Chapter 70

Cheonma TV was always like this.

Unlike most channels that attract attention with sensational phrases and titles, Cheonma TV simply threw a video with just one word as the title.

And this time was no different. The newly uploaded video on Cheonma TV had only two characters written on it.

Elf.

It was a word that attracted more attention than any flowery language.

- It's been a while since a new video. Almost a week, right?

- Elf? This time, Cheonma really managed to grab attention.

- Elf? I bet it's just some pretty NPC. I can guess the content without even watching it.

- Even Cheonma can't resist money, I guess.

Most people thought this. They believed Cheonma had tasted the thrill of views and started using attention-grabbing titles.

- Still, it's Cheonma. There must be something unique about this one too.

- Even if it's not a real elf, maybe he found some clues about them?

There were those who viewed Cheonma critically and those who supported his unique approach.

However, both groups had the same reaction once the video started playing.

- ...What?

- What did he say? This is real?!

- Crazy! It's a real elf!!!

This video was more than twice as long as his previous ones.

Scenes of entering the forest and meeting the elves for the first time.

Scenes of fighting a monster horde in alliance with the elves.

And even the festival in the elf village after the victory.

While not particularly long compared to other streamers' videos, this short video was a bombshell that strongly stimulated the gamers' dreams.

- Where is this place? Mr. Cheonma, please tell us! I'll reward you right away!

- Wow... I want to fight alongside elves too.

- What's up with Cheonma? Why is he playing a different game from us?

The comment section began to explode, and the entire community related to the game started to buzz.

It became the best video of the day in no time, and even hours after the upload, the number of comments per minute remained over 30.

Most of the reactions were about the elves' appearance.

- Wow, are their faces really that level? They look like the strongest characters in the world. It's awe-inspiring.

- They look better the more you look at them. They become more lovable the longer you watch.

- Not really. They still look ordinary to me.

- You too.

- You're that guy from earlier. Why are you causing trouble in every comment? Hey, you *&^%@*(%

- Hahaha

- Hahaha, check this out. He's a Taekwondo master.

- Cut out the trolling in a good video! Build-up Taekwondo by cutting!

However, such a small number of trolling comments were quickly buried in ridicule.

Just as the novelty of the elves started to wear off, people began to think of a fundamental question.

- ...This is completely different from his previous videos.

- How is this even possible?

Until now, most of Cheonma's videos were about hunting One-Pi-Dan or raiding bosses like Giant Slaughters or Trenths.

Of course, the content of those videos was something no one else dared to imitate, but they were still hunting videos.

The overwhelming physical prowess, combat style, and solo raiding were impressive, but boss raids were common events.

However, discovering the elves was a completely different story.

- Cheonma said he was a newbie, right? So, this must be a low-level zone. There was a hidden place like this in a low-level zone?

This was the discovery of hidden content that had never been found before!

It was a much more impressive achievement than high-level players exploring new areas.

The second hidden piece discovered after the guerrilla quest hidden in the starting village.

The top-tier players who saw Cheonma's video couldn't help but think of one word.

- Could it be... the main quest?

The main quest.

The number one content that the top players of Last Savior were eagerly waiting for.

Most online MMORPGs have a main quest.

A quest where the player becomes the protagonist and drives the story of the world.

However, the main quest did not exist in Last Savior. Or, it might exist, but no player had ever found it.

- It doesn't make sense. With over 500 million players playing for half a year, how could they not find the main quest?

That's right. It didn't make sense.

So, people speculated.

The main quest had not been updated yet.

They thought it would appear as part of the one-year anniversary celebration.

It was more plausible than the idea that 500 million players couldn't find it in half a year.

- No way. It can't be. It's probably just a common hidden piece.

- But for a hidden piece, it's a bit... a whole new race appeared?

- Then... the guild that recruits Cheonma will monopolize the main quest?

- No way. Other top guilds won't just let that happen. The moment they find out Cheonma is being recruited, they'll declare war.

The situation became complicated.

If Cheonma was the top prospect for recruitment before, now he had become a poisoned chalice that even the top guilds dared not swallow.

- But someone will try. If they succeed, unimaginable wealth and fame will follow.

- The mind games are starting. This is going to be interesting.

The video spread to the leadership of various guilds, and their thoughts were not much different from those of other players.

‘We need to contact him as discreetly as possible.’

‘Even among top guilds, there are differences in quality. With our conditions... he won’t be able to refuse. This recruitment battle is ours to win.’

‘It might be hard for us to get him... but we must prevent him from joining any other guild. Even if it means destroying them!’

The top guilds were drinking the soup, each with their own cup, unaware that the person they were after had no intention of joining any guild.

Karpé was unknowingly capturing the attention of the world's top figures.

* * *

"Is it really okay to just leave?"

