This chapter is brought to you by anubisscans. More updates on our website.
Support us by reading at anubisscans.com.
chapter 35
After returning home, Hanbit finished his meal and logged into the game.
Woooong—
The data collection program he had requested Lee Minho to restore was operating properly.
Depending on the results, there was a good chance of discovering something new.
Since they had agreed to gather more information together, he needed to make good use of this weekend.
‘Let’s turn on the stream first.’
After powering up the system, Hanbit immediately started streaming.
“Ah, ah, can you hear me?”
-Oh.
-Dragon hi.
-Why are you on so early today?
-Please post a notice.
-The unemployed are on standby 24/7.
-Is this the guy who got 1st in the Edlen Challenge?
-Give us a guide.
The chat window surged upward far faster than usual.
Checking the viewer count, Hanbit widened his eyes.
[Viewers: 31,446]
‘…That’s a lot.’
The impact of breaking the challenge record was showing strongly.
Some people were asking for a guide, but this time he would leave it at the video.
The rest was something each individual had to deal with on their own.
“Hello. Today I’ll be focusing mainly on the main quest. Since it’s Saturday, I might go a bit longer.”
-Oh.
-Good.
-All-nighter possible.
-24-hour no-logout stream ㄷㄷ
The viewers welcomed the good news with open arms.
They must have felt regret over how short the weekday streams had been.
“Hyung!”
After chatting for a bit, Yeonwoo logged in.
He appeared less than three minutes after sending a message that he was coming online.
“Aren’t you busy? You’ve got a lot to prepare.”
“This is part of the preparation too. Ah, hello to the viewers as well.”
Hanbit had heard that Yeonwoo’s company startup preparations were going well.
Even so, he was grateful that Yeonwoo continued helping with the stream despite being busy.
“But when are you going to report the dungeon clear?”
While checking the broadcast screen, Yeonwoo asked, recalling yesterday’s events.
After all, the reason they had shifted to dungeon content in the first place was because of the main quest.
[Main Quest #2: Proving Ability]
You have learned about the investigation team. First, you must prove your ability.
Objective: Choose and complete one request.
Reward: 500 gold, 200 experience
Hanbit had already fulfilled the condition by choosing the dungeon request.
Showing the Elder Goblin materials to the guild would complete the main quest.
But there was something he needed to do first.
“Wait a bit.”
Hanbit turned his body and looked behind him.
A blonde girl approaching from straight ahead.
It was Ria, who had been watching this place for a while.
-?
-Welcome, Ria.
-Didn’t she have a quest too?
-Yeah, sub-quest.
-So this is the day.
Her appearance wasn’t sudden to the viewers either.
It had already been foreshadowed in the sub-quest.
[Sub-Quest #1]
You provided great help to Ria, who was desperately searching for Plona.
She seems unlikely to forget this kindness.
Objective: Wait for the next meeting.
Reward: Sub-Quest #2 unlocked
The sub-quest that had appeared when they parted in the slums.
Normally, more time would have needed to pass, but the training done in Artsvel’s backyard had accelerated the timing.
“…Come with me for a moment.”
Stopping a few steps ahead, the girl spoke, looking slightly embarrassed.
Finding it amusing, Hanbit deliberately asked back,
“Why? I’m really busy right now.”
“You’re not doing anything yet! Just come with me!”
Blushing, Ria grabbed Hanbit’s arm and pulled.
He considered teasing her a bit more, but knowing her cat-like personality, it could backfire.
“Alright.”
Nodding, Hanbit followed Ria.
She didn’t let go of his arm.
“Are we going to keep walking like this?”
“…It’d be troublesome if you ran away.”
“That’s not something you should be saying.”
“…….”
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Shut down.
-Facts are bannable.
Hitting the mark, Ria clamped her mouth shut.
Still, she stubbornly kept hold of his arm as they moved.
“Hyung, where are you going?”
“You’ll see.”
Yeonwoo approached and asked quietly.
But Hanbit had no intention of giving spoilers.
“We’re here.”
Entering the slum district, Ria kept walking.
She stopped in front of an old building at the end of the alley.
Knock knock—
She knocked on the broken wooden door.
“I brought him.”
She spoke toward the inside and waited for a moment.
But there was no response.
“…?”
Bang— Bang—
Sensing something was wrong, Ria pounded on the door with her fist.
Still no response.
“Plona! Open the door!”
Her voice grew increasingly urgent.
After watching for a bit, Hanbit reached out and pulled the door handle.
“It was unlocked.”
Whoosh—!
As if she hadn’t heard him, Ria rushed inside.
“Ugh……!”
Inside the small room, there was no one.
Turning his gaze, Hanbit approached a wooden table where a fallen cup and spilled liquid lay.
“It’s still warm. She left not long ago.”
