Chapter 65

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 65

Chapter Title: First Snow Pioneer

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Unexpectedly, with no anticipation whatsoever, the viewers were thrown into confusion by the sudden turn of events.

Kang Seol knew that once this adventure ended, his adventure score would surpass 1 million points.

In fact, he figured even lovers exchanged gifts on their 100th day together, so surely the system would toss him some reward for hitting 1 million adventure points. He was secretly looking forward to it.

'Even so, a first-ever achievement?'

Since the adventure score system was newly introduced, Kang Seol had no clue about achievements like this. He didn't know what effects the title granted, either.

Suppressing his excitement as best he could, he checked the title he'd earned from the first achievement.

It was concise, but the effect was jaw-droppingly powerful.

'My god...'

Pandea had several systems in place to maintain a certain balance.

One of them was levels.

If you completed the same number of adventures, your level would rise accordingly.

Kang Seol had reached level 11 after eight adventures, meaning other players did too.

But if someone thought speedrunning short adventures would max out levels, they only knew half the story.

The benefits of higher levels? A few key adventures unlocked, and a slight stat boost.

That led to the conclusion: players couldn't just chase levels.

Stats had to be high, gear quality mattered a lot, and you couldn't ignore titles, feats, achievements, and such.

Among these extras, top-tier abilities and their proficiency were key, right alongside raw stats.

The first title Kang Seol just nabbed would roll a massive snowball when viewed through that lens.

'Extra ability points per adventure? Proficiency will skyrocket exponentially.'

Stacking bonus points from early adventures would widen the gap between him and everyone else.

'Worth all that hustle.'

'Good thing I snagged this first title. If it went to someone else, it'd be risky.'

If this power had gone to another player, Kang Seol might get overtaken someday.

He wasn't pushing ahead to crush others, but getting caught meant he hadn't optimized perfectly. No way he'd let that happen.

"Master's smiling?"

"Leave him be. He grins like that sometimes. Just ignore it."

With one more chatterbox in the shadow space, it was getting crowded now.

Kang Seol warned them.

"Stay quiet once we're in the city."

"Of course."

"I always read the room. Unlike this fairy."

"Oh, a troll who reads the room! So romantic."

"Ugh... Get stronger quick and expand this place. Separate me from this fairy."

"Why? I was just getting cozy in this tight space. Neighbors, right?"

"Who's your neighbor?!"

Kang Seol rubbed his forehead and checked another message.

'The rankings have shuffled.'

Mostly the same faces from before, nothing major except 2nd and 3rd dropping to 4th and 5th.

'4th and 5th must be on long adventures... Who's LoneWolfLover?'

A newcomer in 3rd: LoneWolfLover.

'Yumi? Or a third player? Whatever.'

The score gap was now too wide for one or two adventures to close, so no need to memorize.

'Ominous events?'

Novira's message had a subtle change.

What could unsettle the populace like this?

Kang Seol kept it in mind as he entered the city.

"Buy me that."

"Shh."

"Whoa... all those are people?"

"Can you be quiet?"

"Buy me clothes first, then maybe."

"You're doing this on purpose, right?"

"Clothes, clothes, clothes, clothes."

Because of Karen in the shadow space drawing stares, Kang Seol headed straight for the smithy.

"Where you going?"

"Didn't you want clothes?"

"Everyday wear, obviously. You want me in heavy armor?"

"Karuna wore it fine..."

"Karuna just endured it! Buy Karuna some too when he returns!"

Jamad chimed in.

"He'd sigh whenever we came back here. I get why now."

"Hear that? Now that I'm here, no worries about the shadow getting spotted."

"Because of Mirage?"

"Yeah, it's a type of illusion magic. Normal folk won't notice."

Kang Seol agreed.

'It was flawless. Did her disguise talent awaken?'

More useful for daily life than some vague ability.

Not that her abilities were vague anyway.

'Sealed ones can unlock later... But why talent in this?'

The answer came from the shadow space.

"You just thought something weird, huh?"

"No. Just pondering why you inherited Mirage."

"I handled lots of missions like this back then. Disguises, infiltrations... Once..."

Her words trailed off; she seemed to be recalling old memories.

"Anyway, let's go in there."

As requested, Kang Seol entered the clothing shop and picked out an outfit. A red dress fit for a noble lady.

"Isn't it too flashy?"

"I picked it. What's your problem? Scared you'll go broke?"

"Not that, but it'll draw eyes..."

"I draw eyes anyway. Any fairies walking the streets?"

"...True."

After buying the clothes, Kang Seol stashed them in the shadow space on a quiet street.

"What a fuss."

"Quiet down, troll?"

"Yes, yes."

Jamad replied half-heartedly, hands up in surrender. Minutes later, voices echoed again from inside.

"Ho... Not bad."

"What do you think? Decent, right? Even for a troll?"

"My taste says no, but humans might differ."

"Idiot me for expecting from a troll. I get aesthetics now?"

"Look again. Even worse."

"Hey!"

"Hmph!"

As their lowbrow banter continued, Kang Seol looked away and up at the sky.

Novira's daily life seemed utterly peaceful.

Nothing unusual since arriving.

Good thing he had channels for info without legwork.

'Time to contact Kibo.'

Kibo, now leader of Novira's ruin hunters, was basically an ally.

"What're you staring at?"

While lost in thought, Karen called from behind.

"Nothing mu..."

Turning casually, Kang Seol froze at her appearance.

"Well?"

"...Looks good?"

"It's shadow essence at core, but strolling like this has charm, no?"

Karen looked reborn in her living form. Red dress, vivid skin tone.

A perfect fairy.

'Her hair didn't fully restore, though.'

Unlike memories with Karuna, her locks were gray, not red.

Noticing his gaze, she fiddled shyly with her hair.

"This part wouldn't cooperate. Anyway, let's go. Where to?"

"One stop first."

"Sounds good."

Her height nearly matching Kang Seol's, gray hair swaying as she walked—it captivated Novira's residents.

"Wh-who is that...?"

"Traveling troupe? Didn't hear about one."

"Don't stare rudely. Looks like a noble lady out for air."

"Ah, right. Must be big shot... Look at her slave escort."

"Yeah, even the slave's well-dressed."

A bit miffed, Kang Seol said nothing as Karen hummed happily.

"The world's changed so much. Buildings are wild."

"Yeah?"

"Everything's new."

Then she quipped self-deprecatingly.

"...I'm the only one unchanged."

Kang Seol didn't force conversation, just kept walking.

"Fewer people now? Why head to such a secluded spot?"

"He lives here."

"People live here? No signs of... Ah! Him?"

Snap!

A man stood with hands behind his back where her finger pointed.

It was Hawmun.

"You've returned."

"Hawmun, sorry to drop by unannounced."

"No issue. Good things come without warning. That said, your companion..."

"My ally."

Hawmun nodded at Kang Seol's reply.

"A fine one. Her aura's solid as tempered steel."

"Hear that? He complimented me! Not bad, human! Good vibes from you too!"

Karen bounced with joy; Hawmun smiled.

"Come in."

They followed him inside.

Knowing Kang Seol skipped tea, Hawmun cut straight to it.

"The reason for your visit..."

Kang Seol, short on time too, got to the point.

Snap—

He handed over an item.

"Hm... Another headache."

"Sorry."

"No need. This sword... it's admirably still breathing despite the ruin."

Kang Seol had come for Karen's shattered Crimson Lotus Sword.

"Can you handle this blade?"

Hawmun examined it long before speaking.