Episode 247
[Revealing Major Changes for the Second Update]
Hello. This is Record Project.
The second update will be applied in conjunction with the maintenance starting at 6:00 AM, and we are pre-releasing the major changes.
1. Unification of the World's Timeline
As the player's Black Dragon Episode records surpass the Singularity, the world's timeline will be reconstructed.
The standard will be aligned with the world after clearing Black Dragon Episode 7, allowing all players to operate within the same worldview and timeline.
Subsequently, all story progression methods will transition to a quest format.
Each quest will be recorded in history based on the criteria for the first clear and will be reflected in real-time for all players.
Record Points will be awarded based on the value of the first cleared quest.
2. Library of Records System
A system will be added that allows players to play new progressions and flashbacks of all episodes and quests in an independent space-time.
You can enter the Library of Records by conversing with the NPC corresponding to each episode and quest.
Below is a situational explanation for players starting with Edlen after the update.
1) New players
can proceed with Episodes 1–7 and quests that have been cleared for the first time in the Library of Records, and receive rewards as they progress.
2) Players who were progressing by resetting episodes
can proceed with Episodes 1–7 and quests that have been cleared for the first time in the Library of Records, but the reward amounts will be adjusted.
Episodes 8 or higher will be automatically reset and converted into quests and linked quests. The reward amounts for these will also be adjusted.
3) Players who were progressing through episodes without resetting
will be subject to the same conditions as items 1 and 2.
However, you may face significant disadvantages regarding relationships with NPCs, quests, and progression of various content due to stories that have not been proven true.
Please note that the episode reset function will only be active until the maintenance at 06:00.
*Players who have been progressing from a different starting city can also use the Library of Records to proceed with quests and episodes appropriate for their respective environments.
However, all progress made after the point of unification will be reset, and rewards will be adjusted.
'This is quite a bold move.'
Hanbit wore a bewildered expression as he read through the first item.
A world message praising the completion of the Black Dragon episode using the phrase "Truth."
Just looking at the overwhelming rewards, incomparable to those of other players, it was evident that I was being treated specially. Though,
I never imagined they would go so far as to establish a standard for the timeline.
"…Does this mean it’s really becoming like another world?"
The worldview and timeline were unified based on my clearing Episode 7.
Furthermore, others were forcibly affected by the progress of the player leading the way. It
felt less like a game structure and more like living through a full playthrough in another world.
Given the introduction of the "Record Point" element, it seemed crucial to select quests that would have a significant impact on the world.
Of course, the key would still be to approach the truth, just as I have done so far. After a moment of contemplation
, Hanbit
moved his finger to scroll down the announcement.
There was still more update content to be found.
3. Enhancement of the NPC Faction System:
Knowledge of the Faction System will be granted to all NPCs required for progression, and NPCs already affiliated with the Hardliners, Moderates, or Holy Factions will have their faction displayed.
Neutral NPCs may decide to join a faction based on player persuasion, achievements, and the political situation.
4. Addition of Faction-Exclusive Zones and Quests
Faction markers will be applied to field areas, including each faction's nation.
You can receive quests from faction NPCs to earn faction points and exclusive rewards.
5. Addition of Faction Conflict Zones
Faction conflicts will be activated in certain areas, including unconquered forbidden zones.
If one faction succeeds in conquering a zone first, their ownership of the area will be recognized, and the other faction's entry rights will be revoked.
*Special buff effects will be applied to all areas based on the number of occupied territories held by a faction.
*Invasion events will be activated at specific intervals, allowing you to attack territories occupied by other factions.
*New conflict zones may be activated based on faction quests.
6. Addition of Faction Alliance System
A faction alliance system has been added and can be utilized in various faction content.
Results obtained through alliances will be distributed differentially based on contribution.
(However, penalties and reward adjustments may be applied to certain content due to alliances.)
'It's getting serious.'
The activation of the faction system following the unification of the worldview and timeline.
This illustration, which seemed to incite competition, somehow felt as though it might have been presented by the Goddess of Turmoil.
After reading the content one more time, Hanbit moved to the player ranking page, which was his original destination.
Scanning the names, he stopped his fingers earlier than expected.
[Rank 401 Black Dragon]
"…You've climbed quite a bit."
The ranking, which was 4,502nd just two days ago, had already surpassed the one-tenth mark.
This was the result of clearing Episode 7, of course, compounded by all sorts of rewards. Perhaps
the Legacy of the World Tree had also had a significant impact.
*Crunch*
—the people on the shore had already left for the World Tree.
Hanbit moved his steps and sat down on a nearby rock.
"I need to change my plan."
The conclusion he reached after reviewing the update details was simple:
proceed with quests by quickly and accurately pinpointing only the essentials.
Striving to simply obtain many "first" titles was a foolish move.
This was because Hanbit had experience attempting everything worth trying on this surface world.
He hadn't aimed for the Underground, the realm of demons, without a reason.
"Factions seem important, too."
Factions were a system that didn't exist in this other world.
The most notable items were the sections regarding faction quests and occupied territories.
In particular, it seemed crucial to determine what kind of buffs would be granted based on the number of occupied territories.
“…Perhaps we really need to join forces.”
The alliance with the moderates that Haemu had brought was still on his mind.
