Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The Human Dragon
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BOOM――!!!
"Charlson!!!!"
"Whoa, you scared me."
Startled by the door slamming open, Charlson bolted upright from where he lay on the bed.
"Hey, I told you to rest. What's with the racket in the middle of the night?"
"Dragons... I mean, why are there only five dragons?"
Charlson stared at Woojin with a baffled expression.
"...Have you been drinking?"
"Ugh, as if. What I mean is, are there possibly more dragons besides the known ones?"
"More dragons...? Well, as I said earlier, info on dragons is scarce. There could be others beyond the ones known on the continent."
"So... there might not be just four dragons?"
"Exactly. Who said there were four to begin with?"
Woojin realized his mistake at Charlson's words.
'I don't know Raoul's exact age, but factoring in this world being 50 years in the future, the sword's memories are at least from 30 years from now.'
Who knew what could happen in 30 years? The number of dragons might change.
'Damn...'
Woojin felt a bit deflated by Charlson's answer.
"...Sorry about that."
Woojin let out a low sigh.
"I thought there were more dragons than I realized. I wondered if one might be in the Dark Forest."
It was a quest given without a first class change.
That's why Woojin figured it might be doable before heading to the Central Continent.
"A dragon in the Dark Forest?"
"I was too hasty. I'll head back."
Woojin bowed to Charlson and turned to leave.
"Wait a second!!"
That's when Charlson called out to him, eyes gleaming.
"There is one."
"...What?"
"There is! A dragon in the Dark Forest!!"
He leaped out of bed in his pajamas and shouted at Woojin.
"Haha, why didn't I think of that? It doesn't have to be a real dragon to be a dragon!!"
"...What are you talking about? A dragon that's not a dragon? You're the one who seems drunk."
"Kukukuku!!"
Despite Woojin's words, Charlson burst into mad, joyous laughter.
"Human Dragon!"
Charlson smirked slyly as he spoke meaningfully to Woojin.
"A genius so brilliant he's called to possess a dragon's wisdom, despite being human."
He pulled a map from the wall and spread it out before Woojin.
"The Great Sage Harper Gwayne."
Great Sage
📍 Grade: B
⏰ Description: Find the Great Sage living somewhere in the beginner region.
It was a simple quest, but far from easy.
'Now it's B-grade as soon as I get them.'
Woojin gave a wry smile.
"But you won't find him easily."
Charlson tapped the map with his finger.
There was nothing where his finger pointed.
Just black shading.
"Uncharted region."
Woojin knew what the black areas meant.
"Right. It's shrouded in thick fog—nothing visible. Like the Ice Cavern, no one who's set foot on the Central Continent can enter."
'Entry restricted to under level 50.'
It made sense.
If Central Continent players could explore it, no uncharted regions would remain.
'Keruga left this because... he probably didn't know it existed.'
Back when top rankers like him started Evil Tail, mapping took a backseat to leveling for the Central Continent.
Woojin stared at the map location.
The edge of the Dark Forest.
Keep heading south from Hundred Flowers Valley's dimensional gate to the Central Continent.
"Haunted Harbor..."
"...Hm? What did you just say?"
Charlson widened his eyes and asked.
"Nothing."
But Woojin's eyes sharpened.
'It's from Gowoon's map.'
"This place? Hm... From what I know, there's an old lighthouse there. It lights up at midnight every day, but when checked, only one corpse inside."
He recalled Gowoon's words.
"Who knows about the corpse. Probably just rumors?"
'The corpse in the lighthouse. Could it be the Great Sage?'
In the future 50 years ahead, it might be a corpse, but alive in the current game world.
'If that's the Great Sage... what was he doing there?'
"Charlson, there's a harbor in Hundred Flowers Valley. Can I buy a ship if you have one? The sturdiest one."
"A ship? You seem to have something in mind... You know something about the uncharted region, don't you?"
"Not really. Just figured since it's coastal, sailing beats land travel."
"Hmph... You're hiding something."
Charlson grumbled, eyeing Woojin.
"Fine. There's one perfect for the black fog—one I've never given anyone."
"You, giving away a ship so easily?"
"Heh, in exchange, sell me the intel after exploring the uncharted region?"
He grinned slyly at Woojin.
"Free ship and profit from info—win-win."
"And you'll trade on the Central Continent with that info?"
"Heh, Aden Trading Company sponsors you anyway. Bigger company benefits us both."
Explore the Uncharted Region
📍 Grade: C
⏰ Description: Explore the uncharted region in the beginner area and report to Charlson.
🎁 Reward: Diplomacy level with Aden Trading Company greatly improves. [Current: Friendly]
'Sub quest, huh...'
He had to go there anyway—no loss for Woojin.
"Deal."
He skimmed the quest window and nodded to Charlson.
"Kukuku, no time for sleep! Let's head to the harbor and prep!! I'll give you the best ship—expect it!!"
Charlson shouted excitedly and dashed out in his pajamas.
"Come on, move it, you lot!!"
"Careful with that crate! It's worth ten times your pay!!"
The dawn harbor buzzed with activity.
"Ugh... so sleepy."
Luen, eyes barely open, leaned on Woojin's arm, hooking hers through it.
"What're you doing?"
"...Eek! S-sorry!"
She jolted awake, flailing her arms overhead.
"A-anyway... you're going to the uncharted region?"
"Yeah. Last hurdle before Central Continent. Suits us, right?"
"Amazing. Master looks thrilled."
"No one's done it before."
"Not scared?"
Woojin chuckled at her words.
"Terrified. Every moment."
How many feel fear playing games?
Any at all?
"That's why I do it."
Woojin eyed the docked ships.
"You're Khan?"
A man on deck looked down at Woojin.
"Who wants to know?"
"Heard from Charlson. You want the ship?"
He jumped down and handed Woojin a small key.
"Take this one."
"You're saying... sail it myself?"
"Obviously. Black fog, right? No sailor goes there."
The man eyed Woojin disapprovingly.
"No idea what you're thinking. If you're tossing it, give a cheap one."
He tossed the key with a grumble.
"Mana stone-powered. Just hold the wheel steady. Done my part."
Only then did Woojin notice the harbor's odd vibe.
The noisy place fell silent.
Glares from all around.
"Sorry... Tried hiring crew, but no takers, even dead."
Charlson approached from afar, looking troubled.
"Not even ten times advance pay."
"No need to apologize. Ship's enough."
"You sure?"
"Said steering's all—should manage."
"Hm... Guess I trust you. It's the sturdiest in the harbor."
Even Woojin, no ship expert, could tell it was top-notch.
"Only ship to return from black fog. Came back unmanned—awkward, so I bought it."
"Unmanned?"
"Yep. Cursed at first, now sailors' lucky charm."
Charlson pointed to the figurehead.
"Touch it."
Woojin boarded and touched it as told.
"...Oh?"
Woojin looked surprised at the light from the figurehead.
Trait: Luck
▶ Increases chance of special events.
'Luck... Not sure how it works, but speed boost explains the glares.'
"Who was the captain?"
Woojin asked Charlson from the deck.
"Hm... Zehir Bishop. Managed Hundred Flowers Valley harbor."
"Why'd he go to the uncharted region?"
"No clue. Folks say he sailed out at dawn like possessed."
"Possessed...?"
Something about Charlson's words nagged Woojin.
'Feels like there's more...'
Every quest has causality.
No way the captain sailed into black fog without reason.
-Master.
That's when Setsuna poked her head from Woojin's jacket.
-This ship. It's a bit off.
"...What?"
Analysis
▶ Occasionally uncovers hidden details.
Setsuna's eyes glowed.