Chapter 17

"It's a mission statement on special paper."

He took the small scroll from Riena's hand. He untied the string, unfolded the scroll, and read the words.

[Investigate Heatherlock, Free City Colloum]

There are basically six kingdoms on the continent of Bern. However, the continent is vast, and there are places beyond the reach of the six kingdoms.

Neutral Zone.

or free cities.

Among other things, the Colloum is known for its arenas. From tribes, to slaves, to fallen nobles, to monsters and demons.

A place where you can watch just about any game.

"If it's a Colloum… is it a free city between the kingdoms of Adrian² and Carvin?"

At Rebecca's question, Riena nodded.

"That's right. Your job is to get there and find Heatherlock."

Heatherlock.

'It's a name I've never heard of before.' Redin mused.

"Which one is he?"

"He's a drug dealer, and Heatherlock is an alias he uses to make deals."

"All we have to do is find him?"

"Exactly. Not to kill, not to capture, but to find. If you can't do that, then you're not allowed to join."

On the surface, it doesn't look like much of a challenge, but he's no ordinary bastard. Something Riena hasn't told us.

Finding it together will be the real purpose of this initiation test.

"What's the mission modality?"

"I don't care how you do it, or how long it takes, just find him. Then you pass."

"Understood!"

Rebecca and I answered at the same time.

"I hope you two work well together. Personally, I'd like to see you both in our Special 7th Division."

"What do I do with this?"

Rebecca lifted the assignment paper.

"Once you know the mission, you can tear it apart."

*jjiiig!!*

The moment she tore the mission paper, it burst into flames and turned to ash. It turned into a fine powder and disappeared into the air.

So this is how they erase traces.

Interesting.

"This is a subsidy to use for the mission."

Redin was given two leather pouches the size of his fists.

After that, they learned how to get in touch with the Special Task Force 7th Division, what to do in case of an emergency, and what to do when the mission is over.

When Redin said he knows what he needs to do.

And when there were no more questions from him and Rebecca, Riena gave him a quick pat on the back and said she was going to take a break.

"What are you going to do?"

Rebecca looked at him and said, "What do you think?

He has a few things running through his head, but it's cider¹ and a bet to see who can make the greatest contribution.

"You didn't think you could just nudge me like that and I'd let you know, did you?" Rebecca asked incredulously.

"You're not a complete idiot.", Redin deadpanned at Rebecca.

"Okay. Laugh to your heart's content now."

'I'm the one who wins anyway.' Redin thought to himself.

* * *

The back of Redin and Rebecca seen in the distance. Daylon asked Riena as they headed toward the port city.

"What mission did you give them?"

"Heatherlock"

"Was there such a mission? Why didn't I know about it?"

Riena replied as if it were no big deal.

"It's a mission you don't need to worry about."

"No way, it's a kingdom commission?"

"Uhh."

Kingdom Commissions.

One of the rights that the six kingdoms that sit on the Council get in return for paying to run Burning Hell.

What each kingdom can't handle.

It can be sensitive between kingdoms, or it can be too much for them to handle on their own.

It's about handling those errands.

"What's the request?"

"A nobleman in the Crane Kingdom died of a drug overdose, so they've put in a request for us to find him."

"Is it hard?"

"If it's long, maybe half a year will be tied up?"

"Looks like a dirty assignment. Well. Might as well experience the bottom first, Haaa."

Dayron stifled a yawn.

Then he started walking toward the port city.

"Let's go get something to eat. We're gonna be in for a rough ride when we go on another mission. Vacation is supposed to be about...."

"Will you shut that mouth?"

"Whoops… I didn't tell you all that."

Riena shook her head and pressed her hand to her forehead. There are certain things you should never say while on Mission.

Make your work day a vacation.

Especially when it came out of Daylon's mouth, there was never a lie in the story.

"It's okay, It's okay~~ Let's go." Daylon said happily.

Daylon put his arm around Riena and started walking toward the port city. Riena's expression remains grave as she is dragged along.

Pretending not to notice, They headed to her favorite restaurant.

Then, with a fluttering sound, a hawk landed on Riena's shoulder.

It was a specially trained falcon used by the task force. A mission order dangled from its leg. When Daylon saw it, he smiled wryly.

"Haha…"

"Should we just kill him?"

* * *

A teleporter in a port city.

They allow you to travel to any area in one fell swoop. There is one in the kingdom's capital and in estates above the level of a county.

Redin's not sure about the fees.

The guards at Burning Hell were not charged for their services. A courtesy of the High Council for quick transportation of criminals and missions.

"May I see your badge?"

An identification badge given to those who are officially appointed.

Riena explained to him that the cards are specially enchanted and, like fingerprints, each one is unique, making them harder to steal.

