Episode 207
“Ugh, I’m tired.”
The conference room on the fifth floor of the SR Gaming building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
Park Seong-ho, Deputy Director of the National Game Strategy Center, slumped into his chair.
“The timing of his death is quite peculiar.”
Adventurer A, whom he had met recently to trade information with
. News had reached him that A had suddenly died yesterday.
Although they had met as discreetly as possible to avoid being seen, records of calls and text messages were bound to remain.
Had he not intervened, a troublesome situation would have ensued.
“What does that have to do with that item? Is it divine punishment or something?”
Han Yu-ri, the Team Leader of the Player Trend Analysis Team, who was looking at a tablet in the front row, spoke with her chin resting on her hand.
The information they had passed on to Adventurer A was the location of an item called the Orb of the Sanctuary.
It was information obtained purely by chance from the players' black market.
He didn’t know why they needed it, but he was certain it was definitely connected to the death.
“…It gives me a headache that I can’t deny it right away. Just a few days ago, I would have dismissed it as nonsense.”
It was hard to believe the information about the Black Dragon that he had heard from Adventurer A.
Humans sent to another world by a goddess.
The shocking revelation that both of them were like that left everyone stunned for a moment.
“But is it really true? I don’t trust it because it’s Adventurer A.”
“It is convincing, though. We haven’t found a single fragment of a novel named Erfort.”
The Center scoured every piece of information to find the original web novel the Black Dragon mentioned on the broadcast.
They searched everywhere, from currently operating sites to even defunct ones.
However, a novel bearing the name Erfort did not exist in any records.
“So, what are you going to do now? With the RP update already out, are you just going to keep waiting?”
“Haa…”
The announcement regarding the update content posted yesterday.
The expansion of zones, the Holy Kingdom starting city, the faction system, adjustments to PK and death penalties, and the disclosure of rankings were all elements likely to bring about massive changes.
Now, they had to approach the real Black Dragon and make their presence known.
“Where on earth is he and what is he doing…”
Center Director Ryu Seong-ryong still hadn’t returned from abroad.
As a member of the top advance team, he would be able to converse with the Black Dragon on equal footing.
He waited with such expectations, but there was no reply even to the text message sent a month ago.
“Deputy Director!”
Just then, an employee entered, opening the conference room door.
He looked quite anxious.
“Major corporations have already declared their affiliation with the Seongche Faction!”
“What? The Seongche Faction?”
At this unexpected news, Park Seong-ho quickly scanned his smartphone screen.
The portal's main page was lined with articles about RP.
Seeing that they all had similar headlines, he could roughly gauge just how big of a force had made its move.
Rubbing his brow, he tapped on an article from the Seonhwa Daily.
<11 Leading Global Corporations Express Support for Shinseongguk’s Seongche Faction.>
Recently, the Record Project announced that it would introduce a faction system through an update. Expectations are mounting that this system will allow players to belong to different factions, compete against each other, and enjoy special content specific to each faction.
However, surprisingly, even before the official server launch, 11 leading global corporations had already caused a stir by declaring their intention to join. It was confirmed that these companies had released an official statement declaring their intention to join the Seongche Faction, one of the new factions within the game.
Through their social media and press releases, each major corporation stated that this decision would have a significant impact on clearing the game in the future… …
The content of the article flashed by quickly.
The important thing was the details regarding which major corporations these were.
“Wow, this is a bit of a headache.”
“…I know.”
Han Yuri wore a bewildered expression, while Park Seongho let out a sigh.
Their gazes were fixed on the listed company names.
<Eblio>
<Golden Pack>
<Maravita Enterprises>
<Zandria Technology>
… …
“Is this for real?”
Major corporations from all over the world—the U.S., Canada, France, Italy, and more.
These were places whose influence in RP was significant enough to possess top-tier vanguard units.
Furthermore.
<Cheongra>
—a name that felt somewhat ambiguous to fit into this lineup.
Of course, it was a major corporation, but aside from the vanguard unit Liwei, it was considered a company that wasn't particularly impressive.
Park Seongho, who had been staring intently at the list, looked up and asked.
