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chapter 45
‘It’s about time for Vares to appear.’
While heading to Edlen, Hanbit thought of the main villain of this episode.
Vares Roberg.
Outwardly, he was Brook’s confidant, but in truth he was the mastermind and root cause behind all the past incidents.
Even now, he ruled as the real power, making him the primary enemy.
‘He was disgusting as a person too.’
Vares was the very embodiment of the word corrupt official.
The middle-parted hair, snake-like eyes beneath thick eyebrows, layered chin fat and protruding belly that jiggled when he moved—just looking at him for long was unbearable.
Of course, thanks to countless experiences, Hanbit had reached the point where he could even toy with the man.
“…….”
The three arrived at the guild and immediately faced Guild Master Cowen.
His gaze was fixed on the blonde girl.
“…It’s not my fault.”
Ria muttered, avoiding Cowen’s eyes.
Anyone could tell they already knew each other.
-?
-They knew each other?
-Were they pretending not to before?
-If they acknowledged each other, Brook and Vares would catch her.
-The eye-avoiding is cute lol
The viewers watching also quickly grasped the atmosphere.
Hanbit decided to explain what happened in the waterway first.
“A temple inside the waterway… I was far too careless.”
Cowen’s expression darkened at the abnormal situation.
No matter how unreachable the information had been, it was ultimately his failure as well.
“Look at this too.”
Hanbit handed over Kamon’s notebook.
“What is this?”
“There was a hidden room beneath the temple altar. This notebook belonged to a man named Kamon.”
“…Kamon?”
Cowen’s eyes widened as he immediately snatched the notebook.
Beside him, Ria fidgeted and shoved her own diary deep into her bag.
“Hoo.”
After quickly skimming the contents, Cowen rubbed his face with his hand.
He spoke with distant eyes.
“…So much preparation. No—was he that wary of Vares?”
After a moment of silence, Cowen looked up at Hanbit.
“What is your objective? As an outsider, you wouldn’t want to get involved in something this complicated.”
“If that were the case, I’d just be hunting monsters. And helping friends isn’t strange, is it?”
“Ordinarily, no. But the darkness rooted in Northton runs deep. It’s better for both of us if your objective is clear.”
“Hmm.”
At Cowen’s firm words, Hanbit paused as if thinking.
Of course, the best answer—then and now—was always the same.
“Then write me a recommendation to the Investigation Team. As guild master, you have the authority.”
“The Investigation Team… I see. Considering a recommendation, the current mayor and Vares hold more influence.”
“Well. Wouldn’t exposing Holy Nation believers yield greater results? The tragedy that befell the Northton family would surface as well.”
“…I see.”
The Investigation Team—a group of powerful figures across the world searching for traces of Erfort.
Most adventurers dreamed of becoming members.
It promised wealth, honor, and fame.
This applied not only to ordinary players but even to top vanguard users.
“I understand your goal. Certainly a dream adventurers would pursue. However, the conversation isn’t over yet.”
After briefly closing and opening his eyes, Cowen turned to Ria.
“Miss, do you trust this adventurer?”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard, she froze.
Glancing at Hanbit, Ria scratched her head.
“Well… he doesn’t look like a bad person?”
“That answer is far from sufficient. Even a small deviation could put your life in danger. If you’re unsure, the wiser judgment would be to dispose of Adventurer Black Dragon here.”
-Excuse me?
-Did I hear that right?
-Yeah, you heard right.
-He’s saying it right in front of him lol
-This won’t do. Hand over Roper and escape.
A murder plan discussed before the target himself.
But if Cowen truly intended to kill Hanbit, he would have acted already.
The fact that Hanbit was still sitting calmly meant Cowen had another purpose.
“Dispose of him?”
Ria frowned and asked back.
“I have a duty to protect you. If there is even a trace of risk, eliminating it is correct.”
“If you were that worried, you should’ve taken me out of Edlen the day you escaped through the secret passage! I live in the slums to avoid Brook and Vares!”
“It is for the future. Regardless, I cannot leave someone who knows your identity unattended. Absolute trust is required. I will not disregard Lord William’s wishes to protect you.”
Shing—!
Cowen stood and drew the sword at his waist.
He pointed it toward Hanbit’s neck.
-Uh oh, he’s dead.
-Who’s going to stream now?
-Thank you for loving Black Dragon so far.
-Stream —END—
“Cowen!”
Startled, Ria jumped up to stop him.
But Hanbit calmly turned his gaze.
“Ria… or should I call you Lady Riventia? You were her escort, weren’t you?”
“I was the shadow knight of the Northton family. By my lord’s command, I escaped with the lady to avoid execution.”
Before William’s execution,
Cowen fled through a secret passage with Riventia.
Even under orders, abandoning his lord tore him apart.
“Though I failed as a knight, I still have the strength to cut down dangerous sprouts here. You were simply unlucky—do not resent it.”
“What changes if you cut me down? Ria will still have to live in hiding forever.”
“The opportunity to punish Brook and Vares will come. Kamon seems to have prepared something. Combined with that, there is hope. His sacrifice too was for the future.”
With a resolute voice, Cowen moved the blade closer.
Just before the cold edge touched Hanbit’s neck—
“I said wait!”
Ria stepped between them.
“It’s dangerous. Step aside.”
“You’re the one in danger right now!”
-LOL
-Fact bombs are Rietube.
-It *is* dangerous.
-Trust Ria.
