episode_0071

As time went by, I didn’t just swing the sword I bought on installments.

While Rohan was studying and training, the Monolith incident occurred four times in foreign countries whose names Rohan did not even know.

But so far, there is only one returnee.

The information of the sole returnee and survivor and the information brought by Rohan’s party were cross-checked, and only the parts that had an intersection were made public.

The biggest difference was that this returnee came back covered in wounds.

Rohan also checked external information that could not be obtained in Abyss City.

Information gleaned from the second banned material. I’ve been researching the names Lowell and Jenny.

I invested the most time on the Internet, but there were so many people with the same name that it was difficult to narrow it down with just a simple search.

I tried to compress it because I thought it might be a person related to Solarea in the South.

Even when I limited the area, I couldn’t find any plausible information.

[Lowell··· Jenny··· We will fulfill your wishes···.]

I thought about it again and thought about it.

‘The sentence itself seems to refer to a person… but isn’t it perhaps a person’s name?’

The number of families in Rohan’s head continued to grow.

It’s an ambiguous issue that you can’t even ask someone about, because you might be worried that they might be someone you shouldn’t talk about.

It felt as if the only way was to go and find out for myself.

Even the store skills are being updated in a gloomy progress.

One piece of good news.

Rohan finally received his first paycheck at the Flower Pot Bookstore.

Today, as usual, I decided to buy Clara a delicious dinner while she was sitting in the corner of the bookstore.

“Look at this! Now I’m pushing through stage 4 alone!”

“Congratulations, oppa!”

“If I raise one more party, I might be able to try stage 5?”

After the two of us finished eating, we enjoyed some drinks and even played a game.

“Oh, right. Clara.”

“Did you call?”

Before leaving the restaurant, Rohan rummaged through his jacket pockets.

I gave Clara half of the salary I received from the bookstore.

‘It’s really late.’

This is a reward for helping me deal with the human trafficking organization Hwangseomdan.

Considering Clara’s abilities and skills, I felt sorry that the amount was ridiculously insufficient, but I plan to make up for it by taking care of her as much as possible if we work together in the future.

“Sorry for the late calculation. The merit bonus will be out soon since I was informed that the committee is finished. Then let’s go look for a house.”

“Oh, brother! This much money… I’m fine!”

I knew this would happen. Rohan had expected Clara to act like she was going to throw a tantrum.

I knew that the girl in front of me wouldn’t accept money graciously, so I thought a lot before coming here.

“Clara.”

“Huh···?”

“What I told you last time. Are you sure you want to work with me from now on?”

Clara nodded without hesitation to Rohan’s question.

The purple twintails swung like a puppy’s tail.

“I guess I’ll have to wait until after I graduate from the academy to make a proper name for myself?”

“Yeah. I know.”

Although Rohan mentioned the danger, the girl’s eyes were still filled with anticipation.

So thank you. That’s why I can speak seriously.

“Then I have to do the money-related part properly. That way I can feel at ease.”

“Haaah··· Oh, really, it’s okay···.”

Clara pursed her lips, as if she had nothing better to say than that it was okay.

Rohan, who intuitively felt that there was only one step left, smiled happily and recalled the moment in the dungeon.

“And.”

“Huh?”

“Clara told me not to keep telling her I’m okay. I have the same thought.”

“···!”

Clara’s face turned red when she was reminded of a time when she had impulsively expressed her emotions.

He averts his gaze hastily, bites the straw, and sips the juice.

“Keep this. It’s money that Clara deserves. If you don’t take it, I’ll leave it at the restaurant.”

“Thank you. Oppa··· I’ll use it well.”

Clara now knows for sure that Rohan will do that and more.

From the moment he said that receiving this money would put Rohan at ease, his actions were limited.

“Please write wherever Clara wants.”

“Yeah!”

“Is there anything you want to buy? I’m just curious.”

“···What do you want to buy?”

In response to Rohan’s question, Clara stirred the ice with a straw and thought about it.

When I first settled in Academy City, I always thought that if I made enough money, I would invest it in games first.

Now, I wanted to buy some pretty clothes and some new underwear.

Things that are now outside the category of self-satisfaction.

