Episode Reset Shockwave
? ? ?? Huh? Notice—is this just me?
No, mine too.
What is this?
World announcement like this ever before?
Reset? Restart?
No, wtf, I don't get it.
What's a private zone?
“……?”
For once, Hanbit mirrored his viewers' reactions exactly. He'd thought it was a message just for him, but no—it was a world-wide announcement.
“Hyung!”
As he scanned the floating notice, Yeonwoo raised his voice in urgency.
“What the hell is this? Why's a world announcement popping up?”
[Black Dragon-nim! What's going on here? Do you know anything?]
Incoming questions and a message from Kim Jaeha after ages. But Hanbit couldn't bring himself to answer.
…Is this what she meant?
There was only one possible cause. The word Edlen he'd spotted in the RP gear program's code patterns. No other info, but the message appeared right when he cleared the Edlen episode. Direct or indirect, he couldn't help suspecting the Goddess's involvement.
“Hyung, what is this?”
“No idea. Probably means we actually saw the real ending.”
“Whoa. So you can clear the whole thing now, right? Just follow the webnovel.”
Yeonwoo was sparkling with excitement in no time. Great for using as channel growth fuel, but since it was a fabricated excuse, better lay some groundwork.
“Not the whole thing. Serialization cut off midway, so I didn't see past that.”
“Want me to dig up the novel? Bet corps are starting to scour it now too.”
“Nah. Waste of time.”
-Time-rich folks mobilizing.
-But if it hasn't dropped yet, maybe it's gone?
-Yeah, they dug it up ages ago.
-That's not the point? What's reset even mean ;;
-Edlen's already exploding. lol
After the notice, players were mobilizing fast, it seemed. Pure reward-chasing made retries sensible, but what about later episodes? Redoing everything wouldn't be easy.
Damn, they moved quick.
Even leveraging past memories and experience, he'd slashed time brutally.
“How about you? Rewards based on contribution, right?”
Something occurred to Hanbit, so he asked Yeonwoo. Party leader or not, he'd driven everything.
Honestly, Yeonwoo had done jack squat.
“Like 5% compared to you. Oh, achievement went just to you?”
“...That cool with you?”
“Told you. I don't care about my playtime. For the company, it's pure good news. Your channel and streams are gonna explode.”
Yeonwoo just sounded thrilled. His head was full of growing the Black Dragon channel and the company, clearly.
“What's the special reward? Says 24 hours till payout.”
“Dunno. We'll see when it drops.”
Hanbit shrugged and checked the clock. It was already 1 a.m.
“Gotta head out.”
“Huh? Leaving now in this mess?”
-?
-Wait, where?
-We're in full chaos rn.
-Don't ditch.
-Just clear it again?
-Other starting cities unchanged.
-Take debates to forums pls.
-Sit tf down first.
-I'll go dark fr if you leave.
-For real, I'll wreck everything.
[InfiniteLit donated 30,000 won.]
[Don't go ;]
[Yah donated 100,000 won.]
[Explain.]
[Taesung Corp donated 1,000,000 won.]
[Hello. Resent contract terms.]
[Cave Production donated 3,000,000 won.]
[Hi. Reaching out for collab proposal.]
[Yeonhwa Gaming donated 5,000,000 won.]
[Hello. New terms on contract...]
Viewers clutching at his pant leg, corps suddenly flooding donations. Some familiar names, but the vibe was off this time. World message got 'em desperate?
“Got work tomorrow. Episode's done, so I'll sort stuff and come back. And I'm signing with Roper's company. If anything clicks with corps or streamers, I'll hit you up. Keep sending proposals.”
-No way….
-Oh right, your job.
-Fml ;
-Party leader, it's done.
-Tomorrow what time?
“Stream probably evening—I'll post notice. Coming as early as I can.”
-Sucks but safe travels.
-See ya tomorrow.
-Bye
-Bye
Viewers finally accepting, waving goodbye. Hanbit logged out right away.
Click.
Removing the gear, he rose from bed. Soaked head to toe in sweat—hair, clothes, everything.
“Whew.”
Long playtime piled up fatigue. Nothing like real movement.
“Shower time.”
Hanbit hit the bathroom, showered quick. Out and scarfed late dinner from Mom's prepped food.
Slurp.
Finishing the warm soup settled his gut. Dishes done, back to his room.
“Must be pandemonium.”
At the PC, he hit up RPG community. As expected, top posts all Black Dragon buzz.
