Episode 210
“Oh, you have arrived!”
The fortress located in the very center of the frontier city of Barheim.
As Hanbit and his party passed the entrance, a young man with a very tired face greeted them with a tense expression.
[Margrave Otto von Barheim]
A man who ascended to the position of Margrave after his father died of a chronic illness.
Being only in his mid-twenties at most and still lacking experience, he was enduring quite difficult days.
Furthermore, being constantly compared to the competent previous Margrave caused his confidence to plummet day by day.
“Hello. I am Black Dragon, an adventurer and candidate for the Investigation Corps.”
“I am Margrave Otto von Barheim. It is a pleasure to meet you!”
His disciplined demeanor was understandable.
As the city was deeply connected to the Investigation Corps, he knew just how powerful they were.
Even if he was only a candidate, he was a figure officially recognized by the King.
It was only natural to show him proper respect.
“Haha…….”
The Margrave gave an awkward smile.
A knight who had been watching the scene quietly approached him.
“Your Excellency, it is cold, so how about we escort him inside?”
“Ah.”
Only then did the Marquis come to his senses and find something to do.
He shifted his gaze and said,
“I will escort you inside! Let’s go to the reception room.”
“Thank you.”
Hanbit’s party, who had been standing by the entrance, followed him into the castle.
In the meantime, Hanbit started streaming.
-Huh?
-??
-Did you really turn it on?
-Suddenly?
-Is this for real?
-You finally came.
-Rising to heaven.
[XX donated 100,000 won.]
[Are you broadcasting now?]
[AngerManagementGood donated 500,000 won.]
[I missed the broadcast for nothing because of those Shinseongguk player bastards;]
[Gumsin donated 1,000,000 won.]
[Congratulations on your return.]
Perhaps thanks to the broadcast start notification, the viewer count filled up at an incredible speed.
“Thank you. I will try to broadcast as much as possible starting today.”
Hanbit quietly offered his greetings and continued walking.
“You may sit over here.”
Arriving at the reception room on the inner side of the first floor, he took an empty seat at the Margrave’s guidance.
Hanbit glanced around the interior and asked,
“There are hardly any luxury items considering the size of the castle.”
“Ah, yes. My father was someone who disliked such things so much…”
The Margrave replied that it was the will of the previous Margrave.
Behind that lack of confidence, it felt as though his father’s large shadow was visible.
The Margrave, fiddling with his fingers for a moment, asked with a slightly tense expression,
“I heard you are aware of the problem in the passage leading to the forbidden zone. I had ordered that everything regarding that area be kept silent; how did you happen to find out?”
The concern in that question was clear.
Was someone perhaps ignoring his orders and leaking them to the outside world?
Or was he unable to lend weight to his command because he was not his father, the previous Margrave?
Such worries were palpable.
Knowing his inner thoughts well, Hanbit quietly called his name.
“Sylph.”
Chirp—!
With the call of his name, the Bird of Wind appeared before him.
Hanbit, who had reached out to caress the Sylph, looked at the Margrave, who wore a puzzled expression, and said,
“I am a Spirit Summoner. That is why, when I arrived here, I instinctively knew what kind of problem had arisen.”
“Huh? If you say you are a Spirit Summoner…”
At the introduction of being a Spirit Summoner, the Margrave’s eyes widened.
Beings who had vanished into the annals of history.
As this was a city closed off in many ways, the rumors of the adventurer Black Dragon that had reached here were quite limited.
“Is it hard to believe?”
“Ah, well…”
At the tossed-out question, the Margrave’s eyes wavered.
In a way, that was a normal reaction.
Chirp—!
Just then, the Sylph suddenly flapped its wings and approached him.
“Eek!”
Startled, the Margrave sprang to his feet in terror.
Then, his feet got tangled, and he fell backward.
Whoosh—!
Just as he was about to crash into the ground, he was blocked by a thick wind.
The Margrave, having risen into the air in an awkward posture, gently landed back on the chair.
Chirp—!
“Huh?”
The Margrave stared blankly at the bird in front of him.
Hanbit grinned and asked,
“How is it? What are your impressions of feeling the power of the spirit?”
“…….”
He could not bring himself to speak.
However, there was no way to create a wind like the one just moments ago using magic.
