Chapter 257

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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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A room with antique furnishings occupying half of the second floor.

The display stands placed throughout the interior were filled with artworks.

At the center table, a man and woman sat facing each other.

“In the deep mountain village of Kalikabe in the southeast, there is a unique piece of art. Do you know what it is?”

Elencia asked with a calm expression.

A remote village that could not be found without a clear purpose.

The information itself was quite limited, but Han-bit immediately produced the answer.

“The Distorted Statue. It was excavated 300 years ago.”

“Then what is the reason the statue’s form is incomplete?”

“A being that no one can see exactly remains in each person’s mind with tens of thousands of memories. It is the explanation the sculptor hid on the underside. Self-proclaimed experts treat the fact that he was suffering from mental illness as the official theory. Personally, I think it’s a commemoration of the war that occurred at the time.”

“…It wasn’t unfounded confidence.”

Elencia slowly nodded at the coolly accurate interpretation and explanation.

Because there was not a single word wrong.

The personal speculation she had added was also exactly the same as her own thoughts.

“Now it’s my turn. There’s a glass bottle found on the northern coast, and the corner of the picture inside……”

The conversation, which took on the structure of a competition, proceeded in a form of exchanging attacks.

These were contents that would be difficult to know even through rumors unless one was truly deeply versed in art.

-What kind of conversation is this?

-The game genre is changing;

-The developers probably forgot about it.

-What on earth is Black Dragon…

-Elencia also risked her life for this.

Viewers showed dumbfounded reactions to the conversation about art.

Because it was a story so detailed that it was difficult to view as part of the settings.

Especially the existence of Princess Elencia, who could not be seen on this island, was mysterious in many ways.

“…As found in abandoned ancient texts, removing the corner of a painting was an aesthetic consciousness. The fact that the standard of art popular in the north at the time was ‘deficiency’ was also only revealed recently.”

Elencia, who concluded the correct answer with a voice that seemed to draw people in.

The confidence to stake her life was not unfounded.

And when that exchange reached 30 minutes, she smiled faintly and spoke.

“Time is up.”

The limited time that had been set in advance.

The question-and-answer session aimed at each other had no tension to the point of risking lives.

Because it was closer to sharing things they knew well and having a conversation.

“I didn’t know there was someone in the Investigation Team with such artistic knowledge and perspective. It’s regrettable that time is insufficient. I also had a desire to see it through to the end.”

Elencia, who expressed her honest feelings, glanced outside the window.

It was as if she was checking the position of the sun.

“It is an honor for a royal of Librai to say that. I hope you understand that the provocation earlier was a wit to stir interest.”

“Even if it’s a sincere challenge, I’m fine with it. Art is hot, after all. Krembel, come in.”

She, who answered with a smile, called the escort waiting outside the door.

“Princess!”

Krembel, who quickly opened the door, entered with the servants.

And then he let out a sigh of relief upon seeing Han-bit’s unharmed appearance.

“Fortunately, you endured well. If you had truly intended to harm an Investigation Team member, it would have been irreversible.”

“What does that mean?”

Elencia, who turned her gaze, asked with a puzzled expression.

At that reaction, Krembel also spoke with a puzzled expression.

“Wasn’t it your victory, Princess? When you said you would stake your lives, my heart truly sank. The Investigation Team is not such a light place…”

“It’s a draw.”

“Eh?”

“We talked equally during the limited time and acknowledged each other. The life-threatening match has become undone.”

“…Did you say draw now? How is that… It’s impossible!”

“Your thoughts don’t matter. The result doesn’t change.”

-Respect.

-I thought the princess won unconditionally. hahaha

-Ta-da, there’s no such thing as unconditionally~

-The opponent is Black Dragon.

Elencia, who answered calmly, stood up from her seat.

And then she asked Guild Master Kardon, who was wearing a dazed expression.

“You announced an interesting commission. Does it have some meaning?”

“Ah, that is……”

At the royal’s question, Kardon was flustered and looked at Han-bit.

He had a face that didn’t know how to start speaking.

“It was a content I proposed.”

“…You?”

When Han-bit answered on her behalf, doubt crept into Elencia’s expression.

The content of the commission issued to the adventurers was one.

To capture and report either the Lotus Gorilla Imbued with Malice or the Silver Owl Imbued with Malice.

“Was there a particular reason for those two monsters?”

“It’s for personal investigation purposes. I thought the Investigation Team might have missed something in the past.”

The reason the Investigation Team had delegated the management authority of Peria Island to the Adventurer Guild was simple.

Because nothing had been discovered in the overall investigation conducted in the past.

The monsters themselves were not that dangerous, so there was no need to station Investigation Team personnel.

Of course, if left as is, the current reality would soon reach Charlotte’s ears.

“Do you plan to move personally?”

“I must. As an Investigation Team member, it would be strange to just watch.”

Han-bit replied while shrugging.

But the ultimate goal was not to find the two rare monsters.

Because they were merely a gateway device to awaken the wildness.

‘It will take about 30 more minutes.’

The numerous adventurers and players who had gone outside.

Considering the number searching simultaneously, they could discover them soon.

Because it was a task that simply required many eyes and thorough exploration.

For people who had reached this island, subduing the monsters was also sufficiently possible.

“Come to think of it, Princess, what brings you to Peria Island?”

