Challenge Gold and Lashten's Blunder
“Hoo.”
After getting off work and returning home, Hanbit quickly showered. He donned his gear right away and lay down on the bed. With a low hum, the scene before his eyes shifted. Edlen's streets came into view in no time.
Ding—
At that moment, a number popped up on his mailbox.
“What’s this?”
Hanbit, with nothing particular in mind, felt puzzled. He flicked his finger to open the mailbox.
[Edlen-Challenge Dungeon Reward]
[30,537,500 gold]
“...Ah.”
The challenge dungeon reward he'd completely forgotten about. He'd been too focused on the episode. It seemed no new first-place challenger had appeared.
'But 30 million gold...'
A far larger sum than expected. Interest must have spiked challenge attempts, but either way, weekly gold inflows would broaden his options. He could just buy minor items from the auction house.
“Hyung!”
Just then, Yeonwoo appeared, as they'd coordinated earlier. He glanced around at the nearby players before speaking in a low voice.
“The whole world's talking about you. How's it feel to be a superstar?”
“Feels like I've just pulled a ton of aggro.”
Hanbit was aware of the stares pouring in. He didn't know their exact sentiments, but he hoped it wouldn't draw more scum like Nessto. Constantly brushing off sparks was a hassle.
“But Kim Jaeha couldn't make it?”
“He's probably busy.”
They hadn't met over the weekend during the episode. Hanbit had messaged him today, but no reply. Likely company work.
“Let's start the stream.”
Hanbit fired up streaming immediately.
“Hey everyone.”
“Hey!”
-hihi
- Dragon.
-Superstar Dragon.
-Guild master's name value skyrocketing.
-Our Dragon.
-You reset the episode and wrecked it, care to explain?
-That's on you...
-Read the replay~
-But we need a guide. Agree?
-Agree
-No. Don't poke the bear.
-Powered by support, serving up a 50-page guide.
-Kraaaack.
Viewership surged to 100,000 in an instant. The episode reset had truly stirred up a storm.
“I'll think about a guide. Oh, and I got the challenge mission first-place reward.”
[Edlen-Challenge Dungeon Reward]
[30,537,500 gold]
-??
-30 mil??
-Insane. lol
-This real?
-Fr??
-Was this amount even possible?
-Kim Hanseop must be sobbing, upvote tears.
[Calculator donated 1,000 won.]
[Info) Challenge dungeon entries: 61,075 times.]
-Insane. lol
-Newbies losing it;
-???: Bet I could do better?
-Total wipeout.
Countless players had entered dreaming of first place or for quests. Hanbit revealed the sum to kindle hope. The scariest thing is that faint 'maybe I can do it' expectation.
“Challenge dungeon guide will go up edited on the Black Dragon channel. Recommend checking it before trying.”
Yeonwoo slipped in some promo to spur challenges. Hanbit had reviewed the edit on his commute—perfectly viewer-friendly.
“Alright, time to prep and head out.”
Hanbit made for Atsbel's shop, his last stop.
Atsbel was busily sorting goods.
“Need a hand?”
“Huh?”
She whipped her head around at his voice, a bright smile blooming.
“What, not leaving yet? Thought you'd gone to Ifrit.”
“Heading there soon.”
Gazing at her quietly, Hanbit replied.
“What’s up?”
“...Nah, nothing.”
Atsbel tilted her head curiously as their eyes met.
'Feels exactly like the 56th time.'
Past lives repeated in varied forms. With Edlen's issues resolved and Atsbel here, nostalgia hit hard. To him, this was no mere game.
“Adventurer!”
From inside, Plona gathered light loads with small hands. Amid the chaos, Atsbel was overseeing.
Hanbit ruffled her hair lightly, helping sort while asking,
“How's your mom? All good now?”
“Too good—she's tearing up the workshop. Even with her daughter swamped, she's glued to the sewing machine.”
“Glad to hear.”
Atsbel looked exasperated, but joy laced her voice. Her seamstress mother was producing stellar work, as if the hiatus never happened.
“You two? Moving into the Norton estate?”
“Plona will, but I'll keep the shop. Just relocating closer to the estate. Someone's gotta keep Liora in check.”
Atsbel wiped sweat from her brow with a grin. Liora wouldn't run now, but Atsbel's presence would bolster her.
“The road to Ifrit okay? Heard bad rumors.”