After a moment of silence, the Margrave took a small parchment from his bosom and unfolded it.
“These are the blueprints for the passages and gates leading to the Forbidden Zone. They are items passed down through generations, exclusively to the head of the clan.”
The blueprint-like drawing on the parchment was unique, resembling a maze.
The Forbidden Zone, where entry was impossible without the investigation team's permission.
As the city bordered it, there were many mechanisms in place to deal with the danger.
“The problem started with a mistake by a new recruit. He failed to properly follow the procedure for inspecting the eight gates. So… now the maze-like passages are filled with monsters.”
-?
-Huh?
-What did you do?
-Did something like this happen?
-No, there is no such situation in Episode 7.
-Everyone, this is the 'Black Dragon's' streaming.
The condition of the passage gates was supposed to be checked daily.
Since variables constantly arise in the Forbidden Zone, it would not have been surprising if something happened.
However, the new recruit's mistake—that small oversight—caused massive repercussions.
“Aren’t you contacting the Royal Capital or the investigation team?”
“…The city will suffer tremendous disadvantages. The soldier who made the mistake will be executed along with the guilt. That is why I was looking for a way to resolve this before the investigation team arrived.”
The Margrave sought to protect the city and its citizens.
No matter how inexperienced or lacking in confidence he was, his resolve remained unwavering.
“Have you tried anything?”
“I used bomb-type magical tools procured from the black market, and I even tried searching for adventurers through the Guild Master’s acquaintances. But the results were not good.”
Unable to publicly request assistance, the Margrave did his best in his own way.
While his intentions were fully understandable, resolving the situation within the Royal Capital was virtually impossible.
The reason why activity in forbidden zones by non-investigation team members is strictly restricted—
simply because it is too dangerous.
Of course, even though there were hidden masters like Asla, it was difficult to expect them to intervene in the city’s circumstances.
'If it were Hylen, it would be over in an instant.'
Hylen, the examiner of the investigation team who would be in charge of Hanbit.
Ordinarily, this situation should have been resolved by him, who had stopped by Barheim to check on things.
Since he is likely on his way here, it should be time to get moving.
“I understand the situation. Let’s deal with the monsters first.”
“…….”
The Margrave wore a complex expression, keeping his mouth shut.
After a moment of hesitation, he spoke with honest sincerity.
“If you offer your help, I see no reason to refuse. After all, we have no other options left. However, I believe dealing with monsters in the Forbidden Zone is truly dangerous. No matter how much of a Spirit User you are… you are different from the Investigation Team, aren’t you?”
There was not a single thing wrong with the Margrave’s concerns.
Indeed, at Hanbit’s current level, they would absolutely never be able to defeat the Investigation Team.
However, the monsters in the Forbidden Zone were a different story.
“It is alright. Fortunately, the compatibility is quite good.”
The Forbidden Zone is imbued with an energy known as ‘Evil.’
Life forms inhabiting it are influenced by it and gain extraordinary powers. The elements
capable of dealing an effective blow to that Evil are Spirits and Light.
To be precise, they are elements that have existed since the very beginning.
Swoosh—
Hanbit rose from his seat and stroked the Nebula Sword hanging from his waist.
Then, looking at the Margrave, he said,
“I will take care of this right away. Let’s go to where the passage is.”
Ding—
[Sub-quest unlocked.]
[Sub-quest]
I have identified a problem in Barheim.
You must resolve it before the Investigation Team examiner arrives.
Objective: Eliminate all monsters filling the passage connected to the Forbidden Zone.
Reward: Sub-quest settlement
Time Limit: 1 hour
***
“So, are spirits and light their weaknesses?” Haneul asked while stroking his dagger
as they moved toward the passage in the Forbidden Zone. “They are weaknesses. Especially the Spirit of Light, they must feel like Grim Reapers to those guys.” “Wow, really? You’re so lucky?” Haneul said, pushing his twin brother walking beside him with his elbow. Noeul, looking at the sphere of light by his bedside, clenched his fist tightly. “I will do my best. I am happy that I can truly be of help to the Black Dragon this time.” “You’ve done well all this time.” Hanbit patted the boy’s head. It wasn't just empty words; it was astonishing that he was keeping up with her growth rate, even if only from behind. Should I really call him the epitome of talent? “What about me? I’m even planning battle strategies all by myself.” Haneul pushed her brother away and boasted about her own efforts.
