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112
It was only natural for Hanbit to have questions.
He had never heard of the Sage having hidden materials.
But Levius answered with a voice carrying a slight note of pride.
“I have read without exception every last thing that person left behind one hundred years ago. And within each book and document, I discovered fragments of hidden records. Comparing them one by one, I was able to determine they were the results of research into spirits.”
-The Sage is acknowledged.
-Isn’t the Sage at the Lighthouse of Death?
-Unmapped area, no one knows.
-Probably just put the lore in and couldn’t patch the map.
-Info) RP has never had a single patch since launch.
-Never had a bug either. Lol.
-For real, the level of completion is absolutely insane.
The Sage who had once visited Ifrit during his travels.
His name was unknown, but the word ‘sage’ itself had come to function as a proper noun referring to the sole person in the world by that title.
Even in Hanbit’s past, he had only ever come across materials the Sage had left behind, so questions had always lingered.
And to think there were hidden contents on top of that.
“The power of a spirit is not something one can easily forget. All the more so for someone walking the path of magic — it would only be natural to hold it in reverence. The Sage must have felt the same.”
“Is the Sage’s research also contained in here?”
“Yes. Had I not witnessed your power, I would have taken that research to the grave.”
Levius’s gaze as he looked at the spellbook grew distant.
The reason past Hanbit had never learned Elemental Amplification.
It being an incomplete research result was part of it — but it was also his resolve not to bring dishonor to the Sage.
‘Truly something I never imagined.’
The Sage’s new records were an immensely significant gain.
Especially with a connection to spirits, the value was beyond measure.
And the hidden skill had become a significant variable to put to use as well.
“It seems there’s more we should discuss. I’ll come again once matters are settled. Ah, and there’s one thing I’d like to ask of you…….”
As Hanbit relayed his farewell, he slipped in a quiet request.
It was related to the monster wave.
“You need cooperation with the dwarves. Any request of yours — I’ll grant as many as you like. Feel free to come at any time.”
Levius accepted the request without so much as a moment’s consideration.
Searching through every past run, there had never been a more readily given acceptance.
“Thank you. Then I’ll stop by again shortly. Nia, see you later.”
“Ah, yes! Take care! No — please be sure to come again!”
Nia, who had been in a daze, quickly offered her farewells.
The brightness in her eyes carried amazement, as though she had seen a real spirit.
Amused at the sight, Hanbit stepped out of the tower with the two of them.
“I had no idea you would obtain a hidden skill like this. So every action truly does carry a plan behind it!”
Avantgarde, following behind, raised his voice in a tone of admiration.
Regrettably, this one had gone quite far beyond any plan.
“I didn’t anticipate this either. It’s content not even in the novel.”
“And still to produce a result like this……. Black Dragon-nim really is something different. I was reminded of that once again.”
-Perpetual reverence.
-Avantgarde, just start a religion.
-Can’t we get that too?
-Yeah, there doesn’t seem to be a usage limit on that one.
-And the traces of the elemental king?
-Figure that out yourselves.
The original purpose in visiting the tower had been to learn Fire Lance.
And to request cooperation regarding the wave.
Getting results that far exceeded all of that had been something completely outside his expectations.
“Are we heading straight to the snowy mountains now? Honestly, just thinking about seeing the Snow Drake has my heart racing already.”
Avantgarde immediately asked about the next destination.
Hanbit, scanning the surroundings, checked the time and said:
“There are a few things to prepare. Jaeha-hyung, please head to the workshop where Gorik is now.”
“Got it.”
Kim Jaeha gave a nod and headed toward the city gate.
Gorik would still be buried in the underground workshop.
Part of it was surely that he hadn’t found it in himself to face his people yet.
Setting aside complicated pasts and feelings — nothing could be resolved until the heirloom was recovered.
Hanbit immediately turned back and pointed toward a building across the way.
“For now, shall we try the guild?”
***
“…You said you’re going to subjugate the master of the snowy mountains?”
Inside the bustling guild building.
The female clerk at the reception desk, Grinkow, let out a baffled sound.
Because a D-rank adventurer who had come out of nowhere was saying something strange.
“Excuse me, adventurer. This isn’t a place for throwing your life away. Haven’t you seen the word ‘guild’ out front?”
“It was a commission nobody was taking anyway, wasn’t it? Anyone willing to go — that’s better.”
“No, but who sends a D-rank adventurer party on an A-rank commission? They’d get killed by a Yeti before they even got near the Snow Drake!”
-An A-rank commission?
-Yeah, they’re heading off to die. Lol.
-But this is Black Dragon?
-Government authority-level power.
Grinkow firmly expressing her refusal.
Avantgarde had the same D-rank as Hanbit.
When following the guidebook, receiving a D upon clearing the second episode was apparently the norm.
‘It’s not strictly required to match the commission rank…….’
Even a D-rank adventurer could take on and clear an A-rank commission if they had the ability.
But this particular commission that Hanbit wanted was one even the guild master ignored.
A Snow Drake recorded only in legend — the search alone was a mountain of a problem.
The clerk’s reaction was understandable, but right now it was a matter of proving ability by any means.
“You can see this bracelet, can’t you? Even if I’m D-rank, I’m quite a capable adventurer.”
“…Gold?”
When Hanbit shook his wrist to show it, Grinkow’s eyes widened slightly.
Then, as though remembering something, she said:
“Could you be the adventurer from yesterday…….”
