I wrote this chapter for readers who have never read The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor, so they can learn a bit about the protagonist who, in this fanfic, has been introduced into the Gu World of Reverend Insanity.
Lee Hyun, better known by his pseudonym Weed, is the protagonist of the famous South Korean novel The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor. In real life, Lee Hyun grew up in extreme poverty. After the death of his parents, he was left in charge of his younger sister and ill grandmother, while also inheriting a massive family debt.
Determined to change his fate, he sold his valuable account from an old online game for an impressive sum, using the money to stabilize his family's life. With that goal always in mind — securing financial safety for his loved ones — he dove into the new full-dive MMORPG: Royal Road.
In this virtual world, he adopted the avatar name Weed. Bringing with him vast experience from previous games, an unrelenting work ethic, and a sharp mind for profit, Weed quickly stood out. He eventually acquired the secret class Legendary Moonlight Sculptor, turning a profession seen as weak into one of the most powerful through creativity and persistence.
Personality
Weed is marked by an extremely greedy, pragmatic, and opportunistic personality. For him, every action is a potential gain — whether material, strategic, or social. He rarely does anything without a calculated reason, meticulously weighing the risks and rewards of every step.
His obsession with money and security is a direct result of his harsh childhood, where every coin could mean an extra meal for his sister. However, behind the greed lies a loyal and protective nature: Weed never fails to take care of his family, even if it means sacrificing opportunities for profit.
Another defining trait is his natural ability to deceive, persuade, and manipulate others — whether to bargain better prices, escape dangerous situations, or convince NPCs and players to follow his plans. Weed is, essentially, a master at bending the rules in his favor — without actually breaking them.
Skills and Achievements
SculptingAs a Legendary Moonlight Sculptor, Weed unlocked a unique skill tree based on the creation of sculptures with special effects. His works can enhance stats, summon living beings, inspire allies, and even influence world-scale events within the game. He also developed original techniques, such as the powerful Sculpture of Death.
Combat and SwordsmanshipAlthough his main class is a support one, Weed developed combat strength capable of rivaling the most powerful warriors of Royal Road. In real life, he trained in martial arts like taekwondo, kendo, and aikido, and became a formal disciple of a sword dojo. This gave him a solid foundation to incorporate real techniques into his virtual fighting style.
In the game, he learned skills such as Sword Cloning, which creates illusory copies of his attacks, and Sculptural Blade Technique, which fuses sculpture and swordsmanship into devastating moves. His combat prowess is further enhanced by his tactical intuition and unusual physical endurance.
LeadershipWeed was the key figure in founding and expanding the Kingdom of Arpen, unifying regions and gaining the loyalty of countless NPCs and players. He managed wars, political campaigns, and urban projects with strategic precision, always prioritizing sustainable growth and long-term profit.
EconomyWeed is, without a doubt, one of the greatest economists in the virtual world. His obsession with money translated into an empire of trade, mining, auctions, and taxation. Every item sold, every building constructed, and every ally recruited was part of a larger plan to generate profit and dominate the economy of Royal Road.