Chapter 1. Don't Lie, Kid (3)
Chapter 1. Don't Lie, Kid (3)
The capsule also has a streaming function.
This is because Illusion, the company that created the capsule, had its eyes on the streaming market.
Because of this, the barrier to entry for streaming was lowered, and the streaming market had grown quite a bit.
Ga-hyeon entered the capsule and turned on the streaming function.
The video began to be broadcast through the Twinkle site, where he had signed up and logged in for the first time today.
People started coming in through the link he posted on the Elder Book.
"Uh... Elder Book folks. Hello. I'm the person who posted that thread."
- Hi
- Hurry up and become a disciple
- Show us already!!!!
- I'm the one who suspected mods, can you prove there are no mods installed?
"Ah. Is it you? You owe me 100. Wait a sec. I'll show you the mod list."
There was no need to speak positively to someone speaking in an aggressive tone.
Ga-hyeon turned on the mod list in the system.
- Oh. There really aren't any.
- That bastard is just forcing it.
- Maybe he deleted them?
- Okay. Confirmed. If you proceed like this and show your skills, I'll give you 100.
- I'm the one who said I'd give 50, if you progress the story I'll give it lol. New route makes my mouth water.
"Understood. Let's start right away."
Ga-hyeon turned on Ancient Booklet 8 - Return of the Legend.
"...Where is this?"
Among the many continents in the Ancient Booklet.
The continent that was the stage for this Ancient Booklet 8 was the Salas Continent.
- Oh. This is that place. Lord's Castle. General Salin is a general under Lord Rubites, so did you come to meet General Salin?
- Just clear the main quest first. There are some side story quests with huge volume, but I want to see the main quest first.
"Um... you want me to clear the main quest? Understood. I'll ignore everything else and just do the main quest."
- Okay
- Mouth-watering lol. Wonder what quest General Salin will give.
While Ga-hyeon was looking at the chat window for a moment, someone put a hand on his shoulder.
A handsome, blonde appearance stood out.
"Hey! Sura! We have to go quickly!"
"...Roland?"
"Yeah. Yeah. It's me. Let's go to General Salin-nim quickly."
His vision had gone black along with the final disciple invitation.
And now, on the screen that had brightened again, Sura was here. In a place called the Lord's Castle.
'Looks like the army returned and I was summoned.'
Sura, who was guessing, asked Roland, who was next to him.
"Didn't they only call me? Why did they call you?"
"Me? General Salin-nim said if you become a knight, I should serve as your subordinate?"
'...So it's already confirmed I'm becoming a disciple.'
- Whoa, doesn't that mean she already thinks of him as a disciple?
- Crazy. General Salin has that much favorability?
- ...Wow, and this isn't using mods?
- Mod-accuser, looks like you have to pay 100.
The Elderbook Specters, who had been teasing the one who shouted "mods" before they knew it.
Even the person who was calling "mods" seemed half-convinced and was subtly agreeing with their opinions.
- Wow, do I really have to pay 100 for this?
While the Elderbook Specters were saying that, Sura continued Roland's words.
"Really? Where is General Salin-nim?"
"She's in the meeting room. I'll guide you. Let's wait outside."
As he followed Roland, they arrived at a door in the Lord's Castle, and the voices of the people inside could be heard.
[General Segrik's betrayal! This makes no sense!]
[Damn followers! General Segrik was such a devout person! Betraying us!]
[Perhaps it was all an act...]
[Damn it!]
Sura, who had turned off the in-game microphone for a moment, asked the chat window.
"What does that mean? I didn't look into the world of 8 in detail before coming."
- You know the world of Ancient Booklet, right?
"Yes, yes. I've played 7. I know the world and story of the rest of the series too."
- The Salas Continent, the stage for this 8, is set with the Destruction Lord 'Garuan Mafras', one of the Demon Grand Dukes, having taken over part of the Salas Continent.
- Yeah, so it's set up with the lords fighting against the followers.
- You can basically think of it as being divided into East and West, and the Southeast was eaten by Garuan.
- Right. That's the initial starting setting, but the details come out as you progress through the quests.
- Yeah, let's refrain from spoilers, everyone.
"Ah. Thank you. Then I'll continue."
While they were talking, people came out one or two at a time, as if the meeting had ended.
Roland told him to bow his head, so Sura was bowing his head appropriately as well.
