The Exiled Dagger
-Huh?
-Rebels already?
-Isn't that from Episode 5?
-The king himself is talking about it;
-??
Viewers were thrown into confusion by the rebel army story explicitly mentioned in the sub quest. A faction plotting to dethrone the king and install a new ruler. Their outline wouldn't solidify until the fifth episode.
"…Is this for real?"
"If this is true, I have no idea how the episodes will play out."
Kim Jaeha and Avant-garde were just as baffled. With the rebels' existence now confirmed, it would tangle with the later storylines.
Regardless of whether Adventure A's guide was right or wrong, the flow was completely changing.
Reading their doubts, Hanbit posed one question.
"You said the rebels aren't even mentioned in Episodes 3 or 4, right?"
"Yes. The guidebook says the same, and players digging into the story confirmed similar results."
The tales in Episodes 3 and 4 start with the escaped murderer Rabok and lead to the emergence of a massive crime syndicate. A group formed by those who'd lost ground in the Raven Kingdom and now operated from the shadows. The story culminates in helping Temosa's guild master, Asid Caldif, investigate the group and capture Rabok along with its key members.
"They form in Episode 5, right? With that NPC Zenith at the center."
"Correct. She's the rebel leader and their spiritual pillar."
Avant-garde nodded at Kim Jaeha's question. After Episode 4, the scattered criminals seek ways to survive. Zenith is the one who persuades them and rallies them anew. From Episode 5 onward, she takes center stage as the mastermind.
To cut to the chase, even Zenith is someone else's pawn.
"Let's wait and see for now."
Hanbit held off on further explanation and turned his gaze to the central bar table. The tavern owner had vanished somewhere.
"So what was that guy, anyway? Talking like some shaman."
Kim Jaeha recalled the owner's words.
'How intriguing. A shadow of death so thick, yet dyed entirely in light.'
It seemed vague but carried layers of meaning. The shaman guess was roughly on point.
"She's a spirit medium. She gained the ability to see souls after accidentally touching a relic."
"…Souls?"
"You mean like ancient relics, such as the Spear of Tidal Wave?"
-That thing's real?
-Even the vanguard couldn't get it, right?
-Top rankers might have it?
-Bullshit. lol If so, RP would've ended ages ago.
-Fr, lmao total broken item.
The two voiced their surprise. Relics only glimpsed in ancient stone tablets and game records. Only the Spear of Tidal Wave was known, but its immense power made it every player's dream—though not a single clue had ever surfaced.
'Way too early for this.'
Even Hanbit struggled to obtain relics. They only became accessible after joining an investigation team, and acquiring them was a grueling ordeal. That made this tavern's owner a rare gem. Or perhaps it was greater that the king had recognized her potential and taken in the war orphan.
Screeech—
Then, a door creaked open from the back, and a woman in platinum armor entered. It was Leon, vice-captain of the Royal Knights.
"Thank you for waiting."
Spotting Hanbit, she approached with a faint smile. Rain had started outside, leaving her utterly soaked.
"You okay?"
"Ah, the sudden downpour—sorry about this. It's rude to converse like this."
Checking herself, Leon stepped back in mild alarm. Hanbit quietly called her name.
"Salrist."
Fwoosh—
A small flame wolf materialized at his summons. Without a word passed, Salrist floated lightly toward Leon.
"A spirit…"
Her eyes widened slightly as she bowed in respect. Warm flames then enveloped Leon's body.
Sizzle—
The water evaporated in an instant, her body temperature rising comfortably. Fully restored, Leon gazed at the flame wolf.
"Thank you for lending me this glorious power."
Fwoosh!
Salrist replied with a puff of fire from her mouth and nestled into Leon's arms. Stiffening as she instinctively cradled the spirit, Leon asked,
"…Is this alright?"
-Lmao
-Found a new home already;
-Sly little spirit…
-Might not even be a real spirit.
Viewers reacted however they wanted, but spirits were free and resolute. If it had been Julio or Bares over there, Salrist would've set their head ablaze.
"It's fine—relax. Has His Majesty returned to the palace?"
"Yes. He seemed quite satisfied. Thank you for coming on such short notice."
Leon bowed her head lightly in greeting. It felt like a truly urgent request.
"No need. It was an honor to meet His Majesty. Please, have a seat."
The two sat facing each other at an empty table. Salrist remained snug in Leon's arms.
"By the way, His Majesty asked about the rebels. Have they actually appeared in the kingdom?"
"…He mentioned that too."
Her expression darkened unexpectedly. After a moment to gather her thoughts, she spoke with resolute determination.
"A heads-up: this isn't certain. Please treat it as mere possibility."
"Understood."
Hanbit nodded, and Leon drew a small dagger from her bosom. Its hilt bore the Raven royal crest.
"Two days ago, this dagger was found at the entrance to His Majesty's bedchamber."
"A royal item?"
"It's given to royals exiled abroad. It shouldn't turn up domestically."
-Huh?
-What's this now?
-Exiled royal?
-No story like this;
-Here we go again.