However, due to the lack of contact regarding the 6th-ranked LLLL, the prospect was gradually fading.
If progress on this side were to stall, it seemed he would have to lead a rally toward acquaintances like Luna, members of Astra, and hardliners.
After all, the fact that the Holy Body Faction was overwhelming remained unchanged.
Click—
Hanbit tapped the button and opened the map.
The task immediately following tomorrow's maintenance was to conquer the restricted zone.
In any case, this was the top priority to unlock the shackles placed on the sealed Goddess of Silence. It
was already widely known in the community that the confident Holy Body Faction had yet to clear it.
'Let's get ready right away.'
Having reached this conclusion, Hanbit called Yeonwoo.
Just before the ringtone sounded twice, the call was accepted.
(Hyung, are you calling from inside the game? You're sure you're okay, right? The community and everything is in an uproar right now.) Yeon-
woo, who had already been gauging public opinion, asked worriedly.
Although I had stopped by briefly to check the situation in the private zone, it wouldn't have been surprising to see such a reaction this time.
“I’m fine. More importantly, please get me some Warp Crystals.”
(Warp Crystals? Where are the locations?)
“The Northern Lore Alliance, Belmora, the Royal Capital Radianor, and Feria Island. Four of them will do.”
Four warp coordinates needed for tomorrow’s route.
Since speed was of the essence, I had no intention of delaying even the slightest.
(There aren't many on the market these days, but I’ll look for them anyway. What about anything else?)
“Never mind the items. I’d like to have a meeting with some people tomorrow morning. Is there any way to do that?”
(People? Which ones?)
“Everyone I’ve had a good relationship with.”
(…Everyone?)
“Everyone.”
Yeon-woo asked back, looking a little flustered, but the answer remained unchanged.
After a moment of contemplation, he immediately reached a conclusion.
("An offline meeting is difficult, but I'll arrange a video conference. It's because of the faction and alliance, right? Was it occupied territory?")
"That's right. I want to secure the places I can guess are right away."
("I think so too. It's late, so I'm not sure if everything will be possible, but I'll get in touch. 10 o'clock is fine, right?")
"It's fine. Just bear with me."
("Bear with me? I have work to do, too. Anyway, please wake up early in the morning.")
"Alright."
*Click*
—Hanbit hung up the phone and stood up from the rock.
He had a rough plan in his head, but one more thing needed to be prepared. *
Smack*
—He walked toward the trunk of the World Tree.
In his arms lay Cheonho, curled up in a ball while asleep.
"So you were here."
He hadn't even taken a few steps when a shadow fell along with a familiar voice.
When he looked up, the Blue Moon Bird was approaching the ground.
*Whoosh!*
The mythical beast landed scattering a gust of wind, its gaze softening slightly.
It seemed that the conversation with the World Tree had gone well.
“It looks like the misunderstanding has been cleared up.”
“…Well, I suppose so.”
The Blue Moon Bird trailed off, looking embarrassed.
It was truly futile for two primordial beings who had been together for such a long time to drift apart due to a misunderstanding.
“I am grateful to you. I never imagined I would receive this much help from a human from outside.”
The Blue Moon Bird, having briefly averted its gaze, conveyed its sincere greeting.
It certainly felt unrealistic in many ways to attribute this to an outsider.
The mythical beast, having glanced at the World Tree, turned its gaze and asked,
“Is there anything you would like to ask me? I will grant whatever is feasible.”
“Then, I would like to ask just one thing. Can you resolve the problem this child has encountered?”
At this long-awaited invitation, Hanbit lifted Cheonho with both hands. A mythical
beast that had failed to advance to the next stage despite showing signs of evolution.
The only being capable of solving this problem was an adult mythical beast.
“Hmm.”
Cheongwoljo quietly gazed at the baby tiger.
After a moment, he nodded and said,
“It seems time has not caught up with the speed of growth. I will share my power with the World Tree, so leave it to me. I will see you after dawn.”
“Thank you.”
As Cheonho was handed over, Cheongwoljo embraced the tiger with his wings, as if shielding a baby.
Then, he slowly walked toward where the World Tree stood.
Receiving power from the two primordial beings would be more than enough to resolve the problem.
Swipe—
Hanbit turned on the map again and strolled through the forest, carefully formulating his plans for the future.
That work only came to an end two hours later, at the point when the Twins and Pingpong cleared the episode.
***
The next morning.
Sitting in front of his laptop, Hanbit gazed at a screen filled with people's faces.
It was an item Yeonwoo had sent via quick delivery.
“Hello. This is Heukryong. Since the maintenance is said to be wrapping up soon, I will get straight to the point.”
The maintenance was ending in just two hours.
Although there were some unfamiliar faces, they were collaborators gathered after undergoing verification by many.
As this was a time to share mutual interests, he decided to skip unnecessary explanations.
“The reason I requested a conversation with you all is regarding the update details. To be precise, it is about the occupied territories. I cannot gauge their value, but I determined that we needed to secure them first. At the very least, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Seongche faction.”
Hanbit displayed the map on the screen and shared it with everyone.
Then, pointing to the locations he had marked beforehand, he continued speaking.
These are the locations worth capturing before the Holy Body Faction. Please occupy these spots until I clear the restricted area. Now, I will explain the strategy.