In the game, all you had to do was complete quests and you could use them however you wanted.

It was fascinating to see these details.

*Beep!*

A blue glow emanated from the strange machine.

"You have been identified, where may I send you?"

"Send me to Sig's estate in the Kingdom of Carvin."

Rebecca moved first.

The wizard manipulated something, and a blue light flowed out and engulfed Rebecca.

*Flash!*

Rebecca's figure disappeared.

"Do you want me to send you to the same place?"

Redin shook his head at the wizard's question.

"To the Estate of Valheim in the kingdom of Adrian."²

"I see."

*Flash!*

Redin just closed his eyes because of the bright light. However, the surrounding environment was different. He stood there a bit dumbfounded.

Is this magic?

"One! Two! One! Two!"

"Keep your waist lower and your grip on the sword tighter! How many times have I told you that swordsmanship is about the lower body?"

A sound nearby snapped Redin out of his reverie, and He spun around to see a group of kids swinging wooden swords through the crack in the wooden door.

An instructor to teach them.

He glanced up to see the sign.

[Basta Swordsmanship Academy]

Valheim is where you come to when you start in the Adrian Kingdom. It's a basic town where you can get a job as a prosecutor.

Later, you can become a knight by fulfilling certain conditions, and as you build your reputation, you can work your way up to royal knighthood.

Redin looked around.

It was full of these sword academies. In the game, children in the kingdom of Adrian are taught swordsmanship from an early age.

In particular, the Adrian Kingdom has some of the best educational regions in the world, and this is one of them. Half of the knights in the Adrian Kingdom come from here.

Rebecca probably learned her sword here, too.

So maybe she won't come here. It may be close to the Colloum, but people who know you might recognize you.

"I'll try to sneak in a little activity." Redin voiced out while looking around.

Redin could have followed Rebecca to the Kingdom of Carvin and it wouldn't have mattered. He chose this place because of Bahad.

Immortal Bahad

It was between Valheim and Colloum that he had survived the Burning Hell Ship bombing and was hiding out.

A hidden piece concealed here.

-I didn't go looking for it, I was captured by slave traders while running away.

This is the line you hear when you defeat Bahad in the game. He starts out calmly, but then he goes insane.

-What is this, you ask? Cough, cough, cough.

-I've gained special powers from there.

The sky splits open and a giant firebird appears, entering Bahad's body in a spectacular display.

With that, Bahad is resurrected and Phase 2 begins. Many raiders were brought to their knees by the sheer power of the boss, which was a far cry from the first phase.

Well, it became soup later.

What's important to note is that someone found the location in Bahad's line of dialogue. He even posted a picture of himself actually beating the dungeon.

[No dungeon rewards. Easter Eggs. Go for the "Life of Bahad #12" journal collectors].

There were a variety of responses.

Someone already beat you to it. The game company pranked you. The developer did it.

There have been many such controversies since.

A place where members of the Darkness Seven gained special powers. It was a dungeon with no rewards.

At a later conference, a user asked about it. The developer replied

-The reward initially exists, but the characters in the game have earned it, so the user can't get it.

Some said it was ridiculous, others said it was possible, given the amount of freedom.

Redin was in the latter camp.

After a lot of time and effort, He found a dungeon with the first reward. A place that no one touched until five years later.

Of course, it's hard to get to now.

Redin couldn't get it in his high spec days, and trying to get it now is like trying to hit a rock on an egg.

An object, per se.

"For the time being…"

Starting with the Hidden Piece that Bahad got.

* * *

In Valheim, He grabbed his cloak, a horse, light sword, map, and jerky and was on the road. In the game, the map was easy to find.

It wasn't possible here.

After moving to the vicinity of the dungeon, he looked at the map and moved to find places with waterfalls.

A giant waterfall.

The hidden cave was the hideout for slave traders. They were easy to hide in and not easily tracked.

"Huuuu…."

The region is full of waterfalls, and He spent over two days looking for it.

And then.

He spotted a wagon carrying slaves and slave traders. The trail of the wagon's wheels had been brushed away by those following.

It's hard to find them like this.

Redin clicked his tongue and moved slowly after them.

The path twisted and turned like a maze, and in case he got lost, Redin left a mark on the tree with his sword.

Finally, they arrived in front of such a huge waterfall.

*Swoosh*

One of the slave traders lifted something and the waterfall parted to reveal a path.

A purple circle of magic visible within the waterfall.

It seems to have been placed to prevent the slaves from escaping, and the slave trader's lift is the key to the magic circle.

The wagon drove into the forked road.

And then.

Arrakis' eyes, which had been activated, saw a green path.

"Found it."

** ** **

TL/N:

1. Slang for feeling great and happy

2. Kingdom of Ade will be changed to Adrian for future chapters.