Chapter 248

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

After the meeting ended, Han-bit received a call from Yeon-woo. It was regarding the Warp Crystals he had asked for.

“You’re saying Liwei gave them all?”

(Yes. I contacted him just in case, and he said he’d send them by mail.)

“?”

Liwei had contacted him on the day the first update was completed. He had left Qingluo and suggested they meet soon. There had been no more news since then, so suddenly giving him Warp Crystals was quite abrupt.

“You don’t know what he’s doing or where?”

(I don’t know. I only heard back about the items.)

“…I understand for now. I’ll log in and contact him directly.”

The time remaining until maintenance was completed was five minutes. As he delivered the contents in detail, he nearly filled the allotted time.

Sharing a more detailed conversation would likely be possible only after the situation regarding occupied territories was organized. He also expected that a space for factions might be provided within the game.

(But is the update alright? It seemed the episode side was more comfortable.)

“It’s meaningless after becoming an Investigation Team member. Ultimately, it’s important where you go and what you do, and what kind of clues you find there.”

The episodes leading up to becoming an Investigation Team member were similar to running along a thick, straight line. But the role of an official Investigation Team member was to obtain clues regarding Erport by investigating every corner of the world. There were many places containing various stories, but not all of them connected like an episode.

(Well, if it’s you, Brother, it’ll be fine. Anyway, I’ll contact you immediately if I find out anything.)

“Alright. See you later.”

Beep—

Han-bit, who ended the call, stood up from his seat. Sitting on the bed, he looked down quietly at his gear.

“Should I buy the next one?”

What he was currently using was Level 3 gear. Even now, he had no major complaints, but a subtle delay still existed in his thoughts and movements. He felt that it would be okay to invest in Level 4 gear soon. It would be better to look into information regarding capsules too.

Swish—

Han-bit, who wore the gear, slowly lay down.

Hummm—

Along with the sound of the device operating, light began to enter his vision. The appearance of the World Tree before his eyes was instantaneous.

“Black Dragon!”

As he turned his head at the voice, he saw the twins running toward him. It was a relief that today was Sunday.

“I’ve also come!”

Ping-pong, who connected a beat late, also approached while carrying his shield on his shoulder. The three people who had performed the investigation properly rose to official Investigation Team members immediately by Charlotte’s authority. In other words, it meant they had finished all the necessary episodes.

“Just like we talked about earlier, you guys will move separately. Is that alright?”

“Of course. If we become strong quickly, it’ll be easier for you too, Black Dragon, won’t it?”

To Han-bit’s question, Haneul gave a bold answer. The three people who had participated in the meeting a moment ago had received separate messages from Han-bit. They were taking charge of areas where they could handle large amounts of monsters to strive for rapid growth. It was a method to obtain efficient gains while also securing occupied territories.

“I’ll try doing it cautiously and well.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll protect my two friends well.”

No-eul and Ping-pong also did not show signs of anxiety. Because he had explained the locations as secret enough not to be noticed by anyone, they were confident. Since even players of the same faction, the Hardliners, could not all be trusted, he had taken quite a bit of care.

“First we have to return to Nephelis, so let’s move.”

Han-bit moved toward the World Tree’s trunk along with the three people. There, he saw Investigation Team members continuing their exploration. And the moment he set foot in a nearby location…

Growl—!

Along with a beast’s roar, a large tiger pounced on Han-bit.

Thump—

Han-bit, who endured the surprise attack, scanned the tiger clinging to his body. It was none other than the Heavenly Fox.

Ding—

[The Heavenly Fox’s evolution has been completed.]

[The Heavenly Fox’s current state is Phase 3.]

A message popped up as if to help him understand. Han-bit, opening his eyes wide, looked at the pure white-furred Heavenly Fox. The baby tiger that was once Phase 1 looked as if it had skipped childhood and become an adolescent.

“Wow, is this the Heavenly Fox? It was really tiny.”

“It’s become immensely large.”

“Ooh…”

The group was also surprised to see the Heavenly Fox, who had changed to the point they didn’t recognize it. Han-bit, who was stroking the tiger as it rubbed its face into his chest like a child, turned his gaze forward.

“What happened?”

He asked the bird with silver-blue feathers approaching them. The Blue Moon Bird said nonchalantly while preening its wings.

“As I said, this child’s growth speed was ahead of its time. Because that was resolved, it showed rapid growth.”

“…It’s not just at the level of rapid.”

“A Phantom Beast’s change is bound to be different from common sense.”

Although the Blue Moon Bird acted as if it were no big deal, Han-bit had no memory of experiencing such rapid growth. It was a situation that represented just how fast the current progress speed was.

Growl—

As he caressed the fluffy fur, the Heavenly Fox rumbled its throat while acting extremely pleased. With its current growth state, it was now possible for it to enter and exit its sub-space directly. Apparently, more growth was needed to reach a level where conversation was possible like with the Blue Moon Bird.

“Will there be no problem with future evolutions?”

“I also do not know well about the Heavenly Fox’s habits, as it was originally an existence that did not reveal itself often. If there is something you want to find out, visiting guys like cats wouldn’t be bad either.”

A bit of displeasure was steeped in the Blue Moon Bird’s voice. As it originally had a very bad relationship with feline and leopard-like creatures, it was a natural reaction.

“You were here.”

While they were sharing such a conversation, Charlotte approached. Behind her was a woman wearing a long-brimmed hat.

“Ibella.”

She was the Investigation Team’s strongest mage, and she had performed the investigation regarding Area 8-35 alone. Seeing her here, she seemed to have finished the matter.

