Chapter 144
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Merhen's Farewell and the Martial Tower
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The fires of the Merhen palace burned late into the night.
The banquet hall was bustling with crowds, and at its center stood Jeong Hoon.
I was worried you might have forgotten about the banquet after putting it off for so long.
Kaiserk V said with a look of disappointment.
Im sorry. My comrades have been working hard around this time.
No, no. Now I see that Merhens hero is a man who cherishes his comrades as well.
At Kaiserk Vs words, everyone clapped.
It was a banquet attended even by nobles.
As expected of a hero!
A man who truly deserves the title of hero!
So cool!
Cheering for an outsider in the presence of the king.
Jang Ha-jin and Kim Bong-gu, who had been munching on food nearby, widened their eyes and whispered into each others ears.
Isnt this practically a cult?
Oh, I was thinking the same thing.
I can hear you.
You idiots.
Shout it louder! Hes the hero!
Hero!
Muk-ho and Anima seemed to have gotten caught up in the atmosphere, their minds a bit unhinged.
After Jeong Hoon finished a brief conversation and shared drinks with Kaiserk V and the nobles before returning to his seat, Ragan strode over as if hed been waiting.
Hoon! Please grant me the honor of pouring into your cup!
Ive already had quite a bit... but I suppose I cant refuse?
What kind of cold talk is that! Are you telling me not to sleep tonight?!
You could probably go one night without sleep.
...Ive been waiting. Ive been waiting all this time.
Ragan stared at Jeong Hoon with the pitiful expression of a rain-soaked puppy.
Unable to resist those pleading eyes, Jeong Hoon nodded.
...Alright. Pour away. But you have to last until the end.
Hahaha! Of course youd say that!
As soon as Jeong Hoon gave permission, Ragan burst into hearty laughter as if nothing had happened.
Their cups were filled.
For the eternal glory of the Merhen Knights!
That marked the beginning of the pouring frenzy.
Ragan kicked it off, and soon all the knights were swarming Jeong Hoon, eager to pour for him.
Tell us some tales from inside the gate!
Were dying to hear the heros exploits!
If you get the chance, could you take a look at our swordsmanship?
Its an honor to share a drink like this!
And so the night of revelry deepened.
Ugh...
No more...
...
Not a single knight who had poured for Jeong Hoon remained sober.
Only then did Jeong Hoon stand, pulling Jang Ha-jin and Bong-gu aside. He cast Healing on them, completely sobering them up.
There, had fun?
Yeah. More importantly, you okay?
I kept casting Healing, so Im fine.
Jeong Hoon had continuously dispelled his intoxication with Healing, staying perfectly clear-headed.
Wow... youre a real monster. Anyway, New World is amazing. They even replicated the buzz of getting drunk.
Tell me about it. It felt way too real.
Kim Bong-gu chimed in with Jang Ha-jins admiration.
Anyway, now Ill tell you why I brought you to the banquet.
A reason...?
We thought it was just for fun...?
The two had assumed it was purely for enjoyment and had let loose accordingly.
Jeong Hoon grinned.
Have your fun tonight. But starting tomorrow, level up as fast as you can to 201 and complete your third job change.
Huh? 201? Third?
Yeah...?
Jang Ha-jin and Kim Bong-gu blinked in confusion at the sudden order.
Jeong Hoon pointed at himself.
Look at me.
Yes sir! Looking now.
Kim Bong-gu responded loudly.
...Before you break that brake, check my player info.
Oh, right...!
Only then did they check Jeong Hoons player information.
What... 203?!
How did you hit 203 in such a short time...?
Jeong Hoon had reached level 203, fulfilling the third job change requirements, while Jang Ha-jin and Kim Bong-gu had not.
Yeah. So level up.
Well try, but 201 isnt something you hit overnight...
Even grinding monsters nonstop, gaining even one level was tough. When did he hunt to reach 201?
Kim Bong-gu silently cheered on Jang Ha-jins retort.
Well said. Well said!
Make that viper withdraw his ridiculous order!
But Jeong Hoon had already accounted for that.
You know the video that went up on Nutube while you were getting Dark Lord?
Yeah, I do. Thats what pushed your subscribers over a million.
It turned Skyfield into a total hotspot.
Users visiting Merhen headed to Skyfield to hunt Bone Lord Wyverns, and the stables Pegasi were dropping like flies.
Even Wigangs Shop in the Alchemist District, selling flight skill potions, was making a killing.
If you hunt Bone Lord Wyverns, Ill give you experience potions. Use those to level up.
...Dude, how am I supposed to do that? And that dungeons swarming with people.
Who said go alone? Join an expedition partysign up and get in.
Dark Lord was a unique-grade hidden class.
And Ambition was epic-grade.
If they applied, the party leader would be like, Thank you for gracing us!
...Do we really have to go this far?
Got a faster way to level?
Ahem, got it. Ill level as fast as I can.
Perfect. That way we can tackle later content together. Thanks.
Content... Well, no choice then. Got it!
In the end, it was Jang Ha-jin who was convinced.
At the same time, Kim Bong-gu despaired.
Ah... God...
The next day.
Jeong Hoon entered his capsule and logged in.
Youre leaving now?
As he prepared to depart the palace, Ragan showed up, somehow knowing.