She asked worriedly while shifting a box.
“Rumors?”
“Monsters multiplying around Ifrit. City and guilds say it's fine, but...”
A rumor circulating among merchants lately. As a trade-sensitive bunch, even minor shifts warranted caution.
“Road should be clear. Heading there to build rep anyway—might investigate.”
“Rep matters, but... be careful. Doesn't sound normal.”
As they chatted, sorting wrapped up. Facing Atsbel, Hanbit gave his farewell.
“See ya.”
“Already?”
Plona set down her box and toddled over, face full of regret. Atsbel echoed the sentiment.
“Back to Edlen anytime soon? Gonna take a while?”
“Nah, once Ifrit's done, I'll swing by.”
“Really?”
“For real?”
Regret eased from their faces. Hanbit turned for the door.
“Gonna head out now. Catch you later.”
“Take care.”
“Th-thank you for saving us! Come back soon!”
With those words, Hanbit stepped out.
'Way too many.'
Back on the street, he met countless players' gazes. No one approached, but they watched his every move. Thankfully, no PK vibes like Nessto.
“Hyung, jumping straight there?”
Yeonwoo asked, eyeing the stream overlay. Hanbit checked the time, pondering.
“Too much time left on the perks.”
[Special perks granted to the first player to uncover the truth of Episode 1. After 24 hours prep, contribution-based perks will be delivered to inventory.]
Main quest cleared at 1 a.m. Now around 8, five hours remained. Scanning around, Hanbit whispered to Yeonwoo,
“Vanguards still in Edlen?”
“Vanguards? One sec.”
Yeonwoo searched, then nodded.
“Big raid today, locations fuzzy. But Rainzer...”
“What about me?”
A voice from behind. Turning, Hanbit saw Rainzer approaching, golden bow slung over his shoulder.
“Still hanging around? Not busy?”
“All because of you!”
-lololol
-His salt is hilarious. lol
-Why's he not raiding?
-Episode reset?
-Just ostracized?
-Fr lol
Viewers piled on doubts and jabs at Rainzer. He must've checked the stream—fists clenched tight.
Before he erupted, Hanbit cut in.
“So, what's up? Not here just to pick a fight.”
“Edlen episode reset. Even called it 'the truth.' Knew it'd go down like this from the start?”
“Nah. Just followed what I knew.”
No lie in Hanbit's words. Story aside, he hadn't known about resets.
Rainzer paused, then continued.
“Know the rest too?”
“As much as I do.”
“Hm.”
Silence fell. Eyes reopening, Rainzer spoke gravely.
“Giving you a special shot.”
“Shot?”
“Join Lashten. Be grateful.”
“...?”
-?
-Huh?
-Did I hear wrong?
-WTF lol
-Crazy?
-Just gtfo.
-Go away.
[GoodWordsOnly donated 1,000 won.]
[Just hate the guy.]
-Fr ugly too.
-OldEyes GOAT
-Personality JOAT
-No sense of reality. lol
Sudden recruitment pitch drew a barrage from viewers.
“Ignore those losers. Chairman approved—contract incoming.”
“Hm.”
Hanbit took a beat to process. Sorting thoughts, he asked slowly,
“Dragging me to Lashten?”
“Done deal. Good terms—serve me right, and we'll bury the past.”
The talk veered off deep-end, no return to normal. Easy to refuse and leave, but something nagged. Opportunity here...
'Ah.'
An idea flashed. Scheming quickly, Hanbit eyed Rainzer.
“Already decided. Going with Roper's company.”
“Rejecting me?”
“Why trust Lashten? Sounds meh from what I hear.”
“I'm vanguard. You, a normie, dare—”
-lololol
-That(FACT)
-Can't rebut, hilarious. lol
-Got it? Now scram.
-Fr zero awareness.
Shaken hard—maybe Trigger-level—Rainzer glanced at chat, taking hits.
“Not joining Lashten anyway. Got better offers from bigger shots.”
“...”
Final nail dropped; Rainzer glared, fists balled, grinding teeth.
“You'll regret that. Bitterly.”
Whip—!
He spun and stormed off, subordinate in tow, seething.
“Hyung, this okay?”
Yeonwoo asked worriedly.
“Fine.”
Hanbit eyed chat leisurely, voicing a new plan.
“Before the next city, one dungeon clear.”