The Sage's Hidden Legacy
Kang Hanbit's doubt was only natural. He'd never heard of any materials hidden by the Sage. But Lebius replied with a touch of pride in his voice.
"I pored over everything he left behind a hundred years ago, without missing a single piece. And in each book and document, I discovered fragments of hidden records. Cross-referencing them one by one, I realized they were research findings on spirits."
-The Sage is legit.
-Death's Lighthouse, isn't that where it's at?
-No one's sure since it's an unmarked map.
-Maybe they just added the lore and forgot to patch it in?
-Info) RP hasn't had a single patch since launch.
-True, no bugs have ever popped up. lol
-For real, the polish is insane.
The Sage who had stopped by Ifrit during his travels. His name was unknown, but the word "Sage" itself was a unique title recognized across the world. Even past Hanbit had only accessed what he'd left behind, always harboring curiosity. Who would've thought there were hidden contents?
"The power of spirits isn't something you easily forget. For those walking the path of magic, it's only natural to yearn for it. The Sage must have felt the same."
"Does that research he left behind include this too?"
"Yes. If I hadn't witnessed your power, I would've taken that research to the grave with me."
Lebius's gaze grew distant as he looked at the magic tome. The reason past Hanbit hadn't learned Element Amplification—it was unfinished research, but also Lebius's will not to tarnish the Sage's name.
I never even imagined this.
The Sage's new records were an enormous harvest. Especially if they related to spirits—the value was immeasurable. Even the hidden skill could now become a major variable.
"Looks like we have more to discuss. I'll come back once things are wrapped up. Oh, and I have one favor to ask..."
As Hanbit bid farewell, he slipped in the request. It concerned the monster wave.
"You need cooperation with the dwarves, right? If it's your request, I'll grant it anytime. Come by whenever."
Lebius accepted without a moment's hesitation. Even scouring all past regressions, there'd never been such ready agreement.
"Thank you. I'll drop by again soon. See you later, Nia."
"Ah, yes! Take care! No, please come back for sure!"
Nia, lost in a daze, hurriedly waved goodbye. Her sparkling eyes held the shock of someone who'd just seen a real spirit. Hanbit chuckled at the sight and left the tower with the two.
"I never expected you'd acquire a hidden skill like this. Every action truly has a plan behind it!"
Avant-garde, following behind, raised his voice in admiration. Unfortunately, this was way off plan.
"I didn't expect this either. It's not even in the novels."
"And yet you got this result... Black Dragon, you're on another level. I feel it again."
-Constant worship.
-Bangga, let's just start a cult.
-Can't we get that too?
-Yeah, no usage limit either.
-What about Spirit King's Trace?
-Figure it out yourselves.
The original purpose of visiting the tower was to learn Fire Lance and request wave cooperation. He'd never anticipated results surpassing all that.
"Heading straight to the snowfields now? I'm already thrilled at the thought of seeing the Snow Drake."
Avant-garde immediately asked about the next destination. Hanbit glanced around, checked the time, and said,
"Need to prep a bit. Jaeha hyung, head to Gorik's workshop for now."
"Got it."
Kim Jaeha nodded and headed for the city gates. Gorik was probably still holed up in the underground workshop. Unwilling to face his people yet. But setting aside his complicated past and feelings, reclaiming the legacy would solve everything.
Hanbit turned and pointed to the building across the way.
"Let's hit the guild first."
***
"...You're going to subjugate the master of the snowfields?"
Inside the bustling guild building, the receptionist Glingko let out a bewildered voice. A D-rank adventurer had shown up out of nowhere spouting nonsense.
"Hey, adventurer. This isn't a place to throw your life away. Didn't you see the guild sign out front?"
"It's a request no one's taking anyway, right? Anyone can do it."
"No, who sends a D-rank party on an A-rank request? You'll die to yetis before even reaching the Snow Drake!"
-A-rank request?
-For real, that's suicide. lmao
-But it's Black Dragon?
-National power level whoa
Glingko firmly refused. Avant-garde was D-rank like Hanbit. Guidebook said you got D after clearing episode 2.
It doesn't have to match the request rank exactly, but...
D-rank adventurers could take and clear A-rank requests if capable. But the one Hanbit wanted was ignored even by the guild master. Searching for the legendary Snow Drake was a mountain of a task in itself.