Exiled abroad. No player knew of such a figure.
"Any suspects?"
"Only two royals survive abroad, but they left Raven for marriage and never received this dagger."
"So two possibilities: someone got hold of an exiled royal's keepsake, or a 'dead' royal is still alive."
"Exactly. I've ordered the royal informants abroad to investigate. Once the captain returns, it'll speed up."
The Royal Knights' captain was away handling a border issue. A man of superb skill, character, and reputation—but more dangerous than anyone.
'Even I panicked back then.'
One thing Hanbit hadn't suspected upon first entering the capital: the captain was a ringleader of this rebellion. The chilling sensation of a knife at his back lingered vividly. No evidence to tell Leon now, though.
"Why did His Majesty tell me about the rebels?"
"…Likely to borrow Black Dragon's strength."
"My strength?"
"Yes. With the dagger in his bedchamber, everyone in the palace is suspect—except me and a few constant guards."
-Brutal;
-Gotta suspect everyone now?
-What if Leon betrays us?
-Nah.
-RP imploding tomorrow is more realistic.
The mere hearing of it stirred unease, with no clear resolution in sight. Especially with the captain as an enemy—it'd be near impossible to unmask the culprit.
"How can I help?"
"Are you sure? It could turn into noble political infighting."
Adventurers dreaded noble politics most. Knowing this, Leon voiced her concern.
"I'm fine. If I qualify for the investigation team, I'd like to receive it from the current king."
"…I see."
A faint smile crossed Leon's face at his matter-of-fact reply. Glancing down at the flame wolf, she lifted her head.
"Suspicious movements detected in eastern Raven. Seems more crime-related than rebels, but it felt off."
"Around Temosa?"
"Including there—petty issues across a wide area. Black Dragon, I'd like you to investigate. Adventurers raise less suspicion."
Criminals feared state forces most, with the Royal Knights at the pinnacle. Approaching rashly might scatter them.
"Got it. I'll investigate and report back. Might take over two weeks."
"Sorry to take your time, but I must ask. If danger arises, escape without hesitation. No task outweighs your life."
Leon warned gravely, then unfastened a leather pouch from her belt and handed it to Hanbit.
"Use this as funds. About 20 million gold in gems."
She added it was a gift from His Majesty. Only possible because the king had foreseen this.
Hanbit accepted the pouch.
"Thank you."
Ding—
[Sub Quest #3 has been completed.]
[Sub Quest #4 has been unlocked.]
[Sub Quest #4]
You've learned of the king's plight. The hotbed of crimes in the eastern continent. Head to its heart and assess the situation.
Objective: Return to Temosa and begin the investigation.
Reward: Sub quest settlement
*Episode 3 main quest has been deactivated.
-?
-Deactivated?
-Just blocking the already failed one. lol
-But sub quests tie to episodes, right?
-Isn't this the Episode 4 investigation?
-What is this;?
The sub quest details and note plunged viewers into chaos. Then Leon rose, carefully handing back the flame wolf.
"I'll return to His Majesty now. Oh, Isis's punishment is on hold—they'll monitor her scientific achievements for a while."
"Good to hear. Thanks for your help."
"I just passed on your words. Anyone can see her power is vital against the Holy Nation."
Leaving that humble reply, Leon headed for the door. She turned, straightened, and said,
"May fortune favor you."
With knightly poise and resolute expression, she exited the tavern. Watching her go, Kim Jaeha asked quietly,
"So we're heading back to Temosa?"
"No. It'll be two weeks from now."
"…That okay?"
His doubt was natural. Accepting the sub quest advanced in-game time naturally.
But Hanbit's plan remained unchanged.
"Going now won't yield much. Interfering rashly might just let the crime group's core slip away."
Leon figured an adventurer's status would aid the probe. But the outlook wasn't optimistic. Eastern Raven's criminals would shun outsiders completely. Best efforts might snag only small fry.
The captain and shadowy figures were hard to pinpoint even now.
"Then players who followed the main quests through episodes made the wrong call?"
Avant-garde asked in fascination, having listened in. But quests were blameless—they adapted to player progress.
"No. You can advance steadily through episodes. They just botched it by narrowing their view."
-Ah.
-Adventure A again, huh.
-JOAT getting reevaluated daily…
-Screaming as I tore up my guidebook.
He got the viewers' frustration, but blindly following the guidebook was their choice. With enough time, any clue could've surfaced.
Muting the stream briefly, Hanbit told the two,
"We'll grind fast in Whirlwind Tower for two weeks. Skipping three episodes for a new path demands power."
"Fair… As you said, skipping three means hitting early 100s. But does Whirlwind Tower give that much EXP?"
Avant-garde worried, considering their levels. Black Dragon was at 84. Episode 5 clearers averaged 120. Gaining 36 levels in two weeks from a non-lowbie dungeon was unrealistic.
"Early 100s isn't enough."
But Hanbit aimed higher. Pulling entry materials from his inventory, he stated his goal.
"My minimum is 150. You two need about 50 levels each too."