Chapter 42

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Why are you so late?”

Arriving at the underground waterway, Han-bit faced Ria standing at the entrance.

– Oh.

– Hi Ria

– Ri-hi.

– Is she coming with you too?

The viewers showed welcoming reactions at her sudden appearance.

Han-bit, who had already anticipated this, asked feigning ignorance.

“Are you going in too?”

“How can I leave it alone after seeing something like that? Ruby might run away again, and if children like Plona lose their way…”

Ria tried to tag along with the investigation, adding all sorts of reasons.

Her appearance of trying hard to persuade him looked exactly matching her age.

“It will be dangerous inside.”

“I know. Because the atmosphere felt like either monsters or people would pop out.”

She answered while touching the dagger fixed to her waist.

Her appearance that seemed to be prepared to fight at any time was not unnecessary bluffs.

Although Ria herself was probably more vigilant towards people than monsters.

“Understood. Instead, don’t suddenly run forward.”

“Do you think I’m a cat?”

Although Ria made an incredulous expression, precedents were not lacking.

At least, it meant she would act out slightly less given they had mutual trust currently.

“I will wait right here.”

Around the time the conversation wrapped up, Kim Jae-ha spoke up.

Because for him, who had already cleared Episode 1, spectator mode was the limit.

“It’s perfectly fine to log out. I will contact you if something absolutely necessary comes up.”

“Ah, then I will finish organizing the work I was doing. I will continue to watch through the broadcast, so please tell me comfortably.”

Kim Jae-ha accepted the suggestion saying he was handling company business.

The seemingly felt fatigue from the profile of his character terminating the game.

The fact that today was Saturday was unfortunate.

“Let’s go.”

After Kim Jae-ha left, Han-bit stepped into the waterway along with the remaining two people.

At that time, an alarm popped up along with a message.

Ding-

[Entering the quest field.]

“What a relief. I was worried there might be interference from other players.”

Yeon-woo, checking the message, spat out a sigh of relief.

From what he heard, only party members progressing the quest could enter this place.

It was definitely comfortable without interlopers.

Drip- Drip-

The foul stench wafting along with the sound of falling water.

The darkened atmosphere naturally drew out vigilance.

“Hyung, what is deep inside that waterway? It’s not a dungeon, right?”

Following behind, Yeon-woo surveyed the surroundings and slyly asked.

“It’s not a dungeon. It’s like a secret space.”

“A secret space?”

– What is that?

– Do monsters come out?

– It seemed like there was something related to Ria too.

– Yep. I saw a summary post too.

As the speculations continued, the viewers mentioned Ria.

That spark was lit by a post uploaded tightly to the community.

When unlocking the new map in the waterway, Ria dropped something like a ring from her bag while falling down.

I magnified this and isn’t it similar to the crest of the Northon family?

Even if the resolution is a bit broken, confirm it go go

I’ll also upload a short clip of it.

– Huh?

– If it’s Northon, isn’t that Mayor Brooke’s family?

– It’s similar, but isn’t it a bit vague.

– Isn’t she Brooke’s hidden daughter?

– Or maybe the daughter of the previous head?

└Do you think so?

└His relatives were all completely executed.

└This demon bastard probably did it knowing that.

└Crappy quality;

– Seems like she just stole it.

└If she did, she probably would’ve sold it to the black market at least.

Players analyzed the captured footage and debated all sorts of opinions.

The conclusion of the majority was that it must be unrelated to the Northon family.

Since she was a resident of the slums and known as Ria the pickpocket, the thought of her stealing it was rather natural.

“It’s still exactly the same.”

Ria, who had moved one step ahead, stopped her feet in front of the collapsed wall.

It was the space where she discovered the cat Ruby.

Clatter-

Drawing his sword, Han-bit verified the outcome one more time.

Despite it still being incomplete, it truly was a supreme item.

“I’ll take the lead, so follow from behind. If you run out, the waterway investigation stops.”

“… Understood.”

Ria firmly grasped the bag containing the ring and nodded her head.

It was because the sparks that suddenly popped when she first came here came to mind.

Looking at that sight, Han-bit stepped beyond the collapsed wall.

“Let’s go.”

Passing through the collapsed wall, Han-bit took the lead and stepped forward.

It was a path virtually identical to the waterway they had walked down so far.

“There’s less to this than expected?”

Yeon-woo, following behind, spoke as if baffled.

It was due to predicting an environment that would become much more menacing the deeper they went.

– Hmm.

– There might actually be nothing special even if they investigate it?

– Yep. There are many quests where you just go to the end of the map and return.

The viewers assumed it would be one of those meaningless locations.

However, the real deal started now.

Sss-

When Han-bit held out his hand, Ria and Yeon-woo stopped their feet.

Crack-

Then, the unpleasant sound heard from the darkened pathway inside.

What soon revealed itself were pitch-black skeleton monsters.

[Enhanced Black Skeleton (Lv.32)]

3 skeletons creaking and staggering forward holding swords and shields in both hands.

Seeing those guys, the viewers fell into doubt.

– The level is at 32?

– Is this Episode 1 for real?

– Black Skeletons are normally 25.

– Look at their weapons and shields improving.

– Enhanced (a whole lot)

– Seems like you mistakenly took the wrong path.

This situation was entirely abnormal.

The average level of a Black Skeleton is 25.

However, a modifier ‘Enhanced’ was attached, bumping it up to 32.

Considering the recommended level precisely for Episode 1 was known to be around 15 to 20, these were not monsters that should be appearing in the first place.

Creak-

“Uwaah!”

While staying vigilant towards the front, a skeleton appeared from the back as well.

Yeon-woo, who was nearby, aimed his weapon in utter surprise.

