With fatigue and a sense of emptiness, Hajoon prepared to leave.
Having missed the final boss right in front of him and even after deciding an additional month was necessary, he couldn't break its protective shield. It left him feeling frustrated in various ways.
"Let's go back."
With all quests resolved and nothing left to do here, Hajoon activated Time Stop (SSS) and headed towards Liam.
Upon arriving in front of Liam and deactivating Time Stop (SSS), that's when it happened.
Suddenly, as if blocking Ha-joon’s path, a vast golden eye materialized from thin air.
[Impressive...]
It spoke.
A deep voice resonated throughout the space, as if making the entire dungeon subtly quiver.
[Whether by chance or fate in this forsaken world...]
The creature's gaze lowered.
Naturally, Hajoon knew who it was.
The source of Lain's power, the master of the Dragon Language, and the creature known as the origin of magic. Currently, it's trapped beyond space, only able to lend its power to Lain.
As it watched Hajoon, it slowly opened its mouth.
[To think the transcendent with that hammer would appear again...]
Hajoon remained silent, staring intently at the creature, then frowned, thinking, 'What's it babbling about since earlier?'
Of course, he couldn't understand it as the creature was using the 'Dragon Language'.
Clutching Maharazu tightly, Hajoon glared at the creature. Already irritated, he bluntly retorted,
"Go back to your master. Before I defeat your master again."
The creature, Leanon, showed no emotion or response to Hajoon's words.
Whether it understood him or not, it simply gazed at Hajoon.
Then, Leanon slowly spoke,
[We'll meet again... Transcendent.]
With those final words, it disappeared.
Hajoon momentarily stared at the spot where the creature vanished, then, carrying Liam on his back, he activated Time Stop (SSS) once again.
Following the ordeal, matters were swiftly and quietly settled.
After exiting the dungeon, Hajoon and Liam were immediately transported to the hospital. While Liam was admitted for further care, Hajoon underwent a brief examination.
Of course, before returning to Rokia Academy, he had to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
"So, you're saying the Irregular saved you and then just vanished?"
"Yes."
Given the involvement of the Irregular in this incident, Lee Youngha approached Hajoon for a detailed account.
Naturally, Hajoon vaguely recounted the events, aware that no one but him would truly know what transpired within.
"And the Irregular wants this incident to be handled discreetly?"
"Hmm... Normally, I would report this to the guild, but alright. Considering the help we received, we owe him at least that much."
Lee Youngha stared intently at Hajoon, her gaze somewhat piercing. Hajoon met her eyes momentarily before preparing to leave.
"I should be heading out now. I'm quite exhausted."
"Ah, right. I understand. I truly apologize for this incident. The guild will ensure adequate compensation."
Hajoon nodded in response.
Leaving the hospital, Hajoon headed straight back to Rokia Academy, immediately collapsing onto his bed in the dormitory.
After spending two months sleeping on the hard ground, the softness of the bed nearly lulled him into immediate slumber.
But before resting, there were matters he needed to check.
Quickly, Hajoon accessed his quest and status windows.
Numerous notification windows promptly appeared.
[Sub-Quest]
Playable Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)
Description: Defeat monsters or magical beasts. (101/100)
Reward: 2,000 Experience Points
[Success!]
[Rewards will be given.]
[You've defeated more than the required number.]
[Additional reward: Experience Points +500]
[Your level has increased!]
[Your level has increased!]
[Job Advancement Quest]
Playable Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)
Description: Defeat magical beasts. (53/100)
Reward: Receive the title of the past owner of Maharazu, Dwarf King Horton.
Title: Destroyer
Name: Kim Hajoon
Level: 8 (+3)
Job: Student
Title: None
Fame: 300
HP: 23 (+6)
MP: 0
Strength: 25 (+11)
Agility: 15 (+6)
Stamina: 28 (+7)
Defense: 0
Magic Resistance: 999(Max)
Spirit: 999(Max)
The stats had grown considerably.
However, these stats were the fruit of hard work over two long months.
It was apparent that as the stats grew higher, their growth rate would slow down.
But that's what the legendary potion was for.
'I should go to Del Her this weekend.'
He couldn't keep struggling like this forever. Raising his stats to at least 100 would make things significantly easier for him.
Of course, before heading to Del Her, he'd need to make a stop at his home.
"Now, then..."
Hajoon gently closed his eyes.
He lay there, lightly snoring, easing a month's worth of fatigue in the comfort of his bed.
Meanwhile.
“Ugh! Ugh!”
Regaining consciousness, Lain awoke from her dream, cold sweat drenching her. She panted heavily, eyes wide with terror, recalling the event from before.
She was powerless despite having such strength.
All she could do was defend against his attacks from within the protective barrier.
Then, in a split second, his golden hammer was swung towards her head.
“Argh!”
A crippling headache hit her.
Clutching her throbbing head in agony, she then heard it.
[Awakened at last...]
That voice, filled with assurance of her defeat.
Leanon.
He continued.
[You've lost, Lain.]
[I was careless. Next time, I’ll kill you.]