“I’m looking for an unnamed artwork. There was only a record that it exists somewhere on the island.”

Elencia spoke looking beyond the city wall outside the window.

The identity of the unnamed artwork she spoke of.

It was a clue to the entrance leading to the demon territory.

It was Han-bit’s goal as well, but in a way, it might be even more important to Elencia.

“May I make one suggestion?”

She, who had been lost in thought for a moment, met his gaze and asked.

Han-bit, who had expected the content, pretended not to know and spoke.

“Please go ahead.”

“I would like you to take me along for the search of the rare monsters. It won’t go against the Investigation Team’s interests. Of course, I’ll provide compensation as well.”

-?

-Going together to the forest?

-Haa… is it okay?

-If it’s Black Dragon, it should be possible while guarding her?

-Necessarily?

-Necessarily, but the compensation could be tasty?

The opinions in the chat window were also divided at Elencia’s proposal.

Most expressed that it was unnecessary to act while protecting her, the princess.

But that was a too great misunderstanding.

Because there was absolutely no need to protect Elencia, the princess of Librai.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

Ding-//

With Han-bit’s answer, an alarm rang in his ears.

He, who thought it was the appearance of a quest, looked at the hologram window that appeared in front.

But the content was not what he had expected.

[Title: The 55th Recorder’s new effect is unlocked.]

“……?”

The 55th Recorder title that appeared at the beginning of play.

It was also the source of tremendous power that brought past experiences.

It had been quiet for a long time so he had forgotten, but he never expected a new effect to be unlocked.

Surprised by the unexpected situation, Han-bit immediately opened the title list and checked the contents.

[The 55th Recorder]

The experience accumulated by the Recorder is unlocked.

1. The proficiency of all experienced skills accumulates extremely quickly. Performance is upwardly adjusted according to the degree of experience.

2. All Spirit Affinity is activated, and the effect on Spirit power increases dramatically.

3. You become free from all item equipped and usage conditions.

(However, performance degradation due to stat differences is maintained, and that value is minimized.)

4. When qualifications are met, you can receive special quests from qualified NPCs.

5. Unopened (Keyword: ???)

‘Special quest?’

The newly appeared term was unfamiliar.

But there was no need to repeatedly ponder.

Ding-

[Special Quest #1]

You have been requested to accompany the search by Elencia, princess of the Librai Kingdom.

Move with her to the forest and examine the situation.

Target: Check the progress of Kardon’s commission

Rewards: Lucky Reward Box (Stage 1)

*Special Quest Reward Guide

1. The Lucky Reward Box contains a large amount of gold, experience, stat points, and Record Points as a base.

2. As the special quest progress level increases, the stage of the reward box rises, and the reward amount doubles with each stage.

(ex. When the final stage 4 is achieved, you can obtain 8 times the reward based on stage 1.)

3. When the special quest is cleared, rewards are granted based on the final achieved stage. Depending on the stage, special rewards may be added.

4. When the special quest is cleared, all quests related to the progress are considered cleared. This includes first-clear qualifications, and the rewards are included in the final stage Lucky Reward Box.

-?

-Eh?

-What is this?

-Special quest?

-Reward doubles with each stage?

-No, isn’t number 4 crazy?

-Auto-clear?

-??

Unlike the title’s effect, the special quest window was also visible to viewers.

The heated reaction was fully understandable.

‘…They put something like this in.’

The reason for the special quest’s existence was simple.

Because even just looking at the explanation, tremendous convenience and overwhelming reward amounts could be imagined.

Had the Goddess of Silence foreseen this situation where the Sacred Body Faction dominated the rankings?

Or did she simply wish for rapid progress?

Or was there some other hidden agenda?

He wanted to hurry and tear off the seal’s shackles and awaken her.

“Hoo.”

Han-bit, who let out a short breath, organized his thoughts.

Unexpectedly, a new effect was added to the title, but it was like a weapon prepared solely for him.

Now was just the time to move forward.

“Let’s move.”

***

Tak-!

Han-bit, who left the city, headed into the forest.

Beside him ran Elencia, who had changed into adventurer’s clothing.

-Why is the princess so fast?

-This… we might lose?

-We already lost.

-A princess hiding her power;

-Fact) She didn’t hide it.

Viewers showed surprised reactions at Elencia’s unexpected appearance.

Because she was leisurely keeping up with Han-bit, who was moving at a considerably fast pace, even if she wasn’t at full power.

“You’re quite fast. Did you receive separate training?”

“I’ve traveled to various parts of the world in my own way.”

When he deliberately asked, Elencia evaded and answered.

She could not yet speak aloud that the source of that power was innate.

Tak-!

The two, who continued forward, reached near the center.

“One moment.”

Han-bit, who stopped, headed for the top of a tall tree.

Slowly turning his head, he stopped his gaze at one place.

“Is it over there?”

Elencia, who had followed up, looked at the same place and asked.

There, the bushes were shaking violently.

“It seems to be the gorilla side. Someone seems to have found it.”

“I thought it would be quite rare, but it was faster than expected?”

One of the commission targets, the Lotus Gorilla Imbued with Malice.

As expected, as long as there were enough heads for exploration, the discovery itself was not difficult.

Han-bit, who glanced around, looked at Elencia and spoke.

“Let’s go over there.”