Can I Break the Barrier?
“Let's head up.”
Kang Hanbit moved upstairs with the two of them. Spotless spiral stairs without a speck of dust. As they reached the second floor, towering bookshelves lining the entire level came into view.
“Are you the guest?”
A man wearing glasses stood in the center. The metal chain dangling from one side and his neatly combed-back hair suited his cold impression perfectly.
“Adventurer Black Dragon.”
“I'm Lebius, the research director. What brings you here?”
His stiff expression and tone made him seem deliberately authoritative. But Lebius, tearing his gaze from the book, looked at Kang Hanbit with genuine seriousness.
“I came to learn fire attribute magic.”
“Hm. Do you have some knowledge of magic?”
“I had a good teacher. Pretty strict lessons.”
“I see.”
Thud—Lebius closed the book and turned his back. After glancing briefly at Kang Hanbit's wrist, he stepped toward the upward stairs.
“To the rooftop.”
“Director?”
Nia panicked at the sudden turn. Glancing between Lebius and Kang Hanbit, she gave an awkward smile.
“Uh… shall we go up first?”
“Yeah, let's go.”
Kang Hanbit climbed the stairs with everyone. The tower was tall, but they reached the rooftop quickly—thanks to the magic device Lebius had installed on the stairs.
“Ah, do you two have any mana potions? Could I have some?”
“Mana potions?”
“I'll provide them. Mid-grade, but I have plenty.”
Avant-garde pulled 100 mana potions from his inventory. More than enough to use right away.
“Thank you. I'll pay you back for sure.”
“Pay me back? I could give you 1,000. But why do you need mana potions?”
“I need them right now.”
“Right now?”
While that conversation played out, Kang Hanbit arrived on the rooftop. Lebius, who had gone ahead, stood before a low stone pillar in the center. Near its base was a diamond-shaped blue crystal. A magic crystal for storing mana.
“We'll do a test. Pass it, and I'll teach you the magic.”
“Sounds good.”
-Test?
- Did Lebius ever do something like that?
- Nah, haven't seen it on the community boards.
- Rank 1 noob, no clue.
The typical progression most players experienced was simple: complete Lebius's request and learn the skill. There was only one case where he demanded a test first.
When his curiosity was piqued. Like when an adventurer wearing a golden bracelet came to learn magic, for example.
“The test is simple. Demonstrate your magic to the best of your ability. This place has a defensive barrier, so feel free to go all out.”
“Got it.”
Ding-
[Quest: Pass Lebius's Test.]
Rewards: 100,000 gold, Lebius's Fire Lance spellbook (3-rank Hero), 3 stat points, 40,000 EXP
The quest had finally appeared. The chat was full of question marks, but the content was straightforward.
Kang Hanbit raised his right hand and chanted toward the empty air.
“Fire Burst!”
Boom!
The blazing fireball slammed into an invisible wall and exploded.
“Whoa!”
Nia, watching from a few steps away, widened her eyes. It was nothing like the Fire Burst she knew.
“What was that? The chant was just Fire Burst!”
The excited girl's voice didn't stop. But Lebius, arms crossed, murmured quietly.
“Again.”
“Got it. Fire Burst!”
Boom!
“Again.”
Boom!
“Again.”
Boom!
The repeated demands and magic demonstrations went on for quite a while.
Gulp—Gulp—
The mana potions from Avant-garde were depleting rapidly. When only three remained, Lebius's voice rang out.
“That's enough.”
He raised his hand lightly, his expression unchanged. He'd simply put his glasses in his pocket.
-He could take off the glasses?
- Ditch the specs lol.
- Handsome af;
- Alpha male whoa
The chat exploded at his bare face, a first for viewers. Only Kang Hanbit knew that this was Lebius's way of showing extreme emotion.
“Did I pass the test?”
“Not a single flaw. It was beautiful, as if blessed by spirits. I'll definitely reference it in my basic magic research.”
Lebius spoke with sincere conviction. The man was dead serious about magic research—almost obsessively so.
“Then, as promised, the spellbook.”
Whoosh—Lebius pulled a red-covered book from his robes. As Kang Hanbit received it, a notification popped up.
Ding-
[Quest completed.]
[Rewards upgraded based on Lebius's evaluation.]
[Received 200,000 gold.]
[Received Lebius's Fire Lance spellbook (3-rank Unique).]