[No, you can't kill him as you are now.]
At those words, anger distorted Lain’s face.
Yet, Leanon didn't stop.
[You're afraid of him, both in mind and body.]
[If you're just going to spew nonsense, get lost.]
[...Beware, Lain.]
Suddenly, in front of Lain, a fissure appeared, revealing a colossal eye.
That massive eye, gazing intently at Lain, issued a warning.
[Stay away from him. Give up on your revenge. It will only change your fate.]
[You're telling me to run?]
[Yes.]
Lain clenched her fist in anger.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
The humiliation she suffered from him was gradually turning into rage.
Watching this, Leanon said,
[You can't defeat him as you are now.]
[...]
Lain’s eyes narrowed at his words.
Leanon.
As far as she knew, he never lied to her.
Yet, there was one question Lain had to ask.
[Leanon, let me ask the opposite. Why are you afraid of him?]
[...]
[Who is he?]
Leanon remained silent, looking at Lain.
Then, reminiscing about a distant past, a time too far to even measure, Leanon finally spoke.
[...He's a Transcendent. Even the one who trapped me 'beyond space' was called the same.]
[Trapped you...?]
[Lain.]
Leanon began.
Looking intently at Lain, he spoke with gravitas.
[Mark my words. He is an absolute being in this world.]
“Hmmm... I see. That's fortunate.”
The next morning, on a Friday.
Instead of heading to class, Hajoon went straight to the principal's office.
He had a favor to ask of Principal Choi Jungwon.
Of course, before he could ask, Principal Choi Jungwon first asked about the circumstances of the incident from the day before. So, Hajoon briefly explained the whole situation.
“I see. So that happened... It's truly fortunate that student Liam is unharmed... Are you alright?”
“I wasn’t severely injured or anything.”
“Is that so... Heh, well, I've never seen you get seriously hurt, so I guess I was worrying over nothing. So, you want to go home for a bit today?”
“Yes. Would it be alright for me to leave for a while?”
At Ha-joon’s question, Choi Jungwon responded with a kind smile.
“Why wouldn't you be able to? Feel free to go and come back. I'll let Instructor Han Eeseul know in advance that you’ll be taking the day off.”
“Thank you.”
Hajoon gave a slight bow.
He then got up from the sofa, left the principal’s office, and started preparing to head home.
Although, there wasn't much to prepare, to be honest.
“Well, shall I go?”
Having dressed in casual clothes at his dormitory, Hajoon promptly left the academy and headed home.
“It's been a while since I've been here.”
Early in the morning.
Hajoon arrived at a familiar-looking house.
It was the exact place he first saw when he was dropped into this game world; the apartment where Liber used to live.
'Every time I see it, it's surprisingly spacious.'
It felt even more astonishing when he remembered this vast place was where that guy lived alone.
“Well... anyway.”
Hajoon's gaze turned to the entrance door.
Truthfully, he didn't know the passcode, so he simply broke the door a bit to enter.
Of course, he quickly used Time Stop (SSS) since no one was looking, but it felt a bit unsettling.
Well, manually locking the door should be fine, right?
“Alright, let's…”
Hajoon immediately started rummaging through the house as he had planned.
He opened all the drawers and wardrobes in both the master bedroom and the smaller rooms, searching for any clues about Liber.
Soon after, he discovered a white box beneath the TV stand.
Without hesitation, Hajoon opened it and stared at its contents with a blank expression.
“...Is this a gaming console?”
Inside the box was indeed a console.
He felt a bit amused, but after checking the number of games, he was convinced that Liber wasn’t exactly a top student.
Setting the gaming console box aside, he resumed his search for another 30 minutes.
“Hmm?”
He stumbled upon a box that seemed somewhat suspicious.
The box was elegantly adorned with black leather.
Without delay, Hajoon opened it to inspect its contents.
“What’s this?”
Inside the box was an old-looking dagger and a worn-out letter.
Actually, calling it a dagger might be a bit of a stretch. Its shape was peculiar.
It was more like a spike, or perhaps, it resembled a light lance the size of a dagger.
Soon after, a window popped up in Hajoon's vision.
[Sealed Ethergia.]
Grade: ???
Traits: ???
Description: ???
“...?”
From the window, it was clear that this was an artifact. However, the issue was that its grade, traits, and description were all hidden.
Really... what should he say about this?
He was so dumbfounded that words failed him. He had never seen an artifact in the game with all its status concealed like this.
“Hmm…”
Still, he felt that this artifact must be related to Liber in some way.
After putting the artifact back in the box, Hajoon then unfolded the letter to read its contents.
Just then,
Knock- Knock- Knock-
“...What now?”
Someone was knocking on the door of the house.
'Who could it be?'
Hajoon got up and approached the entrance.
Standing by the door, he asked,
“Who is it?”
"Ah! Are you perhaps Student Kim Hajoon?"
The moment his name was brought up, Hajoon's face tensed.
He had an inkling about who might be outside the door.
And as he had suspected, his intuition was right.
"I'm from the American Hero Association. May I speak with you?"
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