Chapter 213

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

“It makes me mad thinking about it again.”

Collenpice, a western city of the Holy State. Hiyori, a player who was sitting on the terrace of a beautiful building, spat out words mixed with irritation. It was because the battle with Black Dragon’s party had come to mind.

“Agreed. To atone to the Goddess, devoted study will be necessary.”

“I was just off guard. Since I’ve already finished the analysis and preparation, there’s no way I’ll lose this time.”

Ostis and Exion also chewed on the memory of defeat and carved their respective resolutions. The Goddess’s oracle to restrain Black Dragon’s progression remained their goal. That command had become a quest and led them as players. But the gap, more serious than expected, had led to a helpless defeat.

“Paltry excuses are not needed. It’s just that both ability and strategy were lacking.”

Verdict, who was their leader, rebuked them with an expressionless face. It was a result made by everyone’s deficiency, including himself. In particular, despite everyone being people who had experienced the other world, such a difference was a bad flow.

“So, what are you going to do? Not to mention Black Dragon, the brats next to him aren’t normal either.”

Hiyori checked Black Dragon’s broadcast she had floated next to her. The sight of him engaging in battle with hundreds of players in front of the Raven Royal Capital’s city walls was displayed. No, rather than a battle, it was close to a one-sided slaughter. Promising lower Advance Party members and the like weren’t even opponents.

“There’s nothing different. We just have to hinder Black Dragon’s progression according to the oracle.”

The oracle quest had turned into failure as Black Dragon completed Episode 6 safely. At that time, they only thought it was the end. But after the update that suddenly came, a piece of good news reached them. It was the news that an oracle had once again descended to many players, including Verdict.

“The Goddess is looking after our deficiencies. As it is an opportunity given as grace, this time we must truly stake everything and face it.”

No one knew the principle by which oracle quests were granted. It was something that descended unexpectedly to some players of the Holy State. As the content and timing were all different, they only accepted it like a graceful destiny.

“Anyway, isn’t this the last chance? Seeing that human Black Dragon’s progression speed, he’ll go far away in an instant.”

“If so, we just have to catch up with all our soul’s strength.”

“Ha, does that go as planned.”

Hiyori let out a sigh at the words that they only had to do their best. Neither the target nor the content of the oracle quest could be known. The conjecture that was at least possible was an oracle related to Black Dragon. It was about giving an opportunity to players who had overall similar progress. But with his speed now, it wouldn’t be strange if he went far away in an instant.

“If Black Dragon rises quickly in the Investigation Team, catching up won’t be easy. But we just have to finish it this time. Since we’ve also put in considerable capital, it’ll be markedly different if I lead and devise a strategy.”

Exion showed strong confidence in his ability. The content contained in this oracle quest was to interfere with Black Dragon’s Investigation Team test and make him fail. As they were also Holy State players progressing through the test as Investigation Team candidates, they could also obtain a result of killing two birds with one stone. As much as the support of the corporation they belonged to was sufficient, confidence overflowed.

“Strategy, is it.”

Verdict contemplated for a moment. In a situation where the proctor hadn’t arrived yet, the future test content couldn’t be known. But it was a clear fact that Exion was a man with a fast-turning head.

“How many players received this oracle?”

“About 50? Now outsiders are mixed in too. They’re not bastards who experienced the other world.”

“…Is that so.”

Until now, all players belonging to the Holy State were people who had experienced the other world by the Goddess. But while progressing with the update, even ordinary humans came to enter the Holy State, specifically the Sacred Body Faction. It was something almost no players, including himself, had expected at all. He couldn’t even guess what kind of change the influx of outsiders would lead to.

‘Are they not sharing at all.’

Even among Holy State players, levels existed. Though there wasn’t much information either, he heard that there were also single-digit top Advance Party members. Perhaps some special information went into them.

“Anyway, we do what we must. Let’s leave the strategy after entering the test to Exion. Have you fully mastered the content of the oracle?”

