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Having turned on the stream, Hanbit headed with the two to the Ifrit adventurer’s guild.
At the entrance Jinuk was pacing back and forth.
“Ah, you’re finally here.”
Having spotted Hanbit, he moved his feet to approach.
“Something going on?”
“Have something to give you, and there’s also a commission that came in for you.”
“A commission?”
“Get this first.”
Jinuk handed over a blue crystal about the size of a fist.
[Mid-Grade Warp Crystal (Rank 5 — Heroic) received.]
-Oh?
-A warp?
-They’re giving this here;
-Travel item GOAT.
-Isn’t this extremely expensive?
-Basically no supply on the market.
The viewers, seeming familiar with the item, reacted with enthusiasm.
Hanbit checked the item’s contents.
[Mid-Grade Warp Crystal]
Rank: 5
Grade: Heroic
Use Restriction: Bound to owner, party of 7 or fewer
Description: A magical device that allows travel to one of designated locations. Usable up to 3 times, and warping to points exceeding the range limit is restricted.
The Warp Crystal — not only the crafting technique, but even the required materials were near impossible to obtain.
And being a consumable, it couldn’t even be reused.
If tradeable, it would be priced in the hundred-million-won range.
“Wasn’t this too expensive to give?”
“How many lives were hanging by a thread at Ifrit? And it was obtained using my sister’s…… the former mayor Pirnen’s private funds, so it’s fine.”
“Then that’s alright. I’ll put it to good use.”
He gave a nod, already knowing the source of the funds.
Hanbit shifted his gaze to the parchment in Jinuk’s hand.
“What’s this about a commission?”
“Ah — if you go straight north from Ifrit, you reach a high mountainous region. At the top of it there’s a city called Temoshá, and the guild master there sent word saying they absolutely want to entrust you with a commission.”
“How do they know about me?”
“Probably heard through an adventurer who came to help us.”
He handed over the parchment while explaining.
Hanbit, having received it, checked the contents inside.
[Commission Letter]
Grade: A-rank
Client: Ashid Kaldif
Contents: Tracking a fugitive criminal
Reward: To be discussed later
-Here we go.
-Episode 3 let’s go~
-So many criminals though;
-The story there’s pretty brutal too. Lol.
-So much hassle.
-For starters, Temoshá is really hard to get to.
Viewers who had seen the commission letter recognized it as the prelude to Episode 3.
Though no one would anticipate the plan to ruin it.
‘To be precise, it’s not exactly ruining it.’
The problems that grow from neglecting this episode become the catalyst for fusing enemies into one mass.
That is — episodes 3 through 5 disappear, and a separate single episode emerges.
If the game system specifies the third episode as Temoshá, the emergence of the new episode too would naturally be implemented.
Because the goddess and the Record Project’s developers would clearly be aware of this possibility.
If that weren’t the case, expressions like ‘the player who first reached the truth of the episode’ would never have been used starting from Edelen.
“For now I’ve registered Ifrit, Temoshá, and the Royal Capital Radianor as locations. If you use it you’ll arrive right near the city gate. If you want to decline the commission, you can register a different place and use it.”
Jinuk added that there was no obligation to accept.
But Hanbit shook his head.
“No, I was thinking of visiting Temoshá once anyway.”
“Oh? Then I’ll send word to the guild for now.”
Having wrapped up the conversation, Hanbit immediately used the crystal.
Then a system window appeared before him.
[3 locations are stored in the Warp Crystal.]
1. Raven Kingdom — Ifrit
2. Raven Kingdom — Temoshá
3. Raven Kingdom — Radianor
Only 3 uses — but the distance to Temoshá was considerable.
Using it now for quick progress would be the right call.
“Moving to Temoshá.”
Having conveyed that to Kim Jaeha and Avantgarde, Hanbit touched number 2.
Simultaneously, a unique sensation of transfer enveloped the body.
Whooom—
A steep precipice where a sharp wind blew.
The three who had arrived via warp were looking at the city wall spread out ahead.