"Ah. You're here. Raise your head."
As he slowly raised his head, General Salin came into view.
Her characteristic red hair and red eyes were visible.
- Noonaaaaaa
- Wow lol Silas company really sharpened their knives for the NPCs this time lol. They were always so ugly, but this series is so good.
- Real lol. Elves looking like Orcs is the Ancient Booklet standard lol
- Salin noona kill meeeee
"Follow me. I saw you when you fought Goran, but I want to experience it myself."
Sura and Roland followed behind Salin.
The place they arrived at was the training ground of the Lord's Castle.
"Draw your sword."
Sura drew the sword he had picked up on the battlefield.
"Alright. Let's start."
"...Wait a moment."
"...What is it?"
As Salin tilted her head in confusion, Sura opened his mouth.
"What will you do if I win?"
At those words, the Elder Book users watching the broadcast were surprised.
- You crazy bastard!
- Hey you, are you insane?
- Salin's personality is really nasty! She's only doing this because she likes you right now, otherwise you'd be dead!
- Wow, crazy guy... crazy guy...
Whether the users were surprised or not, Sura waited for an answer.
Hearing that, Salin raised the corners of her mouth slightly and opened her mouth.
"I'll grant you one wish."
"...Then be my disciple."
Sura smiled. The pride of the one who was the World's Best in Murim refused to be someone's disciple.
'Above all, I only have one master.'
He had no intention of accepting another master if it wasn't the one who made him the strongest.
- Hey you craaaaaazy bastard!!!!!!!!
- ...What did I just hear?
- I'm going insane, I'm going insane, I'm going insane
Whatever the Elder Book users were saying, Sura stared at Salin as if glaring at her.
He calmly waited for her answer.
Salin stroked her chin as if thinking for a moment.
"...I like you. The fact that you killed that stupid Goran without Chivalry, too."
Salin's sword at her waist was slowly drawn.
"But. You've crossed the line now."
"Kid."
As soon as the sword was fully drawn, Salin's body shot forward in an instant.
Clang!
With their two swords crossed, Sura and Salin glared at each other.
Sura's sword was already drawn. Now, Sura's mouth opened in turn.
"This will be fun."
"Kid."
The corners of Sura's mouth went up to his ears.
In an instant, Salin's expression stiffened.
- Wow, crazy bastard. Calling Salin 'kid'? Is he insane?
- Can't help but curse. Is he really out of his mind?
- He's going to get cut and cry immediately.
As soon as they heard the word "kid," the Elder Book users viewed the situation pessimistically.
Not content with making a counter-proposal, he even called her "kid."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Salin's anger had reached the top of her head.
However, the reaction of these users changed 180 degrees a moment later.
- Uh... what... what is this...
- What? What is it really?
- Why... is he holding out?
- He's not holding out. He even seems to be overwhelming her?
- Wow, he's crazy. Insane.
That's right.
Sura was currently completely overwhelming Salin.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Tsk!"
"General Salin. Shall we use Chivalry?"
Sura opened his mouth while the distance had widened for a moment.
It had been dozens of exchanges. During all those exchanges, Salin's attacks were all blocked, and conversely, all of Sura's attacks landed.
There were fine scratches on General Salin's armor.
"Shut up!"
Salin, whose face was twisted like a fierce demon as if her anger had reached the top of her head, finally used Chivalry.
Like the red color that represented her, the sword also began to harbor red energy.
- Wow, he's crazy. Salin is super pissed.
- If you can't parry even once, you're dead.
- Even if you barely hold on, you'll go to jail. He's pulling so much aggro.
- Might even see a death scene for blasphemy.
Elder Book users, all of them worried.
However, Sura was not worried.
Because he was the World's Best. Yeom Ga-hyeon.
Salin, who had stepped forward, shot forward in an instant.
While the Elder Book users watching were gasping in the chat at that terrifying speed, Sura received her sword and naturally led that force in the direction he wanted to guide it.
Sura dodged slightly to the side, deflected the sword, and sent it flying over his head.
Salin's torso was wide open, and Sura was not one to miss this moment.
"Opening!"
As he shot his sword out in a thrust, Salin was pushed back.
If it weren't for her armor, her chest would have been pierced in an instant.
Although her posture was disrupted as she was pushed back, Salin immediately regained her stance.