“Plona was preparing food to give you! She said she couldn’t leave until she was done! This is a kidnapping!”
-What?!
-That was Plona’s house?
-Please let her be happy.
-Story dev confirmed psycho.
The reason Ria had come to get Hanbit.
It was Plona’s wish to treat him to a meal as thanks.
‘…It makes sense she’d think it was a kidnapping.’
The slum district’s security system barely functioned.
Human traffickers could kidnap a child and sell them as long as they weren’t caught.
But this time, the situation was different.
“Calm down. If it were a kidnapping, the place would be trashed far worse.”
“You think Plona would leave the table like that? We need to find traces of the kidnapper and chase them right now—”
“Ruuubyyyy!”
At that moment, a young voice suddenly rang out from outside.
Tap—!
At the unmistakable voice, Ria kicked off the ground and rushed outside.
Following her, Hanbit saw a red-haired girl running at full speed.
“Ruby!”
Far ahead, a cat was sprinting away.
It was so fast it disappeared from sight in an instant.
“Ruby… huff, huff…….”
Having reached her physical limit, Plona bent over with her hands on her knees, gasping for breath.
“Haa.”
Witnessing the scene, Ria collapsed as if her strength had drained away.
But only for a moment.
She quickly regained herself and stood up.
“Take care of Plona.”
Tap—!
Kicking off again, Ria ran toward where the cat had vanished.
“Sister!”
Plona called out loudly, but Ria was already far away.
Hanbit slowly walked over and helped the girl up.
“It’s okay.”
“Adventurer…….”
Seeing Hanbit, Plona’s eyes welled up with tears.
And soon, they spilled over.
“Hic…….”
-ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
-Black Dragon made her cry.
-Boo.
-Boo.
-Find Ruby already.
At the sight of the sobbing child, viewers poured out playful accusations.
Even so, Plona showed no sign of stopping her tears.
Chirp—!
At that moment, the small bird on Hanbit’s shoulder cried out.
Then it flapped its wings and flew toward Plona.
“Huh?”
Feeling a gentle breeze brush her cheek, the girl lifted her head.
“You’re…….”
Plona remembered the bird from the dungeon.
Reaching out, she carefully cupped the little sparrow.
“…Ruby.”
Thinking of her lost cat, Plona softly called the name.
Anyone could tell how precious the cat was to her—a companion and friend.
Though tears still fell like beads, she had calmed down somewhat.
-Oh wow.
-Babysitting skill too.
-So this is a spirit.
Sylph’s power was strong in many ways.
Even searching through old memories, few beings were better at offering comfort than Sylph.
“Let’s go inside first.”
Hanbit brought Plona back into the house.
He slowly sat her down on a chair, met her eyes, and patted her head.
“Ria and I will go find the cat. Lock the door and wait here.”
“…Really? You can find her?”
“I found Ria in one go too. Don’t worry.”
Chirp—!
Right on cue, the spirit drew attention again.
At the sight of its fluttering wings, Plona smiled faintly.
Then she stood up and bowed her head.
“I’m sorry to ask, but please… please find Ruby.”
Ding—
At that moment, an alarm rang along with her voice.
A message appeared before his eyes.
[Sub-Quest #1 completed.]
[Sub-Quest #2 unlocked.]
[Sub-Quest #2]
Plona has lost her cat.
Chase after Ria, who left first.
Objective: Find the cat Ruby
Reward: Sub-Quest #3 unlocked
The quest content was simple.
After patting Plona’s head once more, Hanbit stepped outside.
Yeonwoo quietly continued filming.
“Let’s go.”
The two of them left the slum district.
After weaving through the complex alleys, Hanbit arrived in front of an abandoned building piled with junk.
“Where did she go?”
There, a blonde girl was rummaging through narrow gaps.
Approaching quietly, Hanbit called her name.
“Ria.”
Tap—!
Startled by the sudden voice, Ria jumped back sharply.
At some point, an old dagger was in her hand.
Whoosh—!
Turning with full caution, she recognized his face and let out a short breath.
“Haa, why did you follow me? I told you to stay with Plona.”
Still tense, Ria put away the dagger as she spoke.
Hanbit walked toward the abandoned building she had been searching.
“Plona’s fine. Even if a kidnapper comes, she’ll be blown away by the wind.”
“What are you even talking about?”
-What is this.
-Wind (actual spirit).
-Auto defense is insane.
Not understanding the situation, Ria pressed her forehead and sighed.
She looked exactly like Artsvel at times.
“Anyway, go back to Plona. I can handle this alone.”
“But you haven’t found any traces yet, have you?”
“Stop picking a fight and just go! I know Ruby better than you do!”
Flustered, Ria turned sharply toward the main road.
But going that way, she could search for days and never find anything.
Hanbit spoke toward her back.
“I know where she went.”
