Chapter 203

===================
Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================

“Wow, he really is something.”

The study was inside a massive mansion in London, UK.

Advance Party Hae-moo wore an absurd smile while looking at his smartphone screen.

“Black Dragon properly shattered the Raven Kingdom Episode as well though? Furthermore, what is this update again?”

The brief notice was posted on the homepage.

Hae-moo, who was reading through it, smiled looking at his old friend sitting at the front.

“How is it? Do you still have worries even with this?”

“…”

The woman wearing black glasses, Grace, remained silent.

The message from Diorama had arrived about 2 weeks ago.

Its contents were boundlessly absurd.

「Grace, my Astra invitation ticket, I’ll use it on the person called Black Dragon. He’s not an Advance Party yet but… You know what that means right? Don’t tactlessly refuse it or something.」

The notification was that he would use the invitation ticket he hadn’t said a word about all this while.

She had immediately made a call and poured curses on him, but the existence of player Black Dragon was something Grace, too, had been keeping an eye on.

Because including all sorts of press and communities, even Astra was filled with that man’s story.

‘A person who isn’t even an Advance Party…’

The Advance Party was the minimum condition to enter this special community.

Let alone only a portion among them being able to be invited.

But accepting Black Dragon, who wasn’t even an Advance Party, was an act completely ignoring that standard.

“Invite him. It will definitively be different from before.”

Hae-moo smiled and recommended the decision.

Because he was someone who knew her circumstances, it was a word he could bring up.

“Haa.”

A deep sigh leaked out from Grace, who clutched her forehead.

The purpose of creating Astra.

That was to find a cure for her younger brother who went crazy overnight.

Because that madness-filled voice saying he had to find Erfort hadn’t left her head for a single moment.

It was the expectation that if she invited the most outstanding players in the world into one community and created a place for sharing information, she would be able to obtain any clues whatsoever.

‘It feels like Chairman Kenji also had something too.’

The rumor that the chairman of Japan’s Nio Group was looking for his daughter trapped in the game was famous.

That’s why she had personally visited and invited him to Astra, but even after entering the community, he desperately poured all his efforts only into game progression.

It was a desperate appearance making her incapable of finding even a gap to bring up her younger brother’s circumstances.

Reaching today, they hadn’t even been able to share any other conversations.

Grace, recalling memories, looked at Hae-moo and asked.

“What kind of person is Black Dragon? There must be a reason why he bothered to set out for the Snow Drake subjugation.”

When he, an upper Advance Party, suddenly said he would go help Black Dragon’s Snow Drake subjugation, it was questionable.

After that, his enthusiasm suddenly rose and he wandered around the investigation team areas, so there were hardly any conversations shared until meeting in person like this.

“If you ask what kind of person he is…”

Hae-moo recalled the short meeting during the subjugation.

Black Dragon, who had seen through his self hidden in the fog and presented a utilization method of the skill he himself didn’t even know.

A player who hadn’t even started the game not long ago grasping the inclinations of the Advance Party and leading them was an appearance hard to believe.

“His character is certain. At first I thought he was in a similar position to a bastard like Adventurer A, but there wasn’t even a speck of arrogance. In terms of abilities well… honestly it’s a crazy level. At least he isn’t an ordinary person.”

“…That’s one clear evaluation.”

The time she knew her friend in front of her eyes starting from the time he came to the UK to study abroad was already 20 years.

He, who lived carrying playfulness and easygoingness, revealed such an honest thought.

She had no thought of accepting that lightly.

Seuk—

Grace manipulated the tablet placed on the table and entered Black Dragon’s channel.

Thanks to having signed up for membership just in case, she could confirm all the uploaded videos.

And after tens of minutes of contemplation continued briefly.

Tak—

Grace, who put down the tablet, lifted her smartphone.

Inputting the number of Diorama, the representative of Vestige, she immediately connected the call.

(What, did you finally decide?)

A sly voice was heard from beyond the call.

Dropping the temperature of her voice, she spoke coldly.