“That’s right. I participated in the monster wave subjugation. The guild master was there too, so you can confirm it directly.”
Hanbit pressed her to make a decision without yielding a single step.
Grinkow, brow furrowed in deliberation, slapped the desk.
“D-rank is still D-rank! If the skill were good enough, the rank would be higher! The guild master is absent too — absolutely not!”
Grinkow, prioritizing adventurer lives, refused the commission submission once more.
‘Consistently firm as always.’
This kind of exchange with her was the same every time.
A will that, unlike Miel, could not be won over.
But the way through was close at hand.
“Just a moment.”
Just as the staring contest between them was going on, a voice came through.
The one who had approached from right behind was a familiar brown-haired adventurer.
Zenon — Nia’s father and a B-rank adventurer.
Coming close, he addressed Grinkow.
“What if I accompany them?”
“…Zenon? What do you mean by that?”
Grinkow, who had been refusing the commission submission, widened her eyes.
Because Ifrit’s veteran adventurer had suddenly announced his intention to join.
“Past my prime or not, I’m still a B-rank adventurer. That’s not entirely insufficient qualification, is it?”
“Do you know who the subjugation target is? The master of the snowy mountains — the Snow Drake! Surely you know it hasn’t been found in hundreds of years!”
Grinkow raised her voice, emphasizing the danger.
The Snow Drake with no record of ever being subjugated.
With nothing but a perception of it as a dangerous entity, even the commission itself was little more than symbolic.
“The failure to subjugate it is partly because the creature could never be found. Considering the recent strange movements of the monsters, isn’t there a need to resume the search for the Snow Drake?”
“In theory of course there is! But are you saying you’ll go to a place where monsters like Yetis appear alongside a D-rank adventurer party?”
“Of course it would be difficult for an ordinary D-rank. But this person is no ordinary adventurer. And the same goes for the companion behind them.”
Zenon looked at the two with a voice full of conviction.
“Even if you say they’re different…….”
Grinkow, looking back and forth at the adventurers in front of her and scratching her head.
Watching that, Zenon held out his adventurer card and said:
“I understand why you’re worried. An A-rank commission, and the target is the Snow Drake — the bar is high. So how about adjusting the goal of this subjugation team to external reconnaissance?”
“External reconnaissance?”
“In any situation, investigating traces is necessary. A thorough survey of the snowy mountains’ exterior — wouldn’t this party be sufficient for that much?”
“…That’s true.”
Grinkow slowly gave a nod at Zenon’s persuasion.
The guild master was preoccupied with the forest investigation, but the snowy mountains also needed scouting.
Grinkow, brow knitted in deliberation, let out a sigh.
“You’ll really only do external reconnaissance?”
“We have no intention of throwing our lives away either. Black Dragon, you agree, don’t you?”
Zenon subtly guided the conversation.
Reading the atmosphere, Hanbit gave a nod.
“I’ll follow Zenon’s judgment. There’s nothing wrong with being careful.”
“Ugh…….”
Grinkow pressed her hands to her head at the unified agreement as though it had been coordinated.
But this time the deliberation was not long.
“…Alright. I can’t help it.”
-Oh.
-This actually worked;
-Long live Zenon.
-Nia is the future.
She pulled a parchment with a red background from under the reception desk.
The color indicating it was an A-rank commission.
“Anything related to the Snow Drake is only possible through this commission in principle. However, since I don’t have the authority to modify the contents, I’ll issue a separate provisional commission.”
Shhk—
Grinkow pulled out a yellow parchment and quickly wrote out the contents.
And when the work was done, she handed over both parchments.
[Commission Notice]
Rank: A-Rank
Issued by: Pirnen Artua
Content: Subjugation of the Snow Drake, Master of the Snowy Mountains
Reward: To be negotiated later
[Commission Notice]
Rank: C-Rank
Issued by: Grinkow
Content: Investigation of Snow Drake traces and existence
Reward: To be negotiated later
“The reward will be at the master’s discretion, and absolutely no dangerous actions are permitted. If by any chance you catch sight of the master of the snowy mountains, retreat immediately. Even if its attention is drawn — run without exception.”
“Got it.”
“Agreed.”
When Grinkow issued the warning once more, the two adventurers nodded simultaneously as though in coordination.
“Zenon, you’re really going? Isn’t it too dangerous?”
“Yeah, those greenhorns won’t be able to move properly.”
“Or what about going late tonight? Our party could accompany you.”
The adventurers inside the guild each threw in their words of concern.
But Zenon shook his head and smiled.
“What good is a large number for reconnaissance? This is just right.”
“Come on, still, to be prepared for anything…….”
“Now, let’s head out.”
Sensing more unsolicited advice about to pour in, Zenon quickly pushed Hanbit’s back.
After Avantgarde followed them outside, Zenon lowered his voice slightly.
“It would be difficult to talk here. Shall we move to another location?”
The area around the guild, being a bustling district, was packed with people.
Not just NPCs — players were also keeping an eye on this spot.
Probably because of the post that went up on the community.
“Then let’s head to the building where the dwarves are staying. There are things I’d like to tell you as well.”
“Ah, I had heard about it. That they can stay inside the city in exchange for taking on the wall repair. I was told it was your proposal, Black Dragon-nim.”
News of Black Dragon and the dwarves had spread quickly through Ifrit.
Not that it would change the city’s atmosphere even slightly.
“I’ll explain the details a little later. For now, let’s move.”