“What is this? Why choose a faction already, and one that is obviously the Holy Kingdom?”
“Hmm…”
The employee who delivered the news looked troubled and lost in thought.
It was Han Yuri who offered the answer.
“I don’t know what it was, but he must have seen a possibility. After all, the goal is to clear the game and claim ownership, isn’t it?”
“I mean, how would he know that possibility? The server hasn’t even opened yet.”
“Well, did he receive a divine revelation or something? Honestly, it can’t be explained otherwise, can it?”
“Haaah…”
Park Seong-ho let out a sigh that seemed to bring the desk down. He
was at the point where he didn’t even know who he was competing against anymore. It
might be different if he met the Black Dragon in person and asked, but with the Center Director gone, it was… …
Click!
Just then, the closed conference room door suddenly swung open.
Overwhelmed by stress, Park Seong-ho turned his sharp gaze.
And then.
“…Center Director?”
He spotted Ryu Seong-ryong, the Center Director, whom he hadn’t heard from in a long time.
“It’s been a while? You look a bit older.”
“No…”
Ryu Seong-ryong took off his sunglasses and entered leisurely, gazing at the smartphone and tablet on the desk.
Then, grinning, he addressed the staff.
“Many enemies will appear from now on. Let’s work hard.”
***
“So, I believe they are forces aligned with the Goddess of Turmoil.”
The Vestige headquarters building.
Having arrived there immediately, Hanbit conveyed his conjecture to the three people sitting before him.
There was only one way to explain the 11 major corporations that had suddenly declared themselves members of the Holy Body Faction.
“…Is a proxy war for the gods really breaking out?”
Grace asked, frowning.
The Goddess of Turmoil, the culprit who drove her younger sibling insane.
The revelation of the hidden servants of that god was, by any measure, not a good sign.
“RP has been a battleground for the gods from the very beginning. It must have been predetermined for the humans following the Goddess of Turmoil to reveal themselves at this time. That standard must have been the point when I finished the sixth episode.”
“But why are they showing so much interest only in you? Just as there is the Goddess of Turmoil, there must be forces from the opposing goddess.”
“Adventurer A did seem to be on the side of the Goddess of Serenity, but I don’t know if the others exist or not. They said the oracle indicated that they are targeting me.”
“…An Oracle? This is quite serious.”
At least the players of the Holy Kingdom seemed unaware that Hanbit was someone who had repeated the alternate world 55 times. Judging by the fact that
the Goddess of Turmoil who delivered the oracle didn’t bother to mention it, it was likely a completely hidden detail.
“Then how should we decide on our direction? Since most of us started in Belmora, it looks like we will start as the moderates for now.”
Diorama was concerned about the position of his players.
Since factions are determined by starting cities, it was obvious that the hardliners who started in Edlen would be the most numerous.
Moreover, he didn’t even want to imagine becoming an enemy of the Black Dragon.
“For now, I plan to just wait and see. How the factions are utilized will eventually be revealed within the game.”
Although the update notice described it using the word 'content,' it was difficult to predict what that meant.
After all, the reason for dividing into three factions in the first place was ambiguous.
“Let me make one thing clear. My goal is to find Erfort first. If we go in a competitive direction, I have no intention of yielding.”
“I don’t need ownership. After all, I started this game to cure my younger sibling in the first place. I think you feel the same way, Kenji.”
At Hanbit’s assertion, Grace calmly revealed her true feelings.
The two of them had jumped into the RP to save their families.
Just as she said, Kenji was also someone with no interest in ownership.
“Well, I am on the side of helping Grace. Game ownership is a hassle. Ah, but I am quite interested in getting stronger.”
Haemu shrugged his shoulders.
It was certainly hard to picture him running his heart out to win game ownership.
“Then I will participate in the ownership race. The company employees are on my shoulders, after all. Of course, since I value the process, my stance on Lord Black Dragon remains unchanged.”
Diorama, the CEO of Vestige, also expressed his honest opinion.
Since it was a fair competition, it wouldn’t be strange for him to aim for first place.
“What will you do about the Astra personnel?”
“I think it would be best for us to monitor the situation for the time being as well. It is a time of change.”