Yes. Ive finished my business, so the outsider must take his leave.
Outsider? Youre Merhens hero! I heard you accomplished much even before arriving here. His Majesty might even recognize your merits and grant you a title.
A title.
Receiving one meant gaining personal territory, which could be developed for profit.
Among those raking in cash in New World, some lived large off their territory income.
But Jeong Hoon had no interest in titles.
Its fine. Thats not why I did it.
It was a world stitched together from dimensions anyway.
Living large there didnt seem fulfilling.
...Hah, even a hero has no greed.
Ragan was genuinely impressed.
Normally, someone performing such feats wouldnt refuse a title.
It was only right for a savior of the nation, and the nobles would approve.
With Kaiserk V personally naming him Merhens guardian, no noble would dare oppose him.
His path was paved with glory, yet Jeong Hoon rejected it all.
No. I have plenty of greed.
When this game became reality, he wanted to end it as quickly as possible. Building strength for that.
Playing the game was preparation.
So he was greedy for power.
Haha, a hero who forgoes a title claims greed? Then what are we, lumps of desire?
At this point, Jeong Hoon was truly respectable.
Outwardly weaker than himself, he was a hero of immense power who wielded it for others.
Anyway, Ill be off.
Jeong Hoon paid his final respects to King Kaiserk V.
If no further business, he wouldnt return.
As if reading his mind, Kaiserk V spoke with feigned sadness.
It pains me to send off Merhens hero like this. I wished you could stay longer...
Im sorry. I have much to do.
I see. I cant block a heros path.
Kaiserk V snapped his fingers.
Luke brought a pouch and handed it to Jeong Hoon.
It contained 500 gold.
Your Majesty, this...?
I pondered what I could give... Gold seemed best.
Kaiserk V grinned.
A wise man indeed.
The more gold, the better.
Jeong Hoon smiled back and pocketed it.
Refusing would slight Your Majestys goodwill. Ill use it well.
Thank you. Come anytime you need aid.
Yes.
Jeong Hoon left Merhen Kingdom and headed straight for the Martial Tower.
The third job change quest was at each jobs tower.
Martial Tower Master Kairos spent his days as usual.
But he had a new habit: extending his senses to scan the entire tower.
None today either.
The outsider who promised to return soon after leaving.
Hed defeated Kaiross clone and earned Siegfrieds recognition.
Yet he hadnt come, sending only other outsiders occasionally.
Kairos didnt show himself to them.
They werent worth it.
Hup!
He lifted the iron bar weighted with metal lumps overhead.
The martial path was endless.
Kairos repeated lifting and lowering.
After a while.
He suddenly slammed it down with a thud.
Hes here!
Kaiross lips curved into a grin.
This familiar aura.
Impossible to mistake.
It was Hoon, recognized by Siegfried.
T-Tower Master!
As he emerged, the martial artists in the tower bowed in unison.
Kairos casually acknowledged them and dashed to where Hoon was.
The awaited moment arrived.
Tower Master? Long time no see.
Jeong Hoon grinned at him.
...Youve grown much stronger.
Jeong Hoon looked different after so long.
Once unqualified, now he met the mark?
Yes. Im here for my third job change.
Of course, the tower master Kairos didnt handle third changes.
That was Instructor Lucass job for outsiders in the Martial Tower.
NPC Information
-Nickname: Lucas
-Level: 250
-Job: Martial Tower Instructor
He taught newbies here.
Outsiders reached 201 and came to him for third job change.
But in Kaiross eyes, Lucas seemed utterly inadequate.
How could someone like Lucas guide Hoonwhod defeated him, weakened or not, and earned Siegfrieds approval?
Ill handle it.
He should guide the third job change himself.
Pardon? You, Tower Master...?
Yes. Step aside.
Y-Yes, sir.
Lucas quietly stepped back.
Hoon, follow me. Ill take you to the third job change trial.
Thus, Kairos took charge of Jeong Hoons third job change.
Whats this guys deal, butting in?
Muk-ho tossed out a bemused remark.
Guess he really likes me.
Kairos appearing in the Martial Tower was only the second time in New World history.
He was meant to remain a mysterious figure, immersed in training without showing his face to users. But thanks to the prior incident, he appeared again before Jeong Hoon seeking third job change.
Does he give better rewards?
That would be nice.
Kaiross involvement was personal bias. Whether guided by him or Lucas, the third job change proceeded the same.
It took place on the Martial Towers fifth floor, behind a door like the sixth floor archive visited before.
But less secure, so Instructor Lucass authority sufficed to open it.
To pass, one needed qualifications: level 201 or higher.
Sss
The door opened, revealing a small room.
What do you see beyond the door?
Kairos asked.
Qualified, one saw the rooms interior; unqualified, only pitch blackness.
A stele about human height stands there.
Good. You may enter.
Kairos grinned and stepped aside.
It meant he was qualified.
Jeong Hoon slowly approached the stele beyond the door.
A question mark blinked atop it.
Job Change Quest: Awakening of Power
-Restriction: Lv. 201 Second Job Martial Artist
-Reward: Unlock Job Change Quest: Trial (12)
-Description: You meet the qualifications. The time has come to awaken your dormant power.
Jeong Hoon accepted the quest, and his body was instantly sucked into the stele.