Stream Launch and Edlen's First Quest
Kang Hanbit returned home, finished dinner, and headed to his room. He slipped on his gear, lay down on the bed, and logged straight into the game. Whirr— A mechanical hum followed by the loading screen. When the display cleared, the streets of Edlen came into view.
‘Streaming… it’s set up.’ Kang Hanbit opened the system window and finished the setup just as he'd been taught. Ding—
[The broadcast has begun.]
He pressed the button, and the stream kicked off. But the viewer count surged faster than he'd expected.
-Dragon!
-hi hi
-Came from Roper's announcement.
-Explain the hint first.
-Fr, can't keep up lol.
Whether it was the power of Juyeonu's post or not, the numbers had already topped thousands. Plenty had shown up thanks to that hint post too.
"Hey everyone. Black Dragon here. Starting today, I'll be running the streams, so take care of me."
-Nice to meet ya.
-Yeah, let's do this.
-Just explain the hint already.
-No part 2攻略?
The attention skewed more toward the hint than the stream's debut. A natural reaction, but part 2 was way too much for them anyway.
"You want more details? It'll be tough for you guys, but sure. Just know there won't be hints or guides for a while."
-More detailed than that?
-N-no, stop.
-Guy's insane.
-Now we're talking micro-movements.
-Anyone begging for part 2, GTFO.
The viewers quickly rallied against more hints. Amid the back-and-forth banter...
"Hyung!"
Juyeonu popped up beside him, having just logged in.
"Got held up with some stuff. You do the intros?"
"Yeah. Was convincing them not to beg for more hints."
"People are actually asking for that?"
Juyeonu peered at the chat in disbelief. The consensus was a flood of 'nope nope nope.'
"Isn't it already settled?"
"Yeah, we're good. Let's get to the story."
"I'm in!"
Kang Hanbit was already striding toward their destination, with Juyeonu hustling to catch up. He glanced around as he matched pace.
"They're staring hard now, huh?"
"Ignore 'em. Just do what we gotta do."
Kang Hanbit pressed on indifferently until he halted a short while later.
"This is where it starts."
They'd arrived in front of the Adventurer's Guild building. The main quest flashing in his quest window had pointed right here.
"Whoa, story time at last. You have no idea how long I've been waiting."
"Weren't you just too lazy to start solo?"
"Nah, I wanted to do it with you, hyung."
Juyeonu grinned cheekily. He was clearly pumped.
"Episode 1 takes about two weeks if you follow the guidebook, right?"
"Yeah, if you stick to it exactly."
He'd gotten a rough idea of the main story from the guidebook. But starting with Atsbel, everything had twisted off course—process, outcome, all of it. The key now was how fast he could bulldoze through with his own methods. Given the freedom so far, his expectations were high.
‘Normal route? No chance.’
Reviving memories and experience wasn't enough. He needed massive shortcuts—ones that shaved off chunks of time, not just steps.
"Hyung, not going in?"
Juyeonu prodded as he paused. The viewers piled on too, sensing his deep thought.
-He doesn't know?
-Scared for real?
-Just trust Bares.
-Lmao fr
-Charge straight, nab Brooke.
-Spoilers are half the chat smh.
The standard Episode 1 rundown was dead simple: Brooke Norton frames his brother, kills him, and becomes Edlen's mayor. The player gets help from his lackey Bares to deliver justice. But that was just the hollow shell, stripped of all meat.
"Party means we progress together, right?"
"Progress is up to the party leader. I'll just handle filming. Even if contribution's low, most stuff advances anyway."
"That cool with you?"
"Totally. Way more fun this way."
The party had formed before the canyon drop and stuck ever since. Main quests often locked to dedicated fields, so it was essential for teaming up.
"Starts right as we enter?"
"Yeah. Cutscene hits immediately—not too long, they say."
"Alright."
The two stepped into the guild building. The instant their feet crossed the threshold, the screen shifted.
[Moving to cutscene.]
Shh— Rippling mist traced a blue line before their eyes. A voice followed.
"At the heart of the great ocean, propping up the heavens, stands the colossal World Tree, inscribed with a single phrase."
Suddenly, an immense World Tree filled their view, endless in scope. Golden letters gleamed at its base.
[Whosoever uncovers the unknown entity Erport shall earn the right to face the truth.]
The Goddess's purpose in sending Kang Hanbit to this world. And it was etched into the awareness of every soul here, thanks to that World Tree inscription.
"Our ancestors deemed it the Creator's will. Driven by sacred duty, they set forth in search of Erport—and that resolve echoes through the ages in myriad forms."
Shh— The voice faded as the screen returned. Bustling crowds filled the scene.
Ding—
[Episode I: Edlen's Secret]
[Main Quest #1: The Beginning]
Speak to Miel at the Adventurer's Guild.
