Episode 188
[Quest completed.]
[1,000,000 Gold received.]
[Asla's Secret Book received.]
[30 Stat Points granted.]
[Experience increased by 3,000,000.]
[Hidden Spirit Skill Gale Sword Dance (Rank 6 – Epic) added.]
The process of learning new skills was completed smoothly.
Asla, who had given the test, wore a bewildered expression.
“What on earth have you been doing? To become this strong so quickly.”
He was surprised by Hanbit’s noticeably changed power.
The long time spent in the Vortex Tower.
Beyond mere levels and stats, the experience of combat itself had newly permeated his body.
It was the same for the sky-blue-haired girl.
“I learned two!”
Having completed the contract with the Intermediate Spirit, Haneul succeeded in learning Rank 3 Gale Flash and Rank 4 Storm Combo.
Although he was skilled enough to learn a Rank 6 skill, he stopped at Rank 4 due to his insufficient communion with spirits.
There was a significant gap between him and Hanbit, whose achievements in the other world had manifested as titles.
'Advanced spirits are going to take a while.'
As spirits ascend to higher ranks, the difference in their stature becomes even more pronounced.
At the advanced level, free conversation becomes possible, and the power they wield manifests as distinct techniques.
It is essentially the same as gaining a powerful and mysterious companion.
“Lord Black Dragon!”
Just then, the inner space opened, and Noeul revealed himself.
Having lingered a little longer in the Spirit Garden, he had finished communing with the Water Spirit.
Since there was a separate space for meeting the Light Spirit, he recommended a spirit of the element that would show interest in Noeul.
Of course, there was also verification by Undine, the Intermediate Water Spirit accompanying Hanbit.
“I succeeded in communing and learned the skill! Just as you said, you were so kind to me…”
Noeul shared various stories in an excited voice.
It seemed to have been an enjoyable experience in many ways.
“Well done.”
Having offered a compliment, Hanbit turned his gaze toward the back.
“Then, we will be going now.”
Hanbit spoke to Asla, who was staring into the void.
It seemed he was deep in thought.
“…Alright. Always keep a grateful heart toward the spirits and strive to do your best.”
“Yes. We will be back soon.”
“We will be back!”
After exchanging farewells, the three moved outside the spirits’ domain.
Upon reaching the top of the cliff, Hanbit immediately took out the Warp Crystal.
“Let’s go to Temosha.”
Whoosh—
as he selected a location, a sensation of teleportation enveloped his body.
The scenery had transformed into a forest before he knew it.
“Hmm.”
The place they arrived at was the northeastern forest where he had met Kenji.
Adventurer A had intended to set a trap here to hinder Hanbit.
‘It would be better to keep the broadcast on during the episode.’
Most people are not free from the gaze of others—that is, public opinion.
The fact that corporations or celebrities do not go out of their way to contact DD Studio and approach them carelessly is proof of this.
Broadcasting does an excellent job of blocking such people.
"Well, there are exceptions, I suppose."
People who don't care about public opinion at all.
Guys like Adventurer A or Nesto, who are half-crazed.
I can handle that level anytime right now, but the important thing is when a player of a higher caliber appears.
[Black Dragon-Lv.239]
[Title: None]
Strength: 440(+44)
Agility: 449(+44.9)
Intelligence: 440(+44)
Stamina: 429(+42.9)
Remaining Stat Points: 0.
Considering my current stats, skills, title, and accumulated experience, I can certainly handle a mid-level advance party.
The problem lies with the advance parties of higher rank. It is
especially difficult to gauge how strong the higher-ranking figures—for whom I have no information—might be.
That is why I intend to quickly obtain the title of Investigation Team Candidate to expand my range of activity.
I would be able to be even freer in restricted zones where tracking is difficult.
"Is Astra not here yet?"
An invitation obtained from a deal with Vestige.
It was a special community accessible only to select advance parties.
If we go through there, we will surely have the opportunity to access confidential information as well.
Or perhaps we could find out something at the players' black market that Avant-garde mentioned.
“Let’s go to the city.”