Before going to the bookstore where Rohan was, I had a feeling every day that I was incredibly short on clothes because I started to worry about my appearance.

‘When I eat with my brother, I want to pay the bill too···.’

But these are kept hidden inside.

“Cubic that can be decorated with nail art gel?”

This answer isn’t a made-up lie either.

“Cubic is that the jewel-like thing on your fingernail?”

“Yeah···! You can buy a set with 15 tokens.”

Anyway, Clara buys cheap things at a general store.

Even if you spend extravagantly on nails, it won’t cost more than 1 coin.

“Did you do your nails yourself? Didn’t you go to a shop and have them done for you?”

“The store is expensive··· and, you have to talk to people···.”

Rohan couldn’t help but laugh.

Because it was a reason that was so Clara-like.

In these times, Rohan realizes the value of everyday life.

Today, I studied like crazy until I went to bed, and I gained the motivation to swing my sword.

“Clara is good with her hands──.”

Jiiing!!!

The conversation was cut off when Rohan and Clara’s phones rang simultaneously.

Not only these two people, but all the customers inside the store were checking their smartphones.

A message with a red exclamation mark attached.

It was sent by the police department that protects Academy City.

[Elysium Police Department: Today at 19:37 / Simultaneous raids on criminal group gun stores in Yamal / Simultaneous planned robberies and murders / Expected escape route includes Academy City / Photos attached / Report to Police Department if you find someone with a similar appearance···]

Rohan’s eyes widened as he looked at the familiar photo enclosed in the message.

Looking down from the restaurant, I see police vehicles moving busily around.

‘precursor!’

The waiting comes to an end with awareness.

A translucent notification window appeared before my eyes.

[A quest occurs.]

[ Broken Crown Act 2 ]

◇ Quest Content: Criminals will invade Academy City, unable to resist their greed. They are tight-lipped. The moment the news of their targeting Frozen Heart reaches Emperor Seolho’s ears, everyone involved will be in trouble. However, we know. The dead do not speak.

◇ Category: Main Story

◇ Success Reward: 1 Transcendence, Random Point Pouch

◇ Penalty for failure: None

‘The dead have no voice. Murder is a curse…’

The idea is to deal with them before they are caught by the sheriffs and can spread rumors about the elven elders’ plans.

It’s a simple logic, but since there are no traces of battle, it seems like we need to move quickly.

And the reward.

The word that particularly catches the eye is transcendence. Rohan can’t help but be captivated.

‘Could this be the transcendence I know?’

Abyss City has a system called Transcendence that allows you to draw the same character repeatedly.

A system that accounts for a large portion of Abyss City’s sales, with up to 6 possible parts.

‘First of all, move.’

Quest confirmation complete. You will eventually find out when you receive the reward.

Rohan sat down and picked up the longsword that was placed next to him.

Clara noticed the changed mood in Rohan along with the message.

“Clara. Do you have all your weapons? Should I stop by the house?”

“I have it all. It’s okay to move right now.”

As Rohan got up from his seat and moved, Clara followed him, looking at his broad back.

Rohan descended the stairs, carrying the sword he had been carrying on his back through a leather harness. He had carried the sword this way even when he was a hunter, and it was convenient.

“Clara. Let’s go see each other today.”

“Huh? Who are you meeting···?”

Rohan smiled brightly at the girl who was questioning him.

“Zion.”

*****

A secluded dwelling place for Zion and the elven elders.

A large number of guests have arrived there for the first time in a long time. They are from a distant country called Yamal.

The leader of the group had a considerable number of members waiting outside.

We came inside with a minimal number of people.

The head of this criminal group that ruled over a region in Yamal was a Doberman wearing a beige coat.

He has pointed ears from his own surgery. Thanks to this, his impression looks sharp.

The large men on both sides are also people with warlike blood.

“Take out the item you saw in the picture. I will check if it is genuine.”

“Here it is.”

The elder took out a shiny black coin.

Both sides feature elaborately drawn hands.

The peculiar ominousness that emanated from the coin was something that could not be produced arbitrarily.

“That’s certain. Explain the request.”

Suin nodded with satisfaction and returned the coin.

Once the mission is over, it will be in your hands.

A time when the story continues from within.

Zion’s room was locked with padlocks hanging from it.