It was a skill that proved she hadn't risen to the rank of General for nothing.
This time, Salin attempted a horizontal slash. Just as the red trajectory was aiming for Sura.
Sura saw Salin's movement, predicted it, and pulled his body back in advance.
"Tsk!"
Salin, who clicked her tongue, began to use sword techniques in earnest.
The red sword came out to mince Sura's whole body, but Sura just deflected all the attacks.
Dozens of exchanges were fought like that.
Salin didn't have a single effective hit.
"Ha... ha... ah..."
Salin was drenched in sweat before she knew it.
Her posture was the same, but she looked psychologically intimidated.
She must have been shocked that all her attacks were blocked.
- Does this make sense? It's not like Salin is weak;
- No, he's playing with Salin
- Are you a former kendo athlete? Why are you so good?
When the Elder Book users asked Sura,
Sura paused for a moment.
While the Elder Book users were flustered by the sudden pause,
Sura thought in his head.
'The reason for my skill...'
After thinking for a moment, Sura decided to speak.
No matter what excuse he made to hide it, his skill couldn't be hidden by such excuses.
Above all, hiding it didn't quite suit Sura's temperament.
"I was unconscious for two months."
- Huh?
- Ah
- So he was a patient? Coma?
Sura nodded.
"Yes. Correct. I lost consciousness for about two months, and when I woke up, Ancient Booklet 8 was out."
- Should I say that's good or what
- Can't say anything since he was a patient
- Real;;
"But when I lost consciousness, I was in a place called Murim."
Then, the Elder Book users' chat was all the same.
- ?
- ??
- ???
- ?
"I was there for about 35 years and learned various martial arts. This sword technique is one of them. After I died there, I came to my senses and returned to Earth from a coma."
In a situation where the speed of the chat had slowed down so much due to confusion that it wasn't even coming up, one user typed in the chat.
- Ah... so that's your concept...
The 35 years of time in Murim was reduced to a concept in an instant.
Sura frowned.
"...It's real..."
Whether he said that or not, the Elder Book users understood the situation now.
- Tough, so tough. You practiced sword like crazy just to push the concept?
- Lol he's determined to be a streamer. Design lol
- You asking questions on Elder Book was also design, right? lol
- Lots of streamers setting concepts these days, but this one is novel lol
- My point lol. There are kids who lived thousands of years, so 35 years is nothing lol
- My point lol. There's a dragon that's thousands of years old, and an Atlantean, so a Murim person is understandable lol
Because of streamers who were already streaming with concepts, Sura was being misunderstood as one of them.
"No, it's real. I destroyed the Evil Faction and the Magyo there and became the World's Best..."
- Sure, sure, you would be.
- Ah lol in my imagination I also became the Cheon-ma and fired death beams.
Sura shut his mouth at the ridicule of the Elder Book users.
Sura's experience would naturally feel like a lie,
But it was still something that had truly happened to Sura.
Sura continued his words.
"No, then how do you explain me being good at swords?"
- Common sense-wise, when you see someone good at swords, do you imagine they went to a kendo gym or that they dimension-hopped to Murim?
"...The former, I guess...?"
- Yup. That's what I'm saying.
"Th... that's right..."
Sura ruffled the back of his head in frustration, but the Elder Book users continued to chat.
- Correct answer
- Can't say anything because you lost the logic?
- Wow Elderbook Specter logic is amazing.
Sura threw words at the Tusu's reactions in a joking manner.
"...Right. It's a concept. Do you know what I was called in Murim? I was the World's Best."
At those words, the Elder Book users scoffed.
- World's Best? You mean World's Best Concept-Chung
- Concept is crazy lol
- Ah lol keep the concept going. It's fun.
- Oh, there's a streamer who has a concept of being from the Hwasan Sect, want to do a collab?
"Hwasan Sect? Those flower-obsessed guys?"
At those words, the Elder Book users laughed.
- Lol flower-obsessed
- Ah, it's true they are crazy about plum blossoms, but flower-obsessed lol
- Flower-obsessed acknowledged lol
"Ah. Sorry. One of my close friends was from the Hwasan Sect. His nickname was flower-obsessed, that's why."
- Concept is tough. Says he had a Hwasan Sect friend.