Then the skeleton flashing its eye sockets charged at him.

Clang-!

Yeon-woo hurriedly raised his sword to block the sudden sweeping attack.

That shock was much stronger than anticipated.

Screeech-!

“No way…!”

Despite having stats focused on strength, his feet were slowly being pushed back.

To the extent that it was incredibly difficult to transition a bout into an offensive.

It was a strength that greatly surpassed normal Black Skeletons.

“I’m really about to go crazy!”

Thud-!

Screaming, Yeon-woo raised his foot and bashed the skeleton’s shield.

Widening the distance using the recoil, he aimed his sword once again.

‘I can just leave that side to him.’

Even when he fought the Nesto Guild, Yeon-woo’s combat sense was on the decent side.

Even if it would be difficult to win, he should be able to hold out sufficiently.

Creak-

At that time, the skeleton at the front also began to move.

The one to respond to that attack first wasn’t Han-bit.

Tap-!

Ria instantly approached up to the bastard’s back.

The dagger held in her hand was thrust towards its chest immediately.

However, the attack did not properly connect.

Clang-!

The dagger bouncing off letting out a sharp noise.

“Ugh!”

At that impact, Ria backed away holding her wrist.

Crackle-

The attacked skeleton flashed its red eyes and turned around.

The bastard’s movement was faster than expected.

Whoosh-!

The rushing skeleton swung its sword towards Ria.

Watching the attack to the end, she lowered her body and dodged it.

Then, burrowing back inside, she plunged her dagger.

Clang-!

“Tsk!”

The attack carried out while minimizing the shock also didn’t work this time.

Ria bit her lips as if vexed.

Whoosh-!

Another skeleton that rushed in following that.

Despite being close to a chaotic melee, Ria dodged the attacks at a rapid speed.

– *shiver*

– Ria fights well too.

– She is freaking fast for real.

– If only she had a bit more strength.

– It would be broken if she was also strong with that speed;

The viewers poured out favorable reviews watching her combat for the first time.

Because they were movements honed for survival, she was fully capable of countering in any given situation.

Sss-

A faint wind swayed on the bluish-white blade held in Han-bit’s hand.

Perhaps thanks to the melted-down Spirit Stone, a fraction of Sylph’s power was continuously maintaining itself.

‘Should I give it a try.’

The weapon was created with specs far exceeding expectations.

For pulling out its performance to the absolute limit, Han-bit had the confidence to do so.

Tap-!

Kicking off his foot, he approached one of the skeletons fighting with Ria.

And he swung his sword towards the bastard’s shield.

Swoosh-!

A thick line sharply drawn from left to right.

Creak-

The attacked skeleton tried to counter by turning its head.

That moment.

Slash-

Suddenly, a long horizontal line formed on the shield the bastard was holding and it split apart.

Crack-

Despite sensing the anomaly, the skeleton tried to rush in flashing its red eyes.

However, that action could not be continued.

Stagger-

The upper half tilting forward before even managing to step perfectly.

The bastard’s torso becoming separated and falling to the floor was immediate.

– ?

– Crazy. Lol.

– He sliced it together with the shield?

– Is this feasible?

– The sword is f*cking good.

– Waterdrop Smithy is the future.

The chat window became noisy at the unanticipated result.

Han-bit approached the upper body of the skeleton collapsed on the floor.

Stab-

Positioning his sword down vertically, he plunged it towards the skeleton’s chest.

Crack-

The tip of the sword embedding while piercing through its spine.

The red core lying inside it was easily split apart and destroyed.

[Experience Points increased by 1,000.]

‘… Isn’t this far too good?’

Drawing out the sword, Han-bit let out an exclamation.

If it were just the Spirit Stone used, it would have to undergo slightly more growth and reinforcement to output this level of performance.

As expected, using the greatsword and twin daggers of the Nesto Guild members as materials was a brilliant judgment.

Crack-

At that moment, the two skeletons acknowledging the death of their compatriot moved.

Because they felt more danger from Han-bit than from Ria whom they were fighting.

Tap-!

Settling into his stance again, he kicked off his feet towards the charging enemies.

Swoosh-!

Slash-!

A sword drawn with just two simple motions.

Since it pierced perfectly through the skeletons’ chests this time, the bastards lost their power entirely as it was.

“So easily…?”

Ria blankly stared at the enemies collapsed on the floor.

The dagger held in her hand had lost its place to go.

“Hyung, please do something about this side too!”

Upon hearing an urgent voice, Han-bit turned his gaze.

Then he saw the sight of Yeon-woo being tormented by skeletons that had swelled to two.

“Do your best.”

“I’ve already done my best! Hurry up and help!”

– Loool

– Fighting.

– You can do it, Loafer.

– A little more and I think they’ll win (the skeletons will)

– Do your best! (Skeletons!)

As he cheered while waving his hand, the viewers chimed in as well.

As much as he wanted to tease him more, Yeon-woo holding out was gradually reaching its limits too.

Zip-!

At that time, a skeleton approached from the blind spot of Yeon-woo, who was asking for help.

The moment that sword was smashing down towards his neck.

Tap-!

Han-bit immediately kicked off his feet and approached.

“Ugh!”

As he yanked the nape of his armor, Yeon-woo collapsed backward losing his center of gravity.

At the exact same time, Han-bit’s sword sharply traced its line.

Slash-!

The skeleton’s red core vertically bisected along with its shield this time too.

Shifting his direction fluidly, Han-bit thrust his sword towards the remaining one.

Crack-!

The skeleton that was trying to smash down its sword had its core destroyed without so much as reacting.

Confirming its death, Han-bit shifted his gaze to the collapsed Yeon-woo.

“Hurry up and stand up. We need to go further.”