Chapter 53

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Avant-garde?”

He retraced his memories at the somehow familiar name.

Then, a few donations and viewers’ reactions flashed through his mind.

“Ah, the person who frequently donated?”

“You remembered! I am that Avant-garde!”

He expressed his joy with a booming voice.

Naturally, the surrounding gazes were drawn to them.

“I’d appreciate it if you lowered your voice a bit. Since I don’t really want to advertise that I’m a streamer.”

“Ah, I apologize. I just got far too excited by myself.”

Avant-garde scratched his head and apologized.

“You came today as well?”

The store clerk greeted him as if she was used to his presence.

It seemed he dropped by this store frequently.

“Of course! Didn’t I even gain the fortune of seeing Black Dragon-nim by doing so!”

Because he was so excited, his voice grew loud again.

Han-bit quickly put his card into his wallet and said.

“The checkout is finished, right?”

“Ah, yes! We do deliver products to our customers’ homes at their preferred times.”

“Then please arrange it for 3 PM.”

“Understood. And um…”

The clerk, who was writing it down quickly, slyly took out a piece of paper and a pen from somewhere.

Then, she said in a small voice.

“If it wouldn’t be too much of an intrusion, could you perhaps give me your autograph?”

“…An autograph?”

The completely unexpected request was flustering.

He wasn’t a celebrity, nor was he a famous figure enough to give out things like autographs.

“I’ve been watching ever since you acquired the hidden skill. I’m a real fan, so perhaps… would it be difficult?”

“Ah…”

A request filled with sincerity was hard to bear turning down.

The problem was that something like an autograph for Han-bit did not exist.

‘Should I use that at least?’

Pondering for a moment, he recalled a certain memory.

The signature he continuously used in that other world where regressions, possessions, and reincarnations repeated.

Although the characters themselves were from over there, there was no problem even if people couldn’t recognize it.

Rather, since it wouldn’t overlap with other people, wouldn’t it be a decent choice.

“I will do it for you.”

“Really? Thank you!”

The moment he grabbed the pen, the clerk expressed her gratitude in a joyous voice.

Han-bit elegantly drew the signature on the paper so fluently that his hand remembered it.

“Wow, is this Black Dragon-nim’s autograph? It’s incredibly unique.”

The clerk watching right in front of him spoke with sparkling eyes.

In truth, as it was a set of characters closer to a crest, it would inevitably look fascinating to the eyes of others, right.

“Hyung, did something happen?”

At that time, Yeon-woo, who was looking at gears, and his mother approached the checkout counter.

The gazes of the two people naturally headed towards the autograph on the paper.

“Oh? What is this?”

“Did you write this?”

Yeon-woo merely expressing his doubt, and his mother who recognized her son’s handwriting.

The habit whenever he drew circular patterns had never changed even in that world.

Han-bit decided to quickly escape this place.

“Then I’ll be going now. Please make sure the item is sent properly.”

“Of course! Do your best for your broadcast today too! I’ll be looking forward to it!”

“…Thank you.”

Hearing cheering from a viewer in reality gave him a subtle feeling.

Are those people who go absolutely wild in the chat window also all ordinary on the outside.

“So, what really happened?”

When they came outside the store, Yeon-woo asked again.

Han-bit avoided his gaze and answered as if embarrassed.

“…The clerk recognized that I’m Black Dragon, so she asked me for an autograph.”

“Mom told you, didn’t she? That it would definitely be like that. Seeing how you look exactly identical, how could you not get caught?”

His mother narrowed her eyes, saying it was an expected occurrence.

Seeing the appearance of her son who ended up even giving an autograph while sighing, she felt a fascinating emotion.

“Haha, a potential star truly is different as expected. To the point my own presence naturally becomes faint.”

At that time, a man’s voice was heard from behind.

At the place everyone’s gazes headed towards simultaneously, Avant-garde was standing with a smile.

“Oh? Avant-garde…”

Looking at his face, Yeon-woo immediately realized his identity.

Since he too was a person who set his character to have the exact identical appearance as reality.

“Your tone of speech is exactly Loafer-nim’s, I see. It is a pleasure to meet you!”

Avant-garde, who equally realized Yeon-woo’s identity, took out a business card and handed it to him.

Then, taking out one more business card, he turned his gaze to his mother.

“Hello, Mother. I am Avant-garde, who streams RP games. Looking at it broadly, you could view me as Black Dragon-nim’s colleague.”

“Oh my, hello. For a young person, you’re very amiable.”

Avant-garde’s sociability naturally led the conversation.

Looking at that sight as if dumbfounded, Han-bit decided to quickly listen to his main point.

Since he made sure to advertise his desire to be contacted by donating to every single broadcast, he must have something he wants.

He certainly thought so.

“Then since I’ve given my greetings, I shall take my leave now.”

“…Yes?”

Contrary to his expectations, Avant-garde tried to leave the place immediately.

Reading Han-bit’s perplexed expression, he showed a good-natured smile and said.

“Since you are spending a holiday with your mother, I shouldn’t intrude any further. If there’s another opportunity next time, I shall see you then.”

Like that, Avant-garde disappeared into the distance.

Looking at his retreating back, Han-bit asked Yeon-woo.

“That guy didn’t have any proposals?”

Avant-garde’s name, which hadn’t been seen amongst the roster reaching 100 entries.

While it is possible his conditions were worse compared to other competitors, from what he felt, it seemed far from business.

“It was nothing but things like asking to contact him just once, and that he really wanted to talk with you.”

“Really? What kind of broadcasts does he do in RP? Story walkthroughs?”

“No. Rather than progressing through main quests, it’s more of a feeling of traveling around the map.”