For a moment, Hanbit recalled someone's face and patted his head with a bitter smile.
“You did well, too. I’ll be counting on you in the future.”
“Yes!”
-Hahaha
-Info) The Black Dragon had refused the twin masters.
-Isn't he just a dad now?
-My dad is the Black Dragon, *shivers
* -Are there no spots left for children?
-The pet spots are fully booked, too.
While they were having such a conversation,
Hanbit's party arrived at a unique space at the northeastern edge of the city.
Unlike the ordinary castle walls that encircled Barheim, there was a small fortress-like building.
In the center, a door covered in a massive number of magic circles was visible.
“This is the place. I will open it immediately.”
The Margrave approached the door and placed his hand on a small magic circle.
Immediately afterward, a red light erupted.
*Pow!*
The light blooming from the magic circle seeped into the door like a grid pattern.
Then, with a vibration, the entrance began to open.
*Drrrr!*
The massive iron door opened only about halfway.
This, too, was a design choice for security.
“Let’s go.”
Following the Margrave and the knights ahead, they entered the fortress.
The area surrounding the high staircase inside was filled with combat equipment and magical tools.
Upon reaching the top, the group stopped in front of another door at the end of a long corridor.
“If you go down the spiral staircase inside, the entrance to the passageway will appear. If you activate the magic circle there and cause an explosion, the door will be destroyed, and you will come face-to-face with the monsters.”
“Understood.”
Hanbit nodded at the Margrave’s explanation.
In effect, it was as if the battlefield began beyond this door.
The long corridor and staircase were structures designed to buy time.
“I will ask one more time. Are you really sure you are okay with this?”
The Margrave asked for a final confirmation.
His personality was evident in the guilt-laden face.
And just as Hanbit was about to answer,
*ding*—an
alarm sounded, and a piece of mail arrived.
It was an item from Kim Jae-ha.
'This… is really something.'
The attached item was dozens of transparent triangular prisms.
Yeon-woo had delivered the raw materials she had purchased on his behalf to Kim Jae-ha and asked him to process them.
However, the result was much better than expected.
"You did it perfectly. Thank you."
After expressing his gratitude, Hanbit finished the final preparations.
"It's alright. Please open it."
"…Understood."
The Margrave, who had closed and opened his eyes for a moment, nodded.
At that, the soldiers guarding the place threw open the door.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
"Understood."
Hanbit stepped inside with the twins.
Hiding their anxiety, the Margrave and the knights each bowed in due respect. *
Crunch*—the
group entered the interior and arrived at a spiral staircase.
Looking down, Haneul noticed the sack in Hanbit's hand and asked,
"By the way, what is that?"
"This? It's like a weapon."
He took out a fist-sized triangular prism and showed it.
Haneul looked puzzled.
"Huh? I saw that in science class. But is this a weapon?"
"The passage leading to the forbidden zone is a maze. To conquer it efficiently, it is important to use light well."
"Ah."
Upon hearing the explanation, Noeul immediately understood the intention.
The power possessed by the Spirit of Light, Lumia.
The Prism was a tool designed to instantly expand that influence.
“There is no need to use any special skills. As a Spirit of Light, you would know instinctively.”
“Understood. Lumia, I’m counting on you.” *
Swoosh*
—At Noeul’s words, the sphere of light swirling around them lit up in response.
It was proof that they had successfully built a strong bond and trust. *
Thump*—The
party descended the stairs and arrived at a door adorned with complex characters.
In the center stood a magic circle marked in red.
It was a last resort to be used in emergencies.
It was a device created for rapid entry into the interior.
“Noeul, focus only on the light, and Haneul, enter slowly from behind. Absolutely do not go in front of me.”
“Understood.”
“Yes.”
The twins nodded amidst the tense atmosphere.
Hanbit placed his hand on the door, immediately activated the magic circle, and stepped back.
*Whoosh*
—Light began to flow along the patterns.
Just as it gradually took on vivid colors, a massive explosion occurred.
Boom!
With an ear-splitting roar, the thick door shattered into pieces.
And then,
*Crack!*
Along with the revealed maze, a horde of pitch-black monsters appeared.
