The Chosen One's Fury and the King's Hidden Audience
“Tch.”
In a mansion by a lake in the northwest of the continent, Adventure A, who had been scanning the streaming feed, clicked his tongue.
It was because Black Dragon was up to something weird again.
“Skipping Episode 3 to head to the capital? Relying on the warp crystal? No, even so, the timing…”
“What’s got you so worked up this time?”
The man lounging in the rocking chair beside him chuckled while munching on a cookie. Lucio, deputy guild master of Nestor Guild and an acquaintance of Adventure A. Lately, Adventure A’s severe anxiety had become prime entertainment for him.
“This no-name punk keeps strutting around!”
“He seems to know a lot, though? Didn’t he uncover the truth of the episode you couldn’t?”
“Truth? Don’t make me laugh. I’m the only one who knows the truth of that world.”
His rage was so intense it ground his teeth audibly. Lucio leaned back in his chair, recalling a story he’d heard before.
I couldn’t believe that goddess crap back then.
The one tale Adventure A had shared in the past sounded straight out of a novel. Chosen by a goddess to carry out a mission in another world—who’d buy that? Back then, Lucio had just laughed it off as wild nonsense.
But the appearance of this man called Black Dragon had changed his mind.
“Couldn’t there be others the goddess took besides you?”
“What?”
Adventure A’s face twisted at the question. Lucio shrugged and continued.
“I mean, come on? With billions on Earth, it’s just you she grabs?”
“Don’t fuck with me!”
Bam! Adventure A shoved his chair back, slamming the table. His blazing eyes burned with fury.
“Her Holiness only had eyes for me. No reason to drag in other trash!”
“Trash or not, statistically it doesn’t add up. A guy like Black Dragon? Wouldn’t be weird if he’d been there too.”
“That bastard’s just lucky-guessing! I’m the only chosen one in this world!”
His furious outburst didn’t subside, fueled by near-certain conviction. Yet deep in his heart, seeds of unease were sprouting.
Those worthless idiots can’t even do one job right…!
Adventure A had tasked underworld contacts to dig up Black Dragon’s background. Where was he from? What did he do? Any ties to Record Project? And, just maybe, a slim chance he’d met the goddess too.
His goal: uncover the man’s identity.
But days passed with no word. Utter incompetents.
“Come on, you’re really the only chosen one?”
“Obviously!”
“Alright then. Show some results. Bag a level 500 Snow Drake or prove you’re a cut above Black Dragon.”
“Ugh…”
Poking at his sore spot, Adventure A faltered. Since Black Dragon’s debut, too many changes had rocked the game.
Especially leading an elite strike team despite being under level 100—that had skyrocketed his value.
But it was probably just connections at play. From Luna to Odin, Haemu, and beyond—unreal allies.
“…Give me the manpower, and I can do anything. Whatever Black Dragon’s scheming, it’s in my palm.”
“Really? Still sounds tough.”
“I can do it!”
“Hmm.”
Lucio wiggled his foot thoughtfully.
Black Dragon’s plotting something, for sure.
Abandoning an episode for the capital? Suspicious. He had another plan, obviously.
What if they crushed it? Adventure A might put on a show.
“Fine. Here’s the deal.”
Decision made, Lucio rose from his chair. Grinning, he turned to the fuming Adventure A.
“I’ll lend you some good guys. Go wreck Black Dragon’s plans.”
***
“Whoa, the capital’s huge, alright.”
“Truly a magnificent city, no matter how many times we visit.”
Radianor, capital of the Raven Kingdom. Kang Hanbit’s party, fresh from the warp crystal, headed into the streets.
The capital’s checkpoints were strict, but their A-rank adventurer cards streamlined it.
“By the way, you two haven’t gotten your bonuses yet, right?”
“Nah, nothing since that admin message.”
“Same here.”
Kim Jaeha and Avant-garde nodded. Like Hanbit, no Episode 2 perks.
Maybe before Whirlwind Tower?
“Hey, they’re here?”
A voice called from nearby. Local Radianor players.
“Seriously ditching Episode 3?”
“They’re nuts.”
“Told you. Following Black Dragon to reset is a fucking insane gamble.”
-?
-Why the meltdown?
-They’re too scared to reset themselves. lmao
-But skipping Ep3 is kinda…
-Don’t trust Black Dragon?
-Jealous? Just follow Adventure A’s guide then.
-Real talk lol
Viewers raged at the sharp barbs. Most Radianor players were on Episode 6. Finish this arc for Investigation Team candidacy—not elite, but too much sunk cost to reset.
So they cursed the bold choosers, hoping they were right and the others wrong.
“Atmosphere’s brutal. What’s their deal?”
“Simple. Black Dragon’s success brands them as failures.”
Kim Jaeha frowned; Avant-garde nailed it. Hanbit got it too. He’d hit back if provoked, though.
