Chasing Ruby
After returning home and finishing his meal, Hanbit logged into the game. The data collection program, which he'd requested from Lee Minho and received again, was running smoothly. There was plenty of potential to uncover something new based on the results. As they'd promised to gather more information together, he had to make good use of this weekend.
'Start the stream first.'
Hanbit activated the system and immediately began streaming.
"Ah, can you hear me?"
-Oh.
-Dragon hi.
-Why so early today?
-Put up an announcement.
-Unemployed are on standby 24/7.
-This guy's the Edlen Challenge #1?
-Give us some strats.
The chat window was scrolling up even faster than usual. Hanbit checked the viewer count and widened his eyes.
[Viewer Count: 31,446]
'...A lot showed up.'
The aftermath of shattering the challenge record was hitting hard. There were calls for guides, but this time, he'd leave it at the recorded video. The rest was up to individual skill.
"Hello, everyone. Today, we'll focus on the Main Quest. Since it's Saturday, it might run a bit long."
-Oh.
-Sounds good.
-All-nighter possible.
-24-hour no-break stream ㄷㄷ
The good news had viewers raising their hands in celebration. They must have missed the short weekday streams.
"Hyung!"
While chatting about that, Juyeonu logged in. It had been less than three minutes since he'd texted that he was connecting.
"Aren't you busy? You've got a ton to prepare."
"This is part of the prep. Ah, hello viewers."
From what he'd heard, Juyeonu's company startup was going well. It was nothing but gratitude that he was helping with the stream amid all that.
"But when are you doing the dungeon clear review?"
Juyeonu, glancing at the broadcast screen, brought up yesterday's events. They'd pivoted to dungeon content because of the Main Quest in the first place.
[Main Quest #2: Proof of Strength]
You've learned about the Investigation Team. First, you need to prove your strength.
Goal: Pick and complete one request.
Reward: 500 gold, 200 EXP
Having chosen the dungeon request, Hanbit had already met the conditions. Showing the elder goblin materials to the guild would complete the Main Quest.
But there was something to do first.
"Hold on."
Hanbit turned to look behind him. Approaching from the front was a yellow-haired girl who'd been watching this spot for a while—Liora.
-?
-Liora come on in.
-Didn't she have a quest too?
-Yeah sub quest.
-She's here today.
Her appearance wasn't a surprise to the viewers either. It had been foreshadowed in the sub quest.
[Sub Quest #1]
You greatly helped Liora, who was desperately searching for Plona. She seems unable to forget this favor.
Goal: Wait for the next meeting.
Reward: Unlock Sub Quest #2
The sub quest from parting ways in the slums. Normally, it would take more time, but the training in Atsbel's backyard had advanced the timing.
"...Follow me for a sec."
The girl stopped a few steps ahead and spoke with a hint of embarrassment. Amused, Hanbit deliberately asked back.
"Why? I'm super busy right now."
"You're not doing anything yet! Just come on!"
Blushing, Liora grabbed Hanbit's arm and tugged. He considered teasing her more, but thinking of her cat-like personality, it might backfire.
"Fine."
Nodding, Hanbit followed Liora. She kept holding his arm.
"We gonna keep going like this?"
"...Can't have you running off."
"That's rich coming from you."
"......"
-lololol
-Lips sealed.
-Fact check: banned.
Hitting the nail on the head, Liora clamped her mouth shut. Still, she stubbornly held on to his arm as they walked.
"Hyung, where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Juyeonu sidled up and asked, but Hanbit had no intention of spoiling.
"We're here."
Entering the slums, Liora kept going until she stopped in front of a rundown building at the end of an alley.
Knock knock.
She rapped on the splintered wooden door.
"I brought him."
Addressing the other side, Liora waited. But no response came.
"......?"
Thud. Thud.
Sensing something off, Liora pounded with her fist. Still nothing.
"Plona! Open the door!"
Her voice grew urgent. Watching for a moment, Hanbit reached out and pulled the door handle.
"Door's unlocked."
Whoosh!
Ignoring him, Liora dashed inside.
"Ugh...!"
The small inner space was empty. Hanbit's gaze shifted to the wooden table with a toppled cup and spilled liquid.
"Still warm. She left recently."