[6 stat points granted.]
[80,000 EXP gained.]
[Level up by 1.]
[1 stat point granted.]
-Another Unique. lmao
-3-rank and the gap is insane;
-Why so strict only with me?
Kang Hanbit flipped open the cover right away.
[Use it? (Yes/No)]
The hologram felt nostalgically familiar. Touching 'Yes,' the book vanished in a puff of smoke. 'Fire Lance' was now in his skill list.
“Thank you. I'll master it.”
“Mm.”
After the thanks, Lebius stroked his chin and eyed Kang Hanbit. Then he said something odd.
“It just occurred to me. You might pick up new magic quickly too.”
“...Pardon?”
Kang Hanbit's eyes widened at the unexpected remark. Lebius had said things like this before—but never at this exact point. Every timeline had diverged differently up to now.
As Kang Hanbit analyzed furiously, Lebius put his glasses back on. Then, as if making a casual suggestion, he continued.
“That new spell you just got. Want to try using it?”
Ding-
A new alert followed his words. Kang Hanbit had to double-take.
[Hidden Quest: Satisfy Lebius's curiosity with the new spell 'Fire Lance.' One chance only. Success seems to promise a completely new spell.]
Rewards: Lebius's research spellbook, 200,000 EXP, 15 stat points
-?
-Another one? For real?
-Damn. lmao
-Actual hidden skill?
-Looks legit from the spellbook.
-Wtf stop trolling.
-Why do I get none?
The golden-bordered quest window gleamed. The sudden hidden content shocked the viewers.
“There were more hidden skills in Ifrit?”
“You were hiding such a big event!”
Kim Jaeha and Avant-garde chimed in, eyes wide. Kang Hanbit was just as stunned.
What the hell is this?
He reread the message several times. Satisfy Lebius's curiosity. One chance. No overlap with past memories, no matter how hard he searched.
A completely new spell? What's that?
Lebius always taught just 'Fire Lance'—he'd devoted his life to basic magic research. Something about being inspired by glimpsing spirit power, supposedly.
“What's wrong? Ignore the surroundings and go wild. I'll handle safety.”
“...Understood.”
Lebius added more, oblivious to Kang Hanbit's thoughts. His blank face now brimmed with interest—Kang Hanbit could tell.
This is intriguing as hell.
A spell from Lebius even he didn't know. Unexpected or not, curiosity about that research spellbook was growing. He had to nail this hidden quest.
Satisfy his curiosity...
The quest itself was simple. Just pique Lebius's interest. The catch: using the newly learned 'Fire Lance.'
“What do you plan to do? That new spell makes it a tough condition.”
“Yeah. Not easy.”
“Even Black Dragon says so. Hidden skills really are uncharted territory.”
Avant-garde whispered, his worried words belying an excited grin. He wasn't even considering failure.
Basic methods won't cut it.
He could perfectly execute 'Fire Lance' on the first try. But it wouldn't spark curiosity. Clues? Past conversations with Lebius—mostly about magic and research. He racked his brain.
...No idea.
There were ways to try. He could improvise spell applications to a point. But the one-shot condition made even 99% odds risky. Better to talk it out and fish for info...
Thud!
Something collided ahead. Nia was clutching the central stone pillar in a panic.
“Sorry! I bumped it by accident!”
She checked the barrier magic crystal inside, raising her voice. Lebius glanced over calmly.
“I replaced it with a new barrier I made myself. No issues, whatever happens.”
“Huh? When?”
“Night before last.”
“No way, you should've told me about something that important!”
Nia looked indignant at his casual tone. Even in safe Ifrit, the tower's barrier was crucial—it blocked external attacks and internal accidents.
Yet he'd swapped it without telling anyone.
“Didn't I give you advance notice five years ago?”
“Five years ago? I was just a kid!”
Nia put her hands on her hips, voice incredulous.
“Not long ago, then.”
“No!”
“Is that so.”
As the master-disciple banter continued, Kang Hanbit's gaze shifted.
No way...
The rooftop's only feature: the stone pillar and diamond blue crystal. Lebius's handiwork—a barrier he made himself, proud of his skill and pride.
If I play this right...
A plan flooded Kang Hanbit's mind. Looking up, he saw the dome barrier faintly shimmering.
He turned to Lebius.
“This barrier—is it okay if I try breaking it?”