“To the tavern.”
Ignoring the stares, they walked on. Twisting alleys, crowded paths—Hanbit navigated without hesitation.
[Noeulbaram Tavern]
A nondescript house in a forgotten corner. Its basement held a signboarded tavern.
Hanbit pushed the black-painted door.
Creeeak—inside, only a robed loner sipping alone.
“Welcome.”
Behind the central bar, a woman in flowing cloth smoked. Hanbit handed over the golden letter from Temosa’s guild.
“Told to come here.”
“…”
The owner eyed not the letter, but Hanbit’s face. Exhaling smoke, she murmured.
“Fascinating. Shadow of death so thick, yet bathed in light.”
-Huh?
-Sudden?
-Crazy talk, she’s nuts.
-No good. Thumbs down.
-Judge her by looks.
Chat filled with question marks. But her words weren’t nonsense—her eyes saw differently.
A power from a relic, not skill or item.
Same as always.
The tale she always told in the isekai. Unchanged.
“What do you mean?”
“Leon has an eye for people. Let’s close up first.”
Shimmer—the entrance blurred with her voice. When it cleared, the door vanished.
“Weren’t you meeting His Majesty?”
“No need. He’s here.”
“Pardon?”
Scrape—a sound cut the talk. The lone man rose from the corner table, robe now a cloak.
“You’re Black Dragon. Join me?”
[Raven King Aldenius Victor Cardior]
Flaming red hair, stern features. His name tag glowed above his gesturing hand with a glass.
The real king.
-Huh?
-Bro why there?
-Actual king. lol
-Him slumming it? No taste?
-???
“Whoa.”
“The king for real…”
Everyone gawked. No political stunt—a king wouldn’t come here.
Hanbit bowed swiftly.
“Your Majesty. Adventurer Black Dragon.”
“K-Kim Jaeha.”
“Avant-garde.”
They followed suit, quick on the uptake.
“Rise. This isn’t the palace.”
The king extended a hand, smiling.
“Yes.”
Hanbit stood. An alarm rang.
Ding!
[Sub Quest #1 completed.]
[Sub Quest #2 unlocked.]
[Sub Quest #2]
The tavern held Raven’s King Aldenius waiting.
Calm your surprise and talk with him.
Objective: Converse with King Aldenius.
Reward: Sub Quest #3 unlocked
“Black Dragon, sit here.”
Hanbit sat opposite after checking. The king slid a glass over.
“A drink?”
“Graciously.”
Pour—silence but for the liquid. Then the king spoke.
“Waiting here was half-forced. Leon tried stopping me, but I had to come. Call it a poor king’s whim today.”
Separate meetup planned; Leon guarded upstairs. Fingering his glass, he dropped a heavy question.
“What’s Raven to you? Be honest.”
“…Livable, but shadows lurk everywhere. Hidden rot festers from outside view.”
“Indeed. Weighty words from Edlen and Ifrit’s savior.”
-Whoa
-Facts only…
-Problems real tho.
-Gotta tour hard.
-Double mayor hits were bad.
The king just nodded at the candor. Gazing at his glass, he met Hanbit’s eyes.
“World sees me well, but I’m no sage king. Just a black-hearted egoist. Craving only my praise.”
He sneered self-knowingly. Kingdom for self, by self—yet political acts for the people. He loved worship, even forced.
At least he’s upfront. Easy.
Hanbit didn’t hate him. He’d guarded realm and folk till death for his clear desires. Unlike trash feigning virtue then bailing.
Though this honesty was performative too.
“You seem different. Leon’s reports had me thinking a true hero arrived.”
“…Just grinding for Investigation Team. Otherwise, I’d skip the hassle.”
“No. Leon wouldn’t praise a blind profiteer.”
Trust in Leon shone. Sharp himself, he kept distance from the dubious. If Black Dragon felt off, he’d have left.
Gazing at his glass, the king asked.
“Rebels gathering—what’s that mean to a king?”
“If no clear trigger, political intent likely. Or raw greed, malice to seize Raven.”
“If they’d crown someone better than me?”
“Dunno. A self-proclaimed great as king? Most dangerous.”
“…I see.”
Flat answer; king pondered silently.
Thud—dull ceiling noise. Leon’s signal.
“Time already.”
Expression hardening, the king rose. They followed; he donned his robe.
“Thanks for your time. Too brief, but glad to meet.”
“An honor.”
“Ah, Leon’s coming. Chat freely—no king cramping style.”
Shimmer—door reappeared. King vanished; alarm sounded.
Ding!
[Sub Quest #2 completed.]
[Sub Quest #3 unlocked.]
[Sub Quest #3]
Spoke briefly with King Aldenius.
His mention of rebels—need intel on them.
Objective: Meet Leon for details.
Reward: Sub Quest #4 unlocked