Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Heroes Assemble
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Rumors spread through the world of Agas with lightning speed. The news that Viscount Balrag Chainver had finally drawn his sword to eliminate the bandit gang plaguing his borders was met with initial indifference by the player community. Most dismissed the event as a standard regional cleanup.
No one truly believed a group of outlaws could withstand a coordinated assault from the Viscount's professional soldiers. However, the actual results of the first skirmish left the community in shock. The Viscount’s forces had successfully encircled Bilbar Mountain and stormed a hidden passage, only to be repelled by a fortified makeshift fortress. The "mere plunderers" had forced a full withdrawal of imperial troops.
The players began to take a second look at the occupiers of Bilbar Mountain. These weren't ordinary bandits; they boasted levels around 100, larger numbers than anticipated, and utilized disciplined, high-level combat tactics. They were anomalies that defied the regional average of level 50. The atmosphere grew tense as people wondered if the Viscount would swallow his pride and beg the kingdom for support or turn to expensive external fixers.
Finally, Viscount Chainver made his move, posting an extermination notice and launching a massive recruitment drive for adventurers and mercenaries. The hunt for elite "fixers" had begun.
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"Did you hear about the Jermi incident?"
"Yeah, if it weren't such a low-tier zone, I’d jump in for those rewards. The gold is juicy."
In a high-end capsule lounge, a group of young men discussed the Viscount's order. They speculated on which high-level rookies would be recruited, assuming only those in the top rankings could handle the level gap.
Amidst the chatter sat Seokwoo, chain-smoking and looking deeply troubled. He knew from his early recon that these weren't ordinary bandits. During the Viscount's failed assault, Seokwoo had observed the gang’s executives—level 110 veterans with terrifying judgment and command skills. They moved in perfect sync, turning a makeshift base into an impregnable fortress.
'It’s a group trained for large-scale warfare,' Seokwoo realized. The tight surveillance made his usual thief-style infiltration nearly impossible. He needed to sow chaos to thin their ranks, and joining the Viscount’s team was the most logical path. The pay was excellent: 1 gold upfront plus rare-grade equipment rewards.
The problem was the level cap. The quest required players to be between level 90 and 120. Luke was currently only level 79. He lacked the infamy to force his way in and the level to qualify officially. He sat in the smoke, racking his brain until a memory surfaced.
'The honor badge.' He recalled the reward he had received from Lord Demian after the war between Demian and Kaum. It was a badge of the top contributor, a literal "hero’s pass" that proved prowess without revealing a player's true name or level.
'Let's give it a shot,' Seokwoo thought, his eyes gleaming with renewed focus.
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In the heart of the dungeon city of Jermi, mercenaries and adventurers flooded the Viscount’s manor. The average level of the crowd hovered around 100, all drawn by the promise of gold and rare gear. The air was thick with whispers about the two powerhouses the Viscount had allegedly spent his entire budget to hire: the elite rookies.
The gates opened and the first star strode in: Baek Eun. With blue hair and silver plate armor, the holy knight carried a massive mace and shield. Ranked 3rd among all rookies, he had a wholesome, dependable aura. Players watched him with a mix of relief and envy, knowing his rare-grade gear would anchor their front line.
But the real silence fell when the number one rookie entered the manor. Roxy walked in with indifferent eyes, her wave-like blonde hair framing a face that showed no interest in the crowd. She was the "Fist Master," boasting an ability score of 80 and an undefeated record in duels. She was the first to solo a raid clear as a fighter, possessing talent that rivaled even the legendary Kotaro. She ignored the other mercenaries, giving only a fleeting glance to Baek Eun.
Just as the assembly seemed complete, the mood shifted once again. A latecomer entered the manor, causing a ripple of recognition to turn into a wave of shock. He wore dark black leather with a kukri and a dagger at his waist. His outfit was new, but the accessory covering his face was unmistakable.
"That's...!"
"The Iron Mask Man!"
It was the hero of the Kaum war, the mysterious player who had overwhelmed two rookies and vanished into legend. The one and only Iron Mask had returned.