Chapter 160

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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Tch.”

A mansion in front of a lake in the northwest of the continent.

Adventurer A examining the streaming screen clicked his tongue.

Because Black Dragon was doing some strange act once again.

“Abandoning Episode 3 and going to the Royal Capital? Is he trusting the warp crystal? No, still the time would…….”

“What are you so anxious about again?”

The man sitting on the rocking chair next to him laughed while chewing a cookie.

Lucio, the Vice Master of the Nesto Guild, and Adventurer A’s acquaintance.

The appearance of Adventurer A showing severe anxiety symptoms recently was an entertaining amusement to him.

“A bastard with no foundation keeps acting out!”

“I heard he knows a lot though? Saying he’s a person who uncovered the truth of the episode you couldn’t do?”

“Truth? Don’t make me laugh. Because I’m the only one who knows the truth of that world.”

Intense anger to the extent the sound of grinding teeth was heard.

Lucio leaning his back on the chair recalled a story he heard in the past.

‘Even though I couldn’t believe the Goddess thing.’

One story Adventurer A told him in the past was like a novel.

Who could believe that he was chosen by the Goddess and carried out a mission in the other world.

Lucio at the time just laughed it off thinking of it as peculiar nonsense.

However that thought changed as the man named Black Dragon appeared.

“Couldn’t there be people other than you whom the Goddess took?”

“What?”

At that question Adventurer A reacted by sharply frowning.

Lucio shrugging his shoulders continued his words.

“No, isn’t it so? There are so many people on Earth, she only took you?”

“Don’t make me laugh!”

Bang-!

Adventurer A getting up while pushing the chair powerfully slammed the table.

The blazing gaze was full of anger.

“The Goddess-nim only looked at me. She has no reason to bring other trash!”

“Trash or not, it doesn’t make sense probabilistically. If it’s about Black Dragon’s level, it wouldn’t be strange to view him as having been there too?”

“That bastard’s just relying on luck and hitting the mark! I am the only person chosen in this world!”

The anger spat out while huffing and puffing did not easily subside.

Belief close to certainty.

However in the very center of his heart, a seed of anxiety was blooming little by little.

‘Because trash can’t even do one job properly……!’

Adventurer A tried to dig up Black Dragon’s personal information through an acquaintance working in the back alleys.

What on earth he did and where.

What connection he has with this Record Project.

Perhaps, by any chance, maybe there’s no possibility but if he happens to have met the Goddess.

It was the purpose to find out the bastard’s identity.

But to think not a single contact came even after several days passed.

They are incredibly incompetent bastards.

“Ey, are you really the only chosen one?”

“Naturally!”

“Is that so? Then you should show results. Try catching that level 500 Snow Drake at least. Or try proving you’re a step above Black Dragon.”

“Ugh…….”

As he stabbed a sore spot, Adventurer A recoiled.

Because truly too many changes occurred recently ever since Black Dragon appeared.

In particular, leading an attack squad organized with Advance Party members while not even being level 100 raised the bastard’s value even higher.

However even that was probably a cheap trick utilizing connections.

Because starting from Luna to Odin, and even Haemu, too many non-commonsensical helpers were added.

“…I can also do anything if personnel stick to me. Whatever Black Dragon plans it’s on the palm of my hand.”

“Really? Still I think it’d be hard though?”

“I said I can do it!”

“Hmm.”

Lucio moving his foot pondered.

‘Even though it feels like Black Dragon is trying to set up something.’

Heading to the Royal Capital neglecting the episode is strange no matter what.

It is a given matter that he has some other plan.

What would happen if he ruined that.

Wouldn’t he show an entertaining appearance to respond to that variable.

“Good. Let’s do this.”

Making a decision he raised his body from the chair.

Lucio turning his gaze forming a grin spoke to Adventurer A full of anger.

“I will lend you some decent guys. Try ruining Black Dragon’s plan once.”

***

“Wow, truly the Royal Capital is actually huge.”

“As expected it’s a magnificent city whenever one comes.”

Raven’s Royal Capital Radianor.

Han-bit’s party arriving using the warp crystal progressed onto the streets.

The Royal Capital’s inspection is quite tricky, but simply possessing an A-Rank adventurer card considerably simplified the procedure.

“Come to think of it, hasn’t the two of you received your perks yet either?”

“Yeah. No contact since the operator’s message.”

“I am the same as well.”

Kim Jae-ha and Avant-garde answered nodding their heads.