Avant-garde was a figure who wanted to see various things rather than continuously advancing forward.

Perhaps his desire to meet and talk to him was also related to that inclination.

“If he wants to talk, wouldn’t it be fine to grant it? He seemed like a good person too.”

His mother spoke up, asking if it wouldn’t really be a difficult task.

Looking at the business card in his hand, Han-bit slowly averted his gaze.

“I’ll think about it.”

***

After looking around the vicinity for about 1 more hour, Han-bit returned home together with his mother.

The Level 3 gear he purchased arrived almost at the same time.

“To think something this small is incredibly expensive.”

His mother watching from the side said as if fascinated.

Components slightly larger and more complicated than the gear he originally used.

However, compared to the price of 30 million won, it was incredibly simple.

“Because the price is like this, I thought you’d stop me, Mom.”

Before going to the RP store.

Han-bit conveyed his desire to buy an expensive gear to his mother.

Hearing the story that it was a part of an investment, his mother willingly nodded her head saying it was good to prepare anything well.

Right now as well, that thought remained unchanged.

“Why would Mom argue about the money you earned? And the donations people gave you? That money should be used well for your broadcasts too.”

His mother dismissed his worries saying it was a matter of course.

The money her son earned through his own efforts and abilities was entirely her son’s.

She had absolutely no intention of blowing some influence into him just because she was a parent.

Although she was flustered at a gift like today’s, since he wasn’t a child who would spend his money frivolously.

“Are you going to broadcast now? I’ll leave dinner in the fridge so you can warm it up immediately, so make sure you eat.”

“Got it. I’ll eat it even if it’s late.”

Watching him for these past few days, his mother grasped her son’s situation where he didn’t even have time to eat.

Although she was worried, it was a relief that he was immersing himself and enjoying games and broadcasting that much.

“Phew.”

Entering his room, Han-bit laid out the new gear on his bed.

Fittingly for its expensive price, the condition of each and every part was astonishingly superb.

“What do I do with the one I originally used.”

He bought a new one, but the level 2 gear Yeon-woo gifted him was also an item worth 5 million won.

Wouldn’t an occasion arise to put it to more meaningful use rather than selling it secondhand.

Whir-

Having settled down on his bed, Han-bit booted up the gear.

His vision going dark along with mechanical noises.

It didn’t take long for the light to enter and the scenery inside Edlen to appear.

Clench-

Han-bit slowly clenched and opened his fist.

Moving his body this way and that, he began to observe the changes while switching to various motions.

The results were astonishing.

‘The physical sensation is to this extent?’

The performance of the gear that increased by one level showed definitive differences.

Compared to level 2, it felt like several sandbags were taken off.

Even the intricacy of his movements was different, so it felt like he was gradually approaching his ideal direction.

‘If I go to the final one, it’d even surpass that, wouldn’t it?’

The next tier of gear is level 4.

It was the final product available for purchase on the market.

It seems the capsule-type equipment could only be used if one had the fame of a Vanguard or someone of that caliber.

“Hyung!”

While he was moving his body a bit more, Yeon-woo logged in.

Han-bit immediately pressed the broadcast start button.

“Ah ah, hello. You can hear me, right?”

– Ryong-Hi.

– Hihi

– Waited for effing long;

– Let’s Go Main Quest~

– Are you finishing the story today?

– Unlikely.

The viewers streaming in quickly became rowdy.

In order to draw their attention, Han-bit opened the quest details.

[Main Quest #8: Gathering]

With the help of Asla, you repelled the assault of the Holy State’s assassin.

In order to judge the crimes of Vares and Brooke, the power of the Sword of the King, the Royal Guard Knights, is necessary.

Let’s meet the former retainers of William, whom Cowen has gathered, and unite our wills.

Objective: Let’s formulate a plan together with William’s retainers.

Reward: 50,000 gold, 15,000 Experience Points, 2 Stat Points

*Current Progress Rate: 66 Percent

*This quest can be undertaken after 12 hours.

The goals of the story racing towards the second half of the first episode are three.

First. Clearing the false charges and restoring the status of William and Ria by judging the crimes of Vares and Brooke.

Second. Protecting Ria from Vares and the Holy State’s assassins.

Third. Not getting the traces of the Spirit Spirit King Salion contained within Northon’s Ring stolen by the enemies.

If even one of these goals goes awry, the episode cannot meet a proper conclusion.

Especially since Ria falls in even more danger since Vares and the Holy State will be competing over the Spirit King’s traces.

That was why the existence of Asla was far too vital in this episode.

“But can’t you just keep Ria in that secret room until the story is finished? Nobody would be able to find her.”

Yeon-woo, who was reading the quest details, asked.

Although it was a natural thought, it didn’t flow that comfortably.

“That place isn’t entirely safe. Given that a battle with an assassin occurred, once their preparations are done, they’ll just collapse that entire area down entirely.”

“Then you can just keep the ring, Hyung. Or give it to Asla.”

“The ring returns to Ria if the distance gets too far. It’s an item imprinted on blood after all.”

– That’s tough;

– Nothing’s working out for them.

– Can’t we lure them with the ring, and ask Asla to kill them all?

– What if there are multiple Holy State assassins?

– Then just give them what you have to give.

– Sever ties;

The viewers poured out various speculations and opinions.

However, all their thoughts were confined within the trial and errors Han-bit experienced in the past.

Although he doesn’t pride himself as being the definitive right answer, experience does not lie.

“We shall slowly move now.”

Han-bit moved to the old building in the alleyway.

And when he stood in front of the secret space in the basement, a message popped up.

[Moving to the cutscene.]