This chapter is brought to you by anubisscans. More updates on our website.
Support us by reading at anubisscans.com.
140
“The Snow Drake?”
-Oh?
-Content opening?
-Is it coming back?
-Rematch with the dragon.
-First entry!!!
-Won’t it reset until it’s killed?
-We’re done.
-But how do you even kill it;
Chat flooding in alongside the appearing message.
Kim Jaeha, who had been watching the broadcast screen, also said with puzzlement:
“That’s becoming content? Can it actually be killed?”
“It will probably come out with its stats scaled down. Even the same boss has often appeared differently between episode and content versions.”
Avantgarde explained that there were precedents.
That was also Hanbit’s view.
Bringing the level 500 version as-is would make subjugation far too difficult.
‘So what now.’
The formal creation of Snow Drake content was not particularly surprising.
The problem was that the creature’s subjugation was tied to an episode reset opportunity.
Hanbit focused on the message contents again.
[In 48 hours, Field Boss: Snow Drake content will open.]
[Player Black Dragon’s party is granted first-entry rights.]
[Immediately upon the completion of the Snow Drake’s subjugation, players who previously cleared Episode 2 will be granted the opportunity for a reset and retry.]
First-entry rights granted to Black Dragon’s party.
Good to be eligible — but winning against the Snow Drake with his current ability was impossible.
In that case, would he have to just step in and step right back out for other players?
Naturally, that was not the intention.
Since it had been registered as content either way, a proper reward would be given.
The possibility of a ‘first’ title also existed sufficiently.
’48 hours…….’
The grace period given was two days.
Having to simultaneously prepare for the Tower of Vortex, there wasn’t much room.
A method worth considering in this situation was adding combat strength.
And not just any — vanguard-level strength with absolutely certain force.
“For now let’s see how things unfold. There’s some time before the content opens.”
His thoughts concluded, Hanbit turned his head and surveyed the sight of Ifrit.
Humans and dwarves together rebuilding the city.
Seeing them so intertwined, the end of the episode was felt anew.
“Then we’ll be taking our leave.”
“Huh? Already?”
“You’re leaving this soon?”
At the abrupt farewell, Jinuk and Zenon reacted.
He wanted to stay longer — but there was no room.
“Wait, what about me?”
Bollibo, hovering nearby, asked in surprise.
His eyes begged not to be abandoned, but the plan was already in place.
Hanbit pulled out a parchment and handed it to him.
“You’re going to establish trade with the merchants listed here. I’ve already informed the dwarves.”
“Huh?”
“I said I’d help expand your business. So give it your best.”
“……!”
Eyes going wide at news that smelled of money, Bollibo took it.
Then he quickly went to a corner and began looking over the contents.
“Are you leaving now.”
A little later, Gorik, who had been giving instructions at the site, came over.
He looked at the dwarves at work and said:
“I never thought I could return to this place again. If not for you, I would still be wandering somewhere in the snowy mountains. Or perhaps, I might have been trapped in a wrong-headed stubbornness for my whole life.”
The years of pain wandering after losing the heirloom.
Looking back, the misguided sense of royal responsibility was also an agonizing mistake.
To be doing something again together with his people — and even the citizens of Ifrit — was a fresh emotion.
“And.”
Gorik’s gaze shifted to beside Hanbit.
Kim Jaeha, standing there, also met his teacher’s eyes.
“You have talent. So rid yourself of impatience and cultivate a wide perspective. The craft will follow naturally.”
Advice offered as though reflecting on his own past.
Kim Jaeha too understood that feeling and gave a slow nod.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The conversation that followed with everyone concluded quickly.
Having stepped outside the city wall, Hanbit stood facing Jinuk.
“I’ll drop by when there’s time.”
“Make sure you do. Once things settle, I’ll have something prepared for you — the person who saved Ifrit. And give me your adventurer card.”
“Ah.”
At those words, a forgotten matter came back to mind.
After all, one of the purposes of earning achievements was to raise the adventurer rank.
“Here.”
Hanbit took out the silver card and handed it over.
Jinuk, receiving it, brought over a small tablet-shaped magical device.
Shhk—
New contents being updated alongside bursting light.
Jinuk, returning the adventurer card, announced the result.
“Black Dragon, from now on you’re an A-rank adventurer.”
-What?!
-No way;
-Insane. Lol.
-A-rank in the second episode?
-Unbelievable. Lol.
According to the guidebook’s walkthrough, clearing the second episode grants D-rank.
But Hanbit had skipped several grades and landed straight at A-rank.
“That’s a generous evaluation.”
“My authority only goes up to A-rank, so that’s why it’s A. Honestly I wanted to put one more A in there.”
From A-rank adventurer class upward, the system differs from the lower tiers.
Officially, above A comes S-rank — but AA or AAA and the like are appended to differentiate strength within the same bracket.
The wall of S was that special and high.
“Either way, thank you. I’ll have it easier in other cities.”
“Feel free to use my name anytime. I’ll vouch for you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
With the joke-tinged farewell, Hanbit’s party boarded the prepared transport.
A magical carriage prepared by the dwarves and citizens.
Neigh—!
When the driver cracked the whip, two horses began galloping vigorously.
Shhk—
Jinuk, bowing from the waist toward their retreating figures.
The sincere gratitude in his heart expressed itself in action.
And that bow continued in silence until the carriage disappeared from sight.
***
“You’re going to meet a vanguard?”
Inside the carriage heading back to Edelen.
Kim Jaeha, having been chatting, asked back with puzzlement.
Because Hanbit had suddenly mentioned a meeting with a vanguard.
-Oh.
-Liwei?
-Could be Ranger.
-If it’s Blood it would be a real variable.