Hanbit headed to Temosha with the twins.
Kim Jae-ha and Avant-garde had already arrived there.
“You’ve arrived!”
“You’re here?”
Standing in front of the guild, the two seemed to have been waiting for Hanbit.
However, Kim Jae-ha’s expression seemed a bit subtle.
“Hyung, are you tired?”
“Huh? No, I slept a bit. Take this first.”
He handed over the sword he had been wearing on his arm.
It was the item he had been commissioned to work on yesterday.
“You finished it already?”
“It’s not 100 percent complete. I plan to find materials to complement the Star Ingot and improve it. Of course, my skills need to grow as well.”
The blade, which had been bluish-white, had turned pure white, and a vortex of iridescent colors subtly swirled inside.
The Star Ingot, such a special material.
Just handling it was a great achievement in itself.
Hanbit immediately examined the options.
[Sword of the Nebula]
Rank: 7
Grade: Legendary
Equip Restriction: Owner-bound
Options
-Strength 416
-Skill Efficiency 434
-Mana Conductivity 422 -Spirit
Sensitivity 427
-All Elemental Enhancement 400
-All Elemental Resistance 400
-All Stats +20%
-Refinement Growth Possible
-Rank and Grade Evolution Possible
Description: A sword crafted by blacksmith Kim Jae-ha. The star ingot forming its core and the various materials swallowed by its power create outstanding effects.
*Star's Blessing Stage 1 is activated. The power of the nebula is imbued into the sword, adding fixed damage to attacks.
'…This is unbelievable.'
The result, which was even more impressive than expected, was surprising.
Star's Blessing was also implemented in a form suitable for roleplaying.
“Thank you. It’s gotten so much better.”
“There’s still a lot left to do. Since the materials are ridiculous, it was only at the level of stabilization.”
Despite the visible signs of fatigue, Kim Jae-ha wore a look of amusement.
Thinking about it again, it is indeed a relief that he learned Dwarf metallurgy.
“Wow, but there are so many people here. It was definitely deserted before.”
Just then, Haneul whispered while looking around.
Hanbit, who had been observing the situation earlier, nodded and said,
“Well, the episode has been reset, after all.”
Temosha, the starting location of the third episode.
Since there was a two-week window, players who decided to reset the episode had already finished the main quests up to Ifrit.
It is not at all strange that they are swarming here now.
'Their purpose must be different.'
Amidst the teeming crowd, a strange gaze was directed at this spot.
Hanbit, who had been scanning the surroundings, looked at Kim Jaeha and asked,
“Hyung, was that weird look on your face earlier because of those guys?”
“…It’s nothing. They claimed to be reporters and asked this and that, but I chased them all away.”
“Reporters?”
Although somewhat out of the blue, the appearance of reporters is not unusual.
Rather, it is more surprising that it has been quiet until now.
Aside from the reporters, there was a nagging uneasy feeling, but it appeared to be the move of the information gathering side.
“If they bother you again, please verify their affiliation and name next time.”
“Huh? What are you going to do?”
“There’s an expert who’s used to this kind of thing. I was thinking of asking them.”
Someone who seemed to have been harassed by the media in many ways.
It was Luna, the daughter of the Yeonhwa Group chairman and a member of the advance team.
Wouldn’t it be better to ask her how to handle it when reporters cross the line?
“First, I’ll start the broadcast.” With a quick swipe of the system,
Hanbit
immediately began streaming.
Although the broadcast schedule had been erratic, the speed at which viewers filled up was absurdly fast.
-Huh?
-You’re broadcasting?
-Anyone already watching in Temosha?
-Hi
-Black Dragon, let’s get back to basics. Make the broadcast a bit longer.
-Seriously,
this is as annoying as the 7-day no-stop broadcast; -7 days isn’t enough. Let’s make it 14.
The chat window, which was flooding up, was heated.
It was only natural, considering the broadcasts had been erratic both at the Vortex Tower and thereafter.
In any case, the atmosphere was welcoming, so there were no issues.
