Episode 225
-?
-Aren't you going to give it back?
-The World Tree is crying.
-???: Why is this yours?
-Haha, you shouldn't have lost it.
I will not return the World Tree branch to its original place.
This remark left everyone watching the situation flustered.
“W-wait a minute. We haven't even brought up our proposal yet?”
“That’s obvious. It’s about promoting you to a full member of the investigation team. Something like that, isn’t it?”
“…….”
As if struck right in the heart, Charlotte could not refute it.
Quickly turning her head, she looked at Ibella.
“What should I do?”
“That is exactly why I am in the captain’s position. Try anything.”
“Ugh.”
Charlotte, having been turned away from a helping hand, wore a tearful expression.
While she was lost in thought, Hanbit examined the message that had popped up.
[Main Quest #5 completed.]
[Received 10,000,000 Gold.]
[10 Stat Points granted.]
[Experience increased by 20,000,000.]
[Progress rate increases.]
[Main Quest #6: Investigation Team Leader]
Arrived at the Investigation Team headquarters, Nephelis, and met with Team Leader Charlotte.
The lost branch of the World Tree was the reason for this meeting.
What is it that they desire?
Objective: Talk to Charlotte.
Reward: None
*Current Progress: 75 percent
As stated in the quest, the central element of this conversation was the World Tree.
What the Investigation Team wanted was to return the branch to its original place and proceed with an investigation inside the World Tree.
However, Hanbit expressed her refusal before the main point could even be reached.
There were several reasons, but the most important point was to gain the upper hand in this deal.
“Hmm…”
Charlotte, who had been stroking her temples.
After contemplating a little longer, she finally managed to speak.
“Wouldn’t it be bad for you too if you didn’t return it?”
“Me?”
“The reason you want to join the investigation team is to find Erfort, isn’t it? If we return the World Tree branch and get able to investigate the inside, we might find a clue.”
Charlotte explained exactly what she had anticipated.
Hanbit, who had been watching her silently, held up the branch in his hand and said,
“How can you be so sure?”
“Huh?”
“How can I be sure that if I return this, the World Tree will give up its space? We won’t even be able to communicate.”
“That’s… because there is a sentence written on the World Tree. Since it has thrown a goal out into the world, I thought it would try to cooperate with us as much as possible.”
Charlotte offered her opinion.
At first glance, one might nod in agreement, but that was a mindset expecting only a positive outcome.
Even knowing that future, Hanbit cast a light of hope.
“Well, that is possible.”
“Huh? Then are you going to return it to the World Tree?”
“I could go visit it. But there is a condition.”
“A condition? What is it? Just tell me.”
Charlotte's eyes sparkled at the emerging possibility.
As the investigation team had yet to find any clues about Erfort, the opportunity to examine the World Tree was precious.
“Give me permission to use this island freely for one day.”
“Permission? Are you asking to be allowed to enter a dungeon?”
“That’s right. Anywhere I want.”
“Hmm.”
Charlotte reacted as if she had heard something difficult.
After contemplating for a moment, she spoke with a slightly worried expression.
“It takes at least a few months to adapt to Nephelis. If you go to an open dungeon right now, you’ll die before long. Besides, one day is too tight to tackle anything.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to do this; it’s because it’s genuinely dangerous. If you’re looking for something, should I go get it for you instead? I’ll be right back. How about it?”
—Oh, you’ll do this?
—You must be in a hurry.
—Aren’t you just trying to get out?
—LOL
—How about it? (Please)
Charlotte fidgeted, looking as if she were about to run out at any moment.
She knew all too well that the offer was sincere.
However, to Hanbit, it was an unnecessary consideration.
“Just give me the authority. I won’t die.”
“No, but…”
She wore an expression mixed with slight disappointment and worry.
Then, she looked at Ibella as if asking for support.
“What should I do?”
“Well, couldn’t we just do as you want? Even if we die, we can still retrieve the branches.”
“That’s so heartless.”
Charlotte, frowning slightly, closed her eyes while crossing her arms.
After agonizing for a few minutes, she let out a sigh and said,
“Alright. I’ll do as you wish. But I’m going with you.”
“Do as you please.”
“Huh? Really? You promised?”
Charlotte sprang to her feet, already excited.
She quickly turned her gaze to Ivela.
“This isn’t just playing around, it’s work, right?”
“I expected it to turn out this way. Still, a day won’t be too late.”
Ivela, scanning the window, was already planning the schedule to head to the center of the sea where the World Tree was located.
Although the route was more complex than the path of the waves, teleportation was possible with magic alone depending on the situation.
“Then shall we go straight? If it’s where you want to be…”
“Captain Charlotte!”
Just then, an urgent voice came from outside the door.
Charlotte, who was about to step out the window, said with a puzzled expression,
“You may come in.”
“Yes!” A hooded man
burst
through the door and stepped inside. His
all-black attire brought to mind an assassin. He was the bodyguard of
[Dusk]
Captain Charlotte and one of the strongest members of the investigation team.
He knelt and lowered his stance near the entrance.
“I stopped by in the middle of our conversation, despite knowing it is rude, because I have something urgent to report.”
“It’s alright. What is it?”
“Contact has been lost with Kevin, Ezelski, and Hylen, who were investigating Sector 8-35. Judging by the reaction of the tokens they possess, we suspect they may have suffered fatal injuries.”
“What?”
-?
-Hylen?
-Dead?
-Huh?