“What is there to master? An Investigation Team proctor will lead us to Area 5. Hinder Black Dragon while taking the test there. It’s roughly this, right?”

Hiyori inspected the quest content floated on the system screen. Then she expressed an inquiry while slightly furrowing her brows.

“But the Goddess of Turbulence is a god, right? Doesn’t she give such oracles because she knows the future? If she’s going to tell us, she should tell us everything.”

“You have no manners in the words directed towards the Goddess. Put in more reverence.”

“Bullshit. Did you get crushed by Black Dragon because you put in reverence?”

At Ostis’s rebuke, she furrowed her brows intensely. Exion, who looked at that pathetically, shook his head and said.

“If all of a god’s power could be implemented, the situation would have ended long ago. The Goddess of Turbulence also has a line she must keep. As much as there’s a goddess on the opponent’s side too, an agreement might have existed.”

“Ayy, no fun.”

When he gave his opinion calmly, Hiyori clicked her tongue and turned her head outside.

“Huh?”

Right then, someone entered her sight. Hiyori pointed to the bottom with her finger.

“They’re here.”

A woman in a long-brimmed hat and a red dress appeared. It was Ibella, the Investigation Team proctor in charge of them.

Verdict spoke while rising from his seat.

“Let’s go down.”

***

“This is Area 5.”

A large black wall was arrived at using a warp crystal. Despite Proctor Heilen’s introduction, only inquiries arose for the viewers.

—Area 5 really existed.

—Was it implemented this time?

—Seeing this immediately. lol

—Seated.

—But is it possible for Holy State players to do it together?

—Did you not see the bullshit in Epi 6.

Area 5, which didn’t exist before the update, appeared. From the perspective of viewers and ordinary players, it was accepted as a newly implemented area. The number was just something assigned for convenience; it had no meaning at all. Because the Peria Island where Episode 8 was being progressed right now also had the number 34 assigned to it.

“It’s huge.”

“Is the top part blocked too?”

The twins looked up at the wall whose end couldn’t be seen. Han-bit spoke while recalling old memories.

“It’s a space like a completely closed cube. You can think of the inside as wilderness.”

Han-bit knew well about Area 5. It had never been used as a testing ground, but it was a place he had to stop by for many reasons. Naturally, it wasn’t a place to come at such an early time.

“The Holy State candidates? When are they coming?”

Han-bit asked while looking at Heilen. Then, he who was inspecting a magic tool turned his head.

“There they are.”

A crowd of people revealed their appearance from the right end. At the very front, a woman wearing a long-brimmed hat and an intense red dress was seen.

—?

—Noona, who are you?

—Did you come looking for the wrong place?

—The dress code isn’t easy;

Interest of the viewers focused on the appearance of someone seen for the first time. Meanwhile, the crowd arrived close.

[Investigation Team Proctor Ibella]

The identity of the woman who exuded an intense impression from her outward appearance was a proctor. Seeing that appearance, Han-bit’s eyes opened a bit wide.

‘…Ibella?’

Ibella’s unexpected appearance was quite flustering. A mage who ranked among the best in the world, and an Investigation Team member active on the front lines. To begin with, he didn’t understand why that person had come as a proctor.

“A very precious person has made an appearance.”

Heilen stepped forward and talked to the approaching Ibella. However.

Hwik—

She, who didn’t even answer, passed by Heilen’s side and moved her steps gracefully. Then she stood still in front of Han-bit.

“You’re Black Dragon, right?”

Ibella spoke to him abruptly. He, who met her gaze, spoke quietly.

“There shouldn’t have been a reason for my name to enter the ears of an Investigation Team member like you.”

“What would an Investigation Team member like me be? My name shouldn’t have been known outside.”

“…”

At the words shot back with a smirk, Han-bit couldn’t refute. Ibella was someone whom it had been quite difficult to even meet in the other world. Honestly, there was almost no information he knew about the woman in front of his eyes. He had only heard rumors intermittently that she was the person closest to being a sage.

