Guild Recognition and the PK Ambush
After emerging from the underground waterway, Hanbit headed straight for the guild. Liora had gone off toward the slums without a word at their parting.
"But you can see Liora, right?" Hanbit asked Yeonwoo, who was still filming as they walked.
Yeonwoo nodded, catching the intent behind the question. "Yeah, I can see her, but she won't have any presence. The story progresses purely from the party leader's—your—perspective. That means her contribution is basically zero since I'm not intervening."
"...And you can clear the main quest in that state?"
"You get almost no rewards, but yeah, it's clearable. Not something anyone would normally pick, though."
Yeonwoo wasn't all that interested in his game character's growth. His mind was already packed with thoughts of the company, Hanbit's streams, and filming.
"Well, if you're good with it, that's fine."
"Of course I am. You have no idea how fun it is to spectate up close, hyung. If I edit this right, the views will explode..."
Yeonwoo chattered on excitedly, clearly enjoying the situation more than expected.
"Let's head in."
Upon arriving at the guild, Hanbit stepped inside. At the reception desk, Miel was filing her nails as usual.
"Miel."
"Ah, hold on a sec."
She finished up and turned her gaze. At least the firefly flower had sped up her response.
"Here to change requests? Pick one I recommend this time."
Without even asking his business, Miel had already decided. She figured he'd given up on the tough dungeon conquest request.
"I completed the request. Check it."
Thud. Hanbit placed the item from the Elder Goblin on the table—a 3-rank Unique-grade Goblin Spirit Necklace.
"...?"
Miel froze for a moment before slowly lowering her eyes. Recognizing it instantly, her eyes widened.
"What the hell is this? Why's the Elder Goblin's trophy here?"
"The request was to clear a dungeon. That place's boss was an Elder Goblin."
"No way—that's a D-rank solo dungeon! I told you to avoid dangerous spots!"
Miel shouted, her voice a mix of disbelief and anger. Even for a rookie with unnatural skill, a D-rank solo was off-limits. The brutal solo-entry condition made it insanely tough. Die inside, and no one could even recover your body.
"But I cleared it without dying. Mission accomplished, right?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
No need to question success. The Goblin Spirit Necklace only dropped from killing the Elder Goblin yourself. No buying it, no other way to get it.
"Oh, and this."
Hanbit handed her the white cloth scrap from the underground waterway.
"...What's this? It has the Holy Nation's flag emblem."
"Show it to the guild master. He's upstairs, right?"
"He is, but don't talk like it's just some neighborhood uncle. Call him Guild Master."
Miel reacted naturally, unaware of the context. Even the city mayor couldn't boss around the guild master. A casual chat with him was no small feat.
Swish. Hanbit pulled another firefly flower from his inventory.
"You can't even properly assess my adventurer rank yourself. Show him this while reporting. Just flash it—no need to say anything."
"...Fine. Just this once."
Miel snatched the flower with a deep sigh, stood, grabbed the cloth, and headed up the back stairs. Moments later, she returned with a burly human man.
"Did you bring this?"
The deep voice addressing Hanbit stirred nostalgia.
Long time no see, Cown.
Edlen's guild master, Cown. In 55 cycles of regression, possession, and reincarnation, Hanbit had synced with him plenty. Just resolving Edlen's issues had involved countless trial and error.
"Yeah. I did."
"...Hmm."
Cown stared intently, as if peering into his soul, the white cloth in hand.
"Heard you found this in the underground waterway. Why were you there?"
"Some kid's cat ran off down there. Plona and Liora... might not ring a bell. Anyway, slum situation."
"......"
At the girls' names, Cown tapped the reception desk with a finger—his habit when deep in thought.
After a silent pause, he pulled something out.
"Put your hand here."
A silver card on the desk. Hanbit placed his hand on it, and a soft light emanated.
"From now on, you're a guild adventurer. Requests and achievements through us will show on this card anywhere else. Your rank... D-grade."
-D-rank from the start?
-Why am I F-rank?
-I was F-rank too;
-Newbies, jump straight to challenge dungeons.
-Fresh trash tier ON
Adventurer ranks started at F-grade, but Challenge Dungeons let you hit D immediately—as Hanbit knew firsthand. Handy ID to keep.
Ding!
[Main Quest #2 completed.]
[Received 500 gold.]