Just like Han-bit, it seemed the perks of Episode 2 weren’t paid.

Can they receive it before entering the Tower of Whirlpool.

“Hey, he came there though?”

At that time, a voice was heard from a slightly distant place.

It was a player active in the Royal Capital Radianor.

“He’s really abandoning Episode 3?”

“Isn’t he crazy?”

“I told you right. Initializing the episode following Black Dragon is a r*tarded gamble.”

– ?

– Why throwing a fit?

– They’re doing that because they don’t have the confidence to initialize. LOL

– But abandoning Epi 3 is a bit…….

– Don’t you trust Black Dragon?

– If you don’t like it just follow Adventurer A’s walkthrough.

– For real LOL

The viewers were enraged at the sharp words.

The players active in the Royal Capital Radianor are mostly progressing through the sixth episode.

The qualification of an Investigation Team candidate obtainable simply by finishing this story.

Even if it’s not as much as the Advance Party, the burden of initializing the episode throwing away the built up things is huge.

Therefore they were pouring curses on those who courageously picked the option.

Wishing they themselves are right, and they are wrong.

“The atmosphere is suddenly bloody indeed. Why are they acting like that?”

“The reason is simple. Because Black Dragon-nim’s successful walkthrough will be felt as a brand of failure for them.”

Kim Jae-ha frowning his impression and Avant-garde bringing out clear deductions.

Han-bit also could understand their hearts.

Of course if they pick a fight directly he’ll properly retaliate accordingly.

“Let’s go to the tavern.”

Leaving the players’ gazes behind the three people moved their steps.

Complicated roads and intricately intertwined alleyways.

Han-bit headed to the destination without even a single hesitation.

[Sunset Wind Tavern]

An ordinary private house building situated in a corner place where people’s footsteps wouldn’t easily enter.

At the semi-basement of that place, there was a tavern with a signboard hung.

Han-bit pushing the door painted black went inside.

Creak-

The inside of the tavern revealed beyond the door opened while making a sound.

The customers were only a solitary person covered in a robe sipping on alcohol.

“Welcome.”

At the bar in the center, a woman wrapped in a fluttering cloth held a cigarette in her mouth.

Han-bit approaching closely handed over the golden letter he received at the guild in Temosha.

“I heard the explanation to come here.”

“…….”

The owner looked at Han-bit’s face, not the letter.

Puffing out cigarette smoke once she quietly murmured.

“It’s fascinating. The shadow of death is so dense, yet you’re completely dyed with light entirely.”

– Yes?

– Suddenly?

– Seeing her speak weird words, she’s a crazy person.

– No can do. Give inverse valuation let’s go

– Let’s scold her with physiognomy theory.

The chat window filled with questions at the뜬금없는 words.

However the story the owner in front brought out wasn’t needless words.

Because her eyes are looking at things different from others.

It was a power obtained from the influence of not a skill nor anything but an ‘Artifact’.

‘The contents are the same huh.’

The story he heard every time he met her in the other world.

This time too the content did not change.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m saying Leon does have a good eye for people. For starters I will close up here.”

Srrk-

In an instant, along with her voice the entrance of the shop blurred.

When that wavering disappeared, the door was no longer seen.

“Weren’t we going to see His Majesty?”

“There is no need to go. Since he is in this seat.”

“Yes?”

Dudud-

A sound heard cutting off the conversation.

Turning their heads, the male who was alone at the corner table had risen from his chair.

The robe that covered his head was now worn like a cape.

“So you are Black Dragon. Can you come this way?”

[Raven King Aldenius Victor Cardior]

Blazing red hair and a strong impression.

Above the head of him stirring his hand while holding a wine glass, a vivid name tag was seen.

He was genuinely the King of Raven.

– Yes?

– Why does hyung come out from there?

– It’s the real King. LOL

– That human comes to a place like this? With no eyes watching?

– ???

“Huh?”

“Genuinely the King…….”

Everyone showed surprised reactions at this situation.

In a situation not a political show, there is no way the King would come to a place like this.

However Han-bit immediately moving his feet showed etiquette.

“Greeting His Majesty the King. I am adventurer Black Dragon.”

“Ki, Kim Jae-ha.”

“Avant-garde.”

Following him the two people quickly grasping their posture.

It was a considerably fast reaction.

“Rise. This place is not a royal palace nor anything.”

The King reaching out his hand spoke forming a smile.

“Yes.”