“Who is this person?”

“Black Dragon-nim, are you okay?”

The twins intervened in the somewhat strange flow. It seemed emotions were revealed in his expression.

“Did I make you too wary?”

Ibella reacted as if it were just interesting. Watching Han-bit for a moment, she approached close while sticking her body tightly. Then she suddenly brought her face right up to his nose.

“Don’t worry. Since I’m on your side.”

“…?”

Hwik—

Ibella retreated before he even had the gap to express an inquiry. Turning her back, she returned to the place where the Holy State’s players were.

—??

—What did she just say?

—Black Dragon, explain properly.

—Clarify.

—Hoo…

The chat of the viewers didn’t enter Han-bit’s eyes. He only blankly watched Ibella’s departing back.

‘…Is she a person from the Goddess’s side?’

Though it had never been revealed in the other world, it wouldn’t be strange even if a person on the Goddess of Silence’s side existed in the world. He didn’t know how she existed in the form of an NPC, but considering Momo, variables were bound to exist in any number of ways.

“What is it?”

While fallen into such contemplation, Heilen looked at Ibella with an absurd expression. She, who received that gaze with a dry expression, shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s not like we’re particularly an acquaintance, right? I’d like it if we just did the work.”

“…Ha.”

Heilen let out a hollow laugh at the too cold words. He turned his body and looked at Han-bit and the twins.

“Hey, you guys. Come this way.”

Han-bit, who came to his senses along with the instruction, moved to the place where the proctor was. Before he knew it, Ibella had also brought her candidates.

“Black Dragon…”

“Tch.”

Han-bit’s gaze reached at the heard voices. They weren’t faces seen for the first time.

‘It was those people.’

The Holy State players who had tried to hinder him in Episode 6 appeared. Besides them, quite a lot of people were there together.

At the moment he checked all the names, Heilen started the explanation.

“Candidates will take the test here. It’s called the Cube of Hell, but well, enter and directly…”

“The explanation is too short.”

“What?”

Ibella, who entered while cutting off his words, spoke up. She, who moved her steps between the two groups, lightly stroked her finger in the air. Then, letters began to be engraved in white light.

—Random transfer to 10 regions

—Special debuffs exist for each region

—Common debuffs: No recovery, natural consumption of life force and mana

—Free combat possible between each candidate

—Pass upon survival for 24 hours

“Candidates, master it in advance. Because your mind will be absent once you enter.”

Ibella’s explanation was accurate. The Cube of Hell was filled with dizzying debuffs. When he was first thrown in there, he had ended up meeting death in the end. But the reason he went in despite that was clear. Because a relic was hidden here.

“You’re quite kind. Will you be the one to transfer them?”

Heilen, who had been listening to the explanation unpleasantly, spoke up bluntly. Han-bit, who saw that, lowered his body and whispered to the twins standing next to him.

“Don’t move at all once you transfer. Because I’ll go to find you.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

When the story about transferring came out, Han-bit quickly delivered precautionary notes. Because if they moved around carelessly for no reason, there was also a possibility of not being able to meet until it ended.

“It would be better if I did it.”

Ibella turned her head to the candidates. And when her gaze slightly reached Han-bit, she lightly raised her hand.

“Everyone, have a safe trip. Since I’ll give a present if you survive and return.”

Hwaak—!

Along with that voice, the front of his eyes turned pitch black. The alarm rang immediately after that.

Ttiring—

[Main Quest #3: Survival Test]

You came to progress with a test in Area 5 unexpectedly.

Survival in extreme conditions.

How can you survive among competitors and numerous monsters?

Objective: Survive in Area 5 until the time limit.

Reward: 20,000,000 Gold, Experience 40,000,000, 40 Stat Points

Time Limit: 24 hours

*Current Progression Rate: 18%