Why So Late?
“Why are you so late?”
Kang Hanbit arrived at the underground waterway and came face-to-face with Liora standing at the entrance.
-Oh.
-Liora, hey.
-Ria.
-She's coming along too?
The viewers reacted with delight at her sudden appearance. Kang Hanbit, who had half-expected it, played it cool and asked, “You heading in too?”
“How could I just sit back knowing that? Ruby might run off again, and kids like Plona could get lost...”
Liora piled on excuse after excuse to tag along on the investigation. Her earnest pleading made her look just her age.
“It's dangerous inside.”
“I know. The vibe screams monsters or people jumping out.”
She fiddled with the dagger at her waist as she replied, looking ready for a fight at any moment—not empty bravado. Though Liora herself was probably more wary of people than monsters.
“Fine. But no dashing off on your own.”
“What am I, a cat?”
Liora shot him a baffled look, but she had plenty of precedents. At least with the trust they had now, she'd rein it in a bit.
“I'll wait here.”
As their conversation wrapped up, Kim Jaeha spoke up. Having already cleared Episode 1, spectator mode was wearing thin on him.
“Feel free to log out. I'll contact you if something urgent comes up.”
“Alright, then I'll finish up my work and log out. I'll keep watching the stream, so just let me know if you need anything.”
Kim Jaeha accepted, mentioning he had company business to handle. The fatigue radiating from his character's side profile was palpable. It sucked that today was Saturday.
“Let's go.”
After Kim Jaeha left, Kang Hanbit stepped into the waterway with the remaining two.
Right then, an alarm chimed with a message.
Ding-
[Entering quest field.]
“Phew, good thing. I was worried about other players interfering.”
Juyeonu let out a relieved sigh after checking the message. Apparently, only the party members conducting the quest could enter this place. No interlopers would make things smoother, for sure.
Drip-
Drip-
The stench mingled with the sound of dripping water. The darkening atmosphere naturally heightened their vigilance.
“Hyung, what's in the back of this waterway? It's not a dungeon, right?”
Juyeonu, following behind and scanning the surroundings, asked casually.
“Not a dungeon. More like a secret area.”
“A secret area?”
-What’s that?
-Monsters coming?
-Liora seems to know something.
-Yeah, I saw the summary post too.
The viewers' speculations turned to Liora. It all stemmed from a single post on the community forums.
<Anyone watch Black Dragon's stream?>
When breaking through the new map in the waterway, Liora trips and drops something ring-like from her bag.
Zoomed in on it—looks like the Norton family crest?
Bit blurry but check it out.
Short clip attached.
-Huh?
-Norton? Like Mayor Brooke's family?
-Kinda similar, but ambiguous.
-Brooke's secret daughter?
-Or maybe the former head's daughter?
└No way?
└Whole family got executed.
└That demon bastard knew and did it anyway.
-Image quality sucks;
-Just stolen probably.
└Would've sold it on the black market if so.
Players dissected the captured footage, debating wildly. Most concluded it had nothing to do with the Norton family. As a slum-dweller and known pickpocket, the idea that Liora stole it felt natural.
“Still the same.”
Liora, a step ahead, stopped in front of the collapsed wall. It was the spot where they'd found her cat Ruby.
Shing-
Kang Hanbit drew his sword to inspect the result once more. Even unfinished, it was an impressive piece.
“I'll take point. Follow from behind. Dash off, and the investigation ends.”
“...Got it.”
Liora nodded tightly, clutching the bag with the ring. Memories of that sudden spark when they'd first arrived here flashed back.
Watching her, Kang Hanbit stepped beyond the collapsed wall.
“Let's go.”
Passing through, Kang Hanbit led the way. The path didn't differ much from the waterway they'd traversed.
“Not as bad as I thought?”
Juyeonu remarked, puzzled, from behind. He'd expected harsher conditions deeper in.
-Hmm.
-Might be nothing even after investigating?
-Yeah, tons of quests like go to map end and back.
Viewers guessed it was just another dead-end spot. But the real deal started now.
Swish-
Kang Hanbit raised a hand, and Liora and Juyeonu halted.
Crack-
A displeasing sound echoed from the dim path ahead. What emerged was a pitch-black bone monster.
[Reinforced Black Skeleton (Lv.32)]
Three skeletons creaking forward, swords and shields in hand. Viewers were baffled at the sight.
-Level 32?
-This Episode 1?
-Black Skeletons are 25 usually;
-Look at those weapons and shields.