"Yeah... it's fine, Master."

Karpé and his party were currently sneaking out of the elf forest.

Mirage didn't want to reveal her existence.

"I was Altair, but that's a secret. It's cool... because it's cool."

"...Cool?"

"Yeah... it's cool."

Karpé frowned, not understanding what she meant, but Tina added an explanation.

"Master. Mirage has always loved fairy tales and stories about heroes."

Especially, she loved dark knights who sacrificed everything for the ones they loved but kept their deeds hidden.

"Altair, the Queen of Light, and I, the Queen of Shadows... it's cool."

"Ugh... that's a big scale."

Indeed, the scale of the elves was hard for Karpé, an ordinary human, to grasp.

In the past, Mirage found it hard to perfectly mimic her targets. She could perfectly copy their skills and combat abilities, but she often made mistakes with their personalities and speech patterns.

Apparently, everyone who had seen the real Altair, except for the young elves, had noticed.

But they all kept silent because her actions and thoughts were so adorable!

Incidentally, the real Altair had instructed them to keep the secret.

"Mirage needed to learn the responsibilities and etiquette of a queen."

Altair's wish was for Mirage to gain various experiences before the descendant of the Demon King appeared and she had to leave.

Thus, the 800-year-long charade began, with no one being fooled.

"Master Karpé, please take good care of Mirage."

Altair said this and handed Karpé a small leaf.

The second leaf that sprouted from the sapling of the World Tree.

Ding.

[Second Leaf of the World Tree]

[Grade: Legendary]

[Category: Consumable, Magic Material]

[The second leaf sprouted from the World Tree. Though not as powerful as the first leaf, it still contains a strong force of life.]

[If planted somewhere, it might grow into a small World Tree.]

[Consuming it increases your HP status by 7 (usable only for levels 50 and below).]

*Non-tradable

The problem was here.

Altair had given this final reward and disappeared, entrusting Mirage to Karpé.

* * *

For that reason, watching Mirage, who was deeply immersed in her dark knight role, felt a bit awkward.

"Master."

"Yeah?"

"I'll destroy your reputation. If left alone, I'll torment the elf village. I'll protect the elves."

Mirage, clenching her tiny fists, was... indescribably cute.

This is why fathers become doting on their daughters.

‘I should keep it a secret.’

There was no need to crush a child's dream by revealing the truth.

I'll take this secret to my grave. Karpé made up his mind.

"Where should we go now?"

His current level was 38, and the level required for the next quest was 40.

In other words, they needed to level up by 2 more levels.

- Hehe. It's my turn now.

"Hey. Is there a suitable hunting ground?"

- Of course. We can level up 2 levels in no time.

Before entering the elf forest, they had planned to go elsewhere, but the dramatic increase in combat power in the elf forest required a change of plan.

- Do you remember what I said before? To be as careful as possible until you gain enough strength.

"Yeah, I remember. Of course."

- I don't think you need to be careful anymore. With your current power, you can wipe out everything that comes your way.

In short, he could fight freely even in crowded fields.

- Alright, let's head back to Luana for maintenance...

That's when it happened.

As Karpé was about to leave the elf forest, a thick chill enveloped him.

...A chill similar to what he had experienced before.

The difference was that this chill was overwhelmingly stronger.

- ...

- ...

It didn't take long to realize what was happening.

A red warning window appeared noisily in front of him!

[Unexpected Event Occurred!]

[Four Seas – You have encountered 'Seobingje'!]

It was the real Seobingje, not just a fragment.

However, unlike the warning, Seobingje was nowhere to be seen.

Only an indiscernible voice could be heard.

[Indeed. You possess something interesting. Something I've never seen before.]

An overwhelming pressure that couldn't be compared to just a fragment.

Due to the forced event, Karpé couldn't move at all.

[I like it.]

Whoosh.

Immediately after Seobingje said this, a cloud of ice dust flew in from somewhere.

The ice dust formed a ring around Karpé's finger and soon turned into a ring.

Ding!

[Seobingje's Emblem]

[Grade: Epic]

[Wearing Restriction: Those recognized by Seobingje]

[A gift from the mysterious being Seobingje to someone who has caught his interest.]

- All stats + 7

- Additional Option: Once, you can borrow Seobingje's power (ring will be destroyed upon use).

‘...Huh?’

- What?! What is this ridiculous...

[Let's see if you can break the eternal shackles with that unknown something.]

With those words, the chill disappeared instantly, and Karpé collapsed.

"Master! Are you okay?!"

"Master? Are you alright?"

The two dolls approached, but unfortunately, Karpé couldn't pay attention to them.

"What... what is this?"

Karpé stared blankly at his finger.

A blue ring, different from the one he got from the fragment.

It was the moment Karpé obtained his first Epic item.

A 10-star player who became strong through luck.