- In the meantime, Murim language 'close friend' lol
- Explain that friend lol
As if he had forgotten about the game for a moment, Sura wore a nostalgic expression and spoke slowly.
"His name is Shin Hak. His nickname was Hwasan Sword Ghost. He was my closest friend."
Hwasan Sword Ghost. Shin Hak.
He was a friend Ga-hyeon had been close with since his time in the Murim Alliance.
At first, Shin Hak had picked a fight out of nowhere, so he was unlikable, but it gradually changed to affection.
He was a famous Hwasan Sect rascal, but he hit it off well with Ga-hyeon,
And thanks to that, he was often requested by the Hwasan Sect to please make that rascal into a human.
He had also made distinguished contributions during the Jeongma War, so he was probably living well now.
"Miss him. We played well together."
Sura's words were sincere, but the Elder Book users were merciless.
- His concept is killer. Seriously.
- Real. Seems well prepared.
- Is Hwasan Sword Ghost Shin Hak strong, or are you strong?
"Huh? Me, obviously. Where would a guy who just does flower arranging... Ah. Not a disparaging remark to flower arrangers."
- Lol Plum Blossom 24-Move Sword Technique becomes flower arranging technique lol
- In the meantime, apologizing sharply to avoid disparaging remarks lol
- So did you beat the Hwasan Sect flower shop lol
"...Did I talk about Murim for nothing? Let's try again."
Slightly regretting what he said, Sura focused on the game again.
"...Phew."
"Senior brother... you've been like this for a week already!"
"Let go!"
Today, too, the Hwasan Sect, where plum blossoms bloomed.
Contrary to the beautiful scenery, the Hwasan Sect, located on Hwasan, was quite noisy.
It had been a week since the Jeongma War ended.
The rascal of Hwasan. Hwasan Sword Ghost Shin Hak had been drinking only alcohol since the war ended.
"Senior brother! Doing this won't bring the dead back!"
Jang Ha-won, the junior brother closest to Shin Hak. Words that might cause death the moment they were uttered if it weren't him.
Shin Hak's eyes became sharp for a moment but soon relaxed.
"Ga-hyeon-ah. You damn Yeom Ga-hyeon. Why did you die? Didn't we say we'd drink until we died after the Jeongma War ended? How can you die before even having a drink with me?"
"...Senior brother!"
"Let go. Ha-won-ah. I should have... died instead..."
"Senior brother!!!"
Ha-won's fist hit Shin Hak. Shin Hak's head turned.
Since he hit him with a fist that didn't even have energy in it, Shin Hak didn't even find it painful, so he stopped blocking.
Above all, he also knew what Ha-won was saying.
"Take that back! Don't you remember our senior and junior brothers dying in the Jeongsa War and Jeongma War!"
"...Sorry. I'll take that back."
Shin Hak, who had stopped drinking for a moment.
Seeing that, Ha-won sighed.
"I'm sorry to say this, but Ga-hyeon hyung-nim wouldn't want you to be like this."
Ha-won was able to say this because he had become close with Ga-hyeon while stopping Shin Hak from causing trouble.
"But. That guy. He definitely wasn't someone who would die!"
Murim people who examined his wounds after Ga-hyeon died felt confused.
He had gone until just before death, but he hadn't suffered damage that would cut his breath immediately. It was like a natural death, as if his lifespan had run out.
So false rumors circulated in Murim because of that story, but Ga-hyeon's acquaintances blocked those rumors.
They didn't want the one who had left to be the subject of gossip.
"But senior brother. Ga-hyeon hyung-nim has left. You have to accept it now!"
Shin Hak beat his chest and vented his frustration.
"I know! I know! But my head understands it! But this heart! This heart doesn't understand!"
Shin Hak drank the alcohol in the bottle he was holding again.
Seeing that, Ha-won sighed and sat down.
"Damn it. Give me a drink too."
"What's the matter with you? Drinking."
"Do you think only you are upset? I am too. I am having a hard time too.
Do you think I didn't have feelings for Ga-hyeon hyung-nim?"
"...I see."
Shin Hak handed over his cup and poured alcohol for Ha-won.
Then Ha-won drank it in one go. Seeing that, Shin Hak giggled.
"You drink well. Even when I told you to drink, you wouldn't."
"If I knew it would be like this, I should have joined you two when you drank."
".... Ha-won-ah."
"Yes. Senior brother."
