The Returnee's Hidden Strategy Stream

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter: 85

[A message has been received from Team Zero.]

"..."

Hanbit's eyes widened as he read the message that had appeared.

A message from the developers he had tried to contact through the in-game mail.

It had arrived at this place, at this time.

‘I guess I'm the only one who can see it.’

But neither of the two people around him nor the chat window showed any reaction.

If they could see it, there would have been a lot of commotion.

Team Zero was an unknown entity with immense value.

"I'm not sure what it means. Let's explore some more."

"Okay? Then I'll go that way."

"I'll see if I can find something similar!"

Kim Jaeha and Avantgarde left with renewed determination.

"I'll look around too."

Left alone, Hanbit opened the message as he walked.

[Congratulations on unlocking the first private area. We're contacting you to provide some information.]

‘Information?’

Team Zero got straight to the point.

The next message followed immediately.

[The private area is a space containing the goddess's atonement and dreams. The development of this place will be a stepping stone to reaching her, so please continue to work hard to unlock the remaining areas.]

‘They mentioned the goddess right away?’

Hanbit had somewhat expected that Team Zero was related to the goddess. But he hadn't expected them to reveal it themselves.

‘My message isn't going through.’

Hanbit tried to reply, but his message was blocked.

The goddess's atonement and dreams.

And it was said to be a path to reach her, which made him even more curious.

Ding-!

[We will have the opportunity to talk to you soon. This space can be used as a 'portal,' so please use it wisely with your companions. See you next time.]

The communication ended with that message.

Aside from the promise of a future meeting, one word caught his attention.

‘...Portal?’

A portal, a shortcut that connected various places in the world.

Such things were so rare that Hanbit only knew of a few locations.

[Players who have unlocked the first private area are granted access.]

[First Unlocker]

When you first unlock a private area, you can manage all access permissions for that area.

Those added to the blacklist will be denied access to that area.

Reading the message again, he understood its meaning.

If it was a portal, such conditions wouldn't be excessive.

‘This is quite a privilege.’

The world of the Record Project was so vast and complex that it was difficult to explain.

It was natural that it would take a long time even within the game system.

However, if the private area was used as a portal, it would only take a few seconds to move.

RP players would probably be eager to get in.

Ding-!

As he was thinking about that, an alarm sounded.

[Peckoogi has donated 1,000 won.]

[Breaking news) The entrance to the private area is open. Spectators are starting to try.]

-Really?

-I can't see anyone here?

-The trial map seems to be completely different?

-Yeah, you have to clear it to come here.

The news from the viewers was as expected.

Once the first unlocker appeared, it was natural for everyone to be allowed to try and qualify.

Of course, whether they could actually clear it was a completely different matter.

And the reward would probably be limited to access permission.

‘I want to keep getting the first rewards.’

He already had the authority to manage access to all private areas.

However, there was a possibility that other spaces would have special rewards for being the first.

Since the developers had mentioned the goddess, he had to be the first to clear each area.

"I couldn't find anything special."

"It was the same for me."

As he walked, organizing his thoughts, the two returned.

"Didn't you find any tombstones?"

"I didn't."

"Neither did I."

They answered the same to Hanbit's question.

He had been curious about the tombstones with the markings, but it seemed there was only one.

Perhaps he would have to unlock more private areas to find out more.

"What do you want to do? Should we keep looking?"

"No, this is enough."

Shaking his head, Hanbit looked around the wall one last time.

And pointing at the central clock tower, he said, "Let's leave this place now."

* * *

"Hey, look over there!"

"They're out!"

The three who had exited the cave were met with a massive crowd.

Even considering the challengers who had entered the private area, it was too many.

"Is it still this crowded?"

"There must be a lot of stragglers and onlookers."

Kim Jaeha and Avantgarde had similar reactions.

"...You're finally out."

And a man's voice was heard.

Turning their heads, they saw the Ranger approaching.

"What, you didn't go in?"

"Of course not. There's no way a normal method would work for something you're involved in. It's pointless to jump in recklessly."

-?

-Scared?

-Are you really an advance team member? ㅋㅋㅋ

-You got your ass kicked by the Black Dragon a lot.

-Coward

To the casual question, the Ranger responded firmly.

He seemed overly cautious, as if he had built up layers of caution.

"If you're an advance team member, you might be able to clear it quickly, right?"

"I've fully realized the gap in information. The private area must be the same. Besides, aren't you going to reveal the strategy?"

"Anyone would think you've been entrusted with it."

"It's an event that will shake the RP world. It seems like you've started a new company, and this will be good publicity."

"Since Rashtan said so, it must be persuasive."

"..."

-LMAAAOOO

-He's calling you out right away. lol

-Just sell it and get paid.

-What about us?

-Are you going to abandon the viewers?

-Someone else will probably sponsor you later.

-That's so true.

Even though his nerves were lightly touched, the Ranger remained silent.

However, he showed no sign of backing down.

The people around him, who were openly glancing at him, had similar intentions.

They probably wanted information about the private area and the strategy.

Although he did plan to reveal it, he decided to add a condition this time.

