Episode 248
“Huh?”
After the meeting ended, Hanbit answered a call from Yeonwoo.
It was about the Warp Crystal he had asked him for.
“You said Liwei gave you everything?”
(Yes. I reached out just in case, and he said he would send it by mail.)
“……?”
Liwei had contacted him on the day the first update was completed.
He had left Cheongra and said let's meet sometime soon.
That was the last word from him.
So, for him to suddenly offer Warp Crystals was quite unexpected.
“You don’t know where he is or what he is doing?”
(I don’t know that. I only heard the answer regarding the item.)
“…Okay, fine. I’ll go in and contact him directly.”
There were 5 minutes left until the maintenance was complete.
As he conveyed the details, he had almost used up the allotted time. It seemed
that a more detailed conversation would only be possible after the situation regarding the occupied territory was sorted out.
He also harbored the hope that a space for factions might be provided within the game as well.
(By the way, are you okay with the updates? I felt like the Episodes were more comfortable.)
“It’s meaningless since I became an investigator. Ultimately, what matters is where you are, what you do, and what clues you find there.”
The Episodes leading up to becoming an investigator were akin to running along a thick, straight line.
However, the role of an official investigator was to survey the world to obtain clues regarding Erfort.
There were many places filled with various stories, but not all of them connected like the Episodes.
(Well, I’m sure it’ll be fine since it’s you, Hyung. Anyway, I’ll contact you right away once I find out anything.)
“Alright. See you later.”
*Click*—Hanbit
hung up the phone and stood up.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he quietly looked down at his gear.
“Should I buy the next one?”
The one he was currently using was Level 3 gear.
He didn't have any major complaints, but there was still a subtle delay between his thoughts and movements.
He thought it might be a good idea to invest in Level 4 gear soon.
He should probably look into information regarding the capsules as well.
*Swoosh*
—Hanbit put on the gear and slowly lay down.
Whirring—
with the sound of the device operating, light began to fill the field of vision.
It was only a moment before the figure of the World Tree appeared before their eyes.
“Lord Black Dragon!”
Turning their heads at the sound of the voice, they saw the twins running toward them.
It was a relief that today was Sunday.
“I’m here too!”
Pingpong, who had logged in a beat late, also approached with a shield slung over his shoulder.
Having properly carried out the investigation, the three were immediately promoted to official members of the investigation team by Charlotte’s authority.
In other words, all necessary episodes had been completed.
“As I mentioned earlier, you two will be moving separately. Is that okay?”
“Of course. You need us to get stronger quickly so you can be at ease, Lord Black Dragon, right?”
Haneul gave a confident answer to Hanbit’s question.
The three who had participated in the meeting just moments ago had already received a separate message from Hanbit. The plan was to
take charge of an area capable of handling a large number of monsters to promote rapid growth.
It was a method to gain efficient benefits while simultaneously achieving the objective of occupying the territory.
“We will handle this carefully.”
“Leave it to us. I will protect the two of you well.”
Noeul and Pingpong also showed no signs of anxiety.
This was because it had been described as a location so secretive that it would go unnoticed by anyone.
It was the result of considerable care, considering that not only other factions but even players from the hardline faction within their own ranks could be trusted.
“We need to return to Nephelis for now, so let’s move.”
Hanbit walked toward the trunk of the World Tree with the three others.
There, the investigators who had been continuing their search could be seen.
And the moment they stepped closer.
Grrr—!
With the roar of a beast, a huge tiger pounced on Hanbit.
Thump—
Having withstood the attack, Hanbit examined the tiger clinging to his body.
It was none other than a Celestial Tiger.
Ding—
[Celestial Tiger’s evolution is complete.]
[Celestial Tiger’s current status is Stage 3.]
Messages popped up to help with understanding.
Hanbit opened his eyes wide and gazed at the pure white fur of the Celestial Tiger. It looked
as if the tiger cub, which had been Stage 1, had skipped its childhood and become a teenager.
“Wow, is this a Celestial Tiger? It used to be so tiny.”
“It’s gotten huge.”
“Oh…….”
The group was also surprised to see Cheonho, who had changed so much that he was unrecognizable.
Hanbit, who had been stroking the tiger rubbing its face against his chest like a child, turned his gaze straight ahead.
“What happened?”
he asked the silver-blue feathered bird approaching.
The Blue Moon Bird held its wings steady and spoke calmly.
“As I said, this child’s pace of experience outpaced time. It showed rapid growth because that was resolved.”
“…It’s not just rapid.”
“The transformation of a mythical beast defies common sense.”
Although the Blue Moon Bird reacted nonchalantly, Hanbit had no memory of ever experiencing such rapid growth.
It was a situation that seemed to speak volumes about just how fast the current pace of progress was.
Grrr—
As he stroked its fluffy fur, the Celestial Tiger let out a growl, clearly showing its delight.
At its current state of growth, it was capable of entering and exiting the alternate dimension on its own.
Of course, it would need to grow a bit more to reach the level where it could converse like the Blue Moon Bird.
“Will there be any problems with its future evolution?”
“I don’t know much about the habits of the Celestial Tiger either. It was originally a being that rarely revealed itself. If you want to find out something, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go find some cat-like creatures.”
A slight displeasure lingered in the Blue Moon Bird's voice.
Given their notoriously strained relationship with creatures of the cat and leopard lineage, it was a natural reaction.
"So you were here."
While they were exchanging these words, Charlotte approached.
Behind her stood a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
"Ivela."
The strongest mage of the investigation team who had conducted the investigation into Sector 8-35 alone.
