Blade to the Throat
*It's about time for Bares to show up.*
As he headed to Edlen, Hanbit recalled this episode's main villain. Bares Roberga. Outwardly Brooke's loyal subordinate, but in truth, he was the mastermind and culprit behind every past incident. He was still pulling the strings as the real power behind the throne, making him the primary target.
*The guy's a total sleaze.*
Bares embodied the term "corrupt official." His hair parted down the middle, snake-like eyes under thick brows. His double chin and jiggling belly were hard to stomach for long. Of course, thanks to countless experiences, Hanbit had reached the point where he could mess with the guy without flinching.
"……."
The three arrived at the guild and immediately came face-to-face with Guild Master Cown. His gaze was fixed on the yellow-haired girl.
"…It wasn't my fault."
Liora muttered, avoiding Cown's eyes. It was obvious to anyone that they already knew each other.
-?
-They know each other?
-She was pretending not to all this time?
-If she acted like it, Brooke and Bares would catch on.
-Dodging eyes is kinda cute lol
The viewers, watching the scene, quickly picked up on the vibe.
Hanbit decided to first report what happened in the waterway.
"There's a temple inside the waterway… They were too complacent."
Cown's expression darkened at the bizarre situation. No matter how unreachable the information was, it was ultimately his own failure.
"Check this out too."
Hanbit handed over Camon's notebook.
"What's this?"
"There was a hidden room under the temple altar. Inside was a notebook from someone named Camon."
"…Camon?"
Cown's eyes widened as he snatched the notebook. Beside him, Liora fidgeted and stuffed her own diary deep into her bag.
"Hoo."
After quickly scanning the contents, Cown rubbed his face with his hand. With distant eyes, he spoke.
"…He prepared this much. No, he was that wary of Bares."
After a moment of silence, Cown looked up at Hanbit.
"What's your goal? As an outsider, you'd want to avoid getting tangled in complicated matters."
"If that were the case, I'd just be hunting monsters. And helping a friend isn't weird, right?"
"It wouldn't be for most. But the shadows rooted in the Norton family run deep. It's better for both sides if you clarify your intentions."
"Hm."
Hanbit pretended to ponder at Cown's firm words, trailing off. Of course, the best response in this situation was the same then as it was now.
"Then write me a recommendation for the Investigation Team. As guild master, you have the authority, don't you?"
"The Investigation Team…? The current mayor and Bares would have more sway over recommendations."
"Who knows. Exposing a Holy Nation devotee might yield bigger results. It'd bring the tragedy that struck the Norton family to the surface too."
"…I see."
The Investigation Team—a group of the world's elites searching for Erport's existence. Most adventurers dreamed of joining. It offered wealth, honor, and fame. Even top pioneer players felt the same.
"I understand your goal. It's a dream worth chasing for any adventurer. But the story isn't over yet."
Cown closed his eyes briefly before opening them and turning to Liora.
"Miss, do you trust this adventurer?"
"Huh?"
She panicked at the sudden question. Glancing at Hanbit, Liora scratched her head.
"Well… He doesn't seem like a bad guy?"
"That's far from sufficient. A single misstep could put your life in danger. If you're uncertain, it might be wiser to deal with the adventurer Black Dragon here."
-What?
-Did I hear that right?
-You heard correctly.
-Discussing murder right in front of him lol
-No choice. Hand over Roper and bail.
A murder plot unfolding before the man himself. But if Cown truly intended it, he would've acted already. The fact that Hanbit was still sitting there unscathed meant Cown had other intentions.
"Dealing with him is wiser?"
Liora frowned, her voice tinged with anger.
"I have a duty to protect you. Eliminating even the slightest risk is the right course."
"If that was your worry, you should've taken me out of Edlen via the secret passage that day we fled! Living in the slums is to dodge Uncle Brooke and Bares too!"
"It's for the future. Regardless, we can't leave someone who knows your identity unchecked. It requires absolute trust. I won't betray Lord William's will to protect you."
Shing!
Cown rose and drew the sword from his waist, aiming it at Hanbit's throat as he sat.
-Oh shit, he's done for.
-Who's gonna stream now?
-Thanks for the Black Dragon streams so far.
-Stream
-END
"Cown!"
The startled Liora jumped up to stop him. But Hanbit calmly turned his gaze.
"Liora… or should I say Miss Libentia? You were her bodyguard, right?"
"He was the Norton family's shadow knight. On his lord's orders, he got me out and helped me escape execution."
Before William's execution. Cown had led Libentia through the secret passage. Even framed as orders, abandoning his lord and fleeing tore his heart to shreds.
"Though I failed in my role as a knight, I have the strength to cut out any suspicious buds here. Blame your bad luck."
"What changes if you cut the bud? Liora has to hide and evade pursuit her whole life anyway."
"The chance to take down Brooke and Bares will come. Camon seems to have prepared something, so with that, it's possible. His sacrifice was for the future too."
Cown replied solemnly, pressing the sword closer. Just as the cold blade touched his skin—
"Wait, damn it!"
Liora wedged herself between them.
"It's dangerous. Step aside."
"You're the one in danger right now!"
-lololol
-Fact bomb on LioraTube.