"I'll quit."
At those words, Ha-won was surprised and asked back.
"Are you going to seclude yourself?"
"What seclusion, you crazy bastard!"
Ha-won flinched at the gesture of hitting him. But he wasn't actually hit.
"Just. Like you said, I don't think Ga-hyeon would want me to be like this."
"...Senior brother."
"I'll take in disciples now. I should stop acting like a rascal."
"Senior brother..."
"Before that, I have to go see our Namgung lady."
"Yes? Do you mean Namgung Suyeon noona?"
Namgung Suyeon was Ga-hyeon's lover.
Shin Hak nodded.
"Yeah. She'll be the saddest person. I should offer her a drink of consolation."
"Uh uh? Senior brother? Do you perhaps like Suyeon noona?"
Smack!
Thanks to that light mouth, Ha-won was hit by Shin Hak after all.
"You crazy bastard! Would I hit on my only friend's lover! It's just. I'm this sad, so I'm thinking about how hard it must be for the person who would be the saddest."
"Everyone says that and then it happens..."
"...You die today."
"Eek!"
Shin Hak chased after Jang Ha-won, who was running away.
"Let's try again."
- Okay
- Okay
- Let's see Salin noona
When he unpaused, Salin moved again.
"Ha... Alright. Let's do this."
"What is it?"
"Let's form a master-disciple relationship. You teach me sword techniques, and I'll teach you Chivalry. How about it?"
At those words, the Elder Book users' chat exploded.
- What kind of crazy talk is this
- You get a chance to learn Chivalry this early?
- You usually have to do it illegally to get it early? Is there a chance to get it legally right after the prologue ends?
- Wow what is this?
Whether the users were dumbfounded or not, Sura nodded.
"Let's do it. Mutual contract. Sounds good."
"You're a bold one."
"Thank you for the compliment."
As Sura bowed his head, Salin smirked.
The chat window went wild at her smile, but Sura ignored it.
Sura paused again and pressed save.
- ?
- ???
- ?????
- Are you turning it off?
"Correct. I haven't been discharged from the hospital for long, so my stamina is lacking."
Sura, who hadn't been discharged for long, was definitely lacking stamina.
He had been exercising steadily every day to prepare for that, but it was true that he was still lacking.
"Give me money. Those who said they'd give money?"
At those words, the sound of donations was heard immediately.
['ElderbookRich' donated 500,000 won!]
[Thanks to you I saw the hard mode route well lol. Didn't think I'd get to learn Chivalry this early.]
['Wraith' donated 700,000 won!]
[Wow... so this is hard mode. I'm going for a try starting today. Thanks for letting me know!]
['Ruria' donated 1,000,000 won!]
[I'm sorry. Honestly, I was a bit jealous of your skill so I pulled aggro;; Please forgive me for 100.]
Since the Ancient Booklet series had a long history, there were working adults, so the donation amounts were quite large.
"Oh. ElderbookRich-nim. Wraith-nim. Ruria-nim. Thank you. Ruria-nim. Don't do that in the future. That aside, Ruria. One of the Demon Grand Dukes, right?"
- Oh. Knows Ruria lol
- Looking forward to where Ruria will appear in this series
"True, Ruria appears in really unexpected places."
Leria Abraxas, one of the Demon Grand Dukes.
This Demon Grand Duke, the Lord of Seduction, was characterized by taking the form of an unparalleled beauty or an unparalleled handsome man, depending on the player's gender, and was characterized by traveling the world while hiding their appearance.
Finding this Leria, who appeared in unexpected places in every series, was also a challenge.
"Alright then. I'll turn off the stream. Elderbook Specters."
Just as Sura was about to turn it off, the Elder Book users' chat came up.
- Wait. Don't you have plans to stream periodically?
- Do a broadcast while you're at it. Since it's the first Ancient Booklet hard mode route, you'll get aggro.
- We'll promote you.
- Actually, we just want to see the rest of the route lol
"Uh... I'll think about it and turn on the broadcast. Not sure..."
Then, Sura, who bowed his head, said goodbye before turning off the broadcast.
"Thank you for your hard work. Since you came from Elder Book, El-Bye!"
As soon as the broadcast ended, the 100 or so people who were watching it carried the video to the Elder Book site,
And that day, the Elder Book site fell into chaos, literally.