-Reinforced (big time)
-Wrong turn maybe.
The situation was downright abnormal. Average Black Skeleton level was 25. The "reinforced" tag bumped it to 32. Episode 1's recommended level was 15-20, so these shouldn't even appear.
Creak-
“Eek!”
As they guarded the front, another appeared from behind. Juyeonu, close by, startled and raised his weapon.
The skeleton's eyes flashed as it charged him.
Clang-!
Juyeonu desperately blocked the sudden assault. The impact was way stronger than expected.
Grind-!
“No way...!”
Even with strength-focused stats, his feet slid back inch by inch. Turning the clash into offense was tough.
This was far beyond a normal Black Skeleton's power.
“This is insane!”
Thud-!
Cursing, Juyeonu kicked the skeleton's shield. The recoil created distance, and he re-aimed his sword.
‘He'll hold fine.’
Like against Nestor Guild, Juyeonu's combat sense was solid. He might not win, but he'd endure.
Creak-
Then, the front skeletons stirred. But Kang Hanbit wasn't the first to react.
Tap-!
Liora zipped behind one in an instant. Her dagger thrust straight for its chest without hesitation.
But the strike didn't land properly.
Clang-!
The dagger bounced off with a sharp ring.
“Ugh!”
The shock made Liora grab her wrist and retreat.
Crack-
The struck skeleton whirled, red eyes flashing. It moved faster than anticipated.
Whoosh-!
It swung at Liora. She ducked to evade, then dove in with another thrust.
Clang-!
“Tch!”
The follow-up, cushioned by the impact, failed again. Liora bit her lip in frustration.
Whoosh-!
Another skeleton charged. Amid the chaotic melee, Liora dodged with swift agility.
-Whoa
-Liora fights well.
-Damn fast.
-If only she had strength.
-Speed + power = broken;
Viewers praised her first-time combat display. Her honed survival moves handled any scenario.
Shimmer-
A faint wind rippled along the cyan blade in Kang Hanbit's hand. Thanks to the melted spirit stone, Sylph's power lingered.
‘Let's test it.’
The weapon's specs exceeded expectations. Kang Hanbit was confident he could max out its potential.
Tap-!
He kicked off toward one fighting Liora and slashed at its shield.
Swoosh-!
A wide arc from left to right.
Creak-
The skeleton turned for a counter.
Then—
Slash-
A long horizontal gash split its shield.
Crunch-
Sensing something off, it charged with flashing red eyes anyway. But it didn't get far.
Tilt-
Its upper body pitched forward before it could step. The torso separated and hit the ground.
-?
-Wtf.
lmao
-Sliced shield and all?
-Possible?
-Sword is insane.
-Waterdrop Forge is the future.
The chat exploded at the unforeseen result. Kang Hanbit approached the fallen upper body.
Thud-
He plunged his upright sword into its chest.
Crack-
The blade pierced the spine, splitting the red core inside.
[Experience +1,000.]
‘...Way too good.’
Kang Hanbit marveled, pulling his sword free. Spirit stone alone would've needed more growth and reinforcement for this output. Using Nestor members' greatsword and dagger as materials was a smart call.
Crack-
The remaining two, sensing a kin's death, shifted toward Kang Hanbit—perceiving him as the greater threat over Liora.
Tap-!
He reset his stance and kicked off at the charging foes.
Swoosh-!
Slash-!
Two swift strokes cleaved through their chests. They lost power instantly.
“That easy...?”
Liora stared blankly at the fallen enemies, her dagger at a loss.
“Hyung, handle this side too!”
Kang Hanbit turned at the urgent cry. Juyeonu was fending off two more skeletons.
“Hang in there.”
“I've been hanging! Help already!”
-lmao
-Hang tight
-You got this, Roper.
-Almost winning (skeletons)
-Keep it up! (skeletons!)
Viewers joined in, waving encouragement. Tempting to tease more, but Juyeonu was nearing his limit.
Swish-!
A skeleton slipped into his blind spot. As its sword arced for his neck—
Tap-!
Kang Hanbit dashed in.
“Urk!”
Grabbing Juyeonu's armor collar yanked him off-balance backward. Simultaneously, Kang Hanbit's blade slashed.
Slash-!
Another shield-and-all bisect, core split. Pivoting, he thrust at the last one.
Crunch-!
It couldn't react as its core shattered mid-swing.
Confirming the kill, Kang Hanbit glanced at the sprawled Juyeonu.
“Get up quick. We gotta keep moving.”