"Plona was prepping food for you nonstop! She said she wouldn't leave till it was done! This is a kidnapping!"
-Whoa;
-Plona's house?
-Let her be happy for once.
-Story dev is a hack confirmed.
The reason Liora had come for Hanbit: Plona wanted to thank him with a meal.
'No wonder she thinks it's a kidnapping.'
Slum security was nonexistent. Human traffickers could snatch kids and sell them without getting caught.
But this was different.
"Calm down. If it was a kidnapping, it'd be more of a mess."
"Would Plona leave the table like that? We need to find traces of the kidnapper and chase them..."
"Ruuubyyy!"
Suddenly, a childish voice called from outside.
Thud!
Recognizing it instantly, Liora bolted out. Hanbit followed and spotted a red-haired girl sprinting at full speed.
"Ruby!"
A cat racing far ahead. It was so fast, already vanishing from sight.
"Ruby... huff, huff..."
Plona, her stamina spent, knelt gasping for breath.
"Haa."
Liora, witnessing it all, slumped as if her strength had drained. But only for a moment. She quickly stood.
"Look after Plona."
Thud!
Liora dashed toward where the cat had gone.
"Unni!"
Plona called after her, but Liora was gone in a flash. Hanbit walked over slowly and helped the girl up.
"It's okay."
"Adventurer..."
Spotting Hanbit, tears welled in Plona's eyes. They spilled over immediately.
"Hic...!"
-T_T
-Black Dragon made her cry.
-Wahhh, trash.
-Trash.
-Find Ruby pls.
Viewers mixed jokes with blame at the sobbing child. Plona's tears showed no sign of stopping.
Chirp!
Then, a small bird on his shoulder chirped. It flapped its wings and flew toward Plona.
"Huh?"
A soft breeze brushed her cheek, and the girl looked up.
"You're..."
Plona remembered the bird from the dungeon. She reached out carefully, cupping the sparrow.
"...Ruby."
Thinking of her lost cat, Plona whispered the name softly. Anyone could see how precious her pet and friend was. Tears still fell like chicken droppings, but she was calming down.
-Whoa
-Babysitting skills too.
-This is spirit power.
The sylph's power was potent in many ways. Even digging through old memories, few could offer better comfort than a sylph.
"Let's head inside first."
Hanbit took Plona back into the house. Seating her gently, he met her eyes and patted her head.
"Liora and I'll find the cat. Lock the door and wait."
"...Really? You can find her?"
"I found Liora in one go too. Don't worry."
Chirp!
The spirit drew her gaze right on cue. Plona smiled faintly at its tiny flapping wings. She stood and bowed.
"I'm imposing, but please... find Ruby."
Ding!
An alarm rang with Plona's words, and a message appeared.
[Completed Sub Quest #1.]
[Unlocked Sub Quest #2.]
[Sub Quest #2]
Plona lost her cat. Chase after Liora, who left first.
Goal: Find cat Ruby.
Reward: Unlock Sub Quest #3
The quest was straightforward. Patting Plona's head once more, Hanbit stepped outside. Juyeonu was quietly filming.
"Let's go."
The two left the slums, navigating the twisting alleys until Hanbit stopped at a derelict building piled with junk.
"Where the heck did it go?"
A yellow-haired girl was poking around a small gap. Approaching quietly, Hanbit called.
"Liora."
Thud!
Startled by the sudden voice, Liora leaped back, a rusty dagger already in hand.
Whoosh!
Turning warily, she exhaled shortly upon seeing his face.
"Haa, why'd you follow? I told you to stay with Plona."
Tense no more, Liora sheathed the dagger. Hanbit approached the building she'd been searching.
"Plona's fine. Even kidnappers would get blown away by the wind."
"What the hell does that mean?"
-This why real.
-Wind (actual spirit)
-Auto defense OP.
Unaware of the situation, Liora rubbed her forehead with a sigh. She resembled her stepsister Atsbel.
"Whatever, go back to Plona. I can handle it alone."
"Not when you haven't found any traces yet."
"Stop picking fights and go! I know Ruby better than you!"
Flustered, Liora spun toward the main road. But that way led nowhere, even after days without sleep. Hanbit called to her back.
"I know where it went."