Episode 103
103. The Ice Maze
The baseless speculation from the Repinet post about ‘The Final Guardians’ might have been correct. An NPC even Golden Hand didn’t know. There might still be many entities on Astrid’s level existing in 《Lepion》. No, he was certain of it. Even right before the Age of Destruction arrived, 《Lepion》 was teeming with powerful figures known only by rumor.
‘Are they… containing them? Those Calamities?’
They were containing the Calamities. If not, this 《Lepione》 would also have become a world filled only with monsters. Geumson’s thoughts naturally drifted to the Age of Destruction.
‘Then… if we cultivate and place such powerful individuals in South Korea’s major cities…?’
The faces of the strongest individuals he knew flashed through Geumson’s mind. They were those who had reached the pinnacle in their own ways. If they could connect with the ‘Guardians’ of each city and inherit that power, or if they themselves could grow enough to become Guardians…
‘We can prevent the destruction!’
The simple goal of ‘getting stronger’ was gradually becoming more concrete. Of course, they alone would not be enough. No matter how strong they became, their limits would remain clear.
But breaking those limits, making the impossible possible—that was precisely what golden hand had to do.
‘The items I create will become their wings.’
The tasks ahead were overwhelmingly numerous. But compared to the Age of Destruction, it was joyful work. Simply the fact that he could now hold onto something called ‘hope,’ which was absent back then.
“Walker, Tia. Let’s go.”
Golden Hand raised the collar of the ‘Shadow Cloak’ Astrid had given him. At that moment, not only Golden Hand but even the presence of Iron Walker and Tia faded as if melting into the surrounding scenery. Countless players passed by Golden Hand’s side, but none recognized him.
‘Mythic grade really is on another level.’
Geumson marveled anew at the cloak’s effects. Especially the ‘Absolute Memory’ effect was creating incredible synergy with his other abilities.
‘Combined with the City Return effect… this is practically unlimited teleportation, isn’t it?’
The ‘Absolute Memory’ effect of the Shadow Cloak, which never forgets a place once visited. And Golden Hand’s City Return ability, allowing instant teleportation once per day to the coordinates of a designated city. Utilizing both abilities theoretically freed him from the constraints of travel distance.
Kratum yesterday, Aertos today, another city somewhere else tomorrow. Anywhere his feet had once tread. It meant that if he wished, he could travel anywhere on the continent within a day. In 《Lepione》, where means of transportation were scarce, this was an overwhelming advantage.
‘With travel time drastically reduced, work efficiency can be maximized too. And….’
golden hand hand felt the cold, smooth texture of a scroll within his inventory. The very reason he had needed to secure first place.
‘The God’s Whistle Scroll!’
It seemed the time to use this power had come. He moved his steps toward a quiet area on the outskirts of the city. Using it inside the city and drawing unnecessary attention would be troublesome.
Moreover, this was the second use. Even golden hand wasn’t entirely sure what problems might arise. But the moment he quietly exited the city gate, a low voice came from behind him.
“I had a bit of trouble finding you. Lady Astrid really gave you something troublesome….”
A person who had found golden hand, rendering even the Mythic-grade concealment effect meaningless. It was the Crown Prince of the Aerok Kingdom, Bellian.
‘How did he see through it?’
Geumson was inwardly astonished. Astrid’s Shadow Cloak was not simple stealth. It made one’s very existence faint, an item that couldn’t even be detected by ordinary detection magic or skills. Yet Bellian had found golden hand in an instant, even as players passing right by failed to recognize him.
In other words, it meant there was another method to find golden hand. It was clear Crown Prince Bellian possessed some special ability unknown to golden hand.
‘Opening that gate earlier too… just what kind of person is he?’
The Crown Prince of a nation. He was certainly different from ordinary NPCs. Perhaps Bellian also possessed abilities on a level similar to Astrid. The fact that he had dismissed his royal knights and attendants to approach golden hand alone hinted at his confidence.
“What brings you to me?”
For now, he needed to build rapport. To uncover the secrets Bellian held. But perhaps due to his high tension, his reply came out somewhat sharp. However, Crown Prince Bellian didn’t seem to mind much.
“It’s only natural to be concerned when a hero departs alone. I was worried you didn’t participate in the award ceremony?”
After the Airtos defense battle ended, Geumson had rested and recuperated. During that time, a quest-related award ceremony had taken place in Airtos. Geumson knew about it but had deliberately not attended. It was enough for Kang Moo-jin to be publicly known.
“A hero… you flatter me.”
“The hero who resolved Kratum’s crisis, saved Airtos. And Astrid’s sole disciple, heir to the Cogwheel… Truly, a model player. If I were the king of this nation, I would have granted you a fiefdom to rule.”