-He is dangerous tho.
-Trust Liora only.
-'Do it'
Liora spread her arms protectively in front of Hanbit. Seeing this, Cown pulled his sword back to avoid hurting her.
"Strange. You were lukewarm to my question about trusting him."
"Do I have to say it out loud?"
"Yes. Trust is that crucial. Speak clearly. I won't lower my sword until I'm convinced."
"Haa…."
Liora sighed at the embarrassing demand. But knowing Cown's personality, she had no choice. In a small, grudging voice, she said:
"…I trust him."
"I can't hear you."
"Argh, seriously! I trust him! Auntie Atsbel, Plona, even Ruby—he helped them all! Plus, this guy's super strong…."
Her true feelings poured out with anger, rambling on. Cown listened silently before slowly nodding.
"I see. I fully understand how you feel about him. I had no hostility from the start, so no need to worry. The investigation was already complete."
"…Huh?"
The sword was already sheathed. Liora realized it was just a ploy to confirm her feelings.
"Cown…!"
-lololol
-Cute.
-You tricked us this whole time?
-Cute enough for a drink.
-Affinity maxed lol
-Atsbel→Plona→Ruby route confirmed
Her face flushed red, Liora trembled with fists clenched.
"No matter how you glare, it's unavoidable. Your true feelings matter most to me, and I trust your instincts that much."
"You could've said that from the start!"
"You've gotten too used to hiding your heart. It'd be better if you acted more your age."
"Ha."
His brazen attitude left Liora speechless. Hanbit gently tugged her arm, guiding her back to the chair.
"Can't help being cautious about personnel. Even as an outsider, I see you're in a dangerous spot."
"I know, but…."
As he defended Cown, Liora pouted. Hanbit watched amusedly before turning back.
"So, the plan? We head to Camon's mansion first?"
"Of course that's priority. I'd like to check the temple in the waterway too, but it's risky now. The enemy might've noticed."
Once you'd stirred up the waterway, it wouldn't be strange if someone caught on. Whether Holy Nation devotees, Brooke, or Bares—who knew.
"Oh, right."
Remembering something, Hanbit pulled a necklace from his inventory. It was the goblin spirit necklace from the challenge dungeon.
[Goblin Spirit Necklace]
Rank: 3
Grade: Unique
Description: Trophy from an elder goblin. Deploys a mana shield at the owner's will.
"Wear this."
"Necklace?"
Liora took the silver necklace embedded with a gem.
"Elder goblin trophy? High quality."
Cown, recognizing it, said admiringly. Stroking his chin, he asked:
"Needing protective magic gear means you anticipate an attack?"
"The first thing we found in the waterway was cloth from Holy Nation combat robes. A fight could break out anytime. Weird stuff happened to Liora too."
"Weird stuff?"
Cown looked at Liora, as if hearing this for the first time. The yellow-haired girl pulled a ring from her bag.
"Something flashed in front of that secret passage. Felt super ominous."
"…That's not normal."
Cown furrowed his brow, equally puzzled. Watching, Hanbit feigned ignorance and asked:
"What's that ring? A Norton family heirloom?"
"Heirloom and irreplaceable identity. Families bearing the Spirit King's trace are exceedingly rare."
-Spirit King?
-What's this now?
-It manifested that?
-Hm. Trace means trash?
-You think Spirit King is shit?
[Explainer-nim donated 1,000 won.]
[RP Lore: Spirit Kings are ancient spirits powerful enough to ravage entire nations. Complete records are scarce…]
-Teacher's working hard.
-Saw him on other streams too lol
-Activity GOAT
The chat erupted in confusion at "Spirit King."
[Lower Spirit - Mid Spirit - High Spirit - Top Spirit - Spirit King]
Spirit grades were clearly defined. A Spirit King was four stages above a lower spirit like sylphs. Even Hanbit, after long efforts, could only borrow top spirit power. Spirit Kings were utterly unknown territory.
[Norton's Ring]
Rank: ?
Grade: ?
Description: Ring imbued with Spirit King Salion's trace. Passed down as an heirloom per the first Norton's will.
*Of course they'd target this ring.*
About 100 years ago at this point: the Spirit Mage Massacre. Spirits, already rare, mostly vanished after. In that context, even a trace of a Spirit King held immense potential—prime target material.
*What a joke.*
The Holy Nation orchestrated the massacre. Now they hunted this ring for its tech. The odd reaction on Liora's ring was one of their detection methods. Pursuit and attack were imminent.
"Now we head to Camon's workshop?"
"No, to a man named Harpen's house."
"Harpen?"
He nodded at the repeated name, heading for the exit.
"No time. Let's hurry."
Ding.
[Completed Main Quest #4.]
[Progress increased.]
[Main Quest #5: Infiltration]
You've learned more about Liora's situation. To uncover the truth and free her, prove Brooke and Bares's crimes. Head to his workshop noted in Camon's notebook.
Camon's 'Workshop' is inside a sealed stone stored at noble 'Harpen's' mansion in the city.
Objective: Sneak into the mansion and steal the sealed stone.
Rewards: 100,000 gold, 50,000 EXP, 5 stat points
*Current progress: 45%