Chapter 247

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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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[Revealing the key changes of the 2nd Update.]

Hello. This is Record Project.

The second update will be applied with maintenance starting from 6 AM, and the key changes are revealed in advance.

1. Unification of World’s Timelines

As the record of player Black Dragon’s episode has crossed the singularity, the world’s timelines are reconstructed. The world will be adjusted to the standard after Black Dragon’s clear of Episode 7, and all players will be active in the same worldview and time period. Thereafter, all story progression methods will transition to quest form. Each quest will be recorded in history according to the first clear standard and reflected in real-time to all players. Record Points will be paid according to the value of the first-cleared quest.

2. Library of Records System

A system will be added where new progress and reminiscence of all episodes and quests can be played in independent time and space. You can enter the Library of Records through conversation with NPCs corresponding to each episode and quest. Below is the situation-specific explanation for Edlen starting players after the update.

1) New progress players

Episodes 1—7 and quests where the first clear has been completed can be progressed in the Library of Records, and rewards can be obtained according to progress.

2) Players who were progressing by resetting episodes

Episodes 1—7 and quests where the first clear has been completed can be progressed in the Library of Records, and reward amounts will be adjusted. Episodes 8 and above will be automatically reset and transition to quests and linked quests. Reward amounts will also be adjusted for these.

3) Players who were progressing through episodes without reset

Similar to the content of items 1 and 2. However, due to stories not judged as the truth, you may receive significant disadvantages in relationships with NPCs, quests, and various content progression. Please note that the episode reset function will only be active until the 6 AM maintenance.

*Players who have progressed from other starting cities can also use the Library of Records to progress through quests and episodes suited to each environment. However, all progress after the unified time point will be reset and rewards will be adjusted.

‘This is unconventional indeed.’

Han-bit, who read through the first item, wore an absurd expression. The world message had praised Black Dragon’s episode strategy with the expression “the truth.” Just looking at the overwhelming rewards that could not even be compared with other players, the special treatment was clearly felt. He didn’t know they would even establish the standard of the timeline, though.

‘…Does this mean it’ll really become like another world?’

The worldview and timeline were unified to the standard of his Episode 7 clear. Moreover, according to the progress of the leading player, other people also forcibly received that influence. To call it a game’s composition, it was closer to the feeling of living one turn in another world. Seeing that the element of Record Points was created, it seemed important to pick out quests that gave a large influence to the world. Of course, approaching the truth would be the key, just as he had done until now.

Swish—

Han-bit, who was pondering, moved his finger and scrolled down the notice. There were still more update contents remaining.

3. Strengthening of NPC Faction System

Knowledge regarding the faction system will be bestowed upon all NPCs needed for progress, and for NPCs already belonging to Hardliners, Moderates, and the Sacred Body Faction, their faction will be displayed. In the case of neutral NPCs, they can decide their faction according to the player’s persuasion and achievements, and the political situation.

4. Addition of Faction-Exclusive Areas and Quests

Faction display will be applied to field areas including each faction’s nation. You can receive quests from faction NPCs to obtain Faction Points and exclusive rewards.

5. Addition of Faction Dispute Areas

Faction disputes will be activated in some areas including uncaptured Restricted Areas. When one faction succeeds in capturing first, occupation ownership for the corresponding area will be recognized and entry authority for other factions will be deprived.

*Special buff effects will be bestowed upon all areas according to the number of occupied territories a faction possesses.

*Invasion events will be activated at specific cycles, allowing attacks on other factions’ occupied territories.

*New dispute areas may be activated according to faction quests.

6. Addition of Faction Alliance System

A faction alliance system will be added and can be utilized for various faction content. Results obtained through an alliance will be distributed differentially according to contribution. (However, in the case of some content, penalty and reward adjustments by the alliance may take place.)

‘Things are getting serious.’

The activation of the faction system followed from the unification of the worldview and timeline. This picture of encouraging competition somehow felt as if the Goddess of Turbulence had proposed it. Han-bit, who read the content once more, moved to the player ranking page, which was his original purpose. Scanning the names, he stopped his finger at an earlier point than expected.

[401st Black Dragon]

‘…Rose a lot indeed.’

The ranking that was 4,502nd two days ago was in a state where it had broken through the one-tenth point. It was the result of clearing Episode 7, of course, and all sorts of rewards being added. The Legacy of the World Tree must have given a significant influence too.

Step—

The people who were on the shore had already left for the World Tree. Han-bit, who moved his steps, sat on a nearby rock.

“I’ll have to change the plan.”

The conclusion from organizing the update contents was one: progressing through quests while pinpointing only the core quickly and accurately. Striving to get many titles of “first” was a stupid action, because Han-bit had the experience of having tried everything worth trying on this surface. It was not without any reason that he targeted the subterranean area, the devil’s territory.

“Factions also look important.”

Factions were a system that did not exist in the other world. What caught the eye most were the items regarding faction quests and occupied territories. Especially what the buffs according to the number of occupied territories would be seemed considerably important.

“…As expected, should I gather strength?”

