The Truth of the World
“...The truth?”
The truth of the world. That wasn't a phrase some random player just enjoying a game would toss out.
Avant-garde replied with a deeply serious expression.
“The world implemented in RP never felt like just a simple game to me. At first, like everyone else, I dove into the main quests, but something felt off in the story. So I dropped it right away and started wandering all over the world.”
“You did that for two years?”
“It was far too short a time to understand this world. But then I stumbled upon Black Dragon's tracks by chance, and my eyes gradually opened. When I saw that final world message... I can't even put into words how thrilled I was.”
-Just a crazy dude, right?
-Reminds me of some fanatic from a cult country.
-Truth my ass, isn't it based on a novel?
-lol the guidebook was bullshit, so yeah, the novel's the truth.
-Adventurer A racks up another L today...
The viewers reacted with bewilderment to the endless stream of words. But Avant-garde just pointed at the chat window.
“It's right there in the chat. Spot on. We've all been too focused on the false narrative—you viewers and me alike. Let's reflect together.”
-Us?
-This guy's eyes are creepy.
-Info: He's always been like that.
-Got a bit more unhinged today tho.
-Black Dragon stream viewers, sorry on our behalf.
At some point, Hanbit's and Avant-garde's viewers had mixed in the chat. Anyway, a player who wasn't from a leading guild or corporation, just exploring the game world, felt refreshing. The fact that he'd done it consistently for two years built trust.
“What's your plan after this? Any set content lined up?”
“I just finished traveling the central continent, so nothing set right now. I've been focusing on the story Black Dragon unfolds.”
His refreshingly straightforward answer rang with sincerity.
Hanbit organized his thoughts for a moment and asked, “Then how about we travel together for a while?”
“......?”
Avant-garde froze at the question. Recalling what he'd heard, he asked back, “You mean traveling with me? You're talking to Avant-garde, right?”
“Yeah. I'm curious about your travels everywhere, and since I have zero streaming experience, I wanna learn a thing or two.”
“Whoa......”
At the offer, Avant-garde's eyes went wide. There were various reasons, but learning to stream was genuinely one of them.
“I'd love that! I'll help with anything I can!”
-Oh.
-Avant-garde achieves enlightenment ㅊㅊ
-This is actually happening;
-Finally, Avant-garde, you're done stalking Black Dragon.
-Viewers happy too.
His viewers, who'd shown such fervent interest, sent a wave of applause. The man himself just continued in a joyful voice.
“Any plans for today? If you're heading to Ifrit, I could help...”
“Ah, Ifrit's tomorrow. Got some stuff to check first.”
There were two reasons for that decision. First, the unpublished episode perk, which only distributed at dawn—best to confirm it before moving. Second, the unpublished zone. With zero leads, he wanted to scour community info first. The name alone reeked of suspicion.
“I see. So what'll we do today?”
“Let's wander together for now? Got some questions too.”
“Sounds perfect to me!”
With time to chat, Avant-garde raised his voice in delight. He glanced at his chat and said, “Alright, switching from solo stream to collab. Everyone, head over to Black Dragon's stream.”
***
“See that weird fruit up in the tree? Wanna check it out?”
“Even same-species monsters have unique traits—you know that? Rumor has it they even differ by gender.”
“Ah, that cave over there... I found it a year ago...”
The walk that began like that stretched on for hours. Mostly Avant-garde's blissed-out guidance, but there were surprises too.
He's got real knowledge.
Things even Hanbit, who'd looped the world dozens of times, hadn't paid much mind to. Avant-garde's love for RP gained more credibility.
Thanks to it, a few quests netted two level-ups and seven stat points—a solid haul.
“No luck on the unpublished zone, as expected.”
When they reached Edlen Forest's outskirts, Avant-garde stopped. The unpublished zone from the world message. They'd wandered the woods searching for it. They'd combed every corner by consensus, but not even a suspicious trace.
“No clues to start with anyway. Guess we look beyond Edlen now.”
“Agreed. Good news is, tons of players are hunting it, so info should spread fast.”
Even while walking, Avant-garde kept gathering intel. Community posts, contacts from acquaintances—countless, all begging to connect with Black Dragon somehow.
