Chapter 174 …
They say that when a person is shocked, their thought process halts.
Do-hyun felt that statement was entirely accurate. For a moment, it was as if time had stopped—he couldn’t think of anything at all.
One second passed… then another…
“Ah.”
After just under three seconds, Do-hyun blinked, coming back to his senses.
He noticed Luriel tilting her head at him, as if to ask what he was doing.
Soon, she assessed the situation and explained.
“Oh, I didn’t tell you who that is. No wonder you’re startled.”
“…….”
“You probably guessed, but yes. That sleeping woman is Angela, the one you’ve been searching for so desperately.”
It was a wedge of reality.
Faced with an undeniable truth, Do-hyun tried to organize his thoughts.
No… he tried to.
‘No, I can’t process this.’
His brain, saturated with disbelief, refused to function properly. But after forcing it a bit, he managed to summarize the situation.
‘So Angela isn’t actually dead, but for some reason, she’s asleep in this forest. And she’s both the key and the medium to obtain the Fragment of Fate.’
‘Something like that… right, Master?’
‘Excellent summary, my lord.’
‘Lizariza!’
It was good that he had obtained a clue to the Fragment of Fate, just as he had hoped.
‘But… why does it have to be Angela?’
Since the Sargis incident, Do-hyun knew that the Fragments of Fate were usually broken, and restoring them required a medium, a key.
But that key was a person? And not just anyone—a queen thought to be dead, now sleeping in the forest?
Did the king even know about this? Considering how chaotic it got when someone merely touched a necklace, it seemed doubtful.
“She must know. This is a containment created by the White Tower Master at the king’s request. There’s no place safer than this.”
“Ah.”
Apparently, that explained it.
As Do-hyun stepped closer to the glass container, intending to touch it, a spark made his hand bounce back.
[Protected by a powerful barrier.]
[Prolonged contact may result in fatal damage.]
[Disabling without permission requires extremely advanced barrier-breaking skills and magical knowledge.]
‘The craftsmanship is impressive.’
The White Tower Master was famous for unmatched magical artifact creation. Combining that with his expertise in barrier magic, this glass container seemed to be a special creation.
But that wasn’t the priority right now.
“…More importantly, why is Angela here?”
Why was she asleep in such a place? And why was she being protected with a special barrier?
“That’s because she’s cursed.”
“…Cursed?”
“A curse of eternal slumber. She’s probably living inside a dream world right now.”
Luriel looked at the sleeping Angela, her expression tinged with bitterness.
“She’s paying the price for breaking a taboo…”
“A taboo?”
“That’s not my story to tell. The ones involved should speak for themselves.”
“…Manners, huh. I see.”
“Why the look? Surprised that the word ‘manners’ came out of my mouth?”
“Could it be…”
…That kid was sharper than he thought.
Maybe all that long training in observing situations paid off.
Clearing his throat, Do-hyun shifted the topic.
“Speaking of the ones involved… you mean the people I’m thinking of?”
Luriel glanced south, following his meaning.
The direction of Pratel, the city of dreams. More precisely, beyond that—the castle.
“The king, Gilberun, known as the greatest sage-king in history. The rest, he will tell you.”
“I see.”
Do-hyun, nodding silently, hesitated for a moment. Then, after some thought, he spoke with a reluctant tone:
“Hmm… I think that might be difficult.”
“Huh? Why? He discriminates against Apostles but isn’t the type to refuse a meeting.”
“I was kicked out.”
“…?”
Luriel tilted her head in confusion, so Do-hyun briefly explained what had happened and why he was expelled.
After hearing everything, Luriel let out a wry smile.
“Incredible. How did you even find that? Even the White Tower Master himself probably couldn’t track it at a glance.”
“I have good eyesight.”
“…I don’t buy just eyesight alone.”
He did have exceptionally good eyes, a rare unique trait of Godose. Luriel scratched her head, confused, and turned away.
“Fine. Just follow me. It’ll be fine if we explain properly.”
“…Your expression says otherwise.”
Do-hyun recalled the faces of King Gilberun and the Knight Commander when he had been expelled—cold enough to freeze one’s blood.
Yet Luriel remained calm.
“No problem.”
“Really? There’s a way?”
“It’s not really a ‘way.’ I, Luriel, guarantee it.”
She smiled confidently.
“Just trust me and follow along.”
Her confident demeanor made Do-hyun nod. For now, Luriel was a shining light.
But that illusion wouldn’t last long.
The castle’s rear gate.
An entrance not permitted to users.
“I said I guarantee it. Go report to the king first. Really frustrating.”
“…Not allowed. The king needs stability right now. Especially him… letting him in is impossible.”
Seeing the guard’s cold side glance, Do-hyun covered his face.
‘As expected…’
Why had he trusted this brat?
“You said to trust only me.”
“No, that’s not it…”
“Ugh.”
