Slipping into the Smoke
Hanbit leaped into the smoke, where the battle was already raging. Thanks to Asla's wind, visibility inside was secured.
Whoosh-! Clang-!
The Royal Guard knights had joined the fray at some point. Dozens of people clashed in a chaotic melee, ignoring the smoke's boundaries.
Slash-! Asla sliced through the thugs charging at Liora. A short distance away, Leon faced off against a massive swordsman.
Thud-! Leon deflected the swordsman's plunging greatsword with his fist. Kicking off the ground, he leaped high, locking eyes with the enemy. Then, he smashed the scabbard in his hand down on the foe's head.
Bam-!
"Gah!"
The helmet crumpled under the massive impact, drawing out a scream. The thug collapsed unconscious in moments.
-Whoa;
-Info) Leon's a powerhouse.
-Didn't he use body enhancement magic?
-Yeah, but he's good with other magic too.
-Dude's a massive all-rounder.
-No wonder he's got the looks.
Leon immediately turned his gaze to where Liora was. At that moment.
Whoosh-!
Two daggers flew from beyond the smoke, aimed straight at Liora.
Clang-!
Hanbit and Asla knocked them away and shifted their focus. Four shadows approached from the haze.
"We'll be taking that ring."
Black-and-white robes and a voice distorted like it had been tampered with. They were the Holy Nation assassins who'd been watching the situation.
"I'll handle these. Take the child and fall back."
Asla stepped forward and said to his disciple. Of course, this was all part of the plan too.
"Holy Nation operatives, eh? I'll assist."
Leon joined him immediately, standing shoulder to shoulder with Asla.
Hanbit met Liora's eyes and nodded before kicking off toward the edge of the smoke.
"So it was you after all!"
At the same time, Bares appeared from the side. He tried to activate the magic tool in his hand.
But Hanbit was faster.
Crack-!
"Urk!"
A kick shattered the magic tool and slammed into Bares's chest. As the fat man flew back spectacularly, Hanbit grabbed Liora's hand and started running.
"Damn it!"
Bares howled in rage as he hauled his bulky body up. At the same moment, an alarm rang in Hanbit's ears.
Ding-
[Main Quest #14 completed.]
[Progress increased.]
[Main Quest #15: Survival]
Leon's arrival had turned the tide, but Bares was mounting a counterattack. Protect Liora and head to a safe spot.
Objective: Protect Liora until Leon and Asla arrive.
Rewards: 200,000 gold, 80,000 EXP, 10 stat points
*Current progress: 93%
Hanbit quickly scanned the details as he put distance between himself and the courtroom. The near-final quest was straightforward: protect Liora. Normally, he'd rely on Asla and Leon's strength, but now he could handle it alone. He'd never planned to end it at just protecting her anyway.
Thud-!
Hanbit kicked off again, sprinting toward the alley. He pushed his speed to the max to create separation.
"Bro, this footage is insane! I can't keep up!"
Juyeonu, chasing desperately behind, was struggling with the pace.
"Hang in there."
"No, it's not about hanging in—!"
Ignoring the reply, Hanbit kept moving. His destination: the abandoned lot on the eastern edge. Taking every shortcut, he arrived quickly.
"Miss!"
As they entered the lot, Cown rushed over in a panic.
"Are you alright? If you're hurt, a potion..."
"I look fine, don't I? Calm down."
Liora reassured the fretting Cown. Confirming she wasn't lying, he let out a sigh of relief and turned to Hanbit.
"Looks like everything went according to plan."
"Our predictions were spot on. How'd it go for you?"
"All wrapped up. Just like you said, a bunch of adventurers tried to join Bares's side."
While the trial was ongoing, Hanbit had tasked Cown with monitoring the adventurers. They weren't much of a threat, so subduing them by force had been easy—like those guild adventurers who'd harassed Liora, for example.
"But are you sure you'll be okay alone? Bares must have some hidden weapons for self-defense."
Cown glanced around the quiet surroundings and asked.
"Nah, the best stuff he'll have brought out himself."
Bares had gathered all sorts of gear and magic tools through black markets and shady channels. Few in number, but powerful. Their origins were dubious, so who knew what issues might arise.
'Guy's drunk on power, alright.'
He'd harbored ambitions far before the plot to trap William. He craved absolute power. Targeting the Holy Nation was simply because it was the strongest kingdom. Bares was the type who'd contract with a demon if one appeared.
"Liora."
Hanbit looked at the yellow-haired girl. Her face was tense.
"Remember what I said?"
"Yeah. Use the necklace if things get dangerous. Got it."
