Militia: A power or group which controls a region on the basis of military strength .

Warlord: Someone who owns an individual/personal army .

Kw.a.n.g Hwi blinked, and the world disappeared .

Moments ago, he was knocking back drinks with his former subordinates, but as he closed his eyes and opened them again, they had disappeared completely — just like his house and everything else around him — leaving him alone in a blank, white s.p.a.ce .

‘What is this place?’ As soon as the thought crossed his mind, a screen, like a hologram from a sci-fi movie, unfolded before his eyes .

『Merit Points: 100,000』

『By defeating monsters, you can earn Merit Points which can be used in the Merit Shop . 』

‘Monsters? Merit Points?’ Kw.a.n.g Hwi tilted his head, slightly confused at the bizarre announcement .

He chose to remain calm, carefully observing his new surroundings . Given his experiences, even a sudden change like this would hardly faze him .

“What’s a Merit Shop?” he wondered aloud . A new alert instantly answered his query .

『From the Merit Shop, you can purchase weapons and equipment, which can be used to kill monsters . 』

『The only category available at the moment is

. 』

『

category is currently locked . 』

『

category is currently locked . 』

『

category is currently locked . 』

『

category is currently locked . 』

『

category is currently locked . 』

『

『This category can be unlocked immediately for 50,000 MP . 』

『

『

category is currently locked . 』

『

category is currently locked . 』

『 category is currently locked . 』

『 category is currently locked . 』

“Personal weaponry, huh…?” he mused . As if in response, a black speck on the horizon grew as it drew closer . His vision flickered as a strong gust of wind blew his hair over his eyes, announcing the appearance of a small, simple rack . Kw.a.n.g Hwi smiled as he looked over the items on display . He was intimately familiar with them .

‘I haven’t seen you in a while . ’ His hand gently brushed over the cold, black steel of an HK416C . It had been Kw.a.n.g Hwi’s go-to weapon as an active mercenary; even now it had a familiar feeling .

『HK416C』

『A derivative of the HK416, introduced in 2011 and designed for 5 . 56mm NATO rounds . 』

『Price: 158 Merit Points』

『Technical Specs』

Length: 690mm

Barrel: 9”

b.u.mp Stock included .

5 . 56mm cartridge (30) included .

『Would you like to purchase?』

Kw.a.n.g Hwi flashed a bitter smile as he nodded . He still wasn’t sure this wasn’t all just a dream . But it was mostly irrelevant; ever since he had quit being a mercenary, he hadn’t once touched the gun he used to use so often . He wanted that feeling again, even if it was just a momentary illusion .

『Purchase complete . 158 MP have been deducted . 』

In an instant, the modest-size rifle was back in his hands . Although the gun was similar in size to an SMG, it was undoubtedly a full-blown a.s.sault rifle . Despite its small size, it proved perfect for its intended use .

He let the familiar, cold metal settle in his hands .

『If you kill monsters with weapons purchased from the Merit Shop, you will receive additional Merit Points . 』

Kw.a.n.g Hwi looked around . Nothing had changed . The gun rack was still standing in front of him, both he and it the sole occupants of this empty s.p.a.ce . There were no monsters, as far as he could tell .

“Monsters? What monsters?” The words barely escaped his mouth before the world around him changed again .