Laughter in the Chat and Millions in the Bank
-Holy shit lololol
-Only one to clear it.
-Community guide posts are gonna explode.
-How do we even copy that?
-Just watch the video and follow along~
-Pretty easy, right?
[SwordKing has sponsored 50,000 won.]
[Tutor me too plz;]
"Thanks for the 50,000 won donation!"
While Yeonwoo reacted, Hanbit picked up the training manual.
Pew-!
With use, Basic Swordsmanship was registered. He'd acquired every skill listed in the guidebook.
Now it was time to push beyond that.
"That won't be enough for you."
The quietly standing swordsman met his gaze and spoke.
-?
-What's not enough?
Viewers reacted first to the unfamiliar situation.
Hanbit, who had seen it coming, nodded.
"Yeah, it's not enough. Got anything else?"
"My master has come to Edlen, or so I heard. Meeting him would grant you entirely different teachings."
He held out a cloth emblazoned with a green sword emblem.
Upon receiving it, a message appeared.
[Quest]
You've heard about Swordsman Baldor's master. Earning his recognition might teach you something truly special.
Objective: Find the Wind Swordsman in the Edlen region.
Reward: Linked quest unlocked
-Special skill?
-Is this a hidden one?
-Wind Swordsman whoa
-Nah, probably just another 2-rank skill.
-Hidden stuff in the starting area? Lmao
-Stop with the delusions lol
The chat erupted into arguments over the emphasized words.
'It's definitely hidden.'
It was one of the recommended skills Hanbit remembered. A few blank slots there had shone particularly bright—one of them a hidden skill obtainable in Edlen.
"Thanks. I'll go see him."
"Seek where the winds gather. Show him this cloth, and he'll... probably talk to you."
With that, the swordsman grabbed his real blade and vanished behind the cabin.
'Where the winds gather...'
The precise description left nothing more to add. Ordinary players wouldn't get a hint from it.
"What's this? Some special skill?"
"Who knows. Probably something good."
"Hyung! You know, don't you!"
The two headed down the mountain path toward the city.
Right after re-entering the city, an alarm rang.
Ding-
[Cuckoo has sponsored 1,000 won.]
[Hundreds heading to the cabin. Swordsman pulling an all-nighter.]
-lololol
-Mostly total noobs right? Lmao
-Black Dragon dropped the poison.
-What if there's a national team swordsman there?
-Still tough tho?
-National team would crush it.
-If they have a capsule?
-Yeah, even with money you can't buy one~
Hanbit, glancing at chat, had the same question pop up.
'Could a real genius pull it off?'
Hanbit didn't think he had any special talent. It was just that his training and combat experience were overwhelmingly deep.
Was there really someone with enough talent to close that gap?
"Why'd you come back to Edlen anyway? What about the master?"
"Oh, that. I'll find him tomorrow."
-?
-Don't cross the line.
-Guys it's dawn.
-I sleep at 10am tho?
-Don't go for now; it's late;
Viewers desperately trying to hold him back despite the hour.
Hanbit answered firmly.
"You forgetting this is only day 2 for me? Curious about the skill? Come back tomorrow."
-Ah.
-Oh yeah day 2 lol
-Not like 2 years in?
-2 years stuck in Edlen = pervert?
-That's the vibe.
Reactions from viewers who'd genuinely forgotten.
Yeonwoo raised his voice watching the scene.
"Yeah, you're right. You've come a long way."
"Alright, I'm out. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah, get some rest."
-Bye
-See ya tomorrow.
-Pls no early bird
-DragonBar.
-DragonBar. lol
Click-
The stream ended amid viewers' farewells.
"Whew."
Hanbit took off his gear and sighed.
"Ugh, so hot."
Sweat-soaked hair and back. No way he'd sleep without a shower.
Grabbing a towel, Hanbit headed for the door.
Bzzz-
Sudden vibration. Picking up his smartphone, his eyes widened.
「Juyeonu」
「Hyung, sent the sponsorship and prize money settlement to your account. Heading to bed~」
"...Already?"
He'd expected it to take days. Surprised, Hanbit quickly opened his banking app.
"How much was it? Wonder how much."
Happy dilemma as his gaze locked on. No need to check transfers—this account had barely 10,000 won before.
Now it was filled with an absurd amount.
[3,113,000 won]
"Holy shit."
He couldn't believe his eyes. The full challenge mission prize was shocking enough, but there was more on top.
Sponsorships had poured in, for sure.
"For real?"
Mind sharpened despite the late hour. Earning more than his intern salary in just two days—actual playtime barely 10 hours.
"Haa."
A sigh escaped at the unreal gap. Tied to his desk spying on others during internship days, old memories resurfaced alongside the fun game stream.
It felt like the world he knew, but broadcasting and viewers doubled the money and fun.
"...Maybe skip work."