“Haha, I thank you for the words alone.”
“Hmm? But I meant them sincerely?”
Though his mouth spoke of sincerity, his eyes were filled with mischief. An utterly unfathomable person. Difficult to deal with. As Geumson looked troubled, Bellian changed the topic and asked.
“Do you have a next destination in mind?”
“Well… I plan to head north for now.”
“North, you say?”
Golden Hand’s current level was 74. He didn’t have far to go to reach level 100. He intended to start the ‘Serpent of the Lunar Eclipse’ quest as soon as he hit level 100. He had to stop a confirmed Calamity first. That’s why he was planning to move near the north, but for some reason, Prince Bellian’s expression brightened.
“That works out well. May I ask a favor of you?”
Simultaneously, a familiar message appeared in Geumson’s field of vision.
A quest.
A quest directly proposed by Crown Prince Bellian.
[Royal Emergency Quest: Liberate the Frozen City.]
Details: The northern trade city of ‘Frellia’ has been trapped within a gigantic ice maze by a player of unknown identity. The ice maze has caused trade in the north to face severe difficulties. Liberate the city and resolve the northern crisis.
Rewards:
10,000,000 Gold
Bracelet of Replication [Ancient]
Bellian Crown Prince Favorability ‘Maximum’
???
Failure Consequences:
Bellian Crown Prince Favorability Decrease
Restrictions on activities within the Kingdom
Golden Hand read through the quest. Looking at him, Bellian spoke with a regretful expression.
“It’s truly a troublesome matter that while there are model players like Player Golden Hands, there are also players doing strange things….”
Bellian began explaining the situation Frellia was facing. With the trade city of Prelia blockaded, logistics in the north had been cut off. Simultaneously, a food crisis had struck the north. The north was so short on food that it was on the brink of a great famine.
“Since it’s a matter involving a player, it’s not easy for the royal family to intervene directly. But if a player like golden steps forward and creates an opportunity, as with Airtos…”
Unlike the quest details, Bellian didn’t seem to expect Geumson to solve everything. He seemed satisfied just with Geumson creating a suitable pretext for the royal family to intervene, similar to Airtos. However, Geumson wasn’t fully listening to Bellian’s words. His attention was stolen by one word in the quest message.
‘Ice… maze? A maze… Could this be?!’
Instantly, one name flashed through his mind. The solitary shield who, during the Age of Destruction, protected countless survivors with walls of ice sturdier than anyone else’s.
‘The Labyrinth Architect’ Ma Jin-cheol.
‘This… is it Uncle Jin-cheol?’
golden hand’s pupils shook violently. Ma Jin-cheol was someone Geumson knew well. Whenever preparing human shelters, he had always worked with Ma Jin-cheol. The man Geumson remembered was taciturn but possessed a heart warmer than anyone’s. So much so that he would sacrifice everything to protect people.
And that man was blockading a city in 《Repion》 and plunging the entire northern populace into crisis? It was utterly unbelievable.
‘Something’s… off? Uncle Jin-cheol wouldn’t do such a thing…?’
Geumson struggled to organize his confused thoughts. Moreover, information about the ‘ice maze’ blocking the north was new even to Geumson. Perhaps the same thing had happened in his past life but didn’t become a major issue. That piqued his interest.
“I’ll do it.”
At Geumson’s decisive answer, the smile on Bellian’s lips deepened. Bellian took out a black flute from his bosom and handed it over. An intricately carved winged horse emblem adorned the flute.
“Excellent. My eye for people wasn’t mistaken after all. Prelia is quite far from here. This should help with travel.”
[Acquired ‘Royal Griffin Summoning Flute’.]
[When used, summons a royal griffin for fast travel to a designated location. (3 uses)]
Just as Geumson was about to leave after hearing the relevant details from Bellian, the Crown Prince left a piece of advice in passing.
“Ah, come to think of it… Geumson, you are also a blacksmith, correct?”
“…Yes, I am.”
“In that case, I’d like to share something the legendary blacksmith of our royal family once told me.”
At the mention of a legendary blacksmith, Golden Hand’s interest was drawn. If it was a legendary blacksmith of the Eirok Kingdom, in his past life, there was only one person who could be golden hand master: Valerius.
“Do not become too obsessed with what is hot.”
“Huh?”
“Because Player golden hand seems far too hot right now.”
At that moment, Geumson’s expression stiffened.
Because he felt as if Crown Prince Bellian had seen right through the ability golden hand had acquired with the ‘God’s Whistle Scroll’—the effect of ‘Sun’s Right Hand.’
