Episode 223
“Oh!”
“Lord Black Dragon!”
“You have arrived!”
Hanbit, having logged into RP, was faced with the scenery of the forest sanctuary, which was still beautiful.
The twins and Pingpong were there to welcome him
. It seemed they had arrived early and were keeping watch.
“How was the conversation?”
Haneul expressed curiosity about the meeting with Ryu Seong-ryong.
There was certainly a lot to tell the three of them.
“I’ll tell you one by one.”
Hanbit relayed the conversation they had just had.
There were quite a few things to worry about, including the Alliance, the Holy Body Faction, Odin, and Adventurer A.
Of course, there was only one thing that resonated most with the three of them.
“Huh? Are we forming an Alliance too?”
“I think we definitely need one.”
“Oh…”
The overwhelming power of the Holy Body Faction.
Considering him, the necessity was self-evident.
“How strong would a Rank 6 be? If it’s the Investigation Team, it’s incredibly powerful, right?”
Haneul showed interest in a single-digit ranker.
After thinking for a moment, Hanbit offered his own opinion.
“Even within the same Investigation Corps, skill levels vary wildly. Take Ibella, whom I saw back then; she’s on a completely different level.”
“Is she that strong?”
“I consider her the pinnacle among the mages in the Investigation Corps. Even by world standards, she’s one of the best.
” “Huh? Are there people stronger than the Investigation Corps?”
“Of course there are hidden masters. Not everyone has aspirations to join the Investigation Corps.”
It was an undeniable fact that the Investigation Corps was the strongest organization.
However, there also existed masters living in the wilderness, unaffiliated with any group.
Even the Sage, whose very existence was ambiguous, was called the strongest of humanity, regardless.
“Is that Ibella really on the Black Dragon’s side? If she is that strong…”
“Are you talking about me?”
Suddenly, a woman poked her head out from behind.
It was Ibella, the Examiner, wearing a red dress.
Anyone could recognize the outfit, which was a completely different design from yesterday.
“What? You came alone?”
Hanbit said, scanning his surroundings.
This was because Hylen was nowhere to be seen.
“Something came up. She’ll probably join later.”
“…?”
The unexpected situation left him puzzled.
Had there ever been an incident at this point that required the supervising examiner to leave their post?
Nothing came to mind.
'…Is it because of the Adult Faction?'
Most of the variables Hanbit was unaware of were caused by the Goddess and the Player.
The fact that their influence was gradually growing larger was not exactly welcome.
'I need to take the initiative.'
It was clear that the Adult Faction held the upper hand in terms of power.
However, there were plenty of extraordinary ways to shake the flow of the world.
Heading to the Investigation Team headquarters right now was, after all, part of that plan.
“So, are you curious if I’m really on the Black Dragon’s side?”
Ivela, leaning against the windowsill, asked with a grin.
She looked as if she were simply enjoying the situation.
After watching her for a moment, Hanbit decided to bring up the story he had heard from Ryu Seong-ryong.
“I heard you are a being in a different category than NPCs. What do you mean?”
“Ah, so you heard it from that man?”
Ivela nodded as if she understood.
She didn't seem to mind at all that her story had come from elsewhere.
“It’s exactly what I said. I mean, they are different from the people here you call NPCs. Should I say they are free from various constraints?”
“…Free?”
“Even the Cube of Hell had a designated person in charge. But I was curious, so I just came in their place.”
“…….”
She spoke in a tone as if she were simply out for a walk.
Given that this wasn’t a normal game, the possibility of an exception was high.
However, the opponent was Ivela, the Investigation Corps’ strongest mage.
Depending on her choice, the entire tide of battle could be turned.
“What did you mean by saying you were on my side? You didn’t look like you’d fight alongside me.”
“Excessive intervention is meaningless. Just think of me as an ally who has affection and interest. Well, there was some influence from someone else, though.”
“Someone else?”
The existence of someone she had suddenly mentioned.
When I cast a questioning gaze, Ivela grinned and turned her head toward the window.
“The Sage. You’ve heard of him, right?”
“…What?”
I snapped back to reality at the Sage’s sudden, abrupt mention.
The Lighthouse of Death, said to exist somewhere in the sea.
It was a place known to be home to the world's only sage.
If you added up all the time invested in finding it, it would probably amount to decades.
“You met the sage in person?”
“We didn’t just meet; we were practically glued together. After all, he is the only official disciple.” “
…….”
Hanbit was flustered by the sudden burst of new information.
