Chapter 256

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

Arcneva, the only city on Peria Island.

Player Snowball, who was standing in the square, looked at Black Dragon’s broadcast screen with confusion.

Because Black Dragon was making a near-threat to Kardon, the Guild Master.

The content was to issue a guild commission targeting all adventurers on the island.

[It’s simple. Find 2 types of rare monsters and I’ll provide the corresponding rewards. Of course, with your money. Is this difficult?]

[N, no, that’s not it……]

Kardon, who knelt, sweated and struggled.

Although he was an NPC famous for being a lump of greed, since he was also like the ruler of this Peria Island, he had never bowed his head before.

Seeing him trembling like an aspen was surprising in many ways.

“As expected, the Investigation Team member qualification has an effect.”

“But why rare monsters? Are there any?”

“If Black Dragon came here, of course there are.”

“Look at the washed-up ones standing there too. Unconditionally.”

The players looked at the people standing on one side with serious expressions.

They were former vanguards, now robbed of the spotlight.

Even if they were great enough to be among the extreme minority of the billions of population, compared to the top rankers, their influence was negligible.

Of course, it was Black Dragon on the screen who had overcome all those players and captured the world’s attention.

[What’s the problem?]

[The adventurers looking for rare monsters here are all ones who received secret commissions from the nobles. Most of them are uncooperative types, so there’s no way they’d hand them over to the guild…]

[I’ll handle that.]

[Eh?]

[Anyway, those dirty adventurers probably have connections with you. When they catch a monster, verify it and secretly hand over the ownership later. You just need to do up to that.]

[…Is that really okay?]

[So do it well. If this goes well, I’ll report it to the Commander too. That Peria Island is being managed without any problems.]

[Commander…! Yes! I understand!]

At the unexpected good news, Kardon widened his eyes and nodded.

And then he quickly went inside and began writing on parchment.

A negotiation that ended too simply.

Although Snowball had recently arrived at Peria Island, he knew how absurd this was.

“Tsk.”

The players who had been vanguards clicked their tongues with disgruntled faces.

The shameful experience of being tormented and used by Kardon while progressing through Episode 8.

It was inevitable that his past self and Black Dragon’s image were naturally compared.

“So what are the rare monsters?”

“If they’re all animal-type here, are they like albinos?”

“He said 2, so you might have to catch a pair.”

As players who had been outside the city returned, the square became quite crowded.

People who had been progressing through Episode 8 before the update, or those who hadn’t, had all postponed their new start for the time being.

From the moment the game company specified the penalty for taking the wrong route, caution naturally became a virtue.

In such a situation, Black Dragon had come to Peria Island, which was like a teaching material rolling in.

Of course, not everyone showed the same trust.

“He’s probably trying to screw us over again.”

As excited speculation was exchanged, a man’s voice was heard.

It was a player wearing quite expensive equipment.

[Kim Han-seop]

‘Kim Han-seop?’

Snowball, who saw the name tag, fell into thought for a moment.

It was a name he seemed to have seen somewhere.

It was definitely famous in the Edlen area…

‘Ah.’

He, who was racking his brain, recalled the memory belatedly.

The Challenge Dungeon in Edlen, which had been a hot topic since the past.

He was the one who had maintained the 1st place position until Black Dragon appeared.

He hadn’t been seen for a while, but he never expected to appear here.

“Isn’t that Kim Han-seop?”

“Eh? Really?”

“What, was he still playing the game?”

Others who discovered him showed similar reactions.

Since there was nothing particularly known besides the Challenge Dungeon, the reaction stopped at that level.

[It’s ready!]

At that moment, Kardon, who had been diligently writing something, ran to Black Dragon.

It was disgusting to the point of being amazing that such a smile could be implemented.

[Then announce it right away.]

[Yes!]

When Black Dragon nodded, Kardon quickly ran out of the house.

And when about 1 minute had passed, an alarm rang in his ears.

Ding-

[Event: Rare Monsters of Peria Island]

An event is proceeding throughout Peria Island.

After achieving the target condition, report to Guild Master Kardon in Arcneva to receive rewards.

Target: Capture 1 rare monster type

1. Lotus Gorilla Imbued with Malice

2. Silver Owl Imbued with Malice

Rewards: Kardon’s Gold Pouch, Kardon’s Treasure Selection Ticket

Time Limit: 24 hours

“…An event?”

Snowball wore a puzzled expression at the sudden message.

The reaction was the same for other players.

“What is this?”

“An event is coming out?”

“Wasn’t it a story-type quest?”

Even though the episodes had disappeared, story progression in quest form still existed.

But to think that an event would come down to the entire Peria Island, not even a story, was something he had never expected.

“What will you do? It’s a monster with information, although a bit rare.”

“What do you mean? We have to catch it first.”

“Let’s move quickly.”

Since it was naturally a competitive situation, most players quickly began to search for their targets.

The goal was to obtain it somehow, anyway.

Snowball, who watched them gradually disappear, also soon walked out of the city.

***

‘They’re moving well.’

The 5th floor of the Guild Master Kardon’s residence on Peria Island.

Han-bit, who stood on the balcony, looked at the line of people gradually heading outside the city.

He hadn’t expected the method to appear as an event, but the crowd was satisfactory enough.

-There’s a lot, a lot.

-This becomes an event.

-I thought it wasn’t Peria Island. hahaha

-If it’s the whole map, the scale is insane;

-How to use Kardon, who has a crappy personality.

-Requirement: Official Investigation Team member qualification

-Requirement 2: Black Dragon

Viewers were surprised at scenes they could not see before.