Liora nodded, clutching the necklace tight. She slipped the ring off her finger and handed it to Hanbit.
"You'll really be okay, right, big bro?"
"The Norton family's power's right here. Don't worry."
"......"
He thumped his chest in response, but Liora's expression darkened further. She was worried about the side effects of such unusual power.
Hanbit turned to Cown.
"They'll be here soon. Hurry."
"Right. Miss, I'll escort you to safety."
"...Okay."
Liora bit her lip slightly but nodded. Stubbornness here would just hinder the Black Dragon. She couldn't steal his prep time either.
"Be careful. Don't you dare die."
"I won't. Go."
With that, Liora and Cown vanished into the rear alley. Watching them go, Hanbit pulled up his character info.
[Black Dragon-Lv.29]
[Title: None]
Strength: 25 Agility: 31 Intelligence: 25 Vitality: 10
Remaining Stat Points: 27
-?
-Wtf, points glitching again?
-Rewards were nuts.
-Clears this main quest and gets 10 more;
-Info) Endgame quests give the best rewards.
-Is this the last one?
-Nah, endings are marked differently.
He hadn't touched them in a while, so points had piled up. Usually, he'd boost stats for tough foes, but this time was different. He needed a body resilient enough to withstand the debuff from his new skill, Attribute Manifestation.
Hanbit carefully adjusted the values.
[Black Dragon-Lv.29]
[Title: None]
Strength: 30 Agility: 35 Intelligence: 30 Vitality: 23
Remaining Stat Points: 0
-Whoa.
-Lv.29 with 118 total stats?
-Average is like 60, right?
-Pioneers are gonna get rekt lol
-Even if they do, they can't prove it?
-Fr lol
The chat exploded over stats far above average. Taunts at the pioneers were common, but Hanbit doubted he'd face many—unless it was another oddball like Rainzer.
"Just you, huh?"
Then, Bares emerged after scouring the area. New magic tools gleamed on his arms and neck.
He scanned the surroundings before fixing his gaze on Hanbit.
"Where'd you hide Libentia?"
"Beats me. Didn't she flee Edlen?"
"Pathetic nonsense."
Bares scoffed at the tossed-back question. With the Royal Guard involved, fleeing was absurd. The adventurer was just stalling until reinforcements arrived.
"Standing alone—is that confidence? Or arrogance?"
"Beats me. Which do you think?"
"Doesn't matter much. Either way, you're about to—"
Shiiik-!
A dagger flew in with the wind's whisper.
Clang-!
Hanbit, on guard for ambushes, deflected it.
"Tch."
A tongue click echoed as a figure emerged from the shadows. A Holy Nation assassin in black-and-white robes.
"So that's what was tailing us."
Bares narrowed his eyes at the sight.
The assassin met his gaze and spat angrily.
"Bares Roberga, divine judgment will surely fall upon you."
"If you claim the Spirit King's trace, I'll kill you too. Wonder whose side god picks."
"The answer's set. In the end, only I'll stand."
-These idiots know nothing, hilarious lol
-But can he take the assassin?
-Spir.it.King
-We believe.
The two after the Spirit King's trace naturally fell into rivalry. Their real target wasn't the Black Dragon—it was Libentia. Killing her and claiming the Norton ring was victory.
But their plans crumbled at Hanbit's next words.
"Looking for this?"
Hanbit held up the ring on his finger. Bares and the assassin whipped around.
"A fake."
"Cheap trick won't work."
Both were convinced it was phony. The Norton ring bound to its owner—others couldn't hold it. Even blood kin could transfer ownership, but this outsider adventurer? No hidden heir vibes either.
"Yeah?"
Shhk- Hanbit, having anticipated their reaction, gripped his sword and assumed a stance. Focusing his mind, he activated Attribute Manifestation.
Fwoosh-!
Flames erupted, engulfing the blade. Their faces twisted in unison.
"What the...!"
"Impossible!"
They had magic tools that detected spirit power. The ones tucked away thrummed—no faking this scene.
Fwoosh-!
Hanbit concentrated on the intensifying flames. Using the skill at the rally point had revealed something intuitively: full fire manifestation required preheating.
'Still manageable.'
Boosted stats dulled the backlash compared to before. Just a faint heat surging inside.
Problem was, this was just the start. Full activation? Unknown territory.
"The Spirit King's trace is mine now."
Hanbit eyed the stunned pair. Steadying his stance, he pointed the flaming sword and declared,
"So come kill me and take it."
"......"
At the bold provocation, Bares and the assassin froze. Silence blanketed the lot. They eyed each other warily, gripping their weapons.
And.
Thud-!
They kicked off simultaneously, charging at Hanbit.