<First Ever: Episode Reset?>
Player Black Dragon and Roper cleared Edlen episode, sparking anomaly. Golden world notice flashing. Unprecedented—players, corps, media all stunned. RP ops confirmed no bug via notice amid inquiry flood.
-Pushing to episode reset now? Insane;
-Everything off from 1 to 10.
-Just investigate Black Dragon ffs?
└Official said his account's clean ages ago.
└Game devs hiding with all this aggro?
└Bullshit. lol When'd RP ever promo? Userbase billions idle.
-Reset and replaying—kinda fun tbh.
└Fr lol but can't match Black Dragon.
-Vanguards out in force.
-Guilds already busing.
“Total mess.”
Every thread, comments pure chaos. Wild part: more challengers than expected. Vanguards especially—no reason to loop back for reset.
“Hm.”
Hanbit recalled the clear message.
[Black Dragon's party succeeded in condemning Bares.]
[First players to reach Episode 1 truth granted special privileges. Contribution-based specials to inventory after 24h prep.]
[Prior Episode 1 clearers get reset & replay chance.]
[Some private zones unlocked.]
Bares's condemnation, Episode truth. His footsteps in that world summed as 'truth.' Giving others reset chance—what's the angle? What do they gain? Private zones? No clue.
“Team Zero… yeah, that's the lead.”
Best shot: contact RP devs. But they ghost externally—no comms. Hence probing RP gear, but that needs time too.
“Gotta try.”
Worth a shot. Hanbit hit RP official site, submitted dev inquiry via support. Reply in days, probably.
“Now items……”
Among his loot, one safe to sell: Earth Essence from dungeon. Onto RP Trader.
“This Black Dragon handle still doesn't fit.”
Name's Kang Hanbit—bright light—yet nickname Black Dragon. Light and dark? Unwanted, still bullshit. What was that damn Goddess thinking?
“Earth Essence. 3-rank… Unique grade.”
Applied filters, searched. No listings.
“Zero?”
Planned fair price, but this screws it. Hit RPG community, dug old posts.
“Last month 9 mil? Bit low.”
Month back, price query comment at 9 mil. He'd eyed 10+ mil min.
“Post anyway.”
Seller sets price. Hanbit whipped up listing.
“...Auction?”
Auction option jumped out. System simple, no hassle.
“Hm.”
Needs buyers anyway. Set start right, no loss.
“Start 10 mil…… Buyout too?”
Instant win bid. No biggie, slapped extra zero.
Click.
Set end noon, posted. Clock: 2 a.m. Long-ass day.
Thud.
PC off, crashed into bed. Sleep hit instant.
***
“Hanbit, you okay? Look wiped today.”
Next day, pre-lunch, tidying conference room. Sunbae Lee Minho asked worriedly.
“Busy weekend focus. You look beat too, sunbae—good?”
“Used to it. Saw bits of your stream. Article this morning?”
“...Kinda embarrassing.”
Reset ripple bigger than thought. Major media coverage—huge shock.
And fallout hit unexpected spots.
“Hey, experiential.”
Post-tidy, team lead called. Hanbit approached his desk.
“You called.”
“Moonlighting?”
Straight ball, no shock. Expected. Planned to quit for Yeonwoo's firm anyway. No groveling—flat response.
“Yes. Doing game streams.”
“Game streams? This guy's nuts. No side gigs, know that? Experiential intern acting bold!”
BAM!
Team lead slammed desk, roaring. Black Dragon articles and stock sheets scattered atop. Big market dip hit him hard.
“Sorry! Forgot to report!”
Lee Minho rushed in, bowing instead.
“No, he heard all. My push.”
Minho had warned early on side gigs. Hanbit's call.
“You think I'm a joke?”
Brow furrowed, team lead primed to erupt. Lips parting for tirade—
Ding.
Hanbit's smartphone alarm.
“Fucking hell, everything.”
“Sorry.”
“Whatever. Write apology now, submit. Reporting up, HR next.”
“Got it.”
“Company runs smooth, huh.”
Team lead stormed out griping. Back at desk with Minho, Hanbit checked phone.
“Ah.”
Alarm icon: RP Trader. Right, noon just hit.
<Auction for Earth Essence sold.>
Clicked—auction page.
“...Huh?”
Result froze him solid. Rubbed eyes, double-checked sum.
Curse slipped out.
“Holy shit.”
<Auction sold: 100,000,000 won>