Episode 284
“Something just passed by like a wave.” In
the first-floor conference room of the Nio Guild Headquarters,
Luna leaned back in her chair and stretched as she spoke.
It was the aftermath of the incident in Librey.
“I, too, felt my limitations in many ways. I shouldn’t rely solely on the Spirits.”
Rafina reflected on herself and uttered words of remorse.
She had felt a profound sense of powerlessness in a situation where she could not fully borrow the power of her contracted Spirit.
However, it was not a matter of a lack of effort on her part.
“It was a special case—the Demon Realm. It was only natural for everyone, including myself, to feel our limits. The important thing is what we do from now on.”
“Is there even an answer? Just watching the video you showed me makes me feel hopeless.”
Kim Han-seop, who had arrived after being summoned, was horrified as he watched the recorded video sent by Hanbit.
Demons and evil monsters pouring out of the gap.
He had to rub his eyes several times, wondering if he had misread the levels.
Moreover, considering that the only demon that appeared was Nerion, he could see no future.
“Well, it’s not an easy task. How are the preparations going with the occupied territories and other areas?”
“The occupied territory… wait a minute.”
Kim Han-seop shifted his gaze to check his messages.
It appeared they had been busy sharing their progress.
“About 20 percent? It will take a few days to finish everything.”
“That’s faster than I thought.”
Hanbit had instructed them to exploit and secure the hidden elements within the occupied territory.
Furthermore, there were additional details regarding external fields, dungeons, and labyrinths.
Since they had originally planned for about a week, their progress was faster than anticipated.
“Speed is good, but it’s better to focus on a solid strategy. Small differences will snowball.”
“Isn’t there a possibility that the Adult Faction might intervene, as they did this time?”
Kenji, who had been observing the conversation, spoke up cautiously.
The reason Nerion’s appearance was brought forward much earlier than expected was Sirius.
There was certainly a possibility that he and the Adult Faction would continue to create variables in the future.
However, matters concerning the entrance were an exception.
“Intervention is likely, but there is no way to open the entrance quickly. The key will be to build up our strength as much as possible until then. The Adult Faction, already stronger than us, won’t stop growing.”
“Certainly… considering the gap so far, catching up to the Adult Faction will be quite a struggle.”
Kenji nodded with a serious expression.
The worst-case scenario was for the Adult Faction to succeed in clearing the game and claim ownership of the RP.
His goal was to rescue Momo, who was trapped in the game.
Although he was convinced the problem was caused by the Goddess of Turmoil, there was also a high possibility that clearing this game would be the solution.
That is why he hoped his benefactor, the Black Dragon, would acquire ownership of the game.
“Should we consider the Adult Faction and the Demons to be on the same side?”
Just then, Luna, who was examining the ranking list, asked.
After a moment of thought, Hanbit shook his head and said,
“Belzenor is merely one of the noble families of the Demons. I don’t know what tricks they used, but they won’t be able to win the favor of the entire race. There are relationships between the families, and to begin with, the perception that they are one race is weak.”
“Then are there any Demons we can bring to our side?”
“Yes. We’ll have to see how things go, but it is highly likely that it will be an extension of the power structure.”
Three factions dividing the world's nations and players.
While intended merely for distinction, there was a high probability that this would spread to the demonic realm as well.
After all, the House of Belzenor, having joined forces with Sirius, would inevitably side with the Holy Body Faction.
Of course, there were demons who could be drawn to the Alliance's side.
"Our immediate goal is to solidify the alliance between the hardliners and the moderates. And to bring the world's nations and the Investigation Corps to our side as much as possible."
"The Alliance is growing, and as for the nations, aren't many already established factions? As for the Investigation Corps… are they on our side? It's ambiguous because they are so mixed up."
Kim Han-seop's thoughts led to doubt.
The Investigation Corps was the world's strongest organization.
Since its members came from diverse backgrounds, it was impossible to unite them as one.
After all, it was an organization formed solely for the purpose of finding Erfort.
It was impossible to know what ideologies they harbored within.
“Since the Elf incident, Charlotte has been expressing suspicion toward the Holy Faction. Given Hylen’s disappearance as well, she will likely make a decision soon.”
“A decision? Do you mean she’s going to join our faction? And make the Holy Faction an enemy?”
“It is highly likely she will join as part of the Alliance. Then, the members strong enough to fight demons will likely act according to that decision. Some will need some persuasion, though.”
While recruiting many investigators was important, the top priority was those still operating in the dangerous Forbidden Zone.
Those skilled individuals capable of fighting demons immediately were absolutely necessary.
“Anyway, it looks like it will take some time. Should we move on to conquering territories or attacking other areas?”
“It would be nice if it were a place where we could also grow.”
Luna and Rafina asked about the next plans, as if they had no intention of resting.
Hanbit, who had been scrolling through his messages, nodded.
“LLLL says he doesn’t plan to do anything else concurrently for the time being either. To the two of you… may I ask you a favor?”
“A favor?”
“Yes. I’d like you to find an NPC named Zentromber.”
“Zentromber… Ah, the NPC who lives alone on the mountaintop, right? Did his location change?”
Zentromber, who was featured in Adventurer A’s guidebook.
He was the NPC who created the cave where the Bomb Slime King was defeated.
From the looks of it, Luna seemed to have gone to his place herself.
“Yes. He was originally supposed to be involved in the process of meeting Nerion, but the order got mixed up, making it difficult to find his whereabouts. I do have a suspected location, so I’ll explain it to you.”
