Episode 198
54. A new semester without you (1)
slinky.
The paper hanging on the door shook lightly. The man who was cleaning the glasses on the shelf turned his head.
Today was the official holiday of the pub.
If you are a guest who has come to know that… … .
“You came a little early today.”
Swallow Bywei, the master of the Information Guild headquarters, smiled brightly at Baeksanwoo.
He was covering his face with a mask, but that was simply to keep the rules of the back alleys.
Since we’ve known each other for almost half a year, there’s no way Swallow wouldn’t recognize them.
“What about progress?”
“Hey, what’s the point again? It’s a long-awaited holiday, how about taking a break? Now there would be neither ears to hear nor eyes to see.”
Baek San-woo frowns at the words that fluctuate like a serpent.
Swallow’s reaction from such a Baeksanwoo was very interesting. Even though he’s still 17, no, he’s only 18 now, a young student.
Because he had spent almost his entire life in the back alleys of Paradise Island, and there was no sign of fear or embarrassment at all.
Of course, he showed an outright dislike, but Baek Sanwoo unexpectedly sat down at the table bar.
Today’s first and unofficial guest.
Baek Sanwoo was close to a VVIP level greeting to him, so Swallow generously offered him a glass of the most expensive drink in his bar.
Of course, along with the paper with the requested information.
“It smells a little different. Is it whiskey?”
Baek San-woo’s gaze turned toward the glass of wine.
To be honest, it wasn’t something that came from a student who was only 18 years old.
It was a sight that Swallow got used to as soon as he got used to it.
“It’s the Johnny Wacker Navy Label. I just brought it in this time. It was a premium brand, so I had a hard time waking up.”
Shrug.
He glanced at Swallow rubbing his forehead as if wiping away sweat and the glass of wine.
Without a word, he lifted the glass and poured the contents into his mouth.
Then, as if drinking was nothing, he opened the paper and read the contents.
His expression wasn’t particularly good.
That’s right, I haven’t been able to get proper information for over a month.
“I don’t have a lot of income for this… … .”
“Because it’s a story in a myth. How much dissatisfaction the informants dispatched to the Arhalten Kingdom are pouring out that there is no way to know.”
“Perhaps it will.”
Baeksan-woo had a bitter taste.
It was a few weeks ago when Arthur’s first year student, Baek San-woo, found the information guild with a heavy bundle of gold coins.
They were the two people who usually kept in touch with the hunting guild and the situation in the back alleys.
As of that day, he had come without saying anything.
After giving away 100 gold coins, Baek San-woo received a special request from Swallow and the Intelligence Guild.
– Find something about an old myth. The request fee is paid in advance.
It was weird stuff.
A request to collect the now forgotten myth of Artel, the existence of a god called the Sephiroth tree, and all the stories and books related to it.
I have had several experiences with finding special books or figuring out the authenticity of myths.
Even the Master of the Information Guild, Baek Sanwoo was the first to receive a quest that combined the two contents.
But, once I got paid.
The trust of our clients will be assured.
Swallow accepted the deal coolly, and it wasn’t long before he realized why Baeksanwoo was so obsessed with Artel’s ancient tales.
Iliana Noel.
Hafartel, who was always close to Baeksanwoo, suddenly disappeared.
Of course, since the student who had been doing well went missing, an investigation team from the Ministry of Security was assigned.
Baeksanwoo was conducting a separate investigation from them.
maybe.
He must be judging that Illyana’s disappearance has something to do with this ‘artel myth’.
“Still, it has not been very successful. It seems that a new site was recently discovered in the ‘Forest of Oblivion’, which borders the Arhalten Kingdom.”
“Historic sites?”
“It is said that they do not yet know who lived and for what purpose it was built… … . It is believed that the architectural style has something to do with the ancient Artel that was left in the old literature.”
“… … is it. As soon as there is relevant information, please update it as soon as possible.”
“of course. I got the advance payment, so I have to work hard.”
I will take as much as I give.
For him, whose motto is give and take, this kind of effort was natural.
Because 100 imperial gold coins were worth that much.
“by the way… … Baek San-woo doesn’t seem to be particularly interested in the incoming freshmen.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not really interested.”
“Haha, that’s it again. I also served expensive alcohol as a service, but you can talk to me for just a few minutes. I’m going to clean it up soon.”
Baek San-woo’s dialogue code surprisingly matched Swallow well.
After a series of incidents were resolved, the two became close enough to be called friends.
After the disappearance of Iliana Noel, Baek San-woo’s attitude became quite chilly.
Still, whether there is any affection from the past, he frowns, but does not leave his seat.
Swallow smiled faintly and, as usual, began the conversation.
“I heard from one of the informants working on the student department… … .”
* * *
I tapped the bar table with my finger. It was true that there was no interest in the new incoming freshmen.
There was no need to listen to Swallow, because he already knew everything.
“Theodore Lincoln, the eldest son of the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Eurakia, has been admitted.”
Swallow shrugged as if telling great news.
I nodded bitterly.
“Yes, the ‘Holy Fire Lady’ candidate of the Holy Empire of Acrion will also come in, and there is probably a story that ‘Diego Pizarro’, the son of the supreme commander of the Central Corps of the Spanish Empire, will be admitted.”