“I will go into Korea tomorrow afternoon. It’ll be better to meet during the update progress time, so take responsibility and arrange the schedule.”

***

‘Astra?’

It was a community where only a portion even among the Advance Party could be invited.

Diorama, the representative of Vestige, decided to use the invitation ticket he held on Han-bit.

However, he didn’t know the founder and administrator Grace would personally come find him.

「Tell him understood. And tell him I’ll leave the place and time to him.」

Since there was no reason to contemplate, he sent an immediate reply.

Han-bit, who suddenly thought of something, threw a question to Kenji.

“Are you in the Astra community, Kenji-ssi?”

“Yes. Thankfully I received an invitation and gained authority. Because I was only running looking forward at the time, I have no memories of utilizing it properly. There’s also some regret wondering if something would have been different had I actively shared information with Astra’s players.”

He added an explanation saying his self was an existence similar to a ghost member.

Of course, that information sharing too was merely a possibility to the end.

It must have been difficult to resolve a matter caused by a god with players’ information.

“I also became invited to Astra. It seems I will meet the founder named Grace who drops by in person tomorrow.”

“…Are you saying Grace-ssi is coming in person?”

Kenji opened his eyes wide as if surprised.

Han-bit, seeing that reaction, asked back.

“Is it that fascinating of a matter?”

“Of course. Because she is a person who doesn’t move in person for fair matters. In my case my daughter’s story seems to have drawn interest, but in Black Dragon-nim’s case it will be different. To the extent of coming directly from the UK, it seems that side’s will is also firm.”

“Is that so?”

Grace’s personality heard from the Vestige headquarters felt considerably picky.

He didn’t know well, but wouldn’t he know if he met her in person.

Anyway, it wasn’t forcibly accepting an invitation ticket, so it was a welcoming thing for Han-bit as well.

“It would be good to also listen to her opinions regarding the update. I will share if there’s anything.”

“Thank you.”

Around the time they finished such a conversation.

Momo and Haneul came out from the kitchen.

The two people immediately headed to the place where the spirits were.

“Come to think of it, what will you do about the broadcast?”

While looking at that scene, Avant-garde subtly asked.

The streaming that had been stopped due to the Holy State players.

Thanks to that he finished Episode 6 well, but full-scale progression started from now.

“For now I’m thinking of progressing it. Because the restricted areas I will enter as an investigation team candidate are considerably wide and varied. If I just hide the entrance process, I’ll be able to move more freely than up till now.”

“That’s a relief if it’s like that. Since inevitably if the situation where broadcasting is impossible lengthens, complaints will also increase. Even if you upload videos on the channel, the viewer base who wants streaming will absolutely not be satisfied. Though it’s difficult, it seems it’d be good to catch both rabbits.”

Avant-garde, who added explanations as if unravelling his experience.

Advice was advice, but Han-bit, too, was feeling the fun in live streaming.

It would be better to try paying attention as much as possible.

“Avant-garde-ssi, you said you’ll move separately now right?”

“Yes. It’s a situation where the things I looked into are also roughly organized.”

“I also laid out all my plans for now.”

Avant-garde, who turned his direction to information gathering and travel, had said as much beforehand.

Kim Jae-ha, too, decided to focus on the blacksmith-related side.

As there was no time limit in the investigation team’s verification process, there was no need to immediately join Han-bit’s progression.

It must also be a good thing to each put their strength in the things they want to do, and the things they need to do.

“It’s about time.”

While sharing this and that conversation.

Before they knew it, it became a situation where 20 minutes remained until midnight.

Han-bit approached Momo and said.

“I’ll go first, so behave well with the spirits.”

“Yes!”

The girl was nodding her head with a bright face.

Turning his gaze, Han-bit looked at everyone.

“Then I’ll contact you.”

Ttuk—

He immediately ended the connection.

It was to give time for the father and daughter remaining together to share conversations.

Seeing the other people slowly move too, they probably tactfully avoided their seats.

Ppeulseok—

Han-bit, who had finished a late meal and shower, immediately lay in bed.