“You think I’m being difficult?”
Luriel’s sharp eyes made Do-hyun glance away. Half embarrassed, half annoyed, she spoke rapidly.
“Why not? Haven’t you seen me go in here before?”
“Yes, you move around giving guards advice… er, counsel. Even so, today is not allowed. Come another day.”
“Advice? You call that advice?”
“Then what is it?”
“I couldn’t stand seeing them struggle, so I gave guidance. That’s how they improve. Do you think I did it for myself?”
Do-hyun was genuinely amazed at Luriel, who spoke bluntly without blinking.
‘Wow…’
A nagging old-timer transcends time. Everything she says or does is exactly the same.
“Enough chatter. You’re new, right? Back in my day, before speaking, we would observe and understand who someone was first.”
“…Stop it, Luriel. That’s embarrassing. Look at Jihad over there.”
Master, I will always stay by your side!
“No, you can stay out of this. Keep your image intact.”
She sounded imposing but was just a typical old-fashioned nag. Maybe a bit stronger than most, but that was it.
“Regardless of your noble family, today isn’t happening.”
“No, I said call the king first! Or call Rack too.”
“…Are you personally acquainted with the Knight Commander?”
At the mention of ‘Rack,’ the guard froze. His indifferent expression stiffened.
The Knight Commander, Hyde Rackdrear, was not someone many could casually address as ‘Rack.’
Just then,
creak—
“Seems someone’s come looking for me.”
“…I thought there was only one who could cause such a scene… It really is Luriel.”
The door opened, and two heavy voices were heard—voices Do-hyun remembered distinctly.
“…Uh?”
“King…?”
King Gilberun of Pratel, and Knight Commander Hyde Rackdrear.
“Rack!”
“Eek…!”
Luriel’s expression brightened noticeably, while the guard’s turned pale blue.
Fortunately, Luriel was not just a crazy nag.
“Reports came in of a young girl causing a scene at the back gate… I wondered if it was you. It really is Luriel.”
“…Is this the one the person wishes to guarantee?”
“Yes. Don’t you believe me?”
Two people who surely did not think kindly of Do-hyun were convinced by just Luriel’s word.
That wasn’t all.
“Hmm… Could it be?”
“If it’s Luriel’s guarantee, it can be trusted.”
Though expelled earlier, Do-hyun was allowed into the castle simply because Luriel vouched for him.
Even the audience hall for first-time visits was permitted—all thanks to Luriel’s position.
“Who else could you trust if not the guarantee of a prophet?”
“Indeed.”
[You’ve heard the nickname of the wandering NPC, ‘Luriel’.]
[Recorded in the Adventure Log.]
A wandering NPC, Luriel. She was the sole prophet in Pratel.
‘Wow, didn’t see that coming.’
Everything about her hinted at something special, but she was also someone who could speak freely to the king. Not above the king, but on equal footing—a rare occurrence.
Even the guards seemed unaware of her true identity.
‘The guard’s expression was priceless.’
Pale white, almost blue—like seeing a ghost. From his perspective, a sudden shock from nowhere. The girl he had assumed was just a stubborn noble was in fact someone even the Knight Commander could not challenge.
‘I wonder what happened to that guard, Master?’
‘Hmm. From my experience, probably got scolded by his direct superior.’
‘Some things never change.’
Being strict yet broad-minded, Luriel showed no ill will.
The reason Do-hyun was allowed in with just her word?
“By the way… Being guaranteed means you are the vessel of the prophesied Apostle, right, Luriel?”
“Of course. You passed all my tests. You even gathered all the materials.”
“Impressive…”
“Lucky, too. I didn’t see anyone promising before, but I felt good energy here.”
“…?”
Do-hyun was puzzled at their conversation—prophecy? promising?
Sometimes it’s better to stay quiet.
“Finally… the time has come.”
King Gilberun, for the first time, showed visible excitement, his bloodshot eyes staring like an enemy.
“Ruidra… the time has come to drive out the nightmare and obtain the flame of purification.”
Do-hyun perked up at that name.
‘Ruidra?’
A name he had never heard before. Not a known boss or NPC in Pratel.
Then…
‘Hidden piece!’
He had discovered a hidden piece once again.
“Who is Ruidra?”
“Ah, seems Luriel hasn’t explained yet.”
“It’s better the person involved explains.”
“Right… that makes sense.”
Unable to resist, Do-hyun asked, and King Gilberun finally spoke:
“A horrifying nightmare, a witch awakened by my own misguided desire.”
Ding-
Immediately, a notification popped up:
[You heard the name of the horrific nightmare and Dream Witch, Ruidra.]
[Recorded in the Adventure Log.]
[Discovered a hidden raid boss in Pratel.]
‘Hmm… so this time it’s a raid boss… huh?’
Do-hyun read the message, stunned.
‘Wait, what did you say—raid boss?’
