Episode 260
“In the end, what was the true identity of this island?”
Elencia asked, looking around while I was surveying the center.
The forest, still consumed by a wild energy, was stained red.
Considering the usual Feria Island, this change was bound to be disconcerting.
“Feria Island did not exist from the very beginning. It was a place created by chance when the powers of the gods clashed. I suspect that demonic power seeped in after that.”
“…I see.”
The history of Feria Island was completely unknown.
This was because the entire region had been destroyed during the Age of Chaos. It
was only after time had passed and forms of civilization had been established again that the island’s ecology began to receive attention.
Hanbit, too, had discovered this story by collecting manuscripts, ancient books, and eyewitness accounts.
“Come to think of it, didn’t you say there was a work of art you were looking for, Princess?”
“The work of art was merely a pretext; I came here after reading an ancient book I acquired from the black market. It stated that traces of demons lay dormant here.”
Elencia added that
she never imagined things would turn out this way. Having spent a long time searching for clues herself, this was an opportunity she could not afford to miss.
“Do you wish to go to the Demon’s Realm?”
“…Well. Since my goal was to gather information about demons, I’m not entirely sure right now.”
She fell into deep thought with a complex expression.
Of course, Hanbit knew that her contemplation wouldn’t last long.
*Crunch*—the
two continued moving forward, scouring the entire area of the black clouds.
However, nothing else of note appeared.
“It seems as though it existed solely for this purpose,”
Elencia said, gazing at the black key and note in her hand.
“It must be something significant.”
The only clue found amidst the changes on this massive island.
It could be considered insignificant, but given the location known as the Demon’s Realm, its value was difficult to assess.
“Will Feria Island continue to maintain this appearance?”
After putting the key and note back in her sheath, Elencia lowered her posture and touched the ground.
It wasn’t just the atmosphere and monsters that had changed; the terrain itself had also become rough.
"-Is this becoming a new hunting ground?
" "-I think even the top rankers would find it tough.
" "-The beast tears people apart.
" "-One person who was streaming earlier got wiped out completely.
" "-I saw it too. Hahaha. "
"Streaming?"
A peculiar chat message caught his eye.
While streamers are bound to be everywhere, few were associated with Hanbit.
Perhaps there was almost no chance to even approach him in the first place.
Taking his eyes off the chat, he looked at Elencia and spoke.
"There must be something to reverse this. It is difficult to find right now, so let's return to the city for now."
Hanbit, surveying the surroundings, headed toward the eastern city with her.
The corpses of adventurers were scattered all along the way.
It was the result of not running away due to needless greed.
Since it was a monster so rare it could not be seen anywhere else, they must have gone crazy.
If they could have sold it to the nobles, wouldn't they have become incredibly rich?
"…They aren't in good condition."
Led by Cheonho, the two quickly arrived at the city of Arkneva.
The place, which had been bustling with people, was now noisy for a different reason.
“Why can’t we launch the ship!”
“Do you know who I am? Huh?”
“Tell Cardon to come out right now!”
Merchants, ordinary tourists, and nobles were all mixed together in the square, staging protests.
The guild staff dealing with them were sweating profusely, not knowing what to do.
Naturally, Cardon, the person in charge, was nowhere to be seen.
“Princess!”
As we moved toward the inn, the guard knight Krembel, who had been pacing anxiously, rushed over.
“Are you alright!”
“Thanks to Lord Black Dragon, there were no problems.”
“…Did you just call me ‘Lord’?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Krembel’s eyes widened at the sudden change in address.
It was not a word that should have come from the mouth of that haughty princess.
“If you have time to panic, report the situation.”
“Ah, yes!”
Krembel straightened his back at the sudden rebuke.
Then, paying his respects, he continued speaking.
“Chaos has erupted within the city due to the anomalies appearing across the entire island of Feria. This change began after I witnessed the adventurers who had gone out returning in a panic. A significant number of them were seriously injured…”
Krembel summarized and explained the series of events that had unfolded from the perspective of the city.
There were a total of four issues.
One. Nearby monsters that had begun attacking the city walls due to an unstable ecosystem.
Two. Ships that could not be launched because even the marine monsters near the island had become dangerous.
Three. Adventurers who had suffered damage too great to be helped in this situation.
Four. Insiders and outsiders of the city who had fallen into a panic due to the mounting chaos.
None of these issues could be easily resolved.
“In this situation, Kadon disappeared all alone. I knew he was trash, but he really is a human being without even a speck of responsibility.”
-Just as I expected;
-The GOAT of consistency
-If a person suddenly changes, they die.
-Then die.
-Seriously, he deserves to die.
Krembel shook his head in disdain and added.
Hanbit, who had anticipated the escape early on, looked up at the sky.
'It’s about time.'
Hanbit, who had been waiting for the final plan on Feria Island, realized that the time was approaching.
After contemplating for a moment, he suddenly had an idea.
'Would this work, too?'
It is difficult to explain, but it felt as though the freedom within the game had increased through the two updates.
For instance, should I say that it allows for more fluid changes through NPC interactions?
If this change significantly impacts the quest system, the reward amounts might also be meaningfully increased.
“I will handle the problem.”
Hanbit turned his gaze toward the square.
The still-noisy place was slowly reaching its breaking point.
“Please move over there.”
Ding-
[Special Quest #3]
The city dwellers are in distress due to the changes occurring across Feria Island.
If this environment, where the wild energy has awakened, continues, it would not be surprising if damage close to total annihilation occurred.
How can we help them?
Objective: Find a way to restore the island to its original state and solve the problem.
Reward: Final Lucky Reward Box (Level 4)
***
“Bring Kadon here!”
“Is this really the Adventurer’s Guild? Aren’t you scammers?”