Seeing her appear here, it seemed she had roughly wrapped up her work.
"It feels like it's been a while since I last saw you. I'm glad to see you were active."
Ivela smiled and shifted her gaze.
Her blue eyes fixed on the Elf village across the sea.
As she was also a friend of the Elves, it was only natural for her to feel anger.
"…Shall we stop by the village on the way?"
Charlotte asked cautiously.
However, Ivela slowly shook her head.
"It's alright. In fact, it is time to return for the sake of my friends. So, please keep a close watch on it."
She spoke while gazing at the Blue Moon Bird standing quietly.
The voice, tinged with a hint of resentment and reproach, was not my imagination.
Considering the time the two had spent together since Ibella was very young, it was a perfectly understandable topic.
“Fine.”
The Blue Moon Bird showed no sign of displeasure whatsoever.
After meeting eyes for a moment, the mythical creature spread its massive wings.
“I will not be defeated a second time. I will protect this place by borrowing the full power of the World Tree.”
Flap—!
Leaving behind a resolve, the Blue Moon Bird soared into the distance toward the Elf village. It
was a farewell without a proper goodbye, but surely we would meet again soon.
“Shall we go too?”
Charlotte turned her head and asked, as if accustomed to this situation.
It seemed the other members of the investigation team planned to stay behind to continue investigating the surrounding areas.
“We’re going to Nephelis. Make yourself comfortable.”
Swoosh—
Along with that voice, a sensation of teleportation enveloped my body in an instant.
When my wavering vision returned, Hanbit was standing in front of the Nephelis Fortress.
Cheonho had already moved into his own alternate dimension.
“Let’s go in.”
Charlotte gestured as she stepped inside.
The four people who followed her upstairs arrived at the Investigation Team Leader's office.
"What do you mean by saying a report is needed?"
Charlotte, who had not yet lowered her sword, asked abruptly.
At that, Ivela took a parchment from her bosom and handed it to the Leader.
"Forces have started to rally. There are a total of three factions: the known hardliners and moderates, and the Holy Nation, which has adopted the name 'Sacred Body Faction.'"
She added that this was information reported from each city.
Hanbit realized that this was an item from the update notice.
"This… there will be more clashes."
Charlotte sighed as she examined the parchment.
The nations that had differed in opinion regarding Erfort.
It was not good news that they had developed into full-fledged factions.
After all, conflicts always arise when sides are divided.
History proved that minor clashes lead to massive wars.
"You said Sector 8-35 is the Holy Nation—that is, a place heavily influenced by the Sacred Body Faction, right?"
“That’s right. If Hylen isn’t dead, he’s probably either captured there or doing something on his own. Personally, I believe it’s the latter.”
Ivela believed the missing investigator had survived.
Not only had no body been found, but there were also several suspicious circumstances considering Hylen’s nature.
“There were quite a few members from the Holy Kingdom, too.”
“A huge number have joined over the past few years. I don’t know whose orders they are acting on, though.”
“…Let’s keep quiet for now. We must not let anyone find out that we are on guard.”
Charlotte reached a conclusion after a moment of contemplation.
Although she would normally never suspect a member, having shared in the Elf tragedy, she had no choice but to change her mind. After all,
a member of the investigation team she hadn’t brought had claimed to have witnessed firsthand an Elf being killed with a smile.
“The time might come when we have to decide which faction to join. Keep that in mind for now.”
Ivela said, picturing the future.
It was a story where even the world’s strongest organization, the Investigation Team, might face a rift.
“Yeah. Still, we must continue the investigation into Erfort. That is the reason we exist.”
“That’s true. I wish we could see the light soon.”
Ivela took off her hat, ruffled her hair, and muttered.
Then she turned her gaze to Hanbit.
“Ah, let’s postpone the Sage’s task for a while. It’s not the right situation to proceed in an Elf village.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want, just give it to me. I plan to explore the unconquered forbidden zones for the time being, too.”
It was the Sage's task originally intended to be handed over after the affairs of the World Tree were concluded.
However, it was not something to be done given the immense damage the Elves had suffered.
“I’ll get everything ready in time. But more importantly, are you planning to go to an unconquered forbidden zone already?”
“I’m a little worried about that, too. I’ve seen your skills on this journey, but the situation there is different. It’s a dangerous place even for a full investigation team.”
Ivela and Charlotte reacted with concern.
However, this was a more comfortable and liberating option for Hanbit.
“It’s fine. I plan to only go to places I can handle.”
“Well, if you say so, I have nothing to say…”
Charlotte narrowed her brows and agonized over
the situation. Ivela, watching her with amusement, shrugged her shoulders.
“It’ll be fine. You’re a member who defies common sense in many ways, aren’t you?”
“…I understand for now. Still, please be careful.”
Charlotte finally nodded at the last bit of persuasion.
Hanbit turned toward the door he had entered through and said,
“I’ll stop by again soon.”
Creak—
He and his companions came straight out to the fortress entrance.
Unlike before, the player who had been watching him was nowhere to be seen.
Ding—
Just then, an alarm rang.
It was mail from Liwei.
'He really gave me four.'
Warp Crystals were hard to find as they were hard to come by.
And he had even handed over four of them, with their coordinates already registered, for free.
Hanbit immediately reached out and sent a message to Liwei.
But no reply came back.
'Is he busy?'
After waiting a little longer, Hanbit decided that contacting him would be difficult.
Upon receiving the mail, he took the Warp Crystals out of his inventory.
After verifying the registered coordinates, he put away all but one and said,
"Let's go to the Lore Alliance."