“It seems like a long time since I’ve seen you. I’m glad to see you were active.”

Ibella turned her gaze while wearing a smile. Her blue eyes reached toward the elf village across the sea. As she was also a friend of the elves, it was natural for her to feel anger.

“…Shall we stop by the village before going?” Charlotte cautiously asked.

But Ibella slowly shook her head.

“It’s alright. Rather, it’s time to return for the sake of our friends. So, please protect them well.”

She said this while looking at the quietly standing Blue Moon Bird. The voice, mixed with a bit of resentment and rebuke, was not a trick of the mind. Considering how long the two had interacted since Ibella was very young, it was a sentiment she could naturally express.

“Fine.”

The Blue Moon Bird showed no signs of displeasure. The Phantom Beast met her eyes for a moment, then soon spread its giant wings.

“I won’t be hit twice. I shall protect them by borrowing the World Tree’s strength to the full.”

Flap—!

The Blue Moon Bird, who flew up after stating its resolution, distanced itself toward the elf village. Although it was a parting without even a greeting, they would meet again before long.

“Shall we go too?”

As if such a situation was familiar, Charlotte turned her head and asked. The other Investigation Team members were planning to remain and continue the investigation in the surrounding areas.

“We’re going to Nephelis. Stay comfortable.”

Swish—

A sensation of transition wrapped around his body in an instant along with that voice. When his wavering vision returned, Han-bit was standing in front of the Nephelis fortress. The Heavenly Fox had moved to its own sub-space before he knew it.

“Let’s enter.”

Charlotte beckoned while stepping inside. The four people followed behind her and went up to the Investigation Team Commander’s office.

“What do you mean a report is needed?”

Charlotte, who did not put down her sword, asked abruptly. Then Ibella took out a parchment from her bosom and handed it over to the Commander.

“Factions have begun to gather. A total of three factions: the known Hardliners and Moderates, and the Holy State that has put forward the name Sacred Body Faction.”

She added that this was content reported from each city. Han-bit realized that this was an item from the update guidance.

“This… collisions will become frequent indeed.”

Charlotte, who scanned the parchment, let out a sigh. Nations held different opinions over Erport. That those had developed into full-scale factions was not good news, because disputes always broke out when sides were split. History proved that trivial collisions led to large-scale wars.

“You said Area 8-35 was a place where the influence of the Holy State—that is, the Sacred Body Faction—is thick?”

“Correct. Probably, if Heilen didn’t die, he’s captured there or doing something alone. Personally, I believe it’s the latter.”

Ibella believed the missing Investigation Team member had survived. Because the body was not discovered, and considering Heilen’s nature, several suspicious circumstances existed.

“There were quite a lot of Holy State origins among the members too, though.”

“Immense numbers entered within a few years, indeed. I don’t know whose directive they’re moving under, though.”

“…Let’s keep silent for now. We must not let them catch on that we are being wary.”

Charlotte, who pondered for a moment, reached a conclusion. Originally, she was one who absolutely did not doubt her members, but having gone through the elves’ tragedy together, she had no choice but to change her mind. She had directly witnessed an Investigation Team member she hadn’t brought killing an elf while laughing.

“The time when we have to decide on a faction might come too. Keep it in mind for now,” Ibella said, envisioning the future situation.

It was possible that a crack might occur even in the world’s strongest organization, the Investigation Team.

“Mhm. Still, the investigation regarding Erport must be continued, since that is the reason we exist.”

“That’s true. I’d like to see some progress soon.”

Ibella, who took off her hat, muttered while ruffling her hair. Then she turned her gaze toward Han-bit.

“Ah, let’s delay the Sage’s task a bit. It’s not a situation to proceed in the elf village.”

“Anything is fine, so give it as you like. I’m also planning to look around uncaptured Restricted Areas for the time being.”

This was the Sage’s task that he had planned to receive after finishing the World Tree’s matter. But it was not a task to do in a situation where the damage the elves suffered was severe.

“I’ll prepare it for you before too long. More than that, you’re going to uncaptured Restricted Areas already?”

“I’m also a bit worried about that. Although I saw your skill on this journey, the situation is different there. It’s a place dangerous even if the Investigation Team forms a group and goes.”

Ibella and Charlotte showed a worried reaction. But this side was more comfortable and free for Han-bit.

“It’s alright. I’m planning to only go to places I can handle.”

“If you say it like that, I have nothing to say, but…”

Charlotte, who narrowed her brow, pondered as if in pain. Ibella, who was watching this with amusement, shrugged her shoulders.

“It’ll be fine. He’s a member who deviates from common sense in many ways, isn’t he?”

“…I understand for now. Still, be careful.”

At the last bit of persuasion, Charlotte barely nodded her head. Han-bit spoke while turning toward the door he had entered through.

“I’ll stop by again soon.”

Creak—

He came out to the entrance of the fortress with his group. Unlike before, the player who had been monitoring him was not seen.

Ding—

Then, an alarm rang in his ears. It was mail from Liwei.

‘He really gave four.’

Warp Crystals were difficult to obtain as there were no listings. Moreover, he had handed over four with coordinates already registered for free. Han-bit, who moved his hand immediately, sent a message to Liwei, but no answer returned.

‘Is he busy?’

Han-bit waited a bit more, then judged that contact was difficult. He took a Warp Crystal from his inventory. After finishing the check of the registered coordinates, he put the rest away except for one.

“Let’s go to the Roar Federation.”