“They really built a city here. It’s this high up.”
“This is actually on the more manageable end. I hear in the northern and eastern parts of the continent, there are places where just getting up takes seven hours.”
As Avantgarde said — this was a relatively accessible case.
A world where places existed where one had to literally scale cliffs barehanded.
-The scenery here is also incredible.
-But how did they even build this city?
-Honestly you can do anything if you have the people.
-The developers are laughing.
-Laughing (can’t clock out).
‘Same here as always.’
The view of Temoshá, the city spreading diagonally upward.
The wall itself wasn’t all that tall, and the steep slope meant the interior was visible at a glance.
Crunch—
Hanbit headed toward the city gate with the two.
At the wide-open gate, a single soldier was yawning.
“Hello. I’m adventurer Black Dragon.”
“Ah, yes. Good day to you.”
A light exchange of greetings.
Hanbit took out the adventurer card and handed it to him.
“A-rank adventurer Black Dragon. Confirmed. Go right in.”
The soldier completed a cursory check and stepped back.
Security unconcerned — a far too perfunctory procedure.
“Let’s go.”
Hanbit’s group passed through the wide-open gate and entered the city.
At the same moment a message appeared.
Ding—
[Episode 3: Temoshá, City of Crime]
[Main Quest #1: Commission]
Having arrived in the city after accepting the commission from Temoshá’s guild master.
For now, the detailed commission contents must be confirmed.
Objective: Head to the adventurer’s guild and hear the full story.
Reward: 20,000 gold, 5,000 experience points.
Current Progress: 0%
The quest window announcing the episode’s start — now a familiar sight.
“Something about the atmosphere is heavy.”
“It’s also known to be that way by reputation.”
Kim Jaeha and Avantgarde surveyed the city’s interior and exchanged words.
A gloomy city even at a glance.
Few outside visitors came, and the quality of people was not good.
“Wanna die? Hand over the money and get lost!”
“Drink! Bring more drink!”
“You — did you just hit me?”
Different kinds of disorder were playing out in the taverns scattered throughout.
Ignoring the scenes, Hanbit walked with the two toward the interior.
“There it is.”
Before the stairs where the slope grew noticeably steeper.
There stood an adventurer’s guild building the size of a house.
Creak—
Opening the half-broken door and stepping in, the interior was revealed.
A shabby wooden table placed in a corner, and a mission board with chips broken off the edges.
The adventurers talking inside all without exception had shadows under their eyes.
Hanbit, having approached the reception desk, presented the adventurer card and the commission letter to the staff and said:
“I’m here to see the guild master.”
“Huh?”
The man with a long scar on his cheek raised an eyebrow and turned his head.
Having looked Hanbit over once, he snatched the card and commission letter.
“Oh, you’re the one they call Black Dragon?”
Staff member nodding while checking the contents.
Having returned the items, he pointed to a corner table with his finger.
“See that guy with his head buried on the table over there? Go wake him up.”
Turning to look, a male with minimal equipment on his body was visible.
Head truly buried on the table.
[Temoshá Guild Master Ashid Kaldif]
-Lol.
-Ashid hi.
-Dereliction of duty GOAT.
-But I wouldn’t try hard here either. Lol.
-Agreed.
The viewers’ assessments that came pouring in alongside the appearing name were understandable.
Ashid Kaldif as experienced by players would have been someone who had thrown the guild master duties clean out the window.
“Ashid.”
Hanbit, having stepped close, lightly shook Ashid’s shoulder.
“Mmnh…….”
An alcohol scent wafting in along with a groan.
No sign of waking.
Shhk—
Hanbit, looking down at him for a moment, raised his hand.
Then without hesitation slapped Ashid across the cheek.
Smack—!
“Hgh!”
The gray-haired man shooting his upper body upright from the impact.
A young-looking face, probably early thirties.
“What?! Is it an ambush?!”
-Lol.
-Goes straight for the slap. Lol.
-Black Dragon doesn’t hold back.
-It is an ambush technically. Lol.