Han-bit answering shortly stood up from the seat according to those words.

Simultaneously with that an alarm rang his ears.

Ding-

[You have completed Sub-quest #1.]

[Sub-quest #2 Unlocked.]

[Sub-quest #2]

At the tavern the King of Raven, Aldenius, was waiting.

Calm your surprised heart, and you must converse with him.

Objective: Let’s share a conversation with King Aldenius.

Reward: Sub-quest #3 Unlocked

“Black Dragon, come over here and sit.”

Han-bit verifying the contents sat at the opposite seat according to those words.

The King pushing the wine glass placed spoke.

“Will you receive a cup?”

“I will receive it gratefully.”

Pour-

In the silence only the sound of pouring wine was heard.

And after a moment, the King opened his mouth.

“Waiting at this place was a half-forced thing. Vice Commander Leon stopped me desperately, but somehow I definitely wanted to come. Please think of it as a poorly king’s deviation today.”

The King adding words saying there was a separate appointment place.

It seemed Leon was keeping watch on this mansion from the second floor.

He touching his wine glass suddenly brought out a heavy question.

“What kind of nation do you think Raven is? I wish to hear your honest opinion.”

“…It is a good place to live, but I think it is a nation with darkness lurking everywhere. There were even incidents festering and bursting because they were not visible from the outside.”

“Is that so. The words of the adventurer who saved Edlen and Ifrit have a different weight.”

– ㄷㄷ

– Dealing a fact bomb with this…….

– But there really are many problems.

– For real, he should probably run strict inspections.

– 2 mayors in a row is kinda severe indeed.

Even at the honest remark the King merely nodded his head.

He who looked at his wine glass for a moment spoke observing Han-bit.

“The public’s perception would be so too, but I am not a sage king. Simply an egoistical king with a black heart inside. Only wishing to praise me after all.”

The King sneered as if he knew the evaluation about himself.

His appearance pursuing a kingdom of his own, by his own, and for his own, and his political acts to grab public sentiment.

He is genuinely a person who likes being revered.

Even if that was an artificially made up heart.

‘Well, it was comfortable because it was transparent.’

Regardless of evaluations, Han-bit doesn’t hate the King.

Because he is a person who tried to protect the nation and its people until the moment he dies for the sake of that clear desire and purpose.

He was on a completely different trajectory from those trashes throwing away their responsibilities while acting as a sage king.

Of course this honest appearance shown right in front of him also has intentional performance mixed into it.

“You seemed somewhat different from a person like me. When I heard Leon’s report, I even had the thought whether a hero truly appeared.”

“…I am just simply making efforts in order to become an Investigation Team as well. If it wasn’t for that I might have passed by the problems saying it’s annoying.”

“No, you cannot become such a person. Leon would never give such a good evaluation to a person blindly chasing profit.”

The trust towards Leon felt in his voice.

As the King himself is a person with good intuition, he did not just keep anyone close.

If a repulsive aura was felt from the person named Black Dragon, he would have left the seat early on.

The King looking down at his wine glass for a moment asked Han-bit.

“What meaning do you think the rebel army concentrating holds for a King?”

“If it wasn’t a clear opportunity or accident, it is highly likely a political intention. It could be simply out of malice or the desire to seize Raven.”

“What if that rebel army claims they will set up a person more brilliant than me as King?”

“Well. I think it would be most dangerous if a person confident in their own brilliance becomes King.”

“…Is that so.”

At the calm answer the King quietly fell into thought.

Thump-

At that time, a dull sound was heard from the ceiling.

It was the signal Leon was sending.

“The time has already come.”

The King whose expression hardened a little rose from his seat.

As Han-bit raised his body along with that, the King spoke wearing his robe over his head.

“Thank you for sparing your precious time. It is regrettable it was such a short meeting, but it was truly a pleasure.”

“It was an honor to meet you.”

“Ah, I will send Leon down soon so please converse comfortably. It’ll be uncomfortable if the King intervenes.”

Srrk-

Along with such words the previously disappeared entrance door reappeared.

Simultaneously as the King disappeared into there, an alarm was heard.

Ding-

[You have completed Sub-quest #2.]

[Sub-quest #3 Unlocked.]

[Sub-quest #3]

You shared a short conversation with King Aldenius.

The existence of the rebel army he brought out.

It seems information regarding them is necessary.

Objective: Meet Leon and let’s listen to the detailed situation.

Reward: Sub-quest #4 Unlocked