Hanbit conveyed the explanation while marking the northeastern area on the map.
As it was a danger zone situated on the boundary of the forbidden area, it also aligned perfectly with the purpose of their growth.
“Also, I’ve marked a few dungeons and labyrinths, so be sure to stop by and claim the rewards. They are necessary for modifying your weapons.”
“I definitely need to get them. I’ll find Zentromber, so leave it to me.”
“Thank you.”
The task entrusted to the two was quite important.
Zentromber’s abilities and the tools he possessed were absolutely necessary.
“To summarize, you are focusing on preparations until the official entrance leading to the Demon Realm opens? So that we can deal with the demons and the Holy Faction?”
Kim Han-seop, who was recording the instructions, asked.
It was a level of meticulousness that always seemed strangely out of place.
Even though they had shared a significant portion of Hanbit’s secrets and future plans, he went so far as to reconfirm my intentions several times.
“We are going beyond mere response; we intend to win the competition. Since our ultimate goal is to find Erfort and clear the game, the Demon Realm will be the battleground.”
“What about the goddesses? There are issues with the private zones and the seals, too.”
“If the private zones appear, I will naturally change my priorities. The awakening of the Goddess of Silence is of too great a value. She might hold the answers to various problems, including Momo.”
Even if the Goddess of Silence awakened, I didn’t expect her to provide clues to find Erfort.
If that were possible, she would have dropped a hint in the 55th round.
The reason for waking her now was to resolve the mystery.
Even then, I would have to choose things she wouldn’t avoid answering, but for now, breaking the seal was important.
“…Honestly, I still don’t quite get the hang of the goddesses. But I understand.”
Kim Han-seop nodded and finished his final note.
Then, looking up, he asked,
“What are you planning to do? Are you going back to Livray?”
“Not Livray, I’m planning to visit Japan for a bit.”
“Japan? Is Japan in the RP?”
“What are you talking about? Japan, the country next to Korea.”
“……?”
Kim Han-seop wore a blank expression, unable to understand.
It was Kenji who spoke up instead.
“Mirai Tech has expressed their intention to provide a capsule to Lord Black Dragon.”
“A capsule?”
“Wow…”
“Huh?”
The three of them widened their eyes in surprise.
That is how rare and valuable the equipment known as a capsule was.
“I discussed it with Yeon-woo and arranged a first-class flight on the fastest available route. Level 4 gear is also installed, so you can rest assured.” “
…I heard about it, but isn’t first class a bit too much?”
“It’s just a shame there aren’t any better seats available. I will come to the airport to pick you up, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Um… thank you.”
Hanbit, who had been trying to dissuade him, had no choice but to nod.
It was because Kenji’s determination, visible to his eyes, was too intense.
“We have plenty of time.”
The flight departed from Incheon Airport at 9 a.m. the next day.
Since it wasn’t too far from home, there was no need to rush.
From what he heard, it seemed Kenji had prepared everything, including formal wear and casual clothes.
The treatment was so generous that it actually made him feel a bit embarrassed.
“Ah, and I have brought along Black Dragon’s mother as well.”
“Huh?”
Hanbit’s head snapped around at hearing this for the first time.
Seeing this, Kenji smiled and said,
“Yeon-woo mentioned that your mother would be free of time. I’ve arranged some sightseeing in between, so please consider it a short trip.”
“…I don’t know how to thank you.” “
I am the one who should be thanking you for giving me the opportunity to repay you, even in a small way.”
The kindness Kenji showed went beyond the level of simply being a good person.
That shows just how immense her gratitude must be for finding Momo and for the subsequent treatment and assistance.
Adventurer A, who had exploited that sentiment to pocket money, seemed all the more despicable.
“I wanted to come along too; it’s a shame. You didn’t forget our dinner appointment, did you?”
Luna playfully expressed her regret while reconfirming the promise.
Fortunately, a decent restaurant had already been found.
“I’ll contact you when I get back. I’m not sure if you’ll like it, though.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not picky about food.”
She replied with a grin and stood up from her seat with Rafina.
She held a Warp Crystal in her hand.
“There isn’t much left of this either. Maybe it would be better to look for a mount.”
Luna said regretfully.
Losing such a convenient tool was certainly a significant loss in many ways.
Of course, Hanbit wasn’t without a plan.
“I have something in mind regarding that, so I’ll let you know after you return. It’s not quite on the level of a Warp Crystal, but it will be a convenient method.”
“I knew you had something up your sleeve. Well then, I’ll be looking forward to it while I diligently search for Zentromber. Have a safe trip.”
“See you next time.”
Luna and Rafina left the headquarters just like that.
Watching them, Kim Han-seop asked as if something had just occurred to him.
“What about your stream? You haven’t streamed at all today, have you?”
“It’ll be difficult right now. There was the Nerion incident, after all.”
True to his word, he hadn’t opened a single stream today.
Until now, he had often used a strategy of deliberately revealing information to use it against others, but matters related to demons were simply too sensitive.
However, this time, regardless of that, he had been caught off guard by Sirius.
Of course, that didn’t mean he intended to hide.
“I’ll start again after I return home. In fact, in a situation like this, it’s better to draw attention to me. Anyway, just make sure you take good care of the occupied territories and the other areas.”
Hanbit replied lightly and stood up.
He looked at Kenji, who had also risen, and said,
“Then I’ll be going now. I’ll see you in Japan tomorrow.”