Objective: Conversation with Miel
Rewards: 500 gold, 100 EXP
*Current Progress: 0%
The quest popped up simply enough. But Juyeonu sidled over.
"Hyung, Miel's in the novel too, right? She's a huge time sink."
"Come see for yourself."
Kang Hanbit headed straight for the reception desk with Juyeonu in tow. A young female staffer was touching up her eye makeup there.
"Miel."
"Ah, one sec."
Even at his greeting, Miel didn't set down her makeup.
-lol first wall.
-Stuck already?
-Haha, Miel won't spill info.
-Wait your turn~
-Info: She won't tell even after makeup.
[Guidebook donated 1,000 won.]
[This is how it'll be from now on.]
‘Same as ever here too.’
She was etched in his memories too. Highly competent, save for her total lack of passion for the job.
"When's it done?"
"Almost."
A vague reply as she swapped cosmetics. Kang Hanbit eyed her face, then pointed to a small glass vial.
"That perfume? Not your vibe, huh?"
"...And?"
Miel flicked her gaze away at the question. Kang Hanbit tapped the desk and cut to the chase.
"I've got something that smells amazing. Give you it if you talk shop."
"Think I'll swoon over 'amazing scent'?"
-Not that easy, huh?
-New pattern tho;
-Nah, flirters tried too.
-No dice lol.
Miel snorted and kept at her makeup. Juyeonu whispered while watching.
"Hyung, no charm skills or anything?"
"Charm? Get real."
Shff— Kang Hanbit shoved his head aside and pulled a blue flower from his inventory.
"How 'bout perfume from this?"
"...?"
Miel barely glanced again. But her eyes lit up fast.
"What the— that's a firefly flower!"
She lunged for it. Kang Hanbit yanked it back quick and dangled it teasingly.
"So, what now?"
"How'd you get that? Gimme!"
"Flower after business."
"...Hurt one petal and you're dead."
-?
-Miel's on task now?
-New route unlocked;
-Wtf's a firefly flower;
"Huh?"
Everyone froze at this new side of Miel. The firefly flower, said to carry a heavenly fragrance. No guidebook mention, but in this world, it was notoriously rare.
‘Makes sense.’
Firefly flowers had quirky ecology. Not just time and terrain, but they only bloomed where spirit energy brimmed. And in Edlen, only one spot fit: Asla's trial ground, where he'd faced the wind spirit.
Thud!
Miel slapped a thick stack of documents on the desk and flipped it open.
"Here, Edlen's a port city in the Raven Kingdom. You know finding Erport's the world's shared goal, right?"
"Yeah. Raven's the hardliner nation dead-set against Erport."
"Spot on. So the Adventurer's Guild moves to that end too."
Interpretations and stances on Erport had splintered over time. Now, three main camps:
One: Hardliners dead certain Erport's the enemy.
Two: Moderates who say identify it first, then talk.
Three: The Holy Nation, worshiping Erport as divine incarnation per the Creator's oracle.
Different motives, same aim: find Erport first.
"Raven's scouting candidates for the kingdom's investigation team rep. Guild's helping with recruitment."
The Investigation Team: world's elites gathered to hunt Erport. National candidates get vetted; pass, and you're official. The nation gains perks and prestige—like a nuclear power IRL.
"Prove your chops, basically?"
"Yep. Clear requests one by one, and bigwigs might notice. Catch their eye or don't."
Miel's eyes stayed glued to the flower, hungrier than a predator eyeing prey.
Ding—
[Completed Main Quest #1.]
[Received 500 gold.]
[EXP +100.]
[Progress increased.]
[Main Quest #2: Prove Your Worth]
Learned about the Investigation Team. Gotta prove skills first.
Objective: Pick and clear one request.
Rewards: 500 gold, 200 EXP
*Current Progress: 1%
Short explanation done, new message up. Kang Hanbit asked Miel,
"I pick my own request?"
"Yup. Check over there."
She pointed right to the bulletin board. He walked over and scanned the pinned requests.
"Hyung, what're you picking? Monster hunts build rep fast."
"Hm."
Juyeonu's advice made sense. Stack easy, quick clears—that was the meta. Any normal player, Kang Hanbit included, would've gone that route.
‘Found it.’
His eyes locked on the one he wanted.
[Request Sheet]
Difficulty: F~A
Issuer: Guild
Objective: Investigate new dungeons around Edlen, eliminate threats.
Rewards: Vary by dungeon difficulty
"Hyung! That's..."
-Dungeon?
-Ending starter with this?
-Ballsy.
-Black Dragon gonna Black Dragon.
Juyeonu raised a hand to stop him after reading it. But Kang Hanbit had already peeled it off and returned to Miel.
"This one."