“Hello. We’re going to keep it going for a while today, so you don’t have to worry. Oh, the episode walkthrough will be posted on the membership board soon, so please check there.”
-Oh.
-Signing up right away.
-No one hasn't done this yet, right?
-By the way, how much is the membership?
-It was 3,000 won a month?
-?
-That’s totally cheap;
Many viewers had already checked the membership that opened early.
The set monthly subscription price was 3,000 won.
It was a price Hanbit and Yeonwoo decided on after much discussion.
Given that the goal itself was to gather a large number of people, it was considered a reasonable price.
“Please sign up in large numbers, and we will start the episode right away.”
[Episode 6: Raven and the Royal Family]
[Main Quest #1: Secret Meeting]
I met Zenith, a key figure in the criminal forces.
It seems I will need an audience with the King to hear her full story.
Objective: Return to Temosha and contact the Royal Capital.
The story that is about to unfold is not simple.
Both the anti-state forces and Zenith's hatred are problems that must be resolved.
Of course, the progression to resolving them was already envisioned in my mind.
“Let’s go, everyone.”
Hanbit headed to the Adventurer’s Guild with his party.
At the same time, the NPCs he had parted ways with yesterday appeared.
“You’re finally here?”
Zenith, wearing a straw hat, nodded in greeting.
Asid and Bolt were also with her.
“Some business came up. Let’s contact the Royal Capital right away.”
“You’re going to use this, right?”
Asid approached the reception desk and pointed to a golden magical device installed on one side.
It was an item that could be used to contact the Royal Guard Knights.
“I’m going to contact Vice-Captain Leon. Send this message.”
Hanbit handed Asid the letter he had prepared in advance.
It contained the situation here and Zenith's story.
Nodding, he immediately used a magic tool to deliver the letter.
It took some time for the reply to arrive.
<Leon, Vice-Captain of the Royal Guard>
Greetings, Black Dragon.
I will see you there.
The message seemed to say that no lengthy explanation was needed.
The King, too, had granted permission for the meeting.
Ding—
just then, a party member was automatically added along with an alarm.
It was Zenith, an NPC.
She was certainly different from Momo, who had joined the party like a player.
“Noeul, do you guys still have the Warp Crystal?”
“Yes, I’ll give it to you.”
Noeul quickly took a Warp Crystal out of her inventory and handed it over.
Since they had been following Hanbit through the episodes, there were some overlapping rewards.
There was exactly one use remaining.
“Then we’ll head to the Royal Capital.”
“Alright. Don’t worry about this side.”
Asid nodded in response.
Hanbit turned his gaze toward the party.
“Everyone, please come this way. You too, Zenith.”
After everyone had gathered close together, he immediately used the Warp Crystal.
The place they arrived at was an alley in the royal capital of Radianor.
It was not far from their destination.
*Crunch*
—Hanbit's party moved toward the Sunset Wind Tavern.
It was a semi-basement of an ordinary residential building tucked away in a corner. He pushed open the black –
painted door and stepped inside. Beyond the door, which opened with a creak, the interior of the tavern was revealed. At the central bar, a woman draped in flowing fabric was smoking a cigarette. “She is a young lady full of hatred. Go inside,” the owner muttered, looking at Zenith. She nodded and pointed in a direction. Hanbit and everyone walked toward the passageway at the back. *Creak*—when another door opened, a luxurious room appeared. Inside, a man and a woman were seen sitting in large chairs. [King Aldenius Victor Caldior of Raven] [Vice-Captain Leon of the Royal Guard] Leon still held his post as a refined knight. On the other hand, the King, with his fiery red hair, looked completely different from before. There is no trace of his former self as a drunkard. Now, he is truly the very embodiment of the 'King'. “So you are Zenith.” “…Aldenius.” At the King’s words, a voice filled with terrifying rage escaped Zenith’s lips, who had maintained his composure. Even if one has heard Hanbit’s brief explanation, the past does not disappear. Knowing this fact better than anyone, the King slowly rose from his seat. Then, taking a step closer in a defenseless state, he spoke. “If you wish to kill me, do so. I will not resist.”