[Experience +200.]
[Progress increased.]
Main quest finally done. A detour, but sub-quests and settlements remained.
"Follow me."
Cown headed upstairs with a low voice. Hanbit and Yeonwoo trailed.
"Guild master this quick...? Is this right?"
Yeonwoo's shock at the early appearance was fair—main story usually needed piled-up requests.
Clunk. Cown entered the deepest room in the corridor. Hanbit followed inside.
"Sit."
Hanbit took the chair opposite at Cown's gesture. Interrogation room vibe, as always.
"Curious why the change of venue?"
"Obvious. Conversation others can't hear."
"Troublesome talk... indeed."
He glanced down briefly, silent, then met Hanbit's eyes.
"You know this is Holy Nation gear, right?"
"Yeah. Cloth for believers' battle robes. Problem is it shouldn't be found in Edlen."
"Hmm."
More detail, and Cown stroked his chin thoughtfully. Still not enough to reveal his hand.
"Why show me? What do you want?"
"You're one of the most sensitive to Edlen's dangers. Least I want to protect the people I've met here."
"People you've met?"
"Like Liora and Plona from the slums I mentioned. Friends like shopkeeper Atsbel. Got close helping them out a few times."
"......"
Sincere names listed. Cown stayed stone-faced, but Hanbit saw the flicker—strongest at Liora's name.
"So? Looks too suspicious to ignore."
"...If Holy Nation infiltrators are here, the threat's hard to gauge. Needs more checking."
Cown's tone shifted. Eyes closed then opened, he locked gazes.
"Adventurer Black Dragon, I commission you. Infiltrate the underground waterway, find suspicious evidence. Verbal only—no records."
Ding!
[Sub Quest #3 completed.]
[Sub quests settled.]
[Received 250,000 gold.]
[8 stat points granted.]
[Experience +20,000.]
[Level +1.]
[1 stat point granted.]
[Main quest branch reset.]
[Main quest rewards greatly increased.]
[Progress greatly increased.]
[Main Quest #3: Trust]
Discovered possible Holy Nation infiltrator. Earn Cown's trust by completing the request.
Objective: Search underground waterway interior, collect evidence.
Rewards: 80,000 gold, 40,000 experience, 4 stat points
*Current progress: 28%
-Whoa;
-28% on third main quest?
-Rewards real?
-Branch reset what?
-New route unlocked lol;
-All old guides trash now.
-Holy shit, mind blown.
Viewers plunged into chaos amid the barrage. Hanbit, who'd planned the fast pace, inwardly nodded in satisfaction.
This is where it gets key.
Cown's request held layers. Beyond evidence, plant trust as an ally.
Standing, Hanbit told Cown, "Alright. Heading out now."
***
Outside the guild, Hanbit stopped in a quiet street. Yeonwoo had dashed to the bathroom.
Weapon's an issue.
Supply sword from swordsmanship training. Fine so far, but performance lagged.
Monday gold incoming—maybe buy player gear. Depending on entrance fees, though.
Check the situation?
Curious about Challenge Dungeon challengers, Hanbit reached for the community.
Anticipation building, finger moving—
Shlick. A massive shadow bloomed on the ground.
Instinct kicked in; Hanbit drew his sword into guard.
Clang!
Sharp metal clash. Behind stood a hulking man with a greatsword.
-?
-Holy crap, scared me.
-Who are you.
-Wtf.
"Hup!"
Grabbing Hanbit's arm, the man shoved with raw power.
Grind!
Resistance futile. Clear stat gap.
Whoosh! Accelerating, he pushed to an alley corner.
Parrying to minimize damage, Hanbit reached for the giant's face.
"Fire Burst!"
Fwoom!
"Guh!"
Flames blinded; man released reflexively. Hanbit leaped for the roof.
Swish! Sharp metal mid-air. Twisting, he barely dodged.
Clink! Arrow embedded in wall, blue liquid on tip.
"Whoa, shit, dodged that?"
Short-haired human on another rooftop. Nick above head: Trigger.
"What the hell?"
Two small red lines by the nick. Greatsword guy had them too.
Bad vibes.
-That's Nessto guild;
-Why PK guild here?
-Info: PK stacks red lines.
-2 lines not named, but all psychos anyway.
Chats flooded. Hanbit blurted at the absurdity.
"PK guild?"