He understood the receptionist's reaction, but now was the time to prove their worth somehow.
"See this bracelet? D-rank or not, I'm a pretty decent adventurer."
"...Gold?"
As Hanbit shook his wrist, Glingko's eyes widened slightly. Then, as if realizing something,
"No way, the adventurer from yesterday..."
"Yeah. I joined the monster wave subjugation. Guild master's seen it firsthand, so check with him."
Hanbit pressed without backing down. She frowned, pondered, then slammed the desk.
"D-rank is still D-rank! If you were that skilled, you'd have a higher rank! Guild master's away, so no way!"
Prioritizing adventurer lives, Glingko rejected again.
She's consistently firm.
Conversations with her were always like this. Unlike Miel, unswayable. But the counter was close by.
"Hold on."
As they locked eyes, a voice came from right behind. It was a familiar brown-haired adventurer—Nia's father and B-rank, Zenon.
He stepped up and said to Glingko,
"What if I go with them?"
"...Mr. Zenon? What do you mean?"
Glingko's eyes widened. Ifrit's veteran had suddenly offered to join.
"I'm not in my prime, but still B-rank. Not exactly unqualified, right?"
"Didn't you hear the target? Master of the snowfields—the Snow Drake! You know no one's spotted it in centuries!"
Glingko raised her voice, stressing the danger. No past subjugation records for the Snow Drake. Just known as dangerous, making the request symbolic.
"Couldn't subjugate it because we couldn't find it. With recent monster anomalies, isn't it time to resume searching?"
"Theoretically, yes! But going with a D-rank party to a place with yetis?"
"For a normal D-rank, sure. But these two aren't ordinary adventurers. Nor is the comrade behind them."
Zenon looked at them with conviction.
"Even if you say that..."
Glingko scratched her head, glancing between them. Watching, Zenon pulled out his adventurer card.
"I get your concerns. A-rank request, Snow Drake target—high wall. So how about changing the subjugation goal to external scouting?"
"External scouting?"
"We need to investigate traces regardless. Thoroughly checking the snowfield outskirts should be fine for this party, no?"
"...I guess so."
Glingko slowly nodded to Zenon's persuasion. Guild master was busy with forest probes, but snowfields needed scouting too.
She frowned, sighed, and said,
"You're really just doing external scouting?"
"We have no intention of throwing our lives away. Black Dragon, you agree, right?"
Zenon subtly guided. Hanbit, catching on, nodded.
"I'll follow Mr. Zenon's lead. Better safe than sorry."
"Ugh..."
Glingko clutched her head at their unified stance. But her dilemma didn't last.
"...Fine. No choice."
-Oh.
-It worked ;
-All hail Zenon
-Nia's the future.
She pulled out a red parchment from under the counter—A-rank color.
"Snow Drake matters go through this request by principle. I can't modify it, so I'll issue a separate temp one."
Shrrk—
Glingko swiftly wrote on yellow parchment. When done, she handed over both.
[Request]
Rank: A-rank
Issuer: Firnen de Artua
Content: Subjugate the snowfields' master, Snow Drake
Reward: To be negotiated
[Request]
Rank: C-rank
Issuer: Glingko
Content: Search for traces and existence of Snow Drake
Reward: To be negotiated
"Rewards are master's call, and no dangerous actions allowed. If you spot the snowfields' master, retreat immediately. Even if it notices you, run no matter what."
"Got it."
"Will do."
As Glingko warned once more, the two adventurers nodded in sync.
"Zenon, you really going? Too risky."
"Yeah, rookies won't even move right."
"Or late tonight? Our party can tag along."
Guild adventurers voiced concerns one by one. But Zenon shook his head with a smile.
"Too many for scouting? This size is perfect."
"Still, for safety..."
"Come on, let's go."
As advice swelled again, Zenon quickly pushed Hanbit's back. Once Avant-garde followed out,
Zenon lowered his voice.
"Hard to talk here. Shall we move spots?"
The bustling guild area was packed. Not just NPCs—players watched too. Probably from community posts.
"Let's head to the dwarves' building. I have things to tell you."
"Ah, I heard. They stay inside instead of wall repairs. Black Dragon's proposal, right?"
News of Black Dragon and dwarves spread fast in Ifrit. Though the city's vibe wouldn't change.
"Details later. Let's move first."