-Odin doesn’t seem out of the picture.
-Ta-da, we’ve brought you Nesto’s assassin~
Names appearing one by one at the word ‘vanguard.’
Most of them players who had been entangled with Hanbit.
But everyone’s predictions were cleanly off.
「Black Dragon」
「Hello. I’m reaching out because I have something to ask. Are you still on Peria Island?」
Before stepping out of the city wall.
Hanbit had sent Luna a message with the feeling of a casual inquiry.
Because there was a possibility she hadn’t made it out from the north side of Peria Island yet.
But the reply that came back was too fast.
「Luna」
「Hello. The quest on Peria Island finished two days ago, so right now I’m wrapping up the reset episode in Edelen.」
The one piece of information he had given her.
It was about a small event that occurred on the north side of Peria Island when the area became less populated.
He had recommended it because the weapon material rewards were quite good — but to think she would resolve it this quickly.
And being a vanguard, she had even reset the Edelen episode.
「Luna」
「Looks like you’re heading to Edelen — shall we meet?」
The exchange had led to a meeting appointment.
He hadn’t anticipated this turn of events — but thinking of his purpose, it was welcome.
At any rate, he had been wanting to meet this person called Luna.
“Ah, so you’re meeting that person. I understand.”
“What? Am I the only one who doesn’t know?”
Avantgarde, going through vanguards in his mind, recognized who it was.
Kim Jaeha, knowing nothing, wore a baffled expression.
“You were continuously focused on metallurgy, hyung. It couldn’t be helped that information wasn’t shared.”
“Well… that’s fair.”
The fact that the winning bidder of the Earth Essence was Luna had not been shared with Kim Jaeha.
Not intentional, but the situation had just flowed that way.
Even Avantgarde had only heard about it recently.
“Still, it’s fortunate that the upper-tier vanguards haven’t come down yet. There’s little known information about them, and they’re difficult to predict.”
Avantgarde warned that they could cause great upheaval.
The viewers shared that opinion as well.
-For real, the high-rankers are out of their minds.
-Isn’t pretty much everyone there above 300?
-It’s not the level, it’s the gear and skills that are terrifying, apparently.
-Probably because they’re mostly early-bird vanguards.
-But they’re too busy to come down.
-No one even knows which episodes they’re doing.
-Has any information on number 1 come out?
-No — not even any sightings.
Hanbit scanned the flowing information.
The most eye-catching was number 1.
Shrouded in mystery with not even a small piece of information — quite remarkable.
“Are there any well-known high-ranking vanguards?”
“There are quite a few in total, so there are some whose names are known.”
“Hmm, in Korea?”
“In Korea, Haemu is the most well-known vanguard. Their last publicly announced ranking was apparently 601st.”
-Haemu is acknowledged.
-Ocean GOAT.
-Essentially an honorary mermaid.
-Haven’t seen them around lately.
-That’s how upper-rankers are.
-Haven’t been heard from in months, haven’t they.
The viewers also seemed to know this vanguard well.
No news for months — makes you wonder what they’re up to.
“Oh, we’re almost there.”
In the middle of small talk, Edelen’s city wall had come into view before they noticed.
The three arriving at the city gate sent the carriage off and approached the guard.
“There will be an identity check. If you’d look at your face…….”
The soldier’s gaze in the process of conducting the necessary procedure landed on Hanbit.
He widened his eyes and straightened up.
“Were you Black Dragon-nim!”
The story of adventurer Black Dragon had already spread to all of Edelen’s citizens.
Even his face had been drawn as a portrait and posted at the entry management station.
“Welcome back! You may enter!”
Following that guidance, Hanbit stepped inside with his party.
A familiar, peaceful atmosphere.
Now to leisurely make his way to the meeting place……
“Black Dragon-nim!”
Just then, an unfamiliar voice rang in his ears.
And it was not just one.
“It’s really Black Dragon-nim!”
“Wow!”
“Please look over here!”
A chilly unease settling on the back of his neck.
Hanbit, stopping for a moment, slowly turned his head.
And he found a crowd of people holding large signs.
⟨Welcome, Black Dragon-nim!⟩
⟨Black Dragon and the Guardians of Truth always cheer you on!⟩
⟨Please guide the world of RP on the right path!⟩
⟨You are the only one worthy of clearing this game!⟩
The content written on several cards made him question his eyes.
It was writing closer to veneration disguised as support.
-Lol.
-Insane. Lol.
-Is that a fan club? Lol.
-If you abbreviate it, is it ‘Blackguard’?
-I’ll join too.
-One more member.
-Black Dragon being embarrassed is hilarious. Lol.
-The embarrassment is yours to bear.
The viewers’ teasing didn’t even register in Hanbit’s eyes.
A past run — possession of a weak king.
A shocking memory from that time had suddenly surfaced.
Even the healing power of the goddess had not been able to completely erase the shame from that time.
“Wow, what is this? Are they actually a fan club?”
“People researching the truths of RP have been scattered everywhere — it seems Black Dragon-nim’s play brought them all together.”
Kim Jaeha and Avantgarde commented with curiosity.
But the sight of a malfunctioning Hanbit was more curious than the fan club’s antics.
“Pffft. Are you okay?”
“So this side of you exists too.”
Hanbit, covering his face with one hand as he avoided the cheers.
The two laughed at the new facet of him.
Having been thrown off for a moment, Hanbit urgently moved his feet inside.
Just then, someone stepped in front of him.
“You even have a fan club?”
A black-haired woman appearing before him.
The scabbard at her waist was radiating a beautifully snow-white light.
[Luna]
The name tag floating above her head was clearly visible.
Having glanced at the placard crowd, Hanbit wiped down his face and said:
“Could we please move somewhere else.”