Players who entered Astra following Grace's decision.
Among them were members of the 11 major corporations mentioned in the article.
Of course, that was merely the companies' stance; it was impossible to know what the individual situation was like.
“Understood. I will let you know as soon as I find out anything. I will focus on progressing through the episodes for the time being, but it seems like things will inevitably come up one by one.”
“Come to think of it, you mentioned receiving contact from Team Zero in the private zone, right? Since the second one opened after you cleared the sixth episode, is it possible this time as well?”
Haemu asked, retracing the story.
Hanbit nodded, checked the time, and said,
“The probability is high. If information comes in this time, I’ll have to go right away.”
It was a secret zone identical to the space he had reached every time he died in the other world.
Even though a second one had appeared this time, he had no intention of going out to find it himself.
Last time, a special reward was given that served as a hint, but there was no telling if such an opportunity would be given again.
In that case, it was right to save time and proceed with the episode first.
“Really? Then I’ll have to search around a bit. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”
“I’ll assist you
as well.” “We will also let you know when we receive information from the staff.”
The three of them readily agreed to help. Honestly, it
was a kind gesture. After all
, Hanbit’s access privileges would only be activated after the first clear.
“Thank you. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Hanbit stood up after offering his sincere thanks.
Just then, Haemu asked one more question.
“What are you going to do about Cheongra? Weren’t you somewhat close with Liwei?”
“I received help from him.”
It was a bit surprising that Cheongna was on the side of the Goddess of Turmoil.
However, the company's stance and the individual's were different.
“Liwei is out of the question. He’s already left the company.”
“Already?”
Just before arriving at this conference room,
Liwei sent a text. It was exactly that: “
I’ve left Cheongna, let’s meet at RP soon. ” “It’s almost time. I’ll just take care of my business and head back to get ready.” The server opens at 6 PM. Since it was just past 3 PM, considering the next appointment, it was time to head out. “Understood. I plan to monitor the situation from here for the time being, so please feel free to let me know if you need anything. I’ve brought my gear, so there shouldn’t be any issues with connecting.” “I will also stay by the post.” “As for me, just contact me via the game.” With those farewells, Hanbit left the building. He paid no attention to the reporters waiting at the entrance. The vehicle Diorama had prepared was in the basement. “I will escort you to your home.” “Ah, please come this way.” Hanbit gave the address of a house in Geumcheon-gu. After confirming the details, the driver immediately started driving to the location. The arrival didn't take as long as expected. "Thank you." Hanbit got out of the car and stood in front of a house built of red bricks. "Mr. Black Dragon!" Greeting him was his twin sister, Haneul. Holding the door, she quickly gestured for him to come in. "Please come in!" Hanbit followed the invitation and stepped into the small yard. "Oh my, is this the person? He's handsome." Standing there were a grandmother dressed quite hiply and Noeul. They were the twins' guardians. "Hello. My name is Kang Hanbit. I apologize for visiting so late." "I told you I was going to Ulleungdo, you know. But what should I do? I've made another appointment." "…Grandma?" "What do you mean, again! You skipped school today because of this!" A flustered Noeul and an angry voice from Haneul. Despite her grandchildren's reactions, the grandmother quickly slung her bag over her shoulder. "Hmm." Taking a step closer, she quietly gazed into Hanbit's eyes. Then, grinning, she said, “You brought the contract, right?” “Ah, yes.” Hanbit handed her the contract documents she had received from Yeonwoo. The grandmother took them out, read them at incredible speed, pulled a stamp from her bag, and stamped them where necessary. It was a speed that made one wonder if she had actually read them. “These are the perfect conditions for spoiling the kids. Don’t spoil them too much; keep a strict eye on them occasionally.” “Understood. But as for the story…” “I’m actually quite good at reading people. Seeing their faces is enough. Oh, you didn’t hear that their father works at a record project company, did you?” “Huh?” Hanbit was flustered by this shocking revelation that came so suddenly. The grandmother walked past him, waving her hand as she left the door. “The kids will tell them. See you next time.” Her retreating figure disappeared along with the closed door. Haneul and Noeul, watching her with embarrassment, quietly said, “We will tell them…”