Falling asleep while flipped over was a quick thing.

***

The next day afternoon.

Han-bit, leaving the house, headed to the Vestige headquarters.

The promised place was provided by Diorama.

“Black Dragon-nim, it’s been a long time. First of all, please wear this.”

Diorama, who had arrived at the top floor meeting room, welcomed Han-bit with a smiling face.

The device that looked like an in-ear was an equipment for simultaneous interpretation.

Inside, the woman wearing black glasses had risen from her seat.

“Hello. I am Grace, the founder and administrator of Astra.”

She approached near and softly passed a greeting.

A slightly cold impression, but it wasn’t a feeling that was just difficult.

That English sounded like Korean naturally was also fascinating.

“Hello. It’s Black Dragon.”

The two, who finished light introductions, immediately sat in their seats.

The meeting room had only three people, but elements for security were seen here and there.

“Now, then I won’t beat around the bush. Let’s start by clarifying the reason I invited you.”

Diorama placed a familiar envelope on top of the table.

It was the invitation ticket given to the initial investors of Astra.

“I am using this item I received reasonably, but it doesn’t mean I am forcing it. Because I thought you, Black Dragon-nim, have sufficient capabilities to enter Astra. Grace too must have come to this place through such a judgment.”

Diorama was asserting his opinion with an even more serious face.

Grace’s gaze, who was quietly listening to the story, was solely touching Han-bit.

The blue pupils as if wanting to pierce through his insides coldly concentrated.

“I will answer if there is something you are curious about.”

“Is that so? Then I will ask one thing.”

As he brought out words first, Grace’s atmosphere changed slightly.

She spat out a question with a voice void of a single warmth.

“The method to find Erfort. Do you know it?”

Do you know the method to clear RP.

In other words, it was a question with such a meaning.

Of course, if one looked at player Black Dragon’s unhesitating progression, it was also a thought that they were likely to recall.

However.

“No. I don’t know.”

Han-bit brought out his answer firmly without even a speck of hesitation.

“…”

At the clearly refreshing words, Grace remained silent.

She, who hadn’t shown a special reaction for a moment, slowly opened her mouth.

“You don’t spit out glib lies do you.”

Warmth circulated on Grace’s stiffened expression.

It seemingly looked like a question mixed with a small test.

“Astra’s establishment purpose lies in tracking the unknown existence named Erfort. Because even as competitors amongst each other, the sharing of high-quality information and cooperation is necessary. That is why we came to consider both skills and personality. It is to maintain at least a good relationship without coercion.”

“I think it is wise. Because you couldn’t receive bastards like Adventurer A or the Nesto Guild just because they are at the Advance Party level.”

In the end, the goal of players who participated in RP lay in finding Erfort first and foremost and clearing the game.

Since if one came to possess the game ownership, they would literally be able to reverse their life.

In a situation where such competition was laid at the base, it wasn’t strange even if all sorts of clashes occurred.

In other words, a person with trash personality would only muddy the waters even if received.

“As you said, it’s also a condition added because of Adventurer A. At first, I had the foolish thought of trying to invite that man. It was a relief I met and shared a conversation even inside the game. I still remember the words tangled with all sorts of conceit, arrogance, and lies.”

Adventurer A’s alias as a guidebook creator made him look like he had superior abilities.

But seeing Grace meet in person and share a conversation, it seemed she could fully feel the dirty personality.

“Why speak so long when you’ve already made the decision? I heard you only watched Black Dragon-nim’s videos for over 12 hours on the plane.”

“…”

Diorama, who was watching the conversation, asked while smiling.

Grace, who glared unpleasantly at that, immediately changed her expression and said.

“Inviting a player who isn’t an Advance Party to Astra is unprecedented. But considering your appearances shown up till now, that standard became overshadowed. I don’t want to be a person who misses important things while only arguing about standards.”

She took out a small star-shaped box she had prepared beforehand.

And passing it to Han-bit, she continued her words.

“Black Dragon-nim, will you enter Astra?”