“I told you we have to get to the mainland today!”
In the center of the square, a single guild employee was constantly listening to accusations and grievances.
Just as the man was about to lose his mind, Hanbit's party appeared.
"Are you really planning to do this?"
Krembel, who had been walking beside him, approached and asked in a low voice.
Because the square was so noisy, one had to concentrate to hear it clearly.
"I have to. Don't you want to launch the boat?"
"It's not that…"
Krembel looked quite troubled and nervous.
It was fully understandable, given that he had been assigned a specific role.
"Tell them to come out quickly!"
"I said check the ship first!"
Meanwhile, the panicked people in the city showed no signs of calming down.
Watching this, Hanbit nodded toward Krembel.
"…Haa."
He let out a sigh and walked forward abruptly.
Then, after taking a deep breath, he raised his voice.
"Jumoooook!"
-?
-Yes?
-Shoutout to the jumo!
-???: He actually did it just because he was told to.
The viewers reacted to his sudden action with amusement.
However, he needed to draw everyone's attention in the square.
“What is that?”
“Isn’t that the emblem of the Kingdom of Livray on the shoulder?”
“Livray? Why that country?”
Speculations and information began pouring in even before an introduction was made.
Watching the reactions, Hanbit leisurely stood behind Krembel.
“I am delivering this message on behalf of the Guild Master, who is away. The person standing behind me is Black Dragon, an official member of the Investigation Team, and he has readily agreed to resolve this situation.”
“…The Investigation Team?”
“You mean the real Investigation Team?”
At the sudden introduction, everyone’s eyes turned to Hanbit simultaneously.
Most were suspicious.
Some had eyes mixed with hope, relief, and expectation.
Hanbit, who had been gripping his bow since before arriving, calmly took a step forward.
“I am the Black Dragon you introduced me to. To cut to the chase, I intend to resolve this situation and help you all.”
“…Really?”
“Really? Why would the Investigation Team be here? It’s been ages since they abandoned this place.”
“You’re right. I heard that the reason the Adventurer’s Guild ended up managing this place is because the Investigation Team abandoned it.”
People's opinions gradually began to lean toward negativity.
It was also the result of the gossip Cardon spewed about the investigation team day after day.
"Your trust does not matter. Before I am a member of the investigation team, I am an adventurer and someone who accepts commissions."
“So, how do you plan to solve this?”
“You think you’re so great just for impersonating an investigation team? I can’t trust you at all.”
“Stop messing around and bring Cardon over! You bastards, aren’t you in cahoots with that guy?”
Words mixed with a barrage of sneers and sarcasm poured down.
That foolish look held absolutely no substance, but the purpose of gathering them was singular.
“It doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not. Instead, if I solve this problem, please provide me with a reasonable reward. That promise is enough.”
“I’ll give you money or whatever, so go ahead and try!”
“I like your audacity, though. Is this something you can handle?”
“Fine. If you solve it, I’ll pay you handsomely.”
The nobles, merchants, and tourists visiting this island were generally on the wealthy side.
They were people willing to negotiate if the problem could be solved with money.
Though, given the nature of the matter, their minds would likely change depending on the outcome.
“So, how exactly do you plan to solve it?”
A noble in the very front row asked, stroking his mustache.
Hanbit, gripping his bow, slowly turned his head.
At that moment.
Screeeee-!
A sharp, ear-splitting noise rang out.
“Ugh!”
“What is this!”
The untrained ones slumped to the ground, crying out in immense pain.
Flap-!
The sound of flapping wings echoed along with the noise that spread like a reverberation.
Everyone’s gaze naturally turned toward the sky.
Whoosh-!
A short distance away, a massive bird with jet-black feathers was flying.
Hanbit checked the name of the creature that appeared small.
[Boss: Dark Eagle Consumed by Wildness (Lv. 721)]
-Crazy;
-721 hahahaha
-How do we catch it?
-Who catches it?
-Don’t send Cheonho. -Save
the tiger.
The monster, possessing an overwhelming level, exuded a tremendous sense of intimidation just by its size.
It triggered another wave of panic.
“W-what is that…!”
“Run away! Into the building, no, to the sea!”
“There are monsters in the sea too! It’s over!”
Overwhelmed by the boss, the people began to scatter in panic.
However, his body was twisted in desperation, making it impossible to escape properly. Swoosh
—
Hanbit calmly straightened the bow in his hand.
It was the Xuan Bow of the End. Pulling the string, a gray arrow took shape, shimmering like a wave. The weapon, which had been laid out in advance, was ready long ago. Although he had used a slight workaround with the power of the wind, it did not hinder its use in any way. 'It’s not a waste here.' It was a formidable weapon capable of killing most monsters with a single blow. Even if it had only two uses remaining, it was well worth using here. Screech—! Flap—! The eagle flapped its house-sized wings and charged toward the place. And the moment it passed over the castle wall. Ping—! An arrow shot from the Xuan Bow of the End. Whoosh—! Flying in a straight line leaving a gray afterimage, the arrow headed toward the approaching eagle. Whoosh—! Sensing the attack, the creature fired a black wave to try and shatter it. But. Pfft—! The gray arrow swallowed the wave and pierced the eagle's forehead. A dry death sentence, without a loud sound or explosion. The boss of Feria Island lost his life so futilely. Ding- [Special Quest #3 completed.] [Special Quest ends.] [Rewards increased for first clear. ] [Rewards increased for exceeding overall evaluation criteria.] [ Special rewards included in a box for achieving a goal that significantly surpasses current stats.] [All quests related to the progression are marked as completed, and the corresponding rewards included in the box.] [You have obtained the Final Lucky Reward Box (Level 6).]