The existence of the Sage he had searched for so diligently. To think
that his disciple was actually in the investigation team. It was enough to make him feel aggrieved for not having been able to actively let go of his connections. *Pow!* Just then, a blue light emanated from outside the window. Ivela, noticing it, turned her gaze and said, “ Shall we travel by ship for now?” *Ding-* [Main Quest #5: Path of the Waves] To reach the investigation team headquarters, you must cross the sea. The Path of the Waves is known to be quite treacherous. Will you be able to pass through safely? Objective: Pass through the Path of the Waves with Ivela. Rewards: 10,000,000 Gold, 20,000,000 Experience, 10 Stat Points *Current Progress: 72 percent *** * Creak-* Having emerged from the forest, Hanbit and his party boarded a ship docked at the seashore. It was large enough to carry about ten people. There was no trace of stability to be found in the wooden structure. “I’m off.” Whoosh— With Ibella’s words, the ship began to move forward. It was a magical device powered by the mana of a qualified investigator. It was also an effective means of transportation in this sea area known as the Path of Waves. -Oh. -It’s super fast. -But the waves are damn strong. Haha. -Isn’t the ship going to break? -The fish are dying of happiness; Splash—! Whoosh—! The streaming had started early. The viewers were startled by the rough waves of the sea. Just as the ship was moving at high speed, the visible impact was also immense. “Is this… okay… Ugh!” “I think we’re going to fall!” “Waaah!” The twins and Pingpong, who were standing on the deck, couldn’t regain their composure as the ship shook wildly. Splash—! Just then, a massive wave struck the side of the ship with force. “Whoa!” The impact sent her soaring high into the sky. Thump—! Hanbit reached out and quickly grabbed her, pulling her down. “Noeul, come over here and grab it.” “Yes!” *Squeeze! * Hanbit instructed him to grab the base of the sail mast. “I… Ow! What about me!” Ping-pong, shaking wildly while clinging to the railing. Hanbit pulled out a rope and threw it. “Catch it.” “Thank you!” Grabbing the lifeline, he lay face down on the deck floor. Then, he began to make his way towards them with all his might. -One wrong and he’s dead; -But why is he perfectly fine? -Black Dragon (Water Attribute) -It’s not an attribute issue, he’s just a seaman? -Is he a pirate in real life? -His job titles keep piling up today; Viewers reacted with surprise at Hanbit’s nonchalant demeanor. Of course, it was the composure born from his experience in another world, but dealing with it wasn't difficult if he paid close attention to the direction of the waves. “Is there nothing for you to take care of?” Ibella, who was at the bow, asked while crossing her legs. Floating in the air, she appeared to be sitting on a transparent chair. *Splat!* A sound that was barely distinguishable amidst the continuously crashing waves and currents. Hanbit, having turned off the broadcast sound, approached her. “The story about the Sage earlier. That’s not the end of it, is it?” “The Sage actually existed. Isn’t that alone incredibly significant?” “It’s hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes. After all, he is a Sage , isn’t he?” “Hmm, is that so ?” Ibella nodded obediently. After tapping her foot for a moment, she grinned as if something had just occurred to her. “Then, shall we do this?” “What?” “The Cube survival gift I promised you. I’ll make that the assignment Master gave me.” “An assignment?” The sudden mention puzzled her. Hanbit, glancing sideways at Pado, asked again. “You’re handing over the Sage’s assignment to me? Isn’t that your job?” “I can just choose something else. If you solve that assignment, I’ll teach you how to head to the Lighthouse of Death. Even Master won’t be able to say a word.” “…….” An attractive reward that rendered all worries meaningless. If she could really meet the Sage, she could endure anything. “What kind of assignment is it?”
“That will happen after the World Tree matter is finished. Many things will change depending on your choice.”
“…That is true.”
The reason they were heading to the investigation team’s headquarters now was because of the lost branch of the World Tree.
It was only natural to take an interest in that massive tree.
[He who finds the unknown being Erfort shall earn the right to face the truth.]
A single sentence inscribed on the colossal World Tree that supports the sky at the center of the ocean.
The sacredly shimmering golden letters were like the very beginning of the investigation team’s birth.
However, the World Tree strongly refused any further approach, and no one could investigate its interior.
The only fact known was that the branch was empty in the hollow space glowing red.
“I’m going to finish the World Tree matter in my own way.”
“Saying ‘in my own way’ makes me curious?”
Ivela leaned forward with her arms crossed.
Her blue eyes, met up close, were filled with curiosity.
“Anyway, once the job is finished well, I’ll make sure to properly deliver the assignment. First, getting to headquarters is the priority…”
Whoosh—
Just then, the surrounding ocean currents suddenly became strange.
Ibella, who had been speaking, glanced down.
Dozens of whirlpools had formed there at some point.
“The troublemakers have arrived?”
Whoosh!
A column of water shot up with her voice.
Inside, the silhouette of a massive body was clearly visible.
'That is… …' The
sight looked strangely familiar, causing her brow to furrow involuntarily.
The various monsters that inhabit this sea area.
But these were beings distinct from them.
Whoosh!
The column of water scattered, and a rain of the sea poured down from above.
Hanbit raised her head and took in the creatures that had revealed themselves.
[Evil-tainted Corrupted Specter Seahorse (Lv. 401)]
[Evil-tainted Enhanced Curse Seal (Lv. 402)]
-?
-Ack.
-What is that?
-400?
-I'm screwed;
-This is why the sea is dangerous.
-Look at the mess of the name;
A gigantic seahorse, its face pierced in multiple places to resemble a grotesque form.
Beside it, a massive seal with blood-red eyes bared its fangs. There were
dozens—no, if you counted those outside the line of sight, the number reached hundreds.
'So this is how it works.'
Those creatures, accompanied by such strange modifiers, were monsters transformed by the technology of the Holy Kingdom. It
meant someone had attempted to raid this ship.
However, that was a truly foolish choice.
“It’s been a really long time since anyone messed with me.”
Swoosh—
Ivela rose to her feet, holding a black staff.
As she ascended to a slightly higher position, an enigmatic smile flickered across her lips.
Crash—!
Just then, an intense noise echoed from the clouds covering the sky.
Swoosh—
The atmosphere trembled as if the surrounding air were being compressed.
The tip of the staff, extended toward the sky, seemed to be surging with intense, invisible mana.
“Hold on tight.”
Ivela glanced at Hanbit and spoke.
Then, she uttered a short incantation.
“Meteor.”
Whoosh—!
In an instant, the clouds in the sky parted wide with a gust of wind.
There, a massive meteor engulfed in flames was crashing.
Whoosh!
Its speed and force were astonishing, making its size seem insignificant.
Hanbit quickly moved to where the twins were.
After checking on Pingpong, he took a branch of the World Tree from his inventory.
Quadru-
As he used the power of Judgment, branches shot out from the ground and pillars.
They naturally wrapped around the bodies of the four people and became firmly fixed.
And the moment everyone bowed their heads simultaneously.
Kwa-gwa-gwa-!
A massive number of meteors covered the sea.