-‘Do it.’
Spreading her arms to protect Hanbit, Ria stood firm.
Cowen pulled the sword back so she wouldn’t be hurt.
“Strange. When I asked if you trusted him, your answer was lukewarm.”
“Do I really have to say it out loud?”
“Yes. Trust is that important. Speak clearly. Until I’m convinced, I won’t lower the sword.”
“Haa…….”
At the embarrassing demand, Ria sighed.
But knowing Cowen’s personality, she had no choice.
In a barely audible voice, she said,
“…I trust him.”
“I can’t hear you.”
“Ah, seriously! I trust him! He helped Artsvel’s aunt, Plona, Ruby too! And he’s insanely strong—!”
Her pent-up feelings poured out in anger.
Cowen listened silently, then slowly nodded.
“I understand now how you feel about him. I never harbored hostility to begin with, so don’t worry. The investigation was already complete.”
“…Huh?”
At some point, the sword was back in its sheath.
Ria realized it had all been a test of her feelings.
“Cowen……!”
-LOL
-Cute.
-So you tricked her the whole time?
-It was cute, so drink up.
-Affection maxed lol
-Artsvel → Plona → Ruby route confirmed
Ria’s face turned bright red as her fists trembled.
“Even if you glare, it can’t be helped. Your intentions matter most to me, and I trust your instincts that much.”
“Then say that from the start!”
“You’ve grown too used to hiding your feelings. Try acting your age a bit more.”
“Ha.”
Ria was left speechless by his shamelessness.
Hanbit gently pulled her arm and sat her down.
“Being careful with personnel is unavoidable. Even to me, you’re in a dangerous position.”
“I know, but still…….”
When Hanbit soothed her while defending Cowen, Ria pouted.
Amused, Hanbit turned back.
“So, what’s the plan? We go to Kamon’s workshop first, right?”
“Of course. I’d like to inspect the temple in the waterway too, but it’s dangerous now. The enemy may have noticed.”
Once someone stirred the waterway, it wouldn’t be strange for anyone to catch on.
Whether it was Holy Nation believers, Brook, or Vares was unknown.
“Oh, right.”
Remembering something, Hanbit took out a necklace from his inventory.
It was the Goblin Spirit Necklace obtained from the challenge dungeon.
[Goblin Spirit Necklace]
Rank: 3
Grade: Unique
Description: Spoils obtained from an Elder Goblin. A mana shield deploys according to the wearer’s will.
“You wear this.”
“A necklace?”
Ria accepted the silver necklace set with a gem.
“An Elder Goblin trophy… very high quality.”
Cowen remarked, recognizing it.
He stroked his chin and asked,
“Giving a defensive magic item means you expect an attack?”
“The fragment found in the waterway was cloth used for Holy Nation combat uniforms. A fight could break out anytime. And something strange happened to Ria.”
“Something strange?”
Hearing it for the first time, Cowen looked at her.
Ria took out the ring from her bag.
“There was a flash near the secret passage. It felt really ominous.”
“…That is not normal.”
Cowen frowned, equally unsure.
Hanbit feigned ignorance and asked,
“What’s that ring? A Northton heirloom?”
“It is both an heirloom and an irreplaceable identity. Very few families bear traces of the Spirit King.”
-Spirit King?
-What now?
-That was implemented?
-If it’s just a trace, isn’t it junk?
-Do you think the Spirit King is a joke?
[설명충 has donated 1,000 won.]
[RP setting: The Spirit King is an ancient spirit powerful enough to devastate entire nations. Complete records of its true form barely exist……]
-The explainer works hard.
-Seen him in other streams too lol
-Activity GOAT.
The mention of the Spirit King threw the chat into chaos.
[Low Spirit → Mid Spirit → High Spirit → Supreme Spirit → Spirit King]
Spirit ranks were clearly defined.
The Spirit King stood four tiers above Sylph, a low spirit.
Even Hanbit, after immense effort, could only borrow the power of supreme spirits at best.
The Spirit King remained an unknown realm.
[Northton Ring]
Rank: ?
Grade: ?
Description: A ring bearing traces of the Spirit King Salion. Passed down as an heirloom according to the will of the first Northton.
‘Of course they’d target this ring.’
About a century ago, the massacre of spirit mages occurred.
Already rare spirit power largely vanished after that.
In such circumstances, even traces of a Spirit King carried enormous potential.
‘Ridiculous, really.’
The Holy Nation—culprits behind the spirit mage massacre—now sought this ring for its power.
The strange reaction Ria experienced was one of their detection techniques.
In other words, pursuit and attacks were imminent.
“So we’re going to Kamon’s workshop now?”
“No. We’re going to Harpen’s residence.”
“Harpen?”
At the name, Cowen nodded.
Then, walking toward the exit, he said,
“There’s no time. Let’s hurry.”
Ding—
[Main Quest #4 has been completed.]
[Progress has increased.]
[Main Quest #5: Infiltration]
You’ve learned more about Ria’s situation.
To reveal the truth and free her, you must find proof of Brook and Vares’s crimes.
Go to the workshop mentioned in Kamon’s notebook.
‘Kamon’s Workshop’ is sealed within a Sealing Stone kept in the mansion of the noble ‘Harpen.’
Objective: Infiltrate the mansion and steal the Sealing Stone.
Reward: 100,000 gold, 50,000 EXP, 5 stat points
*Current progress: 45 percent