The alliance with the Moderates that Haemu brought was still in his head. But as there was no contact related to the 6th ranked LLLL, it was in a state where it was gradually fading. If the progress on this side was blocked, he would have to lead the gathering toward acquaintances including Luna, members of Astra, and members of the Hardliners. Anyway, the fact that the Sacred Body Faction was overwhelming did not change.

Click—

Han-bit, who touched the button, turned on the map. The task to be done immediately after tomorrow’s maintenance was the strategy of a private area. Anyway, to release the shackles applied to the sealed Goddess of Silence, this was the top priority matter. That the Sacred Body Faction, which had been full of confidence, had not cleared yet was already widely spread in the community.

‘Let’s prepare right away.’

Han-bit, who reached a conclusion, called Yeon-woo. And just before the connection tone rang twice, the call was accepted.

(Brother, are you calling from inside the game? You’re alright, right? Right now the community and everything is in an uproar.)

Yeon-woo, who was already scanning public opinion, asked worriedly. Although he stopped by momentarily to see the private area situation, this time it was not strange for that much reaction to come out.

“I’m alright. More than that, prepare some Warp Crystals for me.”

(Warp Crystals? Locations?)

“Northern Roar Federation, Belmora, Radianor, Feria Island. These four will do.”

Four types of warp coordinates were needed according to tomorrow’s progress route. As speed was life, he had no intention of delaying even a bit.

(There are no listings these days, but I’ll look for now. Anything else?)

“Objects are fine. I want to have a meeting with people tomorrow morning, is there any way?”

(People? Which side?)

“Everyone who had a decent relationship with me.”

(…Everyone?)

“Everyone.”

Yeon-woo asked back as if a bit flustered, but the answer did not change. Pondering for a moment, he immediately brought out a conclusion.

(Offline is difficult, I’ll try catching a video conference. It’s because of factions and alliances, right? Occupied territories, was it?)

“Right. Because I want to take the places I suspect for now.”

(I think the same. I don’t know if everyone will be possible because the time is late, but I’ll put in contacts for now. Around 10 AM is alright, isn’t it?)

“Alright. Strive a bit for me.”

(Strive my foot. I have to work too. Anyway, please wake up early in the morning.)

“Got it.”

Beep—

Han-bit, who ended the call, stood up from the rock. The general plan was in a state of being drawn in his head, but one more preparation was needed.

Step—

He moved his steps to where the World Tree’s trunk was. In his bosom, the Heavenly Fox, who was sleeping while having curled its body, was held. Before he had even gone many steps, a shadow was cast along with a familiar voice. As he raised his head, the Blue Moon Bird was approaching the ground.

Whoosh—!

The eyes of the Phantom Beast, which landed while scattering wind, had become a bit softer. Apparently, the story with the World Tree had progressed well.

“The misunderstanding seems to have been cleared.”

“…Well, something like that.”

The Blue Moon Bird trailed off as if embarrassed. For two existences from the beginning of time who spent those long years together to grow distant due to a misunderstanding was a futile matter. The Blue Moon Bird, who slightly avoided the gaze, delivered greetings with an honest heart. Certainly, to call it an outsider’s achievement, it was a matter without a sense of reality in many ways.

The Phantom Beast, who looked at the World Tree once, turned its gaze and asked.

“Is there not anything to request of me? I shall listen to possible matters.”

“Then I would like to ask exactly one thing. Can the problem that occurred to this child be resolved?”

At the awaited invitation, Han-bit held up the Heavenly Fox with both hands. The Phantom Beast had shown signs of evolution, but it could not advance to the next stage. The existence who would resolve that problem could only be an adult Phantom Beast.

The Blue Moon Bird looked quietly at the baby tiger. After a while, he nodded and said.

“It seems time could not keep up with the speed of growth. I shall share my and the World Tree’s strength, so leave it to me. Let us see after the dawn has passed.”

“Thank you.”

As he handed over the Heavenly Fox, the Blue Moon Bird embraced the tiger with its wings as if wrapping around the baby. Then it slowly moved its steps and headed for where the World Tree was. If it received strength from two existences from the beginning of time, it was a problem that would be more than sufficiently resolved.

Swish—

Han-bit, who turned on the map again, strolled through the forest while calmly designing the plan thereafter. That task only ended after leading to the point when the twins and Ping-pong cleared the episode two hours later.

***

Next morning.

Han-bit, sitting in front of a laptop, was looking at a screen full of people’s faces. It was an object Yeon-woo sent by quick delivery.

“Hello. I am Black Dragon. As they say maintenance will finish soon, I will go straight to the main point.”

Only two hours remained until the maintenance end. Although unfamiliar faces were also seen, they were collaborators gathered through verification by several people. As it was a point of sharing each other’s interests, he decided to pass over unnecessary explanations.

“The reason I requested a conversation with you all is because of the update contents. To be precise, it is because of the matter regarding occupied territories. Although the value cannot be guessed, I judged that preoccupation is necessary. At least so that they do not fall into the hands of the Sacred Body Faction.”

Han-bit pulled up a map on the screen and shared it with everyone. And pointing at the locations marked in advance, he continued his words.

“The places worth occupying before the Sacred Body Faction are these. Until I clear the private area, you all please occupy these places. Then, from now on, I will tell you the strategy methods.”