“Yes!? How did Baeksan-woo know that?”
The information guild would have treated it as high-level information, but I, as a third party, blew it away.
Swallow shouts in amazement.
“greatness… … ! Hmm, no, that’s not it. How did you know?”
Perhaps he thought his voice was too loud, Master lowered the volume.
“There is a way to know everything. I also have sources of information.”
“Oh yeah… … You really are a wonderful person the more I look at you.”
As a single student, it was the reason why I, who was only a first-year student at Paradise School, could be on an equal footing with Master Swallow of the Information Guild.
This author was the same as the player, but if you think that you have less intelligence than you or that you have a weaker wall.
He was a man who took advantage of himself by digging up his weaknesses right away.
That’s not to say Swallow is bad.
It was because they were one of the few NPCs that players could definitely trust in a back alley that was almost lawless.
When they catch a weakness, they don’t just take advantage, they’re yangban compared to other guys who almost rob them of their souls.
In similar cases, hunting guilds tended to hire assassins to kill them (even knowing that they were Triston’s successors).
In the case of smuggling guilds, there were cases where they threatened to buy stolen goods at ridiculous prices.
Of course, it was common to touch the hearts of the players in that way, and then the whole organization would fly away.
As the person who destroyed the hunting guild and smuggler guild dozens of times.
There was nothing to worry about because they were so used to their power and attack methods.
“Oh, by the way. How is the behavior of that person you talked about last time?”
I asked, finishing off the fine whiskey that was still in the glass.
No matter how the situation is due to Iliana’s sudden disappearance, you can’t just spend time searching for her.
The more confused I get, the more naturally the things I had planned go awry.
It was an absolute emissary.
‘And it’s best to focus on your work when you’re really nervous.’
It does not change whether it is reality or the world within Paradise Academia.
Because it was my style to wander around without having to think about anything else when it was complicated.
“The hunting guild and the smuggler guild.”
Then Swallow rolled his eyes and smirked.
“You can see that I am working on my own. It looks like there will be one big crash soon.”
“Aren’t there any new mercenaries that have flowed in?”
“Yes.”
Originally, it was a back alley that had no contact with the main scenario until Chapter 8.
Thanks to this, I don’t think the development was distorted by the butterfly effect or missing pieces of my actions.
‘If we keep going like this, we will definitely crash around the summer vacation of the second year.’
The faction quest hasn’t even started yet. The fight between the deputy guild leader Karjou and the deputy guild leader Baldro that you can see now is just blood.
Those who judged that the existing back alley power is insufficient, begin to bring in members from outside Nakwon Island to establish a new order.
Of course, as they accepted the request from the back alleys, they have certain skills, but the quality is very poor.
It is also causing various troubles on Paradise Island.
In fact, if you wanted to turn it over, you could turn it over right now.
However, there is no need to create variables myself.
“I stress it over and over, but when you get information that such a mercenary group has arrived, tell me first. I will pay any price for it.”
“Is there any possibility?”
Now let’s get up slowly.
The errand was already finished, so it didn’t matter if I left at any time.
When the chair was pulled back, Swallow politely bowed his head.
“Then go in in peace.”
“Take care of yourself.”
I leave behind the Master of the Information Guild, who is currently my only ally.
I got out of ‘Swallow and Rat’.
* * *
The blue sea shimmering in sunlight.
Above it was a huge sailing ship, cutting through the water.
‘Canterbury’ is said to be the best ship in the entire continent.
From the southern port of the Eastern Federation to the last stopover, the Federal Republic of Eurakia.
After a long voyage that lasted more than ten days, the silhouette of a huge island came over the horizon.
“It is paradise island!!!”
One of the passengers, who came out of the stuffy cabin and was enjoying the cool sea breeze, shouted.
The eyes of the people on the deck all turned towards the horizon.
A glimmering green earth.
White seagulls flew round and round on the high mat and cried.
squeak- squeak-
The bell rings to signal that the final destination has finally been reached.
Before long, all the remaining passengers in the cabin climbed up the deck to see Paradise Island.
They looked at the island that was starting to get closer and showed different reactions.
A girl who prays reverently after putting her hands on her chest.
Even the boy with his arms crossed with a confident smile.
Even the Tarkan girl with her tail drooping with a lot of atrophy.
And there was a boy who was wearing a jet-black uniform and was fiddling with his sword without a word.
They didn’t talk to each other or make eye contact. They just silently looked at Nakwon Island with their own eyes.
Young talented people gathered from all kinds of countries and continents.
I would like to go to the island anyway, but I would find out if I didn’t like it.
With goals and dreams in their hearts, they were moving towards a stage of great change and confusion.
Read at noblemtl.com
Meanwhile, at the same time.Pu~~~! Pu~~~!
“come!!!”
The officials at the pier were busy moving after confirming the sound of a boat beating from afar.
It was bitter enough to penetrate the winter sea breeze, even through thick fur coats.
There was no one to complain about that.
First freshman of the year.
Because new seeds were coming in to be sown on the island of paradise and to grow quickly.