Player Association: Recruiting Members!』

Do you seek an association solely for genuine players?

An association composed exclusively of real players, not NPCs, has been established.

Enjoy more liberated quests.

Experience a wider range of choices.

We invite you to a haven meant only for players.

Apply for membership at…

……

……

52 guilds, including Daesung Guild, New Star Guild, and Crown Guild, have already joined the new association.

Hurry up and apply! Become the protagonist of a new history!

With flashy images and special effects, it was a website clearly crafted with great care, filled with various videos and links.

Tap.

A young man in his early thirties gently placed the tablet with the homepage on the table. He was none other than Kim Leesung.

The eldest son of New Star Group, master of New Star Guild, and chairman of the Real Player Association.

“What’s the response?”

“…It’s not far from what we anticipated.”

“Secretary Choi, you know I appreciate honesty, right?”

Despite the gentle tone, secretary Choi’s face tightened slightly as he immediately replied,

“There seem to be very few players who seriously want to join. There were initially too few interested in the first place.”

“So how many members have joined so far?”

“Apart from the initial members, about 500.”

“…….”

Kim Leesung’s eyebrow twitched. He had already anticipated that the number of members might be low.

But just 500 out of 300,000?

That was virtually negligible.

“What’s the reason?”

“Well, it’s obvious that our association offers no merit to the initial wave of Connect players. We haven’t established proper infrastructure in Free Cities. As for the existing players, they seem to hold less animosity towards the First Player Association than we expected. They don’t see a reason to switch associations, forfeiting the benefits offered by the First Player Association. Additionally, our association is primarily based on Korean guilds, limiting appeal to players from other countries….”

“…Enough. Essentially, recruiting members won’t be easy until the First Knight Order or estate collapses?”

“I apologize.”

Secretary Choi deeply bowed. But it wasn’t his fault.

‘It’s an almost impossible game from the start.’

Shortly after the Real Player Association’s announcement, the First Player Association also released a notice. Guild membership was unrestricted, but the association did not allow dual memberships.

In other words, to join another association, one had to first leave the First Player Association, something almost no one was willing to do.

Even now, the bulletin board was flooded with posts asking how to become a full member of the First Player Association in the shortest time.

‘Honestly, if it weren’t for the paycheck, I wouldn’t have taken on such an absurd project…’

The excitement at being appointed as the personal secretary to the group’s successor had turned into regret. It was clear who would be held responsible if this project failed.

‘No wonder my predecessors all avoided this position.’

But what could he do now?

The milk had been spilled; the only option left was to do his utmost. A small chance remained that if the young masters’ wishes were fulfilled and the First Viscounty did fall, secretary Choi comforted himself by envisioning a brighter future.

“So how are the negotiations with overseas guilds progressing?”

“I’ve reached out to their masters, but their response is skeptical. Guilds from the U. S. and China have suggested they would rather form their own associations and have us join theirs instead.”

“Greedy bastards. Continue to focus on cooperation over membership. They still want the First Player Association to fail as much as we do.”

“Understood.”

“This is all just an investment. When the First Player Association collapses, the first to plant a flag will naturally reap the benefits. Now they ignore us, but! When that time comes, we’ll see who’s the fool.”

Secretary Choi silently prayed that things would unfold exactly as Director Kim Leesung envisioned.

***

Clop-clop, clop-clop.

Five horses galloped along the well-paved road. Cloaks adorned with golden falcons flapped in the wind. These riders were none other than Bae Dohyun and his fellow Purple Guild members.

“First time in the Brennan Republic, huh? Have you been here before, dohyun?”

Ilwoo asked from atop his horse. Bae Dohyun chuckled as he replied, “I’ve been here a few times on missions. It’s probably the most splendid and developed place on the Connect continent.”

“By the way, are we sure it’s okay to go on our own like this? Usually, at least one member from the First Knights accompanies us.”

Linda inquired in a cheerful tone. Linda, an archer player originally from England, was currently ranked 8th overall in Connect.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s been arranged. We just need to go and do our job.”

“How strange. Usually, they’re so strict about everything. I guess being Bae Dohyun has its perks?”

Linda gave a thumbs-up, and Bae Dohyun reciprocated with a grin.

“But are we confident going on our own? They number in the hundreds, don’t they?”

Han Seohyun asked with a hint of concern in her voice. On her shoulder sat the adorable fox cub ‘Eunbyeol’, and overhead, a black hawk glided lazily in the sky. Having grown significantly, she was now the top summoner in Connect and held the 6th rank overall.

“Don’t worry. I will protect you all.”

A man in his early thirties spoke with a stern expression. With short-cropped hair and a chiseled face, he was called Meininger.

A German, his main role was a tank. Ranked 9th overall, he always took the front lines in any Purple Guild party, serving as their reliable gatekeeper.

Bae Dohyun, Kim Ilwoo, Han Seohyun, Linda, and Meininger. The five of them were heading towards the Rayson City in the Brennan Republic.

Rayson was one of the cities owned by the Tenba family, one of the influential families in the Brennan Republic. Unlike the Ruben Kingdom, which still had no open confrontations, the other three kingdoms had already commenced their battles for the throne.

The Brennan Republic had recently entered a kind of civil war, and Bae Dohyun’s team was heading to one of these conflict zones. There were several reasons for coming to the Brennan Republic instead of staying in the Ruben Kingdom.

Delamian Household.

The family that had supported Jaden, Raul’s treacherous uncle and the traitor of the Ashton County. They were one of the five major families forming the core of the Brennan Republic, and a powerful contender in the current battle for the position of High Chief.

‘Daring to touch us and aiming for the High Chief position? That won’t do.’

This was the primary reason why Raul, transformed into Bae Dohyun, was riding out himself.

(To be continued…)