-Yeah, tons hunting it.
-Info: 99.99% bullshit.
-That 0.01% is the jackpot tho.
-Didn't show up in the novel?
-Just playing dumb?
Viewers pondering Avant-garde's words raised questions. Hanbit nodded at the chat.
“Not in the novel. No clue what an unpublished zone even is.”
-Huh?
-For real?
-First to find gets the wish ticket? ;
-But how?
-Dunno lol
The chat buzzed at news even Hanbit didn't know.
Ding-
[HiddenBuyer donated 1,000 won.]
[Find unpublished zone, trade for hidden skill info?]
Someone saw opportunity and proposed a swap. But Hanbit had no interest in empty promises.
“No personal trades. If you find unpublished zone info, post it on my channel or RPG communities. After clearing Ifrit story, I'll drop a hidden skill guide.”
-Oh.
-He's doing it;
-But even with guide, most can't get 'em.
-Fr, still tons stuck at Baldor.
-Just showering us with IOUs?
-If you hate it, leave the stream.
-He says he'll do it and you bitch ;
Viewers started bickering. But there were planned hidden skills safe to reveal. Full info anyway—best to incentivize crowdsourcing unpublished zone intel.
“No fighting. Want hidden skills? Hunt that info hard. Guide drops post-Ifrit episode.”
Calming the chat, Hanbit checked the world message again.
[Some unpublished zones will open.]
Unpublished zone. Simply put, revealing hidden maps. 'Some' suggested not just one spot. The real question: what did it mean?
Is that what the pattern meant?
The pattern from RP device code. 'Edlen' was written, but no clear Goddess link yet. So maybe something in the unpublished zone?
“Pushing further's pointless. Gotta head to next city tomorrow, so quick scan en route to Ifrit. Rest when info drops.”
“Smart plan. Ah, perk time soon.”
Avant-garde eyed the system clock. Twenty-four hours since Black Dragon cleared the episode approached.
Thinking the same, Hanbit nodded. “Yeah. We'll check the perk and log off today.”
-Whoa whoa
-What's it gonna be.
-Gifting 10% EXP coupon as perk~
-49 sec left.
Time crept close. Hanbit waited silently as seconds ticked. Exactly at twenty-four hours, the alarm rang.
Ding-
[Episode 1 perk distributed.]
[Dream Nautilus acquired.]
-?
-Compass?
-Off to hunt something?
-Why dream tho.
-??
“Oh, an item I've never heard of!”
Viewers and Avant-garde reacted to the unfamiliar name. But Hanbit's face turned grave.
This thing...
He knew it well—thoughts clicked like puzzle pieces. Pulling the compass from inventory, he checked details.
[Dream Nautilus]
Rank: 4
Grade: Saga
Description: A compass lost in deep slumber. Use a special item from the Black-and-White Sea to make it dream. Better distinguish good dreams from nightmares.
-Saga grade?
-Wtf a dreaming compass lol
-Get materials from Black-and-White Sea?
-That place is a nausea fest.
-Can this find hiddens?
-Doubt it.
Dark blue base, platinum-rimmed glass. Depending on the material inserted, this Dream Nautilus showed two effects: a good dream guiding to what you desired, or a nightmare to what you didn't. Hanbit knew its reliable effects well from frequent use.
...Telling me to find the unpublished zone.
By now, the Goddess's shadow loomed faintly. No way this item dropped at this timing naturally.
One issue: the Black-and-White Sea item was a nightmare to obtain.
“Tricky item. Something from the Black-and-White Sea...”
Avant-garde, familiar with the spot, pondered too.
Swish- Hanbit opened the RP trader and searched the needed item.
[Iridescent Seashell]
Search results: 0
As expected, none.
The Black-and-White Sea split into black and white halves. The iridescent seashell from the white sea turned the compass to good dreams—but the process was a huge pain. No other uses, so players ignored it. Even going himself, the trek would take too long...
“Hyung!”
A voice from behind. Turning, Juyeonu came running up in a panic.
“Business done?”
“Forget that—this!”
Closing in, Juyeonu thrust out his open palm. On it lay an iridescent seashell, beautifully colored.