The sight of manipulating Kardon, one of the most troublesome characters in RP, in the palm of his hand.

Even creating a new board and involving other NPCs and players was not an ordinary ability.

‘Well, not everyone will trust it.’

Han-bit was certain that not everyone would move for the event.

Because among the Sacred Body Faction players full of suspicion, anyone who had seen Black Dragon’s trail could naturally be wary.

It would not be strange at all to capture the monster first and think about later matters rather than simply participating in the event.

Of course, even that situation was part of Han-bit’s plan.

‘It will take a little time.’

The targets were the Lotus Gorilla Imbued with Malice and the Silver Owl Imbued with Malice.

Their existence or eyewitness accounts were known early on, but finding them was difficult even for Han-bit.

That was why he used NPCs and players to have them search instead.

Since it was all a result created by using Kardon, there was nothing but profit.

‘This side is also going well.’

Han-bit periodically checked the situation of the players sent to capture occupied territories.

There were many reports arriving by message, but his eyes naturally went to the twins’ screens shared through the guild function.

They were already capturing the second occupied territory.

[I’ll handle that one!]

[Don’t worry about the surroundings!]

[Don’t mind the ranged attacks!]

Haneul, who charged toward the monster with fluid movements.

No-eul, who held the staff, skillfully dealt with the square monsters, and Ping-pong, who used the Shield of the Guardian, blocked the incoming attacks.

It was quite a nice party scene.

‘The balance is good.’

The initial occupied territories mostly appeared from uncaptured Restricted Areas.

Because of that, unless one was an Investigation Team member or someone with equivalent skill, they would only lose their life.

To capture them quickly before the Sacred Body Faction intervened, a balanced distribution of personnel was needed.

This problem could be solved somewhat ideally through video conferencing.

Swish-

Han-bit, who watched the players’ movements, turned and descended to the first floor.

There, Kardon had returned.

“Ah, are you planning to go out!”

He had offered to let him use his entire building while staying on Peria Island.

But there was no time to stay here.

Because too important things were waiting.

“Did you forget something?”

“Eh?”

“A large ship was docked at the port. If it’s that big, wouldn’t there be guests?”

“…Ah!”

Kardon, who pondered for a moment, belatedly widened his eyes.

It was because he had been drinking and then an Investigation Team member appeared, so he was confused.

He, who was flustered, spoke with an anxious gaze.

“A royal family member is scheduled to visit, what should we do…”

“Follow me. I’ll go with you. You can say you were late due to Investigation Team work, right?”

“Eh? Really? Thank you!”

As he went out immediately, Kardon quickly followed.

The excuse of Investigation Team work was a line that was generally permitted worldwide unless it was something special.

“This way!”

Kardon, who went ahead quickly, headed for an inn on the path to the port.

The structure, built wide on the second floor, was similar to a noble’s mansion.

“You, why are you late!”

As he entered the building, a man in armor hurriedly ran out.

It was Krembel, the escort of the royal family.

“The Princess has been waiting! How are you going to take responsibility!”

“Calm down. I couldn’t help it due to Investigation Team work.”

“Investigation Team? Those guys have long abandoned this place, what…”

Krembel, who wore a puzzled expression, slowly shifted his gaze to Han-bit.

His eyes naturally moved to the Investigation Team badge on his chest.

“Is this real…”

“Why would I lie? This is Black Dragon-nim, an Investigation Team member. He personally came here because he had business.”

“…Ah.”

-Look at him spacing out. hahaha

-Come to your senses, sir.

-That guy is here?

-Is this your first time meeting an Investigation Team member?

Krembel’s flustered pupils wavered here and there.

As a veteran adventurer who had directly witnessed the power of an Investigation Team member, the tension was amplified.

Han-bit, who knew that history well, spoke first.

“Looking at the crest, you seem to come from the Librai Kingdom.”

“…Ah, yes! That’s right!”

Krembel, who nodded vigorously, replied.

Librai, a small but internationally recognized artistic kingdom.

Ifrit had a similar feeling, but Librai was different in its tradition itself.

It was a place where the unique artistic tone passed down through each family line shone.

“I have a lot of interest in art, you know. Would it be okay to exchange greetings?”

“Uh, that…”

At that question, Krembel’s pupils wavered again.

Although he looked timid, it was inevitable when considering the person he served.

“It’s noisy.”

At that moment, a woman appeared over Krembel’s shoulder.

Beautiful golden hair and red eyes.

It was Elencia, the sole princess of the Librai Kingdom.

‘…Elencia.’

Han-bit quietly repeated the name.

A being who would have too great an influence on the journey ahead.

It was another reason why he came to Peria Island.

“Hello, Princess! I am the Guild Master of this place…”

“You said you have a lot of interest in art?”

She ignored Kardon, who knelt on one knee, and stood in front of Han-bit.

The sparkling red eyes showed not the slightest shake.

“I am Black Dragon of the Investigation Team. I have quite a deep knowledge of art. Perhaps more than you.”

“Bl, Black Dragon-nim! What are you saying!”

At the provocation thrown out, Kardon grabbed his pants leg in surprise.

The escort Krembel was frozen.

But Elencia quietly met his gaze.

“It’s interesting.”

After a brief silence, she slightly raised the corner of her mouth.

Elencia, who looked with clear eyes, made a proposal.

“Then shall we have a bet on art?”

“What shall we stake?”

At the expected flow, Han-bit nodded readily and asked back.

Then the princess of Librai pointed at Han-bit’s chest with her finger and spoke.

“The stakes are our lives. Let’s do that.”