-Wake-up alarm (physical).
Ashid, unable to gather his wits, turned his head this way and that in a daze.
Hanbit, having taken the seat across, tapped the table to get his attention.
“Here, here. You called for me?”
“……Huh?”
At the voice reaching him, Ashid cast his eyes down and made eye contact.
Then let out a sigh and sat down.
“Were you an adventurer? Nearly scared me to death.”
He patted his startled chest and rubbed his head to gather himself.
“So — you called for me?”
“Look.”
Hanbit took out the adventurer card and showed it to him.
Ashid, leaning close, finally gave a nod and said:
“Ah, you’re Black Dragon? Really came, did you?”
“You even sent a commission letter. Or don’t you need it anymore?”
“Need it, I do. As you can see, useful hands are catastrophically scarce.”
He glanced at the surrounding adventurers and shrugged.
Indeed, no one who could properly handle a commission was visible.
“So — what’s the commission? Only said tracking a fugitive criminal.”
“As written. Catching a guy named Raborke who killed someone and ran.”
A matter-of-fact explanation for a crime that carried heavy weight.
“Where did they run to?”
“Don’t know. Which is why I was going to ask for about a week of investigation, but the situation has……”
“B, Black Dragon!”
Just then, someone’s voice rang out urgently.
Turning to look, the staff member from the reception desk had eyes wide open, holding something.
“What is it?”
“Not ‘what is it’! Come here quickly and check! There’s been a message from the Royal Guard!”
-?
-The Royal Guard?
-Could it be Leon?
-What new pattern is this?
-Thumbs up if you’re a familiar viewer.
-Alright.
The staff member was beside himself at the sudden contact.
That man was quietly committing minor crimes himself — so he would have been startled first.
“The Royal Guard?”
In an instant, every trace of alcohol disappeared from Ashid’s expression.
That face returned to its usual state shortly after.
“Go check it quickly and come back. Famous adventurer — must have a lot of people wanting you.”
Waving his hand in dismissal, Hanbit headed toward the reception desk leaving him behind.
The staff member handed over a golden letter with trembling hands.
A special correspondence usable only by royalty or those with royal permission.
⟨Royal Guard Vice-Captain Leon⟩
Good day, Black Dragon.
I am reaching out through the adventurer’s guild as there is something I must urgently convey.
His Majesty the King wishes to meet you.
He conveyed these words: ‘It is an informal setting and by no means a compelled royal command — but if possible, I would like you to make time immediately.’
I too am sorry to make such a sudden request, but I sincerely hope you will stop by.
If you come to the Royal Capital Radianor, please show this letter to the owner of a tavern called Sunset Breeze.
-Oh?
-What?
-The King?
-A royal audience out of nowhere?
-And unofficial at that.
-The straight-to-Royal-Capital route is original;
The unexpected news sent chat flooding.
And a message followed.
Ding—
[A sub-quest is unlocked.]
[Sub-Quest #1]
An unexpected piece of news has arrived from Leon.
The King of Raven personally expressing a wish to meet.
Must head straight to the Royal Capital.
Objective: Move to the tavern Sunset Breeze in the Royal Capital Radianor.
Reward: Sub-Quest #2 unlocked.
*This quest expires in 1 hour.
-Ah.
-That’s a bit;
-So you’re supposed to abandon the main quest?
-Can’t you go with the warp item and come back?
-No no — this story’s pacing is insanely fast.
-For real, even a small delay and it turns into chaos.
-Then bye to it.
-Let the Royal Capital one go.
When the sub-quest appeared, viewers’ opinions converged on abandoning the sub-quest.
It was similar to the concern Kim Jaeha had expressed.
But this too was according to Hanbit’s plan.
‘As expected, it came.’
The King wanting to meet him at this timing — it was a predetermined thing.
Just a conversation and that would be that — but this short meeting was far too important.
The final story of Raven Kingdom.
In it, Hanbit’s role would change completely.
Having made his decision early, he looked at the camera and said:
“I’ll be going to the Royal Capital.”