He didn't want to be bothered.

"I've already recorded the video of clearing the private area. If you don't bother me until this episode ends, I'll release it."

"Specifically?"

"Figure it out. Viewers, please remember this. If anyone crosses the line, the video will never be released. I'm serious,” Hanbit replied briefly and walked through the crowd.

Seeing the people who had blocked him step back, it seemed to be effective.

"It actually worked?"

"Of course. Nobody knows how valuable clearing the private area is..."

As they left the cave, the two who had followed him said curiously.

The details about the portal would naturally be revealed when the second private area was opened.

In any case, it was fortunate that he wouldn't be bothered from now on.

"Do you two know a lot about Ifrit?"

"I'm the most familiar with it. I've been around for a long time."

"I've also spent a considerable amount of time there."

Kim Jaeha and Avantgarde were players who started in Edlen.

Although neither of them had progressed through the Ifrit episode, they seemed to have experienced it for various reasons.

Especially Kim Jaeha, who had been searching for hidden skills, knew the place better than anyone.

"Let's go over there for a moment."

After walking for about 10 minutes, Hanbit moved towards an unkempt forest.

Avantgarde, who was following behind, asked curiously, "Aren't we going to Ifrit? This path leads to the snowy mountains..."

"I have something I want to check. Avantgarde, have you met almost all of the NPCs in Ifrit?"

"Of course. I even know who is related to whom and who gets along well." Avantgarde said, sounding certain.

Since it's an area he was proud of, there's no way he'd lie.

Hanbit nodded and walked forward.

When they reached a winding hill, he stopped.

‘Then he must know that guy too.’

Turning around, he pointed to the bushes.

Avantgarde, following his gaze, saw something.

"That's..."

In the gap between the shadowy bushes, someone covered in a shabby robe appeared.

[Dwarf Gorik]

"Gorik?"

The unfamiliar NPC name that floated above the target's head.

It was a completely unknown face, but something flashed in Avantgarde's memory.

"Could it be the Gorik mentioned in the first episode? The one who made magical equipment for Camon..."

"...But why is that NPC here?"

-Huh?

-That's right.

-The friend who helped Camon?

-I've never seen him in Ifrit;

Everyone, realizing the same thing, reacted in surprise.

Hanbit nodded and replied, "That's right. It's the Gorik you all know."

Gorik, Camon's friend and helper.

He was the most important figure in everything that was happening in Ifrit.

That's why he hadn't missed Gorik following them from five minutes ago.

Thump-

Gorik stopped walking as if sensing something.

He was right in front of Kim Jaeha.

"Hand it over."

"What?"

Kim Jaeha was taken aback by the sudden demand.

The commanding voice continued.

"I said, hand it over."

"What are you talking nonsense about?"

"Are you trying to deny it in front of me? I can clearly feel the token in your possession."

"Token?"

Anger was hidden in the firm voice.

However, Kim Jaeha had no idea what it meant.

"What nonsense are you talking about? What token?"

"You're still denying it..."

Swish-

At that moment, the robe slipped from Gorik's head.

The face revealed by the light from the gap in the trees caught everyone's attention.

Black hair that curled like the night sea, despite being unkempt.

Deep, sorrowful eyes, a long, straight nose, and a sharp jawline.

He looked more like a handsome human than a dwarf.

Swish-

Gorik quickly grabbed the robe and pulled it back over his head.

But it was too late.

"...What?"

Avantgarde's eyes widened in shock.

Taking a step forward, he reached out with trembling hands and asked, "Could it be... are you royalty?"

-Royalty?

-A royal family?

-He's not human?

-No, that's definitely a royal.

-He's so handsome;

[WiseWords has donated 1,000 won.]

[Dwarf royalty has a human-like appearance. Their population is very small and they are difficult to meet, so only a handful of players have seen them in person.]

"..."

Gorik was speechless at Avantgarde's question.

It was a fact he couldn't deny.

"Well, I guess it had to come out eventually."

Exhaling briefly, Gorik took off his robe again. Looking at Avantgarde, he said, "As you said, I am a dwarf royal. And I am the owner of the token that you have."

Gorik's finger pointed at Kim Jaeha's chest.

"What token? I don't have anything."

"Ridiculous. I've never met anyone as brazen as you. Are you trying to deceive me with that stupid lie?"

"Are you just trying to pick a fight?"

Kim Jaeha's expression turned slightly sour at the continued attacks.

There were plenty of annoying NPCs, even if they were just characters in a game.

"Hmm."

Hanbit, who had been watching their brief exchange, turned to Kim Jaeha.

"Take that out."

"That?"

"The iron plate you got from the snowy mountains."

"...Ah."

Immediately understanding, Kim Jaeha nodded.

Opening his inventory, he took out a thin iron plate.

"Now you're making sense. Bring it here."

Gorik nodded in satisfaction upon seeing the object.

And just as he was about to take it…

Whoosh-

Hanbit snatched the plate.

"...?"

"Huh?"

Everyone's eyes turned to the unexpected situation.

Hanbit held out his palm and said, "Shall we get straight to the point?"

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]