-Suddenly?
Charlotte’s eyes widened at the unexpected report.
The viewers, too, reacted with panic in succession as soon as Hylen’s name was mentioned.
Hanbit was just as shocked by the details.
'…Dead?'
Thinking he had misheard, he recalled the sentence again.
But nothing changed.
“A raid?”
The excitement that had been emanating from Charlotte vanished completely.
The Investigation Commander’s solemnity instantly changed the atmosphere around them.
“Yes. During communication, a sudden loud roar rang out, and contact was lost.”
“What about Hylen’s magic?”
“It seems it wasn’t detected, but I was unable to ascertain the exact details. I apologize.”
“…I see.”
Charlotte nodded and approached the wall.
A black and white sword hung there. She
reached
out and grabbed the sword, then turned her head.
Looking at the investigation team members, she said,
“I’m going to Sector 8-35 myself. Ivela will accompany me, and Dusk, please help the Black Dragon from here.”
“That sounds good.”
“Captain, I…”
Ivela obediently accepted the decision, while Dusk wore a bewildered expression.
It was because he, too, wanted to stay by the Captain’s side to protect and help.
Reading his thoughts, Charlotte crouched down and met Dusk’s gaze.
“We are going because we do not know the situation over there. We are the best force available at headquarters right now. You can understand why we cannot send other members, right?”
“…Yes. If Hylen and the two of them were killed instantly, it would be difficult for ordinary investigation team members to handle the situation.”
“That’s right. So, Dusk, please stay here and help the Black Dragon. It is absolutely necessary for our investigation team.”
At the Captain’s warm words, Dusk turned his gaze toward Hanbit.
His eyes were so sharp, it looked as if he were about to stab someone in the neck.
“I will obey your command.”
“Thank you.”
Charlotte grinned and stood up.
Then, she turned and approached Hanbit.
“Sorry. I wanted to go with you, but things have turned out difficult.”
“It’s alright. My work will be finished soon.”
“Still, be careful. Dusk will be there to support you, but it is a really dangerous place.”
Having offered this advice, Charlotte strapped her dark red scabbard to her waist and began to prepare.
Meanwhile, Ivela approached and whispered softly.
“The island’s dungeon isn’t the only thing to watch out for. There is more than just those guys from earlier, so stay fully vigilant.”
“Understood. And keep in mind that Sector 8-35 is the territory of players on the Holy Kingdom side.”
“…I did notice that your movements were strange. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Nodding, she walked toward where the Captain was.
Having finished getting ready, Charlotte looked at the people in the room and said,
“I’ll be back.”
Whoosh—
the two vanished before their eyes with a voice.
That was not Ibella’s magic, but one of the Captain’s powers.
Ding—
[Main Quest #6 completed.]
[Progress increases.]
[Main Quest #7: Nephelis and the Dungeons]
News of a sudden raid by the investigation team.
Charlotte and Ivela immediately set off for the scene.
How much can they investigate in the single day granted access to all dungeons in Nephelis?
Objective: Clear at least one dungeon in Nephelis.
Reward: Distributed after results are calculated.
Time Limit: 24 hours
*Current Progress: 77 percent.
The content was neatly organized, and the quest objective appeared like a challenge.
It gave the impression that they were supposed to clear multiple dungeons in Nephelis, where even clearing one was difficult.
However, it was welcome news to Hanbit.
“So, did you say dungeons?”
Dusk asked as he stood up while looking at the quest details.
Though his demeanor was a mix of gruffness and wariness, he was someone who would carry out the Captain’s orders even at the risk of his life.
“I’m going to explore for 24 hours. I’ll choose the destination myself.”
“…Do as you please. I will reveal myself when necessary.”
Swoosh—
with those words, Dusk's figure vanished before their eyes.
That skill possessed a unique nature, situated somewhere between shadow and light.
It was safe to say it was the finest type of technique an assassin could possess.
“Something has gone awry,”
Haneul asked, looking out the window after listening quietly to the conversation.
The other two agreed.
“Did the examiner really die?”
“To think the investigation team fell…”
Just as the situation was baffling to Hanbit, the others felt even greater surprise.
An attack by members of the investigation team, known as the world’s strongest group, was not a common occurrence.
Of course, since they were not people to be easily defeated, an accurate assessment could only be made after inspecting the scene firsthand.
“But is it really okay for just the Captain and Ibella to go?”
Haneul’s concern turned toward the two who had just departed.
Even after witnessing that massive meteor, the ominous feeling emanating from the unknown enemy did not easily dissipate.
“It’s fine. They are much stronger than you think.”
The meteor Ibella had used was merely a fraction of her magic.
And Captain Charlotte was the figure at the pinnacle of the investigation team.
A swordsman wielding the world's only spatial swordsmanship.
Only a few had witnessed that power.
It was also possible that none of the players, who rarely had situations involving the Captain, had seen it.
“Let’s get our work done.”
In any case, what mattered right now was Nephelis’s Dungeon.
They had to accomplish all objectives within the single day allotted.
Hanbit sent a message to Kim Jae-ha.
“Hyung, I’ll send you the materials later, so please get ready.”
Although they had arrived at Nephelis earlier than usual, nothing had changed. It was time for
the serious refining and crafting of equipment and magical tools,
and for acquiring new skills.
Since the Holy Body Faction had started running rampant, he intended to grow faster than anyone could have predicted.
Hanbit glanced out the window and walked toward the door.