The thought slipped out thinking of morning commute. But he knew it was impossible.
Cold reality wouldn't melt for 3 million won.
"Shower first."
Sighing, Hanbit grabbed his towel and left the room.
The open living room held his sleeping mother.
'Hot-blooded son holds back.'
He wanted to wake her with the 3 million news, but couldn't disrupt her commute.
Tap-
Opening the banking app, Hanbit transferred the money right away.
'Done.'
Satisfied after sending 3 million to his mom, he nodded.
Quick shower done, he returned to his room.
'So what now.'
Lying in bed, Hanbit blankly stared at the dark ceiling.
As expected, RP was that world he'd grinded hard in. Felt like attempting the 56th run, different method but same vibe.
'Can I reach it this time?'
Failed all 55 attempts at his goal. Never even saw Erport's face—frustrating. With the changed environment, could he touch it now?
After everything ends, facing the Goddess again was possible too.
'Come to think of it, those Zero developers' identities...'
His trailing thoughts faded. More tired than he realized, sleep came fast.
***
Next morning.
"Kang Hanbit!"
Hanbit jolted up at the thunderous shout. His forearm burned like hellfire where her grip had been.
"Mom?"
Half-lidded eyes focused on his mother's face. Furious expression and smartphone in hand sharpened into view.
That's when he felt the pain in his arm.
"My arm!"
Red mark from her grasp. Truly wronged, Hanbit yelled.
"Why'd you hit me!"
"Explain properly."
His plea fell on deaf ears. She shoved the phone screen at him.
"Where'd this money come from? You took it from that account, right?"
The savings account with all his army pay intact. He'd called it leftover salary, but the amount couldn't be explained that way—he'd never touch it.
A son's hard-earned money should be for the son. If he'd pulled from there, she'd really lose it.
"What account? I earned this from the game."
"What?"
Rubbing his arm, his absurd answer stunned her. He said he was doing RP, but 3 million in two days? Impossible.
"You know I can tell if you're lying, right?"
"Why would I lie? Got it helping Yeonwoo with his game stream."
"Stream? Yeonwoo's doing game streams?"
She knew about game streaming from the news—half scandalous, tied to social issues.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Dangerous how? I just play too well. Fans sponsor to cheer me on."
"......"
Shock lingered, but she knew her son wouldn't do wrong. Biggest trouble was sneaking out of high school to job hunt.
Always worried about that side.
"Haa."
Glancing at the clock, she pocketed her phone.
"Talk after I get back. You get ready for work."
"No, it's real!"
Wronged, Hanbit chased her to the entryway.
Slipping on shoes, she said,
"Who said it's fake? Just worried it's something as grueling as work. 3 million make sense?"
"No, it's not work..."
"Mom's got places to be! Eat breakfast and get ready for work!"
Bam-!
Hanbit stared blankly at the slammed door.
Grumbling, but he understood her heart. No matter how much he said they lacked nothing, that's from the kid's view.
Fighting debt for 20 years, she'd always felt sorry toward him. His high school dropout attempt was probably the trigger.
"Sigh."
Slumping into a dining chair, he sighed.
Game and streaming as a second job? Fine by him. He just wanted to give her comfort ASAP.
Couldn't make up 20 years, but it's what a son should do.
"Time to prep for work."
Shaking off thoughts, Hanbit got ready and left.
On the bus, he pulled out the guidebook from his bag.
'Need game progress and money...'
Pre-sleep worries resurfaced. Two main goals.
One: Advance fast to reach beyond where he fell short.
Two: Earn via streams or in-game stuff.
'3 million... doesn't look normal.'
Weird amount on second look. No way legit for two days. Yesterday was special—newbie hype amped viewers.
If he could sustain it, life plans could shift, no surprise.
'Need bigger hooks.'
Yesterday was all basic skills. Today: first hidden skill acquisition. Rare as hell, good reactions expected.
'Money sources... about this.'
Main income now: three big ones. Sponsorships, items, info.
Info especially—timing key. Most valuable post-use.
'Tease 'em a bit.'
Used to buying/selling. Possessed a merchant once.
Items or info skyrocket when buyers itch.
'Need a name too.'
Sudden thought. Pulling out his phone, Hanbit searched and logged into the RP community.
"Huh?"
Popular posts jumped out. Titles impossible to scroll past.
Ultimate Newbie Black Dragon Summary Post.
Archery National Teamer's View on Black Dragon's Bow Skills.
Rediscovering Swiftness Skills (feat. Black Dragon).
Slow-Mo Analysis of Black Dragon's Sword Test and Spar.
Anyone Witnessed Bomb Slime? Sharing Real-Time Info?
'It's blowing up.'
All about him, views in hundreds of thousands. Scanning, one super clickbait title caught his eye.
Black Dragon Identity Speculation.txt